A couple of industrious Rosebud residents have found a way to serve customers and also provide a market for some small producers who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    B.J. Janzen, owner of the Rosebud Country Inn and Elly Krogman have established the Rosebud Country Market, an online market. The premise is simple. They post their product offerings online weekly, ordering closes on Wednesday, and customers can roll up to the Rosebud Country Inn on Saturday afternoon for pick up. They offer everything from a cup of coffee to fresh vegetables.
    “Being in Rosebud, the theatre dictates a lot of our guests, as soon as COVID was announced and the isolation began, on the first Saturday, we had 58 cancellations, So my mind started going, what can I do to bring in some income and help the community?” said Janzen.
    She has been pondering the idea of a farmer’s market for about a year. Krogman is involved with a family of growers in Lacombe, and they came up with the idea of having an online market.
    “I seriously thought we would be lucky if we had 10 orders,” Janzen said. “We launched last Saturday, and by Wednesday at noon we had 39 orders.”
    The product offered runs the gamut from fresh produce, baking, fresh eggs, processed meat, yogurt and cheese, soap, honey, even freshly roasted coffee to go.  So far there are about 14 suppliers, mostly small local producers.
    “There is an amazing amount of quality being produced locally that I am just realizing, Krogman said. “It has been really fun to realize all the local goods around here.”
    The break from the close of ordering on Wednesday to the pickup on Saturday is to allow the suppliers to assemble the orders. Janzen says she sold out on the Rosebud Country Inn Pies and is allowing other suppliers to book time in her commercial kitchen for baking.
    On pick up day, customers don’t even exit their car, the food is delivered right to the trunk of their cars. They will be in earshot of local buskers on-site keeping spirits up.
    Krogman was surprised by the response. They have customers coming from Calgary, Airdrie, Three Hills, Drumheller, Strathmore, and Chestermere.
    “It’s a good start and we hope to grow and expand,” said Krogman
     She adds it’s a great break from the crowded big box stores.
    “It seems like a great place to pick up your groceries,” she said.

Premier Jason Kenney laid out the province’s plan to gradually reopen closed businesses and provincial services, with some changes coming as early as this weekend.

At a news conference, he laid out a three-phase relaunch, with the first phase coming as early as May 14, which would allow some retail, hair stylists and restaurants to begin operation once health measures are achieved to the satisfaction of the government based on the advice of the chief medical officer of health.

“I’m confident Albertans will approach relaunch with the same adaptability and resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Premier Kenney. “We will move forward together with care and common sense, knowing tough times are still ahead. We will support and protect vulnerable Albertans and keep them safe as we build our province back up one stage at a time.”

         According to a press release, AHS will resume some scheduled non-urgent surgeries as early as May 4. Dental and other health practitioners will be allowed to resume services starting May 4, as long as they are following approved guidelines set by their professional colleges.

They are also opening, using a phased approach to some access to provincial parks and public lands including vehicle access to parking lots and staging areas in parks on May 1. Golf Courses can open on May 4, provided that clubhouses and pro shops remain closed.

         The Alberta Parks online reservations system will be available March 14 to book site visits beginning June 1, for provincial residents to book. Group and comfort camping will not be offered. Campground facility access restrictions to areas such as showers, picnic, and cooking shelters will also be posted to www.albertaparks.ca.

  “There are signs that our collective efforts of physical distancing, good hygiene practices, and staying home when advised are helping to slow the spread,” Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health. “However, we must guard against complacency and be patient to ensure the sacrifices we have already made to contain the virus are not wasted by carelessness as we gradually reopen businesses and services.”

The three-phase approach is anticipated to begin as soon as May 14. These are available at https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx