Looking back at 2010
By Vicki BROOKER Review Staff
As we hang up the new calendars and jot the first appointments in our new day planners, it's time to take a look back at the news that made our headlines during the past 12 months...
January
The sea can issue was back before town council, with the decision to pass a bylaw prohibiting use of the storage containers anywhere in town except the industrial area making some residents unhappy. El k Point Palliative Care Association found a big cheque for $11,178.40 under their Christmas tree, in appreciation for their work at a Canadian Natural Resources fundraiser.
Antlers exhibited by Jim Bodnar, Ty Johre and Dennis Ewanec were the big winners at Elk Point Oilmen’s Association's second annual big bucks contest.
Five years of saving up allocations under the joint provincial/federal New Deal program has added up to $213,262 that Elk Point town council agreed to put toward their 50 Ave. upgrade.
The Elk Point Trail Riders snowmobile club asked the chamber of commerce to reconsider their plans to prohibit vehicle traffic east of the EcoCentre, which would cut off access to their cabin and the adjacent picnic area.
Camryn Jack Maddock of Elk Point was St. Paul's New Year's baby, born Jan. 1.
Lac La Biche — St. Paul MLA Ray Danyluk was Alberta’s new Minister of Infrastructure, following a provincial cabinet shuffle.
Elk Point Community Advisory Policing Committee got its first look at the new public harassment and curfew bylaw passed by the town “to regulate, control and abate disruptive behaviour in public places” in the community.
An enrollment ceremony that marked the 100th anniversary of the Girl Guides of Canada was a bittersweet occasion for Guider Margaret White and Brown Owl Germaine Labrie, who would be leaving Guides at the end of the season.
Heinsburg Community Club honoured their dedicated volunteers, with special tribute paid to founding member Alice Gregor on her 90th birthday.
Progress on the EcoCentre received a setback when the eco-friendly flooring material was found to be faulty and was recalled.
Elk Point Atom Avalanche played six games in four days, including two provincial games and their home tournament.
February
A proposed expansion of Canadian Natural Resources Limited's oi] operations immediately south of Elk Point had town council questioning the effect that reduced spacing of wells would have on the town.
Elk Point's Canada Day Committee held their first meeting of the year, with Deanna Easthope already hard at work on a comprehensive outline of the day's activities required with the federal grant appliColon.
Steve and Scott Penz, Don Anderson and Paige White won the grand challenge at the 27th Annual Elk Point Oilmen's Bonspiel, their E-Can rink bringing Leonard Gadowski's Shamrock Valley Enterprises rink’s winning streak to an end.
Doug Bassett was named EPOA’s 2010 Oilman of the Year.
Darren Tymofichuk, Dayle Oster and Dana Gibson were the top speakers al the Elk Point 4-H Mult Club Public Speaking competition.
Elk Point RCMP Set. Brad Lazicki and Corp. Kevin Motillivray met with town council to get input on the town's policing concerns, with council praising the RCMP's increased visibility in the community. New interpretive signage was in the works for Fort George and Buckingham House Provincial Histone Site, with design sketches shown to the Friends of the Forts by facility supervisor Marianne Mack at their first meeting of the year.
Elk Point chamber of commerce had a new vice president and treasurer for the first time in three years, with Debra McQuinn taking over the VP chair and Geoff Hyslop winning the vote over Sue Cleland for the treasurer's position.
Elk Point Elementary School students played the spoons, played bingo, did the chicken dance, crawled under and over a giant parachute and held an indoor relay race as part of the fun at their winter carnival, Tavye, the dairyman, decries the decline of tradition in this unforgettable scene from “Fiddler on the Roof.”
March
Elk Point town council stirred $25,000 of their Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding into the pot for the Elk Point Arts and Leisure Centre kitchen project.
Over 40 vintage sleds from as far away as Red Deer and St. Walburg were in town for the Elk Point Trail Riders’ annual snowmobile show and shine.
Northern Lights Library System director Mircea Panciuk and assistant Brigitte Sakaluk lobbied MP Brian Storseth for CAP computers for CFB Namao library and for the book postage rate that is vital to their operation.
The women of five local churches led the World Day of Prayer service, with guest speaker Seyi Oyebode enlightenIng the audience on the challenges faced by women in the Republic of Cameroon, while Allen Warawa spoke on the year’s theme, “Let everything that has breath praise God."
A number of local businesspeople and professionals found themselves behind bars for a good cause as the Water Spray Park fundraising committee held a hilarious Arrest-a-Thon.
A much-improved curling season wound up with a potluck and draw-to-the-button competitions.
Town council had a full house of visitors, with an objection to a proposed street closure and delegations from the Elk Point Trail Riders and the Multiple Sclerosis advisory committee all having their say at the meeting.
