BEVERLY COMMUNITY 2PRING 2024 ISSUE

Beverly and Area

Community News Beverly Heights Variety Show Celebrates 53rd Year

The Beverly Heights Variety Show is truly an anomaly. The longest running communitybased variety show in the City of Edmonton, it is such a quintessential Beverly experience that you simply can’t miss it. Its excellence and the passion of the many people behind it are evidenced by the fact that it is still going strong after 53 years, after so many similar communitybased programs across the City have come and gone.

The Beverly Heights Variety Show first ran in 1971, when Judy Jacobs and her husband Lawrence saw a similar variety show in another Edmonton community and asked themselves why it couldn’t exist in Beverly. That first year, they held four shows and sold out all 1200 seats at $2.50 per ticket. With its sometimes risqué fast-hitting humour, its expansive and delicious food and drink menu, and its offering of a night out amongst neighbours and friends, the show was a hit. That first show was a major source of fundraising for the Beverly Heights Community League, and has continued to be for 53 years, funding many of the programs, sports teams, and community activities that the Community League has run over the years.

year, but there is a beating heart of proud community members who are honoured to give their time to such a major Beverly staple.

Since 1971, hundreds of people have volunteered to support the event, from the actors and actresses to the musicians to the behindthe-scenes lighting and prop volunteers. This includes work beginning in July to form the committee and determine writers and directors, volunteer and cast recruitment in December, and rehearsals starting in January to put on the show at the end of each February. It is a massive undertaking to put on the show each

2024’s show, its 53rd, was titled “Again!!”, and was yet another brilliant performance from everyone involved. As we’ve all come to expect, this year’s show was a fast-paced rollercoaster of laugh after laugh, a hilarious adventure through skits, one liners, and anecdotes that seemed to never end. Discussing the show after, it was apparent how highly regarded it was, many noting it was one of the best yet.

If you have not attended the Beverly Heights Variety Show, look out for information on Facebook or at beverlyheights.ca, and plan to attend in 2025, when the show returns for its 54th year of combining hilarity with community spirit.

The Community News Spring 2024 Edition

The 9,000 copies of Community News are printed and circulated to the five neighborhoods within Beverly (Abbottsfield, Beacon Heights, Bergman, Beverly Heights & Rundle Heights) as well as Montrose & Newton Communities.

If you know anyone who has not received a newspaper please have them call 780.413-6244 or drop by the Beverly Business Association Office and pick up a copy.

This newspaper is a not for profit enterprise for the benefit of all residents & businesses. No one receives any compensation for time spent in producing this newspaper.

We are all volunteers!

We depend on the Advertisers and Community Partners to pay for the production of this paper. The Partners are the Beverly Business Association, Beverly Farmers’ Market, Beverly Towne Community Development Society and the Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society. These four Associations feel it is important to communicate with all residents within our community. We are so very thankful to the advertisers, for without them we could not produce this newspaper. Their display Ads appear throughout this paper. Please support them as they are supporting this community initiative!

If you have any questions, concerns, suggestions or have any ideas for a community interest story, please send us a note to Community News, PO Box 20202, RPO Beverly, Edmonton Alberta T5W 5E6 or email us at info@beverlyfarmersmarket.ca

To advertise, receive advertising rates or book an ad, please contact Angie at 780.460.5501 or email her at ahampshire@greatwest.ca What’sgoingoninBeverlyand

WednesdayApril 17,2024at 7pm

Beverly HeightsFamily Centre,4209111 Ave

Allthose livingin Beverly Heightsor Rundle Heights are welcome, and encouraged,toattend.Community League Membershipis requiredand available at thedoor(free this year).

 Shareyour thoughts! Discuss and vote on thepoolfor our free Community League swim and membership prices f or 2024/2025.

 Hear what the currentboard hasaccomplished thisyear

 Elect boardmembers,including President,Treasurer,Secretary, Communications,Fundraising/Casino, Green Spaces,Programs, Maintenance,Membership, Social, and Rink director

 We need more boardmembers!Board position role descriptionsat beverlyheights.ca/community-league-board/

Visitbeverlyheights.ca, theBHCLFacebookpage, oremailvolunteer.bhcl@gmail.comfordetails about:

• BeverlyGardeningGroup 1stW ednesdayof the month.

