Looking back at Elk Point’s centennial year
from Elk Point Review By Vicki Brooker Review Staff
It’s been a busy, productive and exciting year in Elk Point, as the community marked 100 years of settlement with a two-day celebration midway through a year filled with progress and planning for the future. Let’s page back through the past 12 months, and check out the highlights.
JANUARY
The local housing market was following the upward trend, with increases of more than 50 per cent in housing prices over the past three years, with realtor Shirley Harms estimating prices increased between 18 and 20 per cent in the past year, after “years of only slight increases.”
Community support for the Elk Point Healthcare Centre's silent auction fundraiser “exceeded all expectations,” according to facility manager Paulette Levasseur, with $5,000 raised by a silent auction.
The worst winter storm in decades had Elk Point busy digging out for the best part of a week, with schools closed for one day, and buses not running for several more.
Town council held off on financial contributions to the Allied Arts Centre until they could discuss the matter with MLA Ray Danyluk.
The shamrocks were lucky again for Leonard Gadowski and his Shamrock Valley Enterprises rink, who took home the Shamrock Valley Enterprises grand challenge trophies in the Elk Point Oilmen’s Bonspiel for the third time in four years. Ted Yarmuch received a warm welcome when he came back to Elk Point to accept the 2006 Oilman of the Year trophy,
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ray Danyluk hinted at funding initiatives for volunteers after he drove through a blizzard to attend the Christmas Extravaganza volunteer appreciation supper.
The youth ministry at Elk Point United Church presented a powerful message on the need to end bullying.
FEBRUARY
Motivational speaker Dr, Dennis Parker told teachers and administrators from across the school division attending an in-service day how “attitude and gratitude can change lives” of teens.
Minus 26 degree temperatures didn’t stop the Elk Point Elementary School students and staff from participating in SHAPE Alberta's Winter Walk Day.
Remembering our past, looking forward to our future” was declared as the theme for Elk Point’s combined Centennial and Canada Day celebrations.
Further discussion following a presentation by the Allied Arts Society’s fundraiser Darcy Acton resulted in town council’s decision to commit $30,000 to the Centre in each of 2007 and 2008, and to have their name on the title of the building, provided the County of St, Paul agreed to do the same.
The airport runway and the seniors’ parking lot were plowed, but the Affordable Housing Task Force found visibility too questionable to make a safe landing and headed back to Edmonton, leaving close to 40 individuals with un-presented briefs.
Shirley Harms was named the new vice president of the Elk Point Chamber of Commerce. Robyn Ockerman, Hillary Dallaire, Alanna Ockerman, Taylor Cochrane and Ashton Ewasiuk were Elk Point 4-H Multi Club’s winning public speakers, Bryant Schnurer, Ryan Mudryk, Darren Tymofichuk and Nicole Tymofichuk receiving awards for their demonstrations.
MARCH
The sun shone brightly as the Affordable Housing Task Force pulled into Elk Point, where two local presentations and six from St. Paul were part of the lengthy lineup outlining problems and a few solutions to the volunteer fact-finders.
A total of 44 vintage snowmobiles were lined up on display as the Elk Point TrailRiders held their annual antique snowmobile show and trail ride.
Realistic and attainable goals presented to the Chamber of Commerce included a personalized brochure outlining membership benefits, a better working relationship with the economic development committee and determining if there was a need for a job fair. Elk Point Volunteer Fire Department moved their annual fundraising ball up a month from the previous year, so it would not conflict with other activities.
Completion of the first phase of Elk Point’s new subdivision topped the town’s capital spending list, with town manager Myron Goyan estimating the cost at $402,000. Two dozen projects created by 31 Grade 3 to 6 students were on display at Elk Point Elementary School’s science fair.
Fire Chief Ken Palamarek was honoured by the Fire Commissioner’s office for his 36 years with the fire department, the presentation made at the Firefighters’ Ball.
Seventeen skaters showcased their skills for family and friends on St. Patrick’s Day.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ray Danyluk cautioned that all the desired projects “can’t happen at once,” when he came to town for a meeting originally slated to find out the status of the Allied Arts grant, which had already been approved.
The final curtain fell on the Elk Point Community Choir and Friends’ 2007 dinner theatre, “Tons of Money.’
APRIL
A public hearing held by the County of St. Paul heard concerns regarding the rezoning of land near Stoney Lake from agricultural to country residential use.
