Why put us through this divisive process for a referendum and cause further divisions in this province where family members won’t even talk to each other anymore?
Caucasian Christians
“I can only imagine what type of government we will have based on what they are saying,” ruefully noted Lukaszuk. “The proponents of separatism, like Bruce McAllister, who is the Premier’s chief of staff for southern Alberta, said that this new Alberta should only allow people into this new country that are of Judeo-Christian backgrounds, which means Caucasian Christians. It’s a very skittish way of saying we don’t want any Muslims, we don’t want anybody who isn’t white.”
That the separatist blueprint subtly addresses race and religion disturbs Lukaszuk, who points out that a unilingual Alberta republic would be detrimental to minority citizens. “They were very clear that they envision a unilingual province, which means the Francophone community would lose all of their language rights, and all of us who speak other languages would not be supported,” he added. “The Charter of Rights and Freedoms that we all have as Canadians would no longer apply to us.”
Also no longer applicable, according to Lukaszuk, would be the economic benefits to Alberta, should the cord be cut. Until other countries recognize Alberta as an independent nation, he believes agricultural and energy products would lose access to outside markets and vital ports, many of which would take years to negotiate.
“In the meantime, some of these five million Albertans would probably pack up and leave, while others would be stuck in this no man’s land,” he added. “And let’s be honest, they’re not pushing for separatism; they know this would become the 51st state almost immediately.”
Canadian Precedent
So far, separatists and their opponents have held several rallies across the province over the past several months. And while there have been no reports of violence at any of these events, Lukaszuk warned of the possibility that tensions could percolate, citing a Canadian precedent from the 1970s.
“Why put us through this divisive process for a referendum and cause further divisions in this province where family members won’t even talk to each other anymore?” he asked.
“We saw how this can spin out of control. When separatists in Quebec were planning separatism during the FLQ crisis, nobody anticipated kidnappings and murders, but things tend to get out of control when people get overly emotional. Some people can simply go one step too far.”
As Lukaszuk and his supporters await what type of referendum question will appear on the fall ballot, the Forever Canadian organization is shifting gears to focus on more community outreach. In March, it struck a partnership with Association Canadienne-française de l’Alberta, which represents the province’s Francophone community.
Promotional Campaign
Volunteers are slated to circulate among the public to sign up on Forever Canadian’s website to receive additional information about the cause and updates on forthcoming events. There’s also a promotional campaign in the works to dispatch facts and figures to counteract what Lukaszuk believes is a plethora of misinformation surrounding separation and what the province would miss if it goes independent.
“I hope that we start focusing on what really matters and what’s important,” he said.
“And I really hope that we remind ourselves of what made us normal. And what made us the most desirable province in the most desirable country in the world. And remind ourselves of our compassion and our core values, which meant helping each other, welcoming people, helping them stand on their own feet and become contributing Albertans.” t8n
DIRTY DRINKING
Pop culture takes a swig on a sullied soda
BY: GENE KOSOWAN
JUST WHEN CLEAN living has become the norm, along comes a filthy concoction to mess things up. It arrives in the form of a carbonated beverage that, fortunately, is unsanitary in name only. Imbibers have gleefully dubbed the drink "dirty soda," which, over the past year, has become a viral, thirst-quenching sensation.
Describing dirty soda might be a tougher challenge than enjoying it, however, since the drink can be served in literally hundreds of combinations. Canada’s Sip Soda Company, for openers, has more than 90 selections on its drink menu, but despite all the permutations, it follows a basic formula.
CITY
BEST LOCAL ARTS EVENT
International Children’s Festival of the Arts
stalbert.ca/exp/childfest
BEST LOCAL FAMILY EVENT
International Children’s Festival of the Arts stalbert.ca/exp/childfest
BEST PUBLIC SPACE
Lions Park
stalbert.ca/rec/parks/places/parks/lions-park
BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR SKATING
Lions Park
stalbert.ca/rec/parks/places/parks/lions-park
BEST HIDDEN GEM
Breadlove breadlove.ca
BEST POLITICIAN
Marie Renaud marierenaud.albertandp.ca
BEST NON-PROFIT
LoSeCa Foundation loseca.ca
BEST PRESCHOOL
Tot Spot Academy totspotacademy.com
BEST DAY CARE
SIGIS Child Care Society sigischildcare.ca
BEST TUTORING BUSINESS
Kuman Math and Reading Centre kumon.com/st-albert
BEST PLACE OF WORSHIP
Holy Family Parish holyfamily.caedm.ca
BUSINESS
BEST NEW BUSINESS
Hot Coffee Café and Play hotcoffeecafe.ca
To the St. Albert Community,
The LoSeCa Foundation would like to thank everyone who voted us T8N Magazine’s “Best Non-profit”, for 7th year in a row. We are so happy to have so much support and recognition for what we do from the members of our community. We have been supporting adults with developmental disabilities for 34 years now, and we will continue to focus on improving the quality of life for everyone who comes into our care for years to come. We consider ourselves lucky to have such an amazing team of staff and volunteers who are the keys to our success.
