airdrielife

Jake Neighbours is Airdrie’s newest NHL draftee.

When Neighbours was selected 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2020 NHL Draft on October 6, he and the other draftees did so in the comfort of their own homes.

Yes, COVID-19 has thrown off a lot of best-laid plans, including the NHL Draft, which was cancelled in Montreal in June and made into a global live stream in the fall. That meant Neighbours was home on the couch surrounded by family in Airdrie when his name was called by Blues’ GM Doug Armstrong.

This is the airdrielife podcast, hosted by Britton Ledingham. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine.

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. My journalist colleagues and I meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Watch for what happens in Neighbours’ career next by following him on social media. You can even set up a Google alert for his name and hopefully see him playing in the Saddledome for the Oil Kings, and even the Blues, someday soon.

Just a couple of kilometres north of where the blacktop ends on 24th Avenue Northwest of Airdrie is a group of students getting back to their roots.

Led by teachers Matt Chomistek and Mark Turner, 40 students learn their core subjects with a twist. The ingenuity of the educational venture known as The Farm, a product of Rocky View Schools Community Learning Centre, is rejuvenating the homestead property.

Chickens feed in a coop built by the students metres from two Atco trailers where the Grades 9-11 students are engaged in schoolwork. Since I’ve been there in September, they’ve added more animals, including turkeys and pigs.

This is the airdrielife podcast, hosted by Britton Ledingham. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine.

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

This podcast starts with an interview with teacher and cofounder of The Farm, Matt Chomistek. I also caught up with three students, including ninth grader and fifth-generation farmer, Mark Norregaard. His eyes beamed when he got to talk about the project.

Next up is Rachel Carroll, a Grade 10 Bert Church High School student born and raised in Airdrie. She’s super keen on the project.

Lastly is Carter Mitschke, a fifth-generation farmer from west of Airdrie. I loved talking with him because he sounds like you could tack another 20 or 30 years to his age. He’s an old farmer at heart.

Watch for what happens on the farm on their website (rvsthefarm.ca) and social media by searching RVS The Farm on Instagram.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com.

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.

Dr. Cody Creelman is infectiously passionate about veterinarian medicine.

With the intent of using digital media to market his business, he’s made a personal brand, Cody Creelman, Cow Vet. The 35-year-old built up a social media following (including about 93,000 followers on Facebook, and 47,000 YouTube subscribers) over the last nine years. He did that while being a partner with Veterinary Agri-Health Services in Airdrie between 2011 until the fall of 2019, and a multi-practice business, Mosaic Veterinary Partners, from 2016-2019.

Listen to hear what he’s been up to since and what the future holds.

You can find Dr. Creelman on all the social channels, especially YouTube, Facebook and Instagram by searching Cody Creelman, Cow Vet.

This is the airdrielife podcast hosted by Britton Ledingham. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine.

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. 

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.

Darcy Campbell’s love of hockey has him at the rink more than ever, barring COVID-19 restrictions.

Airdrie’s first hockey player to hit the ice in an NHL arena finished his globe-trotting pro career in 2014. He’s since settled in Airdrie with his wife, Kristina, and two kids, Gavyn (8) and Rylum (7).

Now 35 years old, he’s at the rink as an assistant coach for his sons whenever he can.

Hello, this is the airdrielife podcast hosted by Britton Ledingham. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine.

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com.

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.

Sam Lecuyer has all his irons in the fire.

The 2019 graduate of École francophone d'Airdrie is looking to be a role model for his First Nations community, and the world at large, as he follows his acting, modeling and music passions.

His modeling career is soaring. Not even a year since his first walk down a runway, he appeared in both the New York and Paris Fashion Weeks in February and early March, 2020. Listen as we catch up with him pre-COVID in late January and again over the phone shortly after he returned to Airdrie in early March.

This is the airdrielife podcast hosted by Britton Ledingham. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine.

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Watch for what Lecuyer will do next. You can find him on Instagram at @SamThomasLecuyer.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. 

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.

Lona Bronee and her husband, Matt, are pioneering paraphernalia for cannabis.

From their store, Two Hoot on Main, they are selling their own dabbing pens, pipes, vape pens, e-nails, rolling machines and a variety of items from other suppliers.

I, Britton Ledingham, apologize if I get any terminology wrong. Cannabis is legal in Canada. Please don’t take my narcotic naivety as a judgement against weed or those who partake for medicinal or recreational reasons. Thanks!

Women are at the helm of three Airdrie cannabis shops, forging their brands and driving their operations.

