Hello, Diamond Valley. What a lovely spring it’s been so far, with a few exceptions like the major snowfall we were treated to on April 4th. But as everyone has been saying, we need the moisture, as both our rivers and the snowpack levels are down this year.
Diamond Valley’s water use and conservation bylaw is a system in which there are levels assigned to water conservation according to our water levels. All residents are encouraged to conserve water by limiting water use, in Level 1, with watering between 6-9am and 7-10pm 3 days a week. Days of the week depend on if your house address is odd or even numbered. Level 2 is only 2 days a week, and Level 3 is emergency level with no outdoor water use and non-essential water use prohibited. Fines can apply to non- compliant residents when water restrictions are set to Levels 2 and 3. Every little bit helps so please keep in mind our precious resource of water when using it.
Project Green Day is coming up soon. It is a call for volunteers from Diamond Valley to get together to clean up the Friendship Trail, the local highway between our two towns, and cleanup along the riverbanks. Typically held the last Saturday in May, volunteers are asked to bring work gloves to use. There is usually a BBQ held afterwards to thank everyone for the cleanup. Please go to the town’s website to find out more details about when and where to meet.
It’s gardening season for sure! I’ve already started my flowers and tomatoes and peppers indoors, and it’s always fun to watch the little green leaves poke their heads through the soil. We plant a big garden every year and enjoy potatoes and peas throughout the entire winter. If you are getting into gardening beneath the arch, and want some good quality plants and advice, check out Vale’s in Black Diamond. It is one of the nicest places to go take a stroll through, and there’s nothing like stepping into a warm greenhouse and inhaling that earthy aroma. Also, both towns have a community garden now which is awesome if you haven’t any room for a garden at home. Valley Neighbour’s Club has a gardening club as well as Millarville, and they do tours and have guest speakers as well. Gardening and nature are good for the soul, as studies prove that even after a short time outside, stress hormones drop, so try to get out there and enjoy our beautiful Foothills and the bounty it provides!
It’s Mother’s Day this month, April 12, and a very happy day is wished to all mothers in our community. The Turner Valley Legion is hosting a brunch, please call for reservations at 403-933-4564 as this is a popular event. The Legion is also hosting a Cinco de Mayo on Friday, May 3, which will feature Mexican dancing, decor, and menu. Drop by or call for more details.
The annual Hike for Hospice is scheduled for May 5 at Ethel Tucker Park in Okotoks. Sign up for this important fundraiser in support of compassionate end-of-life and bereavement care. Pathways are fully paved and you can sign up for either a 2km or 5km route. Register online at countryhospice.org.
Another wonderful walk in May is the Purina Walk for Guild Dogs. It is held in Calgary this year, at Bowness Park, but I am such a big fan of this walk and I hope you will consider signing up for such an important cause. Dog Guides transform the impossible into possible with dog guides for vision, hearing, seizure response, autism assistance, and special skills assistance. Visit purinawalkfordogguides.com to register or to find out more, and the walk is on for May 25 at noon.
Volunteers are greatly needed and appreciated for our Diamond Valley Discovery Days Parade weekend, as well as sponsors. Go to the town’s website for all the details, and if you can spare just a few hours while out enjoying the festivities, please do. Also, the Sheep River Library will be hosting their Book Sale on the weekend as well, so if you have any gently used books to donate, please drop them off at the library before then. They ask kindly, to not put them in the drop box but to take them right in, and please no textbooks, manuals, encyclopedias, or cookbooks with sticky pages. Ha ha, we all have some of those. Discovery Days is the first Saturday in June, June 1st, and there will be lots of information on the Parade Route, and all the fun activities throughout both towns on Diamond Valley’s website.
Oilfields High School presents their Senior Drama Department’s One-Act plays on May 29. 30, and 31 from 7-9pm. The Senior Drama class will present three one act plays that they have written themselves, I have been to one of their productions before and they are so good. For ticket information, please call the school at 403-938-4973.
I wish a very happy and healthy May to all and see you at the Parade June 1st!
Elaine Wansleeben
