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2018 Profile Book

WI

KG

ON

Hamlet of

Enhancing Green Spaces in Communities

& area

Communities in Bloom 2018 3

Communities in Bloom 2018 Contents1

Contents

Main

2 EvaluationDayItinerary

3 MapoftheHamletofWoking

4 HamletofWoking

5 SaddleHillsCountyMunicipalOfficials

6 CommunitiesinBloomCommittee

7 Sponsors&Donors

8 2018MunicipalInformationForm

9 2018ParticipationInformation

10 CommunitySpiritThrivesinWoking

12 Tidiness

14 EnvironmentalAction

19 HeritageConservation

30 UrbanForestry

33 Landscape

39 FloralDisplays

46 Summary

Feature Stories

10 Workingtogethertohelpothers

14 GoodGardeningPractices&Healthy Eating

19 DayUseParkDevelopment

24 NormDreger'sSawmill

26 HistoryintheMaking

33 WelcometoWoking

35 Westmark&WokingDayofFamilyFun

36 FamilyFunSkateNightinWoking

41 HiddenTreasures

Communities in Bloom 2018 Contents2

Communities in Bloom 2018 Map of the Hamlet of Woking3

Map of the Hamlet of Woking

Communities in Bloom 2018 Hamlet of Woking4

Hamlet of Woking

Wokingislocated55kmnorthofGrandePrairie,AlbertaonHighway677.

ThepopulationofWokingis102asperthe2016censusandthereareabout55dwellingsinwhichpeoplereside.

Settlersarrivedhereinthelate1920’sandbegantodeveloptheirhomesteads.

Overtheyears,Wokinghashadmanysuccessfulestablishments.

A Thriving Community

Inthepast,theseestablishmentsincludedgeneralstores,garages,farmingoperations,elevators,butchershops,agasstation,ahotelandapoolroom.

Presently,Wokingisstillathrivingcommunity.Itishometoaschool,municipallibrary,generalstore,postalservice,communityhall,skatingrink,farmingbusinessesandmunicipalfirehall.

Wokingisacommunitythatcontinuestogrowanddevelop.

OneofthewaysthatthishashappenedisthroughacollaborationbetweenSaddleHillsCountyandJandelHomeswhentheyworkedtogetherinthepasttodevelopemptylotsinthesouthsideofthehamlet.Thiscollaborationhasbroughtseveralnewfamiliestothecommunity.

“TheSaddleHillsCountyCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentDepartmentsreporttotheDirectorofEconomicDevelopmentandareresponsibleforfacilitatingandpromotingcommunityandeconomicgrowthanddevelopmenttosupporthealthycommunities,economicdiversificationandpopulationgrowth.”Citedfromwww.saddlehills.ab.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=212284&pageId=232372.

Additionally,SaddleHillsCountyhasupdatedtheStrategicPlanfor2018-2020,whichisaccessibleon-line.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Saddle Hills County Municipal Officials5

Saddle Hills County Municipal Officials

Chief Administrative Officer Joulia Whittleton

Council Reeve Alvin Hubert

Councillor - Ward 7 John Moen

Director of Corporate Services Cary Merritt

Message from Alvin Hubert, ReeveOn behalf of Saddle Hills County, I would like to congratulate the Hamlet of Woking

on a job well done. Your community looks great! Welcome judges and for that

matter the whole community as we celebrate together and show off our town and

area. Finally, I want to thank the judges for coming to Woking and the Woking CiB

committee for a job well done. Have a great day.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Communities in Bloom Committee6

Communities in Bloom Committee

Acknowledgments

"Thank you so much to all the volunteers and residents for your community spirit!!"

Committee MembersRon DoetzelMary KnoblauchShirley MeyaardBeverly ReedPatty Rolinger

ThereisanunremittingcommitmentmadebytheCiBcommitteetomaintainanaestheticallypleasingHamletthroughencouragementandgrowthofcivicprideinthecommunity.

TherearemanyvolunteerswithinthecommunitywhoparticipateinpreparingWokingforevaluationday.EveryonebringssomethingalittledifferentwhetheritisbeautifyingtheirownyardorgettinginvolvedbyvolunteeringwiththeCiBdirectly.Therearealsomanylocalsponsorswho,withouttheirsupport,CiBwouldnotbepossible.

OnJuly25,2018,WokingCiBishostingabreakfastfortheCiBEvaluationDay,inwhichallmembersofthecommunityareinvited.Residentswillhavetheopportunitytomeetthejudgesandvisitwiththeirneighboursbeforeheadingouttoshareintheday’sevents.

Grace SadownikDenise van RootselaarGary WurmShirley Wurm

Communities in Bloom 2018 Sponsors & Donors7

Sponsors & Donors

Thank you for your contribution

Blackman’sButcherShopM&MMeatShopsH&MMeatsSave-onFoodsLtd.CanadaSafewayStokesKitchen&GiftsSchlumbergerWellServicesAFSC,SpiritRiverOfficeSpiritRiverHotelAlexander’sRestaurantMike'sRestaurantRycroftBldg.Supplies(Castle)

LighthousePromotionsPeaceCountryMemorialsCase,NicoandBudVanRootselaarKenEdey&TeamABNorth.ComInternetCargillSaddleHillsCountyCostcoJandelHomesDunveganGardens,FairviewDunveganGardens,GrandePrairieSpiritRiverIGA

We would also like to acknowledge all of the gifts in kind, moral support, well wishes and donors who we may have missed mentioning.

and last, but not least, "SANTA"

Communities in Bloom 2018 2018 Municipal Information Form8

2018 Municipal Information Form

General InformationMunicipality: SaddleHillsCounty

Population: 2288; Hamlet of Woking: approx.102

Municipal Budget:$43,520,132

CiB Community Budget:$5,500.00distributeddirectlytotheCommunitiesinBloomcommittee.ThelargerprojectsarefinancedbySaddleHillsCountythroughtheirgrantprograms.

Total Area: 587,659ha

Parks and Green Spaces Area as a % of Total Area: 15%

Municipal PlanAdvertisingisanimportanttoolinpreparingWokingforevaluationday.TheeventdetailswillbepostedonsocialmediaviaFacebookandTwitter,aswellasthelocalnewspaperandCountywebsite.

TherearemanydedicatedvolunteerswhoparticipateinpreparingWokingforevaluationday.Beingasmall,close-knitcommunity,allofthevolunteersarepassionateaboutmakingCommunitiesinBloomasuccess.EachandeveryvolunteerplaysapartinthecommunityeithermakingtheirownyardbeautifulorhelpingoutinthepublicCiBarea.

Communities in Bloom 2018 2018 Participation Information9

2018 Participation Information

Population: 102

Website: www.saddlehills.ab.ca

CiB Committee Chair Contact: MaryKnoblauch

Area in Square Miles: 0.22mi2

Volunteer Coordinator: CommitteeMembers

2014

2015Friends

2016

2017Friends

Participation in Previous Years

Bloom Rating Per Year

2009

2010

2011

2012Friends

2013Friends

Communities in Bloom 2018 Community Spirit Thrives in Woking10

Community Spirit Thrives in Woking

Therearenumerousgroups,clubsandcitizensinWokingandareathatvolunteertheirtime,skillsandenergyinmakingWokingagreatplacetolive.Wehaveincludedwriteupsabouttheincrediblevolunteereffortsthroughouttheprofilebook.Ourcommunityspiritalsoreachesbeyondourhamlettoaffectotherpeople’slivesinapositiveway.

