Move Up ~ Issue 6

LOCAL FEATURES | NEWS | EVENTS | OPPORTUNITIES

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SUPERHERO BUSINESSES

Community-minded companies that give back p. 21

DON'T FEAR THE

R E P A E R Grimshaw's Roller Derby Team Gets Ready for a New Season P.58

GO Mighty Peace

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To

our loyal guests and our guests who are yet to be, It is with sincere appreciation that we extend a heart-felt thanks to each of you for being our valued and loyal guests of our businesses for the past 14 years!

It has been our pleasure serving you and getting to know many of you over the years. As you can imagine, we simply could not do what we do, or be as successful, were it not for guests like you.

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personal thanks to our friends, our families, our fabulous Team Members, our loyal guests and those we have not yet had the pleasure of meeting to extend our very best wishes.

It is people like you who make being in business such a pleasure day to day throughout the years. Our restaurants are a source of pride to us and with guests like you, we find going to work each and every day a rewarding experience.

In running our restaurants, there is always so much activity and personal business to attend to that it is easy to forget to thank our valued customers, like you, for supporting us each day. We in turn support our local communities groups and organizations because of your tremendous patronage.

We raise our coffee cups to you with sincere gratitude!

We would like to take this special opportunity to extend our

Tim Hortons - Peace River & Valleyview

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See you tomorrow!

Barb and Gord Drummond & Family

►

SPRING EDITION 2015

VOLUME VI

GOOD DESIGN:

3 hElpS yOu achIEvE yOur GOalS PUBLISHERS

Tormaigh Van Slyke //tormaigh@pcpublishing.ca Jenelle Lizotte EDITOR

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Paul Lavoie Images, Tormaigh Van Slyke, Jenelle Lizotte WRITERS

Matt Belliveau, Melanie Bekevich-Joos, Community Futures Staff, Dan Dibbelt, GPRC Staff, Jenelle Lizotte, Tony Nickonchuk, Jessica Parker, Drew Rogers, Cris Seppola, Brian Siddle, Tormaigh Van Slyke, Lydia Zilahy Move Up is published by Plato’s Cave Publishing. No content herein can be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

12,000 copies are printed and distributed throughout the Mighty Peace Region, Alberta and beyond.

Move Up is 100 per cent funded by advertising dollars.

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Contents

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Grimshaw Roller Derby team gears up for new season

64 21 12 Superhero Businesses Mighty Peace Region CommunityMinded Businesses are Featured for their Heroic Contributions

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Mom-trepreneur Sharlane Morrison hosts North Peace Reptile Parties in the Peace

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News

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Agriculture: Nutri-Boosting Soil and Crops

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Go Mighty Peace

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Column: GPRC

Highlights from the Mighty Peace Region

Using Biosolids in your Fields to Strengthen Yields

Your Guide to Exciting Activities and Events

Preparing Teachers for the Classrooms of the North

Preparing Teachers for the Classrooms of the North The Teacher Education North (TEN) program at GPRC is a unique program designed to prepare teachers for northern and rural schools. Offered in collaboration with the University of Alberta, the degree may be fully completed on campus at GPRC Grande Prairie. Program highlights include courses such as Teaching in Northern Alberta Communities and Aboriginal Histories and Culture.

www.gprc.ab.ca

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 NEWS

COLLEGE POWERS ENGINEERING PROGRAM Ribbon cutting (pictured left to right): Power engineering student Gertrude Chikuni; Garret Tomlinson, Reeve, Northern Sunrise County; Ginette MacIsaac, Carmon Creek Operations Manager, Shell Canada; Daniel Vandermeulen, Chair, Board of Governors, Northern Lakes College; Ryan Gardner, Production Foreman, Penn West; Tom Tarpey, Mayor, Peace River; Ann Everatt, President and CEO, Northern Lakes College; Power engineering student Howard Young

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n February, Northern Lakes College opened the Shell Canada Power Engineering and Technology Centre and began admitting students with the intent to lessen the gap between the high demand and low supply of power engineers in Northern Alberta.

In the works since 2012, Northern Lakes College started a $2 million fundraising effort in order to bring the power engineering

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centre to fruition. The fundraising project was made possible most notably with the help of a $1 million contribution from Western Economic Diversification Canada, a $500,000 contribution from Shell Canada, a $200,000 joint contribution from the Town of Peace River and Northern Sunrise County and a $100,000 contribution from Penn West Exploration.

The power engineering program offers five-week,

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full time courses for fifth, fourth and third class power engineering certification. In addition, flexible hours and schedules are offered to suit the needs of students who are working during the day, as well as high school dual credit students, for third and fourth class power engineer certification. Every year, as many as 80 students will have the opportunity to receive the necessary steam time needed for certification.

“Funding educational institutions and initiatives across the country is a key area of focus of our social investment program,” said Ginette MacIsaac, Shell’s Carmon Creek Operations Manager. “As a long-time supporter of Northern Lakes College, we are proud to lend Shell’s name to a facility which will help to meet an important need for power engineers across the province.”

NEWS 

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he year is off to a great start for the Curtis Marshall Memorial Skatepark Committee.

The committee has received a handful of sizeable donations from local municipalities and businesses putting them well on their way to making the grassroots skatepark a reality.

“It’s been a long hard battle for us and there were a lot of questions along the way on whether or not we’d actually finish this project,” said committee President Kris Scobey. “So for us to be able to stand tall with this funding behind us means a lot.”

The skatepark committee was recently able to secure donations from the County of Northern Lights, Northern Sunrise County and the Town of Peace River (TOPR) for $50,000 each, a donation from DMI for $10,000, a donation from Accurate Hydraulics for $5,000 and a donation from Plains Midstream for $2,500.

According to Scobey, the recent donations have restored faith within the committee.

“People are really standing behind the idea that our core group has spent the last four years defending and advocating for. It’s a huge deal for us,” said Scobey.

“Our committee lives and breathes with this park. When it does well, so do we. This outpouring of support and positivity has been a breath of fresh air for this committee.

Honestly from the bottom of all our hearts we’re thankful for every like on Facebook, every share, every comment and every donation.”

The committee, which was founded in 2010, has been working tirelessly to fundraise for a permanent concrete skatepark in downtown Peace River and was donated land by the 2012 TOPR council.

The committee has hired New Line Skateparks, a company out of Langley, BC, to design the park.

Big Investments in Peace River Skatepark

The Curtis Marshall Memorial Skatepark committee was awarded the 2012 Community Spirit Award by the Peace River Chamber of Commerce.

A rendering of the proposed Curtis Marshall Memorial Skatepark done by New Line Skateparks

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A TALE OF TWO BUSINESSES

MODERN PAINT TURNS 20, UNITED FLOORS TURNS 50

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ven after several expansions, moves, ownership changes and splitting into two separate businesses, United Floors and Modern Paint and Décor are still making history together. This year marks a milestone for both businesses, as Modern Paint and Décor celebrate 20 years and United Floors celebrates an astounding 50 years in business.

Modern Paint and Décor’s current owners, Terry and Leanne Naturkach, acquired the business in 1995, but the story begins 1965 when Ken Horneland, Leanne’s father, and his partner Bob Clarke opened Modern Paint & Home Furnishings—a paint, wallpaper and flooring store in downtown Peace River.

The partners moved to a larger facility almost a decade later and expanded their focus to decorating products, which complemented their paint and wallpaper supplies.

In 1976, Horneland and Clarke sold the business to Jim Ashton and Cliff Weger.

Then, a year later, Aston bought out Weger and joined forces with his wife, Judy.

In 1979, the Ashtons moved to a new facility on River Road. In the 1980s, the Ashtons would become a Benjamin Moore paint retailer and join the United Carpet family, which had 40 stores across western Canada at the time. Also during this time, the name changed to United Floors as the company moved

toward becoming a one-stop decorating centre.

In 1987, Terry Naturkach began working at the store in a retail sales position.

In 1994, Lyle Horneland, Ken Horneland’s son and Leanne Naturkach’s brother, began working alongside his brother-in-law, Terry, at United Floors.

In 1995, Terry and Leanne bought the paint and sundries part of the store and Modern Paint & Décor Ltd. was born. Because of this purchase, the original business was split in two, with United Floors owned

by Jim and Judy Ashton and Modern Paint and Décor owned by the Naturkachs.

In 2002, Lyle Horneland and his wife, Marie, bought

United Floors from the Ashtons when Jim retired.

Dan Doucette would subsequently buy it from the Hornelands in 2014.

Today, with this rich combined history, the two businesses still thrive sideby-side on Peace River’s West Hill providing the Peace Region with an excellent customer experience and a vast selection of products and services.

For Leanne and Terry, Modern Paint and Décor has always been a family business. Just as Leanne and her brother Lyle grew up with Modern Paint & Home Furnishings when her dad owned it, her children, Amanda and Jordan, have also grown up with Modern Paint and Décor.

Top Left: Modern Paint and Decor in its current location on Peace River’s West Hill, Top Right: Modern Paint’s downtown location, Bottom right: Modern Paint’s River Road location. [Photography submitted] 8

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12 FOOT DAVIS EVENTS PARK

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PEACE SAWRIDGE ON A WINNING STREAK

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eace River’s Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre won the prestigious Sawridge Property of the Year Award for the second year in a row. The award was presented by CEO John MacNutt and Vice President Terry Hartz of the Sawridge Group of Companies and was later made public in March of this year.

“The award is presented to a property within the Sawridge group that exemplifies our commitment to customer service, staff satisfaction and also financial success,” said Hartz. “Winning this award is indicative of a high degree of staff engagement as well as management commitment.”

SAWRIDGE INN AND CONFERENCE CENTRE, PEACE RIVER, GENERAL MANAGER ROBIN GALLOWAY PROUDLY POSES WITH THE SAWRIDGE PROPERTY OF THE YEAR AWARD.

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Peace River, while previous General Manager, Paul Jones, moved to Fort McMurray to assume the General Manager position of the Best Western Plus Sawridge Suites.

In January, the Peace River Sawridge also received the Customer Service Excellence Award at the Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce’s Davis Awards.

“We were hosting the Davis Awards this year so when we won in that category, it was a real honour and quite emotional, actually,” said Galloway.

Along with a trophy for the Inn’s mantle, the property also gets $25,000 in cash to buy or build something for the staff to show appreciation for their efforts. Last year they made upgrades to the staff room and built a deck on the property for staff barbeques.

According to Galloway, in addition to the Property of the Year and Customer Service Excellence Awards, Sawridge is the only hotel in Peace River to have received the 2014 Housekeeping Award from the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), and it the second consecutive year they have received the coveted award.

Since the award was presented, Robin Galloway [pictured] was promoted to General Manager of the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre in

“We are also proud to be recognized as an Employer of Choice by the AHLA. We have received this award every year since its inception in 2008,” said Galloway.

Previously in the

PEACE

LEFT: WINNER JORDAN ALLARD SITS ATOP HER BRAND NEW V-ROD HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE. TOP RIGHT: PEACE PLAYLAND BOARD MEMBERS TALK ABOUT THE AMAZING LOCAL RESOURCE, PEACE PLAYLAND. BOTTOM RIGHT: THE RANGE ROAD RAMBLERS PERFORM AT THE HARLEY DAVIDSON PARTY.

BIKER BASH AT THE BELLE A BLAST! Benefit for Peace Playland raises $32,000

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Motorcycle valued at $22,000. Lucky local Jordan Allard took home the bike after her name was drawn from the ballot box.

Over 350 attendees enjoyed live music by the Range Road Ramblers, live and silent auctions and a chance to win a Harley Davidson V-Rod

A combined effort from dozens of live and silent auction sponsors brought in an approximate $18,000. In addition, one raffle sponsor, Go Auto, donated a children’s quad and an adult quad at cost, which raised

n February 28th, Peace Playland, a non-profit play facility for preschool children, hosted a large scale fundraiser at the Belle Petroleum Centre where they raised approximately $32,000.

approximately $8,000 for Peace Playland.

Peace Playland (formerly the Peace River Toy Library) is located in the Belle Petroleum Centre and is open to parents of young children Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10 am to 3 pm, at the cost of $5 per year. For more information, call 780624-8300.

