Red Deer Living Winter 2012

4 red deer Living • WINTER 2012

WINTER 2012 • red deer Living 5

items 6 Editor’s message

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departments

7 food | from lefse to tamales Celebrating Red Deer’s

multicultural Christmas cuisine

11 PEoPlE | Yin and yang Music and martial arts are

complementary opposites for Jason Taylor

14 oUTdooRS | Build it and they will come. Outdoor rinks just part of being Canadian in winter

24 EnTERTainmEnT | Curtains please Youth theatre flourishing

in Red Deer

27 CommUniTY | a home away from home. Ronald McDonald House helps keep families together

feature19 Balancing act Five Red Deerians share their

favourite ways to juggle work and home

columns17 HEalTH and wEllnESS | whole-

body healing. Aromatherapy offers more than a pleasing scent

30 a SliCE of lifE | Trees & tinsel And all invisible traditions that make Christmas special

contentsw i n t e r 2 0 1 2 VOL 3 • ISSUE 12

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Cover photography by tanya Lee

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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

Shelley [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]

E d I t o R I A L A S S I S tA n t

Aaliya [email protected]

P R o d U c t I o n A d m I n I S t R At o R

Colleen [email protected]

E d I t o R I A L

Jason Brink, Susan Cossi, Leslie Greentree, Laurie Hodges Humble, Jock MacKenzie,

Treena Mielke, Laurette Woodward

P H o t o G R A P H Y

Jason Brink, Tanya Lee, Jock MacKenzie, Laurette Woodward

A d v E R t I S I n G S A L E S

Andrea [email protected]

A c c o U n t I n G

Donna [email protected]

d I S t R I B U t E d B Y

Canada Post, Media Classified, Source Media Group

P R I N T E D I N CA NA DA

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Shelley Newman,[email protected]

editor’s message

Passing the torchIf you’re just picking up your shiny new edition of Red Deer Living, you may be

thinking: “That Jim Zang guy looks different these days.” Well, we’ve had a

transition — a passing of the torch, if you will.

Jim will continue as Associate Publisher for Source Media Group. Meanwhile,

I am taking on the role of editor for Red Deer Living. What a gift it’s been for me

already, working with great writers to tell stories about the city and the home I

love. Yep, Christmas arrived at my house — it just came a couple of months early.

As we bring you this winter edition,

we’ve got stories to see you through the

festive season and into the New Year.

Some stories will inspire, others will

motivate and still others will stretch

your mind to new possibilities.

Speaking of possibilities, have you

considered eating something besides

turkey at Christmas? In our food

department, you’ll read about the

delectable Christmas dishes from a few

of Red Deer’s cultural communities.

We’ve even included thoughts on the

turducken, a dish that falls into a

culture all its own.

As you continue reading, you’ll be

inspired by the diverse Jason Taylor, a world-class martial artist who records

acoustic albums in his spare time. The inspiration in the Ronald McDonald House

article is evident from the beginning: the families, the staff, the volunteers show

amazing strength and compassion.

If you’re looking for motivation, as well as inspiration, we’ve got ideas for getting

off the couch this winter. Why not build an outdoor rink? You’ll get tips and tricks

to learn how. Are you looking for better work-life balance? Some well-known,

incredibly busy Red Deerians share their balancing acts. Perhaps you want to

see kids acting out? Youth theatre is a great option for students, families and

audiences alike.

As we close out the magazine, you’ll learn more possibilities — like using

aromatherapy to help stay healthy this winter. We’ll also end the magazine like we

started: with a Christmas treat, as Treena Mielke reflects on the most important

elements of the season.

We’ve passed the torch here at Red Deer Living, and it’s lighting an exciting road

ahead. I look forward to sharing the journey with you.


food

By Jason Brink

ARE You AND your family literally tired of turkey? While

scientists tell us turkey contains no more of the sleep-inducing

amino acid tryptophan than any other poultry, that doesn’t mean

some of us aren’t yawning at least a little bit at the notion of the

same bird every year.

For the majority, of course, Christmas simply wouldn’t be

Christmas without turkey and, if cooked properly, it can be

the highlight of the meal. We get that. But for the adventurous

looking to expand their holiday feasting repertoire and bring

something else to the table, you need look no further than some

of the deliciously diverse Christmas dishes being prepared by Red

Deer’s own cultural communities.

FrOm LEFSE tO tamaLESCelebrating

red Deer’s multicultural Christmas cuisine

»

norwegian baking. Photo by Jason Brink


food

Julie Macrae is a proud Norwegian and one of several who

run the Norwegian Laft Hus in Pioneer Square. Famous for

their baked goods including fattigman, rosettes, sandbakkels,

krumkake, julekake, flat bread and almond skillet cake,

you’d be hard-pressed to find a Canadian Norwegian family

celebrating a traditional Christmas meal without perhaps the

most signature Norwegian dish of all, lefse.

Lefse is a traditional soft Norwegian flatbread made out of

potato, milk or cream and flour. Mixed and made into balls,

the lefse is then rolled out as thinly as possible into 12 to 14

inch rounds. A special lefse grill enables Julie to cook the

rounds fast and hot at 500°F, until they bubble and brown.

She flips them with wooden tongs then removes the lefse

from the grill and places it in between wet towels so it steeps

for a while and stays soft.

Norwegian meat dishes served at Christmas depend upon

which part of Norway the family is from. Traditionally, those

from the east prepare ribba (pork), while those on the west

eat pinnekjøtt (salted lamb ribs), and those in the north

enjoy lutefisk. “It’s soft and mushy cod fish that has been

soaked in lye,” says Julie, describing the notoriously polarizing

phenomenon that is lutefisk. “Some people think it’s disgusting,

others love it,” she laughs. If you have a hunch that lutefisk may

not be the best new dish to introduce to your family, Julie

suggests starting them out with a dessert that everyone in

Norway can agree on: riskrem. This delicious rice pudding

features a hidden almond and whoever gets it wins a prize

— traditionally a marzipan pig.

