![]() Wow, another amazing rodeo parade - and it didn't rain as per tradition! I was on a float getting some pictures of all the fun. I posted an online gallery here - did I see you? For the second year of the "new route," I think it went quite well. Seems like there are always two seasons here: winter and construction. At least we can mitigate the second one with the different route! This year's theme was celebrating Canada's 150th birthday, and it was interesting to see the different groups' take on that theme. Overall, it was a colourful, vibrant, and sometimes raucous parade! This year, after the last float zoomed by, a free bbq lunch was served at Veteran's Park, hosted by Strathmore-Brooks MLA Derek Fildebrandt. He brought a couple of his peers along with him, provincial PC leader Jason Kenney and Calgary-Greenway MLA Prab Gill. ![]() Looked like the politicians had fun meeting with people and enjoying Brooks hospitality. My personal pick for Hero of the Rodeo Weekend is Naomi Zacharias from Creepy Monkey Graphics. Our area was hit by a huge storm last Thursday, and even the pine tree outside Naomi's shop fell victim to the incredible winds. This did not stop the tenacious lady, she was super busy with last-minute work (including a shirt I had ordered). ![]() As the clouds threatened to dump some more rain on us last Friday, Creepy Monkey Graphics was abuzz with people picking up orders and float displays. So when I saw Naomi parked along the parade route, I had to get a photo of her. If you were at the parade, you likely saw some of her handiwork! ![]() As the parade wound back into the Old Rodeo Grounds and the floats began to get dismantled, I looked around and thought, "what a fine salute to our country." With all the stuff going on right now in the world, it's so refreshing to enjoy a beautiful summer morning. Maybe that's what could solve a lot of our problems - just quit arguing and watch a parade; enjoy the atmosphere.
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![]() Here's a press release about the Canadian Badlands Tourism Ambassador program. I'm one of the ambassadors for the Newell Region, and it's been so much fun sharing some of the amazing sights and sounds from this area. I've had the chance to meet my fellow ambassadors, and they are very skilled, extremely friendly people. If you have an event or destination you think we should cover, give one of us a call! Canadian Badlands Announces Social Media Ambassadors CALGARY (June 5, 2017) — Canadian Badlands Tourism (CBT) is pleased to announce the selection of several social media tourism ambassadors. These ‘Tourism Ambassadors’ are local social media users, who will use their influence to showcase unique ways to experience the Canadian Badlands. The crew will attend and promote local events, attractions and experiences from now until the September long weekend. “We are more than pleased to have such fine local ambassadors set to tell authentic stories of this land and its people. By showcasing their experiences on social media others will be inspired to visit the Canadian Badlands and seek out their own adventures. ” says Barry Morishita, President of Canadian Badlands Tourism. A total of 20 Tourism Champions have been selected in the following regions: Special Areas, the County of Newell and Lethbridge. Here’s a snapshot of the ambassadors for the Newell Region: Samantha Plett is a mother of two toddlers, wife to a farmer and photographer by passion. She grew up in the Badlands, and is keen to show tourists the diversity of this region. “From the prairies to the river to the hoodoos, we have such a variety in our own backyard,” she says. Her go to on hot summer days is the outdoor swimming pool in Bassano, followed up by date night at Montana’s. Follow Samantha on Instagram @samanthaplettphotography Rebecca Campbell moved from east to west seven years ago. She now lives in Brooks with her husband and their three little boys. Her other passions include teaching yoga and meditation, energy healing, writing and photography. She and her family love exploring Evergreen Park and Rolling Hills Reservoir. She hopes to encourage tourism to the Canadian Badlands: “So others can explore the diversity of the landscape and meet the incredibly kind and down to earth people who live here.” Connect with Rebecca on Instagram @themindfulmamalife or on her blog www.themindfulmamalife.com Ryan Kiedrowski is a photographer, dad, husband, and tourism advocate. He loves music, Macs and Nikon (not necessarily in that order). According to Ryan, the Canadian Badlands is like no place else on earth. “The vast territory of the Badlands means each community can be quite different. The land shapes the people, and we have some amazing stories to tell.” Ryan recommends visitors check out Spin Nightspot for a night out in Brooks. “They have several themed nights with fantastic house and guest DJs,” he says. Explore with Ryan on Instagram @rykieimagesevents and on Twitter @DuchessABphoto Rachel Boekel is a mountain girl living a very rich prairie life as a visual story teller. She works as a portrait and wedding photographer in Brooks. Rachel is a self confessed sucker for a big sky, hoodoos, pronghorn antelope and the storms that roll over our fields and lakes. Her tourism wish is simple. “Everyone