Special Features - Best of Red Deer 2017

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Readers’ Choice Awards 2017 COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS - Jack Donald has landed silver in the category of Best Corporate Citizen in this year’s Best of Red Deer.

Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Woo-Hoo! Yipee! We’re honoured! Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

GROCERY STORE 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Thank You Red Deer.

We think you’re great too!

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YEARS IN A ROW Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

GROCERY STORE 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Gold Winner: Grocery Store

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

CORPORATE CITIZEN TREVOR ASLIN 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Gold Winner: Corporate Citizen Trevor Aslin

“On behalf of everyone at Sobeys Gaetz South, we would like to thank you for choosing us as your

Best of Red Deer BRONZE WINNER

#1 grocery store in Red Deer.” Trevor & Petra Aslin and Family Owners/Operators

PHARMACY 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Bronze Winner: Pharmacy

Gaetz South 2110-50 avenue, Red Deer AB, 403-348-0848. Open 8 am to 10 pm. 7 Days a Week

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 3

Lyn Radford wins silver in the Best Volunteer category She focuses on her role as chair of the 2019 Canada Winter Games BY MARK WEBER mark.weber@reddeerexpress.com

With extensive volunteer and management experience on a number of community fronts over the years, Red Deerian Lyn Radford has been recognized with a silver in the category of Best Volunteer in this year’s Best of Red Deer. These days, she’s focused on her role at chair of the 2019 Canada Winter Games, with an excitement and a sense of dedication that is in and of itself an inspiration. “There are 622 days until it happens,” she said during an interview earlier this month. “When I really put it down to the fact that we are 20 months away - that is not long,” she added with a laugh. It was back in September of 2014 that Red Deerians learned the City had landed the honours of hosting the 2019 Canada Winter Games. “That’s almost three years ago! Can you believe it? I’m pretty excited! “The one piece that I’m still working on is for people to understand the magnitude of the event. So we’ve been going out and doing presentations to different organizations, whether that be a service group or another municipality in the area,” she explained. Featuring 19 sports, over 150 events and a major cultural festival, the 2019 Canada Winter Games will welcome up to 3,600 athletes, managers and coaches and more than 20,000 visitors, according to the Winter Games web site. “The 2019 Games will be the largest event ever hosted in Red Deer and Central Alberta and one of the largest events to be hosted in Alberta in over three decades, since the 1988 Calgary Olympics.” These days, Radford said the team is starting to fill in what will ultimately total about 5,000 volunteer positions. “We now have 24 staff onboard just about all full-time - and that tells you about the magnitude of what this really is.” Eventually, when the Games are in full swing, there will be 60 employees covering a multitude of roles. “A lot them will come on in the fall of 2018.” Radford said one of the highlights connected to the Games is the state-of-

the-art Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre which is located on the Red Deer College campus. “That to me brings a sense of accomplishment to see that facility.” It’s among several projects, improvements and enhancements that are unfolding around the area as the Games approach. “We’ve also had the opportunity to sit down with some community groups who have said, ‘What can we do?’ We’ve given them some direction as to how they can take some of their dollars to beautify their communities and prepare for the Games. “We’ve also talked to groups about doing a ‘group volunteer’ gig - people may not want to volunteer by themselves, but they can get together with one of their groups or associations.” There are loads of ways to get involved. “That’s another piece of volunteering with the Games are the relationships you have the opportunity to build within the community,” she said. “This community has something different - that different piece is about how creative their solutions are,” she added. “And that’s what we are seeing with the Games.” Radford, who is originally from Edmonton, has called Red Deer home since 1986 – she and her husband Reg moved their family here that year. And even in the midst of raising a family, she made sure to find ways to contribute – and she said part of that stems from the example set by her parents. She also began to see how helping others, and lending a hand to various initiatives, brought such a rich sense of satisfaction. “I was also a Girl Guide - I think that also had a huge impact on me. That movement definitely promotes being involved with your community and it also teaches you to have a broader look at your community.” Her leadership abilities are indeed remarkable - there’s a calmness there as well in the midst of what can be some pretty crazy days. “I think that comes from trust - trust who is with you and giving them the power to make decisions,” she said. “As long as you are there for the reason that you want to make this community better, and you’re not there

COMMITMENT - Lyn Radford has landed silver in the Best Volunteer category in this year’s Best of Red Deer. Mark Weber/Red Deer Express

because you are looking for the next recognition award. That’s not what any of this is about. And you know what, I find that most people just see a need and they want to help. The recognition is, by far, not where they are at. “Having confidence that I am doing good for the community - that is my mantra. I always ask myself, is this really for the good of the community and who is going to be the benefactor

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Best of Red Deer!

of all of this?” Other highlights over the years for Radford include serving as the capital campaign chair of the Ronald McDonald House Central Alberta the team raised $12 million in just 15 months - and she was also chair of the 2010 Olympic Torch Community Celebration. She admits that balancing the demands of community involvement with

family life is a bit more challenging, with 10 grandchildren. But she’s intent on introducing them to the important of volunteering and helping others. Sometimes, a grandchild may even join her at a planning meeting. “And then we go to the park! But they understand the giving part,” she explained. “So it is a family thing. “Really, part of my investment into the community is because of them.”

Congratulations to this year’s Best of Red Deer winners! #201, 5025 Parkwood Road

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Deer-Mountain View) Constituency (Red Office: Suite 100A - 4315 55 Ave.

Earl Dreeshen, MP (Red Deer-Mountain View)

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Herc’s Nutrition making its name in Red Deer Locally owned and operated, store wins silver for Best New Business

BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

After only opening their doors on April 1st, Herc’s Nutrition, has already seem much success. They have taken home the silver award for Best New Business in this year’s Best of Red Deer. “What makes it unique is that we also have a protein milkshake bar,” said Herc’s Nutrition Owner Lequyen Nguyen. “The shakes are lactose-free, sugar-free and have the same macro nutrients as a protein bar with half the fat.” Being able to provide unique products in a busy supplement industry is important Nguyen and her team. “We have a lot of fun, alternative products that allow you to be healthy without missing out on the sweet and salty things we crave,” she said. “There are a lot of ways you can incorporate supplements into your daily lives.” Anther aspect that Nguyen focused on when opening her dream store was ensuring that the business was homegrown and catered to the community. “I opened the store to give people access to supplements in the area and the store is completely homemade,” she said. “My boyfriend and I, and a couple of our friends made all the light fixtures, wood-stained everything, laid the floors, and designed it with a local designer. We used a lot of local companies like Red Deer Electric and Red Hot Chili Painters. We were able to go with local companies in our area and were able to design it to fit in with the rest of Timberlands Market. We wanted to be part of the community rather then just

a cookie-cutter box corporation.” To be able to open this store was very important to Nguyen - and she had no intentions of letting others ensure the daily operations are going well. “I am here almost everyday running my own store and this is what I want to do. It wasn’t necessarily an investment opportunity; it was more chasing my dreams then anything,” she said. Nguyen noted the silver award could be the result of the following the store has built on Instagram. “We have had a great response and have about 7,500 followers on Instagram,” she said. “It has been real fun and it is so diverse here. The shakes bring in all sorts of athletes. We can cater to everyone in the area and we have been able to meet all of the local athletes in our area.” There have been some unknowns with opening Herc’s, however Nguyen is pleased with the ‘old-school’ style of marketing her team has employed to help bring people out to the store. “It has definitely has come with some challenges and you can get a little intimidated by the box stores who have such big buying power and marketing budgets, but on our grand opening day we had 50 people lined up outside and we only spent $50 on our marketing for it,” she said. “We want to be a part of a lot of community events. We have a lot of different partnerships in the City and we want to get more involved with students. We want to be diverse because supplements can reach out to many different types of athletes.” She added, “We are really excited to win the silver award.”

COMMUNITY MINDED - Lequyen Nguyen, owner of Herc’s Nutrition, is thrilled to be named silver for Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express Best New Business this year.

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Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

FURNITURE STORE 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

To our valued customers...

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Red Deer Express

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

NEW CAR DEALER 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Best of Red Deer SILVER WINNER

USED CAR DEALER 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Food Bank lands a silver in this year’s Best of Red Deer Agency lends a helping hand when people need it most BY MARK WEBER mark.weber@reddeerexpress.com

The Red Deer Food Bank Society has landed a silver award in the Best Charitable Organization category for this year’s Best of Red Deer. “In doing this job, some days we feel like we are operating in a vacuum because the problem itself never goes away,” said Fred Scaife, executive director. “So when something like this comes along, it makes us realize and remember that, you know what? We are not in this alone. And that makes us feel great.” The history of the Red Deer and District Food Bank extends back to 1983, he explained, adding the operation has been located in several places since then, eventually settling into the current premises 11 years ago. As Red Deer’s population has grown, so has the demand for services. “We started out with one bay in this warehouse condominium, and

now we have three,” he said, adding that back when he started with the food bank in 1998, perhaps 10 to 12 clients would come in each day. “Today it’s 40, 50, 60. The growth has been unbelievable. I think it’s the result of a couple of things. Obviously, there is more poverty. And the disparity between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ has grown from a gap to a chasm over the years. “We’ve also really impressed on those in the community that there is no shame in having to come here. We have spent a lot of time reinforcing that over the years, to make sure that people don’t feel like they are being looked down on. They come in here, it’s a nice, bright location, our staff and our volunteers are friendly, our product is as good as what you are going to find in a grocery store on any given day because that’s where the stuff comes from,” he added. “We make sure that our clients are well taken care of. “It can just be overwhelming but

under it all, I always maintain the thought that what we do here is a good thing, and we should be proud of the job that we do. I think that my staff and our volunteers are some of the kindest, most empathetic people you will ever run into. They know people, they know how to treat people and they know how people should be treated. “And as the leader of this brigade, I can’t help but draw energy from that.” Scaife said it’s that extra bit of kindness and care that volunteers and staff show the clients that he also finds so inspiring. “By intuitively knowing when they are dealing with somebody who is incredibly vulnerable or sad - they do everything they can to make a difference in the that person’s life. When I see that taking place - it just warms my heart. It brings tears to my eyes, some days.” Often, folks who were also at one time clients themselves stop by with donations, expressing how they wish to return the favour. Those are also very special moments indeed, said Scaife. “It’s priceless.” Looking back, Scaife said growing up, his family could have been described as a have-not family. “We never went hungry - I can tell

you that,” he said. “But as I got older, I of these years. started to realize that there was some“I try to emulate what they did. thing missing. I helped out a bit at a When I help somebody here, I genplace up in Edmonton, and it made uinely want to help them,” he said. “I don’t want anything in return. I me feel good. “I was actually trying to pay back want to help people, and I want them because in my late to have an opportunity to know that teen years, early ▾ 20s, I was not a very somebody cares “I THINK THAT MY about them.” nice person,” he exSTAFF AND OUR plained. “But there Sometimes, the certain people out VOLUNTEERS ARE SOME work can be too there that helped and OF THE KINDEST, MOST overwhelming for some. Scaife offers extended their hands EMPATHETIC PEOPLE unconditionally. I alhis constant enYOU WILL EVER RUN ways take their gift couragement. INTO. THEY KNOW (of help) to me, and “I tell them we aren’t here to solve take it into my daily PEOPLE, THEY KNOW life when I work here a problem - what HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE at the food bank, or we are here to do AND THEY KNOW HOW is we are here to with anybody for PEOPLE SHOULD BE that matter. They make someone’s life a little bit betdid something for TREATED.” me that they didn’t ter. One person at a have to do. And they time - we are going Fred Scaife didn’t expect anyto make their lives ▴ thing in return other better. than that hopefully, “If we solve a problem in the process, great. But I would get better. “That really changed it for me. My what we are worried about is that one mom was a huge influence on me, person standing directly in front of but also that couple that took care of us right at this moment that needs me, gave me shelter when I was in my help,” he explained. “We’re going to late teens - they’ve stuck with me all help them.”

Thank You, Red Deer! Compassionate, Effective, Modern Chiropractic

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

CHIROPRACTOR 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

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Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

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RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

RED DEER ELECTRIC

Serving Red Deer since 2005 New Home Wiring Commercial Wiring Renovations Hot Tubs Panel / Service Upgrades Air Conditioners Floor Heat Hook Ups Basements Design Consultation Cable / Satellite Telephone / Data Garages Security Lighting Fire & Flood Backup Generators

Best of Re d Deer GOLD WIN NER

ELECTRICAL CO

MPANY 2017 Read e rs ’ Choice Aw ards

Thank You for your Support www.reddeerelectric.ca HELPING HANDS - Fred Scaife of the Red Deer Food Bank was thrilled the agency received silver for Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express Best Charitable Organization in this year’s Best of Red Deer Awards.

rdelectric@shaw.ca

403-373-7765

The Red Deer Express would like to thank all of the businesses for their participation in the Best of Red Deer feature. Whether you have been voted Gold, Silver or Bronze it is an honour that your customers care enough about your business to vote for you. Being voted one of the best in all of Red Deer is something to be extremely proud of.

