Well, that didn’t go as well as I thought it would. January was mean! Frigid temperatures and another COVID wave. But Calgarians are nothing if not resilient! We add another layer when we go outside and back up an extra foot from people when we are out and about. Honestly, I’m a little worn out and I hope I am not putting too much pressure on February. February the month of love and family – that has to mean an upturn in our circumstances, right?
Valentine’s Day is a day to honour the people we love and eat chocolate! During these days of limited social opportunities, we should stop and make sure that the people closest to us know how much we care about them – they are the reason these last two years have been bearable. For me, I am fortunate to live with my partner and son; we have a very small bubble of friends that we see on and off – depending on their rapid tests lol. Sure, I get cranky from time to time about cooking and cleaning but what would I have spent my time doing without them? For me, COVID has made me appreciate and acknowledge how important my close personal relationships are and I am going to shower them with chocolate!
February also brings us Family Day and this year at the SCA we hope to turn that day into a Winter Festival and Market. I don’t want to be too specific about all that we have planned, COVID has taught me to be humble about making plans, but if everything goes as we hope, it will be a day filled with fun for the whole family. Keep an eye on the SCA website for more information, www.scacalgary.ca, and save the date on February 21.
I am in and out of the SCA building and even during the coldest days, I saw people enjoying the ice rinks – love the sound of skates on ice and pucks rattling off the boards. The SCA rinks are entirely volunteer maintained by a dedicated group (even during the brutal cold snap they made sure the ice was shovelled and well maintained) and the group would welcome your help. If you have a few hours to spare please contact the SCA office, [email protected], and your name will be added to an email stream. There is no set commitment, you will be included in an email group and if you can help you respond. I know many of you have made a resolution to exercise more and shovelling those rinks is a great workout!
The SCA was excited to hear that we have been slated for a Casino on May 21 and 22, 2022 (Saturday and Sunday). Casino funds literally pay for the utilities at the SCA and during COVID, it was hard to watch our casino bank account slowly decline. For the SCA’s Casino to be successful we need volunteers – the volunteer links are on the SCA website where you can choose your shift and position, www.scacalgary.ca. By volunteering for the SCA’s Casino, you are making a direct financial contribution to the success of your Community Association. I have volunteered for several Casinos in my time, and I have to say I always had a good time, there is a real sense of comradery among volunteers.
The City of Calgary does a yearly financial rating of Community Associations and after two years of limited revenue opportunities and enhanced cleaning protocols, the SCA has been given a Financial, Organizational Health and Facility Rating of ‘Low Risk’. The letter from the City will be posted on the SCA website and you can check out the parameters of the rating. We had a lot of help from City and Government COVID relief funding, faithful staff and volunteers, and a fresh new Board that has renewed the SCA’s vigor. I am so grateful for everything that allowed the SCA to weather the viral storm of the last two years and come out in pretty good shape!
Well, that sums up my message for February. Give your loved ones a hug (real or virtual), come enjoy some fun and fresh air at the SCA on Family Day and most importantly stay safe.
Maureen Smith – SCA President