should see a sunrise or sunset over the Badlands, or the golden glow of a canola field in peak bloom. When you stop to listen and look, the landscape is wild and diverse, and the people are the salt of the earth,” she avows. Follow Rachel’s adventures on Instagram @rachelboekelphotography Emily Duncan is into adventure, hockey, photography, writing and spontaneous drives to the middle of nowhere. Many people have asked Emily why she left her home in the rolling hills of BC and her response is always the same. “I love being able to see forever across our prairies, and yet still be so close to such incredible landscapes like the coulees. I wouldn’t trade living here for the world, and I encourage anyone to come experience the grandeur of our Badlands for themselves.” Connect with Emily on Instagram @emrosedee and on Twitter @Emrosedee A spirited sunset chaser, Larae Pierson is is always up for an adventure. By day, she works with entrepreneurs and teams. Off hours, Larae spends time traveling or on the family ranch located north of the Red Deer River. One of her favourite things to do is tuck into juicy steak and weekend soup at the Patricia Hotel, where her Grandad’s brand is etched into one of the tables. Connect with Larae on Instagram and Twitter @Return2Rural Join the Party Locals and tourists are encouraged to join the ambassador’s adventures. Simply follow the hashtags #CBTAmbassador, #MyBadlands and #visitnewell on Twitter and Instagram to receive the latest updates, and learn more about local gems in your region. About Canadian Badlands Tourism Canadian Badlands Tourism (CBT) is a not-for-profit Alberta Corporation providing a new and innovative approach to creating an integrated, destination-based tourism industry in South- Eastern Alberta. CBT is the largest co-operative regional partnership of municipal governments in Alberta. The shareholders are 59 municipal governments, who recognizing the power of co- operative efforts to develop and implement strategic regional tourism development plans. For further details contact: Jaime McIntosh Newell Regional Tourism Association E: jmcintosh@brooks.ca T: 403-793-0623 ![]() Well, hopefully not ALL week, but it sure started off that way! But, rain during Rodeo Week is to be expected around here. Another tradition is the week-long pancake breakfasts being served up free of charge by local businesses. This morning was the TD Bank Mall merchants, who despite a rainy morning, provided some delicious pancakes & sausages. Of course, the rain dampened their outdoor experience, so the crew hosted diners indoors at Gus' Pizza. If you're like me and forget where the different breakfasts are each year, here's a list for the rest of the week: Tuesday - 101.1 The One & Real Country 105.7 + Mall Merchants Wednesday - No Frills + Bevan & Partners Thursday - Brooks Motor Products Friday - City of Brooks + County of Newell (at the Fire Hall) Saturday - Evangelical Free Church Sunday - Cowboy Service at the Old Rodeo Grounds (10 a.m.) All breakfasts are served between 7 and 9 a.m. The lines can get long, so best to be there early! I've wanted to do a piece on Joe and the boys for awhile, so met with them one morning last week. Also, here's the text from my intro in case you can't understand my marble-mouthed words!
The local barber shop once dominated main streets across small town Canada. Now, like with all things deemed "progress," finding a good barber shop is becoming a more difficult task. Not in the City of Brooks, though. Joe and his boys are making sure of that. Joe Ezzedine is the owner of the Downtown Barber Shop, and has been for over two decades. Joining him are sons Ezzy and Jay, plus they now have an apprentice for a whopping four chairs on the go. A visit to the Downton Barber Shop is like a trip back through time – to a simpler age where men found out the latest news over a trim and pontified from the barber's chair. I've been getting my ears lowered at Joe's shop for over 15 years – back when there wasn't any salt in my hair. Nothing much has changed in the shop during that time, save the expansion the shop received a few years back, effectively doubling it's size and allowing the Ezzedine's to stock hair products. Perhaps it is this familiarity that roots the Downtown Barber Shop into the very essence of Brooks; the stability that Joe and the boys will be there with a hearty greeting when you walk through the door. The fact that no matter whose chair you sit in, they know exactly what your usual cut is. It's like a right of passage for a man to bring his son to Joe's shop, inaugurating another member into the community; and that's what going to the Downtown Barber Shop is: community. You're not just another noggin in the chair. I had so much fun shooting this wedding, and I hope you enjoy this preview. It's an honour to be invited to partake in a client's big day - a responsibility I don't take lightly. It's extra special when you get to document the day of such a fun family.
It always amazes me how far family members travel. There was a large contingent of people from BC, and as far away as Nevada who made the trip to share in this joyous day. Congratulations, Amanuel and Karen - thanks for the fun day, and may you have many happy years together! |
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