On May 21 empathy in Drumheller will take the shape of bright red stiletto-heeled shoes.
    The Big Country Anti Violence Association (BCAVA) is hosting its third Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. This event raises awareness of violence against women and also helps to raise funds for much needed programs in the area.
    The event is simple and entertaining. Men from the community volunteer to put on high heels trek from the Drumheller Co-op to Freson Bros to conquer this feat of the feet. Already they have about 25 participants signed up and are hoping  for one of the best turnouts ever.
    Marian Ewing of BCAVA says in their first year they raised $17,000. The second time they staged the event they raised $15,000, however also had their best turnout of about 60 walkers.
    The funds are only half of the story.
    “We would like to get more walkers. Yes, it is nice to raise the money, and we put it to good use, but it is getting the people out there to walk and the awareness is the biggest thing,” said Ewing.
    This year they are planning to use the funds raised to donate to Communities Against Abuse. Its mandate is the prevention of emotional, physical and sexual child abuse and promotes safe, healthy, well-functioning children, families and communities through preventive education and treatment. The event will also raise funds for the Wheatland Shelter, which provides emergency shelter for victims of family violence.
    “We are also going to take on the Mental Health Drop-in,” said Ewing.
    She explains that it is a weekly support program for those with mental health issues. It provides a meal as well as activities and information sharing. It is hosted at the Elim Pentecostal Church.
    “It is an excellent program and its growing in leaps and bounds, so we want to support them,” said Ewing.
     For more information, to lend support or pick up a pledge Sheet contact BCAVA president Cindy Stelmaschuk at 403-823-3095.

Lyndsey Hoff has released a five track CD after three years of soul searching, writing and recording. It is available at iTunes, CD Baby and Soundcloud.

Lyndsey Hoff has a voice that is raw, powerful and immediately recognizable.
    While many have appreciated and enjoyed it since she was a teenager, or even earlier, it is interesting that in some ways she may just be finding her voice for herself.
    “So for the past three years I have been working on writing, and developing my style and sound. After so many years I found my niche and feel like I am finally really singing for me,” Hoff tells The Mail.
    This year she released her latest CD “I’m Worth It.” The 5- song release contains much more than Lyndsey’s pretty voice, but it is the fruit of hard work and collaboration.
    “I co-wrote all songs except for “Payphone” with my producers/co-writers Denny Hemingson and Blue Miller. Denny is Tim McGraw’s musical director and Blue is India Arie’s musical director, so I have two amazing talents to work with. They are like my family and I am so extremely blessed to work with them,” she said.
    And it was done in the heart of country music. She took a trip to Nashville; she brought the spark, and together they worked it in to the finished product.
    “It’s kind of a magical moment when you get something that works. Writing “Move” was probably the craziest because we literally had one line, one small melody of the chorus and it just morphed into this beautiful song,” she said. “We kind of pinched ourselves in the studio, because honestly every time we sit down to write it just works. We have written 12 songs, and I love all of them.”
    It has taken much work to get to this point in her career, but it doesn’t stop there. She is working on getting radio play and would like to get out on the road with her songs. Her enthusiasm is leading the way.
    “I am just really excited to finally have my own music, and have people connect to it and be blessed by it. There is nothing more rewarding than someone telling you your music got them through a hard time, or it’s their power anthem, or they can relate to your experiences,” she said.
    Hoff’s “I’m Worth It” is available at iTunes,CD Baby and Soundcloud.