Thank you!
1-215 Carnegie Drive, St. Albert
Located right above our I’m Unique Thrift Store. Come check out our shop—all proceeds go to support the individuals we serve.
BEST LOCAL EMPLOYER
SIGIS Child Care Society sigischildcare.ca
BEST BUSINESS DECOR
Simone & Ivy Interiors simoneandivy.ca
BEST BUSINESS WEBSITE
The Ranch Pet Care theranchpetcare.com
BEST BUSINESS SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Elle’s Boutique ellesboutique.ca
BEST NEW AUTO DEALER
St. Albert Dodge stalbertdodge.com
BEST AUTO SERVICE
St. Albert Tune Up & Brake Auto Centre stalberttuneupbrake.com
BEST DENTAL CLINIC Generations Family Dentist generationsfamilydental.ca
BEST OPTOMETRISTS
Dr. Angela Morley sturgeonvisioncentre.com
BEST MEDICAL CLINIC Grandin Medical Clinic grandinclinic.com
BEST SPA
Off the Hook Laser and Spa offthehooklaserandspa.com
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST Cheryl-Lynn McKinnon lovewithinpregnancymassage.com
BEST NAIL SPA - TIE
Nail Nerd Studio nailnerdstalbert.com
Lustry Nails lustrynail.com
BEST FITNESS CLUB Planet Fitness planetfitness.ca
FOOD & BEVERAGE
BEST BREAKFAST
Toast Breakfast and Lunch toastbl.ca
BEST BRUNCH Toast Breakfast and Lunch toastbl.ca
BEST COFFEE SHOP
La Crema Caffe facebook.com/lacremacaffesta
BEST BAKERY (BREAD, BUNS, ETC.)
Grandin Bakery grandinbakery.ca
BEST BAKERY (SWEETS, COOKIES, CUPCAKES, ETC.) Mercato mercatofoods.com
BEST STEAKS
Riverbank Bistro riverbankbistro.ca
BEST SUSHI
Sushi Park sushipark.menu11.com/albert/order
BEST TAPAS
Bodega Tapas Bar bodegabysabor.ca/st-albert/
BEST SANDWICHES Mercato mercatofoods.com
BEST BURGERS
Jack’s Burger Shack jacksburgershack.ca
BEST FRIES McDonald’s mcdonalds.ca
BEST PIZZA
Nitza’s Pizza nitzaspizzastalbert.com
BEST PASTA
Nello’s Cucina Italiana nellosrestaurant.ca
BEST VEGETARIAN kb&co kbandcompany.com
BEST CHICKEN WINGS - TIE
Crown and Tower thecrownandtower.com
Central Social Hall centralsocialhall.com
Montana’s montanas.ca
BEST RESTAURANT DESSERTS
The Cajun House cajunhouse.net
BEST ICE CREAM SHOP
The Whole Scoop thewholescoop.ca
BEST TAKEOUT
The Wok House wokhousestalbert.com
BEST DINING EXPERIENCE (+ $20 / ENTRÉE)
Nineteen dinenineteen.com/st-albert/
BEST DINING EXPERIENCE (- $20 / ENTRÉE)
Nello’s Cucina Italiana nellosrestaurant.ca
BEST CHINESE Peking Way pekingwayalbert.com
BEST JAPANESE Sushi Park sushipark.menu11.com/albert/order
BEST THAI / VIETNAMESE Songkran Thai facebook.com/p/Songkran-ThaiRestaurant-61551246563465
BEST ITALIAN Sorrentino’s sorrentinos.com
BEST PUB Crown and Tower thecrownandtower.com
BEST NEW RESTAURANT Tutti Frutti Breakfast & Lunch tuttifruttidejeuners.com
BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT Argos Bar Bistro argosbarbistro.com
MOST INNOVATIVE MENU Argos Bar Bistro argosbarbistro.com
BEST WINE LIST (BY GLASS) Buco Pizzeria & Vino Bar bucopizzeria.com/st-albert
BEST WINE LIST (BY BOTTLE) Buco Pizzeria & Vino Bar bucopizzeria.com/st-albert
BEST BEER LIST (TAP) Endeavour Brewing endeavourbrewing.com
BEST BEER LIST (BY BOTTLE) Central Social Hall centralsocialhall.com
BEST SPORTS BAR Canadian Brewhouse thecanadianbrewhouse.com
BEST LATE NIGHT Central Social Hall centralsocialhall.com
BEST SERVICE Argos Bar Bistro argosbarbistro.com
BEST PATIO Canadian Brewhouse thecanadianbrewhouse.com
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN Argos Bar Bistro argosbarbistro.com
BEST ATMOSPHERE A Boutique Gallery Bar by Gracie Jane facebook.com/ aboutiquegallerybarbygraciejane
BEST KID FRIENDLY Boston Pizza bostonpizza.com
BEST WINE STORE Wine & Beyond wineandbeyond.ca
BEST BEER STORE Wine & Beyond wineandbeyond.ca
BEST CATERER Socrates socratesrestaurant.com
JUST FOR KICKS
International dishes to curb that World Cup appetite
BY: GLORIA GE-WEALD | PHOTOGRAPHY: GLORIA
ASSOCIATION
THE 23RD FIFA World Cup starts in June, so let’s celebrate with some dishes from competing nations! This year’s hosts are Canada, the United States and Mexico, but our taste buds will travel across both oceans in this tour of tantalizing, surprisingly easy-to-make, World Cup contender cuisine. Soccer players may have to push themselves to the extreme, but that doesn’t mean our FIFA-inspired cooking has to, too!
