Family Day is a celebration of family. A great concept by former Alberta Premier Don Getty in the midst of a political controversy, it created one of its own in 1989: Family Day is meant to give Albertans an extra day off in the middle of winter, to recharge their batteries and enjoy quality time with their families. 
    Chatting with a friend in Manitoba, I was reminded that in that province, the ‘special day’ is Louis Riel Day held on February 18th each year (so it was a special day for both Alberta and Manitoba!). Some say that Alberta’s Family Day holiday is one of the more memorable and positive things Mr. Getty accomplished during his term as Premier. Well, we are grateful!
    When there is less retail activity, a great number of industries being shut down, banking and other consumer services vastly minimized, many families can enjoy the time off and... each other!  I am happy to share that many families in our area’s cities and towns and Leduc and Wetaskiwin regions have taken advantage of their kids being out of school, some parents having the day off to do some fun and memorable activities. 
    In the midst of a busy day, I stopped by the Gateway Family Church on Monday, and joined a throng of people who thoroughly enjoyed the three hours of the event. I am offering you a report about this event in this Flyer edition. The Leduc Rec Center was also a busy place, with hockey and other sports going on, while the Mix Aquatic Centre Pool was filled with families and laughter. 
    Spending some time enjoying the great outdoors was a pleasant option this past weekend of mild winter climes… Residents went snowboarding, sledding and ice fishing; some spent quality time with family, even traveling out-of-town to do so. I was a dinner guest at a lovely family’s home over the weekend, the Giassons: there, a newly-acquired item caused me an unexpected joy. Dechelle’s new iPhone was adorned with an unusual case, featuring her two beautiful girls Danika and Delainie, in a photograph that I took in a pre-Christmas studio session! She found this “mother’s proud item” online, and found it was easy-to-order and affordable! I was thrilled to see this item, and I hope that my sharing this will inspire some other parents to shop for it! 
    It’s not a secret that I love technology!! I received a precious gift of technology last weekend… My young friend Alex Pope was visiting from Ontario on a marketing mission, to announce that The Weather Network now has a dynamic presence in Alberta. In the course of her visit, being the Social Media Coordinator for TWN, she expounded the virtues of Twitter to me, and -to make a long story short- I am now ON TWITTER!! My (easy)”handle” is @DominiqueVrolyk  and I am happily following several entities that I have liked and admired for years… The Oilers, AMA Road Reports, the Downtown Art Gallery (AGA), Global, CTV and CBC, the Cities of Leduc and Montréal, several politicians, community leaders and musical performers …         So if you are a Twitter user, come join me and the Pipestone Flyer there. Thanks, Alex aka @xelaTWN…!
    With a few friends this past weekend, I engaged in a heated conversation on the benefits of keeping kids busy with activities, such as sports and artsy pursuits. One comment that I enjoyed was that “teaching kids to enjoy an active lifestyle will encourage their active lifestyle when they reach adulthood, reducing the risks of negative choices and weight issues that threaten their health and well-being”. Thanks Kat, I so agree with you! I am grateful for our “active” city!
    Last Friday night, an Alberta Elk Ranchers Production Sale saw a large group of elk ranchers, buyers and sellers  from the Prairies converging on an Executive Royal Inn ballroom: this is always a successful event. The Live Video Auction was conducted by dynamic and articulate auctioneer Gordon Musgrove of Gateway Auction Services; it was the positive proof that the elk industry is alive and well in Alberta. Close to 100 items, bulls, calves and heifers, bred cows and elk semen “straws” fetched some pretty decent prices: the stage where the auctioneers’ computer/phone bidding system was laid out also featured some heavy-beamed (shed or harvested) elk antlers, quite a sight to behold! Having fond memories of being an elk rancher for many years near Telford Hall south-west of Leduc, I enjoy the camaraderie with elk farmers, and their passion for raising these majestic animals! Greetings to Barry Chernuka of Glen Park Elk Farm near Calmar, an elk farmer who was also a ‘consignor’ at this recent sale.
    I welcome your story ideas and friendly notes at dominique@pipestoneflyer.ca. Have a safe and happy week!