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Rockin’ robin: SpringFest poster artist “hooked” on festival

    There is less than a month until East Coulee rocks the weekend away for its annual SpringFest. In anticipation of that, the 2013 SpringFest poster has been unveiled.
   The man behind the now iconic posters is part-time resident of East Coulee, Michael Dangelmaier creative director of Karo Group in Calgary. Dangelmeier volunteered to create the posters and give the long-running festival a new image several years ago.
   “It’s a photograph of a fender guitar, a photo of a robin Gwen shot sitting on a post outside our house in East Coulee one spring, and then the background is a landscape shot I took,” said Dangelmaier.
   Dangalmeir created the poster with the help of Karo Group artist Hans Freistater.
   The year before, the poster had four turn of the century musicians given a KISS makeover. Two years ago, the poster had a coal miner, an icon of the Valley, trade his mining tools for a good ol’ fashioned keytar.
   The posters have given SpringFest a fresh, rock n’ roll, and a little bit quirky brand.
   “Essentially, every year the poster was different and there would be a reveal. Branding is about creating a persuasive experience and delivering that over and over,” said Dangelmaier.
   Like many, Dangelmaier and his wife K. Gwen Frank, fell in love with East Coulee and its quiet atmosphere and decided to buy a house there.

Michael Dangelmaier (left) and his wife, K. Gwen Frank, moved to East Coulee four years ago and soon fell in love with the East Coulee SpringFest.

   “We were looking for a little getaway place not too far out of Calgary. We knew a little bit about East Coulee and bought a place there to hang out,” said Dangelmaier. “All of sudden, in the spring, there was this festival down the street from us. So, we checked it out and we were hooked.”
   From there, Dangelmaier volunteered and found himself managing one of the stages at SpringFest. The next year he decided to help re-brand the festival.
   With Dangelmaier’s help, SpringFest will have some new talent taking the stage; Harry Manx.
   “We thought it would be nice for Harry to be exposed to a slightly different audience, so we’re bringing him in on the Mother’s Day Sunday concert,” said Dangelmaier.
   SpringFest organizer Brent Noland felt Dangelmaier has made a big impact on the festival.
   “Over the years, he’s been helping with sound and then donated that first poster with the coal miner. For me, that was a big change in the look of SpringFest,” said Noland. “He came up with that hippie-style lettering brand, which is his specialty. He’s really an artistic and business genius, and an amazing guy to have in your backyard in East Coulee.”
   Dangelmaier is already excited about what’s in store for this year.
   “I’ve got family coming in and I’ve been trying to promote it to my musically-minded friends,” said Dangelmaier. “Oh yeah, wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Alberta authors aim to inspire Drumheller

    Students and adults in the Drumheller area will have the chance to expand their literary horizons thanks to two of Alberta’s home-grown authors.
   Marty Chan, author of a series of mystery novels, and Cora Taylor, who won the Governor General’s Award for her novel Julie, will be in Drumheller April 22 to 26 to present Wordpower.
   The program, sponsored by the Young Alberta Book Society and Cenovus Energy, is an initiative to promote literacy by connecting students with Albertan authors. This is the second year of the program.
   “The connection between authors and students can often inspire kids to want to read an author’s books, which then can evolve into a lifelong passion for reading. On some occasions, the interactions can also trigger a desire to write,” said Chan.

Marty Chan...
Albertan author tours Drumheller with Wordpower

   “I remember going to a school some years ago to teach a writing workshop. One girl was so excited that her hand shot up every time I asked a question. I found out later that this girl was a reluctant reader and a problem student, but because of my visit her attitude changed into a positive one.”
   This is the second year Chan has been involved in the program after applying to be a part of the tour. In addition to Chan and Taylor, six other authors/illustrators/storytellers are touring communities in southern Alberta.
   In addition to visiting local schools, the two authors will give a presentation entitled “Schemes and Scenes: writing for page and stage” at the Drumheller Public Library on April 23 at 7 p.m. The presentation is aimed at adult writers who want to learn more about writing fiction or theatre. The workshop is sponsored by Cenovus Energy and the Drumheller Public Library.
   One connection with a writer or illustrator can ignite a kid’s dreams,” said Chan. “Who knows? Maybe 20 years from now, a successful author will say she pursued her career because of a writer who came to her school and showed her that a writing career was possible.”

RCMP, Green team bust Three Hills area grow op

    Three Hills RCMP were part of a team that seized more than $350,000 worth of marijuana growing in its detachment area.
   The department, along with the Green Team Southern Alberta and the Red Deer Forensics Identification Unit executed a search warrant at a rural address south of Three Hills on Wednesday, April 17, shortly after 9 a.m.
   While there was no one at the scene, police located a three-stage marijuana growing operation.
   There were 282 marijuana plants in the basement of the residence. The seized product has a street value of about $352,500.
   RCMP continues to investigate.

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