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Woot Woot!! 🔥🔥🔥 Here’s your totals after 4 weeks! Things are heating up! Finish week 5 strong friends!     The Tragically Fit 5600 Coronitas 5600 Estrogen Express 5485 FFAS Twoonies 5415 Spike Rules 5225 The 4 Amigas 5215 Not Slim KINda Shady 5150 Ma-KIN-it-Work 5100 Hubba Hubba 5055 RadioHeads 5010 The Hungry Games 4995 […]

In our info session this week we are joined by both Mary and Tracy.  We learn about the benefits of reading, bedtime stories, 15 bedtime rituals and an evening wind down.

Week #4’s theme is PLAY.  So in our info session this week Zumba instructor Amber Kenney joined us to talk about adding active & fun play into our lives. Plus she takes us through a quick 20 minute zumba class.

If you haven’t had the chance to meet Lisa Szabon-Smith from The Hub PT: Fitness and Nutrition yet – let us introduce you.  She is a professional athlete and coach!  She’s awesome! She has created for us an ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ workout idea for us to add some activity to our wellness challenge, […]

Welcome to our Info Session # 3! Darlene Donovan – Parks & Facilities Supervisor with the Town of High River joins us for Week 3 – Mental Health – – to talk about the mental benefits of gardening.  Thank you also to her lovely assistant Tracy Morgan.    

Ok…those who like a little FRIENDLY COMPETITION….this is the post you have been waiting for!!   POINTS REVEAL!!!   Spike Rules                       1400 Coronitas                          1400 The 3 Amigas & 1 Amigo 1400 The Tragically […]

Bruce Masterman joined us for Info Session #2.  A chat about nature and self-care.   Bruce shares with us how research shows exposure to nature reduces stress.  He share tips on how to connect with nature while staying safe during Covid-19.  Plus he tells us “give yourself permission to take a break.”  

Carol MacMillan joined us for Info Session #1 to talk about ergo-dynamics, the structure of routine (and why it’s important and mental well-being.

Part of the fun with the 10th High River Community Wellness Challenge is an opportunity to learn to run!  (yes, what you learned as a child needs to be built on!)  All kidding aside we are thrilled to have Paige Valgardson teaching us how to go from couch to 5km. Each week on the High […]

2020 marks the 10th year for the High River Community Wellness Challenge.  Considering Covid-19 restrictions, the group wasn’t sure what the future would hold for the challenge.  After much discussion all members felt that this year it was needed more than ever, with a few tweaks and adjustments for our current situation, the challenge will […]

VIRTUAL EDITION Welcome to the 10th High River Community Wellness Challenge.  In light of Covid-19 but we have adjusted the information/sessions and connections online to continue with this annual event in our community. Our Committee is made up of a group of passionate people who care about health and wellness in High River.  This challenge is fun, […]

Karen Dees has been an active community High Riverite since 2004.  When she’s not chasing around her three boys, or at work,  she is volunteering.  You may recognize her as she may have recently been knocking at her door as she worked on the Town of High River’s Census or helping you out at a […]

Are you ready to think about January? (Don’t throw anything!) I know Christmas is out before Halloween and it’s almost time for Valentine’s displays…we are bombarded with thinking ahead.  But hear me out!  2020 is going to be full of community-awesomeness!  Starting out with the annual Community Summit January 23-25, 2020!! We want you to […]

Craig Carswell is a born and raised High Riverite.  He works at Agriterra and runs his own recording studio in town called RedBlack Recording.  He keeps even busier these days since he and his wife have welcomed a son into their family…just 4 months ago. You’ve probably seen or heard him playing tunes in our community […]

It’s a pretty cool story of overcoming and working together. Amara and her horse Allie (also known as Dragon) have had a challenging rodeo season together this year.  Back in June (which is typically the start of rodeo season) Allie (Dragon) had to vet out and take some time off….she didn’t rodeo for over 6 […]

I NEED HELP Asking for help can be hard. “I need help” –  3 little words, why is it so hard??  Even when we have to physically move something big we try to do it ourselves first. Let’s think about moving a big table.  First we look at it, hmmm… maybe I can move it.  […]