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PEACE FRESON BROS. FAIRVIEW BAGGER COMPETES IN VEGAS

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n February 9, Fairview Freson Bros. staff member Tristen Oberg was proud to compete, as Canada’s sole representative, in the National Grocers Association’s Best Bagger Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, emceed

by Ace of Cakes host Duff Goldman. Tristen was narrowed down from 15 semi-finalists, one from each of Alberta’s Freson Bros. location.

The National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship featured retailers with infectious company pride and an enthusiastic commitment to customer service. Now in its 29th year, this national competition is the culmination of contests held across North America, with state champions meeting in Las Vegas to determine who gets “bagging rights” and the grand prize of $10,000.

While Tristen did not take home the money, Freson Bros. did bag an award for Best Integrated Marketing Campaign for their 2014 Watermelon Fest and two honourable mentions—one in the Consumer Value Print category and another in the Fresh Foods Merchandise category.

Freson Bros. is the largest, family owned independent grocery chain in Alberta, with their Head Office in Stony Plain, Alberta. Freson Bros. operates 15 stores across the province and is currently celebrating their 60th year.

The National Grocers Association is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry.

Tristen Oberg attends the best bagger championship in las vegas, nevada [Photography submitted]

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AGRICULTURE 

NUTRI-BOOSTING SOIL AND CROPS

BY MATT BELLIVEAU

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rie and Janny Loogmans’ farm rests on a hilly patch of land down a quiet dirt road just north of Peace River, Alberta. They’ve been there since the early 1980s after relocating from Holland, where Arie grew up farming large fields of tulips with his father. The Loogmans still keep tulips out front of their farmhouse, but in northwestern Alberta, wheat is the crop on their mind.

The Loogmans’ rolling pastures have never been ideal for crop farming, but Arie and Janny have continued to prosper through hard work and openness to innovation.

In 2013, innovation came easy for the Loogmans after learning about Nutriboost, an organic fertilizer recently made available in their area.

Nutriboost is made up of biosolids—the remains of micro-organisms recovered from the pulping process at Daishowa-Marubeni Peace River Pulp Division (DMI).

Once absorbed into soil, it provides a slow release of crucial nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients.

Farmers participating in the program can request

Nutriboost from DMI and have it delivered and applied to their fields free of charge.

For DMI, the Nutriboost program is an appealing way to build their clout as an environmental leader.

The pulp and paper industry once viewed biosolids as waste and had any excess incinerated or shipped off to landfills. But now biosolids are emerging as a lower-emission alternative to commercial fertilizers, and by offering their supply up to local farmers, DMI has created the largest recycling program in northwestern Alberta—a move that earned them the 2013 Emerald Award.

For farmers, the appeal is in the results. The Loogmans’ land produces around 40 bushels of wheat per acre each harvest, but after applying Nutriboost to their fields, that yield increased to 75 bushels an acre.

“That is considered super in this area,” said Arie.

He believes the yield was even better at dips in the field where more Nutriboost pooled during spreading.

“I’m sure there were areas in that field that were producing 90 bushels,” he said.

The Loogmans found “humongous heavy crops” sprouting from the soil that received extra Nutriboost, but Arie said, “it’s a royal pain sometimes because the crop falls down then.” He has no complaints though: “I think it’s fantastic, what can I say? I would use it anytime.”

The 2013 season was the Loogmans’ first experience with Nutriboost, but just across the Peace River in the hamlet of Three Creeks, the Gracek family has been in the program for years.

Bryan Gracek began farming with his father Walter when he was twelve, and now works his own land not far from where he grew up.

Both father and son apply Nutriboost to their fields regularly.

“What we really noticed is that it adds organic material back into the soil,” said Bryan. “It really mellows the soil out, which is huge for crop production, growth, plant germination and root development.”

The Graceks were used to raising livestock on their land, but Nutriboost helped unlock the potential in their soil to produce more canola, wheat and alfalfa.

“We were slowly moving away from the cattle, so we were applying the Nutriboost to old pasture land and old hay land—the soil needed something to get it kick-started again,” said Bryan.

Over the years, he has noticed a steady five to ten per cent increase in crop yields when using Nutriboost, which he says “depending on the crop, depending on the price, could be anywhere from a 50 to 100 dollar an acre difference.”

“We’re at the point where we’ll just throw the Nutriboost in as part of our regular rotation” said Bryan.

“We just continue with our same fertilizer program and then the Nutriboost just adds to it a little extra kick.”

The benefits flowing from the Nutriboost program are something Bryan does not take for granted. “I’m just glad we are where we are so we can take part in it.”

It’s a chance for farmers to not only kick-start current productivity, but also to build up soil quality for future generations.

As Janny Loogman concludes, “it’s a benefit to the soil and the crops. It’s a great opportunity.” move up

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DAN DIBBELT | PEACE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE

EVEN THE GRASS IS GREENER HERE

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hey say the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. In my case that’s probably true because my neighbour is a garden fanatic and treats his lawn better than I treat my dog. We do, however, have a tendency to always think everybody else has it better, easier or more enjoyable than we do.

We are all anticipating that the upcoming provincial budget is going to make life a little rougher for us all. We are probably right—things will be a bit tougher.

The recent drop in oil prices certainly impacts Alberta and Albertans harder than most. We have already seen the loss of some proposed developments in our region and with that the loss of jobs—though, at present, it appears to be contractors that are feeling the pinch the most. I suspect we will also see some of our shadow population workers, the workers who hail from other parts of Canada, heading home.

Indeed, times will get a bit tougher. No one knows for sure how long oil prices will stay low or what the

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provincial government will do to balance the books.

Fortunately, Alberta has some savings in place for a rainy day, so perhaps the impact will be softened by that.

Economists vary on when they think oil prices will move back up. I, however, am not sure how valid the predictions really are. After all, no one predicted oil prices would plummet to the lows we are seeing today.

We do know as Albertans this is not the first time we’ve seen a drop in oil prices and we do know that we will rebound. We always have, and we always will. In the meantime, there will be some pain.

That pain, however, needs to be kept in perspective. We have it pretty good in Alberta and let’s face it we will whine a bit when things aren’t quite as good. However we just need to look across the border to British Columbia to put our hardship into perspective.

A recent study by Economic Development Winnipeg compared the cost of living across Canada’s provinces.

I had expected Albertans

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to fare well but didn’t really know just how well we are doing until I looked at the statistics.

The study looked at an average family of four with two wage earners and a household income of $60,000. For starters, the average worker in Alberta earns that much on their own, so we are already doing pretty good.

The study shows that residents of British Columbia pay substantially more income tax than we do in Alberta. In fact, based on this family of four with two wage earners totaling $60,000; in British Columbia total taxes and basic household costs for this typical family are $49,874 compared to $27,064 in Alberta—a substantial difference of $22,810.

Albertans also have the distinct pleasure of having no PST. In British Columbia, where the PST is 7% for most purchases, residents shell out approximately $748 per year in PST. British Columbia residents also pay substantially more than Albertans for items such as gasoline tax and childcare.

Residents of British Columbia also make a lot less in income than we do here.

The average school teacher in British Columbia makes about $18,000 less than their Alberta counterpart and the average carpenter makes about $30,000 less than the equivalent in Alberta.

Housing is also more affordable on our side of the fence with the average house price in Fort St. John hitting more than $400,000 and the average three bedroom apartment rents for $1855 per month.

The reality is that the coming year or two will be pretty much what other provinces are used to. Despite that, development still moves forward, businesses will open up and people will continue to move to Alberta and the Peace Region. In fact, with reduced building costs, additional labor and moderate growth, now is the perfect time to build.

So, perhaps it’s true that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. We just need to be grateful that we live on the greener side.

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COMMUNITY FUTURES PEACE COUNTRY

UNLEASHING LOCAL CAPITAL

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COMMUNITY FUTURES PEACE COUNTRY

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he Community Futures Network of Alberta, in partnership with the Alberta Community and Cooperative Association and other likeminded organizations, has developed a program that helps to establish investment cooperatives in rural Alberta communities.

Branded as “Unleashing Local Capital”, this initiative is a unique and innovative local financing program that empowers groups to mobilize resources within their community to finance local business development and foster community ownership.

It is based on the premise that we have the resources, the leadership, and the know-how right within in our communities to make them vibrant places to live and work.

Unleashing Local Capital began as a two-year pilot project funded by the Rural Alberta Development Fund. It was led by the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association, in conjunction with the following strategic partners: • Alberta Business Family Institute • Alberta Rural Development Network • Athabasca University • Community Futures Network of Alberta • Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta

Through this program, the Alberta Community and Cooperative Association and its partners have helped several Alberta communities establish an Opportunity Development Co-operative (ODC).

An ODC is a for-profit cooperative that pools money within the community to finance business development.

Capital is raised by selling RRSP eligible shares to the membership of the ODC. The ODC is managed by a board of directors, elected by the membership. As a cooperative, regardless of how much a member has invested, one member only has one vote.

Once formed, the ODC is approached by local entrepreneurs with a business opportunity in need of investment. The members of the ODC review the business plan and agree on the best way to meet the financing needs of the applicant (debt financing or equity financing).

For co-op members, ODCs meet the need to invest in one’s community to strengthen the local economy, support local businesses, increase vibrancy and promote community ownership. For entrepreneurs, it provides access to capital and a support network of an engaged community.

ODCs provide access to capital, in a way that can be patient and friendly, and equity that could help smaller businesses make it through the start-up phase. This

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can be used to revitalize a tired looking main-street, or ensure a key asset stays in a community.

As the business prospers and loans are repaid to the ODC, the value of the investment shares in the co-op rise. Coop members receive a return on their investment based on this success.

Local investing in Alberta connects people to their local economy, and lets them have equal say over how their money is used to support local businesses. Imagine walking by a bakery every day knowing that customers are enjoying tasty treats because you invested in your community. The ability to participate as an individual and the potential for a community to decide on how its local economy is to be shaped is an incredible opportunity!

There are presently three ODCs operating in rural Alberta communities, with one being located in the Falher/Smoky River area. All were facing the loss of major economic infrastructure. Using the ODC model, these communities were able to purchase bedrock assets in their community, make them more profitable and create more jobs than before.

For more information on Unleashing Local Capital, contact Community Futures Peace Country.

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JESSICA PARKER | SERVUS CREDIT UNION

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here are lots of ways you can apply for credit and just as many ways to get it.

From an instant loan institution, to a bank to a credit union each will different principles for lending money—and each with its own application requirements and turnaround time. However, there are five areas any lender will look at when doing an application: Character, Credit, Capacity, Capital and Collateral.

Certain character traits will help your application be successful, but character alone will not be the deciding factor.

Character traits like being in the same job or industry for a number of years will show stability, just like being a customer of the same financial institution will show loyalty.

This is not to say that these traits will make or break your application; telling your lender a bit about yourself will help them connect the dots.

In the grand scheme of your application, Credit is the main contender. It shows a financial institution your current financial situation and spending habits of the past.

Credit also seems to be the area of most misconceptions. A credit score above 625 is good, generally speaking, and when it hits the 700s, it’s great. Your credit score will be lowered if a lot of inquiries are made over a short period of time, if you are at the higher end of your balance on revolving credit and if late payments are made. It is important to know your own

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credit not only for security reasons but also so you’re not surprised when you find out.

Capacity is your ability to pay

your loan back and is credit’s best friend. This is calculated as GDS (Gross Debt Servicing) and TDS (Total Debt Servicing).

GDS is the percentage of your monthly income that covers your basic shelter costs, such as utilities and housing payments.

Your GDS shouldn’t exceed 30 per cent. TDS is the percentage of your monthly income that covers your shelter costs plus liabilities—this shouldn’t exceed 40 per cent. There are many ways to adjust these percentages. For example, getting a financial review done once a year can be beneficial to see if you can be saving money in certain areas or if you can get a lower interest rate.

Capital is your net worth and is, in many ways, connected to Character. The older you are, the more you are likely to have. Typically lenders will use a maximum 80 per cent of your net worth as a ball park figure for the amount of credit you can qualify for.

