Flagstaff Community Adult Learning (FCAL) celebrated 50 years on Thursday, June 6, in Forestburg at the train station. Former coordinator Val Rathjen acted as master of ceremonies for the event, welcoming around 80 people for the evening’s celebration, including present and former volunteers and board members.
Rathjen told a humorous story about how she took a three-month temporary job at FCAL and ended up staying for nine or 10 years. She added, “I hold all of these people in this organization close to my heart, because I have had the wonderful opportunity to invest in this program and in the wonderful people that we serve in the community that benefited.”
Board member Randy Roth introduced the board after dinner, who are Vera Engel, Sharleen Chevraux, Jackie Norman, Tara Tanton, and Carmonie Schroeder.
He then introduced staff members Nanette Jones, Lois Polege, and Treena Brooke, Joanne McMahon, and Janet Gartner. Roth said, “We’re all here because of the lifelong journey of learning that we are all on.”
Forestburg Councillor Dwayne Giroux brought greetings from the Village of Forestburg, Council, and Administration. “Adult learning is an important avenue to keep people’s minds active and moving forward. Please join me in thanking Flagstaff Community Adult Learning for the service they have provided. We wish them much success in the years to come.”
Rathjen then brought greetings from MLA Jackie Lovely and MP Damien Kurek. Lovely said the evening was a wonderful way to show appreciation to Flagstaff Community Adult Learning for their service to the community over the past 50 years.
Rathjen asked Lois Polege to take the stage to introduce some videos, produced by JCE Files, to share some stories about FCAL, its programs, and its impact. Treena Brooke also introduced videos about the Change it Up program, and added her thanks to past and present board members for the legacy that FCAL has brought to the community.
The videos featured former clients, board members, and staff, talking about various services and experiences with Flagstaff Community Adult Learning.
One of the messages arising from the videos, from board member Sharleen Chevraux, was how the organization has evolved through the years to serve the changing needs of the community; one of the reasons it has lasted 50 years.
In the videos former and present clients talked about how the services and programs offered by FCAL went beyond learning, and also developed into community connections.
After the video presentations Rathjen said, “The heart and soul of each program is about relationships. It’s about those services, and it’s about meeting the needs of the community, and this team does it fabulously.”
She then brought more greetings and congratulations, starting with Leda Johnson. “Leda was first a volunteer, who served as a community representative, because at the beginning, the government sort of said, ‘Here’s a tiny bit of money,’ adding, ‘Do something for adults in your community.’
“Out of those small beginnings came what we see now. Leda was one of the community representatives before taking on the role as coordinator.” In that message Johnson talked about the various places that were used as offices before landing at the courthouse in Killam. She also recognized past community coordinators, closing with, “Thank you so much, and best wishes for your anniversary.”
Rathjen then read greetings from Mary Jane Hedeman, who was a literacy coordinator in the 90s, “I want to let you know that even though we are unable to celebrate with you, we celebrate this milestone, and how it has changed many lives and given so much to our communities.”
Rathjen added, “We also wanted to recognize folks that are in the room. We have a couple of ladies who were part of that community connection, when different towns had different representatives. In the room here tonight, we have Marj Lunty, and Carol Ross. Both of these ladies were part of those community connectors. They would listen to the people in their town, village, or area, and try to set up courses. So thank you, for being part of the beginnings.”
Rathjen then recognized those present who had served as tutors, including Carole Stang, Richard and Elaine deBock, Donna Polege, and Terri Rombough.
Polege introduced more videos, first giving a shout out to Sandra Erickson, who works on the job board for FCAL.
That led to a more in-depth conversation about Building Blocks, which was started by Nanette Jones.
Polege said, “Nanette has been with us for 15 years, and we see so much fruit from what she has invested in this community and this organization, but she has decided that for her it’s time to move on, and she will be retiring at the end of this month. We want to take the opportunity today to recognize and thank her for all that she’s done; for her creativity and passion, and compassion she’s shared with so many people. The impact she’s made, and will continue to make in many ways.”
McMahon was invited to talk about her experiences with Jones, and the Building Blocks program.
“I am proud to say I’ve been part of this organization for the past 14 years.
“I started my involvement with FCAL as a volunteer tutor, which is such a good experience.
After tutoring, I became a builder in a newly developed Building Blocks Program.”
McMahon said Jones had a dream of starting a family literacy program. The two looked at what was available in Alberta and settled on the Building Blocks program. “As FCAL’s Literacy Tutor Coordinator, Nanette had noticed a need for family literacy for years, and in my role, as a kindergarten teacher in Flagstaff County, I noted that the literacy gap was getting larger each year among children starting school.”
She described how family literacy programs work, building on the idea that parents are the first and most important teacher for their children.
In October of 2012, the Building Blocks program began, with good early success. “Building Blocks has really been the most fulfilling job I have ever done as a teacher.
“In Nanette’s role, as literacy coordinator for FCAL, she has worked to increase our county’s residents knowledge in all types of literacy, including financial, computer, physical, ESL, and the one most dear to her heart, family literacy.”
She also talked about Jones’ tireless efforts to secure funding for the project, and her success in keeping it running over the years.
Jones then took the podium, “All that I’ve been doing all my time at Adult Learning, is working with the best of friends, and I just can’t thank you all enough for the love and support.”
She made a special presentation to McMahon and to Janet Gartner for their contributions to the Building Blocks program.
Roth then returned to the stage with his own video presentation about FCAL’s history over the years, and some of the highlights of programs offered through its history.
He closed his presentation by inviting those board members, some who’d served over 25 years, who were present and current staff members to stand and come to the podium.
He presented them all with tickets to the Battle River Rail’s Murder Mystery in thanks for their service.
Then a special tribute was presented to the staff by board member Tara Tanton, who unveiled a special window piece created by artist Karen Thomas from Glass and Grind Mosaics. “To each of these incredible women, we extend our heartfelt thanks for their unwavering dedication, their relentless pursuit of educational excellence, and their profound impact on the lives of so many. Their commitment, passion, and tireless efforts have not only transformed the field of adult learning, but have also inspired us all to strive for greatness.”
The dedication on the art said: “For Lois, Margaret, Nanette, Sharleen, and Vera – when these amazing women bring their gifts together, they create a masterpiece.”
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor