Central Alberta
Local artist records original song for Remembrance Day with video showcasing Red Deer’s military history

Editor’s note: This article was published in 2020. It was extremely popular in the Central Alberta region so we wanted to circulate it again this year, now even more poignant with the war in Ukraine. The video uses many images that are familiar to Central Albertans and pays tribute to Central Alberta soldiers who have deployed internationally over the years.
This spring, a singer and songwriter friend of mine from Red Deer, Shelly Dion, came to me with a song idea that had, in her words, been “knocking around in my head for the past 30 years”. She said that she really wanted to pay her respects to the people who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods to go to war.
The song is called “Lay Me Down”, and it’s a very fitting song for this time of year. We decided to get together and record a simple version of the song. Then I sent her off to see musical wizard, Red Deer’s Heath West of Medodius Design. Heath came up with some excellent improvements and we recorded it in his studio this fall.
As Honorary Colonel of 41 Signal Regiment in Alberta, I’m always looking for opportunities to promote the military, our Regiment’s members, and of course at this time of year, to acknowledge the sacrifice made by the men and women who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. “Lay Me Down” hit all the right notes.
With some help from Counsellor Michael Dawe, long-time archivist for the City of Red Deer, I gained access to some wonderful historic photos that helped me to tell some of the stories of Red Deer’s military history. At the same time, I wanted to help the members of our Regiment honour the many local members who have volunteered to put their lives and careers on hold to deploy internationally to places like Afghanistan, Golan Heights, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and more recently Ukraine and Latvia. This project allowed me to both profiles some local history and recognize our more modern history. Thanks to WO Drew Adkins of 41 Signal Regiment for his help in coordinating photos from our wall of fame inside Cormack Armoury.
The above video is the result. Take some time to learn about our local military history. Do you know who Cormack Armoury is named after? You’ll also learn about local members of 41 Signal Regiment (2 Sqn), many of whom actively serve in the Armed Forces today. You may even know some of them as neighbours, friends, and co-workers. Please take a moment to acknowledge their service, and on November 11th, attend a service, and at the very least, take a moment at 11 AM to be silent and consider how lucky we are to be at peace in our country.
“Lay Me Down” is written and performed by Shelly Dion and produced and engineered by Heath West. Musicians: Bagpipes Glenn MacLeod, acoustic guitar Heath West, electric guitars Lloyd Lewis, drums Phil Liska, Bass Doug Gagnon.
Click to read more on Todayville.
Business
Chief Clarence Louie and author Matt Tenney featured at Workforce Strategies Summit March 30 in Red Deer

