HELLO DIAMOND VALLEY
Hello, Diamond Valley. I’ve had a lot of visitors to town asking if we are going to change the name of both towns to Diamond Valley, since amalgamation. I have replied that even though the name change legally goes in January 1, 2023, to most of us Black Diamond will still be Black Diamond and Turner Valley will still be Turner Valley. Or “the Diamond” or “the Valley” for short.
Nominations are open for Diamond Valley, with nominations being filed by noon on October 31. The election day is November 28. To learn more about prospective candidates or to file your own nomination, visit town.blackdiamond.ab.ca or turnervalley.ca. We will be voting for our new mayor and councilors for the combined towns on that day.
For those of you who were born in the 40’s and 50’s and raised in Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Longview, Millarville and area in the 50’s and 60’s you are invited to attend our Homecoming 2022. The event is to be held at the Flare and Derrick on September 10 from 2:00 in the afternoon, with the evening meal provided by the Legion. Special entertainment in the afternoon is followed by a DJ in the evening for dancing to those 50’s and 60’s tunes we love. Friday night is a meet and greet at the Black Diamond Hotel and Sunday there will be a breakfast at the Legion. The first Homecoming in 2017 had 250 people attending and was a great success. For information, please contact Glenis Currie at gleniscurrie@msn.com. And just a note, the Oilfields ‘75-’85 Grad Reunion for August 13 has been cancelled.
Longstock 2023 is a go this year, and I for one am sure looking forward to it! Get your passes online for this 13th annual event with different bands playing all day and night long, including our personal favorites, the Travelling Mabels! The Festival also includes food vendors, a beer garden, and lots of vendors with arts, crafts, clothing, you name it. This event will be held on August 12-14 at the Smith-Fuller Centennial Park in Longview, for passes and more information go to longstockmusicfestival.com.
Another big music festival coming up is the Southern Alberta Music Festival at Aspen Crossing, coming up August 12 and 13. Too bad both festivals run the same weekend! This one features live country, blues, folk, and rock and roll. There will be a beer gardens, food vendors, and camping is available on site. The festival is a fundraiser for STARS Air Ambulance, for tickets and details, visit stars.ca.
Back in town, our beautiful Sheep River Library offers a Summer Reading Program for 7-10 year olds, and also this year they have bikes for rent, helmets and locks are provided. They also offer a Songwriter’s Group among other programs, come check them out on Main Street in Turner Valley.
I picked up a most informative brochure at the Valley Neighbours Club, and you wouldn’t believe all the good programs and classes they have going on! Just some include card games, dance fitness, exercise programs, bingo, and a garden club as well as special events. Membership fees are only $20 per year, and membership is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. New members are most welcome and you can join anytime of the year. The facility is also available for rent. Drop by the VNC which is located 133 Sunset Boulevard in Turner Valley.
Also in Turner Valley is the Dr. Lander Memorial Swimming Pool. They invite you to jump in and offer fitness programs, swimming lessons, the Torpedoes Swim Club, lane swims, family and public swims, and much more. For a full schedule, drop by or visit turnervalley.ca. The Pool is located on Main Street by the Library.
And speaking of water, please remember we have water restrictions. If your address is even numbered, you may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and odd numbers are on Sundays and Thursdays. Watering is permitted from 6-9 am and 7-10 pm only. Which makes sense as the sun is not so hot then and will not evaporate most of your watering.
Looking for something fun and different this summer? High River’s Sunset Drive-In is showing movies on the big screen on August 12-13 and again on August 26-27. The Drive-In is volunteer run and the cost is $40 per vehicle, and that’s for a double feature. Food trucks and porta-potties will be available, and you listen to the movie through your radio. Good thing they don’t have those speakers that you attach to your car window anymore as how many people drove away with them still attached! For more information and to see what’s playing, go to highriversunsetdrivein.ca.
If you have any events or news for September, please drop me a line at elaine.w@telus.net. The deadline for this issue is August 15.
Enjoy your summer!
Elaine Wansleeben
