This year at Big Valley Jamboree we saw some amazing artists and musicians! On Friday night we saw Bailey Zimmerman and Tyler Hubbard, on Saturday night we saw Ashley McBryde , James Barker Band and Blake Shelton. On Sunday night we saw Clint Black and Nate Smith. Unfortunately, we were in some rain that night so we didn’t see Jason Aldean. We enjoyed the Saturday night the best, Blake Shelton was the best artist and the best performance.
On Friday night we went to summer bingo and had a blast. Unfortunately, we had some more bad weather, so instead of having a roast we went to a game night with Rose Club and we played Despicable Me themed Trouble game and a match game. We had a great time playing games with friends from Rose Club. Centra Cam had their summer BBQ and wind up party with home made games and a Photo Booth with face masks and glasses. We got a book, a pen and a certificate for how many years we have been in service. I have been in Centra Cam for 11 years. I had some delicious blueberry cheesecake!
My friend Tyler and Becca had a baby girl named Magdalena Monica so my mom and I got an outfit and a baby rattle. On Tuesday night, I went to the new Freakier Friday movie with my sister-in-law Ashley and mom and we were disappointed because we thought the first movie was better because there was too many characters changing bodies that we were confused. So on Friday night we watched the original Freaky Friday which was way better than the second one.
My mom is crazy about her flowers and made me take a picture of her with her beautiful flowers. Guess how many flowers she has in her yard?! On the holiday Monday, my uncle Wayne and auntie Gail came from Lloydminster to visit us. Thanks for the word searches, the bath bombs, sweaters and lip balm, and the birthday card, and the winners gift card, from auntie Gail and uncle Wayne! We made those wind chimes and went to visit grandpa and Sandy!
On Friday evening We had a rose club meeting planning October activities and then we were dancing like under the moonlight. After, we had donuts and I had strawberry cheesecake and ice tea, We were able to look at the moon rising! On Saturday afternoon we went to the big block party downtown Camrose where I got a rose tattoo on my arm and got a mermaid tail face painted on my forehead. There were games, face painting and tattoos, some people selling stuff, and I bought a keychain. On Friday evening we decorated paper trees for the centre pieces for the Christmas party in November!
Miss Shannon was the youth pastor when we went to the community church. She was my aide in grade eight when I was going to Charlie Killam school. She was great friend, pastor and a wonderful aide. I was able to do a great interview with her about her experience being a pastor. I have learned a lot from Shannon and have become friends. I remember singing with my friend Amy and my friend Alesha at the church picnic! Shannon is a great friend, great youth pastor who has a great experience and great spirit in her faith.
Q: Where did you go for your schooling? A: The Name of the College I went to was “Living Faith Bible College”. It has since changed its name to “Clearwater Bible College”.
Q: What did you take in university? A: I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Christians Ministries.
Q: Where do you currently work? A. I am the Lead Pastor at Camrose Community Church here in Camrose.
Q. What do you do for your job? A. My main focus is to provided spiritual leadership and guidance to the congregation here a Camrose Community Church. I do this by sharing God’s word through sermons shared Sunday Mornings, Teaching and Discipleship in the word of God through Bible studies and one on one discipling.
I try to provide counselling, guidance and support to individuals facing personal challenges by offering comfort, encouragement, and spiritual wisdom. Along with this, there is visiting the sick and those who are unable to leave their homes. I spend times encouraging them, praying with them and for them.
Other area that are a part of what I do as a pastor is baptisms, weddings, and funerals. I help oversee staff and volunteers who are serving in various ministries with the church as well as encourage and participate in organizing outreach initiatives to share the gospel and serve the wider community of Camrose and beyond.
Q: What are your hours? A: My position often requires me to work beyond a normal 8 hour day schedule. There are meetings and gatherings after regular office hours. There are evenings spent on the phone at home connecting with people who need to pray or counseling. I do try to make sure I take one day off a week to just spend time resting and focusing on Jesus/God. But my weeks are often very full.
Q. What other jobs did you have? A: My first job was babysitting when I was a teen. After high school I worked in the shipping receiving of an engineering firm as their mail girl. After that I was a graphic artist. Following Bible college I was the associate/youth pastor here at the church as well as working as a janitor, then an Educational Assistant at the Junior High School here in town (were I was your aid when you were in grade 8; before you headed to the high school).
