High River......Let us help them get back on their feet!!

June 26^th, 2013

High River Flooding Update #3

This info bulletin is specific to the flooding situation and response in the Town of High River.

Current situation update

State of local emergency continues for the Town of High River and the mandatory evacuation order remains in effect.

Reception centres for displaced High River residents are set up in Nanton at the Tom Horneker Reception Centre, in Blackie at the town arena and in Okotoks at the curling rink.  The Town of High River is still a high risk environment.  Mud, rocks, debris and standing water are contaminated.  Sinkholes are also a hazard.  It is not safe to return to the Town of High River at this time.

A staged re-entry plan for residents is being finalized and will be implemented as soon as it is safe for residents to begin returning.

The province is supporting the Town of High River in developing a recovery plan.  Water and sewer treatment facilities became operational on a limited basis overnight and are being monitored, However, three of the town’s 10 sewage lift stations remain under water.  Work to drain and pump standing water is ongoing.  Large areas of standing water remain.  Five building inspection teams have been deployed to inspect homes and business.  The High River Hospital remains evacuated.

This is what we are doing to help……

So I have been thinking lately about what I can do to help people in High River…My family was affected by the flooding and have been evacuated from their homes.  So the other night Cody and I were talking about going down there when they are allowed back in their home, so we can help them to start rebuilding their home.  I am going to be making laundry baskets full of household items for my family and as many of their neighbours as I can. ….if any of you are interested in donating items or making a monetary donation so that we can purchase items for the baskets, it would be greatly appreciated.  You can drop off any donations at the I Do Shop or text me to make arrangements 780-207-5240. Thanks!

Favors with a Flair

There's something extra memorable about any occasion (wedding, baby or bridal show, birthday party) that sends you home with a special treat.  These nine ideas are easy to create and really fun to give out to family and friends at just about any celebration.

Personalized Pencils

A simple idea with an old-school charm.  Buy colourful pencils in bulk and personalize them with favourite song lyrics or phrases that are meaningful to you.  Bundle them up with paper bellybands that you can be customized with stickers and hole punches in fun designs.

 Heart-Shaped Sparklers

Bird seed, bubbles, even rice had their moments....and not it's about celebrating with a little bit of light.  Hand out favors at the beginning of the party and invite guests to join you in letting the sparks fly.

 Love Letters

For a real yummy treat, send friends and family home with bite-size delights that share a special message.  Mix it up with words like YAY, THANKS, or personalize with monogram, initials, or even the wedding date.  Dress up plain acetate boxes with patterned paper that coordinates with your wedding colours.

Romantic Shades

Love may be blind, but id you look close enough you're sure to see hearts.  These unique 3D glasses are designed to see hearts when your eyes hit points of light in the dark.

Island Flair

If you're hosting a destination affair, choose a festive (fashionable) accessory as your take away.

Dessert Bar

Cup or cone? A delicious question that will be worth screaming about (at an appropriate level, of course) as guests are on their way out.

Messages in a Bottle

Just when you thought candy couldn't get any sweeter.  Enter personalized hard candy sweets.  These old-fashioned goodies can be customized by colour, special message, and design.  Package in unexpected tubes and top off with a ribbon and tag.

Perfect Mix

Everyone's happy when you've picked a yummy favor that's both salty and sweet.  These cashews have a scrumptious butter toffee coating that are sure to be devoured on the ride home.  Skip the typical bags and package them in boxes that coordinate with your signature colours.

All of the fixings (marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate) for making sure your guests are well-prepared for toasting at home.

How to choose a Caterer

The guests at your wedding will remember lots of things about your big day – the wedding dress, the speeches, your venue– but what matters most to many of them is the food! And it will matter to you too, with the catering likely to be the biggest expense for your wedding. So that you and your guests aren’t left, quite literally, with a bitter taste in their mouths, here’s our 10 tips to helping you choose your wedding caterer.

DIY catering- only if you must

If you have more then 20 people attending your wedding, then we'd suggest getting a professional caterer involved.  You won't be able to fully enjoy the experience of your wedding with your family and friends if everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off, worried about the other guests being fed and taken care of. 

Then there are all those dirty dishes afterwards!  If you are thinking of doing the catering yourself, then at least get some staff to serve and clear up.  It will be money well spent and will allow you and your guests the chance to relax and enjoy together without the worry of clean up.

Try and negotiate on cost

As much as you might like to treat your guests to a feast fit for a king (or wedding princess), it is a fact that cost is a factor for most couples.  How much it will cost is quite possibly the first thing you will look at and you'll of course want to get value for your money but also quality.  Start with your budget and see which caterers fit.  It's possible that you can negotiate with some caterers as quotes are usually "cost per head", or you could substitute something in the menu.

Source your own?

