Facing Wildfire Season Together: How We Can Prepare and Protect Our Communities
(The PWF044 wildfire burning east of the town of Manning, on the east side of the Peace River, on May 31, 2025. Photo credit: Alberta Wildfire.) Those of us living and working in rural Alberta understand that wildfires have long been a part of the warmer seasons. But over the past few years, the threat […]
Why the first week of May has Special Meaning
Two important weeks are happening here in Alberta from May 4 to 11 — Alberta Forest Week and Emergency Preparedness Week. Both are always important, but in our corner of the province — Slave Lake — they carry extra meaning. We live and work surrounded by forests. Whether you’re enjoying time outdoors or working in […]
Spring in Slave Lake: Renewal, Resilience, and the Forests That Sustain Us
As the ice begins to break on Lesser Slave Lake and the long winter finally loosens its grip, something shifts — not just in the landscape, but in the rhythm of life and work in northern Alberta. The days stretch longer, temperatures rise, and the snow retreats to the shadows. Animals stir from hibernation, and […]
We love Alberta’s Forests
In Alberta we have lots to be thankful for and the recent trade wars between the U.S. and Canada only drive home that point more. Who could have imagined six years ago when the Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) first rolled out its public campaign, Love.Alberta.Forests (loveabforests.com), that such a simple message would, today, take […]
Family Day 2025: Time for family, friendship and fun!
February may be the coldest or second coldest month in Alberta ~ it competes for that record with January ~ but that’s no excuse to stay at home, just waiting for the shorter days and colder weather to disappear. Family Day is on Monday, February 17, and in a community that knows how to have […]
A new year that builds even stronger communities
“In 2025, can we commit to resolutions that improve our well-being and also cultivate stronger, healthier communities?” This year might be a bumpy time for those of us in Slave Lake and really right across Alberta and Canada. There are no signs that the high cost of living is going down. The threat of tariffs […]
What’s going on in the Slave Lake area this holiday season
(The Christmas Market above is at the Lakeview Sports Center in Wabasca.) Whatever our faith and beliefs, this time of year inspires us to celebrate all the good in the world and treat each other with kindness and respect as many of us enjoy the company of family and friends. And in the Slave Lake […]
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 […]