Rosebud.ca Blog

Learning to Sing in the Kitchen

2006-08-26T19:39:00.000-06:00

or sweet and savory harmony

I spent a lot of summer months at Rosebud Camp of the Arts (1974-1981). It gave me something important to do, with lots of interesting people who I couldn't hide away from by reading a book or practising piano. There were numerous volunteer staff who came to work at this unique place because they "just couldn't stay away".

One of my most important jobs was cook's helper. Most of the time I helped Arlene or "Cookie" in the kitchen for the month of July. It was perfect, she taught me to cook (in large quantities) and we sang together all the time. Arlene has a dark, rich voice that was perfect to harmonize gospel songs to. Even better, when we had breaks we would often sit at the piano and play duets by sight (Mozart was best). Some summers other staff would bring their electric guitars and drums and we'd sit and jam in the lounge.

Of course every camp night there was campfire. Arlene and I would make a huge pot of hot chocolate from scratch using powdered milk, sugar and cocoa to taste. Then we'd get a strong volunteer to haul it down to the campfire that others had built in the little hollow behind the centre (now called the Mercantile building). Tim, LaVerne and often others, with their guitars along with 15 to 30 campers ages 12 to 15 would be gathered on the benches and logs singing silly action songs or simple rounds and spirituals. We'd have hot chocolate and snack (many generous ladies made wonderful cookies for camp) or cake (thanks to Mr. Greenslade). Then it was time for a short devotion and to be thankful. All of us around the circle offered one thing that was important to us - for first timers it was often difficult because they were shy and didn't know if they could trust the group. However, there's something about sitting in front of a crackling fire in the dark that is comforting and emboldening. Then we'd end with a prayer and maybe one last song.

Much of my heart for working with teenagers has been built on this experience. It meant so much to be encouraged to to sing for the joy of it and then to grow from simply following along to leading parts in rounds to playing along with my very simple chord changes to being the song leader. Given the wide range of musical ability I know of now, my most valuable talent was simply enthusiasm but I was always assured that it made a positive difference through the opportunities my mentors gave me. I am most thankful for their patience.

Why would you go to summer camp in Rosebud?

2006-01-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

or a city kid meets small community life

Please read post about first camp at Rosebud for background

The contrast was startling. I'd been forced to spend a week at a church summer camp the year before. It was okay, typical camp stuff - couple hundred kids broken up into cabins to group them for activities - large group activities such as singsongs and sports intramurals - waterfront playtime - simplistic crafts - cabin leaders who directed but never really talked to you and were more interested in other peers. Shy, dorky me was lost in the never ending round of activities and noise.

After that first memorable weekend camp in the Rosebud General Store, I jumped at going to camp that first summer (1973) at Rosebud. My dad and I even went out one late May weekend to help clean up the place so that it was fit for 40 or so campers and counsellors to stay at each week. My mom and other parents from the church youth group donated all they could of household items such as curtains, rugs, furniture and kitchen dishes and utensils. I don't envy the organisers sorting through all the stuff but I'm sure it saved a pile of start-up money. It made it kind of homey and fit the countrystyle surroundings.

We travelled to camp in small vans, parent's or counsellor's vehicles over the gravel road from Calgary and all over Alberta. Many of the first campers were young people from a large youth group that had grown from LaVerne Erickson and friends working with teens in the trailer court he lived at along with other youth that he and other young teachers met while substituting. So I automatically knew a few faces and I remember dragging a friend or two along. The range of the campers was from about age 12 to 16 and the counsellors were about 17 - 27 years old. Many of them were young professionals or in post-secondary education. That first summer the cooks were older women that volunteered their time from Calgary or Camrose.

