Looking back at 1995
By Vicki Brooker Review Staff
Another year has slipped away, with good news and bad reported in the 52 issues of the Elk Point Review. Here are some of the highlights.
January: "Starting a new year
The brand-new year of 1995 saw the January 2 arrival of a baby girl to Shelley Rowan and Arnold Watchmaker at the Elk Point Municipal Hospital.
Town Council agreed to enter a one-year contract with Elk Point and District Ambulance and discussed reducing the size of Council.
Ray Danyluk was elected chair of the new St. Paul Regional School Division No. 1. Heinsburg received an amazing 18-inch overnight snowfall while here in Elk Point we got 2 to 3 inches.
F. G. Miller Education Support Council explored the new roles which would come with the creation of school advisory councils.
Elk Point Agricultural Society said the move to two operating committees was working well.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce explored the possibilities of computer linkage to the information highway.
Library membership and circulation both dropped in 1994, according to reports at the annual meeting.
As the month drew to a close, Elk Point celebrated the arrival of the banking machine at Treasury Branch.
February: Fears for our hospital service
Fears that the hospital would close spurred protest meetings, with close to 300 people responding to a draft paper from the Lakeland Regional Health Authority which indicated that the facility would be downgraded. Over 1500 letters were faxed to the LRHA, the Minister of Health and Premier Klein in the wake of the meeting, and everyone heaved a sigh of relief when 10 acute care beds and 24-hour emergency service were part of the LRHA’s second draft.
The Town cracked down on snowmobile operation.
Elk Point Surface Rights Association held an information meeting on the proposed water management and conservation act.
The A. G. Ross Arena mortgage dropped below $200,000, thanks to over $35,000 in donations in 2 1/2 months.
Scouts and Cubs saluted their founder at the annual family banquet.
March: Our kids are ‘winners!
Travis Pankiw topped the Youth Talent Quest held in Elk Point, with Nathan Brown of Dewberry in second place.
David Naber and Peter Danyluk went on to district competition after the Elk Point 4-H Multi Club public speaking competition, while Jaylene Purdy, Jamie Schnurer and Danielle Schnurer were the Saddle Slickers winners.
F. G. Miller Crusaders won both the boys’ and girls’ titles at the St. Paul Athletic Association championships.
The girls won Zones and went on to compete at Provincials. Elk Point Bantam Lightning Elks won the Zone 2 championship and went on to win Elk Point's first ever provincial minor hockey championship.
Skaters saluted the seasons at the annual ice carnival, Elk Point Agricultural Society's livestock and fairgrounds division hosted a successful Bull Chutin’ Classic.
Meanwhile, Amoco Canada sold their interests in the area to Elan Energy of Calgary for $126 million.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce decided to move their computer to the public library, and to try breakfast meetings as a way to improve attendance.
Elk Point Community Choir and friends hosted four sold out performances of “The Beverly Hillbillies” at their annual dinner theatre.
A gun storage information meeting drew good attendance
April: Spotlight on volunteers
Town Council opted for unconditional funding for their FCSS grant, stating it would be better for cash flow and would not mean changes to the program.
The first morning Chamber meeting was apparently snowed out.
Volunteers at Fort George-Buckingham House were honored with an Appreciation Day.
Fundraising was underway to bring children from Chernobyl to the area for a two-month stay.
The Chamber agreed to spearhead a community health council steering committee.
The Community Advisory Policing Committee called a town hall meeting to discuss concerns.
George Bendixen was named Minor Hockey Coach of the Year.
FCSS was among the groups honoring their volunteers with a luncheon during Volunteer Week.
An Open House celebrated the achievements of students at Elk Point Elementary School.
The big news of the month was MLA Paul Langevin crossing the floor of the Legislature to become a Tory.
May:A celebration of Spring
The Lions Walk-a-thon for Sight raised $1850.
Louis Verhagen gave F. G. Miller High students a first-hand account of the Liberation of Holland fifty years earlier.
Northern Expressions artists hosted a very successful inaugural show.
The Community Choir Spring Concert, the Ukrainian Dance Concert, the Spring Classic Stampede, the Mothers Day Brunch and the Arena Operating Committee Garage Sale combined to provide one very busy weekend.
F. G. Miller’s Class of ‘95 celebrated the end of their school years-and said “The future is what we hold in our hands,” while Frog Lake's graduands announced their intention of “flying on our own” at their Honor Night.
The Town and FCSS held a joint meeting to discuss concerns regarding the future of the program.
Deborah Grey visited Elk Point on her constituency tour.
June: Cars and Cattle on Show
Heinsburg’s Class of ‘95 acknowledged “It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.”
Elk Point Auto Club’s “Happy Daze” car show was held on Main Street for the first time, and was a big success.
F. G. Miller brought home both senior and junior championships from the SPAA Girls Fastball.
Billie Milholland and Adele Mandryk launched their history cookbook, “They Came” in conjunction with Fort Edmonton’s Bicentennial.
Elk Point 4-H Multi Club marked 30 years of Achievement Days, with Robyn Danyluk and Tim Havener showing the champions. Robyn’s steer later won the District Reserve Championship, while Kelly Orr showed the District Reserve Champion Heifer.
Interagency learned more about regionalization of children’s services.
Council finalized their budget and held the line on mill rates.
Seniors enjoyed their special week with a potluck supper and entertainment.
Ray Mitsuing of Loon Lake set a new track record at Dewberry Chuckwagon Races.