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

CUSTOMER SERVICE/FRIENDLIEST STAFF 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Best of Red Deer SILVER WINNER

Display your certificate proudly! Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

Best of Red Deer SILVER WINNER

Best of Red Deer BRONZE WINNER

VET CLINIC 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

It’s double golds for Woody’s RV World BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

much ‘let’s take care of the customers’,” he explained. “RV’s can be fickle things and sometimes they break down and Woody’s RV World has received dou- they often do that during people’s most ble golds thanks to Red Deerians who precious time - their holiday time. We voted in this year’s Best of Red Deer. all hate missing a days holiday.” They have won gold for the Best Ensuring the customers are taken care RV Dealer and gold of goes back to when ▾ for Best RV Service/ the dealership first Repair. opened in Red Deer. “WE THANK THE According to Sales “It all goes back to READERS FOR Manager Mike Szabo, the reputation of the THEIR VOTE OF the dealer’s success is business and how CONFIDENCE. WE directly related to the it was built by the experience of their emowner,” Szabo said. DON’T TAKE THAT ployees. “He was a one time LIGHTLY AND WE “The biggest thing is Entrepreneur of the WILL TRY OUR VERY the people that work Year and was just inBEST TO LIVE UP TO here,” he said. “I have ducted into the RV been here for 20 years WHAT THAT GOLD Hall of Fame - the first and there are a lot of STANDARD MEANS.” Canadian ever, which people who have been speaks volumes.” here longer. The retenThe reputation esMike Szabo tion of the staff is adtablished at Woody’s ▴ mirable. The lady who is one of warmth, actakes care of our reconcording to Szabo. ditioning and clean-up has been here “We treat customers the way we treat for over 30 years, some of our techni- people coming into our own homes cians have been here 25 years and we - that is part of our culture,” he said, have a lot of people in the 10-15 range. adding the expertise of his staff is inThe tenure of our staff is a huge thing. tegral to creating a good relationship We know what we are doing, we are with the customer. committed to the industry and we are “We are an RV only dealership - we part of the culture of the dealership.” don’t sell boats, quads or any other Szabo believes that creating a wel- toys. Not that there is anything wrong coming culture at Woody’s has brought with those things, but our focus is on their customers back time and time RVers. First time buyings all the way again. up to the guy on his 10th RV - they “The culture of the dealership is very come to Woody’s,” he said.

TWO WINS - Mike Szabo of Woody’s RV World credited the well-tenured staff at the dealership as the reason customers continuously come back. Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express Szabo noted that Woody’s also prides itself on being a part of the community. “It is a huge thing and I think Woody’s legacy speaks to that with the marathon and the triathlon,” he said.

“A lot of us have been involved with events like that; we just had an opportunity to assist the Red Deer Royals, for example. Any little bit we can do here and there we try to participate in.”

He added, “We thank the readers for their vote of confidence. We don’t take that lightly and we will try our very best to live up to what that gold standard means.”

Thank You, Red Deer! The residents have voted for the The Best of Red Deer and we’re honored to be the 2017 winners for Gold – Financial Institution and Silver – Mortgage Company. We’re proud to be part of this wonderful community and strive to keep serving you EHWWHU HDFK DQG HYHU\ GD\ 9LVLW XV DQG H[SHULHQFH WKH 6HUYXV GLƪHUHQFH Clearview branch 67 Clearview Market Way

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Red Deer Express

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ADVENTURE - The ladies at Marlin Travel are ready to help meet any travel need. The business won silver for Best Travel Agency this year.

Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express

u o Y k n ! k c Tha o R u o Y ! r e Red De 3 years in a row GOLD for Best Gym!

Thank You Red Deer & Central Alberta!

Deer f Red ER o t s NN Be D WI GOL

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s 2017 Award Choice

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Kraze 101.3 soars to gold for Best Radio Station in the City BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

Kraze 101.3 is continuing to please the ears of Red Deerians and officials are crediting the station’s success to a competitive radio market in Central Alberta. Kraze 101.3 has won gold in this year’s Best of Red Deer Awards for Best Radio Station and Director Dennis Allan gives credit to his staff are he said are deeply in sync to the listening patterns of their audience. “I think it is more it being that the market itself is so awesome,” said Allan. “We have 100.7 Cruz FM, which is our classic hits format and then Kraze is our CHR Top 40 format. Between the two, our company has everything covered. With the Kraze side of things, whatever we think our audience wants to have, to listen to and experience - we always think of fun, upbeat, energetic, feels good to listen to music.” Allan wants Kraze listeners to feel good when they tune into 101.3, and feels his staff have done a fantastic job of understanding that positive music can really help improve their audience’s days. “When you are tuning in, we want your mood to turn happy,” he said. “Everything we do is a little more positive, a little more fun and a little forget your troubles sort of thing.” Allan has been in Central Alberta

since the 90s and has seen the competitive market grow from its infancy to the robust market it is today with many competing stations. “If you ask the bureau of broadcast management, they would say Red Deer is the most competitive market per capita in the whole country - meaning the number of FM stations per the amount of people is the most competitive,” he explained. “I have been here since ‘98 and I saw the stations add on one at a time. It was so interesting to watch and that makes you think that radio is such a hearty industry. The way we like to stay competitive is to be in the community as much as we can. There are always lots of events we are supporting and are a part of. There are too many (events) to be a part of all of them intricately, but we do like to work with them.” Allan recognizes his station and staff need to connect with their audience - especially considering there are other Top 40 stations in the market. “All we can do is play the best music we have at our disposal and have the most fun when our announcers are performing on their shows,” he said. “Really it is about touching on things that are topical, local and that are relevant to what our audience is experiencing. If we can relate to them, we find that connection is huge. We have a great audience and the market is awesome. We have a lot of fun doing

DENNIS ALLAN contests with our listeners. They are great for jumping on our facebook posts and our text line questions. There is a good interaction with our listeners.” Allan also realizes that his staff needs to respond to feedback - both positive and negative. “Our listeners are not shy about giving us feedback - which is great,” he said. “Whether it is a song they love or don’t love. We try to offer the latest and greatest but really, it is up to them what they choose to consume. If they are really feeling a hot track, we tend to play that more.

It is an ongoing process. It is always some really exciting things and is monitoring what people are liking improving their digital capacities and we really are open to what they through the most up to date technologies. want to hear.” “Kraze was just acquired by Harvard Allan explained one of his favouBroadcasting a year rite things that Kraze does is connecting ago and Harvard is ▾ with the community one of those great “WHEN YOU ARE and he feels that his progressive compastation has done an nies that just gets it,” TUNING IN, WE excellent job of being he said. “We have a WANT YOUR MOOD lot of plans for techpart of Red Deer. TO TURN HAPPY. “It is very importnology and ideas for EVERYTHING WE DO the future - some of ant,” he said. “If we which we can’t reveal had as many staff IS A LITTLE MORE but it is great knowing members as we had POSITIVE, A LITTLE listeners and clients there is such potential MORE FUN AND A we would be one on for what we can do. LITTLE FORGET YOUR There are no limits one with everyone. With our resourcto what we are able TROUBLES SORT OF es, there are only so to accomplish in the THING.” many people in any next five years.” given radio station so Allan was pleased to Dennis Allan we try to prioritize the have received the Best ▴ best we can so that we of Red Deer award on can be involved with behalf of the staff at any community event that comes our Kraze and he looks forward to conway. There’s opportunities to support tinuing to be part of Red Deer’s radio through mentions and even more so scene. if we can host something onsite if “It is absolutely humbling,” he said. possible. We just really love to be in “We don’t do this for the recognition. the community because we live here It is a passion for everyone here and we love the community. If you can and we want to see it prosper.” While Allan wanted to keep the wake up everyday and do something station’s plans for the future a se- you love and then get recognized as cret, he did mention that Harvard well - that is the icing on the cake. Broadcasting, owning company of We are proud to have received this Kraze 101.3, is allowing them to do award.”

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Best of Red Deer SILVER WINNER

Thank you Red Deer & Central Alberta! Locally Owned & Operated

AUTO BODY SHOP 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 11

GOOD VIBES - Kraze 101.3 won gold for Best Radio Station in this year’s Best of Red Deer.

Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express

MILANO FOR MEN Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

MEN’S CLOTHING 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

Thank you Red Deer & Central Alberta for your continued support!

Westerner Days is proud to be awarded Gold in the category of Indoor/Outdoor Festival in the Best of Red Deer competition. Thank you to all of our staff, volunteers, partners and guests that support Central Alberta’s largest summer celebration! Look forward to seeing you there! July 19 – 23, 2017

FORMAL WEAR 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

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Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence Ex

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

WHERE MAGIC HAPPENS - Gloria Vasquez, owner of Gloria’s Alterations at Bower Place Shopping Centre, works on a dress. Her store won gold for Best Tailor/Alterations.

Visit our show home at 26 Lindman Avenue, open 7 days a week from 1 pm to 5 pm. As a thank you to you, any home purchased between June 28, 2017 and September 15, 2017 will receive our Design and Maintenance package, a $6800 value at no charge!

Best of Red Deer SILVER WINNER

HOME BUILDER 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Red Deer Express

Carlie Connolly/Red Deer Express

Thank you Red Deer! We are truly grateful to have been voted Silver for Home Builder in Red Deer. With over 25 years of home building experience we strive to ensure you receive the best quality and value for your home. We look forward to serving the Red Deer & area community in the years to come!

www.masonmartinhomes.com

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Furrari’s cares about pets and their humans BY CARLIE CONNOLLY carlie.connolly@reddeerexpress.com

At Furrari Pet Salon, it’s not just dogs who are cared about, it’s their humans too. “My customers turn out to be my friends. I don’t just look after their dog, I chat with them too, so it’s not just their dog, I want to know my customers,� said Owner Audry Wilk. She added she was surprised when she got the phone call that Furrari won silver for Best Grooming Salon. And for Wilk her grooming business just came out of something she already did. “I’ve always loved pets and I’ve always groomed my dogs at home, so I took a course which was three months,� she said. The course was in Edmonton, and Wilk was so committed she drove there and back every day from Red Deer at 5 a.m. to be at school by 7 a.m. She said while she was there she would get a dog sitter to walk her dog so that she could make it back and forth. She started Furrari Pet Salon eight years ago and has never looked back. “It’s really busy. It starts off slow and then once people start seeing your business, everybody’s always looking for a new groomer, a better groomer.� A lot of times, she said, the groomers in town aren’t licensed, but she is. “You don’t have to be licensed to be a groomer,� she said, adding the typical process involves school, exams and being graded on cutting dogs. And you have to get a 76% to pass, she said. In terms of competition, Wilk said the owners of the fellow grooming salons don’t talk to one another too much, but that you do hear good things and bad things about every business.

