(Page 9)
Submitted by Nicole Oliver
On September 26th the Millarville Saddle Sores 4-H Light Horse Club held their 29th annual kick off ride.
We met at the Millarville Racetrack and welcomed many new members while catching up with returning members.
The afternoon started off with our meeting and saying hello to our new executive and our leaders. We then headed off for an amazing trail ride through the Black Diamond Land and Cattle Company.
Our first meeting and ride took place the following weekend where we met our new instructor Cassandra Day and we can already tell that this is going to be a great year.
See photograph Page 9
Your source for the Good News of your community. Visit our website to view our FULL online e-edition (it's like flipping through the real thing right on your screen!) http://gatewaygazette.ca ----- Click on an article headline if you would like to read our entire publication online, in original print format. To leave a comment, click the link at the bottom of each post.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Precedence of Innovation
(Pages 10 and 11)
Geez, you know, you guys are really great. Yep, I'm talking about YOU, our readers. And you're totally supportive in your comments and feedback – thank you! I've always loved the Gazette, the concept, the purpose, right from the moment when the idea first hit me. I was so infected by the idea that my awesome Mom had very little choice but to become infected too. It was just something that made sense – to both of us. So it's not surprising that we're both still very proud and keen of our little baby. But what took us both by surprise was how our “Foundation Communities” embraced us. Black Diamond and Turner Valley first and foremost, followed by Millarville, Longview and Priddis. The eagerness to receive it, the pride in being a part of it, the loyalty to it and the protectiveness around calling it your own, taking ownership of it. We really didn't know what to expect when we took the leap of faith to give life to the Gateway Gazette. Sure we did the usual research, analyzed statistics, charted out our competition, talked with key, community leading businesses. But at the end of the day, it was the leap of faith that put the writing on the wall. Have you ever tried to gather statistical information specifically on “this” area for a particular piece of information? It's not exactly easy to find, it's rarely current and some of it simply doesn't exist.
But what I find interesting is that in a world of electronics, a world of technology, a world of iPhones and conveniences, we are beating all odds. “Print media is a dying breed” you hear it all over the place. “Print is a dinosaur – it'll never last, it's becoming obsolete.” Really? Do you honestly believe that? You know what, I can't, it is a concept that I simply can't wrap my head around. And not because my business is a print newspaper – I'm personally savvy enough with technology that if I wanted to abandon print and focus on electronic media I could do it in a heartbeat. No, I still believe in print because you still believe in it and you still want it. I balance it by making it also available online, readable in it's original print format as an e-Edition, but my #1 priority is getting that print copy in your hands every two weeks. Is print media the same today as it was 5, 10 or 25 years ago? No. Will it be the same 5, 10 or 25 years from now? No. But it's not going to disappear. It's going to evolve. To be honest, it's the daily papers who are at the highest level of risk. Before technology, a daily paper was the best and fastest way to get your full details on “hot off the presses” news. But with the evolution of the Internet, iPhones, Smartphones, Blogs, RSS Feeds, etc. by the time a daily print paper reaches most people, the “hot off the press news” is cold and old. Does the Gazette give you the instant, gotta know now, news? No. Does the Internet give you the shining highlights of your community, schools, kids and neighbours – with front and centre spotlight attention? No. Do you see where I'm going here? Do you need this kind of information to be updated by the minute? No. So tell me, is a bi-weekly, community-focused, good news newspaper going to become obsolete? No. Was the Gazette built on precedence? Did we search out and find the same concept, already succeeding, of what we wanted to do and use it as our model? No. In fact, to this day, every time I explain exactly what the Gazette is, as soon as I say “we cover good news – no doom and gloom” I get reactions of astonishment, amazement and huge kudos – “what an awesome idea – I love it – that is fantastic – I've never heard of a paper doing that”. There are more and more “good news” media outlets cropping up every day. But I am proud to say that in our neck of the woods we were among the first. Are we “flourishing” financially? No. (lol) And why? Because our prices are too low and always have been. Do we mind? No. And why? Because one of OUR goals was to enable small businesses equal opportunities to seize their piece of market share. Lots of our customers can't afford hundreds of dollars per month, but they can manage $25 or $50 – we make that possible. Are we successful? Yes. Are we financially viable? Yes. Are we dependant on some kind of supportive funding? No.