Working together to help others

TheTabonoCentre,partofJohnHowardSocietyofGrandePrairie,hasreceivedninequiltsforasecondyearinarowfromtheladiesoftheGoodwillQuilterswiththehelpofstudentsfromWokingSchool.

TheGoodwillQuiltersareagroupofwomenwhooperatewithinthebasementofSt.John’sLutheranChurchofNorthmark,inSaddleHillsCounty.Sincetheyformedin2008,thequiltershavehandmadecloseto800quilts;allofwhichweredonatedtovariousplaces,includingindividualfamilies(suchasfirevictimsandnewbornbabies),CrossroadsWomen’sshelter,RedCross,MetisElder’sshelter,FCSSChristmashampers,AuroraHouseandtheCentralPeaceHealthComplexAuxiliary.TheyevensentseveralquiltstoFortMcMurraytohelpwiththefiredisasterin2016.Whilesomesuppliesneedtobepurchased,thededicatedladiescancreatethequiltsthankstogenerousdonationsfromtheircommunity,aswellastheirownmembers,andtheyputeverythreadtouse.“Noneofthematerialgetswasted,”memberDianeGadessaid,“EventhescrapsarerecycledtoaladyinGrandePrairiewhousesthemtomakedogandcatbeds.”

Acoupleweeksago,afewofthequiltersbrought8nearlycompletedquiltstotheWokingSchoolwherestudentsweregiventheopportunitytofinishtyingthethem.TheywerethengiventoWokingresident,PattyRolinger,whoistheFamilyMentorforTabonoCenter.GoodwillQuiltermember,MaryKnoblauchsaidtothestudents,“ThesequiltsaregoingtogowithMissPattyandshe’sgoing

Communities in Bloom 2018 Community Spirit Thrives in Woking11

togivethemtosomeonespecial,andtheyinturnwillknowthatsomeonespecialmadeitforthem,soyouallshouldfeelgoodabouthowyou’vehelped.”

TheTabonoCentreisacenterforyouthwhohaven’tfoundsuccessintheregularschoolsystem.AccordingtoKirstaHurta,AssistantExecutiveDirectorattheJohnHowardSociety,“Youthcometousforvariousreasons,suchasmaybetheydroppedoutofschool,they’vebeensuspendedorexpelled,theywerebulliedortheyhaveanxiety.”So,whattheTabonoCentredoesismeetwiththeyouthandtheirparents,performahomevisitandbasicallyhelpthemfigureoutaplanforwhattheyouthwantstodo–whetheritbefindingemploymentorgettingbackintotheeducationalsystem.“Tabonoisastopforkidstogetbackontheirfeetandhelpthemfindaplacetobelong,”Hurtaadded.Shealsomentionedthatalltheprogramsareavailabletoruralyouth,aswell,“IftheyouthcangettotheTabonoCentreinGrandePrairie,wewilltaketheminourprograms.”TheTabonoCentrehasdayprogramsanddrop-inprogramsforyouthaged12to17whoarelookingforsupportandconnection.

Asforthequiltsbeingdonated,Rolingersaidthatit’simportantfortheyouthtoknowthattheircommunitycaresaboutthem.“ThisisreallymeaningfultothembecauseIknowlastyear,whenIgavethequiltstotheyouth,theywereshockedandsurprised thatsomebodyoutfartherthanGrandePrairiewasthinkingaboutthemandsendinggreatthoughtstothem,”Rolingerexpressed.“ThethoughtfulnessandgenerosityoftheGoodwillQuilters,aswellasthecollaborationwiththeWokingSchoolstudentshastouchedourheartsdeeply.”ShealsomentionedthatthetimeandefforttheGoodwillQuiltersputintomakingthequiltsisextraspecialformanyoftheyouth,astheyhaveneverreceivedanythingbeforethatwashomemade.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Tidiness12

Tidiness

Municipal

SaddleHillsCountyhasacommittedschedulefortheirseasonalemployeestomowandtrimtheditchesandmunicipalpropertiesintheHamlet.Publicparks,restareas,signareasandthecommunityhallparkinglotareincludedintheplan.

In2008,SaddleHillsCountyestablishedBylaw168titled“UnsightlyPremisesBylaw”addressingunsightlypremises.

CitizensofWokingabidebylaws,whichareenforcedbySaddleHillsCounty.Forfurtherinformation,pleasereviewtheSaddleHillsCountyWebsite:http://www.saddlehills.ab.ca/government/ourcouncil/our_bylaws/

TheCountyhasexpandedthecollectionofmaterialsatthelocalTransferStations.Thelistofaccepteditemsaretires,metals,whitegoods,plastics,householdwaste,newspapers,magazines,cardboard,cansandelectronicwaste.Byextendingthelistofitemsthatareacceptedatthetransferstation,SaddleHillsCountyisabletobetterservethepeopleofWokingandarea.

StrategicallylocatedgarbagecontainersintheHamletserveasdisposalsitesforpicnickers,cyclistsandpedestrians.ThecontainersareperiodicallyemptiedbytheTransferStationattendant.Woking’stransferstationhoursareTuesdayandSaturday10:00amto6:00pm

toaccommodateresidents.Asofthisyear,thereisaBlueRecycleBinlocatedatthemailboxestoencourageresidentstopartakeintheprogram.

Businesses & Institutions

Schoolstudentsparticipateregularlyontheclean-upoftheirschoolground,aswellasintheannualtownspringcleanup.TheirendeavoursarerecognizedbythecommunityandacomplimentarylunchisprovidedbySaddleHillsCounty.

TrashcontainersaresituatedattheCommunityHallandlocalgeneralstore.Inthespringof2018,CiBrequestedaRecyclingBinfortheHamletofWoking.Asstatedabove,SaddleHillsCountyinstalleditbythenewmailboxesandisresponsibleoftheappropriatedisposalofthematerials.

Residential

Residentscontinuetomaintainandbeautifytheirproperties.Toassist,theCountyhasanestablishedcurbsidepickup.EachResidenthasbeenassignedagarbagebinforhouseholdgarbage.

Communityvolunteerscontributetothetidinessofthemunicipalpropertiesandareoftenseencuttinggrassinthepublicparksandtrimmingaroundthecommunityflowerbarrels.Forseveralyearsnow,CiBhashada“SnowAngels”programwherevolunteersinthecommunityarerecognizedfortheireffortsinhelpingtheirelderlyneighbors

Communities in Bloom 2018 Tidiness13

removethesnowfromtheirdrivewaysandsidewalks.Bothyouthandadultshavebeeninvolvedinthisprogram.CiBhasalsoimplementedan“AdoptaLot”whereresidentstakecareofthevacantneighboringlotsbycuttingthegrassandnotifyingtheownerofanyunusualactivities.

Judges' Recommendations for 2016

1.PublicEducationonNoxiousWeeds

Inordertoinformandeducateresidentsoninvasiveplantspecies,SaddleHillsCounty'sRuralDevelopmentDepartmentbeganpublishingthe'WeedoftheWeek'featureinthesummerof2016.Thisinformationiscurrentlyaccessibleon-lineatwww.saddlehills.ab.ca/news/what_s_new/weed_of_the_week_-_canada_thistle.Additionally,SaddleHillsCountyprovidedthelinktomoreinformationonAlberta'sinvasivespecies.www.abinvasives.ca.

