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ISSUE 3 NO. 1 JUNE/JULY 2015 gpsmartguide.com
Grande Prairie Faces:
Shannon Dunfield
Oh So Saucy! with Gavin Political Corner David Biltek and Dan Wong plus... Entertainment What’s in Store: Shoppables ...and more
Maskwoteh Upgrades in the Park
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4
Contributors
SUE FARRELL HOLLER
GAVIN YOUNG
SOMEH NIENGOR
LEE WRIGLEY
Sue Farrell Holler is familiar face in Grande Prairie who is known best for her work as a newspaper columnist and a children's author. Often inspired by the people she meets, she claims to have “the best job ever” as she visits with people over cups of tea and shares their stories.
Gavin is a seasoned culinary chef who has traveled the world and is now a culinary instructor at the new Charles Spencer High School. Enjoy his ramblings as he tempts your palate with spice and sauce! He is from Northumberland England - the land of castles, coastlines, and the great Geordie people!
Born in Grande Prairie. Background in Fund Development and Community/Social Development. Someh is currently heading up a 3 year youth project she founded called IGNITE GP 4 YOUTH as well as network sales at Towne Centre Furniture. In her spare time she is a mother of 4 and writes about social causes/charities for GPSMARTGUIDE.
I moved to Grande Prairie over 10 years ago for a career change, and have completely made it my home! I have an incredibly supportive husband who encourages me to go after my dreams, even if it means I drive my family crazy in the process. I am addicted to reading, sometimes with 2 or 3 books ‘on the go’ at any given time. My 2 sons are a constant reminder that children learn what they live. I love creative writing, have been writing poetry since I was a teenager.
JANICE KRETZER-PRYSUNKA
DAVID BILTEK
DAN WONG
CHRISTINA McMULLAN
By day I’m a career civil servant working at one of the most dynamic organizations in Canada, the City of Grande Prairie. I love my work the ability impact the community I call home.
David Biltek arrived in GP in 1972. He served nine years on City Council and has been active in provincial and federal politics including running for the Federal Liberal Party in 1997. He has been a keen observer of the political scene here and in the Capitals of Edmonton and Ottawa. Besides politics he has been active in business and community pursuits.
Dan Wong is a lifelong resident of Grande Prairie and works as an E.I.T. for Beairsto & Associates Engineering in their Municipal Design department. He served two terms as a councillor for the City of Grande Prairie between 2007 and 2013. His past experience also includes running a small business for 14 years and serving as director for various organizations.
Christina “Charley” Mc Mullan is an Australian born, Texas raised, Canadian photographer who dibble dabbles in the media. She is the owner of Beaver Roo Photography and has lived in the Peace Region for seven years with her husband Marcel and their child Matley.
Outside of work, I am a photographer – a visual “storyteller”. My specialty is landscape photography but I also shoot sporting and community events, tourism and web images and casual portraits.
Want to be a contributor? We will consider articles by writers who are Grande Prairie and region residents. Your articles must be original, they need to be related to Grande Prairie, should be informative or related to your experiences or expertise. Length of articles can be either 300-400 words or 700-1000 words approximately. If you are interested in submitting an article or require more information email; info@gpsmartguide.com include your name and address, phone number and email address.
June/July 2015 Issue 3, No. 1
gpsmartguide.com 5
Contents 4
15
24
Contributors
Maskwoteh Upgrades in the Park By Emilia Hovorka
History at a Glance Valhalla Creamery Picnic
7
26
Editor’s Note By Emilia Hovorka
17
8
Adventures with Charley Lawn Bowling By Christina McMullan
Grande Prairie Faces: Shannon Dunfield Building Connections and Strengthening Community By Sue Farrell Holler
10 Community Club Faces The Golden Age Centre By Someh Niengor
Entertainment Spotlights June and July Canada Day
28
18
Places in Grande Prairie
What’s in Store: Shoppables By Lee Wrigley
21 Political Corner: Viewpoint By David Biltek
12
22
Food For Thought Oh So Saucy By Gavin Young
Political Corner: VIewpoint A Look Back to the Future of Alberta Politics By Dan Wong
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ISSUE 3 NO. 1 JUNE/JULY 2015 gpsmartguide.com
Grande Prairie Faces:
Shannon Dunfield
Oh So Saucy! with Gavin Political Corner David Biltek and Dan Wong plus... Entertainment What’s in Store: Shoppables ...and more
Scan this QR code to read Grande Prairie Smart Guide online or visit gpsmartguide.com
Cover: Shannon Dunfield Photo: JKP Images
Maskwoteh Upgrades in the Park
presented by
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the 15th Annual Street Performers Festival July 17, 18 & 19, 2015 We need people for the following: • Set Up/Take-Down Crew • Audience Services/Greeters • Safety Patrols/Environment • Performance Circle Attendants • Information Booth/Runners • Floaters and other roles
If you would like to volunteer, contact Shannon at the Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau Ph: 780-538-2727 Email: programs@volunteergp.com Online: www.volunteergp.com/volunteer/event-recruitment In Person: Bldg C, 10116-102 Ave, Grande Prairie (at The Community Village)
www.volunteergp.com • www.gpstreetfest.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Wednesday, Sept 2, 2015
Thursday, Sept 3, 2015
STAGE 1
STAGE 2
City of Grande Prairie Team Time Trial Start/Finish at Eastlink Centre
County of Grande Prairie Road Race Start/Finish at Evergreen Park
Register online at: tourofalberta.ca/volunteer If you would like more information about local volunteer needs, contact Shannon Fennell, Grande Prairie LOC Director of Volunteers at the Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau Ph: 780.538.2727 • Email: programs@volunteergp.com
Roles available for Volunteers: • Course Marshals • Media Tent/Office • Safety Team • Volunteer Check-In • TV Production Runner • Hospitality • Anti-Doping Chaperones (males only) • Festival Volunteers • Parking Monitors
Editor’s Note
gpsmartguide.com 7
JUNE/JULY 2015 Issue 3, No 1 Publisher: Smart Marketing & Communications Editor: Emilia L. Hovorka Web Listing Coordinator: Terri-Lynn Browne Graphic Design: Irons Design Contributing Writers: Sue Farrell Holler, Emilia L. Hovorka, Someh Niengor, Lee Wrigley, David Biltek, Dan Wong, Christina McMullan and Gavin Young
Since the last issue a lot has happened in the political scene within our province.
Photo contributions: Janice Kretzer-Prysunka, Lee Wrigley, Christina McMullan, Mike Bowen, Someh Niengor, South Peace Regional Archives, Wayne Ayling and the Golden Age Centre
Some feel it was a complete upset with the changing of the guard, others not so much. So, it is only fitting that in this issue we have two different views in the Political Corner section of the magazine that you will want to be sure to read. I would like to thank the guest contributors Dan Wong and David Biltek, past members of City Council, for providing their views and insight for this section.
Printing: Transcontinental Printing Grande Prairie Smart Guide Magazine & Smart Marketing & Communications makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. The statements, opinions and points of view expressed in articles published in this magazine are those of the authors, and publication shall not be deemed to mean that they are necessarily those of the Smart Marketing & Communications, the publisher, editor, or the Grande Prairie Smart Guide Magazine. Advertising in Grande Prairie Smart Guide Magazine does not indicate an endorsement by Smart Marketing & Communications. Smart Marketing & Communications is a proud member of the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce, the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association & Alberta Magazine Publishers Association Printed in Canada. Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. ISSN 2291-5389 JUNE/JULY 2015, ISSUE 3, NO.1 Subscription in Canada $24.95 plus GST = $26.20 for one year (6 issues); add $12 per year outside of Canada. Single copies $4.95 plus GST.