BEEF RIBS WITH ARGENTINIAN CHIMICHURRI
Traditionally, beef ribs are grilled, and chimichurri is made by chopping herbs very finely or grinding them in a mortar and pestle. This recipe may offer these tender ribs through the year-round available oven method, but one thing that remains traditionally Argentinian is that this recipe has no cilantro and instead contains fresh oregano.
Meat:
3 lbs. beef ribs
balsamic vinegar to coat olive oil to coat
1 tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. sea salt
1 heaping tbsp. garlic, crushed and minced (4-6 cloves)
Sauce:
1 c. parsley, finely chopped
1.5 tbsp. fresh oregano, minced (or 2 tbsp. dry)
1-2 hot red peppers, de-seeded and minced
1 heaping tbsp. minced garlic
3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 c. olive oil
Let the ribs come closer to room temperature if they have been chilling in the fridge. Preheat the oven to 265°F. Rinse, then fully dry the ribs. Coat and rub the ribs with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, black pepper, sea salt and minced garlic. Place in the dish or tray, then fully wrap the tray with at least two layers of tinfoil, if you aren’t using a lid. After an hour, reduce the oven to 250°F and roast for another 1.5 to two hours. Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes after taking them out of the oven.
If prepping the chimichurri sauce with a blender, just roughly chop the herbs. Place everything but the olive oil in the blender, blend briefly and then pour the olive oil slowly and evenly into the blender while all the other ingredients are spinning. If making it in the traditional way, chop everything very fine and then use a mortar and pestle to grind to your desired consistency. Keeps best if used within three days but will last for a week. Serve at room temperature.
GE-WEALD (THANKS TO THE ST. ALBERT SOCCER
FOR THE USE OF THEIR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, WHICH MADE THIS PHOTO SESSION POSSIBLE.)
PESTO DE PISTACHES (PISTACHIO PESTO)
Sicily, the island that's part of Italy (which just failed to make the World Cup roster), is home to Mount Etna and a plethora of regional specialties which blend Greek, Arab and Spanish traditions with Italian honour into a sweet-sour cuisine recognized as some of the brightest in the world. Pesto de Pistaches is one of those dishes. It is beautiful on pasta, and in risotto and sandwiches, with meats and whatever else you can think of!
1 c. pistachios
1/2 c. grated
1/2 c. rough chopped basil
1/2 c. + 2 tbsp.
extra virgin olive oil
1 large clove garlic
Combine all ingredients except the oil in a blender and then blend, then, slowly and evenly pour the olive oil into the blender while everything is still blending. Store in air-tight glass jar. Good for up to a week in the fridge and freezes well.
MISO SOUP
This is the quintessential daily dish of Japanese culture. Made from fermented soybeans and consumed at least once a day in most Japanese households, it holds a special place for digestive health and comfort alike. It may seem intimidating to make, having to buy specialty ingredients, but it really is so straightforward and satisfying that you may just catch on to this Japanese culinary habit!
2 tbsp. miso paste or powder
1.5 tsp. dashi powder
10-15 thinly sliced yellow onions
3 c. filter water
1 tsp. sliced green onions
Bring filtered water to a boil, add the yellow onion and dash powder in a small pot and simmer for 10 minutes, until onions are tender. Stir in the miso paste or powder, turn the burner off and stir until dissolved. Garnish with green onion slices.