Wilk typically grooms up to eight dogs a day, but doesn’t have them all there at once. “I’m a pet-friendly grooming shop. I don’t cage if I don’t have to. The only ones I cage are the ones that are being bad. They need a time out,� she said with a laugh. One dog will be on the table, one in the tub and one on the floor. One will go home and another comes in, so there’s usually three present at a time. And there’s just one employee besides Wilk. “I’d rather be self-owned and more people-orientated, looking after their pups compared to a puppy mill type of place.� Wilk herself has a furry friend named Marley, who’s a Puli, a Hungarian Sheepdog. She said having worked in the community of Red Deer, the people have been very friendly. And when she says bad behaviour, it’s not fighting, it’s the fact they just don’t like haircuts. When it comes to what sets Furrari apart from others, Wilk said it comes down to them being licensed. She also has first aid for pets and an overall friendly atmosphere. The best part of her job, she said, is that every day is a different day. “Every day’s a new day. There’s nothing boring, because you don’t know what each dog is going to do or what kind of dog it is.� She also gets to know the dogs. The dogs will come in and get a haircut and get to shop before they leave. “I have a line up of toys and he picks a toy on his way out, and he will not go home without a toy.� Wilk has groomed both dogs and cats, and has even groomed a pig. “They had the Westerner Fair and he needed a bath. That was the weirdest thing to bath a pig.�

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 13

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Red Deer Motors tops for used car dealer BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

According to Red Deer Motors Owner Rich Anderson, the dealer’s success directly correlates to the quality of vehicles he and his team bring in to Central Alberta. The dealership won gold for the Best of Red Deer’s Best Used Car Dealer. “It is the highest-grade, AAA product in Western Canada,” Anderson said. “The vehicles are hand-picked, hand-sourced specifically for our buyers in Central Alberta.” Anderson said that back in 2004 he realized everyone would be using the Internet to purchase vehicles. He realized the vehicles on his lot had to be the best quality vehicles that show up in search engines like Auto Trader. “Everybody looking for an automobile uses the Internet and I’m no different,” he said. “I try to be top three best price with the lowest kilometres in the province. With the market slowing down, 80 per cent of our sales are out of province, out of city.” He added, “If they do their homework they all end up here.” Anderson also noted the way his customers are treated directly relates to sales in the future. “Seventy per cent of our customers are repeat and referral,” he said. Part of this high rate of referral relates to the fact Red Deer Motors goes beyond the regular inspection model of other dealerships, according to Anderson. “We use Kal-Tire on 67th Street that do AMVIC Certified Vehicles,” he said. “This is the difference between buying at Red Deer Motors and most other stores. We certify the vehicles, we don’t just inspect vehicles. We comply with an AMVIC mechanical and we spend over $1 million every

BIG WIN - Red Deer Motors received the gold award for Best Used Car Dealer. year fixing them. Whatever a vehicle needs, it gets done before leaving this property.” Anderson carries great pride in the community and noted he has forged so many relationships through growing up in Red Deer. “Anyone shopping locally has likely met me in passing or knows me,” he said. “I have been in town my whole life. I played junior hockey for the Rustlers, I played for the Red Deer College Kings and I played minor softball. I grew up and did everything in Red Deer. I have given back to

the community through Red Deer Minor Hockey and Red Deer Minor Ball.” His experience with the community has led to him hiring other Red Deerians with quality character. “Every person here has been hired through my input or by me personally,” he explained. “You surround yourself with good people. Most of my sales guys haven’t sold before - they are just good people. Most of my other staff has never done their position before - they are just good people. We are a small family and when you come here,

Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express

you don’t feel overwhelmed.” Red Deer Motors tenure is in the numbers, according to Anderson. “We have been in business for 13 years and have sold just under 20,000 automobiles,” he said. “I would beg to differ that there is not a street in Red Deer that doesn’t have one to four used vehicles from Red Deer Motors. They are the highest grade of automobile.” He added, “I would like to thank Red Deer for supporting us as much as they have.”

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Bower Place remains shopping pillar in Central Alberta

Congratulations to the 2017 Best of Red Deer recipients.

Shopping centre wins gold for Best Place to Shop in Red Deer BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

Bower Place Shopping Centre continues to be one of the premier shopping destinations in Central Alberta. They have won the gold in the 2017 Best of Red Deer Awards for Best Place to Shop. Dallas Hand, marketing director, believes the mall’s ability to provide a robust shopping experience is what differentiates it from its competitors. “The biggest thing about Bower Place is that we have big city offerings, but we have that small town feel,” he said. “Red Deer is 100,000 people but it still has that small town feel. You walk around Bower Place and you see nice high ceilings, it is nice and open, we have custom artwork and sculptures and we have that western agricultural flare. It is not just a place to come - it is a place you can come and hang out and see old friends. I always come here and see people I graduated with. It is a social experience.” Hand noted that Bower Place has continually evolved since its inception in order to accommodate changes in trends and styles. “It has gone through a tremendous evolution since our last expansion in 2009,” he said. “That was when the food court moved over and Sears moved over as well. Within the last four years we have seen monumental retailers come to Bower Place, where they previously would have to go to Edmonton or Calgary. Lots of first to market retail opportunities are right here in Red Deer and we want people in Central Alberta to stay and shop in Central Alberta. We don’t need to be going to the big cities and deal with all the traffic.” Hand credited the work of the Guest Services staff for providing accessibility and comfort to Bower Place visitors as well.

“We like to focus on the services we offer here,” he said. “Guest Services has a wide range of amenities to our shoppers, whether it is our stroller loans or power scooter loans, we try to emphasize those services because where else can you go for all of these amenities other then Bower Place?” While the shopping market continues to be affected by online shopping, Hand has noticed that Bower Place has remained consistent. “We find the people who shop in Central Alberta still enjoy touching and feeling the things they buy,” he said. “They want to come and try it on, see what it looks like before they purchase. It is those things that keep people coming to the mall.” Hand noted many people go to Bower Place simply to have something to do during the day. “People like to come here because it is an activity in itself. They aren’t necessarily coming here to shop or eat a great meal, they are coming for something to do,” he added. Hand emphasized it is important for Bower Place to be a part of the community with multiple events like their Pancake Breakfast before Westerner Days, the Red and White Night and the toy donation box for the Christmas Bureau. “It is a huge part of what we do here. Our charity of choice is the Central Alberta Emergency Women’s Shelter. We work with them on various initiatives,” Hand said. Meanwhile, Hand said Bower Place Shopping Centre is continually asked what will be going into their large vacant space to the east. “It is no secret we have fairly large box that is vacant and we get inquiries all the time about what is going on in there. We have seen some preliminary plans on what might fill that void but we unfortunately can’t reveal too much. We can’t wait for the announcement,” Hand said.

“Thank you for the privilege of representing you as your Mayor. I look forward to continuing to make the possibilities become reality and building our great community with you.”

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Thank you We would like tto o ttake ake tthis hiss op opportunity pportu unitty tto o tthank hank a all ll o off o our readers who took the time to complete the ballots. All of the businesses that received votes are very grateful for the acknowledgement of their products and customer service. Please be sure to congratulate the businesses that proudly display their Best of Red Deer certificate. THE PLACE TO GO - Bower Place Shopping Centre won gold for The Best Place To Shop in this year’s Best of Red Deer. From left, MacKenzie Boutestein, Candice Morse, Jessica Kirk and the entire staff of Guest Services have been a huge part of their success according to Marketing Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express Director Dallas Hand.

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Baker Family Chiropractic looks to bring fun atmosphere to clinic BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

loud and boisterous, where people get to come in and be themselves. I grew up around chiropractic my whole life and I got to see different styles. Baker Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre Some styles are really regimented and others have been named the bronze award winner for leave it more up to the patient. We leave it more Best Chiropractic Clinic. up to the patient with some guidance from us.” According to owner Dr. James Baker, he was Baker and his staff also relies on client feedpleased to accept the award on behalf of all of back to help them tailor their clinic towards his staff. their needs. “It is an honour,” he said. “There are a num“It is the most important thing. Being a chiber different chiropractic clinics in town, so to ropractor, you never really know how good you be recognized as one of the top is definitely an are because you can never adjust yourself,” he honour. “I give all the credit to said. “I leave everything up to the staff that works here. They feedback, and my biggest com▾ are very friendly, very outgoing pliment is when someone refers and very passionate.” their family to see me. So having “I GIVE ALL THE When Baker started out, it readers choose me is at that same CREDIT TO THE STAFF was his goal to create an inclucalibre - they are taking time out THAT WORKS HERE. sive clinic that helped people feel of their day to fill out the survey THEY ARE VERY better not just through practicbecause it means something to ing, but also through creating joy. them. For me to be recognized FRIENDLY, VERY “I have been in practice for 19 OUTGOING AND VERY by them is a great honour.” years and my goal then was to Baker also values that his clinic PASSIONATE.” create a clinic like Patch Adams,” is part of the greater community. he said. “Somewhere people can “It is one of the most important James Baker go to smile, to laugh and to find things. You have to be an integral ▴ what health was to them. I did part of the community and have not want to be behind a white your finger on the pulse of what coat or to be really regimented. the community wants,” he said. Health means different things to different people “I have been in Red Deer since I was in Grade and my goal was to let people figure out what 6. Back then it had about 35,000 people. It has health means to them and to attract different grown and changed a lot. So to be able to be part professionals that do different things.” of the community - I am in Rotary, I am in the It was through this inclusive view of treatment Chamber of Commerce and I do a number of that Baker was able to bring in multiple profes- other volunteer opportunities - this has helped sionals doing multiple treatments. me know what Red Deer is wanting and needing.” “We have chiropractic massage, acupuncture, He noted it is really important for his business reiki, reflexology, lymphatic drainage - we have to remain adaptable because of this. managed to attract different people, all with dif“Being in an oil field city - you have to be ferent views of what health is, to be able to help adaptable. We have seen many changes. We have people,” he said. “We try to be fun. Our clinic is all these different treatments so that we can be

Do YOU want to WIN?

FUN ATMOSPHERE - Dr. James Baker, Lori Vodon and Natasha Doyon of the Baker Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre were honoured to hear they had garnered the bronze award Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express for Best Chiropractic Clinic. flexible with your treatment,” he said. Baker hopes that he can continue to help people further enjoy their lives. “Fine tuning, continuing to grow and most importantly - continuing to have fun,” he said. “We all go through periods where life isn’t fun. I am constantly trying to find ways to keep that

fun going for myself, my staff and also the people coming in. We don’t laugh as much as we should. As Patch Adams says, ‘Laughter is the best medicine’. If you are in pain, that separates you from your family, your community and your loved ones. Our biggest thing is trying to find that smile.”

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Red Deer Express

CentreFest marks 15 years of entertaining local audiences This year’s event takes place July 29th-30th in downtown Red Deer BY MARK WEBER mark.weber@reddeerexpress.com

Red Deer’s annual downtown street festival CentreFest has landed bronze in this year’s Best of Red Deer Awards. Coming up on July 29th-30th, the colourful, lively event features a range of street performers that are in search of the best place or ‘pitch’ to perform their art. CentreFest runs on Ross Street and 49th Ave. July 29th from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and July 30th from noon to 6 p.m. Folks are also invited to the kick-off barbecue in City Hall Park at lunchtime on July 28th for a ‘taste of CentreFest’. As the CentreFest web site points out, buskers can be dancers, mimes, artists, clowns, magicians, musicians, puppeteers, snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, sword swallowers, tumblers, living statues and comedians - their diversity really knows no limits. No two shows are ever the same, which also makes street performing a truly unique form of entertainment. Also according to the web site, other highlights include the Axiom Architecture Inc. Circus World, Rotary Water World, 100.7 FM The Cruz Music World, Street Market and food vendors. Portable washrooms are available on site. There is a Toonie Tent for change to “put in the hats�. Emergency first-aid services are available. Parking is available all around the site. “This is our 15th year,� said Festival Director Janice Shimek, who has been involved with

CentreFest in various capacities over the years much runs year-long. After a festival wraps and is heading into her fourth as the festival’s typically in late July or early August - she takes director. “I’ve always been very passionate about the month of August to take a break. “As soon this festival, and I think that’s why I continue as September comes around, it’s time to do all to do it.� of the final reports for all of the grants that we Looking back, CentreFest was pretty much have been given. And then I immediately start a hit from the word go. And today, estimates on grant applications for the following year,� are that between 25,000 to 30,000 check out the she said with a smile. two-day event. There are a number of things Into the New Year, it’s time to seek out comthat have fueled that growing popularity over munity sponsorship. “I start cultivating opportunities in the business community the years, said Shimek. for cash sponsorships, and other First and foremost, CentreFest ▞ is absolutely unique to the re‘in-kind’ sponsorships,� she said. “IT’S A FREE gion. “Unless you go to one of In late May, there was the the larger centres - specifically FESTIVAL - THAT’S ‘Benefit on the Bridge’ - a fundthe Edmonton Street Performers’ VERY RARE - THAT raiser held on the CPR Pedestrian Festival - people don’t get an Bridge which featured music, food WE ARE STILL trucks and dancing. opportunity to see the types CONTINUING TO “It was great. I think everyone of performances that go on at CentreFest,� she said. “It’s a free that was there had a fantastic time, DO THAT.� festival - that’s very rare - that we and it looked absolutely beautiful are still continuing to do that.� Janice Shimek on the bridge with the lights,� she Of course, audience members said. “We also had a lot of people ▴ are encouraged to ‘pass the hat’ who brought blankets out, which and make donations to help supwe donated to the Mustard Seed. port the artists, but as Shimek pointed out, “It helps to set the tone for CentreFest, it some folks give more which means that those helps to make people aware that the festival is without the funds to do so can still take in the coming soon and it also helps to market the actual event to people that may never have wonders of CentreFest. “We have folks that afford a lot - you see them been before,� she said. being very generous,� she said. “Then you have As to this year’s event, Shimek said the focus families that just don’t have it - and that’s okay. is on Canadian artists. We are glad they are there, and that they are a “They are still international performers and part of the audience.� maybe some of them haven’t lived in Canada For Shimek, her work with CentreFest pretty for a number of years, but we’ve brought the

Canadians home,� she said, adding that the move was with Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in mind. These include Red Deer native Spandy Andy, The Silver Starlets, Mighty Mike, Tianna the Traveller and The Checkerboard Guy. There are also a number of artists known as rovers, who will wander about the CentreFest site entertaining folks. Ultimately, Shimek is thankful to be part of an event that brings such joy to so many. “People really thank us - we have a lot of people that just come up and say, ‘This is great. I hope you guys keep it up, keep it going. We love coming down here. I think that’s what really keeps the board running too - we all need those ‘pats on the back’. Another lady came up to me and said she hopes we never go away, because she mentioned that she and her family couldn’t really afford Westerner Days. “She said, ‘So we wait every year for CentreFest, and we pretty much spend the two, full days here’.� Hearing those kinds of stories is uplifting. “That really touched me when she said that,� she said. “I’ve been very active in the community pretty much my whole professional life. And I truly do believe that in order for a community to be great we need to be able to offer a lot of different things - festivals, musical entertainment - anything that brings the community out is very important,� she added. “I just feel very strongly about that.� For more information, or for volunteer opportunities, check out www.centrefest.ca.

