December 3 is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We hear from County resident Corey as he reflects on sports, COVID and accessibility.
Social Action had a chance to follow up with co-organizer and Ardrossan Recreation and Agricultural Society (ARAS) board member, Jessica Lutz, who reflects on the amazing success of the Country Convoy, on June 27.
As a recent block party host, Jamie Imeson understands that even when you live close to others, you don't necessarily know each other. With block parties on hold due to the pandemic, Jamie and some neighbourhood friends looked for another way to build connections in their community while maintaining appropriate physical distancing, so last month they began meeting every Wednesday night for a walking group. It's an easy-paced way to socialize, make new friends and build community for people living in the Graham Heights and Scot Haven neighbourhood.
Kathy and Carol are both retired from working directly with Linking Generations but are still passionate about connecting with seniors and volunteering in ways to enrich their lives. When they learned about the Strathcona County Connection Grants, each applied for one because thought it would be nice to plant some things outside of Country Cottage and Silver Birch Place that seniors could enjoy looking at from inside and enjoy when they do get a chance to go outside.
Where there was a will, there was a way. A group of like-minded people really wanted to be able to offer some good, safe fun to our community, so Jessica Lutz and the board of the Ardrossan Recreation and Agricultural Society took their annual Ardrossan Old Fashioned Parade & Picnic and decided to completely re-invent it, in a socially responsible manner. The Ardrossan 'reverse parade' was born! Read more about how Jessica describes the upcoming Country Convoy, coming to Strathcona County June 27, 2020.
Like most of their peers, lifelong friends and soon-to-be high school grads Jessica Wolfrey and Quintin Dunham are facing graduation without all of the things that make this milestone so special. On a physical distancing walk a few weeks ago, they decided to make lemonade when COVID-19 gave them lemons. With a spirit of entrepreneurship and a healthy sense of humour, they started making t-shirts for their fellow grads, teachers and relatives to connect and share a laugh during this challenging time. We were fortunate to talk to them about their story - read on to learn more about Spirit …
The Brunsdons have always made community connection a family affair. The story of how the Nottingham Art Walk started, like the Brunsdon family, begins in Ottawa. First, it became an Easter weekend I-Spy game that anybody walking past their property could safely play at a distance. Then the family's creativity shifted to setting up a space on their back fence (facing a recreational trail) that hosts an ever-growing collection of community-generated works of "fridge-worthy" art. The exhibit expands every day and has now become another neighbourhood source of fundraising for our local food bank. Dive into their story with us.
Audrey Schneider lives in a tight-knit community of mostly seniors where neighbours are used to getting together regularly. They gather to play games, celebrate special events and to share meals. When the current public health crisis of COVID-19 meant that many of her friends who were returning from vacations in the sunny south had to stay home and self-isolate - and she knew her neighbour's birthday was fast approaching - she any her friends decided to take to their driveways to celebrate the birthday boy, at a distance.
When social distancing measures forced most of us into our homes a couple of weeks ago, Brianna Wozny's daughter, Olive, began to miss seeing her friends and being out in the community. The four-year-old was worried that people would feel lonely and might forget that staying inside meant saving lives. Brianna and Olive posted signs on their front window and door to encourage neighbours and the community to see their isolation measures as saving lives.
Paul Jew has lived in as well as operated his business, Smilie's Restaurant, in Sherwood Park for over 24 years. He loves his community and when the current COVID-19 crisis meant hardship for many in the 'Park, he decided to do something about it.
