As many families investigate winter outdoor activities, the topic of skating has been on many tongues… This is a sport that allows you to get the babies out in winter’s fresh air, pulling them in a sled: easy to learn and budget-friendly, skating is available practically in every town of Canada!

In this City of Leduc, it is obvious that there is no longer public skating on storm retention ponds and lakes. This seemingly has caused a few frowns among the sport’s avid followers: in a chat with Todd Wilson, City of Leduc’s Manager of Parks & Open Spaces, it all became clear. Last year saw three (yes, 3!!) residents falling through the ice in freezing waters and needing to be rescued, so after much discussions and several meetings, City officials decided that they would replace the ‘natural rinks’ on our local bodies of (frozen) water with “grass rinks”, also called ‘land-based rinks’.

These grass rinks are now created in (almost) every neighborhood of Leduc, and they are diligently looked after by City of Leduc’s Public Services crews. There is even a talk of installing lights to make them more safe and usable year-round. I found it interesting to learn that the City is also creating both skating rinks for hockey, and rinks for casual skating. This is another positive action by this City to promote an active lifestyle.

Todd Wilson is passionate on this topic, and quite articulate about the positive impact of safer skating rinks, stating that he’d rather hear of residents and visitors enjoying these rinks (as one came forward recently with such a comment) than reading a tragic obituary following a drowning. The only natural rink in this city is the large pond at the Civic Center, while the neighborhood rinks are listed on the city’s webpage. (www.leduc.ca)

A few months ago I made the acquaintance of Jake Lever, a Millet area resident and Pipestone Trucking owner. Well, not only is he a devoted family man (lucky Jane!) and proud Dad of Cody and Sonja (both high achievers in their town), but Jake is also the author of a little book titled “Success is so simple, most won’t do it!” In a compact format, this book is a “guide to becoming […] happy and successful”. With a slow but steady groove, this little book is achieving a certain amount of success, as Chapters is carrying it, and has already held a Book Signing at the Sherwood Park Chapters last weekend (Jan.5) and is planning more book signings. Audrey’s Books downtown is selling it, and it is also available as an e-book on Amazon.com.  I quite enjoyed the read, perhaps you will too!

December saw the passing of a great man: a former Calmar mayor, a military man and keen gardener and greenhouse owner, William McKerracher was also a devoted family man, the father of our own Pipestone Flyer columnist Chris McKerracher. While we raised our family in Calmar for many years, Mr McKerracher (as I always called him) was one of my favorite people. I would stop by the McKerrachers’ place on Hy 39 to admire an unusual plant or a plentiful harvest in their vast garden, or to chat and share a cup of tea with Ida, his lovely wife. I was sad to hear of his passing, but also relieved that his quiet suffering came to an end.

On January 19 at 1pm, at the Calmar Legion, family and friends will be able to say a final goodbye to a man who has made life better for his family, his friends, his country and his fellow citizens!

Talking about kids who achieve…. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Chris McKerracher’s son has inherited his dad’s creative talents. Will McKerracher, also of Calmar, is currently a freelance writer, composing reviews of... video game music! I know, it’s a bit unusual, but if you’re curious and perhaps are (or know of) a keen ‘video gamer’, feel free to read Will’s reviews in lostinthemusic.blogspot.ca. While reading Will’s latest blog I was thrilled to notice a web link to Grammarly.com, the automated proofreader and personal grammar coach, used by hundreds of universities worldwide! A very useful web tool for writers…

Preparations are taking place for the ICE RACES on Telford Lake’s east end, to be held on Saturday January 26. Curtis Ryll (County resident east of Leduc) and his buddies, members of Alberta’s Endurance Ice Racing Association (AEIRA) are busy planning their sanctioned race for quads and motorcross bikes. This day always promises lots of fun, speed and team spirit. It’s a great action day for spectators even in extreme cold and of course for photographers. See you there!

I welcome your friendly notes, news tips and feedback! (dominique@pipestoneflyer.ca). Have a Great New Year!