Community
Local Hosts Lead Master Classes
The MS Whisky & Wine Festival is an intimate event hosted by the MS Society of Canada, Central Alberta Chapter. Noted for the high level of vendor/guest interaction, the intention of the event is to provide for whisky and wine enthusiasts whether they’re interested in learning or have the most discerning palate. Our VIP Guests will have opportunity to further heighten their knowledge and experience through a Master Class of their choice. As part of a small group, VIP Guests will sit in a breakout room and focus on a number of products reflecting a particular genre. This year’s Master Classes feature notable local hosts chosen for their passion, knowledge, hospitality and their ability to educate with a flair of entertainment!
Matt Buck – VIP Whisky Master Class
Whisky has an incredibly rich history, tightly woven through the fabric of society. As we move toward the future, increasing demand for Scottish Malt Whisky is putting pressure on producers and driving the industry in new and uncharted directions. We will examine the effects of Scotch’s past on its present and future, and take a tasting journey through a selection of these controversial bottlings.
I’m a full time Bartender and the General Manager of To The Lost, Forgotten Alley, and the newly opened Gusto in Red Deer’s Downtown core, and I’m also half of Old Fashioned Cocktails- a hospitality and cocktail consulting company dedicated to elevating the culture of drink in Central Alberta. I am very excited to be scheduled to write the exam to obtain Certification as a Spirits Specialist by the end of this year.
Whether it’s a cocktail you prefer, or a glass of wine, a pint of ale or a dram of whisk(e)y, drinking is a way of slowing down, it’s the act of appreciating something that was crafted with care and dedication, a product with a birthplace, a story, and a personality.
BJ Tumanut – VIP Wine Master Class
It’s difficult for me to taste wine without wondering about its story: where it came from, the history of the area and winery and how it was grown. I wonder who made it, what I would eat it with, and why it was made a certain way and not another. To me, wines are stories.
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri but it was only after I moved to Edmonton in 1997 that my interest in the world of wine was born. I first studied wine casually on my own but soon began pursuing a formal wine education. I studied with the International Sommelier Guild and developed a career in fine wine in Edmonton from 1999 to 2002.
At the end of 2002, I decided I needed a change and I swapped my wine glasses for chocolate boxes and managed the three Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut stores in Edmonton for eight years. Chocolate was a great fit for me, so much so that in 2011 I moved to Red Deer to own and operate my own store. I’ve been enjoying Red Deer ever since and around town people call me “CocoLady”.
Currently I’m working on my Level 3 Award in Wines from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust based in London, England. I’ve also started to dabble in wine writing as I’ve begun to write for Central Alberta Home & Lifestyles magazine. I’ve also received sensory training and earned my Canadian Wine Scholar Certificate from Fine Vintage Ltd. My thirst for wine education continues! I’m currently enrolled in the BC Wine Ambassador Program: Level One and the Fine Vintage Ltd Sommelier program.
Join us January 17, 2017!
For event information and tickets please visit www.reddeerwhiskyfestival.ca
Community
New Documentary “Cooking with Hot Stones” Explores History of Fort Assiniboine, Alberta
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February 14, 2025 – Alberta, Canada – A compelling new documentary, Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine, is set to air on Wild TV, RFD TV Canada, Cowboy Channel Canada, and you can click here to stream for FREE on Wild TV’s streaming service, Wild TV+. This engaging one-hour feature will take viewers on a journey through time, exploring Fort Assiniboine’s rich history from 1823 to 2023.
Fort Assiniboine is a significant landmark in Alberta, playing a crucial role in Indigenous history, the fur trade, and the western expansion of Canada. This documentary captures the spirit of the region, illustrating how it has evolved over two centuries and how it continues to shape the cultural fabric of the province today.
Wild TV will make the documentary free to stream on Wild TV+ on February 14th so that it can be easily accessed in classrooms and other educational settings throughout the region, ensuring the historical significance of Fort Assiniboine reaches a wider audience.
Produced by Western Directives Inc., Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine brings historical moments to life with vivid storytelling, expert interviews, and breathtaking cinematography.
“We are very excited to partner with Wild TV as part of our one hour documentary production. Based in Alberta, we respect the hard work and quality programming that Wild TV brings to a national audience. With the broadcast opportunity, Wild TV gives our production the ability to entertain and educate Canadians across the country on multiple platforms,” said Tim McKort, Producer at Western Directives.
Scott Stirling, Vice President of Wild TV, also expressed enthusiasm for the project: “At Wild TV, we are passionate about telling Canadian stories that resonate with our audiences. This documentary not only highlights a crucial piece of our nation’s history but also celebrates the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples, traders, and settlers who shaped the land we call home today. We are proud to bring Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine to our viewers across Canada.”
Airtimes for Wild TV can be found here.
For airtimes on RFD TV Canada, click here.
For airtimes on Cowboy Channel Canada, visit CCC’s schedule.
Community
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer celebrates 10th season in 2025 with new leadership
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L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
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