The 5 C’s of Credit

Lastly, and probably the most dependable, is Collateral.

This is how much of the loan is secured. The type and value of your collateral will also differ depending on the type of credit you are applying for and the financial institution. A combination of the relationship you have with your financial institution and credit history will give you a better chance of borrowing unsecured.

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MELANIE BEKEVICH-JOOS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MIGHTY PEACE TOURIST ASSN.

IS IT TIME TO CONSIDER A CAREER IN THE “LIFESTYLE INDUSTRY”?

The Peace Region is abundant with tourism business opportunities

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t’s about time to c o m e out of hibernation.

Yes, the winter has been mild, but I am still jumping for joy. Soon it will be patio, flip flop, camping and grilling season. Oh, man, you cannot have a better life than in the great white north—when it’s hot and green that is.

It makes having an inside job almost intolerable. It makes you wish you were a teacher destined to spend the months of July and August frolicking about (sans the thankless winter extracurricular, of course).

But you know who really has it figured out? Folks in the tourism biz.

This is why so many people choose tourism for a retirement gig—it’s the good life, or as one of my members put it, a “lifestyle business.”

As luck would have it, the Mighty Peace Region is abundant with tourism

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fresh food. Visitors want authentic experiences while taking in Northern Alberta’s natural beauty. The Mighty Peace is ripe for the pickin’. business opportunities. The tourism industry in Alberta has seen rapid growth in recent years and is now considered the third largest industry in the province, the first being petro-chemicals, and the second forestry and agriculture. The Province of Alberta and Travel Alberta, a crown corporation funded by the accommodation levy, have established a framework to grow Alberta’s tourism economy over 30 per cent by 2020.

The Mighty Peace Region is far from realizing its full potential in terms of tourism.

In the north we have distinct strengths that people are itching to experience, like wildlife viewing, ranch and equestrian activities, our endless starry skies, aweinspiring northern lights, historical sites and farm

S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 | www.moveupmag.com

To make life easier, Alberta Culture and Tourism hired fancy consultants and paid them handsomely to do a considerable amount of research for people who are considering setting up shop with the Mighty Peace Tourism Investment Opportunity Assessment.

The report identifies 11 viable business opportunities in the region, most of which involve more outdoor time than screen time. Sure it’s hard work, like any business, but you’ll get to work alongside customers exploring and experiencing what our region has to offer.

There are folks in our region who make a living taking visitors for a cruise up the river, a trail ride or a canoe trip. These people run campsites, tour companies, hotels, restaurants and golf courses, and they all have something in common.

Their businesses are economic drivers, yes, but in

their essence they contribute to the quality of life of visitors and residents alike.

Just by opening their doors these business owners share their passion, their love of the Mighty Peace and bare witness as their guests make memories. Now that’s a job to sign up for.

If you own a t-shirt or a bumper sticker that says, “I’d rather be golfing,” or some variation thereof, you may want to set your sights on the tourism industry. If you’re looking for that sweet spot where opportunity and lifestyle intersect, tourism could be your second career or your next business venture.

Find the Mighty Peace Tourism Investment Opportunity brochure on our website www. mightypeace.com and contact us to obtain a copy of the entire 300-page assessment. Get in touch.

We’re passionate about tourism in the Mighty Peace and we’d love to hear your ideas to develop the visitor economy in the region.

12 superhero businesses

I

n pop culture, a superhero is a fictitious person who often has supernatural powers or qualities. They sacrifice life and limb to saving innocents from crime or wrong doers.

Well, there are many business owners and execs in the Mighty Peace Region who selflessly dedicate what seems like bottomless pits of time, energy, money and resources for the common good and for others in their community.

And, let’s face it, there are injustices in our midst. Just as there are people suffering from aspects of homelessness, disease and domestic abuse, there are many others living

with fear, sadness and hopelessness.

So, though we may not see our everyday heroes clad in costumes or capes, we have business owners and execs out there who are actively doing something about the problems in our community with the resources and reputation of their company at their back.

At Move Up, we believe that by doing so, perhaps unwittingly, they rise above reasonable expectation and elevate their brand to the order of Superhero Business.

Mighty Peace Region Superhero Businesses are united and community-minded forces fighting for a myriad of worthy

causes. Why? Because they feel it is the right thing to do.

It’s very real. Because of these superheroes, people facing financial challenges will be able to access their basic needs; people who are sick will be able to access medical care; and children will grow up with better experiences, opportunities and positive influences.

You don’t have to crack a comic book or play a video game to find a superhero. They’re out working in our community every day, supporting worthy causes, people and organizations that need a little help. And many of them work for a Superhero Business.

#Li fesBetterUpHere | SPRI NG 2 0 1 5 M OV E U P

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12 superhero businesses

Thank You

Thank You

!

Kids from the Ground Level Youth Centre (Top), volunteers at the SPCA and Principal of the Peace Regional Outreach, Carol Van Slyke, thank DMI for their generous donations. [Photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke]

Amber Armstrong, Public Relations Superintendent for Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. Peace River Pulp Division

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S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 | www.moveupmag.com

!

Thank You

!

L

ocated about 30 km northeast of the Town of Peace River, in the County of Northern Lights, is a pulp mill that employs about 300 people. Since they began 25 years ago, Daishowa Marubeni International Ltd. Peace River Pulp Division (DMI) has made it a priority to give back to the community, and for ten of those years, Amber Armstrong has been with the company.

“T hey made such a big difference in my life. I was living in an apartment. I had an eight month-old baby, and I needed a job. I started with a temporary position in data entry, and I was so grateful for the opportunity,� said Armstrong.

Today, Armstrong is the Public Relations Superintendent.

She recently made a big change to DMI’s donation policy. What used to be an application process is now an advisory board made up of appointed individuals who proactively approach worthy causes with donations.

“We were trying to spread our donation pool to a lot of different areas, which ultimately spread it quite thin,” said Armstrong.

“Sometimes the people who need it the most are the ones who don’t ask for it.”

This year, Armstrong’s advisory team has already selected four groups that they want to support— the Sagitawa Friendship Centre’s Ground Level Youth Centre, the Curtis Marshall Memorial Skatepark, the Peace Regional Outreach Campus and the Peace River Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

The Ground Level Youth Centre (GLYC) provides programs for youth ages ten to 24. The facility and its funding are overseen

by Sagitawa Friendship Centre Executive Director Tracy Zweifel.

“We want to help people who have helped others or those who can make the biggest difference,” said Armstrong. “And what Tracy does day-to-

day is just amazing. The roof was leaking, so she’s up there tarring it herself.

She’s giving food out of her own house. There’s no money for utilities so she’s using her own money. This woman is doing everything she can with only a small group of people behind her.”

DMI’s 2015 contribution of $10,000 to the GLYC will help toward the costs of utilities, property taxes, liability insurance, youth worker wages, program supplies and more.

DMI has also donated $10,000 to the Curtis Marshall Memorial Skatepark Committee.

The Committee, led by President Kris Scobey, is committed to building a skateboard park in Curtis Marshall’s honour—a young man who dearly wanted a skatepark for the youth of the Peace Region.

“We like what Kris is doing. He’s trying to raise money for the youth of Peace River, and he’s so passionate. He sold us is the fact that they will do anything to raise money.

They’re so committed to this that there are no opportunities that they wouldn’t utilize,” said Armstrong.

Scobey and his committee have been working for years to raise $400,000 to build their custom concrete park.

“DMI wants to donate to

someone who is tenacious and hardworking, someone who sacrifices themselves, and not just for a paycheque. We sacrifice ourselves, but we have high paying jobs and great benefits. What’s in it for Kris? What’s in it for Tracy? These people are so inclined to help others without personal benefit.

How could we not help people who are helping everybody else?” said Armstrong.

This year, DMI also donated $10,000 to the Peace River SPCA. “I love what [the SPCA is] doing for the good of the animals and the good of the community. They work on a shoestring budget in a donated building that’s falling apart and they just have such passion to keep going. They’re doing everything they can to keep the water out and the lights on. They have a truly intrinsic reward system,” said Armstrong.

Last year DMI donated $15,000 to the Peace Regional Outreach Campus’s (PROC) Daycare, but they have committed to donate funds to the school again this year.

“That was in the past.

Moving forward they still need money. They’re still working just as hard.

The Principal, Carol Van Slyke, makes breakfast for the students every morning. This extra effort

helps so much with the start of their day.” said Armstrong.

The PROC is an alternative school for high school students who have trouble fitting into the traditional school system.

“These are people who don’t fit. It’s not like they have to fall through the cracks; they just need to find an environment that recognizes people are different. That’s what the Outreach is, but it’s one that builds a community encouraging good parenting, healthy eating and the importance of working together,” said Armstrong.

The advisory committee plans to reconvene to discuss donating to a couple more worthy causes later in the year.

In the meantime, DMI won’t stop giving back.

Aside from donating paid trades people, tools and equipment for various projects, DMI also funds an ongoing program that gives $500 to a worthy cause when one of their employees volunteers at least 40 hours of their time toward it.

“It’s diverse.

Our employees volunteer for everything from cancer charities to the gun range to the art club. If you work at DMI and you’re really passionate about something, we want to recognize that and show our support too,” said Armstrong. #Li fesBetterUpHere | SPRI NG 2 0 1 5 M OV E U P

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 COLUMN

BRIAN SIDDLE | STRONG COFFEE MARKETING

8 Keys to a Successful Social Media

Strategy

D

eveloping a social media strategy should be the first thing you do before taking a dive into the world of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Unfortunately, for a lot of organizations, this strategy can fall by the wayside in the race to set up profiles and start posting.

Recent changes to social media algorithms and filtering options mean it’s even more difficult to get your message in front of your target audience.

Organizations without a

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strategy and policy guide to fall back on are flying blind… and last time I checked, that’s not a good way of doing things.

A simple social media strategy can be brief and can probably be wrapped up in a couple of pages. It’s a way for the business owner or marketing manager to create some goals and develop a plan. Even a oneperson company should build a strategy. They might find that social media isn’t a good fit based on the resources available.

S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 | www.moveupmag.com

Think it’s time that you develop a social media strategy for your business?

Here are some things that you’ll want to include:

RESOURCES

Who will manage the social media activity? Do you have time for social media? If you don’t have time that you can set aside for updating and maintaining a social media presence, don’t bother finishing your strategy document and get back to work.

GOALS

What are you hoping to get out of social media?

Develop some realistic goals and briefly describe how social media can help you achieve them.

TRACKING

How will you track your results? What is success?

Tracking social media can be done and there are a lot of great tools to help you out.

BRIAN SIDDLE | STRONG COFFEE MARKETING

AUDIENCE

Who’s your audience?

Where do they hang out online? You engage with your audience on a daily basis—the guy who buys your product, the lady who phones you for an estimate, the person who emails you for an appointment.

It’s your job to figure out what social media sites they frequently use.

ENGAGEMENT

How will I engage? This fits hand in hand with content.

Develop topics that will interest your audience and

think of ways to get people to care about what you’re talking about. You’ll also want to consider resources in this section. Will you have time to carry on conversations if/when they happen?

LISTEN

What are people talking about? Before you start posting like a mad person, take a step back and listen.

Listening is a vital part of social media. Use some of the free listening tools available and check out what people are saying and where they’re saying it.

CONTENT

What will I talk about?

Your social media program isn’t really much of a force without content. This is where many organizations fall off the horse. Do you have the time, skill and resources to start a blog or populate a Facebook page?

COLUMN 

Get your social media program headed in the right direction. A bit of planning and researching now can help yield results in the future.

EVALUATE

How do I know what’s working? Develop a schedule of checkpoints… maybe every couple of months. Take some time and evaluate what you’re doing.

#Li fesBetterUpHere | SPRI NG 2 0 1 5 M OV E U P

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12 superhero businesses

Freson bros. market

F

reson Market Ltd began on October 20, 1955 when Frank Lovsin opened a butcher shop in Hinton with his two partners, Frank Resek and Frank’s father, Leo Resek.

