CIRCLE THE NORTHWEST 2021 Edition
FREE
Northwest Saskatchewan's Tourist Guide
St. Walburg Inn Liquor Store
ICY COLD BEER!
Hours: Monday thru Saturday 10:0am - 6:00pm Sunday Noon until 4:00pm
• Crew Rates • 21 Modern Rooms • 4 Large Kitchenettes • Pool Table • Games • Dining • Catering • Beverage Room
OPEN DAILY Restaurant: 7 am to 9 pm: Sundays 8 am to 9 pm Bar: 11 am to 2:30 am: Sundays at 12:00 pm
Downtown St. Walburg Bar: 248-3414 Restaurant: 248-3411 Room Reservations: 248-3414
ALL WELDED ALUMINUM 10’ FRAME LENGTHS
CAMPER
FLOATING DOCK
Home Building Ce
Phone: 306-248-322 Fax: 306-248-3988 • Hw
www.stwalburgbui
Home Building Centre St. Walburg OUTDOOR PATIO
Phone: 306-248-3223 or 306-248-3676 Fax: 306-248-3988 • Hwy. 26 South, St. Walburg www.stwalburgbuildingsupplies.com
• Building Mater • Electrical • Rental
2019
CIRCLE THE NORTHWEST
TO VIEW ONLINE GO TO: www.newsoptimist.ca
Published annually by Battlefords Publishing in conjunction with St. Walburg Chamber of Commerce Publisher: Gordon Brewerton Battlefords Publishing Box 1029, North Battleford, SK S9A 3E6 Phone: 306-445-7261 Fax: 306-445-1977 www.newsoptimist.ca
Photo Credit to Joan Champ for Front Cover. Photo Credit to Vicky Clayton for Back Cover. 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 1
St. Walburg
Welcome to St. Walburg St. Walburg Tourism and Heritage Society
Town of St. Walburg Phone: 306-248-3232 www.stwalburg.com
St. Walburg prides itself as a neat and tidy town. Take time to wander through our town.
Brightsand and Turtle Lakes
These large lakes have their southern ends in farmland and their northern ends in the Northern Provincial Forest. They are home to Brightsand Regional Park, Turtle Lake Nature Sanctuary and numerous cabin subdivisions. All of these developments have public beach access, some easier to find than others.
Winter
Some suggested side trips and stops 1. Rifle Pits National Historic Site, on the Frenchman Butte Museum and Teahouse and on further to the site of Fort Pitt. 2. Little Fishing Lake is worth a stop. 3. Visit Bronson, Peck and Worthington Lakes. 4. Stop off at Ministikwan Lake before heading East. 5. Climb up to the marker at Steele Narrows. 6. Pull into Jumbo Beach and maybe go into the Provincial Park. The trails at Meewasin Beach are worth the effort.
ACTIVITIES Summer
• Curling • Hockey - St. Walburg Eagles • Elmhurst Ski Club • Bowling • Star Skate
• Public Skate • KO Fitness - Martial Arts Gym • TransCanada Trail - You can go any time!
WINTER
2 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
• Swimming at Brightsand Lake or Turtle Lake • Quading Down Trails • KO Fitness - Martial Arts Gym • Elks Park - It’s so much fun!
• Bowling • Baseball • Golf Course • TransCanada Trail
SUMMER
The Town of St. Walburg welcomes all travelers to visit our unique town full of character and interesting things to see and do. We are your Gateway to the Northern Lakes, which offer swimming, camping and evenings by the campfire as just a start to a fun family outing. Small town friendliness is very apparent as you meander around our town which boasts flower and specialty gift shops, interesting hardwares and building centers and a family owned fully stocked grocery store. All your fuel and convenience needs are met with two corner gas stations including an ice cream parlour and outdoor seating. We have an abundance of excellent restaurants from casual dining to more formal settings, including a well-known specialty Route 26 Coffee House, a historic setting Farmhouse and our local cafés and eateries. Hotels and RV camping offer the weary vacationer a safe place to rest while enjoying the many events and activities St. Walburg offers. We host two large summer weekend events that bing thousands of people to our town. Party in the Pasture takes place in June for three days of mud, quad and lawnmower racing, a slow pitch ball tournament, activities for families and kids as well as live music, Definitely a fun time for all.The Wild Blueberry Festival is always the fourth weekend of August and brings a vast variety of outdoor vendors, food trucks, entertainment with live music and interesting people and places to
The
Licenced Family Dining Fresh Baking Daily - Baked Fresh In House Reasonable Rates! Relax in the Country! Stay & Play Golf Packages Available!
OPEN FOR BREAKFAST!
visit. Of course you won’t want to miss the wild blueberry pies! Our downtown has a historic Museum that brings the old days of being on the Prairies to life, including the famous Imhoff paintings. The original CN Station is a part of the history of our town and there are very few left to see in Saskatchewan.We are a community of well known artists and artisans, offering a large variety of goods and wares. A community farmer’s market is well established and the local produce is abundant. Nature walking a must and the Great Trail is always well groomed and in the midst of the beauty of the prairies. Hunting and fishing are abundant in our area. There’s an interesting golf course that will appeal to both the beginner and experienced golfer along with an exceptional club house leaving golfers with a sense of a well run and high caliber establishment. Our Communiplex has hockey, skating, curling and bowling and is just beside our well maintained four ball diamonds. With so much more to see and do in St. Walburg, come out and enjoy a beautiful place in northwest Saskatchewan. Nancy Schneider Mayor
FARM HOUSE Inn and Suites The Farm House Inn has a warm and inviting family restaurant decorated with local art and interesting antiques.
Dining Room Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
LICENCED FAMILY DINING
St. Walburg
A Message from the Mayor
For family dinners, business lunches or just for fun, we have three semi-private dining areas. In nice weather enjoy our outdoor cafe/lounge, decorated with colourful umbrellas and nature's own sunshine & fresh air. Located near scenic golf courses, beautiful beaches, historic sites, museums, bird watching, trail rides and much more. The Farm House Inn has eight spacious, comfortable country-style guest rooms. Each with full bath, telephone and queen size bed and T.V. We recently added four brand new suites complete with kitchenettes.
Box 417, St. Walburg, SK S0M 2T0 306-248-3688 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 3
St. Walburg Town of St. Walburg 134 Main Street, P.O. Box 368 St. Walburg, SK S0M 2T0 Facebook: Town of St. Walburg • Website: www.stwalburg.ca Email: info@stwalburg.com Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. * Closed all Statutory Holidays Mayor: Nancy Schneider • Deputy Mayor: Kim Gardner Waste Transfer Site Open May 18, 2021 to October 2021 Weather Permitting. Regular Hours • Tuesdays - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Fridays - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. • Saturdays - 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. April to October by Appointment. Contact the Town Office 306-248-3232 Compost Site - Has Moved Is now located North East of old lagoon lift station - please follow the signage. Do not leave any materials that cannot compost. This site is monitored. Recycle Bins The Recycle Centre is located at the north side of the Water Treatment Plant on 4th Street West. The Town of St. Walburg encourages all residents to break down as many items as possible. The recycle bins are available to the Town of St.Walburg Residents and the surrounding communities. Our Centre offers a glass bin please note that this bin is for glass only, windows and such are not allowed in the bin. The bins are exchanged each week. Electronic recycle is also available in our community. St. Walburg Campground The campground opens in May and is open with power/water until the temperatures get low enough to begin freezing. It is typically open until September long weekend.The daily cost is $25.00 per night on an honour system.Trailer dump $4.00 for non campers. St. Walburg Communiplex For further information about programs running at the Communiplex please contact: Minor Hockey - Amy Leer 780-522-1661 Bowling - Leanne Harris 306-248-1293 Curling - Stan Krzak 306-248-3750 Bowling - Peggy Bull 306-248-3717 Website The Town of St. Walburg website offers information and the ability to post items that may be happening in our community.The Town Office encourages the submission of events. Individuals or organizations can contact the Town Office at 306-248-3232 for further information. Visit stwalburg.ca for details.
4 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Councillors: Jean Steinacher, Kim Gardiner,Virginia Mowery, Dawn Nedelec-McKellar, Stuart Gammell, Clinton Parker Chief Administrative Officer: Shiloh Bronken Administrative Assistants: Barbara Gauthier, Christine Seguin Public Works Department: Devlin Panko, Evan McNab, Lyle Knight
St. Walburg Library Hours Tues. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wed. 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Thurs. 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Our librarian is Maxine Forsyth. Public access computers, internet, large print books, DVDs, Blu Ray, audo books and more. Books are also available for sale too. Call 306-248-3250 or visit www.lakeland.lib.sk.ca Utility Billings - App EyeOnWater The Town of St. Walburg has utility billings at the beginning of each month for the previous months usage.The Town has recently upgraded to Badger Meters giving our users access to view their utility account by using an app called Eye-On-Water. It lets you connect to supported water utility accounts to see how much water you’re using and can even alert you to possible leaks on your property. Utility bill payments must be received in the Town Office by the last banking day of each month to avoid interest penalties. Bulk Water Clean, safe potable bulk water is available in St. Walburg at the Water Plant on 4th Street West at a cost of $9.20 per cubic meter. To purchase water at this self-serve, prepaid station you will need to purchase a preloaded card. Prepaid Water Cards can be purchased at Kim’s Service and are preloaded with $20 credit. You can also purchase prepaid Water Cards (loaded with any amount) at the Town Office during regular business hours that can be reloaded and used indefinitely. Bulk Water card do require a $10 deposit on card that is refundable when returned. Pet Licensing The Town of St. Walburg requires all dogs and cats to have an annual license. These are due annually in January. The office will be sending out notices in December to remind pet owners.When you pay your pet license fee, you will be given a tag. This tag must be placed on the pet’s collar.A picture of the pet should be submitted to the office to remain on file in the event of the loss of a collar.
Demolition Permits The Town of St. Walburg requires a demolition permit be issued from the Town Office prior to the removal or dismantling of a building or structure in St. Walburg town limits.
Town Council Regular Scheduled Meetings All Council meetings are open to the general public for viewing. Should any ratepayer like to request a delegation to address Council, the CAO requires notification on the Friday prior to each meeting by 12 noon. This notification shall include the topic and supporting information that the delegate would like to discuss. Each delegation is given 10 minutes to address the Council. At the expiration of 10 minutes, Council may pass a resolution extending the time. For more information, please contact the Town Office 306-248-3232. Regular scheduled council meeting dates are available on our website www.stwalburg.ca ATV/Golf Cart Permits The Town of St. Walburg issues a yearly permit for ATV’s and Golf Carts. Please be advised that all permits issued are regulated by The Highway Traffic Act. The Town Office will issue a receipt and supply an Appendix to be carried on the ATV/Golf Cart. The ATV permit grants permission from the Town of St. Walburg to operate an all terrain vehicle within the town limits for the purpose of business; to be operated between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and must proceed from one parcel of privately owned land to another parcel on any side street. The Golf Cart permit grants permission from the Town of St. Walburg to operate a golf cart within the Town Boundaries. The operation of the golf cart is between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. for the sole purpose of transportation to and from the Eagle Ridge Golf Course by the direct shortest distance between the golf course and where the golf cart is stored. For more information, please contact the Town Office 306-248-3232. Transit-Van The Town of St. Walburg offers this service to St. Walburg and surrounding community residents.This 12-seat van is the ultimate way to get around with a group of 8 to 12 people. It is the perfect choice for small groups as it keeps the group together, is easy to get in and out and has a comfortable interior. It is available for out-of-town bookings, please call to inquire about cost. Please contact the Town Office at 306-248-3232 to arrange for your trip or for additional information. St. Walburg
Building & Development Permits The Town of St. Walburg requires both a development and a building permit to be applied for and approved prior to any addition/change to property in St. Walburg. The development permit is a document issued by the Town of St. Walburg that authorized development pursuant to the Zoning Bylaw but does not include a building permit. The building permit is a permit, issued under The Building Bylaw of the Town of St. Walburg, authorizing the construction of or the addition to any building, but does not include the Development Permit. The Town of St. Walburg outsources the inspection services of JWS Inspection Services for residential and commercial properties. Once the resident has completed the required documents for the building permit and submitted them to the Town Office, the CAO reviews the permit application. Should there be NO discretionary uses, the CAO will approve the application and forward all the documents to the Building Inspector. The Inspector will review the application for adherence to the National Building Code requirements.The resident will receive an invoice for the cost of the inspections from the Town of St. Walburg. This is a cost associated to the TOTAL cost of the project. The Town of St. Walburg has various zones established in St. Walburg and the uses associated with those zones are defined in the Zoning Bylaw. Each zone sets out permitted uses, discretionary uses (that require Town Council approval by resolution), site development regulations, accessory building and structures, fence and hedge height, signage, parking, outside storage and supplementary regulations. The development and building permits are available on the Town website www.stwalburg.ca OR can be picked up at the Town Office. Should you have any questions about a project or renovation that you are considering please contact the Town Office at 306-248-3232 to discuss the particulars involved to ensure compliance.
July & August suMMER MARKEt tuesdays 3-6 pm & Fridays 3-6 pm at the St. Walburg Town Campground (beside the FarmHouse Inn)
If you or someone you know, would like more information, or to reserve a spot in the St. Walburg Farmers’ Market please call:
306.248.7574 MAy EEKEND lONg W tO END H tHROug tEMBER OF sEP itting) m
Per (Weather
FRIDAys 3-6 pm
We welcome home-made, home-grown, home-sold products, and have room for a few more select vendors. Priority will be given to local producers and/or to unique products. Home based businesses are welcome to participate with no duplicates.
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 5
St. Walburg
St. Walburg Town Campsite
St.Walburg Community Campground features level, electrified sites, overflow camping, modern toilets, coin-operated showers
and tourist information. Reservations are not accepted. The campground has 16 electric sites with 15 amp service and 10
electric sites with 20 amp service. A coffee shop and licensed dining are adjacent to the campground. Open May 15 to Sept.
15. The daily cost of camping is $25 per unit for all sites. Sewage disposal for non-campers $4.
Home Building Centre St. Walburg Phone: 306-248-3223 or 306-248-3676 Fax: 306-248-3988 • Hwy. 26 South, St. Walburg
www.stwalburgbuildingsupplies.com
• Building Materials • Plumbing • Electrical • Flooring • Rental • Paint • Landscaping • Aluminum Doors
Sunroom Solutions provides customized and affordable 3 season windows for any outdoor structure. Our product offers the flexibility to easily convert your space into a screened room or a protected enclosure, extending your enjoyment of the outdoors.
We carry everything to complete your project Click and Pick Up Here or We Deliver
WE DELIVER! 6 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Vinyl Pane Windows
Enjoy The Outdoors... In The Comfort Of Your Home!
www.imhoffgallery.com
Tour the original working studio and home of this Renaissance-styled German artist
Saskatchewan is home to one of Canada’s hidden artistic treasures.The remarkable story of Count Berthold von Imhoff, a man whose talent earned acclaim in Europe, prestige in America and honour by the Vatican, yet who chose for himself a life of struggle and sacrifice, comes to life in the viewing and media tour of Imhoff’s working studio turned museum. Born in pre-industrialized Germany, Berthold von Imhoff showed artistic promise at an early age and, as a youth, studied art in its higher forms at famed academies in Halle and Dusseldorf, acquiring a technique of bold, vigorous brush work, dark colours and strong contrasts. In 1886, at the age of 16, Imhoff won the Art Academy Award of Berlin for his work,The Glory of Emperor Frederick William. His reputation grew and, as he covered canvass after canvass, Imhoff’s journey from Europe to the United States and finally to northern Saskatchewan brought wide appeal for his mostly religious-themed art. Imhoff’s death in 1939 didn’t lessen the public’s interest in his work.As a result, the descendents of Imhoff have maintained his working studio, built on the original homestead site, as a museum that is open to the public during the summer months. Two artistically treated rooms in the artist’s original home are also included in the tour. Recognizing its massive contributions to religious life, the larger artistic community in the province and the country as well as the history of German migration to Canada, the Saskatchewan government declared the Imhoff studio and home a Provincial Heritage Site in 2005. Three generations of the Imhoff family have contributed to the protection of Imhoff’s legacy of religious and historical art — a private collection that has been maintained since the
St. Walburg
The Legacy of Count Berthold von Imhoff
artist’s death. Several communities in Saskatchewan are linked by the works of Imhoff, who donated much of his time and talent to complete the interiors of these churches. Viewing these works provides further insight into Imhoff’s legacy and why, more than 70 years later, it continues to inspire. In St.Walburg, begin with a tour of Imhoff’s home and working studio, located five km south of St. Walburg. Guests who have packed a lunch are welcome to dine on the patio of Imhoff’s original home. Other points of interest in St. Walburg relating to the artist: The St.Walburg and District Historical Museum, the former Catholic Church on Main Street in St. Walburg. The burial site of Imhoff, located at the Roman Catholic cemetery. Berthold von Imhoff Statue and Mural, St. Walburg. In Paradise Hill: Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church. (Contact Albert at 306-344-2057 for viewing.) The Province of Saskatchewan: Murals and frescos in churches at Leipzig, Denzil, Humboldt, North Battleford, Muenster, Reward and Bruno, among others. Berks County, Pennsylvania: Imhoff also decorated more than 100 churches in the United States, particularly in the Berks County area of Pennsylvania.The best-known location is perhaps St. Peter’s Cathedral in Reading, Penn., which contains 226 life-size figures representing the Communion of Saints. 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 7
Bonnie Davis-Schmitz, painter, sculptor
and new resident of St Walburg, began painting in 1994. After years of self-study and with the encouragement of a colleague, she was accepted into the Visual Arts Program at Vancouver Island University. Fascinated by nature, her work draws from the physical and emotional experience of living within the world. Her paintings, regardless of the subject matter, use colour to build forms, textures and movement. Her small soapstone carvings urge the viewer to reach out and touch them. Bonnie was raised along the AlbertaSaskatchewan border, and grew up within the strong relationships and dynamic cultures of small rural communities. Although she has lived in Calgary and on Vancouver Island, moving into St Walburg is like moving home for her.
