Do you have a haven, a personal sanctuary, not unlike a harbor, a place you can feel  safe; leave the troubles of the world behind you, if only temporary? A place where you can run in the buff or wear your most gorgeous (or outrageous) clothes just because you feel good in them, all alone by yourself? Do you have a place you can escape to in such ways and briefly avoid the hustle and bustle, the pressures of a world of  “eat, sleep, work, socialize (by choice or not) sleep, eat and back to work” once again; trying to ignore the driver behind you who wears a face of  “road rage” and the anxiety of what awaits you at the office or your place of work? 

For anyone who harbors any of these feelings, even at infrequent times, there is a simple answer. If one is mobile, physically, without requiring aid to driving somewhere or walking on one’s own, one can easily find that little place, whether it be a far corner in a little park within the confines of a big city; a corner where there is quiet, a murmur of water over rocks in a man-made stream, or just the flutter of bird wings in branches above; or merely the sun’s rays filtering through the branches of green fronds high above.

It may also be a special corner on a lanai, a patio, a sunroom in a senior’s complex where one can finally relax, sit back with a favorite book, photo album, a favorite comforter about the knees; take in the sun, sounds and reminisce  of days gone by but never lost;  of days that are still to come (tomorrow, by gosh) because family  is still around you and they need and demand you  because you are still needed to be a part of that expanding, growing family.

For single parents, mothers and fathers, yes, you can also find your haven of peace, quiet, alone if desired, or with your children. There are programs and family groups to help a single parent find himself, or herself, time just to “re-energize”, to “super-infuse” themselves for a day or two, without losing the love and confidence of their children, and not subjecting them  (the children) to a possibly unstable or potentially dangerous situation with former family members. A single parent is not something less, not something failed. A single Dad can also enjoy a day away from “parental custody” stress by taking himself off and away from the rigors of  job, child custody, and look up old fish’in buddies, card playing or golfing; or, he can relive his old childhood  by just taking the kids for a day or two of rides at the mall or a sun-burning day at the fish’in hole just outside of town, and lot of burnt marshmallows!

Being an older person, eccentric at most (I’ve been told many writers are eccentric) I’m proud to be included! Today, I have taken this issue of personal comfort, importance of worth (the need to be productive) and without further ado, wish to show you MY personal “Sleepy Hollow” even though the movie “Sleepy Hollow” ends in a violent (Oh, but so romantic) end. I return summer after summer to this beautiful, rugged spot out on a country acreage to watch the stars sparkle at night, and try to guess which one is just the satellite or a real honest-to-goodness universal star!

So it goes, everyone has their “Nirvana” , a place found, that holds peace , quiet, and the love of just being there. I also realize there are people today who are fighting to find this place and my heart hurts when I think of it.

All I know is patience, (to do what needs to be done) and determination wins. It may take a while, but in the end, nothing is lost, so much is learned, and suddenly there it is! Nirvana! A place to start,  a time to start anew! As I watch headlights of a car passing on my “Sleepy Hollow” country road, at four in the morning, someone going to work, going home or just a midnight traveler, I realize, just like those green moss-covered branches of my “Sleepy Hollow” tree; life goes on, winter through summer, and there is always tomorrow that will shine through!

Marie Schneider

 

I would like to take this opportunity to give the residents and businesses of Millet a quick update on the Food Bank. 2011 proved to be a very busy and successful year for us. We held a food drive in September of 2011 and the response from the community with food donations and money donations was very well supported. We thank each one of you that made it possible to be able to supply 235 hampers throughout the winter months. We also contributed to the Lion’s Club Christmas hampers.

I would also like to thank the many volunteers who came out for the food drive. We had a total of 50 volunteers who came out for the food drive. We had a total of 50 volunteers, and we covered all routes within an hour and a half which was record time.

2011 showed an increase in hampers going out over 2010. So please continue to find it in your hearts to give to the less fortunate in our community.

I would also like to thank the volunteers on the Food Bank Committee for always giving their time and ideas and dedication to our community. I could not do this alone, so thank you.

 

 

Wetaskiwin AB – A milestone event took place in Downtown Wetaskiwin last Saturday night, May 5th: The James Theatre was born, risen from the eternal slumber of an old theatre.  The old Rainbow Corral shut its doors permanently three years ago, having provided thousands of entertaining and musical soirées to the arts lovers of Wetaskiwin and region…

To celebrate its first official evening, The James Theatre owner, Glen Jevne and Connie Gogo -his operations manager- rolled out the red carpet to more than 300 music lovers, who were thrilled to attend a performance by The Led Zeppelin Show.  Sam Moussa, property owner, is said to be thrilled that his old theatre has been revived and given a new identity…

Old friends and fans recognized the old theatre -as it hasn’t changed yet-, but were greeted by a large new marquis announcing The James Theatre. In the lobby, still as it was for many years, the excitement was tangible as the nature of the band was quite unique, and anticipated.  In a retro style, The James Theatre offers a grandiose style, with its comfortable seating with leather seats and red velours backs and the large stage with its imposing, remote-controlled velvet curtain.  The rows of seats are on a gentle slant, offering the theatre guests a great view of the stage…

Glen Jevne delivered the opening welcome to a lively audience that showed its appreciation.  He talked of his long-term plans and the quality entertainment he is committed to featuring.  Connie Gogo’s musical background (as she is a singer and band leader) will be instrumental in helping him secure some great acts! Then the mike was passed on to the MC, comedian Justin Littlechild, who thanked the sponsor, Glen’s Grill of the Montgomery Glen Golf and Country Club, and thanked the City of Wetaskiwin for its support. Then, the moment everyone had been waiting for with trepidation: he announced the Led Zeppelin Show!  

Zeppelin fans danced in the aisles and in front of the stage, clapped their hands all night-long, unanimously agreeing that this tribute band was talented, lively and definitely crowd-pleasing! The show lasted three hours, and the momentum reached a fever pitch, as there was no intermission, at the band’s request… To everyone’s surprise, the oldest member of the band was 23 years-old, and the lead singer was 19.  High-profile guests Byron Reynolds (of the Alberta Reynolds Museum’s founding family) and Chris Laing of PGA Architects were in attendance, and seemed to enjoy the show. PGA Architects has designed the concept of the new theatre’s façade, and many of us can’t wait to see it transformed!  The City of Wetaskiwin new Communications Coordinator, Dale Cory, was “thoroughly impressed with the acoustics of the theatre, and the quality of the band’s performance.”

Hailing from BC, these young performers (www.theledzeppelinshow.com) are so close in age to the Led Zeppelin Band members when they got together in 1968  that “as a result, they not only have the look and sound but also all the energy, power and testosterone to recreate the mind-blowing experience of an actual live Led Zeppelin concert.”

The show ended with famed Zeppelin song “Stairway to Heaven”: several musicians in the audience shared that they were “blown away by the Tribute Band’s excellent performance and the sound that was so close to the original Led Zeppelin trademark sound.”  Wetaskiwin and the region’s music lovers are looking forward to the next show, Blooz Hounds of Camrose, presented by owner Glen Jevne and his team. This was an awesome beginning for a new theatre in a City that seems to appreciate quality shows: the future looks bright for the James Theatre!  For tickets and show info, contact the theatre manager directly at 780.352.7499.