months before the pandemic.
“This is home,” they said. “We live here, our family was raised here, and even our own kids
had their first jobs at Rainbow.”
Employing approximately 16 local staff members and supporting community groups
through sponsorships, raffle donations, and other local initiatives, Rainbow continues to be
deeply rooted in Redwater. The team says giving back to the community that has supported
them for so many years remains one of their top priorities.

Looking ahead, the team is also preparing for its 5th annual Mother’s Day brunch buffet on
Sunday, May 10, an event that has become a well-loved tradition and regularly draws
families from Redwater and surrounding communities. The annual brunch has become a
highlight for many local families and is expected to once again bring together generations of
residents for a special celebration.
As dining habits continue to change, the team says they remain committed to growing
alongside the community while keeping the familiar feel that has made Rainbow a Redwater
staple for generations.

By Brandie Majeau
The Thorhild Arena brought its winter season to a joyful close recently, hosting its
much-anticipated annual Paint the Ice Day that sends young skaters’ home with bright
smiles and colourful memories.
The event marked the end of a busy and successful season at the arena, which
played host to a wide range of activities throughout the winter months. From competitive
hockey tournaments that drew crowds of cheering parents and fans, to public skating
sessions that welcomed all community members, the arena proved itself to be a winter
cornerstone of local recreation. Learning-to-skate programs also drew strong
participation, helping a new generation of children find their footing on the ice.
But it was Paint the Ice Day that gave the season its send-off. Armed with bottles
of brightly coloured water, children took to the ice and transformed the rink into a
sprawling canvas of swirls, splashes, and splattered designs. Laughter echoed
throughout the arena as kids embraced the rare opportunity to make a glorious
mess…all in the name of fun.
The day drew an excited group of young participants who were each eager to
leave their mark on the ice before the season came to a close. For several, it was a
chance to let loose and celebrate the friendships and skills built over months of skating.
And of course, grab a free cup of hot chocolate and a hot dog.
For the staff and volunteers who keep the Thorhild Arena running, Paint the Ice
day serves as a fitting tribute to a winter well spent. The smiles on the children’s faces
make every early morning Zamboni run and late-night hockey game worth it.
As the ice was cleared away and the arena settles into its off-season activities,
the memories made this winter will carry everyone through the warmer months ahead.
And if the excitement surrounding Paint the Ice Day is any indication, anticipation for
next season is already beginning to build.

By Brandie Majeau
Every Easter season, kitchens across Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, and other
Slavic nations fill with the warm, sweet aroma of two time-honored breads: Paska and
Babka. Though often confused — or used interchangeably, these two Easter breads
each carry their own rich history, distinct character, and deep cultural meaning.
Paska is the more ceremonial of the two. A large, round loaf with roots in the
Byzantine Empire and the traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism,
Paska is made from a rich, fluffy dough lightly sweetened with milk, butter, eggs, flour,
and sugar. What sets it apart is its elaborate decoration: intricate dough ornaments
adorn its surface, with a cross as the central motif — a symbol of abundance and divine
blessing.
In Ukraine, the bread plays a starring role in one of the favourite Easter rituals.
On Holy Saturday, families fill woven baskets with Easter eggs (pysanky), paska,
sausage, butter, salt, and other ceremonial foods and bring them to church. After the
Easter morning liturgy and the blessing of the basket, families return home to break
their Lenten fast with the sacred meal.
Babka tells a different story and it begins with its name. In Ukrainian, “baba”
means grandmother, and “babka” is its affectionate diminutive. The name is said to nod
to the bread’s tall, round, skirt-like silhouette, which some say resembles a
grandmother’s full skirt. Where Paska is round and ornate, Babka is tall, airy, and sweet.
Richer than its counterpart, it often features dried fruit, nuts, and flavourings like
chocolate, cinnamon, or apple, topped with a glossy icing glaze. There are no dough
ornaments, Babka lets its dramatic height do the talking.
What is the secret to that height? The dough is so light and airy that it triples in
size during baking, requiring a tall container to support its spectacular rise. Traditionally
baked in cylindrical European molds, Babka found an unlikely new baking pan once
immigrants found their way to the western world…that of the humble coffee can.
When Eastern European immigrants brought Babka to new shores, they adapted
with remarkable resourcefulness. The cylindrical shape of 1- or 2-pound coffee cans
proved functionally perfect for the dough’s dramatic upward rise, and during the Great
Depression, when nothing was wasted, the tradition of baking Babka in coffee cans was
born. Bakers would fill the cans only one-third of the way, allowing the dough room to
triple and crown above the rim in its signature shape. It was a thrifty, practical solution
that happened to work beautifully and the coffee can Babka became a tradition in its
own right.
While Paska and Babka are distinct in form and function, the line between them
blurs depending on region and family custom. In Western Ukraine and other parts of
Eastern Europe, Babka is considered more of an everyday bread, while Paska is strictly
reserved for Easter. Elsewhere, the two names are used interchangeably, passed down

