Parker: Calgary-based Briden Solutions becomes Canadian leader in emergency prepackaged food
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Former Calgary commercial realtor Peter Thorpe, who decided to semi-retire on Vancouver Island a few years ago, still maintains many relationships here and I'm fortunate to be one of them — and he has introduced me to a Calgary company that is helping him on his annual long walk for charity.
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I was somewhat responsible for the relationship he has with Opportunity International Canada, a charity that equips people with microloans in developing countries. Thorpe uses his love of walking to raise funds by Walking People Out of Poverty.
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This year, accompanied by Opportunity International CEO Dan Murray, he will complete another 300 kilometres of his long walk from Mexico to Canada.
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The Calgary company, Briden Solutions, is providing a grateful Thorpe with 15 prepackaged meals that will satisfy his appetite along the way.
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Dwight and Kristen Bullock were both farm kids, growing up used to being isolated, carrying water and accustomed to the benefits of a root cellar. Moving into city life and seeing people relying on a trip to the grocery store on the way home from work was a shock to their self-reliant mentality.
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Not wanting to fall into the same routine, they researched the quality, goodness, calories and shelf life of what was offered, and began a way of life that others soon wanted to learn about.
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People began keeping emergency food in cupboards and cars, and the Bullocks became pioneers of the survival and emergency industry, founding Briden Solutions in 2009. Working out of their basement, they were primarily involved in emergency preparedness and assisting those involved in helping others after natural disasters. Briden has since helped people through the Fort McMurray fire of 2016, sent staff as well as survival items to High River after the devastating flood of 2013, and been of invaluable help to first responders and families in natural and man-made situations across Western Canada.
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Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Parker: Calgary-based Briden Solutions becomes Canadian leader in emergency prepackaged food
Article content Former Calgary commercial realtor Peter Thorpe, who decided to semi-retire on Vancouver Island a few years ago, still maintains many relationships here and I'm fortunate to be one of them — and he has introduced me to a Calgary company that is helping him on his annual long walk for charity. Article content I was somewhat responsible for the relationship he has with Opportunity International Canada, a charity that equips people with microloans in developing countries. Thorpe uses his love of walking to raise funds by Walking People Out of Poverty. Article content Article content This year, accompanied by Opportunity International CEO Dan Murray, he will complete another 300 kilometres of his long walk from Mexico to Canada. Article content The Calgary company, Briden Solutions, is providing a grateful Thorpe with 15 prepackaged meals that will satisfy his appetite along the way. Article content Dwight and Kristen Bullock were both farm kids, growing up used to being isolated, carrying water and accustomed to the benefits of a root cellar. Moving into city life and seeing people relying on a trip to the grocery store on the way home from work was a shock to their self-reliant mentality. Article content Not wanting to fall into the same routine, they researched the quality, goodness, calories and shelf life of what was offered, and began a way of life that others soon wanted to learn about. Article content Article content People began keeping emergency food in cupboards and cars, and the Bullocks became pioneers of the survival and emergency industry, founding Briden Solutions in 2009. Working out of their basement, they were primarily involved in emergency preparedness and assisting those involved in helping others after natural disasters. Briden has since helped people through the Fort McMurray fire of 2016, sent staff as well as survival items to High River after the devastating flood of 2013, and been of invaluable help to first responders and families in natural and man-made situations across Western Canada.