Marilou Bergevin, a French Canadian originally from

Montreal who’s been in Red Deer for more than three

years, assures us that “Christmas Eve for French people

is all about food.” She describes a veritable banquet

of traditional French dishes from the classic tourtière

(ground pork, veal or beef pie), meatballs, ragout (stew),

beignets de patates (potato doughnuts) and Buche de

Noel (Yule Log) to perhaps the pièce de résistance, sucre

a la crème or, as we might call it, brown sugar fudge.

Because her family’s Christmas celebration rarely

involves less than twenty-five people, they’ve adopted

a potluck approach where everyone brings a dish so no

one person ends up doing all of the work. Following the

feast, Marilou’s family gathers for an epic gift exchange

made to last as long as possible for maximum laughs.

Lefse is a traditional soft norwegian flatbread made out of potato, milk and flour.

Julie macrae with some norwegian baking. Photo by Jason Brink

Sucre a la crème


food

Prodie Padios, a blogger on Filipino culture for the

Red Deer Advocate, has been in Red Deer for six years

with his family from the Philippines. He describes a

typical Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) meal served at

midnight by Catholic Filipino families which includes

arroz caldo (rice porridge), lechong-baboy (roasted pig),

pancit (noodles), fruit salads, dinuguan (blood pudding),

pinakbet (spicy vegetables and fish), queso de bola (Edam

cheese) and leche flan (caramel custard) for dessert.

Red Deer’s Latin community

has many delectable Christmas

dishes as well. Lissette Velasquez

came to Red Deer from Guatemala

sixteen years ago and is quick to

say, “Food in our country is the

key for everything!” Guatemalans

are predominantly Catholic and

celebrate midnight mass on

Christmas Eve with elaborate

nativity scenes that often occupy

entire churches. Afterwards they go home to eat and exchange

gifts but, unlike North American Christmas celebrations

where we get one, maybe two, big meals on Christmas Eve or

Christmas Day, Guatemalans get nine.

Lissette describes the nine-day celebration of Las Posadas

in which a choral procession is lead through the community

replicating the plight of Mary and Joseph. They stop at each

house and are refused entry, also in song, until they reach the

designated site for the party, where Mary and Joseph are finally

recognized and allowed to enter by the innkeepers. once

inside, children break open piñatas filled with candy or fruit

and the feast begins.

The most popular Christmas dishes in Guatemala are the

various styles of corn tamales

wrapped in plantain leaves. Tamales

colorados (“red tamales”) are

stuffed with strips of roasted red

bell pepper, capers, green olives,

and chicken, beef or pork, in a thick

flavorful tomato sauce. Tamales

negros (“black tamales”) are darker

and sweeter, stuffed with chocolate,

raisins, prunes and almonds. often

complementing the tamales is

barbecued pork leg cooked with bay

leaves, garlic and spices and served

with a chopped vegetable white rice

combination. Ponche de frutas (fruit

punch), a hot beverage made with

apples, pineapple, raisins, cinnamon

and other dried fruits, is another

absolute must for any Guatamalan

Christmas celebration.

Teresa Carbajal, a native of El Salvador, has a tasty

compromise for those still adamant about the turkey —

Pavo Navideno (Christmas turkey). She prepares this

traditional Latin American turkey every year for her

family, taking great care to make sure that the signature

sauce is just right. Made with a series of special spices

called “relajo” which Teresa translates as “mess”, the

sauce includes sesame seeds, oregano, black pepper,

annatto seeds, laurel leaves, peanuts, pumpkin seeds

and cumin. She serves this dish with rice, vegetables

and fresh salad. “For dessert in El Salvador,” she says,

“we have grapes and apples

because these are the special

fruits for this season, but some

families bake sweet treats like

dessert quesadillas or marquesote

(Salvadorian sweet bread).”

This is but a mere sampling

of the culinary treasures Red

Deer citizens have brought with

them from their places of origin.

Bon appétit and permission to

feast. RL

lissette Velasquez

Teresa Carbajal

Tamales

Just what the heck is a turducken anyway?HERE’S THE LoWDoWN on that often-mentioned, rarely-tried bird-within-a-bird-

within-a-bird holiday feast phenomenon.

As the name implies, a turducken is a de-boned chicken stuffed into a de-boned

duck, which is itself stuffed into a de-boned turkey. Picture those stackable Russian

dolls, only tastier. The cavity of the chicken and any other gaps are stuffed with

sausage meat or seasoned dressing. Turduckens can be braised, roasted, grilled,

barbequed, and even deep-fried.

While it’s a fun and flavourful alternative to the traditional turkey, the turducken

can be higher in calories and fat. But fear not. Local dietician Barb Dolynchuk, who

has roasted turduckens a couple of times over the past two years recommends, “just

eating the lean turkey meat and avoiding the fattier duck.”

While only available commercially during the holidays, turduckens can be

preordered from various local grocery retailers starting at around $100. No word yet

on an ostrich to hummingbird version.



By Leslie GreentreePhotos by Tanya Lee

Jason Taylor has practiced martial arts off and

on since he was 12, but he only spent six months

learning Yongmoodo in 2011 before travelling to

Korea to bring home a silver medal in the World

Yongmoodo Championships, an event featuring

more than 200 martial arts competitors from around

the world. The 30-year-old likes to stretch himself in a

variety of ways, which may explain why he’s currently

singing and writing music for an acoustic CD with local

guitarist and music producer Dean Scott.

If music and martial arts don’t seem complementary

at first glance, Taylor and his wife Natalie agree that both

involve introspection, a desire for continuous self-im-

provement and contemplation of the world around you.

“Both are ongoing investigations of one’s good and not-

so-good habits and qualities,” Taylor says. “I also love fly

fishing and pencil drawing, though the art has taken a

back seat lately. But there’s a certain oneness that comes

with all these occupations.”