2.EnforcementoftheBylawforunsightlyproperties

TheCountyhashiredaBylawEnforcementOfficertoaddresstheseissuesandtoensuretheirenforcement.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Environmental Action14

Environmental Action

Municipal

In2016,WokingCiBapproachedSaddleHillsCountytodeemthepropertyonthesouthsideofmainstreetasaDayPark.ApartnershipwasformedandSaddleHillsgaveWokingCiBfundstodevelopthesite.Forfurtherinformation,gototheHeritageConservationCriteriastartingonPage19.


Businessesandinstitutionsrecognizethattheyplayanimportantrolewhenitcomestotakingenvironmentalaction.TheyarecarefultoutilizethedisposalservicesthatareprovidedbytheCounty.Inaddition,theyarediligenttotakethepropermeasurestotendtogarbageandotheritems.

SaddleHillsCountyofferslargeitempickupintheSpringandintheFallwhereresidentsareabletoplaceitemsatthecurbmarkedwithanX.NeighboringMunicipalDistrict#133alsohostsahazardouscollectiondayonabi-annualbasiswhereCountyresidentshavetheopportunitytodisposeoftheirunsafeproducts.

Good Gardening Practices & Healthy Eating

Eachyearthestudentsplantflowersaroundtheschoolandinthecommunity.Thisyeartheschool'sstudentleadershipclasstooktheinitiativetoapplyforagranttostartacommunitygarden.Theschoolreceivedfundingandthestudentsplantedvegetablesinhorsetroughsinfrontoftheschool.Thisediblelandscapingpromotescommunity


wellnessthroughtheaccessoffreshvegetablesforeveryone.Additionally,thestudentshadplantsthattheystartedfromseed,suchastomatoesandpotatoes,growingbothinsideandoutsidetheschool.Theschool’srainbarrelhelpstoconservetheman-madewatersupply.

TheWokingMunicipalSchoolbroughtinaTowerGardentogrowherbsandlettuceforstudentstoenjoyathotlunch,whichwaspurchasedthroughadonationreceivedfromConocoPhillipstwoyearsago.ThereisalsoLittleGreenThumbsGarden,whichwassuppliedbySaddleHillsCounty,thatallowedstudentstotryindoorgardeningwithhydroponics.PeaceWatershedAlliancealsoprovidedsupport.

CFIIndustriesgavetheschoolgrantmoneytopurchaseagreenhouse,compostbin,rainbarrel,buildraisedgardenbeds,aswellasthisspringtobringincommunitygardenbedsatthefrontoftheschool.

HorticulturehasbecomeaninterestoftheWokingSchoolandthestaffareslowlygainingmaterialstohelpthemteachthestudentsaboutthevariousstagesofplantlifeandtheimportanceofplantsinourenvironment.


Efficient and Effective

TheWokingWillingWorkersreceivedacapitalgrantfromSaddleHillsCountythatallowedthemtoinstallhotwaterondemand,aswellasenergyefficientrefrigeratorsanddishwasherintotheCommunityHall.

Thehallkitchenalsogotamakeoverwithupgradedsinkstobringinlinewithhealth&safetyregulationcodes,aswellasaddingafewmorecupboardsforstorage.

Residential

Residentsaremindfulofconservationpracticesbywayofrainbarrels,clotheslinesasopposedtodryers,andwoodburningstovesforheat.Compostbinsarealsoanenvironmentallyfriendlypracticeinthecommunity.

CommongardeningpracticesincludeCompanionPlanting,XeriscapeLandscaping,compostingandnaturalpestcontrol.

Xeriscapedesignplanningincorporatescompatibleplantswiththeappropriatezoningfortheareaanddevelopsasoilgradingprocess.Itoftenmakesuseofgravel,rocksorwoodmulch,whichtakesfulladvantageofrainfallretention.Itisvisuallymoreappealingthanlawnsanditcansavemoneyasthereislesswatering.

Mulchkeepsplantrootscoolandpreventssoilfromcrusting.Itminimizesevaporationandreducesweedgrowth.Organicmulchesincludebarkchips,polepeelingsandwoodgrindings.

Onaweeklybasis,therecyclebinsattheWokingTransferStationareavailabletocommunityresidentstorecyclemixedpaper,cardboard,cans,lumber,metalandprinters.

Forthepastseveralyears,theWokingSkatingRinkAssociationmembershaveorganizedvolunteerseachyeartoparticipateintheHighwayClean-upprogram.Unfortunately,thisyearitwasrainedout.


Community Involvement

WokingWillingWorkersisavolunteerclubthathasbeeninvolvedinvariousprojectsinthecommunity,overtheyears.TheywerethedrivingforcebehindtheinstallationofthewaterandsewertotheHamletofWoking,backin1979-80.Andagain,fortheinstallationofthetwogenerators,oneatthewaterplantandoneattheliftstation,in2014.ThesegeneratorsensurethattheHamlet’sserviceofwaterandsewerwillnotgetdisruptedduringpoweroutages.Inthespringof2018,theCountybeganupgradingtheliftstation.

Judges’ Recommendations for 2016

1.Recyclebinforemptybeveragecontainersatthestore

TheWokingSchoolhasplacedabeveragerecyclebinnearthefrontentrance.CiBalsoapproachedthecountytorequestaBlueRecycleBinfortheHamlet.Thecountyreadilyagreedandinstalledthebinbythemailboxesforeasyaccesstoallresidents.

2.PromotingComposting

Manyofourcommunitymembersandfarmerscompost.WokingCiBandSaddleHillsCountyprovidedinformationon-lineaboutcomposting.https://saddlehills.ab.ca/news/what_s_new/woking_communities_in_bloom_promotes_composting

3.Motionsensorlightsforpublicbuildings

TheWokingCommunityHall,outdoorskatingrink,GeneralStoreandschoolallhavesensors.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Heritage Conservation19

Heritage Conservation

Thereisadeepappreciationforourmulticulturalfarmingandurbancommunity.PeoplehavededicatedtheirlivelihoodtoensurethegrowthofourHamletandSaddleHillsCounty.ManyofourcommunitymembersareinvolvedinWokingclubsandsurroundingpublicinterestgroupswhoworkdiligentlyatpreservingthehistoricsites,monumentsandnaturalheritage.

Day Use Park Development

ThemostrecentprojectthatCiBundertookwastherevitalizationofavacantlotacrossfromthegeneralstore.Originally,therewasadilapidatedhotelonthissite.Manyyearsago,CiBaskedtheCountytodemolishthebuildingasitwasunsightlyandasafetyhazardasyouthwouldplayinit.TheCountyfulfilledtherequestandsincethenithasbeenanunofficialgreenspacewithonepicnictable.In2016,WokingCiBmadeaproposaltoSaddleHillsCountytousethisproperty,whichisonthesouthsideofmainstreet,asaDayUsePark.ApartnershipwasdevelopedandSaddleHillsgaveWokingCiB$10,000ingrantmoneytodevelopthesite.

Thefirststageofdevelopmentincludedvolunteersinstallingawoodengazebo,awheel-chairaccessiblepicnictable,planters,nativetreesthatwerelocallygrownanddogwastedispenserstations.

Thesecondstageofdevelopmentwillincludeitemssuchasplantingadditionaltrees,benchesandmakingarampforwheel-chairaccessintothegazebo-WokingCiBhasalreadyreceivedanother$6,000grantfromtheCountyforthisphase.

TheWokingCiBcommitteeisverygratefulforallthesupportreceivedfromSaddleHillsCountyandtheimmensevolunteereffortsofthecitizensofWokingandsurroundingareas.