A public hearing on proposed County of St. Paul division boundary changes drew minimal attendance.
Elk Point Community Choir brought back no less than seven performers from their 2000 dinner theatre hit, ‘Fiddler on the Roof” as they delighted decade-later audiences with the same classic tale.
Elk Point Skating Club brought back even more memories as they skated to music from the past six decades, with costumes to match as they moved from the rock’n‘roll era through the disco years and beyond.
Fun for children topped the chamber of commerce agenda, with plans to build and raffle a miniature EcoCentre playhouse and a spokesman from the Elk Point Firefighters Association on hand to unveil plans for an Easter egg hunt.
Easter bonnets and bunny hops were the order of the day at Elk Point Elementary, as students entertained the Heritage Lodge seniors at a tea before heading home for the Easter break.
Town council chose Select Engineering to oversee the 50 Avenue street upgrade project.
Elk Point Community Choir's performance of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ drew acclaim from the Shalom Toronto Jewish newspaper, who sent a reporter ta cover the show after the play's production crew contacted the paper to obtain copies to use onstage.
April
A huge and enthusiastic crowd gathered at Elk Point's newly opened fire hall for the first-ever Easter egg hunt, which followed a pancake breakfast enjoyed by all ages.
MLA Ray Danyluk defended the province's decisions regarding health care spending, which included paying off a $1.4 billion deficit and giving Alberta Health a funding increase for each of the next five years.
Virginia Kinch retired after 40 years with Canada Post.
The snow was deep, but the Ans and Leisure Centre was dug out in lime to host Danny Hooper and his band for the chamber of commerce to hold their well-attended fundraising dinner, auction and concert.
Progress was slow but steady on the Visitor Information EcoCentre with cupboards under construction and a major clean-up scheduled for the basement storage area.
Elk Point 4-H Multi Club sponsored an ATV safety seminar that urged participants to “ride safe, ride smart and respect the environment.”
Town council offered financial support to the upcoming Elk Point Emergency Services golf tournament, Canada Day and donated the use of the Canada Day stage for a benefit concert that would raise funds for those living with or recovering from chronic illnesses.
Elk Point Ukrainian Dance Club celebrated the arrival of spring with their 3ist annual spring concert, with a packed house on hand to see dancers from tots to adults perform in colourful splendor.
Security headed the chamber of commerce agenda, following break-ins to the Visitor Information EcoCentre, the old tours! information centre and the Trail Riders cabin. Continued on Pape 3)
End of an era at Elks’ last bingo
May
The Visitor Information EcoCentre’s wind turbine was up and spinning, just in time to welcome the Lions Walk for Sight and the Iron Horse Ultra 100 run the following Saturday.
Campground changes, including closure of the Kehewin Lake provincial campsite and the change of Whitney Lake campground to a day use area, had the Elk Point Elks Lodge in high gear, preparing their Wildemess Park for a potential increase in visitation.
Town council approved their 2009 financial statement, which showed increased financial and non-financial assets and decreased debenture debt.
A large and very vocal group of seniors protesting Alberta Health Services’ province-wide 21-day menu for health care facilities overshadowed the usual business agenda at the Alberta Council on Aging annual meeting.
Elk Point FCSS began the huge task of relocating their office to the Visitor Information EcoCentre. That facility, along with the rest of the from Horse Trail staging area, Was now being powered by the solar and wind installations, economic development coordinator Bob Bezpalko told the chamber.
Bezpalko told town council he was “disappointed that the county doesn't see (the Kehewin campsite) as an economic driver,” after the county declined an offer from the province to take over its operation, However, the county did give their support to a much-needed upgrade of Camp Whitney.
It wasn't a usual form of recreation, but recreation director Valerie Lazicki was fight in there with a pitch to encourage volunteers to participate in the town's annual clean-up blitz.
Elk Point chamber of commerce wis named Alberta’s 2009 Chamber of the ‘Year for chambers with 100 or less members. Heinsburg Community Development Society was launched with hope and enthusiasm, and members were looking forward to a visit from an engineer who would make recommendations for the restoration of their Vintage train station.
The future of Elk Point Minor Hockey was in jeopardy, as no volunteers came forward to take executive positions for the coming year.
June
Elk Point Community Choir marked two decades of concerts with a program “which is 20 years personified,” according to president Don Conrad, featuring some of their favourite numbers from former members who have now passed on.
A one-mill drop in the town’s property taxes for four of five categories didn’t necessarily mean a drop in taxes for some ratepayers, due to property reassessment.
Rain, snow and icy winds plagued the third annual Riverland Adventure Challenge, making it more of a survival exercise than a pleasant outing.
Katelynn Wallee showed the grand champion steer and Ashley Bristow the Reserve champion at Elk Point 4-H Multi Club's achievement day, which also exhibited the cow-calf, horse, photography, crafts and small engines projects.
