What my day looked like when Premier Alison Redford came to my hometown.

I received a excited phone call prior to the Premier coming to Wood Buffalo.  She had agreed to have lunch with the Health Advisory Council (HAC) and would I come?  Are you serious?  Of course I am coming. So I cancel out going to the Chamber of Commerce luncheon where our Mayor Melissa Blake is giving her State of the Region Address.  Have to admit I was disappointed to miss that.  I always like to listen to our Mayor talk.  She has such passion for this community.  I also knew she would understand.  So I begin to plan for the discussions surrounding health in our region that I would like to discuss with the Premier.  I look over the agenda and find that I have much to say about all the items on that list.  Imagine that.....I have an opinion!?  I have opinions about most things as I am sure that anyone who knows me can attest to. I am most impressed as our Premier walks into the room.  She comes in without airs, walks with relaxed purpose and ready smile.  She has won me over long before she walked into that room, but it was nice to see that my beliefs are well-founded. I love how she starts the conversation...`` In three short weeks a lot has been accomplished.  The doors of the legislature have been blown off and now it is time to get to work.``  Straight shooter if there ever has been one. We had a great discussion with honest straight forward questions and answers.  No one seemed shy and were willing talk honestly and sincerely with the Premier and Minister of Health about Wood Buffalo.  I will say that your HAC team did Wood Buffalo proud that day.
I also had the great honour of helping out on the executive planning team for the Premier`s Dinner that happened that same night. As many of you who work events know there is alot of behind the scenes planning that takes place.  You only need to ask my son, who had to sing O`Canada numerous times while I worked out the timing on the PowerPoint. I would edit out pictures as he sat beside me telling me which ones he thought were the coolest ones of the bunch and I needed to keep.  Then I would cue it back up and say, ``OK.  Once again from the top.``  He is an amazing young man.  I arrived at the assigned time to work the registration desk...4 pm.  The busy workers from the PC party had already done all the work and the name tags were there in alphabetical order.  I quickly find mine, put it my pocket for later use, and find that there is more than  enough volunteers for the registration table and I am reassigned to the Edge Students who have come to open doors and work the coat check for the evening.  I know I will be missing quite alot of the event in the beginning but I am good with that.  I talk to the students who have come and explain what I expect them to do with the doors, check and see who has jackets on ( only kids with jackets on can work the doors that lead outside...the Mom in me has kicked in...it is cold out there and I don`t want them to catch colds).  To my surprise the two students who are working the coat check are both named Tyler.  I explain how to hang coats, which part of the ticket to give the patron, when things should quiet down for them, when I will be getting them supper, how to find me if they need anything and that I will be back to check on them periodically.  One of the times I check on them I notice that there is one more student in there who is older so I ask his name.  Tyler he says.  I am blown away.  Three Tyler`s in one room....all in the Edge program....and none of them knew each other before that night.  Too funny. 
Now that things are rolling along with the students I can focus on the room for the first time. There are wall to wall people.  There are MLAs, the movers and shakers of Wood Buffalo, and of course the Premier.  I personally belong to three different Ministries...Health, Education and Child and Family Services Authority.  I have already had a chance to talk to the Health Minister so I move out into the room to see if I can find the other two.  It did not take long.....they were standing side by side talking.  It is interesting because my new old Minister of Human Services was my Minister of Education not that long ago.  It is great to talk to both of them. I like both of them and know they will be good in their new portfolios. In a room like that everyone knows it is a matter of time before someone else is crowding behind you to get there chance to speak to them so it is not a long conversation but still a good chance to connect again.  Satisfied that I have covered all three of my Ministries I look for my friends in the room.  I know they are there...I have seen them earlier, however being vertically challenged in a crowded room has some serious disadvantages.  It takes me more than 15 minutes to find the person that I am looking for  in a room that takes normally takes one minute to walk across  as I am constantly stopping to talk to people I know in the room and various Ministers I have come to know over the years. It is nice to see so many MLAs in the room that have come out to support our Premier and Wood Buffalo. I finally find the person I am looking for and we look for a quieter less crowded place to take a breather.  I have been on the go since early that morning and I need to regroup.  Thank goodness for friends.  They help keep your head screwed on right. 
Soon it is time for everyone to go in for dinner. As we try to move 400 people into the next room....a saying pops into my mind that a colleague of mine says in situations like this.... It is like herding cats.  Eventually everyone is in the dining room, except me.  It is time for me to get supper for the amazing Tylers of the coat check. They are excited that they may get a glimpse of the Premier so I wait with them in case they need a picture, but alas she is going a different way to enter the room.  I give them the menu and tell them they can have any sandwich or burger they want and I will deliver it to them. Bless their hearts, they ask if I am missing dinner.  I tell them in my world kids come first...always.  So armed with the order and my wallet off I go to get these boys some much needed food. 
Once delivered I let them know where I am sitting and  walk into the room.  The Premier has already started and I have missed the opening, but I am there for the meat and potatoes of the speech. As it would be most rude to walk through the room to find my seat I wait quietly standing in the back of the room.  Our Premier talks about health, education, infrastructure, twinning of the highway, and the future of our community as she sees it.  She makes no grandiose promises, but is solid in her words.  From where I am standing I can see the whole room.  I begin to watch the crowd while listening to see the reaction in the faces and body language around the room.  People are leaning in towards her, nodding their heads in agreement and at times smiling. You can almost physically feel the change that is reverberating in the air as people begin to believe again. The Premier is the genuine article. I have hope for Albertans and I believe she will deliver on her word.  From the reaction in the room so do the people who attended the dinner that night.
After she is finished I quickly check on my coat check experts and run into one of the Premier`s security detail.  I have had a chance to see him more than once during the course of the day.  I explain to him that the boys were disappointed not to have seen the Premier and if he could possibly bring her to meet them it would be great.  He smiles and says no worries and he is off.  I once again check on them and move back into the dinner.  I am hungry. Even though I said I had lunch with the Premier I never did eat much  and totally missed breakfast.  It is moving on past 7 pm and I am on empty.
I get to my table after salad has been served and notice we are without an MLA.  We didn`t have enough to go around and it would seem my table has been one of those.  I quip to my colleague sitting beside me that it looks like we are missing an MLA to which he responses... don`t need one...we have you!  I giggle and we tie into the food and great conversation. It is time to unwind and relax.  Things are almost done for the night.
I did check back one more time with the students at the coat check and am very happy that both the Premier and Mayor have stopped by to talk to these young men.  It speaks volumes for me that both of these outstanding and powerful women have taken time out of their schedules to enter into a conversation with them.  The boys tell me all about how the Premier knew what they had for dinner and could name it!  They were excited about that for some reason. I get it though as I have boy...it is all about the food.  It was an amazing night all round for everyone it would seem.

