Looking back: ‘97 in review
from Elk Point Review By Vicki Brooker
Once again, we have closed the books on another year. Do you remember when...
January
The year opened on a sad note, with the sudden passing of Rev. Norman Hartley plunging the United Church congregation into mourning.
Leon Benoit announced he was seeking the Reform Party nomination for the new Lakeland constituency and visited Elk Point on a pre-nomination tour.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce heard a presentation on a safe community program. The once-sleepy backroads of the Ferguson Flats area became a hubbub of activity, with Koch Petroleum’s 24-pad well drilling program underway.
A program aimed at tobacco-free teens was launched in local schools.
The possibility of spring flooding prompted the Town of Elk Point to clean debris from the main drainage ditch. Paul and Rilla Higgins were given a fond farewell as they left the community. Dr. Sandy Koe announced she would be establishing a practice in Elk Point.
Storm placed second in the “A” side at Redwater’s tournament.
Christina Sereda was awarded the U of A Chancellor’s Scholarship.
February
Leonard Gadowski, Sheldon Ballas and Don Anderson skipped the winning rinks in the Elk Point Men’s Open Bonspiel. The following weekend, Vulcan Electric swept their way to a fourth consecutive Oilmen’s Bonspiel win, with Touchwood Petroleum, Gibson Petroleum Nalco/Exxon other three winning events.
The Community Health Council and the Elk Point Chamber supported the efforts of Elk Point's Interagency to form an Interagency Health Committee. Ron Onusko returned home after receiving a heart transplant January 2.
Heinsburg hosted their biggest snowmobile rally ever, with 484 participants.
Elk Point Lions Club honored charter member Karl Heinemann with a Melvin Jones Fellowship.
The Town beefed up their utilities bylaw to ensure pollutants will not find their way into the sewage system.
Lakeland Meat Processors received an award for the best garlic sausage in Alberta. Family Day events, including the Great Canadian Egg Race, were an unqualified success.
Elk Point Scouting Association celebrated the movements 90th birthday.
The Seniors Recreation Centre celebrated its fifth anniversary. The future of Stoney Lake Community Hall was in question after heavy snow caved the roof in. Health and education were in the forefront at a provincial election candidates forum in Heinsburg.
March
Jaylene Purdy, Danielle Schnurer and Alyssa Osinchuk topped the Elk Point Saddle Slickers largest-ever speak off, while Robyn Danyluk and Kirsty Lindquist were the Elk Point 4-H Multi-Club’s top speakers. Robyn went on to win at District level.
Paul Langevin retained his seat in the Provincial government with a clear win in the March 11 election.
Elk Point senior girls Crusaders were named SPAA basketball champs. Irma Wildcats topped the Midget B Girls Provincial Hockey tournament, hosted by Elk Point Storm.
Cliff Martin, Leonard Gadowski and Bob Scott skipped the winning rinks at the Town and Country Bonspiel.
Elk Point Bantam Lightning won the B side of league finals. Elk Point Community Choir wowed five sellout crowds with Les Miserables.
The Town prepared for a business boom resulting from the influx of oil activity, with new property developments on their Council agenda.
Figure skaters “danced through the decades” at their annual carnival.
Elk Point Thunder captured their zone championship, and hosted the provincial championship tournament won by Eckville. Elk Point Atoms fell just short of an “A” side championship at league playoffs.
The third annual Bull Chutin’ Classic filled the fairgrounds arena to overflowing as 32 top bull riders competed.
Seven pioneers of the Elk Point Rural Electrification Association were honored at the REA’s annual meeting.
Elk Point Elementary students entertained at two annual events: their theatre night and the grandparents’ tea.
April
First-year Atom hockey coach Don Gallant was named Coach of the Year by Elk Point Minor Hockey.
No nominations were received to fill the seat formerly held by Dan Povaschuk on Town Council. Home Hardware held its official opening. Mayor Ed Buck presented acute and long-term care concerns from the Physicians Recruitment Committee to the Lakeland Regional Health Authority.
Adeline Zenko and Bill Jennissen were installed with their teams of officers to head the OORP and BPO Elks Lodges for the coming year.
Elk Point Royal Canadian Legion announced that five Poppy Contest entrants had won at Zone level and four at District level, with Romy Rohner’s entry winning at Provincial level and going on to Dominion competition.
Elk Point Junior Girls Handball team won silver at Provincials.
An open house was held to introduce a new pipeline project which will cross the Lindbergh area.
