Okotoks Living Fall 2013

6 OkOtOks Living fall 2013 SOURCE MEDIa GROUP: CElEBRaTING ITS 10TH YEaR

CULTURE & HISTORY13 Love stories History project records

Okotoks early years

FEaTURE14 Wish granted Community helps raise

money for Okotoks Wish Walk

COmmUnITY18 Okotoks to the rescue Flood response shows

community spirit

SpORTS & RECREaTIOn27 Crosstown rivals Knights and Falcons battle

for high school football supremacy

HOmES33 Home sweet Okotoks Excel Homes building

exclusively-styled homes in MountainView

SUSTaInabILITY37 Birds of a feather Make your backyard

a mini-ecosystem, with help of songbirds

Ties that bind Jackie Miller celebrates

life in Okotoks Cover photography by Don Molyneaux

22

37

pEOpLE

18

SOURCE MEDIa GROUP: CElEBRaTING ITS 10TH YEaR fall 2013 OkOtOks Living 7

contentsf a l l 2 0 1 3

ITEmS

8 Editor’s Message10 Town of Okotoks

Message39 Events44 Map

YOU SaId IT …

46 What is the most generous thing someone’s ever done for you?

@Okotoksliving

Okotoksliving

14

33

27

3913


Helping handsOkotoks’ community spirit has always been strong.

You can see it in the number of people who volunteer at annual events like the

Foothills Highland Games, the Spirit of Okotoks weekend, or the Okotoks Pro Rodeo.

Generous outpourings of support seem to be in this community’s DNA. Helping others

is just what we do, whether they’re down the block, across town, in High River, Black

Diamond or Canmore, because, we’re all connected.

Helping people is second nature to our cover girl, Jackie Miller. A retired nurse, 4H

riding instructor, and president of the Okotoks Agricultural Society, Miller wouldn’t

think twice if someone needed something. She’s also a

lynchpin of support, volunteering her time for various

groups in town. Read more about her on page 22.

In this issue, our stories explore the ties that bind us all.

The connections made at the Okotoks Elks Hall a century

ago, at those Saturday dances, led to lasting relationships

for many Okotokians. Writer Kelsey Gilchrist looks at love

stories over the years, on page 13.

Support can come in many shapes and forms, as we found

out. As did the Okotoks Wish Walk folks last year, when the

community came out to help aid their cause. Read more

about that unexpected outpouring of support on page 14.

The ties that bind also buoy us. In Okotoks, everyone is connected to someone

else, and that really helped when recent flooding affected the town and devasted

neighbouring communities. Our community story, on page 18, looks into how

Okotokians helped out.

Rounding out this issue, we explore upcoming events and cheer on the local football

teams as they battle it out on the field. Writer Stephen Smith tackles high school

football with the HTA Knights and the Comp’s Falcons on page 27.

Our Homes feature looks into The Raleigh in MountainView, an exclusive home model

for that community with definite perks. And after you’re done perusing the pages of

that feature, flip to our sustainability story and learn how to create a small bird-friendly

ecosystem in your backyard.

Get out there and enjoy the sunshine before the snow flies, Okotoks.

editor’s note

Jessica Patterson, [email protected]

P U B L I S H E R | Source Media [email protected]

A S S o c I AT E P U B L I S H E R | Jim [email protected]

E D I T o R | Jessica [email protected]

A R T D I R E c T o R | Jean faye [email protected]

g R A P H I c D E S I g n E R S

lama [email protected]

Dave [email protected]

Megan [email protected]

P R o D U c T I o n c o - o R D I n AT o R | Colleen [email protected]

A D v E R T I S I n g S A L E S | Janice [email protected]

A c c o U n T I n g | Donna [email protected]

E D I T o R I A L

aaliya Essa, Kelsey Gilchrist, Stephen W. Smith

P H o T o g R A P H Y

lana armitage, allen Gimblett, Don Molyneaux, Jessica Patterson,

T o w n o f o k o T o k S L I A I S o n

Shane Olson

D I S T R I B U T E D B Y

Media Classified, Town of Okotoks,Okotoks Welcome Wagon, Source Media Group,

Wall2Wall

P R I N T E D I N Ca Na Da

Copyright 2013 by Source Media Group Corp. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the expressed written permission of the publishers.

Okotoks Living™ is published four times per annum and is available free through select distribution points in Calgary and Okotoks.

Source Media Group agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misin-formation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion.

Okotoks Living™ accepts editorial submissions and let-ters to the editor by electronic mail only. Please forward any submissions, including your full name, phone num-ber and return email address, to [email protected]

c o n TA c T :Source Media Group. 207, 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9 tel 403.532.3101

fax 403.532.3109 toll free 1.888.932.3101www.sourcemediagroup.ca

403.532.3101 ext. [email protected]

mayor’s message

On behalf of Town Council, I would like to remind residents that the municipal election is

coming up and it is important for you to vote. By voting, you are not only exercising your

democratic right, but you are also ensuring your support for those candidates who share

your vision for your community and neighbourhood.

Remember that the Town provides the day-to-day services you count on — from fire and police

services, to clean water and parks, to recreation and public libraries. Voting for a candidate for

Mayor and Councillor means that you are helping to set

the future direction of the Town of Okotoks. It’s your

future...vote!

Election Day is Monday October 21, 2013 from

6 a.m. – 8 p.m. This year there are two polling stations:

North of the river at the Okotoks Recreation Centre

(99 Okotoks Drive) and south of the river at the Foothills

Centennial Centre (4, 204 Community Way). For more

election details, please visit the Town website at

www.okotoks.ca.