So, how many of you have jumped ahead of me and drawn your own conclusions on what exactly my point is here? Did I need a new marketing angle? No – most of you reading this aren't my target customers, at least for advertising and the paper is free, so I don't need subscriptions.
So what on earth am I getting at?! Well, let's break it down a bit…
1. Print Media is a dying breed – headed towards being obsolete.
2. There is no precedence for the Gazette concept.
3. There was no pre-existing, successful model that the Gazette was based on.
4. The Gazette is free – no subscription required, no taxpayers dollars feed it, no grants subsidize the distribution.
5. The Gazette is independently owned – not part of a bigger entity, controlled by a conglomerate or corporation.
6. The Gazette is a black sheep in the industry, going against EVERY standard industry rule that exists – even in the programs we use, but especially in the content included within.
7. The Gazette's budget changes almost every month as different components are added or removed (by-the-way, when a budget changes so would the business plan).
8. Mainstream Media/ Newspapers aren't “done” the way the Gazette is done. What we do is just “not the way it's done”.
9. Most print media are scaling back, while the Gazette is growing and expanding.
Does EVERYBODY love us? No. Does everybody agree with us or our concept? No. Did that stop us? No. Even my own husband is not a “huge” fan – he's proud of me and the Gazette, but he prefers the hard news, more sensationalism and the convenience of his iPhone. Does it cause dissension in our household? No.
How's that parallel coming along? I'm still working on gathering the facts for everyone – an awfully big job while running a business and raising a family – but I am making progress. But I have to say, IN MY OPINION (don't want any misunderstandings out there), I think Centre 78 has hit the flippin' nail on the head and sent it straight through the other side.
1. Most Community Centres don't make money and rely on tax payers funding it.
2. Most Community Centres are owned and operated by Municipalities.
Hmmmm… am I the only one that sees the connection there? No, I don't think I am, because there's still less than a dozen voices (with names to them) that are crying out against the Centre 78 concept. But they are still riding on the same points, over and over and over and…. No new objections, no facts to backup their oft repeated same objections – mostly just that “it's never been done, it's not the way it is typically done, there is no precedence, there is no pre-existing successful model to follow” I could launch into a HUGE detailing of historical events that simply crush that theory – in fact, I already have a 1200+ word article started on the topic – but suffice it to mention Karl Benz, Henry Ford, Women's Suffrage Movements – I'm sure you catch my drift.
So to be honest, the objections are getting a bit tiresome. They're unsubstantiated opinions by people who fear change, progress and thinking outside of the box. Of course this is just MY PERSONAL OPINION (don't want that missed) and I guarantee I've just ticked off at least 6 people, maybe 12, of the 20,000+ readers we circulate to, but such is life. It is what it is. Your “hot off the press” news is evolving and migrating to an electronic world. Your print media is evolving and migrating to be more local and community focused. Daily print media, as you know it now, will likely face eventual extinction. Unique print media that thinks outside the box will flourish. What on earth is wrong with the Community Centre concept evolving into a multi-use facility that can actually generate revenue and traffic and growth for its communities rather than being a burden? And please god, don't tell me “because it's never been done” – ugh!
If you're a public supporter or a closet supporter that is afraid of the pressure the opposers may place on you – have faith – you are not on your own. To be honest, there's a lot more of us than there is of them. It may not seem like it because they're so damn noisy. But think of a classroom of 30 kids – 28 are quiet, well behaved, polite and productive. 2 of them yell and scream and cause constant disruption – who gets the most attention? Who makes the most productive, forward movement and progress? If these opposers get in your face – walk away, ignore them, delete their emails or tell them to call me. You do not need to take their bullying crap. But please be fair and understand that I am talking about the “ranting bullies”. I am NOT talking about people who simply have questions, concerns or objections that they are willing to discuss in a civil, mature, respectful and open minded manner. I'm just saying, don't be afraid to step forward and speak up in support because of what reaction you might get from a handful of bullies. A bully can only be a bully if you let them.
If you're in support of this concept and would like to be a part of the solution and process to iron out kinks, brainstorm on alternatives to bona fide objections and help create the eventual picture and outcome of this project, then please step forward. Send an email, make a phone call… there may not be anything for you to do today, but in the weeks and months to come there is going to be plenty of involvement opportunity.