Since cannabis became legal in 2018, Airdrie was inundated with applications for cannabis and cannabis related shops. As of our press date back in March, Airdrie is home to 11 such shops.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re rooting for small businesses in Airdrie to survive. As I (Britton Ledingham) am recording this, it’s April 11. I’m working from home, but that’s not unusual. What is unusual is how COVID-19 has caused disruption to businesses and routines.

As of this recording, these businesses are still open, although have modified hours and procedures according to their social media.

This is the airdrielife podcast. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine.

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Learn more about Two Hoot on Main by searching them out on social media and their website, TwoHoot.ca.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com.

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage.

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.

Coming from a conservative family where cannabis was frowned upon, familiar to my own, Genny Guenther didn’t expect her path to cross with marijuana.

The Strain Lane owner’s marijuana journey began when she had a painful pelvic disease coupled with endometriosis, which ended her 15-year career as a rock singer. She became an advocate for the plant that was part of the treatment that changed her life.

Women are at the helm of three Airdrie cannabis shops, forging their brands and driving their operations.

Since cannabis became legal in 2018, Airdrie was inundated with applications for cannabis and cannabis related shops. As of our press date back in March, Airdrie is home to 11 such shops.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re rooting for small businesses in Airdrie to survive. As I (Britton Ledingham) am recording this, it’s April 11. I’m working from home, but that’s not unusual. What is unusual is how COVID-19 has caused disruption to businesses and routines.

As of this recording, these businesses are still open, although have modified hours and procedures according to their social media.

This is the airdrielife podcast. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine.

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Learn more about Strain Lane by searching them out on social media and their website, strainlane.ca.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com.

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage.

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.

In her words, Ami Ballman, co-founder of Rare Cannabis Co., is blazing her own trail.

A fan of the cartoon Bob’s Burgers, she loves a good pun, but also brings her retail marketing background, along with a public relations degree (2012) from Mount Royal University (MRU), to make a strong business case for Rare.

Women are at the helm of three Airdrie cannabis shops, forging their brands and driving their operations.

Since cannabis became legal in 2018, Airdrie was inundated with applications for cannabis and cannabis related shops. As of our press date back in March, Airdrie is home to 11 such shops.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re rooting for small businesses in Airdrie to survive. As I, Britton Ledingham, am recording this, it’s April 11. I’m working from home, but that’s not unusual. What is unusual is how COVID-19 has caused disruption to businesses and routines.

As of this recording, these businesses are still open, although have modified hours and procedures according to their social media.

This is the airdrielife podcast. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine.

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Learn more about Rare Cannabis by searching them out on social media and their website, rarecannabis.ca.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. 

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.

Hockey referee Cody Pollock is at the peak of his game. In this episode, he shares insight into his path from officiating his first game at 12 years old in his hometown of Crossfield, to his first season of reffing Level Five games within U Sports during 2018-2019.

This the airdrielife podcast. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine. 

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you too can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Cody is a great example of someone putting in the hard work for a big dream, and I’m glad we have the chance to share that interview. 

You can find Cody on Instagram with the handle @cody.pollock.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. 

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife. 

Brandon Hegedus is building the automotive equivalent of a unicorn.

Inside his two-car detached garage in Luxstone is a nearly-complete 1961 Ferrari 156 F1 “sharknose” race car replica. We hear why he chose such a challenge and how it’s coming along in this episode.

This the airdrielife podcast. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine. 

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you too can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

You can connect with Brandon on Instagram with the handle @howisthatstreetlegal to see how his Ferrari replica build is coming along.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. 

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife. 

Airdrie Highlanders Youth Athletic Association coaches Jill Young and Kelsey Dupuis are devoted to making rugby thrive in Airdrie because they believe in the positive impact the sport has. We hear their devotion and that of U17 girls player Sierrah Barthel in this episode. 

The coaches and players are really passionate about rugby, and I’m glad we had the chance to share that interview. 

You can connect with Airdrie Rugby on Instagram with the handle @airdrierugby, email airdrierugby@gmail.com, or search out the Airdrie Highlanders Youth Athletic Association on Facebook.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. 

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife. 

Airdrie bowlers are passionate about their sport of choice, because of how it has positively impacted their lives. In this episode, we hear stories from local youths and coach Dawn Halvorson at Shamrock Lanes. 

This the airdrielife podcast. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine. 

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you too can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com.

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife. 

For Wes David, going fishing and going to work are synonymous.

This summer, the outdoorsman is filming season four of Fishing the Wild West TV with Wes David. In this episode, David talks about his passion for fishing, and how he utilizes his TV show to highlight great fishing opportunities available for beginner to advanced anglers in Western Canada the Northwestern United States.