Municipal

Our Natural Heritage

WokingissurroundedbythenaturalSaddleHillformations,whichcanreachupto800feetabovetheprairieland.ThefoothillsarecoveredinthethickNorthernBorealForest,whichisapproximately20mileswideandhometomanyspeciesofwildlifeincludingbears,cougars,wolves,woodpeckers,owls,eaglesandrodents.Theprairiesarealsohometomanyspeciesincludingswans,geese,ducks,robins,starlings,WhiskeyJack,prairiechickens,hummingbirds,deer,elk,moose,foxandcoyotes.Nativeplantsincludethewildlilyofthevalley,strawberries,raspberries,yarrow,asters,goldenrod,Indianpaintbrush,bluebellsandcattails.OurlocalnaturalwatersourceistheBurntRiver,whichisinavalleythateventuallyfeedsintothePeaceRiver.WewouldalsoliketonotethatourskydancesatnightwiththeblazingcolorsoftheAuroraBorealis.


Kakut Lake Businesses & Institutions

Woking’sGeneralStoreistheremainingnotablesiteinthehamletandcontinuestoprovideservicestothecommunityandarea.Thestorewasbuiltin1955andpresentownerisDorleenCampbell.Generalgoodsareavailabletopeoplepassingthroughthehamlet.

TheoldpostofficecanbefoundonthemainstreetinWoking.Itwasconstructedin1949offeringpostalservicetoresidentsuntilitsclosurein1986.ResidentsnowobtaintheirpostalservicesattheCanadaPostmailboxes.

In1911,KakutLakewasnamed.JusteastoftheHighway2exitforWoking,about11kilometersdownHighway677(PeoriaRoad)you'llfindKakutLakeFishPondandWildlifeConservationArea,whichisapartoftheWetlandConservationProjectthroughDucksUnlimited.

Accordingtotheirwebsite,KakutLakeResortisanon-profitorganization,runbyvolunteers.Thecampsiteisavailabletocampersorvisitorswhowouldliketocometofishfortheday.Dogsarewelcomeinthecamp,buttheyshouldbeonleashesandcleanedupafter.Achildren'sparkisavailableforpublicuse,aswellasDevonfield(baseballdiamond).Thesmallpondisstockedwith1500,6-8inchtrouteachyear.Thebiglakeisnotstocked.

Northmark Cemetery

NorthmarkCemeteryislocatedoutsideofWokingandinrecentyearsithasreceivedseveralgrantsfromSaddleHillsCounty.Thesegrantshavemadeitpossiblefortheorganizationtoinstallachainlinkfencewithabrassplaque.Inaddition,theyaddedanornamentalgatewithasign.Havingthesupporttomakethesechangeshasbeenahugedevelopmentforthevolunteerorganization.Theyhaveexpressedmuchgratitudeforthesupportreceivedtomaketheseimprovements.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Northmark

ThefoundersofSt.John’sLutheranChurchwereLutheransofGermandecent,howevertheyallcamefromdifferentethnicbackgrounds.

TheSettlersformedaloosecongregationintheearly1930’s,holdingservicesinprivatehomes.ThefirstservicewasledbyPastorFenskewhotraveledmanykilometersfromEdmonton.

Intheearlyyears,pastorswhoservedthecongregationwerenotlocalandwouldtravelonfootfromSpiritRiverorbyhorseandbuggyfromHinesCreek.

PastorQuerengesserbecamethefirsttenuredpastor.Heservedhiscommunityfrom1935-1939.

ThecurrentministerisPastorDaveFriesen,wholeadstwoservicesamonth.


Otherservicesareledbymembersandguestspeakersorguestpastors.Everyoneiswelcometoattendservicesandthechurchoffersanopencommunion.

ItwasinOctoberof1945thatthechurchwasrelocatedtoitscurrentlocationandthecurrentstructurewaserected.Thisstructurecontinuestoservethecommunity;however,itwasin2004-2005thatitwasdeterminedthatthefoundationneededtoberebuilt.

Atthetimeofthefoundationrebuild,itwasalsoconcludedthatareconstructedbasementcouldprovidethecommunityaplacetogatherforcertainevents,suchasGoodwillQuilters,Sundayschool,andfellowshiphourandfuneralreceptions.

Inaddition,anewstairwellwasinstalledandanexpandedareawasbuiltaroundtheexistingpulpitandalter.Twonewwindows,oneachsideofthealtar,wereenhancedwithinternalslightsandcreativeembellishmentwithasandblasteddesignbyLoriCoombs.

In2012,membersofthechurchdecidedthattofurtherservetheircommunityitwouldbeanassettoconstructanaddition.Thenewadditionservesasagatheringplaceformanyeventsasitsamenitiesincludeareceptionarea,akitchenandrestrooms.

St.John’sLutheranChurchandpatronsprovidessupportthroughvolunteerismandfundraisingformanyworthycauses.SomeoftheseincludeLutheranWorldReliefProgram,WingstotheNorth,JoyChapelMinistries,FortMcMurrayRedCrossandCentralPeaceLadiesAuxiliary.ThechurchhostedtheWorldDayofPrayerfortheWomen’sGroupinEgypt,andhasalsosponsoredamissionaryfromAlberta,inElSalvador.Today,servicesareusuallyattendedbyapproximately30people,withmanybeingdescendantsoftheoriginalparishioners.


Residential

Norm Dreger’s Sawmill

duetohisbeingafarmer,butit’salsobecausethelogssawmuchbetterwhenit’sniceandcoldout–thelimbsallbreakoffeasily,savingalotofwork.Normthencontinuesthewoodproductionprocess,cuttingthelumbertospecificdimensions.Inoneday,hecansawtwobigbundlesoflogs,whichisapproximately2000feetofboard.

Next,Normstoresthelumberinthenewenclosurehebuiltwhereheleavesitforaboutayeartoallowthelumbertodrycompletely.He,then,planesthewoodtosmoothoutthesurfaceofthelumberleavingauniformwidthandthickness.

WhilethisisprimarilyahobbyforNorm,hewillsellthelumbertowhoeverwantssome,whichdoeshelptorecoupsomeofhisexpenses.Mostly,hejustdoesitforfunandforpersonaluse.Hehasusedthelumberforconstructionofpre-fabricatedsheds,aswellasstorageandequipmentshedsforthefamilyfarm.Normenjoyscarpentryworkandcontinuestopre-fabstructuresinashedduringthewinter.

Eightyearsago,NormDregersawanadvertisementinalocalpaperthatcaughthisattention.HewenttomeetayoungmaninHytheanddecidedtobuyhisone-mansawmill.Thissentimentalpurchasebroughtbackmemoriesofhisearlieryearswhenheworkedatasawmill,inFortSt.James.Helearnedhiscraftduringthesixwintersthathewasemployedthere,asasawyer.

Today,Normselectsprimarilyspruceandsomepoplartreesforharvestfromhisownland,butalsosometimesgetspermissionfromlocallandownerstoacquirefromtheirland.Oneexampleisthetreeheisstandingnexttointhephoto.It’sthebiggesttreeNormhaseverfallenandhefounditoutbytheBurntRiver.Heusedacrawlercattoskiditout.Forallthetreeshecutsdown,heremovesthebranchesinreadinessfortransportationtothesawmill.Normmentionedthathecutsthewoodmostlyinthewintertime.Thisispartly



OnNovember23,1956,WokingWillingWorkers(WWW)ladiesclubwasformed.ItwasMrs.MableTracywhosuggestedtheperfectnameforthevolunteergroup.ThefirstexecutiveswereHarrietHerrickasPresidentandUrsulaDelfsasSecretary-Treasurer.

