Looking back at milestones, major events of 2017
from Elk Point Review By Vicki Brooker
January
The brand new 2017 started off with the news that the sixth annual 2nd Chance Trail Ride would head west from Elk Point to Elk Point, after five years of traveling east to Heinsburg, where major upgrades of the community hall kitchen were on the new calendar.
Fundraising was underway for Terri Castle and her family, who had escaped a Christmas Eve house fire, with another fundraising effort in the works for the ROCK (Reclaiming Our Complex Kids) Foundation, which was hoping to amass enough to receive matching grants for resources and activities for local youth.
A zero fish harvest was implemented at Stoney Lake as a result of a large summer kill in 2016, with high hopes that fish stocks would recover by later in the year. Elk Point Elks started off the year with a bang, snuffing out Viking Gas Kings’ pilot light with a 21-1 win.
Elk Point Healthcare Auxiliary celebrated 40 years of service, with three members of the original 1976 executive, vice president Joslien Wannechko, secretary Deanna Fakeley and president Ruth Vogel, on hand to share memories of the early days they shared with the late Violet McFadyen, who had been their treasurer, the late Elsie Oryschuk, canteen chair, and Rilla Higgins, publicity chair.
Town council made a major announcement, passing a resolution to rehabilitate existing water lines on Circle Drive, 52 St. and Ravine Drive over the next two years.
Elk Point and District Agricultural Society was among 14 communities in northern and central Alberta to share in $1.75 million in Canada 150 funding, the $54,235 grant timely for needed upgrades to the A. G. Ross Arena, which would host Midget ‘D’ Provincials in March.
Metelytsia Ukrainian Dance Club marked 35 years of celebrating their culture at the annual Malanka with everything from the traditional presentation of read and salt to the high-flying Hopak finale.
Thirty three Elks Hockey Club alumni laced up their skates, with another five as coaches, to honour the memory of former Elks player Mike Boratynec, who passed away the previous autumn, the game held as part of a memory-packed reunion for the team.
Elk Point Municipal Library celebrated Family Literacy Day with everything from card games and board games to a giant-sized Jenga, with fun for all ages from tots to seniors.
February
Whaler Industrial Contractors, skipped by Guy Lapointe, defeated Shamrock Valley Enterprises, skipped by Leonard Gadowski, in a rematch of the 2016 Oilmen’s Bonspiel grand challenge, when Shamrock went home with the trophies. Geoff Hyslop, who had served as Elk Point Chamber of Commerce treasurer since 2010, was elected as the group’s new president, with no treasurer found to replace him at the Annual Meeting. The Town of Elk Point recreation department brought in the County of St. Paul’s director of corporate services and “grant guru” Kyle Attanasio for a well attended grant information session for non- profit groups.
Elk Point Elks stampeded the Dewberry Mustangs by a margin of three games to one to advance to the next round of league playoffs against Hillmond Hitmen.
A major water main break on 52 Ave. that took two days to repair was followed by another two days later on Main Street just north of Railway Ave. that had businesses bearing the brunt of having their water shut off, the two breaks “speaking to the reason we are doing the rehabilitation project,” Deputy Mayor Lorne Young told council.
The County of St. Paul agreed to move ahead with its own census after the federal census indicated a population drop that could cost the county between $20,000 and $26,000 per year in grant funding. : Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs joined Lac La Biche — St. Paul -Two Hills MLA David Hanson, Wildrose party leader Brian Jean, Bonnyville — Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr, Chestermere — Rocky View MLA Leela Aheer and Olds — Didsbury — Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper for a very well attended “Alberta Talks” dinner and discussion session at the Elk Point Arts and Leisure Centre. Elk Point 4-H Multi Club members were enthusiastic communicators at their annual Communications Event, with Shaylyn Klatt, Jove Boorse and Darianna Boorse advancing to district competition.
March
Escaped convicts, gallons of coffee and believe it or not, Johnny Cash, all wound up in the same place in “A Day at the Java Shop and Greyhound Bus Depot,” Elk Point Community Choir’s side-splitting dinner theatre presentation which entertained five audiences over two weekends.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce jumped on the bandwagon to support the Midget ‘D’ Provincials, providing the supplies for the players’ pancake breakfast, while the Friends of Elk Point Library volunteering to prepare and serve the meal.