Taylor attributes his attraction to solitary pursuits to

being the only child of a single mother who encouraged

him in all his interests. Both he and Natalie grew up in

Red Deer; they went to middle school together before

Taylor moved to Hanna for high school. “He tells me I had

a crush on him in grade six, but I don’t remember that,”

Natalie laughs.

YIn and Yang Music and martial arts are complementary oppositesfor Jason Taylor

people

»



people

The couple met again when they were both attending Red

Deer College, she for a diploma in Communications and a

BA in Sociology with a minor in Criminology; Taylor for a

BA in English with a minor in Political Science. They recon-

nected in a Spanish class and got to know each other slowly

– four years ago they eloped to Banff and were married on

a mountaintop. Now, their daughter Paige is almost three

and son Evander is four months old.

At the same time he was reconnecting with his future

wife, Taylor was playing with a number of hard rock and

metal bands, including Templedown, which resulted in a video on

MuchLoud. They played Alberta’s own three years in a row, and

Taylor smiles to think of all the great bands he shared the stage

with, including Wide Mouth Mason, Johnny Truant and Diesel May.

He was also reconnecting with martial arts, practicing Tae-

kwondo and Brazilian Ju jitsu. When his Master, Seoungmin Rim

of Master Rim’s World Taekwondo Academy, introduced him to

Yongmoodo, a new world opened up for Taylor.

“Yongmoodo has been around for about a decade, but Master

Rim is the first instructor to bring it to Canada,” he says. “It com-

bines Ju jitsu, Judo, Hapkido and Taekwon-

do — it is considered a total martial art.”

Master Rim saw Taylor as a natural for the

Korean competition and, six months later,

Taylor was on his way to bringing a silver

medal back for Canada.

“Master Rim has a great exchange

program, bringing masters from Korea to

train students here,” Taylor says. “And as

well as the intense physical training, the

masters teach important principles that I

try to bring to my marriage and my chil-

dren — being in tune with acknowledging

and trying to overcome egoism.”

Natalie wholeheartedly encourages

Taylor’s martial arts training. As a yoga

practitioner and runner, she appreciates

the spiritual and philosophical aspects of

martial arts and what they bring to family

life. “I see him teaching Paige respect,

appreciation and graciousness,” she says.

“The philosophies of martial arts are to

always be both a teacher and a student.”

Taylor was certainly reminded of his

A Family camping trip

B Jason as a young athlete

C Jason with his family: Paige, natalie and evander

D Jason on stage with his band

A

D

C

B

“And as well as the intense physical training, the masters teach important principles that i try to bring to my marriage and my children

— being in tune with acknowledging and trying to overcome egoism.”

Photos A, B and D courtesy Jason taylor


But alongside that

humility exist the other

philosophies of martial

arts: constant evolution

and the wish to challenge oneself.

Taylor’s musical collaboration with Dean Scott will be ready to

launch in the new year, and he’s excited about it. “This new work

for the solo album is more like Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and

Tool,” he says. “It has more of an indie alternative feel. I’m not

quite sure how to classify it.”

As well, in 2013 Taylor will travel to Indonesia for another

Yongmoodo competition and this time Natalie hopes to go along.

After all, she’s got an official stake in the black belt he earned in

Taekwondo on Father’s Day this year.

“Master Rim calls it a ‘black belt family’ because it takes a

whole family to do it. It’s a challenge and it’s worth it.” She

laughs, “And, it’s so cute to hear Paige trying to say ‘Taekwondo’.”

The Taylor family loves swimming and walking, and spends a

lot of time enjoying the park system. “A huge part of our family

life is exploring the trails. We walk through the forest looking for

the Cowardly Lion, or Dorothy and Toto,” Taylor says.

When Taylor thinks about the pursuit of a well-balanced,

meaningful life, he likes to paraphrase a quote from Plato: “It’s

like the tuning of an instrument. When it’s in tune, everything

resonates in harmony.” And so the yin of musical and martial

arts practice combines with the yang of the performance and

competition. RL

“it wasn’t just the physical challenge, it was about having to pull up courage and persistence, and hold on to a humble belief that i could do it.”

people

status as a student of life while he was in Korea, where his sil-

ver medal didn’t come without significant challenges. During

three days of intensive training with 50 athletes at a Korean

camp before the competition began, he suffered a minor head

injury that required stitches, an ankle injury, an allergic reac-

tion and a twisted knee. “All I wanted, while I was over there,

was to bring home a medal to show Natalie and Paige,” Taylor

says. “It wasn’t until after I got home that I began to reflect on

everything the experience had taught me.”

“I wanted to give up — I kept thinking things couldn’t get

worse, and then they did,” he says. “It wasn’t just the physical

challenge, it was about having to pull up courage and per-

sistence, and hold on to a humble belief that I could do it.”

Hubris and humility coexist in all of Taylor’s pursuits; he

sees it as a balance between having confidence in your own

abilities while remaining a student of life. “Humility is far

more important,” he says. “Courage needs to be guided and

reined in by humility, by an awareness of and respect for

your opponents. I would have been knocked down if I hadn’t

kept an open mind. And I was competing against world-class

athletes, so it wasn’t hard to be humble.”

Humility and gratitude seem to be a life theme for both

Taylor and Natalie. His portfolio as a community facilitator

for Social Planning at The City of Red Deer includes support-

ing affordable housing and domestic violence initiatives. until

Evander’s birth, Natalie worked with Parkland Youth Homes

as a youth and family counsellor.

Courtesy Jason taylor


Outdoor rinks just part of being Canadian in winter

Build it and they will comeBy Laurie Hodges Humble

outdoors

In the dead of winter, outdoor rinks, as if by magic, suddenly

appear.

The magicians, in the guise of a work crew, pull up to a play-

ground, attach a hose to a water line and spray water on the

flattened snow. The next morning, at that exact same spot, is a skating

rink swarming with kids and a happy, barking dog. Skaters gliding

across the ice with arms spread wide, cutting figure eights and shoot-

ing winning goals.