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Wednesday, June 28, 2017 19

ENTERTAINING - Rusty from Zap Circus had a little fun with the audience at the annual CentreFest street performer festival last year. The festival features performers from all over the world. Express file photo

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Red Deer Express

360 Fitness’s Roman Thauern wins gold for Best Personal Trainer BY TODD COLIN VAUGHAN todd.vaughan@reddeerexpress.com

Roman Thauern, a personal trainer from 360 Fitness, has a passion to help others live a healthier lifestyle. He has received the gold award for Best Personal Trainer in this year’s Best of Red Deer. Thauern, who recently received his permanent residence after immigrating from Germany, was excited to be recognized. 360 Fitness also received gold for Best Fitness Centre/Gym. “It feels good because I started working here two years ago after moving from Germany,” he said. “I basically started a completely new life here. I came here because of my girlfriend and this job has really supported me. They made it possible for me to come here in the first place. That is one of the reasons I am so passionate about this and it feels like everything comes to together.” Thauern described his transition from Germany and how his relationships with the staff and clients at 360 Fitness have helped him adapt to a new country. “Moving from a different country is not always the easiest - I know people have told me their immigrant stories moving to Germany that had a really tough time, with a lot of obstacles in their way,” he said. “For me, I have had support from everywhere and that is even more encouragement to do what I do.” Thauern feels that his education in Germany is one of the key reasons why

his clients have appreciated his work. “I have a Masters in Sports Science,” he said. “I was working for a university, where my main profession was teaching exercise science and also I was a strength and conditioning coach. I did some personal training on the side, but it was more catered towards athletes. I have a lot of experience in that field and a lot of education. Education is free in Germany, so that made it easier.” While education is key to personal training, Thauern credits his ability to forge relationships as integral to his craft. “What I do here is something I am passionate about,” he said. “We create such close relationships with the people here, it would be impossible not to care. I would say 80/90 per cent of the people I work with are also my close friends now and I really do care about them and want to help them. I think they care too. We create symbiosis where we both lift each other up and I think this is why people voted for me and went out of their way.” He noted that some of the feedback he received early on in his career has really helped him along the way. “In the beginning, it was steep learning curve and a lot of things didn’t work as well,” he said. “Luckily I meant someone early on who mentored me and they say ‘Hey Roman, what you are doing right now could probably be modified’. He really took his time and was really educated in the field. He really guided me and constantly challenged me. That was a good source of feedback and growth.”

HELPING HAND - Best of Red Deer’s Best Personal Trainer Roman Thaurern of 360 Fitness helps out his client Brent Moore with a spot on the bench. Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express

Thauern is looking forward to continue to grow his career at 360 Fitness. “Since I have migrated from the athletic niche over to general fitness, it has been interesting,” he said. “Before I was working with people who are highly motivated and would do anything I told them to do. Now, I have to work on a different level with people with high stress levels who can’t prioritize exercise. That is something that was

really interesting for me to learn in the last two years. That is something I want to work at, building strong relationships and working on personal development with my clients.” He added that he is, “Really grateful that people went out of their way and I am happy that something like that exists. I think it is absolutely important to get feedback from the community. I am really honoured and blessed.”

TOP NOTCH - Roman Thauern of 360 Fitness won the Best of Red Deer gold award for Best Personal Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express Trainer.

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erta Red Deer & Central Alb for choosing us! #300, 80 Donlevey Ave., Red Deer, AB (at the very East end of Ross Street, next to Buster’s Pizza)

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Marketing your Business? Talk to us. The Red Deer Express is a perfect tool for business owners. Distributing over 24,000 copies as well as an online e-edition means that we reach consumers. It is our mandate as your advertising medium to get people in your door. Many business owners say they don’t have an advertising budget. We say, how can you not? If you do not let consumers know where you are located and what you have to offer, how do you expect them to arrive at your business? Competition is huge and if you want to stay ahead of the competition, you have to get the jump on it. We understand that there are many expenses to running a business but a good advertising plan is a great investment. The old saying, “You have to spend money to make it” is exactly right!

Let us help you create a smart marketing plan for your business.

What we do Best MICHELLE VACCA

403-309-5460 mvacca@reddeerexpress.com

MELISSA FLINN

403-309-5469 melissa.flinn@reddeerexpress.com

www.reddeerexpress.com

22 Wednesday, June 28, 2017

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

HEALTHY LIVING - Tanner Howe and staff at Popeye’s Supplements Red Deer garnered silver in this year’s Best of Red Deer for Best Supplement Store.

Our team of Optometrists has over 55 years of experience helping people see and look their best. They are committed to providing their patients with a lifetime of quality eye health care. We promise to provide comprehensive eye health and vision exams conducted in a professional and friendly manner.

Thank You Red Deer!

Best of R ed Deer GOLD WIN NER

Best of Red Deer SILVER WINNER

EYEWEAR STORE 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express

Thank You Red Deer for your continued support! The staff at Jumbo Car wash appreciate your patronage!

12

Self Serve Wash Bays

2

Automatic Wash Bays

CAR WASH

2017 Rea ders’ Choice Aw ards

4

59ft RV Drive-Thru Bays

We Make Washing Fun! #144 Clearmile Ave. (40th Ave. South) Red Deer County Drs. Leinweber, Allred, Stockley & Johnson

www.doctorseyecare.ab.ca #102, 5920 Gaetz Ave. Red Deer • 403.346.2020

#101, 5043 50 St. Sylvan Lake • 403.887.2020

403.343.6200 jumbocar wash.ca

OPEN DAILY • 7 AM TO 10 PM

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 23

Red Deer Setting kids up for Thanks for your support! the right path BY CARLIE CONNOLLY carlie.connolly@reddeerexpress.com

Jennifer Hermary, senior director of BrightPath in Red Deer was thrilled to hear the business won silver for Best Daycare in this year’s Best of Red Deer. “We’ve been trying, but we haven’t won for many years. We haven’t since we were Tiny Treasures,” she said. Hermary who works at the Eastview location for BrightPath started with the company almost 12 years ago at the Oriole Park location. “I’ve been lucky to work at all three and now I get to oversee all three so I get to be involved in all the programs.” The company was first started by a couple who ran it as Tiny Treasures. They had bought it out when it was called Expressions and Hermary said it’s only grown from there. Now owned by Edleun Group Inc. the name was switched to BrightPath. Hermary said the daycare tries to get the community involved as much as possible. All three BrightPath centres in Red Deer volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House with some of the girls going down to cook meals. BrightPath also takes part in The HOP for Muscular Dystrophy, the Terry Fox Run and more, trying to do what they can for the community of Red Deer “We use our local bottle depots to take in our bottles and things like that. We get the kids to do community walks and do the garbage pick up around the daycares,” said Hermary. The daycare has even adopted the Lower Fairview School playground, allocated to all BrightPath’s, and are in charge of keeping that clean. Born and raised in Red Deer, Hermary said being in the community is friendly and welcoming.

She said BrightPath’s strong point is their educated staff, who have all received their degrees for Early Learning and Child Care from Red Deer College, some from McBride College. The daycare also has a nutritionist based out of Calgary, another strong point for their centre. “We have a nutritionist that bases our menu on a five week rotation, so we make sure we cover all areas of the food groups and multiculturalism actually is in our menu too,” she said. The daycare follows ‘Frog Street’ curriculum for all age groups starting as early as infancy. “It is a curriculum that teaches from pre-school to infancy to toddlers and we do it in all our locations, and it’s been a really strong program.” The daycare also has what’s called a BPConnect App for the parents, which gives parents the opportunity to see what their child is doing during the day and what they’re learning. It also allows them to see what their child ate during the day, how much they ate, etc. The Eastview location is licensed for 57 kids with the Riverside Meadows location holding 38 and Oriole Park holding 54. Hermary said from her time working at BrightPath, every day is a new day. “To take away all the children’s milestones they learn, every day’s a new learning experience for a teacher and a child themselves just to see them succeed and know we taught them that goal or we’ve taught them that part in life that they needed to know.” She said they have had many who have stayed at the daycare all the way from infancy to their Kindergarten program. They will see four children graduate this year who have been with them from infancy. Kids ages zero to six can be enrolled in the daycare, and once done their Kindergarten program, they can then go into the school system.

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

PLUMBING COMPANY 2017 Readers Choice Awar ’ ds

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

FURNACE CLEANING 2017 Readers Choice Awar ’ ds

And thanks to our amazing team! We couldn’t do it without you! Proud to be part of our community for 52 years!

403.343.6060

7026 Johnstone Drive Red Deer, AB

www.bruinsplumbing.com

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

GARDENING CENTRE 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Deer Best of Red R GOLD WINNE

Thank You Red Deer! We are humbled & honoured by your support “Our family will be here for your family.”

FUNERAL SERerVIs’CES 2017 Read ds Choice Awar

Remembering a Life Lived is Worth Celebrating

Let Us Help You Plan a Service of Remembrance For Your Loved One

“ONLY locally owned and operated Funeral Home in the City of Red Deer.” Central Alberta Family Funeral Services Ltd.

403.340.4040

PLAY TIME - Staff member with BrightPath at the Eastview location plays with Briar Pritchett (in pink) and Johan Nouhoheflin. The daycare received silver for Best Daycare. Carlie Connolly/Red Deer Express

Taylor Drive, Red Deer www.parklandfuneralhome.com

24 Wednesday, June 28, 2017

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Retailers Retailers Carpet/Tile Store Carpet/Tile Store End of the Roll End of the Roll Furniture Store Furniture Store Ashley Furniture HomeStore Ashley Furniture HomeStore Home Building Centre Home Building Centre Home Hardware Home Hardware Paint Store Paint Store The Home Depot The Home Depot Hot Tub/Spa Retailer Hot Tub/Spa Retailer Dynasty Spas Dynasty Spas Computers/Home Electronics Store Computers/Home Electronics Store London Drugs London Drugs Formal Wear Store-Men’s Formal Wear Store-Men’s Rob Rae Clothiers Rob Rae Clothiers Formal Wear Store-Women’s Formal Wear Store-Women’s Side Street Fashion Side Street Fashion

Men’s Clothing Store Men’s Mark’s Clothing Store Mark’s Women’s Clothing Store Women’s Clothing Store Winners Winners Western Wear Store Western Wear Store Jones Boys Saddlery & Western Wear Jones Boys Saddlery & Western Wear Lingerie Store Lingerie Store La Vie en Rose La Vie en Rose Consignment Shop Consignment Shop Once Again Consignment Boutique Once Again Consignment Boutique Children’s Wear Store Children’s Wear Store Old Navy Old Navy Shoe Store Shoe Store Call It Spring Call It Spring Flower Shop Flower Shop Grower Direct Flowers Grower Direct Flowers

Jewellery Store Jewellery Store Peoples Jewellers Peoples Jewellers Eyewear Store Eyewear Store Consumer’s Optical Consumer’s Optical Pet Store Pet Store Fetch Haus Fetch Haus Home Décor Store Home Décor Store Pier 1 Imports Pier 1 Imports Place to shop Place to shop Winners Winners Liquor Store Liquor Store Ace Liquor Ace Liquor Grocery Store Grocery Store Save-On-Foods Save-On-Foods Supplement Store Supplement Store Supplement King Supplement King

