Trochu’s Walkin’ the Walk !!

June 28^th, preceding our 3^rd annual “Movie in the Park”, provided a beautiful stage for the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening our ACE Centennial Trail Project. Congratulatory messages from Crowfoot MP, Kevin Sorenson as well as visiting mayors and corporate representatives, completed the formal portion of the event. Our industrious Trails Committee, decked out in sunny yellow shirts and typically, taking part in making the evening a success, could not stop smilingJ We appreciate that this ‘jewel in our crown’ would not have been possible without such volunteerism, and enthusiasm from community, government and corporate sectors . This speaks volumes to the ACE commitment we made, seemingly so long ago in some ways, and yet in reality, a few short years.

When we started on our ACE journey, Coach Carol Ohler facilitated us through several gatherings whereby we decided upon our three key projects. We soon realized that we were stronger as a united effort so agreed to collectively work on completing the Trails project first. Check.  A week later, we had a call out to those Trochu-ites who had initially identified a Skateboard Park, and a Family-Fun Center Make-over  of our  old curling rink as their ‘passion projects’ .  We will again soon be meeting to discuss how to bring these dreams to reality as well, with the added bonus of experience following the Trails project and added enthusiasm as the ideas have had time to germinate while the Trails were being built.

Other recent  exciting news has been the ‘okay’ from the Province  to move on the modernization of our K-12 school slated to open in 2014. Again, an energetic group of parents and school alumni has spear-headed an initiative to raise funds for enhancements to the build, primarily a state of the art, larger- than -regulation gym. The Trochu and area community, businesses and individuals have once more, amazingly, answered the call. I strongly believe that what was always in this rural community, exists in yours too; however, the catalyst to get things started and keep them rolling, has been our ACE involvement.  If your community has not experienced being an ACE Community, you can still be “Active, Creative and Engaged” , and the good news is that  we ‘alumni’ are happy  to share success stories and to answer questions.  Also, the capable ACE Leaders are as close as the web-site (www.acecommunities.ca)  or phone and host informative webinars, can help plan a workshop in your community or give other valuable direction you may not even know that you need...   ‘ cause it never hurts to ask  J

Have a wonderful summer- and don’t just hold on to your dreams of a better community…do it !

Trochu out!

Imagination…priceless!

As I was reading with interest the most recent ACE Newsletter, I was reminded that I had not submitted a blog for some time…first newsflash :)

Further on, my eye caught the information with instructions on how to submit a photo: “maximum width for an image must be ……” It struck me that in the world of graphics for electronic and other publications, this is not just for illustration but mandatory for a successful result. Conversely, is it not wonderful that in community building, successful results are not limited by such boundaries to the image or imagination?

At the onset of our ACE journey, our local team had adopted the motto: “Celebrate, Imagine, Create…Trochu” and had it appliqued to our ACE vests, lest we should lose sight of the vision we have for our community. I am pleased to say that after nearly three years as ACE affiliates, this has not happened and in fact, we feel stronger than ever.

Time and space counsel me to mention only the high spots of the recent past, so an update on our Centennial Trails System looms large. Trochu, like so many rural Albertan communities, celebrated her 100th birthday in 2011, so offered the perfect spring-board to launch a legacy while tapping into available funding from federal and provincial grants. If you are already celebrating your amazing community, imagine a lasting project for your community that allows the use of building stones that are already in place, to help create your vision. As I write, we have ordered for our trails, the heritage markers, benches and tables for June delivery, have the final asphalt scheduled for warm May weather :) and are planning a series of traffic educational presentations to ensure that ALL may use the system in safety as they promote their own healthier lifestyle. Trochu Centennial Trail Grand Opening is slated for July 2012…come and join us!

On a more event-oriented project to include everyone who calls Trochu home, we are delighted to be offering our second annual “Taste of Trochu” at Trochu Community Centre, showcasing our diversity of cuisine, on March 16/12 from 5:00-8:00pm. Last year’s pilot was such an overwhelming hit that it just had to happen again ! This is where we see the creation of machinery that rolls along with its own momentum once those first 'wheels are turned'. Please join us if you have good taste and want more :)

In closing: I never say never, but this one time I will….NEVER limit the collective imagination of your community. Listen to all the ideas and be amazed at what can take life from the least likely source. Dare to imagine,and with some effort and enthusiasm,creation will follow….

Till next time.... Trochu out