FEIJOADA
The national dish of Brazil, feijoada is make in different variations all across the country. Its most authentic, oldest versions, though, are made with pig’s ears, tail and feet! Still, all across the country these days, even just a few good cuts of pork and salted beef will do. This version is a much quicker cooking, stripped-down version. By eliminating all the various pork cuts, we can cut the prep time way down. Brazilians may be aghast at this simple black bean and smoked sausage stew recipe, but it does take away hours of meat soaking and extra cooking time— and still hits the spot!
3 c. dried black beans
2 bay leaves
1/2 large orange
1 beef bouillon cube
1 large onion, finely chopped
12 cloves of garlic
2 tsp. cumin
1/2 c. cilantro, chopped
1-2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1-2 lb. smoked sausage
3-4 tbsp. of lard, tallow or coconut oil
Soak the black beans overnight in a large bowl, making sure to account for the expansion of the beans in amount of water and bowl size. After they’ve soaked, rinse the beans and place them in a large stock pot, covering them with at least a couple of inches of water and then bring to a boil for a half an hour. Add more filtered water, bay leaves, sea salt and orange pieces, bring to a boil again, then reduce to simmer for another 30 minutes. Add the cumin, cilantro, freshly ground black pepper and sliced smoked sausage and continue to simmer for another 1.5 hours.
MOUSSE AU CHOCOLAT (CHOCOLATE MOUSSE)
Super easy to make, this French dessert is rich, yet delicate and airy, lending to it a simple elegance that we have long associated with French cuisine. Normally, caster sugar is used, but since that is just technically an ultra-fine sugar, here we just create our own. Coconut sugar will give it a more caramel flavour and a healthier edge, but any sugar you have on hand and can grind will do!
100 g. high-quality chocolate bar
2 large eggs
3 tsp. extra-fine ground coconut sugar boiling water to need
Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-safe medium bowl. Bring about an inch of water to a boil in a large pan, then turn off the burner. Place the heat-safe bowl in the pan with the hot water and stir until the chocolate is melted. This slow way ensures the chocolate doesn’t burn. Set aside. Separate the egg whites from the yolks, making sure not to get any of the yolks into the large mixing bowl with egg whites. Grind the sugar until it is very fine.
Whisk the egg whites with an electric whisk until they form gentle peaks. Add in the ground sugar and whisk for another minute, until the whites are glossy. Add the egg yolks to the melted chocolate one at a time, adding splashes of boiling water to the blend as you go if it seizes up. This is totally normal!
Add about a third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture and whisk until it is combined, then add this chocolate mixture into the large bowl with the remaining egg whites and fold until combined. Don’t overdo it or the mousse will lose air. Pour into individual ramekins or one large dish and chill for a minimum of four hours before serving. Keeps well for up to three days.
WITH THE WORLD today increasingly getting buried in chaos, Pantone recently introduced a shade designed to lift us into the clouds and perhaps add some peace and tranquility to the planet. The colour pundits recently introduced PANTONE 11-4201, otherwise known as Cloud Dancer, designed to stimulate relaxation and focus for the sake of creativity.
“Cloud Dancer is where function and feeling intertwine to build atmospheres of serenity and spaciousness, providing a refuge of visual cleanliness that inspires well-being,” said the organization in a release.
Here’s a look at a few items that fit the bill.
One Man’s Treasure, 4912-50 Ave., Stony Plain
LOOX theatrical contacts (
Crescent Moon Curio Shoppe, 319 McLeod Ave., Spruce Grove
)
$40/pair
Bend Low Birkenstocks ($199.98) Quarks, 375 St. Albert Tr.
Drawer pulls ($5.50 & up)
Sleeveless dress ($43.99), Amaze Fashion, 375 St. Albert Tr.
IT’S MY CALLING, SO I JUST DECIDED THAT I WAS GOING TO OPEN A RESTAURANT HERE.
ANN BRADY WAS very careful to not market Toast as an exclusively Irish breakfast and lunch restaurant when she opened it in 2015.
“There’s just not enough around here,” she wryly jokes in a Midlands accent. “If I was to only depend on that community, I would not be in business.”
Thankfully Brady is not only still in business, business is booming. From the very first Toast, which opened 11 years ago on Bellerose Drive, the family now has sister restaurants in Sherwood Park and the Windermere area of Edmonton. The underplayed Irish component? Also still very much a part of the menu, with a full Irish breakfast including white and black pudding as one of the many sunrise options.
Brady has been at the game for decades. After working at a breakfast and lunch place in New York modeled on a train carriage, she returned home to her native Ireland to apply the lessons she’d learned. There, she combined her eatery experience with selling hardware, jewelry, and accessories in a succession of successful eateries.
Then the economic downturn hit. Brady and her husband, who was from Canada, took stock. Not only did her husband have family in St. Albert, there were better opportunities to be had in the province. When Brady and her husband decided to move to St. Albert in 2013, she immediately noticed a market gap.
