The Western Wheel’s Datebook is a listing of upcoming events, activities and meetings taking place throughout the Foothills. If you would like to submit a non-commercial listing to be included in the Datebook, please email tmurphy@greatwest.ca.
The Town of Okotoks’ Environmental Education Centre hosts Nature Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. where activities focus on a different theme weekly. Upcoming topics include: Pollinators (April 11). okotoks.ca
Join Dallas Dixon from the Eden Valley Nakoda Nation for the Sheep River Library Drumming Circle on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. Dixon enjoys sharing his knowledge with those who want to understand the Indigenous ways. No experience necessary and drums will be provided if you don’t have your own. sheepriverlibrary.ca
The Okotoks Legion will hold meat draws (nine) every Saturday at the Elks Hall. Tickets are $1 and draws run from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Diamond Valley Forest School is hosting a free Jr Maker Workshop for ages two to six and their caregivers on Saturday, April 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Sheep River Library. To register, call the library at 403-933-3278 or visit sheepriverlibrary.ca.
The Okotoks Art Gallery is celebrating Ukrainian art and heritage on Saturday, April 12 with a pair of workshops that teach people how to make Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter eggs) using a mix of wax, dye and live flame. Svitlana Slepykh leads a family workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an adult workshop from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Register at okotoks.ca.
Diamond Valley Forest School Open House on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oilfields Arena. Drop in with your family to check out the indoor play space and explore the river valley through guided activities designed for ages two to six by Connections Nature Play educators. Call 403-498-4939.
The Hollywood Got It Wrong series at the Sheep River Library has experts explain what the movie got right, almost got right and where it completely missed the boat. On Saturday, April 12, Brandon Karchewski, an associate professor at the University of Calgary, will talk about San Andreas. The movie starts at 1 p.m., followed by a talk at 3 p.m. A full list of movies and experts is available at sheepriverlibrary.ca.
Tales of the Sea: Storytime with a Navy Sailor will be held at the Okotoks Public Library on Saturday, April 12 from 1:30 to 2 p.m. okotokslibrary.ca
Interested in a career in the geological sciences? An expert in the field is visiting Sheep River Library on Saturday, April 12 at 4 p.m. Registration recommended at sheepriverlibrary.ca/Events.
Picking Up The Pieces: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot will be at the Old Church Theatre in Okotoks on Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. Benjamin Williams stars in a carefully curated show featuring the hits of one of Canada’s greatest songwriters. Tickets on Eventbrite.
The Diamond Valley Sustainable Living Centre offers Maker Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. with a different activity or focus each week. Learn basic woodworking skills on Monday, April 14 and try your hand at embroidery on Monday, April 21. Suggested donation: $10/person or pay-what-you-can. No advance registration needed. Participants must sign a waiver.
Acoustic Nights at the Old Church Theatre continue on Tuesday, April 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring your instrument to jam with fellow musicians in a safe place. Open to all ages and all levels of performers. okotoks.ca
An Easter Bunny Party, perfect for caregivers and preschoolers, will be held on Wednesday, April 16 from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at the Okotoks Recreation Centre. Enjoy activities and entertainment to celebrate the holiday, including crafts, cookie decorating, gym activities and a photo booth. okotoks.ca
An all-day mini conference on aging in place will be held at the Viking Rentals Centre on Wednesday, April 16. The event is aimed at seniors and families looking ahead to be prepared to stay in their homes as they age. Cost is $20 for Foothills Retired Teachers Association members and $25 for the public. Contact Joyce Loucks at 403-938-2410.
The Age-Friendly Speaker Series continues with a presentation on downsizing and what to do with your possessions when you are ready to move on Wednesday, April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Okotoks & District Seniors Club. No registration required. okotoks.ca
The Way of the Cross, an interfaith outdoor reflection on Jesus’s final steps to the cross, will be held on Good Friday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m. in Diamond Valley. An easy, one-kilometre walk, which will pause at 14 stations for reflection and prayer, starts/ends at St. Michael’s, 402 Government Rd. Seniors and families welcome. Dogs welcome on leash. Contact Jennifer at 403-931-1509.
Yuk Yuk’s on Tour comes to the Old Church Theatre in Okotoks on Friday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. Brian Stollery headlines the show that will also feature Troo Knot and MC Bryan Moxon. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door. okotoks.ca
The Okotoks and District Fish and Game Association is hosting a Sportsman Sale on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Elks Hall. The sale will feature used fishing, hunting, camping and outdoor goods.
Interested in a career in nursing? An expert in the field is visiting Sheep River Library on Saturday, April 26 at 4 p.m. Registration recommended at sheepriverlibrary.ca/Events.
