Strathmore Happy Gang

Hello, everyone!
I hope you're all well. We have a somewhat unpleasant start to the Easter long weekend and wet conditions are expected for the first half of April, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. In the meantime, we still have lots of things on the go at BTG while we wait for milder days.

Lunch Club on Tuesday & Request for Help - The Strathmore Ladies Choir, 'Seasoned with Time' will present their spring concert at this Tuesday's Lunch Club, April 7, at Lord of All Lutheran Church. Please note that we will start the program early, at 10:45 am, due to an event at the church later that afternoon. Anyone who could lend a hand with setting up some extra chairs and tables is kindly asked to come early and stay a bit late to help us get set up and out of the church by 1 pm. Many hands make light work and are much appreciated when we're under a time constriction. Our regular volunteers will be working to get the lunch out early so the extra help will be required.

Time for Decluttering & Purging, and Where to take it to get rid of it - Springtime is my favourite, in part because I feel energized to clean house and get rid of a lot of junk I've been collecting. Please see some more helpful resources that I've attached to help you get started, including where to take your stuff to get rid of it. If you are stuck and truly don't know where to start, please reach out and I can send you a more intensive guide, full of tips and information.

Cooking for One (or Two) in the County - Our next dates are in Standard on Thursday, April 9 from 1 - 3 pm, at the Young At Hearts Centre. Then we will be in Rockyford Thursday, April 23, from 1 - 3 pm at the Rockyford Friendship Centre. I will have lots of great resources and recipes to share and we will also be making some master mixes for everyone to take home, taking the guesswork out of making four biscuits or a single pancake for example, or a single serving of dessert. I will also have a coil bound copy of 'The Senior Chef' for everyone! Please register with me soon so I know how many to prepare for. Free event for those 55+.

An Introduction to Pressing Flowers & Pressed Flower Crafts - Join us in Gleichen to learn how to press flowers and make some beautiful cards on Thursday, April 30, at 1 pm at the Gleichen Community Hall. I will bring all the supplies, as well as a printed how-to, and I will rummage around and find some very fine examples created by my own Grannie. She was a master and I will pass on some of what I have learned from her to you. Please let me know if you would like to attend. Free event for those 55+.

Help Bring a CT Scanner to Strathmore - The Strathmore District health Foundation is collecting letters of support to help secure at CT scanner for our community. Please see the attachment to learn how you can help.

Happy Gang Coffee, Dessert & Talent Night - Friday, May 8, followed by a jam session. Play an instrument, sing, dance, do a magic act, or show off your hobby or craft. Participant and talent sign up sheets will be posted at th Happy Gang starting today, April 2.

Ears to You Mobile Clinic - Please see the attached poster to book an appointment with Justin from Ears to You Mobile Hearing Clinic. They will be back at the Library June 5 during Seniors' Week. These appointments fill up fast, so contact them directly to make your appointment.

Adult Respite Program - Caregiver burnout is a real issue, so please have a look at 'The Fun Bunch' adult day respite program for seniors, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Provided by Tanya from Generations of Fun.

And don't forget:

Parade of Garage Sales - The annual Parade of Garage Sales in Strathmore falls on Saturday, April 11, so consider putting in a table to get rid of the things you no longer need or want. Or, if you are anything like me, it's a great opportunity to shop for bargains. Event details can be found by searching “Strathmore Parade of Garage Sales” on Facebook. You may also register for the map by call/text (403-350-5117) or via email [email protected]

The United Church Vintage & Treasure Sale - Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18. Consider donating some quality treasures to that sale, accepted until April 13. There will be all sorts of antiques, special items, quilts, baking and a lunch you can purchase.
Volunteer Tax Program - If you require some assistance preparing your return (if you have a simple tax situation), both Strathmore and Wheatland FCSS can help you prepare and file those. Even if you don't have much income, it is important to file a return so that you may receive any benefits you qualify for. And again, FCSS can help you figure that out. Please see the attached poster for the rural tax clinics planned out in the County starting March 21. If you are rural, please phone to make an appointment at 403-934-5335, or see the website for all of the drop-in clinic dates: https://www.wfcss.org/income-tax-program.html.
If you live in Strathmore and would like help with your simple tax return, please call Strathmore FCSS at 403-934-9090 and see their website at https://www.strathmore.ca/living-here/family-community-support-services/resources-financial-support/tax-programs to see if you are eligible.