News Release submitted by the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP)
Prominent Speakers Keynote Workforce Strategies Summit
Two top caliber speakers will keynote the Workforce Strategies one-day summit in Red Deer March 30th. In the morning, social entrepreneur and “Serve to be Great” and “The Mindfulness Edge” author, Matt Tenney will share his leadership development and business success strategies. Tenney is a US-based consultant and trainer with the prestigious Perth Leadership Institute. His clients include Wells Fargo, Marriott, Keller Williams, Salesforce, United Airlines, and many other companies, associations, and universities.
In the afternoon, Canadian Speakers Bureau 5-star Indigenous inclusion, First Nation leadership and economic development expert keynote speaker, Chief Clarence Louie will share his experiences, lessons learned and business-smarts approach. Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band for over 36 years, Chief Louie is one of six First Nations leaders to emphasize economic development to improve people’s standard of living. Under his direction, the Band has become a multi-faceted corporation that owns and manages nine businesses and employs hundreds of people.
Completing the plenary sessions will be two panels of expert speakers on “Embracing the New Workforce” including topics on diversity, GenZ, and immigration, and “Automation and Technology to Fill the People Gap“. The panelists include: Steve Miller, Implicit Career Search; Andrea Cassidy, Beyond Insurance; Nicole Arienzale, Fortis Alberta; Tonya Woolford, Xerox; Tom Muir, Poeta Digital; Jason Thompson, Warrior Supplies; and Dr. Joy Agnew, Olds College Centre for Innovation. The panels will be moderated by Stuart Cullum President Red Deer Polytechnic and Donna Purcell lawyer and owner of Donna Purcell QC Law.
Summit attendees can also attend private meetings with international recruitment agencies, lawyers, business consultants, and human resources professionals to discuss strategies specific to their organization’s needs. Employers of all types including non-profit organizations and cooperatives are invited to attend to learn more about attracting and retaining staff for their specific sector needs.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite or from the CentralSummit.ca website until March 24. Lunch is included.
Workforce Strategies Summit is hosted by the Central Alberta Economic Partnership (CAEP) to help employers of all sizes gain insight and learn strategies for recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees. It is being held March 30, 2023 at Westerner Park in Red Deer.
Recruitment and retention related businesses including such as BusinessLink, Labour Solutions Canada, BLHR Consulting, C4ner Consulting, Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre, Camrose County, EPSS, Red Deer Polytechnic, Donna Purcell Law, Immigration Care, Digitex / Xerox, CRT Legal will be available for conversations in the business-to-business B2B Lounge.
Workforce Strategies Summit is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Community Futures Central Alberta, Olds College, Red Deer Polytech, Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network, Red Deer Chamber, Burman University, Fortis Alberta, and Canadian Immigration Visa Services. Donna Purcell QC Law, Pinnacle Communications & Media inc, Waste Connections Canada, Digital.ca / Xerox and JEDI.
Central Alberta
The kids need Umpires more than ever! Central Alberta Softball Umpires Association puts out the call for help

From the Central Alberta Softball Umpires Association (CASUA)
Become a Softball Umpire
The Central Alberta Softball Umpires Association (CASUA) is looking for new umpires to join their crew in 2023.
With a regular season and tournament schedule that gets underway in early May, CASUA is actively recruiting new umpires to cover minor games hosted by associations across the region.
CASUA works with minor associations in Softball Alberta’s Zone 4, and northern Zone 2.
Communities covered include Didsbury, Olds, Innisfail, Sundre, Elnora, Trochu, Delburne, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds, Lacombe, Ponoka, Bashaw, Clive, Bentley, Rimbey/ Bluffton, Stettler, Camrose, Castor, Coronation and Consort.
Umpiring is a great part-time job for youths (12+) or adults looking to earn at least $30 for a ninety-minute game.
Regular season games are held on weeknights in May and June, and weekend tournaments offer the chance to work anywhere from 6-10 games in a weekend. In addition to earning money, umpiring provides the chance to develop personal leadership skills such as decision making, communication and dealing with difficult situations.
Without umpires, players would face the prospect of having people pulled from the stands to officiate a game where they are unfamiliar with the rules, diminishing children’s learning and enjoyment of the sport.
And then there is the worst-case scenario of not having anyone to officiate meaning “without umpires its just recess.”
Umpires are required to complete a certification clinic prior to stepping on the diamond. This year, the theory portion of the clinic will be offered online, followed by an in-person mechanics clinic.
Mentorship is offered by senior umpires to help new officials skill development.
Currently, a choice of four in-person mechanics clinics scheduled in April:
Saturday, April 1 in Rimbey
Saturday, April 15 in Red Deer
Sunday, April 16 in New Norway
Saturday, April 29 in Castor
Registration fee for new umpires is $100, which includes membership with CASUA, Alberta Softball Umpires Association, Softball Alberta and Softball Canada, insurance, rule book, the clinic (including lunch), a mechanics manual, and an umpire shirt.
For more information, or to register as a softball umpire, check out the CASUA website at www.casua.ca, or email [email protected].
Join central alberta
Softball umpires!
Umpiring – a great summer job!!!
FOR MORE INFORMATION – Website: www.casua.ca; Email: [email protected]
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