She’s a new mom (5 months now) and a realtor with Century 21…High River, meet Tricia Rakos.  She moved into our community in 1989.  She’s a highly involved volunteer.  She sits on a Town of High River Board and Committee (You may have seen her in their recent recruitment campaign) and she’s been very involved […]

High River, meet Jim Graham.  He’s been in our community for over 40 years.  He served as a School Teacher, Principal and School Division District Supervisor before retiring.  Now, he keeps busy as a grandpa to three kiddos and as a volunteer!  (#funfact he’s been on a Town of High River Board/Committee for over 25 […]

With Summer half-way through there is still lots of time to get the family out for fun in High River.  Although there are many things to do in our town, we complied a Top Five list to get you started. The Highwood River This amazing river that runs through High River originates in the Rockies […]

While drinking a cup of tea and reflecting this morning the thought popped into my head about self-care in the summer.  Is this easier because the weather is nice, and you feel like you are “allowed” to relax more, or you can go outside for that nature boost?  Or, is it harder because your kids […]

You have to love when you search “songs about working together” and you get something this great. Our High River is about working together.  We’ve talked about it before here and here. Sounds great – right? The reality though…sometimes you just want to pick up your ball and go home. Why can’t we all just get along? […]

Let us introduce you to High River’s Country Music sweetheart Lyndsay Butler.  She grew up in our community, and currently lives in Foothills County – more directly Gladys Ridge.  She is a Canadian country music recording artist and songwriter who has recently been accepted into an artist development contest with Alberta Music called Project Wild.  […]

Spring has sprung a little late this year and I’m a little shocked at how strongly I’m reacting to the green and to the leaves on tree’s!  If you see a woman in a red car smiling from ear to ear and whooping about a burst of color – that’s me.    Emotions can be […]

Meet Karon Argue, a local illustrator and artist.  She has lived in High River for the past 18 years with her husband Darren and three children.  She is a former business owner (Gecko Graphics) and published author/illustrator. That list alone makes Karon a pretty amazing member of our community.  However she’s got a pretty cool […]

This is Canadian Mental Health Association Week (May 6-12, 2019) “Mental health is a state of well-being, and we all have it. We might have a mental illness, and we might not. Either way, we can all feel well. We can all have good mental health. It is about having a sense of purpose, strong […]

We have a great opportunity before us to ‘Up the Grade’ from our 2018 Vital Signs Report in Environment.  As a community we gave our town a B+ in this key area of life.   We celebrated the following three areas: The number of natural spaces and parks that are easy to access. The opportunities for […]

Collaboration is a process of participation through which people, groups, and organizations work together to achieve desired results. Collaborations accomplish shared vision, achieve positive outcomes for the audiences they serve, and build an interdependent system to address issues and opportunities. Doesn’t that sound amazing? It’s a common goal within all community.  It’s really a part of what we […]

She hails from Chihuahua Mexico but has called High River home, with her family, for the past ten years.  Let us introduce to you Laura Suarez.  She works with the FCIS (Foothills Community Immigrant Services) Team in High River helping new Canadian families get situated and learn about the community. What is your favorite thing […]

It’s National Volunteer Week and the Town of High River officially declared it for our community on Monday April 8th, 2019 when they raised the volunteer flag outside town hall. The Town hands out the awards to the Volunteers of Year winners on Tuesday night April 9th, 2019. No surprise this event has SOLD OUT […]

I think we (sometimes) take for granted all the things we share as a community.  We love our community, without question.  But when is the last time you slowed your busy and reflected on that?  I admit, with the schedule I keep – I am guilty of not doing that.  But this morning watching a […]

Another 2019 Community Summit Actionator from our summit is Michael Koehler.  He shared with the community his idea to vision to in-progress for The Venue and the creation of the High River Performing Arts Society. Michael and his family (wife Lori and daughters Anna and Grace) have lived in High River for 13 years.  He spends […]

Let us introduce to you another one of our 2019 Summit Actionators – Alaine Kowal. She moved to High River with her family in 2006 from Boston.  Not surprising this mover/shaker in our community has a few things on the go.  Outside of her busy family life she works at the Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society, […]