In fact, thanks to the hard work of City of Red Deer Parks employ-

ees, our city will be home to 68 public outdoor rinks this winter.

What many may see as magic, the Parks crews see as co-operation

from Mother Nature combined with their years of experience.

According to Parks Amenities Supervisor Steve Davison, there

must be three to four inches of snow before the process begins. The

area of the rink is then measured and blocked similar to edging for

poured concrete. “After the base is packed down, water is poured

over it. It takes eight to 10 days to build the ice to a clear, concise

state. The ice has to have a two to three inch base before a rink can

be opened,” says Davison. “The ice is kept smooth by resurfacers

and a tractor blade/auger. on a daily basis crews are assigned to

maintain all 68 ice surfaces in the city — ice must be cleared right

after a snow fall to keep it flat and smooth.”

Above photo courtesy Scott Cameron.

A


Ice rinks are also found in many backyards, and Al Sim’s rink is

the pinnacle of the backyard experience. From its humble begin-

nings in 1999 as an 80 by 30 foot asphalt pad, Sim put a lot of time

and effort into his rink, and it was ranked in the top 10 in the 2004

Hockey Night in Canada (HNIC) Backyard Rink contest. It remains

a favourite gathering place for neighbourhood kids and outdoor

hockey enthusiasts.

“Having permanent boards is an advantage; however, the tem-

perature still needs to be -6 to -10ºC at all times,” says Sim. “It takes

five to six applications of cold tap water to form a good base. If the

ice becomes chewed and rutted, I flood it with hot water to help

smooth out the surface.” Sim explains that, for him, the initial

capital investment was expensive, but

now the investment is time, lots of

time to clear snow off and re-flood the

rink. He also goes the extra mile to add

special touches to the ice. “I purchase

rink lines as a kit — this is actually

tissue paper that you ‘glue’ onto the ice

with a paint roller dipped in hot water,”

he says. “The centre ice logo is printed

on perforated paper, which is then

attached in much the same manner.

once the markings are in place, the

rink is re-flooded to form a securing

layer of ice.”

A few years ago Jason Chilibek,

another backyard enthusiast, tried

his hand at building an outdoor rink.

“I found a lot of satisfaction in the

overall process,” he says. “The engi-

neering was really interesting and I didn’t know there were so

many requirements to getting it right.” Engineering requirements

include a flat level ground surface, securing soil at levels higher

or lower than the rink and clearing the rink base of stones, oils,

and unevenly cut grass. Chilibek also adds another key factor to a

successful backyard rink, “a very supportive wife who let me keep

the hoses thawed out on the kitchen floor for most of the winter.”

A touch of romance, the thrill of the great outdoors or returning

to a simpler life, there is something that draws Canadians to out-

door rinks. To keep this winter magic alive, may we always have

people like Steve, Al and Jason who find pleasure in creating the

perfect outdoor rink. RL

outdoors

A Beautiful Bower Ponds is a favourite skating destination for many (Courtesy the City of red Deer).

B A snowy november meant Al Sim would soon be able to create his incredible backyard rink.

C Al Sim recruits help to place the logo in his backyard rink. (Photo courtesy Al Sim).

Find the best outdoor rink this winterThough the popularity of neighbourhood outdoor rinks fluctuates with the city’s changing demographics, consistently the most popular outdoor rink is at Bower Ponds, located 4707 – 64 avenue. It has a skate rental booth, warm hut and outdoor fire pit. For more information call: 403-318-6298.

the Speed Skating Oval is the hidden gem of the Red Deer’s outdoor rinks. This mile competitive tract has ice renowned for its speed, and is located at Rotary recreation Park, 4501 – 47a avenue. For more information call: 403-309-8411.

Want to learn more? Visit The City of Red Deer’s website at www.reddeer.ca, and under Recre-ation, Parks and Culture, you’ll find:

• a complete list of outdoor rinks, and• a complete listing of Community association

& Activity Centres, including outdoor rinks Clearview, Eastview Estates, grandview gardens, Highland green, Lancaster, Lonsdale, normandeau, Oriole Park, riverside meadows and West Park.

Interested in building your own backyard rink? Step-by-step instructions can be found at: www.backyardicerink.com, www.chester.ca/ recreation/how-to-build-an-outdoor-rink.html RL

…another key factor to a successful backyard rink, “a very supportive wife…”

C

B



Susan Cossi holds a Clinical Diploma in Aromatherapy and is a recognised teacher of The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists. She has been a holistic health practitioner since 1993 and is a Metaphysician. She is the Principal of Cossi Academy of Professional Aromatology and a Vice Principal for Penny Price Academy, the only schools in Canada recognised by IFPA. www.holisticteachings.com

Aromatherapy. The term often causes confu-

sion, misleading many people and cloaking the

importance of aromatic plant medicine to our

well-being.

Aromatic plant medicine has been in use for some

6,000 years: there is nothing “New Age” about it. Plant

usage is surrounded by religion, mysticism and heal-

ing, and it has aided our survival against plagues and

disease. The Egyptians, Indians, Persians, Romans and

Greeks used plants in times of spiritual enlightenment,

love and war. The most read book in centuries is the

Holy Bible and many references can be found relating

to plant usage. The wall paintings found in the Lascaux

(Dordogne) caves on the northern slopes of the Pyre-

nees, indicate the use of medicinal plants by the cave

dwellers. These paintings were dated as being 18,000

years old.

Aromatherapy is not just all about smells. Modern

day aromatherapy can be defined as: “The controlled

use of essential oils to maintain and promote physical,

psychological and spiritual well-being.” The essential

oils are obtained by a steam distillation process from a

large variety of plants. The oil’s molecular structure al-

lows it to penetrate the skin via hair follicles and sweat

glands, and the fat-soluble oils can also permeate skin

cells. After a 10-minute body application of lavender

(Lavandula angustifolia), for example, traces of linalool

and linalyl acetate, which are components of lavenders,

can be detected in the blood 20 minutes later.