Twenty-five secondary students from Chicoutami, Quebec visited Elk Point on the second phase of an educational exchange.
The cheque was even bigger than expected when Minister of Tourism, Recreation, Parks and Culture Hector Goudreau and Minister of Municipal Affairs Ray Danyluk presented a surprised and thrilled Allied Arts Society president Don Conrad with $500,000 for the new Centre.
Elk Point BPO Elks hosted the final district meeting for District 10, prior to a province-wide shuffle which will see the Elk Point and Myrnam lodges become part of the new District 6.
After 26 months of debating the relative merits of renovating a vintage station, building a replica of Elk Point's original station or a larger, enhanced version. the Chamber was taking a second look at the replica.
The Metelytsia Ukrainian Dance Club celebrated the end of another season with their 26th annual spring concert.
A cash injection of $692,000 from the province assisted the county in dealing with deteriorating roads and water distribution systems.
MAY
Elk Point 4-H Multi Club was out in full force on Moosehills Road, joining youth across the province in the annual Highway Cleanup.
Street improvements, including curb, gutter and paving on 49 Ave, from 52 to 54 St. and on 49 St. from 51 to 53 Ave. were the subject of a bylaw allowing the town to charge a local improvement levy to the residents in those areas.
A slight increase in taxes was predicted as the County of St. Paul approved their 2007 budget.
Vermilion Lakeland Voices joined Elk Point Community Choir to fill the Seniors’ Recreation Centre with wall-to-wall music at the annual spring concert.
With chamber meeting attendance at a bare minimum, the chamber was urged to develop a mission statement and to set goals before proceeding with any planning on the train station.
Town council looked at ways to improve their development agreement document, now that new development was becoming a regular occurrence.
Jody Stanley gave the Class of 2007 address as Heinsburg Community School held farewell ceremonies for the four-member class.
The C. O. W. Bus trundled into Elk Point just in time for the County of St. Paul library board to visit it as part of their tour of the county's libraries.
Plans to install curb, gutter and paving on 49 Ave came to a grinding halt when Donna Bassett came to council with a petition asking that the street be left the way it was.
JUNE
Tyler Ockerman showed the 2006 Grand Champion steer at the Elk Point 4-H Achievement Day, his sister Robyn showing the Reserve Champion.
A dramatic increase* in assessment led town council to drop mill rates to prevent soaring tax bills.
Stoney Lake revived the old tradition of the Farmer’s Day picnic, honoured area pioneers with the dedication of a cairn and celebrated community youth with the opening of a new playground,
The Elk Point and District Lions Club team won the Elk Point Emergency Services golf tournament, with proceeds from the event going to STARS.
Heritage Lodge residents enjoyed a final get-together with F. G. Miller’s Grade 7B students, who visited the lodge each week to read aloud and play games with residents,
The daytime quilters passed the 1,000-quilt milestone, more than 40 quilters having taken part since 1994, when the group started making quilts for the less fortunate.
Leigha Bishop received the first St. Paul Education Regional Division Grade 6 academic award at Elk Point Elementary School Awards Day.
“Forever and always unforgotten” was the prom theme for F. G. Miller’s Class of 2007.
Ferguson Flats Ladies Club celebrated 60 years at the annual Ferguson Flats Picnic.
One hundred years of settlement and the strong roots planted by those early settlers were the focus of Elk Point's Centennial celebrations on June 30, with reunion open houses, bed races, a Ukrainian meal, craft, art and historical displays, an outdoor stage show, old-time games, a banquet, silent auction and dance, followed by fireworks.
JULY
‘Coming mere hours after the final burst of fireworks, Canada Day saw everyone up bright and early for the pancake breakfast, worship service, parade, old-time children’s games, stage show, strength competition and Farm Survival Challenge making up another full day.
Stoney Lake stampeded through their 45th annual rodeo, with 45-year Stampede Association veterans Walter Piotrowski, Mike Drobot, Steve Drebot and Gunther May honoured as they rode in the grand entry.
Another longtime Stoney Lake area resident, Claudia McGinnis, celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.
The cancellation of planned curb, gutter and paving on 49 Ave. left the Town of Elk Point with the possibility of doing other street upgrades instead, including work in the industrial area.
Tyler Loughran threw the ceremonial first pitch in memory of his “Papa John” as the combined Cold Lake-Elk Point Cardinals hosted the Midget Boys Provincals, where Rocky Sundevils defeated Fort Saskatchewan Red Sox in the final.
