November 2016

Everyone wants a home to call their own.  Providing homeless individuals and low income families with a roof and four walls is the mission of Habitat for Humanity, both globally and here at home.

The Southern Alberta Foothills division of Habitat for Humanity is on the brink of reaching a new milestone and is one of seven local charities that will receive funding from the annual Western Wheel Cares campaign.  This is a fundraising drive initiated every year by the weekly newspaper in Okotoks.

With a boost from this campaign, Habitat for Humanity is about to reach its goal.

The chairperson for the Southern Alberta Foothills chapter, Marilyn Boake, says the organization has been looking for suitable land upon which to build a home.  The months-long

People choose to live in Okotoks for it’s small-town charm where people are friendly and celebrations include the whole town.  The warmth and hospitality of Okotoks is exemplified every year during holiday celebrations the whole town can enjoy.

Here’s a run down on community events in Okotoks in December:

Okotoks Museum and Archives

A Heritage Christmas:  The museum looks back on a good old-fashioned prairie Christmas.  This early 20th Century exhibit reflects the early traditions of Southern Alberta from hanging stockings to decorating a modest tree to what was on the menu for the Christmas day feast in a prairie kitchen.  Fascinating for youngsters and new Canadians.  Admission is free.

Up in the Attic:   Every Saturday from now until

If you have always wanted to keep chickens in your back yard, then consider purchasing a home in Okotoks.  Town council has just unanimously passed a bylaw to allow homeowners to keep hens.  Now people who love the daily fresh eggs won’t fun a-fowl of the law.

In the spring of 2015, the town started an Urban Hen Pilot Project to determine how many residents would be interested in keeping hens and to see how it would go.  Keeping poultry in the backyard can often cause bad neighbour relations due to noise and odour if poultry is not properly cared for and their habitat maintained.

The pilot ended in September and it went so well that the pilot project is now the Urban Hen Program.  There were a few hiccups and a few neighbours that weren’t exactly in