Another year goes down in history
from Elk Point Review By Vicki Brooker Review Staff
With 2012 off to a warmer-than-usual start, it’s time to take a look back at the people and events that hit the headlines of the Elk Point Review in 2011.
January
The New Year found Tammy Ryall and her three teenagers homeless after a Dec. 27 fire leveled their mobile home in a matter of minutes...
The King’s Kids youth group from Elk Point Christian Community Church collected hats, toques, gloves, scarves and mittens on trees at the three local banks and delivered them to the Mustard Seed ministry in Edmonton...
The TD Bank Group agreed to sponsor the Eco Education Room at the Elk Point Eco Information Centre...
Tanner Shankowski received a $1,000 scholarship from Twin Butte Energy Ltd. to assist with his engineering studies.
A waste collection truck and a sidewalk sweeper attachment for the Bobcat loader were on the Town of Elk Point’s 2011 shopping list...
The County of St. Paul passed the draft strategic plan for the year, which included continued participation in the St. Paul Regional Water Commission and the Wellness Clinic Committee...
The chamber checked out the organization’s new home, holding the first evening meeting upstairs in the EcoCentre and admiring the widescreen TV recently donated by Elk Point Co-op for the ‘virtual classroom’...
Elk Point Metelytsia Ukrainian Dance Club chased the winter blues with lively dances at their Malanka celebration.
Town council gave the water spray park the go-a-head, with the location determined as the fenced-in area north of the outdoor skating rink...
Four groups of interested participants, each led by a town councillor, helped to determine the priorities for walking trail development at an open house where they studied maps and photos and listed lighting, improved sidewalks and a paved trail west of 54 St. as some of the priorities...
Sheldon Ballas and the Champion Technologies rink won the Elk Point Oilmen’s Bonspiel grand challenge over B & R Eckels, the first Grand Challenge attempt for both of the teams...
Art Lypka was named Oilman of the Year by the Elk Point Oilmen’s Association. ..
Demonstrators Tyler Ockerman, Madison MacDonald, Bryce Osinchuk and Fawn Ockerman and speakers Madeline Ludlage, Bailey Oster, Leanna Gibson, Ashley Bristow, Hayely Vinge and Dana Gibson took home the trophies from Elk Point 4-H Multi Club speak-off...
Restoration of Heinsburg’s vintage CN station was making progress, with assistance from Alberta Historical Resources conservation advisor Gary Chan...
A paved and lighted trail along 50 Ave to Range Road 71, lighting on 54 St. south to Sec. Hwy 646 and steps and trail through the creek valley to the Recreation Park were determined as the top priorities for tail development...
Winning the Alberta Chamber of the Year for under 100 members and completing their five-year Eco Centre project made 2010 an excellent year for the chamber of commerce, who returned their 2010 executive by acclamation at their annual meeting.
March
Land rights took priority, with property nights lawyer Keith Wilson speaking out against provincial land rights bills at a meeting in Elk Point and MLAs Mel Knight and Ray Danyluk spoke in favour of the bills at the Lac La Biche — St.Paul Progressive Conservative Association annual meeting in Ashmont...
Town council explored potential options for s 24/7 water supply, both with and without other municipalities...
Elk Point chamber agreed with FCSS director Deanna Easthope that Elk Point has social needs that could possibly be met though the establishment of a benevolent fund...
Community members came together a few evenings later to discuss the matter further and agreed to look into establishing a benevolent society...
Bright ideas were needed for Canada Day, as the committee charged with organizing that event got down to work for another year...
Elk Point Elementary students explored everything from hockey slapshots to bottled water safety at their science fair...
Frank Butler got Annie’s gun, but not for long, as Elk Point Community Choir and Friends presented the delightful western classic at their annual dinner theatre...
The town and F. G. Miller High School agreed to team up to represent Elk Point in the MS Walk...
A memorial hockey tournament honoured hockey player and coach Jim Vinge, who passed away suddenly the previous October ...
With the addition of some new volunteers, planning for the Riverland Adventure Challenge was back on track after all agreed the show must go on.
April
Chamber president Sandy Smith came to town council to encourage the use of solar lights on the 50th Ave. walking trail...
The continuation of the Canada Day Idol competition was confirmed as a July 1 event...