Guest skater Kyaina Galea of Edmonton and a cast of 28 local skaters rocked the A. G. Ross Arena at Elk Point Skating Club’s annual ice show, this year entitled “Ages of Rock.”
The state of streets and sidewalks in the wake of recent snowfalls were ‘the main concern at the Community Policing Advisory Committee with Coun. Dwayne Yaremkevich on hand to address the questions and comments and acknowledge that town bylaws state that snow must be removed from sidewalks within 48 hours after a snowfall. Town council approved the creation and installation of a sign proudly declaring that Elk Point is the home town of Edmonton Oiler Mark Letestu, who continues to be a positive role model and ambassador for our community. A heart- breaking overtime loss to Smoky River in the semifinals took the Atom Avalanche out of championship contention at the Atom ‘D’ Provincials in Delburne. Tyson Stafford, who was part of the Elk Point Midget Thunder team that competed in Elk Point’s first-ever Midget Provincials tournament 25 years earlier, dropped the ceremonial first puck as the Midget Avalanche faced off against Pincher Creek Huskies in the 2017 version, where Valleyview trounced Eckville 4-0 in the final.
Elk Point was in the midst of a baby boom in 2016, according to Christal Brodziak of Community Health, with 30 births to parents from the area during the year, up from an average of 20, and already seven to date in 2017.
April
Elk Point Municipal Library met the challenges of what board chairman Laverne Wilson called “a trying year for our community” in 2016, finding a noticeable increase in the use of facilities, services and programs despite struggles in the oil patch and agricultural sector.
An enthusiastic group of Elk Point Storm alumni came back to town for an exhibition game against the current team and an evening of reminiscing, with their game taking place just before the beginning of the 7th Annual Jim Vinge Memorial Tournament, which carried on through-out the weekend. Elk Point Minor Hockey celebrated both successes and volunteers, with a near-capacity crowd at the annual year-end banquet at the Arts and Leisure Centre, where delighted Elk Point Peewee Avalanche player Wyatt Pavoll accepted the Alex Kurash Memorial Trophy.
The floundering Elk Point Chamber of Commerce was seeking new energy and enthusiasm, and agreed to seek out new members and at the same time find out the opinions of both new and existing members on ways the chamber could ‘help the business community to survive.
The Town of Elk Point once again would hold its mill rates at figures unchanged since 2011, with CAO Ken Gwozdz saying property taxes “should be with-in the same ballpark as last year’s.”
A new and fast-growing sport was introduced in Elk Point, with certified Nordic Pole Walking instructor Marguerite Friesen showing an interested group what it was all about at a workshop at the Municipal Library.
Planning for the coming summer was in high gear, with the Canada Day Committee checking more details off their lists at every monthly meeting and Rural Crime Watch preparing to have their parade float rebuilt so it wouldn’t hit the street at every bump.
Good Friday, which brought a bad snowstorm, was still fun for those who made their way through deepening drifts to the Elk Point Fire Hall for the annual Easter Egg Hunt and pancake breakfast.
MAY
“The Wizard of Oz’ was another enormous hit for the Elk Point Theatre Project, with two capacity crowds following the adventures of Dorothy, the tin man, the cowardly lion and the scarecrow as they headed down the Yellow Brick Road to see the wizard.
Goalie Paul Boulianne was voted MVP and Fan’s Choice at the Elks Hockey Club awards, wit Jason Kalynchuk named Most Dedicated, Chevy Botting the Top Scorer, Jordyn Wozniak the Best Defenseman, Scott Ward the Coaches’ Award winner, Dyson Karbashewski the Most Improved and Nick Trufal the Rookie of the Year.
Former and present members of Elk Point Metelytsia Ukrainian Dance Club gathered on stage at the end of the club’s 35th Annual Spring Concert to mark the impressive milestone, with former members trying out a few dance steps for old time’s sake.
Elk Point and District Lions enjoyed “the nicest weather ever” for their annual Walk for Sight, with 19 walkers and riders raising $855 for vision-related charities and George Hahn the top fundraiser of the year. It was anything but a pleasant day just one week later, but 200-plus rain-soaked riders and teamsters ignored the weather and hit the trail from Lindbergh to Elk Point in the Sixth Annual 2nd Chance Trail Ride, which ended with a sup- per, program and live and silent auctions at the Elk Point Arts and Leisure Centre.
