Hello, Diamond Valley. What a nice January it was. There was some frosty mornings but the sun came out as always and the days had very mild temperatures. Sidewalks and side roads got a little slippery and there was a dense fog a few times as well. The record cold for January was back in 1922 with a –42 degree temperature, we’ll see what February brings. Hopefully that old groundhog will bring us good news!
The good news for our kids is that they have the week of February 20-24 off of school, and Family Day falls on February 20. Alberta offers a free family fishing weekend, February 18-20, in which you don’t need a fishing license in order to cast your line out. We went to Chain Lakes a few years ago on this free weekend and tried ice fishing. Everyone drove their vehicles right onto the lake and had fires and hotdogs, but it was a bit unsettling when the ice would moan and shift whenever someone drove off or on the ice. But a good experience anyway, even caught a fish or two. More information on regulations and places to fish, you could try my wildalberta.com.
It’s Winter Walk Day on February 1, which is a province wide event where residents can track the amount of time spent being active and log it online, at winterwalkday. ca. Walking is one of the best free exercises almost anyone can do and it is so good for you, not only the exercise but the fresh air and sunshine are a tonic as well. Grab a friend or your dog and go for it, or you can check out the Sheep River Ramblers, a walking/ hiking/ snowshoeing group that is through the Library. We have so many good walking trails, of course, the Friendship Trail which now goes all the way around both towns, and the Turner Valley Golf Course is free to walk around on as well. My source from the course asks that residents avoid walking on the greens or the tee boxes, to prevent damage to that lovely grass and also because the tarps they put over them for the winter get very slippery. The off leash area is a great place to walk, as well as down by the gas plant and the Hell’s Gate bridge area.
Kananaskis has hundreds of trails for every degree of walkers too. They also have cross country ski trails. Much of the Sheep RIver and its tributaries offer ridge tops with vistas of the foothills and mountains and a chance to see elk, moose, and deer. Altogether the Sheep RIver Valley and Bluerock Wildland Provincial Park offer 37 kilometres of groomed ski trails ranging from 1-6 km, most of them easy trails. For more information, and for safety tips also, visit cd.gov.ab/Parks/Kananaskis.
For those who prefer not to walk, a reminder that we have our Sheep RIver Shuttle is now available to residents in the Diamond Valley. Partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills, the shuttle is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and charters are available. One way fares within Diamond Valley are $3, one way to Okotoks is $7, and children 5 and under are free with a parent or guardian. Please book trips 24 hours in advance, to book a trip or to find out more, call 403-861-2081.
The RCMP celebrate their 150th anniversary this year. They have over 750 detachments in Canada, including 200 municipalities and 192 First Nations communities. Some of their specializations include: major crime investigations, emergency response, forensic id, international peacekeeping, explosives disposal, and police dog services. Administrative roles include public affairs and human resources. Thank you to all that work in the RCMP!
And also, a big thank you to all the volunteers and staff, and they are mostly volunteers, who work in our Fire Departments, Emergency Medical Services, Foothills Search and Rescue, and of course our Hospital Staff, Home Care Workers, and Social Services Workers. It has been a tough go for many of these people with the pandemic, which is still having effects on our system. We are lucky to have these services in our community.
Did you know that there is an organization called Diamond Valley Citizens on Patrol, or COPS? They are a dedicated group of volunteers who patrol in pairs and report to the RCMP any unusual or criminal behaviors. They patrol, observe, and record, as there has been an increase in crime in our area. When I first moved here over 20 years ago, I never locked my house or vehicle, or the garage or anything, and now I do as there have been reports over the years of people trying doors in the middle of the night. Better safe than sorry, as insurance tends not to pay out if things are left wide open. If you would like to volunteer or find out more about COPS, and help provide a safer community for all, email is diamondvalleycop53@gmail.com. Thanks to all the volunteers!
Other volunteer opportunities in our area at this time are in the Parks, Paths, and Recreation Advisory Committee, through Diamond Valley, and the Sheep Creek Arts Council is in need of a directors for their board. Oilfields Hospital and the Rising Sun are places where help is needed also, and Pound Rescue is in dire need of foster homes for animals.
There will be another Repair Café at the Griffiths Centre on February 4 from 11-3. You can bring items that are broken and their volunteers will try their best to fix them! This keeps things out of the landfill and saves you money too. Please make an appointment, but walk-ins will be accommodated as best they can. To make an appointment or for more information, call 403-797-3386 or there is a link on Black Diamond’s website. The Repair Café is free but they accept donations which goes toward the Sustainability Committee, a wonderful organization that promotes green living and sustainability. The Griffiths Centre is located at 122 Government Road in Black Diamond.
Beneath the Arch is pleased to present Shaela Miller and Band on February 25. Shaela is an Albertan independent artist who brings a sassy vibe to her alt-country songs and a lively stage presence along with her 5- piece band. Doors open at 7 and the show runs from 7_30-10, for tickets, visit beneaththearch.ca.
If you have any events happening in March, please drop me a line at elaine.w@telus. net, we love to hear from our not for profit organizations. The deadline for March’s issue is February 15.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Elaine Wansleeben