Many venues provide their own catering services or are able to recommend caterers for you.  Don't feel pressured by a venue.  Only if you think the venue is perfect for your reception should you be prepared to compromise on the food and choices they provide.  If you are using external caterers then get a few quotes in writing and see if you can sample their dishes.  Remember that caterers tend to get booked up months in advance so you'll need to be quick with decisions to ensure you have the caterer you want.

What food options are available?

When choosing a caterer you need to know what food options they can supply.  If it's just the basics and you want to consider something a little more adventurous then look elsewhere, maybe beyond regular wedding caterers.  A wide and varied menu is usually preferred, especially on that caters for special dietary requirements.  If they don't have what you want, then look elsewhere.

Who supplies the silverware and other utensils?
It would be ideal fi your venue or external caterers were able to supply the necessary china, glassware and utensils.  If rental equipment is necessary then you need to ascertain who will be responsible for its delivery, cleaning and return.  Also don't overlook the cake stand and knife as these need to be factored in too.  No one wants to cut their wedding cake with a butter knife!  Serving staff - make sure the staff are fit for the task of waiting on wedding reception tables.  The caterer's team will generally know the food and service well.  the safe (but more costly option) is to go for the caterers and their own staff.  Make sure you know the ratio of staff to guests and that the staff will come suitably dressed.  Bear in mind that, as well as the catering staff, you may need additional people such as a toastmaster to announce guests and run the proceedings, plus waiters and waitresses to keep guests supplied with drinks.

The Wedding Cake

To minimise stress and perhaps save you money you may want all the food to be provided by one caterer, and that includes the wedding cake.  Check with your potential caterers whether their services can include wedding cake or if they are connected with a cake supplier.  Ask to see photo samples of wedding cakes provided for previous weddings to give you an idea of what you'll be getting.

Meals on wheels

You need to consider how close the caterers are to your venue.  If the food is being prepared miles away from your wedding reception then you may be wondering what condition it is going to be in by the time it arrives.  If it's some distance it could be that your guests arrive long before the food does, and that is unlikely to go down too well.  The caterer should plan out how long it will take them to get to the reception and how they will transport and prepare the food.  If it is not being made onsite the potential for mishaps is greater.

Consider references and reliability

Don't just take the caterers' word, if any are unable or unwilling to provide proof of where they source their ingredients then you should have concerns.  Check their references from those who have previously employed their services.  Bear in mind that some people can be incredibly fussy so take what other couples say with a pinch of salt.  A personal recommendation from someone you really trust is the best way to go.

Dink to the happy couple

A highlight for many of the guests is the drink on offer and many a wedding will be judged on how freely the drinks flow.  Consider which drinks will be served and if you will be providing drinks on the tables for your guests during the reception.  Maybe your venue allows you to supply your own alcohol for a fee, for which they may well provide the required glassware and refrigeration.  If there's a bar, it's important to know what time it will serve and you need to decide whether you're going to foot the bill or whether guests need to fend for themselves (which is a hot topic in itself)

Summers Hot Colours

Are you getting married this summer and don't know what colors to choose for your wedding? Check out these five hot pairs of colors to get the wheels turning.
 
1) Watermelon & Honeydew Green (Baby Pink & Apple Green)
Nothing says summer quite like watermelons. Pair bright watermelon with a light honeydew green, or go with dark green and white to imitate the summertime fruit. These combinations will go great with the greens in your bouquets and centerpieces, and can be paired nicely with other shades of pink. Having a more informal wedding get together? Serve watermelon slices after a BBQ reception or as an appetizer at your beach blowout.

2) Cornflower blue & plum
This bold combination goes great with all skin tones. Choose bridesmaid dresses in bright cornflower blue with plum accents. Hydrangeas are the perfect flower to accompany this color combination, and if you're getting married in a garden or park graced with these blooms your photos will be absolutely gorgeous.

3) Tangerine & light yellow
A bright tangerine orange goes perfectly with a subtle light yellow, and this combination will make your wedding seem sunny even if summer showers come your way. Dress your maids in light yellow gowns and choose bright orange flowers to give the ensemble some pop. Not a fan of traditional wedding cake? Replace the dessert with a festive sorbet to match your color scheme instead.

4) Hot pink & lime green
This wedding color combination has been popular over the last few years. The two bright colors competing for attention are great for beach weddings or photo shoots in a garden. They can also brighten up the inside of a church, providing that they don't clash with the décor. Blooms and greens are easy to match, and your tannest bridesmaids to your whitest will look great.

5) Turquoise & coral pink
Planning a destination wedding on a tropical island, or at least dreaming of it? Bring the beach to you with this wedding color combination of turquoise and coral pink. If you are fortunate enough to say your vows with your feet in the sand, coral pink dresses will look stunning against the backdrop of the turquoise blue sea. Seashells and starfish make great table decorations for this color combination.

Hope these ideas helped you to start envisioning the wedding of your dreams! Once you choose a color combination you'll be ready to design your wedding invitations, shop for bridesmaid dresses, order your flowers, and decide on your table décor.