• BeverlyActive Seniors Society (ages55+)Monday Games & Cards1:30-3:30pm,Thursday Fitness Classes 10:30 -11:30am

• BHCLCelebrates Book Day Sunday April 21 startingat3pm.

• All-ages LIVEMUSICEvent featuring local bands May11,2024.

• Hocky PlayoffWatch Parties!Family friendly,free to attend!

• Hall Rentals (emailrentals.bhcl@gmail.com) - summer/f all 2024 dates stillavailable!2 halls,capacityof 60or300.

Thank yousomuchtothe volunteers,supporters,and sponsors of the 2024Beverly HeightsVarietyShow!Seeyou againin 2025.

Mark Stephenson: The Story of a Long-time Community Minded Local Business Owner

The story of Mark Stephenson’s impact in Beverly begins in the 1960s, when his father, Doug Stephenson, bought the property at 4020 118 Avenue. Prior to that, Doug co-owned Blue Flame Propane in Clover Bar, which he sold to Hudson Bay Gas & Oil shortly before it was expropriated by the Province of Alberta for construction of the Yellowhead Highway. The company Doug had sold set its eyes on Beverly after the expropriation, and, perhaps rather ironically, ended up renting out Doug’s recently purchased space on 118 Avenue in 1970.

In the meantime, Doug built the Niagara Car Wash at 44 Street and 118 Avenue, which is now the Husky gas station, as well as owning the strip building to its immediate east. In 1972, his former company Blue Flame left the space in Beverly, prompting Doug to return to the world of propane via opening a new Propane company called Apollo Propane in October of that year, which operates to this day in that same space at 4020 118 Avenue. Doug named the company after a dominant news item of the era: the Apollo space shuttle moon missions.

tiatives.

This is where Mark comes in. In April of 1973, Doug put his son to work at the age of 12, supporting the new family business. Mark is now the owner and president of the company after the passing of his father in the early 2000s, and jokes that in 51 years “I’ve moved ten feet from where I used to sit”.

After Doug’s passing, three of his sons, including Mark who was the oldest, mulled over what to do about the company. They considered making the oldest the president, second oldest the vice-president, and the youngest the secretarytreasurer. Instead, they pulled names out of a hat for each of the roles, and the roles turned out the same way anyway, with Mark becoming the president. Mark and his family moved into Beverly in 1992, and now live in the Bergman neighborhood in northern Beverly. He and his wife have three kids.

As a company, Apollo Propane is a significant business serving the City of Edmonton, including providing propane for Edmonton’s festivals for over 30 years. They opened their gas bar across the street from their office in 1987. This gas bar is highly unique in continuing to be a full service gas station, with no added cost to their gas prices. Apollo now has 20 staff, and is a third generation company, with both Mark’s daughter and nephew working for the company.

Mark and Apollo Propane have always had a philosophy of supporting their community. Two of these stand out due to the significant impacts they have had on Beverly. First, Mark was a founding board member of the Beverly Business Association, sitting in the very first meetings back in 1995. Other Business Revitalization Zones were operating at the time and the model existed, so Mark and a small team checked for interest, got stakeholders involved, made a board, hired an Executive Director (at the time Shirley Lowe), and off it went. Mark has been on the board for nearly all of its existence, still sitting on the board of the Association today. Through the Business Association, Mark has advised on countless community improvement, branding, and revitalization projects and events – truly far too many to count. He also provides propane free-of-charge to put on the Association’s annual Pancake Breakfast and the Beverly Farmers’ Market’s annual corn roast.