8 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Susanna Thalheimer Velder The farm where I spent the first fourteen years of my life seemed a good place to live. I was born in our farm house five and one half miles by road north west of St. Walburg on the south east quarter of section 23, range 54, township 23 just when the Second World War started. Swimming in the sloughs, cross country skiing and hiking around the fields, swamps and forests were my main means of recreation. Playing Hide-and-Seek and a ball game called ‘Mud-Kiss’ provided fun times when our neighbors to the south, the Volk kids or the Haughian kids from the north would come to visit. There are good memories of farm work. I loved getting cows in the early morning, running through the swamp alone when the grass was still wet with dew, and the wild animals were not expecting anyone to be around. I enjoyed gardening and bringing wood and water into the house. Picking berries was a welcome pastime. My mother, brothers and sisters and I would go out many times each summer after pincherries, saskatoons and chokecherries. Less favored jobs were housework, stone picking, milking, separating milk and helping to saw fire wood in winter. When my father bought the Maple Leaf Service in St. Walburg and we moved off the farm I was disappointed. I understood that the purchase was a good economic gamble but was reluctant to leave the farm and our comfortable country school, Glenbogie. Shortly before leaving the farm I remember clearing the ice on a pond back in the bush just north of our land in the hope that we would not actually leave our original home and we could go skating there on the pond again that winter. Of course that didn’t come about. I’ve never skated on that pond since. In town I attended the Catholic School. I was there for one year as I was in grade eight when we came to St. Walburg and the school’s highest grade was grade eight. The next year, 1954, I started grade nine in the St. Walburg Public High School. I loved sports and played ball and took part in track and field events as much as time and energy allowed. Our local ball team would travel to Spruce Lake, Turtleford, Fort Pitt, Paradise Hill, Makwa, etc. to compete in ball tournaments at Sport and Fair days. Like my brothers and sisters I was expected to work in the Maple Leaf Service Station selling gas, checking oil, washing windshields, dusting and sweeping the shop, keeping the Coke cooler full of pop and the counter shelves full of cigarettes and chocolate bars. I liked this work because it gave me a chance to see and talk to the farmers, truckers and tourists, etc. that patronized our business. After graduation in 1957 I applied to attend Teachers’ College in Saskatoon. I was elated when I was accepted to the College and when I received my grade twelve marks from the Department of Education and found I had passed all of my grade twelve exams. In September Rose-Marie Giese (now Veenstra) and I found a little
light housekeeping suite in Saskatoon and entered Saskatoon Teachers’ College. That was frightening, challenging and exciting. I worried a lot about failing that year but managed to scrape through. At that time a person could get a temporary teaching certificate after only one year of study, I did this. My tuition, board, room, books, clothing, everything I spent that year from September to June cost me $800.00. I’d borrowed that amount from the Saskatchewan Government and it managed to see me through. You would know that I didn’t spend much on entertainment! I entertained myself by studying, reading library books and window shopping. I walked a great deal. So did my friends … to school and church, grocery and window shopping, sight seeing, visiting, every-where. The following year I obtained a position teaching a grade one class in Green Lake, Saskatchewan which is a Metis Community north of Meadow Lake. Green Lake was wonderful. Commercial fishing was carried on at the lake. There was a restaurant, taxi stand, service station, Department of Natural Resources office, a Catholic church, convent, school, out-post nursing station, the homes of the villagers and some tourist cabins along the lake shore. My classroom was full of Metis children with only one or two white kids. The Metis children were like most children, curious, generous, comical, playful, warm-hearted. Unlike most children they had a sense of their being underprivileged and poor, in fact they were not so poor. All of them had enough to eat and decent clothes to wear but they were aware and selfconscious to the differences in the ‘white world’ outside of their community. Their life- styles were different than my background had been. Their fathers were hunters, trappers, fishermen. There was no farming up there and for the most part the white folks ran the businesses. My girl friend, Marilyn, and I stayed with the Jarvis family who ran the Department of Natural Resources Office. Mrs. Jarvis was a good cook and housekeeper and a motherly lady. The Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman who was stationed in Green Lake also boarded with the Jarvise Family. Mr. Jarvis would take us ice fishing in winter out on Green Lake. We would go shopping in Meadow Lake and on special weekends to Prince Albert. We partied with the native kids and made some good friends among them. Some evenings we would go card playing at our neighbor’s next door or to the nurse’s home which also served as a cureall clinic. Miss Nessit, the nurse, had a pet rooster that would sit close by and do tricks when she asked it to. When that year was over Marilyn and I accepted a teaching job in Whitehorse, Yukon. We flew to Whitehorse via Edmonton in the fall of 1959. Again I taught grade one. The classes were larger there. The kids came from a mixture of backgrounds: army, air force, government official, business, tradesman, professional and the native population. Whitehorse was transient, full of young people, isolated from the ‘outside’, expanding, diverse. I loved it. There were lots of social activities and things to do. A person took in as much as he felt he could: skiing, skating, boating, playing basket and volleyball, 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 9
swimming in the hot spring pool, partying, watching movies, exploring around the old abandoned mine sites, hiking in the northern wilderness, etc. The Whitehorse climate is harsh and the landscape is rugged, wild, picturesque and intimidating. The landscape and being out in it was what attracted me most up there. I lived in Whitehorse from 1959 to 1963. I would go south during the summer months to study at a University or visit family and friends, and for one eight month period, from the summer of 1960 until the spring of 1961, I lived in Dusseldorf, Germany. I was married in Dusseldorf in September of 1960 to Anton (Toni) Peter Heinrich Velder who was an accountant by his German education and a mechanic in the garage business in Whitehorse. Europe was an experience of a lifetime. We travelled through Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, France and Germany. I enjoyed skiing in the Black Forest and in the Alps in Switzerland. I walked a big German Shepherd dog that belonged to a relative through the streets of Dusseldorf on many occasions.We would visit the beer houses where dogs were allowed to lie under the table while their masters had a glass of beer. I loved to go strolling along the streets and into the big department stores. I would often go to the bakeries, grocery shops or kiosks to buy pastries, coffee, cheese, sausage and other items for my aunt through marriage with whom we lived. Germany at that time was rebuilding after the war. The economy was booming even though the Marks were four to the dollar. The fashions were advanced compared to Canada as were numerous other scientific, mechanical and domestic materials. I tried to learn the language and picked up a few words but was frustrated at how poorly I was able to communicate in German. I travelled to and from Germany by ocean liner and while I treasure the experience the ride was not enjoyable. I became very seasick both ways across the ocean and was overjoyed to arrive on dry land in each case. We returned to Whitehorse in April of 1961. In November of the same year our daughter Paula-Marie was born. That was great! I love kids - would have loved to have many - but as you yourself may know not all dreams work out just the way you dream them. Consequently, in 1963 1 returned to Saskatchewan and completed an Arts degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 1965. Those were intense, mind expanding years. I studied hard and on graduation was pleased to accept a post teaching in the Catholic School here in St. Walburg where Paula had been living with my family while I was away. Here, I taught three years in the Catholic School, then two years in the Junior High section of the Public School. There was a small disadvantage teaching in St. Walburg. I didn’t like teaching my brothers and sisters. Nor did they like it, I think. I tried to be fair. Sometimes I felt I was being too harsh with them.We’ve never really discussed that. During those years in St. Walburg I completed my degree in Education, also through the University of Saskatchewan. I bought the Tieman house which was situated near the railroad track north of town. The little house is no longer there. Mr.
10 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Richard Tieman had been a solitary man, aristocratic, reserved, well-educated, the mayor of St. Walburg for a few years. I often fell this presence in that little house and particularly out in the yard and garden where he had land-scaped the grounds with a great variety of shrubs, trees and flowers. Glen Shaw had stayed with Mr. Tieman in that house as well and Glen was a good friend. Glen visited us in that little house a couple of times while we lived there. Paula started school in St. Walburg in 1967. She had just passed into grade four in the spring of 1970 when we were preparing to move to Calgary. I had been yearning for more independence, opportunity, excitement than St. Walburg could offer and accepted a position in a Junior High School in Calgary. Calgary was exploding with growth in the early seventies. Classrooms were large and getting larger. People were pouring in from every corner of Canada and around the world. You rarely met a person who had been born in Calgary. From my point of view White-horse and Calgary had some striking similarities… lots of young people, thrust, enterprise, growth, exuberance, development, expansion. It felt good to be a part of it. I taught and Paula attended school at St.Alphonsus which served grades one through nine of the Catholic segment of the Bridgeland and north east portions of the inner city periphery. The area was comprised primarily of Italian people. I’d never met Italian people much before this except at some dances in Dusseldorf.The young Italian men would come to Dusseldorf where work in Germany’s burgeoning economy was readily available. Teaching the Italian children in Calgary was a new experience. I found them warm, passionate, fun-loving, emotional, aggressive, competitive people. They held culture, intelligence and holiness in high esteem. I loved them and enjoyed teaching them. Teaching truly is a fulfilling, rewarding career. Throughout all of those early years however, I was nagged internally by the feeling that I didn’t really have a good enough grip on my favorite subjects. To remedy that I attended classes at the University of Calgary in art education and other subjects, and in 1973 decided to resign from the school board in order to study art at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). The new Alberta College of Art building had just been completed. It was huge, well equipped, complete with a three tiered parkade and centrally located in the inner part of greater Calgary on the SAIT grounds. Paula was doing well at St. Alphonsus school which was only two or three miles from the Art College. She had good friends and completed her home work conscientiously. She was trustworthy at home and at school and did not have any major problems so I was able to devote myself seriously and intently to my studies. Those four years from the fall of 1973 to the spring of 1977 are treasured years. There were about 400 students studying art at the college. You can imagine how sustaining it was to meet numerous persons with interests parallel to my own. There was a good art library, lot of books, periodicals, magazines and so on. The excellent school facilities, tools and equipment were available to students day and night. Films and guest speakers were brought in on a regular basis. Two art galleries in the school circulated
shows throughout the year. The instructors for the most part were intelligent, devoted, caring people who were quick to offer help and advice. The programs were set up to allow students to benefit in direct proportion to the amount of energy they devoted to their studies. I specialized in drawing and sculpture and received my diploma in the spring of 1977. On graduation, my aunt Rose treated me to a one-month sight seeing trip in the British Isles. We walked through thousands of blocks, traveled many miles and saw and enjoyed as much of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales as we could squeeze into a one month stay.. The weather was cool and windy and wet for the most part but the people were gracious and generous and helpful and of course one does not begin to see a land as old and populated and complex as this in one month. We flew there and back and I found flying a far more enjoyable way to cross the ocean than going by ocean liner.
for the most part supportive of their town. It felt good to be back. My involvement with art is well known in this region since my return to St. Walburg. In August 2020 I retired my “Velder: Sculpture & Drawing” business. Like so many persons who retire it seems I’ve been basier than ever with art & other community projects since my retirement. I’m grateful for the commissions and other blessings received during these 35 years My appreciation must also be extended to “The Circle the Northwest” for this opportunity to outline my history.
On our return I was pleased to learn I had been accepted as an instructor in the Art Department of the University of Calgary. I taught on a sessional, part-time basis there from 1977 to 1985. In 1979 1 completed an Art Education Diploma from the University of Calgary. During those years I taught art for one full term to grades two through nine in St. Alphonsus School while the regular teacher was on a leave of absence. The Alberta Vocational Centre in Calgary hired me in 1979 to teach basic mathematics and English to adults on a part-time basis. Teaching adults at both the Alberta Vocational Centre and the University appealed to me a great deal. From a teaching perspective I found my niche among the adults. Maintaining a consistent pattern of art production was important to me. Doing art is like playing a violin, as soon as one neglects to practice one’s skills deteriorate. I shared a studio with friends and spent my spare time among the art people we knew. Paula graduated from St. Francis Senior High School in 1979. She worked in Lloydminster for one year following graduation and then returned to Calgary to take a two year Engineering Science Technology course at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. She married Guy Conlon of Lashburn, Saskatchewan in September 1982 shortly after her graduation and they moved to Edmonton where her lifetime career with T.C. Energy began. Paula’s leaving Calgary left me on my own and generally comfortable with a comparatively secure income and no major responsibilities except to myself. One of the little theories I developed over the years is that one should never allow one’s self to get too comfortable. Consequently I started looking around for an alternative life style. The perfect opportunity presented itself in St.Walburg. One, I had always wanted to set up my own private art studio and attempt to make a living doing art, and two, all of my brothers and sisters had left home and our parents were alone. During the summer of 1986 1 moved back to St. Walburg where I opened a sculpture and drawing shop at number ten, First Avenue. I was impressed with the optimism, sincerity, ambition and determination of the business community in (St. Walburg). The Chamber of Commerce function successfully and the townspeople, farmers and professional people were friendly and
This statue was created by Susan Velder and stands in Whitehorse, Yukon in recognition of all Firefighters and their courageous work. 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 11
St. Walburg
The Neumann Story
Ernst and Hanna Neumann were German citizens. At some point however, in the early 1900s they and their two children Waltraud ( Wally) and Kurt lived in Constanta, Romania on the western shore of the Black Sea. Ernst was a newspaper professional and worked for a German newspaper in Constanta. When the First World War broke out in 1914 Ernst was conscripted into the Russian Army. He served in the Army until the War ended in 1918. The family then went to Dresden, Germany where Ernst continued to work in the newspaper business from about 1920 until they left Germany for Canada in 1930. At that time people traveled by boat to cross the ocean. They would have landed somewhere on the eastern coastland of Canada or the United States. The four members of the family traveled by train possibly from Montreal westward. The plan had been to stop at Winnipeg and work for a German newspaper firm there. Ernst however, had spoken with A.N. Schneider in St. Walburg and learned that A.N. had reserved a quarter section of land 1 and ½ miles north and ½ mile west of St.Walburg for the Neumanns. Ernst therefor felt obliged to come to St. Walburg. The family knew nothing about farming and making a living in a new, strange country was a huge challenge. Mrs. Neumann saved the day, so to speak. She was an accomplished pianist and began teaching music lessons to the local children. This was a service Mrs. Neumann continued to provide for the rest of her long life. She guided many students through the Toronto Conservatory of Music examinations. When Rolly was about to be born Mr. Neumann rented a small house on the east side of town so Mrs. Neumann could be near the services of Doctor Finlayson, the local General Practitioner. Rolly was born February 17, 1938. Then in 1939 Ernst began selling Renfrew products in St.
12 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Walburg. This was the beginning of the family’s business years. Mr. Neumann invited a partner, Pastor Karl Krembell, a Lutheran Church minister to work with him. Pastor Krembell soon found an interest of his own – raising chickens on the property now owned by Steffi Kretschmer. The partnership with Ernst Neumann then dissolved. Ice cream making machines, cook stoves, heaters, wash machines etc. were some of the Renfrew products available. Mr. Neumann was a competent salesperson and moved on to selling furniture and Cockshutt Farm equipment. In 1946 he and Kurt began selling Hudson cars and trucks. Then in 1948 they were granted a Chrysler dealership. This progressed very well but unfortunately in 1950 Ernst Neumann had a serious stroke. The stroke left him very weak and quite helpless until his death in September 1957. A gentle, caring soul who had worked so hard for his family, those remaining were left devastated. Rolly had graduated from high school in June 1957 so he was able to help Kurt and his Mom to run the business. Mrs. Neumann was always very involved with local musical happenings. Hanna and her students gave many community concerts. She was a Church soloist, she played at weddings, Christmas concerts, funerals, etc. She raised money for the Red Cross and other charities through the musical performances she and her students initiated. The Neumanns , as so many small town families were essentially community minded. They helped to get the Credit Union started. They helped to realize the St. Walburg hospital, the curling rink and more. At Christmas time the Neumanns set up a beautiful “ Santa’s Workshop” display upstairs in their store. This was everyone’s idea of Santa’s toy shop at the North Pole. People who grew up in St.Walburg in those years still name Neumann’s Department store as an exciting, wonderful Santa Claus store – a must see every December. As the years went by Kurt, Rolly and Mrs. Neumann decided they no longer needed as much space as the original store offered. There were so many windows in the show rooms which made heating the building very impractical. The boys removed the segments of the building containing the large show-room windows. The central and west portions of the building remain, serving as a St.Walburg landmark at 101 1st Street, south of 1st Avenue. Later when the environmental restrictions regarding gasoline sales were put in place in the 1980’s the family quit selling gasoline. The business then became a vehicle and tire repair shop for the most part. Mrs. Neumann was no longer a young woman although she was a most determined, hardworking, persevering individual. She continued to instruct music until her very senior years. She was just months short of her 100th year when she passed on in 1995. Rolly continued to operate the business while Kurt loved to be out farming north of St. Walburg. The business is still operative to a limited extent. Rolly is now 82 years old and figures its pretty much time to retire. The Neumann family has been hugely instrumental in St. Walburg’s development and growth. It seems imperative that these precious families who played such a key role in the founding of this community be recognized, honored and appreciated. Congratulations to the Neumann family for its significant contributions to this region.
Celebrating over 31 Years of Preserving our Past For Present and Future Generations
St. Walburg
St. Walburg & District Historical Museum Open June to Labour Day Open 7 days a week 10 am - 12 pm & 1 - 5 pm Tour Buses Welcome Please book ahead Phone: Jenna-Lee Lukan 306-845-7916 Or Dave Swift 306-248-3848 Featuring Unusual and Rare Artifacts. Many may not be found in other museums.