Sixty-twoyearslater,theclubisstillgivingbacktolocal,municipalandprovincialcommunities.WokingWillingWorkershavesupportedmanyorganizations,includingcanvassingfortheRedCrossandCancerSociety.TheyhavealsodonatedmoniesforthepurchaseofaresuscitatorfortheCentralPeaceHealthComplex,inSpiritRiver.ThegrouphasmonetarilysupportedtheQueenElizabethIIHospitalinGrandePrairie,thePleasantViewLodgeinSpiritRiver,theWokingSchool,theWokingPublicPlayground,theWokingMunicipalLibrary,STARS(ShockTraumaAirRescueSociety),CompassionHouseandtheFortMcMurrayWildfirefund.TheWWWoffersthehallrentfreetosupportlocalnon-profitgroups&functions,includingeventsputonbyWokingCiB,WokingMunicipalLibrary,WestmarkFarmer’sLeagueandWokingSkatingRinkAssociation,aswellasmeetingsheldbycommunityorganizations.

OneofWoking’sgreatestheritageconservationtreasuresisthebook“BurntEmbers”whichwascompiledbytenlocalmembersoftheWokingandAreaHistoricalSociety.ItwaspublishedbyFriesenPrintersin1985.ThisbookdocumentsasmuchofwhatwasknownaboutthesettlementofWoking,statingthat“Anotheroldtimerhasleftourmidst.Asenseofurgencystrikesus,andtherealizationcomesagain,thatthesepioneerstoriesshouldhavebeenrecordedbeforethis.”ThisbookestablishesforthereaderthebestpossiblevisualofhowtheformationofWokingbeganandhowithasgrownanddevelopedthroughouttheyears.BurntEmbersifavailableforreadingatthelocalMunicipalLibraryandadigitalcopymaybefoundontheUniversityofCalgarywebsite.http://contentdm.ucalgary.ca/digital/collection/p22007coll8/id/347094/

Recently,afewofourseniorcitizenshavestartedtorecordtheirmemoirstopreservetheirlifeexperiencesforfuturegenerations.


History in the Making

Fromayoungage,JakeMeyaardhasalwaysbeenfascinatedwithwheelsandhorses.Eversincehewasakid,hewantedtomakesomethingoutofnothing.

BornandraisedinHolland,JakecametoCanadatobuildalifehecouldcallhisown,attheageof17.In1960,hemarriedtheloveofhislife,Shirley.Theypurchasedtheirhomesteadandpouredeverythingtheyhadintobuildingaproductivefarm.Afteraccomplishingthisandraisingabeautifulfamily,theysoldthehomesteadtostartallover.OntheirnextparceloflandJakebuiltacorralandraisedhorses.Thispeakedhiscuriosityaboutcarriages.Hefoundhisfirstbrokendowncartthathewantedtorebuildandtherestishistoryinthemaking!

Forthelast15years,Jakehasbeenmakinghorsedrawnbuggies.Hesearchesandfindsthescrapmaterials,suchasaxles,springsandhubs.Then,hedesignsandrebuildstheentirecarriagefromthegroundup.Itallbeginswithmakingthewheelsthatwillfitontotheframe.

Acraftthathasbeenaroundforcenturies.

Togetabetterunderstandingoftheprocess,Jaketookawheelwrightcourse15yearsago,inArmstrong,B.C.,tolearnhowtobuildwheels.Sincethen,JakehasbelongedtotheWesternWheelwright’sAssociation,whichhasabout100membersacrossWesternCanada,EuropeandtheUnitedStates.Jake’sson,whoisahorsetrainer,hasalsotakenashineto

wheelmaking,learningthetradefromhisfatherandnowtheyoftenworkontheprojectstogether.

Jakeendedupsellinghisfirst8buggies,twelveyearsagoandbeganbuildingsomemore.Hiscurrentcollectionconsistsof10buggies,alsoreferredtoascarriages.

ThisintriguinghobbyisJake’swinterpassionandhecanusuallybefoundworkingontwobuggiesattime.Hedoesn’tbuildthemliketheoriginalones,ratherchoosingtodesigneachonehimself,usingdifferentwoodmaterialsforthewheelssuchastamarack,oakorhickoryanditisatime-consumingprocesstomakethewheels,asthereareseveralstages.

ItbeginswithJakemakingthewoodenwheel.Hethenmakeseachspoke,whichhedrillsintothewheel.Hethenmeasuresthelengthofflatsteelthatisneededandheatsittohightemperatures,sothatitcanbeshapedtofitsotightlyonthewoodenwheelastonotrequiretheuseofglueonanypartofthewheelthatismade.Afterthat,therubbergoesontop.

Fromthere,Jakemovesontotheboxofthebuggy.Heinvestsalotofhistimetobuilduniquehandcraftedmodelsandpaysgreatattentiontothedetailsoneachpiecethatgoesonthebuggy.Hehascrafted2seatersorlightbuggies,carriages,wagonsandevensleighs.Jakealsoenjoysmakingwoodenwindmillsthatremindhimofhome.

Jake’smemoirshavebeencapturedinabookhewrote,called“FromWoodenShoestoCowboyBoots”.AnyoneinterestedinreadingaboutJake’sjourneythroughlife,cancheckoutacopyfromtheWokingMunicipalLibrary.


"From wooden shoes to cowboy

boots"


1.Highlightnaturalheritage

RefertotheHeritageConservationcriteriaundertheheadingMunicipal.

2.Purchasebookforthelibrary:NativePlantsfortheShortSeasonYardbyLyndonPenner

Thereare24copiesavailabletothepublicthroughthePeaceLibrarySystemusingtheTRACsystem.

3.Considerupdatingthehistorybook

Considerationofthisrecommendationhasbegun.Therehasbeenaconversationaroundsomepotentialideas,howeveritisahugeprojectandassuchwewanttothoroughlyexplorethepossibilities.Intheinterim,therehavebeenafewseniorswhohavealreadybeguntowritetheirmemoirs.AnexamplewouldbeJakeMeyaard.

4.PlaquedesignatedfortheoriginalPostOffice

TheoriginalPostOfficeisonprivateproperty.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Urban Forestry30

Urban Forestry

Wokinghasmanyspeciesofnativetreesandbushesincludingwillow,spruce,birch,evergreen,jackpine,dogwood,mountainash,poplar,Saskatoonbushes,raspberriesandtheAlbertaRose.

Thebeautifullakeisgreatforswimmingandboating.Thelakeservescanoesandnon-motorizedboats.

Otheramenitiesincludeahandwaterpump(non-potablewater),outdoorwashrooms,nouserfeesandfreefirewood.

HilltopLakeisagreatcostfriendlyplaceforfamilyandfriendstogatherandenjoythegreatoutdoors.

Utilizingthegroupareacanbegreatforanycelebrationorjustasaplacewhereeveryonecangather.

Municipal

Hill Top Lake

HilltopLakeislocatedsouthwestofWokingandhasmuchtooffer.

Thereisacampsite,dayusearea,shelterfacilitiesandboating.Thecampsitehas10stallsequippedwithpicnictablesandfirepits.

Thedayuseareaconsistsofpicnictables,horseshoepitsandaplaygroundforchildren.Thegroupuseshelterofferspicnictablesandanexteriorfirepit.



