Looking back through the pages of 2008
from Elk Point Review by Vicki Brooker
As another year comes to an end, we flip back through the pages of the past 52 issues, on our yearly trip down memory lane. Here’s the news that made the headlines in...
January
With three-quarters of their executive having served the maximum term allowed for in the bylaws, Elk Point and District Chamber of Commerce was on the hunt for a new executive.
Town council got off to an early start on 2008, with a Sunday meeting eight days ahead of the regular meeting date to accommodate everyone's schedules.
‘Free reading’ took on new meaning in Elk Point when Elk Point Municipal Library Board made a bold move and axed library membership fees in a drive to increase library usership.
Youth issues from bullying to motivation to drug and alcohol use were a continued focus for the Community Committee,
A wealth of new ideas were put forward for Christmas Extravaganza 2008 as the 2007 Extravaganza committee and volunteers wrapped up with an appreciation evening.
Planning got underway to welcome the David Thompson Bicentennial Canoe Brigade, scheduled to visit Elk Point on the May long weekend.
Elk Point Oilmen’s Association pioneer Allan Frankiw was named the 2008 Oilman of the Year at the banquet which was part of the 25th Annual Elk Point Oilmen’s Bonspiel.
Leonard Gadowski skipped the ‘spiel’s winning rink for the fourth time in five years.
Advisory Policing
February
Twenty-three of 25 Grade 12 students made it through a raging snowstorm to write Social Studies depart mental exams, the final exams of the first semester at F. G. Miller High School, with the rest of that school and Elk Point Elementary taking an impromptu midwinter vacation as buses were cancelled due to clogged roads.
A need to improve lighting and save energy was the major concern for the A. G. Ross Arena Operating Committee, as they struggled to pay $6,000 to $7,000 power bills to keep the facility operating.
Plans for Canada Day got off to an early and enthusiastic start, with the committee agreeing that they were prepared to add new events to the lineup, provided sufficient volunteer assistance could be found.
F. G. Miller High School introduced a new honour roll format in which only students with 80 per cent or higher in all their core subjects would qualify for recognition.
Over 300 signatures on a petition presented to town council asked for more recreational opportunities, ranging from bike trails to a water park, for Elk Point's children.
Alberta Progressive Conservative candidate Ray Danyluk opened his Elk Point campaign office with a capacity crowd of supporters on hand to wish him well in the March 3 election.
Elk Point Regional Allied Arts Society was “up and running,” according to president Don Conrad, as he and society secretary Deanna Easthope proudly displayed the artist’s concept for the new Allied Arts Centre.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce turned lemons to lemonade at their annual meeting, changing the bylaws to allow the existing executive to stay in place despite their completion of two terms in office.
March
Election forums drew answer-seeking crowds in the days leading up to the provincial election.
The Iron Horse Trail was is seen as a “model of community cooperation” and has won numerous awards on its way to becoming a major tourist attraction, North East MuniCorr’s administrative coordinator Mary Ann Price told town council just days before Elk Point TrailRiders Snowmobile Club's antique snowmobile show brought a large crowd to the Elk Point staging area.
Ray Danyluk was ready for a third term as MLA for Lac La Biche — St. Paul after a resounding victory gave the Alberta Progressive Conservatives a 72-seat majority in the provincial Legislature.
Elk Point Skating Club members portrayed Disney greats in their annual skating showcase.
Elk Point Avalanche hosted the Peewee ‘D’ version of the Battle of Alberta, the provincial championships, with the Calahoo Chiefs downing the Bow Island Rebels in the final.
Town council agreed to revive a staff position scratched off the lineup several councils earlier, that of recreation director, the move coming in the wake of the petition presented by residents eager to see more recreational opportunity for youngsters in the community.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce declared they were serious about their train station project as they added the final details to their grant application and hired Dave McRae as project manager.
Over 100 junior high talents from eight schools across the school division were showcased at F. G. Miller High School, including everything from monologues to drama to music, while older actors from the Elk Point Choral Society and Friends completed their nine-sold-out show run of “The Saloon Keeper’s Daughter” at the Elks Hall.
April
Elk Point town council agreed to get on board for the Elk Point Chamber of Commerce train station, committing a $30,000 cash donation over three years and approximately an equal in-kind donation, including installation of water and sewer lines to the site.
The Community Advisory Policing Committee welcomed the Elk Point RCMP Detachment’s newest member, Cpl. Brad Lazicki, who had returned to his hometown after more than two decades.