Finding Success in Failure

Recently I made a run for a position that I knew going into it I was going to lose.  You might ask yourself why would a person do that?  Why would you purposely enter into a race when you were destined to fail? Why would you publicly humiliate yourself like that?  I remember asking myself the same questions; Why are you doing this?  Are you doing this for the right reasons or for personal gain?  Once I found out the person I was running against I knew that I was not going to be victorious...it was a not even up for discussion...heck, I voted against myself. The other person was better for the organization, had more experience, was loved by everyone in the room(myself included) and I am willing too admit that. But I got up and did it anyway.
I guess the short answer is experience. There are lessons to be found in losing. I had a chance to read the room and what they were looking for.  Now I can adjust my speech, but not move too far as  to violate of my personal beliefs.  Tweaking is always good though.  The people know that I am serious about moving forward.  They now know a little more about what I believe in.  They may not agree and that is their prerogative.  I do not agree with everything other people say but I do try to enter into a conversation with an open mind.  I may be wrong.  Now, these may seem to be the standard answers that one gives for lessons learnt when defeated. Does not make them any less valid though.
For me there is something more at play though.  It is personal victory over fear.  Fear can hinder us. It can make us cower in the corner of life and become passive participants.  Each time a challenge comes your way you can go the safe middle road or challenge yourself to move past and get better.  Isn't the goal in life is to be better than we were before?  To give more than before?  To find the boundaries....push them...then give them a swift kick for good measure?  I may have not won the position, but I feel good about challenging myself to become a better person.  In the end, isn't that what we desire out of life?

