ShellbrookShellbrook ChronicleChronicle && SpiritwoodSpiritwood HeraldHerald VOL. 108 NO. 53 PMR #40007604 Thursday, December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Looking back on the year that was 2020

MP Gary Vidal (centre left) and Mayor Gary Von Holwede (centre right) attended the senior hockey game for a ceremonial puck drop to wrap up ‘Hockey Day in Spiritwood.’

JANUARY the recreation director for the city of sented to Tanis and Callie Franson for Spir- You learn to do without. The Catholic Church was packed to the Prince Albert. itwood Minor Ball who were the winners of That’s how Shellbrook senior Edith Hen- rafters with spectators awaiting the ever That all changed Monday morning, the 2019 Lions Lottery Grant. ry explains the options many seniors in popular Rivier Christmas Concert on Dec. with the announcement that Olsen has *** the province are left with each month, as 19. Father Peter gave a blessing before the been promoted to the position of recre- While Christmas is meant to be a time they are forced to decide between purchas- Kindergarten to Grade 6 classes of the ation manager for the city. of joy and togetherness, this past holiday ing groceries or necessary, but sometimes Catholic elementary school took the stage In this new role, Olsen will oversee season in Shellbrook saw greater need costly, prescription medications. for a variety of singing, dancing, and joke all of the city’s sports fields, arenas, than ever for the food bank operated by the The comment came near the tail end of an telling before entertaining the crowd with aquatics facilities, and fitness and rec- Shellbrook and District Ministerial Asso- informal discussion about the challenges play reminding everyone of the meaning of reation programming. ciation. facing Saskatchewan Seniors. That discus- Christmas. *** All told, the faith-based organization sion saw Premier Scott Moe spend nearly *** The Spiritwood Lions held their Christ- handed out 42 food hampers, complete two hours with members of the Shellbrook For some folks in Shellbrook, Cur- mas Potluck and Games Night at the Legion with ham and turkey, to families and indi- Senior’s Association, listening and empa- tis Olsen may be most recognizable in Hall on Jan. 2. There was a large selection viduals, benefitting 134 people in the com- thizing with the struggles they’re facing. his Shellbrook Elks uniform. But for of food to choose from and a wide variety munity (73 adults and 61 children). *** the past decade he’s also worked as of games to play after. A cheque was pre- *** Continued on page 2

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS? R QUIT SMOKING We can help with that! R LOSE WEIGHT 2021 Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year’s! R SLEEP BETTER Main Street, Shellbrook Woodland Pharmacy Ph: 306-747-2545 2 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 Looking back on the year that was 2020