Being in a room of people who love their community is electrifying. From January 24- 26 Our High River hosted our 5th Annual Community Summit. The evening of the 24th was ‘Summit Lite’ including appetizers and Actionators – a little taste of Summit.  Friday was an invite out to other communities to look at Our ‘Tools […]

Meet Wade Nelson, a Rancher in the County of Foothills…Father, Husband, Volunteer, Actionator!  You may or may not recognize the Nelson name…as his Great-Grandfather moved into our area before the war…so they’ve been ranching here for almost 100 years. (Talk about deep roots…) When we called Wade to find out a little more about what […]

Our next eight ‘Humans of High River” were the 2019 ‘Actionators’ at the Community Summit.  Chosen to speak to share because they are people who say yes, people who volunteer, people who take action in our town. Meet Amanda Pawlitzki.   She is a Health Coach and Barre Instructor who moved to High River when she […]

You’ve probably seen this new power-couple of High River on the news in the past few weeks.  Their love story went a little viral after the release of their 2018 Christmas card and announcement of engagement.  Alyssa Briggs and Steve McMasters were featured on Global News, The Daily Hive, B-93, Kool FM, Battlefords Now, Lethbridge […]

I recently took part in a (Re)Connection Challenge from Dr. Jody Carrington via social media and it inspired me to create something similar for our community for 2019.  It will be fun! Print off this calendar, save it to your phone or email ourhighriver@gmail.com if you want one emailed to you. Track your progress on […]

I was invited to be the guest of honour at the 187 Foothills Air Cadet Squadron Mess Dinner this year. It was so cool to see what this group does, learn more about them and share in a special evening.  The staff, parents and cadets are so awesome and kind. This packed house full of […]

She’s known as the one of the most decorated Mortgage Brokers in Canada. Our Yousra Jomha was just awarded the honour of being named a ‘Woman of Influence in 2018’ in all of Canada in her industry to add to that list of accolades. She is proud of all these accomplishments, but when you sit […]

Meet 12-year-old Carter Wilson of High River. This born & raised kid of our community is on cloud nine these days.  In December he’s headed to Las Vegas!  Not your usual child destination, but when you’re a rodeo kid there’s no place you’d rather be than Vegas during Wrangler National Finals Rodeo time! A year […]

We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.   As we move out of American Thanksgiving and towards the holidays our radio, television and computers are spewing a constant babble of Black Friday deals.  Tomorrow it will change it’s tune to Cyber Monday and beyond that you will be poked, prodded […]

Community is built on relationships and relationships are built on communication.  Despite the importance of these three things- essential to our physical and mental health- we usually just let it happen.  While we spend hours learning other things, playing games, we rely on the communication we picked up along the way.  We wing it. Communication […]

Meet Jaden Holle of High River.  A dynamic, out-going and community enthusiastic citizen.  She was born & raised in High River and graduated from Notre Dame Collegiate.  Holle is the Chad Besplug Invitational Rodeo Queen (Claresholm) and is competing in the Miss Rodeo Canada contest.  She is headed to Red Deer this week (Oct. 29-Nov. […]

What are we focusing on? First impressions are very, very fast – science says less than 1/10th of a second.  Snap.  Decisions made.  Does this mean it needs to stay that way?  As the duckrabbit picture shows we can look longer and see more. How long are we willing to look? At the most basic […]

The ‘Our High River Wisenheimers’ will be defending their championship title this Saturday at the Grate Groan Up Spelling Bee. The trophy has spent the last year in our office and Fawna wanted to make sure that she knows she’s well-loved.  The bond between Fawna and Trophy was deeper than we first thought. Upon further […]

A Good Trade :  Judgement for Curiosity Do you remember the scenes in Dances with Wolves where they talked about a good trade? Don’t worry, I’m going to put them right here, doesn’t Kevin Costner look young?   I spent this past week in training with 12 other professionals.  This training, creating emotional safe spots, […]