Q: What was your childhood like? A: There were 5 children in my family. My older sister and brother were quite a bit older than me and my two younger brothers. So, most of the time it was me and my younger brother hanging out with friends. My childhood was full of lots of adventures with neighborhood friends. We’d play games in the street in front of our houses like, Wide World, Hopscotch, Hide and Seek. We’d go swimming at the local outdoor pool in the summers. But, one of my favorite things to do was “gopher hunting”! A couple of friends and I would head out to the field that was behind the crescent we lived on taking with us our family dog, “Pierre”. He’d sniff out a gopher hole and try to dig it up. Soon a little gopher would pop up some where close and we’d try a catch it. Not to kill it or hurt just catch. I think we thought we’d keep it for a pet. We were never fast enough. Winter’s were full of building tunnels in the snow, tobogganing, skating, and spending time at a friend’s house or at our house playing board games or just creating our own fun. And of course school filled that time as well. I was not one who enjoyed school, but I made it through. 😊
Q: Where did you grow up? A: I call St. Albert my home town. Though I did live in a few other places. My family moved to St. Albert when I was four years old and I lived there until I went to college. Q: Tell us about your family! A: I am one of five children. Though there is an age gap between me and my older siblings, we had the same parents. My older sister passed away when I was six years old and my father passed away when I was nine. My mother raised me and my two-younger brothers by herself and never did remarry. My older brother had moved out on his own at that time. I have never been married and no children but I do have a dog. I also have five wonderful nieces and a great niece and a great nephew now, all of whom I love and adore.
For May and June months we played bocce ball every Thursday and it’s really nice. It was indoor this year at the curling rink, they were able to build nice new bocce ball courts. It looked beautiful and worked well for rainy or windy weather! When it was outside It was usually canceled due to the weather! It was the perfect opportunity for everyone to still get to play bocce ball rain or shine!
We celebrated Grandpa Ray’s 74th birthday on May 30th unfortunately I was just getting sick so we had to FaceTime while everyone was signing happy birthday and he was opening his birthday presents ! I coloured him a candy machine birthday card and I gave him the golf card game! My dad gave his dad a tablet and tickets to the race way station in Edmonton. Grandpa Ray loves watching old cars race!
On Saturday which was my birthday I celebrated at Jaywalkers which was downtown Camrose. First I opened birthday presents from my roommates, For birthday presents I got new PJs with fruit on them and some winners gift cards. I got a tattoo of a butterfly on my arm and we watched the group called Camrose Got Talent and watch the little girls dance and perform. It was a nice day to spend my birthday and enjoy the Jaywalkers festival right after a whole week of being sick! Then on Sunday my dad and I went to Jaywalkers festival with grandpa and Sandy . We played some games and I won two stuffed animals! Then I got to open some birthday cards and a birthday present which was body lotion with butterflies on the bottle from my brother Luke . From auntie Gail, uncle Patrick and my grandma Sharon I got money!
I did two School presentations at Jack Stuart school on Monday morning. Since it was my birthday on the weekend the students sang happy birthday to me !
On Friday evening we celebrated my 30th birthday with sushi and homemade lime cheesecake which was delicious . For birthday presents, I got tickets for the Shaina Twain tribute concert and the Taylor Swift tribute concert and tiny chocolate bars from my parents . I got bath bombs, bubble bath, shirts , earrings and a homemade board for my special Olympics’s ribbons and awards from grandpa and Sandy ! My brother Joel, my sister in law Ashley and coco gave me a birthday card. After dinner and presents, and birthday cake we made Wind chimes out of tin cans and napkins. It was a wonderful late birthday celebration!
On Saturday afternoon I had my birthday party at the bowling alley with my friends from Centra Cam and my friend Theresa , some friends had pecan Caramel cheesecake and other friends had chocolate swirl cheesecake! I had the chocolate swirl cheesecake and it was delicious. For birthday presents I got some jewelry, butterfly wall art stickers, some nail polish, some birthday cards and a winners gift card! It was a wonderful late celebration for my 30th birthday!