The four classifications of aromatherapy include:

1. clinical therapy,

2. stress management,

3. beauty therapy and

4. environmental fragrancing.

There are also four different classification grades of

essential oils. Professionally-trained aromatherapists

will administer these in a variety of different ways,

Whole-body healing

health and wellnesswith Susan Cossi

Aromatherapy offers more than a pleasing scent

EssEntial oils rEcommEndEd for wintErcedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) - antibacterial; anti-catarrhal;

antiseptic; cicatrizant; lipolytic; sedative; rubefacient

chamomile roman (Chamaemelum nobile) - antibacterial; anti-

inflammatory; anti-migraine; antiseptic; anti-spasmodic;

carminative; sedative

clove (Syzygium aromaticum) - analgesic, antibacterial, antiseptic;

anti-infectious; anti-inflammatory; anti-spasmodic; antiviral

Eucalyptus (Smithii) - analgesic; anti-infectious; anti-inflammatory;

antiseptic; antiviral; decongestive; anti-catarrhal

frankincense (Boswellia carteri) - analgesic; anti-infectious; anti-

inflammatory; antioxidant; antidepressant; immune stimulant

lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - analgesic; antibacterial; anti-

inflammatory; antiseptic; anti-spasmodic; antidepressant;

cardio tonic

lemon (Citrus limon) - antibacterial; anti-diabetic; antifungal;

antiseptic; antiviral; sedative; immune stimulant

thyme sweet (thymus vulgaris ct linalool or ct geraniol) - anti-

infectious; anti-inflammatory; anti-spasmodic; antiviral;

antiseptic; immune stimulant; use with care

rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - antiseptic; antibacterial; anti-

infectious; anti-migraine; antiseptic; antiviral; anti-catarrhal

tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) - analgesic; antibacterial; anti-

infectious; anti-inflammatory; anti-parastic; antiviral;

Immune stimulant»


which may include dermal, inhalation,

oral or rectal treatments.

The world of aromatherapy is diverse

and extraordinary — its usage can range

from clinical to the scientific and esoteric.

Treatments can include anything from

dealing with symptoms associated with

cancer to the unsightly look of cellulite.

Aromatherapy has also been widely used

to prevent illness and provide protec-

tion against epidemics. Consider using

essential oils to help protect you and your

family from illness this winter. RL

colds Cedarwood 1 dropsEucalyptus Smithii 4 dropLemon 3 drops

30ml of sweet almond oil or unscented lotion designed to blend with essential oils.

Joint stiffness Rosemary 4 dropsSweet Marjoram 3 dropsChamomile roman 2 dropsClove Bud 1 drop

Dilute in 20ml of sweet almond, 10ml of calendula, and 10ml of St. Johns Wort.

adult Bath recipe Rosemary 5 dropsEucalyptus 6 dropsLavender 8 drops

Dilute oils in a tablespoon of honey and pour into the bath.

health and wellness

air freshenerCinnamon 6 dropsClove 3 dropsThyme 4 dropsorange 5 dropsRosemary 4 drops

Dilute in minimum 100 ml of distilled water. Can also be sprayed on the bottom of shoes, bags and coats.

EssEntial oil Buying tips1. Research and get to know and trust a reputable supplier.

2. The label should include the plant’s Latin name,

show the country of origin and include cautions and

directions of use.

3. The word “Natural” on the bottle does not guarantee

purity.

4. The bottle should be dark and always sealed.

5. Always dilute essential oils.

6. Before using therapeutic or clinical grade essential

oils, always get professional advice from a trained

aromatherapist that belongs to a professional

aromatherapy association.

adult Body ruBs


feature

Five Red Deerians share their favourite ways to juggle work and home

BaLanCIng aCtStory and photos by Jock Mackenzie

A chieving a balance between work and

home is a constant struggle, a struggle

to achieve fulfillment, satisfaction, a

sense of well-being and to attain one’s

goals. Red Deer Living spoke with five prominent

Red Deer citizens to see how they maintain that

delicate balance between their busy professional

lives and the pastime activities they love.

mayor morris Flewwelling smiles broadly as he

looks forward to a well-deserved retirement. He

recently announced he will not

run in next year’s election

and so will say good-bye

to 12 years on City Coun-

cil and eight years as

mayor. Flewwelling explains that his

positions have been very rewarding be-

cause he loves the work.

Weekends and evenings off — and not

attending over 800 engagements per year —

will give him time to spend with his wife,

Hazel, to cook, to read historical novels, to

enjoy art and antiques and genealogy, and

to spend time with his horses. Even though

he and Hazel rode horses together in their

youth, it wasn’t until age 40 that he owned

his first horse. But a lifetime of riding has

left its mark, and now he owns or shares

ownership in over a dozen horses. He anx-

iously awaits the time when he can spend

even more hours riding Willow and the

other horses on his property near

Pine Lake.

Morris Flewwelling with horse willow

»



fire chief Jack macdonald worked 16 to 18

hour days when he first became chief ten years

ago. That’s eased up, but being in charge of five

fire stations and 190 staff and always being on

call doesn’t make for a laid-back lifestyle. Added

to his plate is the responsibility of overseeing

the 911/Dispatch Centre that looks after an area

north to Lacombe, south to the American border

and east and west to the provincial borders.

When he does have time to relax, you might

say he slows to the pace of a three-alarm blaze.

MacDonald enjoys a mix of physical activities

that includes weights at work, cycling, hockey,

Pilates and Bikram yoga. In March of 2012, he

attained a degree of fame when he and dance

studio instructor, Natalie Brooks, won the inaugural Red Deer Hospice Society

Celebrity Dance Competition. When he does sit down, it isn’t to watch televi-

sion. MacDonald enjoys reading books about leadership, including Jim Collins’

Good to Great and Peter Drucker’s many books; his recent favourite is a lifestyle

edition, Younger Next Year, by Chris Crowley.

