Ladies Learn Trouble Shooting
Friday, November 02, 2012
Julie Matthews, Darlene Kobeluck (Quilting Angel) and
Carmen Frick, Sprouts Greenhouse
When you find yourself stuck in a soured business situation and you don’t know where to turn to for help, who are you going to call? No, it’s not ghost busters. But it might be the Global News Trouble Shooter, Julie Matthews.
The quilters from the Mulhurst Bay Quilt Club however, were not in need of a trouble shooter to assist with a problem, but they called on Julie for a different reason - to share her knowledge and experience in this unique position with over 200 women gathered in Mulhurst for the 16th Annual Ladies Day and Quilt Show. Julie attended the event, held at the Mulhurst Community Centre on October 18th, to offer tips and advice on consumer awareness and protection from business scams and schemes.
This year’s ladies day event, chaired by Club President Carol Banks, included a dedicated group of quilting members known as the “Quilting Angels”, who organized a full day of guest speakers, a catered lunch, quilting displays, entertainment, fashion show and door prizes.
After the morning’s welcome by MC Phyllis Smith, all enjoyed coffee and home baking, before Julie Matthews took the stage. A busy mother of two children, Julie has had a career in television for 17 years, with eight and half years as trouble shooter, which she said has been most challenging and rewarding.
“There is a lot of paperwork and research, so my job is not like other news reporters. Those who come to me for help have no one else to turn to. I need to ask some hard questions to try to get the answers,” Julie stated, all part of her quest in assisting consumers who have been treated unfairly in a business transaction or fraudulent scheme.
“I get around 100 phone calls and emails every day, and each request for assistance requires research,” she noted. The Global News Trouble Shooter is also on twitter and facebook.
“Some of the stories I’ve dealt with do really stick with me more than others,” she said, adding that she tries to choose stories to air that will have a chance at being resolved and also help others avoid getting into a similar situation. “I love meeting people and the results are so rewarding. Sometimes a matter can be resolved within three hours. Sometimes the power of the media prompt people to come forward to help out (the victim) , based on the stories aired. It’s exciting to have that kind of impact.”
Julie offered advice, stating “awareness is key in any business transaction to protect yourself. Get it in writing – quotes, details. Research the company – get references, check with the Better Business Bureau. Read the fine print (some stuff is pretty scary); do a Google search; ask questions. If you are hiring someone to do some work on your property be sure they have WCB coverage. If you do encounter a problem, become your own trouble shooter – document everything, take photos; record phone calls, names, dates, times; discuss situation with owner of company, and give them reasonable time to respond to your concerns before taking further action.”
And when it comes to those opportunities that seem too good to be true, one can never be too cautious. Julie warned that there are frauds and fakes out there who can be very convincing, who are seeking your sympathy and trust in want of your personal information and your money. She stated the importance of protecting your identity.
Regarding romance scams, Julie once set herself up for a TV series special report “looking for love”, in order to uncover these on-line scam artists. For eight weeks she strung two guys along so they would think she was this vulnerable willing participant, and then finally confronted them to expose their scam operation. This shut them down, but it was unknown for how long, as they may have started up again under other assumed names, continuing to seek out more victims.
“After airing this story I had many people contact me who were victims of a romance scam, some losing thousands of dollars. Global National picked up the story to run this series, so we were able to educate others right across the country on being more aware of these scams.”
So what does one do? “The key is to recognize it, report it and stop it.” Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Julie Matthews can be reached at troubleshooter@globalnews.ca.
Julie’s presentation was well received, as were the other activities that followed, which included a delicious catered lunch, an informative presentation by Carmen Frick from Sprouts Greenhouse; humorous entertainment from “Mother Nature”; and a fashion show featuring the latest in ladies wear and accessories sponsored by the Bluffton Boutique. Those quilting angels who modelled the outfits enjoyed the experience, however it should be noted that these angels were not wearing wings, as those other angels seen on the international catwalk of a notably famous lingerie line.
There is no doubt that Quilters are indeed Angels. Their creative quilted items are stitched with love and given from the heart. The display of quilts around the hall was awe inspiring, and the unending number of comfort quilts this dedicated group of quilters continue to donate annually to those in need is inspirational.
Throughout the day a number of door prizes were drawn for, and to conclude the day’s event, the winning bids on the silent auction items were announced, and the raffle winners drawn. Those lucky recipients of the raffle were: Donna Smith, 3rd; Gayle Rivett, 2nd, and Loretta Patterson, 1st, who donated her winning queen size quilt to Compassion House.
Congratulations to the Mulhurst Bay Quilt Club on another successful, informative and fun ladies day. As Charlie would say…
“Well done Angels”.