Secondly, Mark got involved with the Beacon Heights Community League, roughly around the year 1995. He began there as the Beverly Business Association representative, as well as a parent representative at the time as his children attended Beacon Heights School, but saw the disorganization of the board and, with the support of other community members, ultimately became the president. From there, he helped guide the board through a time of transition and strengthening, and ushered the Community League forward. Mark served on the board for about 15 years, until 2010, and was involved and played critical roles in countless community ini-

For this work, Mark was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal (pictured with his family accepting the award) in February of 2023, being nominated for the honour by former MLA Deron Bilous for his community volunteerism. This huge honour is well deserved by a man and a business owner who is always seeking to support the community that he lives and does business in. On his community, Mark remarks that “I like to be in the community… I can’t go anywhere without running into someone I’d like to talk to”. He jokes that he would get calls from his wife asking why grocery shopping was taking so long, because the nature of Beverly’s small-town feel is that you “end up talking for 30 minutes… people just want to talk to you”.

Mark is a great example of a community-minded spirit and an example of how Beverly keeps its small-town feel alive, with local business owners supporting their community and working hand-in-hand with other businesses, Community Leagues, partners, and stakeholders to make the community the best that it can be. Having now worked with Apollo Propane for 51 years, with 18 of those as president of the company, Mark has been a significant part of the growth of Beverly, its business district, and its community. It is the people like him that drive Beverly forward and make our community what it is.

A Fond Farewell to Bernie Gollner

Bernhard Gollner was born in 1938 in Germany, in a small town northeast of Munich, and as he grew up he became fascinated by motorcycles and their many intricate parts. In Germany as a child, Bernie would visit neighbours to watch and learn as they worked on restoring old World War II motorcycles. This led to him apprenticing as an automotive mechanic and working in a number of automotive factories before leaving Germany for Canada in 1961.

After working as a cabinetmaker in Edmonton upon arrival, Bernie saved up enough money and spoke with a real estate office, who pointed him to an available property at 4009 118 Avenue in the now amalgamated Beverly community. He purchased the property for $9,800 in 1962, at the age of 23. At the time, people thought he was crazy to spend so much on a property at such a young age! In 1967, he opened International Cycle, and his dream of owning his own motorcycle shop was officially realized.

The shop began at that time with motorcycle repairs, but as his wife Elisabeth joined Bernie at the shop in 1971, the shop was growing and more space was needed. The couple purchased the old pool hall next door, at 4015 118 Avenue, where their building presently sits. This gave

them space to add motorcycle sales on top of repairs, most notably selling parts for the Kawasaki brand.

The couple faithfully operated the shop for over 50 years, in fact sitting as the oldest Kawasaki dealer in Canada before giving up the franchise in 1998. In Bernie’s later days, in his declining health, much of International Cycle’s sales moved online. Elisabeth helped Bernie set up eBay sales for many of their parts, and they would ship their products to clients all over, mostly Kawasaki parts from the 1970’s and 1980’s.

By opening his shop, Bernie lived out of old adage that “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”, as he spent his time living out his passion of building and repairing vintage motorcycles and mingling with others in the motorcycle community. His shop quickly became the place to be for motorcycle parts – frequent visitors are quick to remark that Bernie somehow always had any part they asked for in stock. In fact, to keep this up, Bernie would only allow patrons to buy one part at a time, not the whole stock of the part, to make sure that the next person who came along would have access to it too!

Bernie was deeply passionate about his

motorcycles, and had trouble parting with ones that he had built, typically having to get to know and trust the interested buyer before finally allowing them to take the bike. When someone brought their child along to go shop for a part, Bernie would sneak off into the back to find the child a gift, such as a pair of riding gloves, and offer the gift for free to show the child they were invited into the community too. For Bernie it was never about opening a shop to make as much money as possible, but rather about living out a lifelong passion and supporting the vintage motorcycle community that he loved.

Bernie was thought of very fondly by many due to the type of person he was. Gentle and kindhearted, Bernie was well loved and well respected as a member of the motorcycle community and as a resident and business owner in Beverly. Along with his wife, Elisabeth, who herself is as gentle and kindhearted of a person as you will ever meet, the two ran their business here in Beverly with love and care.

Bernie passed at the age of 85 on February 26, 2024. His loss is significant, as his impact on the Beverly community and the motorcycle scene is immeasurable. Bernie was one-of-akind, and will be truly missed.