January Cont’d Just two-months ago, Brooklyn Ander- son was making history as a member of the Team Saskatchewan squad that won the province’s first-ever U18 Women’s Na- tionals medal (a silver). Now, the 17-year-old Shellbrook-born hockey player, who currently captains the Prince Albert Northern Bears of the Sas- katchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League, is further padding her resume with a commitment to play for the Trinity Western University Spartans in Langley, B.C. *** The Cut Knife Sledge Hockey Club made a trip up to Spiritwood on Jan. 11 to pro- After years of playing in different mote the sport and give kids and adults cities, local hockey talents Brooklyn an opportunity to try out the sport. They Anderson and Ashlee Wolfe will be brought along the sleds and helped inter- reunited at Langley, B.C.’s Trinity ested parties get strapped in and started Retired NHLer Dennis Hull was this year’s special guest at the Hockey Day Western University. on the ice. Saturday afternoon was full in Shellbrook Banquet. Both at his table, and on the stage, he wasn’t afraid to of smiling faces coasting around the rink enjoy a good laugh. paint a tree and a mountain and different trying to shoot the puck off the ice while things.” they tried this variation on a game they lyn Schmitz. itwood Minor Hockey’s ‘Hockey Day in *** know and love. After a busy summer of skating with her Spiritwood.’ The fun-filled day was orga- The Parkside Community Club contin- *** pairs partner Tristan Taylor, the pair was nized by Sheila Turgeon who was helped ued its long-standing tradition of giv- The accolades continue to pile up for back in action last week, earning a silver out by Kirstin Buswell, the Northern ing back to the community last Tuesday, 13-year-old Shellbrook figure skater Ash- medal in the novice pairs category at the Wolves Female Hockey Team, the Spirit- when club president Jeff Ledding stopped 2020 Canadian Tire Na- wood Timberwolves Senior Hockey Team, by the Shellbrook Public Library to pres- tional Skating Champion- and Spiritwood Minor hockey players and ent a $1,000 cheque to the library. PICK OF ships in Mississauga, Ont. parents. The donation was directed towards the THE WEEK *** *** library’s computer fund. The Shellbrook Recre- At least two suspects are wanted by the *** ation Complex was the Saskatchewan RCMP, following a string The Witchekan Wildlife Federation (LR917A) place to be over the week- of rural break-ins during the wee hours of (WWF), a branch under SWF with ap- 2016 Edge SEL AWD end, as the fifth and penul- the morning on Friday, Jan. 17. proximately 460 members, hosted their 3.5L-V6/ Kylss Entry/ Rmt Strt/ $23,995* timate Hockey Day in Shell- All told, police say the suspects hit 10 Wildlife Banquet on Jan. 25 to wrap up SYNC/ Htd Strng Whl/ brook celebration brought rural businesses or rural municipalities a busy 2019. Rvrs Snsng/ Rvrs Cmr/ Trlr two days jam-packed with in Hafford, Blaine Lake, Leask, Shell The 48th installment of the Banquet Tw Pkg/ NAV/ White Platinum hockey action to the com- Lake, and Rabbit Lake, stealing more was attended by 134 people and catered 111kms* munity. than $16,000 worth of money, merchan- by Marion’s Burger Bar, who served a The celebration of all dise, tools, or other items. smorgasbord of game meat donated by Toll Free 1-800-667-3353 things hockey brought in a *** members of the WWF. whopping $100,000, lifting When Tammy Smart at- #2 Highway West, Watrous, SK DL907154 the five-year fundraising tended a paint night event www.centennialford.sk.ca *Kms and price in thousands. Taxes not included in price. total over $500,000 in Shellbrook a couple *** years ago, she had no way Lake Country Co-operative Association Limited The Spiritwood Recre- of knowing what she was Notice of Call for Delegate Nominations ation Centre was packed on getting herself into. Saturday, Jan. 18 for Spir- By the end of that eve- Lake Country Co-operative Association Limited is seeking candidates to ll the following 2021 Delegate positions: ning, however, she was hooked on painting. BIRCH HILLS – One 3-year term MARCELIN – One 3-year term “I thought maybe I should go out and buy some BIRCH HILLS – One 2-year term NIPAWIN – One 3-year term canvases and some paint BIG RIVER – One 3-year term PADDOCKWOOD – One 3-year term and just play around at home, so that’s what I did,” CANWOOD – One 3-year term PRINCE ALBERT – Five 3-year terms she said. “I went online and Witchekan Wildlife Federation Banquet attendees CHOICELAND – One 3-year term SHELLBROOK – One 3-year term watch tutorials of how to enjoying the meal and visiting.

DOMREMY – One 3-year term SMEATON – One 3-year term

DOMREMY – One 2-year term SPIRITWOOD – One 3-year term

KINISTINO – One 3-year term WAKAW – One 3-year term

LA RONGE – One 3-year term

Delegate Nominations will be held January 5 to January 11, 2021. Nominations will not be accepted after 5:00 pm on January 11, 2021. Eligibility requirements, roles & responsibilities can be found within the nomination packages which can be obtained online at www.lakecountryco-op.crs or are available at all Lake Country Food Store locations, Agro Centre in Shellbrook, and Service Centre in Spiritwood. Shellbrook’s Ashlyn Schmitz and pairs part- ner Tristan Taylor won novice pairs silver at the 2020 Canadian Tire National Skating Cham- The students from Rivier School put on a much-enjoyed Christmas Concert pionships. to ring in the 2019 holiday season. December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 3 Looking back on the year that was 2020

