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News of Home and Beyond
February 4, 2026
More interim housing unites arrived this week on the Jasper United church lands. 4 were placed on the Turret Street side, where the McCready Centre once stood. Thanks to the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre, the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada. 11 housing units now stand on the church lands, ready for use in early spring.
More interim housing unites arrived this week on the Jasper United church lands. 4 were placed on the Turret Street side, where the McCready Centre once stood. Thanks to the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre, the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada. 11 housing units now stand on the church lands, ready for use in early spring.
As of New Years, Jan 2, 2026, there are 6 interim houses on the Jasper United Church lands, with more to come. Great news! So much work has gone into clearing the wild fire debris, soil testing and late last summer preparations were underway for the utilities necessary for these 6 homes and many more to arrive before the summer of 2026.
From the Municipality of Jasper website....
On behalf of the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada, through the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre, the Canadian Red Cross is providing property management services to Jasper residents in the interim housing program. In this property management role, they are supporting with: responding to tenant inquiries and requests, facilitating access to utilities, coordinating maintenance of the site and units and managing leases.
In August 2025 Dale Karpluk and Janice Yeaman, among others, were interviewed by "The Logic" for a story on Jasper's fire recovery. Below is a link to the story. Sadly there was no mention of Dale and Janice's interviews, they were tossed to the cutting room floor! It is a great article though, lots of insight from many who were interviewed. Dale and Janice toured the writer around Jasper resulting in a good story.
You may have to log in and set up a temporary account to ready the story, but it is worth it. Limits you to 2 or 3 reads.
https://thelogic.co/news/the-big-read/jasper-wildfire-housing-build-canada-homes/
Recently published in the Broadview Magazine. August 2025. Thanks to Janice, Dale, Coni, Pam and Cheryl for agreeing to be interviewed!
Click on the link below to read how Jasper United has worked their way through a year after the wildfire.
A year after a wildfire destroyed their building, Jasper United
is finding new ways to gather
https://broadview.org/jasper-united-wildfire-rebuild
Click on the link below to read how Jasper United has worked their way through a year after the wildfire.
A year after a wildfire destroyed their building, Jasper United
is finding new ways to gather
https://broadview.org/jasper-united-wildfire-rebuild
Jasper misses much loved Bob Baxter! Lucky St. Albert!
One Year Later: Honoring Bob’s Journey from Jasper to Everitt Gardens, (Interviewed in late July 2025)
Today marks one year since the Jasper wildfire turned thousands of lives upside down, including the life of one of our most cherished residents, Bob.
Bob lived in Jasper for nearly ninety years. It was more than just a hometown. It was a way of life. Surrounded by mountains and community, Bob built a full life there. He owned Baxter’s Gift Store, retiring in 1975, and kept the building until 1980. Later, he worked as the Grounds Supervisor with Parks Canada. To say Bob was a celebrity in Jasper would be an understatement! Though his name was on the waiting list for Alpine Summit Lodge, Bob was still living independently, with some help for cleaning, lawn care, and snow removal. He volunteered weekly at the United Church Thrift Shop and the Jasper Museum. Bob felt no urgency to leave the life he loved.
On the evening of July 22nd, 2024, Bob was watching television when both his screen and cell phone lit up with an emergency alert. It was not the first time residents had received such warnings. In the past, they were always canceled. This time, it was different.
Bob packed a small suitcase with just the essentials, expecting to return home in a few days. But his neighbors, Stavro and Gabrielle, the kind and caring owners of Jasper Park Pizza, came to his door and insisted he leave right away. They refused to let him drive his own truck. Together, with their cat, they left the town they loved. It took two hours just to drive five blocks to the highway. An estimated 25,000 people evacuated Jasper that night, including visitors from hotels, campgrounds, and motels. With the east highway closed due to fire, only the westbound road remained open. Some residents waited until the early morning hours when the east highway reopened, but Bob and his neighbors were already on the road.
They arrived in Kamloops at seven in the morning, then traveled to Kelowna the next day. Bob stayed at a Bed and Breakfast with five other families, one of which included a baby, a cat, a dog, and a bird. After a few nights in temporary housing, Bob flew to Edmonton to stay with his son Ken and daughter-in-law Joanne.
That is when he received the heartbreaking news. His home had burned down. There was nothing to return to.
Bob considered Alpine Summit Lodge in Jasper, thankfully it did not burn down, but it was full. His family began looking in St. Albert and found Everitt Gardens. We were also at capacity, so Bob joined our waiting list. In October, he received the call. There was space available, and in November, he moved in. Bob says, “It was the best Thanksgiving gift I could have received.”
He arrived with just a suitcase. Everything had to be replaced…furniture, clothes, and personal items. His advice for others is simple and wise, “Take pictures of every room in your house and all your valuables and put them in a safety deposit box. You just never know.”
While he misses the beauty of Jasper, the calm of the mountains, and having coffee with his friends, “the same guys telling the same lies,” he laughs!! Bob has truly made Everitt Gardens his home.
He has settled in so well, becoming a treasured part of our community. Bob says he feels comfortable, safe, and supported. He speaks warmly about how much he appreciates the staff and nurses, calling them kind, attentive, and truly caring. He is a huge part of our Recreation program, always participating, always smiling, and has even become one of our TikTok stars, bringing joy and laughter to residents and staff alike.
What has surprised Bob the most are the unexpected connections he has discovered since settling in. While he has met many new friends, he has also found that several people he has met here have ties to his past in Jasper. Whether through mutual friends, shared memories, or family connections. These small-world moments have made his transition feel even more like coming home.