Elk Point Peewee Avalanche coach John Quinney presented the Alex Kurash Memorial trophy to Dakota Amyotte, a first-year player whose coachability, improvement in skills and positive attitude fulfilled the criteria for the award.
Elk Point Volunteer Fire Department was praised by representatives of three levels of government at the fifth annual Firefighters’ Ball, for their efforts in keeping the community safe, with MLA Ray Danyluk presenting a long service award to Lyle Frisby for his 18 years of dedication to the department.
The Buffalo Trail barrel racers and team ropers wound up their winter series with the presentation of awards.
Three members of the Elk Point Elks Lodge were honoured for a combined century of service, with charter member Ed Gregoraschuk marking 45 years, Walter Jendruck 30 years and Lawrence Pidluzny 25 years at their annual installation of officers, where Don Pilisko was installed as Exalted Ruler.
St. Paul Education Regional Division trustees voted to join the No Child Without MedicAlert initiative, which would complement existing school emergency plans to create a safe environment for students.
The mandate of Elk Point's new economic development committee would be determined with input from its members, who were to be named shortly, said Mayor Parrish Tung.
The chamber focused on the community’s tourism potential after hearing reports from Bob Bezpalko, who attended the Growing Rural Tourism conference in Camrose.
Elk Point Ukrainian Dance Club celebrated spring at their 29th annual Spring Concert, with former member Laryssa Cochrane returning as a guest performer and former member Kirsty Lindquist serving as mistress of ceremonies.
Elk Point RCMP were seeking the public’s help in solving the attempted abduction of a nine-year-old girl from her back yard.
May
Local entrepreneur Melanie Poulin announced her intention to establish a large daycare centre that would care not only for infants and preschoolers, but also offer after-school programs for older children.
Representatives of North East MuniCorr finally had good weather for their tour of Alberta’s lron Horse Trail, which had been postponed earlier due to inclement weather and trail conditions.
Don Schultz was appointed chair of the new economic development committee, with other appointees including Cliff Quist, Brent Becker, Rod Randall, Leanne Drielick, Lorne Young, Sandra Bishop, Sharon Smith, Sandy Smith and Jonny Nielsen. Town Coun. Dwayne Yaremkevich and county Coun. Tom Kurek.
Runners pound down the Iron Horse Trail past Canadian Salt's Lindbergh works in the first-ever Riverland Adventure Challenge, which also involved canoeing on the North Saskatchewan and biking on the Iron Horse Trail, before returning to their starting point at Fort George and Buckingham House.
Elk Point Pathfinders, Girl Guides, Brownies and Sparks joined numerous community volunteers to give Elk Point and the route to the river park a thorough spring cleaning In preparation for the arrival of the David Thompson Bicentennial Brigade, Chamber of commerce president Sandy Smith had plenty of ideas for added attractions to bring more people to town for the Elk Point Auto Club’s annual show and shine.
The mill rate dropped between 10.1 and 39.6 per cent, but most tax bills wouldn't, because of changes in assessment, town council revealed as they passed the year’s mill rate bylaw. The town had a small year-end surplus in 2007, even after transferring more than $525,000 to reserves and capital fund.
Elk Point 4-H Multi Club continued the community's clean-up efforts with their annual roadside blitz.
May long weekend saw history brought to life as the David Thompson Bicentennial Brigade came to town, portaging one of 14, 24-foot voyageur canoes up Main Street after a welcome ceremony at the new river park, enroute to the A, G. Ross Arena where an evening of food and fur trade-style fun for Thompson descendant Lavern Thompson, his fellow travelers and an enthusiastic community. The following day, members of the Brigade joined in the fun of the Fur Factor Challenge at Fort George and Buckingham House.
Elk Point Community Choir added the presentation of $20,000 to the Allied Arts Society to the program of music at their annual spring concert.
June
Speed and shine starred on Auto Show day as baby crawling and baby buggy races were added to the fun, and Lloydminster resident Larry Nordquist’s pearly white 1940 Ford coupe won People’s Choice, Show and Oldest Vehicle trophies.
Robyn Ockerman showed the grand champion steer and her younger brother Tyler the reserve at the Elk Point 4-H Achievement Day, where judge Mac Creech declared both “very meaty, money-making steers,”
Tt was a time to remember for Heinsburg’s Class of 2008, as Becky Quinney and Kelsey Castor were joined by family and friends to celebrate the conclusion of their high school years.