Jack MacDonald performs in the red Deer Hospice Celebrity Dance Competition, 2012. Photo courtesy Jack MacDonald.

Lynne Mulder

When he does have time to relax, you might say he slows to the pace of a three-alarm blaze. macdonald enjoys a mix of physical activities that include weights at work, cycling, hockey, Pilates and Bikram yoga.

Karen Simon


red deer city councillor lynne mulder

explains that, after her most recent career as

Vice President Academic at Red Deer Col-

lege, she’s not retired, she’s refocused. Many

consider City Council work a part-time job

but often it isn’t. Preparation for most regular

meetings involves reading over 800 pages of information

and, as one example, a recent meeting went from 11 a.m.

until 9:30 p.m.

A believer in giving back to her community, Mulder has

been on local, national and international boards for the

united Way and, although she has eased her involvement,

continues to sit on the Advisory Board to Chairs of the

united Way. Her current passion comes with her position

as President of the Board for Red Deer & District SPCA,

and it is with considerable pride that she speaks of all that

has been done by the people of Red Deer and area for this

important cause. When she does have time off, Mulder

and her dogs are regulars at the off Leash area at Three

Mile Bend. Accompanied by her furry friends, Dali and

Maggie, she loves her hour-long circuit. Leisure time also

includes local theatre (with Bull Skit being a favourite)

and reading — her bookshelf includes Lisa Scottoline,

Michael Connelly and James Patterson.

inspector Karen simon of the Red Deer RCMP is ex-

tremely active both professionally and in her spare time.

Simon’s official title is operations Support officer and

with it comes responsibilities for supporting people on the

front lines as well as operations within the office. Added

to these many tasks, she has another position that is al-

most a second full-time job — ERT (Emergency Response

Team) Commander. The ERT reacts to high-risk situations

in the southern half of the province.

Apparently, any down time is considered time worth

filling. To ward off the possibility of a dull moment, Simon

is co-chair for the Women’s Advisory Committee for K

Division, a Rotary Club member, a board member for

Women’s outreach and an aide-de-camp for Alberta’s

Lieutenant Governor. Always an early riser, she exercises

each morning with a one-hour routine and often ends her

day with yoga at Breathing Room Yoga Studio and Café.

Golf in the summer and curling in the winter are further

opportunities for her to keep fit and be active.

feature

Always an early riser, she exercises each morning with a one-hour routine.

“I’ve got great tools in the garage, and I can always dream up some kind of project.”

Pieter Langstraat

red deer public school superintendent pieter langstraat is another busy man. He began his ca-

reer in Red Deer as a teacher at Eastview Junior High

School, and he describes “growing up in the system”

as a vice principal, principal, Co-ordinator of Instruc-

tion, Deputy Superintendent and, for the last three

years, Superintendent of Schools. His days are filled

with meetings with senior administrators, work

with the School Board, parent concerns, school vis-

its, the necessary paperwork and the list goes on.

Langstraat notes, “When I’m at work, I really work.”

With commitments that frequently eat away at

evenings and with trips out of town, he says, “I treasure

and value my time at home.” When he gets free time,

he loves to sit with a Saturday morning coffee and chat

with his wife about the world and what’s going on. And

he loves puttering. “I’ve got great tools in the garage,” he

says, “and I can always dream up some kind of project.”

For exercise, Langstraat prefers the solitary variety like

riding on the bike trails (with dog Winston in the basket),

running, and cross-country skiing. “I like these kinds of

activities,” he explains. “My life is very busy, but I can do

these whenever I have a spare moment.” RL


red Deer Downtown

DoWNToWN IS THE place to be. With the great gathering spac-

es at Veterans’ Park and the redeveloped of Gaetz Avenue, Red

Deerians are frequently treated to events, concerts and markets

throughout our historic city centre. Plus, the diverse cafes and

restaurants offer a delicious sampling of North American and

multicultural cuisine.

And, you may have heard: the shopping is fantastic. Downtown

Red Deer is filled with specialty and locally-owned shops that

have a unique mix of products. Looking for local artwork? You

can find that downtown. Perhaps you want a one-of-a-kind item

for your home? Downtown. And when it comes to fashion, down-

town retailers are making a name for themselves with designer

items that can’t be easily found elsewhere.

To learn more about downtown, just park your car and let your

feet guide you. You can also visit www.downtownreddeer.com.

Destination downtownCharacter and community makes a special shopping experience


red Deer Downtown

Contact Andrea Rinkel403.877.2560 • 1.888.932.3101

[email protected]

Get ConneCted!Advertise in Red Deer Living


entertainment

A Aric Froese as Aslan in narnia

B Cast of Annie – Cornerstone Youth theatre

C Sydney Malyon in a tree House production (photo courtesy Andrea and Sydney Malyon)

D Stephanie Orr rehersing with narnia Cast

Photos A, B & D by Laurette woodward.

IT WAS SEVERAL years ago that Sydney Malyon first

tried a summer camp at Tree House Youth Theatre.

She enjoyed it but didn’t continue because, in her

words, “I was afraid people at school would categorize

me as a drama person.”

Fast forward a few years, and several more

experiences at Tree House, and 14-year-old Sydney

loves Tree House. In fact, she loves it so much it even

influenced her choice of high school. She selected the

school that offered drama opportunities she wanted,

and where some of her Tree House friends attend,

rather than the school where most of her elementary

and middle school friends would go.

“We’re like a big family at Tree House — it’s a place

where you can be yourself,” says Sydney. “I think

everyone should have that.”

Sydney’s mom, Andrea Malyon, has been excited

to watch her daughter’s growth. “At first Sydney was

hesitant and a bit overwhelmed,” says Malyon. “Now

she’s the one that encourages and comforts the new

people. She’s blossoming. I’m so proud of her.”

