Story behind the image

After crawling out of his burrow at the Blue Grass Ltd. Nursery, Sod & Garden Centre, east of Highway 2, local groundhog/weather forecaster Balzac Billy looked around and spotted his shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter.

Animal shelter and rescue groups across the province have reported a considerable increase in recent donations thanks to the Betty White challenge, and several organizations in Rocky View County are grateful for the additional much-needed funds as well.

“We’re playing really well,” said Xtreme head coach Tyson Soloski. “We have a really good team and a lot of depth. Everyone on our team contributes, and it’s really fun to watch. But we come to work every day in practice and in games, and that’s why we’re winning right now.”

“We’re looking for those that capture the imagination and are nice to look at when driving around the community. A lot of times it’s the ones that kids respond to."

“For it being the first time, we weren't exactly super proud of our skates, but as competitor skaters, you can't always be super satisfied with your skates,” Nunn said. “For our first time, it wasn't terrible, but we definitely know we could've done better.”

The Airdrie and District Hospice Society (ADHS) officially launched its Tree of Hope fundraising campaign on Dec. 1, with the ceremonial lighting of the Tree of Hope at City Hall.

Several communities in southwest Rocky View County, including Bragg Creek, Redwood Meadows, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation, experienced high winds on Dec. 1, resulting in thousands of toppled trees, long-lasting power outages, damage to critical infrastructure, and a fatality.

The 26th annual Airdrie Festival of Lights kicked off on Dec. 1. The nightly showcase of Christmas lights galore will be on display in Nose Creek Regional Park every evening until Dec. 31.

Propak Systems, one of Airdrie’s longest standing businesses, commemorates its 45th anniversary this year, having grown from a small family-run company, to the city’s largest employer - boasting 1,100 employees worldwide.