From Ecuador to Scotland - Fall Trade Show

I have to admit I look forward to the Fall Trade Show every year. It is a chance to go and explore the world's wares and time old favorites.  And judging from the overflow parking so does Wood Buffalo.
As I was working in the Wood Buffalo Health Advisory Council Booth, which we shared with AHS, I decided to head out early to get the all elusive parking spot I heard rumour of. I usually drive a nice small car, but as my husband had decided to head out in the car to Edmonton to watch the Father Mercredi Baseball Academy Team, I was driving "Big Blue" - a 2500 Dodge Ram.  After a nerve racking experience at the airport parking lot the night before I was looking for the biggest, easiest parking spot known to mankind. To my great relief there was a big field being manned by wonderful volunteers directing parking.  I drove right to the end and parked as far away as I possibly could, gathered my stuff and headed off for my shift. 
As I walked in the doors at MacDonald Island I was greeted by a swift entry line and a blue tourism bracelet that would serve as my passport to consumer Nirvana.  I had a plan.  I would work my shift at the AHS booth and then spend the evening exploring the rest of the Trade Show. The three hours that I spent at the booth flew by.  I was busy reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances, talking about Wood Buffalo Health Advisory Council and explaining the new website www.myhealth.alberta.ca where you can find valuable health information from a single, reliable source.

Things had slowed down by the time I was ready to head out into the fray of  Fort McMurray's very own Fall Trade Show.  I gathered my things and headed towards the main entrance to experience the whole Fair from start to finish.  There is a technique to exploring a massive event like this.  I like to take a strategy employed by maritime search and rescue called track line patterning. Works every time.  I wandered by booths promoting kitchen utensils, the latest in floor cleaning initiatives and products, holistic health, baby wear, clothing, jewlery and well..basically everything you didn't know you were deparate need of.  Then I feel the magnetic pull to that which has attracted adventure travellers for years....Ecuador. There hanging from a plastic hanger is a soft wrap made from the wool of  that classic Andean pack animal which has been a source of warm wool and transportation in Ecuador for centuries...  the llama. Granted I don't know of any blue, white and black plaid llamas, but it was perfect. Purchase made.  Moving on with my track line patterning I move into Hall B and find Scotland.  My ancestoral heart sighs....home. I spend time looking into the history of family names, tartans, and of course the ever commercial products of Guiness.  Part of the booth is Scotland and the other Ireland.  Being Scottish, English and Irish I am drawn to spend most of my time here. After talking to the booth owners about certain historcial questions I make a small purchase and move on to finish the entire Trade Show.  My stomach begins to growl in earnest so after a quick look at my watch I decide to head home.  So ends my day at the Fall Trade Fair. As I make my walk across the now almost deserted field I spot "Big Blue" parked under a tree in full fall bloom and  I am again reminded how lucky I am to live in such a vibrant community. 

Remembering 9/11

With words that echo through the years to heal the wounds of the present, the world pauses to remember 9/11. "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."~Abraham Lincoln, The Gettsyburg Address. No one will forget where they were and what they were doing when the news of the terrorist attack came across the airwaves. The images are burned into our collective souls. Let us not forget the 26 Canadians that died on that fateful day. We are a global community united in memory for those who lost their lives and those who were left behind to rebuild from the ashes of a terroist attack. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

The RCMP Regimental Ball

As I slipped those two blue and white Wood Buffalo RCMP Regimental Ball tickets into my purse to head out for the evening I had no idea what to expect.  All I knew was that my friend and I where heading out for the night and there would be men in uniform, good food and a band. 