The St. Walburg and District Historical Museum is located in the former Roman Catholic Church at the south end of Main Street. The former Roman Catholic Church dates back to 1924-25, and was declared a Municipal Heritage Site in 1984. The restored Sanctuary features beautiful paintings by Count Berthold Von Imhoff. More than 2,000 artifacts relating to the area are on display, including a wide range of household items, furniture, magazines, clothing, military, medical and past business displays.
Visitors with roots in the area can trace their heritage, using local history books, or searching for their family name on the map in the entry way. New to the research area upstairs are the St.Walburg Enterprise newspapers published by Alex Vinge from 1933 to 1970. During the Wild Blueberry Festival, the museum assists with a working display by the Border Forge Blacksmith Guild. The Guild provides a demonstration of old time manufacturing and artistry. In 2021, our annual feature display will be showcasing the history of the St. Walburg Royal Purple Lodge. Their history and dress uniforms from their inception in 1956 to today will be displayed throughout the Museum for everyone to read and admire. The Kline Photos and other photos from St. Walburg’s past are being organized into albums and will be on display. Several volunteers have worked through the winter to identify the unidentified, and to catalogue and remount the photos into archival albums.
Come in and enjoy the displays. Admission is by donation.
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 13
St. Walburg Royal Purple has been proudly serving St. Walburg since 1956. Over the years, Royal Purple has provided funds to different local organizations and charities. Some of the recipients are as follows: - Donated to St. Walburg Health Centre $4,066.80 to help purchase a tub chairlift - St. Walburg School - Royal Purple gives a yearly scholarship to a grade 12 student - Royal Purple provides funds for a first aid and CPR course to grade 12 students - St. Walburg Raise the Roof Agri - Sports Centre - The total funds given for these two entities was $166,126.70 - Local disaster money given with no fanfare or publicity - Provide dinner and local entertainment the evening of the Blueberry Festival the 4th Saturday in August - Cater to seniors noon luncheons every 2 weeks at the Elks Hall - Operate the concession at the weekly Elks Bingo - Deliver Meals on Wheels 2 months out of the year - Provide money for residents Bingo at Lakeland Lodge - Donate money for the candy bags for Santa Day - Visit departed members graves with flowers each year in June - Provided help with Elks Hall and Park - Provided help with Centennial Park - Helped the Elks when the golf course was being developed - Gave money to St. Walburg Museum - Gave money to Imhoff Gallery - Bought special mattresses for Lakeland Lodge - Purchased blinds for Lakeland Lodge - Helped purchase the fire truck for the St.Walburg Fire Dept. - Ski trail by Elmhurst Sponsorships to Regional activities: - Yearly money is sent so 2 campers can go to Camp Easter Seal at Manitou Lake. - A once only purchase of a Vital Signs monitor for St. Walburg Health Complex - Once only purchase of a Lucas 2 monitor for the Emergency Ward at Riverside Health Complex in Turtleford - Permanent sponsor of Saskatchewan Brian Injury Association - In 2017, the Royal Purple gave $20,000.00 to each of the following - St. Walburg Arena, St. Walburg Bowling Alley and St. Walburg Curling Club
14 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
St. Walburg
St. Walburg Royal Purple
St. Walburg Lodge #201 was instituted in 1956. Since then this organization has been helping to make the community of St. Walburg a great place to live. When the Lodge began there were 21 ladies initiated. In 1998 the Lodge received the Citizen of the Year Award. The Lodge began by selling tickets on Saturday night hockey games, put on teas and bake sales and catered to weddings in our small hall.When the new hall was built, our catering business grew and is our main money maker now. New members are always welcome. If you would like to become part of this dynamic group, contact any Royal Purple member or the President at 306248-7745.
rg u b l a St. W
Royal e l p r u P rple members
f yal Pu o R nday o e o h M T d n e seco 0 p.m. in the meet th h at 7:3 s Hall t n o m h k eac burg El St. Wal
rmation
re info For mo
call
-7745 306-24o8have you join us
ove t
We would l
One of the World’s Most Liveable Communities
St. Walburg, located in beautiful Northwestern Saskatchewan, may be small but that hasn’t stopped representatives from the town of 672 (2006 census) from making a big impression on the world at the LivCom Awards. The LivCom Awards are the world’s only competition fo- Management, Environmentally Sensitive Practices, Community cusing on best practice regarding the management of the local Sustainability, Healthy Lifestyles and Planning for the Future. environment. Endorsed by the United Nations Environmental One award is given for each category and St. Walburg was Programme, the 2007 awards held in Westminster, England awarded the Criteria Award for Community Sustainability. In showcased presentations from 46 communities and projects the Whole City Awards Section A, for communities with a from 23 nations. population of under 20,000, St. Walburg won a Silver Award and Judging is across 6 criteria considered to create livable placed second after Clonakilty, Ireland. This award is based on communities: Enhancement of the Landscape, Heritage all 6 categories.
Propane
Gas
Laundromat #20 Main Street, St. Walburg
OPEN at 7:30 a.m. LAST LOAD at 8:30 p.m. FRONT LOAD 20 & 40 LB WASHERS Sleeping bag getting you down? Why not take it to a 40 lb. washer and a 50 lb. dryer that will make it “UP” again.
Soft & Hard Ice Cream
Coffee Cappuccino
Diesel
KIM'S SERVICE ST. WALBURG
Magazines
306-248-3421 • Hunting Licences • Fishing Licences • Fishing Bait
6:00 am to 10:00 pm — 7 DAYS A WEEK Lottery Ticket Vendor
2021-2022 •
Homemade Subs & Sandwiches
ATM Circle The Northwest 15
A Brief History of St. Walburg’s Wild Blueberry Festival A Brief History of St. Walburg’s Wild Blueberry Festival The first Wild Blueberry Festival was held on the north end of Main Street, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in 1988. For many years, the event was staged on either end of Main Street, one year the north end the next year the south end. For over 30 years many changes have been made. The Festival has grown from a small marketing initiative designed to bring berry harvesters together with buyers to one of the largest one-day festivals in northwest Saskatchewan. The St. Walburg Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event with assistance from all volunteer groups and individuals in the area and the faithful return of vendors from year to year. Many and varied vendors have graced the Festival, ranging from tethered hot-air balloon rides; ultra-rite tours; and a “casino” to add to the arts, crafts and food vendors who schedule their booths from year-to-year. Mention must be made of the North Battleford Country Dancers, who in a bus tour in 1990, stopped to provide that day’s and evening’s entertainment. The
16 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
first year the Committee provided the group with a box of chocolates to thank them for dancing all afternoon on the hot asphalt street. This group provided entertainment for many years. Some years there are many wild blueberries for sale, other years there are limited quantities. Wild Blueberry Sale tables are provided free of charge for Wild Blueberry Vendors. Sales begin at 9:00 a.m., come early to ensure there are still blueberries on offer. Special mention must be made of the volunteer Event Coordinators who lead the Wild Blueberry Festival Committee members. The Coordinator spends the year ensuring the vendors are in place, a vendor waiting list maintained, work and clean-up crews organized, advertising, parking marked, and, the many and varied activities necessary to ensure a successful event. The volunteers who have undertaken this role over the years deserve a special “thank you” for the continued growth and cache the Wild Blue Berry Festival holds within the town, region and province. It is estimated between 8 to 10, 000 people attend the Festival on the Saturday. We haven’t found a way to accurately count the participants. For the 25th Anniversary the Committee thought a large raffle would enable us to obtain a count. The raffle was free, the only requirement was to complete the ticket information. Results confirmed the Committee’s belief the event drew people from a large area, not only regionally but inter-provincially. Festival goers start filtering into the community as early as Monday in order to attend the Wild Blueberry Festival. Many resort people in the area schedule family gatherings and weddings for this weekend as the Wild Blueberry Festival provides entertainment for everyone, young and old.Venders enjoy the event and schedule from year to year, and many of the venders end their season at the Wild Blueberry Festival. Other volunteer groups within the community have enhanced the Wild Blueberry Festival by creating events to coincide with the Saturday Festival.
St. Walburg
St. Walburg’s Annual Polka Fest Welcome to the St. Walburg Polka Fest at the St. Walburg Elk’s Hall, 521 - 4th Street East. The Polka Fest has been very successful for many years. Dancers come from near and far to dance from 2:00 p.m. to 11: 00 p.m. For tickets phone Kim Rendle 306-248-7677 or Debbie
SPECIAL NOTE In 2020 the Wild Blueberry Festival and the Annual Polka Fest were both cancelled due to COVID-19. Unfortunately the committee has made a sad decision to cancel both events for the health and safety of everyone again in 2021.
Francover 306-248-7415. Tickets are $30.00 per person. This includes a delicious supper with all the trimmings. Supper at 5:00 p.m. Lunch available at 9:00 p.m. Free parking at the hall. Hotels available: St. Walburg Inn 306-248-3414 or Farm House Inn 306-248-3688.
GRAHAM’S AG FOODS YOUR FOOD SHOPPING HEADQUARTERS
COMPLETE LINE OF:
Groceries, Frozen Foods, Meat, Produce, Ice, Ice Cream and Dairy Products.
Ultra Pure Reverse Osmosis Purified Water Self-Serve Dispenser — 18.9 Litres - $2.99 FRESH OR CURED
It is our sincere hope that with the roll out of vaccines both the Festival and Polka Fest will be held in 2022.
MEATS
For further information check our Facebook page or contact the
All meat gov't inspected
TOWN OF ST. WALBURG
CHEESE & DAIRY
ASSORTMENT OF
www.stwalburg.com • (306) 248-3232 Email: info@stwalburg.com
GRAHAM’S AG FOODS Downtown St. Walburg Phone 306-248-3254
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 17
St. Walburg
Eagle Ridge Golf Course - Family Friendly On the south edge of St. Walburg is a family-friendly golf course run by Mike Bauer Eagle Ridge Golf Course is a nine-hole grass green course originally established by the St. Walburg Elks. The Young family purchased the course and is opening a new clubhouse.
The course offers a driving range and fully-licensed facilities with a deck and barbecue, plus, of course, a pro-shop. It’s player friendly, says Mike, plus it boasts some scenic features, including water features on holes No. 1 and 9. The course also boasts about 110 members, and non-members
• 9 Holes • Grass Greens • Pro-Shop • Driving Range • Restaurant
$23 - 9 holes
$36 - 18 holes
Bookings call 306-248-4653
Photo credit Photography by Brandi
18 Circle The Northwest
are welcome to book tee times as well. Green fees are $23 for nine holes and $36 for 18. They also hold regular men’s and ladies’ night. Eagle Ridge Golf Course is open seven days a week with three staff for the grounds and three more for the clubhouse. Mike and his family are no strangers to the area. They spent a decade running a hotel at Jumbo Beach on Makwa Lake, and Mike was also the manager of the Loon Lake Golf Course for several years.
• 2021-2022
St. Walburg
Patricia Kujawa Park features Boreal Serenity Seasonal changes in the Patricia Kujawa Park. Photos submitted Travel three kilometers east and then one kilometer south of St. Walburg and you will find yourself at the beginning of the Englishman River trail system. These trails meander through a quarter section of unadulterated boreal forest. They quietly slip through an array of diverse, beautiful landscapes and ecosystems. This wilderness experience was made possible through the generous donation of land by the late Nicholas Kujawa as a dedication to his wife, the late Patricia Kujawa. Trails in the Patricia Kujawa Park provide opportunities for local and visiting hikers to explore nature and experience tranquility, renewal, and inspiration in a setting removed from the noise and busyness of everyday. These trails will undoubtedly increase appreciation of wild spaces and establish a more personal contact between humans and nature. Walk slowly. Look closely.The sounds of nature – the soothing rush of water over an established beaver dam, the song of an invisible bird, the wind whispering through treetops will acquire a new meaning and significance.Time is forgotten, peace of mind is attained.The sight of violets lifting their tiny purple faces to the
Brandi Weber - Journeyman Stylist Lisa Chambers - Journeyman Stylist Holly Schneider - Journeyman Stylist
sun that trickles through the dense foliage, brings joy to the heart. Catching a glimpse of a majestic bald eagle gliding low over the river valley takes the breath away. The pungent smell of dirt and last year’s leaves draws an appreciative smile after a long winter. Each of the seasons hold a specific beauty that can be experienced firsthand on these trails. The first spring buttercups, the return of geese; wood lilies and lady’s slippers sharing the trailside in early summer; the autumn storm of colour; spruce trees standing motionless in the quiet solitude of winter. Breathe deeply. The Patricia Kujawa Park is an ecological wonderland, a birder’s paradise.The combination of water, riparian shoreline, woodland, and open meadows provides a home for a plethora of flora and fauna, insects, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Keep your species identification guides and camera close as you traverse the different areas of the trails. Expect hillsides and wet patches. Introduce your children to the joys of pond dipping, encourage them to be detectives as they inspect various animal tracks, challenge them to identify the parallels between a human community and a natural ecosystem, and finally, take the opportunity afforded to teach the importance of appreciating and respecting the natural world. But, most importantly, just enjoy!
g Boutique
Ladies Clothin
Call 306-248-4247 • 303 - 2nd St. E St. Walburg • www.thehanger.ca 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest
19
Brightsand Lake Regional Park offers group camping & a pavilion which is ideal for family reunions, weddings, anniversaries . Group rates & reservations are available. The 18-hole mini golf course situated near the main offices proves to be a popular attraction for all ages. Come and enjoy a trip down memory lane. Golfing enthusiasts can try their skills on a scenic nine-hole sand-green course. Seasonal memberships, all day rates and nine hole passes are available. Our mile-long beach is the perfect spot for waterfront recreation. A beach volleyball net is set up a short walk from
Explore the Forest
A variety of ecosystems occupy the more than 1,600 acres of Brightsand Lake Regional Park. The northeastern section is dominated by a belt of aspen parkland, bordering the golf course. Along the trails that stretch out in a northwesterly direction you will encounter unusual geographical points of interest such as eskers, kames and pushbanks. A 28-kilometre trail through the park is an extensive grid that takes the hiker through just about every type of habitat the boreal forest has to offer - black spruce and tamarack lowlands, white spruce highlands, old growth boreal, bogs, marshes and lakefront terrain. Originally marked and cleared in the 1950s and early 70s, Brightsand Lake has done considerable work on these trails in following years. New directional and interpretive signs were erected the summer of 2018. Campers should check at the main office for information regarding trail system. Interpretive pamphlets are available to provide a complete guide to the trail system.
20 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Brightsand Lake
Families, Groups, Golfers & Fishermen Welcome
the children’s playground. The clean, sandy beach gently slopes down into the crystal clear waters of Brightsand Lake, where swimmers can relax in the buoyed area. Boating enthusiasts can launch their boats at the boat launch just past the concession. For those who come to Brightsand, a stocked trout pool is always popular with the junior anglers and many older ones as well. Brightsand Lake is also famous for the “monster jack,” – great eating, if you are lucky enough to catch one in its cool, clean waters. Recreational amenities include bike and canoe rentals on an hourly or daily basis. Other amenities include groceries, fast food and a few confectionary items at our concession. Firewood, laundry facilities, a pay phone, modern showers and a beach change house are on site. Swimming lessons are offered the first two weeks of July. Accommodation The park has two rental cottages. Accommodation comes with wood burning stoves plus electrical heat, a full kitchen with dishes, deck, barbecue and modern bathroom with shower, and is capable of sleeping up to seven people per unit. Bedding is the responsibility of the renter.
BRIGHTSAND LAKE REGIONAL PARK
27 km East of St. Walburg (4 km East/North along Hwy 26, then 23 km East on Grid 795)
Phone 306-248-3780 (May to Sept.) 1600 acres of beautiful well-treed natural park. Nature trail, picnic areas, playgrounds, ball diamonds. Large sandy beach, clear water, lake large enough to accommodate water-skiing, sailing, and canoeing. 9-Hole sand green golf course, 18-hole miniature golf course.
Due to COVID 19 see saskregionalparks.ca
CAMPSITES:
9 - 30 amp/water 17 - 30 amp 14 - 15 amp
12 - regular non-electric 14 - premium non-electric 5 - group electric 52 - seasonal
See saskregionalparks.ca for fees brightsand.letscamp.ca for reservations. Firewood, concession/groceries, picnic tables, shower/laundry facility, pay telephone available.
Brightsand Lake Photo credit Photography by Brandi
Trails to Nature Brightsand Lake Regional Park invites you to enjoy and explore their outstanding trail system. Twenty-eight kilometres of trail have wellmarked intersections and interpretive destination signs, making this hike a delight for beginner or advanced hikers. Many geological points of interest are showcased, giving hikers a rare firsthand look at features such as eskers, kames and pushbank ridges. Watchers will take interest in the many unusual species of birds residing in the diverse ecosystem of old-growth boreal forest, aspen parkland and wetlands, which includes bogs, muskeg and lakefront marsh.Whooping cranes have been known to reside along the far reaches of the trail system.
We Welcome You Brightsand Lake Regional Park is waiting to welcome you. Our staffed summer season runs from May 15 to September 15. Come and spend some time with us enjoying our sandy beach, cool, clear lake, a picturesque round of golf, or just relax and soak up the sun!
Be sure to visit us on Saskatchewan Regional Parks website, saskregionalparks.ca.
Photo credit Photography by Brandi
Make Brightsand Park Your Family Destination
Tucked away down a country road, 27 kms north and east of St. Walburg, Brightsand Lake Regional Park is a stunning destination park awaiting discovery. Northern wilderness plays host to a well-developed facility, boasting many amenities for outdoor recreation and camping comfort.
