Art and Soul Gallery 120-6 ave SW, High River

High River has such a vibrant history and culture of art that it’s no doubt the Art and Soul Gallery will be a big hit among residents and tourists alike.

The gallery is having their grand opening this weekend, June 7-9 to celebrate its new location. Previously, the gallery was called Gallery 109, but since its move, has been renamed.

Part-owner Annie Froese says that the gallery is extremely unique compared to other galleries because it’s run collectively with all the artists instead of commercially, with one sole owner. “This means that we’re all individual owners in once place,” Froese says.

In order for the artists to be collective owners, they each pay a fee that allows them to have 10 feet of wall space to showcase their work. On top of this, they must also come work at the gallery two days a week, which Froese says allows the customers to interact with the artists.

“Quite often with commercial galleries, they’ll have work hanging on a wall, but you’ll never get to know anything about the artists and why they were moved to paint it,” Froese says. “But here, we love getting the chance to teach people about the whole process.”

Artist Tyrrell Clarke with her recent work of summer florals.

Running Art and Soul Gallery this way also greatly benefits the artists because they are able to keep 100 per cent of their profits. “Commercial art galleries are the opposite of this,” Froese says. “Those galleries decide what commission they’re going to take and it’s usually anywhere between 50 and 70 per cent.”

Not only are there artists at the gallery, Routes Media Inc. has also relocated its office to be on the top floor of the gallery.

“Routes has always been a supporter of the art community and it is an honour and a pleasure to work amidst of all this talent, it’s really inspiring,” says Sandra Wiebe, owner of Routes Media.

The location is the perfect place, says Froese, because it’s got a big backyard, perfect for holding events such as the opening this weekend. Froese encourages everyone to come down this weekend to meet the artists and listen to live music.

Artist Brian Clute touches up the edges of his abstract painting.

The artists that will be represented are Tyrrell Clarke, Brian Clute, Annie Froese, Don Hamm, Larissa McLean, Jacqueline Mulyk, Krystyna Laycraft, Sue Weston and Sharon Lynn Williams, with more to come.

The celebrations will take place Friday from 6-9pm, Saturday from 12-5pm and Sunday from 1-4pm.

To find out more information on the event go to http://www.artandsoulstudiogallery.com

Visit the website for more great events to come!

High River’s own Alyshia Grace Hobday (23) has busted out into a more professional theatre scene with her role as Penny in Hairspray  at Storybook Theatre Society, Calgary.

By Lisa Taylor  
Photos by Lawrence Eisler, Eisler Design

Ever since Hobday was a little girl she has been actively involved in singing and theatre. After graduating from Highwood High School, she went on to study at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria where she grew and advanced her passion.

When she returned from Victoria, back to her small town routes in High River, she decided she wanted to do a lot of auditioning but was doubtful of getting any opportunities due to the fact that the business is so cut-throat.

“I’m hoping to have some people see me so that I can continue on and take that step into the professional theatre community in Calgary,” Hobday says.

Back in January, when Hobday auditioned, she says she didn’t even think she stood a chance at getting the part. “I was actually super shocked when I got the part because they didn’t even know who I was,” she says. “I was just this nobody girl to them.”

Now Hobday has been having the time of her life playing the main character’s best friend, Penny, a nerdy girl who is all decked out in pigtails and glasses.

The sold-out show has been met with an overwhelming response. So much so that it had to open up for an extra day.

Although Storybook Theatre is a community theatre, Hobday says it’s very close to being professional.  “I’m extremely grateful to this role because it’s allowed me be noticed.”

During the May 21 show, Hobday says 20 theatre reviewers were there to take notice.  “Reviewers don’t usually come to community theatres, there’s other professional theatre shows to go to in Calgary,” Hobday says. “But because of word of mouth they’re all coming which is really exciting.”

Hairspray runs from May 10 to 26

http://www.storybooktheatre.org/hairspray

5 YEARS of crazy ROUTES team photos

ENTER TO WIN BY GOING T O FACEBOOK

CRAZY PHOTO CONTEST

WIN a 5-NIGHT STAY… VALUED AT $2400

Enter on facebook: CLICK HERE TO GO TO FACEBOOK

One of the highlights of Routes magazine has been getting the chance to do some crazy staff photoshoots. Now we would like to give YOU the opportunity to do the same! We are giving away a 5-night stay for you and 7 friends at the exquisite Fairmont Ridge Townhome valued at $2400!

