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HAMMERTIME: A special place of kindness, care among natures finest

Taking some time with family at a place designed for family, in this week’s Hammertime
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Mike Rainone

Hammertime

Thanks to a kindly invitation from our family, my wife Joyce and I spent a few enjoyable days last week at the pristine William-Watson Lodge, which is nestled amongst the majestic and natural beauty of the Kananaskis Country in the Rocky Mountains of southern Alberta.

Situated in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and overlooking the Lower Kananaskis Lake, the William Watson Lodge was established in 1977 with the purpose of providing a unique and barrier free opportunity for persons living with physical and cognitive disabilities, seniors, and families to experience and connect with people of all abilities, all ages, and all cultures in a natural setting during an exciting but relaxed overnight wilderness adventure.

We found the spacious cabins very bright and comfortable as well as completely accessible to those with disabilities, while there were also ample furnishings, appliances and lots of amenities for all meals and day and night family activities.

Each cabin area also features a huge deck on which guests can play games, bbq or just simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the magnificent scenery.

The surrounding Peter Lougheed Park is a massive expanse of natural wilderness blessed with a magnificent landscape of mountains, trees, wild flowers, lakes and rivers, but also includes excellent roads and trails on which to travel and explore, and maybe even get a safe glimpse and a great photo of some of the areas ample and thankfully protected wildlife.

Named after William Watson, an Albertan who worked diligently to improve the social and environmental conditions for persons with disabilities, the comfortable lodge and perfectly natural surroundings include 22 accessible cabins, 12 full-serviced campsites, one comfort camping site, easily accessible picnic sites and over 20 kilometres of accessible trails.

Acquiring accommodations at the popular year-round William Watson Lodge is by well in advance reservations only — the fees are extremely fair and reasonable and group bookings are by special request only.

The main lodge is for day-use only, but visitors are always welcome to gather and relax, play cards or games or chat with the friendly staff and volunteers and learn about the colorful history and benefits of this wonderful facility that has been dedicated to and has served the very special needs and enjoyment of hundreds of thousands of Alberta families for over 40 years.

Advance registration and information for William-Watson Lodge is available by calling 403-591-7227 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or at www.albertaparks.ca/wwl.

What we should all be truly thankful for each and every day

• The mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

• The taxes we pay because it means that I am employed.

• The clothes that fit a little to snug because it means I have enough to eat.

• My shadow who watches me work because it means that I am out in the sunshine.

• The spot I find at the end of the parking lot because it means that I am capable of walking.

• All the complaining I hear about the Government because it means that we all have the freedom of speech.

• That lady behind me at church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.

• The piles of laundry and ironing there is because it means that our loved ones are with us.

• The lawn that needs mowing, the windows that need cleaning, and the gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

• My huge heating bill because it means that I’m always warm.

• Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive.

• We should always be thankful for that noisy alarm that goes off early in the morning, because it means that we are alive to enjoy another day.

Always remember that, yes, some of us are quite short, but then again God only lets things grow until they are perfect. I guess some of us didn’t take as long as others.

Please don’t forget to get your entry in for the annual Ponoka Agriculture Society Home, Hobby, and Horticultural Show on August 17 and 18 at the Royal Canadian Legion, a gala family affair with visitors of all ages welcome.

In the meantime, always take a little time to COOL OFF when you need to and go ahead and have a great week, all of you.