How can you tell whether a retirement living community fosters a sense of belonging? The feeling a welcoming and inclusive environment creates sounds like this:
● Millie shares, “I am grateful for my home at the Hamlets; I feel valued and cared for.”
● Jeanette reveals, “I love our Knit Wit Club; volunteers Bonnie and Shirley are wonderful. I love all the outings on our bus and the smiling staff.”
● Dell declares, “I love how the staff are so friendly. I also love the full kitchens in the suites; the dishwasher and full-size fridge are a huge bonus! Really feels like home here.”

“Bike commuting has been my choice of transportation from April to October in the last four years,” says Tatiana Tilly, Red Deer Public Library staff and Cyclovia Committee Member. “I love the sense of freedom that comes with biking in our beautiful city and the purposefulness of bike commuting that allows me to stay healthy and fit at the same time it takes me places. Biking is one of my weight management tools and regulates my low blood pressure.” If bike commuting is something you’d like to do, check out what materials we have in the Red Deer Public Library.

Preschool and school-aged camps at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre and Historic Fort Normandeau guarantee lots of warm weather fun! Outdoor adventures, mystery solving, a trip through time: something for every young explorer! Register up to three days before camp: $72 preschool/$150 school-aged, per child. Early drop off/late pick up available. Call 403-346-2010, ext. 111 or visit WaskasooPark.ca for more information or to register.

Did you know that there are two 9-hole disc golf courses in Red Deer? They’re in Victoria Park (Allan Street) and Kentwood (Kent Street and Kendrew Drive). All players have their own disc (from local sports store) or frisbee. Each player throws their disc into the baskets using as few throws as possible. Great fun for families, friends, or special events. Visit CADGA.ca to join a league. Scorecards for each course can be printed off at reddeerpcn.com. Portable disc golf sets can be borrowed from RDRPCN for events.

Big Bend Market supports local farm families and locally made food products, and believes that we are what we eat. We specialize in hormone and antibiotic-free meat and have a variety of gluten-free products. Supplying Alberta with natural, local, healthy produce since October 2007, Big Bend Market South, located in Southpointe Common, is your full fine meats and fresh cuts deli. We also carry ready to go homemade meals: chicken pot pies, cabbage rolls, perogies, tourtiere, meatballs, and stuffed potatoes. Local organic milk, fresh farm eggs, fresh local vegetables, and a variety of locally produced products. We truly are your year-round farmer’s market!

Fridays and Saturdays – FREE Dental Check-up & X-ray Program for children ages 5 and 6 years (see our ad). Call Bower Dental (general dentists) today at 403-347-8008 and mention the ‘FREE Kids’ Check-up Promotion’ to help keep your child smiling.

The Beam™ by Nimbleback is a simple self-care tool used for exercise that may have some benefits when used with yoga stretching and breathing exercises. The Beam™ is based on yoga stretching theory and uses the breath to focus on releasing tension. It allows you to take 10 minutes a day to relax and focus on your breath with yoga stretching that will help to release tension and relax the mind and body. Release, relax, and restore your core.

Erin Triffo is a Registered Massage Therapist and Reflexology graduate from Alberta Institute of Massage. Erin loves to help her clients with chronic pain relief and relaxation. Trained in therapeutic cupping, reflexology, orthopedic techniques, pre/postnatal, palliative, and baby massage, she strives to understand each client and creates a treatment plan to suit their unique needs. “I’ve seen Erin three times…it’s rare to find someone who just does whatever is necessary to get the job done right AND figure out the SOURCE of the problem. Cupping today. Loved it. Loved her. I’ll be staying.” – K. Berube

How often do you look at a photo of yourself and immediately start picking out all the things “wrong” with you? The body positivity movement teaches us to appreciate the uniqueness of every body. It doesn’t mean that we always love every single thing about ourselves, but the goal is to shift the focus away from our outside appearance and instead celebrate our body’s abilities, regardless of size or physical traits. Once we learn to have self-compassion, we can also appreciate others for their differences and come to the realize that diversity is what makes the world a beautiful and interesting place.

Q: My siblings and I are concerned about where my elderly father should live. How do we work through our different opinions? A: Well-meaning relatives may disagree with one another or with the aging person about where they should live and the level of care they require. Lawyers work with the family and excellent resources within the community to help ensure that the legal needs of vulnerable people and those who care about them are met. This work can also include discussions about financial circumstances, concerns, and estate planning.

Skin protection – blah, blah, blah! Why should you care? Well, we all know about the risks of cancers, wrinkles, pre-mature aging of the skin, etc. Make sure that your sunblock matches the activity, age group, and best way to apply for you. Additionally, as we spend more time out of doors, we tend to do other things that we need to be aware of regarding our protection. Applying chemicals, servicing equipment, painting or staining projects, among other tasks, also require you to pay attention to how you need to address skin protection. So read those labels, folks; you are irreplaceable!