Hello, Diamond Valley. Well, there’s a definite chill in the air as we head on into October and Mother Nature starts wrapping us in her snowy coat. We had a fair amount of rain in September which cooled things off after a lovely summer.
The good news is that our local Turner Valley Legion will be hosting their annual Spook House again this year. This is one of the best I’ve ever been to, they really put on a good scare. Bring the kids and sit and relax with a bevy and snack while they go through or ask for an extreme scare for yourself and your friends. Check the Legion’s Facebook page for details on time and dates for the Spookhouse and enter if you dare!
The Foothills community is invited to attend and support the Foothills Country Hospice’s annual Gala Fundraiser on October 18. This year’s theme is “Hospiceopoly”, and will include features of the classic Monopoly game. The Gala also includes a fabulous dinner, live music, live and silent auctions, and more! To find out more and to purchase tickets, visit countryhospice.org.
With fall in the air, the Foothills Music Scene is back in full swing with our very own Beneath the Arch Concert Series. They are pleased to present The Once on October 26 at 7:00pm. The Once is an award-winning trio from Newfoundland featuring traditional folk, bluegrass, and contemporary tunes, and will be held at the Flare and Derrick in Turner Valley. For tickets and more, visit beneaththearch.ca.
On the Edge Concert Series features Tim Isberg on October 18 at 7:30pm. Originally from Southern Alberta, veteran soldier Tim is an accomplished singer/songwriter with alt-country, roots, and contemporary folk. This Concert Series is held at the beautiful Red Deer Lake United Church, for tickets, go to reddeerlakeuc.com/concerts.
Over in High River, the Gift of Music Concert Series is hosting the Gryphon Trio on October 5 at 7:30pm. This gifted trio has been performing together for 30 years and features a classic storytelling performance with violin, cello, and piano. For tickets, go to highrivergiftofmusic.com.
Do you love to sing? The Big Rock Singers would love to have you join their group. They practice at the Okotoks United Church and you don’t need to audition or have any experience other than a love of music. Partnered up with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, you can register with the group at bigrocksingers.com.
Right in town we have our very own Diamond Valley Singers who meet at the Sheep River Library every second Wednesday from 1-3pm. Join up and you will get to sing at their annual Christmas Concert and also for sessions at the Hospital and the Senior’s Lodges. Drop by or visit the Library’s website for more information.
Also at our beautiful Sheep River Library is the Community Drumming Circle, held the second Friday of the month at 7:00pm. Draw on your own natural rhythms and have fun making music together with others. The fee is by donation, but please register with the Library by dropping in or visiting sheepriverlibrary.ca. October is Canadian Library month and to celebrate, they kick off their Out Loud Series with The Relics on October 12 at 7:00pm. The Relics are four musicians who base their show on the music of James Taylor and like –minded music. And another special treat is for October 25 with Paul Rumboldt. Paul is a Newfoundland singer/songwriter steeped in East Coast Canadian storytelling through music. He was the minister at Turner Valley United Church and we look forward to hearing him again. Out Loud events are free of charge but you must register at the Library beforehand for your free ticket.
The Black Diamond Hotel is pleased to present Rob Skeet’s tribute to Elton John on November 9. This show will sell out quickly as he is quite popular in the Foothills. Wear your oversized Elton sunglasses and your dancing shoes! Keep an eye on Facebook’s Rockabilly Entertainment based in Okotoks, for when tickets go on sale and more details.
I have a correction from last month’s column, about the Griffiths Centre in Black Diamond. The yearly membership fee is $30, not $20, still a darn good deal for all the classes, clubs, and events they hold there. They replaced the roof on the Centre recently and want to thank their members, community, and businesses in Diamond Valley who helped with the project. Thanks to the following: Country Food Mart, Hortscape, Daza Roofing, Diamond Valley FCSS, the Town of Diamond Valley, Chuckwagon Cafe, Farm Credit Canada, Foothills Lions, Black Diamond Liquor, Diamond Valley Napa, Foothills Energy Co-op, Planet Auto, Spicer’s Apothecary, Sandstone Pharmacies, and the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors. Wow that’s a wonderful thing to see all these groups coming together for a good cause.
Remember October is Fire Safety Month, please check your smoke and carbon dioxide alarms, and review your escape plan.
Any events for November that you would like to see in the High Country News, please drop me a line at elaine.w@telus.net before October 15.
Happy Halloween!
Elaine Wansleeben