The combined Centennial and Canada Day celebration was declared an outstanding success by the organizing committee.
Emie Poitras and Millie Orr brought back medals from the Alberta Senior Games, both in visual arts categories,
A major residential development with three homes in place by the end of August and 20 within the next year was proposed for Elk Point.
AUGUST
Four custom homes were under construction on Centennial Drive in Elk Point's new residential subdivision.
The 2003 Midget Provincial champion Sox came back home to give the Cardinals some competition.
A craft-loving community showed off its creations at the 2007 Horticulture and Craft Show, with the grand aggregate award going to Lillian Balazs of Cold Lake.
Many local residents took in the very successful ninth annual Haying in the “30s at Mallaig.
Lindsay Jenner was named the 2007 Oilmen’s Golf Tournament champion, while tournament chairman Robyn Moroziuk won both an ATV and a billy goat.
Economic development was on town council's to-do list, with approval given to three recommendations from the EDC.
A weekend of hard work by a large crew of volunteers resulted in the installation of brand new playground complexes just in time for the new school year at Elk Point Elementary.
Favourites and first-timers were on the program at the Forts des Prairies Jamboree and although the day was cool, the crowd enjoyed almost five hours of good entertainment.
Town council’s focus was on growth and partnerships, while EDC representative Bob Bezpalko was searching for ways to make Elk Point a destination, rather than a gateway.
F. G. Miller’s 2007 graduates celebrated their commencement, with Lisa Kozicky as the valedictorian.
SEPTEMBER
A new outreach school offered educational alternatives that could help encourage students finding difficulty with traditional schooling to complete their education.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce got back to work with planning for the fall and winter activities.
A lot of walking took place, with one walk celebrating Grandparents’ Day and three more where elementary and high school students and the general public carried on the dream of Terry Fox.
Two rezoning bylaws were passed, changing an institutional parcel back to highway commercial and a central commercial lot to residential.
Preservation of the historic Heinsburg train station was seen as a priority by area residents.
New money and new stability for municipalities was announced by Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ray Danyluk, with $5.4 million in new money slated for Elk Point in the coming five years.
Northern David Thompson Bicentennial canoe brigade voyage.
Pengrowth Corporation held an open house to outline their plans for assessing the potential of the former Murphy Oil holdings.
F. G. Miller High School mourned the passing of student Timmy Quinney in a vehicle accident.
The new town council got night to work, with a rezoning hearing the first item to be dealt with after the swearing-in ceremony and committee and board appointments.
Elk Point 4-H held their first ever Pumpkin Challenge, with a 100 pounder from the Tymofichuk patch taking the championship.
NOVEMBER
Doug Bassett was one of four Albertans to be recognized by Alberta Sports, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife for his volunteerism.
Riverland Recreational Trail Society was a runner-up at the ALTO Awards for in the Friends of Tourism category.
Close to 300 shoeboxes from F. G. Miller High School, Elk Point Elementary School and local churches were on their way to less fortunate children overseas through the auspices of Operation Christmas Child. Students at both schools paused to remember Canada’s war dead and veterans with meaningful programs and poppy-decked wreaths, in advance of the community commemoration on Nov. II.
Town Council approved a new slogan introduced by the Economic Development Committee declaring “Elk Point: The right place to be.”
Elk Point 4-Hers weighed in their calves for another project year.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce took the next step toward making their train station/eco centre a reality, as they formed a building committee whose first job is to determine the method of construction.
Elk Point seniors got a preview of Christmas at the annual Seniors Christmas Dinner.
Extravaganza goers ignored the freezing weather to enjoy the spectacular lighted parade and horse drawn wagon rides, although they retreated indoors to drink hot chocolate and listen to great entertainment.
Elk Point Healthcare Centre presented awards representing 195 years of service to dedicated staff, with Verna Lazicki receiving a 40-year award.
DECEMBER
A busy month saw music in the form of the interfaith Cantata and the Community Choir concert, more entertainment at the school and playschool concerts and the high school brunch, bright lights for the Chamber to judge and the whole community pitching in to help Santa's Anonymous help those less fortunate.
You can get to any of the Elk Point Review Issues for 2007 by clicking on the following link:
https://archive.org/search?query=subject%3A%22Elk+Point+Review%22&sort=…