Photo credit Photography by Brandi
Spanning over 1,600 acres across the entire northern end of Brightsand Lake, the park offers 123 spacious campsites nestled into their own piece of forest. Several premium campsites are lakefront, and have their own beach area. Electrical and non-electrical campsites are available. A total of 52 seasonal sites are available, with or without power. Family reunions and other large gatherings will find our 5 group sites ideal for their function.Taps with potable water are conveniently located throughout the camping areas, and an RV sanidump is located near the park entrance.Two rental cabins offer visitors all the modern conveniences, and are a short walk from the beach.
Founded in 1965 by supporting community bodies, Brightsand Lake Regional Park has undergone a gentle evolution, starting out as the meeting point for the local community. Cabin lots and campsites soon became available, and travellers from many locales discovered the towering spruce trees, the clear water and sandy, mile-long beach of Bright-sand Lake. As families moved away, many kept returning for cabin and vacation time, and told their friends, who told their friends, which is why it is a popular summertime retreat. Brightsand Lake has become a true destination of choice for many travellers, offering a wide range of amenities and special events for the whole family.
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest
21
Paradise Hill
Mayor’s Message Paradise Hill has many amenities to offer those who wish to visit or those who wish to relocate here. Beautiful landscape, outstanding recreational facilities, and some of the best neighbors on the planet!! We are progressive and energetic, passionate and welcoming. A recently completed 16 lot subdivision on the west side of the village provides a perfect location for new residential housing. The regional lagoon is completed and is located along Highway #3 just 6 miles east of the Village, a partnership between the Vil-
Village of
Paradise Hill
Within 30 minutes of an abundance of northern lakes and resorts, Imhoff paintings at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, bird watching, hunting & fishing.
SUMMER BASH - August 6, 7 & 8, 2021 Ball Tournament Friday Night Cabaret — “ The Dirt Rich Band” Saturday Night — “ The Hunter Brothers”
For more information contact the Village Office at 306-344-2206 CAMPING $15.00/night electric or $10.00/night non-electric
For more information contact the Village of Paradise Hill Office at Phone 306-344-2206 or Fax 306-344-4941 Email: paradisehill@sasktel.net
Check out our website at www.paradisehill.ca
22 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
lage of Paradise Hill, R.M. of Frenchman Butte, and the Town of St. Walburg. This project, along with a reverse osmosis water treatment plant completed in 2008, puts us in an optimum position for growth potential. Paradise Hill’s 13 bed care home was a welcome addition to our community in 2006. Along with the 18 unit Heritage Homes and Heritage Manor, it provides the means for our seniors to remain living in their community. Paradise Hill’s Community Centre is a source of community pride and joy. This multi-use building, opened in 2016, is a testament to what a community can accomplish when they work together, as stated in their motto “Working together for a common goal”. Paradise Hill has many events to offer. See the Imhoff paintings, attend our Summer Bash the second weekend in August, which host many outstanding performers from all over, join us for the annual Kinsmen Ball Tournament the third weekend in June, stay in our campground, attend the Christmas Craft Show in November, enjoy our many fine recreational facilities, or just stop in for an ice cream and a coffee! Whatever brings you here, you are sure to receive a warm welcome in Paradise Hill! Enjoy your stay! Mayor Bernard Ecker
COME IN AND SEE OUR STORE ON HWY #26! • Full Line Hardware & Building Supplies • Camping Supplies • Paint • Recreation Supplies • Fishing Tackle
Loon Lake 306-837-4440
Paradise Hill
View Paradise It’s on the Horizon Travelers approaching from the east or west on Highway No.3 will not be able to miss the beauty of Paradise Hill,nestled against a splendid tree-covered hillside. Looking over the Village from the hillside on the south, the beauty is breathtaking, as the view stretches on for literally miles in three directions - east, north, and west. The entrance of the Village is guarded by a twice life sized ox and cart monument commemorating the famous Carlton Trail. The trail was the first overland route between Fort Garry and Fort Edmonton. It was best described as the forerunner of the present Yellowhead Highway and it passed through what is now known as Paradise Hill. Campsites and recreational facilities are available for visitors to the Village. The campground, featuring hot showers and modern washroom facilities, offers very reasonably priced accommodations at $10.00 per night for non-serviced sites or $15.00 per night with electricity. The Village of Paradise Hill’s recreational facilities include tennis courts, arena, curling rink, bowling alley, ball diamonds, playground, a school gymnasium and a community centre with meeting rooms, a hall that will seat 500 people and can be used as an extra gymnasium. For the nature enthusiast, along the abandoned CN rail line, a trail has been developed which leads past the marsh located on the western edge of the Village. The marsh trail provides an excellent opportunity for bird watching enthusiasts or a beautiful nature walk. Just 12 kilometers to the east is the Kinsmen Community Park; there is camping, several ball diamonds, tennis courts, playground and all sorts of opportunity for hiking and nature enthusiasts. The park hosts the annual Kinsmen men’s and ladies’ softball tournaments held the third weekend in June. On Friday and Saturday night they host an outdoor beer garden and dance. Paradise Hill is the home of Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, which is decorated with many original Imhoff paintings. This building is one of more than 100 churches deco-
rated by Count Berthold von Imhoff and his son Carl Imhoff, of St. Walburg. Noticeable on the landscape is the large butte located a few miles to the northwest. This is the historical Frenchman Butte, which played an important role in the Northwest Rebellion of 1885.
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest
23
Holy Trinity Church Deer Creek was erected in 1935 by members of the community, with the help of a stonemason who was living in the area.
Those members are all gone now, the last one, Norman Moore, having passed away in 2018. Norman took an active part in building the church, and also in the many changes and renovations that took place over the years. Even in his 80’s, Norman showed his dedication to the church. He could swing a hammer and haul lumber around, keeping up with the youngsters. His family have taken over the tradition of service to the church, living by his example. It became a tradition in the
Frenchman Butte
Museum
early days of the church for families to bring a picnic lunch and after the morning service, share a meal and enjoy games. It was a great way for everyone to socialize. This tradition seemed to wane in later years as people always seem to be in a hurry and many people drifted away, many moving out of the community for work. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the Little Stone Church. Young people are coming in. The congregation enjoys sharing lunch, or cake and coffee, and fellowship after services. Visitors are invited to follow the Holy Trinity Church’s facebook page for a schedule of services and are most welcome to attend. Our Little Stone Church has had visitors from all over the world. Everyone is welcome to come, rest, and pray.
New Exhibit
MODEL T CAR
Open: Weekends starting Victoria Day weekend
Open Daily 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. July 1st to Labour Day Year round and evenings by appointment
Museum .........................................306-344-4478 President (Tom Hougham) .............780-871-3610 Educational School Tours (Colleen) 780-808-0348
Full Service R.V. Park ON SITE Featuring:
• CNR Station (Heritage Bldg) • Battle Field Tour Packages • Machinery Row • Lloyd Furman Building • Blacksmith Shop
• Log CabinTea House • Leer House • Big Hill School (Heritage Bldg) • 9 Hole Mini Golf & Playground • 1930 General Store
Tea House Open same days as museum OPEN FROM 10 am - 5 pm
Frenchman Butte Museum Festival: August 8th, 2021 www.frenchmanbuttemuseum.ca
24 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Frenchman Butte
History Revival at Little Stone Church
Frenchman Butte
Frenchman Butte...
So Much History
Rated as “The best small town Museum in Saskatchewan” by Saskatchewan’s prestigious Prairies North Magazine’s reader survey, the Frenchman Butte Heritage Center and Museum is located right in the picturesque hamlet of Frenchman Butte, on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River Valley. It features a complex of 10 buildings, of which eight contain exhibits for the curious visitor to explore.The museum portion of the facility was initiated in 1979 and has grown in content with each passing year. Recently a recreational vehicle campground with 10 fully serviced sites was incorporated into its expanding facilities. Situated on the east end of the complex this RV park provides a convenience base for visitors intent on exploring the museum and nearby historic sites, the Provincial Historic Park at Fort Pitt and the National Historic Site of the Battle of Frenchman Butte between Cree warriors and the Alberta Field Force in 1885. The main exhibit building, the Lloyd Furman Building, contains hundreds of items to view, some of which are singularly unique. An example is a display of Louis Riel’s buckskin jacket that was provided to the museum by its owner for exhibition as part of the 1885 Métis section. In addition there are artifacts from Fort Pitt, a Métis Red River cart, a beaver hat and buffalo coat, the epitome of men’s style in the 1800s, the reason the fur trade flourished in the early days of Western Canada. The museum’s collection of firearms also features rifles of the 1885 militia forces involved in the North West Resistance. Next door to the Furman Building is a unique vertical log homestead cabin of the Leer family, its table set for supper in “depression style” (upside down to keep the dust off the eating surfaces). From this early home venture across the street to the Big Hill School, built in 1927. Its desks await the eager students to take their places. Over at the Canadian National Railway Station the stationmaster pours over his ledgers in the office and two travellers patiently await the arrival of the noon train. Other exhibit buildings entice your exploration as well. Check out the farm machinery shed and the photo collection in the CNR’s caboose. A tour of the exhibit buildings under the guidance of a friendly, informative tour guide (required for exhibit security reasons) is an excellent experience; learning from the exhibits during your tour will occupy about an hour and a half. Your last stop can be
the Log Cabin Tea House. This exceptional “homey” restaurant provides non-alcoholic refreshments and light lunches in a friendly farmhouse atmosphere. Your servers are volunteer members of the local community who truly enjoy telling of their own life experiences living in the district as well as explaining the diverse heritage we enjoy. Children visiting the Heritage Center are not at all neglected. There is a nine hole, mini-golf course on site which uses models of significant local structures of the district as the game’s obstacles. There is also a modern playground area for them to enjoy while parents are otherwise occupied. The Heritage Center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends from the May long weekend and daily throughout July and August, closing for the season after the September long weekend. Tea House hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and open the same days as the museum. Off-season viewing arrangements can be made by contacting 1-306-344 4478 in advance of your visit. Over the past 250 years this portion of Saskatchewan has witnessed a parade of history from the early explorers, the fur trade forts, development of the Carlton Red River Cart Trail, steam powered paddle-wheeled river boats, the 1885 N.W. Resistance, homesteading and the drought dominating Great Depression as well as two world wars, and of course the many good times that intermingled with a few of the bad. Enquire at the Tea House about guided tours of the nearby historic sites, conducted for a reasonable fee by senior members of the museum who specialize in the skills of a historian storyteller.There are two major historic sites within just minutes’ drive; Fort Pitt Provincial Historic Park and the National Historic Site of the Battle of Frenchman Butte. Both feature walking trails and interpretive story boards that showcase the events of our frontier past. The Frenchman Butte Heritage Center and Museum is without a doubt, a premier heritage facility, operated by a staff of dedicated volunteers who encourage you to explore the history of our district and discover the challenges facing our forefathers in settling western Canada. “We have So Much History!” 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest
25
Turtleford
Town of Turtleford
219 Main Street, P.O. Box 38 Turtleford, SK S0M 2Y0
Phone: 1-306-845-2156
Facebook: Town of Turtleford Website: www.townofturtleford.com Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. *Closed Statutory Holidays
Mayor: Lawrence Weinrauch Deputy Mayor: Doug Milne Council: Skye Angus, Kari Bauldic, Seth Bloom, Carson Gray, Jason Stein Administrator: Deanna Kahl Lundberg Assistant Administrator: Rebecca Brand Maintenance Supervisor: Allan Chambers Maintenance Assistant: Trevor Phillips Hardy settlers chose this convenient and scenic location to establish a centre of business in the early 1900s, and by 1914 enough development had occurred to warrant incorporation. Today, a bustling downtown, with a wide variety of services, welcomes visitors to Turtleford. The business sector features a pharmacy, several restaurants, fuel & convenience stores, retail stores, and many other services. The community is home to Riverside Health Complex, which is an integrated health care facility offering emergency, long-term, and acute care services. There is a Handi Van in service to assist individuals in getting to appointments and other activities that they are unable to get to independently.The van is also used by the nursing home for day trips around the area and events within the community. While offering a full range of consumer items for visitors to nearby picturesque lakes, Turtleford also boasts its own attractions. Turtleford is home to Canada’s largest turtle. Ernie, stands more than 8 feet tall, is 28 feet long and 14 feet wide. He has guarded the town’s perimeter since 1983. He was constructed to commemorate Turtleford’s acquisition of town status. Turtleford and District Museum, in the original CN Station, will help visitors understand the history of the area. Lions Campground offers a place to rest or to spend the night. Amenities include playground, ball diamonds, picnic sites and campsites. Birding enthusiasts will find the area rich in entertainment and are invited to take a walk down one of the town’s trails. There are two trails that surround the town. One located behind the Community Centre that winds along the Turtle River and just before the crossing to the Lions Campground.The other starts at the road towards the water tower hill and there are several different trails to follow in a wooded area that brings you back into town or to a grid road to get a taste of the rural area surrounding town. The trails are maintained by the town and volunteers. They are beautiful trails that provides plenty of room for dogs to run and walkers to get a taste of the great outdoors. Both trails are mowed in the summer and weather permitting plowed during the winter months. Residents and visitors are welcomed to get
26 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
out and enjoy the beauty of nature and the wonderful wildlife the area is home to. Bonny Macnab’s mural, “Headin’ In”, portraying a traditional fall cattle roundup, is situated beside Hwy. 303 near the junction with Hwy. 26. Bonny’s latest mural is now on display at the Library on Main Street, a delightful scene of children in a treehouse, reading, and playing. The library mural was generously donated by a local resident and is a welcomed update to the library building. A moose in pristine forest setting is the subject of Dave Heibert’s mural, which can be found across the street from Turtleford and District Co-op Grocery Store at the end of the town’s Main Street. Turtleford Communities in Bloom committee has established a Memorial Park at the corner of Railway Avenue and Highway 303. The park is a tranquil place that has several benches and a picnic table to allow for a beautiful lunch break or pit stop. Restaurants are within walking distance so feel free to grab some take out and enjoy your meal in a serene setting. The Town of Turtleford Council has seen some changes from the 2020 elections.There are new members to the table that are looking forward to adding new ideas and views to the community and maintaining an enjoyable town to call home. Meet the new Town Council: Mayor: Lawrence Weinrauch 1st term of Mayor Deputy Mayor: Doug Milne 1st term Council: Skye Angus 1st term, Kari Bauldic 2nd term, Seth Bloom 2nd term Carson Gray 1st term, Jason Stein 1st term The town staff strives to meet the needs of the citizens, support local groups and to keep Turtleford a enjoyable place to reside. Administrator: Deanna Kahl Lundberg Assistant Administrator: Rebecca Brand Maintenance Supervisor: Allan Chambers Maintenance Assistant: Trevor Phillips Water & Sewer Bills are sent by the 1st week of the month for the previous months water usage. Residents are encouraged to sign up for ebills by contacting the town office staff. Water meter deposits are required for renters and owners, residents moving are asked to contact the office as soon as possible to discuss any account changes. Transfer Site Hours: Tuesday & Friday 8 am to 4pm 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month 10 am – 2 pm Closed on Statutory Holidays. Please use the recycle bins available for no charge. The transfer site attendant is available for any questions. Garbage pick-up is Friday mornings. Please have tagged bags outside on curb by 8 am. Garbage tags can be purchased from the town office or transfer site for $3.00 each. Road repairs and maintenance are conducted as needed. Mowing town property is conducted throughout the summer months. Snow removal during winter months is conducted as needed. Recreation options for the community are still growing. Hockey, curling, and baseball are still available but new services have been offered including various dance style classes, music and fitness options. For information on updates and contact information please see the Town of Turtleford’s website page. Any new services or events that come up within the community please contact the Town Office with information. Information can be added to the Electronic board located at the end of Main Street in front of the Turtleford and District Co-op.
“Message from Mayor” Turtleford. A small community with lots to offer.Two highways intersecting the town, making it easy to drive through, but it would be worth your while to stop. Multiple businesses provide people what they need whether they are local tho the area or passing through on their way to the lakes or other destinations. We have multiple restaurants to satisfy your hunger, a gas station and cardlock for your fuel needs, a pharmacy, financial institution, hair dressers, hardware and Ag stores and the list goes on and on. This picturesque town has multiple recreation options as well. Several walking trails that can be used year round, ball diamonds, a curling and skating rink, 2 beautiful golf courses just minutes away and quick access to sledding and ATV trails. If the roar of the wagons interest you, be sure to stop in early August when the CPCA makes a stop in Turtleford for the weekend. This is always a well attended and exciting event accompanied by a Tradeshow and a Cattleshow. And that’s not all. We are only minutes away from Thunderchild First Nation. During the summer they hold their annual Pow Wow, with dancers and competitors from all around attending. This celebration of culture is truly something to experience. The Mervin Flyers baseball team can be cheered on during home games right next door in Mervin. And throughout the winter months there is hockey and figure skating for all ages. As well as curling here in Turtleford and a short drive away in Livelong. As mayor, I am proud to welcome all of you to stop and have a look at what you may have been missing. There is lots to discover right here in Turtleford! Lawrence Weinrauch ; Mayor
More than 250 Birds
The Northwest is an ecologically diverse region where over 250 bird species have been catalogued.
TOWN OF TURTLEFORD
“Ernie” was built in 1983
Home of Canada’s
LARGEST Turtle!