FEBRUARY munity that she and Joe loved best of Two Shellbrook recreation facilities all, Velma left $153,020.73 to the Hid- have been named beneficiaries of large den Hills of Shellbrook Golf Course, and donations from the estate of the late another $76,510.36 to the Shellbrook Velma Ell. Swimming Pool, bringing the total do- Velma, a career teacher who lived nations from her estate to $229,531.09. many of her years in Shellbrook with *** her husband Joe Ell (who passed in After more than three decades of 2004), passed away on Feb. 10, 2018 at painting, artist John Chin says he still the age of 91. Though Velma taught in follows the wisdom of Pablo Picasso. many communities up until her retire- “Picasso once said you paint accord- ment, she and Joe both said they liked ing to what you think, not what you ac- Shellbrook best, and even built their tually see. I have always been very in- home in the community. terested in doing that,” he said. “You do To give something back to the com- a lot of internalization and imagination, Amidst the dancing at the Shellbrook Seniors Hall, the band members and and change things seniors gathered for a group picture, both to commemorate the event and to from one perspective show off all of the Valentine’s Day red they were sporting. to another. You create something interesting the Spirit of the North Curling Clas- *** or unusual.” sic, three each from Spiritwood High The Shell Lake Curling Club was a For Chin, who was School, St. Mary’s in Prince Albert, and hopping place from Jan. 31 through born in Malaysia, the Meadow Lake High School. Feb. 1 for the Shell Lake Open Bonspiel. love of art began when All three teams from Spiritwood, A team from Spiritwood, skipped by he was seven or eight as well as one team from St. Mary’s in Wayne Pauls, had a three game sweep years old and just be- Prince Albert, advanced on to the play- to take the top spot in the tournament. ginning his education. offs where team Booth from Spiritwood *** This love and excite- took the top spot. Instead of tackling two productions, ment for the visual *** one for Juniors and one for Seniors, the arts brought him to The Spiritwood Curling club had a Spiritwood High School drama troupe Saskatchewan and busy week kicking off the bonspiel sea- combined forces to put on one larger the U of S, where he son, starting with the Spiritwood Curl- play, “Just Another High School Play.” obtained a bachelor of ing Club Closed Bonspiel which ran Seventeen students took on the act- fine arts. from Jan. 27 through 29. ing roles while nine students were part The Spiritwood High School Girls Team placed first *** In the finale, Ron Craswell’s rink, in- of the tech crew, managing the sounds, at the Battle West District Playdowns. From left: Nine teams came cluding Karstin Booth, Bohdan Booth, lights, and props. Mrs. MacFarlane, coach Jason Reddekopp, lead Amber Simonar, third down to the Spirit- and Shannon Caffet filling in for Gail assisted by Ben Willick headed up the Payge Galambos, skip Aleah McNabb, and coach Brad wood Curling Club on Radke, emerged victorious over Don production’s direction, which was a big Nemish. Missing from photo is second Jaida Jones. Saturday, Feb. 1 for Turgeon’s team. task considering the number of actors involved. *** Spiritwood artist Richard Thunder- child received a $6,800 Indigenous Peoples Art and Artists grant to “pro- vide classes for adults and youth to learn the powwow craft of headroach- making.” *** The Shellbrook Curling Club was the place to be for curling fans of all ages, when the club hosted its annual Open Bonspiel on Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8. In a hard-fought A-Event final, team From left: Skip Donn Goertz, third Goertz, including Donn Goertz, Clint Clint Rissling, second Terry Goertz, Rissling, Terry Goertz, and Dave Kop- and lead Dave Kopera. The Team era, remained unbeatable and claimed topped Mostly Sticks in a gruelling Members of the Shellbrook Kinettes and Shellbrook Kinsmen braved bitter- the title. final match at the Shellbrook Open ly cold conditions to host 2020’s Day of KINdness,which coincided with the *** Bonspiel on Saturday, Feb. 8. 100th anniversary of Kin Canada and Kin Canada Week (Feb. 16 to 22). Continued on page 4

New Year celebrations will be a little different this year. While we cannot gather together as we have in the past, we can be confident that better days are ahead. Happy New Year; be safe in 2021.

