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Special Milestone Celebrated during Myrnam Fun Days
Special Milestone Celebrated during Myrnam Fun Days
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Myrnam Fun Days was a great success from start to finish and extra special this year as three community groups celebrated five decades of service to the community.
The Myrnam Seniors Centre, Myrnam & District Agricultural Society and Myrnam Ukrainian Dance Club celebrate their 50th Anniversary during the two day event that was held July 19 and 20.
The event kicked-off Friday evening with a steak supper, bean bag tournament, kids’ activities, show and shine, beer gardens and fireworks. The following day a pancake breakfast, parade, perogy lunch and special performance by the Ukrainian dance club was held.
Nestor Saskiw, a Director with the Myrnam & District Agricultural Society and President of the Myrnam Seniors Club, shared some information about each of the groups he has volunteered with for many years.
The Myrnam & District Agricultural Society was incorporated on Feb. 18, 1974. President was Ed Wowk and Robert Farlane was the Secretary-Treasurer. “Over the next years the community of Myrnam & District decided they needed a facility where our youth, adults and families could gather. In 1975,’76 and ’77 under the leadership of Ed Wowk and Albert Holobowich as Secretary-Treasurer the ball got rolling to build an arena. In 1978-’78 President Nick Yanitski, Joe Machney and community had a sod turning ceremony on Oct. 31, 1979, and dreams came true.
In 1980, a hard working executive: President Nick Yanitski, 1st Vice President Ken Hladunewich, 2nd Vice President Orest Stelmaschuk and Secretary-Treasurer Albert Holotjowich got the community behind them and completed the building with the official opening on March 15, 1981.
The arena was a hive of activity with hockey teams at all levels, parents and players taking care of the ice and food concession. Many fundraising activities were held to pay and improve the arena. In the following years a tractor and ice scraper were purchased followed with our present Zamboni. Three ball diamonds, parking lot, soccer field and washrooms were built. We upgraded our kitchen, lobby, washrooms, dressing rooms and improved the lighting and built a new Zamboni room.
Over the years we hosted bull sales, bench shows, indoor and outdoor rodeos, 4-H sales, soccer, ball tournaments firemen hose laying contests and a fall craft show and sale. Presently, we have our annual two day fun days, steak or chicken supper, kids’ games, show and shine, bean bag tournament, beer gardens and fireworks on Friday evening. On Saturday we have a pancake breakfast, followed by a parade and perogy dinner at the Seniors Centre. Present Executive: President Bob Maroniuk, Vice President Terry Axley, Secretary Tracy Winterbottom and Treasurer Jamie Saskiw.
The Myrnam Seniors Centre was incorporated on May 8, 1974. It was officially opened on Nov. 13, 1974, by the Honorable Don Mazankowski MP for the Vegreville Constituency, President Mike Keluzniak and Corporal Roger Matycio unveiling the plaque, Premier of Alberta, the Honourable Peter Lougheed, MLA Bud Miller and County of Two Hills No. 21 Reeve John Dudar.
Executive: President Mike Lynkowski, Vice President Mike Boyko, Secretary-Treasurer WM Chorney, and Directors: Mike Lynkowski, John Grykeliak and Mike Fodchuk. Women at the Helm (Sunrise Ladies) President Mildred Dubelts, Vice President Nancy Kaluzniak, Secretary-Treasurer Kay Salowan. Social Committee: Nancy Lynkowsky, Anne Osinchuk, Anne Chmilar, Katie Maksymiuk and Anne Krynkowski.
On this plaque we have members’ name of the community whom raised money to purchase the Red & White Store owned by Mrs. W. Makowichuk. Over the years it was a place for seniors to meet over coffee, play cards, pool, bingo, and of course, worked together to raise funds to keep the centre alive.
In 1987, sod turning ceremony for the new addition (Besney’s store, M&M Store). Bingo every Wednesday which lasted many years was organized by Raymond Yarewchuk with his helpers Edward Sosnowski, Linda Edwards and Karl Chomlak. Mary Chomlak and her helpers Francis Yanitski, Jean Kleijen, Katie Rominiuk, Gloria Hladunewich, Joyce Straty and Anne Godziuk, who catered to many events and celebrations.
Present Executive: President Nestor Saskiw, Vice President Ken Chudyk, Secretary Pat Yackimec and Treasurer Ken Hladunewich.
The Myrnam Ukrainian Dance Club held a special performance to celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Elks Hall. Jeannie Kwasnycia welcomed everyone and shared some of her history with the club. “In 1974, I started Ukrainian dancing as a little five-year-old Jeannie Chychul. Then, my children Ariel and Dylan Kwasnycia danced with Myrnam as pre-teens. Now, this year I joined again as a not so little 55-year-old, just so I could proudly say that I danced in the same club, 50 years later with my precious little grandchildren Henry and Emma Kwasnycia. Unfortunately, they have a family wedding today and can’t be with us. I’ve been humbled by the generosity of my instructors and my fellow dancers, helping Baba get this far.”
She pointed out that there are several generational dances in the club and said it warmed her heart to see so many familiar faces spanning those 50 years and to see all the new faces that are a part of the club’s legacy.
“I’m especially grateful to those visionaries that had the courage, determination, vision and talent to develop a truly amazing Ukrainian dance family called the Myrnam and District Dancing Club.” She also requested alumni to stand up and be recognized as well as toasted members past and present.
Mary Karbashewski, who served as President in 1976, 1977 and 1984 also shared her memories and had a special toast of her own following her speech. Mary’s daughter Kari Karbashewski-Morgan said it was an honour to return home after 50 years. “I didn’t realize that Ukrainian dance would be the thread that would tie me back to my home town.”
Karbashewski-Morgan expressed her gratitude to the founders of the club and those in attendance. She fondly reminisced about her first performance, going to the Pysanka Festival in 1974 and years later travelling to Dauphin, Manitoba to participate in Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival.
“Dance for me connected me to my Ukrainian roots and over my 34 years of Ukrainian dancing I have made lifelong lasting friendships and still love dancing!”
Violet Yackimec shared some of her memories in a speech she originally prepared and delivered with Sandra Charchun at a club celebration this past April. Violet’s daughter Jade said it was her first year back dancing in 10 years with the club’s adult group and hopes to return again next season.