Town Council was praised by their auditor by being very careful with their spending in 1996, and continued to be fiscally responsible by increasing damage deposits on development permits and agreeing to sell industrial lots on 45th Street at full price for undeveloped land.
Elk Point Ukrainian Dance Club presented their delightful 18th annual spring concert.
An open house highlighted Education Week at Elk Point Elementary School.
Elk Point FCSS honored their volunteers for outstanding efforts. Heritage Lodge and Parkview Extended Care volunteers also were honored during Volunteer Week.
The Fun and Furry Horse Show attracted over 40 riders.
Murphy Oil was back in production, and outlined their new primary recovery scheme involving 9 sections of land in the Ferguson Flats area.
Elk Point’s new Interagency Health Committee held their inaugural meeting. Elk Point Community Choir wound up another busy year with their spring concert.
May
Rain didn’t stop the Elk Point and District Lions Club from earning $2203 in pledges in their annual Walk For Sight.
Canada Health Day was celebrated with displays and activities at Elk Point Health Centre.
The 32 members of F. G. Miller’s Class of ‘97 held their gala class farewell ceremonies.
The Town of Elk Point helped the Golf Club’s financial woes by abolishing the $3000 annual rent of the property. The 1997 mill rates were set, with residential and machinery and equipment taxes going down and non residential taxes increasing substantially. New tax categories were established for apartments and 4-plexes and for the MD of St. Paul Foundation, and non-residential split into those with and without improvements.
The Next Page Bookstore opened its doors.
Voters got a first-hand look at the federal election candidates at a forum hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and ultimately chose Reformer Leon Benoit as their representative.
FGM Crusaders senior girls and junior boys won SPAA fastball titles.
The month ended in a beehive of activities, with 4-H and car shows vying for attention with Heinsburg Grad and the Spring Classic Stampede. Colin Ference and George Danyluk showed the top 4-H steers, while Taralee and James Babenek showed the top females.
Eight graduands graced the farewell ceremonies at Heinsburg. Eighteen shining beauties were displayed at the Auto Club show, but the rodeo came to an abrupt end with a major rainstorm on Sunday morning.
June
Elk Point’s entry won the competition for a pen of five steers at the District 4-H Show. Jaylynn Wirsta and Mark Ference placed first and second in Junior Grooming, while James Babenek was second in Senior Showmanship at the show.
A second by-election was scheduled to fill the Town Council vacancy.
The Chamber’s successful community prayer breakfast focused on the importance of family values.
Dewberry hosted their 20th annual chuckwagon race meet.
Elk Point Children’s Services completed their draft of a community plan. The Interagency Health Committee had representation from 15 agencies and groups as they set goals and determined their mandate.
FGM Crusaders wound up the school year with a celebration of success in their Above the Limit program, while across the street, Elementary students received a bumper crop of awards.
The World Police/Fire Games _ torch relay passed through Elk Point on their way to Calgary, where local RCMP officer John Dzerdz would compete in trap and skeet shooting.
The Town and Chamber received congratulations from their “sister city,” Elk Point, South Dakota on their celebration of 90 years of settlement.
July
Canada Day 1997 was a great salute to 90 years of settlement, with an American flag saluting the origins of many of the early settlers joining the Canadian and Alberta flags fluttering over the brand new stage constructed by the Town. The Canada Day gospel concert featured descendants of five pioneer families.
Jamie Schnurer won the all-around at the Saddle Slickers 4-H horse show. Barrel racer Erica Nielsen was the only local competitor to bring home a trophy from Stoney Lake Stampede, and made it two in a row at Whitney Lake the following weekend. Calf roper Matthew Veer also placed first at Whitney Lake. Dewberry’s Buddy Bensmiller won the Calgary Stampede aggregate award.
Town Council released their new official census, which records a population of 1492. A “mad scientist” visited the READiscover reading program participants, courtesy of the Northern Lights Library System.
August
Descendants of fur trader and explorer Peter Fidler gathered in Elk Point on the Heritage Day long weekend.
Buddy Bensmiller won the World Professional chuckwagon championship.
Elk Point RCMP went on-line, joining the world of Internet.
A public meeting at Ferguson Flats Hall explored the possibility that using oilfield sand in roadbed construction could pose an environmental hazard.
Christina Brown won her fourth consecutive Elk Point Fair aggregate award, with the fair returning to the A. G. Ross Arena after many years in other locations.
Elk Point Gas celebrated half a century of service.
The potential use of an unused road allowance as oil company access was a matter of concern for Lindbergh area residents.