Turtleford is surrounded by some of the finest summer resorts and lakes in Saskatchewan. Host to CPCA Chuckwagon races August 13, 14 & 15, 2021
The Town of Turtleford Offers:
Riverside Health Complex, a hospital with 24 hour emergency services, a medical clinic, a nursing home, RCMP detachment, Fire Department, SARCAN Recycling Centre, retail stores, automotive services, tattoo parlour, dance studio and gym, regional library and various churches and service clubs. Turtleford School pre-K to Grade 12, Licensed Daycare. There is a selection of serviced residential and commercial lots available.
Recreation in our area includes:
• Golf Course • Bowling • Clean Lakes • Ball Park • Campgrounds • Birdwatching • Hunting • Gymnasium • Curling Rink • Skating Rink • Cross Country Skiing www.facebook.com/townofturtleford
www.townofturtleford.com Email: townofturtleford@sasktel.net Phone: 306-845-2156
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest
27
Bonny Macnab...
Country Artist
Through the years Bonny’s work has earned a solid reputation as a quality exhibitor with her “Reflections of the Earth” and “Continuum” both full expression of her passion for nature and her ability to re-create conversations with nature. Bonny’s work illustrates a great love of people and their surroundings. She captures the emotion and spirit of her subjects. Favourite media are oil, watercolours and silk painting. In addition to subjects of her own choosing, Bonny will contract to produce portraits and other commissioned works. Most recently Bonny along with her daughter Rebecca Knowlton completed a whimsical fun feeling mural for the Turtleford Library. A generous donation by Barb Ashton, lumber and supplies donated by the Turtleford CO-OP. Bonny’s mural work is also well recognized, in 1998 she created “Headin’ In”, a large mural now displayed in Turtleford. The mural’s roundup theme is a vibrant and eye-catching, depicting the ranchers fall task of bringing in the herd for winter. Macnab was commissioned by the City of Regina for a “Farewell Mosaic Stadium” mural. The mural was created with images depicting scenes of Roughrider fans celebrating and
28 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
is home in the new Mosaic Stadium. Visitors to Lloydminster can also experience Bonny’s talent. A 36- by eight-foot mural depicting 50th Street circa 1930 has been erected in that city. The curiousity of silk and fiber art keeps Bonny’s art fresh and interesting, her silks are sold on her website and in stores across Saskatchewan. Bonny continues to work with Artist in School programs through the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Working with teachers and students teaching curriculum through art. 2021 will be a busy year as Bonny received the Canada Council Research and Creative Grant to continue reseach on plants that she can extact an image from through eco-printing. Whenever possible Bonny encourages and inspires others to find their creative self. Bonny lives east of Mervin with her husband Gary. She says the view from her farm is spectacular and invites you to come out for a visit to see her work. In the spring and summer you can also enjoy flowers, bedding plants and nursery supplies at her two 1,500 square foot commercial greenhouses. Maple Ridge Ranch is where the joys of painting and planting meet.
T.L.C. Greenhouse
• 25 years - creative hanging baskets • New unique potted & bedding plants • Creative summer & fall artist retreats • Paint & Paint Nights
Mervin, SK 306-845-7133
Log Home Art Gallery www.bonnymacnab.com
Trans Canada Trail World’s longest networks of trails Facts about the Trail What is the Trans Canada Trail? Initiated in 1992 as a project to celebrate Canada’s 125th year, the Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest networks of multi-use recreational trails, comprised of land and water routes across urban, rural and wilderness landscapes. Once fully connected, it will stretch nearly 24,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans, through every province and territory, linking Canadians in nearly 1,000 communities. The Trans Canada Trail is made up of nearly 500 individual trails, each with unique and varied features. This contributes to the diversity and grandeur of Canada’s national Trail. For day trips or multi-day adventures, the Trail offers countless opportunities to explore and discover. How much of the Trail has been connected? To date, just over 20,000 kilometres of the Trail are operational which is 86 percent of the proposed route. Four out of five Canadians live within 30 minutes of the Trail. How can I find the Trail in my area? Explore the Trail: Use our interactive map to highlight specific activities or points of interest, mark points or sections of the Trail you have visited and upload your own photos and stories.You’ll also find printable maps and downloadable GPS coordinates for all operational trail sections. You can download a map for a specific Trail section, or maps for an entire province or territory. Visit the websites of our provincial and territorial partners. They offer a wealth of information about the Trail in every province and territory. The trail goes through three R.M.s (Turtle River, Meota, Frenchman Butte & Mervin) as well as the towns of Edam, Turtleford, St. Walburg & Paradise Hill. The trail includes 2 historic settlement trails for this area; Paynton and Fort Carlton. Our section starts at the Lions Park.The midpoint of our trail is 108.95 longitude 53.35 latitude Follow it south past historical markers into Turtle River R.M.; follow it west into Frenchman Butte.
About the Trail The Trans Canada Trail is one of the world’s longest networks of trails, developed and promoted by a non-profit registered charity. When completed, the Trail will stretch nearly 24,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans, linking Canadians in close to 1,000 communities. Today, over 18,000 kilometres of Trail have been developed. Millions of Canadians and international visitors are using the Trail to hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride, canoe and snowmobile. The Trans Canada Trail offers countless opportunities to explore Canada’s diverse landscapes and rich history. 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest
29
Turtleford & District 306-845-2222
Maidstone Location 306-893-1222
Turtleford & District
Grocery Centre Hours: 8 am - 7 pm Monday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm Saturday *CLOSED SUNDAY *Sunday Summer Hours: May 1st - September 30th 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm • Bakery • Groceries • Produce • Meats • Kitchenware
Home Centre
Agro Centre
Hours: 8 am - 6 pm Monday - Saturday CLOSED SUNDAY
Hours: 8 am - 6 pm Monday - Saturday CLOSED SUNDAY
ONE OF THE LARGEST FISHING TACKLE SUPPLIERS
• Agro Supplies & Equipment • Animal Health & Feed • Bulk Fuel & Lubes • Cardlock • Chemicals & Seed • Liquid Fertilizer • Grain Bins & Augers
IN THE AREA
• Major Appliances • Building Material • Plumbing & Electrical • Paints & Stains • Tools & Auto Accessories • Lawn & Garden Ornaments • Garden Seeds & Equipment • Lawn Care Products • Patio Furniture
• Locally Invested • Lifetime Membership Benefits • Community Minded at Turtleford & District Co-op
www.turtlefordcoop.com
@turtlefordcoop
THE TURTLEFORD & DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE ASSOC. LTD. TOLL FREE 1-888-711-2476 FOOD CENTRE
ADMINISTRATION
306-845-2020 306-845-2222
30 Circle The Northwest
HOME & AGRO CENTRE
306-845-2162
• 2021-2022
FAX
306-845-2664
MAIDSTONE AGRO CENTRE
306-893-1222
Turtleford
A Place of Quiet Beauty Memorial Garden In 2005 Turtleford Communities in Bloom Committee decided they wanted to create an attractive place in town where people could relax and enjoy the scenery and a place of remembrance to the many earlier pioneers of the community. The idea of a Memorial Park became a reality. With the donation of the vacant lot and the installation of the water supply from by the Town, Communities in Bloom has transformed an empty space into a place of beauty.The tower poplars form a backdrop for the spruce trees, shrubs and perennials that make the park a tranquil spot. From early spring until freeze up a mosaic of floral magic greets passersby, including the roses that bloom all summer long. Lighting, cedar archways and a gazebo along with the park benches and a picnic table welcome visitors to relax for a visit or stop for lunch. The cenotaph has also been moved to the park, a fitting place to remember heroes of two world wars. A huge prairie gold granite slab is adorned with some 200 stainless steel plaques engraved with the names of families
who pioneered our community. The largest plaque entitled “We will remember them” names all the young men from our community who made the supreme sacrifice in the both world wars. The dedication plaque reads “In loving memory and with great appreciation to our families that had the foresight to set down roots in this area, creating and building the foundation of our community of today, and for the future of our children.” Every year the CIB committee plants and maintains some two dozen large floral planters around town, all of which adds a cheery note to the streets. Our community welcomes you. The park is always open. Do take time to stop by, tour around, relax and enjoy. 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest
31
Turtleford
Services, Shopping and Hospitality Turtleford, founded before Saskatchewan became a province, continues to be a vital, vibrant community. Hardy settlers chose this convenient and scenic location to establish a centre of business in the early 1900s, and by 1914 enough development had occurred to warrant incorporation. Today, a bustling downtown, with a wide variety of services, welcomes visitors to Turtleford. Over the past few years, Main Street has been enhanced with modern new structures, including a new grocery store and municipal office, and extensively renovated and updated financial institution. The business sector features two grocery stores, a pharmacy, restaurants, convenience stores and a host of other outlets. The community is home to Riverside Health Complex, which is an integrated health care facility offering long-term, emergency and acute care services. While offering a full range of consumer items for visitors to nearby picturesque lakes, Turtleford also boasts its own attractions. Turtleford is home to Canada’s largest turtle. Ernie, who draws attention to the town’s tourist information centre and business directory sign, stands more than eight feet tall, is 28 feet long and 14 feet wide. He has guarded the town’s perimeter since 1983.
He was constructed to commemorate Turtleford’s acquisition of town status. Turtleford and District Museum, in the original CN Station, will help visitors understand the history of the area. Birding enthusiasts will find the area rich in entertainment and are invited to take a walk down the town’s hiking trail along the Turtle River. Golfers will be pleasantly surprised by a beautiful nine-hole, grass green course just a five minute drive from town. Lions Campground offers a place to rest or to spend the night.Amenities include tennis courts, playground, ball diamonds, picnic sites and campsites. Bonny Macnab’s mural, “Headin’ In,” portraying a traditional fall cattle roundup, is situated beside Hwy. 303 near the junction with Hwy. 26. Turtleford Communities in Bloom committee has established a Memorial Park at the base of the mural. A moose in a pristine forest setting is the subject of Dave Heibert’s mural, which can be found next to the Turtleford and District Co-op Grocery Store at the end of the town’s Main Street.
Welcome Visitors to TURTLEFORD
Ryan Domotor
BUSINESS HOURS:
MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford
Box 850 #6 – 116 1st. Avenue West Maidstone, SK S0M 1M0 Phone: 306-893-2619 Fax: 306-893-2660 Email: Domotor.mla@sasktel.net
32 Circle The Northwest 20210225_Domotor_Biz Card Ad.indd 1
Mon - Wed 8:30 am - 4:00 pm; Thurs 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; Fri 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Turtleford Credit Union Limited Coming Together to Build the Future 24 HOUR ATM
Fax: 306-845-3035 Website: www.turtleford.cu.sk.ca Turtleford, Sask. Phone 306-845-2105 • 2021-2022 2/25/2021 4:31:46 PM
Livelong
Cool Off Behind the Glass Die hard curlers and curling fans come from all corners of Canada, and even the United States, to take in Livelong’s annual Summer Spiel.
L.A.D.R.A. Livelong and District
Recreation Association Inc.
BOWLING – Keep Fit – Bowl a Bit LADRA Lanes 306-845-3150
24th Annual Summerspiel OPEN EVENT - July 9 - 16, 2022
8th Annual Sturling Spiel Contact Doug: 306-845-8088
Email: ladra@littleloon.ca or check us out at "Livelong Summerspiel" - facebook.com
Cooling off with a curling game in the middle of the summer has become an annual tradition in this friendly Turtle Lake community. Livelong Curling Club hosts its Annual Summer Spiel July 4 - 11, 2020. The bonspiel offers cash prizes and organizers hope to attract 20 teams for the regular spiel. Also holding July 4 & 6 Sturling Spiel at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - Banquet with Bar and Entertainment. (For more information on Sturling Curling go to www.sturling.net.) To enter call Doug at 306-845-8088 or email ladra@littleloon. ca. Entry fee is $300 per rink for the regular curling and $70 for each of the Sturling spiels. Slide on over to Livelong for some unusual summer fun. You can stay right in the village so you don’t miss a draw. Livelong’s fully serviced RV park with washrooms and showers, will be open during the spiel. Follow us on Facebook. Please note: Event may be cancelled because of COVID19. Call 306-845-8088 June 20th for current information.
Jeremy Harrison, MLA Meadow Lake Constituency
Toll Free: 1-877-234-6669 201-2nd Street West, Box 848 Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1Y6 jharrisonmla@sasktel.net www.jeremyharrison.ca
Pickleball contact Leslie at 306-845-2193 for play times
BINGO - 7:30 pm Wednesdays Livelong Community Hall
— LIVELONG LAKESIDE SENIORS —
Meets 1st Monday monthly - Contact Les 306-845-3772
Strong Leadership Strong Saskatchewan
LEGION MEETS MONTHLY Contact Les 306-845-3772
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest
33
Frenchman Butte
Echoes of Battle at ...Frenchman Butte Gen. T. B. “Jingo” Strange, commander of the Alberta Field Force, established his militia camp at Fort Pitt on May 25, 1885. detected concealed rifle pits along the crest of the valley; it By Wayne F. Brown was an ambush! Strange spread out his force, Steele’s Scouts to the west, 85th Mount Royal Rifles centre left, 90th Winnipeg Light Infantry to centre right and his cavalry, Alberta Mounted Rifles, to the east. The force advanced on foot into the ravine, and the Cree waited in the fortifications above.The military force soon found they weren’t capable of advancing past the bottom of the valley because the flooding creek had turned it into an impassable swamp. Sam Steele and his Scouts attempted an out-flanking manoeuvre up the valley to the northwest about three kilometres. Wandering Spirit, the Cree war chief, noticed the scouts movement and with a few other warriors paralleled them, thus foiling the manoeuvre. THIS MAP OF FRENCHMAN BUTTE AND AREA SHOWS PATHS OF IMPORTANCE IN OUR HISTORY On the north side of the coulee, the Cree noncombatants and hostages had dug numerous protective pits behind the firing line the previous night (still visible today). Heeding the wise direction of Chief Big Bear, they abandoned them and fled northward about eight kilometres to a second, safer camp, then ultimately northward to yet another camp at Sidney (Horse) Lake. The battle continued most of the morning with both sides firing at each other from long range, neither gaining an advantage. Around noon, low on ammunition and unknown to one other, both sides simultaneously began to withdraw, going their separate ways. Several natives were wounded, one mortally, while two soldiers and a Scout were wounded on the other side. To quote one veteran of the battle, “The fight was best known for a waste of good ammunition”! Historic Site The National Historic Site of Frenchman Butte is well marked, north of Highway # 3 about 10 km. There is a tidy day use area, Echoes of Battle, at Frenchman Butte with outdoor privies and a descriptive sign which outlines the features of the battle-site. Paths connect to the original, unmaintained rifle pits that face out on the militia positions across the valley. On the opposite side you’ll discover a rock cairn near a fence line on the crest of the valley, dedicated to the militia. There are no militia fortifications; however, the location of this militia cairn is almost on the exact location of Gen. Strange’s cannon during the battle. Also of interest, next to this monument is a steel pole, a rare example of the original telegraph poles which were brought by ship and wagon in 1882-83 from England.