Beverly’s Historical Society

Preserving What Came Before

You may know that Beverly was once its own town before amalgamating with the City of Edmonton at the end of 1961, but did you know that Beverly has a Historical Society that exists to preserve and tell stories of the many people, places, and events that made Olde Towne Beverly what it was? Did you know that the Historical Society has an Interpretive Centre here in Beverly, which houses many historical items from Beverly’s earliest days?

The Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society works to preserve the history of our beautiful Beverly community, telling the stories of all those who helped shape our area, from the families to the business owners to everyone in between, from the earliest days of Beverly through the coal mining years to the present. The Interpretive Centre holds many artifacts from the Olde Towne, telling of the ways of

life, the sports teams, the families, the events, and all that shaped our area and brought it to be what it is today.

The Society has been involved in a number of events and projects around the community, including coal mine markers, the coal car entrance feature, annual horse-drawn carriage tours, an annual silent auction, and a number of murals, among numerous other events and projects over the years. These have helped keep history alive, whether by marking the locations and telling the stories of the old Beverly coal mines, or leading horse-drawn carriages up and down Beverly’s streets to share about what was there in years past.

One significant project of the Society is the popular Built on Coal book, written by Lawrence Herzog, which encapsulates the story of Beverly from then to now. The book features

extensive research and storytelling from many Beverly families and residents, and excellently weaves together the intricate story of our area.

The Historical Society invites you to learn more and get involved. They are hosting their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, April 24 at their Interpretive Centre (10906 40 Street) at 7pm, and invite you to attend. You can also get involved through the following means:

You can learn more about the Historical Society at their website: www.beverly-history.ca.

You can send historical stories or images, or inform the Society of an artifact you wish to donate to the Historical Society via email at beverlyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

You can request a visit to the Interpretive Centre via email at beverlyhistoricalsociety@ gmail.com or by calling 780-904-5530.

Beverly Farmers’ Market We’re back for our 28th Mouth Watering Season

That’s right, the Beverly Farmers’ Market will be BACK before you know it! The friendliest market around is excited to welcome you back for another great year spent enjoying the summer sunshine and visiting with neighbours and friends while picking up all the classic market favourites. Fresh market fruit and vegetables are right around the corner, along with all those market classics that make the Beverly Farmers’ Market so wonderful, PLUS some new vendors that we are excited to welcome to our market for the very first time (hint: the Beverly Farmers’ Market will be your go-to plant destination)!

Let your mouth start to water at the thought of

farm-fresh fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberry, peaches, apples, and a variety of delicious vegetables such as potatoes, corn, lettuce, carrots, beets, and so much more. Prepare for mouth-watering fudge, all sorts of fresh fish, exquisitely crafted baking, locally harvested honey, and everything from popcorn to green onion cakes to beef jerky to jams and jellies. Get ready to let your ethnic taste buds experience Jamaican, Thai, Ukrainian, and other fantastic flavours. In between your food favourites, get excited to explore and find market treasures from clothing to jewelry to crocheting to rocks & gems to birdhouses and so much more.

Looking for Buskers

We are looking for musicians, singers, entertainers to perform for our Customers & Vendors at the Beverly Farmers’ Market. Hours are from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Must provide own power. Compensation plus tips !!!

Contact the Market Manager @ info@beverlyfarmersmarket.ca (submit video sample of your performance, if available)

Value & Taste in Local

Have you compared your local grocery store price to our farmers’ market lately?

With rising costs of fuel, shipping & handling, you will be quite surprised!

Have you looked at, tasted and compared store products shipped from California or Mexico to LOCALLY grown products sold at your farmers’ market.

Once was that due to our local farmers dealing in smaller volumes, prices were higher than stores, even though our local farmers had the edge on freshness.

NOW, our local farmers have the edge on FRESHNESS and PRICE!

Check out your Beverly Farmers’ Market, where a Tomato or cuke tastes like a Tomato or cuke and see what we are talking about!

We can’t wait to see you again, celebrate summer with you, and serve as that place to meet up, spend time together with your family and friends and neighbours, and make memories all summer long!

