Concerned residents formed an organization in Bashaw, Alta., in 1998 to save the historic building from demolition
BASHAW, Alta. — The more things change, the more they stay the same. This adage has proven true when it comes to the 104-year-old Majestic Theatre in the central Alberta town of Bashaw. The exterior of the plain clapboard 1 1/2 storey structure looks almost identical to when it was erected in 1915. In the […] Read moreStories by Maria Johnson
Tulip farm offers signs of spring in winter
On the Farm: Jac and Trudie Theelen import bulbs from the Netherlands and grow them into budding flowers
RED DEER — It’s a frigid white world out there. Leafless trees border snow-covered hills and fields. Nature seems at a standstill. So the warmth, colour and earthy aroma of new growth that permeates the air at Jac and Trudie Theelen’s Tulip Farm offers a welcome surprise. The couple is in the business of flowers. […] Read more
Candy bar rescued from oblivion
An Alta. couple buys the rights to the Cuban Lunch, which was discontinued in 1991; that turned out to be the easy part
CAMROSE, Alta. — An Alberta woman’s foray into the candy industry began with noble intentions. Regehr-Westergard wanted a suitable gift to bring to her mother, Elfie Regehr, 85, when visiting her in a Camrose senior’s facility. “There’s so little I can buy her.” Regehr-Westergard recalled that the Cuban Lunch was her mom’s favourite chocolate bar […] Read more
Alta. family malts, markets their own barley
On the Farm: The Hamills’ decision to get into the malting and marketing of barley took them half way around the world
PENHOLD, Alta. — The Hamill family are accustomed to taking risks. After all, they’re farmers. So when they made the decision to tap into Alberta’s burgeoning craft beer scene by malting and marketing their own barley, they knew there were no guarantees. Little did they know that their “barley to bottle” journey would take them […] Read more
Empty cow barns filled with milking goats
On the Farm: Buying dairy goats proved to be much more affordable than dairy cows for this young Alberta couple
MORNINGSIDE, Alta. — When Andries and Ellen Boersma direct newcomers to Boersma Goat Dairy, they are sure to tell them to turn into the laneway with the Holstein cow painted on the sign. People have been known to drive on by, which is an understandable mistake. The Holstein sign was painted by Ellen’s father, Cor […] Read more
Grist for the mill
This grist mill, located on Mike and Dawn Williams’ Mill Tower Ranch east of Ponoka, Alta., is estimated to have been built between 1910 and 1920 by Ole Craft. The mill, which held a big windmill on top, was used to grind grain into flour, porridge and animal feed as well as saw wood, pump water and generate electricity stored in glass batteries for Craft’s nearby home. Craft was born in Norway and moved to Alberta in 1898 after farming in Minnesota and North Dakota. | Maria Johnson photos
This grist mill, located on Mike and Dawn Williams’ Mill Tower Ranch east of Ponoka, Alta., is estimated to have been built between 1910 and 1920 by Ole Craft. The mill, which held a big windmill on top, was used to grind grain into flour, porridge and animal feed as well as saw wood, pump […] Read more
Adversity turns focus onto important things
On the Farm: A serious accident and loss of a job encouraged couple to pursue what they love — horses and music
LACOMBE, Alta. — People sometimes take circuitous routes to where they want to be in life. At times, they incur bumps along the road. It’s been that type of journey for Jack and Mary Jean Mulder. The couple own Hawks’ View Ranch on a quarter-section that Jack’s father and grandfather farmed. Jack and Mary Jean […] Read more
Farm diversification takes an unusual turn
On the Farm: When grain farming wasn’t enough, this Alberta family expanded into boats, and then shrink wrappings
BENTLEY, Alta. — Ongoing uncertainty around changes to the Canadian dairy system influenced Dennis and Laurie Duncan’s decision to sell their 70 dairy cows at their third generation farm. “We sold five years ago due to the threat of losing quota to trade negotiations,” Dennis said. “Now we’re just grain.” Coulee Ridge Farms grows canola, […] Read more
Artist about town: retelling history in murals
This Alberta painter has worked in a variety of mediums, but it’s the larger-than-life murals that keep him the most busy
RED DEER —John Ellenberger of Little John’s Custom Painting is a sign painter by trade, a mural artist by request and a teacher by default. Many of his murals portray history in larger-than-life colour — a lesson in from where and how far we’ve come. “Everyone wants to show the history of their town,” says […] Read more
Cowboy mounted shooting relives Wild West
On the Farm: A passion for the sport leads this central Alberta couple to share their knowledge with others
BLACKFALDS, Alta. — The romance and folklore of the Wild West fascinated Niels Lausten when he was a farm boy growing up in Denmark. “Not only did he watch every western he could on TV, those were dubbed into German so he learned that language as well,” said his wife Cheryl La Rue. Lausten started […] Read more