Also within this issue is one of our favorite sections Sue Holler’s FACES feature, who is Shannon Dunfield. This lady is a well deserving person to be featured, who was the 2014 Volunteer of the Year. Of course another great article to check out is Chef Gavin’s “Oh So Saucy” article on pages 12-13 that has some great tips and a sauce recipe that is simple to make and delicious. There is a couple of plugs I want to make for unique events that Smart Guide is sponsoring this summer. The first event is the GoodEats Food Tours that will be running during July and August, and the second is the Lawn Bowling Bash to be held on August 14. If you have never been on a Food Tour, or have tried lawn bowling I suggest you check out our web page for more information www.gpsmartguide.com on how to get in on the fun. Enjoy this issue of Grande Prairie Smart Guide, I look forward to hearing from you. – Emilia L. Hovorka, Editor
Smart Guide Magazine is published six times per year. We print 20,000 full colour/glossy copies. Distribution is throughout Grande Prairie, Alberta and region via Canada Post, Basic Stops Distributor, local retailers and by subscriptions. GP Smart Guide phone apps are available for FREE download now in Apple’s App Store and in the Google Android market place. Together with www.gpsmartguide.com, our mobile apps feature the magazine, comprehensive local event listings, dining information, news, weather, photos, videos, local activities and more! Inquiries/Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Smart Marketing & Communications P.O. Box 25272, RPO Wapiti Centre Grande Prairie, AB T8W 0G2 P 780-402-1157 F 780-532-9452 info@gpsmartguide.com www.gpsmartguide.com Advertising/Sales Inquiries to: 780-402-1157 sales@gpsmartguide.com
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Here at Grande Prairie Smart Guide Magazine we would love to hear what is on your mind, ideas you want to share, or feedback on an article. Send us your letters, questions, and comments via email to info@gpsmartguide.com or by mail to: GPSG Magazine P.O. Box 25272 RPO Wapiti Centre Grande Prairie, AB T8W 0G2
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Shannon Dunfield
Photo: JKP Images/Janice Kretzer-Prysunka
Building connections and strengthening community Shannon Dunfield has a knack for putting the right people together at the right time. She’s also someone who isn’t afraid to explore new ideas to tackle old problems. Her skills take her in many seemingly different directions, but the overall path is true: providing opportunities for aboriginal youth to explore their culture and to learn about who they are. “I want to give them opportunities to try different things and to be very proud of who they are as aboriginal youth,” says Shannon, who works as the District Co-ordinator for the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) program for the Grande Prairie Public School District. Last December, she was named Grande Prairie’s 2014 Volunteer of the Year for her work with young people. It was an award that surprised her. She doesn’t necessarily think of herself as a “volunteer,” but rather, as someone who likes to “help out.” “When you are doing it (volunteering) because you are invested in the community or the kids, you’re not thinking about the time you put in, you are just doing it and enjoying it,” she says. “There are others who do so much more.”
Grande Prairie Faces: Shannon Dunfield
gpsmartguide.com 9
By Sue Farrell Holler
Indeed, the lines between her job, being a parent, being part of a community, and being a volunteer are blurred in a web of relationships and connectivity. Where one ends and another begins is difficult to decipher. And yet, the list of her involvements is so long that even she has a hard time remembering all that she’s done. Shannon has been the FNMI Coordinator for the public school district for the past six years. She worked at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre for seven years, and was the Aboriginal Health Liaison at the local QEII Hospital. Fifteen years ago, she began helping out with the organization that became the HIV North Society, and in 2002 joined the board. She helped organize the Spirit Seekers Youth Conference at Grande Prairie Regional College, and an aboriginal education conference. She is involved with the community round dance, which this November, will be in its third year. She helps out with her children’s sports teams as a parent manager and fundraiser, and last summer, she organized a team of volleyball players to take to the North American Indigeneous Games. She is currently putting together a team for the Alberta Indigenous Games in July. “Providing opportunities for kids, putting people together, it’s a way of life,” she says. “I’m doing my job and I’m doing my job as a parent, and I happen to gather other children on the way.” But Monica Kreiner, who has known Shannon for the past two-and-a-half years, sees things a little differently. She describes Shannon as a tireless “powerhouse who gets things done.” “You see Shannon working in her quiet, unassuming way, but she is doing amazing things. You see people like that who go unlauded because their work is done so humbly. She’s not one to blow her own horn, and she doesn’t seem to realize how big what she’s doing really is,” says Monica, who nominated Shannon for the top volunteer award. “She lifts people up and gives them opportunities.” Monica has witnessed Shannon at work, particularly with the FNMI Sharing Circle
and at the community round dance. What really struck her, however, was Shannon’s work to put together a team last year for the Indigenous Games. “She took kids who maybe had never left the reserve before, and took them to college campuses. Then, maybe it’s (college) not such a foreign and strange thing. It opens their eyes to the possibilities,” says Monica. Shannon, says Monica, also has a way of recognizing personal talents. “She values and appreciates everyone’s gifts,” Monica says. Also central to Shannon’s character is her belief that children need to be connected to their heritage. Of particular focus are urban aboriginal youth, and helping them understand their roots. She’s proud of her aboriginal heritage and wants children to be proud of their heritage, too. “I want kids to have positive experiences and connections to their culture,” Shannon says. In a way, she’s passing on what she learned growing up in the close-knit community of Kelly Lake, B.C., where culture and community were closely entwined. “In my community, growing up, I had excellent teachers…I knew who I was as a student, a community member, and an indigenous youth. I grew up being proud of my culture,” she says. Shannon learned her lessons well. She graduated from Beaverlodge Regional High – the first in her family to finish high school – and was the first in her community to earn a master’s degree. The mother of a teenage daughter and a pre-teen son, Shannon believes the link to culture is vital to building positive self-esteem, and empowering kids to succeed. She’s a big picture thinker who isn’t afraid
to let a small piece flourish into something bigger. Much of what she’s involved in, she says, begins by looking for opportunities for her own children. “It often starts for personal reasons, maybe selfish reasons, of wanting to have opportunities for my children, but it grows from there. We gather other children and suddenly, we’re looking at the bigger picture,” she says. Shannon is a strong role model, both within her aboriginal community and the community at large for her personal humility and for uniting people towards a common goal. When fielding a volleyball team for the North American Games, for instance, she brought the diverse players – some of whom lived closer to Edmonton than to Grande Prairie – to the smaller centres for practices, opening their eyes to life on a reserve, or in a small town, and vice versa, bringing kids from a reserve to a college campus. The 10-member team developed strong bonds with each other as the team built, but went to the Regina competition with no thoughts of winning; they were going for the experience. They returned home with opened eyes and the gleam of silver medals. It’s that type of subtle work of building broad connections, strengthening individual bonds, and creating opportunities that comes so naturally to Shannon Dunfield that one might say, it has become her hallmark.
