During the last week of November, my daughters, Louise Erb and Nancy Fretter, and I flew to Calgary to spend a week with my youngest daughter, Bonnie (Richard) Bradley, and their son in Okotoks, Alta., just about 15 minutes south of Calgary.
Many people commute from Okotok to Calgary as housing is difficult to find and expensive in the city—and even in its suburbs!
This year, Okotoks will see more than 300 new homes built, putting it on par with medium-sized cities like Regina and Medicine Hat (its population being 14,200 now).
The town boasts several retailers, including Wal-Mart, and there’s a four-way highway leading into Calgary. Homes are selling for $210,000. There’s a half-dozen subdivisions that look like extensions of the suburbs in south Calgary.
Okotoks’ recreation facilities are filled to capacity, with 500 kids playing hockey, 900 playing soccer, and almost 350 playing indoor soccer. A better place to raise kids.
Calgary is growing so fast (its population is nearing one million).
During this trip, we visited a tourist town (Bragg Creek). There were lots of interesting handiwork of all kinds, and a “Joey” restaurant where we lunched.
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In local news, about 50 people enjoyed the turkey supper Sunday at the North Branch Community Centre.
Florence Watts won the first draw for the grocery hamper and Murray Jewett the second one. The door prize went to Moei Neilson, with Marjorie Haw winning the second.
Thanks for donations to the hampers.
Thanks also to the cooks (the food was great), the ticket sellers and buyers, the clean-up crew, the snow clearing, and anyone else who helped in any way.
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The quilt raffle at the W.I. luncheon at the Emo museum on Saturday was won by D. Hansen and the centrepiece by Henrietta McCoy.
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There will be dancing at the Emo Legion on Saturday Dec. 20 from 8 p.m.-midnight, as usual. A New Year’s dance will be held there Dec. 31, featuring music by Bill Wepruk, Richard McKinnon, and Sam Matichuk.
Watch for further news on this.
Dancing at the Brink Center in Baudette this Friday (Dec. 12) is to music by the Sindelirs. Then the Frontiersmen will play there Dec. 19.
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The Barwick craft sale is slated for this Saturday (Dec. 13) from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact Crystal Gray (487-1129) to book a table.
Also in Barwick at the hall, the annual potluck Christmas party will go Saturday at 6 p.m. (the date was changed from Dec. 12). Santa also will be there!
A reminder the Sturgeon Creek School concert is slated for this Friday (Dec. 12) at 7 p.m.
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A big thank you to the carolers from Off Lake Church who stopped by to sing and leave a wonderful goodie bag!
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Some of the major prize winners at the Christmas tea and bazaar, hosted by Our Lady of the Way C.W.L. on Saturday, Nov. 29, included Louise Pollard (adult door prize) and Tammy Anderson (youth door prize).
Draw winners included JoAnne McCormick (crib blanket), Amelia Tiede (twin dolls), and Lenny Vandenbrand (Santa Barbie).
There also were many penny table winners too numerous to mention by name.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