Services Services

Gardening Centre Gardening Centre The Home Depot The Home Depot Sporting Goods Store Sporting Goods Store Play It Again Sports Play It Again Sports Tire Shop Tire Shop Canadian Tire Canadian Tire New Car Dealer New Car Dealer Pike Wheaton Chevrolet Pike Wheaton Chevrolet Used Car Dealer Used Car Dealer Go Auto Direct Go Auto Direct RV Dealer RV Dealer Vellner Leisure Products Vellner Leisure Products Motorcycle/Powersports Dealer Motorcycle/Powersports Dealer Precision Cycle Precision Cycle Lawn & Garden Equipment Lawn & Garden Equipment Central Alberta Co-op Central Alberta Co-op Farm Implement Dealer Farm Implement Dealer UFA Farm & Ranch Supply Store UFA Farm & Ranch Supply Store

Tattoo Shop Shop Tattoo Renaissance Tattoos Tattoos Renaissance Fitness Centre/Gym Centre/Gym Fitness Snap Fitness Snap Fitness

Home Builder Builder Home Abbey Master Master Builder Builder Abbey Retirement Home Home Retirement Villa Marie Covenant Care Villa Marie - Covenant Care

Auto Body Body Shop Shop Auto Caliber Paint Paint & & Body Body Caliber RV Service/Repair Service/Repair RV Vellner Leisure Products Products Vellner Leisure

Dance Studio Studio Dance DanceHouse DanceHouse Yoga Studio Studio Yoga Red Deer Hot Yoga Yoga Red Deer Hot

Hotel/Motel Hotel/Motel Black Knight Knight Inn Inn Black Financial Institution Institution Financial ATB Financial ATB Financial

Oil/Lube Service Service Oil/Lube Minit Lube Minit Lube Gas Station Station Gas Centex Centex

Tanning Tanning Salon Salon Tropical Paradise Tropical Paradise

Hearing Solutions Solutions Hearing Connect Hearing Connect Hearing Picture Framing Framing Picture Frame-It Store Frame-It Store

Mortgage Company Company Mortgage ATB Financial ATB Financial Storage Rental Rental Storage Real Storage Real Storage

Car Wash Wash Car Co-op Car Wash Wash Co-op Car Plumbing Company Company Plumbing Arrow Plumbing Services Ltd. Ltd. Arrow Plumbing Services

Hair Hair Salon Salon Safari Safari Spa Spa & & Salon Salon

Tailor/Alterations Tailor/Alterations Classic Cleaners Cleaners & & Tailors Tailors Classic

Travel Agency Agency Travel Expedia CruiseShipCenters CruiseShipCenters Expedia

Electrical Company Company Electrical Sid’s Electric Electric Ltd. Ltd. Sid’s

Barber Barber Shop Shop Locker Locker Room Room Hair Hair Company Company

Carpet Cleaning Cleaning Carpet Steam Clean Express Steam Clean Express

Vet Clinic Clinic Vet Deer Park Pet Pet Hospital Hospital Deer Park

Law Firm Firm Law Warren Sinclair LLP LLP Warren Sinclair

Aesthetic Aesthetic/Nail /Nail Salon Salon Kim Lu Nails Kim Lu Nails & & Spa Spa

Furnace Cleaning Cleaning Furnace Twin Peaks Furnace Cleaning Cleaning Twin Peaks Furnace

Pet Boarding/Daycare Boarding/Daycare Pet Klassic Kennels Klassic Kennels

Funeral Chapel Chapel Funeral Red Deer Red Deer Funeral Funeral Home Home & & Crematorium Crematorium

Entertainment

People

Other

Night Club Bellinis Sonic Lounge

Realtor Andrew Russell

Live Music The Hideout

Radio DJ Shae Bolding

Customer Service/ Friendlist Staff Advanced Cleaning Solutions

Place to Shoot Pool The Hideout

Personal Trainer Jack Wheeler

Golf Course Alberta Springs Golf Resort

Volunteer Sherry Daniluk

Indoor/Outdoor Festival CentreFest CenterFest

Beloved Red Deerian Lynne Mulder

Art Gallery The Harris-Warke Gallery

Corporate Citizen Richard Carramusa

Radio Station 106.7 The Drive

City Councillor Buck Buchanan

Accounting Accounting Firm Firm CGL CGL Strategic Strategic Business Business & & Tax Tax Advisors Advisors Chiropractic Chiropractic Clinic Clinic Baker Family Chiropractic Baker Family Chiropractic & & Wellness Wellness Centre Centre Daycare Daycare Red Red Deer Deer Child Child Care Care Pharmacy Pharmacy Sobeys Sobeys South South Pet Pet Grooming Grooming Salon Salon Tall Tails Tall Tails Groomers Groomers

Best of R ed De BRONZE WIN er NER

Charitable Organization Red Deer Hospice Society New Business Our House Dog Boarding

2017 Reade Choice Awarrs’ ds

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 25

Retailers Retailers Carpet/Tile Store Carpet/Tile Store Red Deer Carpet One Red Deer Carpet One Furniture Store Furniture Store Leon’s Leon’s Home Building Centre Home Building Centre The Home Depot The Home Depot Paint Store Paint Store Cloverdale Paint Cloverdale Paint Hot Tub/Spa Retailer Hot Tub/Spa Retailer Sun N Fun Pool & Spa Sun N Fun Pool & Spa Computers/Home Electronics Store Computers/Home Electronics Store Best Buy Best Buy Formal Wear Store-Men’s Formal Wear Store-Men’s Moores Clothing For Men Moores Clothing For Men Formal Wear Store-Women’s Formal Wear Store-Women’s Cheeky Coutures Boutique Cheeky Coutures Boutique

Men’s Clothing Store Men’s Clothing Store Winners Winners Women’s Clothing Store Women’s Clothing Store Cheeky Coutures Boutique Cheeky Coutures Boutique Western Wear Store Western Wear Store Lammle’s Western Wear & Tack Lammle’s Western Wear & Tack Lingerie Store Lingerie Store The Bra Lounge The Bra Lounge Consignment Shop Consignment Shop Twice N Nice Twice N Nice Children’s Wear Store Children’s Wear Store The Children’s Place The Children’s Place Shoe Store Shoe Store Shoe Warehouse Shoe Warehouse Flower Shop Flower Shop Stems Flowers and Café Stems Flowers and Café

Jewellery Store Jewellery Store Clowes Jewellers Clowes Jewellers Eyewear Store Eyewear Store Doctors EyeCare Doctors EyeCare Pet Store Pet Store Petland Petland Home Décor Store Home Décor Store Urban Barn Urban Barn Place to shop Place to shop Parkland Mall Parkland Mall Liquor Store Liquor Store Central Alberta Co-op Central Alberta Co-op Grocery Store Grocery Store Central Alberta Co-op Central Alberta Co-op Supplement Store Supplement Store Popeye’s Popeye’s

Services Services

Gardening Centre Gardening Centre Central Alberta Co-op Central Alberta Co-op Sporting Goods Store Sporting Goods Store Canadian Tire Canadian Tire Tire Shop Tire Shop Don’s Tire & Automotive Repair Don’s Tire & Automotive Repair New Car Dealer New Car Dealer Southside Dodge Chrysler Jeep & RV Centre Southside Dodge Chrysler Jeep & RV Centre Used Car Dealer Used Car Dealer Kipp Scott GMC Cadillac Buick Kipp Scott GMC Cadillac Buick RV Dealer RV Dealer Allan Dale Trailers & RVs Allan Dale Trailers & RVs Motorcycle/Powersports Dealer Motorcycle/Powersports Dealer Turple Bros. Ltd. Turple Bros. Ltd. Lawn & Garden Equipment Lawn & Garden Equipment Canadian Tire Canadian Tire Farm Implement Dealer Farm Implement Dealer Pentagon Farm Farm Centre Centre Pentagon

Tattoo Shop Shop Tattoo Native Arts Tattoo Native Arts Tattoo Fitness Centre/Gym Centre/Gym Fitness Collicutt Centre Collicutt Centre

Home Builder Builder Home Mason Martin Homes Homes Mason Martin Retirement Home Home Retirement The Hamlets at Deer Deer Park Park The Hamlets at

Auto Body Body Shop Shop Auto First Choice Collision First Choice Collision RV Service/Repair Service/Repair RV Allan Dale Trailers Trailers & & RVs RVs Allan Dale

Pharmacy Pharmacy Save-On-Foods Save-On-Foods

Dance Studio Studio Dance Make Your Mark Dance Dance Make Your Mark Yoga Studio Studio Yoga Bikram Yoga Bikram Yoga

Hotel/Motel Hotel/Motel Holiday Inn Inn Holiday Financial Institution Institution Financial TD Canada Trust TD Canada Trust

Oil/Lube Service Service Oil/Lube Jiff y Lube Jiffy Lube Gas Station Station Gas Fas Gas Fas Gas

Pet Pet Grooming Grooming Salon Salon Furrari Professional Furrari Professional Pet Pet Grooming Grooming & & Dog Dog Wash Wash

Hearing Solutions Solutions Hearing Strategic Hearing Hearing Solutions Solutions Strategic

Mortgage Company Company Mortgage Servus Credit Credit Union Union Servus

Car Wash Wash Car Mr. Suds Suds Inc. Inc. Mr.

Tanning Tanning Salon Salon Jacked Jacked Bronze Bronze & & Beauty Beauty Hair Hair Salon Salon Crop Crop Hair Hair Boutique Boutique

Picture Framing Framing Picture Michaels Michaels Tailor/Alterations Tailor/Alterations We Sew Sew Right Right We

Storage Rental Rental Storage U Store It U Store It Travel Agency Agency Travel Marlin Travel Marlin Travel

Plumbing Company Company Plumbing The Gentlemen Plumbers The Gentlemen Plumbers Electrical Company Company Electrical Triple A Electric Ltd. Triple A Electric Ltd.

Barber Barber Shop Shop Crop Crop Hair Hair Boutique Boutique

Carpet Cleaning Cleaning Carpet Mancuso Cleaning Services Services Mancuso Cleaning

Vet Clinic Clinic Vet Dog & Cat Cat Hospital Hospital -- East East Hill Hill Dog &

Law Firm Firm Law Johnston Ming Manning Manning LLP LLP Johnston Ming

Aesthetic Aesthetic/Nail /Nail Salon Salon Divine Nails Divine Nails

Furnace Cleaning Cleaning Furnace Red Deer Heating & & Air Air Conditioning Conditioning Red Deer Heating

Pet Boarding/Daycare Boarding/Daycare Pet The Spoiled Pet Pet Club Club The Spoiled

Funeral Chapel Chapel Funeral Eventide Funeral Home Home Eventide Funeral

Entertainment

People

Other

Night Club Billy Bob’s

Realtor Dale Devereaux

Live Music The Vat

Radio DJ Jamie Worthington

Customer Service/ Friendlist Staff Fetch Haus

Place to Shoot Pool Bo’s Bar & Grill

Personal Trainer Cody Pratt

Golf Course Balmoral Golf Course

Volunteer Lyn Radford

Indoor/Outdoor Festival Festival of Trees

Beloved Red Deerian Tara Veer

Art Gallery A+ Art Gallery & Unique Collections

Corporate Citizen Jack Donald

Radio Station Big 105.5

City Councillor Tanya Handley

Accounting Accounting Firm Firm MNP MNP LLP LLP Chiropractic Chiropractic Clinic Clinic Family Family First First Chiropractic Chiropractic & & Wellness Wellness Daycare Daycare BrightPath BrightPath

Best of Red Deer SILVER WINN ER

Charitable Organization Red Deer Food Bank Society New Business Herc’s Nutrition

2017 Reade Choice Awarrs’ ds

26 Wednesday, June 28, 2017

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Retailers Retailers Carpet/Tile Store Carpet/Tile Store Central Alberta Tile One Central Alberta Tile One Furniture Store Furniture Store Sims Furniture Sims Furniture Home Building Centre Home Building Centre RONA Home Centre RONA Home Centre Paint Store Paint Store Fargeys Decorating Centre Fargeys Decorating Centre Hot Tub/Spa Retailer Hot Tub/Spa Retailer Arctic Spas Arctic Spas Computers/Home Electronics Store Computers/Home Electronics Store Visions Electronics Visions Electronics Formal Wear Store-Men’s Formal Wear Store-Men’s Milano For Men Milano For Men Formal Wear Store-Women’s Formal Wear Store-Women’s Hudson’s Bay Hudson’s Bay

Men’s Clothing Store Men’s Clothing Milano For Men Store Milano For Men Women’s Clothing Store Women’s Clothing Store Ricki’s Ricki’s Western Wear Store Western Wear Store Wei’s Western Wear Wei’s Western Wear Lingerie Store Lingerie Store La Senza La Senza Consignment Shop Consignment Shop Plato’s Closet Plato’s Closet Children’s Wear Store Children’s Wear Store Once Upon a Child Once Upon a Child Shoe Store Shoe Store Payless ShoeSource Payless ShoeSource Flower Shop Flower Shop Floral Expressions Floral Expressions

Jewellery Store Jewellery Store Mitchell & Jewell Mitchell & Jewell Eyewear Store Eyewear Store LensCrafters LensCrafters Pet Store Pet Store PetSmart PetSmart Home Décor Store Home Décor Store HomeSense HomeSense Place to shop Place to shop Bower Place Bower Place Liquor Store Liquor Store Solo Liquor Solo Liquor Grocery Store Grocery Store Sobeys South Sobeys South Supplement Store Supplement Store Nutter’s Bulk & Natural Food Nutter’s Bulk & Natural Food

Services Services

Gardening Centre Gardening Centre Parkland Garden Centre Parkland Garden Centre Sporting Goods Store Sporting Goods Store Sport Chek Sport Chek Tire Shop Tire Shop Kal Tire Kal Tire New Car Dealer New Car Dealer Kipp Scott GMC Cadillac Buick Kipp Scott GMC Cadillac Buick Used Car Dealer Used Car Dealer Red Deer Motors Red Deer Motors RV Dealer RV Dealer Woody’s RV World Woody’s RV World Motorcycle/Powersports Dealer Motorcycle/Powersports Dealer Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson Lawn & Garden Equipment Lawn & Garden Equipment The Home Depot The Home Depot Farm Implement Dealer Farm Implement Dealer Deermart Equipment Sales Ltd. Deermart Equipment Sales Ltd.

