The Flagstaff County Podcast
Known as the "Community of communities," Flagstaff County consists of 10 rural communities in east central Alberta. Together, these communities create a region that boasts an affordable cost of living, plenty of year-round recreational opportunities, friendly steering-wheel-hand-waving folk and a quiet rural lifestyle.
Episodes
In this episode of the Flagstaff County Podcast, host Cary Castagna sits down with Lougheed Agricultural Society president John Snethun to explore the history behind the Lougheed Agricultural Fair.
John shares how the fair has evolved over the decades. He also discusses the volunteers who have kept it going, the role agriculture continues to play and why the event remains an important gathering for Lougheed and the s...
In this episode of the Flagstaff County Podcast, host Cary Castagna sits down with Chelsea Eshpeter to share the story behind Swinging for the STARS, an annual charity slow-pitch tournament held in Strome in support of STARS Air Ambulance.
Chelsea reflects on how the event began in memory of her father, Grant Eshpeter, who tragically passed away from an esophageal bleed, and how a family's loss grew into a community ...
In this episode of the Flagstaff County Podcast, host Cary Castagna sits down with Sarah Gibbard to discuss the inaugural Pioneer Day, taking place June 13 at Beacon Farms near Daysland.
Sarah shares the story behind the event, the inspiration for bringing people together through hands-on experiences, and how Pioneer Day aims to celebrate community, family, and the values that helped shape rural life.
From workshops a...
From a rural airstrip in Flagstaff County to the cockpit of a commercial airliner, this episode explores what it takes to turn a dream into a career in aviation.
Host Cary Castagna sits down with Aaron Forster, who grew up just outside Sedgewick, Alberta, learned to fly at Flagstaff Regional Airport, and now flies commercially with WestJet.
Aaron reflects on the early spark that drew him to aviation, the realities of ...
Host Cary Castagna, Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator, sits down with Sgt. Andy Wetzstein, Commanding Officer of the Killam RCMP Detachment, to talk about the rollout of body-worn cameras in the region.
Together, they explore how the program works, when cameras are used, and what the public can expect to see.
Sgt. Andy also shares insight into digital evidence management, privacy safeguards, and ...
The Battle River Community Foundation has been supporting local charities for the past 30 years. Last year alone, the BRCF granted Flagstaff non-profits more than $100,000.
Executive Director Bobbi Way shares how her organization is celebrating 30 impactful years, reviving Reading University this year, and continuing to help charities tap into grant opportunities that leave a lasting legacy.
As part of the upcoming 2025 Flagstaff Fitness Challenge, podcast host Cary Castagna sits down with Shirley Damberger, owner of HOM of Well Being. Their conversation focuses on the role of touch in balanced wellness, and also delves into Shirley's wellness routine.
Iranian-born Ala Hakim Oberg shares her inspiring journey from bustling Tehran to the quiet fields of Flagstaff County. Now a practicing lawyer in Forestburg, Ala sits down with host Cary Castagna to talk about the challenges, surprises, and joys of starting over in rural Alberta. From navigating immigration to building a career in law in a small town, this conversation explores resilience, reinvention, and th...
Podcast host Cary Castagna visits the Alliance Doll Museum, where hundreds of curious eyes (doll eyes, that is 👁️👁️) look on as he chats with board members Karin McCracken and Dale Lambden.
Tune in as they uncover the fascinating story behind what’s believed to be one of Alberta’s largest doll collections!
Listen now and step into a world where history is told through porcelain faces and ...
Twenty-eight years ago, Flagstaff County held a contest to design a new corporate logo. Barb Cookson, who won the contest, tells host Cary Castagna what it's like to contribute such a lasting piece of the County's identity.
Brady Ness, who grew up northeast of Sedgewick, is a 6-foot-4, 217-pound defenceman with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old talks to podcast host Cary Castagna about life in the WHL and looks back with fondness at his small-town roots.
Dr. Leanne Ball of Ball Family Dental in Killam takes time out of her busy schedule to sit down with podcast host Cary Castagna (with his "beautiful and contagious smile"). In a wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Ball touches on everything from her journey to becoming a dentist and how technology is revolutionizing dentistry, to her penchant for the violin and her plans to expand the business.
The first episode of 2025 starts with an apology. Talk between host Cary Castagna and County Reeve Don Kroetch soon turns to the upcoming election and public engagement. Along the way, Reeve Kroetch spills the beans on whether or not he'll be running for a third consecutive term.
There's a new sergeant in town and communication is one of his top priorities! Sgt. Andy Wetzstein, new commanding officer of the Killam RCMP detachment, sits down with Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna to talk all about policing in the region.
In a first for the Flagstaff County Podcast, Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna interviews ChatGPT about the County and AI technology. This episode was recorded and released on Halloween because many will find it rather spooky.
Markus Weber, owner of LandView Drones, discusses the many agricultural uses for this burgeoning technology with Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna.
Flagstaff County has partnered with the Strome Ag Society to present a two-day Ag Drone School led by LandView. The school is slated for November 7 and 8 in Strome.
To register, visit: https://www.landviewdrones.com/school or call 78...
Meet Jonathan Dahl, Flagstaff County's new Director of Municipal Services. Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna chats with the Sedgewick native, who chased the bright lights of the big city for the past few years before returning this summer to his rural roots.
Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna will do anything to get more residents to fill out the online survey on electoral boundaries. He'll even sing. Yes, sing.
After his questionable vocal performance (with apologies to Bob Dylan), Cary and Flagstaff County Reeve Don Kroetch discuss the current Electoral Boundary Review, including the possibility that the municipality could reduce its numb...
It's almost time for the 15th annual Movie in the Park! This year's end-of-summer celebration is August 20 in Killam Heritage Park.
Jessica Docksteader, program facilitator of the Family Resource Centre in Killam, which is operated by the Parents For Fun in Flagstaff Society, tells Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna all about the summertime institution in Flagstaff.
Bagpiper Kari Fox-Newby is one of the many volunteers helping to organize the 6th Annual Gathering of the Clans Highland Festival (GOTCHF) coming up Aug. 24, 2024, in Sedgewick. She tells Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna what's on tap for the popular summer event. A member of the Battle River Pipes and Drums, which will be performing at GOTCHF, Kari also pulls out the ol' bagpipes and plays ...
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