“I could not find a decent place in St. Albert to go for breakfast,” she says. “It’s my calling, so I just decided that I was going to open a restaurant here.”
Brady attributes Toast’s phenomenal success to a number of factors. There’s the repeat customer base, loyal patrons who are constantly spreading word about the eatery. There’s also the staff, who Brady unstintingly praises for both their hard work and dedication. She notes that she rarely has to advertise for staff, and when she’s away from the restaurant she never has to worry about the business.
Finally, there’s the food itself.
“I would say we are, in my opinion, superior,” she bluntly states. “Honestly, we are definitely the best at what we do. We're independent. We're not a chain. So, if you're a customer here and you want something a particular way, we will do our best to make sure you get it that way.”
Toast covers all the bases with their breakfast, from granola bowls to Tex Mex, huevos rancheros to avocado toast. The Full Irish is a signature dish with a few items that aren’t all that common in Canada. First is the white pudding, made of oatmeal, pork and breadcrumbs, and black pudding, which is pig’s blood, onion, spices and oatmeal. Both are definitely not the sort of food we associate with the word “pudding.”
Brady has had to explain these traditional Irish items to customers a number of times. She points out that black pudding in particular has been recognized as a super food full of iron. Brady is also happy to hand out free samples, and notes that people are often surprised to find that they like it. Both the white and black pudding, as well as the restaurant's sausage, are flown in from the East Coast, where they’re prepared by an Irish butcher.
“It took me a long time to find someone who could make these,” she says. “I tried all the local butchers, gave them a recipe and they couldn't get it. The puddings were too large, too flat, too purple, too soggy. We just could not get it.
So, I knew this butcher from my own hometown and he told us ‘Yeah, no problem.’ So, I just order everything directly from him.”
It might seem like owning three restaurants would be a lot of work, but Brady says that once they’re up and running she’s able to stand back and let the staff take over. It’s because of this that she’s even thinking of pushing the concept forward a couple more times in the future. She’d love to open a Toast in Calgary in a couple of years, but she’s also looking at one in Edmonton proper. No locations scouted as of yet, but there’s a general idea running in the back of her head.
“I have looked at several locations in Edmonton, but I feel like Toast would be a destination spot. You’re coming to me so you have to have parking, you have to be able to make it easy to get there. I won't go to a restaurant in Edmonton if I don't have ease of parking, if I have to walk too far. So, I need it to be in something like a strip mall where there's lots of parking, or somewhere where people don’t have to walk the extra block just to get to our door. We’ll see what comes up.” t8n
5 important times to review your insurance
Life can change quickly and it’s important to ensure your insurance is keeping up. Here are five important times to pause and determine if your insurance needs have changed.
1. Your marital status has changed
Whether you’re getting married and combining households, or divorcing and splitting up possessions, a change in your marital status can affect your need for life, auto and home insurance coverage. As you review your coverage, be sure to verify or change your beneficiary designations, if applicable.
2. Your family makeup changes
If you’re expecting a baby or adopting a child, you’ll want to protect your growing family with adequate life, critical illness and disability insurance. Losing a family member is another life event that may prompt a policy review. It’s important to review beneficiary designations on your existing policies whenever these types of changes occur.
3. Your teen gets a driver’s licence
If your child is just learning to drive, proper auto insurance is a must. Whether you plan to add them to your existing policy or have them purchase a policy of their own, be sure to talk to your insurance advisor about your options, including discounts that may be available for multi-vehicle policies or student drivers.
4. You make a major purchase
If you buy a home or vacation property, or take on a significant renovation, you should review your home insurance. But don’t stop there. When you buy, inherit or acquire items of value, like expensive sports equipment, a baby grand piano, or antique jewelry, it’s also important to check whether these possessions are fully covered by your existing policy or if you should consider protecting them with additional coverage.
5. Your employment status changes
If your income has changed recently because of a promotion, layoffs, termination, retirement, or a change in your career aspirations, it’s important to let your insurance advisor know. Depending
on your circumstances, they may recommend increasing your coverage or opting for a more affordable option. Plus, if you’re no longer commuting to an office or worksite, your auto insurance premiums might also change.
Bottom line: if your life has changed significantly, now’s the right time to review your insurance coverage. Not sure where to start? Reach out to me for an insurance and financial review today – or visit desjardins.com/en/tips.html for more helpful insurance tips.
Jennifer Miles, Agent 125-15 Circle Dr St. Albert 780-460-2279
jen@jmilesinsurance.com jmilesinsurance.com
MBroadbent Insurance Agency Inc.