Immediately, he dispatched his elite reconnaissance group, Steele’s Scouts, on a mission to detect the location of the Cree who were responsible for the April 2 massacre at Frog Lake. About midnight, at the Pipestone Creek, four km east of Pitt, Sam Steele, the NW Mounted Police and two other scouts stumbled into a Cree raiding party who were on their way to attack the fort. A gunfight erupted in the dark with one native, Meminook, being killed. The next day, Gen. Strange’s militia column caught up with the scouts and the trail east led them to the base of Frenchman Butte and a fork in the trail. Here they bivouacked for the night under heavy guard. The next morning the force approached the south edge of a coulee that runs east and west just north of the “butte”. Gen. Strange could see coloured cloth banners tied in the trees on the opposite side. Peering through the lifting fog with binoculars he
34 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Steele Narrows
Final Skirmish at ...Steele’s Narrows
On the morning of June 2, 1885, Sam Steele, commander of an elite portion of the Alberta Field Force known as “Steele’s Scouts”, looked down on the narrows from an By Wayne F. Brown open ridge about two kms to the south. After the battle at Frenchman Butte, he and 65 men had left the middle of July the militia forces would be on their way home Ft. Pitt to pursue the fleeing Cree northward through the for- with the rebellion stamped out. Steele’s Narrows est. Now, lying below, was a small native camp and through his Steele’s Narrows is now a Provincial Historic Site, located binoculars he could see people wading the narrows (where the highway is today) eastward. His orders were to free a group of on secondary Highway #699 about 10 kms west of the town hostages the Cree had captured at Frog Lake and Ft. Pitt and of Loon Lake. At the site, there is a day-use, picnic area and boat launch as this was the opportune moment. He split his force, which had well as a commemorative cairn overlooking the narrows. The dwindled to 42 men, into two groups; he’d lead one attacking the village, hopefully freeing the prisoners, the other would act location of the Indian camp the Scouts attacked is approximately as “cover” from rifle fire he expected from warriors on the one km directly south of the cairn, hidden behind a ridge. The skirmish here in 1885 was far more violent than the battle overlooking ridge. at Frenchman Butte, yet the incident remains in relative obscurity. The attack on foot initially went as planned, but as it developed his force came under fire from not only the ridge, but White cement markers and a small cairn on the south side of the from across the water (Sanderson Bay). His intrepid, fiery Irish highway indicate the approximate location where natives were killed that morning. sergeant, William Fury, led the assault up the ridge as planned, but was shot through the chest by a Metis with a long range Sharps STEELE’S NARROWS IS A PROVINCIAL HISTORIC SITE buffalo rifle. The battle became a confusing “jungle style” fight with both sides uncertain who was behind the next tree.The scouts shot at a group of people wading across the narrows, one of who was hostage teenager Kitty McLean, carrying her young brother.A scout’s bullet narrowly missed, passing between their heads, only inches apart. At times, both sides tried in vain to acquire a cease fire, the “Fighting Preacher”, George McKay with the Scouts, while on the other side of the narrows hostage W.J. McLean (Kitty’s father) attempted likewise. In the meantime, about three kms east of the narrows, Chief Seekaskootch and two of his faithful were murdered by Cree dissidents as he urged surrender. The number of natives killed in the battle is officially recorded as five; however, chronicles of several individuals suggest numbers in excess of that. No Steele’s Scouts were killed in the battle and William Fury eventually recuperated, passing away in 1936. About a week later Gen. Fred Middleton and his force, pulling a Gatling gun, led by Steele’s Final Skirmish at Steele’s Narrows Scouts returned to the scene, then continued around the lake to a second narrows on the north side, eventually giving up the pursuit at this point. The hostages would eventually be set free near Goodsoil. Around 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 35
A GOLFER'S PARADISE Eagle Ridge Golf Course St. Walburg Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens, Cart and Club Rental, Licensed Club House. Fully irrigated grass greens and fairways, driving range and putting green. The course is popular. Be sure to call ahead for a tee-off time. Contact: 306-248-GOLF (306-248-4653) or 306-248-3287
Bright Sand Lake Regional Park
Features: Nine Holes, Sand Greens 306-248-3780
Blueberry Hill Golf Course West Side of Turtle Lake Features: Nine Holes (1449 yards) Optional Nine Holes (2346 yards) Cart and Club Rental 306-845-2595
Loon Lake Golf Course
Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens This course is located on some of the most scenic and challenging terrain anywhere. Licensed Club House, Rentals, Pro Shop 306-837-GOLF
Mervin and District Golf Club
Just southeast of the Village of Mervin Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens Mervin was upgraded to grass greens several years ago, and has a reputation for offering one of the best groomed facilities in the area. Concession, rentals and pro shop. A brand new licensed club house is now open. 306-845-3121
Evergreen Green Acres Golfer Paradise Turtle Lake Les Olson 306-845-3772
Meota & District Lakeside Golf Course Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens. This course, which overlooks Jackfish Lake, is now well-established on the Northwest golf circuit. Licensed Club House, Rentals 306-892-2200
Silver Lake Golf Course 18 km North of Maidstone Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens, Cart and Club Rentals, Licensed Club House. In its 35th season, Silver Lake is known as one of the best golf destinations in the mid-west. To book a tee-off time call 306-893-2831
Little Loon Golf Course
8 km East of Glaslyn on Hwy. 3 Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens. Very challenging irrigated fairways and greens. Club and cart rentals. Clubhouse with full food service. Busy weekends may require tee time. 306-342-2176
* Golf Course * Licensed Dining * Marina * Contact Us For Reservations • Phone: 306-386-2211 • WebSite: www.aquadeobeachresort.com • Facebook: Aquadeo Beach Golf Course and Restaurant • Email: aquadeobeachresortltd@hotmail.com
2 Fore 1 Golf Purchase one round of 9 holes with cart and get one free This coupon is valid for the 2021 golf season only Not valid for tournaments Circle the Northwest
36 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Edam
A Little Bit of HOLLAND Edam - A Little Bit of Holland in Saskatchewan. Hosting 23 km of Trans Canada Trail route (www.tctrail.ca) along Highway 26, northwest 50 km from the junction with Highway 4. A sports town, Edam is the home of the Edam Three Stars, champions of the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League for nine consecutive years, and who were champions again in 2009. Joey LaClare, former Canadian Amateur Boxing Champion in the 71 kg class, calls Edam home , as does Fiona Smith-Bell, member of Canada’s 1998 Olympic Silver Medal Women’s Hockey Team. As you crest the hill north of Vawn you’ll notice the black oil tanks - sentinels to more than 1,000 oil wells within this heavy oil field. Husky Oil and Serafina Oil have built steam injection plants which began production in 2016. Stop at the RM of Turtle River office on Main Street for information on the local heavy oil industry. Visit the village office and library to peruse the Edam Historical Society’s book Their Hopes - Our Heritage, and ask directions to the Washbrook Museum, the stocked trout fishing and campground at Picnic Lake or the government operated ferry which crosses the North Saskatchewan River daily from breakup to freeze-up. Head north 7.4 kms along Highway 26 to the intersection, then west 3.4 km to the Fort Pitt Trail cairn to learn more about this early trade route. Read about our connection with the fur trade and the Hudson’s Bay Company. Travel 3.5 kms south and 12 kms west from the cairn to the North Saskatchewan River overlooking Pine Island, where the Hudson Bay Company’s Manchester House competed for local furs from 1786 until it was destroyed by fire in 1794. Edam’s recreation facilities include a skating rink, curling rink with three sheets of artificial ice and five-diamond ballpark
featuring shale infields. The village has a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school and a Level III-V health centre and long-term care facility. 2015 saw the opening of the Edam Enriched Manor. This facility has 26 units, some singles and the rest doubles. The Manor is open to anyone 55 and over. The rental of a unit includes all meals, laundry, parking and recreational activities and the manor houses the Early Learning Centre. Other services are post office, groceries, deli, baker y, restaurant, banking, automotive ser vices, car and truck wash, bar, lottery centre, air strip, volunteer fire department, volunteer first responders and a public library. The public library has free Internet and email service available. Travellers are invited to stop in and check in with family and friends at home.
Sarah Edwards, CPIB Kaeli Latendresse, CAIB Karen Zubiak, Insurance Broker Email: stellar1@stellarinsca Website: www.stellarinsurance.ca Phone 306-397-2361 • Fax 306-397-2546 Toll free 1-855-697-2361
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 37
Edam
Trails to Adventure
Edam is the place if you’re looking for outdoor winter fun. Tobogganing is enjoying a comeback thanks to a groomed hill at Dulwich Station; a small all-season day lodge with privy. Lodge access can be arranged by calling 306-441-3753. Battlefords Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club has extended their groomed snowmobile trails into the Edam area. For updated snowmobile trails information check www.sasksnowmobiling.sk.ca Summer Adventure. If you’re looking for summer recreational trails, Edam is on the primary Trans Canada Trail route and the local TCT Committee has constructed over 3 km of improved walking trail in and around the village of Edam as part of 26 km of registered right-of-way passing through the RM of Turtle River. There are nature trails at Dulwich Station for environmentminded users year-round. This trail system is ideal for hikers and bird watchers. Running parallel to Turtle River and situated mainly in the river valley, the pristine terrain of willows, poplars and prairie grasses provides safe haven for abundant wildlife. A den of coyotes has
made this area their home. Hawks, eagles, and owls have nested here annually. The river has been home to a colony of beaver that are not too shy to show themselves to the quiet and patient observer. Deer and moose occasionally frequent the area. Two-Wheel Paradise Cyclists will find kilometres of country roads to explore in this neck of the woods. Many of the roads within the RM of Turtle River surrounding Edam have been paved with oil sands, creating a dust-free surface.Traffic is generally light and motorists always courteous, creating a safe environment for law-abiding bikers. This region is scenic, offering long steep hills along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, to rolling farmland intersected by sandy trails bordered by saskatoon berry and chokecherry bushes.A route east of Edam includes Picnic Lake, a comfortable oasis offering the chance for a refreshing swim. Cycling a route from Edam west to the banks of the North Saskatchewan River overlooking Pine Island makes for an aggressive, but scenic, daytrip.Visitors can purchase a map at the RM office on Main Street in Edam, or ask one of the locals to suggest routes to explore. For more information call 306-441-3753.
Do you own a Business? Do you have a story to tell? We want to work with you
We have sand, gravel and more! • Cobblestones • Lakeshore Rock • Base Gravel • Beach Sand • Decorative Rock in all sizes
Call or text
Valorie @ 306-441-5665 Email: valoriehiggs@sasktel.net
We are always searching for new material for our “Circle the Northwest” magazine
Come check us out! info@edam.cu.sk.ca Toll Free: 1-877-311-2242 Phone: 306-397-2242 Fax: 306-397-2555 www.edamcreditunion.com
Hwy. 26 - Edam, SK
Phone 306-397-5555 38 Circle The Northwest
“Real people providing real service” • 2021-2022
Edam’s former grain elevator is the centerpiece of the Washbrook Museum & Heritage Village. Edam residents Harry and Mildred Washbrook devoted many years to their private museum of prairie artifacts. The museum was featured in a film about Saskatchewan shown at Expo ‘86, but their greatest enjoyment came from meeting the different people who came to visit their museum each year. The Washbrooks made arrangements so the museum would continue to flourish even after they were no longer able to provide the tender loving care it had received for so many years. The Edam Vawn Lions Club spearheaded a project to create the Washbrook Museum & Heritage Village, and relocated the contents of the museum to the former local grain elevator provided by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Directly across from the museum, the Heritage Village provides a new home for historic buildings on land donated by Les and Annabelle Elliott.The first building restored is the Edam Cafe, dating from 1915. The Washbrook Museum & Heritage Village showcases all aspects of daily life in a typical rural community of days gone by. The wide variety of artifacts creates a picture of the past to life in an enjoyable journey through time. The museum features theme rooms which illustrate the contributions of individuals, clubs and sports in general to our history. The project has created a living legacy to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Edam
Grain Elevator... Houses Collection
Washbrook's Museum Edam, Sask. S0M 0V0
For appointments and information phone 306-441-3910 306-386-2434 Arrowheads Antiques Bacolite (Fish) Dinosaur Bones
Guns Pottery Artifacts Spinning Wheel
Fort Pitt Carlton Trail
Marker indicates where the original trail, dating back to 1829, can be seen.
Pine Island Archeological Site
On Saskatchewan River Ad sponsored by Edam-Vawn & District Lions Club 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 39
Bronson Forest
Riders Seek Out Mud and Snow By Wayne F. Brown The Bronson Forest, a tract of land in excess of 2,400 square miles to the north and west of St. Walburg, provides the perfect place to roam on an all-terrain vehicle such as a quad, or a snow machine.
Darren Ernst
Journeyman Mechanic
306.845.8109 Turtle Lake Saskatchewan
40 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Riders come from all around Saskatchewan and much of Alberta to unload their machines and travel the multitudes of trails, cut lines and un-maintained roads of the area, often not crossing their track in several days of exploration. Popular events for both snow machine and quad riders are the locally sponsored “rallies.” With either mode of transportation, the event is conducted over a circuitous route marked out by the organizers. A nominal registration fee is charged. At the starting camp, each rider is registered and provided with directions. The route will normally extend about 40 to 70 kilometres, with a rest stop about half way around the circuit. It will take much of the day to cover the trail, which is well marked, so becoming disorientated and lost is highly unlikely. At the conclusion of the ride the entrant is “checked off” the registry as a safety feature and invited to a lunch or meal by the organizers of the event. These events are popular, with over 500 registrants often attending. The first quad rally of the spring is usually the Bronson Forest Rally sponsored by the Paradise Hill Kinsmen the third Saturday in April; (www.phillkinsmen.com). The following week is the St. Walburg event, followed by Loon Lake’s circuit. St.Walburg hosts a second rally in the fall. Despite the initial intimidation a rider might feel attending such activities, they are an excellent way for the neophyte to experience the backcountry safely. They also provide an opportunity for riders to compare equipment, machines and techniques with other participants and meet equipment dealers who attend to advertise and promote their product. Commercial facilities in the Bronson Forest centre near several campgrounds that can become a base of operations. Little Fishing Lake and Peck Lake both have good provincial campgrounds that are popular on weekends. ATVs are not legal to operate inside these facilities so riders often choose campsites on the fringe of the campground to allow them to park their machines nearby during the offhours. There are extensive trail systems leading away from both campgrounds where the opportunities become boundless. The Little Fishing Lake Store offers summer only cabins; Lakeview Bed & Breakfast at Peck Lake welcomes riders, while nearby the old “Marina” location is currently under renovation. Riding the trails of the Bronson Forest provides untold hours of enjoyment throughout the year, summer and winter. There are few restrictions to hamper the fun and the pleasures of the wilderness will provide wonderful memories for you to cherish in the years to come.
For an enjoyable day of winter fun, come ride the snowmobile trails of the North West. The Battlefords Trail Breakers have developed one of the best trail systems in the province for you to ride.
The trails are part of the province wide Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association trail system which can be ridden across most of the province. There are over 10,000 kilometers of trails through out WWW.SASKSNOWMOBILING.SK.CA
North Battleford
Trails to Winter Fun
the province. The Battlefords Trail Breakers system is 450 km which is the 3rd largest among the 43 clubs in the province. The groomed trails encompass a very large area near the Battlefords.Trails extend from Delmas in the south east all the way to Turtle Lake in the north west. Trails take you through the communities of North Battleford, Meota, Cochin, Vawn, Edam, South Bay (south end of Turtle Lake) and Glaslyn. Trails are connected to Meadow Lake from the north and Rabbit Lake from the north east. The trail is well marked and signed for rider’s safety.There are several junction sign boards with maps and every warm up shelter has trail maps for sledders to take and follow trails. Trail maps can also be down loaded at www. sasksnow.com. The Trail Breakers club was formed in 1998 with about 150 km of trails in the first few years. The system has expanded over the years to its present length of 450 km. The club purchased its first groomer from Table Mountain ski hill in 1999. With the development of the trails, the club purchased a second groomer in 2014. Both groomers run steady throughout the winter season to maintain a great trail to ride in comfort and safety. The club has invested over $250,000 over the past 20 years in grooming equipment, shelters and signs. Funding for our trails comes from a trail fund administered by SSA and paid from snowmobile license plate registrations. Only snowmobiles that are plated and registered are legal to ride the trails so please make sure your sled has a current license plate and is registered. Along the trails, riders will come across our fantastic collection of 10 warm up shelters. The shelters, which were voted as best in the province, are all unique in design and setting. Shelters are equipped with wood stoves, firewood, solar panels with lights and outdoor bathrooms. Stopping at the shelters and visiting with friends and out of town guests is a favorite past time. Cooking hot dogs and having lunch at the shelters is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. For a fun day for you and your family to enjoy our scenic area, come and ride our trails.
2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 41
Circle The Northwest
CHURCH DIRECTORY
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Edam, Jackfish & Cochin for mass times call 306-397-2848 Glaslyn - Holy Cross Parish Sunday 11:00 a.m. 306-397-2848 Maidstone Pastor Tru Le 306-893-4074 Paradise Hill Pastor Tru Le 306-344-2033 St.Walburg Pastor Peter Paase 306-248-3236 or Susan Velder 306-248-3488 Barthel Pastor Peter Paase 306-248-3236 or Erica Maier 306-837-2081 Makwa Pastor Peter Paase 306-248-3267 or Pat Leer 306-236-5026 Loon Lake Barb Tracey 306-837-4431 St. Leon’s Parish Jackfish - Mass - Saturday at 7:00 p.m. St. Charles - Moosomin, Meota & Vawn
GREEK ORTHODOX St.Walburg John Hritzuk 306-248-3315
LUTHERAN Visitors are always welcome at our local churches. Listed below are churches of various denominations.
ANGLICAN/UNITED
Glaslyn, Livelong, Meota, Edam, Mervin & Turtleford Canon Don Skinner 306-845-2745
ANGLICAN
Spiritwood, Loon Lake, Paradise Hill, Fort Pitt, Frenchman Butte, Maidstone & Lashburn Rev. Jessie Pei 306-763-2455
BAPTIST
Turtleford Pastor Dave Walker 306-845-2104 Loon Lake Contact 306-387-4701
NON-DENOMINATION
Maidstone Grace Community Church Pastor Alex 306-893-4355
St.Walburg Pastor Quinn Adams 306-248-3944
UNITED CHURCH
Paradise Hill, St.Walburg & Loon Lake Donna Hall 306-285-3130 Edam Rev. Kun Kim 306-397-3823 Maidstone Don Retzlaff 306-285-3823
PENTECOSTAL
Edam - Full Gospel Assembly Contact 306-317-4413 Paradise Hill - The Potter’s House Pastor Bernard Ecker 306-344-2362
TURTLE LAKE MISSION & FOUR SQUARE CHURCH Turtle Lake Rev. Daniel Gies 306-845-7560
7th DAY ADVENTIST
St.Walburg Pastor James Kwon 306-490-8205 or Norman Baldwin 306-218-8034
Come Worship With Us 42 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Greenpark
Greenhouse
Open May 1st, 2021 Find Us On Google Maps for Exact Directions Located Between Edam and Glaslyn, Sask Phone 306-342-7452 GREENPARK GREENHOUSE came in to being in 2011. A long lived “bucket list” dream of Janice and Cliff Jamieson. We were able to purchase two used greenhouses from Alberta. With the help of our children, they were soon erected and we were in business. For the first two years, we focused on growing vegetables in the greenhouse – tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. They did well. But due to our short growing season, it wasn’t feasible. It was then that we decided to focus our energy on the bedding plant sector and are thrilled we did. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing flowers come in to bloom, meeting new people and giving our grandchildren an experience that would never have been possible. We decided on the name GREENPARK GREENHOUSE as we are located off Highway 4 (7 kms south of Glaslyn) on the Greenpark Road. Going west from our farm, the road turns into Range Road 500 which comes out on Highway 26, 7 kms south of Mervin. We are located centrally between Turtle Lake and Jackfish Lake. A 25 minute drive! We are excited to be the distributor for Equinox Desert Planters for the past number of years. Check out www.desertplanters. com for a complete overview of the product available. Everyone likes their flowers but it gets to be a chore keeping them watered. With these planters, depending on their water holding capacity, you might only have to fill the water reservoir weekly or bi-weekly. Just sit back and enjoy! We keep a good supply of product on hand at all times but can have it ordered and sent directly to you.
