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April 27 e-Newsletter

April, 2016

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T8N Magazine’s May issue will be coming out later this week, but as a newsletter subscriber, you’ve got access to a special sneak peak of this month’s content. You can be among the first to see articles like our history of the Rainmaker Rodeo, which is celebrating its 51st Anniversary this year. You can also click here to check out the results from our Best of T8N survey. Did any of your favourites make the list? You can celebrate by trying out a winning restaurant or hiring one of the winning photographers to get those family portraits done.

With spring here and summer fast approaching, it’ll be easier for everyone to get out and participate in all of the events coming our way in the city. If you’re having trouble narrowing down the choices, the Musée Héritage Museum has a new exhibit recalling 150 years of celebration in St. Albert—check out the article below.

Our very first reader-submitted Photo of the Week is available for you to enjoy. Scroll down to see how your fellow St. Albertan has celebrated the return of gardening! Check out these articles and more in our newsletter and the T8N website.

Thank you for tuning in this week.


The Rainmaker Rodeo: Then & Now

St.Albert Rainmaker Rodeo, 1974. Image Credit: Musée Héritage Museum

This May will mark the 51st anniversary of St. Albert’s beloved Rainmaker Rodeo. The rodeo today is such a staple of the city’s summers that it’s hard to imagine a time when it didn’t exist. The truth, however, is that the rodeo didn’t come about easily. In fact, it often didn’t come about at all. Up for a great story? Here’s a look back at the Rainmaker Rodeo—a tale of perseverance, community spirit and a plain-old disregard for bad weather.St. Albert’s rodeo first started in 1965, as a fundraising event put on by the local Kinsmen Club. The rodeo plans were so ambitious that right from day one, it was decided that “Kinsmen Rodeo 104” (as it was called back then) would be the town’s official anniversary celebration. Some of our cherished traditions, such as the parade and the rodeo breakfast, can be traced all the way back to that weekend. But for the most part, the first year was rodeo in its purest form: steer wrestling, bull riding, calf roping and a few more staples were all that was needed to bring in a crowd.

While the name “Rainmaker” wouldn’t make an appearance for many years to come, the rain itself did not wait for an invitation. The weekend was a near disaster, with many of the events being flooded out. The Kinsmen Club scheduled a make-up date during the dry month of August, which was (you guessed it) rained out as well. The rodeo seemed to act as a magnet for storm clouds. But, contrary to all expectations, attendance numbers grew every year.

To read the full story of the Rainmaker Rodeo and to see how it’s changed over the years, click here.


Travelling Canada

Make our nation your destination

You’ve heard the saying, “Not all those who wander are lost.” It is the globe-trotter’s mantra, often -printed on inspirational travel posters designed to lure us abroad. But how often do we wander in our own backyards? From coast to coast, Canada has a wealth of adventure to offer the budget backpacker and savvy -spender alike. So go ahead, get lost a little. We’ve got some tips to get you going, no matter how you’re getting there.

© Marina Zlochin / adobe stock

 

If you’re looking for an exciting escape this summer, think local. Travelling at home has many advantages, such as avoiding long border crossings and expensive exchange rates. Not sure you’ll find what you need? Consider this: Canada boasts the world’s longest coast line and has somewhere around two million freshwater lakes. The imposing Rocky Mountains stretch 1200 km within the country alone, extending nearly all the way to the Yukon Territory. Between our east and west borders are 17 UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites, 40 protected national parks and myriad native plant and animal species. With all of it accessible through a reliable transportation network, it’s a wonder we ever leave home at all.

For our full list of summer travelling tips, click here.

 


Tokota Shoes

Put your best foot forward

Photo Credit: T8N Publishing

There’s just something about a new pair of shoes. Shiny patent pumps, supple leather loafers or sneakers that scream street style—nothing puts a spring in the step quite like some cool new kicks. Except, of course, finding those kicks in a cool new St. Albert boutique. Carrying designer shoes and accessories from all over the world, Tokota Shoes is a shoe-lover’s delight. Created by Edna Ledi-Lauzon and her husband Andre Lauzon, this modern boutique will surely evoke the inner Carrie Bradshaw in even the most reluctant shoe shopper.

A busy mother of three school-aged boys, Ledi-Lauzon worked in the banking industry for 17 years before opening Tokota Shoes last May. Today, with her husband supporting her every step of the way, the new entrepreneur is living her lifelong dream. “I’ve always wanted to do this. I turned 40 last year and decided it was time,” she says. “My mom always had an extensive shoe closet. I think that’s where the love came from.”

To read the full story behind St. Albert’s trendiest boutique, click here.


Musée Héritage Museum

A history of celebration

The new exhibit on at Musée Héritage is looking back over 150 years of how we residents have celebrated in our city and for our city. Many clubs and organizations have reached milestones and have opened their doors to invite the residents to celebrate with them: festivals and events, community bands and choirs, sports teams and performing artists, businesses and not-for-profits—all have celebrated anniversaries and the people of St. Albert have helped them eat the cake and cheer on for a new year.
So, if you feel nostalgic or you want to be retro in an upcoming event you’re planning, get down to Musée Héritage at St. Albert Place and be ready to put on a party hat. The exhibit starts April 26th and goes to June 19th. For hours and more info click here.Fun Facts:
-St. Albert was first a Metis settlement.
-Father Lacombe founded St. Albert in 1861.
-St. Albert is the oldest, non-fortified settlement in Alberta
-St. Albert acquired village status in 1904, became a town in 1961 and burgeoned into a city in 1977.
-Some St. Albert milestone anniversaries this year are: Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival’s 35th, Rainmaker Rodeo’s 51st, St. Albert Community Band’s 45th, St Albert Singers’ Guild’s 30th, St. Albert Newcomers’ Club is in its 50th year and St. Albert Children’s Theatres 35th.

Photo of the Week

An early crop this year! Thanks to J. Drent for sharing this funny picture in response to last week’s photo challenge: “Preparing for Spring Gardening”.

“Beer Garden” Photo courtesy of J Drent.
Barbecue season has begun! Send us a picture that proves your grill-master prowess, and you could be featured in our next issue. Simply attach the photo to an e-mail and send it to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name, a photo credit, and a short caption for your image. You just might be our next photo of the week!

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