Mark Tuesday, May 14 in your calendars as the first week of the market (and you might as well put every Tuesday from then through to October 8 in your calendar while you’re at it!). The market will return to the Riverview Crossing Mall’s west parking lot, beside the Circle K. This year, market hours will be 3pm to 7pm each Tuesday!

See you soon, Beverly!

Beverly’s New Candy Store Serving Both Unique and Familiar Flavours

If you have a sweet tooth, then you probably had your eye on a new business that came into the neighbourhood in late 2023. The Sugarist, Beverly’s brand new candy store, opened its first location in Mayfield on November 1, 2023, and then quickly opened its second location, here in Beverly, on December 15, 2023.

Located at 5015 118 Avenue, The Sugarist features an eclectic mix of flavours to satisfy any candy craving. Ken King, Vice President of Operations & Business Management, points to the expansive variety of their products, stating that “we love the new trends, like Blue Takis and Pickle Kits” while also pointing out that “we are also very nostalgic. Come discover treats you haven’t seen since you were a kid!”

Nostalgic items, such as Pop Rocks, Pez, or 90s favourite Chubby Soda, are all available. So, too, are quirky new trends including wild flavour combinations such as Dr. Pepper cotton

candy, churro flavoured Kit Kats, spicy crawfish Lay’s, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Dunkaroos, Froot Loop gummies, and much more. The store provides the opportunity to grab a classic while also trying something completely unique. Many of their products are imported from other parts of the world, making them the perfect stop for those rare, hard to find sweet and treats. Plus, their store features a recommendation wall, where you can request specific items for the store to carry!

Keep up with The Sugarist at thesugarist.ca or through their Facebook and Instagram! They have plans for special events and customer contests coming up in 2024, and are proud of initiatives they support such as sponsoring Horsepower for Hope, which helps kids with cancer.

Pop by today and see all the flavours that The Sugarist has to offer! They are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm, Saturdays from 12-5pm, and Sundays from 12-4pm.

Encourages the preservation of area history through the collection of stories, photographs and memorabilia that built our community. We would love you to share your stories and pictures. Join us for a cup of tea, volunteer at the Interpretive Centre, casino, or join us on the board!

The Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society Annual General Meeting

Wednesday April 24, 2024

7:00pm at the Beverly History Interpretive Centre 10906 40 St NW, Edmonton, AB

Everyone is welcome!

This is an opportunity to obtain or renew memberships, become informed of the ongoing work of the society planned projects and to explore volunteer opportunities.

Annual elections will take place at this time. The Board consist of: President*

Vice President* Secretary* Treasurer*

School Programs & Intrepretive Centre Director

Casino Director* Communications Director 3 Directors at Large (1 positon*)

Past President *denotes position up for election

Please check the website and facebook for information and updates on upcoming events

Historical Tours of Beverly TBD - July 2024

Silent Auction Fundraiser held with the Beverly Business Association Pancake Breakfast July 2024

Childrens Rememberance Day Service held at the Beverly Cenotaph November 2024

We can't wait to see you!

THE OLDE TOWNE BEVERLY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society

William Humberstone 1836-1922

William Humberstone was born to English parents in 1836 near Toronto and headed west sometime in the late 1870s. Even though he was 44 years old, he walked from Winnipeg’s Fort Garry with his ox and Red River cart and the journey across the vast prairie and parkland took about three months. He arrived in Edmonton, a settlement of barely 250 persons, in October 1880. The next winter this hopeful, ambitious newcomer began pulling coal from a drift mine on the North Saskatchewan River embankment at Grierson Hill and the Humberstone Brick & Coal Company was born.

In the spring of 1899 he married Beata and that summer the North Saskatchewan River flooded, carrying their buildings and equipment down the river and laying ruin to the mine operation. The following year, Humberstone bought a half section of River Lot 42 east of what is now 34th Street and south of 118th Avenue.

The Humberstone Coal Company had as its partners — William. Humberstone, C.G. Sheldon (who also managed the mine) and W.G. Heeley.

