Visitor Guide

Tanisha Happner, the owner of The Mill Bakery, has business in her blood, with her parents being the long-time owners of Lac La Biche’s The Stitchin’ Man. And while she was immersed in a business culture very early in life, she also spent a good deal of time with her grandmother, learning and honing her baking skills. Tanisha’s passion for baking and her grandmother’s influence led her to Calgary to study Baking and Pastry Arts at SAIT. This 2-year program offers students the opportunity to learn from a variety of world-class chefs. Advertisements After completing the program, she worked in Plamondon at Café Caché for six months before going back to school to study event management at NAIT. With all this training, Tanisha’s father asked if she had any plans for starting a business and suggested that she start a food truck. And with that, in nine short months, The Mill Bakery food truck was on the road by the spring of 2018, with a home base next door to the Stitchin’ Man. It didn’t take long for The Mill Bakery to be a success. As a long-time resident of Lac La Biche, she quickly developed a loyal client base, offering […]

Chelsey Supernault didn’t have the idea of starting a business when she watched a TikTok video demonstrating a macrame project. It was more about stirring up some beloved memories of her youth and spending time with her mother, who enjoyed the craft many years ago. The experience inspired her to pick up the hobby again; and before she knew it, she had completed her first project. In November 2021, with encouragement and technical expertise from her daughters, Chelsey was reluctantly convinced to take photos of her work, post them on Facebook and Instagram, and Rustic Sparkle Designs was born. Orders started to come in right away, and from her dining room table, Chelsey made enough money in those first few weeks to do all her Christmas shopping.Advertisements Chelsey Supernault When things slowed down in January, Supernault spent time on research and development, like working on different types of knots and experimenting with different kinds of cords from a variety of distributors. Soon she had enough work completed to set up a booth at the Indigenous Peoples Day market, that happened this past spring. Chelsey emphasizes that she takes the time to consider the client’s personality and individual needs before designing each creation. And […]

Rush Hour? The only rush hour in Lac La Biche is when the school day begins and ends. You see young people. Maybe there are even a few in your house. Gasp! How could we forget about them?  There Is A Chicken and Egg Situation With Our Youth   There ARE many youth-run businesses silently doing well in our area- actual brick-and-mortar businesses. A silent economy, if you will. There are also many successful youth earning good wages, employ others, and add to our economy. We should celebrate these examples whenever we have a chance.Advertisements Woman using industrial machine Many opportunities for youth are becoming available due to the mass exit of the baby boomers from the workforce. As life slowly creeps along, we should consider how many skilled employees will be needed locally to replace all those higher-paying positions.  The Chicken:  The chicken is encouraging our youth to stay in the Lac La Biche region to fill those positions and start new enterprises if they are so inclined. There are many strong footholds in our community to establish promising futures. Contrary to popular belief, migration from urban to rural areas is trending. The Egg: This egg will die if […]

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Colin Côté is not your regular hot tub and pool service agent. Fortunately for the hundreds of spa and pool owners in the region, Colin has the experience and qualifications, including power engineering, several trade certifications, and industry training to repair and maintain all aspects of your pool or spa. As the owner of Lac La Biche’s Certified Pool & Spa Service, he has seen pretty much every possible maintenance issue and repair situation.   Certified Pool & Spa Service Colin Côté, owner of Certified Pool & Spa Service and Certified Services A Passion For Service Colin was a successful spa dealer in the Calgary area, with several locations. When he sold his business and returned to Lac La Biche more than 12 years ago, he decided to focus on the maintenance and repair side of the industry rather than sales. Given that hot tubs are comprised of high voltage components, hot water, and multiple chemicals when something goes wrong, it isn’t always something that a spa owner can typically repair on their own. This is where Colin’s Certified Pool & Spa makes a big difference to the region.Advertisements Hot tubs are used for both recreation and therapy. Some owners use […]

June 18, 2022, will be a busy day for Lac La Biche County with Lemonade Day. This event is a free and fun youth entrepreneurship program that teaches youth, Pre-K to high school, how to start, own and operate their own business.  All participants will set up their lemonade stands in their towns at the location of their choice and try their hand at running their own business. The youth that participates in Lemonade Day keep all the profit their stand makes, but the program encourages them to save some, spend some and share some by donating to a charity of their choice. Advertisements Teaching Young Entrepreneurs One of the unique aspects of Lemonade Day is that youth are encouraged to partner with local businesses in their town and “rent” space for their lemonade stands outside of that business. Even though the “rent” is typically only $1, it helps to teach these young entrepreneurs about business expenses. This partnership allows participating youth to access higher traffic areas where they will be able to attract plenty of customers to their business. Local Business Support Needed As a business, there are plenty of ways you can support your Lemonade Day partner: Advertising- Let […]