10
Community Club Faces: The Golden Age Centre
The
Golden Age Centre
By Someh Niengor “I remember when 25 cents would get you into a movie, popcorn and candy at the store on the way home. I would still have 5 cents left over. I thought I was rich” says Mr. Jim Smith, the current Board President of the Grande Prairie and District Golden Age Centre. “I remember finding a dollar on the way home from school (that was in the 30’s). A dollar was a lot of money. My father demanded I give it to him when I showed it to him”, Mr. Hans Nagel reminisces as they allow me to take a trip down memory lane with them. I’m sitting in the Golden Age Centre with the two gentleman and Mrs. Mary Sutherland, submersed in the “golden” history of our beloved city, Grande Prairie as we search through the first minutes taken for the organization. The history of the Society is well preserved in original and beautiful hand writing. The first meeting was held January 6th, 1959, in the basement of the library from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm. There were 4 women and 18 men. They played cards, darts and board games. The women served coffee, tea and donated biscuits. It was decided that a donation of no more than 10 cents per person was to be accepted to cover the expenses. Soon after the group met
every two days. By January 21st, of the same year there were 19 men and 13 women. The first woman president of the organization was Dorothea Mansfield, 1978 to 1979. In 1960, the first executive was formed which included Mr. P.H. Rogers as president and Mrs. Tille Tarrant (relation to our current Mayor, Mr. Bill Given) as vice-president. The club quickly evolved to meet the need of seniors in the community who desired to socialize and congregate. They hosted game nights, potlucks and dances. The current building was built in 1973 with additions approved by the City of Grande Prairie in 1975 after a proposal was presented by the Grande Prairie Rotary Club. Allan Drysdale worked for Procter & Gamble for two summers and donated the money he made to build the dance hall, kitchen and basement. The same year the band “Lamp Lighters” started playing two times a month at the centre. The “Lamp Lighters” included members Hans Nagel (Past President), Del McCorriston, Leslie Head, Anne Trarback (original member since 1920’s) and Ethyl Badger. They continued to play for the centre from February 8th, 1974 to September 30th, 2014. Hans remembers the first dances in the late seventies with
a fireplace in the middle of winter, no heat and only 12-14 couples. “We nearly froze our butts off” he jokingly exclaims. Currently the organization hosts three dances a month with over 100 people in attendance. The Society started with just a few activities but now provides potluck socials, dances, card nights, foot clinics, heart and stroke clinics, floor curling, Zumba classes, dance lessons, carpet bowling, floor shuffle board, pickle ball (google it!), pool and much more! Some members compete in the Alberta 55+ Seniors Games. There are limitless opportunities to stay involved and active. There are quite a few free clinics but most activities cost anywhere from $2 to $5. In 1972, the community group was struggling to get a chair donated due to lack of funding. Currently, they receive operational funds from the City of Grande Prairie, Federal and Provincial grants, Casino revenue and income from rental space. Two hundred and ninety six was the number of members first recorded in 1993. Now the group has 280 members, with 10 Board members and 1 Administration staff. The cost of membership is only $15. The challenges of membership are inherent and
gpsmartguide.com 11
Senior Citizen’s Council 1973-74 Photo: Golden Age Centre
prevalent. Hans explained the seniors of yesterday enjoy potlucks and socials, the seniors of tomorrow are affluent travelers and the seniors of tomorrow are tech savvy. The organization is currently evaluating how to meet the diverse needs of the changing demographic. Senior Week is from June 1st – June 7th, 2015. Last year organizations like Grande Prairie and Swan City Rotary Club, Wembley F.C.S.S., G.P. Care Centre, Centre 2000, the County/City of GP, Wild Rose Manor, Creative Arts Centre, Seniors Outreach, Bear Creek Funeral
Home many other agencies that serve elders in our community. Pensioners enjoyed complimentary BBQ’s, luncheons, dances, socials and information sessions. “It is our busiest week” says, Mrs. Sutherland. I have to say, I enjoyed my time immensely with Mr. Smith, Mr. Nagel and Mrs. Sutherland. In my culture, we are taught to honor, take care and cherish those who have gone before us. I couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to ask advice about life. Mrs. Sutherland said “All we need in
life is someone to love, something to do and something to hope for.” Mr. Nagel agreed and added, “Life is hard. Humor is important. It will get you through anything”. Mr. Smith is celebrating his 60th anniversary and advised “It's like climbing a mountain. There are slippery slopes and hardships. Just talk it through. Talking is the key.” Great advice to take to heart! For more information on the Golden Age Centre, please email gpgac@eastlink.ca or phone 780.532.5818.
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Food for Thought
By Gavin Young
Oh So Saucy!
The title says it all as we discuss sauces in this issue of Smart Guide. The classic French kitchen consists of five mother sauces. What makes a sauce a mother? It means it is a base sauce, that when added with other ingredients becomes something else. Here they are in all their glory: Béchamel sauce Simply butter, flour, and milk, cloves, bay leaf, studded onion, (one of my favorites) with cheese and mustard added, then poured over cauliflower.
Española sauce This is a basic brown sauce flavoured with garlic, herbs, mirepoix, that’s simmered and strained.
Velouté sauce The twin sister of béchamel, but made with white broths in place of milk. Served white meats and fish.
Hollandaise sauce The king of rich eggy butter sauces, served classically with seafood and egg dishes.
We use sauces in the kitchen to enhance and brighten food, plus to moisten and add character to an otherwise bland dish. Sauces are important, as this section of a busy kitchen is the premier cdp (chef de partie) position before gaining your sous chef position. Making sauce is about understanding what works
Tomato sauce A simple tomato sauce that enlightens most pasta and vegetables.
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For me, it’s all about balance in a sauce. For example, a light sauce goes with tender foods, and stronger bolder sauces with the more firm foods. The classics are hollandaise with scallops, tomato sauce with meat balls, sole with veloute, and cauliflower with béchamel. As I type this, it’s a beautiful sunny day outside and I feel a huge need to make some homemade mayonnaise for the fish &chips we are having tonight at home. I am thinking that you deserve to know that many chefs think mayonnaise is a mother sauce, and you know I do. I gave you the official five, but feel free to say there are six!
Secrets to a great sauce • Don’t fully season until almost finished, because as you reduce the sauce it would become too salty • Remember salt sugar acids are all natural flavour enhancers • White pepper for white sauces and black for the others, but beware white pepper is much hotter than black • Steam is good, smoke isn’t. Low and slow on the heat • Flour based sauces burn the easiest, so heavy based pans and wooden spoons, not whisks • Fully cook out your roux so you can’t taste the raw flour flavour • Buy a very fine mesh strainer or use cheese cloth • Use marrow bones for the broths/stocks as these bones have the most flavour • Mirepoix is carrots, onions, leeks and celery (leek adds lots of flavour so don’t neglect) • Educate your tongue and push the boundaries! Visit gpsmartguide.com for a great sauce recipe!
Photo © Cristian Teichner/Dollar Photo Club
and what doesn’t with the food you are serving it with. Like adding a gastric to a tomato sauce to highlight the natural sugars, done by using an acid (vinegar) in a reduction with brown sugar. Another example is using lemon in place of vinegar in a hollandaise for fish or lime if using chillies in the dish. Sauces aren’t something you should be scared of making. In most cases, they are not a fast thing to make. So be sure to plan, prep, and allow time for the degrees of flavour and colour reductions to happen when making a sauce.
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Artists rendering of Maskwoteh Park across from Centre 2000.
