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RiverbendRaggTimes Next Deadline Friday, Sept 28 Ragg_Times Delivery: Oct 15 SEPTEMBER 2018 | VOL. 36, NO.1 A PUBLICATION OF THE RIVERBEND COMMUNITY LEAGUE Love Thy Neighbour Caring and Making Connections By: Kathy Malkin couple weeks ago, I was at our street, all of us neighbours knew norm. I’ve noticed too, though, that hosts for a short while as you all the playground with the each other, and I knew that all the over time, and with effort, these troupe from house to house, with A family when we noticed that adults were watching over me (which connections can be nurtured -- and one household having lemonade, someone had hefted the big plastic didn’t always seem that great), and all then, in turn, nourish us. We all then moving to the next place for trees off the top of the playground the kids were fair game to play with. benefit from friendlier, safer streets hot dogs, the next for some salad, the structure and left them sitting on the If I had need, I knew of a dozen and neighbourhoods when we get next for dessert – and then everyone ground. What planning! What effort! houses right near mine that I could into each other’s business more and plays a game at the last place, or the What accomplishment! walk up to where I knew the people begin to know we can count on each kids play and the adults visit. And yet the trees belonged on and they would help me. In fact, it other for help, fun, conversation, 7. Join Neighbourhood top where they could be enjoyed was the same on most blocks in my and support. Watch as an ambassador. (I think as part of the foresty theme of the neighbourhood, It really felt like a How do we form these this organization should be renamed playground. community, an extended family. connections of neighbours caring Neighbourhood Care, by the way.) This led to a bit of a quest to get the It was comforting to grow up for neighbours – in a time when it Once you start thinking of how pieces taken care of and stored away this way. This way of being involved doesn’t seem to come as naturally, to connect, keep building, and securely so they could be reinstalled with and caring for neighbours or we’ve got more distractions that embracing and collecting new people for everybody’s enjoyment. was instilled in me as just the way take us away from our neighbours, into the circle. neighbours are. or we’re connected more to people I did report the happening out I grew up in a place where lots of You know them. They know based on other factors? Some simple of consideration for the playground ways to start… people would have reported the trees being whole and enjoyable. But what you. Sometimes there are snits and were off the playground structure or happened next perhaps shows more tiffs – and then things blow over. 1. Go out of your way to say would have hauled them home to about how neighbourliness works Neighbours help with yard work or hello and SMILE as you see people take care of them before they got and benefits us. My husband called snow shovelling, have water fights on your street. reinstalled, where everyone stopped 311 while I texted friend and Ragg or giant hide-and-seek games, hold 2. Spend time out on your to ask how things were going, where editor, Sherri Henderson, suspecting garage dance parties, take care of front street -- sweeping, washing people took turns canvassing for that she’d know who to call next, each other’s kids and their places the car, weeding, picking up trash, charities, where people knew when which she did. Our connections and when someone’s away, trek from playing soccer or hockey, having another family was having trouble, actions set in motion a whole web house to house, visiting, babysitting, lemonade stands (go door to door to and where people shared books and of contacts and care that essentially or selling tickets and almonds. The tell people), etc. – and visiting. tools and yard furniture and good connection was palpable. People within minutes had resolved the 3. Volunteer to canvas for a will, situation. have privacy, but also give up a little privacy and accept some “nosiness/ charity. In raising money for a good When I first thought of this topic, This quest generated the idea to caring” to be vulnerable enough to cause, you get to meet and chat with what popped into my head was, “Love explore what it means to care for connect lots of neighbours. I loved doing thy neighbour as thyself.” It’s a real your neighbours. that. win, especially as we begin to realize The big win? I felt safe, connected, So I got to