Tree House’s Artistic Director, Matt Gould, has

enjoyed observing Sydney’s growth too. “I have

watched Sydney gain not just confidence, but

exuberance, energy and focus as she becomes more

and more comfortable with herself.” Gould says some

of that is maturation, but, “Sydney is taking more

chances as a performer; she’s coming out of herself

more and more.”

Gould says Sydney’s experience is what Tree House

is all about. “We want our kids to have a strong sense

of community. Kids are accepted no matter who they

are,” he explains. “That’s our culture.”

This culture began almost 25 years ago, when

Richard o’Brien from Red Deer College’s theatre

department founded Tree House Theatre. Gould came

to Tree House in 2005 and now serves as Artistic

Director. “I fell in love with the kids,” says Gould.

“That’s what keeps me here.”

Tree House serves youth 12 to 17 years old through

weekly rehearsals where kids prepare a play or

musical for performance. During these rehearsals,

Gould teaches the fundamentals and nuances of

stage performance, focusing on what each student

needs. Tree House produces annual performances in

December and May, and it also offers a summer camp.

New students can join in the fall, in January or for a

summer session.

Productions over the years have

included Mulan Junior, Sleeping Beauty

and Some Grimm Tales as well as

some plays written by Gould.

In January, Tree House is starting

a program for nine to 11 year olds.

Their spring presentation will be

Folk Tales, which audiences can view

at the same time as Scene Stealers,

performed by the 12 to 17 year olds.

cornErstonE youth thEatrE Local youth can also experience the

fun and friendship theatre brings at

Cornerstone Youth Theatre, which began

in 2009. Tari Puffer, the current Executive

Director, brought the organization to Red

Deer because she wanted to start a group

that would provide theatre arts training

and wholesome family entertainment.

Youth theatre flourishing in Red Deer By Laurette Woodward

CUrtaInS PLEaSE!

a


entertainment

The organization’s first production, Christmas Carol, had 13

students involved. Compare that to its most recent production,

Narnia, which had a cast of 78.

“The numbers say Cornerstone is fulfilling a need in the

community,” says Stephanie orr, Cornerstone’s Artistic Director.

“I think what attracts people to Cornerstone is the opportunity

for families to work together.”

And families do contribute. When a child is cast in a

production, parents agree to become a part of a committee with

assignments such as sets, costumes, tickets, treats or backstage.

“our program fosters creativity for students and parents,”

says orr. “And it creates a strong sense of community. I love the

families I’ve met and been able to interact with.”

The sense of community really appeals to Candace Froese,

who has two children involved in Cornerstone. “Parents are so

encouraging and supportive of one another,” says Froese.

She is also pleased with the growth she’s seen in her son, Aric.

“Before Cornerstone, I had no idea Aric could sing like he does,”

says Froese. “I’ve also seen growth in his confidence. He’s more

outgoing because of Cornerstone.”

Aric says, “it’s a great learning experience and a place to

meet people.” He particularly loves the challenge of

portraying someone he’s not. “My favourite characters

are the comical bad guys.”

According to Stephanie orr, there are many children

who find acceptance at Cornerstone. She recalls

working with a teenage girl who couldn’t read. “She

was sure she was going to fail,” says orr. “But she took

a risk, auditioned, and was cast in a role.” orr says she

worked with the girl on memorization and strongly

emphasized her talent at expressing emotion. orr

says the girl’s experience allowed her to see herself

differently — in light of her strengths.

Cornerstone’s Area Co-ordinator, Jen MacAhonic,

loves watching kids’ confidence grow. “You can

really see that at auditions,” says MacAhonic.

“You might observe a child, who hasn’t auditioned

previously, be quiet and shy. The next time they

audition, they’re better, and then after that they

start blowing you away. It’s such a confidence

builder.” MacAhonic adds, “Learning to be

comfortable in front of people is a life skill.”

Cornerstone’s annual calendar involves productions

that are rehearsed and produced during three 10 week sessions,

starting in January, March and September. Children who are

eight to 18 years old are eligible to audition if they are enrolled

in a Cornerstone class offered concurrently with the production.

Classes are held one night a week and cover a range of skills such

as voice, dance, drama and specialty areas like make-up, musical

theatre and improvisation.

Children can also participate in week-long summer camps,

designed to let them ‘try’ it before committing to attend a 10

week session.

Recent productions include Snow White, Jungle Book, Robin Hood,

Annie and Narnia. In January, Cornerstone will begin rehearsals

for Wild West; and Night at the Museum.

For additional information, visit www.treehouseyouththeatre.ca

or www.cornerstoneyouththeatre.org. RL

C

d

“…it creates a strong sense of community. i love the families i’ve met and been able to interact with.”

B



community

A home away from homeronald McDonald House helps keep families together

Things became immediately complicated for

Angela Grinde Handbury and her family

when she delivered her son Lachlan by

emergency C-section in March, 2012. As

a result of Angela contracting gestational diabetes,

Lachlan was born at 11 pounds, 13 ounces. unable to

regulate his own blood glucose, Lachlan’s pancreas

wasn’t creating enough insulin, and his levels dropped

dangerously low. If left too long, there was the risk of

brain damage.

Suddenly, what had already been a difficult four-day

ordeal for the Handbury family, an hour away from

their home in Wetaskiwin, was about to become even

longer and more uncertain.

Scenarios like this are the foundation upon which

the Ronald McDonald House Central Alberta (RMH-

CA) was built. Located down the street from Red Deer

Regional Hospital, RMHCA offers a comfortable home

for out-of-town families with sick children.

Since opening its doors in February of 2012, RMHCA

has served 126 families like the Handburys. The

house contains 11 suites designed to comfortably fit

four family members, with cots and extra bedding

available if needed.

Every effort has been made to create a home away

from home for families coping with the stress and

fatigue experienced during the

treatment of a sick child. Ame-

nities include a fitness room, a

computer area, a jaw-dropping

magic room and a playroom.