The name Freson was derived from a combination of the letters of the respective partners’ names. The letter ‘F’ in Frank, the letters ‘RES’ in Resek and the ‘IN’ in Lovsin were put together to form the name ‘FRESIN’.

The bank manager at the time, however, misspelled the name on the company documents, nobody contested the proper spelling, and Freson Market Ltd was born.

Through the years, Freson Market Ltd has adapted

and changed from its humble beginning, almost 60 years ago. The company has welcomed the changes proactively and even today continues to evolve and lead in the ever-changing grocery industry—from keeping up with the pace of technology to competing with large supermarket chains to continually training the employee base of over 1,000 over 15 Alberta-based stores.

Freson Market Ltd continues to thrive. This success can be attributed to the commitment to provide quality products, good value, a clean shopping environment and outstanding customer service. The emphasis on the customer and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing

staff members of the Peace River Freson Bros. location pose in front of the front doors.

grocery landscape enables Freson Market Ltd to remain a vanguard in the industry.

In the 2013/2014 financial year, Freson Bros. stores raised or helped raise over $1,000,000 for local community projects. This included donations of food and drink for community barbeques, which allow local teams, schools and charities to raise funds in Freson Bros. store parking lots. As included in the $1 million figure is sponsorship of local sports teams, dance troupes and many more community focused events.

The amount of funds Freson Bros. has helped raise with support from generous customers, during other activities like the Kids with

Cancer Society (KWCS) Drive at Christmas, is in addition to this figure. Over the last two years, over $45,000 has been raised for KSWC throughout the Christmas season.

If you ask any employees in the 15 stores, or any Freson Bros. customer, what the most important thing is to them, the answer would undoubtedly be their family and their community.

Freson Bros. is based on family, community and heritage, and as the largest family owned and operated grocery chain in Alberta, they are proud to be part of the community and they take their responsibility to local communities seriously. photography submitted

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S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 | www.moveupmag.com

GO Mighty Peace Signature Events Campground Guide Rodeo Guide Golfing

#Li fesBetterUpHere | SPRI NG 2 0 1 5 M OV E U P

27

Win more cool stuff!

What kind of #MightyPeace Fanatic are you?

Find out at facebook.com/mightypeacetourism

& you’ll be entered to win a Peace River Cabins and Outdoors Getaway & other great prizes!

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

THE MIGHTY PEACE REGION

In partnership with

Endless potential & adventure awaits...

W

elcome to “Go Mighty Peace,” the place to turn for exciting seasonal activities and events in Northwestern Alberta. Go Mighty Peace lays out the fun for everyone.

Go Mighty Peace is a collaborative government partnership consisting of four Towns, three Counties and one M.D. For more info and up-to-date information, go to www.mightypeace. com Flow north with the Mighty Peace River.

In its wake, the Mighty Peace has shaped a wonderfilled river valley. Beyond the Peace Valley is a legacy of rich soils ground together by the last ice age.

Nurture North America’s northernmost agricultural land and boreal forests that stretch, seemingly without end, into the Northwest Territories. Here lies an unspoiled, wonderful network of clean lakes and rivers. ...And, the people are great too!

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

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GRIMSHAW

MILE ZERO MACKENZIE HIGHWAY

632 381 180 52

Signature Events

Find more events like these at www.mightypeace.com/events

time,” said event organizer Sherry Hilton. “Based on last year, we’re riding the wave. We’re really excited and we’re hoping to tweak a few things to make this year even better.”

P

eace River’s biggest music festival is back!

PeaceFest, now in its 19th year, is gearing up for another weekend of music, fun, family activities and community spirit. This year’s performers include Mushy Callahan, Jerry Doucette, Lou Gramm (the voice of Foreigner) and Honeymoon Suite on Friday night and Katie and Jason, Shelly Dubois, Tristan Horncastle and Dean Brody on Saturday night.

Festivites also include the free Party in the Park on Saturday afternoon in Riverfront Park, which includes games and inflatables for the kids, live music, vendors, a car show, food, entertainers, misting to cool down and more!

Also, on Saturday is the pancake breakfast at the Co-op parking lot from 8-11am.

“Last year we ended on a high note; we sold out on Saturday night.

Therefore, I think people should really be getting tickets ahead of

PeaceFest is made possible through the efforts of a community of volunteers and non-profit groups, which are rewarded via donations from the proceeds of the community concert.

The Bash at the Tracks takes place at the 12 Foot Davis Events Park.

Tickets are $75 per night or $120 for a weekend pass. The grounds have amazing vendors, food, beer gardens, a corporate area and an ATM available on site.

For more information visit www. peacefest.com or find them on Facebook: Peacefest – Peace River, AB

PeaceFest July 10 & 11th, 2015 12 Foot Davis Events Park $75/day pass or $120/weekend pass Free Party in the Park on Saturday

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Campground Notikewin Provincial park

Twin Lakes Provincial Park

19 unserviced lots | $16/night Camping open May - Oct. 780-624-6486

49 unserviced lots | $23/night Camping open May - Oct. 780-624-6486

Located 37km North of Manning, then 30 km East on Hwy 692. The park is located at the confluence of the Peace and Notikewin rivers.

Located 65km north of Manning, the recreation area offers camping and many water-based activities including year-round fishing.

Leddy Lake

Many Islands

Shady Lane Campground 23 lots (20 with power) $15/night or $20/night with power Camping open May - Oct. 780-971-3973 Conveniently located in the hamlet of Dixonville next to the ball diamonds, community hall and curling rink.

Carter Camp

Year Round access 780-624-8208

24 sites Open May 15 to Oct. 15 780-685-2437

20 sites 780-494-2222

Located 24 km Northwest of Peace River.

Boat launch.

Located 24km Southeast of Worsley.

Located 25km west of Hines Creek.

Boat launch.

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Guide Clear River

George Lake

Running lake Provincial Recreation area

780-685-2257

18 sites (some with power) Camping open May - Oct. 780-494-3820

17 sites (RVs & Tenting)

On Hwy. 64, 20km from British Columbia border.

4.5 km south of Hines Creek. Home of the George Lake Music Festival. Boat Launch.

Potable water available.

8km East, 22km North of Worsley. Boat launch and dock. Electric motors only.

Stoney Lake

Ole’s Lake

sULFUR lAKE

20 sites 780-624-6486

780-595-2155

20 sites

20km North of Hines Creek. Lake access with boat launch.

6.4 km South of Hwy 64. Boat launch.

Located 30km Northeast of Hines Creek.

Lake access with boat launch.

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Rendezvous RV Park $35/fULL sERVICE OR $25/eLEC. oNLY oPEN yEAR rOUND 780-618-1345 6km from Peace River. Weekly and monthly rates available. Steps away from Cecil Thompson Park with fishing pond and playground. Pets allowed.

Heart River Golf & Campground

Harmon Valley Park and Campground

15 serviced lots Open May - Oct 780-322-3977

17 sites Open May - Oct 780-624-0013

3km North of Nampa & 5km South

8km North of Nampa. Pets welcome.

Fox Haven Golf & Country Club

Aspen Ridge Campground 41 lots (15 seasonal) $20/unserviced, $30/Power & water or $35/power, water & sewer Camping open May - Oct. 780-926-4540

30 lots (10 serviced) $20/night or $30/night, serviced Camping open May - Oct. 780-926-3005

Most northern full-service RV Park in Alberta

Willow Bay Campground

Weekly rates also available.

Peace River Lion’s Club Park

Pratt’s Landing

20 non-serviced lots 780-625-4749

110 sites (RV & Tenting) $20/unserviced, $25/power & water or $30/power, water & sewer Open April - Oct. 780-624-2120

12 sites (RV & Tenting) Free Camping Open May - Oct 780-835-4903

Located North of Grimshaw.

Lake access. Pets welcome.

Located in the Town of Peace River.

Resident Manager and concession on-site.

32km West of Fairview

Legend

WILDLIFE VIEWING/ TENTING BIRD WATCHING

CANOEING/ KAYAKING

FISHING

BEACH

RV STATION

PICNIC TABLES

GOLFING

VOLLEYBALL

WIFI AVAILABLE

WATER TAPS

NO FISHING

HORSESHOE PITS

BIKE TRAILS

SWIMMING

FIRE PITS/ FIREWOOD

PLAY GROUND

PICNIC/KITCHEN SHELTER

SHOWERS

HIKING TRAILS

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

EXPLORE THE TOWN OF FAIRVIEW TAKE IN THE SUMMER’S END FESTIVAL The Summer’s End Festival is Fairview’s signature festival. The day-long event is a great community supported family festival in the heart of downtown Fairview.

(L) Photography submitted (Above) Photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke

Some of the great events that take place in the community include: • 5/10km walk and run • Face painting • Main St. Dance • Contests and demonstrations • Pancake brunch • Peace Classic Wheels • Entertainment Street Spectacular • Parade • Markets • Farmer’s market • Bouncy Castles • Art in the park • Beer gardens • Bike decorating contest • Food Booths • And more!

• Games

SPEND THE DAY EXPLORING CUMMINGS LAKE RECREATION AREA AND CAMPGROUND The Cummings Lake Recreation Area and Campground (open from May to October) offers a vide range of activities and recreation opportunities to suit everybody.

Here are just a few of the amenities Cummings Lake offers: • 28 Overnight camping • Fishing stalls • Bird watching • Shower facilities • Hiking the Cummings • Day-use area Lake trail system • Slow pitch and baseball • Playground diamonds • Boat launch (for motor• Horseshoe pits ized boats only) Photography by Fran Wylie

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

PEACE RIVER FARMER’S MARKETS

MATTA FEST

10301 101 ST. PEACE RIVER 10-1PM ON SELECT SATURDAYS & WEEKENDS Local vendors, produce, artisan products, baked and canned goods and more!

PeaceRiverFarmersMarket.com

TOY STORIES PEACE RIVER MUSEUM Exhibit runs until Sept. 30th You have a play date at the museum!

1ST ANNUAL WILD WEST MOTORCYCLE AND TATTOO SHOW MAY 1, 2 & 3 MILE ZERO REGIONAL MULTIPLEX GRIMSHAW, AB 780-332-4005

HIGH LEVEL OILMEN’S ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY SPRING BREAK UP BASH MAY 2ND AT 6PM HIGH LEVEL ARENA with music by Craig Moritz. $40 (includes dinner). 18+ hloilmens@live.ca

MAY 3RD, 2015 FROM 11 - 4:30 HISTORIC DUNVEGAN PARK Free outdoor celebration of spring and Mother Earth. Artisan vendors, food vendors, belly dancers, tai chi, drum circles, hoopers and more!

The celebration ends with the dancing of the Maypole.

HIGH LEVEL SPIRIT OF THE NORTH TRADE SHOW MAY 8 (4-9PM) & MAY 9 (10-4PM) HIGH LEVEL ARENA HighLevelChamber.com

BIKE RODEO AND CAR SEAT CLINIC MAY 21ST, 2015 NAMPA PUBLIC SCHOOL, 5:30PM Free!

780-322-3954

A DAY AT THE MUSEUM MAY 25TH, 1-3PM NAMPA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM Half price admission. Geared toward ages 8-13, have an adventure filled scavenger hunt and interact with the displays.

Museum: 780-322-2777

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION AND MOTHER’S DAY POTLUCK MAY 10TH, 2015 FROM 1PM-6PM MAMOWINTOWIN HALL CADOTTE LAKE, AB Free community event!

780-629-2476

ROOTS AND BOOTS CONCERT TOUR WITH SAMMY KERSHAW, AARON TIPPIN AND COLLIN RAYE MAY 10 MILE ZERO REGIONAL MULTIPLEX GRIMSHAW, AB

COUNTY IN BLOOM OUTDOOR DESIGN AND REVIVE WORKSHOP MAY 29 AT TREE’S AND LILLY’S (6:30PM) MAY 30 AT AMICIS GARDENS (10AM) with Lorna McIlroy. $10 + GST Registration deadline: May 22 countyofnorthernlights.com

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Spring/Summer 2015

COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE

HERITAGE RUN

MAY 30 FROM 9-3PM MILE ZERO REGIONAL MULTIPLEX $5 per table 780-332-4005

JUNE 14, 2015 AT 9:00AM PEACE RIVER 5k walk, 5K run & 10k run.