As summer comes to a close, there are many fall

activities to look forward to in our community such as

the first annual Tour of Alberta pro-cycling event at

Seaman Stadium on September 8, Alberta Culture Days

from September 27 – 29 and HarvestFest on September

28 which take place in downtown Okotoks.

We encourage you to take part and have fun! For more information, check out the events page

of this publication or our website events calendar.

As you enjoy this magazine, get inspired by Okotoks and embrace all that Town Council and

Administration strive for in making this progressive, fulfilling community a remarkable place to

live, work, and play.

Message from Mayor and Town Council

Councillors Stephen Clark, laurie Hodson, Ray Watrin, Mayor Bill Robertson (seated), Councillors Matt Rockley, florence Christophers and Edward Sands.

Mayor WM. (Bill) Robertson On behalf of Town Council

follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/ town_of_okotoks

Become a fan of Town of Okotoks


THERE MuST HAVE been something in the music.

In Okotoks, in the roaring ‘20s, the most common

way for couples to meet was at the weekly dances at

the Elk’s Hall.

“In Okotoks, there was the Saturday night dance,

which went on for decades, and that was a way for the

community again to come together and take a break

from the work week or farming. It was a way to let

loose and have fun one night of the week,” says Kathy

Coutts, Museum Specialist at the Okotoks Museum and

Archives. “And, it was a way for young men and young

women to meet.”

It was at one of these dances that Betty Sparrow met

her husband. Sparrow was one of 22 Okotoks residents

in their eighties and nineties who participated in an oral

history project conducted by the Okotoks Museum and

Archives and the Okotoks and District Historical Society

from 2002 to 2004, with the goal of capturing a snapshot

of Okotoks in the first half of the twentieth century

through first hand stories from residents.

“They always had a Saturday night dance here, with

the High Hatters orchestra. I think that’s how most kids

met one another, was at a dance,” Sparrow explained in

an interview for the project.

Coutts says that all of the young people in town

attended the dances every week. “I would imagine that

the older generation was there but maybe left early,” she

adds with a laugh. “But, there was always a live orches-

tra. It was a band that would consist of a piano, a guitar,

and maybe a fiddle.”

historyBy Kelsey Gilchrist

Love storiesHistory project records Okotoks early years

Okotoks also had a club called the “Okotoks Coun-

try Club,” which hosted a variety of social gatherings

including box socials, picnics and dances. The club was

affectionately nicknamed the “Cupid Club” because so

many romances started at their functions. The club

began in 1915 and folded in 1961-62.

Like other small Southern Alberta towns, everyone

knew everyone in Okotoks,

“Okotoks was about 500 people for the longest time in

the early part of the last century,” says Coutts. “It really

didn’t grow much until the 1950s.”

Sparrow’s daughter Lynda Vang pointed out that no

one met for the first time at these dances. “You just

knew everybody. It’s never a matter of meeting people,

you just always knew they were there.”

Tillotson’s sister, Ruby Cole, said in her interview

that she could not remember not knowing the

man who eventually became her husband. “I knew

Harold all my life. I was 11-months-old when they

came to live beside us as neighbours on the farm,”

she says.

Though, if people needed to be introduced, there

was always the calling card. In the days before

eHarmony, the calling card was the way to go. In the

1890s, a young man could not simply ask a girl on a

date. He had to visit her and present his calling card.

“Calling cards are like the predecessor of business

cards,” Coutts says. “A gentleman would present his

card and then the mom or dad would go ask if the

girl would like to receive him as a visitor.” OL

Like other small Southern Alberta towns, everybody knew everybody in Okotoks.

The Okotoks Elks Hall, 1929



NExT MONTH, HuNDREDS of feet will be pounding the

pavement along Okotoks’ river pathways for a special

cause — the Okotoks Wishmaker Walk.

The event was the brainchild of Christine Killam, who

was inspired to give back after her seven-year-old son

Bennett received a wish.

“We wanted to give back for what he might get one

day,” she says, adding that she wanted to help other

families whose children have life-threatening illnesses.

The Okotoks Wish Walk came together last year,

with the help of a group of volunteers who thought the

Children’s Wish foundation was an important charity to

raise awareness for and support financially. Before they

knew it, there were 22 people working on the 2012 event.

Wish grantedCommunity helps raise money for Okotoks Wish Walk

feature

Over six weeks, the group promoted the event in the paper,

and Killam did a couple of interviews on the radio. They set up a

Twitter account and a facebook page.

Killam’s family story was told in a video on the Okotoks Wish

Walk website. “It was important to have a face and a story people

could connect to,” Killam says.

Killam’s son Bennett and her daughter Maeve both have

dyskeratosis congenita, a rare multi-system genetic disease that

attacks the skin, bone marrow, blood, and other parts of the body,

and causes premature aging.

Bennett was given a wish a couple of years ago. He hasn’t

decided what he wants to do yet, his mother says. “He wanted

to meet Robert Munsch and write a book with him, but then

he decided he’d rather go to atlantis on Paradise Island in the

Bahamas. He has an extended hospital stay coming up, so it’ll be a

good reward and a good thing to focus on.”

Bennett also wanted to go to space.

“When we told Christine that option was actually available, for

$1 million,” says Cory Rockley, marketing and communications

co-ordinator for the Okotoks Wish Walk committee, laughing,

“she said, ‘that’s not an option,’ and I said, ‘I’m sure we can raise

that much money.’”

“It felt like a family

had come together to

celebrate.A family of 900 people.”

Story by Jessica PattersonPhotos by Lana Armitage


Wish grantedfeature

Okotokians also connected to the Okotoks Wish Walk

ambassador families, who represented themselves and shared

their stories.

“Their job was to be at the walk, last year, and share their story

at the walk,” Killam explains. “ambassador family Sara Nowak

and her son Chance led the walk with a big banner. They’d just

gotten back from their wish, at Disney World in florida, when the

walk happened.”