That's it for this week, friends. Look for us on Facebook - Bridging the Gap - Strathmore & Wheatland County. I often post additional resources there.

Happy Easter!

Kindest regards,



Nancy van Egmond

Tax Programs | Town of Strathmore See details about the Income Tax Program

Good day, everybody!
I hope you've all been well. What a tremendous turnout we had at Lunch Club on March 17. Special thanks to Laura Henderson from the Strathmore Library who was on hand to explain to us the many great programs and services our local library offers. And thanks to our wonderful Lunch Club volunteers who cooked us another amazing lunch!

Here's what's cookin' at BTG!

Free Matinee - I hope you can make it to our Free Seniors' Matinee today, March 19, at Joyland Theatre. Doors open at 12:30 pm, and showtime is 1 pm. Remember to bring cash for popcorn and treats!

Cooking for One (or Two) in the County - We have added our Rockyford date: Thursday, April 23, from 1 - 3 pm at the Rockyford Friendship Centre. We will also be in Carseland at the Jetsetters this Tuesday, March 24, at 1 pm, and in Standard on April 9 from 1 - 3 pm, at the Young At Hearts Centre. I will have lots of great resources and recipes to share and we will also be making some master mixes for everyone to take home, taking the guesswork out of making four biscuits or a single pancake for example, or a single serving of dessert. I will also have a coil bound copy of 'The Senior Chef' for everyone! (I had to phone the publisher and ask them nicely to print some more copies for us, and they are on the way.) Please register with me soon so I know how many to prepare for. Free event for those 55+.

An Introduction to Pressing Flowers & Pressed Flower Crafts, in Gleichen - I hope you can join us to learn how to press flowers and make some beautiful cards at our upcoming session next Thursday, March 26, at 1 pm at the Gleichen Community Hall. I will bring all the supplies, as well as a printed how-to, and I will rummage around and find some very fine examples created by my own Grannie. She was a master and I will pass on some of what I have learned from her to you. Please let me know if you would like to attend. We will reschedule if registrations are low. Free event for those 55+.

Lunch Club - Don't forget that our next Lunch Club dates are April 7 & 21. There is no Lunch Club on March 31.

Also upcoming:

Scams & Fraud Awareness - Tuesday, March 24 at 10 am at the Strathmore Library, hosted by Strathmore FCSS.

CRA and Service Canada Clinic - Get assistance with setting up your CRA and My Service Canada accounts, accessing benefits, and understanding available services. Come with your questions and receive support with government programs. Please call Strathmore FCSS to book an appointment at this clinic at 403-934-9090, or you can try scanning the QR code on the attached poster. The clinic will be held at the Library on Thursday, March 26, from 10am until 3 pm.

Volunteer Tax Program - It's tax time, people! If you require some assistance preparing your return (if you have a simple tax situation), both Strathmore and Wheatland FCSS can help you prepare and file those. Even if you don't have much income, it is important to file a return so that you may receive any benefits you qualify for. And again, FCSS can help you figure that out. Please see the attached poster for the rural tax clinics planned out in the County starting March 21. If you are rural, please phone to make an appointment at 403-934-5335, or see the website for all of the drop-in clinic dates: https://www.wfcss.org/income-tax-program.html.
If you live in Strathmore and would like help with your simple tax return, please call Strathmore FCSS at 403-934-9090 and see their website at https://www.strathmore.ca/living-here/family-community-support-services/resources-financial-support/tax-programs to see if you are eligible.

Casino Bus Trip - Another bus trip is being planned for March 31. Have a look at the attached poster.

The swans will soon be passing through on their migratory path north. If you've even wondered the difference between a mute swan, a trumpeter swan, and a tundra swan (endangered, and we do see them in this area), please have a look at this article; it even has recordings of their calls you can play to help you identify each swan: https://www.birdadvisors.com/swans-canada/

Happy first day of Spring tomorrow!

Kindest regards,



Nancy van Egmond

Program Coordinator

Bridging The Gap

[email protected]

403-934-5335 ext. 3

4 Types Of Swans In Canada (All You Need To Know) All four species of swans found in North America have been spotted in Canada. They are the Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, and Whooper Swan.