WHAT IS YOUR WHY? My Why is I like to help people. Up to about 2 years ago, I was a plus-size lady. Finding clothes in town was tricky. During COVID I began a health and wellness journey and began to learn lots about myself. One of the biggest revelations for me was to stop living with regrets. I didn’t have the confidence to try new things. So, I got really uncomfortable and took the leap to open my boutique. I was a plus-size lady who had trouble shopping locally. I thought I couldn’t be the only one. I have no fashion sense or fashion retail experience. It has been a steep learning curve as I try and figure everything out. Boutique76 has been welcomed into the community and I hope to spread my boutique beyond once I get an online store up and running. It makes my heart happy when women leave with something that makes them happy and confident.

What are some of the CHALLENGES? Challenges for curvy ladies are finding clothing that fits them, gives them curves and does hang off them like a sheet. When anyone finds something that fits them well their confidence skyrockets. Also, having a boutique that caters to the curvy lady helps relieve the stress of shopping. A lady who knows this store is strictly for them is calming. Brands that strictly catered to “regular “ size ladies are now starting to design for the curvy lady. Finding brands can be a challenge, especially for someone like myself who has no clue what I am doing. I have had help from neighbouring stores who have helped me and pointed me in the right direction. My personal challenge is trying to figure out what ladies are looking for in styles and sizing. My customers have been very gracious while I figure that out.

Communities in Bloom after 20 years in Brooks will now be competing at the international level as the Brooks Region. CIB is planning an expansion of the rose garden by planting some older rose varieties including the Alberta Wild Rose. Roses planted in the rose garden have been sponsored by City residents and a number of additional individuals have requested the opportunity to sponsor a rose. CIB would also like to enhance the visibility of the wind sculptures with Solar Lights to illuminate the 3 structures at the McDonald’s location.

Kinbrook Pathway - County Council agreed to put the project out to tender with any fundraising shortfall up to the 2023 final budgeting amount to be funded from the Recreational fund. Promotion for community involvement, both personal and corporate will be ongoing. You can find the Donation Form here.

New Housing Concept - Councilor Wardrop shared with City Council a housing concept she heard about at a convention in Edmonton. Instead of each municipality or housing organization working individually, organizations work together collectively by leveraging assets to create a larger pool of funds and then decide as a group which projects to proceed with. Councillor Idriss suggested bringing together the local housing organizations, and maybe some developers to discuss partnership ideas. City Administration reported on a funding program that is available through the Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation, one of the requirements is an updated strategy. The contractor who completed the City’s 2019 Brooks Housing Strategy has been asked about updating the strategy.

Tumbleweed Theatre production Small Town - Shows run April 20-22 and 27-29 at 7pm. Tickets are on sale at Steaming Cup and at HERE.

Veteran’s Park in Downtown Brooks Thursday’s 2-6PM

In Duchess - Last Saturday of the Month 10-2PM

Know Dementia presented by Prairie Rose Hospice Palliative Care and Alzheimer Society at the Heritage Inn & Convention Centre on June 8th, 9-4PM. Featuring Brooks local resource groups, Q&A Panel with community members sharing their journey, interactive musical experience with guest Erica Phare-Bergh. Lunch and refreshments provided. Registration $20.

New sports field located at the City's Old Rodeo Ground is to contain two soccer fields, one football field encompassed by a track, complete with lighting, bleachers, walking trails, parking, landscaping, irrigation and field amenities. The most favourable proposal came in at $279,753 for the design, tender, project management, construction engineering services including supervision, administration and material testing.

Alberta 55plus Summer Games will be hosted August 17 - 20. The Games will include sixteen competitions for participants. In addition to the competitions, there will be an opening ceremony, a participant banquet and various tourism activities to highlight the Region. Tours for visitors are being planned for Downtown Mural and Shopping, Aqueduct, a painting class at Red Roof Studio, County Handcrafts and a Dinosaur Park Guided Bus Tour. In addition to the tours, the Planning Committee is entertaining the idea of hosting a Friday Night Street Dance which will be open to all participants, guests and the community.

The Committee continues to seek sponsorships for the Games from local businesses and larger corporations. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the fifty thousand dollar ($50,000) fundraising goal has been raised.

This is the last week to vote for your TOP 5!

Thank you for the additional suggestions - remember we are voting for the TOP 5 Downtown Businesses.