Rural Gems

ARDN is working to enhance the quality of life in rural Alberta through partnership with all of you, and we know there are so many ways that rural already rocks! Across the province there are  amazing businesses, restaurants, programs, activities, communities, people, histories, landmarks, and more and we want YOU to share them. Email us the information about your "rural gem" and we will put it on our website and share it via the newsletter.

Athabasca Landing Trail
Athabasca Landing Trail Steering Committee recently launched a new website, www.athabascalandingtrail.com, to create awareness for this partnership project to develop the historic Athabasca Landing Trail into a non-motorized recreation trail. Partners include Alberta TrailNet, two local trail groups, five municipalities (Athabasca County, Town of Athabasca, Westlock County, Sturgeon County and City of Fort Saskatchewan) and Alberta Tourism Parks & Recreation. Though the trail is still under development, a variety of “rural gems” can be found under Trail Attractions.

Characters from Alberta’s Past
Characters from Alberta’s history came to Bashaw’s Majestic Theatre for an evening of storytelling and desserts on January 21st during Dessert Theatre. A uniquely “Boomtown Trail” experience, Dessert Theatre is designed to showcase Alberta’s early pioneering history combined with a dash of our province’s rural charm and hospitality. Guests sample a buffet of homemade desserts while enjoying live entertainment. Of greater significance, however, is the history Dessert Theatre is making by instilling community pride, developing an understanding of where we come from, and the creation of local economic development. “Our characters are storytellers from Boomtown Trail communities. They have researched their characters and take pride the history of their region,” says Boomtown Trail CEO, Ken Duncan. It is a pride that is contagious. Guests marveled at the challenges faced by some of Alberta’s early settlers and original residents.

The Bruce Hotel
This place in Bruce has one of the BEST steak dinners every Friday evening.  Reservations are required because the restaurant fills up.

Star of the North Retreat Centre
Star of the North is an attractive and affordable alternative to pricey hotels, whether it is for regular meetings, AGMs, staff development seminars or longer staff/group conferences. It is located in St. Albert.

Sodbusters Archive Museum - Strome, Alberta

When visiting Strome, you are encouraged to make time to stop in at the Sodbuster’s Archives and Museum to "relive the memories." Thanks to the residents and pioneer spirit of Strome’s residents, it is one of the best museums in the area. Check out this magainze article on Strome (page 1, page 2, page 3)!

Thoughts on Rural Alberta

ARDN knows how important each individual community member is to the vibrancy of rural Alberta. Here, we’ve also included ideas about the state of rural development in Alberta. Do you have something you’d like to share? Contact Melissa for more information.

Rural Alberta

By Wendy Wiebe
Are urban Albertan’s aware of rural Alberta? Can one live in such a beautiful province and not be aware of rural Alberta. There it is, in all its magnificence – rural Alberta. Winter brings skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snow shoeing, ice fishing, skating, and power sleds in a sparkling diamond encrusted winter wonderland... > Read More

RIPPLE

RIPPLE is an online community of rural voices dedicated to rural life in the Northwest United Sates. It’s a place to connect around rural issues, learn from the experiences of rural people, and share resources that support community and economic development in rural areas. Add your voice to the conversation.

Rural Canada is Critical to Our Economic Prosperity

A Globe and Mail Blog written by David Campbell on the importance of rural communities in Canada’s economy.