Peace Lutheran Bible Camp

PeaceLutheranBibleCamppurchased40acresoflandfromSt.John’sLutheranChurchin1973,andisgovernedbyfivememberchurches,includingSt.John’s.

Itconsistsofonedormstylecabinthatsleeps28people,sixcabinsthatsleep9-12peopleeach,lotsforRVparking(including8withelectricalhook-ups),afullyfunctionalkitchen,adininghallwitha100personcapacity,aQuonsetforvariousindooractivitiesfromsportstofellowship,andbathroomswithflushtoiletsandshowers.

Outsidelandscapingincludesalargefirepitwiththreelongbenchessetaroundit.Thereisaspaciousgrassedareaforoutdooractivitiesandaplaystationforyoungchildren.TheBiblecampiscurrentlyutilizedandrentedforreunions,anadultbiblecamp,birthdays,anniversaries,churchmeetings,jamborees,andretreats.Campersenjoythishiddengemthatiscushionedbythewoodedlandscapeasitgivesthemanauthenticwildernessexperience.

Woking Fire Hall

TheWokingVolunteerFireDepartmentwasorganizedin1981proceedingtheconstructionofthehall’soriginalstructure.

SaddleHillsCountyhasrecognizedtheneedtoexpandthisessentialserviceandinthespringof2018theyhavebegunthedevelopingthelandforanewFireHallonthewestsideofWoking.

TheDepartment’sfleetonceconsistedoftwofiretrucks,howeverin2016theDepartmentaddedathirdtrucktotheirfleet,tohelpbetterservethecommunity.

TheDepartmentcurrentlyhasabout15volunteerfirefightersthatgraciouslydonatetheirtimetoservingtheircommunity.

HavingalocalvolunteerfiredepartmentmakesitpossibleforWokingandthesurroundingareatohavethebestpossibleresponsetimeinthecaseofanemergency.HavingthesupportofthemunicipalityandthecommunityofWoking,makesprovidingthisservicetotheHamletofWokingpossible.

Residential

MostfarmshaveashelterbeltwheresomehavebeenplantedbyaccessingthePFRAshelterbeltprogramdecadesago.IntheHamlet,manyoftheresidentshaveplantednativetreesandshrubs,suchasthegooseberry,rosebushesandraspberriesintheirownyardstogreenuptheirspace.



TheCiBcommitteeandothervolunteersinthecommunitytakeontheresponsibilitytocareandmaintainthetrees,flowersandshrubsthatbeautifytheneighborhood.Thisyear,CiBvolunteersassistedwithplanting6MountainAsh,2ColoradoSprucetreesand1NativeWhiteSpruce.

AllofthetreesfortheDayUsePark,werepurchasedfromalocaltreenursery.Theownerofthenurseryplantedandfertilizedallthetreesandhasbeenavailableforconsultationwhenneeded.Thetreesare8’to12’tallandabletowithstandthestrongwindsofthenorth.


1.ConsiderplantingonetreeeachyearforArborDay

Asmentionedabove,wehaveplantedtreesinthedaypark.We’dalsoliketonotethatlocalresidentshaveplantedadditionaltreessince2016.

2.Considermulchforbasearoundnewtreestoretainmoisture

Theownerofthetreenurserywillbefollowingthroughwithlayingmulchofthenewlyplantedtrees.

3.Investigategrantsavailablefortreeplanting

CiBappliedforandreceivedagrantfromTreeCanadafortheAlbertaMountainPineBeetleReliefProjectintheamountof$2,100.Thismoneywasusedtobuy6ofthe9treesthatwereallpurchasedfromalocaltreenurseryandtransplantedintheDayPark.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Landscape33

Landscape

Municipal

TheCountyhaspassedGeneralTrafficBylaw254,in2016.AbylawtocontrolandprovideregulationsandpenaltiespertainingtoHighways,RoadwaysandStreetswithintheSaddleHillsCounty,fortheorderlyandsafemovementofvehicularandpedestriantrafficandfortheParkingofvehiclesonthesaidHighways,RoadwaysandStreets.TheserestrictionswillassistinmaintainingalltheworkthatwasputintotheWokingpavingproject.

SaddleHillsCountyprovidessnowremovalonthestreetsandpublicparkingareas.Privatedrivewayswithinthehamletareclearedasneededwithabackhoe.Summertimestreetsaresweptandditchesaretrimmed.

TwoofourhistoricallandmarksthatCiBaskedtheCountytorestoreweretheWelcomeSignsthatarelocatedateachentranceofWoking.TheCountyagreedtofundtheprojectandthepersonwhohadoriginallydesignedandbuiltthesignswasaskedtocompletetherestoration.

Welcome to Woking

In1985,MerleKeddiedesignedtheWokingWelcomeSignontheeastsideofthehamletwiththeassistanceofhiswife,Jeanwhodidthepainting.Hehadusedredcedarwhenconstructingthesign,whichprovedtobeasturdymaterialbecauseafter33yearsithaswithstoodthetestoftimeverywell;especiallyconsideringtheharshwintersandforceful,prairiewindsthatwhipthroughthisarea,butitwastimeforafacelift.

So,thisspring,Merlebeganrefurbishingboththeeastandwestwelcomesigns–firstbysandblastingthemtogettheoldpaintoff,thensandingthedown.Next,hemeticulouslyrepaintedthem,makingsuretogetallthefinedetailsanddoingthebesthecouldtorestorethemtotheiroriginaldesign–althoughhewasnotabletoaddthesunsetsbackinduetotheconditionofthewood–andthenheputonaprotectivecoatingsothatthesignswillperhapslastanother30+years.Thesignslookfantasticwitharefreshednewlook.



SaddleHillsCountyprovidesannualmaintenancegrantstocemeteries,communityhallsandtheskatingrink.TheWestmarkHallhasbeenrenovatedandupgradedwiththeassistanceofacapitalgrantfromtheCounty.Thenewadditionincludesameetingroom,fullyfunctionalkitchenandmodernwashroomsfacilities.Itwillbeequippedwithrunningwaterandsewer,andtheadditionwillbeheatedonayear-roundbasis.Itisconnecteddirectlytotheexistinghall.

ThisGerman-foundedcommunityhostsnumerouseventssuchasOktoberfest,FarmersDay,aHalloweenpartyandotherfamilyfunctions.Lastyear,CiBcollaboratedwiththeWestmarkFarmer’sLeagueandSaddleHillsCountytocelebrateCanada150andFarmersDay.

Westmark & Woking Day of Family Fun

MembersfromtheWestmarkFarmer’sLeague,WokingWillingWorkersandCommunitiesinBloom,withthehelpofSaddleHillsCounty,joinedforcestoputonaFarmer’sDayPicnicandCanada150CelebrationoutattheWestmarkHall,onSaturday,June10.

Whatwasthreateningtobeastormydayturnedouttobeperfectweatherforadayfilledwithoutdoorfun;warmwithabitofabreezetokeepthemosquitoesatbay–forthemostpart.Thedaystartedoffwithsomegoodolefashionedkids’games,includingredlightgreenlight,potatosackrace,balloonpop,freezetag,three-leggedraceandrubberchickentoss.Whilethekidshadtheirfun,theadultsplayedhorseshoesandladdergolf.Afterward,afewpeoplegatheredtoplaysomeballbeforeheadingovertothehallforaBBQwithallthefixin’s.Thecelebrationsfinishedoffwithaneveningofdancingtolivemusicperformedbylocalband,TheRemnants,aswellassomefireworksdisplayedbylocalvolunteerfiremen.

