Shootin' the Breeze – June 11, 2014 by Shootin' the Breeze

Page 6 Shootin’ the Breeze June 11/14

Serving Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Waterton and surrounding communities

Start the day off right at St. Mike’s By Brad Quarin More St. Michael’s School students will be starting their day off right as they now have their own Breakfast Club. “We wanted to make sure that all the kids coming to school have breakfast, because kids learn better, and kids feel better,” says Liz Dolman, family-school liaison counsellor. The program serves breakfast at the beginning of each school day to students lacking time to have their own or who don’t have good food around the house. It is available to students of all ages. “We’re trying to provide a well-balanced breakfast selection,” Liz says, including cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, nut-free granola bars, muffins, milk and juice. After applying to the Breakfast Club of Canada in 2011, St. Michael’s School was accepted but then put on a waiting list for two years. With funding in place, the school was able to start its club in May, and is in need of volunteers to really get rolling. “We’re going to have to get into a rhythm,” Liz says. One volunteer for each school day would have to be at the school from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Their job would be to set up, make smoothies, watch how much food each student takes, and clean up. Others need to do the shopping at Walmart, which is a national sponsor. Right now, the club is relying on student volunteers and First Nations liaison counsellor Nikea White Cow for food preparation. Students will continue to help after more volunteers are found. Besides the support from the Breakfast Club of Canada, St. Michael’s School has also received food from the Pincher Creek Food Bank. To volunteer, contact Liz at 403-627-3488.

Thank You The Pincher Creek & District Ag Society board and members thank

Leroy Goodreau for his outstanding commitment as facility manager for the past 12 years. Good luck with your future endeavours, Leroy!

Salon & Spa

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Keeping it natural at Waterton By Brad Quarin With the May long weekend having come and gone, The Weston Family Conservation Centre has reopened for all to enjoy. Located at Waterton Springs Campground, the centre is part of the Waterton Park Front, a huge conservation area of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The centre is physically small, consisting of only one room, but is jampacked with displays and activities, says Kim Pearson, program manager of the Waterton Park Front. This year, there is a new display of wildlife photos, and a reading station and bookshelf will be added. The displays teach people of all ages about nature and conservation work, with one allowing visitors to compare their arm spans to the wingspans of different birds. There are pictures of a number of animals, animal footsteps painted on the floor to follow, raptor talons on exhibit and stories from ranchers. Children can create their own cattle brand in one activity. Youth also have the opportunity to pick up a backpack complete with art supplies, field guides or binoculars and go out on the trail. Different backpacks focus on different themes, such as birds or bugs. Waterton Springs Interpretive Trail, 200 metres from the centre, is a one-kilometre walk with “really stunning views and beautiful wildflowers,” Kim says. There also may be a chance of a live animal sighting. The trail has one steep hill, but after that is easy to hike, and suitable for adults and youth, she says. On weekends and holidays the guided hikes start at 10:30 a.m. The centre will be open until Thanksgiving, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week. Nature Conservancy staff are there most of the time, but guests can find their own way around the centre. Admission is free, and donations are welcome. It’s attracted plenty of interest since opening in 2006, drawing 2,500 people last year, Kim says. That’s five times as many people as its first year. The centre is named for the Westons of Toronto, a prominent business family, and the W. Garfield Weston Foundation. The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization that aims for conservation on private lands, keeping it natural. For more information, visit www.natureconservancy.ca .

Providence

BELLECREST DAYS Friday, June 20

Miner’s Picnic and Dance 5 to 9 p.m. Hillcrest Ball Complex Entertainment, BBQ, beer gardens and Coal Creek Boys free concert

Saturday, June 21

Pancake Breakfast 8 to 10 a.m. Hillcrest Fish & Game Hall Parade set up 9:30 a.m. Parade starts at 11 a.m. BBQ, Fun and Games Noon to 4 p.m. Hillcrest Coal & Coke Park Astro Jump, petting zoo, bucket brigade, bake sale, vendors, music and more. Maria Dunn free concert 6 to 8 p.m. Hillcrest Miners Club

403-564-4745

www.bellecrest.ca

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403-627-1874 715C Main Street Pincher Creek WWW.TRAININGINC.CA

WORK SAFER BearSmart & Wildlife Tips Outdoor compost can attract bears. Consider using an indoor electric composter or vermi-composter.