In a world where connecting can be done in the blink of an eye, it can also serve to pull people further apart.
    The Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) in the Drumheller area are hoping to change that this Family Day, Monday, February 18, with their campaign “Disconnect to connect.”
    The idea is for families to spend some time together during the day doing activities that do not require electricity, such as watching television or playing video games.
    There are innumerable activities for a family unplugged. For example, families can go outside for a walk, go skating, or tobogganing. Indoors, families can play a board game, read together, or play music.
    Various attractions in the area are also available. The Badlands Community Facility will have an inflatable obstacle course throughout the day, Morrin and Delia Arenas will have free public skating from 1 to 4 p.m., the Drumheller Arena will have free public skating from 1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Aquaplex is having a toonie swim from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and the Royal Tyrrell Museum will have free admission.
    Unplugging from technology has its benefits. Research suggests 73 per cent of kids would rather play with their parents than watch TV or use the internet. Teens having more than three family dinners per week are more likely to get better grades. Residents in connected neighbourhoods have a greater quality of life. Lastly, three factors for healthy physical and psychological child development are movement, touch, and connection to other humans.
    Residents who unplug are asked to head to the Family and Community Support Services Website to log your hours and share your story of what your family did while unplugged.

     A Hesketh man who has dedicated years of service to 4-H, locally and provincially, was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame.
    Timothy Church, who began his tenure as a member of the Hesketh 4-H Beef Club was recognized for his significant contributions to community service and youth mentorship, with his induction into the 4-H Hall of Fame at the 4-H Leaders' Conference in Edmonton on January 13.
    “The commitment and dedication these two remarkable Albertans have shown for the 4-H program and their communities represents everything that 4-H stands for,” said Verlyn Olson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, speaking at the Alberta 4-H Leaders Conference. “Our province was built from a foundation based on the rural way of life and a strong sense of community. These two inductees are setting an excellent example for all Albertans.”
Inductees demonstrate outstanding leadership in promoting the 4-H motto of “Learn to Do by Doing” and live the 4-H pledge of service and commitment to club, community and country through all levels of the organization.
    As a youngster, Church was a 4-H member of the Hesketh 4-H Beef Club. He has been a member and volunteer of the 4-H program since 1969. Church has held numerous executive positions with the Hesketh and Hesketh-Orkney 4-H Beef Clubs, was a board director for the 4-H Foundation of Alberta and has volunteered at 4-H shows, achievement days, judging clinics and 4-H communications events.
    Church has also been an active volunteer and participant within his community through programs such as the Alberta Rural Crime Watch, the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association Youth Program at the Goldeye Centre, the United Farmers of Alberta Community Investment Steering Committee and the Canadian Diabetes Association in Red Deer.
    He has been an excellent ambassador and advocate for the 4-H program in Alberta. Church and his family currently reside in Red Deer.