Michelle Broadbent, Agent 3523 Tudor Glen Market St. Albert 780-470-3276
What’s in a name? When it comes to St. Albert schools, everything
BY: GENE KOSOWAN | PHOTOGAPHY: PAULA E. KIRMAN AND BRENDA LAKEMAN
THE VAST MAJORITY of schools in St. Albert are named after individuals and families who not only helped foster the community’s development over the decades but have also displayed enviable character traits that inspired their peers. Through their courage, innovation, dedication, and even sense of adventure, these people have indeed helped make St. Albert a better place.
Albert Lacombe Catholic School
Father Albert Lacombe, whose name is synonymous with St. Albert’s history, was known for more than presiding over the original mission in the area. He was highly respected for settling disputes between the Blackfoot and Cree and brokering agreements between First Nations communities and the federal government, from CPR railroad lines to Treaty 8.
Bellerose Composite High School
The name of the school was decided in a contest, in which the winning entry proposed Octave Bellerose and his family, who settled in St. Albert in 1849. Industrious as farmers and hunters, they also built the area’s first school in 1886.
Bertha Kennedy Catholic School
An educator who taught across Alberta, including several oneroom schools that facilitated Grades 1-9 during the 1920s and ’30s, Kennedy is especially lauded for introducing several musical and cultural programs into St. Albert’s Catholic school system.
École Alexandre-Taché
Bishop Alexandre Antonin Taché, the first Archbishop of St. Boniface, administered a territory that covered most of the prairies. In 1861, he declared to Father Albert Lacombe a hilltop site for a mission that would later evolve into St. Albert.
École Sainte Marguerite d’Youville
During the 18th century, Sainte Marguerite founded the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, better known today as the Grey Nuns, recognized as Canada’s first-ever religious community. Her work prompted Pope John Paul II to declare her a saint in 1990.
Elmer S. Gish School
Former country schoolteacher Gish developed school programs for St. Albert and was even responsible for establishing Edmonton’s first vocational school. He also became superintendent of this area’s school district in 1970.
J.J. Nearing Catholic Elementary School
Nearing served as a school superintendent for 15 years, starting in 1983. During that time, he helped to guide the transition of St. Albert School District No. 3 to the Greater St. Catholic Regional School District, bringing schools from Legal and Morinville into the fold.
Joseph M. Demko School
A highly-regarded educator after decades of service, Demko is the only person in the city’s history of its public school system to have been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, associate superintendent, superintendent, and trustee.
Leo Nickerson Elementary School
Nickerson is recognized for his courage and heroics during a fateful Cub Scouts excursion at Lake Wabamun on July 14, 1961. That day, giant waves from a sudden windstorm swamped the boys swimming in the lake. Nickerson managed to save two boys before he and three other youngsters drowned in the perilous waves.
Lois E. Hole Elementary School
Lois Hole had all the qualities to become one of St. Albert’s most popular figures, largely thanks to the entrepreneurial success of her family’s garden centre enterprise. On top of all that, she was a recognized author, University of Alberta Chancellor, and Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. In education, Hole served as a trustee and chairperson of the Sturgeon School Division.
Lorne Akins Junior High School
Farming pioneer Akins and his family occupied a farm on 240 acres of land on River Lots 47 and 48 that they purchased in 1918. He later became a town councillor, a school trustee, and a member of the Lions Club.
Murielle Martin Elementary School
Neil M. Ross Catholic School
A mayor for three years and a school trustee for six, Ross was also known as a devout Catholic who helped build the grotto at St. Albert Parish and donated a Virgin Mary statue to the church.
Paul Kane High School
One of Canada’s best-known visual artists, Kane made a name for himself documenting the lives of First Nations people in western Canada in sketches and on oil canvases. From buffalo hunts to child rearing, the works are recognized for romanticizing the more noble side of indigenous people.
Richard S. Fowler Catholic Junior High School
Politician and Provincial Court Justice Fowler first served for three terms as St. Albert mayor before jumping to provincial politics in 1989. He also occupied cabinet portfolios that included Municipal Affairs and Native Affairs, and was a Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
Ronald Harvey Elementary School
Besides serving as St. Albert’s mayor for 12 years before leaving office in 1980, Harvey was a strong supporter of establishing a Protestant school board. That board elected him as chair, a position he held while serving as mayor.
Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary School
Scottish fur trader Mackenzie stands tall among Canadian explorers, having been the first European to traverse the continent to reach the shores of the Arctic and Pacific oceans during the latter half of the 18th century.
Sister Alphonse Academy
This institution is named after a Grey Nun who, during the 1860s, became the St. Albert Mission’s first teacher, going so far as to learn Cree to foster closer relations with neighbouring First Nations communities.
St. Gabriel Education Centre
The Centre chose the Archangel Gabriel, who’s best known as a critical messenger, to reflect its mission to deliver education and learning opportunities to its students.