Awards were presented to Elk Point and Heinsburg Elementary
July: Celebrations and Rodeos
The Canada Day celebrations followed the “We Remember” theme and were followed by a truck and tractor pull, which was a roaring success, and a gospel concert headlined by Kene and Mildred Jackson.
Stoney Lake and Whitney Lake had gorgeous weather for the wild west action of their annual rodeos, which were both held the same weekend.
Elk Point Baptist Church and the rest of the community bid farewell to John and Roberta McGregor and family.
Elk Point Saddle Slickers held their achievement day, with Danielle Schnurer and Jaylene Purdy also winning awards at the District Horse Show.
Old-time cowboys, a herd of wild horses, and a long wagon train led the parade at Tulliby Lake’s homecoming and history book launch.
Buddy Bensmiller won the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon aggregate, and lost the $50,000 race by 3/100 second.
Scouts were off to Kananaskis for the Alberta Jamboree.
Tourist Information Clerk Sherry Pelech and a number of others celebrated Parks Day by hiking the Whitney Lakes Esker.
Town Council allocated $4000 in recreation funding to Minor Ball, the soccer club and the agricultural fairgrounds.
Rain finally arrived, too late for the hay crops, just in time to dampen the County Crop Tour participants as they toured the grazing reserve, Ference’s buffalo ranch and other sites.
August: Cenotaph dedicated
Fifty years of peace were marked by the dedication of Elk Point’s new cenotaph, half a century after the day victory was declared over Japan, ending the second World War.
Christina Brown won her second annual Elk Point Fair grand aggregate award.
Shanna Baker won gold and silver medals at the Alberta Summer Games, and later won the Junior High Point at the Elk Point Open Horse Show.
Art Britton won his third Oilmen’s Golf Tournament. Quebec 4Hers visiting the area enjoyed a taste of western living, with rodeos and a river boat ride.
Buddy Bensmiller won the CPCA finals meet and placed second for the season.
September: summer winds down
Dion Roscoe dedicates the bull riding championship to his late traveling partner Kirk Jacknife at LRA Showdown ‘95. Erica Nielsen received the award for Junior Barrel Racing season runner-up.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce got ready for a busy fall season, after a summer which saw visitation at the Tourist Information Centre drop by 36 percent, probably due to a decrease from 7 to 5 days of service per week.
Mayor Ed Buck declared his intention of retiring from both Town Council and school board but eventually bowed to public pressure and submitted his nomination papers. He and the rest of the Council were returned by acclamation.
Ray Danyluk was back on County Council and Regional School Board by acclamation. The end of another season at Fort George - Buckingham House was marked with the Fort Des Prairies Jamboree.
Runners, walkers and cyclists raised $3489.50 at the Terry Fox Run.
Renee Anderson topped the long list of achievers at F. G. Miller Awards Night.
FCSS Information Night offered something of interest to residents of all ages.
October: Election Month
Four men from the Lindbergh and Heinsburg districts contested the Division 1 County Council seat formerly held by Bob Smith, with Allen Young outdistancing George Anderson, Johnny Lypowy and Fritz Younghans at the polls.
Elk Point's Community Health Council Steering Committee lobbied the Lakeland Regional Health Authority for the continuation of acute and long term care beds at Elk Point Health Centre.
Town Council agreed to allow short term parking between 50th Avenue and the railway crossing on Highway 41 and met with fairgrounds representatives to discuss drainage problems.
Lea and Mabel Wruth were named Northern Alberta Foster Family of the Year.
FCSS hosted an informative panel discussion on Alzheimer’s Disease.
Council held their organizational meeting and decided to cut back to one meeting per month. Bill Schuhmacher was sworn in as deputy mayor.
November: Elk Point remembers
Elk Point Insurance was named the Chamber’s 1995 Small Business of the Year.
Bruce Smith died in an all-terrain-vehicle accident.
A county and school board information meeting hosted by Ray Danyluk was well attended.
The new cenotaph was the focal point of the 1995 Remembrance Day observances, with the sculpture of a grieving Legion member in place temporarily for the occasion.
Elk Point churches joined in a celebration of faith, with special guests including Deborah Grey, Jim Browning and Michael Hart.
Elk Point Elementary School and F. G. Miller High School formed Parent Advisory Councils. Both schools hosted Remembrance Day observances.
Pan Canadian Petroleum announced plans to drill over 200 new wells in 1996.
Town Council approved anew one-year ambulance service contract.
Chairs of the A. G. Ross Arena Operating Committee and the Fairgrounds and Livestock Committee agreed to share the role of Agricultural Society president.
Elk Point Minor Hockey coaches more than met their match when the CFCW Country Critters came to town.
December: Christmas spirit reigns
Students and staff of F. G. Miller High filled more than 50 boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Elk Point's 9th annual Christmas Extravaganza was a big success for businesses and shoppers.
Gren Co Industries Ltd., critters Pet and Livestock Feed and Supply and Fins, Feathers and Furry Things celebrated grand openings.
Elk Point Community Choir sang in the season.
ATA President Bauni Mackay visited Elk Point Elementary School.
“Auntie Grace” Franks marked her hundredth birthday.
An interdenominational carol service at Elk Point United Church, Trees of Hope glowing at Parkview Extended Care, a pair of Elementary School concerts and award winning Christmas light displays welcomed the season.
The year wound up with a very successful First Night Festival.
