Tag Archives: Cranbrook

Hope Under the Big Top

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mr-dressup1When I was a little girl my sister and I had a large trunk full of dress-up clothes. It wasn’t as colourful as the “tickle trunk” on Mr. Dressup (in fact it looked more like a pirate’s chest) but it was every bit as magical.

My mother had filled it with old hats, gloves, purses and dresses. While part of me wishes she’d held on to them until we were adults, I’m grateful she never had that good sense. Despite the fact that over the years these beautiful vintage pieces became worn, torn, stained or lost, what remains with me is a heightened sense of girlish pleasure every time I’m given the opportunity to dress up.Trunk&ClothesFortunately, I get that opportunity every May. Six years ago my husband and I were invited to a fundraiser. It was a dinner and auction with 100% of the money raised going directly to help with building projects and medical services for the people of Haiti. The theme was the “Hollywood Academy Awards”.

We went the following year (1920’s Speakeasy), and the next year (Olympics –I was a Greek goddess). After that, I began volunteering on the fundraiser and each year I seek out local donations (which are always very generous) and work with a talented team to put together auction packages for the fundraiser.

This year the theme is ‘Under the Big Top’ and I can’t wait to dress up as a lion. A girl lion of course –but with a lion’s mane.IMG_0002_NEWOf course, as much fun as it is to dress up, the greatest enjoyment I get is from knowing how much the money raised is going to help people. Proceeds from this year’s event will support a local Haitian doctor and two Haitian nurses at a recently built, free standing medical clinic in Grand Guave and will provide free medication as well as HIV on-site testing and supportive treatment for local Haitans.

The event is open to everyone if you want to attend, but tickets are going fast! In the meantime, check out this fascinating site chronicling the October/November 2012 trip of local volunteers to Haiti.

Hope to see you under the Big Top!

Trina

PS: If you loved the Mr. Dressup greeting card above as much as I did, check out this site for more Canadiana!

Photo Shoot Giveaway

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Our photo shoot giveaway is coming up SOON! Keep your peepers peeled! We think this just might be an annual or semi-annual thing – so be sure to follow our blog or like our Facebook page to stay “in-the-know”. :)

I thought it would be fun to whet your appetite again with a small smattering of images from shoots I’ve done in the past. If you’d like to see more of my photography check out this page on our blog as well > Photography Gallery.

~ Micheline

Photo Shoot Giveaway

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Poor Mich. First I convince her to make a couple costumes for a contest giveaway in October. Day after the draw I suggest a Christmas contest –a family photo shoot giveaway.

I know, I know. No need to thank me…

If you’ve never enjoyed a photo shoot by Micheline (formerly Ryckman Photography), check out the pics attached here and then enter the contest! These days, this is the only way to get a photo shoot with Mich.

Unless you’re me. I’m very good at begging. ;)

Anyway, be sure to watch our posts for upcoming details.

~ Trina

KCDC Grand Opening! And a NEW painting!

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On June 15th the Kootenay Child Development Center held it’s grand opening! Although I didn’t get the chance to be there in person I was there supporting it in spirit. I totally believe this place is an indispensable addition to the East Kootenays – it is going to be a such blessing to families and children around the region. If you don’t know much about the benefits of this center please DO check out this link to read more >>> KCDC Project Details.

‘Unspeakable Joy’ – 18″ x 24″ – acrylic on canvas.
Please click on image to see enlarged version.

My partner, Trina, did attend the grand opening with her son, Thom. She admitted that Thom had so much fun eating goodies, playing in the bouncy tent and doing projects at the craft table that they were actually some of the last people to leave – ha ha! Trina also told me that approximately 50 folks (in her estimate) attended the opening including Cranbrook’s mayor, Wayne Stetski, the Cranbrook city council members, Sharon Cross and Diana J. Scott. When I asked Trina what she thought about everything afterwards she said, “It was amazing to actually see this center come to fruition as I have been watching these dedicated women work so hard for the last few years.”

The women that Trina is referring to are Patricia Whalen, Gail Brown and Gwen Noble. Although I’m sure many folks were involved in making this center a reality I understand that these women have been the front runners. (Great job ladies!!! :) )

So you still might be wondering where exactly do I come into all this and what does my newest painting have to do with it? Well, Gail Brown is actually retiring soon and as a memento of all her efforts and dedication I was commissioned to do a painting in her honour that will hang in the center.  The painting is titled, ‘Unspeakable Joy’ and it was presented to Gail at the opening.  It was a serious privilege to do this piece and my heart is that it reflects the untainted joy that we see daily in our children.

Happy Monday, Micheline :)

Pssst… you can click here and check out more of my paintings here at this GALLERY.

“Trew” Appreciation

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In a recent blog I admitted that I can’t sing. My lack of talent is sadly, directly proportionate to my love of music.  In addition to enjoying a variety of musical genres I’m also a huge fan of Canadian bands.

At the top of my list of exceptional Canadian (well, in this case any) talent is The Trews. They’re touring this month and after a few schedule manipulations I got to see them perform at Flames Central in Calgary on March 5th. I convinced my sister and three other girlfriends to join me but aside from my girlfriend, Sheila, no one else really knew who these guys were.

Everyone loved the concert and much to their surprise knew all but three or four songs. You see, that’s the thing about The Trews –they’re so talented and so versatile that people love their music –they just don’t always know it’s The Trews music that they’re loving.

Now you’re probably thinking, “Great, but what does this have to do with anything? This is a family-oriented blog, isn’t it?”

Well these guys are so awesome that in November 2010 after playing Cranbrook’s Key City Theatre they took time out of their crazy touring schedule to crash my children’s Remembrance Day assembly at TM Roberts Elementary School and sing Highway of Heroes with close to 300 hysterically screaming kids –who, by the way, are cool enough to actually know who these guys are.

Check it out on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Idr-aNDgEY I swear it’ll bring a lump to your throat…

Our school Board wrote a letter thanking the band. At the concert in Calgary, Keyboardist Jeff Heisholt came out after the show and I my sister tapped him on the shoulder and said, “My sister wants to talk to you.” (How utterly embarrassing!!!)

He was so gracious that I didn’t feel like a total dork as I explained who I was and reiterated our thanks to him for what he and the band did for our kids. AND he said singing with the kids was the highlight of that tour for him. How sweet!! I have to admit that my mom-crush on these guys is now officially official…

If you like good music (and awesome lyrics) check these guys out. They deserve to be recognized as talented artists –and really decent guys. You won’t be disappointed. :)

~Trina