Wishes can be anything, Killam says.

“There are kids who want a bedroom redecoration,” she says.

“There are lots of Disneyland wishes. There are kids who want to

take a trip to Ontario to visit their grandparents, meet a celebrity

or get a camper to spend more time with their families.”

Wishes help families get through tough times, help kids pull

through situations they’re in, and give them a bright spot to look

forward to.

The idea for the 2012 event was to have 100 people involved

in the walk, and raise about $500. It was a time for familes to

come out, enjoy being with each other, and support others going

through tough times.

Instead, they raised $80,000 and 900 people showed up for the

walk last year.

The outpouring of support the event received from the

community stunned Killam and Rockley.

“I don’t think we knew

they were rallying around

us, until they all showed

up,” Killam says. “We were

in shock the whole day. We

didn’t have enough space to

register all of them.”

The day was magical,

she says. “It felt like a family had

come together to celebrate,” she says. “a family of 900

people.”

The event gave residents, who’ve had wishes granted,

an opportunity to share their stories.

“We were surprised at how many kids in the area

had received or been given the opportunity for a wish,”

Rockley says. “I think there were 10 at the time, and that

was just last year.”

This year, the Okotoks Wishmaker Walk for Wishes is

October 19, 2013.

“This year, we’re focusing on community,” Rockley says.

The Wishmaker Walk is the largest fundraising event

for The Children’s Wish foundation of Canada. Each year,

hundreds of walks are held across the country to help

support wishes in their communities. OL


Great gardens begin at Countryside!


communityBy Jessica Patterson

IN JuNE, FLOODING of epic

proportions flowed through

the foothills, Okotoks and

surrounding communities. The

aftermath was devastating and

it took months before anything

was near to normal again.

For Okotoks businesses,

some of whom experienced the event first hand, the rising

waters were surreal.

“It was almost like a movie, it just didn’t seem real,” says Cheryl

Actemichuk, president of the Okotoks & District Chamber of

Commerce. Actemichuk is the manager of member services at First

Calgary Financial and was evacuated from the bank’s Southridge

Drive location with other employees June 20.

The following day, Actemichuk sprang into action. “I wrote a

letter to our Chamber membership, telling them High River needed

us, the whole community needed us, and outlined to business

owners what was happening in High River, based on what I’d seen

in the news and based on my connection to the president of the

Chamber in High River,” Actemichuk says.

She co-ordinated with Andrew Gustafson, owner of Natural High

Fitness, about immediate needs for evacuees, as he’d been asked

to help manage the reception centre at the Recreation Centre. “I

asked him if there were any immediate needs, to let us know and

we’d put the word out,” she says.

At the beginning, many Okotokians wanted to help out, donate or

offer rooms and food to the displaced residents. Instead, the Town

compiled a list of who had what.

“Over the course of the next couple of weeks, as things became

needed in the reception centre, we had a list of people we could

call on, to bring those things in to us,” Gustafson says. “If there

wasn’t anyone on the list with that specific item, we went out into

the community.”

Gustafson says his role was in procurement.

“If they needed something, we went out and found it,” he says.

“It got us out in the community and we got to talk with a lot of

people.”

Okotoks to the rescueflood response shows community spirit

In the days that followed, a bakery in Calgary

brought a semi-truck load full of bread and asked

where it was needed.

The Okotoks Rotary Club heard there was a need

for blankets and pillows at the reception centre in

Blackie, and within a couple of hours, president Sandi

Kennedy had a garage full.

Often, all it took was a single phone call, Gustafson

says. When the reception centre needed soap,

shampoo, shaving cream and other toiletries, it was

provided in 40 minutes by the case.

“They said, we need sweaters, and within an hour

we had 100 sweaters,” Gustafson says.

Through a network, including but not limited

to the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce, the gym

membership, Rotary and the Okotoks ACE network,

Gustafson says the reception centre was provided for.

“It’s not just because I’m connected, it’s because

I’m connected to a few people who are connected to

a few people, who are connected to a few people,” he

Courtesy Town of Okotoks

Courtesy Town of Okotoks


community

says. “Okotoks is a close-knit community, it’s a small town at

heart. People were willing to drop what they were doing for an

hour and help us find some stuff.”

Each one of the calls for supplies at the reception centre didn’t

take much time, and Gustafson played a small role, like many

others, in seeing that things were accomplished.

“The Town of Okotoks reacted to situations very quickly and

very calmly, they did such a good job in taking care of those

people,” he says. “If we were able to play a small role in that,

we’re happy to have done so and proud we could.”

At First Calgary, Actemichuk decided to make the branch a

drop-off spot for food donations, as the food bank had been

flooded. “People just started coming here in droves, dropping

things off,” she says. “It was crazy, the amount of things that

went out of this branch.”

Business owners in Okotoks and all over the foothills helped

out in various ways. The Okotoks Chamber of Commerce got

phone calls from contractors, asking how they could help the

business and surrounding community.

“Stu McCormick, the vice president of D’Arcy Ranch came

down to see me,” Actemichuk says. “He sat in my office with

tears in his eyes, and said, ‘we want to make this donation

for High River and Black Diamond.’ He gave me a cheque for

$50,000.”

Okotoks answered the call and rallied to help, wherever they

could. Teams of people from different Okotoks businesses

volunteered their time to clean up in High River.

“We’d come in here in the morning to gather the troops, clean

and pumped up and wanting to help,” Actemichuk says.

“They’d come back after nine hours, filthy, exhausted,

tired and emotionally spent. But after witnessing the

devastation everyone was determined to send more

people. And while they were tired, they wanted to get

back out there, send more people and organize again.”