Ed Gilroyed of Lloydminster won the 14th Annual Oilmen’s Golf tournament with a tie-breaking hole.
Rental King and Tarsands Truck Wash held a joint grand opening.
Elk Point Agricultural Society's annual summer horse show honored its late founder, Charlene Baker, with Ashley Larson and Terrie Kromrey named the all-around winners.
The Toronto Dominion Bank marked fifty years in Elk Point.
A picker truck carrying an empty storage tank left part of Elk Point in the dark and without telephones when the tank caught in overhead wires.
READiscover wound up with a science fair arid sleepover at the library.
Koch Petroleum explained the details of their expanded drilling program at an open house in Ferguson Flats.
Music and tall tales wound up the season at Fort George and Buckingham House’s Forts des Prairies Jamboree.
September
The school year started off with F. G. Miller High’s staff and students coping with the construction and chaos of a major modernization project. Terry Fox Run participants battled cold, damp and wind to raise over $3400 for cancer research.
Area resident Deven McBroom died in a fiery truck crash just south of town.
The option of paying 1998 property taxes on a monthly basis was announced by Town Council, who also passed a new ‘untidy and unsightly premises’ bylaw with only two days to clean up after notification.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce was still looking for a quorum after two meetings where no business could be transacted.
A river-side oil spill exercise gave hands-on training to close to 200 oilfield and emergency crew workers.
Information Night showcased an active community, with over 30 groups and agencies taking part.
Eleven of 16 graduates of FG. Miller’s Class of ‘97 were honored at the school’s first fall graduation ceremonies.
Construction was well underway at Newalta Corporation’s oilfield waste management facility.
Ashley Larson was named District Grand Champion at the District 4-H Horse Show.
October
Construction of the outer shell of Elk Point’s new Catholic church was completed.
Heinsburg Community School named Brandon Parenteau as their top overall student at their annual awards night.
A petition containing 405 signatures was presented to Canada Post representatives by local residents concerned over the shortage of mailboxes, with good response.
MP Leon Benoit was questioned on the proposed changes in the Canada Pension Plan and old age security.
Hazel Hannah marked her 80th birthday.
Heinsburg students were taken back to the Middle Ages with a visit from the Creative Anachronism Society.
Bereaved parents Darlene and Dale Emme visited F. G. Miller High School with a heartfelt teen suicide prevention message.
Elk Point Elementary School wound up the month in great style with a family Halloween dance.
November
The Region 4 Community Health Council visited Elk Point gained insight into the LRHA’s injury control program with a presentation at their meeting in Elk Point which showed motor vehicles and falls as major causes of injury, especially in the 65 and over age group.
Elk Point and surrounding areas paid tribute to those fallen in battle at the annual Remembrance Day observances.
Council approved a land use amendment to allow the discretionary use of the property currently owned by St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church as an antique store.
Construction on Koch Exploration’s new battery was going full steam ahead.
F. G. Miller students hosted a gala fashion show, with proceeds going to the 1998 Grad class and the French Club.
E-Can Oilfield Services was named Elk Point's 1997 Business of the Year.
Frog Lake senior boys won the SPAA volleyball championship.
Ninety awards recognizing academic, athletic and citizenship achievements were presented at F. G. Miller’s Awards Night, with six awards going toe Raegan Croteau and Shaun Moroziuk named best all-around student.
Elk Point Elementary School celebrated their 21st annual Children’s Book Festival.
December
Young shoppers Rocky Pilisko, Garrett Duffee and Dustin Costyk won a total of $600 Elk Point Bucks at the Christmas Extravaganza.
The Next Page Bookstore held their grand opening.
Grade 12 students learned interview skills from industry and business.
The Community Choir’s Frosty the Snowman was the only snow to be seen in a warmer than’ normal December as the choir shared their gift of music.
Town Council gave first reading to a new garbage bylaw and announced an intention to switch to front garbage pickup.
Three local churches combined their choirs for a glorious cantata of Christmas music. A pair of standing-room-only concerts were enjoyed at Elk Point Elementary, with the school also winning the institutional category of the Chamber’s lighting and decorating contest.
Legion Poppy Contest winners from five schools received their awards.
F. G. Miller’s Class of ‘98 prepared a pre-Christmas brunch for teachers, staff, fellow students and special guests.
Grace Franks marked her 102nd birthday, while Glen Cinnamon turned 90.
Santas Anonymous assisted 17 area families.
The First Night Festival wound up the year with fun and fireworks which ended just as the first major taste of winter roared into town.