Accounting Accounting Firm Firm Collins Barrow Collins Barrow

Tattoo Tattoo Shop Shop Classic Tattoo Classic Tattoo

Home Home Builder Builder Laebon Laebon Homes Homes

Auto Auto Body Body Shop Shop Boyd Autobody Boyd Autobody & & Glass Glass

Chiropractic Chiropractic Clinic Clinic Hoff Hoffman man Chiropractic Chiropractic & & Wellness Wellness Centre Centre

Fitness Fitness Centre/Gym Centre/Gym 360 360 Fitness Fitness

Retirement Retirement Home Home Revera Revera Retirement Retirement Living Living

RV RV Service/Repair Service/Repair Woody’s Woody’s RV RV World World

Daycare Daycare Tiny Tiny Toes Toes Castle Castle

Dance Dance Studio Studio Dance Dance Magic Magic

Hotel/Motel Hotel/Motel Sheraton Sheraton

Oil/Lube Oil/Lube Service Service Mr. Mr. Lube Lube

Pharmacy Pharmacy Shoppers Shoppers Drug Drug Mart Mart

Yoga Yoga Studio Studio Breathing Breathing Room Room

Financial Financial Institution Institution Servus Servus Credit Credit Union Union

Gas Gas Station Station Central Central Alberta Alberta Co-op Co-op

Pet Pet Grooming Grooming Salon Salon PetSmart PetSmart

Hearing Hearing Solutions Solutions Beltone Beltone The The Hearing Hearing Centre Centre

Mortgage Mortgage Company Company DLC DLC -- Regional Regional Mortgage Mortgage Group Group

Car Car Wash Wash Jumbo Jumbo Car Car Wash Wash

Tanning Tanning Salon Salon Fabutan Fabutan

Picture Picture Framing Framing The The Framing Framing Nook Nook

Storage Storage Rental Rental Sentinel Sentinel Storage Storage

Plumbing Plumbing Company Company Bruin’s Bruin’s Plumbing Plumbing & & Heating Heating

Hair Hair Salon Salon Chatters Chatters Salon Salon

Tailor/Alterations Tailor/Alterations Gloria’s Gloria’s Alterations Alterations

Travel Travel Agency Agency AMA AMA Travel Travel

Electrical Electrical Company Company Red Red Deer Deer Electric Electric

Barber Barber Shop Shop Tommy Tommy Gun’s Gun’s Original Original Barbershop Barbershop

Carpet Carpet Cleaning Cleaning Advanced Advanced Cleaning Cleaning Solutions Solutions

Vet Vet Clinic Clinic Piper Piper Creek Creek Vet Vet Clinic Clinic

Law Law Firm Firm Schnell Schnell Hardy Hardy Jones Jones LLP LLP

Aesthetic/Nail Aesthetic/Nail Salon Salon Safari Safari Spa Spa & & Salon Salon

Furnace Furnace Cleaning Cleaning Bruin’s Bruin’s Plumbing Plumbing & & Heating Heating

Pet Pet Boarding/Daycare Boarding/Daycare Freedom Freedom House House

Funeral Funeral Chapel Chapel Parkland Parkland Funeral Funeral Home Home

Entertainment

People

Other

Night Club The Vat

Realtor Richard Pochylko

Live Music Bo’s Bar & Grill

Radio DJ Jason Foui

Customer Service/ Friendlist Staff Dog & Cat Hospital

Place to Shoot Pool The Corner Pocket

Personal Trainer Roman Thauern

Golf Course River Bend Golf Course

Volunteer Amber Mack

Indoor/Outdoor Festival Westerner Park

Beloved Red Deerian Michael Dawe

Art Gallery Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery

Corporate Citizen Trevor Aslin

Radio Station Kraze 101.3

City Councillor Lynne Mulder

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNE R

Charitable Organization CAWES New Business Black Rock Therapies

2017 Reade Choice Awarrs’ ds

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 27

Thank You Red Deer for voting for us this year! 3FBTPOT UP CVZ XJUI

Best o f Red D eer SILVER WINNE R

NEW CAR

DEALERSH IP 2017 R Choice eaders’ Award s

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25% *

3". 2VBE $BC

OFF MSRP 4BWF 6Q 5P $18,000 PRICE!

*

#CA1731

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4BWF 6Q 5P $12,500

*

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*All rebates to dealer. 25% off MSRP OAC. #CA1731 MSRP price $32,140, selling price $24,105. #W1722 MSRP price $46,265, selling price $34,698. Cash prices do not include applicable tax. Sale ends June 30, 2017. Vehicles may not be exactly as shown, see dealer for full details.

2804 Gaetz Ave., Red Deer

403-346-5577

www.southsidereddeer.com

28 Wednesday, June 28, 2017

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

There’s something for every budget at Sims Furniture BY EMILY ROGERS Red Deer Express

Mike Sinclair has been the general manager of Sims Furniture for the past eight years as he continues to carry on his family business in Red Deer. Sims Furniture has been awarded gold for Best Furniture Store in this year’s Best of Red Deer. Sinclair’s grandfather, George Sinclair, bought the used furniture store in 1951 from the Sims brothers, and began selling new furniture. “Here we are today, 66 years later still selling furniture,” said Mike. Today Sims Furniture is now one of Alberta’s largest independent furniture and mattress dealers. “We are locally owned, we’re not a corporate store, and we really try to personalize our service to our customers.” Products that Sims Furniture offers includes bedroom pieces, living room sets, home office, entertainment and mattresses, distributed from the oldest Sealy mattress dealer in Alberta. Sims Furniture also offers in home sales services, where the sales representatives will go to the customer’s home and look at the client’s space, in order to find what the clients are requiring, and what exactly would work for them in their own space. “We try to cater to as many customers as possible. We try to cover all ends of the spectrum as far as budget and style goes.” Sims has a variety of entry-level

LONG HISTORY - The staff at Sims Furniture sit proudly in the show room. The store has a long history in Red Deer Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express and has won gold for Best Furniture Store this year. products, luxury-level products, contemporary items and traditional pieces, which are always evolving to fit into anyone’s lifestyle. “We try to accommodate everybody’s wants, and try to be a one stop shop for home furnishings.” Sims Furniture is grateful for their clientele and is continually looking to create long-term relationships with their customers, by having a relax-

ing, and a friendly atmosphere, which employees can enjoy and clients can peacefully shop in. “It means a lot to be voted into the Best of Red Deer. We are very happy, and proud,” said Mike. “We have an excellent group of people, and if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have been voted gold.” The staff at Sims Furniture is dedicated to their customers’ satisfaction,

and is willing to understand the clients’ needs and expectations in order to assist them in creating a home that they love, and that works for their lifestyle. “We have great staff, right from the back end to the front including excellent delivery staff, wearhouse staff, sales, and front desk. Everybody. We have awesome people. They make it possible.” Mike stated at the moment oper-

ating and managing a businesses in Central Alberta is challenging for everyone in the field because of the economy which forces the businesses to be up and down. “It means a lot that the community thinks highly of us,” he added, even through the difficult times. “There is always a level of uncertainty, especially in Central Alberta, being that we rely so heavily on the oil and gas industry.” Sims Furniture recognizes the hardships the province has gone through and is extremely appreciative in the clientele they receive throughout the flux and flow of the economy, Mike added. “We work hard for every sale, and we work hard for every customer. It is a competitive environment, but we are very competitive business. We’re awesome. “We try to accommodate all budgets, all styles. I think we are quite successful in doing that. We have great sales people, they are the best trained in the business who have been doing it for years, and we are very team-oriented. “If somebody comes in, we can help them.” Sims Furniture is active in giving back to the community as well, by donating to a variety of Central Alberta charities each year such as the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, STARS Air Ambulance, Red Deer College, Red Deer Food Bank, and numerous children’s foundations and organizations within the province. “We donate a significant amount to local Red Deer community organizations every year.”

Thank You Red d Deer r FOR 98 YEARS OF SUPPORT!

Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of our nation’s birth Maple Leaf Diamonds™ is honoured to launch the One-Fifty™ Cut diamond. We created this exclusive new diamond design to specifically highlight our Canadian diamonds.

JEWELLERY STORE 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

ALSO A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF & CLIENTELE! We would not be here without you!

Your jeweller for every special occasion ...for every generation!

4910 - 45 Street Red Deer, AB

403.346.2514 www.mitchelljewell.com

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 29

GIDDY UP - Mikala Bellerive and Co-Owner of Wei’s Western Wear Steve Mah stand in front of the store’s many cowboy boots. The store won gold for Best Western Wear Store. Carlie Connolly/Red Deer Express

Thank You Red Deer! Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

RETIREMENT HOME 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

Thanks to you, we were able to win GOLD in this year’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards! Aspen Ridge

Inglewood

3100 22 Street

10 Inglewood Drive

Red Deer, AB

Red Deer, AB

403.341.5522

403.346.1134

Red Deer’s Premiere Retirement Residence

www.reveraliving.com

30 Wednesday, June 28, 2017

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Local greenhouse a staple in Red Deer since the 70s Parkland Nurseries and Garden Centre wins gold this year BY EMILY ROGERS Red Deer Express

Red Deer’s first gardening centre, which opened in the early 1970s, continues to flourish in the City. Gloria Beck, owner of Parkland Nurseries & Gardening Centre Ltd., is honoured to have been awarded gold in the Best of Red Deer competition, for Best Gardening Centre. “I’m proud, but not only of the business, but of the staff and the customers,” she said. The gardening centre was first opened as a retirement project for Earl Beck. After being told their family needed to relocate the business to the top of the hill on Hwy. 11, or close completely in 1980, the Becks built the gift shop in 1981, and turned the business into a year-round garden centre, and a destination point for tourists in the area. Gloria and her brother bought the business from their father, and in the 1990s split the business again, with Gloria now running the Parkland Nurseries with her management team. Initially the business started as a seasonal garden centre, opening in the spring and closing in the fall. However, now the garden centre is open year-round, and has grown to be one of Central Alberta’s largest gardening centres. The facility provides a large greenhouse, outdoor plant and tree lot, landscape and design services, gardening courses, a gift shop. They also provide a newsletter with details on home and gardening information.