Countless others cooked and made meals, provided

emotional support, and space for friends and families

evacuated by the flood waters.

“I think there’s so many people, hardly anyone

that hasn’t been there or helped out in some way,”

Actemichuk says. “Regardless of where we live, colour

of our skin or religion we choose, we all have five litres

of blood running through us and a heartbeat. I think

that in itself, knowing that people have lost their

homes, their businesses, their livelihoods, I think that’s

what drives people to want to help.”

She says, as Albertans, people genuinely care about

their neighbours, wanting them to be happy, healthy

and well. “The community needs us, is depending on

us, whatever we can do.” OL

“Okotoks is a close-knit community, it’s a small town at heart. People were willing to drop what they were doing for an hour and help us find some stuff.”

Photo by Jessica Patterson

Photo courtesy Helen Gaudry

Bev and Dean Carlson, Terri, Bill Richard and Ryan Cole, laurel and Matt Scharian, Wendy Temple, Janet Graham,

Christine Johnson and her friend Mark. Courtesy Cathy Huth


Ties thatbindJackie Miller celebrates life in Okotoks

Story by Jessica PattersonPhotos by Don Molyneaux

people


To her friends, Jackie Miller is

Wonder Woman, but to her family,

she’s just Mom.

Miller, 59, grew up in Smithers, BC,

the daughter of the town’s doctor

and nurse. The isolated town, 350

miles from Prince George, where everyone looked

out for one another, was the perfect playground for

Miller, who loved to be outside.

Growing up with parents in professions where

they helped people had a big impact on Jackie. “We

always had a stray at our house,” Jackie explains.

“My dad brought home a World War I vet to stay with

us while he recouped. It was before Medicare and he

had no family. He died at our place 14 years later. He

was just like a grandfather to us.”

Jackie’s husband, Ervie, has been the love of her

life for the last 36 years, and even before then.

Ervie was Jackie’s first boyfriend, at the age of 16.

He’d come out to Smithers to play on the junior B

hockey team.

a while later, they parted ways, but that wasn’t to

be the end.

“I was at the Vancouver General School of

Nursing when one of my friends dropped out to get

married and went back home to Grand forks for the

wedding,” Jackie explains. “I went to Grand forks to

be her bridesmaid. One night, we were out having a

drink, and I looked over and there’s Ervie. I couldn’t

believe it.”

Jackie moved to Okotoks in 1976, when she was

22. “There were 1,100 people in Okotoks when I

came,” she says. “and when I married the local boy,

everyone knew who I was, so everyone said hello

to me.”

The rest, as they say, is history. Thirty-six years

of marriage, three kids, three dogs, 18 horses and

numerous other animals have made the Miller ranch

Jackie’s home, just north of Okotoks.

Okotoks has changed over the decades, Miller

says. “It’s very much a small town without a lot of

rural connection, anymore. When my kids were in

high school, they were the only farm kids in the

classroom.”

people

»



people

Jackie’s children are the seventh generation of

Millers to be born in Okotoks. The eldest is Robert,

35, who runs Miller Supply and hauls bulk oil all over

Southern Alberta. Robert married Krista, and they

have two kids, Hayley, 8, and Ryan, 6. Jackie’s middle

son Doug, 31, is a rancher. His wife is Tannis, and

they have a little boy, Tate, 19 months. Her youngest

is Lynsey, 26, an equine dentist who lives just south of

the homeplace with her husband Chance, a working

cow horse trainer. “She was married a

year ago, in our yard,” Jackie says.

“The rural lifestyle is huge because our

kids did contribute to our farm,” Jackie

says. “They had chores every day they

had to do before they got to play. I think

that instills a work ethic and a sense of

responsibility.”

Jackie retired from her part-time job as

a nurse at the High River hospital about

two years ago. Since then, her other

volunteer responsibilities have taken up the slack.

“Jackie is a very hard-working individual, who

doesn’t ever seem to stop, she just keeps on going.

She works non-stop for her family and for her

community,” says friend Bev MacMillan, who has

known Jackie for eight years.

Jackie is the Okotoks Outriders 4H riding coach, and

has been teaching kids to ride for the last 26 years. “I

like helping people and passing on a little of what I’ve

learned,” she says. “I love teaching kids to ride, kids

are awesome.”

Every year, there are 23 kids in the Okotoks

Outriders 4H club. Jackie not only teaches them how

to ride, but also horse ground manners and how to be

safe around horses.

“All of them would be excellent riders,” MacMillan

says. “Jackie inspires them to do their best. If they

are scared of something, she has a really good way of

bringing children out of that and encouraging them

beyond the problem.”

a Back row, l – R: Tate, Tannis, Doug, Chance, Robert and Krista. front row, l – R: lynsey, Jackie, Nacho, Ervie, Hayley and Ryan.

B Jackie, Nacho and her mares.

C Jackie, Ervie and Nacho.

D l to R: Doug, 10, Ervie, Robert, 14, lynsey, 6 and Jackie.

E Jackie and her granddaughter Hayley saddle up Chess.

f & G Jackie and Ervie.

“I like helping people and passing on a little of what I’ve learned.”

A

B C


people

And if a child’s horse is lame, Jackie doesn’t hesitate

to load up and bring one of her own.

She also spends her Wednesday mornings teaching

a groups of ladies, called Bailey’s group, to ride. “We

have a lot of fun. It’s a social group with horses in

common,” she jokes.

Jackie has also volunteered with the Foothills

Therapeutic Riding Association for the last decade,

which she calls a rewarding experience. “It’s amazing

what being around a horse will do for a kid, it builds

confidence and their physical strength and they have

fun,” she says.