“This house was a long time

coming,” says Larry Mathieson,

Executive Director of Ron-

ald McDonald House Central

Alberta. “It was originally in-

tended to be smaller but, after

a feasibility study was con-

ducted, we were surprised by just how many families

needed this service. It was clear we needed

a bigger facility.”

The study revealed that more than 33,000 children

stay at Red Deer Regional Hospital each year, and

one-third of them come from out-of-town. That’s an

average of 30 out-of-town children per day.

For RMHCA to help families in need, volunteers

play a big role. Their support is evident in fundraising

efforts like the upcoming “Freeze the House” bonspiel

and in programs such as “Home for Dinner,” where

volunteers come and cook meals for families, then

clean up and package the leftovers.

These special touches make all the difference for

families like the Handburys, who spent 11 days at

RMHCA. They were five minutes away from Lach-

lan — instead of an hour commute on unpredictable

springtime highways, and they also received support

for the whole family.

“We were welcomed from the moment we arrived,”

explains Handbury. She describes how Karen Billings,

the house’s “go-to girl” — who was previously a nurse

and understood exactly what was happening with

Lachlan — would take their two-year-old daughter

to do crafts or dog therapy while they were at the

hospital. “It’s certainly not a place you want to go to,

but it’s nice to know it’s there when you need it. The

house was a soft place to land when everything else

was going totally wrong.” RL

Story by Jason Brink

“the house was a soft place to land when everything else was going totally wrong.”

Photo by Jason Brink

Angela and Kirk Handbury with their children Gabriela and Lachlan in the Magic room at rMHCA. Photo courtesy Handbury family.


| AdveRtising FeAtuRe |

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“At Planet Fitness and Health Club, we help people from all walks of life achieve their health and wellness goals,” says Lanett Young, manager with Planet Fitness and Health Club.

“Everyone has a different path to becoming healthy and, no matter where people are on their own journeys, we’ve got the facilities, staff and support to help them get there.”

This support is evident when you first walk into Planet Fitness and the smiling staff members greet you by name. The facilities will undoubtedly be the next thing to catch your eye, as the bright, clean, colourful atmosphere provides an inviting space to work out.

As you travel through the club, your first stop is likely to be the cardio area, which has a variety of machines to get your heart rate up. Next, you’ll have different options to tone your muscles, whether in the free weights room or in the APEX circuit training room. “Our APEX room has 17 separate weight training machines,” says Young. “People can choose to target specific areas, or they can do a full circuit to target every muscle group in the body.”

Planet Fitness also has an unexpected perk for members: spa facili-ties that include a 19 me-tre pool, along with a hot tub and steam room. This peaceful area can either be incorporated into your routine, with swimming and water workouts in the pool, or it can be a relaxing way to cap off your time at the club.

“There are so many special elements here,” Young explains. “From our facilities to our oxygen bar to our great staff and personal train-ers, we offer the complete package to help people achieve their health and wellness goals.”

For more information on Planet Fitness and Health Club, visit www.planetfitnesscentre.com or call 403-346-8260. n

The APEX training room has 17 machines to target every muscle group in the body.


couldn’t see it in my humble childhood home, where I lived

with my dad and my brothers, was that feeling: that excit-

ed, joyful, happy feeling that some people call the spirit of

Christmas. That’s when I caught it. The Christmas spirit.

I rub my eyes and my kitchen — with its brand new

look-like granite counter tops — is back. Ahhh, Christmas,

I think. It’s a good thing. only at Christmas can you take

an ornament off the tree, polish it until it glows bright and

shiny and peer inside to find a kaleidoscope of memories.

I hear a knock at the door and, when I open it, my son is

there, holding a gorgeous evergreen wreath tied with a

red ribbon. “I was just passing by and thought you might

like this, mom,” he said. I smile at him gratefully, think-

ing it is hard to believe that he was the six-week-old child

his dad held up to help choose our very first tree so many

years ago.

“That was our best tree,” I said to him later at the kitchen

table, as I recounted the story for the thousandth time.

“You say our tree is the best tree every year, mom,” he

chided gently.

“of course I do son,” I reply. “It’s tradition and traditions

are important.” RL

a slice of lifewith Treena Mielke

Christmas is only a few sleeps away. I know this to

be true because one of my grandchildren phoned

me and told me so. “It’s almost here, grandma,”

the dear little voice coming over the line said. “It’s only a

few sleeps away. And I wrote a letter to Santa and mom

mailed it and,” she added with special emphasis, “I have

been very good.”

I smile. Just hearing her voice prattle on about nothing

and everything makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

The telephone call is a perfect excuse to take a break,

so I pour a cup of coffee and sit down amidst a half-fin-

ished ‘to do’ list, a topsy-turvey pile of presents and my

favourite, well-worn Christmas cookbook.

Wrapping my fingers around my Frosty the Snowman

mug, I chuckle when I think of my conversation with my

granddaughter. I do love this time of year. I am really no

different than my grandkids.

“When did it all start?” I muse. “When did I first get this

feeling — this warm, excited, happy, joyful feeling that,

for some unknown reason, comes back and wraps itself

tenaciously around my heart every year?” I look around

at the cheerful clutter that surrounds me, but, even as I

look, it fades away.

In its place I see an old house, a shack really, with

tattered curtains in the windows and smoke pouring out

of a blackened chimney. It looks rather desolate, but the

windows are bright against the inky black night. When I

peer inside, I see a magnificent real tree lit up with

bubble lights. Atop the tree is the most beautiful star

in the world, fashioned out of tinfoil and cardboard by

my brother and me.

And, on each of the trees branches hang tiny

strips of tinsel, glittering and sparkling and

picking up the reflection of the bubble lights. The

homemade tinsel was created by me as well, using

the tinfoil from my dad’s roll-

your-own cigarette packages.

And, somewhere,

even though you

And all invisible traditions that make Christmas special

Trees & tinsel

Documents

Red Deer Living Winter 2012