Geez, you know, you guys are really great. Yep, I'm talking about YOU, our readers. And you're totally supportive in your comments and feedback – thank you! I've always loved the Gazette, the concept, the purpose, right from the moment when the idea first hit me. I was so infected by the idea that my awesome Mom had very little choice but to become infected too. It was just something that made sense – to both of us. So it's not surprising that we're both still very proud and keen of our little baby. But what took us both by surprise was how our “Foundation Communities” embraced us. Black Diamond and Turner Valley first and foremost, followed by Millarville, Longview and Priddis. The eagerness to receive it, the pride in being a part of it, the loyalty to it and the protectiveness around calling it your own, taking ownership of it. We really didn't know what to expect when we took the leap of faith to give life to the Gateway Gazette. Sure we did the usual research, analyzed statistics, charted out our competition, talked with key, community leading businesses. But at the end of the day, it was the leap of faith that put the writing on the wall. Have you ever tried to gather statistical information specifically on “this” area for a particular piece of information? It's not exactly easy to find, it's rarely current and some of it simply doesn't exist.
But what I find interesting is that in a world of electronics, a world of technology, a world of iPhones and conveniences, we are beating all odds. “Print media is a dying breed” you hear it all over the place. “Print is a dinosaur – it'll never last, it's becoming obsolete.” Really? Do you honestly believe that? You know what, I can't, it is a concept that I simply can't wrap my head around. And not because my business is a print newspaper – I'm personally savvy enough with technology that if I wanted to abandon print and focus on electronic media I could do it in a heartbeat. No, I still believe in print because you still believe in it and you still want it. I balance it by making it also available online, readable in it's original print format as an e-Edition, but my #1 priority is getting that print copy in your hands every two weeks. Is print media the same today as it was 5, 10 or 25 years ago? No. Will it be the same 5, 10 or 25 years from now? No. But it's not going to disappear. It's going to evolve. To be honest, it's the daily papers who are at the highest level of risk. Before technology, a daily paper was the best and fastest way to get your full details on “hot off the presses” news. But with the evolution of the Internet, iPhones, Smartphones, Blogs, RSS Feeds, etc. by the time a daily print paper reaches most people, the “hot off the press news” is cold and old. Does the Gazette give you the instant, gotta know now, news? No. Does the Internet give you the shining highlights of your community, schools, kids and neighbours – with front and centre spotlight attention? No. Do you see where I'm going here? Do you need this kind of information to be updated by the minute? No. So tell me, is a bi-weekly, community-focused, good news newspaper going to become obsolete? No. Was the Gazette built on precedence? Did we search out and find the same concept, already succeeding, of what we wanted to do and use it as our model? No. In fact, to this day, every time I explain exactly what the Gazette is, as soon as I say “we cover good news – no doom and gloom” I get reactions of astonishment, amazement and huge kudos – “what an awesome idea – I love it – that is fantastic – I've never heard of a paper doing that”. There are more and more “good news” media outlets cropping up every day. But I am proud to say that in our neck of the woods we were among the first. Are we “flourishing” financially? No. (lol) And why? Because our prices are too low and always have been. Do we mind? No. And why? Because one of OUR goals was to enable small businesses equal opportunities to seize their piece of market share. Lots of our customers can't afford hundreds of dollars per month, but they can manage $25 or $50 – we make that possible. Are we successful? Yes. Are we financially viable? Yes. Are we dependant on some kind of supportive funding? No.
So, how many of you have jumped ahead of me and drawn your own conclusions on what exactly my point is here? Did I need a new marketing angle? No – most of you reading this aren't my target customers, at least for advertising and the paper is free, so I don't need subscriptions.
So what on earth am I getting at?! Well, let's break it down a bit…
1. Print Media is a dying breed – headed towards being obsolete.
2. There is no precedence for the Gazette concept.
3. There was no pre-existing, successful model that the Gazette was based on.
4. The Gazette is free – no subscription required, no taxpayers dollars feed it, no grants subsidize the distribution.
5. The Gazette is independently owned – not part of a bigger entity, controlled by a conglomerate or corporation.
6. The Gazette is a black sheep in the industry, going against EVERY standard industry rule that exists – even in the programs we use, but especially in the content included within.
7. The Gazette's budget changes almost every month as different components are added or removed (by-the-way, when a budget changes so would the business plan).
8. Mainstream Media/ Newspapers aren't “done” the way the Gazette is done. What we do is just “not the way it's done”.
9. Most print media are scaling back, while the Gazette is growing and expanding.
Does EVERYBODY love us? No. Does everybody agree with us or our concept? No. Did that stop us? No. Even my own husband is not a “huge” fan – he's proud of me and the Gazette, but he prefers the hard news, more sensationalism and the convenience of his iPhone. Does it cause dissension in our household? No.
