LAC LA BICHE - More than 60 Lac La Biche based community organizations, non-profit groups and sports leagues were on display for the public to connect with at the second annual Let’s Connect event, which took place on last Friday, inside the Bold Centre from 5:30-8 p.m.
The information fair was an occasion for the large group of residents who attended to learn about services offered by local organizations and explore volunteer opportunities.
The diverse selection of community organizations were represented at the 2024 Let’s Connect event included the local chapter of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, the Lakeland Out of the Elements Shelter Society, Lac La Biche’s KidSport chapter, as well as the local environmental group Healthy Waters Lac La Biche.
Julie Hink and Brian Deheer, members of Healthy Waters, were offering information and awareness about environmental stewardship in the Lac La Biche region. Using a colourful and realistic diorama, Deheer showed what a watershed is and how it works. This demonstration drew a considerable amount of interest from those who stopped by the table throughout the evening.
Hink said the annual community event is beneficial as it draws attention to the great many things that the Lac La Biche region has to offer.
“We sometimes think it’s a sleepy little place, but man, there’s a lot of stuff percolating underneath…and that’s exciting to see…and it brings people out to see it,” she told Lakeland This Week.
Brooms and rocks
With the curling season just around the corner, Lac La Biche Curling Club President Dylan Maskalyk had a booth providing information about events taking place this year and getting people signed up for league play. Maskalyk said Lac La Biche and District Curling Club season gets underway by the last week of October, with the first major event, the Oilmen’s Bonspiel, taking place in early November.
Along with several bonspiels, the club is also once again hosting ‘learn to curl’ events for community members and school class visits.
“We also have weekly night curling, drop-in curling, and also Fun Fridays once a month that anyone can attend those events to come and try it out,” he said.
Demonstrating the sport with some plastic curling rocks and brooms on the fieldhouse floor, he said curling is for any age level and any athletic ability.
With wildfire safety being a pressing concern over the past few months, members of the Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue Service had a presence at Let’s Connect providing education to those in attendance, including information about the Fire Smart program. Through this program, fire officials conduct free home assessments and free wood chipping services for residents wanting to reduce the risk of wildfires on their properties.
Lyric Jesso, a firefighter cadet said chatting with community residents about fire safety and work done by the local fire rescue service at the event was a great experience. Jesso, who was the 2023 junior citizen of the year, said a lot of people coming to the tables already knew who he was. Being a community volunteer also helped him to recognize many familiar faces at the event.
“It’s definitely nice being in a small community where I kind of know everyone,” he said, explaining that the neighbourly vibe helps makes the Connect event even better.
Amanda Cull, the current Lac La Biche 4H Club leader says that neighbourly vibe is what her organization is all about. She says the Connect night is an opportunity to showcase the local 4-H club and get people interested.
“It shows the community that there’s still a club here…some people don’t realize that it’s still in operation…and it just gives everybody time to see us,” she explained.
The 2024 Let’s Connect night also included a free barbecue meal cooked by the Lac La Biche Kinsmen club and served by members of the Portage College Voyageur’s men’s soccer team. The night also offered free giveaways and chances to win door prizes.
Let’s Connect is hosted by Lac La Biche County and is a merger between the former CARE (Community Awareness Registration Event) and Community Appreciation Day, two long-running events in Lac La Biche County.