Tracy Lord has packed several careers into a relatively short timeframe. Born and raised in Plamondon, as a 21-year-old, she opened the Rendez-Vous Bakery in her home community, employing 14 people by the time it was sold. In 1996, Tracy moved on from the hospitality industry to start a new career with Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries, spending more than 15 years in the finance and corporate affairs departments. While she enjoyed her time with ALPAC, she was anxious to spend more time with her young family. With that in mind, and with a precedent set by her parents, she invested in local properties to rent or fix up and sell as a new source of income. Today, while Tracy is still involved in her real estate investments, she has also found success as a real estate agent for Seller Direct Northern Homes Realty, based out of Fort McMurray. Focused on the Lac La Biche region, Tracy’s reach extends to Boyle, Grassland, and Athabasca, depending on the needs of her clients. While the economic downturn and Covid-19 may have hampered many businesses in the region, the real estate business was not one of them. Locally, the market has remained strong, with more […]

The Business Improvement Program gives an incentive to local business owners to improve their facade and appearances. It can also be used to introduce new features and amenities that create interest, improve accessibility, enhance safety, and increase vibrancy, transforming places into spaces where people want to spend time. The program grants 20% to approved improvement costs, to a maximum of $20,000.Advertisements General Program Guidelines Funding is first-come, first-served. Grants are provided as reimbursements.Projects must receive Council approval.All projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving approval. To find out if your  business is eligible or to learn more about the application process please visit: https://www.laclabichecounty.com/p/business-improvement-program

Lisa Roper’s journey to becoming an outdoors enthusiast isn’t unique. She was inspired by her father, who taught her how to enjoy and benefit from the Lac La Biche region’s spectacular natural environment. What is unique about Lisa Roper is the uncanny passion that pushes her to share her skills with anyone who takes an interest.  A Giant Natural Playground Lisa was born in Lac La Biche, and at an early age, she was fortunate enough to experience the boreal forest and countless lakes in the area. “It was a giant playground,” says Roper, reflecting on her youth. Her favourite times were spent with her brothers, camping, fishing, hunting, and guided by her father, learning the values and life lessons that only the great outdoors can offer.Advertisements “It was a giant playground.” When her dad passed away seven years ago, Lisa struggled to make sense of it. In 2018, her vision became clear. She would share his values and passion for the outdoors by paying it forward and teaching others how to appreciate it as much as she does. And that was the beginning of Lisa Roper Outdoors. Mentorship And Learning In A Safe Environment Lisa Roper Outdoors has become […]

Lakeland Employment Services is pleased to offer online workshops to ALL Albertans every WEDNESDAY morning at 10:00 AM. These workshops are held via Google Meet. If you are attending via computer, you don’t need to download anything to attend, just use the link provided by email. If joining on your phone or tablet, you will need to download the free app. The workshops provide information on a variety of topics related to job seeking and managing in these unique times. Upcoming workshops: Customer Services, March 23rdTeamwork, March 30thAdvertisements Other topics include, but are not limited to: Marketing yourselfInterview SkillsResume Development & WritingOnline Job Seeking & Social MediaTransition to ChangeTeamworkConflict Resolution Please like, follow and share the Lakeland Job Club Facebook page for employment information, workshop schedules, and job leads for the Northeast region. For more information, assistance with resumes, cover letters, and interview skills, or to register for online events, please contact: KATHY EVANSkevans@employabilities.ab.ca780-213-1042

Have you ever considered the impact volunteers make in our community? Think about events like the Festival of Trees or Pow Wow Days. Think about those giving their time to those in need, helping seniors, assisting at hospitals, participating on various boards, or coaching our kids. The list is endless. Without volunteers, Lac La Biche would not be an attractive place for visitors, new businesses, or those looking for a community to raise their families. And if we were required to pay for services that volunteers provide for free, our taxes would simply skyrocket. A Special Award For Exemplary Service Freda Phillipsrecognized for exemplary community service Volunteer and community organizer Freda Phillips was recently presented with the Wanda Klimke Award for Distinguished Long-term Service with Farmers Markets by Alberta Agriculture Minister Nate Horner. Freda and her friend Kathy Lawson started the LLB Farmers Market in 1973 and she retired after managing the market after 35 years of service. While this milestone is significant, it is only part of Freda’s thousands of hours dedicated to various causes and projects in the Lac La Biche region. Congratulations Freda!Advertisements If you know an outstanding volunteer that should be recognized, let us know and […]

Snowseekers, Western Canada’s online magazine to everything WINTER, recently featured 2 of our Lac La Biche Region’s hidden gems, Kikino’s Hideaway Adventure Grounds and LLB’s Queen Bean Café and Bakery. Watch the video below and check out the full story at www.snowseekers.ca.

