HELLO DIAMOND VALLEY
Hello, Diamond Valley. Well, we sure received a dump of snow in November, and went from 25 degrees in October to minus 30 with the wind chill within a few weeks. It’s funny how we acclimatize to winter, as when it got to be below zero we all said we were freezing and then the next time it got to be about minus 5 we all said how beautiful the weather was. In any case it will be what it will be and let’s enjoy the nice days when we can.
Diamond Valley’s Light Up is scheduled for Saturday, December 3 and let’s hope the weather is not too cold for this annual treat. There will be photos with Santa, lighting of the Christmas tree, Live Nativity at the Gospel Church, firepits, and late-night shopping. Businesses are encouraged to stay open late and many have great sales and raffles also. Light-Up runs from 5-9 in Black Diamond. Full details at town.blackdiamond.ab.ca.
Since Black Diamond gets Light-Up, Turner Valley gets New Year’s Eve! Dress the family warm for this free celebration held on December 31 from 5-8 and head on down to the Flare and Derrick, the ice rink, and Millenium Park for all kinds of winter fun. Festivities include hay wagon rides, outdoor ice skating (helmets please, but no sticks or pucks), face painting, musical entertainment, a family dance, and fireworks! At last check, Turner Valley is working hard to partner with another organization so that they can extend the evening until midnight, so check the Town’s website for updates. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated for New Year’s Eve, please give the Town a call if you can help out.
Our own local High Country SPCA’s Christmas Market is one you don’t want to miss. I went last year and was pleasantly amazed by all the vendors, raffles, baking, hamburgers and hotdogs, coffee, hot chocolate and muffins, and beautiful gifts they had to offer, and this year’s promises to be just as awesome. This is a major fundraiser for the SPCA, and they do tiresome work in our community for strays and other pets who need their help. The Market will be held in the Flare and Derrick in Turner Valley on December 3 from 9-4, watch for signs.
Another great local Christmas Market will be held at the United Church in Turner Valley on Saturday, December 10 from 10-4. This Christmas Bazaar will feature crafts, baking, new-to-you tables, and local vendors. The United Church is home to the Oilfields Food Bank and the beautiful Church’s congregation does so much for the less fortunate in our community, so come check this one out! The Church is located at 125 Royal Avenue across from the school’s field.
The United Church is also home to Jacket Racket, which is an annual event they hold to provide warm winter clothing to those in need. Come to the Church Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 to pick up these items or donate some. They are always in need of winter boots, and also coats and jackets, mitts and gloves, hats and scarves, and snow pants, for all ages. These items must be gently used and clean please! So make some room in your coat closet while helping out a great cause.
Okotoks will be hosting their annual Kids Christmas Market in old Towne Okotoks on Dec. 7-8 and again on Dec. 14-15. Kids can shop their Christmas lists here from 4-8. The Market is located at 8 McRae Street in the Main Street Market. And Spruce Meadows will be holding their Market on the weekend of Dec. 2-4, more info can be found at sprucemeadows.com.
The annual Santa Shuffle is scheduled for December 10 at Eau Claire Market in Calgary. This is a fun fundraiser for the Salvation Army, one of my favorite charities, and they partner with The Running Room for a fun walk/run, of course, dressed in your best Santa costume. The event is full of fun surprises and cool prizes. All ages are welcome, to sign up and for more information, visit santashuffle.ca.
The 10th annual Avenue of Trees takes place at the Best Western in Okotoks, where there will be beautifully decorated Christmas trees of all designs, and you can place a bid on these trees. Proceeds will go towards the Sheep RIver Health Trust, which helps with equipment and programs for our rural health care system. It’s free to get in and look at the trees, and you can place your bid until Dec. 14. Santa will be on hand to take a picture with also, for more information, visit sheepriverhealthtrust.com.
Every year over 100,000 children from Southern Alberta and across Canada rely on the specialized medical care provided by the doctors and nurses at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Give the gift of hope this season by dropping off a new unwrapped toy by early December, there is a box in the AG Foods in Black Diamond, or Western Financial in Turner Valley.
Other great and reliable charities this year to donate toys, food, cash, gift cards for gas and food, are: Baby It’s Cold Outside (403-660-3648), The Salvation Army (403-336-4387), Seniors Secret Service (403-257-8339), Magic of Christmas Foothills (403-921-0588), and Rowan House Society (403-336- 9046). If you are sincerely in need of a Christmas Hamper, please contact either Turner Valley’s or Black Diamond’s FCSS, through the Towns offices.
I hope these ideas get you in the mood for Christmas, and hopefully you can do most of your shopping at these local Markets for truly unique gifts, or make a gift of a donation in honor of someone you love.
One last note is that our Organics bins will be picked up every two weeks during the winter season, as we don’t have any yard waste at this time of year. However they do accept food waste, which I think is so nice not to just throw those items in the garbage bins. I always hate to throw away food, especially meat as that comes from an animal, but if you can’t eat all the leftovers, you can set them in compostable bags in your green bins and they will go towards composting into the earth, rather than rotting in the landfill. Black Diamond’s dates for December’s Organics bins are the 14th and 28th, and Turner Valley’s are the 7th and 21st. Remember also you can leave your Christmas tree out by your bins after the season is over, the Towns will pick them up in January, chip them up, and use for mulch along pathways and trees in our parks.
I wish you and yours a very pleasant Foothills Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Elaine Wansleeben