through generations with as much variation as the families who bake them. However,
both breads represent the same thing, the joy of Easter, the warmth of tradition, and the
enduring power of food to connect to one’s heritage, one fragrant, golden loaf at a time.

The well-attended event brought together more than 20 Rural Crime Watch Associations from across the province, reflecting a strong and growing commitment to crime prevention in rural communities. During the symposium, President Rosemary Lindsay introduced the 2025–2026 Board of Directors and celebrated the achievements of local organizations. The prestigious John Fuga Farmers Advocate Award was presented to the Sturgeon County Rural Crime Watch Association for its innovative youth-focused initiatives, which encourage positive decision-making through school and community programs.

Smoky Lake Rural Crime Watch, along with Vilna/Bellis Citizens on Patrol, was recognized as the previous year’s recipient of the same award for its impactful anti-bullying puppet show program promoting kindness in local schools.

The symposium also featured presentations from several guest speakers addressing key rural crime issues. Topics included wildlife enforcement, crime reduction strategies, retail crime, and the growing concern of copper theft targeting major railway infrastructure. Speakers emphasized that copper theft remains a serious and persistent issue, often accompanied by limited consequences for offenders.

Over the past year, Smoky Lake Rural Crime Watch has remained active and engaged in a wide range of initiatives. The organization held its Annual General Meeting in April 2025, welcoming new and returning board members. Despite lower attendance due to a conflicting election event, the group continued to move forward with its programs and partnerships.

In support of local law enforcement, the association began funding a yearly subscription for surveillance cameras to assist the RCMP detachment. It also expanded its visibility in the community by replenishing roadside signage and ordering new promotional materials, including keychains, magnets, and branded hoodies. Plans are underway to further grow this inventory as additional funding becomes available.

Community outreach remained a key focus throughout the year. Members participated in three local parades, contributed to the Town of Smoky Lake’s Cultural Flourish Festival and Street Fair, and supported the “Law and the Wild” BBQ event alongside RCMP and Fish and Wildlife officers. The organization also played a significant role in the Great White North Pumpkin Fair, assisting with event logistics and organizing a fundraising auction.

Efforts to engage new members included contributions to the local Welcome Wagon initiative and ongoing promotion of the association’s work. Additionally, Smoky Lake Rural Crime Watch sponsored an RCMP colouring book for local youth, further strengthening its connection with families in the community.

While part of the funding allocated for the puppet show program was returned due to changes in grant criteria, the association has preserved the initiative by creating a digital version of the performance. Plans are in place to make the video available on its website, ensuring continued access to its positive messaging.

Looking ahead, the Smoky Lake Rural Crime Watch Association will hold its next Annual General Meeting on April 28, 2026. Guest speaker Julia Matthews, a certified fraud examiner, fraud protection educator, consumer protection expert, and former senior investigator with the Government of Alberta’s Consumer Investigations unit, has been invited to return, with hopes of drawing increased community participation.

The association extends its sincere appreciation to the Provincial Board, event organizers, and fellow Rural Crime Watch groups for their dedication and collaboration. Their collective efforts continue to strengthen rural communities across Alberta.