Foothills Philharmonic Society presents Songs We Love to Sing on Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Okotoks Alliance Church. The society's Men's Chorus & Women's Vocal Jazz will perform the timeless melodies of James Taylor and ABBA to the rock anthems of Aerosmith and the soulful sounds of Stevie Wonder. Tickets are available at footphil.com or at the door.
Are you new to Okotoks and area, looking to meet new people and learn about the community? If so, consider attending a Women’s Newcomers meeting. They are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 20 Banister Gate, Okotoks. For more information, call Verna Schneider at 1-306-961-2364.
The Solace Grief Support Society offers free individual/group grief counselling with 6 p.m. start times on the following dates: Zoom group: third Thursday; in-person group: first Wednesday at Okotoks Public Library, third Thursday at Jacks Place in High River; men’s group: second Tuesday at Okotoks Public Library, fourth Tuesday at High River Library. Register at 403-601-3312 or solacegrief1@gmail.com.
Anne Story of the Story Law Office runs a free clinic to provide legal advice about divorce and separation every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheep River Library in Diamond Valley. Appointments must be made in advance by calling 403-250-1918. No drop-ins allowed.
Canasta Night at the DeWinton Hall is held Monday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. All skill levels welcome. Instruction available for those who have never played the card game. Email dwca@platinum.ca or call 403-938-2525 for more information.
Buddhist meditation classes are held at the Okotoks Public Library every Monday from 7 to 8.15 p.m. Drop-in fee: $15. meditateinokotoks.org
Kananaskis Kids’ Choir meets at the Sheep River Library on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. Children five and older are welcome to join. sheepriverlibrary.ca
Sheep River Library hosts a conversational French group on the first Thursday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join the group to keep up your French speaking skills. Please note, this is not an instructional class. sheepriverlibrary.ca
A Memory Cafe will be held on the fourth Friday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Griffiths Centre in Diamond Valley. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.
Board Games for Adults is held on the first and third Monday of the month at the Okotoks Public Library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy one of the games provided or feel free to bring your own board game. okotokslibrary.ca
Weekly Jam Sessions at the Okotoks and District Seniors Club are held on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Musicians and singers are welcome as well as those that want to listen, sing along or dance to the tunes. Entrance fee is $2.
The Sew and Craft group at the Sheep River Library will now meet weekly at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. No matter what craft you are into, all are welcome. sheepriverlibrary.ca
Weekly 45-minute OM chanting sessions are held at the Okotoks Public Library to lift your energy and mood. Always free, open to drop-ins. Sessions are held on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. sharp, so arrive early to get a seat. okotokslibrary.ca
The Sheep River parkrun, a free weekly five-kilometre run/walk, is held every Saturday at 9 a.m. The loop begins and ends at the picnic shelter in Sheep River Park, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. sheepriverparkrun.ca
A weekly Meditation Circle meets at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays at the Sheep River Library. A group of open-hearted folks gather with a shared intention to cultivate happiness and wellbeing within ourselves and our world. No registration required. sheepriverlibrary.ca
Foothills Writers Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Okotoks Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. The group is a community of local authors whose goal is to encourage and support writers during their creative journey. The group includes members new to the writing world and published authors. okwriters22@gmail.com
You can record, edit and upload your own podcasts at the Sheep River Library in Diamond Valley in its soundproofed recording space. Equipment and training are provided so you can get your podcasts out into the world. Call 403-933-3278 to book a time or get more information.
A Memory Cafe will be held on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Okotoks and District Seniors Club. It’s an opportunity for people with memory loss and their caregivers to meet for mutual support. Call 403-969-6040 for details.
All songwriters and poets are invited to join a new songwriting club, Foothills Song Writers Troupe, with meetings on the first Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. Group is for encouragement, growth and sharing love of writing. Ask to join the private Facebook group (Foothills Song Writers Troupe).
The Rotary Club of Okotoks meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 6 p.m. at the Crystal Ridge Golf Club. okotoksrotary.ca
An ELL (English Language Learning) class is held every Thursday from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Learn vocabulary that will help you in everyday situations in classes facilitated by YMCA LINC instructor Deb Payne. Classes are free and drop-in. okotokslibrary.ca
The Okotoks Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. The free club aims to improve chess play and maintains a friendly environment where learning takes priority over winning. Chess sets and clocks are available. All ages welcome, drop in. Richard.Bradley@shaw.ca
The LEGO Club meets every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library. Kids aged six to 12 can enjoy playing with LEGO and meeting new friends in the free, drop-in activity. okotokslibrary.ca
