July 7, 2025 issue: (YC) County Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) held their annual Seniors Appreciation event on June 18, at the Wildwood Community Hall. This year’s event was “very successful,” said Community Outreach Coordinator and event organizer Karen Schatz, noting that 86 people attended.
Yellowhead County Deputy Mayor Brigitte Lemieux (on behalf of Mayor Wade Williams) welcomed seniors to the event as a dignitary, before staying to take part in the day’s festivities and connect with event guests.
Following their welcome, guests were given a presentation on fraud/scam tactics by Julie Matthews, a consumer protection expert and certified fraud examiner who is passionate about fraud prevention, especially in rural areas.
Julie has extensive experience helping Albertans, having worked as an Investigative TV Reporter, a Global TV Troubleshooter, a peace officer and senior investigator with the Government of Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit, and she now has her own consulting business touring around Alberta educating seniors, businesses, and community groups on how to spot the latest frauds and scams.
“Julie kept the audience very attentive with scenarios that have actually happened with people,” said Karen. “The comments were that people that were at the event learned a lot from Julie and will be extra careful when it comes to someone trying to get their personal information from them.”
The seniors were then treated to a meal catered by Pembina River Catering/Westend Meals on Wheels, who provided a lunch consisting of pulled pork, BBQ beef sliced, baked beans, potato salad, pasta salad, caesar salad, cheese, pickles, buns, butter, and mixed dessert squares. “There were many positive comments that the food was very good,” said Karen.
Elmer Riehl and his band provided the event’s entertainment. “We found people swaying to the music and people that got up and were dancing to the music,” said Karen. “They even did a yodeling song at the request of one of the participants. Everyone enjoyed the music!” The day ended with door prizes given out to some lucky attendees.
Attendees were able to leave evaluations of their experience, and 46 people handed in evaluations with their positive comments that highlighted Julie’s presentation, the food, the entertainment, and the time to socialize and connect with friends and neighbours. “Lots of great info and met lots of new friends, it was nice to connect with people that I’ve met in other community events and converse,” read one evaluation.
The seniors certainly showed their appreciation for the event, but in the end the day was about showing appreciation to them. “Seniors are a vital part of our community. They are the volunteers who share their skills, knowledge, and experience that are very valuable in our communities, whether they serve in community groups for community halls, recreation and agricultural societies, special projects, intergenerational programs, cemeteries, and more,” Karen said. “This was a special thank you to the seniors in our communities that give their time to the people in our communities. This is a chance to recognize the seniors for what they do.”
Behind every successful event are the people that make it happen. Four Yellowhead County staff members worked the event, including Karen, FCSS Summer Staff members Megan Fossheim and Colby Carter, and FCSS Program Assistant Natalie Tremblay. Tremblay is also the owner of Crumb n’ Get It and provided delicious cupcakes for everyone to enjoy.
In addition, eight volunteers from several different agencies headed up information tables for guests to check out. Information tables included the Wildwood Library on behalf of Yellowhead County Libraries, Hearing Care Doctors, McLeod River Primary Care Network, Yellowhead Women’s Shelter, Alzheimer Society of Alberta and NWT, the Lobstick Literacy and Learning Society, and Yellowhead County FCSS.
Thank you to all of our guests, as well as staff and volunteers, who made Yellowhead County’s 2025 Seniors Appreciation such a success.