Nadine Wilson Hon. Jeremy Harrison Hon. Scott Moe, Premier MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers MLA for Meadow Lake MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 306-763-0615 306-236-6669 306-747-3422 4 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 Looking back on the year that was 2020

February Cont’d trict Lions Club were presented with Life ity volunteer, led six elders in two hand bell *** Thanks to Affinity Credit Union District Memberships in the Lions Foundation of selections. They arrived on Feb. 2 at Hartley Clark Funding, the Leask Sports Centre was able Canada (LFC) at the Feb. 6 meeting of the *** Elementary School, a hundred little orange to purchase a new Fire Suppression system club. A woman who stabbed and killed her com- spheres each with two black dots that would for above the grill and deep fryer. It’s a safety The two, Lion Megan Allard and Lion mon law partner during a heated argument later turn into eyes. These eyed rainbow trout system that’s needed to operate the grill and Shelley Allard were chosen by the club to re- has received an eight year prison sentence. eggs made the trek from the Fort Qu’Appelle deep fryer and ours needed replacing. The ceive these honorary distinctions, which are Danielle Lidguerre, 34, pleaded guilty to a Fish Culture Station up to Spiritwood as part lunch counter is where we make our income granted to the club by the Lions Foundation charge of manslaughter in the death of Lind- of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation’s on our Fun Fridays wing nights and during of Canada. say Voyer, 33, in June, 2018. The incident (SWF) Fish in Schools program. skating/hockey events, without it our goose *** happened at a residence in Shellbrook, where *** was literally cooked! It seems Old Man Winter has it out for the the couple lived with their two young daugh- The Spiritwood Curling Club was the host *** Shellbrook Kinettes and Shellbrook Kins- ters. of the high school Battle West District Play- The Medstead and District Recreation As- men. *** downs, which took place on Feb. 11 and 12. sociation (MADRA) put on their annual La- This year’s Day of KINdness, held at the Hartley Clark hosted an Aboriginal Story- All the students came out and played well dies Bonspiel Jan. 24 through 25. Kinsmen outdoor rink on Monday, Feb. 17 telling session by Chad Solomon for students during the two-day event with all three Sheets were full of games as only one team to coincide with Kin Canada’s 100th anni- from Hartley Clark and Rivier Elementary teams from Spiritwood going home with gold had a bye all weekend. In the end, Darcy de versary and Kin Canada Week (Feb. 16-22), Schools on Feb. 11. Mr. Solomon brought medals. Montarnal’s team hailing from Edam beat brought another year of bitter cold and snow. along some Rabbit and Bear Paws puppets for MARCH out Kristine Raess’ hometown crew from Even still, the Kinsmen and Kinettes per- children and adults to use to help tell the sto- Students from W.P. Sandin High School Medstead to take the top spot in the tourna- severed. ry about a treaty made as a promise to share and Shellbrook Elementary School united on ment. *** the earth so that everyone would benefit from Wednesday, Feb. 26 to send a strong message *** Some danced with their lifelong sweet- all animals. for Pink Shirt Day, an annual day, observed Two members of the Spiritwood and Dis- hearts, others danced with new loves, and *** by schools across Canada, that focuses on others, still, danced with good friends. Greeted by near-perfect conditions for stamping out bullying once and for all. Regardless of who they linked up with on snowmobiling, 112 riders showed up at the The message this year was one of encour- the dance floor at the Shellbrook Senior Citi- little Cameo Hall on Saturday, Feb. 15 to take agement, calling on students to “lift each zen’s Centre on Friday afternoon, everyone part in the annual Cameo Snowmobile Rally. other up.” had a good time at the Shellbrook Senior’s *** *** Association’s Valentine’s Day potluck and old- A former administrator for the Rural Mu- As many as 70 kids were on the ice at Shell- tyme dance. nicipality of Buckland, and beloved figure in brook’s Richardson Pioneer Recreation Cen- *** Shellbrook’s hockey community, is facing a tre, when the Prince Albert Raiders rolled Shellbrook residents will be paying more serious accusation. into town for a practice, sponsored by MJW for water, sewer, garbage, and recycling ser- Tara Kerber, who served as administrator Chartered Professional Accountant, on Tues- vices starting this month, following a rate in- for the R.M. of Buckland from 2012 to 2019, day, Feb. 25. crease by the town. has been charged with theft over $5,000. Following the practice, the team hosted a Assuming ratepayers don’t exceed their The circumstances surrounding the charge meet and greet, allowing kids to join them on monthly water or sewer consumption rates, have not yet been publicly released, and rep- the ice for a skate, and get autographs from Lion Megan Allard (left) and Lion they’ll now be paying a base utility bill of resentatives from the R.M. have declined their favourite players. Shelley Allard (centre) were present- $107.37 per month, compared to $101.02. comment on the matter while it’s before the *** ed with certificates denoting Life *** court. Continued on page 5 Membership in the Lions founda- At Parkland Integrated Health Centre’s an- tion of Canada. The presentation was nual Sweetheart Lunch eight out of 11 couples made by Spiritwood Lion President joined in the romantic dining experience. Bryan Ferguson (right). Linda Bator, Saskatchewan Health Author-