“We try to have some of the new and unique varieties that are out there, for people to try. We’re here to help, we have the knowledge, the product line, whether it’s plant material, clothing, or statues. If they want to find something unique, they will find it here.” Beck added she is proud of the knowledgeable staff that can help the customers with whatever they are require, “It’s those around you who make it happen. Without the staff none of this would be able to happen.” Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre has been expanding their business from just a greenhouse, to gift and clothing shop, to now coffee bistro, called CoffeeStream. The coffee house is location on the nurseries’ grounds in an air stream trailer, for convince to shoppers either looking for gardening supplies, or for people coming to simply enjoy a cup of coffee surrounded by the vibrant colours of flowers on the patio. If the unique selection of gardening materials, knowledgeable staff and a coffee bistro wasn’t reason enough to go out to Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre, the greenhouse does Christmas in a large way. Beginning in November and throughout December, the facility is transformed into a craft sale market on Saturdays, with hot apple cider available for shoppers. The gift store is turned into a winter wonderland, with unique items brought in only during the holiday season, which are great for gift giving. Also Parkland Nurseries does ‘Christmas cards to the community’, which are ice sculp-

tures that can be up to 15 ft. high, and 100 ft. long, with local business partners’ logos marked into crystal clear ice with coloured lights shinning through. “Christmas is a great time to bring your family. It’s the old fashioned Christmas where the whole family comes out together.” Parkland Nurseries & Garden Centre is involved in the community in a big way as well. Last year approximately 2,000 lbs. of food was donated to the Red Deer Food Bank. “I’m very involved in the community as well, I’m involved in Rotary, we’re also involved with Aspen Heights School as ‘Partners in Progress,’ and we donate to many charities. Everyday we are doing something for the community, whether it be for the Women’s Shelter, or for the Festival of Trees,” she said. “As a business we get involved with charities and worth while organizations, but also personally a lot of us are involved too. Red Deer is a great community - I couldn’t think of a better community to be in. “We’re fortunate to be in the area.” Gloria added gardening and growing your own vegetables has become a huge trend in the recent years, “It’s great to be able to teach these young people how to garden properly.” Parkland Nurseries now has the Canadian Shield Rose available, which people are able to purchase in time for the largely anticipated Canada 150. “Happy Canada, come plant a rose. A big thank you for the staff, and to the customers. Without all of them sharing their passion for gardening, we wouldn’t find it quite as exciting.”

SUMMER SIGHT - Gloria Beck, owner of Parkland Nurseries and Garden Centre proudly stands in the greenhouse. Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

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FOR ANY OCCASION - Joanne Curtis, owner of Grower Direct, stands in her store. Grower Direct won bronze for Best Flower Shop.

Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Owner of Safari Spa and Salon grateful for recognition BY EMILY ROGERS Red Deer Express

Senior Executive Marketing and Branding Manager, Corine Sim, is honoured that Safari Spa and Salon has been awarded gold for Best Aesthetic and Nail Salon, and bronze for Best Hair Salon in the Best of Red Deer. Sim first opened Safari Spa and Salon with her brother, 14 years prior, and since has turned Safari into a full five star spa. “If you only have a few hours for yourself, we wanted it to feel like you’ve had a mini vacation.” Later adding that previously there wasn’t a place in Red Deer where people could enjoy a full spa experience, much like one would in Banff. The first Safari Spa and Salon was opened in Deer Park, the hair salon was at the front, and the spa was behind a closed door, which gave the feeling like the client was somewhere else. Later, a full kitchen was built, so the guests would be offered a variety of treats such as freshly baked cookies every half an hour, a shot glass of icecold milk, strawberries, and chocolates. Five years ago, Safari Spa and Salon reached the maximum capacity, and moved to a larger location in the Clearview Market area, where the size of the spa and salon doubled. Since moving locations, Safari Spa and Salon has continued to offer their clients treats, while upgrading their level of service with hospital grade

blanket warmers, and warm neck wraps, for example. “It’s very quiet, and serene.” Sim added that Safari Spa and Salon is very involved with the community, by donating to various organizations, hospital fundraisers, supporting the Festival of Trees, and donating trips, or spa packages to the Rotary Clubs of Red Deer. “We are entrenched in this community, and we’re happy that people like our business here. What sets us apart is the level of service that we expect our staff to give every customer,” said Sim. “We do our best to make sure our guests are happy, satisfied, that they leave feeling refreshed, and rested. We hire enough staff to make sure everyone is taken care of, and it’s a really beautiful environment. “My brother and I are both raised here, and we’re raising our families here. So for the community to vote for us means a lot,” she added, pointing to the Best of Red Deer award. “We’ve been here for so long, Red Deer has always had a strong economy, it’s always been built with friendly people and great customers.” Sim said later the economy has been hit in recent years, however Safari Spa and Salon is, “Weathering the storm.” Sim has noticed the clientele waits longer in between services; however, there hasn’t been a decrease of business. “It’s very easy to do business in Red Deer. Our motto is, ‘Earn a better living, and live a better life.’ It’s very

INVITING - Safari Spa and Salon has received top honours in this year’s Best of Red Deer. important to us that our employees are living a good life.” Sim also said the employees are extremely important, and it’s important to Sim that Safari Spa and Salon is advertising enough to get clients in for the employees. “I don’t like them to be sitting

around, I want them to be busy, I want them to be learning, and growing, they’re like family to us.” Safari Spa and Salon take prides in the type of employer they are, by offering benefits to all of their employees, which is uncommon in the industry, by having an RSP program where they

Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express

contribute, and by paying for their employees education, and training. “We feel like our employees and customers are an extension of our family. Without our employees, and our customers we don’t have a business, we cherish both of those groups of people, and try to take care of them.”

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ART SCENE - Robin Lambert, a volunteer committee member for the Harris-Warke Gallery, stands in front of the many art pieces. The gallery won bronze for Best Art Gallery.

Carlie Connolly/Red Deer Express

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

It’s time to relax at Black Rock Therapies They received gold for Best New Business in this year’s awards BY CARLIE CONNOLLY carlie.connolly@reddeerexpress.com

Whether you’ve had a stressful day or just want to unwind, Black Rock Therapies has you covered. They received gold for Best New Business this year and Phil Duncan, business development director for the company said they were overwhelmed in hearing the great news. “We were really, really pleased. It was the highlight at the end of a really busy, exciting year that showed to us that we were doing the right things, that we’ve made the right decision in opening Black Rock Therapies and that we were being welcomed by the community. We thought it was fantastic. We were really pleased,” he said. With a staff of almost 20, the clinic has seen huge growth in its numbers since opening last April. It’s gone from having 60 clients to now 2,400. The clinic offers premium massage therapy, offering both relaxation therapy and therapeutic massage therapy. “Our massage therapists are trained in both. We offer lots of different specialty massages as well like myofascial cupping, craniosacral, reflexology, a raindrop therapy and orthopedic massage,” said Duncan. He said they’re very proud they can offer such a wide range of massage therapy depending on what their clients’ need. “We also offer manual osteopathy. There are very few places in Red Deer that do that and we have probably one of the finest manual osteopaths in Alberta in our owner Dwayne Manary.” The other owner is Registered Massage

DOWNTIME - Jo Worthington, administrative assistant at Black Rock Therapies, relaxes in one of the therapy rooms. Carlie Connolly/Red Deer Express Therapist Debbie Manary. Duncan said what really sets them apart from other new businesses in the area is the company’s involvement with the community.

“We’re a member of a lot of different networking organizations so we got to understand the different businesses and the people in the community and work with them, helping them

grow their business and in turn they’ve helped us grow ours.” He said he also believes they’re also one of the only people in their style of business that has a designated business person working for the company, as other companies, he said, have a physiotherapist, which are more busy working in their business rather than fully on it. In terms of their involvement, Duncan said Black Rock is a member with the BNI Corridor. He said when they joined with them, there were lots of people they could network with and learn from straight away. “The Chamber of Commerce has been very helpful as well. We’ve worked with them a little bit and that’s helped us too,” he said. He said the best part of working in Red Deer is that everybody seems to know everybody else in a good way. “People listen to each other and take advice, and if you’re doing well at what you do, then people in the community hear about it and they respond, and you get that respect when people come and try out your service, and we really like that.” He said they like the fact that even though the population is large, it’s a small place and people know each other, which he said, makes a difference. With experienced staff and well-trained therapists, Duncan said the clinic has become a magnet for the best therapists in and around Red Deer. “So having more than one great therapist in your clinic means that you can guarantee that if you want to book in for a massage or an osteopath treatment, you’re getting a top quality one every single time. That’s really important.”

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Red Deer Express

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NAMASTE - Co-Owner of Bikram Yoga Red Deer Jackie Kurylo demonstrates one of the many Carlie Connolly/Red Deer Express hot yoga poses. The studio received silver for Best Yoga Studio.

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Dancers ‘make their mark’ at Red Deer dance studio

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 39

Thanks Red Deer! For voting us one of the best places to shoot pool and best places for live music!

BY CARLIE CONNOLLY carlie.connolly@reddeerexpress.com

She said being in the community of Central Alberta, particularly Red Deer, it’s been very welcoming. For Meagan McGratten, owner of Make Your “We all really help each other out. I consider Mark Dance, dancing is more than just the steps, most of my friends the dance teachers in this it’s about family. community, so we’ve been really lucky that way. “I always tell the kids, it’s not just about the We share props amongst each other and we help dance training itself, it’s the relationships that each other out with exams if necessary.� we build, and seeing our young She said it’s Make Your Mark ▞ ones all the way up to when they Dance’s family atmosphere that “I FEEL LIKE DANCE graduate, seeing the friendships sets it apart from other studios. IS MORE THAN JUST they build from the time they were One of the families that came five, which I know they can do at into the studio this year said THE STEPS. IT’S school, but when you share a pasthe reason she wanted to put NOT JUST ALL THE sion for something it just changes her child in dance was so that TECHNIQUE THAT that relationship and only another she would build friendships and YOU THINK ABOUT, dancer understands dancers in that relationships. way,� said McGratten. She knew she had made the IT’S TEACHING LIFE The dance studio, which was right decision when she came SKILLS AND WE formerly known as Dance Traxx in one day and witnessed one of WANT OUR DANCERS the seniors who was in the studio Studio, underwent a name change TO FEEL LIKE THEY’VE having a bad day be comforted in October to Make Your Mark Dance. They received silver for LEFT THEIR MARK and cheered up by her friends, Best Dance Studio in this year’s ON THE WORLD AND who immediately came up to Best of Red Deer. to her. THAT WE’RE HELPING speak “It’s really exciting, it’s actually “And she said, ‘That’s what I THEM IN SOME WAY want for my daughter, even if our third year of receiving silver so it’s pretty exciting to think that DO THAT.� she’s seven right now and doesn’t they think of us that way. It’s alneed that at this moment, evenMeagan ways an honour when your famtually she will and know that she ilies and your clients want to vote has peers that can help her out,’� McGratten for you,� said McGratten. said McGratten. ▴ And the name Make Your Mark With about 130 dancers atDance is more than just a studio name. tending the studio, McGratten said she feels “I wanted to really make it my own and after very fortunate. five years of owning it, I sort of felt like I knew “My mom always says from the time I was where I wanted the studio to go and what our four or five I was teaching dance in my backyard mission would be.� with the neighbourhood kids, but I’m so lucky She purchased the studio six years ago from because dance has been the one steady thing I’ve the previous owner who had opened the studio always had in my life. For me growing up, if you in 2000. had a bad day at school or at home or whatever Since making the name change, the mission, it might be, dance was my outlet.� she said, has stayed very similar. That outlet has of course since grown into a “I feel like dance is more than just the steps. It’s passion. not just all the technique that you think about, “When you get to do that for your living, it’s it’s teaching life skills and we want our dancers really rewarding.� to feel like they’ve left their mark on the world And most of the time, she said, it doesn’t feel and that we’re helping them in some way do like work. Growing up dancing herself, she said that,� she said. she’s most at home when she’s with her dancers.

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BEST OF RED DEER 2017

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Red Deer Express

Retirement living at its best at Revera BY EMILY ROGERS Red Deer Express

Executive Director of Inglewood Revera is thankful for his team members, as the facility won gold for Best Retirement Home in this year’s Best of Red Deer. Inglewood Revera’s sister facility, Aspen Ridge Retirement Home first opened in 2006. Sullivan said Inglewood Revera had a slow start opening to the public, so Aspen Ridge established roots in the City for Inglewood. Both properties are different Sullivan said, “Aspen is family style, you can really feel how family-like it is, it’s very communal based,” he added. “Inglewood is for seniors who like individuality and independence. It’s different, but it works. We don’t compete against each other.” Revera offers many retirement living options, such as a variety of social, cultural or educational events, fitness programs, recreational programs and housekeeping. A few of the amenities included are a games room, library, fitness area, courtyard and landscaped grounds. Sullivan said the two retirement homes give clients a lot of choice without leaving the Revera company. Sullivan said later, it’s Inglewood’s independence that sets them apart, the market has changed and seniors have evolved into very independent people.