Okay, deep breathe in, and out.  One more time.  This might be your first deep breath since the month started and she’s already ½ over!  September is full on go time as school kicks in, everyone is back from summer vacation and the years end seems to be hurtling at us at full speed. As […]

Wrapping the community around our schools. In these polarizing and passionate times there are still a few things we can agree upon.  One of them is that education is important.   An even greater unifier is that our kids are important.  It takes a village to raise a child is more than a great poster, […]

Express Yourself Do you feel like you are safe to be yourself in High River? As Alberta becomes increasingly diverse we are seeing the small town emerge from a place where people have a relatively similar background and mindset to a place where difference cultures, ideals and lifestyles are increasingly intermingled.  In a healthy ecosystem […]

In a world that’s more connected than ever, evidence is showing that people are lonelier. Even to the degree that the United Kingdom has a department and a Minister of Loneliness!! Loneliness is a state of mind, it is a universal human experience and can be rooted in a lot of different causes – here’s […]

Here’s a chance to shine the light on our fourth “God-Mother.”  We lovingly came up with this nickname for the four executive directors of the social profit agencies celebrating 20 years in our community.  These four women have really been pioneers in paving the way to help citizens and families in High River and surrounding […]

Did you plant anything this year?  Hopeful that you’ll end up with flowers or vegetables, maybe a tree? While you’ve gone to all of that planning and effort other things pop up.  Some of these things are easy to pick out and remove, I usually go for those ones first.  Others, like the quack grass […]

Over the last few weeks we have been highlighting the 4 social profit agencies and their Executive Directors who have been servicing our community for the past 20 years. This week we introduce you to Marianne Dickson with Wild Rose Community Connections. Don’t forget coming up on Saturday August 25th – there is a BIG […]

3 times this week I’ve attempted to leave town just east of the United Church.  Three times I hit the detour sign.  I’m not going to lie, my emotional temperature went up every time.  Not a lot, I can talk myself down pretty quickly, but I felt it. How have you been doing?  Rebuilding has […]

Like we chatted with you last week, 2018 is the year 4 of our social profit agencies celebrate 20 years of service in our community.  There is a big party celebration coming up on Saturday August 25th in George Lane Park. At the helm of the Literacy for Life Foundation (one of the four agencies) […]

2018 marks the 20th Anniversary of four social-profit agencies in High River (and surrounding communities). August 25th is a big celebration in George Lane Park! On Talk of Our Town this week we salute Foothills SNAPS Executive Director Orvella Small!

Have you had a chance to read the new postive news source in High River? We are so excited for Alaine Kowal’s great idea!! Check out The Optimistic Citizen – TOC June 2018 Do you have an idea you want to share?  Book a coffee date with us and let’s chat!  Email: ourhighriver@gmail.com

by Fawna Bews As I sat in a meeting this morning – a meeting of big minds trying to figure out the current socio-political landscape (I know, silly right?) I kept getting an image of feet. As I heard the woman beside me say “I’ve always been told you need to get a thicker skin […]

by Fawna Bews There are some things we just don’t talk about.  As a couple of my colleagues said to me “we were taught that you don’t air your dirty laundry”.  Over the past few years the doors on mental health as an acceptable topic of conversation have opened up.  There was a time in […]

by Fawna Bews This week is seniors’ week and whether you are someone whose roots run very deep in the community of High River [flash quiz – who’s the current longest living resident of High River? Please message us if you know] or one of the many people who choose High River as the perfect […]

The 2018 High River Vital Signs survey is here! You have until June 4, 2018 to take the survey and share your voice. Why? You Ask? Because YOUR voice matters in our community! The information that is gathered in this survey is used by all of us (citizens), by the Town of High River and […]

Submitted by Alaine Kowal – The Optimistic Citizen Volume 1, Issue 1   Chances are good you have seen at least one of these young ladies volunteering in and around the town of High River.  If you have been living in the town longer than six months, most likely, you have seen both of them […]

Our High River and the Town of High River are inviting all residents, businesses and agencies to complete the 2018 Vital Signs survey designed to measure quality of life in High River! “This year we will be gathering information from citizens, agencies and businesses that will allow us to better understand how our community has […]