For Father’s Day we gave dad some chocolate bars, beer and happy Father’s Day card. He went golfing with his dad while I tried on some shirts from my birthday party. When he came home mom and him had Ice Capps from Tim’s Hortons. I made him play Yahtzee with me while my mom was trimming my pants from Costco ! For supper, My dad BBQ hamburgers and my mom made a macaroni salad! For dessert they had leftover cheesecake!
On Monday morning I had a another School presentation at Jack Stuart school for the last one of the school year!
We had birthday bash in the afternoon on Friday and we did some dancing. Then my mom took me to the Taylor Swift tribute concert which was my birthday present and it was really good! Then on Sunday afternoon we enjoyed the summer weather and my mom picked strawberries from the garden . On Sunday night we went for another birthday present which was the tribute of Country Divas, Dolly Parton , Reba, and the Chicks and the experience of Shaina Twain . Which I was really surprised about the opening musicians ! It was really good but I think my favourite concert was the Taylor Swift tribute concert! Those were the best performances and the best birthday present that I ever could have imagined I would get for a birthday present! .
On Friday evening my parents finally got my board on my wall that grandpa made for my Special Olympics awards and ribbons. It looks awesome! On Saturday afternoon Maryann and I went to visit Theresa! Then I went for nails with my friend Kelly. I got lady bugs and bees. Sunday afternoon we played bean bag toss.
For Canada international Day my parents and I watched some people on bikes going on ramps and doing tricks and played outdoors games at the museum . We got some Canada Day tattoos , pins, stickers and took a picture in front of the Canada day banner . After we got home we did some tattoos, and had hamburgers,German potato salad and watermelon for supper. My dad had his brand meeting so My mom and I tried out my new markers from my birthday! It was a great day celebrating Canada’s Independence Day !
On Saturday morning I went to the car show and saw some pretty cool cars with my friend Kelly! Then in the afternoon on Saturday my staff Mara and I walked to the lake, around the lake and back.
On Sunday evening we celebrated our mom’s birthday at Joel and Ashley’s house! Joel and Ashley made Cajun chicken pasta. My mom loves mint and chocolate together so Joel made a fancy birthday cake. For birthday presents she got earrings, a cookbook and a gift certificate for golfing. On her actual birthday I surprised my mom with a homemade birthday card and a ice cappuccino from Tim’s Horton! It was a good birthday celebration.
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On Wednesday some staff and clients from Centra Cam went to the campground called Diplomat Mines which is near Forestburg for lunch and then we went to the outdoor pool in Forestburg. It was kinda colder than I was excepting ! It was just a nice day to be out of camrose and Centra Cam for a day!
On Friday night we went to the rotary park for a scavenger hunt and a treasure hunt with Rose Club ! We had a little list of things that we were looking for, like a bird , rock, a beaver , deer, sticks, and a mushroom . We had a brown paper bag to put some items in. It was a great adventure to do for two hours! For my prize I got a wooden musical box! So on Sunday afternoon my uncle Rod and my dad helped me build my wooden musical box, then we played bean hole toss, Qwirkle and had some thai chicken, peanut sauce, coconut rice and broccoli with carrots for supper . For dessert we had Tuxedo cake that uncle Rod brought from Costco ! Everything was delicious and we had a really fun time with uncle Rod!
On Saturday afternoon we celebrated 10 years in the group home with a summer party. We had a dessert potluck and we did some fun fake tattoos on our deck. I got two roses for my tattoos on both of my arms. I found a piece of strawberry cheesecake from Safeway that was delicious and I helped Anna make lemonade for everyone. We enjoyed listening to the snowbirds flying by and the weather turned out to be a nice summer day!
On Sunday evening we celebrated Luke’s 27th birthday with Caesar and Kale salads ribs, and beans and garlic bread. We had the brownie cake with cream cheese icing and almonds . Everything was delicious. He got all essential kinds of stuff like: Body wash, toothpaste, hand soap, napkins, toiletries and I coloured him a space birthday card .
That’s my summer so far. I can’t wait for what is coming up in august! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far, hear from me soon!