In our greenhouse (now three), we carry a full line of flowers (including Proven Winners), hanging baskets, veggies, tomato and cucumber baskets, shrubs, perennials and soil. We are a seasonal greenhouse opening May 1 – June 15 or until we are sold out. To ensure there is still product available, we have implemented a pre-order policy, if you choose. We are fortunate to have ladies helping me who are energetic, knowledgeable and courteous and who are always bringing new ideas to the table. We are blessed to have our family. We are a farming family. We are a mixed farm with grain and commercial cows. Our oldest son and his wife, Jeff and Heidi, raise purebred Black Angus cattle under the name JanCliff Angus. Our second son, Stuart, raises purebred Simmental cattle under the name SAJ Simmental. Our daughter, Bethany and her husband Denis Cadrain farm near Glaslyn. They are all willing to help, at any time, when it is greenhouse season. We have ten grandchildren who you might not see during Covid times. But generally, they enjoy helping fill pots, checking out new emerging flowers and being our little greeters when someone comes. Cliff and I were very active in our community in our younger days, serving on several community boards. We were very involved in the 4-H program. Community is important so every year we have a yearly fundraiser to help an organization who could benefit youth. Some of these have been the Edam Playground Fundraiser, HHS (Edam School) Breakfast Program, Edam Community Recreation Centre and in 2021 – Edam HHS and Glaslyn Central School Library programs. Come and check out our greenhouses. Follow us on Facebook or “Google” GREENPARK GREENHOUSE for exact directions. Cliff has a display of antique horse drawn farm implements so bring your husband along to take a peek. Gift certificates are available anytime.
Janice Jamieson 1-306-342-7452
NOTHING FANCY - JUST GOOD HEALTHY PLANTS – COMPETITIVE PRICING 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 43
Maidstone
Rich in Oil, Agriculture and History
Some of the earlier homesteaders to the Maidstone area arrived in 1902. There were no buildings except a small log and canvas shack occupied by a black man, William Small. This was known as a hotel and restaurant, but no beds were to be found in the hotel, just hearty pioneer meals of bread, salt pork and tea, and sometimes stewed rabbit.
By summer 1905, the railway was almost finished to Lloydminster and a station was under construction at Maidstone, then known as Siding 5, NWT. William Stone, a Barr Colonist, seized the opportunity and built the first store in Maidstone. He built a house next door and hosted many parties and dances, as it was one of the largest homes in the village. This house is now part of the Pioneer Village at the Museum. John L. Courtice, John Andrew Pickel and Robert Bryans of Morden, Manitoba shipped in lumber and commenced building Courtice and Pickel’s General Store and Bryans Drugs and Settlers Effects. In July 1905 a small group of people gathered to select a name
for the new centre. “Pickeltown” was one of the suggestions. However, it was found CNR officials had already named the village “Maidstone,” after Maidstone in Kent, England, as influenced by the Stone family. In less than 20 years the village grew to a population of 227. By 1955 it had increased to 565 and on March 1 of that year the village attained official town status. The current count is approximately 1,200 with a trading population of over 7,500. Maidstone can accredit its growth and sustainability to its prime location in one of the most affluent rural municipalities in Saskatchewan. Known as the “Canola Capital of Canada” it is an outstanding area for the growing of all grains. Livestock is also a thriving industry, as well as oil, which, in the past 30 years, has had a tremendous influence on the economy of Maidstone. As the town continues to grow, so does pride in the community. In 2006, Maidstone competed nationally in “Communities in Bloom” earning an impressive four out of five blooms. Maidstone celebrated its centennial in 2005 and continues to celebrate community each year with an old time sports day on July 1, complete with entertainment stages, food booths, ball games, a parade, and fireworks. You are invited to stop in and check out what Maidstone and district has to offer. Tourist information is available at the museum on 4th Street East or contact the town office at 306893-2373.
MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & PIONEER VILLAGE
“YOUR SUPPLY HOUSE”
Agriculture Automotive Industrial Oilfield 507 Hwy. 21 North, Box 330, Maidstone, SK Ph: 306-893-2631 Fax: 306-893-2410 Email: info@keranda.com See us on the web@ www.keranda.ca
44 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
201 - 4th Street East Phone 306-893-2890 Open by Appointment for Tours & Events: from June to September ~ School & Bus Tours Available ~ Highlights of Pioneer Village:
• CNR Station House • CNR Caboose • CNR Ice House • CNR Speeder Shed • Grain Elevator • RCMP Barracks • 1 Room School House • Blacksmith Shop • General Store • Church • Corker House • Dining Area Across from Splash Park at Entrance to Delfrari Park & Campground
Delfrari-Victoria Park
• CAMPING Serviced Sites, Drive Through Sites, Showers, Dump Station
Located in Maidstone. Turn down 4th Street East and watch for signs!
• PUBLIC PICNIC AREA Camp Kitchen with Water and Electricity • TROUT POND
OVERFLOW for group camping, weddings or reunions with serviced R.V. Lots
• NEW WALKING PATHS • TENNIS & BASKETBALL COURTS, BALL DIAMONDS, PLAYGROUND, and DISC GOLF
CAMPGROUND OPEN: May 1 - Sept. 17 | ONLINE RESERVATIONS - www.campreservations.ca
Maidstone, Saskatchewan 55 km East of Lloydminster • 85 km West of North Battleford South of the junction of Hwy #16 & 21
Be Sure To Come Out & Help Celebrate July 1st!
Maidstone Pond
Silver Lake Golf Course - 9 holes, grass greens, driving range, camping and RV sites, mini golf & swimming area 893-0831 Campground/Rest Stop Delfrari-Victoria Park (serviced). Silver Lake (10 km N). Halfway Historical Campground (5 km W). Gas, Snacks & Restaurants - Husky 16-21, Hancock (24 hour cardlock), Sunny’s Family Restaurant, A&S Corner Store, Legion Club Room, Maidstone Hotel Tavern and Restaurant, Lou’s and Sue’s and Railway Breakfast Diner Accommodations - Maidstone Hotel 893-2242, Maidstone Motel 893-2635 Shopping - liquor store, groceries, department, pharmacy, banking, industrial & hardware supply, electronics, salons, automotive repair, agricultural supply, and many more! Recreational - Maidstone Arena, tennis courts, ball diamonds, basketball courts, disc golf, bowling alley, golfing Historical - Museum and pioneer village, Shiloh Settlement and Pine Island Viewpoint Emergency • hospital 24 HOUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, medical clinic, dental office, RCMP, fire department
1(306) 893-2373 • townofmaidstone.com
Ball Diamonds
Museum
2021-2022 •
Splash Park
Circle The Northwest 45
Maidstone
First Black Settlement Shiloh Church is the site of the first black settlement in Saskatchewan. The Shiloh people emigrated from Oklahoma in May 1910. They were of the Baptist faith and by 1911 had started building a place of worship. They used large flat stones for the foundation and hand hewn squared logs for the walls, which were then plastered with mud. Pews were made of boards with peeled willow branches for legs. This little log church was used until the 1940s. The cemetery, with white crosses marking each grave, is the resting place of more than 40 members of the settlement. A meticulous restoration process is now complete. Located 21 km north of Maidstone on Hwy 21, 4.8 km east and 2.4 km north. Pine Island Pine Island, located on the North Saskatchewan River, is the site of five fur trading posts that operated from 1785 to 1793. The North West Co. and Hudson’s Bay Co. Manchester House, as well as free traders, set up rival forts clustered together for self protection. A confrontation occurred between the Gros Ventre Indians and the fur traders in 1793. This tribe was angered because the traders were supplying more guns and goods to their enemy, the Cree. The Gros Ventre attacked and burned Manchester House, stripping it of all goods. The men at the fort barely escaped being murdered. This hostility, plus poor returns for the traders, led them to abandon Pine Island. Noted names to set foot on Pine Island are: • 1785 - 16-year-old David Thompson, explorer and map maker; • 1808 - Alexander Henry, the younger, who served with the North West Co.; • 1885 - Francis Jeffrey Dickens, a NWMP inspector and son of author Charles Dickens; • (circa 1815) Peter Fiddler, surveyor, explorer and astronomer. Pine Island is about 2.4 km long and covered with spruce trees (pine to the traders), poplar and willow. The timber provided protection from the elements, fuel for the log shacks and early steamers on the river and lumber for the building of the first York Boat (1788). Lookout and monument are located 13.5 km north of Maidstone on Hwy 21 and 17.5 km. east.
46 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Shiloh Church was first saved from demolition in the early 1970s by descendants of the area’s white settlers. They cared for it until descendants of the black settlers took up the cause in recent years. In 2008 the project earned the Lt.-Gov. of Saskatchewan Architectural Heritage Award.
Wesson Memorial J.H. Wesson was among those who helped write agriculture history in the West. John came to Canada from England in 1907, when he was 19. The Wesson family settled north of Maidstone, where the memorial now sits. Part of the citation on the plaque reads:“His voice became the voice of the prairie wheat farmer...” Wesson, a founding member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, was the president 1937-60. He was the first president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (1936-40) and served as a member of the advisory committee to the Canadian Wheat Board. In 1942 he led a delegation to Ottawa asking for higher wheat prices. In 1946, Wesson was named a Commander of the British Empire. In 1959, he led another delegation of 1,000 farmers and businessmen to Ottawa to petition the government for deficiency payments. In 1961, the University of Saskatchewan conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree. J.H.Wesson passed away in 1965, five years after his retirement from SWP. In his memory, Maidstone Museum has built a working replica of a SWP elevator. Wesson is buried in the Forest Bank Cemetery, beside the church his family helped build and where he married Laura Pike. It is a pretty place, worth a visit. Kenderdine Memorial Augustus F. Kenderdine was born in Blackpool, England and studied art in Manchester and Paris. About 1907 he felt the lure of the West and took up land north of Waseca, where he farmed for several years. He found inspiration for his painting in the prairie landscape and in 1920 travelled to Saskatoon to hold a one-man exhibition. Kenderdine was immediately recognized as an artist of great merit and received an appointment as Instructor in Art at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1934 he was appointed Professor of Art and Director of the School of Fine Arts. “Gus” Kenderdine had a dream to set up an artist’s camp in the solitude of Saskatchewan’s north. The Emma Lake Art Camp, founded in 1935, was the outcome of his vision and is now nationally renowned.The bulk of Kenderdine’s works can be found at Calgary’s Glenbow Museum and both the University of Saskatchewan and Regina.
Turtle Lake
Elmhurst Jackrabbit Ski Club The Elmhurst Jackrabbit Ski Club is located in the picturesque mixed forest and parklands between Brightsand and Turtle Lakes. The Ski Club was formed in 1991 by a group of passionate cross country skiers who wanted packed and groomed ski trails. They were interested in a lifelong sport that was affordable for young families, something the whole family could do together. Parents took lessons on being leaders, the first of many Jackrabbits began taking their lessons, and the club was born. Fast forward to today: 45 km of classic trails, 10 km of skate trail, 9 km of snowshoe trails, 760 sq. ft. of club house that is heated daily, ski and snowshoe rentals, an annual ski loppet, a school ski program, club house rental, birthday parties, ski lessons, ladies ski day, moonlight skis, sledding hill and a walk – run event in the fall. With the assistance of grants from Cross Country Saskatchewan, the Club has extended, widened and improved the trail system over the years. Each fall the trails are mowed so skiing can begin with minimal snow coverage. With experience and better equipment, the packing and grooming of the trails has become top notch. Trails are groomed on a regular basis and after any heavy snowfall. Responding to request, snowshoe trails have been added.The varied terrain is from gently rolling to challenging and moves through the mixed boreal forest. The original 2 room club house has undergone a major renovation in the last few years. A spacious third room has been added, allowing one of the older rooms to be dedicated to the storage of the rental equipment. 2 wood stoves keep the club house warm and inviting. A generous grant from the St. Walburg Royal Purple has enabled the purchase of more ski equipment to meet the growing demands of the School Ski Program. The annual loppet, which is an organized ski event by definition, is known as the Cheesecake Classic. The Classic is held on the first Sunday of February. Distances are as short as 3 km or as long as 20 km. Upon completion of the skiing, each skier receives 2 coupons. One for a hot meal and the second for a piece of cheesecake. Hot beverages and veggie cups are also served. On
the longer ski loops, skiers are invited to stop at Checkpoint Bob, where a warm fire, hot dogs, candy and beverages are available as well as some good visiting. The Club House has been rented for birthday parties that include skiing, hot dog roast and the sledding hill. Additional activities have included a Ladies Ski Day, ski lessons and moonlight skis.The Elmhurst Jackrabbit Ski Club is responsive to the requests and needs of our members. The School Ski Program allows for any school to book a trip out to the Club. Bookings are handled by Rick and can be an afternoon or the whole day. Some schools bring hot dogs and roast them over the fire for lunch. If you would like your school to have a cross country ski day contact Rick at 306-248-1352. The Walk – Run In The Boonies is a fall fundraiser. Participants can walk or run the trails, bid on silent auction items and enjoy a hamburger or hot dog, veggie cups and beverages. It’s not unusual for 3 generations to be out enjoying the day. Some participants are in stollers or back packs. It is through the success of this fundraiser that the addition to the club house was completed. One of the founding members still volunteers as a coach for young athletes wanting to participate in the Saskatchewan Winter Games.These games are held every 4 years with the last Games in North Battleford in February 2018. Over the years more than 75 athletes have had the privilege to represent their communities at these multi-sport games thanks to this club coach. Athletes from the Club have gone on to compete at both the Provincial and the National level. From humble beginnings to the first class cross country facility today, the Elmhurst Jackrabbit Ski Club continues to pack and groom trails. The Club is open daily. Fees for the season were: $30 membership; $5 for day use; rentals, including day use fees, are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Please check us out on Facebook at Elmhurst Cross Country Ski Club. Trail conditions are posted regularly as well as special events. 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 47
Glaslyn
Transition from Forest to Parkland
The village of Glaslyn is situated at the junction of Highways 3 and 4, bordering the transition of the parkland and boreal forest. This village of 400 is considered by many to be the gateway to the Northwest area of the province and access to some of the provinces best fishing, hunting and many, many other recreational activities, summer and winter. Glaslyn was incorporated as a village in 1929 and has maintained a stable population and economy. Due to its centralized location and close proximity to the developing oil and gas fields in the west, it is beginning to experience a new economic outlook and positive change. This friendly village has much to offer travellers, sportsmen, tourists or people just passing through. It is home to an RCMP detachment, post office, library, museum, hardware store, fire hall, liquor vendor, gift store, grocery stores, insurance agency, hair salons, hotel, restaurants, bank, automotive and machinery repair services, service stations, auto body shop, saw mill, real estate agency, and tire repair shop. 2014 saw the addition of Primary Health Care Services! Glaslyn now has a Medical Clinic open 2 full days a week with attending Nurse Practitioner Celeste Toews. We are very excited to be able to offer this service to our Community and area residents.This has been made possible through partnerships with the Village of Glaslyn, North Saskatchewan River Municipal Health Holdings, and Prairie North Health Region. In addition to the large number of amenities, Glaslyn also has recreational facilities such as a hockey arena, bowling alley, sports grounds, community hall. Just 5 km east of Glaslyn on Highway 3 is one of the nicest regional parks in the province. Little Loon Regional Park is a sparkling gem, possessing a nine-hole grass green golf course, numerous campsites, playground, swimming area, mini-golf and a lake stocked with walleye. The park books up quickly, so don’t hesitate to call for your weekend spot! Stop in at our Museum for a rest on your drive through, or pay a visit to one of our many businesses, who are eager to serve you. You will find that people here go above and beyond to help and make you feel welcome.
48 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
The Village of Glaslyn Located at the Junction of Highways 3 & 4 North 40 miles North of North Battleford
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Library, RCMP, Grocery Shopping, Credit Union, Post Office, Service Stations, Propane Refill, Diesel Fuel, Trucking and Hauling, Liquor Vendor, Restaurants, Lumber Yard, Hardware Store, Vehicle Licensing and Insurance, Hair Salons, Electrical and Construction Contractors, Mechanical and Structural Automotive Repair, Beverage Room, Accommodations, Museum, Churches, Elementary & High School, Community Hall, Medical Clinic, Air Strip, Camping, Grass Greens Golfing, Fishing, Boating, Park, Play Area, Outfitters, Indoor Skating Rink, Ball Diamonds, Bowling Alley.
Stop in for a visit this summer
For more information contact Kate Clarke, CAO www.glaslyn.ca
306-342-2144
Lots for Sale: Residential, Commercial, and Industrial
where you will find all types of hand created items. We have over 20 different artists with their wares for sale, pottery, wood working, hand crafted soaps and lotions, art, silk paintings and more. Take a minute and stop in and see what we have to offer. Great one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people in your life!
Louise Stuart
Broker/Owner • (306) 342-7773
Joy Hallberg REALTOR/Property Manager • (306) 248-1248 Office: (306) 342-4663 • 141 Railway Ave. Glaslyn, Sk. 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 49
Taste of Home / Home Town Suites
For Taste of Home phone 306-984-1200 I Main Street, Leoville, SK In the thriving community of Leoville, Saskatchewan is a small soup and sandwich restaurant owned and operated by long time town resident Louise Beaulac and her family. “Taste of Home” is located on main street and is the product of Louise’s dream to own a restaurant. After operating the quaint little business for 5 years and meeting and greeting locals and guests to the community another dream was born - Louise found that people were in need of a motel and she and her husband Gerry opened “Home Town Suites” The motel has 4 rooms to rent and one of them is wheelchair accessible. Guest laundry is available. Both businesses are thriving and their owners couldn’t be more pleased. Louise and Gerry welcome guests from near and far. Recently a third accommodation has been added: a four bedroom home is now available for rent. Daily, rates are offered.
