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

Jordyn Prior was awarded the Rising Star Award. Photo submitted Women from across Western Canada gathered in Calgary earlier this month to celebrate leadership, innovation, and community within the agricultural industry during the Advancing Women in Agriculture West Conference. Held March 8 to 10 at the Hyatt Regency Calgary, the annual event brings together women working across all areas of agriculture to connect, learn, and recognize those helping shape the future of the in

Lloydminster resident Dale Aalbers has announced he is seeking the United Conservative Party (UCP) nomination in the provincial riding of Vermilion–Lloydminster–Wainwright ahead of the next Alberta election. Aalbers made the announcement earlier this month following news that current MLA Garth Rowswell will not seek re-election, opening the door for new candidates to represent the riding. If successful in securing the party’s nomination, Aalbers would run as the UCP candidate

Breanne Orton is chatting with a Farmers Market attendee. Photos Sonya Lee With spring just around the corner, a beloved Vermilion tradition made its return. The Vermilion Farmer’s Market opened its 2026 season on Tuesday, March 10, once again bringing local vendors, handcrafted goods, and community spirit back to Elk’s Hall. Held weekly every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Elk’s Hall, located at 5029 49 Avenue, the market provides a warm and inviting space where

The 33rd annual Border City Collectors Showcase at the WLS Convention Centre in Lloydminster drew crowds from across the region this past weekend, delighting antique enthusiasts and collectors alike. Hosted by the Lloydminster Border City Collectors Club, the two-day event offered a treasure trove of rare finds, nostalgic pieces, and unique collectibles. With over 100 vendors filling the convention centre, attendees spent Friday evening and all of Saturday browsing and buying

Ariana Whitlow File photo The Vermilion Allied Arts Council will close out its 2025–26 performance season with a powerful musical tribute when singer Ariana Whitlow brings her acclaimed show DIVAS Live! to the Alumni Theatre at Lakeland College on March 28. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Bar service will be available before the show and during the intermission. The concert will serve as the grand finale of the arts council’s five-show

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

Barn on the Bend, owned by Melissa Guenthner, hosted its inaugural Wedding Showcase on March 6 and 7. The venue served as both host and participating vendor during the event. The property features a beautifully preserved barn more than 100 years old, combining historic character with modern elegance. Guests attending the showcase had the opportunity to explore the space and envision how the venue could be transformed for weddings and special events. The showcase also highligh

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

On March 4, Vermilion and area residents and business owners had the opportunity to gather at the Vermilion Public Library for a workshop focused on strengthening their social media skills. The event was hosted by the library in collaboration with Community Futures Lloydminster and Region. Titled Using Social Media Effectively, the workshop was led by Corinne McGirr, general manager of Community Futures. McGirr quickly captured the audience’s attention with her extensive know

Is there still an active cross-country ski club in Vermilion? Absolutely — and it’s thriving! The Vermilion Nordic Ski Club is celebrating an incredible milestone this season: 50 years of skiing, friendship, and community spirit. Founded in 1976 by a passionate group of ski enthusiasts — including the parents of Olympic gold medalist Beckie Scott, Jan and Walter Scott — the club has grown into a vibrant hub for winter activity in our region. Today, the club maintains 20 kilom

We often get several snowfalls in March, and it is snowing as I write this today. We have the most beautiful white glistening pristine landscape on the prairies when it decides to snow; transforming it into a living work of art. Snowflakes, with their every size and shape, some delicate and feathery, others bold and crystalline, showcases Mother Nature’s endless creativity. No two are exactly alike, each carrying a story etched in ice. I have always been so mesmerized by the

This is a delicious aspic that pair well with so many meats. It is beautiful with roast beef, hamburgers, pork roast, moose, venison, chicken and turkey. Serve it as a condiment. There are so many health benefits in this sweet and savory aspic. The first one is collagen in the gelatin, which is a protein rich in glycine and proline. Collagen in the diet is needed for joints, skin elasticity and hydration, and intestinal membrane gut health. Onions are a great source of the

While it wasn’t an Olympic gold medal in curling, the White Trophy in Vermilion was a pretty big deal for curlers over 100 years ago. Back in February 1909, the Vermilion Curling Club took on several other clubs for the right to hold the White Trophy. This was the first year that the trophy was available to win and several teams were hoping to capture it. The teams that competed were from all around eastern central Alberta including Vermilion, Fort Saskatchewan and Vegreville

From left, Craig Bignell and Suzanne Levesque of Over The Moon performing. Photo Greg Haselhurst Photography The Vermilion Allied Arts Council hosted a truly memorable Valentine’s Day concert on February 14, welcoming Alberta duo Over the Moon to the Lakeland College Alumni Hall Theatre for an evening of music, stories, and community connection. The award-winning husband-and-wife team, Suzanne Levesque and Craig Bignell, brought their signature blend of acoustic roots, swing,

Our chickens have been laying a few more eggs than we can use, so it was time to pickle a few. This recipe works in the winter, and in the summer. I like to add fresh dill from the garden. If your pickling spice has cloves it will turn the brine tea coloured, and that is fine. If you want a clear brine, then you will have to pick the cloves out of the pickling spice. To hard boil eggs, place your eggs in a pot and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, cover the e

Whenever it’s cold outside it’s a good time to turn on the oven and do some baking. This banana bread recipe is a good way to use up some over ripe bananas. If you have over ripe bananas and no time to use them up, you can pop them into the freezer, peel and all, to be used later for loafs and muffins. This is a well tested recipe that makes great banana loafs every time. This recipe is high in fiber, and is mostly sweetened naturally with dates and bananas. Dates, oat bran a

Here is a cabbage salad that uses healthy ingredients in the dressing, instead of salad dressing and mayonnaise made with industrial seed oils. Olive oil is rich in monosaturated fat, which helps to reduce inflammation. Olive oil contains omega 9’s, vitamins E, K & A plus additional anti-oxidants. Olive oil is an important part of the Mediterranean diet, that helps to prevent heart disease and stroke. Studies of the Mediterranean diet, which is high in olive oil, show a 40 p

The Health and Wellness Symposium Speakers From left, Kerri Lorenson, Mike Cameron, and Chris Ekelson. Photo Sonya Lee On February 4, 2026, the Vermilion Regional Centre was filled with conversation, reflection, and a shared commitment to mental wellness as community members gathered for the tenth annual Vermilion Mental Health & Wellness Symposium. Running from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the full-day event welcomed participants from across the region for a meaningful exploratio

I laced up a pair of skates at a very young age and always enjoyed skating. I especially loved skating on our slough or even on the river when I was young with our neighbours. We cleared a lot of ice in those days. In school Phys. Ed. we had skating at our local arena. I never did play hockey but eight of my brothers and sisters took to the ice, learning the game’s language through swift passes, slap shots, the odd fight and the relentless pursuit of victory. Sometimes I t