Twenty teams of golfers swung for STARS at the annual Elk Point Emergency Services golf tournament, where the Elk Point Golf and Country Club team recorded the low score.
Another great Farmers Day was enjoyed at Stoney Lake, with wagon rides, music, a barbecue lunch and 25-cent ice cream all wrapping up just hours before a deluge of rain dampened the 4-H windup barbecue across the lake.
Senior athletes of the year Tyson Proskiw and Taylor Jenner and junior athletes of the year Brendan Bishop and Katie Maennchen were among those whose achievements were recognized at F.G. Miller’s sports awards banquet.
Many, many memories were shared at the Elk Point Hospital Reunion, which brought together close to 140 former and present employees for an afternoon of reminiscing, browsing through albums of photos and tours of the health centre.
Elk Point Regional Allied Arts Society got a $15,000 boost for their Allied Arts Centre from Canadian Natural Resources.
July
Good citizenship was stressed at Elk Point Elementary School's awards day, where Brayden Vinge received the St. Paul Education Regional Division No. 1’s Grade 6 academic achievement award and 60 students qualified for academic honours.
Town council learned that Elk Point is to be one of the stops on an extensive adventure race in May 2009, which will begin and end in St. Paul.
“Do not go where the path may lead — go instead where there is no path and leave a trail,” was the theme for F. G. Miller’s Class of 2008, as they celebrated their graduation, with Erin Lindquist as valedictorian.
Canada Day saw record crowds and new events, including the Canada Day Idol competition, a history display and an art show, and featured multicultural entertainment at the afternoon stage show.
Canada Day's huge crowds sparked plans for changes, with a different lineup location to streamline the parade, modification of parade judging categories, and new locations for some of the events. Elk Point residents definitely got in the patriotic spirit while decorating their yards for the big birthday bash, making it very difficult for judges to determine the winners.
A saskatoon bake-off proved to be a huge attraction at Fort George and Buckingham House when the historic site hosted its annual Saskatoon Festival.
Signage and street repairs were on town council’s summer agenda.
The Tier II Midget Baseball provincials hosted by Elk Point Minor Ball were dedicated to the memory of former Sox player Timmy Quinney, whose brothers Devin and Myles took part in the ceremonial opening pitch. The Sox went undefeated through round robin play and ended up with the silver medals after a very challenging game against Rycroft Rage.
Mayor Parrish Tung and town Coun. Mark Gormley presented roses to Coun. Bernice Capjack, who chaired the David Thompson Bicentennial committee, County of St. Paul Coun. Tom Kurek and MLA Ray Danyluk, all who helped to make Capjack’s dream of a North Saskatchewan River viewing deck a reality.
August
A river access trail at Fort George and Buckingham House historic site offered protection to both archaeology and ecology, replacing a trail that crossed the Fort George site and was prone to erosion.
A rash of vandalism, including incidents involving a late night ‘light whacker,’ concerned town council, who agreed it may be time to reinstate the COPS program.
First time entrant Delores Mohyluk won section awards in baking, vegetables, house plants and flowers on her way to the Grand Aggregate win, with Millie Orr placing second in the Grand Aggregate race.
Friends and partners of Frog Lake First Nation were honoured guests at their powwow, where John Lau, president and CEO of Husky Oil, was named honorary chief and took part in the signing of an historic consultation and protocol agreement with Chief George Stanley.
Elk Point Oilmen’s Association hosted their 25th annual golf tournament, where Art Lypka was honoured as the only golfer to have taken part in all 25, and Norm Quinney III was presented with the championship trophy.
The County of St. Paul continued to debate the use of multiple RVs on lake lots.
The magnificent view of the North Saskatchewan River valley was admired by all who attended the official opening of the viewing deck at the river campground, fulfilling the vision by Coun. Bernice Capjack, who proposed the deck while making plans for the David Thompson Brigade visit,
Local seniors Del Smith, Liz Poitras, Ernie Poitras and Gordon Stitch brought home medals from the Zone 7 Summer Mini Games.
Proud Canadians stood at attention as Girl Guide Madison MacDonald raised the flag on July 1.
September
Groundwork began for Elk Point’s new welcome sign near the Peter Fidler statue, which would replace the 1980-vintage concrete sign that had been damaged by a runaway vehicle.
Local vocalist Brianne Greening and season-leading junior barrel racer Caitlin Brooks were among the competitors in St. Paul, where a talent show was one of the events leading up to the Lakeland Rodeo Association Showdown finals.