And, if those don’t bring Jackie to the Okotoks

Agricultural Society grounds several times a week,

there’s also the fact that she’s president of the society

and has been on the board for five years. Her goal as

president is to have the facility more frequently used

by the community. “I’d like to get more agricultural

things happening there, perhaps some different types

of horse shows,” she says. “It would be a blast to have

an old-time farm fair.”

Seven years ago, Jackie got into the sport of reined

cow horse. She trained with local cow horse trainer

Vance Kaglea. “He’s my coach, my mentor, he taught

me everything I know about working cow horse,”

Jackie says. “It’s a challenge, you have to be in tune

with your horse to do the manoeuvres well.”

She earned second place, also known as reserve

champion, last year at the National

Reined Cow Horse Association World

Championship show in San Angelo,

Texas, on a little mare named Lucy.

Jackie also loves to garden, read, and

go scuba diving with Ervie. With so

many activities, volunteer gigs, and

grandchildren to teach how to ride,

Jackie gets more accomplished than

most people do in a day, MacMillan

says.

“If you can help, you do,” Jackie says.

“You don’t make a big deal about it,

help always starts with your family and

your neighbours.” OL

“If you can help, you do. You don’t make a big deal about it, help always starts with your family and your neighbours.”

D

E

F G

sportsStory by Stephen W. Smith

Photos by Allen Gimblett

Knights and Falcons battle for high school football supremacy

Crosstown rivals

WHENEVER THE fOOTHIllS Composite

falcons and Holy Trinity academy Knights

match up on a football field it’s a big event.

“I think it’s one of the great rivalries in high

school athletics in alberta,” says Matt Hassett, long-

time head coach of the Knights. “It’s just one those things

you get with crosstown rivals. They don’t want to lose to us.

We don’t want to lose to them.”

Once a year the Knights and falcons meet for regular season

bragging rights and they often collide again in the playoffs

with a conference title on the line. an interesting wrinkle

to this sports rivalry is many of the players on the opposing

teams are past teammates having played together as kids in

the local foothills Eagles football program.

With packed stands of fans and a tradition of shooting off

fireworks to celebrate home victories, the local falcons

football team knows how to put on a show. The foot-

hills Composite High School falcons team has won

four Provincial Tier II football championships,

the most recent one in 2009. This winning tra-

dition and raucous home game atmosphere

were key factors in attracting the team’s

new head coach, Darren Olson.

“It’s kind of got an american feel to it

— a small town team being able to play

its games under the lights,” Olson says.

“I am really excited by that part of it

and definitely looking forward to the

blackout game where we play HTa

in September.”

“… it’s one of the greatest rivalries in high school athletics

in alberta.”

»


sports

For the blackout game, the Falcons swap

their usual burgundy home uniforms

for black ones and their fans show their

support by wearing black in the

stands. This special game

treatment is reserved for

the Falcon’s arch rival,

the Holy Trinity Academy

Knights. Knights’ support-

ers wear white to match

their team’s away jerseys and

to counter the Falcon’s sea of

black on the bleachers.

“We love playing that game,”

says Ben Wattie, a Grade 12

“We grew up playing with a lot of those

guys so it’s a lot of fun to play against them and see how

they’ve grown as athletes.”

linebacker for the Falcons. “We grew up playing with

a lot of those guys so it’s a lot of fun to play against

them and see how they’ve grown as athletes.”

Everybody in the community gets into the rival-

ry, says senior-year Knights defensive back Jordan

Rae. “Even if our team is not playing and they are,

anybody from our team might come out and support

them just because we’ve played with them our entire

lives.”

The Knights had a dream year in 2011. They went

undefeated in the regular season and then beat the

Falcons 31–3 in the inaugural Big Rock Football Con-

ference championship game. The Knights made it all

to the way to the Alberta Tier II (schools of 750–1249

students) championship game in Lethbridge, that

28 OkOtOks Living fall 2013


year, where they ultimately lost to Edmonton’s Aus-

tin O’Brien Crusaders 21–3.

The aftermath of that game left a big impact on

running back Donovan Curtis, then in Grade 10.

“Everyone lines up to receive their medals and you

see every single senior player on our team is crying,”

Curtis says, now in Grade 12. “You expect that. It’s

just the passion that people have for the game, espe-

cially on our team, it’s unbelievable.”

Last year the Falcons bested the Knights 36–27 at

Holy Trinity Academy in September. They later lost to

the Calgary-based Rundle College Cobras in the con-

ference championship game and were ousted from

provincial qualifying by the Springbank Phoenix.

“One of the best memories from last season was the

With every player pouring their all into each game, the upcoming

crosstown match will be one to watch.

sports

game against the Harry Ainlay Titans,” Falcons running

back Josh Koshman says. “It was good because the last

couple of years they beat us down pretty good and my

dad, who played for their team and was their captain,

was giving me a little razzing before the game, but later

he said he was cheering for me.”

Once the Falcons had completed a 42–21 home upset vic-

tory over the then defending provincial Tier I (schools of

1250+ students) champion Titans, Koshman admits both

he and his father Jim welled up with emotion on the field.

The Knights and Falcons have legacies of creating

special memories for their players. With every player

pouring their all into each game, the upcoming cross-

town match Friday September 27, 2013 at the Foothills

Composite, will be one to watch. OL



HOme sWeet

OkOtOksExcel Homes building exclusively-styled

homes in MountainView

IN BaSEBall TERMS, it would be a home run. In

football, a touchdown. In golf, a hole in one.

Whatever sports analogy you prefer, they all

accurately describe what Excel Homes has done in

the Okotoks community of MountainView.

Celebrating 25 years of building quality affordable

homes, Excel Homes’ Raleigh model is a stunning

example of their craftsmanship.

