​The Bonnie Doon Playgroup is for children under six years of age. It's a great opportunity for parents to meet and for children to play freely in the hall. 

Date: Tuesdays, during the school year
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Bonnie Doon Hall, 9240 93 Street

There is no cost, but attendees must have a current Community League membership. Drop by first, to check it out and obtain a membership later. 

For more information, contact [email protected]

There was a time not so long ago when people knew most everyone living on their block.  Neighbours stopped to chat when they passed each other in the street.  They had block parties, formed friendships and experienced a sense of community.  Unfortunately for many of us, this is no longer the case.  Most of us know very few, if any, of our neighbours, and we've become increasingly isolated within our communities.  

It is this isolation, which has been linked to depression, increased crime, and a host of other problems, that Abundant Community Edmonton (ACE) is looking to address.  The program, which includes Bonnie Doon and a growing number of communities, is all about introducing neighbours and encouraging them to connect in meaningful ways.

The process begins with Block Connectors, who volunteer to reach out to every household on their block and to organize a get-together with their neighbours. They also interview those neighbours to learn about their interests, abilities and vision for the neighbourhood.  This information is then used to help create groups and community events, and to bring about change within the community.

Since becoming a part of the Abundant Community initiative two years ago, Bonnie Doon has experienced  a number of positive outcomes.  Block parties are being held for the first time on several streets.  A successful yoga program (taught by a Bonnie Doon resident and block connector) was created based on ACE survey results. Groups, including those for community gardening and knitting, are also being formed as new interests are identified through interview data.

As ACE gains momentum in Bonnie Doon, neighbours are connecting with each other every day and experiencing the benefits of living in an abundant community.  

To find out who your block's Connector is, to become a Block Connector, or to learn more about ACE in Bonnie Doon,  please contact Marie-Danielle Lemm at [email protected]

A group of residents from Bonnie Doon has come together to sponsor a refugee family. The group will provide financial support to the family and help them to adjust to their new life in Canada during their first year here. If you wish to be part of this neighbourhood initiative you can make a financial donation by visiting bonniedoon.ca/refugee. Donations of $10 and up are eligible for a charitable tax receipt from Mennonite Central Committee.  For more information or to get involved, please contact Tracy at [email protected]

The league is gathering ideas from community members about programs / workshops / events members would like. Ideas so far include mountain biking, bike maintenance, internet security, personal safety, wine tasting, scrapbooking and bridge. If you'd like to attend an event for one of these topics, or have an idea that you think others would be interested in, please suggest to Ian at [email protected]. Also looking for people to help coordinate events - it's fun and easy - let us know! 

Bonnie Doon is part of Abundant Communities Edmonton. This program helps connect neighbours and gather input that can be used in developing programs. Yoga classes, a community gardening group, and knitting group arose from Abundant Communities in Bonnie Doon. If you haven't yet done an Abundant Community survey or would like to know more about the program, please contact Marie-Danielle at [email protected].

Darla is stepping down after more than five years as soccer program coordinator for Bonnie Doon. Resident in the community since 1994. Lives with husband Randy, and two boys, Jack (16) and Tom (13). Patti Kehoe helped Darla run the program.

Why did you step up?
There was a shortage of coaches in the community, so I decided to go for it.

Were you prepared? Was it intimidating?
A bit! I didn’t know anything about the game, and still don’t (laughs). I did a lot of reading. Nothing was available in the (southeast) zone – so had to look all over. Did a lot of reading and internet research, watching videos. Patti’s soccer knowledge helped. I remember coaching U8’s was a like herding cats! A lot harder than it appeared from the sideline, but fun. I found I got right into it. Tom’s love for soccer was infectious and I had a really good time.

What do you think the strengths of the BD soccer program are?
We worked with the zone and have helped pull together a strong program. There is lots of information available to coaches now, practice plans are laid out, all children are receiving standardized guidance appropriate to their age level. It is so much easier now to coach. It’s straightforward now, even if you do not have much experience with the game. The real strength of the program is in our coaches. We have great coaches that are well-trained and keep coming back. Parents love it, and we have a steady request from families outside the community that want to play for Bonnie Doon. Our program has a really good reputation.