A proposed school consolidation project in Redwater has been identified as a key
infrastructure priority by Sturgeon Public School Division, as part of its latest capital
funding request to the province.
The project would see Ochre Park School and Redwater School combined into a single,
newly constructed K–12 facility to be located on the current Redwater School site. The
estimated cost of the project is $34 million, with funding approval from the provincial
government still pending.
The proposal aims to address ongoing challenges at both existing schools, including aging
infrastructure, rising maintenance costs, and underutilized space.
Redwater School, originally constructed in 1951 and expanded several times over the years,
is currently rated in poor condition. The facility is projected to require approximately $8.5
million in deferred maintenance over the next five years. Ochre Park School, built in 1982, is
rated in fair condition but is also facing significant maintenance needs, estimated at $6.5
million over the same period.
Both schools have been identified as having deficiencies related to building design,
accessibility, mechanical and electrical systems, and indoor environmental quality,
including natural light and ventilation. The presence of hazardous materials has also been
noted.
Under the proposed plan, the new school would accommodate approximately 515 students.
Current combined enrolment at the two schools is 398 students. The new facility is
expected to operate at about 85 per cent capacity, aligning more closely with current and
projected enrolment levels while allowing space for future growth.
According to the division, consolidating the two schools into one modern facility would
improve operational efficiency and support expanded programming, staffing flexibility, and
student services in the region.
The project is listed as Priority Two in the division’s capital plan, alongside other
infrastructure requests aimed at addressing facility conditions, enrolment trends, and long-
term sustainability.
No timeline has been confirmed, as the project remains subject to provincial funding
approval.
If approved, the project would mark a significant step toward modernizing educational
infrastructure in Redwater and supporting students in the community for decades to come.

By Brandie Majeau
The Smoky Lake Ag building was transformed into an animated medieval village
on March 7, as families and history enthusiasts gathered for the first Smoky Lake
Medieval Fun Day. The event, which offered a unique opportunity to experience living
history, drew crowds eager to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and traditions
of centuries past.
The event was organized and hosted by Janet Abramic with over twenty years of
experience in medieval and Viking reenactments, the afternoon showcased her
dedication to historical education. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, her and her
husband participated in shows as part of several historical groups across Canada, from
British Columbia to Saskatchewan and even as far as Gimley, Manitoba, and brought
that history to life.
Attendees at the Smoky Lake Medieval Fun Day browsed medieval-themed
vendor booths, tried their hand at traditional crafts, and took part in a variety of hands-
on activities. One popular station allowed guests to create their own leather-stamped
bookmarks, while others tested their skills in the beloved Hunker Down game. The SCA
group from Cold Lake captivated visitors with martial demonstrations and historical
displays, offering a glimpse into the martial traditions of the era.
Photo opportunities were also a huge feature with three themed backdrops set
up for participants to capture their medieval memories. Guests were invited to take part
in a recreation of the classic Little John and Robin Hood battle on the bridge.
A special sword class led by Jonathan, the Martial at Arms, offered both junior
and advanced participants a chance to learn theatrical sword techniques. The day
would not have been complete without the animated performances by the acclaimed
storytellers “Wizard and Raven,” as well as the ever-entertaining “Jester,” making sure
that the spirit of the Middle Ages came alive for everyone who stopped by.
Organizers are pleased to announce that Medieval Day will return next year,
once again featuring the popular Medieval feast in the evening. Special thanks go to
Galia of the Blackbeary Eatery for sponsoring this year’s event. Looking ahead, there
may be fundraising activities throughout the summer to help bring professional
entertainers to next year’s festival. To stay informed about upcoming activities and
exciting updates, follow Smoky Lake Medieval Family Fun Day on Facebook.

Quilts have also been donated to local organizations and community fundraisers, helping
support many worthwhile causes.
In addition to their charitable work, the guild provides an opportunity for people in the
community to connect through a shared love of quilting. Members range from experienced
quilters to those still learning the craft, and the group encourages creativity, skill-building
and friendship.
For many members, the guild is about more than quilting. It is also a place to share stories,
learn from one another and enjoy time together. Over the years, friendships have formed

around sewing tables as members work on projects, exchange ideas and support each other
both inside and outside the quilting room.
The guild continues to welcome visitors and new members. Meetings are held every second
Saturday from September to December and again from January to May.
After 20 years, the Redwater Quilters Guild continues to stitch together creativity,
friendship and compassion while making a difference in the lives of many throughout the
community.