For more information or to book a stay in Leoville visit “hometownsuites.ca” or phone 306-984-8085.
50 Circle The Northwest
• 2021-2022
Our History
The first pharmacy in Spiritwood was located on the east side of Main Street, operated by Alfred Payne then Graham Totzke. In 1938, Janet and Everett Konsmo opened a pharmacy across the street. Following the purchase of the Totzke pharmacy, the Konsmos built the 2-storey building in 1946 that is 106 Main St. It was in continuous operation as a pharmacy, changing hands from the Konsmos to Ray Maier to Roy and Laverne Folkerson. In 1998, Gary and Heather von Holwede purchased the pharmacy. In May 2018, Gary and Heather relocated Spiritwood Pharmacy down the block to 120 Main St which had been a Shop Easy grocery store for many years. With extensive renovations, the premises were re-vamped to house a full-service pharmacy, health and beauty products as well as a wide variety of grocery items. With our friendly staff, the store services The Northern Lakes Region which is also a popular tourist destination.
Business Hours: Monday—Friday: 9:00AM-6:00PM Saturday: 12:00PM-5:00PM
306-883-2391 120 Main Street, Spiritwood spiritwoodpharmacy@sasktel.net www.spiritwoodpharmacy.ca 2021-2022 •
Circle The Northwest 51
Welcome to the Northern Lakes! There is no place in the province or in the world that combines the naturally peaceful beauty and the friendly small-town atmosphere quite like the spirit in the Northern Lakes region. Welcome. Whether you are planning a weekend trip or your summer vacation, we are proud to provide you with limitless possibilities for enjoying our quiet camping, our fresh-water lakes and our pristine forests. All your needs and wishes will be surpassed when you visit our bountiful tourist destinations and our local businesses. Golf with us. Fish with us. Play with us. Explore our website and learn about our secret treasures - we are excited to share with you! The towns and villages in our community offer a wide variety of goods and services. Whether you are staying here or playing here, you will find most everything you need or desire - with our “Shop at Home” discount card you will also realize a savings for your loyalty to our merchants. Watch for the “Shop at Home” decal on participating businesses and use your discount card to reduce the price of your purchases immediately. Our business community looks forward to serving you and we welcome your visit!
Along the #3... Spiritwood - The hub that serves the north-west portion of the region, the thriving town of Spiritwood boasts a broad range of businesses and services to accommodate your needs while visiting or traveling. The 18-hole golf course along Highway #3 is a must, while the B & Bs that are located on the course offer accommodations second to none. The thriving Main Street is always bustling - don’t miss the Farmer’s Market in the summer! Visit the Tourist information booth along Highway #3 in Spiritwood for maps, hunting and fishing guides and answers to all your questions! Shell Lake - Located adjacent to the very popular Memorial Lake Regional Park, this quiet village becomes a major tourist destination in the summer! Swimming lessons, cabins, campsites, mini-golf and ice cream - what more do you want from your get-away destination! With new developments at Green Jewel Estates offering lake living, Shell River Villas offering a quality up-scale lifestyle with a private putting green, and the well maintained Memorial Lake Golf Course...you need to take a closer look at Shell Lake. Shellbrook - The eastern hub of the Region, Shellbrook is a picturesque agricultural community that lies a short
52 Circle The Northwest • 2021-2022 The Spirit of the Northern Lakes
2
half hour outside the city of Prince Albert. Shellbrook is the largest town in the Northern Lakes Region and offers all amenities for a safe and quiet family lifestyle. Recreation abounds with the outdoor swimming pool offering lessons and a synchronized swimming club. Top-notch sports grounds and an exciting hockey team provide plenty of entertainment and activity yearround. With a regional hospital housed in the new (2013) Parkland Integrated Health Facility, Shellbrook is home to numerous physicians and clinicians that provide 24/7 emergency and acute care. The junction to Highway #55 North to the lakes within town limits and #40 South to Parkside and Blaine Lake makes us your chance to re-fuel, dine, shop and plan the rest of your holiday with us!
South on 40... Parkside - The village of Parkside is the proud home to Honeywood (Dr. A. J. Porter) Heritage Nursery. Located along Highway #40, you will notice the large prairie lily in Parkside - right near the sports grounds and demolition derby site! Stop in at the post office and general store to enjoy a visit with the Mayor; coffee is always on. Blaine Lake - Your gateway to the lakes, Blaine Lake sits at the junction of highways #40 and #12. A quick look at a regional map will indicate the number of lakes, campgrounds, resorts and tourist spots that are located within a short distance of the Blaine Lake community. With our rich heritage of Slavic and European cultures blended with the original English and French settlers, the diversity offers a blend of warm hospitality to visitors while adding ethnic cuisine to many of the local dining establishments. Just a short drive from Martin’s Lake Regional Park and surrounded by stops on the ‘12-40 And Beyond’ artisans tour, Blaine Lake is your southern hub of the Northern Lakes Region.
Welcome to the Northern Lakes! Up the #24 North... Leoville - Small town, Big Heart! The village on the forest fringe at the point where Highway 24 swings west to Chitek Lake is a place with friendly people, all the services you might require and a strong volunteer spirit! Major events during the year in Leoville are the Ladies Diamond Dinner, Mother’s Day Brunch, Father’s Day ATV Rally and Slo-pitch Tournament, Trailriders Rodeo, Snowdrifters Snowmobile Rally. In the sports field, Leoville has a very active youth badminton program with hundreds of medals won over the years. There is minor, senior and recreational hockey, sandlot ball, figure skating and curling. There is also an active 4-H program and a very active Girl Guides of Canada program. Chitek Lake - The resort village of Chitek Lake is one of the most popular camping destinations in our Region. With a growing population of permanent residents, the village bursts with activity during the summer months - family reunions, swimming lessons, quadding, great fishing - all great reasons to plan your holidays around Chitek Lake! With the Van Dam Good Ice Fishing Derby and the Bush Buddies Snowmobile Rally on plenty of well-marked trails, your family will want to make plans for winter too. Stock up on supplies at Harv’s, catch a weekly bingo game at the Community Hall or scope out where to build your lake home - Chitek Lake welcomes you!
Tour #378 South... Meeting Lake Regional Park - Located just off Highway #378 between Spiritwood and Rabbit Lake, this is your camping destination with the family fun in mind! Open from May long weekend until September long weekend. Meeting Lake Regional Park boasts modern conveniences such as a concession, dining room, gas, laundromat, showers and a camp kitchen. Fish for northern pike, pickerel and perch, take part in musical jam sessions and karaoke nights, enter the parade, or just enjoy the beach - Meeting Lake is everything you want for the entire summer or just a sunny day! Rabbit Lake - Famous for being the district that hosts the Carlton Trail Jamboree, Rabbit Lake is the epitome
of friendly country hospitality. Visit the museum or relax at the Whistle Stop coffee shop - take a break and visit relatives at Rose Gill Lodge or gear up for your day trip to the Crooked Bush - Rabbit Lake always has something going on. Bunnock tournament, summer fair and trade show...your time here will be enjoyable.
Travel the #55...
Canwood - The ideal location and variety of services offered makes Canwood a good choice for people looking to get back to small town life. Offering a variety of essential services, from groceries to health care, Canwood is close enough to major centers to make travel convenient for day trips as well as weekend visits! There is never a lack of activity - from activities with the Seniors to events at the Community School or a round of golf after work, Canwood is a great destination in itself or a stop on your trip to the lakes. Debden & Morin Lake - Debden is a bilingual community that was founded in 1912, pioneered by brave souls mostly from Quebec. By 1922 the small hamlet of Debden became incorporated as a village. Today the village has 348 residents and is a full service community for everything you need, all within a few minutes walking distance. Whether you are an avid nature lover or sportsman we are located in the heart of some of the best nature has to offer. With 100 lakes within 50 miles, there is always a lot to explore. Being in the heart of such amazing country with large expanses of land, wilderness and bodies of water, this region can proudly say that we have some of the best fishing and hunting anywhere in Canada. Big River - The hub of the lake region in our Northern reaches, Big River is a town with everything! You will not find better fishing and boating opportunities - you can even fish off the dock right inside the town limits. Having un-paralleled sports grounds and hall facilities, Big River plays host to high caliber ball playoffs and tournaments. In addition to the excellent winter recreation, such as ice fishing and snowmobiling, Big River is the place to stock up on your camping supplies when you visit the popular music festivals at Ness Creek. Country, Folk or Bluegrass - Ness Creek has you covered all summer!
2021-2022 • Circle The Northwest 53 The Spirit of the Northern Lakes 3
Birdwatching
Birdwatching in the Northern Lakes Region
By Tammie Burak Grab your binoculars and bring your camera for exciting or two weeks to rest and feed here in the Northern Lakes birdwatching opportunities in the Northern Lakes region. region and have often been seen in the Blaine Lake – Located in the transition zone between the parkland and Leask area and the area around Witchekan Lake. October boreal forest, the area is blessed with a variety of habitats is the best time to watch for them. that support a wide range of nesting birds. Wetlands, Birds of Prey meadows, rolling hills, mixed wood and conifer forests Many species of raptors are summer residents in the attract approximately 200 species of nesting birds. Around Northern Lakes area. Ospreys and bald eagles soar high 70 additional species of northern nesting birds pass above lakes and rivers and build their untidy twig-nests through the area, often making a stop-over to refuel and in tall trees near water. A diversity of falcons and hawks rest before continuing on their journeys north. In addition, also nest here. The fighting-spirited northern goshawk is a several rare and endangered species can be found in the year-round resident. area. These factors combine to make the Northern Lakes Although the Northern Lakes region has few of the rocky a productive birding area with good prospects for a variety cliffs and ledges that make up their natural habitat, turkey of successful birding adventures. vultures are regular summer residents. Abandoned barns On the Central Flyway and the attics of derelict farm houses make attractive Located along the central flyway, the area is a thrilling nesting sites for these carrion-seeking scavengers. Watch place to be during spring and fall migration. In the fall, for these large black-brown birds soaring high on thermal snow geese, in flocks that number in the thousands, spend air currents over open country. their days gleaning fallen grain in local fields, then gather Wetlands and Waterfowl on water bodies in the evening. Witchekan Lake, on the While boating on lakes in the region, be on the look out outskirts of Spiritwood, is a favourite resting place for for many different kinds of waterfowl. Area lakes abound enormous flocks of migrating waterfowl. The dark-headed with numerous species of ducks, grebes, shorebirds and arctic-nesting Brant geese, sea-going cousins of Canada water-loving birds of prey. Common loons, mallards, geese, are also occasionally seen in the area. and Canada geese are easily recognizable and are The Whooping Crane entertaining to watch. With a little effort and determination, If spotting the endangered whooping crane is on your less common species can also be viewed. bucket list, the Northern Lakes region is the place to Slip quietly among the cattails and sedges as you be during fall migration. The whooping crane nests in a paddle your canoe and you might just spot the seldomremote area of Wood Buffalo National Park, on the border seen yellow rail or sora. These wetland birds are related of Alberta and the Northwest Territories and overwinters to the more common American coot but are much more in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Happily, secretive and elusive. Spotting a yellow rail is a rare prize, these magnificent birds make regular stop-overs of one even for most experienced birders.
54 26
Circle The Northwest • 2021-2022 The Spirit of the Northern Lakes
Birdwatching Wonderful Warblers
Step into a mature spruce forest. Listen and quietly wait. Your patience may be richly rewarded by a view of the beautiful Blackburnian Warbler in its vibrant orange-andblack breeding plumage. Magnolia warblers, cape may warblers, and many other of these miniature songsters may also be present. These delightful little insect-eating neotropical songbirds overwinter in Central and South America. Each spring many species of warblers return to nest in the Northern Lakes region and spotting a particular species is a highlight for many birders.
Birding at Sunset
When the sun sinks below the western horizon and the daytime songbirds become quiet, listen from beside a crackling campfire as the forest and woodland animals begin to stir. Pay attention to the new sounds that ring out at the end of the day. A sudden squawk may alert you to a black crowned night heron hunting in the shallows. Among the evening sounds you might also hear the whistlingfeathers “call” of the common snipe as it performs its aerial manoeuvres, the squeaky whinny of the sora, the booming of a ruffed grouse, or the hooting of an owl.
Northern Lakes Nightlife
For a unique late-night experience give owling a try. You don’t have to wait till midnight, as many owls become active about dusk. Pack a strong flashlight with extra batteries and take along some insect repellent. Owl spotting takes
patience, but it can be a highly rewarding and memorable experience. Follow your ears, as you’re likely to hear owls before you see them. If you’re still and quiet, off in the distance you might just catch the sound of the deep hoots of a greathorned owl, the maniacal laughing call of the barred owl, or the soft, low hoo-hoos of the much sought-after great gray. These owls, along with the northern hawk owl, northern saw whet, northern boreal, and possibly some short-eared owls are all year-round residents in the Northern Lakes region. You can also check local bird spotting reports to know where to go.
Permanent Residents
Strap on a pair of snow shoes or skis for a wonderful winter bird watching adventure in the Northern Lakes region. Although most birds leave the area during fall migrations, sighting one of our cold-hardy residents can make a winter outing extraordinary. A flash of yellow over snow-laden spruce trees may draw your attention to a flock of evening grosbeaks. A spark of red along a branch may yield a sighting of white-winged crossbills gleaning seeds from conifer cones. Winter in the Northern Lakes region is far from drab and boring! Other winter residents include the seldom seen threetoed and black-backed woodpeckers which forage for grubs in mature stands of conifers. Red crossbills, pine grosbeaks, as well as ruffed, sharp-tailed and spruce grouse are also present here all winter.
Circle The Northwest 55 The2021-2022 Spirit of• the Northern Lakes 27
Stay with us when you visit The Battlefords • 58 Room Hotel • 18 Hole Championship Golf Course • Licensed Dining and Convention Facilities • Full Service Seasonal Campground
Reservations
1-306-386-2800
Located in Battlefords Provincial Park
www.jackfishlodge.com
MARKETING YOUR PROPERTY TO THE WORLD
1391 - 100th Street. North Battleford, SK
of the Battlefords Each Office Independently Owned & Operated
(306) 446-8800
www.remaxbattlefords.com
Kayla Petersen Owner/ Broker
Dorothy Lehman REALTOR®
Shawna Schira-Kroeker REALTOR®
Brett Payne
Owner/ REALTOR®
Nicole Lovell REALTOR®
56 Circle The Northwest
Wally Lorenz
Owner/ Branch Manager
Shane Murdoch REALTOR®
• 2021-2022
Marlene Kotchorek Owner/ REALTOR®
Randal Cote REALTOR®
Heather Sarrazin REALTOR®
FREE Consultations With No Obligations!
St. Walburg | 306.248.3353
WE HAVE IT ALL! COMPLETE LINE OF HARDWARE • Tools Carpenter • Electrical & Plumbing Supplies COMPLETE LINE OF CAMPING/LEISURE SUPPLIES • Tents • Coolers • Air Mattresses • Sleeping Bags WE CARRY A FULL LINE OF FISHING TACKLE • Lures • Tackle Boxes • Life Jackets • BBQs • Briquettes • Starters • Lava Rock • Tanks COMPLETE LINE OF TOYS/CRAFTS • Puzzles • Puppets • Classic Toys • Play Food Sets • Art & Craft Supplies • Magnetic Dolls and more COMPLETE LINE OF HOUSEWARES
Assorted Giftware
St. Walburg Pharmacy
Children’s Toys
“Your closest drug store to the lake country”
• Lottery Sport - Select Centre • Confectionery • USB and Memory Cards • Batteries • Cosmetics • Baby Formula • Baby Supplies • Greeting Cards • Health & Beauty Products • Full Prescription Service
Pharmacist on duty five days a week. Monday through Friday.
306-248-3611 or 1-800-665-3611
Main Street, St. Walburg
Discover Our History, Smell Our Flowers, Listen to Our Birds & Enjoy Our Hospitality! Heritage Sites
St. Walburg & District Museum is housed in the old Roman Catholic Church on Main Street. Imhoff Museum, just south of town is the artist’s original studio. National Parks Historic Site of the 1885 Battle of Frenchman Butte can be found west of St. Walburg.
Natural Environment
Acres of wild flowers and berries, large variety of birds and abundant wildlife. Twelve large lakes and six golf courses within a 30 minute radius.
2007 INTERNATIONAL LIVCOM AWARDS
Earning the Criteria Award for Community Sustainability puts St. Walburg among prestigious company as one of the world’s most desirable places to live. The community also received a Silver Award in the Whole City Awards for communities under 20,000.
FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE INSIDE BOOKLET OR PHONE (306) 248-3232 EMAIL info@stwalburg.com or MAIL Town of St. Walburg, Box 368, St. Walburg, SK S0M 2T0
www.stwalburg.com
The Town
Life-sized bronze sculpture of Count Berthold von Imhoff on horseback, beautifully landscaped Centennial Park with a stunning town clock as its centrepiece, the Grotto and Shrine (a peaceful haven), integrated sports complex, Golf Course and Chuckwagon Monument.
Artists and Crafts People
Wildlife art, sculpture, drawing and many other interesting artists and art forms.
Services
Florists, home decorating and furniture, cappuccino and tea bar, massage therapy, hair stylists, nail studios and tanning salons, restaurants, liquor store, banking, camping/fishing supplies, pharmacy, souvenirs, clothing, hardware, lumber yard, Post Office, RCMP, ambulance, groceries, laundromat, gym, garages and health clinic.
Camping & Accommodations
Serviced campground with showers and electrical outlets. St. Walburg Inn, Farm House Inn, Blueberry Inn, and Marie’s Country Getaway.