ENJOYABLE LIVING - From left, Executive Director of Inglewood Revera Joe Sullivan and residents Harry Lane, Ria Verhoeven, Jerry Spears, Mildred Hoppins and Dawn Lewis stand in one of the common areas of the home. Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express Revera won gold for Best Retirement Home. “They like the idea to be completely free to do what they want, when they want.” However, there is an assisted living floor at the Inglewood residence or,

“Care behind the door,” as Sullivan describes. “We like to be the best in what we do, it’s important. It’s nice to have potential clients feel that way. It’s good

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feedback; it lets us know that we’re heading in the right direction. We have the nicest building in Red Deer, but that’s not why people come here. It’s the team. The service the team offers

here is second to none. When you see the relationship that the residents build with the team, you know that they are out there doing great things for them everyday. They always go above and beyond.” Inglewood Revera is largely involved with Alzheimer’s fundraising and the Optimist Club of Red Deer. The organization is located in the basement of the facility; the program rebuilds older bicycles for children in the community. “Those are the little things where you can help out in the community. It’s great,” he said. Between the two properties, Sullivan said, there is something for everyone. They are very different from each other; both have great teams, and great services. Sullivan added Revera stands behind what they say, “We’re really enjoying them, it’s a great company, with great morals, great ideals, and a great leadership team in our head office. We’re just really happy to be apart of the team. It’s been a really nice change for us. “It has been a challenging two years, our industry has been impacted greatly by the downturn. We are a luxury product, and with so much unemployment it has really impacted our business. “ Although the facility has seen difficult times, Sullivan said being in Red Deer is very rewarding. “It’s a great community.”

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

RECOGNITION - Red Deer Carpet One won the silver award for Best Carpet/Tile Store.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 43

Todd Colin Vaughan/Red Deer Express

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HEARING SOLUTIONS 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

44 Wednesday, June 28, 2017

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Red Deer Express

Making fashion fun for women at Cheeky Coutures Boutique BY EMILY ROGERS Red Deer Express

Michele Bilsborrow, owner of Cheeky Coutures Boutique, is honoured to have been awarded silver for Best Formal Wear, and silver for Best Women’s Clothing Store in this year’s Best of Red Deer. “It’s not common for a new business to be awarded. It motivates us,” she said. Bilsborrow has been a personal stylist for 30 years, first opening a studio which was by appointment only. Clients would have to book a minimum two-hour appointment where Bilsborrow and her staff would conduct an assessment on the clients’ body type, fashion personality, factor in lifestyle, and any changes or transitions the client is going through. “A lot of energy goes to everybody else, and there’s a time in a women’s life where she becomes a priority again,” said Bilsborrow. “A lot of times women come back to the fashion world and they are a little lost, they don’t know where they fit in. “Society thinks we know how to dress well, we know what hairstyle we should wear, how to bake, how to sew or how to run a business - society expects us to know how to do all these things, and the truth is most women have no idea how to dress, which translates into frustration.” Getting dressed in the morning should be fun; a closet should be a friendly environment, Bilsborrow added. However, it often turns into frustration, where you end up wanting to cry and hating yourself, she added. Bilsborrow listened to what women wanted and what their frustrations were, and thought to herself, “There’s got to be a better way.” Bilsborrow added since she was a little girl she had dreamt of owning a boutique. Out of desperation of what Bilsborrow could do to supplement her income and have a routine that worked around her children’s lives, Bilsborrow entered into the direct sales of fashion. There were multiple companies along

PRIDE - Michele Bilsborrow, owner of Cheeky Coutures Boutique, is honoured to receive accolades in this year’s Best of Red Deer. Cheeky Coutures Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express Boutique won two silvers this year. the way, which provided a source of income for Bilsborrow and her family. “What I did all day long I didn’t love, and I did it because I needed to feed my kids. I hit that magical age where the kids were grown, I did not want to enter back into the corporate arena, I had a skill set that was unique, and now was the time. Cheeky Coutures started with a bottle of wine on the deck,” she said. “Very humble beginnings, I started in an 8x10 dinning room, I had no idea what it would take, or the learning curve. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but it’s been worth it. “It was a risk, passion, perseverance, creativity - it takes a village to raise a company.” Cheeky Coutures Boutique is a place where women can walk through the door and take a breath, and know that

▾ “I DON’T THINK THERE COULD BE A BIGGER HONOUR THAN BEING VOTED BY THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE. I AM ACUTELY AWARE OF HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE BEEN VOTED IN.”

Michele Bilsborrow ▴

there are professionals there to support them, and help them, Bilsborrow added. Cheeky Coutures is a destination, “A place to fall in love with fashion again. The result is empowering women through fashion, it’s about them taking back control of their lives.” Cheeky Coutures Boutique is heavily

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involved with the community by supporting Dress for Success, the annual Ladies Lunch In, Festival of Trees, Heart’s Desire Gala for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and supporting various smaller organizations in Red Deer. “We have a rich community, but there is so much need. Sometimes as women we feel bad for being successful, the more successful we are, the more we can give. If we are hurting, we can’t do what local businesses like to do, which is support all those community events.” Cheeky Coutures Boutique does a variety of events including tent sales in the parking lot, bringing vendors in to support the business and ladies’ night, which incorporates a candy buffet, gift certificates and handbags are

also given away. “I don’t think there could be a bigger honour than being voted by the people you serve. I am acutely aware of how lucky we are to have been voted in.” Bilsborrow added it’s her team of stylists who set Cheeky Coutures Boutique apart. “It’s the ability to evaluate the clients on body type, and fashion personality, that’s what we call the ‘magic,’ that’s when we see change. “It’s gruelling work, we don’t stand here in high heels and pretty dresses all day long, we’re running on cement floors and carrying heavy boxes. We’re focusing on bringing the fun, and love back to fashion. “It’s a holistic approach to the women as a whole. We teach you how to make fashion fit you.”

With Sincere Thanks, Red Deer! Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

BELOVED RED DEERIAN 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

My sincere thanks to the readers of the Red Deer Express for voting me Red Deer’s Most Beloved Red Deerian. I am deeply honoured to receive this wonderful award, especially as it comes from you, the public. – Michael Dawe

Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 45

Shae Bolding makes a name for herself DJ at Kraze 101.3 wins bronze for Best Radio DJ in the City BY CARLIE CONNOLLY carlie.connolly@reddeerexpress.com

Shae Bolding isn’t your typical radio DJ, she takes the time to look into things other than just celebrities. “Even though we’re on a Top 40 station, you talk about Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran and stuff, but I listen to CBC so that I know what’s going on in the world,” she said. Bolding received bronze for Best Radio DJ in this year’s Best of Red Deer, and is one of the voices at Kraze 101.3. “I keep asking my friends, ‘Did you vote for me?’ It’s just so cool to be recognized by the City and by people. It’s not just a random award that’s picked out, it’s people that actually vote for it, so it’s probably one of the coolest things that’s ever happened to me.” Originally from Calgary, Bolding calls the way she got into radio ‘random’. “I don’t really have the conventional radio story of listening to millions of radio stations and being like, ‘Oh I want to be in radio.’” She’s always loved performing and was a singer and dancer in Calgary for a long time. She’s now been in Red Deer for two and a half years, with Kraze being her first radio job. Upon finishing high school, Bolding didn’t quite know what it was she wanted to do, and applied to a school in Vancouver for Arts Event Management, but it was her second choice at SAIT, that she decided to go with for Radio Television Broadcast News majoring in radio. “The interview process was pretty intense. There was four interview people and then there was four of us. They narrowed it down from, I

MAKING HER MARK - Kraze Radio DJ Shae Bolding loves the community of Red Deer and her show ‘Epic Evenings with Shae’. She received bronze for Best Radio DJ. Carlie Connolly/Red Deer Express think it was 400 people, to 15 people, and about half of us got jobs out of SAIT.” She was one of those people accepted and studied there for two years. Halfway through her second year, she got her internship at Kraze, and the rest was history. She said she wanted to do her internship where she knew people, and it just so happened that her grandparents lived between Sylvan Lake and

Red Deer, so she grew up going to various places in the area when she was little. “I just knew that my grandparents were here and I would stay with them for a month and do my practicum, so I did my practicum at Kraze and they had a position up for production and on-air and that’s exactly what I wanted to do,” she said. She said her favourite thing about working in Red Deer is the community, and the many fun

events she gets to attend. “I think it’s cool because you definitely get to see the same people at similar events. Even when I’m not doing radio I like to attend those sort of events because they’re fun for me.” And Red Deer, she said, has been a big change for her, having grown up in Calgary. Walking down the street here, she said, people will say just say, ‘Hi,’ something she said doesn’t happen too often in the much larger city of Calgary. Although she loves the community of Red Deer, something she does to stand out from other radio DJs is talking about things that aren’t just close to home, bringing in more worldly topics. She said when she talks about that stuff, she get a lot of the same callers telling her they are happy she’s talking about other things. “That’s something I think that I’m probably good at, and another thing that I like to do is talk about my stories. I like to tell stories, and I kind of have just funny life things that always happen to me,” she said, adding that people can relate to them. Her favourite part of her day at work, she said, is her show, ‘Epic Evenings with Shae’. “I actually do a little bit of production before my show, so I do ‘The Kraze Beat Box’, which is the DJ mix every Saturday night,” she said, adding that you can just dance for two hours. Bolding also enjoys what are called remotes, which involve going on location. “It’s just cool to do your thing outside.” Outside of work, Bolding always likes to try different things, quidditch being one of those. She also does yoga and likes to go on lots of walks and hikes.

RESULTS ORIENTED, RELATIONSHIP DRIVEN. Red Deer Sylvan Lake Eckville Stettler

Thank You Red Deer for voting us

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A special Thank You to all of our clients and professional staff for the past 58 years. We are proud to welcome Darcy Dunkle to our team as well as Tyson Rivet who will be called to the Bar July 7th, 2017.

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Red Deer Express

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PAMPERED - Jordan Ngo, manager of Divine Nails, is pleased to have won silver for Best Aesthetic/Nail Salon this year. Emily Rogers/Red Deer Express

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Best of Red Deer GOLD WINNER

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Red Deer Express

BEST OF RED DEER 2017

Making women feel comfortable at The Bra Lounge BY EMILY ROGERS Red Deer Express

Sisters Sheena Johnson and Cortney Hollegna took a risk in their early 20s, rented a small space in the downtown area of Red Deer, and opened The Bra Lounge. The business won sliver for Best Lingerie Store in the City in this year’s Best of Red Deer. After Hollegna had taken a mastectomy-fitting course, she saw there was a missed market in Red Deer. “We have a seamstress that’s extremely talented, when women come to us that aren’t finding what they need, we’re able to have our seamstress alter a lot of styles to fit a prosthetic,” Johnson said. “We wanted to see what a first year would look like, we found a small secluded space in downtown, rent was affordable and we launched just to see what would happen. Our first year was awesome.” The sister’s days off were spent advertising and building relationships with the rural community, and hosting fittings in hotel banquet rooms. The Bra Lounge carries a variety of items such as sports bras, nursing bras, adhesive bras, everyday styles, special occasion pieces, shape wear, mastectomy items, basics and recently sleepwear. “I don’t know what makes us different, I think it’s the staff being committed,” Johnson added that it doesn’t matter how expensive the piece is, the staff only want the woman to love the item and to feel good in it. “Some people are just in it for a job, and we’re really in it because it matters to us that you’re comfortable. We really try to have brands for every budget. There is such a varied demographic in Red Deer, we try to have every style. “What sets us apart is our product knowledge, the training that goes into fittings and outstanding brands that sell themselves. It’s fun - a lot of women have fun playing around and trying new things on. “You get attached to your customers, it’s a really intimate experience in the fitting room and we really want to help. It can be very emotional. In one fitting room you can have a woman who’s

feeling incredible and in the next fitting room have a woman who is really struggling and is in tears. It’s our job to help.” The benefit with shopping at local businesses are the owners are at the store all the time and they know the brands inside and out, Johnson said. She added customers are treated differently than at a department store. “It’s an honour to be voted into the Best of Red Deer because that’s our customer base shouting our message from the rooftops. A lot of people see we’re hustling with our kids in tow, and that makes women want to support us, they can see what we’re doing it for the right reasons,” Johnson said. The Bra Lounge is now offering a new feature in which clients are able to make a Skype call and the staff will show options for them. “It helps us accommodate that customer no matter where she is, and it helps her to know that she’s buying from a business that she’s already purchased from and trusts.” The Bra Lounge is also involved with the community between weekly sponsorships, silent auctions, door prizes, and gift cards. Johnson added since The Bra Lounge’s demographic is so varied; they really try to be involved with as many events as possible. She also wants people to know The Bra Lounge is playing seasonally with sleepwear and underwear, made from moisture removing properties such as bamboo and eucalyptus fibres. “It’s literally life altering to have products that are functional.” Johnson added the products are ideal for women who go south during the winter, are going through menopause or suffer from the night sweats. “It’s a lot of fun, because these are products no one else in town has. We really want to offer them all in one place, so woman can walk in and feel like we have something for everyone.” Johnson later said they are starting to consider stocking swimwear possibly next year, in very specific sizes and styles. “We cannot have a swim store, but the demand is there. Women are begging for more options.”

Wednesday, June 28, 2017 47

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