W.P. Sandin High School Students Josee Schatkoske and Addison Kerber The cast and crew of Spiritwood High School’s “Just Another High School cook up hot dogs for their young charges from Shellbrook Elementary School, Play.” during the schools’ Pink Shirt Day festivities.

C. J. Pepper, Publisher The contents of the Shellbrook Chronicle and Spiritwood Shellbrook Chronicle Herald are protected by Copyright. Reproduction of any Serving the Communities of Shellbrook, Canwood, Jordan Twiss, Shellbrook Chronicle Reporter material must be done so with expressed permission of Debden, Big River, Parkside, Leask, Marcelin, [email protected] the publisher. Blaine Lake, Holbein, Mont Nebo, Mayview Alison Sullivan, Spiritwood Herald Reporter LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: In the interest of readers of (306) 841-8317 or [email protected] this newspaper, we will publish opinions of our readers. Spiritwood Herald Letters To The Editor are most welcome; however, they Serving the Communities of Spiritwood, Shell Lake, Meghan Penney, Composition/Pagination must be signed and include writer’s contact information and will only be published with the writer’s name on it. Letters Leoville, Chitek Lake, Mildred, Rabbit Lake, Medstead, & Advertising Sales [email protected] Mayfair, Bapaume, Belbutte, Glaslyn should be limited in length and be typed or clearly written. Karen Stene, Bookkeeping/Reception We reserve the right to edit letters depending on available A Division of Pepperfram Limited Publications space. Mail Registration #07621 [email protected] Member of Published Every Thursday Morning Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; P.O. Box 10, Shellbrook, Sask. S0J 2E0 Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1 to 4 p.m.; Phone 306-747-2442 or Fax 306-747-3000 Advertising Deadline: Fridays at 4:00 p.m. Editorial: [email protected] websites: www.shellbrookchronicle.com Advertising [email protected] www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 5 Looking back on the year that was 2020