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t hP
k
MASKWOTEH Upgrades in the Park By Emilia Hovorka
Some of the renovations are carry overs from last year, but there are plenty of upgrades scheduled to happen within Muskoseepi Park. There will be no shortage of work for the parks operational staff this summer as they take on these four major projects. North Bear Park officially named last February as “Maskwoteh”, a Cree word for Bear’s Heart, is the first trail expansion in Muskoseepi Park since it was first developed in the mid 80’s. There is almost a kilometer/900 meters of new trail that starts at Centre 2000 that loops up and around by Royal Oaks. Three pods of natural play areas will be added; an outdoor classroom, a diggable pod that has sand and fossils that kids can unearth, a playground pod that has big boulders and rocks, a
dinosaur’s rib cage. Installation starts in June and is set to be completed at the end of June pending weather. There will be some site furnishings at the top of the hill, like picnic tables, benches etc. that will also be installed. Also to be completed by the end of June at the main pavilion, there will be a new junior playground structure. It will have a rubberized surface as the park received a grant from the Alberta Recycling Management Authority for $30,000. That means no more sand in the junior structure, which creates a fully accessible space as well. There will also be some additional upgrades to benches within the park. As you may already be aware in South Bear Creek Park the city has taken on the maintenance of the all the ball
diamonds. What you may not of known is that Wee Links is closed and will not be operational this summer. Refurbishments will include new golf greens at the Wee Links Golf Course, along with new power and water lines for the campground and golf course. These major upgrades are set to be completed by next year’s start up. Lastly, a new dock will be installed at the Crystal Lake Park. It is not the whole dock that is being replaced, only the lower program dock where the children collect bugs by bug dipping etc. That portion of the dock ended up having to be replaced when it did not winter well, started to sink, and became a hazard. All programs were rescheduled to land programs until the dock is completed in June.
PRESENTS
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SUMMER
Lawn Bowling BASH August 14, 2015 Register at www.gpsmartguide.com or 780.402.1157
By Christina McMullan
Photo © Christina McMulllan
gpsmartguide.com 17
Adventures with Charley:
LAWN BOWLING As a mother I’m always looking for fun, inexpensive things to do as a family. With the weather warming up and the sun never wanting to set sometimes it can be a challenge finding something everyone can and will want to do. I mean seriously how many times can you go to the Splash Park? So, when my editor approached me about doing a story about lawn bowling I figured why not give it a whirl! On a gorgeous Wednesday evening myself, my husband Marcel, and our five year old Matley headed down to Muskoseepi Park to check out the Grande Prairie Lawn Bowing Club. Upon arrival we met three delightful ladies, June Daw the president of the club, Jean Wilson the treasurer and Rosa Lemke. After a short explanation of the rules, Matley was excited to do the “sock test” to see if the green was dry enough for us to
play on. (The sock test is simply when a player walks the length of the green and if their socks are dry at the end, the ground is dry enough to play on.) We got the thumbs up from the ladies that the grass was dry and after selecting the bowls we would play with for the night, we made our way to rink four. (Lawn bowling is usually played on a large, rectangular, precisely leveled and manicured grass known as a bowling green, which is divided into parallel playing strips called rinks.) We learnt a lot that evening about different technics or deliveries to use. Did you know the bowls are biased causing them to roll one direction or the other? It’s not as easy as you would think to get your bowls to go where you want them to. While I picked up the concept fairly quickly and consistently managed to get
my bowls to come to rest next to one and other, that didn’t necessarily mean they were any where close to where they should be. Marcel on the other hand won two-thirds of the games we played. As for Matley it was amazing to watch him get better with each turn he took even though the bowls were too big for his hands. At the end of the evening we thanked the ladies for their hospitality and before calling it a night headed over to Dairy Queen. As Matley enjoyed his Sundae all he could talk about was how awesome lawn bowling was and made us promise that we would do it again. Even though the club meets on Sunday and Monday afternoons as well, if you’re looking for something fun to do as a family... You will know where to find us on Wednesday evenings!
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What’s in Store: Shoppables
Rocoah Apparel
PRESS’D for a Great Sandwich? There’s a new sandwich shop in town! But don’t confuse it with a sub or panini sandwich. Press’d Sandwich Co bakes up big loaves of bread with hand-made dough made fresh in store, every day. They utilize in-house sliced meats, cheeses, and veggies, and have a wonderful variety of bread options. (Gluten-free bread is sourced from Kinnikinnick Foods to ensure there is no cross contamination with the in-house baked breads). Options like made fresh in store guacamole, or brown sugar and cinnamon apple slices with fig and brie are enough to make your sandwich that ‘next level’ of greatness, not to mention the fresh factor! One other great feature of a Press’d sandwich? - value! A Half sized sandwich starts as low as $4.49, so go ahead and upsize your order to a combo with a salad, or soup, chips or cookies, it won’t break the bank and you’ll leave with a full stomach and tastebuds doing a happy dance! Press’d is located in the South 40 Plaza, across from the Royal Bank.
Sovereign Ease Quality of life and independence is not always an easy achievement in the senior years, and if you have an elderly or disabled relative that wishes to remain at home, or even at home with their loved one, who requires extra care, it can be especially difficult. The family members responsible for providing the extra care may not be mentally or physically prepared for such tasks, creating more undue stress to all involved. Sovereign Ease provides services and care to ease the work of maintaining that quality of life. Care giver services include: personal care, meal preparation and grocery shopping, light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation, and a variety of activities that help your loved one maintain their independence. The caregivers also help assist Alzheimer’s and dementia needs, and provide passive range of motion exercises to help the aging clients feel stronger. Visit www.sovereignease.com or call 1.888.866.4972
Photo © es0lex/Dollar Photo Club
Affordable fashion come together in a local based home party company! Rocoah Apparel is the result of Robin Rochon’s desire to work from home and develop a company with home grown roots and great earning potential. There is more than just leggings and tops - maxi skirts, maxi dresses, tanks, dresses, including plus size options. Fashion trends seem to change faster than ever, so it’s great to be able to keep on top of the latest trend, and not have to take out a second mortgage to afford it all. You can find Robin Rochon at the Farmers Market, or you can host a home party and shop in the comfort of your own home, and earn FREE items just for booking your party! And if you’re interested in becoming a Rocoah Apparel sales rep – it gives you the flexibility to work from home, share your love for the latest trends & control your work hours! Contact: 780.380.6014
The ‘Master’ of Toys Mastermind Toys is Canada’s largest specialty toy and children’s book retailer and it’s coming to Grande Prairie this June! With an unparalleled selection of over 10,000 unique, educational and fun toys, books, games, arts and crafts, puzzles and science kits, there’s something for all ages, from newborn to the ‘young at heart’! Lego® has been around for a long time, and if you or someone you know is a Lego aficionado, now you can get your hands on the newly released Lego® Star Wars sets, along with some previously hard to find Lego sets and pieces! Yes, Lego is a real pain when you’re stepping on it, but its durability and imagination stimulating qualities have made it a much loved staple in many homes for decades. Mastermind Toys is set to open in the new hotspot of retail shopping, the Westgate Centre shopping plaza.
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By Lee Wrigley
No Need to Rough It!
West Rock Inc.
The summer camping season is upon us, and you long for a lakeside visit, or a trip to the mountains, or maybe you just want a convenient travel option for a family reunion or get together! Tough N Stuff Ventures gives you the ability to pick your ‘home away from home’, with all the conveniences of a rented RV unit. No worrying about noisy hotel ‘neighbors’, you can stock up with all your favourite foods and save on the hassle and expense of restaurants, pack your clothes (ditch the suitcases), and sleep in comfort (and safety) knowing that ‘mother nature’ isn’t going to come crashing through a tent ‘door’. With daily or weekly rental rates (as low as $70/day), you’ll have your own space for less than a hotel stay. They even have bedding and equipment rentals to make your trip a breeze! Book your rv trailer rental now, and hit the great open road of camping possibilities! 780.831.4038 or www.toughnstuffventures.ca
Finding the right person for your business can be a huge undertaking - it takes time to filter through all the applicants, then interview and sometimes, re-interview, only to have to start all over again because it just doesn’t work out for one reason or another! West Rock Inc. is a Grande Prairie based placement company that takes the hassle out of this process. With a plethora of resumes on file, they excel at recruiting qualified, suitable candidates for your business. But they don’t just offer placement services - they will hire, train, manage (and fire if necessary), your placements for you! West Rock Inc. has extensive field and management experience, and works with a commissioned group of safety professionals to ensure safety compliance at all times. They provide flexible contracts, including hourly, monthly, as well as long-term and short-term contracts. Just one call does it all for your HR needs! Visit www.westrockoc.com for contact information.