Bob’s journey is a powerful reflection of Optima Living’s Mission and Values. Our mission is to support residents in living with purpose, and Bob does just that. He approaches each day with gratitude, humor, and heart. His resilience, kindness, and willingness to embrace change show what it means to live with dignity and purpose. Surrounded by people who respect him, care for him, and work together to make each day meaningful, Bob reminds us that home is more than a place. It is where you are supported, valued, and truly known. And here at Everitt Gardens, Bob is home.
Bob says it best, “Home is now here. It is comfortable. It is great.”
A tragic event brought Bob to our community, but his resilience, warmth, and vibrant spirit have since become a gift to us all. He continues to enrich our days and leave a lasting impression on everyone who has the joy of knowing him.
One Year Later: Honoring Bob’s Journey from Jasper to Everitt Gardens, (Interviewed in late July 2025)
Today marks one year since the Jasper wildfire turned thousands of lives upside down, including the life of one of our most cherished residents, Bob.
Bob lived in Jasper for nearly ninety years. It was more than just a hometown. It was a way of life. Surrounded by mountains and community, Bob built a full life there. He owned Baxter’s Gift Store, retiring in 1975, and kept the building until 1980. Later, he worked as the Grounds Supervisor with Parks Canada. To say Bob was a celebrity in Jasper would be an understatement! Though his name was on the waiting list for Alpine Summit Lodge, Bob was still living independently, with some help for cleaning, lawn care, and snow removal. He volunteered weekly at the United Church Thrift Shop and the Jasper Museum. Bob felt no urgency to leave the life he loved.
On the evening of July 22nd, 2024, Bob was watching television when both his screen and cell phone lit up with an emergency alert. It was not the first time residents had received such warnings. In the past, they were always canceled. This time, it was different.
Bob packed a small suitcase with just the essentials, expecting to return home in a few days. But his neighbors, Stavro and Gabrielle, the kind and caring owners of Jasper Park Pizza, came to his door and insisted he leave right away. They refused to let him drive his own truck. Together, with their cat, they left the town they loved. It took two hours just to drive five blocks to the highway. An estimated 25,000 people evacuated Jasper that night, including visitors from hotels, campgrounds, and motels. With the east highway closed due to fire, only the westbound road remained open. Some residents waited until the early morning hours when the east highway reopened, but Bob and his neighbors were already on the road.
They arrived in Kamloops at seven in the morning, then traveled to Kelowna the next day. Bob stayed at a Bed and Breakfast with five other families, one of which included a baby, a cat, a dog, and a bird. After a few nights in temporary housing, Bob flew to Edmonton to stay with his son Ken and daughter-in-law Joanne.
That is when he received the heartbreaking news. His home had burned down. There was nothing to return to.
Bob considered Alpine Summit Lodge in Jasper, thankfully it did not burn down, but it was full. His family began looking in St. Albert and found Everitt Gardens. We were also at capacity, so Bob joined our waiting list. In October, he received the call. There was space available, and in November, he moved in. Bob says, “It was the best Thanksgiving gift I could have received.”
He arrived with just a suitcase. Everything had to be replaced…furniture, clothes, and personal items. His advice for others is simple and wise, “Take pictures of every room in your house and all your valuables and put them in a safety deposit box. You just never know.”
While he misses the beauty of Jasper, the calm of the mountains, and having coffee with his friends, “the same guys telling the same lies,” he laughs!! Bob has truly made Everitt Gardens his home.
He has settled in so well, becoming a treasured part of our community. Bob says he feels comfortable, safe, and supported. He speaks warmly about how much he appreciates the staff and nurses, calling them kind, attentive, and truly caring. He is a huge part of our Recreation program, always participating, always smiling, and has even become one of our TikTok stars, bringing joy and laughter to residents and staff alike.
What has surprised Bob the most are the unexpected connections he has discovered since settling in. While he has met many new friends, he has also found that several people he has met here have ties to his past in Jasper. Whether through mutual friends, shared memories, or family connections. These small-world moments have made his transition feel even more like coming home.
Bob’s journey is a powerful reflection of Optima Living’s Mission and Values. Our mission is to support residents in living with purpose, and Bob does just that. He approaches each day with gratitude, humor, and heart. His resilience, kindness, and willingness to embrace change show what it means to live with dignity and purpose. Surrounded by people who respect him, care for him, and work together to make each day meaningful, Bob reminds us that home is more than a place. It is where you are supported, valued, and truly known. And here at Everitt Gardens, Bob is home.
Bob says it best, “Home is now here. It is comfortable. It is great.”
A tragic event brought Bob to our community, but his resilience, warmth, and vibrant spirit have since become a gift to us all. He continues to enrich our days and leave a lasting impression on everyone who has the joy of knowing him.
Wilson’s legacy is one of many firsts.
united-church.ca/news/trailblazer-lois-wilson-dies-age-97
A memorial service is planned for Oct. 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. EDT at Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. East, Toronto. The service will be livestreamed on YouTube(opens in a new tab).
Wilson’s legacy is one of many firsts.
united-church.ca/news/trailblazer-lois-wilson-dies-age-97
A memorial service is planned for Oct. 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. EDT at Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. East, Toronto. The service will be livestreamed on YouTube(opens in a new tab).
Moderator’s
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Message 2024
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National Indigenous Council Responds to the Results of Remit 1
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