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 […]
Family Day a Time to Connect with Our Community
In 1990, Alberta first announced Family Day as an official statutory holiday to remind all of us that family, friends, neighbours and co-workers, – those close personal connections we all need – are what’s important. This year there is lots planned in Slave Lake and area leading up to Family Day and throughout the month […]
We can all make a difference in 2024
What would happen if we each set just one New Year’s resolution that helps make a difference in a person’s life or the health of a family? In a survey done last year, 29 per cent of Canadians focused their resolutions on their fitness and nutrition, all worthwhile goals and ones that most of us […]
Have a Merry Christmas and Be Safe!
Usually by early December, in our lead up to the holiday season, there’s snow here to stay until the spring and temperatures are well below zero. This year, not just in the Slave Lake area, but in most places across Alberta, things are different: Except for a few sprinkles, there has been no snow and […]
A time to remember: 2023 Remembrance Day ceremonies planned across the region
Roland Michener students place Remembrance Day crosses along Main street in Slave Lake. Every year, November 11th marks the day when we recognize and thank the 2,300,000 Canadians who have served in the military throughout our history and the more than 118,000 who died defending the values and freedoms that make our country great. Today, […]