Vincent J. Maloney Catholic Junior High School
This school’s namesake was a former superintendent of the Greater St. Catholic Regional School district whose mandate melded Catholic education with progressive curricula.
William D. Cuts Junior High School
This physician, who served as public school trustee until he died in 1977, has often been recognized as one of St. Albert’s finest residents. Named Citizen of the Year in 1966, Cuts was a founder of organizations that include the St. Albert Lions Club and the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce.
LADIES’ TUESDAY SPECIAL
Make Tuesdays your time to play.
Enjoy 9 holes for $50 or 18 holes for $62 from noon to 8 PM—each round includes a ½ power cart and a $10 food and beverage voucher.
MORE VALUE WITH EVERY ROUND
Every paid adult 18-hole green fee comes with a $10 food and beverage voucher—because a great round deserves a great finish.
TWILIGHT SPECIAL – $82
Available Thursday through Sunday and holidays. Take advantage of our Twilight Special: 18 holes, a ½ power cart, and a $10 food and beverage voucher—all for one great price. Tee times vary throughout the season.
A FRESH NEW EXPERIENCE
Discover our newly renovated clubhouse—perfect for relaxing after your round. Enjoy daily features in a modern, welcoming atmosphere.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY GOLF
Bring the whole family—juniors 17 and under play free when accompanied by a paid adult.
When to swap out your winter tires
Automotive technology has come a long way as far as winter tires are concerned, especially in addressing safety and sustainability. But given Alberta’s unpredictable weather patterns, the precise date of when to swap them out isn’t really an exact science.
Michael Sands, owner and manager of Fountain Tire’s St. Albert location, suggests motorists wishing to replace their winter tires this time of year should pay attention to outdoor conditions first.
“The daily average temperature should consistently be 7°C,” he said. “Below that, the summer or all-season tires harden, losing grip on pavement, especially during cold mornings and evenings.”
Sands recommends motorists to look for stability in the weather for 10 consecutive days and watch for overnight freezing. He adds that procrastinators should change their tires before June or when it gets hotter than 20°C. “Warm weather wears the winter tires quickly,” he noted.
He also suggests that rural residents and early morning and late-night commuters leave their winter tires on longer. Black ice tends to form more frequently on rural roads with less traffic and aren’t frequently maintained, while off-hour commuters face colder conditions.
The same advice goes for aggressive drivers. “if you’re a casual driver and it’s 5°C and you slam on the brakes, you’ll probably stop in time on dry pavement,” Sands said. “But if you’re an aggressive driver, you may slide into something because the tires won’t stick the way you want them to.”
Winter tires with a 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) designation are ideal for Alberta conditions, and recommends all-season M+S (Mud and Snow) tires the rest of the year. “Alberta doesn’t do very well with pure summer tires,” he added.
Sands noted that putting your snow tires on in the fall is far more important. “The key reason is that you have winter tires, not snow tires. And your winter tires on pure dry pavement will stop significantly faster at zero degrees than your all-season tires will. When it get’s cold, put your winter tires on. Don’t wait for the snow.”
Besides ensuring your winter tires are swapped out in a timely manner, Sands recommends a wheel alignment every couple of years. “Making sure the tires are going down the road straight will reduce tire wear and improve fuel economy,” he added.
It also helps to get the vehicle checked over regularly. “Spring car packages can really give you peace of mind when getting your tires changed over,” said Sands. “A $50 inspection can go a long way to catch a problem before it occurs.”
The art
of zeal
Gracie Jane Genereux’s passion for her boutique and bar speaks volumes
BY: TOM MURRAY | PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHANIE CRAGG
WHEN GRACIE JANE Genereux opened A Boutique Gallery and Bar by Gracie Jane on Perron Street back in 2016, she had $17 to her name.
“I went into the bank to ask for a $50,000 loan and they wouldn’t even look at me,” Genereux says. “But I was stubborn.”
She also had supportive family and friends. One pal gave her a personal loan of $17,000, which she used to buy chairs, bar supplies, and other essentials. Her son Thomas was an electrician and all-around handyman; he helped her with that end of the project. She went to garage sales and thrift stores, found part of a bar at the old Transit Hotel. Most importantly, she sent out word to the community that she already had around her.
“I had 100 people show up on the first day and I made $1,500,” she recalls. “It just grew from there.”
Riding the crest of chaos seems to have been Genereux’s modus operandi from a very young age.
Born in Saskatchewan in 1951, Genereux moved around the country with her family until finally settling in Edmonton in 1961. By the time she graduated in 1969, she was already steeped in the burgeoning counterculture. And if you were part of the counterculture, you likely wanted to go to ground zero.
That was San Francisco. So Genereux hitchhiked down with her friend Sharon, looking for a little of the peace and love vibes suffusing the city during that period. The adventure included seeing the Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore and meeting up with kindred spirits, but it also held a few dangers, like getting trafficked.