The first draft of the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan was released to mixed reviews, with public consultation meetings scheduled...
Elk Point Elementary ranked second among area schools in academic results...
Safety concerns and saying time were key factors in a town decision to accept a proposal by the Elk Point Golf and Country Club to maintain and operate the recreational park...
The roles and responsibilities of a school council were clarified at a workshop at Elk Point Elementary...
Federal Liberal and Conservative candidates faced off at a preelection forum hosted by the chamber of commerce...
Elk Point Elementary students took skipping to heart, raising $8.992.75 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
May
Elk Point BPO Elks and Order of the Royal Purple celebrated 50 years of community service, with a number of former members coming back for the celebration...
MP Brian Storseth was re-elected for a third term with a landslide of votes...
The Elk Point Review received its first major awards from the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association, taking both the Best Overall and Best Front Page awards in its circulation class...
Nine groups of dancers displayed styles from ballet to jazz for delighted parents at their recital...
Town council set their mill rate, which was up slightly, but still remained below the 2009 figures...
Elk Point Community Choir had flashbacks to the tie dyed t-shirt days of their first concert, as they ‘came of age’ with their 21st birthday...
A steep, canoe-laden portage, lighthearted fun in games such as the log race, and bright costumes such as were worn by best-dressed participants Ansie Venter and Elisabeth Meyer of Cold Lake were all part of the Riverland Challenge.
Tradition met the future as Heinsburg’s six graduates bid farewell to their high school days...
Staff from Admitting, Lab and X-ray and Medical Records were honoured as Palliative Care held their annual candle ceremony...
Sun shone on the Riverland Challenge and a good time was enjoyed by participants and spectators...
The Elk Point Visitor Information Eco Centre impressed representatives of TD Canada Trust, sponsor of the Eco Education Room...
June
Elk Point 4-H’s first-ever sheep show and sale was a popular addition to the Achievement Day lineup...
A changed-up car show, with a pancake breakfast, an outdoor market and two high-stakes competitions brought new excitement, along with an increased lineup’ of gleaming vehicles...
Elk Point Outreach School celebrated success with seven “truly unique, simply amazing young adults” honoured at their graduation...
Stoney Lake celebrated Farmers Day in the cowboy way, with a ranch rodeo...
Five members of Chief Napewaew Comprehensive School's Class of 2011 celebrated their graduation...
Provincial PC leadership candidate Doug Horner visited Elk Point to outline his platform...
F. G. Miller’s Class of 2011 tossed mortarboards high in the air as they celebrated the end of their high school education...
Elk Point Elementary School students received awards for a very successful year, with Eric Stuparyk receiving the SPERD Grade 6 award from chairman Darrell Younghans.
July
Pancakes and a long, colourful parade started off Canada Day, which continued with nonstop activities right up to the late evening fireworks...
A record high of 342 entries competed in the 49" annual Stoney Lake Stampede...
Northern Valley's St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church celebrated its centennial, with worshippers overflowing the church for the special commemorative service...
Elk Point Canada Day Committee praised the efforts of the countless volunteers who worked together to create and carry out a memorable July 1 celebration...
Sunshine, fun and saskatoons combined to make a success of the Saskatoon Festival at Fort George and Buckingham House historic site...
The County of St. Paul voted to support a water pipeline to Elk Point...
An unprecedented influx of 238 teams of ropers and more than100 barrel racers marked the 20" anniversary of the C. G. Baker Memorial Arena with a weekend of competition...
Elk Point Midget Sox were off to minor ball Provincials in Red Deer...
August
Elk Point Water Spray Park was officially opened, with MLA Ray Danyluk handing over the ribbon-cutting scissors to a lineup of enthusiastic youngsters who will enjoy the facility for years to come...
Potholes on Railway Avenue and uneven sidewalks along 50 Ave were concerns brought to town council...
A week of heavy rainfall brought 50 Ave construction to a halt, with the street looking more like an outdoor pool at one point...
Team roper Steve Brooks qualified to take part in the World Series of Team Roping in Las Vegas...
Millie Orr’s name was back on the Elk Point Agricultural Society Horticulture and Craft Show's grand aggregate plaque after more than 20 years...
Wildrose leader Danielle Smith and local candidate Shane Saskiw and listened attentively to local concerns...
