Diane Rogers

The ice went out of the Warner, Alta., arena two weeks ago, but the hockey dream has not evaporated. In fact, it is growing. Last fall, Warner opened its girls hockey school with 20 participants. This month, it was chosen to receive the 2004 school and community public relations award from the Alberta Teachers’ Association. […] Read more

Expanding communities one business at a time is how the Saskatchewan Small Business Loan Association program likes to think it works. Since the provincial government set it up in 1989, the program has helped establish thousands of small businesses across the province. Four men in Eastend were able to buy the former Saskatchewan Wheat Pool […] Read more

Rural hockey players are often able to play only in leagues against their neighbours. But the Sask-Can Summer Hoc-key Association, now in its 10th year, allows rural and city kids from across Saskatchewan to play together and compete at national and international levels. However, the association is not open to all players, only the elite […] Read more

Correen and Robert Smith’s children, who are in their 20s, have an unusual family circumstance. Not only are all four of their grandparents alive, but each side of the Leslie, Sask., family has received a century farm designation from the province. “They’re both stubborn grandfathers,” Correen said while explaining why her father and father-in-law stayed […] Read more

About 1,000 rural women from around the world are expected to gather in Hobart, Australia, next week. The delegates to the 24th triennial conference of the Associated Country Women of the World will include 30-40 from Canada. The 15,000 kilometre journey for those from Western Canada is not taken lightly. A number of women’s institutes […] Read more

Nine months ago Dale Pocock could stand on both legs. Today the Nipawin, Sask., farmer uses crutches and a walker to get around while waiting for an artificial leg. There was no obvious problem with his leg last June 9. Pocock said he was feeling achy and flu-like at the end of a day welding […] Read more

Farmers need to develop a humour habit, says a former teacher who spoke recently to a Manitoba dairy group. Mike Moore of Brantford, Ont., said in an interview that farmers should look for funny aspects in life and share them with the family at lunch or supper. It is therapeutic to laugh, Moore said. Farmers […] Read more

Academic research into rural iss-ues is a mixed bag, says an Alberta researcher. Judith Kulig, a nursing professor at the University of Lethbridge, said rural research focuses on more than economic development. It often incorporates a social side that explores the grassroots people and the links between communities on common issues. “I think there has […] Read more

The simple matter of respect amazed some of the youths in south-central Saskatchewan who took leadership training this past year. A common reaction from the 74 teenagers was delight at the way they were treated like adults. One 14 year old commented that “even small people have big voices.” Another teen said they learned to […] Read more

This summer the Canadian 4-H Council hopes to do some pilot projects that will introduce the agricultural youth group to aboriginal kids. The pilot projects still require a funding source, said Deb Hauer, project manager of the council’s aboriginal and 4-H youth feasibility study. Last year the council received $241,500 from Agriculture Canada’s Canadian Adaptation […] Read more