HELLO DIAMOND VALLEY
Hello, Diamond Valley. Well, we have had a pretty mild winter so far at the time of writing, a light skiff of snow on November 15, and temperatures are below freezing overnight. Our Winter Solstice this year is on December 21, and we are well into the holiday season.
It’s so nice to see that we will be having our annual Light-Up in Black Diamond this year! The Light-Up Team has assembled Santa to be available for virtual meetings which will be scheduled through Zoom by appointment only. Yes, Santa has the technology! The businesses in town will be advertising specials and sales, and watch for selfie photo stations throughout town. Be sure to get your residence or business decorated for the Christmas Lights Contest. The mayor and Lodge residents will be touring around judging each display and awarding cash prizes up to third place. Stay tuned on Black Diamond’s town website or social media for more details on Light-Up! It will run from 5-9 on Saturday, December 4.
Check out the High Country SPCA’s annual Christmas Market during the day on December 4, it will be held in the Flare and Derrick in Turner Valley from 9-4. There will be $5 tickets for Christmas hampers to be won, and 30 local artists, craftspeople, and businesses will be available to peruse that perfect Christmas gift. Also, local baking, including Melissa’s famous carrot cakes and other delightful goodies will be available, and proceeds go towards our very own local Animal Rescue Society. This SPCA is untiring in helping out animals in our Foothills and I highly praise them, so please come and support the SPCA while shopping and having a good time. The event will also be selling hot dogs, burgers, hot chocolate, coffee, and muffins, and they are also holding raffles. For more information, you can check out the High Country SPCA on Facebook, and to volunteer or make a donation, call Susi at 403-880-2273.
Leighton Art Centre will be hosting their Christmas in the Country Art Sale online from November 6 – December 17 24/7, or in person at the Centre from 10-4 until December 20. This Market features thousands of pieces of fine art and craft from local artists, and includes free admission and complimentary treats. The Leighton Art Centre is located near Millarville.
The Fire Department didn’t have their annual Food Drive this year, but a drive by Food Bank donation event was organized instead. You can still help out by donating dry goods and grocery gift cards at the Food Bank, or there will boxes for donations at the AG Food Store. Items especially needed this year are: salad dressings, seasoning packets, muffin, cookie, and cake mixes, cookies, size 5 diapers, and dish soap. Oilfields Food Bank is located in the United Church in Turner Valley at 125 Royal Avenue. They accept donations from 11-12 on Tuesdays, outside in the weather permits, and inside if not.
While gathering food donations, look through your winter gear and if you have any clean, gently used winter clothing such as jackets, mitts, ski pants, hats, and boots in both kids and adult sizes, gather them up as well for the United Church’s annual Jacket Racket. To contribute, drop off your items (no other clothing please) at the Church on Tuesdays between 11-3 or at one of the donation boxes located at either town’s office or the ATB in Black Diamond. These items will be available to ANYONE who needs winter clothing, stop by the Church on Tuesdays from 11-3 and look through the racks to find some warm winter clothing if needed.
We love our local AG Foods! This season, buy an AG coupon book, save money and support local programs. New businesses in town include Dairy Queen and A&W, Pet Value, and a new bake shop is in the old bakery building on Main Street in Black Diamond. Kaiser’s Bakery has moved up on the east side of Government Road. These new businesses will help with taxes and provide jobs. The town is asking the public for help with ARP – Area Development Plan, for downtown Black Diamond and the highway corridor. They would like to develop a clear long -term vision of this area, and create a comfortable and engaging pedestrian experience. I think we are well on our way as on nice weekends you sure see a lot of people walking around Main Street and checking out the stores and restaurants there, and they are starting to notice the shops on Government Road as well. Take part in this survey online at blackdiamond.town.ab.ca.
Several organizations provide Christmas support to residents of the Foothills. Donate early, and by December 3 so organizers can do their organizing! These organizations include the Oilfields Food Bank, Baby It’s Cold Outside, The Salvation Army, Seniors Secret Service, Simply Compassionate Advocacy Society for Seniors, Magic of Christmas (drop off new unwrapped toys at the ATB or Focus Fitness in Black Diamond), Shop of Wonders, and Rowan House Emergency Shelter. Anyone needing help this Christmas can contact the Food Banks in the Foothills, in Turner Valley or Okotoks, or the Salvation Army Foothills Community Ministries, or Baby It’s Cold Outside. For toys and gifts, again you can contact the Sally Ann or Baby It’s Cold Outside, or My City Care in Okotoks.
The Legion in Turner Valley will be closing for the holidays on Dec 18 – Jan 5, and would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Look for details next issue on all the Legion has to offer, and hopefully by next year there will be less restrictions in our province and everyone can get back to normal!
St. George’s Anglican Church in Turner Valley will be hosting their Christmas Bake Sale on December 11 from 2-4:30. Goodies include butter tarts, mincemeat tarts, cranberries, and frozen cookie dough. The Church also sells homemade strawberry/ rhubarb, apple, and blueberry pies the first Tuesday of every month from 2-4, this month’s date is December 14. To pre-order or to find out more, call Carol at 403-933- 4771, Pat at 587-364-0302, or Janet at 403- 933-5622. St. George’s is located at 202 Main Street SW in Turner Valley.
If you don’t drive, the Sheep River Shuttle is available for doing your Christmas shopping on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the low cost of $3 within town or to Turner Valley and $7 to Okotoks. Charter trips are available on a limited basis also, depending on driver and vehicle availability. The Shuttle is disability accessible and comes right to your door. Call 403-861-2081 to book your ride or for more information.
One last gift idea is the annual STARS calendar. These are available at the Black Diamond Town Office for $30, and are a good fundraiser to help keep STARS Air Ambulance in the sky. If you have any events or news for January, please drop me a line at elaine.w@telus.net. The deadline for this issue is December 15.
Warm, safe, and happy holiday wishes to all,
Elaine Wansleeben