As we entered the room it was hard to miss the RCMP officers dressed in their finest Red Serge and it was quite an incredible sight. Everywhere you looked people were dressed in their finest black-tie attire mingling among the formally dressed RCMP. There were silent auction items strategically placed to support Fort McMurray Victim Services for the patrons to bid on.  At each table setting was a gift of the official RCMP Wood Buffalo Detachment Regimental Ball Challenge Coin emblazoned with Maintiens le droit which means Maintain the Right.

It was also hard to miss the intricate ice sculptures adorning the room.  They were everywhere from table centerpieces to life size RCMP to a Martini bar made entirely of ice.  I watched in fascination as the bartender poured the Martini through the maze of  ice to arrive at the waiting glass.  From my table I had a clear view and more than once conversation was stopped mid-sentence as someone who had come over for a conversation looked on as the process repeated itself.

After the dignitaries had be marched into the room and the piper had been paid, which is by tradition a quaich containing a dram (about 3.5 ml) of whisky, the Ball began in earnest. The food was beyond belief, there were awards handed out for service, and we toasted the Queen. The evening had threads of historical information that wove their way throughout the night. Truth be told I loved those parts of the evening. What I did not realize was that while the custom of dining is believed to began in the monasteries, it was adopted by the early universities, and later spread to military units when the officer's mess was established. British officers of the 19th century were drawn from the aristocracy, and while they considered themselves gentlemen, they were not necessarily men of means; third and fourth sons had little chance of inheriting title and lands under primogeniture. While the pooling of resources may have been out of economic necessity, the regimental officer's mess maintained the social stratification of English society and ensured that the traditions of gentlemanly conduct were maintained and inculcated to junior officers. So begins the Regimental Ball. Bet you didn't know you were going to learn something about history when you first started reading did you? 

In my opinion the Regimental Ball supported one of the worthiest unsung heroes of Wood Buffalo, Fort McMurray Victim Services. This is a not-for-profit organization that provides immediate, short term crisis intervention services to people affected by crime, tragedy or disaster. One of the many important tasks Victim Services members undertake is accompanying RCMP officers to notify next-of-kin when someone has died. It's members can also be seen  accompanying  victims of crime through the often bewildering court process, and helping victims find their voice in the criminal justice system. They also provide information, support and referrals to other agencies for victims of crime. It is because these people with hearts of gold and compassion for their fellow man that the victims of crime can believe once more that there is good in the world.

The most touching and memorable part of the evening for me happened at the beginning of the night when in recognition of their fallen comrades the brave men and women of our RCMP had set A Table For One. This so touched my heart that I have copied it down to share with you.

``We call your attention to this small table, which occupies a place of dignity and honour near the head table. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of our Force are missing from our ranks.  Our Comrades are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence.

• In their honour, the table, set for one, is small, symbolizing the frailty of one member, and our everlasting memories:
• The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of motive and their intention to serve their country's call;
• The single red rose signifies the blood shed in sacrifice and reminds us of family and friends;
• The red ribbon represents our determination to never forget them;
• A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate;
• The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless tears of families and friends;
• The glass is inverted as they cannot join us in the toast this night;
• The chair is empty. They are not here;
• The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope that their lives were not given in vain;
• The Canadian flag reminds us that they made the supreme sacrifice in the service of law and order for our country.

Let us remember them and never forget their sacrifices.  May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families.”



SummersEND

What an amazing weekend in celebration of SummersEND.  Events Wood Buffalo kicked one out of the park once again with this concert line up.  I am a country fan from way back.  Growing up with the likes of Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash providing the musical backdrop to a young life surrounded by horses, rodeo and cowboy hats.  I still have fond memories of my horses and the words of wisdom from my parents, " You can't ride with a saddle until you learn how to ride without."
So it was with great anticipation that I discovered that one of my favorite artists of all time was coming to Fort McMurray...Reba McEntire.  And she did not disappoint.  It was a prefect blend of old and new songs that had the crowd on their feet cheering and singing along. Reba herself tweeting about her experience in Fort McMurray. "Wow!!!! What a great audience tonight in Ft. McMurray AB!!! Thanks for the super hospitality!!"  & "Beautiful up here in Ft. McMurray, AB Canada!!!!!"

