Hello, Diamond Valley. Well it’s been a lovely summer so far. We have had some fiendish storms with wind and hail and rain, but so far my vegetable garden has survived the onslaught. I attended our Diamond Valley Music Festival, with great music and kids activities, and I especially enjoyed the dog show. However, a fierce gale blew through around dinnertime which had the vendors scrambling to keep their tents from blowing away. Stellar fireworks finished off the night.
The Dr. Lander Memorial Pool in Turner Valley invites you to jump in! The Pool is open until early September, weather permitting. They offer lessons; a swim club; family, public, and lane swims; aqua fit; and a concession. Rates are very reasonable, and the towns offer financial support for those who qualify, for more info on that, email monique@turnervalley.ca. For more info on Pool schedules, drop by or give them a call at 403.933.7483.
The Sheep River valley has a rich history as well as breathtaking views. Alexander “Sandy” McNabb was a noted horse trainer when he arrived in Turner Valley during the 1913-15 oil boom and began working for the Royalite Oil Company. This native of Scotland also loved fishing and spent many of his days off riding the rutted road west from Turner Valley to his favourite fishing hole on the Sheep River near here. Oldtimers still recall his tireless efforts to distribute food to Royalite’s unemployed during the hungry 30s. In recognition of his work as a founding member of the Turner Valley Fish and Game Club, the Association designated Sandy’s old fishing spot as “Sandy McNabb’s Camp”. The recreation tradition continues today at the campgrounds and on the trails of Sandy McNabb Recreation Area.
Based on archeological evidence, prehistoric hunters travelled through the Sheep Valley over 7000 years ago. Indians named the valley’s river “Eetookiap” – Sheep Creek. European explorers understood why when they discovered the plentiful bighorn sheep in its uplands. Elk and deer also fed on the lush mountain pasture, but these weren’t the valley’s only treasures. Settlers from the foothills saw limitless cattle range, and timber and coal were plentiful as well.
TheSheepRiverValleyhasnumerous walking, biking, and horsebacking riding trails to explore. These trails vary in distance from half a kilometre to 45 kilometres. The Valley is managed as a Recreation Facility Site within Alberta’s network of recreation and protected areas. This ensures that its provincially significant natural, cultural, and historical resources are protected. The Valley is part of the Central Rocky Mountain Ecosystem. The wildlife you see here move throughout this large ecosystem, so to help protect the animals and the health of the ecosystem, please minimize your impact on the environment when experiencing our Kananaskis.
If you would love to experience the trails on horseback, there are many to choose from. I did it years ago and there’s nothing like sitting on your horse high above the terrain, and the view does not have a single road, power pole, or dwelling in sight. Absolutely stunning views. Sandy McNabb has an equestrian campground which includes a water system, hitching rails, horse corrals, and a loading ramp. From there you could ride to the Death Valley Trail with vistas of forest, meadows, rocky landscapes, and remnants of forest fires. For more info, visit kananaskis.ca.
The annual Friends of the Bar U Trail Ride is scheduled for August 3. Bring your own horse or take a ride on the Percheron drawn horse wagon. And make sure you mark your calendar for their Old Time Ranch Rodeo. Teams of working cowboys compete for buckles and bragging rights in broke horse racing, wild cow milking, and team sorting as well as branding and doctoring. It is really a lot of fun to watch, and that will be held on August 18. For more information about these events and this historic working ranch just south of Longview, visit parkscanada.gc.ca/baru.
Back in Longview, the annual Longstock Music Festival will be held the weekend of August 17 and 18. It features live bands all the day long, vendors, food and drink, a playground, and camping. This is one of my favourite events of the year, and for sure I will be listening to everyone’s favourite band, the Travelling Mabels, on the Sunday. The Saturday night headliner is Lori Kole. Sponsors and volunteers are always greatly appreciated at this little festival that could, and did, become big. The Festival will be held at Smith- Fuller Centennial Park in Longview, just watch for signs, and for more info, check them out on Facebook or at longstockmusicfestival.com.