More Stories:
- Friends Ride for MS and Each Other DominiqueVrolyk The Pipestone Flyer Leduc & Camrose – It was promoted very well, featured in all the national and local media, it raises much needed funds every year for a great cause, it will celebrate a 25 year milestone ...
- Pastor On The Move Pastor Grant McDowell from Leduc Alliance Church was recognized for his many contributions to this area and wished well by the Leduc Regional Chamber of Commerce at their recent luncheon on his upcoming move to Cranbrook ...
- Chamber President Moves On Leduc Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stefanie Schulz was given an emotional goodbye from her staff and board at the June Chamber luncheon which was that last one she would be attending. Stefanie announced ...
- A History of Humour Leduc County Councillor Jocelyn Mackay (on left) partnered up with Pearl Gregor of the New Sarepta Historical Society to sell a special 19 month calendar created just for the Society by world famous cartoonist, and New Sarepta's ...
- Sacred Heart Phantom of the Opry Opry star, Carlotta Baraccuda, played by Cassidy Luchka, sings as cast members surround her with umbrellas. The drama productions by Sacred Heart School in Wetaskiwin continue to reveal the genius of Ken Mastel in bringing ...
- 39/20 Alliance Representatives from Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation met with members of the 39/20 Alliance on June 4, 2013 for a grand tour highlighting potential tourist attractions within each community. (l to r): AB Tourism, ...
- Grad Class of 1958 Submitted by Ernest Jablonski After 55 years, the first class to graduate out of the present day Thorsby Junior Senior High School together with their mates gathered at the Our Lady of Victory Parish hall on Friday June ...
- Bringing the Gospel to the World Speaker Alberto Gonzalas and Director of Fund Development for Trans World Radio Canada, Gary Roebbelen, with a TWR poster following the TWR dinner at Calvary Baptist Church. Trans World Radio is the largest radio broadcaster ...
- Seniors Dine & Dance Nearly 80 seniors from Warburg, Thorsby and Breton celebrated Seniors’ Week together with a special luncheon held at the Warburg Pioneer Community Hall on June 4, 2013. Alberta Seniors Program Advisor Laura Pawlechko ...
- Wetaskiwin Inline U-16 Junior Ice Head South For AAU Olympics New to Wetaskiwin this year is the sport of inline hockey. Inline has been around for a while in the Edmonton area and as of this year has officially started in Wetaskiwin. Thanks to Craig Podritske who got the ball ...
- High School Soccer Concludes The high school soccer season ended with all three girls teams from Christ the King (CTK), Leduc Comp, and Beaumont were defeated in the city playoffs. Both Leduc and Beaumont won their cross over game as the Tigers ...
- Lessons to be Learned Life wasn't always easy on my eighty acres. It took a lot of work to build a farm here. This had been a bare piece of land with a north rise and a spring. The land had never been plowed and Labrador Tea, mint, nettles, rose ...
- Leduc County Hits Gold Artist Jeanine McIntosh was the winner of the art contest for the County's 50th Anniversary. Jeanine said that her painting encompassed everything that the County means to her as well as having a representation of the ...
- Seniors, Write It Down Bob Layton with “The Old Guy” June 4th was a beautiful, sunny day. A perfect day for gardening, going for a walk, mowing grass; in fact, almost any outdoor activity. Still, the parking lot at the Falun Hall was filled with ...
- Bartender Challenge wind up party. Dale Leitner, Rikki Karba, Sandy Berube, Dorothy Mayall, Britney Benson, Bonnie Caskey, Jason Seghers from Alberta Cancer foundation. Everyone else is from Ensign Energy. Almost $30,000 was raised for various charities.
- Ronald Presents Ronald McDonald started his day in Wetaskiwin with a trip to the library where about 30 children with their parents gathered to see him. He got down close and personable as he kept the children's attention as he talked about ...
- Toonies for Torino Jack Almond is decked out in his race finery to raise funds for both his trip to the 2013 Masters Games in Turin Italy and for the local charity Everybody Gets To Play. Something doesn't have to be big to make a difference. ...
- Calmar Students Grab Silver & Gold Two grade 10 Calmar Secondary School students win silver and gold in the Precision Machining--Secondary Category at the Provincial Skills Competition held in Edmonton on May 15-16, 2013. (L to R) Calmar School Industrial ...
- ATB Gives to Black Gold Hospital Foundations Leduc ATB Manager Steve Greene presents a cheque for $1616.90 to Lorraine Popik from the Black Gold Health Foundation. Half of this money was raised from the recent penny drive the BGHF held and the remainder of the funds ...
- Central Office Grand Opening Serving local businesses and individuals with office supplies at competitive prices has been the focus of Central Office Supplies Ltd. since opening its doors 9 years ago. On Friday, June 7th, they will be opening their ...
