Hello, Diamond Valley. The first day of fall is September 21, the Autumn Equinox. The kids are back in school after a summer off, and my furnace kicked on around the middle of August for the first time. We had some much needed rain, and I’m looking forward to seeing what fall brings to our community.
The Town of Turner Valley will be holding its annual Community Registration Night on September 10 from 6-8 at the Flare and Derrick. Come check it out, this is an opportunity to see what organizations we have in our community, whether it be for toddlers, children, youth, seniors, sports, art, recreation, hobbies, business, etc. Tables will be set up for the different organizations, if you are a not for profit group or individual, and would like to book a table, or for more info, please call the lovely Hazel at 403-933-4944 or email at hazelm@turnervalley.ca.
Also Sheep Creek Arts Council will be holding their annual Registration Night on September 11. They hold a variety of programs including painting, drawing, photography, quilting, knitting, mosaics with stones and ceramics, and more. Right next door is the Valley Neighbours Club which boasts the Gardening Club, leisure activities, and more. A good night to check them both out, for more info, visit sheepcreekarts.ca, or drop by at Sunset Boulevard in Turner Valley, a block or so west of the 4 way stop.
With fall approaching it feels like a fresh start for learning something new. Maybe it’s because when I was a kid school started in the fall, and then later on university was a fall start as well. McBride Career Group is here to help you if you are considering a career change, seeking employment, looking to refresh your resume, or needing specific training to secure a job. All services are offered at no cost! They provide individual coaching, customized workshops, resources, and assistance. To find out more or to book an appointment, call 403-995-4377. They are located in Okotoks but serve the Foothills area.
Needing to upgrade your education? Alberta Distance Learning Centre has over 250 courses to choose from- all taught by professional teacher-instructors. Complete your course on paper or online. You can start anytime and the cost is affordable.Formore information, call 1-866-774-5333 or visit adlc.ca.
Black Diamond has a Commissioner for Oaths Service if you need one. The Town does not have a Notary Public, which usually requires the services of a lawyer. The Commissioner for Oaths is generally (but not guaranteed to be) available at the Town Office between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm. Please call ahead to ensure that the Commissioner for Oaths is going to be available when you are able to come in. The Service is for affidavits and declarations for the province of Alberta only. For more info, the Town’s number is 403-933-4348.
Our Turner Valley Legion is open again for business on September 4. They offer 8 ball singles starting September 14, poker and darts every Wednesday, pool every Thursday, and every Friday is a themed dinner. You don’t have to be a member to enjoy the Legion, just make sure to sign the guest book at the top of the stairs. Really good food and fellowship abound at our Legion, all ages are welcome, so why not drop in and have a look. For more info, their number is 403-933-4600.
The 4th annual Old Time Family Dance is coming up on September 21. Sponsored by the United Church in the Valley, this is a fundraiser for the Diamond Valley Community Outreach Projects. The dance will be held at the Flare and Derrick from 7-10:30pm with fiddle music by the Gates Family. Let me tell you there’s nothing like a fiddle to get your feet tapping! Tickets are only $10 and 16 and under are free. There will be a concession as well. For more info, the United Church’s number is 403-933-4114.
Beneath the Arch Concert Series is back after summer hiatus, with Scott Cook and the Second Chances performing on September 28. Cook is a roots balladeer with warmth and a sackful of stories from worldwide travels. His songs feature keenly observant lyrics accompanied by guitar, banjo, and a fabulous band. There are still season’s tickets left for the arch, or you can buy a rush ticket for this show only. The season’s tickets are one of the best deals around, for more info, please check out their website, beneaththearch.ca. The show will be held at 7:00 at the Flare and Derrick Community Centre in Turner Valley.
From music to art, the Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta is an annual event where multiple artists of all mediums host open houses for us to attend. They include makers and growers, painters, glass blowing, clay, and much more. The nextopenstudioeventrunsSeptember 27-29 in the Foothills. For a list of participating artists and more info, visit TheMostBeautifulArtTourinAlberta.com or find them on Facebook. Come see what our many talented local artisans have to offer.
The Leighton Art Centre has a new exhibit called “Adagio”. This exhibit features a collection of lush, evocative, and true to life oil paintings by Bobbi Dunlop using a slow, sequential, and technically demanding process. LAC is a long standing not for profit organization and is located near Millarville. This exhibit runs until September 22. Their next exhibit after Adagio is called “Open Water”, and this show runs from Sept. 28- Oct. 27. More information can be found at leightonartcentre.org.
September means Septembeer Fest is back in Black Diamond! Come and check out local breweries, tasty food from the food trucks, and tie it all together with live music. This is an 18+ only event, ID will be required. Tasting tickets are $2/person or mugs $5/person. The Beer Fest will be held in the Black Diamond Town Office Parking Lot, easy walking distance within town, from 11-6 on September 29. More info, visit the Town’s website or drop by the office.
From beer to apples, Granary Road will be hosting Applefest on September 21 and 22. Celebrate apples and their crunchy goodness, and enjoy apple related activities. Local vendors in the Public Market will be featuring apple themed foods and products and their active learning park will be featuring an orchard tree house. Admission to the public market is free, for more info, granaryroad.com.
One of the biggest and best car shows around is coming up on the weekend of September 28 and 29. Our friends River City Classics Car Club in High River hosts this long standing event, and it’s one of my favourites. The Saturday is Burn Out Night, bring your ‘classic’ and drive it in the 100 yard Burn Out Event, and then show it off at the annual Show ‘n’ Shine on the Sunday. Registration is required for vehicles. Or just come on down and check out the blocks and blocks of classic cars, trucks, and bikes, and enjoy vendors, live music, draws, and great company. More info or registration can be found at rivercityclassics.ca.
A different kind of classic ride is coming up, the annual Foothills Ride for STARS Air Ambulance. This annual trail ride is a community sponsored fundraising event in support of the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society, or STARS. Bring your own horse for the Trail Ride, walk, or ride in a horse drawn wagon, and end off the day with dinner, dancing, and a live and silent auction. To register online and get pledge forms, to help out with sponsorship or volunteering, or for more information, visit foothillsrideforstars.com. and help keep STARS in the sky. The event runs September14.
From driving to riding to walking, the annual Kidney March is coming up September 6-8. This is the 10th anniversary of the Walk, where hundreds will partake on a 3 day journey from Kananaskis to Calgary with pledges raised in support of Kidney Disease. The walkers are extremely well looked after during the walk, and family, friends and the community are encouraged to come and cheer them on. Come march, be part of the crew, or donate, for more information on this very worthwhile cause, call 1-866- 956-2724 or visit kidneymarch.ca.
Well gardening season is coming to a close, and it’s a good time to sort out your perennials for next year. The Turner Valley Golf Course is hosting a Plant Share on September 29 from 10am til noon. Bring perennials or come and get plants for your garden. No cost, for more info call 403- 933-4721 and ask for Peg or Julie.
If you have any events happening in October that you would like to see in the High Country News, please email me at elaine.w@telus.net. The deadline for this issue is September 15.
by Elaine Wansleeben