March Cont’d those of the Rec Facility Manager, Glen- when Marylnn Cross dug up the It was well worth the short trip to the nalda Saam. With more focus on bringing newspaper clipping from the Spiritwood Main Street Galley on Friday, new events, enhancing existing events, and first installment “Phantom of Feb. 28. A new show has opened called “A planning for funding initiatives through the Op’ry” that this was the 37th Journey Through My Eyes” which is dis- grants and fundraisers, Cross will liaise year. playing a large collection of work from lo- with user groups to ensure their event’s *** cal artist Monica Kitching. success. The Spiritwood curling club *** *** was the lucky host of this year’s The Spiritwood High School Senior Curl- There was no shortage of activity on the Saskatchewan High School Ath- ing teams were back at it again over the Big River First Nation on Friday, March letics Association’s (SHSAA) weekend, with the girls and mixed teams 6, when the community hosted its second Provincial Mixed Curling Cham- returning to the Spiritwood rink while the annual Hockey Day in conjunction with pionships. boys hit the road down to Wilkie. Se-Se-Wa-Hum High School’s Winter Car- Going undefeated over the The boys had a good couple of days down nival. weekend, Spiritwood’s mixed The Shellbrook Curling Club’s Learn to Curl in Wilkie and made it through to the final. Where the high school’s Winter Carnival curling team was able to reclaim program is all about teaching kids the basics of Martensville got the better of them and was steeped in traditional activities de- its provincial title. the game. Here, coach Marliese Kasner gives sent them home with a silver medal and signed to get students in touch with their *** a young curler some advice before he throws the end to their season. culture, the action over the rink was almost Continued on page 6 his rock. *** exclusively focused on all things hockey. The Canada Post Staff in Spiritwood What’s more, players and fans alike got a hosted a retirement party at Ming’s Wok taste of the NHL thanks to special guests, on March 1 to celebrate the departure of and retired NHLers, Cody McCormick and Diana Tiringer and Monica Kitching from Jason Simon. the company. *** *** It wasn’t quite a record-setting year, but, There was a great turn out for the Med- following in the footsteps of its immediate stead Skate Club’s 2020 Skating Carnival. predecessor, Kinsmen Telemiracle 44 was Medstead hosted four guest skaters travel- still a highly successful one. ling from Spiritwood and the Battlefords. Altogether the campaign, which culmi- Despite March coming in like a lion, they nated in a weekend-long telethon at TCU made the trip for our carnival which was Place in Saskatoon, saw the province raise appreciated. Their performances were very a whopping $5.5 million for a very good much enjoyed by both the club and the cause — just $90,000 or so shy of last community. year’s total. *** As always, the Shellbrook Kinsmen and The Town of Spiritwood and SARCS are Kinettes played a part in this total, bring- The Medstead Skating Club put on an excellent Skating Carnival for all who very pleased to announce the appointment ing in $14,792.50 attended. of Kaeli Cross to the new position of Events *** & Recreation Co-ordinator. With its Learn to Curl program, the Kaeli’s principle duties will run alongside Shellbrook Curling Club is helping create NOTICE TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS the curlers of tomorrow — and also, potentially, securing its own longev- ity as a community organization. The Shellbrook Chronicle From November to March, 16 kids in Grades 1 through 5 took part in and 10 fun and educational sessions de- signed to teach them the ins and outs The Spiritwood Herald of the sport. *** Three nights of comedic drama and two nights of delicious food. Spiritwood’s cure for the winter YOUR blues as prescribed each year by the Spiritwood Spirited Players. Direc- tor Cari Cross announced that de- SUBSCRIPTION Monica Kitching answers questions about spite having thought it was the 35th her painting journey. year of the production, she realized IS COMING DUE! 75.00 + 3.75 GST = 78.75/year “Have you considered giving a Gift Subscription to someone?” Phone 306-747-2442

Retired NHLer Cody McCormick spent most of the Big River First Nation’s Box 10, Shellbrook, Sk. S0J 2E0 second annual Hockey Day on the ice with hockey players, both young and old, trying to teach them lessons he learned throughout his own career. Pho- or email: [email protected] to courtesy of Samantha Stouffer 6 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 Looking back on the year that was 2020