The Tourism Relief Fund, administered by Canada’s regional development agencies and Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), helps tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. With a budget of $500 million over 2 years (ending March 31, 2023), including $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives and $15 million for national initiatives, this fund will position Canada to be a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again safe by: empowering tourism operators to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitorshelping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by offering the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world Eligible applicants Eligible applicants include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors, such as:Advertisements businessesnot-for-profit organizations, such as tourism associationsband councils or other Indigenous organizations and cooperatives To be considered eligible for this fund, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria: be a key supplier or operator in the visitor experiencebe part of a defined tourism cluster or a tourism-dependent community, including supporting downtown coresprovide […]

While electric vehicles or EVs are gaining some traction in larger cities (pun intended), the uptake in rural areas has been limited at best. Besides underlying philosophical and political leanings towards oil and gas-driven engines, many of us who live in northern Alberta have practical issues to consider as well, including cold-weather reliability and distances travelled, not to mention the availability of charging stations. Surveys have shown that less than 10% of Canadians considering purchasing a new vehicle are considering an electric vehicle. Among rural drivers, this percentage is certain to be dramatically smaller. Another survey by Deloitte (Globe and Mail, Jan 25, 2022) indicated that most Canadians would feel more comfortable with EV’s that had a minimal driving range of 600 kilometres, compared to the standard 300 to 500 kilometres that most affordable EVs offer right now.  Advertisements High Gears Touchless Wash at 9806-99 Ave While EV charging stations are limited in northern Alberta, most communities have at least one charging station option. In La La Biche, High Gears Touchless Wash at 9806-99 Ave has a charging station available to the public advertised as “free with $16 carwash. Check with High Gears for more details.

Don’t let the cold weather stop you from enjoying some time on the lake. From February 12-13, Lisa Roper will be hosting a ladies-only ice fishing adventure.  During your adventure Lisa will lead you through the proper handling, catching, and releasing of fish so that you can feel more confident as an angler. If you are concerned about not having the appropriate fishing gear, don’t worry because Lisa will provide everything you need. Advertisements To register for this event, click here.

What is governance? What are the board’s roles? What are the board’s responsibilities?  The truth is, there is no one answer to any of these questions. Join us as we help you understand governance from different perspectives. We will start with governance and what it means to the board. Then we will take you through how governance touches the entire organization, the structure of the organization, and the volunteers and staff that work in the organization. You will also have many opportunities to speak directly with others and share your experiences, test your knowledge, and ask questions from the presenters. When: Wed, January 19, 2022 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM MSTAdvertisements To Register: Click here or visit www.eventbrite.ca and search Board Roles and Responsibilities.

Dylan’s Things to Do… When you think about libraries, the first thought for many is borrowing books. With E-books and other forms of entertainment competing for our attention, libraries have had to become more than a place to borrow books. While our Lac La Biche County Libraries (LLBCL) continues to offer book borrowing services, it also continues to innovate, transform, and evolve to serve our residents’ growing and changing needs.Advertisements Guitars Anyone? One such innovation is expanding the borrowing service to items beyond just books. At our Stuart MacPherson Public Library, you can borrow various musical instruments, including guitars, violins, xylophones, bongos, ukuleles, keyboards, drum sets and production kits, to name a few. Each of these items comes with a learning book, so you can learn a new skill without having to invest hundreds of dollars. Maybe You’ve Caught the Baking Bug If music isn’t your thing, our library also has five telescopes available to borrow. Whether you want to spend a casual evening star gazing or are an advanced astronomer, the Stuart MacPherson Public Library has a telescope for you. Maybe your interests are a bit more down-to-earth? If so, our library has you covered. Another item you can […]

Four Season’s Clothing has been a Lac La Biche institution for 35 years, but if you’ve walked through their doors recently, you probably noticed that something is different. Just six short months ago, the business was purchased by Allison and Gary Gross, and with that, new energy was injected into the local shopping scene.Advertisements Both Gary and Allison have a financial service background which put them in an excellent position to consider all the right things when purchasing a business in a rural Alberta community. However, the couple wasn’t necessarily looking to get into clothing sales. As Gary points out, “we were looking for a business that would provide us with the flexibility that would suit our lifestyle.” Did we forget to mention that Gary is a professional rodeo and chuckwagon announcer as well? Gary and Allison Gross – Owners While being new to the clothing industry has been an exciting adventure all by itself, each day has brought on new challenges, from the impact of Covid-19 to, more recently, a host of supply chain issues caused by the flooding in BC. Another interesting twist is that many clothing suppliers are now asking retailers to order up to a year […]

