Remembrance Day: A time to reflect on the invaluable contribution of our military
On November 11, we observe a moment of silence to recognize the sacrifice of those soldiers who died fighting to protect the values and freedoms we all enjoy in Canada. For the Vanderwell family, and for many families who have over the years escaped unrest and warfare in their home countries, Remembrance Day has always […]
Halloween is almost here. Let’s remember to be safe!
Many fun, spooky activities planned in the Slave Lake area! On Halloween, drivers always need to be extra vigilant watching for little ghosts and goblins on the streets who may be distracted looking for their next sugar rush. And all of us who have children should think about making costumes visible in the dark and […]
Truth and Reconciliation – September 30
In Canada, September 30 marks the national and provincial day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. On this day, Canadians wear orange to recognize the ongoing intergenerational effects of residential schools and to acknowledge that “Every Child Matters”. At Vanderwell, we hope Truth and Reconciliation is a day when we all reflect on […]
National Forest Week – September 22 to 28, 2024
Time to celebrate our forests! For most people who live outside of Alberta, it may come as a surprise that more than 60% of our province is covered by forests. Besides the trees along the Rocky Mountains, vast areas of forests cover the west and northern parts of the province. September 22 to 28 is […]
What’s in store as fall approaches
August can be an odd month. While the warm summer temperatures are still here, change is just around the corner – the days are getting noticeably shorter, and some children are going back to school in the next week. At Vanderwell, we’ve recently completed a highly successful two-week maintenance shutdown, and in our summer reforestation […]
Simple reminders to make this summer a safe summer
Summer in the Slave Lake area is special. There’s lots to explore and outdoor fun waiting for everyone, regardless of age and ability. Along with all those fun outdoor activities comes the responsibility to be safe and watch out for each other. As we’ve discussed in previous website posts, safety is a big deal at […]
Time to celebrate summer!
While summer hasn’t officially arrived yet, in the Slave Lake area we have one big reason to start celebrating early — the wildfire danger has been LOW to MODERATE. For most of us in Alberta, the normal to well-above-normal precipitation levels in May came at the perfect time. The highest wildfire risk in our province […]
Let’s all take a moment and enjoy our forests
Every year Alberta Forest Week is celebrated during the first week of May. The Alberta Government has a list of fun activities for school children to enjoy and learn more about our forests. In the Slave Lake area, the surrounding forests are why Vanderwell came here decades ago. The boreal forest, which includes the forests […]
Our communities become stronger when we help each other
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss Many people and families are struggling these days to obtain the necessities for living, and all of us, regardless of where we live, can help make a difference. Homelessness is one such issue that’s affecting […]
What we can each do to prepare for this year’s wildfire season
In Alberta, wildfire season began nine days earlier this year, on February 20th — not a good sign. The mild winter and low snowfall have created drought-like conditions so fires can spark and flourish more easily. What makes the upcoming wildfire season even more challenging are the high number of holdover or overwintering fires, the […]