Happy Mother’s Day. We are finally noticing the aspen and willow branches develop the early spring “green hue”. Spring has finally come. What better image to place on our front cover but the welcome activity of the birds. I love waking up to the sounds of the robins singing so cheerfully in our yard. If you would like to know how to promote more bird activity on your property, please visit one of the many community garden stores local to our communities, horticultural club (page 26), or contact the writers from Bragg Creek Wild (page 16).
I want to bring to your attention an article on page 35 (The Freedom 8848 initiative). You may not feel like you can physically participate in the event (it takes a special kind of person), but maybe you can support it financially or volunteer. Since starting the climb in 2020 they have raised over $250,000 in support of organizations that help rescue and support women caught in the horrors of sex trafficking. This is a local Cochrane initiative that has had the privilege of seeing first-hand the fruits of their labour.
Over the next few months, there are several community events taking place, many of which are advertised in the paper. They have also been posted to our online calendar at highcountrynews.ca/events. Please try to get out and connect with your community and support these local initiatives. This is an important way to bring communities together and build lasting relationships. If you are organizing a community event, please feel free to use the calendar as a tool to promote; it’s a free service.
At the end of May we head to the polls for the provincial election. In my limited leadership experience, there are four main principles that I look for when selecting a leader.
- Integrity (which also displays the ability to admit a mistake)
- Behaviour that is trustworthy
- The ability to navigate an ever-increasing complex landscape of ideas
- Teachability
As you decide who you may vote for, maybe some of these principals will help guide you in your decision.
On an evening walk the other day, my wife stopped and looking out over the river, commented, “We are sure privileged to live here, aren’t we?” I trust that we can continue to make our communities a place where we feel “privileged” to reside, work, and recreate in. This will require our personal commitment to invest back into the community and people around us.
From my family to yours, Lowell Harder