For 14 summers, Dana DesRoches worked as a lifeguard, instructor, and manager at the
Redwater Swimming Pool — a place that became her second home.

What first brought her to the pool 14 years ago was simple circumstance mixed with familiarity.
Living in nearby Bruderheim with her grandparents after graduating from college, DesRoches
already had experience lifeguarding and instructing. When she began searching for full-time
work, taking a summer position in Redwater felt like a natural fit.

“I didn’t think I would be there that long,” she said. “I worked there for a few summers and took
a few years off in between, but the pool kept calling me back.”

What started as a temporary job slowly became part of the rhythm of her life.

During the school year, DesRoches worked as an Educational Assistant. Later, she opened a
dance studio in Redwater, teaching from September to May before shifting into pool life each
spring and summer. The seasonal balance worked seamlessly, allowing her to remain active in
the community year-round while doing work she genuinely loved.

Over time, her role at the pool grew beyond lifeguarding and instructing. She stepped into
leadership as manager, mentoring younger staff members — many of whom had once stood
nervously at the pool’s edge as her swimming students.

Looking back, she says those moments are what she is most proud of.

“I am most proud of the kids that I taught swimming lessons to that became lifeguards and
instructors — some of whom I got to mentor as the manager at the pool,” she said. “Watching

them grow in confidence and take on leadership roles was really special.”

For DesRoches, the impact of the pool extended far beyond teaching strokes and water safety
skills. It was about building confidence, responsibility, and connection.

“I’m proud of many of the relationships I built over the years in the community,” she added.

Across 14 summers, she witnessed the pool evolve alongside the town itself. Facility upgrades
brought improvements to the filtration system and water chemistry management, ensuring a safer
and more efficient operation. Swim programming shifted as well, transitioning from the Red
Cross curriculum to the Lifesaving Society model — a change that reflected broader trends in
aquatic education across the province.

Municipal leadership changed during her time there too, with new CAOs, mayors, and
community services managers coming and going. Through it all, the pool remained a constant
summer gathering place for Redwater families.

And for DesRoches, that consistency mattered.

“I love the water and working outdoors,” she said. “Flexible hours were a bonus, but it was the
friendships that were made working there and teaching kids something I love so much that meant
the most.”

Each summer brought a new team of staff, each with its own personality and traditions. While
she struggles to name a single favourite memory, she recalls the small, simple moments that
made the job joyful.

“I don’t know if I could pick just one,” she said with a laugh. “Each group of staff had their own
silly things they would do to make it fun. One summer, we wrote funny quotes from each other

on a whiteboard so we could look back and laugh.”

Those lighthearted traditions created bonds that often extended beyond the pool deck.

Nearly three years have passed since DesRoches stepped away from her role at the pool. Today,
she works full-time as an Educational Assistant and, for the first time in many years, spends her
summers focused on her own family.

“Since leaving the pool almost three years ago, I’ve been able to take my summers off to spend
with my own children,” she said.

In a full-circle moment, her connection to the pool continues. Her family still visits the Redwater
Swimming Pool each summer, and her children now take swimming lessons in the same place
where she once stood on deck teaching others.

It’s a transition that feels fitting — from instructor and mentor to parent watching from the
sidelines.

When asked what she hopes people remember about her years at the pool, her answer is simple
and heartfelt.

“I hope people know how much I loved that pool and that I tried hard to make it a great place for
the public who visited and for the staff who worked there.”

After 14 years, that legacy is already visible — in the swimmers she taught, the lifeguards she
mentored, and the generations of Redwater families who passed through the gates each summer.
For DesRoches, the pool may have begun as a temporary job, but it became something far more
lasting: a place where community was built one lesson, one season, and one summer at a time.