COUNTY FAIR DAY MAY 30TH AT 3PM & MAY 31 AT 11:30AM BATTLE RIVER AG GROUNDS MANNING, AB Held in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Blazing Pistols Shootout (Cowboy Mounted Shooting Competition). Free admission for kids and $5 for adults. Games from 12-5pm. Western Family Photo Booth.

Supper and Live Music to follow.

MIDSUMMER KARAOKE PARTY JUNE (DATE TBA) GEORGE LAKE CAMPGROUND Ernie Brauer 780-494-3684

HEAVY HORSE DAYS JUNE 6 & 7TH CLEAR RIVER RODEO GROUNDS Wayne Roessler 780-685-2663

TOWN OF HIGH LEVEL’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING EVENT JUNE 13TH, 2015 TOWN OF HIGH LEVEL Family events, town tour with local Historian and concert. Free to the public.

Facebook: Town of High Level HighLevel.ca

SENIOR’S WEEK BBQ

2015 WORLD JET BOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

HELD DURING SENIOR’S WEEK IN JUNE DATE TBA mdfairview.com Facebook: Municipal District of Faiview No. 136

JULY 18 & 19 PEACE RIVER, AB Facebook: 2015 World Jet Boat Race

MANY ISLANDS MUSIC FESTIVAL LAST WEEKEND IN JUNE MANY ISLAND CAMPGROUND Tyson Magnoski 780-835-8780

HIGH LEVEL FARMER’S MARKET RUNS JUNE 27TH - SEPT. 26TH FRIDAYS FROM 11-6 HIGH LEVEL CURLING RINK Featuring products made, baked or grown in Alberta.

780-247-1625

PEACE RIVER AG SOCIETY HORSE SHOW JULY 3, 4 & 5 (9-9PM) PEACE RIVER AG GROUNDS Concert, horse show and farmer’s market (on Sat.). Face painting and activities for kids.

Crystal 780-618-8998 Janel 780-618-0284

PEACE RIVER HERITAGE TOURS Organized by the Peace River Museum.

Scheduled in July and August at heritage sites. peacerivermuseum.blogspot.com

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AT THE NEW PICNIC SHELTER AT THE MAPLES DAY USE AREA DATE TBA For more info visit mdfairview.com or Facebook: Municipal District of Faiview No. 136

PADDLE THE PEACE AUGUST 15 & 16 Overnight adventure option (Sat.) Canoe/Kayak Instructional Day (Sat.) Group Paddle (Sun.) 780-836-3348 facebook.com/PaddleThePeace

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

High Level Local Rodeo

June 12, 2015 Mosquito Creek (2km east of High Level) Rodeo parade, horse pull, demolition derby, night rodeo, outdoor rodeo dance and more!

Facebook: High Level Agricultural Exhibition Society

Manning Rodeo

July 16-19, 2015 Battle River Ag Grounds The oldest and largest amateur rodeo north of Edmonton. Featuring the Western Chuckwagon Assn.

GMC Pro Tour Races, Demolition Derby, the Alex Henituik Memorial Slow Pitch Tournament, BBQ, Parade, Food Vendors, Beer Garden, Miss Manning Rodeo and so much more!

BattleRiverAgSociety.ca

YOUR MIGHTY PEACE RODEO GUIDE

Fairview Amateur Rodeo July 17-19, 2015 Fairview Rodeo Grounds

Local team roping at 6pm on Friday. Rodeo begins at 1pm on Sat and Sun. Wildrose Rodeo Assn. Sanctioned Rodeo to begin at 3pm Sat. and Sun. Food Booths onsite. Beer Gardens and Live Music by Brad Sims on Fri. and Sat. at 9pm Facebook: Fairview Amateur Rodeo

Harmon Valley Amateur Rodeo July 25 & 26, 2015 Harmon Valley Ag Grounds

Facebook: Harmon Valley Agricultural Society

Redneck Riders Barrel Racing Finals August 15 & 16, 2015 Fairview Rodeo Grounds

Small Barrel racing and pole bending Assn.

NorthernRedneckRiders.com Facebook: Northern Redneck Riders

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

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Mile Zero regional Multiplex

632 381 180 52

MILE ZERO MACKENZIE HIGHWAY

The Mile Zero Regional Multiplex has been a cherished resource in the Peace Region since it has opened its doors in 2011. In addition to the amazing amenities, the Multiplex has hosted a number of sports tournaments, concerts, training camps and fitness classes.

Be sure to check out this amazing local facility.

Les Shaw Fitness Centre

Get your full body workout by using our cardio equipment, strength machines and free weights. Also offered through the gym are “Spin” group exercise classes

Arena

The Multiplex boasts a 200’ x 85’ NHL regulation size ice surface.

Seating in the bleachers accommodates 1,000 spectators.

Eight change/dressing rooms are utilized by both arena and field house user groups.

Field House

The Multiplex also offers three full size gymnasium courts. Court markings on each include the following sports: basketball, volleyball, badminton and soccer.

The playing surface is made of pulastic flooring, which is a stable floor system featuring special recycled rubber shock pad for resiliency and ball rebound with superior strength.

Northern Air Walking Track

The Northern Air Indoor Walking Track is a three-lane, 175.3 metre track.

Don Stannard Meeting Room

The meeting room can accommodate 25 to 30 people comfortably. Everything from meetings to birthday parties are booked weekly in this space.

Pro Shop

The on-site pro shop is leased annually to OT Sports

Concession

The on-site concession is open year round and is leased to C-Ken’s Concession and features a variety of homemade treats.

the Mile Zero Regional Multiplex 780-332-4005 http://grimshaw.ca/home/mile-zero-regional-multiplex/

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Your Mighty Peace Golf guide Fox Haven Golf & Country Club

Heart River Golf & Campground

3km North of High Level | 18 holes Licensed restaurant, clubhouse and pro shop.

Serviced and Un-serviced camping available.

780-926-3005 | foxhavengolf.ca

3 km North of Nampa and 5 km South |9 holes Grass greens, pro shop, clubhouse and driving range.

15 serviced lots and day use area.

780-322-3977 | heartrivergolf.com

Condy Meadows Golf Course Minutes from the town of Manning| 9 holes On-site food and beverage and pro shop.

17 fully-service campsites available.

780-836-2176| manning.govoffice.com

Golfworld on the Peace 9803 101 Ave |18 hole mini-golf Open May 15 - Sept. 1.

Available for parties and private events.

780-624-3222

Fairview Golf Course 9 holes On-site food and beverage, driving range and pro shop. Campsites available.

780-835-2844| fairviewgolfclub.com

The Creek Golf Course 7 miles North of Grimshaw| 9 holes On-site food and beverage, driving range and pro shop. Campsites available.

780-332-4949| golfthecreek.com

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

The Bear Creek golf Club 1398 116 St., Grande Prairie| 18 holes Licensed restaurant, clubhouse, pro shop & driving range.

20 fully-serviced RV campsites available.

780-538-3393 | golfbearcreekgc.com

Hines Creek Golf course 3 miles South of Hines Creek |9 holes Club rentals, cart rentals, pro shop and camping.

780-494-2217

Cleardale Golf Course 5.5 km West of Cleardale |9 holes Sand greens, camping and picnic areas.

780-685-2142

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

Northern Sunrise County’s Annual Canada Day Celebration June 24th from 4pm-8pm BBQ, Information booths, door prizes, glitter tattoos, face painting, entertainment and more! northernsunrise.net

canada day celebrations

Canada Day at Historic Dunvegan Park July 1st Celebrating the Canadian flag! Bannock Bake, Games for the kids, cake and entertainment. Explore our four fully-restored historic buildings and see what life in our community might have been like over 100 years ago! historicdunvegan.org

Peace River’s canada Day Celebration July 1st 1pm - 3pm Fireworks display on June 30th at 11:50pm at Riverfront Park. Canada Day festivities begin at the Peace River Museum for the opening ceremonies at 1pm, followed by a children’s bicycle parade to Riverfront Park where there will be entertainment and family activities from 1:30-3:30pm. Free admission to the museum all day. peaceriver.ca

High Level’s canada Day Celebration July 1st Pancake breakfast and parade. highlevel.ca

Canada Day in Manning July 1st Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag!

BBQ and fireworks. Events at the old hospital and museum grounds. Games and activities for the whole family. manning.govoffice.com This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.

Ce projet est finanće [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.

Canada Day in Grimshaw July 1st Festivities kick off at 11:30am with the Parade down Main Street. Activities and games at the Multiplex from 12-3pm including balloon artist, magic illusionist, inflatables, live music and more! Free swim at the Grimshaw pool from 3-6pm.

780-332-1585

For more information visit www.mightypeace.com

12 superhero businesses

Barb and Gordon Drummond, Owners/ Operators of Tim Hortons in Peace River, AB and Valleyview

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t’s no secret; Tim Hortons has evolved from coffee-anddonut shop to a full-blown Canadian institution and a source of national pride. Barb and Gordon Drummond, owner/operators of the Tim Hortons in Peace River and Valleyview, truly honour the brand.

Since the couple purchased the franchise in 2001, they have donated their money, resources and time to literally hundreds of worthy causes and organizations.

From school initiatives to tree planting to movie marathons to tournaments and large events, one need not look far to see their invaluable contributions to the community.

One such cause is the Tour for Kids Cycling Adventure, a sponsored cycling tour that

raises funds and awareness for children with cancer and allows them and their families the chance to take a break from their stresses and enjoy a camp experience just like other kids. In 2009, Gordon took fundraising to the next level and undertook an incredible 12-day, 7,000 km (Vancouver to Halifax) bicycle ride with ten other riders and raised nearly $34,000.

Another initiative the Drummonds are very passionate about is Pick Up the Peace, the outdoor spring garbage clean up Tim Hortons hosts year after year in Peace River. Pick Up the Peace is a great way to roll up your sleeves and get involved. Each year, Tim Hortons donates gloves, T-shirts and a meal to all those who volunteer.

The local Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign benefited the Springfield First Steps Class, an elementary school program that helps give children with special needs, aged three to six, a head start before kindergarten. Each year under the Smile Cookie Campaign, the Drummonds set aside a week of cookie sales, as well as donations, and present it to the Springfield First Steps Class.

Over the three years the campaign raised $12,561.

The Drummonds also raise money for Camp Day in support of giving students a childhood camp experience where they can also learn important life skills such as leadership, confidence building and forming new friendships.

To help keep people active throughout the fall and

winter months, Barb and Gordon rent Peace River’s Al Adair Rec Centre, and provide balls and jerseys for indoor soccer.

For the Drummonds, giving back is a no brainer.

They feel it is important for community members to stand up and support one another.

“We are all community members; we are in it together.

Investing in our communities—be it donation in-kind, time, energy, money or awareness—is a great way to give back to those who have helped support our business over the years. It feels great to be connected to others and perhaps assist in making our communities an even better place to be,” said Barb.

photography by tormaigh van slyke #Li fesBetterUpHere | SPRI NG 2 0 1 5 M OV E U P

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Shell Canada’s Peace River Office, JV Driver & ATCO Logistics

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hell has a long history in the Peace Region.

Shell’s Peace River In Situ Pilot Project started in 1979 when it began producing bitumen, a heavy form of crude oil, in Northern Sunrise County, which is about 40 km northwest of the Town of Peace River.

By 1986, the Peace River Complex began operations.

Today, the plant is licensed to produce 12,500 barrels of bitumen per day, as an annual average, and as of 2010, Shell has been working on the Carmon Creek Project, an 80,000 barrel per day expansion.

As Shell’s operations have expanded, so has their commitment and dedication to Shell employees, the employees of the companies they hire and the community at large.

For instance, when a Shell employee volunteers between 20 and 40 hours of their personal time to a charity or non-profit, the organization is eligible to receive a $500 to $1,000 donation from Shell. And since 2012, Shell’s local employees have invested over 4,800 hours into the community across more than 30 organizations including schools and sports teams.