What have been the rewards in volunteering so much time?
Meeting people and getting to know the children. There are so many wonderful kids in this community. They’ll come up and say hello to me, but I don’t know who they are! I know every kid’s name in the community on paper, but not all their faces.  I’ve loved watching the kids grow and develop their games, it has been amazing.

Advice to someone thinking of joining the soccer program
Don’t do it!! (laughs) just kidding. I really believe we’re the best community to live in, very family oriented and so many great people in our neighbourhood. If you have an opportunity to participate, take it! Just step up and volunteer, it’s worth it. Soccer is a great way to meet people, hanging out on the sidelines or pulling together the program. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Soccer assistants needed
Bonnie Doon has successfully run a great outdoor and indoor soccer program for many years.
To ensure the quality of the program we are looking for assistants to help with coordinating.

Soccer skills not required, but organizational skills and/or computer skills, and the desire to help continue this great program are required. Whether you are new to the program or have been in it for years, if you can offer your help for a season that would be great. Remember, many hands make light work and many minds create new opportunities.

Register for indoor soccer
The fall season of indoor soccer through the South East Soccer Association is just around the corner.  You must first register your child online, at southeastsoccer.ca. Second, you must attend one of these registration sessions to complete the process:
Ottewell Hall 9520-93A Ave, Sept 8 (6:30pm-8:30pm)
Bonnie Doon Mall 82 Ave & 83 St. (by Tony Roma's) Sept 17 (10am-2pm)

For more information, please contact our new soccer coordinator Diane Anderson at [email protected].

T’ai Chi Chih 
Bonnie Doon Community League offers a T’ai Chi Chih program at Bonnie Doon Hall on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

This “Joy of Movement” program” is taught by Tamara Zujewskyj-Brese, an accredited instructor. T'ai Chi Chih is open to everyone regardless of fitness level. Beginners are welcome to start on September 19th for a 10 week program at a cost of $70. Program details at: www.taichichih.org.

Bonnie Doon’s NFB Films and Lunch
Seniors are invited to a get-together each month at Bonnie Doon Hall, 9240 93 Street. It’s an opportunity to see an interesting mix of National Film board documentaries and visit with others. Films start at 10:30 and everyone is welcome, at no charge. A light lunch is served at 11:45 for $2. The hall is wheelchair accessible. The next get-together will take place on November 17 when we'll view two documentaries with a connection to the sea. 
Charting the Frozen Sea, 1982, 25 minutes. Canadian Hydrologists on the C.S.S. Hudson work against time charting a sixteen km-wide shipping corridor during the short season on the Beaufort Sea.
Debris, 2015, 15 minutes. Artist Pete Clarkson creates a tribute to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan with objects that have washed ashore, connecting Canadians with the people of the Tohoku region in Japan.  

History Tea
Come and share your memories of Bonnie Doon and learn more about this great community at our annual History Tea. It take place on Sunday, October 23 from 2-4 pm at Bonnie Doon Hall, 9240 93 Street. Bring pictures, stories and meet your neighbors new and old. We’ll be serving delicious homemade baking. Tickets are a toonie at the door.

Memories of Bonnie Doon Project 
In 2016 we are on a quest to locate stories from people who have special memories of Bonnie Doon. You can send us your own story, or you can ask for a community volunteer to conduct an interview. We ask for at least one photo for every story sent in. Your story can relate to an event held at Bonnie Doon Hall, your church, Rutherford School, Mill Creek Ravine, or even in your own home. We are looking for those special moments…the surprises, the honours and sometimes even the disasters. 

We are more than halfway to our goal of 50 stories, so don’t delay. This part of the project will wrap up in December when we will look at all the stories and begin to plan a book for publication. It will commemorate 100 years of active community involvement in Bonnie Doon, an anniversary we will celebrate in 2018. 

For more information on seniors programs, contact Margaret at 780-469-1179 or [email protected].

We are planning a fall community movie night at Bonnie Doon Hall (9240 93 Street) for October 7, 6:30 p.m.. Bring your blankets and folk fest chairs to enjoy a showing of Zootopia! A donation of $5/person and $20/family is encouraged.