How's that parallel coming along? I'm still working on gathering the facts for everyone – an awfully big job while running a business and raising a family – but I am making progress. But I have to say, IN MY OPINION (don't want any misunderstandings out there), I think Centre 78 has hit the flippin' nail on the head and sent it straight through the other side.
1. Most Community Centres don't make money and rely on tax payers funding it.
2. Most Community Centres are owned and operated by Municipalities.
Hmmmm… am I the only one that sees the connection there? No, I don't think I am, because there's still less than a dozen voices (with names to them) that are crying out against the Centre 78 concept. But they are still riding on the same points, over and over and over and…. No new objections, no facts to backup their oft repeated same objections – mostly just that “it's never been done, it's not the way it is typically done, there is no precedence, there is no pre-existing successful model to follow” I could launch into a HUGE detailing of historical events that simply crush that theory – in fact, I already have a 1200+ word article started on the topic – but suffice it to mention Karl Benz, Henry Ford, Women's Suffrage Movements – I'm sure you catch my drift.
So to be honest, the objections are getting a bit tiresome. They're unsubstantiated opinions by people who fear change, progress and thinking outside of the box. Of course this is just MY PERSONAL OPINION (don't want that missed) and I guarantee I've just ticked off at least 6 people, maybe 12, of the 20,000+ readers we circulate to, but such is life. It is what it is. Your “hot off the press” news is evolving and migrating to an electronic world. Your print media is evolving and migrating to be more local and community focused. Daily print media, as you know it now, will likely face eventual extinction. Unique print media that thinks outside the box will flourish. What on earth is wrong with the Community Centre concept evolving into a multi-use facility that can actually generate revenue and traffic and growth for its communities rather than being a burden? And please god, don't tell me “because it's never been done” – ugh!
If you're a public supporter or a closet supporter that is afraid of the pressure the opposers may place on you – have faith – you are not on your own. To be honest, there's a lot more of us than there is of them. It may not seem like it because they're so damn noisy. But think of a classroom of 30 kids – 28 are quiet, well behaved, polite and productive. 2 of them yell and scream and cause constant disruption – who gets the most attention? Who makes the most productive, forward movement and progress? If these opposers get in your face – walk away, ignore them, delete their emails or tell them to call me. You do not need to take their bullying crap. But please be fair and understand that I am talking about the “ranting bullies”. I am NOT talking about people who simply have questions, concerns or objections that they are willing to discuss in a civil, mature, respectful and open minded manner. I'm just saying, don't be afraid to step forward and speak up in support because of what reaction you might get from a handful of bullies. A bully can only be a bully if you let them.
If you're in support of this concept and would like to be a part of the solution and process to iron out kinks, brainstorm on alternatives to bona fide objections and help create the eventual picture and outcome of this project, then please step forward. Send an email, make a phone call… there may not be anything for you to do today, but in the weeks and months to come there is going to be plenty of involvement opportunity.
Gifts and Gripes - Gordan Day
(Page 11)
Dear Editor
I take umbrage to the statement that refers to the Royal Canadian Legion as a “drinking hole for old vets to exchange war stories”. There is no substantiated fact to this statement, nor does it bear any resemblance to the Legion.
The Royal Canadian Legion was organized to give support to those who returned and respect to those lost in battle and the entire earth is their sepulchre. It provides a place where our vets and families along with those who respect the cause may gather in a quiet and respectful atmosphere. The Legion makes oath to serve those who need our support, the aged and the poor, and their families. It is obligated to serve the community, the aged and the youth.
The Legion is the longest sponsor of all levels of the Boy Scout movement in this area of Canada and is also the longest sponsor of a community organized gymnastics in Canada. It annually holds Hallowe'en, Easter and Christmas parties for hundreds of children and donates to other youth groups as well as the sponsor for scholarships for our high schools. Branch 78 also supports the national Legion Track & Field Camps at which some of our athletes have gained national placement. The Branch has also provided for special needs to our aging seniors including scooters and other personal needs. Branch 78 pioneered the home monitoring program providing security for those seniors living in their own homes.
Many have the advantage of our pool and darts program and many of our seniors enjoy crib nights. It is of interest to note that the majority of the players do not drink.
