Allow me to share another personal tidbit… For most of my adult years, I have been a keen gardener. When I didn’t have a gardening space outdoors, I had multiple house plants, and enjoyed acquiring new ones, giving away shoots and begging for others. For the past twenty-seven years, I have been blessed with the ownership of a garden. My mother Francine, an awesome gardener, liked hearing of my gardening endeavors: she is now watching my efforts from that big garden in the sky…
    I enjoyed my colleague Lorna Lowe’s recent piece on winter planning of a summer garden… I admit that I haven’t done much of that, but her words have inspired me to plan some changes and additions to my spacious gardens, as other gardening pals have done so successfully for many years... My winter gardening activities include fussing over my houseplants, acquiring new ones and transplanting the healthy ones, creating combos of plants I think would enjoy company. I have a fondness for Amaryllis, a large bulb that produces an incredible four-head bloom, sometimes up to six… I like the prayer plant, the jade and other more exotic plants, and I am not shy to fertilize and apply organic bug repellents to my winter plants. 
    Hey… talking about plants, I am excited to share some news to fans of floral shopping in the region: Corinthia Flowers is coming back to the City of Leduc! Adele Huculak had operated her very successful floral shop from her home in the past few years, and while she will continue to do so, she also decided to have a new storefront, right next to the Royal Bank in Leduc: she is busy preparing her space there, and wishing her the best, I look forward to visiting her shop, where her green thumbs will produce the floral magic we are familiar with!
    As some of us strive to enjoy the great outdoors, depending of course on the weather and our mobility level, others do remain active even in their senior years. I was impressed to see the large gathering of individuals (50+) who were enjoying floor curling at Telford House recently. A non-profit group now called the Leduc & District Seniors Centre, its executive director is Dianne Simms, an energetic lady who truly has a heart for all the seniors who attend the center. Membership is a mere few dollars per year, and you can join if you are 50 and older (780-986-6160). While Curling is on, some of the curlers and their friends can play a quick game of cards, usually crib: there is also a crib time on Tuesday afternoons at 1pm, and on Thursday nights at 7. All activities are listed in Panorama, the newsletter published by Lucrecia Mendoza, - City of Leduc Seniors Services’ coordinator-, that is mailed to some and also available on the city’s website (www.leduc.ca). 
    Volunteering is another way to make life more interesting and rewarding: supporting local events this way is challenging, and makes us more engaged in the life and wellbeing of our community. Young parents have many options to contribute, such as the PTA and committees to support their children’s sports and performing arts. As the kids grow up and move out, it’s then up to the adults to find groups and committees that would welcome their skills and particular interests… 
    Being a curling fan for many years (decades, in fact!), I recently made a commitment to help at the upcoming Alberta Boston Pizza Cup of Men’s Curling, a February 6-10 event that will take the winners to a national level of competition: I am proud to add that I also recruited three close friends to sign up for several shifts at the tournament. Should be a good time, and... great curling! The LRC (Leduc Rec Centre) is once again hosting this exciting championship, and the volunteer rally of this past Sunday saw many local and regional curling fans confirming and adding their names to the volunteer roster. One noteworthy curling tidbit: the Boston Pizza Cup  will be the first time that Kevin Martin, Edmonton-based champion of the curling world, will play against his own son in a provincial competition. I can’t wait to see them in action! If you are a curling fan, mark these dates on your calendar, and highlight Wednesday February 6, the day of the Opening Ceremonies. Leduc residents and curling fans extraordinaire Dawn Gavin and Fay Crone are the co-chairs of the event, so we can be assured of a well-run show.
    A special welcome to Gerard McNeil, the dynamic new manager of RCMP Administration and Enforcement Services with the City of Leduc. I welcome your notes, news tips and friendly feedback at dominique@pipestoneflyer.ca. Have a Great New Year, and drive safely on our winter roads!