Another example of Shell’s community-mindedness is their support of Peace River’s Sugar Plum Tree Day Care Centre. In the spring of 2014, the daycare building burned, nearly to the ground, in a reported electrical fire.

Since the fire, the daycare has been forced to relocate to a temporary location, and Shell is already helping to finance the costs of attaining professional engineering and design quotes to rebuild, so they can later assist with the cost of brand new construction.

Another huge contribution to the community is Shell’s yearly Salvation Army campaign. This year was an especially cooperative effort as Shell banded together with two of their main contractors in the Carmon Creek project—JV Driver

and ATCO Logistics.

Employees of all three companies worked together with other local businesses and organizations to raise as much as possible for Peace River’s Salvation Army during the Christmas Season, and they got pretty creative with it too. For example, ATCO employees pledged “dare money” to each other to shave their heads or their facial hair.

And then there is chicken poop bingo.

While there are undoubtedly variations of this game, chicken poop bingo is a game where you make some kind of a play area by sectioning off equalsized squares. Individuals then purchase squares and everyone puts their money into one pot. Finally, you simply set a recently-fed chicken free on the play area and see where it, well, poops. If the chicken happens to relieve itself on a square you purchased you get half of the cash-pot raised. The chicken poop bingo alone raised several thousands dollars for the cause.

With Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots program, JV Driver’s staff filled up a cubicle of all sorts of toys and stuffed animals.

They also accepted cash

donations for those who couldn’t make it into town to purchase toys. They received $800 in cash from the employees. Then, Site Administrator, Jennifer Testawich, and the Human Resources Team went and shopped for more toys and books. It was a huge success.

They had the inside of the cubicle and the box of a pickup truck packed with toys and delivered them to the Salvation Army.

Shell also held a silent auction, supported by contractors and local businesses that brought in $7,000, and they worked with two local grocery stores, Freson Bros. and Peace Country Co-op, to bring in donations of food, cash and Freson Bros. Smart Shopper coupons. Freson Bros. also got behind the cause and matched some of the donations raised in the store.

All in all, 2014 was a record breaking year for Shell.

Their employees alone brought in about $18,000 in just a few short weeks, not to mention all that was raised by JV Driver, ATCO Logistics, Akita 15 drilling rig and other contractors.

Head office then matched each dollar earned, making Shell’s donation to the Salvation Army total approximately $36,000. photography submitted

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 COLUMN

CRIS SEPPOLA, FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER | NINE10 INCORPORATED

Want Better

Marketing?

Y

our marketing is only as good as the content it contains.

Writing for marketing is a lot different than creating a report, news article, or thesis statement; images for marketing deserve more than a smartphone snap. Here are a four quick tips on how to create compelling content.

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list. Breaking your article into clearly defined sections allows the reader to skim your message and zone in on what interests them.

Readers don’t have time to wade through jargon and technical concepts, but they can digest quick, clearly defined ideas. Keep sentences as short as possible and paragraphs to only a few lines. Replace sophisticated fancy words with simpler ones.

Make it Short and Easy

Use at Least One Call to Action

This article uses an approach that does a great job of holding readers’ interest—a numbered (or bulleted)

The purpose of any marketing content should be to compel the reader

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to take action. This applies to any medium, including blog posts, social media updates, website content, print materials... there’s no end to the list.

Calls to action can be as simple as clicking in a link or more involved like mailing in a form.

The number of calls to action should correspond to the length of your content. A short piece of content, such as a Facebook post, would only have one call to action, such as, “Read our latest blog post”. A longer piece, like a sales letter, may have a few sprinkled throughout and could include highlighted areas telling the reader what you want them to do.

CRIS SEPPOLA, FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER | NINE10 INCORPORATED

COLUMN 

Get Better Content!

Invest in Great Content If you fail here, the rest of the details won’t matter. Creating great content can be challenging, especially if you’re not a master copywriter or professional photographer. The best thing you can do is to commission a professional.

Working with photographers, designers and writers will not only improve your marketing, it will save you a ton of time.

Proof, Proof and Proof Again No company wants to mail out a thousand postcards to find out 3 days

later they spelled the word “product” wrong on it.

Invest the time to proof your content carefully and with multiple people.

Items that are very easy to miss in marketing materials are the details that are seen every day—contact/location information, product names, URLs and email addresses.

Grammar and spelling are just as important. A good trick for checking copy is to read the document “backwards”: use a ruler and start at the bottom of the piece, moving the ruler up as each line is read. It’s harder for your mind to skip over errors this way.

Checking images is also vital.

Watching for small details such as ensuring all safety gear is on, that there are no other company logos showing or odd things in reflections on glass.

Writing for marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it shouldn’t be. There are great results in keeping it short, sleek and valuable to the reader.

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12 superhero businesses

Fay & Dave Allen, Owners of Beyond 2000 in Grimshaw, AB

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eyond 2000 has gone above and beyond. Starting 17 years ago as a home-based business selling Bell ExpressVu satellite TV systems out of their garage and doing the installations on evenings and weekends, Dave and Fay Allan have built a Grimshaw fixture and they are absolute pillars in the community.

For starters, they are both involved in coaching sports teams—everything from softball to basketball to volleyball.

Dave has been Commissioner of the Wheatbelt Baseball League for 20 years, while Fay runs the ladies golf league at The Creek Golf Course, and they help organize sports camps too.

As if that wasn’t enough, Dave is a Town Councillor, sits on several boards and committees, has been the President of the Alberta Pond Hockey Association for the past three years and for 12 years he has been the Chair and a key fundraiser for the Andy Little Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Dechant donates to many local charities and fundraisers throughout the year and even holds an annual bike decorating contest during Fairview’s Annual Summer’s End Festival.

Investing in the youth of Fairview, Dechant also employs students from both of Fairview’s high schools as part of their work experience programs.

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he Stem and Petal Company began in the summer of 2011 when Owner Jody Dechant purchased an existing flower and gift shop in Fairview, Alberta. She moved the business to Fairview’s Main Street in 2013 when she purchased and renovated the old Fairview Fire Hall. The Stem and Petal Company provides flowers to Fairview and surrounding areas as well as offers consultations to assist with event planning.

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“These [efforts] and our involvement in the Town’s Main Street improvement projects are our way of giving back to the community and saying thank you for the support we’ve been shown,” said Dechant.

Last fall, Dechant brought in a distinguished designer from Ontario and invited every flower ship in northern Alberta and British Columbia to attend their training day and floral demonstration. In addition, Stem and Petal offers creative classes

Fund, a scholarship for Aboriginal students planning to pursue post secondary education.

In addition, Beyond 2000 supports minor hockey, minor ball, swim club, figure skating, local schools, the Alleycat’z Skipping Club, curling clubs, golf clubs with prizes and printing for special events. The Allans also allow community groups to utilize their store as a ticket outlet for theatre productions, concerts and special events.

“It is important to give back to the community because the community supports our business and it’s this type of relationship that makes towns and regions strong and viable,” said Dave.

Clearly dedicated to the Mighty Peace Region, the Allans believe that supporting the community and shopping local makes for a sustainable economy, and an even better place to live and raise a family.

Jody Dechant, Owner of the Stem and Petal Company in Fairview, AB

to the public in floral design, beauty and wellness product creation and other fun and trendy DIY projects.

Dechant is also able to cater to her clientele through her support of the local art community. “One of our biggest highlights is our amazing group of local consignment artists.

They allow us to offer one-of-a-kind, handmade products to our clients,” said Dechant. photography submitted

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Chris Black, General Manager/ General Sales Manager of Peace River Broadcasting

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here’s no question, Peace River Broadcasting Corp.

(PRBC) is part of Northern Alberta’s history.

Originally airing in 1954 in Peace River under the name CKYL, the station, along with its much newer sister station KIX 106, can still be picked up on radio airwaves throughout the Mighty Peace Region, making PRBC one of the oldest private radio networks in operation. In 2001, the company was purchased by its current owners, Terrence and Cynthia Babiy.

The current General Manager, Chris Black, started at the station over two decades ago in 1994 as a junior writer in the Creative Department.

“My grandfather and I drove up together from Winnipeg in the dead of winter. I received notice on a Thursday and interviewed the following Monday. They sat me down at a typewriter and asked me to write an original script on the spot.

The rest is history,” said Black.

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Community is a strong value for the broadcasting company.

PRBC has done a great deal to help promote and organize PeaceFest, Peace River’s annual music festival that originated in 1997 after a major flood devastated Peace River’s downtown core. Not only is the festival presented by KIX 106 and ‘YL Country, PRBC has also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in advertising. And, PRBC employees have volunteered their time and muscles to aspects such as emceeing the event and cleaning up after the concert. Black has personally been very involved, dedicating a great deal of his time to the PeaceFest Executive Board and planning committees.

This year he holds a familiar position of Vice President of the organization [The Peace River Community Events Society].

“Ownership understands the value of employees volunteering and giving back to the community, which is why we are often given the flexibility to

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participate during business hours. After all, time is money. Those hours add up to a big investment in the community,” said Black.

For over 20 years PRBC has sponsored, donated advertising, volunteered, and had employees perform and direct for Peace Players, Peace River’s amateur theatre group. Ranging from burlesque to comedy to drama, Peace Players usually organizes three to four shows per year. They’ve even brought in numerous professional productions such as the Alberta Ballet and other touring acts from Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

Since its inception in 2012, PRBC has also been a huge supporter of the Shell Rotary House fundraising effort.

The Shell Rotary House is an initiative to finance and build a sustainable temporary living facility for hospital outpatients, so they may have a secured, safe and affordable place close to the hospital to stay and still receive medical supervision.

The Shell Rotary House will also house doctors and

specialists from out of town.

The Peace River hospital serves a large geographical area and the Shell Rotary House would do a great deal to help the larger community access the best in medical care. PRBC has donated much in the way of advertising and auction items. Black has personally volunteered his time as a Fundraising Committee Board Member, although he is not a Rotarian himself.

Black also participated in their fundraising Gala as Master of Ceremonies. With Black’s help, the Shell Rotary House has raised nearly $2 million in donations and in-kind sponsorships.

Construction is planned for later this year.

“This is where we work and where we live. Many of us are raising our families here.

If we want this to be a great place to live, we all have to pitch in to make it the best we can. Also, showing your support for the community gives the community a reason to support your business—it’s a two-way street,” said Black.

photography by kelsey carol photography

Robin Galloway, General Manager of the Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre in Peace River, AB.

T

he Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre is a downtown hub in Peace River boasting modern rooms, restaurants, bars and an onsite liquor store.

Originally founded in 1964, under the name Travellers Motor Hotel, the property was purchased and later renovated by the Sawridge Group Of Companies in 2006.

Newly-appointed General Manager Robin Galloway got in on the ground floor and worked her way up, starting when Sharks Billiards & Sports Lounge moved into the Hotel in 2004.

“Our hotel has been an integral part of this community for over 50 years, and it is a role we plan to fulfill for 50 more. This community gives so much to the hotel and its team; how can we not give back?” said Galloway.

photography by Tormaigh Van Slyke

The Peace River Sawridge participates in Tim Horton’s Pick Up the Peace, Peace River’s Heritage Run and the Peace Regional Air Show. They donate their meeting rooms to local groups including PeaceFest, hockey teams, the Peace River Rotary Club, the Peace River Pow Wow and The St. Isidore Carnaval. In addition, the Sawridge gives numerous door prizes and other donations to everything from curling bonspiels to fundraisers to community events.

And, local Sawridge team members are also involved in many local groups such as the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Peace Regional Airshow Executive Committee.

The Sawridge Group works closely with the Northern Alberta MakeA-Wish Foundation, a charity that grants wishes

to children with life threatening illnesses in Northern Alberta. Each year, Sawridge hotels participate in “The Sweet Dreams Challenge” and compete by selling cakes for “Dessert Day.” Last year, Sawridge hotels raised over $25,000 in just one day.