Family dinners are available providing an opportunity for our veterans to enjoy socializing with their grandchildren as well as other youth and families in the area.
Our veterans offered their lives and health for our protection so that we can enjoy the benefits of living in one of the greatest nations on earth. In response, the Legion recognizes this with dinners for our vets, Salute to Holland and the honouring of our Armed Forces.
To my observance, the degrading statement was to draw the library out of the agreement of being part of Centre 78 – a financially logical project that was drawing the communities together for a common good. The withdrawal from the agreement has exploded the congenial atmosphere to a divisiveness and confusion which hasn't existed for decades. The vitriolic attitude against the Legion is not only degrading but without substance. Having been an educator in the community I have spent many years up to 15 hours a day to assist in the provision for education, healthy activities for our youth, community, elderly and veterans.
To refer to the Legion as a “drinking hole” is an ignorant and derogatory remark – one that is definitely unpatriotic and in some nations would be on the borderline of treasonous. It is the utmost of insults to those who fought, suffered unimaginably and many died for our cause. To be unjustly accosted with this statement is an insult to them and indeed our country.
Because of these veterans, our streets are not armoured leaving individuals, whose only mission is self-serving, the freedom to actually make inflammatory statements without being arrested.
I personally have no tolerance for individuals who author such attitudes and wonder why they have to be so self-centered that they cannot simply say THANKS.
Sincerely
Gordon Day
All “Letters To The Editor” are more than welcome at the Gateway Gazette and whenever possible we will endeavour to print them. We reserve the right to edit or not publish submissions if they are in extreme bad taste, vulgar or could do damage to other specific persons. Please note that published submissions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Gateway Gazette, staff, associates or family. The Gateway Gazette (along with anyone connected to the Gateway Gazette) does not assume any liability or responsibility in light of the opinions of others. With all of that out of the way, please feel free to send us your thoughts or opinions, preferably by email at: gazette@telus.net, you can fax them to: 938-2473, or you can drop them off in our drop-box at Coyote Moon in Turner Valley or at Pharmasave in Black Diamond.
Dear Editor
I take umbrage to the statement that refers to the Royal Canadian Legion as a “drinking hole for old vets to exchange war stories”. There is no substantiated fact to this statement, nor does it bear any resemblance to the Legion.
The Royal Canadian Legion was organized to give support to those who returned and respect to those lost in battle and the entire earth is their sepulchre. It provides a place where our vets and families along with those who respect the cause may gather in a quiet and respectful atmosphere. The Legion makes oath to serve those who need our support, the aged and the poor, and their families. It is obligated to serve the community, the aged and the youth.
The Legion is the longest sponsor of all levels of the Boy Scout movement in this area of Canada and is also the longest sponsor of a community organized gymnastics in Canada. It annually holds Hallowe'en, Easter and Christmas parties for hundreds of children and donates to other youth groups as well as the sponsor for scholarships for our high schools. Branch 78 also supports the national Legion Track & Field Camps at which some of our athletes have gained national placement. The Branch has also provided for special needs to our aging seniors including scooters and other personal needs. Branch 78 pioneered the home monitoring program providing security for those seniors living in their own homes.
Many have the advantage of our pool and darts program and many of our seniors enjoy crib nights. It is of interest to note that the majority of the players do not drink.
Family dinners are available providing an opportunity for our veterans to enjoy socializing with their grandchildren as well as other youth and families in the area.
Our veterans offered their lives and health for our protection so that we can enjoy the benefits of living in one of the greatest nations on earth. In response, the Legion recognizes this with dinners for our vets, Salute to Holland and the honouring of our Armed Forces.
To my observance, the degrading statement was to draw the library out of the agreement of being part of Centre 78 – a financially logical project that was drawing the communities together for a common good. The withdrawal from the agreement has exploded the congenial atmosphere to a divisiveness and confusion which hasn't existed for decades. The vitriolic attitude against the Legion is not only degrading but without substance. Having been an educator in the community I have spent many years up to 15 hours a day to assist in the provision for education, healthy activities for our youth, community, elderly and veterans.
To refer to the Legion as a “drinking hole” is an ignorant and derogatory remark – one that is definitely unpatriotic and in some nations would be on the borderline of treasonous. It is the utmost of insults to those who fought, suffered unimaginably and many died for our cause. To be unjustly accosted with this statement is an insult to them and indeed our country.