Therewerecloseto150peoplewhocameouttoenjoythecelebrationsandbyallaccountsseemedtohaveasmashinggoodtime.Specialthanksgoouttoallthehard-workingvolunteersandtheCountyfortheirgeneroussupportandsponsorshipof$7,000.AnotheraspectofthiseventwastoraisemoneyforupgradestotheWokingPublicPlayground,whichamountedto$2,095.It’ssafetosaythatthecollaborationbetweentheWestmarkandWokingorganizationswasahugesuccess,andwillsurelyhappenagaininthefuture.


TheWokingskatingrinkwasagreatadditiontothecommunity.Therinkservesthecommunitybutitalsodrawspeoplefromothercommunities.Peoplecomewithfriendsandfamilytoenjoyoneofthegreatestactivitiesthewintermonthscanoffer.Therinkisalsoutilizedbytheschoolasapartoftheirphysicaleducationcurriculum.Theicesurfaceandchangeroomshavetimesensoredlightsmakingitpossibleforthefacilitytobeusedduringtheevening.

TheWokingSkatingRinkAssociation(WSRA)hasinstalledregulationbasketballnetssothatthespaceisstillbeingusedduringthespringandsummermonths.Therehasbeendiscussiononotherwaysthatthespacecouldbeusedtoitsfullestpotential.Volunteershavealsodonatedmuchtimeintheimprovementofthegroundsaroundtheskatingrink.

Thispastwinter,theWSRA,incollaborationwithCiB,WWWandmembersofWestmark,putontheirfirstFamilyFunSkateNightthatishopedtobecomeabi-annualevent.

Family Fun Skate Night in Woking

Closetothirty-fiveWoking&arearesidentscameouttotheWokingOutdoorSkatingRink,onMarch10th,foraneveningoffamilyfunfilledwithskating,roastingwienersandmarshmallows,sippingonhotchocolateandvisitingaroundthecampfire.AneventthatwashostedbytheWokingSkatingRinkAssociationandsponsoredbyLynne&MickeyMuehrer,aswellastheWokingCommunitiesinBloomandWokingWillingWorkers,ishopedtobecomeanannualcommunitygatheringatleastonceaseason.

AsidefromthegenerosityoftheMuehrers,thiseventandtheiceskatingseasonwouldnothavebeenpossibleifnotforthededicationofGarryWurmandGeraldOltmanswhokepttheiceclearedandreadyallwinterlong,whichwasnosmallfeatwithallthesnowthatfellthisyear;butalsoforthekindnessofTourmaline.Theirlocalcrewprovidedthewaterfortherink,withoutwhichtherewouldnothavebeenanyicetoskateon.Vertexalsosuppliedtheyear-roundoutdoorlavatory.


Chinook Valley Golf Course

ChinookValleyGolfCourseislocatedontheBurntRiver,just5kmwestofWoking.Thegolfcoursewasbuiltbylocalentrepreneurs,in1990.Throughplanninganddesign,afarmfieldandgravelyardwasconstructedintoasplendidcourse,usingthenaturallayoftheland.Currentowners,DianeandRandallReiman,haveoperatedthisnine-holegolfcoursesinceJanuary2005.

Thecourseismadeupofseveraldifferentkindsofgrass.Thegreensaremadefrombentgrasswhichiscuteachday.ThefairwaysaremadeoutofablendofCreepingRedFescueandKentuckyBlueGrass.

ThecourseisquiteestheticallypleasingandhasaniceviewasitrunsalongtheBurntRiver.Thecoursehasanumberofwaterholesandseveralsandtrapsthatcausethecoursetobemorechallenging.Thewateringholesandwell-keptgrassmakesforabeautifullandscape.

Theyareexploringtheoptionofincreasingtheircampingandhopetobeputtingtheseplansinmotioninthenearfuture.

Residential

NeighboursandvolunteersmaintaintheWokingPublicPlayground,whichmakeitanenjoyableplaceforfamiliesandchildrentoplay.AttherequestoftheWokingCommunity,SaddleHillsCountyinspectedtheequipmentlastfallandrealizeditwastimefornewequipment.Ifallgoesasplanned,thenewequipmentshouldbeinstalledbyJuly25th.

Residentssharetheirknowledgeonhowtrees,flowersandotherplantsgrowbasedonwhateachplantneedstothriveinourzone.

Wokingisdistinctlyanagriculturalcommunity,cattleandgrainoperationsbeingofvastnumbers.Wheat,barley,oats,peasandcanolaareallcropsthatcanbefoundinthefieldsthatsurroundWoking.



Blooms for Birds, Bees and Butterflies

Twoyearsago,CiBcreatedanewflowerbedoutofarustichandmadewagon.Boththewood-burnedsignandthewagonweredesignedandbuiltbytwoofourtalentedvolunteersinthecommunity.Thisnewproject’stitlewasBloomsforBirds,BeesandButterflies.IthasbecomeafocalpointinitsnewhomelocatedintheDayUsePark.Eachyearbeautifulwildflowersareplantedinthewagontofeedpollinators.

Ourcommunitymembersareexpertsintheircraft.ManypeoplehavevolunteeredtheirskillfulhandiworktodesignandcreatetheuniquepiecesthatareintheDayPark.

Beehivescanbefoundinmanyfarmer’sfields.Thebeespollinatethefloweringcropswhentheyaregatheringthepollentofeedthecolony.Beesalsosuckupthenectarfromtheflowerthroughtheirtubulartongue.Thenectarisstoredintheirsecond“justforhoney”stomachwhich,whenfilled,canweighuptoasmuchasthebee!Thebeebringsthenectarbacktothehivetocontinuetheprocessofbeingtransformedintohoney.Beesandfarmingareessentialtothefutureofourworld.


1.Wokingentrysignneedsmaintenance

AsnotedintheLandscapeCriteriaundertheMunicipalheading,thesignshavebeenrevitalizedbytheoriginalartist.

2.Continuetopromotexeriscapepractices.“CreatingthePrairieXeriscape”-bookrecommendedbyJudges

ThelocallibraryhaspurchasedacopyandexpectsittoarriveinSeptember.

3.CommunityDemonstrationGardenfornewresidentstolearnfrom

Thiswasnotcreated,howevertheWokingSchoolhasacommunitygarden.RefertotheEnvironmentalCriteriaundertheheadingBusinesses/InstitutionsonPage14&15.

4.PlanforCanada150Celebration

RefertoLandscapeCriteriaundertheheadingBusinesses/InstitutionsonPage35.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Floral Displays39

Floral Displays

Municipal

SaddleHillsCountycontinuestoprovideanannualbudgetforCiBtoplantandmaintainthecommunityfloraldisplays.

InconsiderationofthehardworkanddedicatedeffortsofCiB,SaddleHillsCountyinstalledawaterlineatthesiteatnocost.Theyhavealsogenerouslydonatedthewatertobeusedtonourishtheflowersandtrees.

Maureenexhibitsherhorticulturaltalentswiththefloralcontainers,attheWokingWaterTreatmentPlant.

Woking Municipal Library

WokingMunicipalLibraryisoneofthreelibrariesinSaddleHillsCounty.AllthreelibrariessharethesameuniquedistinctionofbeinghousedwithinPublicSchoollibraries.ThelibraryinWokingopeneditsdoorinMarchof2012.TheLibrarycontinuestoevolvewithcommunityandtechnology.