The mine’s hoisting shaft was 107 feet deep and workings extended from the river west to modern day 35th Street, south to 110th Avenue and north to 118th Avenue. As early as 1901, fire was reported at several places in the seam, and such fires continued throughout the life of the mine.

While William and his wife, Beata ran the mine, his younger brother Fred operated the farm which provided feed for the mining horses and produce for the miners who boarded on the farm. (Fred went on to become the Mayor of Beverly in 1920 and died while still in office in 1921). With William well into his seventies by1910, Beata, 20 years his junior, began to assume more control over the day-to-day operations of the mine. She reorganized the company, speeding up growth and production and purchased, as the Edmonton Bulletin reported in 1911, new machinery which included a compressor, coal cutters and boilers.

“The new equipment not only allows a larger quantity of coal to be mined but it also assists in the economy of operation and allows the company to enter competitive fields and to take contracts for large consignments at a lower price than firms with fewer modern conveniences can give,” the newspaper said.

The mine produced, as the Bulletin called it, “A high grade lignite coal which is suitable for either domestic or steam purposes.” The coal was loaded onto railway cars, hauled up the spur line to the Grand Trunk Pacific (Canadian City National Railways) mainline and then into the centre of the city. Production at the mine in 1910 was quoted as being between 180 tons to 200 tons a day, and the Bulletin reported the expansion would enable that capacity to be tripled in the winter of 1911-12.

“A crew of fifty men has been employed and last winter two shifts a day were utilized. It is expected that three crews may be employed this season and that as high as six hundred tons will be taken from the mines.”

The Bulletin article concluded by saying: “The Humberstone Company, working property of this kind adjacent to Edmonton, has done much to call attention to the resources of this vicinity, its progressive methods have illustrated the ambitious and hopeful spirit of our capitalists. It is an industry that, pushed forward as is now being done, will undoubtedly be profitable for those concerned, and the employment it will furnish will effect beneficially many business circles in our city”.

An advertisement in the June 17, 1916 edition of the Edmonton Bulletin trumpeted the features of the Humberstone mine. Manager C.G. Sheldon was quoted, calling the plant “one of the most up-to-date in the country being equipped with private electric lighting system, compressed air for machine mining and the latest type of shaker screen.” In 1918, the mine employed more than 200 men and the monthly payroll was $25,000.

Over the years, several incidents punctuated the operation, sometimes making newspaper headlines. In 1915 and again in 1917, water broke into the shaft mine and flooded it, apparently caused by pillar-pulling triggered caving to the surface.

William Humberstone died April 2, 1922 at the age of 86. Following his death, the company reorganized in May 1923 under the name of Humberstone Mines Limited with an authorized capital of $30,000 or 3,000 shares of $10 each. The new money didn’t help for long. A mine fire in 1925 and a depleted coal reserve were factors which contributed to the closure of his coal mine. It opened again in 1928 and continued operation until 1934, when the Depression took its toll. The mines were abandoned, with old coal carts and railway tracks left in their place and the fire left to burn out –or on.

In his Atlas of Coal Mine Workings in Edmonton and Area, Richard Spence observed, “It would not be surprising if fire still smouldered in some part of the waste in these workings.” Years later, the old coal mine tunnels served as a septic system for the Town of Beverly.

The Olde Towne Beverly Historical Society operates the Beverly History Interpretive Centre to allow students, seniors, and the general public access to a variety of artifacts used by Beverly residents throughout the community’s 100 plus year history.

The Centre is set up to showcase the work and lifestyle of the 1930s and allows an opportunity to connect with the people who built and worked in this community.

During educational program sessions, participants are given a chance to try some hands-on pioneering activities, such as knitting, weaving, working with coal, and food preparation.

Please contact Alene at 780-904-5530 for more information on educational and group visits to the Interpretive Centre.

The Many Activities of the Beacon Heights Seniors

The Beacon Heights Seniors group has a motto: “have fun, be kind, help each other”. They certainly live this out, having an impact both on the members in their group as well as on the larger community as a whole.

Within their group, they hold birthday parties each month to celebrate the special day of their members. They are planning a trip to Drumheller in July for the Badlands Passion

Play. They eat out at different local establishments each month to get to know the cuisine of the area and spend time together in community.