The Festival of Trees has always been one of my favourite events hosted in our county, and I always look forward to the unique and interesting trees put on display by local businesses. While The Festival Trees is a joyful and fun event, it also gives hope and love to those who need it most.  This annual event provides for many of our non-profit children groups, school clubs and music programs. Because this event supports our community non-profits, The Festival of Trees does not charge for admission. Instead, they ask you to donate food items, a new toy, men’s and women’s personal-care items, used winter clothing, socks, undergarments etc. These items will be donated to Waskaysoo Community Food Bank, Santa’s Helpers, and Lakeland Out of the Elements Society.Advertisements The Festival of Trees takes place from November 25th to 28th in the Devon Room at the Bold Center. In addition, the Christmas Shopping Extravaganza will be set up from November 26th to 27th in the same facility, with the 26th being reserved for seniors to take a sneak peek.  If you are interested in donating a tree or door prize, please contact: Tara Bergeron403-809-7975 Bergeron.family7@gmail.com or Claudette Dube780-623-3887rndube@telusplanet.net Dylan Craig is the […]

Waste Reduction Weeks Offers Opportunities for Personal and Economic Growth Starting Monday, October 18, 2021, Waste Reduction Week will take place throughout Lac La Biche County. This week-long event highlights and promotes environmental awareness and sustainability in our community.  Lac La Biche County is well known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife, enticing people to make this region their vacation destination. This means that preserving nature is not only about environmental sustainability; it is a critical business sustainability issue as well. As many residents know, the blue-green algae problem in our lake seems to worsen every year, primarily due to pollutants through human impact. The increase in harmful algae reduces our ability to enjoy one of our most spectacular natural resources. It also impacts the number of days tourists stay in our area, spend money and support our economy. Advertisements image courtesy of photo contestant Teresa C. During Waste Reduction Week, I encourage as many people as possible to become better environmental stewards. Take part in at least one of the events to learn how they can assist in preserving our local natural resources. One such event is the vermicomposting workshop. On Tuesday, October 19, join the Lakeland Industry and Community […]

Growing up in the Lac La Biche region, I often heard people say, “there’s nothing to do in LLB.” While the statement is still one I hear, I no longer agree with it. Since I started working at our local Community Futures office, some of my responsibilities include creating content for the MainStreet Lac La Biche website, and most of that content includes events, activities, and things to do in the Lac La Biche region. When we were deciding on the layout of the events page, it was questioned if we should even have a calendar layout as it would most likely look empty and barren. We were completely wrong.Advertisements The issue is not that there is nothing to do in LLB; the “things to do” in LLB were so plentiful, it was a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, the MainStreet site can organize our community events in one convenient location. The events are also searchable and filters allow you to quickly find something to do. Over many years, the idea that “there is nothing to do in LLB” has been engraved into our minds. This has motivated me to create a monthly article highlighting events that are upcoming, interesting, or important. Each […]

I have first-hand knowledge of an Alberta community that is at risk of losing its post office. Can you imagine having to travel a long way just to get something as basic as your mail? In that same way, a well-rounded selection of businesses is critical to the success and indeed future of any community. More specifically, I’m afraid for our community. I’m worried that without some action we will dwindle and atrophy in the future. Our future could be bleak.  Don’t get me wrong. I want to be an optimist, but I feel there is a very critical point in time looming. As much as we may complain about a lack of energy and development in our town, 10 years from now we may look back at our current situation and the health of our local businesses as the glory days. Not to make generalizations or point out any specific examples, it is my personal opinion and observation that we should be wary of a few community dynamics that are currently underway.Advertisements HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING With our economic downturn, we have many business owners that would have (or should have) retired long before now are just able to “hang […]

When Jim Tarrabain decided to forego mink ranching in 1974, he purchased a Gulf station in Lac La Biche. Today, on that same site, his three daughters, Tammy, Anni, and Soad, operate Tarrabain Motors- a Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealership, including an automotive service shop and parts centre, a Shell gas station and convenience store, and a carwash. For these women, it hasn’t always been easy in this male-dominated industry. Still, when we think about recent efforts to encourage more women to become involved in business, we need not look any further than Lac La Biche to find an outstanding example of women as successful entrepreneurs. Tammy and Jim Tarrabain in 2005 Success through respect and honesty Tammy Tarrabain says that the family owes much of their success to the people who work for them, especially those who have been with the company for over 20 years. She says, “We make every effort to treat both employees and customers with respect, honesty and the way you would want to be treated,” something that their parents instilled in each of the siblings. Advertisements While technology has changed quite a few things related to the automotive industry, Tarrabain remains committed to providing a “human […]