We met at Solid Rock Church, became family friends with her family. She used to babysit sometimes and we used to dance in the kitchen. I remember when she was planning her wedding, her mom Sherry and Nicole came to my mom’s house to make invitations, using Stamping Up! I used to be able to hold baby Avery lots and lots, but I only got to hold baby Austin once because that’s when the grandparents moved back to Saskatchewan. Once her mom Sherry came for a visit he was already walking around the house. Usually we don’t not see Nicole and her family unless her parents ( Lee and Sherry) are in town visiting. My parents were great friends with her parents ( Lee and Sherry) when they lived in Camrose. When I heard that she started to be real estate agent I thought she would be a great fit for an interview.
Kelsey: Where did you go for your schooling?
Nicole: I took some of my courses (Fundamentals of Real Estate and Agricultural Real Estate) through CREA (Canadian Real Estate Association), and I took Residential Real Estate through AREA (Alberta Real Estate Association.
Kelsey: What did you take in university?
Nicole: I studied Residential and Agricultural Real Estate
Kelsey: Where do you currently work?
Nicole: Coldwell Banker Battle River Realty
Kelsey: What do you do for your job?
Nicole: I’m a Real Estate Agent
Kelsey: What are your hours ?
Nicole: I work whenever my clients need me!
Kelsey: What other jobs did you have?
Nicole: Out of high school, I worked in the optical industry, and prior to becoming a real estate agent, I worked for Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals.
Kelsey: what was your childhood like?
Nicole: Wonderful! We lived in a community filled with other kids my age, and I was very active in rhythmic gymnastics.
Kelsey: Where did you grow up?
Nicole: Yorkton, Sk
Kelsey: Tell us about your family!
Niicole: Where to start… my parents (Sherry and Lee) have been married for 41 years, and I have 2 brothers (Justin and Garret). I’ve been married for 18 years to my husband, Kevin, and together have 2 wonderful children, Avery and Austin.
On Friday evening we had our rose club Easter themed bingo and a rose club meeting where we brainstormed and voted on activities for the month of May. I got a bingo and for my prize I got hand lotion! On Saturday afternoon I got easterly nails, how do you like them?
On Friday evening was birthday bash and Easter egg hunt half of the group went outside and the other half were inside and looking for Easter eggs! Of course we danced in between the Easter egg hunt and celebrating the birthdays in April, and of course we ate marble cake!
I have been doing school presentations and been teaching at OLMP four times, I guess there’s lots of grade five classrooms! The week before Easter weekend I had an awful cold/ flu for a whole week and weekend ! I had to reschedule my school presentations and even missed Easter! On Saturday afternoon we had some girlfriends over to dye eggs it was a fun afternoon! On Sunday afternoon Maryann and I went to visit Theresa , Robert, Lori and Caroline!
Once everyone was feeling better from getting the flu/ cold, and Joel and Ashley got back from Mexico, we finally got to celebrate our Easter with Auntie Gail and Grandma Sharon. Once Joel and Ashley arrived we painted Easter bunnies together. I decided to paint the bunny in the colors that it could be, some brown, grey, pink and white! Then we had supper which was pulled pork, cornbread, beets and coleslaw and for dessert we had cereal cake. Everything was delicious and the craft was fun, it was a wonderful late Easter celebration!
On Wednesday morning we went to Norwood Elemantary school in Wetaskiwin for a school presentation! For Mother’s Day my brothers, sister in law and I bought mom new lawn chairs and table from Amazon. I brought her an ice cappuccino and coloured her a card. For supper we had Korean short ribs, coconut rice, mexican street corn, Thai salad, and fruit pizza for dessert! Then after supper and dessert we played quixx!
On Wednesday morning we went to the Kingman Christian Academy for a school presentation! It went really well except that no questions were asked and the clicker for the slide show wasn’t working, don’t we love Technology!
On Victoria Day I went back home and my mom and I made Lemon bars, Then I supervised her while she made homemade BBQ chicken pizza . After supper and dessert we played Kings in the corner and I won the game! On Friday afternoon we went to birthday bash and danced with our friends from Rose Club!
Then on Friday evening we went to celebrate Craig’s 33rd birthday with neon bowling and then we went to the Overtime Tap House for dinner. On Saturday morning we went to the special Olympics memorial walk for Larry Gibson! Then I went for fingernails/ toe nails with some friends! I just did just a simple sparkle design.
