HELLO DIAMOND VALLEY
Hello, Diamond Valley! Well, as we slip into fall, I reflect on what a lovely summer we had. I tried to make the most of it with a few camping trips, the Longstock Music Festival, and some nice family bbq’s. My family and I also took a day trip to the Danish National Museum located just outside of Dickson, where my grandparents have a stone. We had a really good Danish lunch and afterwards walked around the grounds, which feature a replica Danish Viking ship, a beautiful little church, and an old CPR house. Well worth the donation for admission.
With fall in the air, Hartell Homestead would like to invite you to a couple of events they are hosting. The first is Harvest Seed Saving, in which you can learn about readying your garden for winter and saving seeds for next year, and this will be held on October 15 from 2-4. Sign up through email or at the store. Then get ready for Haunted Hartell, running October 29-31 from 4-6. Get your costumes on and bring the family for a spooktacular time! This event is free to the public, no sign-up needed, but donations are welcome. More info can be found at hartellhomestead.com.
Granary Road is hosting Pumpkinfest on October 22 and 23 from 1-4. Granary Road has partnered with the Okotoks Optimist Club for their 4th annual Pumpkin Chunkin’ event, in which contestants will create their own catapult or trebuchet to launch pumpkins as far as possible. There will also be a costume contest, games, music, and more. Please bring a donation for the Food Bank. Granaryroad.com for details.
Sheep Creek Weavers was founded in 1974 and holds regular workshops for spinners, weavers, knitters, felters, quilters, crocheters, dyers, and sewers. They are hosting their annual sale with lots of beautiful handmade fibreworks on October 15 and 16 at the Millarville Racetrack from 10-4. A great place to find a really gorgeous gift for someone special.
October is Celebrate your Library month. Our local Sheep River Library holds many different classes, many of the musical variety. Just some of the programs offered are; Songs and Rhymes for Babies, Music Together (for 1-4 years old), Diamond Valley Songwriters, and Community Drumming Circle. Go to sheepriverlibrary.ca for details.
And there’s more music happening in our Foothills. Red Deer Lake United Church is pleased to present two series of concerts. Their regular series, On the Edge, features Juno nominees husband and wife duo Craig Bignell and Suzanne Levesque in their band Over the Moon on October 21. November 27 features The Travelling Mabels concert “Christmas Spirit, Song, and Laughter”. Shows are held in the beautiful Church and the sound is great for these favorite bands. Tickets are at rdluc.ca.
Our very own Beneath the Arch concert series are back with Cox & McRae, Canadian musicians with 60 years of experience. Alberta born Doug Cox has played with a plethora of musicians including Long John Baldry, and Linda McRae is formerly of Spirit of the West. Get your tickets at beneaththearch.ca and look forward to an evening of stringed instruments, stories, and songs. The show will be held at the Flare and Derrick in Turner Valley on October 29 with doors at 7 and the show at 7:30.
The Black Diamond Hotel is pleased to start their concert series again, with Canada’s tribute to the Eagles, on October 15. I’ve seen this group before and they are awesome! Doors are at 5 with the show starting at 7:30, you can get tickets at the Hotel or at Sobey’s in Okotoks.
The Turner Valley Legion is launching their Poppy Campaign which kicks off October 28. You can thank our Veterans by volunteering with the Campaign, which will be at the Millarville Christmas Market this year. Also note they are allowed the Remembrance Day Service at the Oilfields High School on November 11 from 10:30- noon, please be there on time as it’s nice to pay attention to the Service. Afterwards, head on over to the Legion for a small family wreath laying at the cenotaph, with socializing after that. They are also looking for volunteers to help with their annual Spookhouse, yes, it is returning this year!! This is one of the best Halloween spookhouses ever, and if you like to dress up and scare the crap out of people, or can help with construction, monetary donations, or ticket sales, please drop by the Legion in Turner Valley or give them a call at 403-933-4600. Check them out on Facebook as well. The Legion also hosts an awesome jam every second Saturday from 4-8.
As we head towards official amalgamation between our two towns in January, the search is on for a mayor and councilors. Nominations for these positions must be filed before October 31, at the Black Diamond Town Office. Information on the process and prospective candidates can be found on either town’s websites. Election Day is November 28.
Lastly, October is Fire Safety Month. Mark a day on your calendar and physically check all your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries if needed. Check fire extinguishers as well. Many fires go unnoticed and have devastating effects simply because the alarms are not operating. The same day you mark your calendar to check your equipment, make a fire escape plan for your family and pets, and practice it to make sure it is feasible and familiar. Hopefully you will never need it but it is sure worth the peace of mind to take a little time to secure these measures.
If you have any events or news for November, please drop me a line a elaine.w@telus.net. The deadline for this issue is October 15.
Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Elaine Wansleeben
