Hello, Diamond Valley. Such a mild winter it’s been so far. Good Friday this year is on March 29, with Easter Sunday the 31st. It should be fine weather for the Easter Bunny to hop on over and hide his eggs for all the kids. The Easter Bunny was first introduced to North America by German immigrants to Pennsylvania, who reportedly brought over their tradition of an egg-laying hare named “Osterhase” from the Old Country. Our Turner Valley Legion generally has an Easter Children’s Party to celebrate Easter, please check the Legion’s Facebook page for information on when this will be as they weren’t quite ready at the time of printing. The Legion is doing so well, if you haven’t been there in a while, please drop by for darts on Wednesdays, pool and wing night and meat draw Thursdays, and lots of other special events they put on. The kitchen is open from Wed-Fri from 4-8, and no, you don’t have to be a member to come to the Legion.
It’s also Earth Day this month, and Earth Hour is March 23rd from 8:30-9:30pm. People are encouraged to turn off the TV and their devices to save electricity, and studies show that past Earth Hours have saved tons of electricity in this hour. Another way we can help save our precious Earth here in town is by checking out the Sustainable Living Centre in Turner Valley. The Centre shares tools, workshops, seminars, training, and presentations to educate us in sustainability. Some examples are gardening and growing your own foods, sewing, understanding your utility bills and suggestions for reducing them, how to build things, and also has the Connections Nature School so our children can start learning these things at a young age. The Centre is located at 218 Kennedy Drive SE in Turner Valley, drop by to check them out
Lots of music this month to sit back and enjoy, starting with Beneath the Arch Concert Series right here in town. They are pleased to present John Reishman and the Jaybirds, who will entertain with homegrown Canadian bluegrass complete with classic harmonies and the best picking ever. The Arch puts on several concerts a year and provided bursaries for youth as well. I have been to many Arch concerts and have enjoyed every single one of them. This show is on March 23rd at 7:00, for tickets and more info, visit beneaththearch.com.
The Gift of Music in High River presents the Calgary Girls Choir on March 10 at 3pm, at the High River United Church, how sweet will that sound? And On the Edge Concert Series at the Red Deer Lake United Church presents the Wardens on March 22 at 7:30, they are a Rocky Mountain based band, whose stories and songs rise from the very land they’ve protected as Canadian national park wardens. Please go online to find out about tickets and more for these shows.
We have a nice off leash area for dog walking in Black Diamond, alongside the Sheep River. Dog owners will be pleased to hear that Turner Valley now has a Dog Park with a fenced park, located at the end of Turner Gate near the river. It is an off leash as well, but with both parks, owners must keep their pets under control at all times. Go to DiamondValley.town/DogParks to find out more.
Diamond Valley Parade Day is always the first Saturday in June, and is something we all look forward to. The committee is starting early this year in their quest for parade entries, vendors, and sponsors, and volunteers as well, as they are the heart of our community. The Parade gets better every year, if you would like to be a part of it, go to DiamondValley.town/ParadeDay. This year’s date is June 1st.
The Griffiths Centre in Black Diamond is offering Country Social Dancing beginning March 15th from 7-8pm. I have talked to participants of the Valley Neighbours Club dance programs, and they all said how much fun it is to dance, get some exercise, and socialize with others at the same time. Please wear comfy shoes that slide, and this is a free program, as long as you are a member of the Griffiths, which the membership fee is extremely reasonable. You can also get coffee and a cookie for $2 afterwards. Where else in this day and age can you have such a nice night out for next to nothing? If you are interested in the Country Social Dancing at the Griffiths Centre, contact Jeannine at lovewhatarises@outlook.com to sign up for this fun class, and the Centre is located on Government Road.
The Griffiths also offers many other programs and classes, including a Memory Cafe. This is for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet and provide mutual support. It is on the fourth Friday of the month from 1:00-2:30, and is offered through Wild Rose Continuing Education. For a more detailed list of all the programs and classes offered at the Griffiths Centre, please drop by or check out their website.
Lastly, the much -anticipated Skijordue is set for March 2nd at the Millarville Racetrack. This is such a fun event where teams are on skis being pulled by horses. Contestants dress up, do tricks, and win bragging rights along with great prizes and belt buckles. Afterwards there is a fantastic menu featuring fondue, bratwurst, poutine, and much more. The event runs from 10-6, for tickets and more information, go to skijorcanada.com.
We love to hear from our Foothills community, please drop me a line for any events for the April issue before March 15, at elaine.w@telus.net.
Happy Easter,
Elaine Wansleeben
