A five-year member of the Pipestone Flyer’s Editorial Team, I am fortunate to attend, cover and share great events and great causes in the City of Leduc and sometimes a little farther afield in the Leduc-Wetaskiwin region, and to share them with community-minded citizens who in turn show their appreciation. I love it when a little email pops up my way, telling me of an event taking place in our community that I would probably like to cover. The writer often would suggest I share this information with our esteemed editor, Ken Matthias. (picsbydominique@gmail.com – thanks!).
The new Social Convener (aka Events Coordinator) for Leduc’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 108 is Tyler Prazak, a hard-working, sociable and kind-hearted guy, great dancer and by day the customer service extraordinaire manager at Co-op Grocery Store. Raised within a business-minded family, Tyler has the gift of gab and a keen eye for what is pleasant and marketable. He celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday, May 9th at Leduc’s Legion Branch 108 with a few dozen friends and other patrons, being spoiled with cards, gifts and a fabulous cake! The dance floor was packed most of the night, thanks to the great tunes provided by Patrick Tasker’s Boys, DJs extraordinaire. The Legion staff as usual was quick on their feet and super-friendly. Always nice to see a young man so popular with ‘mature’ folks.
At the LEAB Arbour Day this weekend (Leduc Environmental Advisory Board), one of the volunteer tree planters was Lorna Stephens, a loyal member of Community in Blooms (CIB), and it brought to mind my admiration for this group composed of passionate gardeners who want to embellish our communities and preserve our green spaces: a Committee that I belonged to for six years, and that created some fond memories of sociable tree plantings and weeding sessions at critical high-profile locations within my city. Like the Walk of Generations, along 46th Street, and the big Leduc sign entering Leduc from the North off Highway 2, LEAB, CIB, as well as the new Leduc Wildlife Conservation Board are essential for the preservation of our natural areas and the animals that live in it and among us.
The Town of Millet recently lost one of its dynamic and valuable champions. I was sad to hear of the recent passing of Rudy Schipper, the visionary and hard-working Dutch gentleman who was the founder and owner of The Old Bank Café in that town. Rudy was a generous man, helping others any way he could. I remember when during Pipestone Flyer meetings held at the Old Bank, Rudy would come out of the kitchen to greet us cheerfully. Rudy renovated and decorated this old bank, created a warm and welcoming eatery filled with quality food, friendly service and antiques he acquired all over North America. Rudy Schipper will be fondly remembered by friends, staff, neighbors and patrons.
The Calmar Zirka Performers performed last weekend at the Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts in Leduc. I will take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the youths, even the young adults, who devote so many years to these groups and the superior excellence of their training and skills. I wish to applaud my young friend Carly Warnock who recently received a Certificate for 16 years of dancing with the Zirkas. She is a University student now, working her summers for the City of Leduc Parks Department and yet Carly continues a lifelong commitment to this group, now a young adult dancer. I wish to send kudos to all those parents who valiantly and selflessly support their kids’ talents and ambitions throughout years of focus and hard work, like Carly’s mom, my friend and Leduc resident Valerie Warnock-Kobeluk, who supported three daughters through their many years of dancing with the Zirkas.
In this city and region, we are fortunate to have this excellent venue, the Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts, attached to the Leduc Composite High School, to plan and host fabulous shows of many genres, for the whole family!