Todaythelibraryhasacollectionofover2300booksandagrowingcollectionofmoviesandTVseries;patronshavetheabilitytoaccessanybook,DVD,etc.inAlberta.Inadditionthereareavarietyofprogramsavailabletoanyonewithalibrarycard.

Thefollowingisabriefoverviewofprogramsaccessibleon-lineandonApps.

Hoopla–downloadmovies,TVshows,musicalbumsandsomeaudiobooks

Overdrive–downloadableeBooksandaudiobooks

RBDigital–Approximately200magazinetitlesavailable

PronunciatorandTransparentlanguages–learnanewlanguagesuchasFrench,Spanish,Creeandmanymore.

GrantConnect–asearchtoolforavailablegrantsinyourarea

Ancestry.ca–Researchyourfamilytree(availableonthepubliccomputerinthelibrary)

ConsumerReport-Checkoutyournextpurchaseanditsrecommendation/ratings

Lynda.com–freecoursesinnumerousareasofinterest.Singinglessonstographicdesign,computerbasicstophotography,somecoursesevenissuecertificates.

Thelibrary,withthesupportofWokingWillingWorkers,playsmonthlymoviesfortheenjoymentofeveryonenearandfar.Moviesareheldatthecommunityhallwithalittleconcessionstandcompletewithlotsoftreats.


Woking General Store

Woking’sGeneralStoreistheremainingnotablesiteinthehamletandcontinuestoprovideservicestothecommunityandarea.Thestorewasbuiltin1955andpresentownerisDorleenCampbell.Sheenjoysplantingandtendingtoherbeautifulassortmentofflowersthatenhancethestorefrontoutside.


TheLibraryhasbeendevelopingvariousprogramsforthecommunity’sparticipation.

DrummingCircle–Therewasanexcellentturnoutwithawiderangeofages.Lotsofenthusiasmandfunwasenjoyedbyeveryone,youngandold.

HerbalTalk-Twoladies,Anne,ownerofalocalgreenhouseandCindy,anherbalist,didapresentationonherbshowtogrowthemandthehealthbenefitsofthevariousplants.Theturnoutwasfantastic,witheveryoneinattendancethoroughlyenjoyingtheevening.CommunitiesinBloompartneredwiththeLibrary,providingsnacks,beveragesandtheirgenerousparticipationintheevent.

Summerof2017theLibraryranasummerprogramwithCanada150asatheme.WeeklytriviaquestionswerepostedonFacebookwithparticipantscompetingtowinakindle.

Summerof2018thelibrary’ssummerprogramisaboutjournalingyoursummer.Lookingtoinspirecreativityandfreethinking,participantsareaskedtodocumenttheirsummerinwhichevermediumtheychosesuchaspainting,music,photography,writing,quilting,gardeningetc.GrandprizethisyearisaniPadsothewinnercanenjoyalltheamazingappsofferedbythelibrary.

Someupcomingeventsthelibraryisworkingonareanauthortour,aphotographygroup,aswellasafewsurprises.


Residential

TheresidentsinWokingthattakeprideincreatingandmaintainingabeautifulyard.Citizenshaveingreenhousegardening,xeriscaping,rockgardensandflowerbeds,ediblegardensplantholders,butterflygardens,compostingandseeding“wildflowers”intheirgardens.Prolificflowerarrangementscontinuetobeagreatpartoftheresidentialshowcase.

Hidden Treasures

KarenandLeonDregerarethe3rdgenerationofeachoftheirfamilieswhohavemadetheirhomeintheCentralPeace.Leon’sgrandparentshadsettledintheWokingarea,whileKaren’sgrandfathertravelledfromEnglandtoCanadain1911.In1920,heandhisnewbride(Karen’sgrandmother)cametotheRycroftareatohomesteadalongtheBurntRivereastofRycroft.

Today,youwillfindthehomeofKarenandLeonDregernestledinthefarthestsoutheastcornerofWoking,surroundedbyalongdrivewayofnativetreesandplants.Karenrecallsthat27yearsago,whentheypurchasedtheirproperty,thegrasswasashighasthewindowsonthehouse–theonlybuildingthatexistedatthattime–andtheycouldonlygettothebackfieldbyapaththroughthetreesasaccesstothefield.Itbecameamissionofloveastheydidalotofworktolandscapetheiryardanddevelopthefarmland.

Now,springisarewardingtimeforKarenasthefragrantpurplelilacbushesandthetinyflowersfromtheSchubertchokecherrytreescometolifeinherfrontyard.Shelikestobeoutintheyardandenjoysalltheworkthatgoeswithit.KarenbeginsplantingbythemiddleofMay.GardeningcomesnaturallytoKarenasshelovesthevisualappealthattheassortedplantsandflowersdisplaythroughouttheseason.Shegrowsanassortmentoffruitandvegetables,suchascabbage,spaghettisquash,strawberries,cucumbersandRapunzeltomatoesinhergreenhouse,inlargewatercontainerstypically


usedforsheep.ShealsogrowsFernleafdill,herbs,carrotsandgreensinherraisedgardenbed.Kareniswellversedinwhatgrowswellinournorthernclimate.

Karentravelstoallthelocalgreenhousestofindtheperfectblendofcolorsfortheplantgroupingsthatbloomintheiryardfromspringtofall.Itisalsoveryimportanttohertohavespecificflowerstoattractpollinators,suchasbeesandhummingbirds.

Karenhasseveralhistoricalfamilytreasuresthatarethefocalpointinherflowerbeds.Oneartifactofparticularinterestwashergreat,greatuncle’swagon,whichheusedtotransportcreamtoRycroft.Itwasrescuedfromthefamilybarnandbroughttotheirfarmwhereitwastransformedintoaflowerplanterthatkindlesfondmemoriesofyearsgoneby.Karen’smotheralsousedtoshipcream.ShehadtwomilkcowsandwouldseparatethecreamfromthemilkandsaveitincreamcanstotaketothedairyinRycroft.Thecreamcansarealsoondisplay.Theycaptureyoureyeandpiqueyourcuriosityinexploringthespectaculararrangementsoftheflowersandfindingotheruniquepieces,includingintentionallyplacedornamentalwoodandstone.



Volunteersparticipateintheplantingofdynamicdisplays.


1.Incorporatemoreperennialsintofloraldisplays

TheCiBmembersaregoingtoassesswhattheycurrentlyhavebeforemakinganydecisions.Thereareperennialsinthecarenbed,atthecommunityhall.

2.Addspringbulbs(it'sonouragendatodiscuss)

3.FloralDisplaysforCanada150

CiBpurchasedredandwhitepetunias.Additionally,asnotedabove,thelibraryhadspecialCanada150activitiesthatcanbefoundonPage40.

Communities in Bloom 2018 Summary46

Summary

WokinghasbeenparticipatinginCommunitiesinBloomsince2009.ThecommunityofWokinghasbeenenthusiasticabouttheirCiBendeavoursandhopethatthiscarriesonintofutureyears.

Withthenumerousimprovementsthathavetakenplace,theHamletofWokingcontinuestodemonstratecommunityvitalityanddedicationtomakingourlittlepieceoftheworldshine.

CiBwouldliketothanktheresidentsofWokingandareafortheircontinueddevotiontothecommunityandtoCiB.WewouldalsoliketothankSaddleHillsCountyfortheircontinuedsupport,astheyareahugepartofWokingCiB'sSuccess.

Hamlet of Woking©2018 Communities in Bloom Profile Book

Design by Denise van RootselaarContent & Layout byPatty Rolinger & Denise van Rootselaar

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