Pipestone Flyer
Our region boasts several
dynamic communities: one that cannot be missed, as it is a pretty village and a close-knit community, is the
VILLAGE OF THORSBY. With
reduced taxes, the Village of Thorsby manages to not only provide essential services in a timely and professional manner, but to also plan fun events that are generally supported with enthusiasm and loyalty by its population!
The Village of Thorsby has worked diligently for years now to obtain a town status: the criteria is all about demographics, so as the population of a rural community fluctuates, Thorsby looks forward to its population growing, attracted or retained by all the amenities, the pleasant atmosphere and friendly folk, and nearby employment opportunities. A chat with Thorsby’s dynamic Mayor Barry Rasch helped bring us up-to-date with what’s happening in that cozy village.
The successful THORSBY HAYMAKER RODEO is a signature event for this village. The Rodeo Committee, along with the AG Society and the Village Council, are planning to incorporate some events under the Rodeo umbrella for a more cohesive weekend concept…A synergy that will undoubtedly promote the Rodeo as a must-go event for both rodeo competitors and fans from far and wide!
The creation of a Thorsby Communities In Bloom chapter (CIB) was a brainstorm of the Mayor, himself an avid gardener and a proud Thorsby resident. This international group not only tackles floral displays, green spaces and tidiness, environmental awareness and trail development, but also offers access to various grants available to rural communities of Alberta. Mayor Rash strongly believes that while the Village staff is busy looking after the day-to-day operations, it is up to elected officials -i.e. Council members- to step up to the plate and think out of the box! The creation of a CIB chapter in Thorsby is a far-reaching element that adds to the quality of life in that community.
An example of this mentality’s concrete results is the fact that in 2011 and 2012, through its mayor’s diligent application, Thorsby was the happy recipient of an Alberta Beverage Containers Foundation Grant. This grant covered the acquisition and delivery of several recycling bins placed at critical locations in the village, and they serve two purposes, as they are accepting both waste and recyclable containers. Keeping the village tidy and raising funds for major community players (i.e. The AG Society, the Lions Club and the schools) sounds like a worthwhile endeavor! This grant demands that the Bottle Depot Operator contribute an application as well and that all recycled containers must be tracked (counted) for the first year. Leduc County has liked this idea, and was also a recipient of this grant in recent history.
The THORSBY LIONS CLUB was revived eighteen months ago, after an absence of a few years: as 2017 will see the Lions celebrate 100 years in North-America, this non-profit community-serving organisation has launched a Centennial Challenge for its membership, to commemorate this milestone. The Thorsby Lions Club, under the dynamic leadership of its president Mitch Williams (also a Thorsby councillor), has delivered a special gift to the Village and in the summer months, will officially reveal it to its residents and to the regional community.
Earlier this year, the Thorsby Lions hosted a “Malenka”, a Ukrainian dinner and dance, and it was sold out with 250 guests, some traveling from afar to attend: it is rumored that the 2014 Thorsby Malenka could be sold out already! Two new dugouts have been purchased and will be installed this summer by the Lions Club for the Thorsby Ball Diamonds. An interesting point, this Lions Club boasts members from the ages of 26 to 86. This youth infusion is said to be the envy of other Lions Clubs in the region!
To contribute to its youth’s development, Thorsby 4-H Club has been active for the past several years. Directed at urban and country kids, the Thorsby 4-H Whoop It Up Club has created many unique projects, along with outdoors adventures. Its dynamic leader is Warren Able, who is the Leduc County AG Foreman and an all-around busy man. The Thorsby Lions Club has created an Arts Projects directed at Grades 7 and 8 students in Thorsby, Warburg and Calmar: the upcoming fall will see the Peace Poster Project, an exciting international project, publicized and promoted in the region.
This vibrant community is also the proud host of the Thorsby ARMY CADET CORPS: with 25 young cadets on the roster, Captain Sue Faraschuk should be pleased with this turnout, as her enthusiasm and dedication is said to be a primary reason for this cadet corps’ steady growth.
Thorsby’s TEPA -the Elementary Parents’ Association-, is a dynamic group that is proud of its accomplishments. This friendly and dedicated group is working hard to complete the refurbishing of the elementary school’s playground, with the help of a sizeable grant they applied for and were thrilled to receive.
THORSBY TRAILS is a successful project initiated by the former Lions Club in 1996. Groomed by an RCMP officer on his own time, it has now been embraced by the Village as another valuable feature of its community life. Communities In Bloom and the Village of Thorsby enlisted the skills of Glenn Taylor, an avid cyclist and solid community supporter to develop these impressive trails that are another attractive feature of living in this rural community. Glenn Taylor is also a knowledgeable cycling aficionado who refurbishes old bicycles to be distributed to less fortunate kids in our region.
There is so much more to the Village of Thorsby than this article has described! Mayor Rasch was happy to share that “it is outstanding that so many caring and devoted individuals and groups are working together for the benefit of all Thorsby residents and their families, and we need to showcase these accomplishments”. We agree!