by Cameron Domes

In our first blog of the Community Builder Series, we introduced Tania Greenwald, the visionary behind the Big Block Party and the owner of The Sweeterie in Camrose. her dedication to building community resonated deeply with us. And, when we asked her who else deserved recognition for their contributions, she immediately pointed us to Hazel Cail, the owner of OleO’s Icecream Castle at Mirror Lake Park.

A Humble Community Builder

When we reached out to Hazel, her modesty was striking. She hesitated at first, unsure of why Tania had recommended her as a community builder. As our conversation unfolded, however, the reason became crystal clear – Hazel may not see herself as a community leader, but her quiet, steady efforts have, without a doubt, made Camrose a better place. It’s these very qualities that make her one of the hearts of the Camrose Community.

The Four Pillars of OleO’s Icecream Castle

Hazel’s approach to community building isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about consistency and care. When she bought OleO’s Icecream Castle 12 years ago, she built her business on four key pillars.

• Consistent Hours: Staying open seven days a week from noon until 9pm all summer long.
• Quality Products: Hazel is committed to offering top-notch ice cream, sourced locally from Foothills Creamery in Calgary.
• Familiar Faces: By maintaining a consistent staff, she’s helped foster relationships between and familiarity between her employees and the community.
• Park Pride: Going above and beyond, Hazel personally keeps the park clean, inspiring others in the Camrose Community to take pride in their surroundings and do the same.

These seemingly small actions have helped Hazel become a quiet force in Community Building, changing the way people see OleO’s Icecream Castle and Mirror Lake Park.

Cherry Cheesecake and Community Connection

One of Hazel’s best stories perfectly captures how Oleo’s Ice Cream Castle has become a beloved part of the Camrose community. An older customer came by asking for New York Cherry Cheesecake ice cream. Unfortunately, it wasn’t available that day, and he muttered something about how they “never have any adult flavours.” Curious and determined to make it right, Hazel tracked him down at the nearby hot dog stand and highlighted some of their other “adult flavours” such as burgundy cherry or maple walnut, but after chatting with him, she found out that the only flavour he had in mind was New York Cherry Cheesecake. Always eager to please, Hazel promised to order it for the weekend. But when she checked her inventory later, she realized she already had some! She went back to tell him the good news – it would be ready the next day. The story doesn’t end there. Later that day, a woman stopped by to order both burgundy cherry and maple walnut. After chatting with the woman, Hazel learned that she was the gentleman’s wife and that he had decided to try a different flavour. Since then, the gentleman has returned more than once to order the burgundy cherry ice cream. er.

What started as a minor complaint turned into a humorous and lasting connection with a customer. It’s these small, thoughtful gestures that make OleO’s Icecream Castle a special part of the Camrose Community.

Fostering a Fair Workplace at OleO’s Icecream Castle

Hazel’s commitment to community extends to her workplace. Hazel fosters an environment that gives young people – mostly junior high and high school students – a chance to gain valuable experience in a space that’s bot fair and flexible.

Her philosophy is simple: At OleO’s nobody works for her; they work with her. She treats everyone as equal partners in the business, involving them in decision making and working alongside her team to serve the Camrose Community. She also recognizes that summer is a time for young people to create lasting memories. If one of them needs time off, she happily steps in to cover.

For Hazel, it’s a chance for her to learn as well. She believes that every experience and every person she meets helps her to grow and become a better version of herself.

A Long-Time Community Builder: Hazel’s Journey Beyond OleO’s

Before stepping into her role at OleO’s Icecream Castle, Hazel worked in government for over a decade, with a large part of that time building community connections through Tourism Camrose. From spearheading trade shows to organizing bus tours, Hazel has always focused on bringing people together. One of her favourite initiatives was organizing county bus tours – even before Alberta Farm Days existed. These tours took people to explore old one-room schoolhouses, historic churches, and berry farms, allowing residents to discover local history while fostering community ties. These efforts are a testament to her long-standing role as a community builder in Camrose and beyond!

Preserving Camrose’s Local History

Hazel also played a key and meaningful role in the Living Heritage Project, preserving the stories of Camrose County’s elderly residents. Through interviews with residents, local historian Trisha Ryan, ensured that these rich narratives and their historical significance would endure for future generations. For Hazel, this project was yet another way to strengthen the community’s bonds by honouring the past while building a future. The entire project, including interviews like Stan Troutman’s highlight the Metis Settlement Church, are still available at here.

Always Building the Camrose Community

Even after retiring from Tourism Camrose, Hazel didn’t slow down. At the Senior Centre, she helped start a ladies’ billiard club and she is responsible for decorating their “theme tree”, a year-round Christmas tree, changing its decorations with the seasons. For Hazel, these activities aren’t just about having fun – they were opportunities to build deeper relationships with people she might otherwise only meet in passing.

At Camrose Energy, we believe in highlighting the people who make a difference in our community. Hazel’s story of community building through OleO’s Icecream Castle and her broader efforts in Camrose is a shining example of how local businesses and individuals can shape a better, more connected community. Know of an amazing Community Builder or Local Initiative we should highlight? Drop us a line and tell us all about it!