The Raleigh, right from the front elevation and

entry has a real presence, a flow and unique feel

that’s probably easier to actually experience than

to describe. The entrance on its own makes quite a

statement, with an exquisite stairwell, dressed-up

with an iron rod railing. The tall, spacious foyer,

open to the upper floor family room loft, is an

enticing appetizer to a tour of this spacious home.

“The Raleigh is exclusive to MountainView,” says

Becky Burbank, area manager for Excel Homes.

“Our community has 38-foot wide lots, which will

accommodate this show home model.”

homesBy Aaliya Essa

»



This two-storey home is a roomy 2,550 square-feet in size,

features three bedrooms and two-and-a-half-baths, plus

so much more. This model takes maximum advantage of a

distinctive layout, adding to its simplicity and accessibility,

and it really does make a world of difference.

“People like the uniqueness in the design of the layout, this

has definitely been our best selling model,” says Burbank.

“People love the open concept main floor and how the

entrance looks so elegant.”

The main floor is a haven for your inner chef, with a grand

open concept kitchen, centred around a large island, with

upgraded granite counter top, and a wine fridge, too. With

a full compliment of stainless steel appliances and lots of

counter space, the Raleigh is perfect for hosting dinner parties,

allowing you to prepare delicious meals and visit with friends

and family at the same time. The walk-through pantry also

makes unloading and storing groceries a breeze, not to mention

making finding key ingredients just as easy, too.

There is kitchen eating area, as well as a formal dining room.

A gorgeous two-sided fireplace separates the formal dining area

from the living room, adding a warm ambience to both.

Large windows along the back wall allow sunlight

to stream into the kitchen and living room, and were

an important design consideration. “As you first walk

into this home you can see the natural light. Large

windows are a common theme in Excel Homes, this

has been a popular feature,” says Burbank.

The upper level of the home has a similar feel to it,

with spacious hallways, upgraded nine-foot ceilings

and eight-foot doors.

The upperfloor laundry room in this home is

super functional, with a generous amount of space

allocated to this area, and a surprise second door

that leads directly into the master walk-in-closet.

The Raleigh’s master bedroom is designed with

relaxation in mind. The ensuite has a sensational

soaker-tub, his and hers sinks, and a stand-up

shower with a ceramic tile finish. If you prefer your

ensuite to resemble more of a mini-spa retreat, then

you’ll love it.

Two additional bedrooms, a full bathroom, and

a bonus room finish off the upper floor. The bonus

“People like the uniqueness in the design of the layout, this has definitely been our best selling model ... people love the open concept main floor and how the entrance looks so elegant.”

homes


room, too, has an abundance of natural light, and is a large

enough space that it could have a variety of uses. “This is a

really nice, spacious bonus room at the front of the home,”

Burbank says.

As an added bonus for buyers, Excel Homes is a registered

member of Built Green Canada, so all Excel Homes have Built

Green features in them. “These include the active heat recovery

system, low emissivity (Low E) windows, high-efficiency

furnace, hot water tanks, and solar conduits that are roughed in

already for solar panelling to be installed as well,” says Burbank.

MountainView is located in the northwest part of town, west

of the No Frills and the new senior care facility. One of Okotoks’

newest communities, MountainView is presently being built

in the first of eight phases by developer Apex Builder Group,

who’ve designed the neighbourhood while maintaining that

small town feel.

Buyers can enjoy strolling down the pedestrian parkways,

around the pond, and really have a chance to truly enjoy the

nature which surrounds them. Many homes here also offer an

excellent view towards the foothills and Rocky Mountains.

“Living in MountainView allows for super easy access to

Calgary without having to drive through town, the

appeal of the mountain views, and all the while close

enough to walk to the historical downtown Okotoks,”

says Burbank.

This Raleigh starts at about $485,000, which

includes lot and GST. Show home hours are

Monday to Thursday from 2 – 8 p.m., weekend and

holidays from noon – 5 p.m., and they are closed on

Fridays. OL

Buyers can enjoy strolling down the pedestrian parkways, around the pond, and really have a chance to truly enjoy the nature which surrounds them.

homes



One Way tO enhance your backyard is by making it a haven for native birds, says Christa Michailuck, the town’s Open Spaces team Leader.

the biggest thing, literally, that attracts native birds to your backyard is native, mature trees. “Most of us don’t have those because we’re in a rapidly growing community, with new home lots which have relatively newly-planted trees,” she says. “you can get other native plants, trees and shrubs that will increase the habitat for birds in your yards.”

native trees include white spruce, lodgepole pine, trembling aspen, sub-alpine fir, paper birch and river birch, Michailuck says. White spruce is a nicely-shaped tree with softer needles than the Colorado spruce. Paper and river birch trees are native to alberta, and like moist areas of your yard that don’t drain well. another tree that attracts native birds include river alder and Western mountain ash.

Bird feeders are a popular choice to entice birds to your back-yards, but often, the biggest problem with bird feeders is the feed itself, Michailuck says.

“Deer love birdseed,” she says. “Be careful what kind of food you put out and where you put it. If it’s too low, the deer will get it.”

Vertical tube feeders require birds to fly alongside of it and pick the seeds out, she says. “House sparrows aren’t quite as agile as our native birds, so they find it a little bit more chal-lenging.”

Seeds that will attract native birds include the black niger seed, black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, white millet and wraisins, which will not become weed issues.

native birds are more likely to eat insects than birdseed.“Barn swallows are great mosquito-eaters,” Michailuck says.

“as are tree swallows, but they’re not as urbanized, so you mightn’t get them in town as often.”

Make your backyard a mini-ecosystem, with help of songbirds

Birds of a feathersustainability

another native, easy bird to attract to your backyard is the house wren.