Because of these veterans, our streets are not armoured leaving individuals, whose only mission is self-serving, the freedom to actually make inflammatory statements without being arrested.
I personally have no tolerance for individuals who author such attitudes and wonder why they have to be so self-centered that they cannot simply say THANKS.
Sincerely
Gordon Day
All “Letters To The Editor” are more than welcome at the Gateway Gazette and whenever possible we will endeavour to print them. We reserve the right to edit or not publish submissions if they are in extreme bad taste, vulgar or could do damage to other specific persons. Please note that published submissions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Gateway Gazette, staff, associates or family. The Gateway Gazette (along with anyone connected to the Gateway Gazette) does not assume any liability or responsibility in light of the opinions of others. With all of that out of the way, please feel free to send us your thoughts or opinions, preferably by email at: gazette@telus.net, you can fax them to: 938-2473, or you can drop them off in our drop-box at Coyote Moon in Turner Valley or at Pharmasave in Black Diamond.
Halloween Horror House
(Page 14)
By Todd 'Tombstone' Curran
On October 29th, as Turner Valley School kids prepared to crusade for candy, they were hijacked by Halloween and rerouted to the Legion and Lions Club Spook House.
Just in its second year, word of the Children's Spook House is getting around. “We had over 30 kids come through last night,” says Spook House brainchild Jessica 'Freakshow' Friesen. “And then all the Turner Valley School students today. We spooked 'em good!”
I walk through the basement door and am gathered into the clutches of a spooky assault with tortured screams and moving black walls. The walls are black plastic, rippling with basement air that projects movement in front and behind you. It's darker than a reaper's eye socket and there's no telling when an escaped mental patient might spring from the shadows and bust into your skull, or worse yet, the Monster Mash.
Jessica and the other Legion bar staff spent 10 days decorating the basement of the building with sizzling electric chairs, gory dungeons & cannibalistic picnic caskets, and it was worth every creepy minute. “The amount of people that she's scared the last few days is phenomenal,” says Legion Branch Manager Tyler 'Bats for Breakfast' Bray. “She even got ME good yesterday.”
But Jessica and her sinister minions might not be the only ones putting up a fright. “There was an old caretaker named Bill that died in the building,” Tyler says. “It's an old building, but when the music comes on by itself or the printer starts shooting paper, we think it's Bill just having some fun with us.” That story should raise the hair of a few grade school goblins!
“We've had a lot of kids thanking us and saying how much they enjoyed it,” says Lions Club Dead President Dave Parsons. Open like a wound from October 28th to 31st, the Children's Spook House had a horrifying Halloween run and it'll be back next year…with a vengeance.
By Todd 'Tombstone' Curran
On October 29th, as Turner Valley School kids prepared to crusade for candy, they were hijacked by Halloween and rerouted to the Legion and Lions Club Spook House.
Just in its second year, word of the Children's Spook House is getting around. “We had over 30 kids come through last night,” says Spook House brainchild Jessica 'Freakshow' Friesen. “And then all the Turner Valley School students today. We spooked 'em good!”
I walk through the basement door and am gathered into the clutches of a spooky assault with tortured screams and moving black walls. The walls are black plastic, rippling with basement air that projects movement in front and behind you. It's darker than a reaper's eye socket and there's no telling when an escaped mental patient might spring from the shadows and bust into your skull, or worse yet, the Monster Mash.
Jessica and the other Legion bar staff spent 10 days decorating the basement of the building with sizzling electric chairs, gory dungeons & cannibalistic picnic caskets, and it was worth every creepy minute. “The amount of people that she's scared the last few days is phenomenal,” says Legion Branch Manager Tyler 'Bats for Breakfast' Bray. “She even got ME good yesterday.”
But Jessica and her sinister minions might not be the only ones putting up a fright. “There was an old caretaker named Bill that died in the building,” Tyler says. “It's an old building, but when the music comes on by itself or the printer starts shooting paper, we think it's Bill just having some fun with us.” That story should raise the hair of a few grade school goblins!
“We've had a lot of kids thanking us and saying how much they enjoyed it,” says Lions Club Dead President Dave Parsons. Open like a wound from October 28th to 31st, the Children's Spook House had a horrifying Halloween run and it'll be back next year…with a vengeance.
Heartland Soul
(Page 14)
By Todd Curran
Remember when the best Canadian television content consisted of Degrassi Jr High, Anne of Green Gables and The Littlest Hobo? It sucked out loud. But the Canadian entertainment industry has undergone some major changes in the last few years. Most notably, it's gotten good. And the world is noticing.
