Sims Memorial Sportsmanship Cup
The free drop-in floor hockey program has been running for several years out of the Boyle Plaza gym. We have watched this program cultivate community by connecting diverse individuals over a common love for the game. This year marks the third annual Reginald Sims Sportsmanship Cup, which took place on October 18th, celebrating one such person who came into the program through the McCauley Apartments and showcased the epitome of sportsmanship character. This is the first year that we will be bringing in teams from outside of the drop-in players, and we hope to continue to grow this celebration and commemorative event even further in the coming years. Look for a picture of the winning team in next month’s paper!

Street Prints at Just One World Market
The inner city artist collective Street Prints will be at the Just One World Market on November 23-24, 2019. This annual event features arts, crafts, and goods from all over the world, as well as live music and delicious food. We plan to sell a new set of greeting cards, new colourful t-shirts, and our 2020 calendars including all-new artwork from several of our artists. Join us at St. Basil’s Cultural Centre (10819 71 Avenue) Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, November 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information: justoneworldmarket.com

Poetry at BSCS
After a few months off, the Boyle Street Community Services drop-in once again has a regular poetry event every Monday from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Come join in and create some poetry of your own at this open, inclusive, and free program. Corine Demas, who is the Manager of the Beat Stage at the Heart of the City Festival, is heading up this interactive and dynamic event every week.

Lady Flower Gardens Wrap Up
We’ve watched the lush season of summer come and go and autumn trickle off into the distance. Now we are preparing for whatever winter means to us, whether that means embracing winter activities, tucking in at home, or seeking shelter whenever possible.

For the community members who take part in the Inner City Recreation and Wellness Program’s Lady Flower Garden Program, summer means growing food for Edmonton’s Food Bank and addressing barriers to food security at a beautiful garden oasis in the northeast end of the city. Each year, community comes together in the spring to sow seeds that will eventually bloom into new connections between inner city community members, as the season progresses. June and July sees seedlings develop into brilliant leafy greens like spinach, swiss chard, and arugula. The climax of summer finds the group, who endures the cramped van ride out to Lady Flower Garden every Wednesday morning, busy weeding and harvesting the first offerings.

But it is the very brightest rays of August that enrich the harvest of corn, beets, carrots, and big potatoes. As is the tradition, this year October kicked off with the core group of gardeners coming together to wrap up the season by sharing a feast, playing “Minute to Win It” games, and saying our goodbyes to the forest and river on an afternoon walk. The first bites of frosty mornings have bid farewell to another good season of growing together at Lady Flower Gardens for 2019. We are looking forward to next spring already!

Rebecca Kaiser and Mike Siek are Program Coordinators with ICRWP.