2022 calendar features women riders
By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@ yahoo.com
There’s excitement in the air, as a group of women are undertaking a project to raise money for the Breast Cancer Association. Kate Grimsdale and Joan Phinney, both of Kindersley, explained how the project got started.
“There were a few of us who had cancer in our lives. But it really began when a friend of Kate’s was diagnosed with cancer and we wanted to do something for a friend, who would be undergoing chemotherapy and radiation,” Joan said.
Kate continued the story. “We were riding to Saskatoon the day after I found out a friend had breast cancer, and we thought we better do something. We decided we’re going to do calendars and it has become an amazing project so far.” However the project is somewhat bigger than what they had anticipated getting involved in.
Nevertheless more people soon came on board to help out. Now there are ten women from Kindersley and one from Youngstown, and they all have one thing in common; they love motorbikes. It’s that love of bikes that will be featured on their 2022 calendar.
As Kate so aptly posted on social media, “Some of you have been asking about the photo shoots that us girls have been talking about. We, as women riders, have decided to make a calendar for 2022 to raise money for breast cancer. And yes, I expect all of my friends to buy one!”
It will be a local project, with all photos being taken in Kindersley and surrounding communities. “We each got a month to do, and have one picture with either our bike or our significant other’s motorcycle, because some women ride as passengers.” Some of the women have been riding bikes for years, while others are new to the experience.
“I’ve been riding since I was 18, and have had my own bike since then,” Joan said. Kate said she started riding a couple of years ago.
“I’m still new to it, but I’m enjoying it,” Kate said. All of the eleven women pick their favourite photos. “We have a group photo as well. It’s been a difficult process picking photos.”
That process has been extremely difficult due to the professional quality of the photos taken by Hailly Nicklom Photography, located in Coleville. “Cancer is close to my heart because my brother has battled with it the past four years, so I was super excited and happy to be a part of things,” Hailly said. “As a photographer it has been such an incredible experience getting to work with each of the ladies! It’s been eleven sessions at all different locations in the Kindersley area. It’s been a huge commitment, but I am grateful to be able to give back.”
Joan and Kate are very grateful for her help. “She’s been donating her time and doing the editing,” Joan said. “She’s been awesome with getting us our photos. She has the edited photos done within a day.”
However there are more people in the community coming on board, as local business owners are wanting to have the calendars available in their places of business. There’s also donations coming in to cover the cost of printing, which will enable all the proceeds from the calendar sales to go to the Breast Cancer Association.
“All the photos are done. We just have to pick our favourites and then take it to the printers,” Joan said. They’re planning to print 300, but they can always print more. “We should have calendars on hand by November 1.”
Everyone involved is excited about this project, and according to Kate and Joan, they plan to do this project every year.
The 2022 calendar to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Association will be available November.
