Stettler Spotlight - Kurt Baker

Where are you from?

I was born in St. Albert, and then lived in Ladner, BC for the first 3

years of my life. But I grew up in Calgary (visiting Ladner once or

twice a year).

Why do you (did you) choose Stettler as home?

I moved to Stettler in 2007, because my wife and I found the

convenience of small town life appealing as we started our family.

Since then, this community has been exceptionally supportive of both

our family and business, and that is not taken for granted.

What do you do? What is your full title?

My official title is Shopkeeper Extraordinaire at GRATE Kitchen Shoppe.

Tell us about your family?

I met my wife and incredibly patient business partner, Jenece, at

university. She is Stettler born and raised. We have two boys, 11 &

15 years old. Both love sports (hockey, basketball, soccer), and

Jenece and I love supporting them in their pursuits.

We have a family property out at White Sands, where we enjoy quality

time as often as possible.

Tell us about your education?

I have a degree from the University of Calgary for Communications and

Management. And have audited courses at Stanford, Harvard, Oxford,

MIT, and a zillion other schools if podcasts and Youtube lectures

count!

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by the contributions people make in Stettler to keep it

strong. Having grown up in the anonymity of a city, it is a constant

inspiration to see and feel the lasting value that giving your time

provides in a smaller community. As a result, I contribute where I

can (Board of Trade, Kinsmen, coaching soccer).

Do you have any hobbies?

My hobbies include discussing and debating world issues and

philosophy, and studying craft beer on weekends through careful

analysis with my tastebuds. I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge,

and now that all the World’s knowledge is literally in the palm of our

hand, I enjoy just trying to make sense of it. Nowadays, it’s a

full-time job!

What are your plans for the future?

Just keep livin’.

Anything else you would like to add about being a resident of Stettler?

I’m a proud Stettlerite. And when reading the first question, my

initial response was to say I’m from Stettler. In these increasingly

polarizing times, we should prize the strength of our community above

everything. It’d be a shame to lose it.