Barb Castell – Division 3
Summer is here!!! Rain, heat, thunderstorms, smoke, mosquitoes, and gardening.
It has been a challenging time farming and ranching in Foothills with some areas getting no rain and others just hanging on. Southern Alberta farmers continue to contend with an ongoing drought and unseasonably high temperatures. Foothills County is the latest Alberta municipality to bring in the state of emergency amid poor growing conditions threatening this season’s crop.
Dark Skies
The Dark Sky working group met out at the Wilson Coulee Observatory on June 24th with a group of experts on the night skies. This was followed up with a Zoom meeting on July 13th with the group to find ways to build awareness of just how important dark skies are to our area and the entire world.
118th Running of the Millarville Races
July was filled with event after event starting with the ever-popular July 1st Millarville Races. Again, kudos to the excellent volunteers that devote hours to making this event a success. I even won $2.60!!!
Rural Crime Meeting
There was an excellent meeting on July 6th at Square Butte Hall with newly appointed Staff Sergeant Don Racette from the RCMP’s Turner Valley detachment (they have kept that name for now) and invited guests. Community members gave input and asked questions of the panel.
Online Crime reporting is now available. For more information go to: ocre-sielc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/alberta
2023 Farm Family Award for Foothills County
On July 10th I attended the Family Farm Award at the BMO Centre on the Stampede grounds, where the Seaman family along with many other Southern Alberta Farms were honoured. Congratulations again! After the awards, we watched the rodeo where Millarville’s own Layton Green had an awesome ride.
Quirk Creek Stampede Breakfast
Great mingling with neighbours at the Quirk Creek Stampede breakfast on July 12th. Great food and beautiful weather.
Little New York Daze Parade
Foothills County entered a float in the Little New York Daze parade in Longview on July 15th. Staff and 3 councillors handed out treats and/or rode on the float. The parade was so great that parade goers got to see it twice. The parade went North on Highway 22, turned around at the school, and went South on Highway 22. It was great to see many residents from Division 3 and the surrounding area in the crowd.
Priddis & Millarville Fair
The Fair is coming up faster that you think, August 19 & 20, 2023, but there is still time to register.
You can register right now using the entry forms at the back of the Fair Book or go online at: primil.fairwire.com
At the last meeting we received updates from department heads. Many departments could use more volunteers. Also, the Birds of Prey exhibit desperately needs donations.
Please call the MRAS office if you can help: 403.931.4311
There will be 63 vendors attending on Fair Day, plus so many new displays and activities planned for both Saturday and Sunday.
Be sure you come to the Information Booth south of the Arena to pick up a Fair schedule and say Hi!
I hope you are having a great summer and that I will see you at the Priddis & Millarville Fair!!!
Barb Castell
Phone: 403-931-3690
E-Mail: barb.castell@foothillscountyab.ca
Website: www.barbcastell.com
FaceBook: facebook.com/barbcastell.ca