Three weeks out of the month, Sawridge works with the local Soup Kitchen to supply, at cost, soup and sandwiches to those in need, and once a month they donate the hearty meals, taking on the cost as well as the time and preparation.

“This past winter Sawridge was proud to participate in “Hoodies for the Homeless”, a fundraiser started by the Sawridge CEO and his family after the tragic loss of their son. In his memory they decided to gather hoodies for the less fortunate,” said Galloway.

According to Galloway, the hotel gathered over 130 coats and hoodies for the fundraiser. And,

in a testament to the giving nature of the Peace Region, when they informed the local Salvation Army Thrift Store personnel why they were buying up all their hoodies, the Salvation Army employees and volunteers took it upon themselves to set some aside from the donations to give to the Sawridge.

“We didn’t even ask!

We got a call one week later when the team had gathered quite a few bags of warm clothing,” said Galloway. “When you are part of a community that take care of one another, it is easy to pay it forward!”

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12 superhero businesses

Kris Dicht, Owner of Kris’ No Frills In Peace River, AB

curling bonspiel fundraiser as well as food and refreshments to Stepping Up’s [a domestic violence prevention program] Walk in Their Shoes awareness and fundraiser event.

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n 2008, Loblaw Companies Ltd. converted their Extra Foods grocery store to a No Frills to offer Peace River a competitive discount grocer.

In 2012, Kris Dicht took over as owner of the grocery store franchise.

“I started working at No Frills as a part time Grocery Clerk when I was 19 and worked my way up throughout college,” said Dicht.

Once graduating from college, Dicht accepted an Assistant Manager position and a year and a half later was accepted into the No Frills Franchise Candidate Readiness Program. Dicht

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then moved to Timmins, Ontario, to help run a store corporately for seven months.

“When the opportunity came up to apply for the Peace River store, I jumped at it and moved out to Alberta three weeks later in the fall of 2012,” said Dicht.

Dicht wasted no time getting involved in the community by sponsoring and donating to many charities, local sports teams, schools and community events.

For example, last year Kris’ No Frills donated breakfast foods and snacks to the MS Society during a

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“Each year we donate money from our Christmas Tree sales to the Salvation Army.

And, in 2014, we hosted a food drive in conjunction with the Salvation Army and RCMP called it “Pack the Paddy Wagon”. We managed to fill the back of a RCMP pickup truck in four hours.

We’re having another food drive in April as well,” said Dicht.

In addition, Kris’ No Frills donates to the Women’s Shelter and helped out with their Festival of Trees fundraiser last winter.

Last winter the store also held a SMILE Campaign, where shoppers are asked at checkout if they would like to donate a dollar or two for In the Woods Animal Rescue, so they can continue with the great work they do for the community.

Quite often donations are in the form of food and gift cards, but Dicht doesn’t stop there.

“I had the pleasure of helping Cadotte Lake School with their local archery tournament as well as be a guest judge last year. I had a great time helping and talking with all the young archers,” said Dicht.

Dicht asks that any community organizers seeking assistance or support stop by No Frills and have a chat. “We can always help out,” said Dicht.

“I think it is important to give back because, in a small community, you are more than just a business. I get to be part of the community and I can have an active role in making it a better place.

It’s great to see what you put out there be put to use and the direct results that come from it,” said Dicht.

photography submitted

Brenda Yasinski, Owner of Dixonville General Store

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he best cinnamon buns in the entire Mighty Peace Region aren’t the only reason to make a pit stop at the Dixonville General Store. Since Brenda Yasinski purchased “the store” in January of 2014, she has transformed Dixonville’s only grocery store into an amazing clean and friendly café serving fresh homemade food, and you can still shop for groceries or pick up a six pack on your way home from work.

“There has always been the need for a general store in Dixonville as it is a large rural area and a fair distance from Peace River or Manning,” said Yasinski.

Yasinski had worked in the store under previous owners a number of years ago and says she really enjoyed interacting with travelers and locals, alike. But, when the business was for sale a few years ago, the timing wasn’t right, so when it went up for sale again at the

Robert Bruun, Dealer Principal at Patricia Ford Sales in Manning, AB photography submitted

end of 2013, Brenda was glad to have another opportunity.

“I’ve always thought Dixonville is a vibrant community that has great potential for growth,” said Yasinski.

On behalf of the Dixonville General Store, Yasinski has made various cash and store items donations to fund-raising events in the area, and she is always open to using her retail outlet to sell event tickets. One important initiative to Yasinski is her donation of food and other resources to the Dixonville School Breakfast Program. In addition, the Dixonville General Store gives purchase discounts to local clubs such as the Dixonville L.I.F.E. Ag. Society and the Dixonville Curling Club.

“Giving back strengthens a community by bringing people together for a common goal and by sharing resources.

My husband Randy and I feel it’s very

R

obert Bruun, Dealer Principal at Patricia Ford in Manning, started as a technician in 1977 and worked his way up the company working in all aspects of the Ford dealership.

Today, Patricia Ford supports the community in every way they can. They donate to the local 4H Club, schools, Three Battles Skatepark, minor hockey, Manning Comet Senior Hockey Club, Manning Figure Skating Club, Battle Ag. Fair and

important to help support our local families, schools, and youth by donating time or funding for whatever the need is at the time. It’s an investment in our community and the people who live in it. It all helps improve the quality of life in the community,” said Yasinski.

In her personal life, Yasinski has a stellar local reputation as a long-time innovative entrepreneur, volunteer and all around community member and supporter. Since 2013, she has held the volunteer position of County of Northern Lights Councillor for Ward 3 Dixonville/Chinook Valley. In addition, the Yasinskis regularly donate funding to the Peace Region Dance Society to which their grandchildren participate in.

“Clubs like these are very important to the families in the community and so we are always looking for ways we can help out,” said Yasinski.

Rodeo, Manning Splash Park, Manning Curling Club and horseback riding to name a few.

Bruun and staff also believe volunteering their time benefits the community spirit, making for a better community. As a result, they have been very involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the Rural Water Co-op, the Condy Meadows Golf Course, the Battle River Ag. Society, Manning Victims Services, the local Credit

Union, Church groups and countless other community fundraisers.

For Bruun, the strength of a community comes directly from the support that goes into it. “A community is made only if the community residents buy into making it vibrant and strong. The stronger people’s support for their community, the better and bigger it becomes,” said Bruun.

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12 superhero businesses

Sherry Hilton, Manager of River City Cinema in Peace River Left: Ranger Bear, the Rainbow Cinemas mascot, hugs a fan. Tor right: Sherry Hilton (Far left) at the Pride festivities. Bottom right: The scotiabank AIDs walk life participants pose in Riverfront park.

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agic Lantern Theatres owner Tom Hutchinson purchased Peace River’s theatre in 1989, naming it Cinema 72 and later renovating and renaming it River City Cinema. Sherry Hilton relocated to Peace River with her husband and son from London, ON in 2011 and took over the role of Manager at River City Cinema in 2012.

“My motivation with this place all along is to make it more of a community centre than just a place that shows movies. I call it Cheers without alcohol,” said Hilton. “We have regulars and if we haven’t seen them for a few weeks we’re like, ‘Where have you been?’

It’s like an extended family here.”

Each year, River City Cinema works with a new non-profit organization to put on a Midnight Movie Marathon fundraiser. In 2013, it

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was the Curtis Marshall Memorial Skatepark, and they raised over $3,000. In 2014, it was the Ground Level Youth Centre, and they raised over $5,000.

For the fundraiser, individuals and businesses are encouraged to pledge money for the event and then the public is invited to celebrate with a movie marathon starting around midnight and running until around seven in the morning. The first, second and third top pledgers win free movies for a year, six months and three months, respectively.

For Hilton, working with the community and giving back is second nature.

“A successful community is when we all pay it forward.

I’ve been on the low end of things economically and needed a helping hand, and there were people there for me, so I want to always give back. I think it’s a cycle in

life,” said Hilton.

To all those interested, River City Cinema is open to any ideas if anyone wants to host a fundraising event at the theatre.

“Come and see me. Don’t be shy. We’ve had some really great successes with the Church and the Raise the Roof Fund. When we did Momma Mia, that was a blast. With the Daycare playschool group we did Grease. We’ve done The Rocky Horror Picture Show with theVAULTmagazine.

It just makes it fun. And, it’s exciting for the staff too because there’s always something different going on,” said Hilton.

Two other organizations that are near and dear to Hilton’s heart are HIV North and LGBT Peace Regional Pride Committee.

Aside from supporting HIV North and participating in the Scotiabank AIDS Walk

for Life, Hilton challenges her employees to encourage customers buy red ribbons that will be displayed in theatre’s concession room leading up to the event.

River City Cinema also supports Peace River’s LGBT Pride Parade, which began in 2011. Today, Hilton volunteers her time on the LGBT Peace Regional Pride Committee, which hosts an annual Pride Parade. Usually included in the Pride festivities are a meet and greet, face painting and poster making, a float, a barbeque, live music and, of course, a movie at River City Cinema—all free to the public.

“If you’re successful, give something back.

We appreciate the business that we have. We have loyal customers and if there’s a way to pay it forward, I’ll do it without thinking twice,” said Hilton. move up

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* Denotes Professional Corporation

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TONY NICKONCHUK, BSC. PHARM. | CLINICAL PHARMACIST, ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES

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ARE YOU STILL SMOKING? T

here are likely no lifestyle changes that make more of a positive impact on your health than quitting smoking, and the benefits start to accumulate the minute you stop. After only 12 hours, oxygen levels in your blood return to normal.

After 48 hours your sense of smell and taste start to return to normal. The circuitry in your brain recovers from the effects of smoking after 21 days.

After one year your risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke are now less than half that of someone still smoking. At five years, your risk of a brain hemorrhage has dropped by 40 per cent.

In ten years, your risk of lung cancer is half that of a smoker. Finally, at 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and pancreatic cancer is that of a non-smoker.

Clearly, quitting smoking is

good for you. But it sure isn’t easy.

There are interventions that help. Nicotine replacement therapy, like patches and gum, roughly doubles success rates over cold turkey. Prescription drugs accomplish much the same.

That sounds impressive, but success still occurs relatively infrequently. In large reviews of smoking cessation, those with no assistance are successful only ten per cent of the time, whereas those on medications to help quit are successful 20 per cent of the time.

Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death in Canada, but with concerted public health measures like advertising the harms, increasing taxation on tobacco products and banning smoking in public buildings, we’ve made huge strides in reducing smoking since the ‘60s. In 1965, half of Canadians reported

smoking. That number is down below 20 per cent now.

This highlights the importance of community to quitting smoking. It is tough for individuals to accomplish on their own. Group therapy, one-on-one counseling in a local and accessible setting, educational outreach programs, access to healthcare resources and availability of alternative activities have all been shown to reduce smoking rates in communities.

After practicing in the healthcare community of the Peace Country for over six years, I can vouch for its abundance of the aforementioned. Addictions and Mental Health (formerly AADAC) runs many programs including individual counseling and group programs. The facility is located conveniently in downtown Peace River and staffed by incredibly

knowledgeable professionals.

They, along with the health promotions professionals from Alberta Health Services, provide educational outreach to students in the area.

The local team of physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals are the most dedicated and passionate with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working. There are also multiple community pharmacies with highly accessible, knowledgeable pharmacists, an incredible resource for smoking cessation assistance.

And there is no shortage of alternative activities in the region to keep you active and busy.

The Peace Region still has its share of smokers.

But for those hoping to successfully quit, there are few communities I can think of where they’d have a better chance.

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DON’T FEAR THE REAPER

Fear his wife

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BY DREW ROGERS

n any given Tuesday or Thursday evening you will notice a lot of activity at the old Grimshaw Curling Rink. Trucks, cars and minivans pack the parking lot. The brooms, rocks and sheets of ice are a thing of the past. This is now the headquarters of the Grim Reapers Roller Derby team.

Once a widely televised event, Roller Derby gained and lost popularity as an athletic activity across North America. A recent resurgence has seen teams popping up all over Canada, including Northern Alberta and BC. The Grimshaw Grim Reapers are in good company.

