Hello, Diamond Valley. Well it wasn’t too bad a September. We had some heavy rains along with some really nice days. Many of us mowed our lawns one last time, and prepared the gardens for winter. I put burlap over my rose bushes this year, hopefully they’ll be protected. I also started growing sunflowers this year, and they were about two feet tall and doing nicely. Then I came out one morning and the deer had eaten the tops of every single one. Oh well, when you live this close to their natural habitat, you’re bound to lose a sunflower or two.
With winter showing up, the leaves come down from the trees. Consider using the leaves for protection for rose bushes and flower and vegetable beds. Or you could add them to your grass clippings next year and compost. Woody yard waste can be chopped or shredded for mulch or pathmaking. Other compostable materials to be used at this time are weeds before they go to seed and the remains of disease free garden plants. Composting produces a rich soil which improves plant growth. To find out more about composting, visit the Recycle Centre in Turner Valley, they have loads of pamphlets and great ideas.
October is Fire Safety Month. Remember to change your clocks, and change your batteries in smoke detectors. Daylight savings time ends November 3rd. The Fire Departments recommend that we check smoke detectors monthly, have a fire escape plan for your home, and practice it! Studies indicate that only 57% of Alberta homes that experienced fires had smoke alarms installed, and of those, only 38% were known to activate during a fire. In many cases, the failure of smoke alarms to activate was due to lack of a power source, no battery, dead battery, electricity off or disconnected. Take the time to check your detector.
We had a beautiful Harvest Moon Friday, September 13th. AG Foods in Black Diamond also have their Harvest Super Saver Booklet coming out in October. Every year a not-for-profit organization sells these coupon books and it is a great fundraiser for them. Buy a coupon book with over $50 in coupons inside, and support local programs and organizations. Keep an eye out for the Harvest Super Saver at AG. And the store is also a proud sponsor of Family Library Cards, drop in the store before the end of October to pick up a voucher for a Free one year Family Library Card for K-6 Turner Valley/C. Ian McLaren students.
October is celebrate your Library month. Our Sheep River Library has their Out Loud Series in October. Storytellers, poets, and songwriters may want to take note of this popular series this year. October 5 they will have Cowboy Poet Andy Nelson, Oct. 25 brings author and music therapist Jennifer Buchanan to the Library, and on Oct. 26 The Wardens bring original music and stories from the Canadian Rockies. Due to the anticipated popularity of these events, admission will be by ticket only. You can pick up your FREE ticket for these events at the Library.
The Sheep River Library also offers three two-hour workshops on writing on October 19. Songwriting workshop is at 9:30, Poetry at noon, and Storytelling at 2:30. October is also Tale Blazers and Wordfest for K-6 students at the Library. The kids will be brought over to the Library for a fun and informative time with a variety of authors. Home school families are welcome to attend. For more information on these events, visit sheepriverlibrary.ca. or drop by our beautiful Library on Main Street in Turner Valley.
Our very own Boys and Girls Club of Diamond Valley will be holding a 50’s Gala on October 26. Put on your dancing shoes, as this promises to be a great night of fun for a very good cause. The evening includes a Prime Rib Dinner, silent auction, and dance, and tickets are $60. This is a major fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club, which helps them with programs and trips for the children. The Gala will be held at the Millarville Race Track. For tickets and more information, please call 403-831-6321.
We are blessed to have access to fabulous concerts here in the Foothills. Admission is WAY less expensive than big city venues and travel time is less, and no parking fees. Beneath the Arch Concert Series is pleased to present Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Express on Nov. 2 at the Flare and Derrick in Turner Valley. Barney is a Juno nominee, and the show will feature about a dozen of his favourite fellow musicians. It’s Canada’s version of the Grand Ole Opry, but better! For tickets or info, visit beneaththearch.ca.
On the Edge Concert Series will feature Shannon Gaye and the Kristian Alexandrov Trio on October 18. Shannon is from BC with a big soulful voice and her influences include Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. Kristian has worked alongside greats such as KD Lang and Tommy Banks. The show will be held in the awe-inspiring Red Deer Lake Church. For tickets or more info, reddeerlakeuc.com.
The Gift of Music Series presents VC2 Cello Duo on October 25 at thebeautiful High River United Church. This duo has an innovative approach to cello music with influences of classical, jazz, and a hint of rock. They will also present a special Children’s concert on Oct. 26 at Sheppard Family Barn. For tickets and info, visit highrivergiftofmusic.com.
Interested in performing instead of listening? Consider joining the Diamond Valley Singers. They were formed in 2015 and held their first concert in December 2016, which was attended by over 60 people. Their members range in age from mid-20s to mid-70s! This choir meets at the Griffiths Centre in Black Diamond on Wednesdays at 1:00. For more information, please call the Choir Director Ernestine at 403-933-2888 or visit griffithscentre.ca.
Halloween is coming up, and with it is the Turner Valley Legion’s Infamous Spook House. This truly is one of the best and scariest Spook Houses I’ve ever been to. Their volunteers work hard and long to put this Spooktakular event on, which runs every night from Oct 26-31. Ask for a small, medium, or EXTREME scare depending on your age and/or bravery level. For more info, drop by the Legion or give them a call at 403-933-4564, or visit them on Facebook.
The Foothills Skating Club is hosting their Open House on September 30. They offer different levels of skating programs for youth in our community. Their season runs from October to March and they are located at the Oilfields Regional Arena in Black Diamond, at 611 3rd Street, up behind the High School. For more information, visit foothillsskatingclub.ca.
Sheep Creek Arts Council in Turner Valley has the following classes starting in October: a Painted Fabric Santa with Evelyn Richmond; a Quilting Colour and Design course by Joyce Brown; an Intro to Mosaics by Christine Drake; and a Mosaic Knitting course by Laurie Bullock. In November there will be: a Needle Felted Christmas Bits and Bobs with MariJane Rose, an Intro to Making Hats with Marjolaine LeBlanc, and a Quilt Applique course by Joyce Brown. For more info, or to register, visit sheepcreekarts.ca or call Cathie at 403-933-7132. SCAC is located at 133 Sunset Boulevard.
Last issue I mentioned we have a Commissioner of Oaths in Black Diamond. There is one in Priddis as well for those who live closer to that area, located at their Post Office, for info, call Jane at 403-931-7191 or email at connect@priddisbci.com. There is also a Notary Public, who will officiate at her home or on a mobile basis, near to Millarville. For info call Mary at 403-931-2453 or email at mary@stapleton.ca.
Thanksgiving is coming up on October 14th. I for one am thankful for the community we live in. We have our amazing Kananaskis with the Rocky Mountains looming in the background, the Sheep River to play in, clean water to drink, and clean air to breathe. We have a hospital and great schools. We don’t have the traffic of the big city and we are safe because of our Fire, Police, and Ambulance Services. We have awesome artists and musicians, and farm fresh products at our fingertips. We can vote democratically and have a community that pulls together in tough times. So this Thanksgiving I encourage you to make your own list of what makes you happy!
If you have any events happening in November and would like to see it in the High Country News, please email me at elaine.w@telus.net. The deadline for this issue is October 15. Please vote on October 21 for our Federal Election!
Have a great October,
by Elaine Wansleeben