Elk Point Community Choir celebrated Canada 150 at their Spring Concert with a program that included everything from Rob Holliday and Gabe Bayduza’s “Voyageur Song” from the Fort George and Buckingham House Bicentennial to Ian Tyson’s “Four Strong Winds”, Stompin’ Tom Connors’ “Hockey Song” and Rita MacNeil’s “Working Man”. Elk Point Elementary School celebrated 50 years, with a large contingent of former teachers, support staff and students returning to the halls of learning to reminisce and page through photo albums showing the school’s history.
The Chamber of Commerce brainstorming session, facilitated by Bob Bezpalko of Northeast Alberta Information Hub, emphasized the need to prove the chamber’s value to its members and potential members. Kailey and Lexi Wirsta swept the Elk Point 4-H Beef Club Achievement Day, Kailey showing the Grand Champion Steer and Lexi showing both the Supreme and Reserve Champion females and the Reserve Champion steer, while Dallas Bristow took home the trophy for his steer’s Rate of Gain.
Two active community members, Jody Lecopoy and Jeff Classen, lost their lives, as did St. Paul resident Omer Gamache and Cold Lake’s Colin Perpelitza in a head-on collision on Highway 29, with a fifth victim, Todd Wilkins, transported to Edmonton with serious injuries.
JUNE
Elk Point Elementary School Tigers pulled off an upset, edging out seven-time champions St. Paul Elementary at Onchaminahos School’s annual Windrunners race. Ninety years of automotive beauty, from a 1926 Model T Ford to a brand new sports car, were on display at the 30th annual Elk Point Auto Club Show and Shine.
The luck of a random draw was a life-changing win for Tonya Beeching, Kyle Tingey and their son, when Beeching won $100,000 in Federated Co-operatives’ 2017 Fuel Up to Win contest, after no one collected the seven game stickers in the Collect to Win portion of the program.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce analyzed the results of the May 17 brainstorming session and agreed that a chamber website might be a good starting point for revitalizing the chamber.
Elk Point Minor Ball asked town council for permission and sup- port of the construction of a new diamond for Mosquito and Peewee- aged players at the Elk Point Recreation Park, with minor ball players now numbering almost 150.
Elk Point residents were asked to clean up for Canada Day, with the bylaw enforcement officer touring the town and fining 46 areas in need of a clean-up, due to weeds, un-mown lawns and unattractive clutter.
Graduands Sunrise Moocheweines, Cyrus Jackson, Isaiah Morin and Seneca Waskahat were deemed “exemplary students” by Heinsburg Community School principal Carmen McLeod at the Class of 2017 celebration.
JULY
“Work Hard, Dream Big” was the theme for F. G. Miller High School’s Class of 2017, who chose Christopher Boratynec as their valedictorian, with Amy Harms and Dawson Delorme handing over the Crusader sword to Dana Gibson and Jaden Plaska of the Class of 2018.
Elk Point Elementary students celebrated a successful year, with Colby Havener accepting the St. Paul Education Regional Division No. 1’s Grade 6 Academic Award.
The Canada Day parade was the longest in years, with thick fog dis- appearing while 800 hungry breakfasters enjoyed the pancake breakfast as they fuelled up for a day that also- included after- noon entertainment, and a reunion of F. G. Miller High School alumni. The 2017 Voyageurs Rendezvous Canoe Brigade visited Elk Point and Heinsburg, with Mona McGinnis, who received an autographed paddle when the 1967 version of the Brigade came to Elk Point, proudly showing her treasured souvenir to the four participants of the current group who were also part of that brigade.
A massive storm wreaked havoc across a wide area, Elk Point missing out on the large hail that pounded crops in surrounding areas, but slammed by winds that brought down numerous trees that blocked streets and landed on homes and yards as more than two inches of rain fell in a very short time.
Town council welcomed new RCMP Set. Terry Hyggen, who said the community “already feels like home.” Storm debris was largely cleaned up by the following week, when the gardens of Donna and Doug Golledge, Donna and Doug Bassett and Wanda and Murray Cochrane were part of the annual St. Paul Community Garden Society tour.
AUGUST
Elk Point AA Bantam Sox won gold by a single point over Chestermere Crushers at the Tier 5 Provincial Provincials in Elk Point, while Elk Point Mosquito Sox won silver, the first provincial medals ever won by an Elk Point Mosquito team.