Move Up was fortunate to get to sit in on a derby practice night and chat with a few of the Reapers.

It all started for the Reapers in 2012. Erin “Dropa-b****” [derby name] recalls, “We had a meeting at the Multiplex. We started training there and started getting used to skating. The more we trained, the more people got interested.”

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Getting out into the community also helped stir up interest. The Reapers won Best Float in the Grimshaw Canada Day Parade their first two years entering.

Getting their own space at the curling rink not only gave them a permanent home in the community, but it allowed them to train year round. Unfortunately the width of the rink is just under regulation for actual games. Derby season is in the summer when hockey rinks can be de-iced and used for bouts.

The training season of derby is not only important for established players, but it’s the perfect time for new recruits to find their way onto the team. No stranger to contact sports, “Boxer” 60

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was sitting on the sidelines adjusting her equipment.

“I’ve been involved in boxing for a long time. If I could be competitive, I would be,” she admitted. “Being a member of the team, lets you use your specific skills, like hitting and blocking to help the more athletic girls who can go fast, get through and score points.” She smiled and was quick to point out the diversity on the team, “There is a position for every body type here. You don’t need to be that super fit girl, but they help too!”

During the game, “blockers” act like the defensive line of a football team. Their goal is to stop the opposition’s “jammer” from getting past them. The jammer is a fast skater whose goal is to get past blockers to score points.

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Keep in mind, this is all happening while skating around in a large oval for two minutes at a time.

It can all sound a bit much for a newcomer, but this group is very supportive and couldn’t stress enough that everyone is welcome.

Like Boxer, a history of competitive or contact sports surely helps in derby.

Many of the members will bring friends over from other activities. Pam was at her fourth practice with The Reapers. So new, in fact, she hadn’t received a derby name yet. “I just wanted to watch the first time, but the girls had extra gear in my size.”

From that moment on, Pam was hooked. “They were all so nice and encouraging,” said Pam. For Pam, there

were a few challenging aspects at first, “It’s a small track, so you don’t think much of it, but once you go around [the track] a few times, the cardio really adds up! That combined with the skates—it feels pretty weird.”

Sitting and watching the ladies practice, it was clear this was more than a team.

The Grimshaw Grim Reapers offer a sense of community for the members and its supporters. They insisted that anyone who has the slightest interest should get involved.

Find more information at facebook.com/ GrimshawGrimReapers or swing into the Grimshaw Curling Club any Tuesday or Thursday from 6:308:15pm. move up

NEXT ISSUE OUT JULY 2015

ď ° COLUMN

GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE | ALUMNI PROFILE

PREPARING TEACHERS FOR THE CLASSROOMS OF THE NORTH

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ver the past 15 years, the Teacher Education North program at Grande Prairie Regional College has prepared several hundred teachers for the classrooms of our region.

This unique Bachelor of Education program, offered

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in collaboration with the University of Alberta, has been specifically designed to prepare teachers for small and rural communities of Northern Alberta. It was established to provide support for northern jurisdictions, and its reputation as a teacher education program has

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steadily grown.

Each year the program graduates new teachers who hail from communities that sound like a road trip around our region; Grande Cache, Nampa, Fairview, St. Isidore, Wembley, High Level, Rainbow Lake and Grande Prairie will all be

represented at Convocation 2015, and each class for 15 years has included a similarly broad reach.

An estimated 150-200 alumni of the TEN program are working full time in the education field, while countless other grads are working on a continual

GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE | ALUMNI PROFILE

substitute or part-time basis.

School Boards throughout the region are quick to express their satisfaction with the quality of the graduates as well as the availability of a pool of fulltime and substitute teachers.

Graduates have been introduced to the challenges of remote and rural schools, and have been exposed to the cultural expectations of aboriginal communities.

“Growing up in a small community has allowed me to witness the extra work, time and dedication teachers commit to ensure students have an exceptional learning experience and are able to succeed even when opportunities and resources may be limited,” says Samantha Bateman.

She will receive her degree this May, and is eager to

begin her teaching career.

“My teachers in Rainbow Lake, who I looked up to, contributed greatly to my success as a student and as a person.”

Jessica Gowler, who grew up in Nampa, is also eager to begin teaching at a Northern Alberta school. “I was born and raised on a farm 30 minutes south of Peace River, attended Nampa Public Elementary and graduated at Glenmary Catholic High School. I am excited about my future career as a teacher and all of the gratifying experiences that accompany the field of education.

“It is my goal to have my own classroom where I can make a difference and where I can inspire each and every one of my students to reach their full potential,” says Courtney

Robert, who grew up in St. Isidore. In the past few years she has organized and run several summer programs in Peace River, including The Upside Down Club for ages 5 – 11 at the North Peace Gymnastics Centre and summer programs for kindergarten and school-age children at Sugar Plum Tree Daycare. “Since I was a little girl I have always wanted to be a teacher and over the years my passion for teaching has never been altered.”

Educating teachers of the north, for the north, is a concept which has become a very successful reality.

The program is now also attracting students from other parts of the province, because they consider the opportunity to study with a single cohort of classmates throughout the four-year

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program to be beneficial.

“This is a supportive environment,” explains Jean Reston, TEN coordinator, “and it has a strong appeal for students from other rural areas.”

Competition is strong for seats in the program - and virtually all complete the collaborative degree once they gain admission. “There is very little attrition,” says Reston. “People simply don’t drop out of this program - and if circumstances demand, they may suspend studies for a semester, but almost never drop out completely.”

Teacher Education North graduates enrich the classrooms and communities of the north.

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A Mom-trepreneur Story

MORRISON’S MAGIC BAG

BY LYDIA ZILAHY

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harlane Morrison will bring the coldest guests to your party, on demand.

They often travel in her big, blue bag. She pulls them out—beasts of wonder one by one—of this seemingly magic bag.

Morrison is the owner, manager, bookkeeper, caretaker and entertainer behind North Peace Reptile Parties. She is the mother of three human children; her other children are numerous and the population tends to vary slightly year to year.

Morrison started her unusual business about four years ago, one that has been built on the principles of love and education. For her, love came first.

“When I was about 14, I got to see a sixteen foot Burmese Python. She was awesome! She was huge, yet gentle. I had never seen anything like her and I loved her!”

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started with an iguana, followed by a ball python named Oddball.

Since then, she has had boa constrictors, olive pythons, worked with carpet pythons, a king snake, off and on with corn snakes, a red tegu, a blue tongued skink, two different species of tortoise and a black tail cribo to rattle off just a few.

The idea for the business came out of peoples’ sheer curiosity to Morrison’s menagerie. As she recalls, “I had people always wanting to come over to see my animals, and I have a small house! So, I started this idea.” Bringing her pets to parties allows Morrison to share her passion for unusual animals and educate people. Morrison has found that there are a lot of negative stereotypes towards the animals she keeps, not to mention fears and phobias. She goes slow, starting her parties by introducing herself and then bringing out each animal and giving them proper introductions that include information about what type of animal they are, what they eat, what they do and allowing guests to interact with them.

This one-on-one approach Morrison has taken has changed the way some people view certain animals. “I love seeing people come into one of my shows scared and walk away with no fear. I enjoy seeing them get over their fears.”

She has fond memories of various participants, one of which was a twoyear-old girl who had been terrified, but when given the choice, went straight for the tarantula. Morrison recently started toting her magic blue bag to the local seniors’ lodge. There, the tarantula was also a big hit with an elderly lady.

Morrison notes that not only are there misconceptions about the animals but also the people interested in them.

“I would say just as many women as men are interested in them. The women seem to have this drive, a lot of them are first in line,” said Morrison.

Of her three children, the enthusiasm for unusual critters seems to have been inherited by Morrison’s middle son. Whether or not he will grow his mother’s zoo and follow in her footsteps remains to be seen, but he has made a start with one of Morrison’s own baby ball pythons, named Funny Face.

Morrison charges a flat rate for her parties, which range anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on the guests and how they interact with the contents of her blue bag. Morrison follows the provincial laws as well as local bylaws and all her animals are safe. She has travelled all around the Peace Region, as far as Rainbow Lake, Grande Prairie and even into British Columbia.

Photography Submitted

For more information, visit North Peace Reptile Parties on Facebook. move up #Li fesBetterUpHere | SPRI NG 2 0 1 5 M OV E U P

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 RELOCATION STORY

SARAH SHUDRA FROM LIMA, PERU

What is your ideal Sunday in the Peace Region?

Where are you originally from?

after a year and a half, I moved to the Peace Region.

I am originally from Lima, Peru in South America.

How does the Peace Region differ from where you are originally from?

Where did you move to?

I moved to a farm in Reno, Alberta, which is a thirty minute drive from Peace River.

How long ago did you move up here?

It will be ten years this summer. Wow, time goes fast.

What is your favourite thing about living in the It’s 100 per cent different. Peace Region?

I grew up watching the ocean from my window, seeing people surf, enjoying warm and tropical weather.

Hearing the waves every day was a delight. I listened to Latin music everyday on the radio and ate spicy food everyday, so it’s quite different.

Where do you work?

What keeps you in the Peace Region?

I work at the Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter, and I love it!

My family (my daughter she is 8-years-old) and the great friends that I’ve made here.

What brought you to the Peace?

Did you have any “culture shock” moments after What brought me to Canada moving here? was my ex-husband. I married him in Peru and

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the coldest. It was -50°C and I could not understand how people could survive in this weather. The coldest weather in Lima, where I am from, is +16°C. Also, when I first got here, not many people spoke Spanish, but I did find one person and we are now best friends.

Absolutely, and many. My first winter in Canada was

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Obvious, my favourite season is summer, and the river calls my name. My favourite thing to do is go canoeing on the river with my boyfriend, my two huskies, my girl and my friends.

What is your favourite wildlife encounter since moving here?

All my life I’ve lived in cities, and have had never had the opportunity to see and be so close to wildlife. Moving here gave me the opportunity to experience that and it’s incredible. I have seen deer, moose, coyotes, foxes and bears. Oh my God, it’s so cool.

I like hiking with my two huskies, my boyfriend and daughter. After that, it’s movie time at home, popcorn and some relax time.

What is your ideal night out/date night in the Peace Region?

My perfect night is hanging out with my boyfriend with a glass of wine while listening to some of his records or seeing and hearing him play the guitar. But, I also love to hang out with friends and have fun with them too.

How many kilometres are on your vehicle?

My Pontiac has 156,000, and my Volvo has 250,000.

We’ve done more road trips with the Volvo. Our last trip was a couple weeks ago. We went to Vernon, BC.

What is your favourite spring-time activity in the Peace?

Walking in the rain, jumping in the puddles with my girl, and if the day is good, camping is a perfect thing to do.

GINETTE MACISAAC Carmon Creek Commissioning and Start-up Manager

As a small town girl from Cape Breton, Canada, Ginette didn’t think she’d become a citizen of the world.

With a Dutch husband and children born in the Netherlands and Australia, Ginette is truly international. Over the past 17 years she’s worked and lived in the Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar, Australia and now the small town of Peace River in Alberta.

In her early career Ginette spent five years offshore in the North Sea in a variety of technical and operational roles, and later helped Shell build one of the largest chemical plants in the world in Singapore.

Following the arrival of her second child she wanted to go back and settle in Canada and move back into an operational role.

Technology is core to her role – particularly developing new technology which can help recover oil sand deposits that are too deep for mining.

Development of this technology is key to helping recover the vast majority of this resource which is deep underground, which will ultimately help to overcome many of the challenges associated with traditional mining.

She believes the oil sands will be developed in order to meet future energy needs, so sees her job as core in ensuring its developed in the right way.

When she’s not at work, Ginette is a keen volleyball and soccer player. She’s currently a soccer coach for her daughter’s team and loves nothing better than to get involved in a game herself when she can.

MY JOB IS TO ENUSRE TECHNOLOGY IS DEVELOPED SO THE OIL SANDS CAN BE UTILIZED TO MEET FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY.

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Think Community.

Just as our industry practices have evolved since the 1990s, so has our approach to working for the community. After 25 years, Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., Peace River Pulp Division’s roots grow deeper every day.