The way we were
from Elk Point Review By Vicki Brooker Review Staff
And yet another year has passed into history. Let’s look back through the last 52 issues and remember some of the most important and memorable news stories of the year...
January
The New Year blew in with the first major snowfall of the winter, which began just after the completion of the fourth annual First Night Festival. The success of the Festival set organizers thinking about an even bigger event two years hence, on the last day of the century.
Servus Credit Union opened their Elk Point branch on the former site of one of the town’s pioneer businesses.
The Town's much debated garbage bylaw got fine tuning, but still awaited final reading by a shorthanded Council, following the resignation of Louis Verhagen due to health problems.
Area residents were stunned by the sudden passing of former MLA John Drobot at the age of 71.
‘An’ explosion ‘and fire rocked the Canadian Salt Plant at Lindbergh, demolishing their maintenance building and injuring three workers.
At A. G. Ross Arena, 51 skaters logged an incredible 1117 laps in the largest ever Skating Club Skate-a-thon.
February
Soft world crude oil prices prompted an announcement by Pan Canadian Petroleum that they would close their Elk Point office.
The Elk Point Chamber of Commerce faced their new year without a president, when none could be found by the time of the February 4 annual meeting.
Newalta Corporation’s entry upset six-time champion Vulcan Electric in the 15th Annual Oilmen’s Bonspiel.
A second resignation, this time by Dave Yake, left Town Council with two vacant chairs to fill at an April 1 by-election.
Statistics released at the Elk Point Public Library’s annual meeting show reading is on a rebound, with both memberships and circulation making significant climbs in the past year.
A new Alberta Senior Citizens Sports and Recreation Association challenge trophy was donated by Norcen Energy Resources to replace the Westmin Challenge Trophy, which was filled to capacity in just eight years.
Talent exploded in a big way as four bands, ten vocalists and an instrumental soloist competed in a teen talent contest on Valentine’s Day.
Quebec exchange students arrived at F. G. Miller High School and were treated to a multi-cultural afternoon of local entertainment.
Elk Point 4-H Multi Club’s annual Public Speaking competition went into overtime with second impromptus required to break a tie and give Michelle Leckie the second place spot, behind senior winner Peter Danyluk. Leanne and Colin Ference placed first and second in the junior division.
March
Fires dominated our front page on three weeks of March, starting off with a massive barn fire which took the lives of 2600 hogs owned by Glenn and Verona Lea Flanders and family.
A truckload of bales passing through town was the next victim, while fire gutted a home on Railway Avenue toward the end of the month.
Elk Point Peewee Blades were out of provincial” contention, but” three local midget boys brought home provincial medals: Ben Poulin a gold with the Mallaig Monarchs and Jordan Bassett and Brad Pankiw silver with the second place Marwayne Elks.
Danielle Schnurer of the Elk Point Saddle Slickers won top Junior honors at the District 4H Public Speaking. Robyn Danyluk received a prestigious Platinum Award of Excellence for her many years of 4-H involvement.
The Chamber’s executive was finally complete, as incoming vice-president John Yettaw moved up to the President's chair.
Elk Point Agricultural Society hosted a hugely successful Bull Chutin’ Classic.
Five capacity crowds enjoyed the Community Choir and Friends as they presented “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” at the annual dinner theatre.
FG. Miller hosted St. Paul Education Division #1’s annual meeting and displayed their recent renovations.
Elk Point's oldest citizen, Grace Franks, 102, was laid to rest March 30.
April
Elk Point Pioneer Circle celebrated 25 years of growth and progress, with four past presidents on hand to speak at the anniversary gathering.
Sixth grade student Erica Lind won a Canada-wide writing award, Elk Point
Elementary School welcomed the community to an open house, science and book fairs, drama evening and grandparents’ tea.
Elk Point's first Trade Fair in five years brought huge crowds to the A. G. Ross Arena for a weekend of fun and entertainment.
Town Council made a narrow 3-2 decision to reduce their makeup to five members, after no nominations were received for a by-election.
Dave Cousins was named Elk Point Minor Hockey’s Coach of the Year.
Elk Point Ukrainian Dance Club danced away memories of a snowy Saturday at their annual spring concert.
F. G. Miller bands saluted spring's arrival in music.
New Honored Royal Lady Stella Blazenko and new Exalted Ruler Rob Norman were sworn in as the OORP and Elks held their annual joint installation.
The Fun and Furry Horse Show attracted nearly 50 competitors.
May
Elk Point Community Choir entertained a packed house with their’ very enjoyable Spring Concert.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a “Clean Up Elk Point Day” and handed out garbage bags to members ready for the all-out effort.
Super mailboxes came to Elk Point, and cut down on waits for counter service at the post office.
The Town of Elk Point and County of St. Paul remained deadlocked over the annexation of a parcel of land at the community’s southwest corner, and Council went back to square one to start the process all over again.
A vision of the community in the year 2000 and beyond was the topic of a well attended Community Prayer Breakfast.
F. G. Miller’s Class of ‘98 celebrated the end of their school years together with former classmates Claudia Naber and Andrew McGregor returning to MC their farewell evening.
