Fun on the range

Fun

Putting Horse Ranch offers a unique day-tripping option

on the

rangeTHE OPEN SKIES above the Putting Horse Ranch tend to conjure an unforgettable feeling, one already known to those who have soaked in the fresh air and landscapes outside Alberta’s cities. It’s a sentiment shared by Liz Poburan, co-owner of the ranch. “The sky over the ranch has been likened to a dome of peace,” she says. “We feel that the peace you feel here is real and keeps people coming back for more.”

BY GLORIA LOITZ

Images courtesy Putting Horse Ranch

What draws folks to the ranch, two km north of Spruce Grove and a 22-minute drive from St. Albert, is an 85-acre, all-season oasis hosting a variety of leisurely outdoor activities. Several of these activities involve the company of their horses, of which they currently have 18, including wagon or sleigh rides (depending on the season), horseback trail-riding along the banks of the picturesque Atim Creek, riding lessons and the chance for children of all ages to interact with the horses.

With more than 30 years of raising horses under the Poburan’s belt, the couple decided to expand the ranch into a public place for leisurely visits. “We chose to develop our property into a place for people to come to for company events and golf, which is perfect for them to have fun together,” adds Liz. “After we had run the putting course for several years and when the three holes of golf was being created, we added on the fenced trail out front at the corrals. That has been great for teaching lessons as well as taking first-time riders out.”

Those who enjoy connecting with the earth and reaping nature’s harvest to bring back home might instead benefit from a garden plot rental. Irrigates plots six feet wide and 60 feet long are available for planting by novice and experienced gardeners alike.

The result is a mini-vacation retreat of sorts, with the ranch offering patrons the chance to recharge their proverbial batteries in a natural setting close to home. “The property lies right under a major flight path for all migratory birds, and we see thousands upon thousands overhead every spring and fall,” says Liz, adding that visitors might even see red-tailed hawks, deer, moose, muskrats, beavers, squirrels, muskrats and even moose. All that wildlife resides on a property that acknowledges its existence on Treaty 6 territory, recognizing the diverse heritage of Indigenous nations that used to gather in the region.

Some of the ranch’s customers prefer to walk around the premises or take advantage of a romantic horse-led carriage ride. Paired with three holes of golf, couples tend to book the excursion as a full date-night package. For larger gatherings like families and companies, the ranch offers a wide variety of group rates.

In particular, corporations have sought out the ranch facilities for team-building events, including golf, meetings and

PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC

5 Physiotherapists, average of 25 years of Experience. Get Diagnosed Properly and Quickly. Receive the most Effective Treatment. Get Better as Soon as Possible.

2022 PHYSIOTHERAPIST

banquets in a barn able to pack 150 people. There, visitors can get together for post-golf festivities and a home-cooked meal with a diverse menu that includes fresh garden vegetables grown right on the property. Smaller groups can take advantage of several relaxation spots, from paved stone patios to fire pit areas near the ponds and golf course. Also open is a clubhouse barbecue concession with a licensed patio.

“We have had many tournaments that have become annual events for many groups loving this place,” says Liz, “Horse rides for the children at the corrals or wagon rides for groups while the tournaments are going on keep everyone engaged and happy.”

Birthdays are also popular at all times of the year, even during the winter, a time when patrons booking the premises have access to horse-drawn sleighs gliding over the snow. A postride get-together around a bonfire with hot dogs, marshmallows and hot cocoa to help stay warm would be particularly satisfying in Alberta’s colder months. Regardless of what time of year people head to Putting Horse Ranch, the proverbial dome of peace hovers above to accentuate the revelry. t8n

FUN FACTS

• The resident horses are able to work into their 20s with their pre-retirement job being Horse Time, where children can pet and interact with them. • The bermed trail along Atim Creek is the latest edition to the terrain of the ranch. • Many of the horses are registered athletic breeds traceable back several generations. • Photos are always complimentary with a visit. • Canoe racing and other water activities are the next planned additions to the host of activities offered. • The horses are often named as a reflection of their equine pedigree. • The grounds have stadium lights which allow for people to play golf even after the sun goes down.

PUTTING HORSE RANCH Two km north of Hwy 16 on Century Road 53312 RR 272, Spruce Grove, Alberta Phone: (780) 962-5232 For rates and operating hours, visit puttinghorseranch.com

2022

HIDDEN

GEM

The UPS Store St. Albert would like to thank you for your continued support and your vote as the “Best Hidden Gem”

Did you know we are your one-stop shop for all your business and personal needs? Come check us out if you are needing help with:

• mailbox rentals • shredding • faxing • laminating • shipping • business cards • commissioner of oaths • moving supplies • business/personal cheques • black and white/colour printing • graphic design (free if you print with us) • promotional items • postcards • flyers • banners • manuals • presentations • door hangers • annual reports • brochures • stationery • calendars • posters • business/safety forms • documents • menus • tickets • unaddressed admail • postage stamps

New Operator Same Family Focus

St. Albert Sobeys

Chris Bartucci’s success in retail is proof that you can go home again. And to the longtime St. Albert resident, who previously lived in Calgary for five years, home possesses a double meaning. For openers, it’s where he occupies a humble abode in the city with his wife and three daughters. Then there’s the Sobeys grocery store in Mission Plaza, where he spent much of his adult professional life, a place that he and his family are the proud franchise owner operators.

The front signage might display the Sobeys signature text that has become a familiar logo to shoppers, but as far as Bartucci is concerned, it’s every bit a part of the city and his life. “I grew up in St. Albert,” he said. “Granted, Sobeys Inc. is national chain, but it’s also a local, family-owned/operated franchise location”

Having that family mindset means that Bartucci is frequently visible around the place, performing tasks alongside the 140 teammates working at the store. “You name it,” he said about his daily itinerary. “I do everything from working on the floor in produce and working in the meat department to stocking some shelves. I kind of do everything with the crew.” Working in the store is his way of demonstrating how much he cares about the grocery outlet, which he says possesses the same community-minded attitude as the rest of the city. “It still has a small-town feel, but is close to the larger centres. It’s a great place to raise a family. I still have lots of friends here, and my whole life has been here. It’s just got that community spirit.”

Bartucci began working at the St. Albert store as a grocery bagger in 1999. He worked his way up through the company until he landed a position helping run operations from the Edmonton head office. In 2015, Bartucci was transferred to Calgary, where the headquarters relocated after its parent corporation, Empire Company Limited, purchased the Safeway chain.

Five years later, Bartucci moved back to St. Albert helping lead the Retail Operations Teams in the Edmonton area, where he learned about the franchise opportunity of the St Albert Sobeys store at Mission Plaza. He and his wife excitedly reviewed the opportunity and by October were the proud Franchise Operators of the store. “It kind of made a lot of sense after moving back up to St. Albert,” Bartucci said. “It’s where it all started, when I was approached, I knew right away that this was a fantastic opportunity for my family’s path and to get involved to help support the Community.”

This store has very strong beliefs and dedication about supporting the St. Albert community. Sobeys St. Albert regularly donates to the local food bank and is active in supporting and helping to promote the local community organizations and initiatives throughout the year. During the winter months you may just happen to bump into Chris and his family at a local rink supporting his daughter’s passionate interest of ringette.

In a way, he now has a hand in two families: one that he’s raising with his wife, the other he owns while working with caring individuals who share his commitment to having the freshest product with excellent value and amazing customer service. That said, the novelty of owning a local Sobeys hasn’t worn off on his children. “My daughters think it’s cool that pop owns a grocery store,” he laughed.