“It’s a tiny bird, that eats insects and has a beautiful song,” Michailuck says. “they’re urbanized birds, so if you put up a house box suitable for a house wren, you’ll get a house wren.”

“I’ve got several nesting in my yard. they’re so cute and the little male sings his heart out, all day.”

Other native songbirds include grasshopper and savannah sparrows, american goldfinch-es, bluejays and grey jays as well.

Providing space and refuge for smaller, native songbirds in your backyard is a good idea, against other larger native birds, like the aggressive magpie, crow, raven and merlin. Shrubs including Canada buffalo berry, high-bush cranberry, bearberry and gooseberry will not only provide a little more cover, but also birds love them, Michailuck says. Local plant mate-rial will also minimize certain pests. native plants and shrubs have adapted to local pests like aphids, more than ornamental stock. OL

tin and Wood birdfeeder with twig-style perches. Photo courtesy the Home Depot

Barn Swallow

The biggest thing, literally, that attracts native birds to your backyard is native, mature trees.

By Jessica Patterson


Okotoks Pro Rodeo, now in it’s 22nd year,

runs August 30 – 31 at 7 p.m. and

September 1 starting at 1 p.m. at the

Okotoks Recreation Centre,

with events including barrel

racing, saddle bronc riding,

team roping, mutton busting

and the wild horse race. Tickets

available at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.

The 35th Annual Sheep River Road Race will see

hundreds of runners pounding the pavement

beginning at 9:15 a.m. with 5K and 10K races, through

the Sheep River valley. www.bigrockrunners.com

Tour of Alberta. See cyclists

from all over the world

complete in Canada’s first

major international pro-

cycling race.

Film night at the Rotary Performing Arts Centre.

Admission $2. Every Thursday and Friday night in

the fall, movie buffs get to see some of the

best Alberta films, cult classics and

remembrance films.

www.okotoksculture.ca

Okotoks Agricultural Society’s annual

outdoor country concert, 6 to 11 p.m.,

featuring Emerson Drive, Doc Walker and

Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Tickets available at

OAS or Boothill Gallery for $110. For more information

visit www.okotoksag.com

Que nos rodea — Around us at the Okotoks Art Gallery,

by installation artist José Luis Torres, where mixed

materials will be transformed to create sculpture in

the large gallery.

HarvestFest, celebrating everything

fall harvest happens at Ethel Tucker

Park, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Calgary Philharmonic at the

Rotary Performing Arts Centre

Sing along with The Sound of Music, 12 p.m. at the

RPAC. Crafts for kids and a costume parade included

in this musically-themed day. Admission $5.

Guided tour at Okotoks Cemetery,

“Field of Honour tour.”

Spirit of Christmas at the Okotoks

Art Gallery, features one of a kind

jewellery, artwork, cards and

ornaments from local artisans.

Light up Okotoks. Grab your mittens and come

down to the Olde Towne to enjoy all of your holiday

favourites, including festive activities, carollers

and a visit from Santa.

Old-Fashioned Christmas exhibit opens at the

Okotoks Museum and Archives.

Pumpkin & Scarecrow Days at Kayben

Farms. Experience the beauty of fall

in the country, with a pumpkin patch,

corn maze, contests, live music,

entertainment and kids activities.

Chisel Creek will play a little folk and

roots, some Bach and some traditional to spice up the

night at the RPAC. Tickets $15 in advance.

11th Annual Service Excellence Awards, hosted by

the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce held at

the Foothills Centennial Centre. Doors open at 6 p.m.

www.okotokschamber.ca

2013 Walk for Wishes www.okotokswishmaker.ca

Alberta Culture Days brings three fun days of free

cultural activities to town.

Okotoks Ghost Walk tours. Discover what,

or whom, lurks in downtown Okotoks

after dark. Tickets $5, available at the

museum and archives.

events

what’s happeningseptember october

november

1

2

4-5

13

5-7

12

16

19

27-29

28-30

2

11

15-21

22

22

For information on Town of Okotoks events contact:Mark Doherty, Community Events Co-ordinator403-938-8950 or [email protected] or visit www.okotoks.ca

3-8

28

29

7


The My Family Dental team.

A t My Family Dental, patients come first. Principal Dentist Dr. Helen Robinson has worked in Oko-

toks for 16 years, building her practice on a commitment to patient health, focusing on honesty, respect and compassion and treating each patient as an individual while providing modern and high quality dental care.

At My Family Dental, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Lisa Mallett, Dr. Danielle tingley and Dr. Manu Dua combine their talents and specialties to encompass a variety of high tech dental services. Collectively their goal is the quality of care they provide to each person who walks through their door.

in a warm, comfortable environment, My Family Dental provides a full range of dental services including implants, cosmetic procedures and sedation dentistry. they also place a special emphasis on chil-dren’s dental care, having received accreditation from Child and Youth Friendly Calgary. From a play room equipped with puzzles,

| Advertising FeAture |

movies and video games to ceil-ing-mounted tvs in each room, the friendly staff work hard to earn the trust of their littlest patients and make sure their experi-ences are enjoyable.

Also active in the community, My Family Dental designed and sponsors a unique dental education program that sees a Registered Dental Assistant visiting Okotoks classrooms to teach children how to care for their mouths. What started as a small puppet show has grown into a hugely popular teaching tool that engages students in a memorable way and serves as a valuable extension of the holistic care offered inside the office at My Family Dental.

to find out more about the staff and services at My Family Dental visit www.okotoksfamilydental.com or call 403-995-9544. n

Providing exceptional care for the whole family


generously donated to fundraisers and supported groups in the com-munity. Pizza Hut has, over the last five years, sponsored the Book it! reading incentive program, and owners karla and Dave have been members of the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way/Okotoks partnership and the serendipity Preschool Parent board.