This the airdrielife podcast. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine. 

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you too can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Wes is a testament to what can happen when you pursue your passions in life, and I’m glad we have the chance to share this interview. 

You can find Fishing the Wild West TV with Wes David on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, and search your TV listings for show times.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com.  

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.

Ryan Straschnitzki, Ryan Russell, Steve Campbell, Aaron Dell and Dana Tyrell all share a love for hockey and roots in the Airdrie Minor Hockey Association. In this mini-series with AMHA alumni, they share glimpses into their story, because the passion ignited at the Ron Ebbesen and Plainsmen Arenas when they were kids is still there, and they want to inspire local kids today. 

Today we chat with Aaron Dell.

This the airdrielife podcast hosted by Britton Ledingham. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine. 

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you too can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Thanks for listening to my interview with Aaron Dell.

Aaron is a humble reminder of the benefits of being steady. 

You can find Aaron on Instagram by searching the handle @adell32.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com.

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com

*Updates - Since recording this interview, Dana Tyrell has purchased a house in Airdrie, and furthered plans to help coach the Airdrie CFR Chemicals Bisons midget AAA hockey team.

Ryan Straschnitzki, Ryan Russell, Steve Campbell, Aaron Dell and Dana Tyrell all share a love for hockey and roots in the Airdrie Minor Hockey Association. In this mini-series with AMHA alumni, they share glimpses into their story, because the passion ignited at the Ron Ebbesen and Plainsmen Arenas when they were kids is still there, and they want to inspire local kids today. 

Today we chat with Dana Tyrell.

This the airdrielife podcast hosted by Britton Ledingham. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine. 

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you too can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Dana is a great reminder of loving the game and giving back. 

He’s pretty quiet on social media, so you’ll have to find him at the rink. 

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com.

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com

Ryan Straschnitzki, Ryan Russell, Steve Campbell, Aaron Dell and Dana Tyrell all share a love for hockey and roots in the Airdrie Minor Hockey Association. 

In this mini-series with AMHA alumni, they share glimpses into their story, because the passion ignited at the Ron Ebbesen and Plainsmen Arenas when they were kids is still there, and they want to inspire local kids today. 

Today we chat with Ryan Russell and Steve Campbell. 

This the airdrielife podcast. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine. 

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you too can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

Ryan and Steve are cheerful reminders of the heart of hockey. I hope they made you smile, too.

You can connect with On the Bench on most social media by searching On.the.Bench, and find their characters on Instagram, Olly Postanin and Jacob Ardown.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. 

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. 

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. 

If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com.

Mike and Lori Reist are helping teens in tough circumstances still make their high school graduation night one to remember because they “don’t want them growing up sooner than they have to.”

The parents of five kids under nine years old give us insight into the starting of their two organizations helping outfit teens in tuxes and dresses for graduation, Adopt-A-Grad and Project Jack & Jill.

That’s today on the airdrielife podcast - where we share stories about extraordinary people who call Airdrie home. 

Mike and Lori are an inspirational couple, and I’m glad we had the chance to share that interview. You can connect with them by searching Project Jack & Jill on Facebook, or following the handle @projectjackjill on Twitter and Instagram or visiting Projectjackjill.org.

Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. 

If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. If you have an idea of someone we should feature, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife. 

The airdrielife podcast is created by Britton Ledingham. Here we take you beyond the pages of airdrielife magazine. 

Our goal is to share stories with locals in and around Airdrie about extraordinary people who call this city home. Myself and my journalist colleagues meet all kinds of fun, interesting people we get to write about. This podcast is an exclusive opportunity where you too can learn more about your fantastic neighbours.

In today’s podcast, we’re sharing an interview I did with Ryan Russell and Steve Campbell in January 2018. The dynamic duo of social media fame with their On the Bench characters Jacob Ardown and Olly Postanin are a blast! Links: Full story, a video, and photos by Britton Ledingham, with plenty of editing help, here: https://airdrielife.com/citylife/on-the-bench/ Follow On the Bench on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/on.the.bench/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialonthebench/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJWwey8qQZj-BX3xtJbYfxA Twitter: https://twitter.com/onthebenchcrew?lang=en Our intro music was produced by Willy Snypes. You can check him out at willysnypes.com. If you’d like to sponsor the podcast, please head to airdrielife.com to find the podcast link on the homepage. If you have any questions, ideas, or concerns, contact us through airdrielife.com, or reach out to us on social media @airdrielife.