Within their community, the group helped out at Christmas and Easter with hampers for seniors in need. They also helped Operation Friendship Seniors to collect one thousand pairs of underwear for seniors. They

met with their local MLA via a special tea party to advocate for health care, pharmacare, dental care, and seniors issues.

Through the above, Beacon Heights Seniors are having fun, being kind, and helping each other. Plus, new members are welcome!

Show up on the first Tuesday of each month at the Beacon Heights skating rink building (12037 43 Street) for meetings from 1-3pm!

May 4th, 2024

BEVERLY TOWNE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY

Things to look forward to!

Alpha Kidz

Alpha Kidz provides free after school and summer activities for children ages 6 – 12. We provide programs and activities that promote healthy choices and include healthy snacks each day. We will be starting September 16, 2024. We host a summer program for the children. This year’s summer program dates are July 2, 2024, until August 16, 2024. Again, registrations will take place midJune until all 25 spaces are filled. We want to thank everyone that made our program a great success again this year.

Youth options

Youth options provides free programs that focus on strengthening coping skills, developing interpersonal and group skills, and encouraging youth to become positive and active members of the community. The program as-

sists youth in the development of important life skills and provides opportunities to establish positive relationships. We have included culturally sensitive programs that address the needs of our new immigrant families and help their children to integrate more easily into their new homes. As the needs of the community change, we try to ensure that our programs reflect those changes. We currently have Youth Gym on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. We currently have our Nightball program from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Mondays and Wednesdays. Nightball is a September to June program.

Alpha Girls

Alpha Girlz is a program for girls ages 12-17 to come and create meaningful connections and provides a safe place to come as they are. It runs Mondays and Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and gives an opportunity to participate in yoga/mindful movement, and crafts, and to engage in discussion topics. It is a safe space to hang out, relax, and be yourself.

CANDORA”S 35th Anniversary Celebrations

CANDORA is gearing up to celebrate its 35th anniversary of serving the Beverly, Abbottsfield, and Rundle communities of Northeast Edmonton. Our history began when Bev Sochatsky Downing and Virginia Sauve were introduced to the community as part of their work for the Consumer Education Project of Grant MacEwan Community College. The pair went door to door recruiting a core group of women who would meet every Friday morning at the Echo Valley Tenant Centre and call themselves the “Abbottsfield Women’s Project.” Through her work at Beverly Social Services, Cathy Vereyken, also began working on the project and would become an invaluable founding member of CANDORA. In 1989, The Candora Society of Edmonton officially became incorporated as a non-profit society!

CANDORA’S 35th Anniversary Banquet

Come celebrate our rich history together at the ACT Centre (2909- 113Ave) on May 4th, 2024, starting at 5:30PM. Included in the evening is a cocktail hour, a dinner buffet catered by Auntie Bev’s, and local entertainment with special guest MC, Janet Dixon. We hope you’ll join us in honouring CANDORA’s founders for their years of service and dedication. Tickets can be found on Eventbrite at bit.ly/candorais35:

Early Bird Pricing (until April 5th): $25

Regular Ticket: $30 Table (seats 8): $210

Beverly Food & Music Festival

Stay tuned! We have an exciting summer event planned to celebrate our 35th anniversary with the community. We look forward to highlighting the many local and tasty eats that Northeast Edmonton has to offer as well as the talented entertainment. This will be a free event open to the public. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Auntie Bev’s Looks Forward to Market Season!

Market season is right around the corner and Auntie Bev’s Frozen Meals can’t wait to be back at the Tuesday night Beverly Towne Farmers’ Market at the Riverview Crossing parking lot! Until then, you can find us at various events and markets around the city. Including our Sherwood Park Farmers’ Market debut on April 10th from 3PM- 7PM at #350, 5000 Emerald Drive (Emerald Hills Shopping Centre). Catch us here for an

indoor market every Wednesday! We’ll also be showing off our catering skills at the CANDORA 35th Anniversary Banquet on May 4th. If you’re looking to purchase Auntie Bev’s Frozen Meals, you can find us online 24/7 at www. auntiebevs.ca.