Local residents Violet McFadyen, Margaret Modin and Horace Osinchuk were honored for over 50 years of service apiece to the Canadian Red Cross.
Amanda Wirsta and Mark Ference showed the Grand and Supreme champions at Elk Point 4-H Multi Club’s beef achievement day.
Heinsburg’s Class of ‘98 was honored by friends and family at the annual farewell ceremonies.
Elk Point senior girls won the SPAA fastball championships.
June
Elk Point 4-Hers covered themselves in glory at the District Steer Show, with Amanda Wirsta showing the Grand Champion and Colin Ference the Reserve Champion.
Dr. K. C. Miller cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially reopen the newly renovated F. G. Miller High School.
It was bumper-to-bumper beauty downtown as the Elk Point Auto Club hosted their annual show and shine.
Canadian Salt celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their Lindbergh facility.
Lower mill rates and higher assessments were announced as the Town brought down their 1998 budget.
Marci Bintz showed the Reserve Champion Yearling at the District Heifer Show.
A total of 115 seniors over the age of 80 were honored at the Seniors Week tea.
Pam Veer won the Provincial High School Rodeo pole bending - championship. Crusade Above the Limit ended with a big bang, with 8705 entries for 108 prizes.
Elk Point Elementary students accepted over 200 plaques, trophies, awards and certificates at their year-end awards: day. Seventeen elementary grade students accepted honors awards at Heinsburg Community School Awards Day.
July
Storm clouds that dumped over two inches of rain on the area the night before were gone in time for the annual Canada Day celebrations, which saluted the 125th anniversary of the RCMP.
Black Powder Days brought visitors by land and by water, including the Edmonton House Brigade, to Fort George and Buckingham House.
The rain was back for Stoney Lake Rodeo, but it takes more than mud to stop the action there, and the sun was hot and bright the next weekend for Whitney Lake Rodeo.
Community lottery grants assisted local groups to the tune of $71,000. Artists from near and far took part in a paint-out at Fort George and Buckingham House.
Elk Point hosted the Midget ‘A’ Provincial ball finals, but the Sox were not in the winner's circle.
A newly formed group was successful as they lobbied the County of St. Paul for help with turning the former CN railbed into a recreational trail.
Michele Duczek bid farewell to Elk Point Library to take up a new job in the tropics.
August
Barrel racer Wendy Young was the only local champion at Elk Point Rodeo, where the rain held off until the final minutes of Sunday’s competition.
Entries were up at Elk Point Fair, where Lois Yaremkevich won the Grand Aggregate award. Ken Bozniak won the 15th Annual Oilmen’s Golf Tournament.
Music and tributes were on the program at the Forts des Prairies Jamboree.
Sisters Jamie and Danielle Schnurer won the high point awards at the Charlene Baker Memorial Horse Show.
The most successful Summer Day Camp ever wound up at the Forts.
Michelle Friesen, Pam Jabush and Travis Pankiw were among the winners at St. Paul’s Talent Quest ‘98.
September
It was back to school for the fiftieth time for Heinsburg bus driver Babe Sharkey, as another school year began.
Erica Nieisen won the Rookie of the Year award at the LRA Finals, while Wendy Young was year-end runner-up in Ladies Barrels.
F.G. Miller High School golfers won an interschool challenge. The Terry Fox Run involved 42 participants and earned a whopping $4265.
Information Night was a big success.
The new St. Michael’s Catholic Church was blessed at a beautiful ceremony.
Vandals trashed the recently restored Stoney Lake Campground, doing considerable damage.
October
E G. Miller’s best students of the 1997-98 school year received acclaim at Awards Night.
Elk Point Ambulance reached their 15-yearlong goal of purchasing a brand-new ambulance.
The Elementary School Council completed their playground expansion project.
The Chamber of Commerce joined the Town of Elk Point in a crusade to keep the Northern Lights Library System headquarters.
A task force was implemented to increase use of the Elk Point Health Centre by encouraging local residents to seek health care at home.
Ed Buck was returned as mayor of Elk Point in the October general election, while Allen Young and Ray Danyluk retained their County Council seats.
Elk Point Parent Nursery started their 20th year of operation.
A cross-section of area residents took part in a two day workshop exploring what is great about Elk Point.
November
Elk Point Elks brought senior hockey back to Elk Point after a lengthy break.
Authors Cora Taylor and Barbara Smith and cartoonist Craig George visited local schools.
A $75,000 Agricultural Initiatives Grant lightened the Agricultural Society’s debt load.
Veterans were honored in a ceremony of peace on Remembrance Day.
The Town of Elk Point agreed to join a newly formed landfill authority.
Elk Point Gas Company announced their intention to sell their distribution system to Centra Gas.
The Elk Point Review and Frosty’s Kitchen won Business of the Year awards.
A huge shipment of gifts left Elk Point via Operation Christmas Child.
December
Along with all the wonderful events that Christmas brings, came a fear that budget cutbacks would mean the end for Elk Point Health Centre.
Area residents rallied in support as the year came to an end.
