2018 Women’s Conference a huge success

 

 

By Vicki Winger

 

The Women’s Conference on March 17 that was hosted by the Town of Whitecourt proved to be another successful year. It’s held every two years and has been going on since 2006 and gets bigger and better with each term. Fay Arcand, FCSS Co-ordinator for the Town of Whitecourt, has been a part of organizing this event and says it usually takes about a year and a half to bring it all together. A few of the founding co-ordinators, Leslie Hleck and Gail Bablitz are still part of today’s planning committee. Arcand said, “It was a really great to work with all the women on the planning committee.” Each conference held has a different theme and Arcand says it takes quite a bit of planning to follow through the whole event with the proper theme and focus on women. Women from the community all came together for this years’ theme of “Love where you live.” It was an opportunity for women to engage with others while learning more about themselves, personal health, and growth.

 

Throughout the day, the conference hosted four breakout sessions. Women could attend the full day of sessions or partake in the ones that appealed to them. Registered dietitian Mikala Wilson was on hand to discuss picking healthy choices in today’s world. Two close friends, Liana and Andrea, gave some great cooking tips that are healthy for women with busy lives. Lesley Lawton and Marla Skinner opened a classroom to discuss relationships and how to boost them. Also present to give some great tips and advice was the Credit Counselling Society and the Hilltop Veterinary Clinic which went over some common health issues with pets. The list of great speakers truly did go on and on, not to mention the merchant mall. This brought out several home-based businesses allowing them to showcase their talents and abilities.

 

A change this year was partnering with the quilt guild. Over 20 members from the guild were on hand from Edmonton, Barrhead, Mayerthorpe, Anselmo, and Whitecourt. There were over 100 quilts on display. The quilts will be donated to Wellspring. Eagle River Casino was a sponsor for this event and catered the lunch.