Summer winter carnival to warm up the troops

A traditional French winter carnival is coming to CFB Edmonton in two weeks, and the summer heat is only going to make the maple taffy taste even better.

The Military Family Resource Centre is once again hosting the gathering as a way of keeping people connected throughout the summer. The event is geared toward introducing new francophone members to the community after they transfer here from Québec, said marketing and communications co-ordinator Angela Duckworth.

"We've been putting on the event for the last few years. The language co-ordinator at the centre just wants to connect with families … from our daycare and our playschool," she explained. "It's just a fun way to celebrate the French culture."

"When new families are posted from Québec, it's a good chance for them to come and see what Alberta is all about, and meet some other families perhaps."

Frederic Rancourt is the outreach marketing communications co-ordinator at the resource centre. He went to the event last year and said that this next one is sure to be a good time too.

"It was a lot of fun. Last year, I brought my family, for sure. Everyone enjoyed the performance of Les Bûcherons! They made for really good shows."

The event is free and open to the public.

DQ serves up miracles

This Thursday is the last one in July, which is when Dairy Queen restaurants across the country serve up their frosty treats in support of the Children's Miracle Network.

The 10th annual Miracle Treat Day will see proceeds from the sales of all Blizzard treats go to the North American organization founded almost 30 years ago. It started as a televised fundraiser and turned into a group whose goals were to help as many sick kids as possible and keep all money at work in the communities in which they were raised.

Since its inception, more than $4.3 billion has been brought in towards those goals.

In its own small way, the local restaurant contributes a pretty sizeable amount as well.

"It's one of the biggest events of Dairy Queen," stated Solomon Vidal, one of the local co-ordinators of the event. "Last year we donated almost $33,000."

The St. Albert Dairy Queen is located at 388 St. Albert Trail. Call 780-458-6500 for more information. More information on the charity can be found at www.childrensmiraclenetwork.ca.