The Canada Day Committee was dis- appointed with the turn- out at some of their events, and considered going back to basics next year, possibly bringing back some of the popular events from the early years of the celebration.
Canada’s new astronaut Joshua Kutryk has strong ties to the Elk Point area, having lived here as a child when his father Barry was the RCMP sergeant, and enjoyed meeting old school-mates and his Grade 3 teacher, Lee Wruth, at a meet-and-greet session.
Weather played a role in decreased entries at Elk Point Agricultural Society’s Horticulture, Craft and Quilt Show, where Marianne Pierson won the both the Grand Aggregate and the Violet E. McFadyen award.
Tyson and Darcy Stafford were declared the 34th Annual Elk Point Oilmen’s Golf Tournament champions.
Elk Point Emergency Services Golf Tournament was small in attendance but yielded a cheque for $60,000 that was presented to STARS Air Ambulance at the end of the day, and Brant Evans, Shauna Kinjerski, Don Schultz and Ron Lacombe winning a tiebreaker coin toss to win the event.
September
Rezoning of a 1.882- acre parcel adjoining the northeast corner of the Elk Point Agricultural Society Fairgrounds from Industrial (M) District to Community (P) District went unopposed.
The County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS Information Night drew more than 280 visitors to the Elk Point Arts and Leisure Centre. Elk Point Chamber of Commerce president Geoff Hyslop resigned, vice president Dwayne Yaremkevich taking over the president’s chair until the February 2018 annual meeting.
A proposed fireworks permission bylaw sparked debate at a town council after a recent Safety Code Council audit identified the need for such a bylaw, since none was in place.
F. G. Miller’s Parker Allen, Zane Cribbins, Nicholas Anderson and Kaiden Evans-Anderson won bronze at the 1A/2A Golf Zones in Cold Lake.
October
DJ Drobot of F. G. Miller set a course record of 23 minutes, 31 seconds in the senior boys’ 6,000M race at the SPAA Cross Country held at Ross Lake.
Two mayoral candidates and six town council candidates faced the voters’ questions at a well-attended pre-election forum hosted by the chamber of commerce. The final meeting of the 2013- 2017 version of town council started off with a discussion of the same issue that faced the town’s first ever council at their first meeting in June, 1938: a dog control bylaw.
There were new faces on both town and country councils, with Lorne Young elected as mayor to head up a council consisting of incumbents Debra McQuinn and Dwayne Yaremkevich and newcomers Sherry Bower-Gagne and Terri Hampson, while incumbent “County of St. Paul reeve Steve Upham was re-elected along with Cliff Martin, Maxine Fodness and Laurent Amyotte, with Darrell Younghans, Kevin Wirsta and Dale Hedrick as the newcomers. The new town council was sworn in and agreed to hold the line on compensation, but added a new $250 honorarium for meetings or events lasting more than four hours
F. G. Miller’s cross-country team placed a proud second in the 2A division at Provincials
November
A cold and snowy.
Halloween saw F. G. Miller High School host their first ever Halloween Family Frolic, with games, activities and treats for the youngsters.
Elk Point Elementary School Ambassadors played a major role in Elk Point’s Remembrance Day program, reading poems and singing at the indoor portion of the event, as well as assisting with the wreath laying ceremony.
Joey and Charlie Danny Cardinal, Rogal, Odin Smith and Chayse Pankiw were part of the St. Paul Bengals football team that won the Alberta Bantam Tier III provincial championship over Lacombe Raiders.
Elk crowds at their Point Allied howling with Arts had laughter dinner theatre, “A Nice Family Christmas.”
Marjorie Scott of Heinsburg and Vicki Brooker of Elk Point were named Volunteers of the Year at the FCSS Seniors’ Festival.
December
The Christmas Extravaganza may not have been the biggest in the event’s 31-year history, but the Winter Wonderland Parade, blazing bonfire, cookie decorating, hot chocolate and cotton candy still brought out enthusiastic crowds.
Five churches joined in harmony at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church for the Christmas Cantata. Community Choir director Udo Mueller invited past members of the choir who were in the audience to join the current group on stage for their final number at the choir’s Christmas Concert.
Elk Point was merry and bright for Christmas, with Elvis Sibal, the Ginez family and Jack and Leona Bretzer named the winners of the chamber of commerce Christmas Lighting and Decorating Contest.
