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A family-focused space in the heart of Strathmore

For Debbie and Ashley Enslin, owning Lil Hoots Family Boutique isn’t just about running a business – it’s about building a community. The mother-and-daughter team recently took over the popular Strathmore store, and they’re already putting their own warm, personal touch on the space.

As Dana Williams likes to say, they do a lot more than sell sofas and mattresses at Dufresne Furniture & Appliances in Portage la Prairie.

“We don’t just sell furniture,” she explains. “We help families make memories around the kitchen table, give them a healthy night’s sleep and create a safe refuge where they can relax and unwind from the daily grind.”

There’s a misconception that 4-H is agriculture-exclusive. 

“We often hear that people have heard of 4-H, but they’ve maybe thought it was just for farm kids. That’s absolutely not true,” says Shannon Carvey. “We do have members involved in livestock and other ag programs, but we have a really wide variety of projects, from cooking, sewing and crafts to business development, woodworking and healthy living.” 

For Brent Gertridge, the last 12 months have been surprising, rewarding and very, very busy.

“It’s been a busy year, and I’m so grateful for the incredible support from the Portage la Prairie community,” he says. “People have been really welcoming and supportive.”

When people think of mediation, family disputes are often the first thing that comes to mind. While Grasslands Mediation is well known for helping families navigate conflict, its services extend far beyond that. From farms to factories, the Swift Current-based practice provides tailored support to workplaces and agricultural families across Saskatchewan. 

It may have been open less than four months, but Latin American Empanadas is already a Strathmore favourite.

Owned and operated by the Giacalone family since 1992, the bakery first set up shop in Calgary before making the move to Strathmore in April. Its menu items are Chilean-inspired but broadly representative of South America, and its recipes are still the same ones from more than 30 years ago.

For the past 10 years, Darryl and Jordan Rachar have been part of Cochrane’s growth – in quite a literal sense. As co-owners and operators of Cochrane Rental Centre, the father-son duo has provided the power and carpentry tools, cementing and painting implements, skid steers, excavators and other equipment the town has used to build, expand and prosper.

After 25 years, Point West Electric’s founders are entering retirement, leaving behind a thriving business and a bright future.

When Gil and Kelly first launched Point West Electric 25 years ago, they didn’t have a building, a large crew, or even a long list of local contacts. What they did have was determination.

“I wasn’t from Portage, my wife was, so I didn’t know a lot of people when we first started,” Gil remembers. “It meant going door to door, earning trust, and proving we could deliver.”

“You’re running on an actual airfield, with aircraft just steps away- that’s not something you see every day.” 

Southport RUNway, happening Saturday, September 13th, is a 5km or 10km run or walk through the Southport community, with a unique airside experience that offers participants an up-close view of various aircraft in and around Southport CYPG. And for the first time, they’re introducing the one-kilometer Kids Run, offering a shorter, supervised route for young runners.  

A Disability Resource Fair, to be held Friday, September 12 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., will help put Cochrane community members in touch with the many support services in the region.

At least six local organizations will participate in the event, says Carolyn Long, Director of Wellness Services at Vecova. To ensure their offerings don’t overlap, they’re in regular communication about the area’s needs and how to best address them.