Sky Nails
Walk-ins welcome
• Airbrush Design • Pedicure • Gel Nail • Polish Change • Waxing • Acrylic Nail • Manicure
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South 40 Common • June 2015 #103, 10716-82 Avenue Ph 780 532-3201 Mon-Fri: 10:30 am - 8:00 pm Sat: 10:30 am - 6:00 pm Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Offering DIRECT Billing Book your appointment online at auroraeyecare.ca
maximstorage.ca
7701 Resources Road Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0N1 B 780.538.3288 F 780.538.3256 info@maximstorage.ca
We are Grande Prairie’s Self-Storage Specialists • 700 Units • Secure • Heated and Regular • Documents • 25-630 sq ft • Moving Supplies • Indoor RV Storage Now managing Fly’N’ Stor at the GP Airport. Call for more info.
We Always Welcome New Patients Managed by
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214 PLACE • NORDIC COURT • O’BRIEN PLACE SHANE MUDRYK General Manager Phone 780 539.4015 Email smudryk@gppe.ca www.gppe.ca Local Businesses to International Corporations call our buildings home - you can too!
Business Innovation Group Operations | Finances | HR | Marketing | Training Specialists for EVERY business need Learn more: bigbizgrowth.com
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Political David Corner Biltek
Notely is like all successful Alberta Premiers, a centrist. As Lougheed and others before her have, she will govern from the centre. She cannot do all the things many people fear. This fear comes from people who do not think clearly or thoroughly about Alberta politics. So then what will she do? She will do all the tough things first. Raise corporate taxes, revise royalties, and she will also introduce some environmental standards. All which should have been done many years ago. Standards which will serve our province well. These standards will help clear the way for pipelines. Much of the opposition to pipelines which will help Alberta’s finances, come as a result of our weak or non-existent and unenforced environmental standards. Notley, recognizes this. The first Premier in over two decades who does. The NEW Democrats will also enjoy enhanced revenues which will permit them to do all they have promised for schools and our social fabric. The revenues will flow from royalties that have not been paid by oil sands companies who have enjoyed a royalty holiday until their capital costs were paid. These royalty ‘holidays’ will start to cease in 2016 and every year after. The
“She cannot do all the things many people fear. This fear comes from people who do not think clearly or thoroughly about Alberta politics.“ amounts are staggering with upwards of 5 billion dollars annually. This new found money, along with higher corporate taxes, new royalties, and savings in expenditures will give Rachel Notley all the money she needs to fund new initiatives as well as refurbish the much abused Heritage Fund. What else? For many years the PC warlords have ruled this province. Warlords? Recall Goss, an Edmonton lawyer and businessman. Goss was one of the five businessmen in Edmonton who spoke publically against the evils of the NEW Democrats, and had even threatened pulling support for charitable causes (like the Stollery Children’s Hospital) if the NEW Democrats were elected. Their impact was the exact opposite of what they expected. Goss is the Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta appointed by the former PC government
and a fund raiser for the PCs. He is one of many such people across this province who controlled public institutions on behalf of the government. They and their warlord brethren exerted much power in this province. Colleges, universities, regulators, health boards, and more were all filled with PC appointees. These people had some influence not necessarily because of ability or knowledge, but because of association. Over the next four years their influence will fade as the NEW Democrats appoint others. Initially the NEW Democrat appointments will be based on merit, but if they are around as long as the PCs they too will fall into the same patronage appointments. These are among the many changes this province will see. Will it be good or better? As long as the people come firstyes, but the people will need to be vigilant.
A Look
Political Corner of Alberta Politics Dan Wong Getting people interested in any level of politics is a difficult task in our apathetic society. Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in and Alberta is arguably the most prosperous province in the nation. In the last two decades, we’ve seen unprecedented levels of growth and prosperity under the rule of the Progressive Conservative government. However, we’ve also seen unprecedented levels of recession at the hands of the same government. Whether there is a direct cause and effect relationship between the boom-bust cycles and government decision making is debatable, but one thing is for sure, everyone is frustrated with our rollercoaster economy. The Alberta provincial election topped out at around 58% voter turnout at the polls. This rate of voter participation hasn’t been reached in a couple of decades. In spite of the record numbers, it remains difficult to really engage people in meaningful political discussions because of Alberta’s demographic of a relatively young population. I can empathize with the general population because it wasn’t that long ago that I knew very little about the governments that run our lives, despite never missing an election since I was old enough to vote. This led me to an entertaining conservation I had with some friends regarding the importance of staying informed about current events. It’s now 2015, the year that Doc Brown and Marty McFly travel into the future, in the movie Back to the Future. The time machine they use for their travel is a DeLorean with the time controls set to three dates in October of 1955, 1985 and 2015. Once the car reaches 88 miles per hour, they are transported to the
same place in one of these different times. Now hypothetically, if it were you that was transported to one of these time periods, what would your experience be like? When I was in high school, I was completely ignorant about world events and politics, although academically I did well in my Social Studies class. If I was transported into the past, it would be unlikely that I could even prove to anyone that I was from the future. I couldn’t tell them who the next Premier of the province would be or even who the Prime Minister was at that time. Ok, if it were 1985, I could probably get the answers right, but in 1955 I wouldn’t stand a chance. You would think that a person could really benefit from knowledge of the future. I would tell people about the wonderful technology that was yet to be invented, but the extent of my knowledge on those topics would only make me sound like I had a vivid imagination. In fact, other than knowing to invest in Google, Microsoft and Apple and staying away from Nortel, Exxon and Enron, I wouldn’t have enough information about important dates where pivotal events happened to really make a difference in my life. So getting back to the original scenario, which of those three dates are the most appealing to you? 1955 was a much simpler time in the world, but it lacked a lot of the conveniences we are all accustomed to. So the choices are really late 1985 and 2015. These dates are relevant to examine because they represent the extreme changes in Alberta politics. 1985 was the beginning of a growing Alberta economy in the middle of the PC government dynasty. 2015 is the beginning of the NDP government and by October, we should get a clearer picture of
their plan for Alberta. If you’re a business owner or work in the corporate environment, 1985 may seem more appealing because the Progressive Conservatives believe that a strong free market will lead to prosperity. If you’re in public service, you may choose 2015 because the New Democrats favour government control and a strong social system to benefit the general population. There’s no right or wrong answer here, but the fact that these are diametrically opposing ideologies makes the choice really interesting. There are so many questions that are begging to be answered now. Was Alberta’s political landscape forever changed by the historic loss by the Progressive Conservative government to the New Democratic Party? And how is it that a dynasty which lasted 44 years so resoundingly defeated at the hands of a party that was barely a blip on Alberta’s radar until early this spring? About a month has passed since the election and the dust has settled on those questions, which garnered a lot of excitement earlier, but now seem moot. Yes, the pendulum that was once stuck to the right, has now swung to the left. However, these aren’t the extreme left and right wing governments that we learned about in school. In the same way you couldn’t call the PC Party, a dictatorship, you can’t call the NDP, socialists. Both parties tend to center their ideologies in a pragmatic way in order to operate a functional government. I’ll use the analogy of driving the DeLorean down the road. If you stay too far to the left or right without correcting your course, you won’t make it to 88 miles an hour without crashing the car along the way. The one thing I’ll say about the election in
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May is that it centered around a desire for change. Every party was basing their platform on change… including the existing government. Change is what the people wanted and change is what they got. There are many reasons why the NDP candidates were elected, but the problem is that many people wanted change so badly, they didn’t even bother to research the background of the local representatives they were voting for. The election was as much about ousting the existing government from power as it was about supporting the NDP. In short, the electorate felt that we needed a major course correction to get us back on track.
