04/17/2026
Hello, everybody! I hope you've all been well.
I have some very exciting news to share: We will be hosting a special session of Community Lunch Club this coming Tuesday, April 21,to honor National Volunteer Week! Kim's Katering will be doing the cooking that day to give our dedicated and treasured Lunch Club volunteers a break, but this lunch will also help us celebrate and recognize that every single person who attends Lunch Club is a volunteer in their own right. We have planned a special program that day and have planned for a few extra attendees, so if you know an outstanding community volunteer, please bring them along. Lunch Club starts at 11 am at Lord of All Lutheran Church. Please enter using the back door off the parking lot.
Kick Off Volunteer Week with a Volunteer Fair - Strathmore FCSS is hosting a Volunteer Fair tomorrow, Friday, April 17, from 3 - 6 pm at the Civic Centre. Come see me and other local groups and agencies to connect, and enter to win some great prizes!
Lunch & Learn - If you missed it, Rhonda and Renee from SAIL (Strathmore & Area Adult Inclusive Learning) will be back with 'Logging Off For Good' at the next Lunch & Learn at the County Office, Friday, April 24. Register by Monday: https://www.wfcss.org/lunch-and-learn-registration.html
Tech Talks - We are planning a hands-on, one-on-one tech support session with Rhonda and Renee from SAIL. I will have the registration information soon, but please save the date: Thursday, May 14, from 10 am to 12 pm.
Free Wellness Workshops - WFCSS is hosting four free wellness workshops in partnership with AHS Recovery Alberta. Professionals and the general public are invited to attend. Please see the attached poster for the sessions and dates and registration information.
Compass for the Caregiver - Caregiving can be a stressful, isolating, and overwhelming experience. The COMPASS for the Caregiver program helps caregivers balance their own well-being with the challenges of caregiving. Join our trained facilitator as she walks us through a 4-week course. Sessions will be held in person at the WFCSS office May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, 2026 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm (note new session times). Attendance at all sessions will reap maximum benefit. Additional sessions will be offered in May this year - dates to be confirmed. To register or for more information, please contact Deana Nolan at (403) 934-5335 or email: [email protected]. Wheatland FCSS will absorb the registration fee and manual costs for residents of Strathmore, Wheatland County, Hussar, Rockyford, and Standard. Many thanks to them!
Cooking for One (or Two) in Rockyford - There is still some space in our fourth and final Cooking for One workshop 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 - Please note this session is full, so please let me know if you have to cancel so I can give your space to someone else. Thursday, April 30, at 1 pm at the Gleichen Community Hall.
Here are some other events coming up in our community:
The Vault Cultural Collective - The Vault's newsletter for May is out and they have many interesting things planned, including a free jewellery making workshop to celebrate Mother's Day! Please use this link to view their newsletter: https://thevaultonline.ca/
And don't forget:
The United Church Vintage & Treasure Sale - This Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18. There will be all sorts of antiques, special items, quilts, baking and a lunch you can purchase.
Happy Gang Garage & Bake Sale - May 22 & 23. Donations for the sale will be gratefully accepted starting May 1. For more information contact Agnes or Terri.
Volunteer Tax Program - The tax deadline is just around the corner. 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.
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 parking lot June 5 during Seniors' Week. These appointments fill up fast, so contact them directly to make your appointment.
"Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in." – Unknown
That's it for this week, friends. Stay well!
Kindest regards,
Nancy van Egmond
Program Coordinator
See details about the Income Tax Program