A 1959 Edsel, once owned by the late Johnny Oryschuk and restored to showroom condition by Gary Fakeley of Ardrossan, won the antiques category at the 20th annual Elk Point Auto Club show and shine.
Fishing Lake parents were outraged by a recommendation by St. Paul Education Regional Division superintendent Glen Brodziak that high school students from that community attend Heinsburg School instead of F.G, Miller, as they have been for the past four years,
The first-ever Stoney Lake ranch rodeo was part of the fun on Farmers Day, along with a picnic and a ball tournament.
Jim Hawkins retired from the secretary of Elk Point Further Education, a post he has held for 22 years, and was succeeded by Sandra Cameron.
Elk Point 4-H Multi Club won the Stall Display honours at the St. Paul District Show and Sale, while Nicole Tymofichuk’s two-year-old cow and calf won the grand champion trophy, Alanna Ockerman won firsts in senior grooming and showmanship, with Kayla Gibson second in senior grooming, while Janice Tymofichuk was second in senior at the District Invitational Heifer Show.
Premier Ed Stelmach cut blue, gold and green ribbons and snipped a strip of steel plate with the Jaws of Life to officially open the newly renovated Northem Lights Library System headquarters, the Elk Point Ams and Leisure Centre, the Elk Point Visitor Information Eco Centre and the new Elk Point fire hall, during a whirlwind tour of all four facilities.
Norine Kim accepted a cheque for $2,000 after her duck crossed the finish line in the Great Elk Point Duck Race, which raised money toward the water spray park.
Valeen Jackson was Heinsburg’s 2010 graduate, while Brittany Browy, Cathy Olstad, Adriauhana Faithfull, Jerrika Durocher-Barthel and Skye Durocher made up Elk Point Outreach School's Graduating Class of 2010.
Thirty-four members at F. G, Miller's Class of 2010, including 24 who had ‘already received their diplomas, celebrated the end of their high school days with the school’s longest-ever grad theme, “May your dreams take you to the comers or your smiles, to the he highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known.” Kehewin campground reopened in time for Canada Day weekend, after the province partnered with a Bonnyville company to operate it,
Heinsburg Community School bid farewell to principal Jill Greening at their awards day, where Kem Dion- Walker and Bradley Saddleback received awards from St. Paul Regional School Division. A similar award at Elk Point Elementary School went to Rosie Sam, who was also one of 15 recipients of the prestigious Grace Franks Awards.
July
Huge crowds enjoyed all
was the first flight winner in the second annual Diamond Drillbit Golf Tournament.
The age at which pets must be licensed and the numbers of animals allowed per household were contentious issues for town council, as they revamped the animal control bylaw.
Ferguson Flats Association celebrated 60 years of community involvement at their annual picnic.
Town council set rules for campground users, to take effect July 15, including a i4-day maximum stay in either campground.
Red Hat Society members were special guests at the Fort George and Buckingham Howse Saskatoon Festival, with events including tours of the fort sites and complimentary stagecoach rides.
Elk Point Sox made it three for three, winning. silver at the Tier 1 Midget Provincials, following silver in 2008 and gold in 2009.
County bylaw officer Dennis Labouicane reported a quiet season at local lakes, rising water levels, and fewer ATV complaints than in 2009.
August
The exact site was not determined yet, but town council agreed that the water spray park would be located somewhere north of the A. G. Ross Arena, where both Water and sewer are in place. Lindsey MacDonald brought home bronze in both bong jump ad 200 m hurdles from the Alberta Sumumer Games.
Elk Point Community Choir set off on a five-concert tour of England, Wales and Scotland, returning to Places they liked best in earlier tours and adding Ireland.
Mayor Parrish Tung assured ratepayers that the community’s multiple major projects came not from their tax dollars, but rather by careful utilization of grants.
The parking of recreational vehicles, disconnected from towing vehicles, on streets and town property, and the lack of water for golf course greens, figured prominently on town council's agenda.
Lillian Balazs of Cold Lake won the Grand Aggregate award at the Elk Point Horticultural and Craft Show and Quilt Show.
Thick smoke from BC forest fires wasn't a good start for the 27th annual Oilmen’s Golf Tournament, but dispersed considerably over the weekend, with Bart Kindopp of Bonnyville winning the championship during his first visit to the tournament.
The provincial government was seeking public input on proposed changes to regulations on the use of public lands and forests.
Despite fears that performers might be “singing in the rain.” the Fort des Prairies Jamboree at Fort George and Buckingham House went through entire program without a sprinkle. T
own council approved a trail beautification program to assist with landscaping at the Visitor Information EcoCentre with from Horse Trail grant funds.