“We were picked up by this guy from Alaska in his Lincoln, and he had two other hitchhikers in the back seat,” she recalls.
“He promised us a free airplane ride home. He bought us all lunch. It was really nice. But then, just before we got to the San Francisco airport, he changed his mind. Kicked out the people in the back seat, and then aggressively came on to me and Sharon.”
Genereux pulled a pocketknife for protection and the driver eventually apologized, offering them their own hotel room with their own key. Short on funds the girls took up the offer, but remained wary of his intentions. As it turned out, he had his own key to the room and was watching them from a closet. After alerting staff, who had him thrown out, the two 17-year-olds took stock of their situation.
“I think he intended to make us hookers,” she says. “It was really close. We went home soon after.”
One of the reasons why she took the trip down was to look at the possibility of art school in San Francisco. As this was no longer in the cards, she instead got a job at the Sands Hotel as a cocktail waitress. She kept up with art on the side, taking a sign writing course at NAIT, as well as a few different classes at schools in Chicago and Los Angeles when she could get the time. Genereux opened a “wearable art” store in Edmonton in the ’80s, stepping away from the booze business for five years. When she went back, it was to manage the bar for the Edmonton branch of the International Order of Old Bastards, an organization started by former Second World War prisoners of war. Her art career went to the sideline, but it remained active.
In the ’90s her agent set her up with a proposition to paint notable players and management of the Edmonton Oilers: Gretzky, Sather, Muckler, as well as legends like Bobby Hull and Gordie Howe. It was highly successful, but Genereux had signed a bad contract and saw little of the cash. Still, it looked good in the portfolio.
I get to know every person that comes in my bar. They're not a number, they’re people with a story
She set up tents during Artwalk and The Fringe, where she sold paintings based on what she describes as her ongoing interests: music, culture, religion. Movie stars like Marilyn Monroe, pop stars like Elvis, The Beatles, Mick Jagger of The Stones. Up for anything, she painted someone’s tooth, trucks, churches, and bodies for fashion shows.
Which brings us back to A Boutique Gallery and Bar by Gracie Jane, where she combined the twin occupations of her life, along with a commitment to community.
“It's the people that make it,” she says. “It’s a walk of life from 18 to 94. I have a 94-year-old man who comes every Friday night at 7:30 with his grandson, sings two Frank Sinatra songs, buys a round for all the regulars, and then goes home. It’s just wonderful. I get to know every person that comes in my bar. They're not a number, they’re people with a story.”
Some of them end up being painted by Genereux, some of them, like former St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron, end up being painted on a chair. Now, according to Genereux, new mayor Scott Olivieri wants his own as well, though it’s possible he’ll be among the last to get one done. After all these years, Genereux is thinking of retiring.
“I'm going to have to sell the bar,” she sighs, noting that health issues are making the job harder. “It has to be to someone who will keep it the way it is, and who loves art, community, and music.”
She’s not stepping away from art, however. Genereux promises to continue painting, and if she finds the right person to take on her place she might just make an appearance every now and again.
“I can still bartend now and again,” she says. “It would be cool to be a guest bartender on Friday nights, and maybe sit there and paint. That would be fun and a lot less stress.” t8n
This spring event is designed to bring the Chérot community together for a relaxed afternoon in the park.
Free teddy bears*, picnic lunch*, & ice cream* plus meet the builders and enjoy an a ernoon with arts & entertainment at Paris Playground!
*Limited quantities
Point & Click
Take a shot of our summer guide for prizes galore
SUMMER’S A NOTORIOUS time for being lazy, hazy and crazy. So, with emphasis on the former, we thought it made sense to ensure this version of Down Time didn’t come with as much sweat equity.
Here’s all that we’re asking: Starting on May 21, pick up a copy of our Summer in the City guide, take a photo of it on your coffee table, kitchen counter, or other spots. Then post it on either Facebook or X (tagging #t8n, of course) or direct message us with the attached image.
We’ll randomly draw four entries, with each selected winner walking away with a restaurant gift card for their efforts. Prize is available only to St. Albert residents.
Kuhlmann’s Garden
$100 Gift cards for $80 or $500 in gift cards for $375
Alberta Prairie Steam Train
A $325 voucher useable for any trips. Retail price is $325.50, offered for $239. Face value does not expire – mailed. Note, this GC offers no change, use value in full.
Battle River Train Excursions
Battle River Train Excursions offers day train excursions that showcase the communities and scenic vistas along the Battle River Railway shortline with a super-fun twist. $550 Gift card valid for 2 and 2 kids. Purchase for $400. Note, GC does not expiry but does not allow for change or cash value