The 2008 Elk Point Oilmen’s Golf Tournament winner, Norm Quinney III, claimed his second championship flight victory...
Elk Point 4-H horse project members hosted their first-ever 4-H rodeo, with great horsemanship and keen competition...
Minister of Seniors and Community Supports Mary Anne Jablonski and Minister of Infrastructure Ray Danyluk met with Elk Point Interagency Health Committee to hear concerns regarding seniors’ housing...
A new bylaw outlawed unsightly and untidy premises, shaggy boulevards and lanes, weeds and dismantled vehicles under council's scrutiny...
September
F.G, Miller High School started the year looking forward to renovations that will create “a great gym, a safe gym,” announced by MLA Ray Danyluk...
Casey Lawes of Provost, 20, was named Lakeland Rodeo Association Cowboy of the Year, the award’s youngest-ever recipient...
More than 20 four- and five-generation families wee honoured for their commitment to the community at the annual Grandparents Day celebration...
Frog Lake celebrated the grand opening of their new multipurpose arena and administration building, with Fred Saskamoose, the first-ever First Nations NHL player, among the special guests...
Elk Point Elementary School learned that the school had been shortlisted for a Garfield Weston award for excellence in education...
Elk Point Auto Club visited town council, seeking assurance that their vehicles in progress would not contravene the new unsightly premises bylaw...
Heinsburg hosted over 80 participants for a trail ride on the Iron Horse Trail as a fundraiser for Haying in the 30s...
F.G. Miller ranked 15" out of 276 schools in the Fraser Institute's report on academic achievement in the 1009-2010 school year.
October
Elk Point celebrated the dedicated efforts of current and past members and staff of the RCMP and EMS with a special service at the Elk Point United Church, with a number of past RCMP members welcomed back to share the special day...
Town council approved updated bylaws dealing with garbage, off-highway vehicles and noise...
Elk Point Recreation Department was excited when over 60 students turned out for free Karate-Do beginner lessons, sponsored by the town...
Lack of volunteer time prompted the need for cutbacks in activities for the Christmas Extravaganza...
The inaugural 42-km Iron Horse Marathon got off to a chilly Start at the Elk Point staging area, as a new companion feature of the Iron Horse Ultra 100 mile and 100 km races...
Upgrading of Elk Point’s sewage lagoon was a high priority for town council...
Elk Point’s waste collection site was chosen from among 420 sites serving 5,000 or les population to win a 2011 Collection Site of Excellence award...
Elk Point chamber of commerce discussed the possibility of reverting to all lunchtime meetings, going to one meeting per month and changing the week that meeting would be held, but agreed that the change could only become official after the 2012 annual meeting.
November
Cartoons and storybook characters came to life at the Ukrainian Dance Club’s well-attended family Halloween party...
The draft of the County of St. Paul and town of Elk Point’s Inter Municipal Development Plan was unveiled to stakeholders, with good response to the concepts contained in it...
Alberta TOPS weight loss king, Ken Ralstin of St. Paul, shared his secrets of success and plenty of encouraging words with the local TOPS group...
Minor hockey was in full swing, with all five local teams seeing action on the weekend...
For the first time anyone could remember, rain dampened the laying of Remembrance Day wreaths at Elk Point's cenotaph...
Local schools also held Remembrance Day ceremonies, prior to their long weekend break...
Elk Point Peewee Avalanche rumbled over three visiting teams as they hosted the first minor hockey tournament of the season...
Council suffered a setback on the town’s solar lighting when it was discovered the lights could not be used on 54 Street because of the power lines...
The absence of a parade cut down on the crowds at Extravaganza, with a significant decrease in evening shoppers in the downtown area...
Elk Point Minor Ball won the Small Association of the Year award from Baseball Alberta.
December
The year wrapped up with a plump porker getting a kiss from Heinsburg Community School principal Darcy Younghans, crime statistics decreasing significantly from last year, seven churches taking part in the interfaith cantata, Elk Point schools gathering up a truckload of groceries for Santa's Anonymous hampers, churches and Community Choir holding concerts, Elk Point Elementary School's capacity-crowd concerts and F. G. Miller’s 2012 grad class and staff cooking a feast for schoolmates and special guests.