Murray: I went to the University of Calgary for my Bachelor’s degree, then to the University of Alberta for my Master’s degree.
Kelsey: What did you take in university?
Murray: I received a Bachelors in Kinesiology, then a Master’s in Physical Therapy.
Kelsey: Where do you currently work?
Murray: I work as a physiotherapist at Leading Edge in Edmonton.
Kelsey: What do you do for your job?
Murray: I help patients recover from various injuries (from pickleball to motor vehicle collision injuries) and get back to their normal swing of things! I also work as a liaison between a group of surgeons and their patients’ physiotherapists, to ensure the patients are getting the best comprehensive care.
Kelsey: What are your hours?
Murray: I work in the clinic from Monday to Friday, with a mix of morning hours and evening hours. Then there is time outside of then, where I chart on every patient interaction and plenty of reports as well.
Kelsey: What other jobs did you have?
Murray: I’ve had a few fun jobs over the years – my first job was delivering papers for the Camrose Booster, then at Wendy’s restaurant, Duggan Dental as a “Sanitizing Technician”, taking care of the swans and trails for the City of Camrose, and even working with the summer camp at CAFCL!
Kelsey: Tell us a bit about your family and what you do in your spare time.
Murray: I have somehow tricked Melanie into being with me for 19 years, and we have a set of 7-year-old twins. Most of my time outside of work is playing Lego, drawing, reading, and going on adventures with my kids and Mel, and various house projects that keep piling up. Most recently, I’ve been learning how to take care of our new dog, Bob.
Sunday night we celebrated Sandy’s birthday with Chinese food and fruit cake, and I got blueberry cheesecake. For birthday presents, Sandy got chocolate bars, green house gift certificate and flowers. I started school presentations again, unfortunately my microphone wasn’t working. Friday afternoon there was the Centra Cam bowl-a-thon and we raised money for technology. We raised $32,265.00 I was able to design the t-shirts. They gave everyone donuts and I got blueberry cheesecake. Friday evening was the craft night with rose club and we decorated tin cans and planted flowers.
We celebrated Joel’s 33rd birthday on Sunday as his birthday was coming up during the week. For dinner, Joel asked for homemade pasta, chicken, salad and mini egg cheesecake. He got chocolate, money and birthday cards. On Wednesday I had school presentations. On Saturday afternoon we went to the hockey game that the police and firefighters were playing, and the police won. The special O sing “Oh Canada”. It was a great afternoon to get out of the house.
On Sunday afternoon I got new shoes and made birthday cards for Joel and Ashley. On Saturday morning was the special Olympics Bowling tournament. I was able to go bowling with my mom, I got 94, 110, 116 for bowling. In the afternoon and evening we went to the senior center and did dance, karaoke, dinner and awards. I got a medal for participation and a ribbon . I can’t wait to play bocce ball in the spring.
I facetimed my mom on Sunday morning, while she was making Ashley’s birthday cake. That afternoon my friend Kelsey sure surprised me and brought her brand new baby, a baby boy Kason! We celebrated Ashley’s 31 birthday. For dinner she asked for: Homemade sourdough bread, Italian salad- homemade pasta, Italian chicken and brownie mousse dessert. We played golf card game. It was a great day!
I interviewed my friend Melanie who is a nurse at the children’s hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. She was my full time babysitter and my aide at Kandu Summer camp over the years when I was younger. We have shared several memories together, and I got the opportunity to talk to her about her job and journey being a nurse!
Kelsey: Where did you go for your schooling?
Melanie: I went to Augustana Campus UofA in Camrose for my first degree, and UofA in Edmonton for my after-degree.
Kelsey: What did you take in university?
Melanie: My first degree is a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. I then took a semester of pre-requisites before getting my Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Kelsey: Where do you currently work?
Melanie: I currently work as a Registered Nurse at the Stollery Children’s Hospital on inpatient floors – Surgery/Trauma and Medicine.
Kelsey: What do you do for your job?
Melanie: I provide any direct patient care that falls under the scope of an RN. I work mostly day shifts, so I do a lot of liasoning between the patient and their family, and the rest of their health care team. I’m often with families during some of the scariest times of their life, and I try my best to be a source of competence and comfort. A very important part of my job is having a repertoire of jokes and sick dance moves to distract kiddos during difficult procedures.
