Let’s Colour Our World, the theme of this year’s Rimbey’s annual women’s conference, is reflected in the choice of sessions the committee has selected as well as the variety of vendors and fascinating keynote speaker who will be in attendance.
The women’s conference will be held Feb. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Rimbey Community Centre and promises to provide a day well worth attending with an interesting potpourri of sessions and shopping opportunities offered.
Following registration and refreshments, the day will kick off with a welcome and presentation by keynote speaker George Boelcke entitled Colorful Personalities.
Boelcke is an author and speaker who has more than 25 years of real world experience in retail and finance. Boelcke defines personalities into four general colors; gold, green, blue and orange. Each color has specific personality traits that make them unique. Many people are a cross of colors, and some are very obviously one color, depending on what they value in their life.
Morning sessions get underway at 11:15 a.m.
Know the Signs – Understanding Elder Abuse by Linda Bernicki will help participants gain more insight into this serious issue. Bernicki is an elder abuse prevention advisor with Alberta Health. She has a diverse background in preventative social programs, case management, crisis intervention and community development and engagement.
Anyone interested in capturing wildlife on camera should take part in Wildlife Photography-Capturing Beauty and Majesty in Our Own Backyards with Myrna Pearman.
Pearman is a native of Rimbey who became interested in nature photography while in school, learning about cameras from Rimbey Librarian, Rolf Seidel and learning about nature from local naturalist, Fred Schutz.
Pearman graduated with BSc from the University of Alberta in 1979 and in 1987 she was offered a dream career as biologist and Site Service Manager at Ellis Bird Farm.
Rimbey’s own Gayle Rondeel will hold a session on Bugs and Weeds and knowing who your friends are and what they are trying to tell you. Rondeel has been a gardener since she was a child, planting her first package of seeds at the tender age of 11. She has since taken courses on horticulture, food safety and marketing and is the manager of the Rimbey Farmers’ Market.
Following a delicious lunch, sessions will continue in the afternoon.
Dr. Pat Burrage and Robyn Anderson will speak about equine first aid. Dr. Burrage is a graduate of Western College of Veterinary Medicine who moved to the Bluffton area with his family in 2002. He will speak about equine emergency first aid and how to be prepared at home for injuries and illness and how to deal with such incidences until help arrives.
In her session, Chris Barnes, a laughter coach will explain how a person can change the world, one laugh at a time.
During her talk she will explain how anyone can start practicing this prescription for better health and well-being.
Ladies who are interested in creating beautiful watercolours need to sit on the session An Introduction to Watercolour by Sandra Bingeman. The self-taught artist works in watercolour, pencil or charcoal. She teaches workshops for central Alberta art clubs and also some private lessons at her home near Ponoka.
Bob Layton will take the stage at 2 p.m. This entertaining well-known personality is in his 43 year of broadcasting. Now the news director for Corus Entertainment in Edmonton, he is also a member of the international Ventriloquist’s Association.
The day will wrap up with Ponoka FCSS director and the event’s master of ceremonies, Shannon Boyce-Campbell.
Registration deadline is Thurs. Feb. 6.
For registration information contact Family and Community Support Services at 403-843-2030. Registrations forms are available at the FCSS office and at several businesses in communities in the surrounding area. Completed registration forms and fees may be dropped off or mailed to the FCSS office.