In order to win this amazing prize, we’re leaving it up to you to send us an original, crazy, fun photo of you and your friends or family. Deadline for photo submission is July 1.

You will need to have your friends and family vote/LIKE your image on our Facebook page – most LIKES is the winner! Voting and contest ends August 31.

Good luck!

By Lisa Taylor

Little kids love pretty girls and the Grade 1 students at Percy Pegler Elementary School in Okotoks were no exception. On May 5, the 2013 Calgary Stampede Queen and princesses looked especially like royalty with their long, curly hair, leather dresses and silver belt buckles as they were met with smiles and admiration by the children. Although they looked like they’d walked straight out of a magazine, they were there for a purpose – to teach the kids about western heritage while reading stories and answering probing questions such as, “Why are you dressed like that?” or “How old are you?”

From left to right is Princess Catherine Morneau, Queen Jessica Williams and Princess Danielle Kakoschke. Photo by Ted Dawson.

Living the dream

Back in October, Jessica Williams (22), Danielle Kakoschke (22) and Catherine Morneau (23) had their wildest dreams come true when they were crowned the 2013 Calgary Stampede Queen and princesses respectively.

For Queen Williams, she had already tried out the year before, which she says made her want it even more. “I had a taste of what the competition was like, so the fact that I became Queen was definitely amazing for me.”

All three ladies were extremely happy and surprised when their names were called; however, Princess Morneau says that because she is originally from Quebec, she was definitely astonished when she won.

“The fact that I wasn’t from Calgary and I was still kind of struggling with my English sometimes made me think that it was something that they wouldn’t like,” Morneau says. But looking back on it now she says that being able to speak French probably gave her an advantage in the competition. “I think they are really excited about the bilingual side of me,” she says adding that it comes in handy for events such as today when she read a book in French to a class at Percy Pegler School.

A balancing act

Williams currently lives in High River and juggles her time between working as a dental assistant at Signature Smiles and living the busy life as Queen.

“Everyone at work has been extremely generous with giving me time off,” Williams says. “I’ll be working less and less as it gets closer to Stampede, but it’s definitely doable.”

Similar to Williams, Princess Kakoschke, who is originally from Okotoks, also has a lot on the go as she works towards obtaining her Human Resources Management certificate with a major in Law and Society at the University of Calgary.

“I did end up balancing both school and being a Princess, but in retrospect, I would probably tell someone not to worry about the school part or even a certain job that they have,” Kakoschke says. “School will always be there, but this is only a one-year commitment.”

Princess Morneau also has a job working as an esthetician at a spa in Canmore; however, when everything started getting too busy, she cut down her hours there to just work part-time.

The girls on the grounds of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where they got to participate in their first Grand Entry. L-R Princess Catherine, Queen Jessica and Princess Danielle.

Highlights

All three girls agree that some of the best times they’ve spent together have been during their many travel adventures. It’s so great to get the chance to go places you’ve never been and to do things you’ve never done,” Morneau says.

The royalty were given the opportunity to travel to Houston, Texas where they promoted the Calgary Stampede at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. However, being at the rodeo was not the only adventure they went on. They also got to ride camels in their spare time, which Morneau wrote on her blog that they absolutely loved, but added that they much prefer their trusty steeds.

Right after travelling to Houston, the girls were flown off to Las Angeles to promote Calgary’s western heritage at an L.A. Kings hockey game, which all agree was a night to remember. One of the highlights of the game was when Williams got to ride on the Zamboni in front of thousands of hockey fans while practicing her Queen wave.

“The L.A. game was really special,” Morneau says. “People didn’t understand who we were. They thought we were ice girls or dancers or the Dixie Chicks!” But she says that that’s exactly why they travel – to make people more aware about who they are and to try and get people to come to Calgary for the Stampede.

The Royalty strike a pose at the Calgary Flames at LA Kings game this year in LA with Travel Alberta. L-R Queen Jessica, Princess Catherine and Princess Danielle.