Kelsey: What are your hours?
Melanie: I work 12-hour shifts, and have the flexibility of a casual position where I pick my shifts based on our family’s needs. Before maternity leave, I worked a full-time rotation of two weeks of days/two weeks of nights.
Kelsey: What other jobs did you have?
Melanie: I’ve been at the Stollery for over 10 years since completing my final practicum there, and have no plans to leave pediatrics just yet! Before nursing, I’ve worked as a personal care aide, briefly as a live-in assistant at a L’Arche community, CAFCL day camp coordinator, youth leader, retail management, and let’s not forget, “It’s a great day at Booster Juice!”
Kelsey:Tell us a bit about your family and what you do in your spare time.
Melanie: Well, that nerdy boy Murray from high school still likes me, and we will have been married for 12 years this summer. Our twins, Jack and Zoey, will be turning 8-years-old in May. We like to get out and do fun things around the city, as well as hang out together at home. We recently got a puppy named Bob, and he occupies a lot of my spare time. I also volunteer, and enjoy reading, socializing, and baking the perfect loaf of banana bread.
We had “New Year” themed bingo on Friday night. I got a bingo and I won a ball. We discussed activities and events for February Rose club calendar! We always vote on events and activities that everyone is interested in to do for the next few months! On Saturday afternoon I got some blue, snowflake nails! On Friday evening I went neon bowling with Rose Club and we had a great time with our friends!
February….
On Sunday afternoon mom and I made lemon snowmelt cookies that were delicious! For the Valentine’s Day and Family Day weekend…..we had so much to do and celebrate! Maryann and I went to visit our friend Theresa for her birthday which was Saturday morning. I bought her a journal and Valentine’s Day pens. I gave her a birthday mug, from a few birthdays a go, that she forgot to take with her when she moved. The mug says “there’s many reasons to be happy!” Maryann made her a new blanket for her birthday and bought her a rainbow balloon! After we celebrated her birthday, I opened a Christmas/ birthday present from Maryann, she made me a new blanket. It was a great morning to celebrate Theresa’s 56th birthday and a wonderful surprise for Christmas/ birthday!
On Sunday morning my Auntie Gail and Uncle Wayne came from Lloydminster. We went to the musical Grease, which was a play, with my parents and grandpa and Sandy in the afternoon! My friend Marisa was in the play and scared me half way to death when she came to see me! It was an excellent show, with some great performances! Then, we played Apples to Apples and ordered Chinese food for supper. It was a great afternoon spent with family!
For Family Day we went to my brother Joel’s and sister in law Ashley’s house. We got to meet their nephew Crosby, which is Ashley’s sister Kayla and brother in law Garret’s baby boy! He seemed like a very happy baby boy and didn’t cry at all! My mom and I watched the movie Mother Of The Bride in the evening. It was a wonderful weekend spent with friends and family! On Friday afternoon mom and I made healthy brownies. Which were delicious and was served with vanilla ice cream. If you are a peanut butter and chocolate fan you’ll love those brownies!
I did Elementary at Sifton School, Junior High at Charlie Killam, COMP for High School, 1 year at Augustana and NAIT for trade school.
2. What do you do for work?
I work as the service manager at a heavy equipment shop.
3. How long have you been working there?
I started there in January of 2006 working part time. Then full time since 2011
4. What job positions have you been working in?
I was a labourer – Apprentice – Technician – Management.
5. What is your favourite thing about your job?
Being able to solve problems and provide quality workmanship.
6. How many hours do you work in a week?
I work 45 to 60 hours a week.
7. What are your hobbies?
Sports, sports and sports. I play multiple sports and coach football. Outdoor activities and playing with my 4 month old daughter.
8. What is your hardest part about your job?
I would say balancing customers and coworkers is challenging. Along with that, certain jobs/situations will get complicated and finding a resolution can be difficult.
9.What was your childhood like? How many siblings and how many nephews and nieces are there?
I grew up on a family farm raising pigs and chickens. I have 2 biological sisters, 1 sister in law and 7 step siblings. 7 nephews and 4 nieces.
Kelsey's butterfly lifestyle 