Another big music festival coming up is the annual Southern Alberta Music Festival in support of STARS Air Ambulance. The festival will feature a variety of country, blues, folk, and good old rock and roll. Features include a pancake breakfast, vendors, beer gardens, and concessions. The Festival runs August 9 from 7-11pm and again on August 10 from 10am until midnight, and is held at Aspen Crossing, which is near Mossleigh. For tickets or more info, visit aspencrossing.com.
The Foothills Country Hospice is hosting their annual Rally 4 Hospicefollowed by their 11th annual Gala, all in support of the Hospice. Collector and specialty car owners are invited to take part in a series of challenges in the Rally. At the Gala, guests will enjoy an enchanting evening of dinner, entertainment, and a live auction. To register, buy tickets, or find out more, please go to country hospice.org or call 403.995.4673.
Let’s go to the Fair! The 112th annual Priddis and Millarville Fair will be held the weekend of August 18 and 19, from 9-4 each day. Founded in 1907, this Fair is one of the last great traditional old-time Agricultural Fairs in Canada. Today the Fair is a wondrous extravaganza with a Kid’s World, petting zoo, small horses, hayrides, roping competitions and ribbons awarded in junior events ranging from 4-H, photography, and baking. There is also a Parade and the famous Farmer’s Market to enjoy as well. Come out and enjoy or be a participant by entering your crafts, baking, grains and animals for a winning ribbon. For more info, call 403.931.3411 or visit millarvilleracetrack.com.
Ladies of the Foothills, save the date of August 12 and dig out your best elf tights, reindeer antlers or tacky Christmas sweaters for Christmas in August. This is the 12th annual Foothills Ladies Compassionate Cup Golf Tournament at the Turner Valley Golf Course. They have raised over $260K for local charities in the Foothills. For more information or to register, contact them at foothillsladiescompassioncup@gmail.com.
Even though the Calgary Stampede is long gone, there are an abundance of Rodeos nearby, which are just as entertaining as the Big One. Here is a list of August Rodeos: Pincher Creek, August 15-18 (pinchercreekrodeo. com), Didsbury, August 16-17 (didsburyagsociety.org), Bar U, August 18 (see par. 7), Okotoks Pro, August 23-24 (okotoksprorodeo.com), and Cochrane, August 31-September 1 (fcarodeo.com). Yeehaw!
Back in town, the Sheep Creek Arts Council has their brochure out in the middle of August listing all of their fall classes and clubs. You can pick up the brochure at the Library or around town or visit sheepcreekarts.ca. Classes fill up so check them out early. Their registration night will be held on September 11. They are located on Sunset Boulevard in Turner Valley.
The Field of Dreams Baseball Diamonds are well under way between our two towns. This is run through the Boys and Girls Club of Diamond Valley and the town of Black Diamond has given them the land to build their Field of Dreams. They received a grant from Jaycare Foundation, from the Toronto Bluejays, and are hoping to throw the first ball in the middle of August. This Field of Dreams provides free play for kids and youth leagues in our area for 10 years! They encourage adult leagues to sign up to provide revenue for the Field and to have a great diamond to play ball in. There will be bleachers and accessible washrooms as well. Best of luck and take me out to the ball game!
If you have any events happening in September that you would like to see in the High Country News, please email me at elaine.w@telus.net. The deadline for this issue is August 15.
Hope you’re having a wonderful summer,
Elaine Wansleeben
The Town of Turner Valley will be hosting its annual Community Registration Night for community and youth groups in the Turner Valley/ Black Diamond and Foothills County area on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Flare ‘n Derrick Community Hall, Main Street, Turner Valley.
Tables will be available at no cost to any non-profit organization wishing to set up a registration desk. Tables can be booked by contacting Hazel Martin by email at hazelm@turnervalley.ca or by phone at 403.933.4944.
This event has been well attended, it provides parents and participants with a convenient one-stop registration location for most of the programs occurring in the area. Examples of groups which have attended in past years are the Turner Valley Gymnastics, Diamond Valley Citizens on Patrol, HoKah Nah Girl Guides, 1st Oilfields Cubs/Beavers/Scouts, Foothills Figure Skating, High Country Minor Hockey, Oilfields Sport Association, Dynamic Karate Club and the Valley Neighbours Gardening Club.