Advice for the 2014 contestants

Applications for next year’s contestants will open up in June, and although the current royalty are sad to talk about the day when they must pass along their crowns, they were more than happy to give some advice to the future contestants.

“When you sign up for the competition, it’s a youth development competition, so they’re not looking for girls who are perfect, thank goodness!” Williams says as all the girls laugh and nod in agreement. “So if you’re debating whether or not to do it, just go for it!”

Morneau adds that the competition might seem like a personal competition at first, but she states that it is really all about being a team player. “If they think that it will be all about themselves, then it is really not the completion for them,” she says.

In fact the title of being either a Queen or a Princess doesn’t really make a difference at all. Williams says that the only real difference is that sometimes she has to wear a different coloured outfit and apart from that, they really consider themselves to be one strong team.

Looking forward

Right after the crowning, the girls went through intense public speaking training and were educated on all the things they needed to know in order to promote the Calgary Stampede properly. Although all of that was great, Willams says she is really looking forward to the summer when they will get to become more involved with their horses and says they have been riding at least twice a week in order to prepare.

“I’m so excited for rodeo season to start when we get to do parades and grand entries and just do more with the horses,” Willams says, adding that she can’t wait for the Calgary Stampede to do the grand entry.

In this photo, left to right, Sandra Wiebe, Sharon Syverson, Terry Middleditch, Veronica Kloiber, Pat Fream and Melissa Driver bid winter an urgent farewell, at the Dr. Lander Memorial Swimming Pool in Turner Valley. Photo by Neville Palmer.

By Sandra Wiebe   Images provided by Sage Permaculture

Thomas at ease with Thistle.

Dogs are something else. They are professional comforters ushered into Intensive Care Units to nurture victims with serious illness. They are silent therapists enlisted in personal missions to accompany war veterans on their treacherous journeys back from unspeakable hell. Recently, they served as grief guardians on scene just hours after the Newtown School shooting; their mere presence a healing balm coaxing children back to the realm of sweet innocence.

In the foothills there is plenty of enlightenment when it comes to the profound effects of canine therapy. There are dogs everywhere, and everywhere there are stories of hope and healing with dogs in the wings.

By Pat Fream      Photos by Neville Palmer

Resident Therapist

Thistle is a remarkably well-trained 15-month-old black lab whose very reason for being is a tender, dimpled, five-year-old boy named Thomas. When Thomas was four he was diagnosed with Autism, a disorder he shares in varying degrees with his brother who is older by one year. Just before Christmas, Thomas found himself with a new best friend – a dog of his own – a buffer against his jittery world.

“With Benjamin and Thomas both having Autism, things have been quite 13 challenging for us,” said Leanne McPher-
son, indicating that their third child Zoe,
is a normal four-year-old. “You can’t believe the difference in our house since Thistle has come to live with us.”

Leanne shares a picture of life with three young children, two affected with different spectrums of Autism, both stricken with anxiety, restricted commu- nication, impaired social skills and sleeplessness. She tells their story softly and with no apparent regret or bitterness.

“You just love them no matter what,” she says smiling at her son, downplaying the toll sleep deprivation takes on the average human being.

When the Black Diamond family learned of Dog Guides Autism Assistance Program in Ontario, they went through the rigorous process of applying for a dog guide for their older son Benjamin, who, after intense therapy still suffers with pervasive symptoms. In the end, they qualified for two dogs, one for each of their boys. But the dog guides come one at a time and Thomas was a perfect match for Thistle, his dog came first.

Steve, devoted dad and strong advocate for the special needs of his family, 14 took the required 10-day training course in Ontario to learn how to manage and utilize the dog’s astonishing skills. “The team at Dog Guides was amazing,” Steve commented. “I learned about this and dogs in general and we went to public places to learn how to handle the dogs in real life settings.”

After the training, Steve brought home a new family member – an incredibly affectionate four-legged therapist. The first test was a shopping trip with the dog and both boys – an outing normally fraught with anxiety and stress for everyone. “I cannot express what a huge difference the dog made,” said Steve. “Everyone was relaxed. Thomas and Thistle just walked together without issue or complaint. It was totally different from two weeks before.”

