Potatoes have been cultivated for thousands of years in Peru, and valued for their healing properties. Potatoes are a good source of many healthful nutrients, including fiber, and copper. Copper is needed for energy and collagen production, iron release, and as an antioxidant to strengthen the immune system. Potatoes are a natural source of lipoic acid, vitamin C and vitamin B6, which are all are necessary fuel (co-factors) for a multitude of enzymatic reactions that are need

At the end of the 1930’s, my Grandpa had a horse they called old “Spot”, and he was as smart as a whip. His horse pen was on the far side of the house closer to the barnyard. Spot was so clever; he could open his gate and come into the yard. Sometimes it would just take a push. Other times, he would lift the gate closer with his muzzle (mouth) and push with his shoulder and enter the yard. Grandma would have freshly laundered clothes pinned on the clothesline once a week. If

For decades, fire was a major danger for many communities, including Vermilion. One spark could ignite a building and leave ashes in its wake. Vermilion has suffered many fires through its history. One of the worst for the community, not in terms of the size of the fire, but because of what it burned down, was the fire that came as a new year dawned. As 1940 began, the world was ramping up towards the most destructive war in human history. In Vermilion, while all that was hap

After retiring, my dad’s brother, Uncle Clayt and his wife, Aunt Doris enjoyed travelling extensively locally and internationally. When exploring Alberta, they would load their camper onto their half-ton truck, turning it into a comfortable home on wheels. I think it seemed so remarkable to us because our family didn’t travel. They never had children so occasionally, one or more of us nieces and nephews would get an invitation to join them on a road trip. The one I remember t

Sardines are having a moment right now. It seems like Foodies, Chefs and Influencers have suddenly discovered them. I don’t know if you know this or not, but sardines are pretty close to a super food. I have been eating them for decades, especially, if I am feeling a bit run down, I find they have always been a great pick me up. Sardines are a natural source of the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in their Omega 3 fat, which have been shown to be heart healthy by lowe

Mysteries are always fun, and they are even more fun when we can solve them. One of the most famous mysteries in Canadian history is the fate of Henry Hudson. Back in 1611, his crew mutinied in Hudson Bay and left him adrift in a small boat with his son and several sick men. We don’t know what happened to him after that. Then there is the mystery of hockey player Bill Barilko (yes the one from the Tragically Hip song). He scored the winning goal to win the Maple Leafs the Sta

The Battle River Valley that we call home has been host to a few events over the last century. On the river flats south of our place, a rodeo was held. There is an action picture in the “Oxen Tails to Jet Trails” history book labelled “Myers Stampede” dated 1931. Thank God for the invention of photography! Looks to me like they captured the wild horse race in progress and there’s a big crowd! (Just love those 10-gallon cowboy hats). Just east across a coulee on another river

Dawn Hames Columnist Here is as little treasure from the 1970’s that is sure to be a keeper. How about a pie that comes out of the pan like a pie crust, yet, you didn’t have to make pastry. The bottom pastry forms seemingly impossibly its own crust while it bakes. The flour forms a thicken side crust, the coconut floats to the top, with a creamy custard filling in between. It is super easy and fast to mix up in one bowl, and then pour it all into a buttered 9-inch pie plate.

In April 1911, the weather was good in the Vermilion area and seeding had already begun with many expecting it to be one of the best harvest years in the past decade. Many felt at the time that Vermilion deserved to get some recognition from the provincial government for the great crops grown in the area. The recognition many wanted was a demonstration farm. The Vermilion Board of Trade put forward the possibility of having such a farm by sending a delegate to Edmonton to spe

This is a dreamy dessert, perfect for all your spring and summer dining events. I start with making the base, and while that is cooking, I prepare the lemon filling. When both are cooled, then it’s time to whip the cream and assemble. You won’t be disappointed with this light and creamy delight. Creamy Lemon Pavlova Pavlova Base 4 egg whites (room temperature) 3/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon white vinegar Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Draw a 9 or

In 1958, Vermilion was booming. The economy was doing great in the town, earning it the title of Town of the Week from the Edmonton Journal for the week of March 10, 1958. There were several aspects of the community that earned it praise at the time. One of the biggest was the opening of the Vermilion Airport 12 years earlier in 1946. The work to get an airport built took 15 years, and was due in no small part from the Vermilion Board of Trade. Then there was Vermilion River

You will need a doughnut pan to make baked cake donuts, instead of fried. Often times we end up with extra over ripe bananas and this is another great recipe to use them up. The verdict is: this is one of my new favorite recipes. Here are a few tips for successful baked donut making. Only fill the tin 2/3 full, because if you do more, the doughnut raises so much that you lose the hole in the center. The other tip to success is, the oven must be preheated, and then left for f

As it is the beginning of another month, it is time to look at what was going on in Vermilion back 100 years ago this month. The month started off on a sad note when it was announced that Henry Stephens, the former mayor of Vermilion, passed away on April 5. He was 62 and a senior member of the firm Stephens Limited. He had been dealing with what was called a severe cold, and had trouble breathing. He was one of the first men to open a business in Vermilion, and he was on the

Easter dinner at my parents when we were young “adults” (if we dared to use that term so loosely!) was always interesting. Mostly because nobody arrived at the same time, and everyone brought a different definition of the word “help.” By the time the coats are piled on the bed someone had already lost a shoe in the entryway, and the house smelled like turkey, ham, and mom’s homemade buns that honestly made people forget their own names for a second. One of my older cousins sh

Vermilion is not known as a place that has a lot of crime, so when something happens, it always makes news. This is as true today as it was over 100 years ago when the community was young. Back then, a young man by the name of Riel Bonneau decided that he would rob several farmers, expecting that he would get away with it easily. That would not be the case though. Over the course of several weeks in February 1919, he robbed various farms while wearing a mask. Once he accompli

This recipe does not use any processed sugar, only natural sweeteners like dates, sweet potatoes, and a touch of honey on the icing. It is also flourless and gluten-free. This is a moist and dense small cake, with a brownie-like texture. Sweet potatoes are another one of those foods that have a lot of healthy benefits. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of the vitamin A called beta carotene. Sweet potatoes also have beneficial fiber as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

In the early years of homesteading on the prairies, it would have been a lonely life if it had not been for neighbours and community gatherings. Families were often separated by miles of open land, and long days of chores could pass with little company beyond the wind and the wide-open sky. When someone needed help raising a barn, bringing in a harvest, or tending to an illness, word travelled quickly and people showed up because everyone understood how much depended on mutua

For a town to survive from its earliest days through the next century, financial growth was vital. While there were rough patches for Vermilion during its early years, especially when The Great Depression hit, the town always survived. By the early-1960s, it was prospering. At a meeting in February 1962, a group of taxpayers attended the annual meeting of the Vermilion ratepayers to hear reports of the town’s progress. The first report came from Charles Thompson, a hospital b

With the start of another month, it is time to look back in time to what was happening in the community back in March 1926. Some events were small, some were large, but all shaped the future community. On March 7, Vermilion was defeated 6-0 by the Calgary Albertans in a tough-fought hockey game that didn’t end well for the home team. On March 8, James Cammon, a resident of the Vermilion for the previous 21 years was appointed as the Justice of the Peace. He had previously ser

This is a great dish to serve as an appetizer orhors devours, and it is sure to be a hit for entertaining. A lot of people don’t like sushi with raw fish. Here is a wonderful baked (and cooked) version. The fact that salmon is a very healthy food is no secret. The problem often is that we don’t eat it, or any type of fish enough. Coming from the land locked prairies, where fish is not a staple food, it may not be a regular part of our diet. The importance of enjoying salmon r