“The only thing that is constant is change.” – Heraclitus of Ephesos As disruptive as this pivotal change in government is, I don’t believe it has to be seen in a negative light. Change is positive because it’s part of an evolutionary process that makes us better – the best policies survive, the weak die off, and areas that need to be reformed will get fixed. Let’s face it, the
Transform light into beauty.
Alberta government needed to be reformed because it failed to connect with its people on so many levels. In business, disruptive forces are a natural part of the landscape. The same can be said about government: regimes change hands, there are winners and losers, and politicians are forced to stay abreast of the issues that are important to those living in the province. In Alberta, the political ebb and flow that is supposed to happen, hadn’t taken place in 44 years and that led to a stretching of liberties and perception of arrogance on behalf of the PC Party. Evolution is the reason why industries like smart phone technology, bitumen extraction in the oilsands, digital data management and a host of others have thrived over the years. Those industries created disruptive forces that led to the extinction of older technologies and weaker competition. In the end, the market adapted and a new equilibrium was reached. Alberta will also find its equilibrium and adapt to that environment. In the short-term, there is a lack of confidence in the economy by investors. Oil prices hit some of their lowest levels in over a
decade, economic recovery of North America is happening at a slower pace than we’d like and just when we think things are going well, we hit another downturn. Alberta is a tenuous place for investors – even those risktakers who had previously done extremely well are now looking at Alberta with a new found scepticism. The main issue is that new government creates an unknown factor for business and that leads to greater uncertainty in uncertain times. The number one priority for this new government should be to make its policy intentions clear so that everyone understands the rules by which they must operate. When answering the question of which time period to travel to, I tend to lean towards the future. Life is only exciting if you’re moving ahead. I hold out for the leadership under Premier Rachel Notley and hope that she has learned the lessons of the past from her predecessors in other provinces. Alberta is a unique province with the potential to be an economic world leader. Let’s all give our Premier the benefit of the doubt and pray we won’t need to build a flux capacitor anytime in the future.
250 Rebate when you purchase Silhouette with UltraGlide .
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JH Interiors Window Coverings Specialist Grande Prairie, AB 780-882-8698 judhein@gmail.com
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Find us on Facebook fb.me/JHInteriorsGP Complimentary Consultations Effective from May 1st to August 31st, 2015. † Purchase a minimum of 4 Silhouette® with UltraGlide® and receive a $250 rebate. Also, when you purchase any number of these additional shades, you’ll receive an extra $50 for each. Valid at participating retailers only. The rebate will be issued in the form of a Hunter Douglas Prepaid American Express® Gift Card. THE PROMOTION CARD is a trademark of The Hunt Group. All Rights Reserved. THE PROMOTION CARD is a Prepaid American Express® Card issued by Amex Bank of Canada®. Used by Amex Bank of Canada under license from American Express.
Valhalla Creamery Picnic, August 14, 1934. Description: A few of the 500 picnickers outside the Community Hall on the occasion of the Valhalla Creamery picnic. Summer picnics were important events in the community, a chance to get together for a break from summer work. This one was sponsored by the Valhalla Creamery, which purchased cream from the neighbouring farms and employed many people to make butter, haul firewood and cut ice, and transport cream and butter between farmers, customers and area markets. This photograph was taken by W.D. Albright, Director of the Beaverlodge Experimental Station.
History at a glance
Visit us online for upcoming events
museum facebook.com/G.P.Museum
Grande Prairie Museum Muskoseepi Park Mon-Fri: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Sat-Sun: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Phone: 780.830.7090
Heritage Discovery Centre Centre 2000 Mon-Fri: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Sat & Sun: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Phone: 780.532.5790
COMMUNITY SUMMER 2015
Your source for things to do in Grande Prairie.
Watch for our Fall issue August 19, 2015
Visit us online at cityofgp.com/communityconnections
for the Sky
We’re giving away another trip this summer! Details Det tails at reachfm.ca Conteest Dates: Contest July 6 - August 29, 2015
T R O P S S A P
rreachfm.ca eachfm.ca
Entertainment Spotlights
JUNE
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POMEROY GUITARS & WAGONS June 18-21 Evergreen Park
Pomeroy Guitars and Wagons weekend has a weekend filled with rodeo action, chuckwagon races and great family entertainment! Lineup includes: Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker, Smash Mouth and headliners - visit www.guitarsandwagons.com SIZZLING SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE June 20 Evergreen Park
There will be street displays, demonstrations and sales tables will make shopping, browsing or just wandering a delight. 100 Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from 99 Street to 102 Street. YOGURTY’S SENIORS CLASSIC June 28 The Dunes Golf & Winter Club
Photo: Mike Bowen
Join us for a great day of golf at the 2015 Yogurty’s Seniors’ Classic. Golf, prizes and a day to get together with friends. Open to men and ladies 50 and up. Handicap is required. If you don’t have one the Pro Shop can help you calculate one from previous rounds. For more information or to register call us at 780-538-4333, visit thedunes.ca/seniors-classic or email golf@thedunes.ca. Cost to register is $60 for members and $80 for non-members. July events at The Dunes include the McLean & Shaw Mens’ Open July 11-12 and The Dunes Ladies’ Challenge July 18-19.
Looking for more events? Visit gpsmartguide.com
JULY
Photo: Wayne Ayling
GOODEATS FOOD TOURS July and August
What is a GoodEats Food Tour? We are bursting with food, fun and culinary adventure. Our food tours are packed with Grande Prairie's best chefs/owners, restaurants, and their delicious food and beverages. We’ll make 6 to 8 fun stops on each tour at a leisurely pace – all the while learning about the restaurants and Grande Prairie along the way. Come hungry for food, fun and adventure and take away the gift of discovery and lasting connections in the wonderfully warm community that is Grande Prairie’s bustling food scene. Book the tour online at www.goodeatsgp.ca or call 780-402-1157 THE GRANDE PRAIRIE STREET PERFORMERS FESTIVAL July 17-19 Downtown Grande Prairie
Come out and enjoy family friendly entertainment all weekend long. There will be professional street entertainers from all over the world showing off their unique talents. Performances are on Friday 4:30pm-10pm, Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 11am- 6pm with the Grand Finale Circle starting at 5pm. For more information www.gpstreetfest.com EAST COAST GARDEN PARTY July 24-25 South Bear Creek Park
Two days of rock & celtic music filled with hospitality that you can only find in Grande Prairie! Located at the South Peace Ball Diamonds. Friday’s entertainment includes Kenny Shields and Streetheart, The Privateers, and legendary Kim Mitchel! Then Saturday the rock continues with headliner’s, THE TREWS! www.eastcoastgardenparty.com
SPURSDAY THURSDAYS
Local talent performing live every Thursday Open to all bands and solo performers! 780.831.7320 11920-100 Street • Grande Prairie
y a D a d Cana
June 30th: 8 pm-Midnight
The Canada Day celebrations start at 8:00pm on June 30th and take place in Muskoseepi Park. The entertainment and activities include: • Amphitheatre stage live entertainment • Food vendors • Kids activities
Fireworks at Midnight!