Quality is up across the board and the ever increasing popularity of our contributions to the global entertainment industry is a direct reflection of these efforts. At the heart of this change are shows like Canadian television hit Heartland, which is currently filming season 4 and has their spotlight set on releasing a made-for-TV Christmas movie to be aired on December 12th with a Christmas Day encore.
The Heartland cast and crew are going gangbusters with their recent U.S. syndication, along with airing in Africa, Turkey, Libya, England, New Zealand, South America and other areas. “We're really happy,” says Heartland publicist Gordon Imlach. “It's so nice to work on a show that the fans are crazy about! Everyone that works on the show is really proud of it and this season is going to blow peoples' minds.”
Making a show like Heartland is certainly a team effort, but the soul of it lies in the actors and actresses that keep drawing new fans to the show. “I'm basically Amy when I'm off the set,” says Amber Marshall, who plays Amy Fleming on the show. “But I'm a little more diversified in my animal world. We've got quite the menagerie of cats, horses, chickens and pigs on our ranch by Calgary and I'm not into partying, so last night I came home and did some fencing and winterizing.”
As with many great things that flourish from humble beginnings, this TV star's career started in a London, Ontario Community Theater. “I was 9 or 10 years-old,” Amber recalls, “and the Director asked if I had ever thought about screen acting. We were about two hours from Toronto, but my mom drove me to auditions and I started getting roles when I was about 12 years-old.”
Amber didn't land her role on Heartland right away, showing a lot of heart as she paid her dues, and she encourages hopeful Canadian thespians to do the same. “It's a cruel business to get into,” she says. “It has to be something you really love because it's hard on your self-confidence when you don't get a part. But when you do break in and get the role of your dreams it's incredible! You've just got to stick with it.”
While the next generation of Canadian TV stars has yet to be discovered, existing ones like Amber are achieving entertainment excellence on a global scale. They arrived at a historical time for Canadian Television and they're the heart and soul of a movement that's propelling it headlong through the Heartland.
See Photographs on Page 6
By Todd Curran
Remember when the best Canadian television content consisted of Degrassi Jr High, Anne of Green Gables and The Littlest Hobo? It sucked out loud. But the Canadian entertainment industry has undergone some major changes in the last few years. Most notably, it's gotten good. And the world is noticing.
Quality is up across the board and the ever increasing popularity of our contributions to the global entertainment industry is a direct reflection of these efforts. At the heart of this change are shows like Canadian television hit Heartland, which is currently filming season 4 and has their spotlight set on releasing a made-for-TV Christmas movie to be aired on December 12th with a Christmas Day encore.
The Heartland cast and crew are going gangbusters with their recent U.S. syndication, along with airing in Africa, Turkey, Libya, England, New Zealand, South America and other areas. “We're really happy,” says Heartland publicist Gordon Imlach. “It's so nice to work on a show that the fans are crazy about! Everyone that works on the show is really proud of it and this season is going to blow peoples' minds.”
Making a show like Heartland is certainly a team effort, but the soul of it lies in the actors and actresses that keep drawing new fans to the show. “I'm basically Amy when I'm off the set,” says Amber Marshall, who plays Amy Fleming on the show. “But I'm a little more diversified in my animal world. We've got quite the menagerie of cats, horses, chickens and pigs on our ranch by Calgary and I'm not into partying, so last night I came home and did some fencing and winterizing.”
As with many great things that flourish from humble beginnings, this TV star's career started in a London, Ontario Community Theater. “I was 9 or 10 years-old,” Amber recalls, “and the Director asked if I had ever thought about screen acting. We were about two hours from Toronto, but my mom drove me to auditions and I started getting roles when I was about 12 years-old.”
Amber didn't land her role on Heartland right away, showing a lot of heart as she paid her dues, and she encourages hopeful Canadian thespians to do the same. “It's a cruel business to get into,” she says. “It has to be something you really love because it's hard on your self-confidence when you don't get a part. But when you do break in and get the role of your dreams it's incredible! You've just got to stick with it.”
While the next generation of Canadian TV stars has yet to be discovered, existing ones like Amber are achieving entertainment excellence on a global scale. They arrived at a historical time for Canadian Television and they're the heart and soul of a movement that's propelling it headlong through the Heartland.
See Photographs on Page 6
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