The second night was the Dierks Bentley Concert.  Once again the crowds came to partake in a fun night full of cowboy hats, stomping of cowboy boots and dancing.  As we sang out the words to our favorite songs it was clear that Fort McMurray has a country heart.



 The third night George Canyon took the stage.  It was clear that the crowd, many who had been to every concert, had not lost their love for Country music.  We sang along to Johnny Cash Classics to the ole' time favorite " Battle of New Orleans".  With a sense of humour George had his band serenade each other with Tina Turner's "Private Dancer" that soon had the crowd laughing and cheering them on.  The song " I Want You to Live" was dedicated in honour of the Portraits of Honour that provided the backdrop for his concert was heartbreakingly moving. 

 When the dust has settled and the cowboy hats and boots put away we will have lasting memories of a weekend celebration that has once again proved to the world that Wood Buffalo is the best place to live.  We have Big Spirit and unyielding pride in our community and this was a weekend for both. 

Portraits of Honour

I had the distinguished honour of being part of the executive team that brought Portraits of Honour to Wood Buffalo as part of SummersEND.  On a warm summers day near the end of June I went to a meeting at the event chair's house, Roger Hebblethwaite, for what I thought was going to be a small project.  It was soon apparent that this was going to be  much bigger  than I first thought.  Not one to back down when people throw a challenge my way I decided to dive in with everything I could bring.  As my list as media coordinator started to grow, I added on helping with the Dedication Ceremony.  It was great getting to know more people in radio, TV, and print. The one thing about Fort McMurray is that when there is a good cause, we line up behind and do it up right. 
We came together as a community to Celebrate, Honour and Remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice within our Canadian Military and those who have returned home with lasting physical or emotional injuries. The Canadian Military has served our country with pride and distinction.  The Mural is a great symbol of that heritage. The Portraits of Honour Mural  stretches 10 feet tall by 40 feet wide and features the faces of the 157 Canadian soldiers, sailors and aircrew who have lost their lives in Afghanistan.  The Mural serves as a reminder of the foundation of courage on which Canada rests.  As the passing of time makes ‘remembrance’ increasingly difficult, it is endeavours such as this where we can  pay homage to the achievements and sacrifices made by those who served Canada in times of war, armed conflict and peace and to promote an understanding of the significance of these efforts in Canadian life as we know it. As a Country, we have prospered because we’ve always had citizens willing to stand up and answer the call to serve in hours of need. Over the course of two days during SummersEND we honoured our veterans, past and present, for their unyielding sacrifice and dedication to our great Country. Canadian soldiers are our sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. They come in every possible type, as varied a group as can be found in any Canadian town or city.  Some families wait and worry in silence for the safe arrival of their sons and daughters to return from their mission, while other families have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.
It started with a Motorcade escort through the city on Sept. 2nd with about 60 motorcycle riders, Veterans, Support Our Troops tractor-trailer, support vehicles, firefighter truck, City By-Law, news crews and four RCMP to make sure it came through the city safe.  It was an impressive sight. 

 At the private reception that evening  there was not a dry eye in the house as the parents  of  fallen hero Lt. Justin Boyes spoke to the room.  The impact hitting home for everyone in the room. 

 The morning of September 3rd brought with it a flurry of activity as there was a public pancake breakfast and the colouring contest for the youth of Wood Buffalo were recognized.  Then the Dedication ceremony began amid the backdrop of 157 Canadian Flags with then names of the fallen soldiers emblazoned on them reminded the people present just how many 157 souls are.  You could feel the memory  of the fallen soldiers come alive in the words of Master Corporal Chris Downey as he addressed the gathered crowd. 

 In the evening, thousands more from the community had the chance to remember, honour and celebrate the heroes depicted on the mural as country star George Canyon performed his headline act with the Portraits of Honour mural as his backdrop. As he sang the heart wrenching " I Want You to Live" it was clear the crowd could sense the loss that the families of the fallen heroes.

I leave you with the poem that was read by Angela Boyes, Mother of Fallen Hero Lt. Justin Boyes :
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.