Fireworks at midnight over the reservoir (wind and weather dependant).
July 1st Parade: 1-2:30 pm
The Canada Day Parade begins at 1:00pm on July 1 at 94th St and 108th Ave. The floats will turn left off of 108th Ave onto 96th St and then right off of 96th St onto 100th Ave. The parade will continue all the way down 100th Ave and will disband at GPRC.
You are welcome to bring your lawn chairs so you can sit comfortably while you enjoy the Canada Day Parade; we just ask that everyone stays off the streets at all times to ensure the safety of all parade participants and spectators.
July 1st Celebration in the Park: 2:30 pm-6 pm
Once the parade comes to an end we welcome everyone to Muskoseepi Park to enjoy the rest of the Canada Day Celebration. The Canada Day activities include: • • • • • •
Food vendors 2 stages of entertainment Children’s activities Community booths Canada Day Cake Face painting
Canada Day will be filled with lots of entertainment and fun; you won’t want to miss out!
Please Note: There will be NO PARKING in the park on June 30th & July 1st.
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Places in Grande Prairie
AUCTIONEERS Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Ritchie Bros. is the world’s largest industrial auctioneer. From humble beginnings we've grown to serve equipment buyers and sellers all over the world. How? By staying focused on great customer service and our commitment to unreserved public auctions. 721076 Re Rd 51, County of Grande Prairie, T8X 4G1 P 780-357-3612 TF 1-800-491-4494 • www.rbauction.com BUSINESS SERVICES Business Innovation Group Our services include COACHING; is a teaching or training process in which an individual gets support while learning to achieve a specific goal. HUMAN RESOURCE SOLUTIONS; As your Human Resources Department we will help your business recruit, hire and develop high performance teams. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT; We provide workshops and seminar's aimed to better the performance of individuals and groups. CONSULTING; Our professional advice and services are available on an hourly and project basis. #111-10530-117 Ave 2nd Floor T8V 7N7 P 780-538-4699 F 780-538-4799 bigadmin@businnovationgrp.com • www.bigbizgrowth.com Order for life Order For Life works with homeowners to clear the clutter and establish organizational systems that work with the way you think to ensure success in maintaining your sense of order for years to come! The professional organizer wears "kid gloves" and works at a pace in which you, the client, are comfortable. My goal is to teach you the skills and knowledge to become self-sufficient in your organized world and maintain your healthy new lifestyle. 9749-124 Avenue T8V 7K8 P 780-831-8016 Bernadette@orderforlife.ca • www.orderforlife.ca CAR & TRUCK DEALERSHIPS Norlan Chrysler Norlan Chrysler has proudly been serving the Peace Country for over 25 years as the only locally owned and operated Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram retailer. We know that there are a lot of options for people out there when it comes to purchasing their new vehicle. That's why here at Nor-Lan we do everything we can to put the customer first and make sure first and foremost the customers experience is top notch every time. We are not an auto group, we are not a corporation, we are a locally owned and operated business which continues to operate under the same principles we started on- hard work, honesty, and integrity. Come check us out and see for yourself why Nor-Lan is the premier destination for you Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram products and also select from our huge pre-owned department. 12517-100 Street P 780-539-5200 F 780-532-1741 • www.norlanchrysler.com COMMUNITY NON-PROFITS Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau The Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau Association (GPVSB) is the heartbeat of our community’s voluntary sector. We work collaboratively with individuals, non-profits, educational institutions, workplace volunteer programs, and the Alternative Measures Program, to develop a vibrant, growing community that cares. #103, 9823-116 Avenue T8V 4B4 P 780-538-2727 F 780-539-5986 director@gpvsb.com • www.gpvsb.com DENTISTS South Dental 40 South 40 Dental is a state-of-the-art facility, providing comprehensive care in a warm, relaxing atmosphere. Offering direct billing, sedation dentistry, same day (CEREC) crown restorations, implants, extractions, cosmetic adult braces, and so much more, all in one convenient location! #103-10712-80 Avenue T8W OG9 P 780-539-4222 F 780-539-4208 admin@south40dental.com • www.south40dental.com ENTERTAINMENT Muskoseepi Park Muskoseepi Park is composed of many areas through the heart of the city. Programs, events, special facilities and so much more is located within the park. Centennial park is home to the park pavilion with operations ran out of it. 102 Avenue & 100 Street P 780-538-0451 • www.cityofgp.com Rio Grande Rodeo Celebrating it’s 99th year- July 1-3 , if you want to see a real rodeo that includes chucks and family activities. Beer garden entertainers include Brad Sims & Tracy Millar this year. Camping is available. Directions to the Rio Grande Rodeo Grounds and Rio Grande Hall www.riogranderodeo.ca GOLF COURSES The Dunes Golf & Winter Club Lush fairways complimented by immaculate greens edged with elegant spires of jack pine & spruce defines The Dunes - northern Alberta’s premier golf course. With views of the Wapiti River valley and glimpses of natural wildlife this 18 Hole public course is as picturesque as challenging. Located on Resources Rd, 4km south of City limits. 60042 TWP RD 704A County of GP No.1 T8W 5K2 P 780-538-4333 F 780-532-9101 golf@thedunes.ca • www.thedunes.ca www.facebook.com/dunesgolfclub HOME DECOR JH Interiors JH Interiors is your local window covering specialist, offering custom-made Hunter Douglas blinds and shades. For superior service, competitive pricing, and complimentary in-home consultations, call Judy at 780-882-8698, or email judhein@gmail.com. Visit our website - www.jhinteriorsgp.com., or check us out on Facebook! 4822-94 Street, T8W 2G7 P 780-882-8698 • judhein@gmail.com • www.jhinteriorsgp.com HOUSING The Residence at Points West Living Seniors living at its best, The Residence has 62 Independent Supportive Living suites which are barrier-free, comfortable with full kitchens and a variety of floor plans to choose from.