Thistle sleeps with Thomas, his role to provide comfort during Thomas’ restless nights. He plays hide-and-seek with him, lays on a mat near him at meal times and accompanies him pretty much everywhere he goes, including school when and if it’s required. In his working dog vest, Thistle is allowed in grocery stores and restaurants and most other public places, and being tethered to the small boy, he has put a stop to Thomas’ dangerous propensity to bolt and run away.

“Thistle’s job is to love and be a con- stant companion to Thomas. She gives him unconditional acceptance and makes him feel secure and confident,” said Leanne gratefully. “Thomas is so much more comfortable with himself with the dog around.”

The McPhersons eagerly await the arrival of their next family member – Benjamin’s dog guide.

Perhaps then the family can enjoy regular outings, unbroken sleep and a semblance of peace in a home teeming with kids and dogs.

“Thistle has brought incredible calm to our home and we are so lucky to be getting a dog guide for Benjamin as well,” said Leanne. “With the dogs we have hope that our boys will grow up healthy and have a chance at a happy life.”

Tutors with Tails

Eight-year-old Owen found reading a challenge until his mom stumbled upon a new literacy concept that pairs young readers with attentive furry tutors.

Dog Tales unites struggling or reluctant readers with screened dogs and their owners for weekly reading sessions at libraries in Okotoks, High River and Turner Valley. The kids choose a book, pick a dog and read with the dog on a mat for 30 minutes. The dogs nestle close and offer steadfast attention, silent affirmation and the occasional lick.

“Families who have participated say their children have an increased desire to read and they also notice improved reading skills and self-confidence when they read out loud,” says Olone McDonald, High River literacy facilitator, adding that the dogs are calm, gentle, non-judg- ing reading buddies.

Owen reads with his buddy ‘Dirty Rascal’ at the High River Library.

These days Owen can’t wait to crack a book. In the delightful company of one of his reading buddies (Dirty Rascal, Duff, Bold Girl or Red Boy), he is focused, relaxed and able to practise reading with ease.

“It has really helped him a lot,” says his mom Amy, looking pleased as her son eagerly selects his books and his dog. “Reading with the dogs gives him con- fidence; he doesn’t have to worry about what they think.” Amy adds that the family recently lost their own dog and the program is also helping to mitigate the grief for Owen.

The program, an initiative of Literacy for Life, is free of charge and has been operating in the foothills for three years. “It’s very fulfilling to see the bonds that form between the children and the dogs and the enjoyment they get from reading to their new friends,” said McDonald. “I have seen tears in some parents’ eyes – it’s really quite an amazing experience.”

End-of-Life Mates

Roxy is a seven-year-old yellow lab with firsthand experience in death and grief. When she was two, her owners found her curled up next to her mother who had passed away silently and unexpectedly in the night after complications from a routine spaying. For weeks Roxy would not enter the kennel where she last enjoyed the comfort of her mother. For months she was despondent, suffering deeply from her loss.

Roxy with her new sibling, Kelsey.

Today, Roxy is strong and vibrant and enjoying life on the farm with her loving owners and a new lab sibling. But her tragic past has given her a higher purpose. With wordless compassion and an instinct for end-of-life care, she has a twice-weekly job nurturing patients and their loved ones at Foothills Country Hospice. Her owners drop her off at the home-like setting where a volunteer trails her as she wanders around the building poking her nose into patients’ rooms. When invited in, she lies at their bedsides or climbs up next to them, delivering gentle love and warm tenderness.

“She hasn’t had any formal training but she has a quiet, caring spirit and she is very in tune with people’s feelings,” said Irene Bastian, Roxy’s owner. “We feel we have to share her love with others.”

Lacey is another gifted consoler at Foothills Country Hospice. The seven- year-old Bichon Frisé is a fluffy ball of tenacious love and boundless affection. With a nod of encouragement from her watchful owner Mary, she clambers into the laps of delighted dog lovers and wiggles into the weak embrace of patients who sometimes weep with joy.

“She’s a sight to behold,” said one patient as she cuddled with Lacey. “Just seeing her gives me such a lift.”

Be it silent counsellors or inspiring guides, no doubt some dogs are here to serve. With unreserved acceptance and unconditional love they mend wounds, undo harm and evoke unexpected joy – four-legged champions of the human spirit.