thinking, “Is that how 4. Organize barbecues or that as we love our neighbours, we embraced, cared for, known, valued, are also providing love to ourselves. our neighbourhoods typically work and part of something bigger than games or other impromptu events these days?” with a few neighbours. All pitch in. After all, our neighbours and myself neighbourhoods are simply facets My mind flashed back to when I When I see these old neighbours, 5. Plan a bigger event like a of ourselves – but that’s for another was growing up in north Edmonton it still feels like family. I know, even block party, a dance, or a giant soccer time. Know that you are loved. and living in a family where my mom after all these years, that we can recall game at the nearby park for all the and dad were heavily involved in the families nearby on the street. Kathy Malkin, B.Ed., M.C. together, and count on each other. (Counselling Psychology), Heal Your Life community league and our home was 6. Recruit a few families, the central hub for lots of people I have noticed that this connecting Coach Watch for AsIseeyou.com, coming in and neighbour care is not quite the even ones you don’t know well, for October 2018). coming and going, talking and a travelling dinner/party. Everybody planning and solving. Up and down same now as it was. Not quite the Rf D I SC Q VE R winter with your family. Family ski packages: $119 www.snowvalley.ca Fun Thank you for supporting www.riverbendonline.ca ! iowt�,�y EDITOR Champions for Community Sherri Henderson Heather Schmidt [email protected] By: Mary Lou Sedgwick ADVERTISING am thrilled to introduce you What is your favourite spot in Elizabeth Emslie to Heather Schmidt, an avid the neighbourhood? volunteer in our community. [email protected] I Definitely the Riverbend She is the membership director Square library, followed by the 780-437-7108 for the Brookview Community www.riverbendonline.ca Whitemud Creek Valley and League (do you have your new the many neighbourhood trails. membership?), the lead scouter I also love the neighbourhood nd with 182 Riverbend Cub coffee shops for meeting up with TABLE OF CONTENTS Scouts and she is active in her friends or just reading the paper. children’s schools, activities I still love to read the newspaper and church. This kind, talented instead of a screen! SECTION PAGE soul is our Champion for What are your words of Riverbend News 1-32 Community. Thank you for all wisdom or favourite quote? Community League Directory 26 you do, Heather! Riverbend Community League 28 Where do you volunteer? I love the epigraph inside Brookview Community League 30 the cover of E.M. Forster’s I love to help out! And to connect with novel Howards End: “Only connect.” I believe others. I love that Scouts is such a great program, in the power of connection, with ourselves, combining the outdoors, active living, character others, ideas, the fragments of life, and the development, leadership, and fun. It’s so rewarding larger universe, as essential to creating a happier, to get to know the cubs and to watch them learn healthier, more grounded life. and grow. Plus going camping or exploring the THANK YOU - RAGG outdoors with Scouts is a lot of fun! What did you want to be when you grew up? DELIVERY VOLUNTEERS! Aside from volunteering, how do you spend I always wanted to be a teacher, and I fulfilled Thanks to the following volunteers who your time? that dream, working for many years as a teacher helped deliver our last issue to businesses, and school principal, and now working with schools, and retirement residences. I love to spend time with my family. I also love children in volunteer roles. Lita Bablitz to hike, camp, cook, read, paddle, skate, study, Adnan Black and write. Work also takes up a bit of time! Jim Bradshaw Daryl Matter, Jihan Marjan Christy Middleton Karin Shott Sabine Sintenis Shelly and Leanne Stevens Mary Wagner Helma Voth Joan Wood Lemonade Stands We’re always looking for volunteers to help us deliver copies of The Ragg-Times to schools, for the Stollery! businesses, and retirement homes. If you can ongratulations to this amazing deliver The Ragg-Times seven times a year, we’d love to hear from you! lemonade stand crew as they raised $419 for the Stollery on Saturday, Your gift of time and service would be C greatly appreciated. August 18 in Brookside! Adele, Eve, Ruby, Rosa and Jane (seen in picture), along with help Please call 780-437-7108 or email info@ riverbendonline.ca for more details. from their siblings Colin, Lucie and Owen, prepared delicious treats to compliment the summer drink.