Pizza Hut gives back as much as they can. “this community is im-portant to us,” karla says. “it’s where we live, where our kids play and go to school. Our lives are busy, over the past five years we have grown our business and our family. We have four children under five, and it is im-portant to us that we create good life balance between our restaurant family and our home fam-ily. Our opportunity to live in the community where our business resides, al-lows us to spend everyday with our children.”

Come celebrate their 5th Pizzaversary, and let their family take care of yours, the Hut is where the heart is. n The Fitzgerald family

t heir recipe is simple. good people, good food and great service is what the local Pizza Hut franchisee, David and karla Fitzgerald pride themselves on.

“i think people forget, that although we’re a franchise, we are busi-ness owners,” says karla . “We own this as a small business, and we are passionate about the food we serve, our Restaurant team, the commu-nity and our customer’s experience. We put our heart into it, every day.”

Pizza Hut is a training ground for the leaders of tomorrow. “We have a fantastic group here,” says karla. “We’re not just managers and own-ers, we are mentors. Our restaurant team is a part of our family.”

the family-oriented business has brought in numerous young team members over the years, developing them and watching them grow. team members are challenged to do their best, every day. David and karla teach respect, ownership and responsibility. their team learns business and interpersonal skills, and the training and experience they get at Pizza Hut gives them life skills as they grow into their careers.

they don’t expect their team members will stay with them forever, but while they’re at Pizza Hut, the management creates lasting relation-ships, always making everyone feel like they belong.

Community-minded businesses are part of what makes Okotoks a great place to live. Often, their heart is on their plate, as Pizza Hut has


CElEBRaTING a fIfTH PIzzavERSaRY

Top auto brand motors its way to town

Nissan has long had some of the most popular vehicles on Canadian roads. now, much to the delight of local motorists these vehicles can be bought and expertly serviced right here in town. Okotoks nissan has been very well-received

since it opened its doors a few months ago in a highly visible location on Woodgate Road.

”We’re excited for the opportunity to be here and we’re excited about the amount of business we have been seeing,” general Manager Jeff Romeril explains. “i feel nissan is a strong brand especially for this community since there are a lot of commuters and we have some very fuel-efficient cars. there is also the family side of things and we have a lot of vehicles that work really well for families.”

topping that list is the positively redesigned nissan Pathfinder sUv with comfortable seating for seven and a spacious third row that is surprisingly easy to get into. Many local motorists will falling in love with the 2014 Pathfinder that strikes the perfect chord for those rushing back and forth to the big city.

“the versa note is a small hatchback that gets amazing gas mileage and it is completely redesigned,” he explains. “it has quite a few features on it for such a small car.“

those features can include a back-up camera, navigation system, blind spot indicator and nissan Connect which efficiently synchronizes your car with phone. Making lives simpler and rides safer, your local nissan dealership knows the value of innovation for its customers.

“Certain models like the Rogue, Murano and Pathfinder have what is called the Bird’s Eye view,” Romeril says. “it has cameras on the mirrors, on the front and the back so you can see around your whole vehicle. When you are backing up you can see if you’re going to be in the lines and how close you are going to be to things on each side.”

Part of the Okotoks nissan sales team, James Lowe is happy to be living and working in the community. He is also pleased to be dealing in a line of automobiles that quickly win customers over.

“there’s this great comfort in the drive you get with the nissans who have the Cvt (Continuously variable transmission),” Lowe says citing an example of why he is big on his particular auto brand. “it’s a constant acceleration transmission so it basically gives you seamless acceleration.”

Gearing up with Okotoks Nissan


www.okotoksnissan.com

A car that speeds up to the pace of traffic without jerking or lurching into a higher gear it may seem like a simple thing, but it’s also the sort of feature that builds customer brand loyalty. something the staff at Okotoks nissan is pleased to be creating in and around our community. stop by and see them in store today and check out the dealership on-line at www.okotoksnissan.com n


you said it…By Jessica Patterson

“

“

““

What is the most generous thing someone’s ever done for you?

My husband and I took a trip to San Diego when we

were first married. There, I saw a beautiful hotel on the beach, but we couldn’t afford to stay. On my 60th birthday, my husband took me to this beautiful hotel on the beach in San Diego, with a surprise — all of my family was there to celebrate.

Lesley Brown, resident

The most generous thing

ever done for me was my parents gave me the opportunity to do what I wanted and follow my dreams.

Valentine Helldobler, assistant coach, Okotoks Dawgs

“My wife bought Colorado Rockies

tickets for us, as a wedding gift, the day of our wedding. It meant a lot to me, she knew I would like and enjoy the game.

AJ Fystro, head coach,Okotoks Dawgs

“People are nice and considerate here in

Okotoks. I think holding the door for others, or saying hello, those common courtesies and generosity people often forget.

Chris Villalobos, #36 Okotoks Dawgs

Our church brought us

meals when my mother was in the hospital for a month this year.

Chloe U.,resident

““The foothills School Division

named the Percy Pegler gymnasium after me. It was, and still is, a humbling experience.

Bill Robertson, Mayor

One of my co-workers gave us

45 bales of hay when we ran out of hay for our horse this summer.

Donna Robertson-Epp,resident

I have a website to fundraise for a well

in a third-world country. I received a $200 donation from an anonymous donor. It was generous.

Eva M.,resident

“This guy in my Grade 2 class was

always giving me cookies at lunch. He said he liked giving things to people. So, one day I brought a bag of cookies in for him. and we shared them with the whole class.

Madison B.,resident

Documents

Okotoks Living Fall 2013