The Residence at Points West attracts seniors who want to maintain their lifestyle in a secure and supportive environment. We enable maximum mobility, with features like roll-in showers, evening meals and extra wide corridors 11460 - 104 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3G9 P 780-357-5706 F 780-357-5710 joanne.freeman@pointswestliving.com • www.pointswestliving.com JEWELLERS Eternity Fine Jewellery & Heirlooms Eternity Fine Jewellery & Heirlooms has become a fixture of downtown Grande Prairie. Locals know it as a friendly place to shop, chat, and dream out loud. We shape our business around three core principles; No Selling. Fit Matters, & Relationships First. Our regular hours are 10:00am - 5:30pm Monday to Friday, and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday. 9918 100 Avenue P 780-538-8427 • www.eternityjewellery.ca MORTGAGE BROKERS The Mortgage Centre-Sky Financial Corporation Let the experts at Mortgage Centre find the right mortgage that saves you money today and helps you build your financial security tomorrow! 206-10134-97 Avenue T8V 7X6 P 780-532-4065 • www.mortgagecentre.com MOTORCYCLE DEALERS Mighty Peace Harley Davidson Harley-Davidson of Grande Prairie is dedicated to building lifelong friendships throughout the Peace region. We aspire to fill ‘your’ Harley-Davidson dreams by providing trusted, personalized customer service. We welcome you to join our family! 12401 - 99 Street, T8V6Y5 P 780-882-8883 • info@mphd.ca • www.mphd.ca OPTOMETRISTS Aurora Eye Centre At Aurora Eye Care you will find a team of caring professionals led by Dr. Pamela Giles, Dr. Kyla Hunter and Dr. Kent Manville. They offer direct billing to a number of insurance companies, and invite you to come in and visit their brand new facility. Call (780) 513-2020 to book your appointment today! #101-9920-92 Street, T8X 0E7 P 780-513-2020 • www.auroraeyecare.ca PUBS & SPORTS BARS Crown & Anchor The Crown & Anchor Public House is proud to be the only local bar to offer entertainment 6 nights a week. Check out our entertainer schedule at www.crownandanchorgp.ca to mark your favorites or show off your talent at Karaoke on Sundays. Stop by for dinner and enjoy one of the daily specials. 8022-100 Street P 780-532-5444 crownandanchor1@hotmail.com www.crownandanchorgp.ca
REALTORS Sutton Group - Marnie Young P 780-518-4337 youngm@sutton.com • www.myrealestateagentgp.ca Turning your dreams into an address! Sutton Group - Donna Wilson P 780-228-2224 donna@donnawilson.ca • www.donnawilson.ca Personal. Professional. Patient. RETAIL Prairie Mall The largest indoor retail shopping centre in northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia. In operation since March, 1975, the Prairie Mall has become the predominant shopping centre in northwestern Alberta, with over 90 merchants of local, national, and international roots. Open 7 days a week, with the only exceptions being Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Easter Sunday. 11801-100 Street T8V 3Y2 P 780-532-1810 • www.shopprairiemall.com The Bed Shoppe The Bed Shoppe specializes in sales of mattress sets from many top mattress manufacturers, carrying the largest mattress selection in the Peace Country. They also handle bedroom furniture in all price ranges and qualities, a full Futon gallery within the store and a great selection of iron and wood beds. Stop in today or check us out online at www.bedshoppe.ca. 10102-100 Avenue, T8V 0V5 P 780-814-7161 • www.bedshoppe.ca SPA Sky Nails & Spa Ready to get pampered ? A variety of spa services offered from nails to pedicures we have it –great services- great prices 10009A 100Avenue P 780-532-3201 • www.skynails.ca STORAGE FACILITIES Maxim Storage Inc. Grande Prairie’s storage solution! Full line of moving supplies. Whether you are moving, looking for a home storage solution or need storage for your business, Maxim is here to help meet your storage needs! We offer a variety of storage solutions...Heated storage units, RV storage in enclosed units only, Unheated storage units, business documents/stock storage, Full line of moving and packing supplies. Our friendly and helpful staff is always available to help get you started! 7701 Resources Rd, T8V 0N1 P 780-538-3288 info@maximstorage.ca • www.maximstorage.ca
RADIO STATIONS 107.2 2DAY FM Playing 2 Day’s hits!! Join MY GRANDE PRAIRIE REWARDS.com for exclusive members only content like....Fun games, access to the best seats at concerts, contests, and the opportunity to influence the music we play! Your community station! #1-110002-104 Avenue, T8V 7W5 P 780-357-1047 F 780-830-7815 www.104.72dayfm.ca 96.3 REACH FM 96.3 Reach FM is your source for the latest news, sports, weather and the best in Contemporary Christian music that is safe and relevant for the whole family. We’re all about Grande Prairie and area and the families that live here. 96.3 Reach FM – Radio for Life. Online at www.reachfm.ca. #111-10530-117 Avenue P 780-830-7640 F 780-830-7636 office@reachfm.ca www.reachfm.ca REAL ESTATE LEASING & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Grande Prairie Place Enterprises Grande Prairie Place Enterprises understands what people want in buildings and has been getting acquainted with business leaders since 1996. For your convenience, Grande Prairie Place Enterprises is located on the main floor of 214 Place. Local businesses to international corporations call our buildings homeyou can too! Leases available for 214 Place, Nordic Court, O’Brien Place, and the Professional building. For a list of preferred suppliers, contractors, and designers, we can assist you to customize your new space to ensure your office is brought to life in an exceptional fashion. 214 Place - 9909 102 Street P 780-539-4015 F 780-539-0644 www.gppe.ca
W W W. S H O P P R A I R I E M A L L . C O M
@2DAYFMGP
2DAYFM GP
2DAYFMGP
Two Names You Can Trust for Honest Answers Sutton Group of Grande Prairie Professionals An Independent Broker
DONNA WILSON
MARNIE YOUNG
REALTOR速 Ph: 780.228.2224 Email: donna@donnawilson.ca www.donnawilson.ca Personal. Professional. Patient
s e n u The D t Golf Smarway! Givea
REALTOR速 Ph: 780.518.4337 Email: youngm@sutton.com www.myrealestateagentgp.ca Turning your dreams into an address
Facebook Prizes Watch for giveaways at fb.me/dunesgolfclub or fb.me/gpsmartguide Comment and share for your chance to win!
Grand P G Prize
Enter starting April 15, 2015 Visit thedunes.ca/giveaway Visit our website for full contest details
Draw Date: Sept 15, 2015 18 holes of golf with cart, dinner in The Masters Lounge with a beverage for 2. $150 Gift Card from our Pro Shop (Approximate value: $400. Can be used for the 2015 or 2016 golf season)
July 1-4,2015
Rio GRANDE R ODEO 99th Annual open Entry Rodeo
Horse and chuckwagon races
July 1 and 2 Regular Rodeo Performances Two Single Day Format (added each day) Wednesday July 1 and Thursday July 2 at 1 pm
FLAT RACES - July 1, 2, 3 - 11 am • Walk • Trot & Run • Ladies Race • Pony Race • Stock Horse Race • Cowhide Race • 1/2 Mile Open Special Feature
• • • • • • •
Bareback Saddle Bronc Bull Riding Calf Roping Team Roping Ladies Barrels Ladies Undecorating
• • • • • •
Novice Horse Riding Junior Barrels Junior Steel Riding Junior Break-Away Peewee Barrels Junior Bull Riding
Little Britches Junior Rodeo July 3 at 12:30 pm Telephone entries accepted ONLY on June 24 and 25, 9 am - 5 pm Alberta Time to 780-354-3064 Online Entries accepted anytime from June 17 to 24 at riogranderodeo.ca/events/entry-form • • • •
Wild Horse Race Wild Cow Milking Calf Scramble Mutton Bustin (Helmets Required)
Entered at the Rodeo Office Daily by 10 am WCA & All Pro Chuckwagon Races July 1 - 3 at 6:30 pm July 4 at 2 pm
BEER GARDENS Dance to the music of recording artists:
Tracey millar and brad sims July 1, 2, and 3 9:30 pm - 1:30 am $10 at the door
FEATURED ITEM - BULL SCRAMBLE Enter at the Rodeo Office Daily All entries paid by cash or debit only Credit cards and cheques not accepted
Adults:
$20/day $50 for a 4 Day Pass Children: 11-14 yrs $8/day $20 for 4 Days Children 10 and under are free
20 Miles Southwest of Beaverlodge
Ridin’, Ropin’ & Racin’ Since 1916
Nor-Lan
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 12517 - 100th Street • Grande Prairie, AB 780.539.5200 • norlanchrysler.com
We will take
anything in trade!
Quads / Ski-Doos / Trailers Motorcycles / Middle Children
WE WILL TAKE IT! (Okay maybe not middle children)
Chri Chris ris is Jones Joness Jone
Curt Cu Curtis rti tis is Jones Jon ones es
Brenna Bren Brennan nan n Jones Joness Jone
Breann Brea Breanne nne e Bowers Bowers Bowe rs
Same values and Great Service
ONLY YOUNGER!