September
History was brought to life as the buckskin-clad Alberta Field Force, Steele's Scouts arrived on horseback at the Frog Lake National Historic Site to commemorate 125 years since their predecessors made the tip io apprehend Chief Big Bear and his warriors during the Northwest Rebellion.
Darcy Younghans, who left Heinsburg Community School in Grade 10 to further his hockey career, finally came home, this time to be the school’s principal.
Ruby Braconnier was the first Lakeland Rodeo Association Showdown Ladies’ Barrel Racing champion from this area in more than 25 years, since Anne Lawes won the 1984 championship and Wanda Austin the 1985 championship, with Wendy Lorenson, (Young) the junior champion both those years.
Families joined in the Grandparents Day walk and celebration, raising money to assist the Seniors Recreation Cente, the local handi-bus and grandparents in Leshoto, Africa who are raising grandchildren orphaned by AIDS.
Northem Lights Library System, continuing to evolve after 20 years of operation, proudly showed off their nearly completed major renovation project during the system's annual conference, Town council finalized their revised animal control bylaw and new alternative energy bylaw, with no written or oral objections received during a public hearing on the latter.
Seven strategies for determining land use in Alberta's Lower Athabasca Region were outlined at’ a public input session Ieading to a long-term vision and sustainable plan for the région.
An expanded group of volunteers gave planning for the Nov. 28 Christmas Extravaganza a jump Start, with suggestions for new activities coming forward and many details assigned.
October
Elk Point Elementary and F. G. Miller Schools marked the 30th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope with nuns raising funds. for cancer research.
Bob Bezpalko brought council a proposal for an energy-monitor project involving the town and Lakeland College with monitoring equipment to be installed at the Elk Point Visitor Information Eco Centre and the data going to an on-line database.
Elk Point chamber of commerce was honoured at the Alberta Chambers of Commerce roundtable when president Sandy Smith was presented with the Alberta Chamber of the Year award for chambers under 100 members.
“Brendan Bishop, Grade 11, Kelsey Lindquist. Grade 10, Tia Lowry, Grade 9, Jared Loughran, Grade &, and Kelly Sam, Grade 7, were named the top students of the 2009-2010 school year at F. G. Miller High School awards night.
Steve Upham was elected as the County of St Paul's first-ever reeve-at-large, taking over the chair from Robert Bouchard, who had been on county council for 30 years, 26 of them as reeve, Dwight Dach taking over Division 2 from Tom Kurek, who retired. Mayor Parrish Tung retained his position in the general election, with Ron Fraess and Eugene Buck taking Seats previously held by Mark Gormley and Dick Millar.
Elk Point was well on its way to having its own Victim Services unit, after 15 years under St. Paul and District Victim Services” umbrella.
NorthEast Alberta HUB came to the chamber of commerce meeting and led members through “The Futures Game,” an entertaining exercise in economic development.
November
The Ukrainian Dance Club held a Halloween Family Frolic that packed the Arts and Leisure Centre with children and adults in zany costumes.
Friends of Fort George and Buckingham House hosted the first Lakeland Heritage Partner meetings in two years, hoping to revitalize the group and make its goals a reality.
Elk Point 4-H Multi Club weighed in 12 steers ready lo grow into next June*s show string.
The Christian Community Church took recycling to a new level, turning the former fire hall into their mew church through the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers.
Representatives of governments, organizations and businesses laid wreaths at Elk Point's cenotaph on a snow-free Remembrance Day, honouring all who defended Canada in the past and present conflicts.
Council created Elk Point's first-ever cemetery bylaw and reviewed off-highway vehicle and noise bylaws.
The chamber Christmas Extravaganza added a children's activity lane and a hew outdoor skating rink to the entertainment lineup, along with ornament-making sessions for youngsters waiting to see Santa,
The chamber invited local walking enthusiasts to give input on planned trail upgrades.
December
The economic development committee visited town council to hear diverse views on the purpose and hoped-for direction of economic development.
Elk Point Curling Club was up and running, with Elk Point and District Lions eager to pitch in and cook supper for curlers on a weekly basis.
Northem Lights Library System invited one and all to view the newly modernized and enlarged headquarters.
F. G.. Miller High School students leaned how to avoid the hazards of cyberbullying, Cst. John Spaans of Elk Point RCMP facilitating the sessions.
A pair of concerts at Elk Point Elementary School brought both a Holiday Hoedown and a Holiday Zovbilee to the stage while another crowd enjoyed the Elk Point Community Choir concert and students, staff and special guests enjoyed the annual brunch at F. G. Miller High.
Town council passed revised off-highway vehicle and noise bylaws.
Elvis Sibal, Nemesio Tuliao and Violet McFadyen won the chambers lighting and decorating contest.
The chamber was eager to get to work on upcoming events such as a street festival to coincide with the auto club show and shine.