Your Contribution Makes a Difference

CANDORA is always looking for ways to improve and implement new programming based on the needs of the community – and we need your help to do this. Whether it’s $1, $10, $50, or more, your donation to The Candora Society of Edmonton makes an impact and provides individuals and families the resources they need to break out of social isolation. From program improvements to emergency food supplies to bigger and better community events, your contribution means a healthy and thriving neighbourhood. Please consider donating to CANDORA and watch your donation actively grow our capacities. Tax receipts are available for donations of $10 or more. Monetary donations can be made online via bit.ly/donatetocandora or via cheque or cash dropped off to our offices at #262, 3210- 118Ave. THANK YOU!

Get Connected!

Find a list of our current program and volunteer opportunities by scanning the QR code:

You can also join our monthly newsletter by scanning the QR code above!

ner and Auntie Bev’s Frozen Meals can’t wait to be back at the Tuesday night Beverly Towne Farmers’ Market at the Riverview Crossing parking lotner and Auntie Bev’s Frozen Meals can’t wait to be back at the Tuesday night Beverly Towne Farmers’ Market at the Riverview Crossing parking lot

Are you looking to volunteer in your community?

The Abbottsfield Recreation Centre is actively looking for Board Members to join our team. ARC welcomes any community member that shares the passion of connecting people through programming, activities, and events. However, if you are not interested in being on the board there are volunteer positions on committee for things like fundraising, advertising, social media, etc. If you have specific ideas on what you think will benefit our community, we are always open for discussion.

Board meetings are the last Monday of the month unless there is a holiday. At the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre 3006 119 Ave.

In addition, ARC is seeking volunteers who may be interested in volunteering at the casino. Casino dates are August 20 and 21 2024. If this is something you may be interested in, please kindly reach out to us, by email or phone.

For any information, please call Ashley 780 479 5895 or email info@abbottsfieldreccentre.com

COMEVISITUSATACT

DidyouknowALLCityof EdmontonLeisureCenterswill beopenforStatutoryHolidaysin 2024?Thisisanimportantstep toensurewemeettheneedsof thecommunitiesweserve-and trulybeaplacethatisopenjust ‘stepsawayfromhome.’It,also, isagreatopportunityforyouto visitandsayhitothefriendlystaff atACTAquaticandRecreation Centre.Weareopenfrom1-4p.m. duringthenextStatutoryHoliday.

Afteraquickwarrantyshutdown, ACTAquaticandRecreation Centreisopenjustintimefor Spring!Comecheckoutthe warmestCityofEdmonton operatedpool.ACToffers swimminglessons-forchildren andadults-publicswims,Water Works(lowintensityaquasize styleclasses)andadaptiveswims, whichareswimsinasensory friendlyenvironment.Checkout thefullfacilityschedulebyvisiting movelearnplay.edmonton.ca.

Inadditiontothepool,you willalsofindafullyequipped gymnasiumatACT,whichis quicklybecomingtheplaceto beforpickleball.And,whocould forgetRockin’InRundle?Every TuesdayandThursdayafternoons, thegymhostsaninclusivedance, oftenwith200attendees!There isalsoapotterystudio,with instructor-ledclassesforavariety

ofages,aswellasotherevening programssuchasReadySetRec. Lookingtobookanevent?ACT hasmanydifferentoptionsfor rentalrooms,eachwiththeirown uniquefeatures.Wehaveafood vendoronsite,BubblyBurger, offeringcateringforyourrental needs.Wecan’twaittoseeyou soon!

Summer is on its way and we look forward to a number of events around the Beverly community! The Beverly Business Association is proud to host or support the following coming in 2024:

Beverly Farmers’ Market

May 14 to October 8, 2024

Annual Golf Tournament & Banquet

June 14, 2024

Annual Pancake Breakfast

July 24, 2024

Beverly Dining Week

October 11 to October 21, 2024

Remembrance Day Ceremony

November 11, 2024

Look out for information on these events and more coming soon! Keep up with us on Facebook and Instagram for updates!

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