History was music to the ears as performers flocked to the Forts des Prairies Jamboree, winding up a very successful season at Fort George and Buckingham House.
With an artist’s concept in hand and grant funding expected to arrive shortly, chamber of commerce president Sandy Smith said fundraising was ready to get underway for the proposed Eco Centre.
The Grandparents’ Day walk raised $4,753, with Peggy Maas again the top fundraiser, bringing in $1,205 to assist the local Seniors’ Recreation Centre to cope with utility costs and to help African grandparents raising grandchildren orphaned by AIDS,
One of the best-attended Information Nights ever packed the Elks Hall with area residents eager to learn about services, programs and upcoming events.
A huge circus-size tent was the location of the Northern Lights Library System's 2008 conference, with renovations well underway in the usual location, which would become the new Allied Arts Centre.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce set the final Friday in November as Christmas Extravaganza date not only for 2008, but for following years as well.
The students and staff of F. G, Miller High School once again joined a devastated family to mourn the loss of a Grad 12 student, when Students Union president Katja Brand died in a highway rollover.
Town council was asked by nearby residents to reconsider their proposed fire hall site near the west end of the former CN railway siding, due to concerns with noise and traffic.
October
Elk Point United Church was filled with gratitude as the community gathered to give thanks for the Elk Point Volunteer Firefighters and their service to the community, with the firefighters participating in the special service.
Stakeholders from library boards and staff in communities across northeast Alberta met with a committee of MLAs to help define the future of libraries in one of a series of sessions held across the province.
Elementary students learned the keys to success from educator and magician Steve Harmer in a workshop _ entitled ‘Motivational Magic.’
Homicide charges were laid against Judith Babcock after her husband Murray was found dead from a gunshot wound in their home.
Neighbours whose property abutted parcels of municipal reserve land in the west subdivision came to town council to ask that the property be left as it was, rather than changed to narrow walkways and residential lots.
MP Brian Storseth garnered more than 70 per cent of the vote in the Westlock — St. Paul federal riding.
The many partners, including contributors and the fundraising committee, who came together to purchase a new Zamboni for the A. G. Ross Arena were treated to an appreciation night celebrating the project's completion.
Mayor Parrish Tung and chamber of commerce vice president Lesia Porcina were happy to accept a $182,906 cheque toward the Eco Centre, which MLA Ray Danyluk said in making the presentation, “is all about community.”
November
The mood was both happy and sad at the Regional Allied Arts Society annual meeting, as members heard that renovations to their new centre were nearing completion, and bid goodbye to the organization’s treasurer, Kim Heyman.
Recreation headed the agenda at town council’s November meeting, where Doug Bassett proposed a partnership between the town and the A. G. Ross Arena Operating Committee, to offer incentives to arena staff.
F. G. Miller Grade 12 students lit banks of candles for their updated Remembrance Day observances, presenting videotaped interviews with veterans and recognizing World War II veteran Ralph Riemer and his wartime bride Niki in appreciation for their attendance,
Elk Point United Church roasted countless turkeys and fed a capacity crowd at their annual fall supper.
Ninety years to the day after the guns fell silent to end World War 1, a huge crowd packed the Seniors’ Recreation Centre after commemorative wreaths were laid at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day.
Elk Point Heath care Centre won a provincial Healthy U award of merit for their efforts to provide a healthy workplace for their employees.
Robert Hendriks launched his biography of William Bleasdell Cameron, whose “Life of writing and adventure” included surviving the Frog Lake uprising of the Northwest Rebellion in 1885.
Former MLA Paul Langevin was remembered for his contributions to the area, following his: passing on Nov. 11 at the age of 66.
December
Elk Point’s Christmas Extravaganza was a big hit with businesses and shoppers alike, bringing out good crowds to enjoy new attractions including an art show and sale, children’s activities and entertainment which included several Canada Day Idol contestants. Five local churches joined in the Christmas Cantata, this year hosted by St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church.
Stakeholder groups met to plan the future of the Iron Horse Trail staging area, with a number of great ideas put forward, and economic development coordinator Bob Bezpalko very pleased with the results. Town council agreed it was time to consider an in-town recycling depot.
Shepherds celebrated the birth of the Saviour at the Elk Point Christian Community Church's Nativity pageant.
Concerts, a dance recital and the annual high school brunch were all packed into the weeks leading up to Christmas, as another year drew to a close.