Montreal Gazette
03-06-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Shawn Oakman poised to become towering force on Alouettes' defensive line
Montreal Alouettes By At age 33 and potentially nearing the end of his CFL career, defensive-lineman Shawn Oakman wants at least one more opportunity to win a Grey Cup. And after spending last season with Edmonton, which went 7-11, missed the playoffs and fired general manager and head coach Chris Jones after an 0-5 start, the tackle was seeking stability. 'It wasn't about the wins and losses in Edmonton,' Oakman said this week after a practice. 'I had a different role. They had a lot of young guys there that needed my help. The wins that we got were great, but it was more about growing.' There shouldn't be any growing pains in Montreal. The team won the Grey Cup in 2023 and had the league's best record (12-5-1) last season before imploding in the East Division final against Toronto. Even with new starting quarterback Davis Alexander, the Als should be competitive in 2025, prompting Oakman to sign a one-year, free-agent deal in February. The 6-foot-8, 280-pound behemoth is looking forward to playing under defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe. And the feeling is mutual. 'It's a dominant, in-your-face defence,' said Oakman, a Philadelphia native. 'That's my mentality. That's my personality. It should be a perfect fit. He (Thorpe) is an attack coach. He wants our defence to attack and get after the quarterback, crush down on short passes. I think I should fit right in.' In 14 games last season with Edmonton, Oakman had 32 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He signed with the Elks as a free agent after three seasons with the Argonauts. In 53 career games, he has 122 tackles, 21 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Oakman won a Grey Cup with Toronto in 2022. The Als host the Argonauts Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their regular-season opener. 'As a coach, you look at the body of work there,' Thorpe said. 'He's a big fit for us. When we got him, it was great news. It's not only what you see on the field, but there's also the work ethic, how he approaches practice, how he conducts himself in the meeting rooms. He's a consummate pro. 'He has been in the league and you've been able to watch him from an opposite sideline, see how disruptive he can be and the problems he causes, ' Thorpe added. 'He's a challenge to block. That's a guy you want on your team. The guy has been outstanding for us and is a great fit. He has that blue-collar, hard-working mentality.' Oakman won't be the only addition to Thorpe's defence. Byron Vaughns could start at rush end, while Tiawan Mullen should be one of the outside linebackers. Both are import rookies. Vaughns, 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, spent two years at the University of Texas before transferring to Utah State. Although he was the most valuable defensive player in the Mountain West 2021 championship game, it's considered a small conference. So he completed his college career at Baylor. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent last season, but didn't play a game for them. Vaughns had a sack in Friday's final exhibition game at Ottawa and, knowing final cuts were coming on Saturday, said he had a couple of stiff drinks to ensure he slept. He also probably had a good feeling that night he would survive. 'It was a blessing to wake up (Saturday) and not get that phone call,' said the native of Fort Worth, Tex. 'It will be extra motivation throughout the season knowing the team trusts me as a rookie. Other than being 6-foot-4 and 230, 235 (pounds) I think I had a great day (against Ottawa) on special teams. That's where a lot of opportunities get overlooked. Those were the opportunities I had to make the best of.' Thorpe said he likes Vaughns' ability to rush the quarterback, versatility and change of direction. With only three weeks of training camp and two exhibition games, rookies must make their mark early and often with the coaches. 'When given the opportunity, they have to make plays,' Thorpe said. 'That's how you earn a spot on a team. When the opportunity presented itself, those guys made plays. That put them in position to get on the roster. It's always about the effort level and how they pursue. It's about physicality.' Meanwhile, it appears Canadian Sean Thomas-Erlington will be the starting tailback against Toronto, backed up by import rookie Travis Theis.
Ottawa Citizen
03-06-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Shawn Oakman poised to become towering force on Alouettes' defensive line
At age 33 and potentially nearing the end of his CFL career, defensive-lineman Shawn Oakman wants at least one more opportunity to win a Grey Cup. Article content And after spending last season with Edmonton, which went 7-11, missed the playoffs and fired general manager and head coach Chris Jones after an 0-5 start, the tackle was seeking stability. Article content Article content 'It wasn't about the wins and losses in Edmonton,' Oakman said this week after a practice. 'I had a different role. They had a lot of young guys there that needed my help. The wins that we got were great, but it was more about growing.' Article content Article content There shouldn't be any growing pains in Montreal. The team won the Grey Cup in 2023 and had the league's best record (12-5-1) last season before imploding in the East Division final against Toronto. Even with new starting quarterback Davis Alexander, the Als should be competitive in 2025, prompting Oakman to sign a one-year, free-agent deal in February. Article content Article content The 6-foot-8, 280-pound behemoth is looking forward to playing under defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe. And the feeling is mutual. Article content 'It's a dominant, in-your-face defence,' said Oakman, a Philadelphia native. 'That's my mentality. That's my personality. It should be a perfect fit. He (Thorpe) is an attack coach. He wants our defence to attack and get after the quarterback, crush down on short passes. I think I should fit right in.' Article content In 14 games last season with Edmonton, Oakman had 32 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He signed with the Elks as a free agent after three seasons with the Argonauts. In 53 career games, he has 122 tackles, 21 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Article content Article content Oakman won a Grey Cup with Toronto in 2022. The Als host the Argonauts Friday at 7:30 p.m. in their regular-season opener. Article content 'As a coach, you look at the body of work there,' Thorpe said. 'He's a big fit for us. When we got him, it was great news. It's not only what you see on the field, but there's also the work ethic, how he approaches practice, how he conducts himself in the meeting rooms. He's a consummate pro. Article content 'He has been in the league and you've been able to watch him from an opposite sideline, see how disruptive he can be and the problems he causes, ' Thorpe added. 'He's a challenge to block. That's a guy you want on your team. The guy has been outstanding for us and is a great fit. He has that blue-collar, hard-working mentality.' Article content Article content Oakman won't be the only addition to Thorpe's defence.