Most of us make an effort to shop locally whenever we can. At the same time, we want to get the very best deal possible. With this in mind, MainStreet Lac La Biche is pleased to announce its very latest feature – “Special Offers,” where local businesses can post their latest deals, offers and flyers and where shoppers can find find the very best value for their money- all in one convenient location. And convenience is what MainStreet Lac La Biche is all about. Although we just set things up a couple of days ago, six local retailers are already posting their latest flyers on the site. Find out how easy it is for your business to post your latest offers on Mainstreet Lac La Biche by contacting Community Futures at 780-623-2662. For a limited time, this service is free!Advertisements Don’t miss out. Visit www.mainstreetlaclabiche.com today.

If you are a local artisan interested in selling your creations on consignment at the Visitor Information Centre Gift Shop in Jubilee Hall next to the Lac La Biche Museum, the LLB Chamber of Commerce would like to hear from you. Please contact Karen at (780) 623-2818 or email manager@llbchamber.ca

After a workplace injury required Clinton Lizee to reconsider his career, he and his wife Victoria purchased 160 acres of pristine nature near Wandering River to begin an RV park/campsite.  Since purchasing the land in 2020, the Lizee’s have developed 22 sites for the RV enthusiasts, complete with water, electricity and a sewage dump station. Each site is rented on an annual basis for $3000 if the site has both electrical and water, and $2300 for just water. Advertisements Like many RV-associated businesses during the past year and the pandemic, Back to Nature has been busy. Currently, 18 of the 22 sites have been rented by RV campers mostly from the Fort McMurray area. Passion for the Outdoors Leads to Successful Business Idea Clinton is quick to point out that the Back to Nature RV Park has distinguished itself from others in the region with a dedication to customer service and security facilitated by the fact that he lives at the park. “I’ve worked outdoors my whole life, and being able to do what I do now is as much of a hobby and passion for me as it is a business”. Customer Service and a Moose By Any Other Name… […]

The Community Futures EDP program might be just what you need.  Watch the video to find out more.

The Government of Canada and Community Futures organizations (CFs) understand the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the small business community throughout the West. As a result, the Government of Canada has made funds available to the CFs to provide support and assistance to SMEs through the rural stream of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF). APPLY NOW using our secure portal. Your information will be held in a queue until program funds are received from the Federal Government.  You will be notified when your application is being processed.  Visit: www.ruralbusinesssupport.ca/ today!Advertisements

Ankita Verma has gone a long way to find the right fit. In Lac La Biche, she has found just that. After graduating from Rajiv Gandhi University in India with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2009, she worked as a physiotherapist for 3.5 years.  In 2014, Ankita and her husband moved to Fort St. John, BC. With a good deal of determination, she worked with regulatory agencies to obtain her professional certifications to practice her profession in Canada. After a 3-year stint in Fort McMurray, her journey has led her to Lac La Biche, where she opened Lakeland Physiotherapy located at 100- 10107 102 Ave a few short weeks ago. Bringing Smiles to Lac La Biche Ankita has been very pleased with the steady growth in the number of clients and community support that Lakeland Physiotherapy has received in the short time it has been open. The Lakeland Physiotherapy website points out that “Ankita enjoys working with all age groups and is passionate about helping people to ease their pain, manage their injuries or chroming conditions, and get back to activities that they enjoy. She believes in a hands-on approach and uses a combination of manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, therapeutic […]

Readers of The Pelican may have figured out that we feature local businesses and topics and highlight successes and solutions, so the return to Phase 1 COVID restrictions is a severe blow. Is there any lemonade here for business owners or customers? Can local businesses possibly weather this? This is my challenge for this month’s article. Change the Rules “You can accept the death sentence, or you can change the rules,” is what Graham Sherman from Tool Shed Brewery said in an interview during the recent Power Up Alberta Virtual Event. In short, after overcoming unimaginable obstacles when he was finally getting ahead, COVID effectively shut him down and threatened everything. After an understandable mental slump, he remembered that in every negative, there is a positive and asked himself: Whose Killing it? He canvassed the area around his Brewery, and just about 1km away, he found that Spud.ca was going out of their minds trying to keep up with orders. They needed everything he had: 8,000 ft2 of warehouse space, cooler space and lots of staff. Their problem and his problems saved both businesses. But what about rural and small businesses? We must focus on what we have going.Advertisements 1. […]