What a different experience! We got there and everything was free form. We negotiated activities from ones the counsellors presented and we were also free to suggest a few of our own. The only thing set was campfire with singing and sharing time. That first year, to make sure it was dark enough at campfire we even set time back an hour for our very own Rosebud time zone. In the mornings after breakfast(getting up an hour later, of course) we could choose real arts and crafts and do them for a few hours so that you could learn how to do pottery, weaving, drawing, welding and so on. Not that I created anything too special but the teachers actually were skilled at these things and I learned a lot from their experience and example. Early afternoons were either rest/travel time (if it was too hot or the activity was farther away) and then we did sports. I fell in love with canoeing so that's what I really remember but we did other things like "Capture the Flag" down in Horseshoe Canyon, visit local landmarks such as museums, swam in the river and hiked in the valley.

Meals with 40 or so people in one smaller room, dishes and other chores like cleaning outhouse and washing floors etc. were no piece of cake. However everybody did everything - the counsellors did the chores right along with you and if dishes took an hour (no dishwasher so they often did) then it became a socializing event. If it got too crowded and noisy - there was plenty of open space and the prairie landscape and skyline was spectacular. I remember always improvising with what was at hand to make things fun - pancakes pink and green with food colouring and going to the local dump for materials to weld. LaVerne teasing that if we didn't eat all the porridge served in the morning that we'd have it fried for lunch the next day - sure enough we did. Sunnyboy (a multi-grain cereal) actually doesn't taste too bad this way and we ate it because he and the rest of the counsellors did.

Guess what? I phoned home after the first week and came back to help in the kitchen for three more weeks that summer. I was hooked. More to come.

How Rosebud School of the Arts began - the first camp "Rosebud" style

2006-01-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me that since there was a twenty year high school reunion for Rosebud School of the Arts (high school) coming up January 14th that there is a lot of history that neeeds to be remembered.

I was just a kid in grade eight when I first came to Rosebud. It was Easter 1973 and our youth pastor Laverne Erickson had arranged for our church young people's group to camp in the old general store in Rosebud for three days. What persuaded us to go I don't remember? But what I do know is that 75 kids between 12 and 18 and young adult counsellors brought our sleeping bags and three days worth of food each, crowded into various vehicles and arrived in what we characterized as the "ghost town" of Rosebud.

We spent that weekend crowded into a rambling building that had the old store area - mostly empty except for a ping pong table. This area was connected to the live in quarters which had 4 bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen with appliances and dining area all arranged on two levels. Other than being separated by male and female, it was wall to wall sleeping bags at night with total chaos in the kitchen by day and forget the bathroom situation, let's say it was fortunate that there was still an old outhouse in the backyard.

What did we do besides spend a lot of time lining up to cook? Well, in the evenings we all sat on the floor in the dining area and sang campfire type songs, in the daytimes we climbed down into Horseshoe Canyon and played a wild game of Capture the Flag. Tim Erickson brought a rubber raft that a few people tried to paddle down the river and since it was spring run-off - that was chaotic. We also hiked down the railway tracks, investigated the empty houses and when the well ran dry (it wasn't used to 75 people flushing toilets?) - we pumped water from across the street. I fell in love with the quietness of the valley and its comfy natural beauty. Others must have too because the next thing I knew LaVerne, Cathy, Beth and others had set up a pilot summer camping program under a government grant to get city kids into the country. The rest is more history.

Preview Rosebud Theatre's new season

2005-10-16T16:42:00.000-06:00

The Drawer Boy
by Michael Healey

Comedy/Drama
March 3 to May 20, 2006

Think farm life is boring? Think again!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

Musical
June 2 - September 2, 2006
A timeless story of forgiveness and redemption.

Talley's Folly
by Lanford Wilson
Romantic Comedy

September 15 - October 21, 2006
A charming and humourous love story about two "lame ducks" who find wholeness and beauty in each other.

St. Nick's Magical Mystical Mystery Tour

Music/Stories/Silliness
Who is this Saint we call Claus?

Autumn Photography

2005-09-19T08:43:00.000-06:00

The Rosebud Valley has many beautiful pictures waiting to be taken but right now as the trees and hillsides turn color, there is all the more reason to stop a while. Look for the many interesting side roads that bring you right next to stunning views of the Rosebud valley. Inquire at the Little Country Blessings Store and Rosebud Museum for directions to viewing points.

Before Thanksgiving

2005-09-13T12:01:00.000-06:00

Thurs-Sat. Sept 22-Oct 8 Babel Rap at Rosebud Theatre's Studio Stage Starts 5 pm for 25 minutes. Phone 1-800-267-7553 for reservations and information.

Friday, September 23 at the Rosebud Cafe
LEWIS & ROYAL, $6.00 cover
Phone 403-677-2345 for more info.

Rosebud Folk Club Series at the Rosebud Cafe
Saturday September 24 - SEANACHIE - Calgary Celtic Music
Phone 403-677-2345 for tickets or more info.

Sunday, September 25 - The ROSAs
Scholarship & Awards Presentation for
Rosebud School of the Arts
Phone 403-677-2350 or email evaa@rosebudschoolofthearts.com.

Saturday, October 1 at the Rosebud Cafe
FOOL'S TONGUE, $4.00 cover
Phone 403-677-2345 for tickets or more info.

Thursday, October 6 at the Rosebud Cafe
JOHN REISCHMAN & THE JAYBIRDS, tickets $15.00
Phone 403-677-2345 for tickets or more info.

Rosebud Folk Club Series at the Rosebud Cafe
Saturday, Oct 8 Tim Williams
with special guest, Angus Wilson
Phone 403-677-2345 for tickets or more info.

Musical & Golfing special events Sept. 10

2005-09-07T08:29:00.000-06:00

Saturday, September 10 would be a lovely autumn day to visit Rosebud.

There's a golf tournament at Akokiniskway Golf Course to raise money for a CT Scanner for the Dumheller Health Centre. Phone 1-403-677-2250 for more information. following the rournament golfers will be entertained at the Stampede Barn, Drumheller for an evening of fun, dining and buying.

The Rosebud Folk Club presents ....
The RONNIE HAYWARD TRIO

Rockabilly bassist, singer, and songwriter Ronnie Hayward evokes the best of the mid-‘50s Sun Records era. With an authentic repertoire of original songs, he’s toured Canada, the U.S. and Europe extensively since 1984. His live performances are passionate and true to the tradition.

For more, visit www.northern-electric.ca. Phone 1-403-288-0051 for reservations and info.

For you antique lovers, Brian Lehman will be at That's Crafty to do appraisals on Saturday as well. Phone: 1-403-677-2207 for more information.

Don't forget that Rosebud Theatre also is featuring "The Village of Idiots", Friday and Saturday Evening and Saturday Matinee. Phone 1-800-267-7553 for reservations.

Antique Quonset at That's Crafty

2005-09-01T10:55:00.000-06:00

A well kept secret!
I'd just like to invite all those that haven't checked out the newest addition to June's wonderful crafts and divine cinnamon buns to come on over. Just west of the Rosebud turn off on Highway #9 is a large quonset stuffed full of all sorts of treasures.
Are you looking for just the right item to complement your antique decor or do your collect china or curios? Maybe you just need a butter churn or Medalta Crockery or even an enamel pot to hold those flowers? There's cream cans, trunks, old piano music and more. It will close down when it gets too cold in October so your best bet is to drive out sometime soon.
Bonita

September news

2005-08-29T15:20:00.000-06:00

September 2-6
Leigh Wardhaugh will be presenting his final project "Three are Company" at the Studio Stage at the West End of Rosebud.
September 9-10
Drumheller Area Hospital Foundation invitational at the Akokiniskway Golf Course to raise money for a CT Scan machine for the Drumheller Hospital.
September 10
Brian Lehman - antique appraiser at That's Crafty.
Phone 403-677-2207 for more details.
September 10
Ronnie Hayward Trio at the Rosebud Cafe.
September 1 to October 8
Village of Idiots continues at Rosebud Theatre.
September 24
Seanachie at the Rosebud Cafe.
September 25
The ROSAs - scholarships and awards event for Rosebud School of the Arts.