March Cont’d Shahab, will be closing all pre-Kindergar- March 14 the town hosted their Bunnock In 2019, after a couple years and several ten to Grade 12 schools in the province in- tournament which drew 10 teams all out meetings regarding necessary repairs and definitely, effective Friday, March 20. for a few games of bones. hall usage, the decision was made to close *** *** the Belbutte Hall. This year, the building The Shell Lake Fifty-Plus Club again The Medstead Leisure Life club held will be 80 years old. hosted their Annual Senior Curling Bon- their monthly meeting on March 2, 2020 *** spiel the first week in March. Curlers came at 7:30 p.m. Our birthday recipients for This hockey season will officially go from surrounding communities to com- March were Fern Moen and Louise Cas- down in history as the season when teams pete in the event. A total of nine teams son. Congratulations to both ladies, and a of all levels wonder what could have been contested to be the top team. Guy Cyr and special congratulations to Louise Casson — not because they ended their title runs his team had a strong showing and went to who has reached a milestone of 90 years. with bitter defeats, but because they the A Event final where he edged out the We hope she will celebrate many more weren’t given the chance to play their cam- Lloyd Fisher team. with us. paigns out to the end. *** APRIL On Friday, Hockey Canada announced Prairie Centre Credit Union (PCCU) held With estimates that as many as two mil- that all of its sanctioned activities, includ- a grand opening ceremony March 12 to un- lion Canadian workers have been laid off ing National Championships, were can- veil the renovated Spiritwood branch. or are facing the threat of losing their jobs celled until further notice in response to Spiritwood Mayor Gary von Holwede cut to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reality of the spread of the coronavirus. the ribbon held by PCCU Board members the virus is being felt in rural Saskatch- *** Wayne Pauls and Jason Gaboury. ewan. Aaliyah Kennedy Sunrise Ross, a Locked out Unifor 594 workers made an *** On Monday afternoon, Carrier Lumber seven-year-old from Big River First appearance at the Shellbrook Co-op gas Though COVID-19 is currently casting a temporarily suspended two of its opera- Nation, was born with spina bifida, station and C-store last week, just as the long shadow over the global economy, the tions, including the Big River Sawmill and and had to undergo a four-hour sur- special mediation window for the dispute Sask. Party government decided to push the Tabor Planer mill in Prince George, gery when she was just one month between the union and the Regina Co-op ahead with tabling its estimates for the B.C. old. But her family says learning to Refinery Complex (CRC) closed. 2020-2021 fiscal year last week. The closures will result in the layoff of skate and play hockey has helped It was, by all measures, a peaceful and The estimates, provided in lieu of the around 120 staff members. change her life. Here she’s pictured law-abiding demonstration, that saw about provincial government’s full budget for the *** with Berno Bear. Photo courtesy Sa- a dozen workers picket and stop vehicles to year, outlines the Sask. Party’s planned Normally around this time of year, Shell- mantha Stouffer chat or hand out pamphlets. expenditures, pegging overall spending brook’s senior curlers would be crowning *** at $14.15 billion — a 3.1 per cent increase their champions in the local Senior Bon- *** With five new presumptive cases of from 2019-2020 — and including spend- spiel. But with concerns about COVID-19, As many people are stuck at home wait- coronavirus (COVID-19) having popped ing increases for healthcare, education, the difficult decision was made to protect ing for the COVID-19 pandemic to blow up in the province over the weekend — and social services. the health of the curlers and cancel what over, the band leaders of Sturgeon Lake bringing the total in the province to seven However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 remained of the wind-up. First Nation have devised a novel way to cases — the Saskatchewan government pandemic and the unknown impacts it They did give it the old college try, how- bring the community together and keep has announced new measures to combat will have on the province’s economy, the ever. And, based on the action from the them entertained. the spread of the virus. estimates don’t include any forecasts for Wednesday March 11 and Monday, March After the virus forced the cancellation of The province, working on the orders of revenues. 16 draws, it was shaping up to be another the community’s annual Winter Festival, Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib *** great bonspiel. the band began thinking of ideas to put With COVID-19 spreading *** on a different kind of show for the com- across Saskatchewan, all vil- It was March 17, the height of the global munity. In the end, it landed on an online lage, town, and R.M. offices in toilet paper panic buying frenzy, when the talent competition. the coverage area of the Shell- town of Shellbrook sent out a notice to *** brook Chronicle and Spiritwood ratepayers cautioning them not to flush As Saskatchewan grapples with a state Herald have announced that anything other than toilet paper into the of emergency brought on by the COVID-19 they are closing to the general municipality’s sewer system. pandemic, not even the province’s courts public. Some of those closures Eight days later, the town’s warning to are immune to the shutdown of everything are slated to last two weeks, ratepayers became a reality. in the province. while others are indefinite in Due to an influx of improper materi- On Friday (March 27), the Provincial nature. als being flushed, one of the town’s sewer Court of Saskatchewan sent out a notice *** pumps has suffered “a substantial amount advising that all proceedings scheduled Rabbit Lake is home to a of damage” and is in need of a repair or a to be heard at the Whitefish First Nation charming little retirement home replacement. Provincial Court on Tuesday, April 14 had Spiritwood Mayor Gary von Holwede cut the commonly referred to as the been postponed for three ribbon to officially open the renovated Credit Rose Gill Lodge. The town oc- months. Union. The ribbon was held by Spiritwood’s casionally hosts fundraisers to *** Board Members Wayne Pauls and Jason bring in some money to keep the A hot goaltending pros- Gaboury. place staffed and running. On pect with ties to Shellbrook could find himself wear- ing a Nashville Predators jersey when the NHL gets back up and running. Twenty-three-year-old Connor Ingram, the son of Brent and Joni Ingram, and nephew of Brent Miller, re- cently inked a three-year contract with the Preda- tors worth $700,000 at the NHL level and $120,000 at the AHL level in 2020- 21, $750,000 at the NHL level and $125,000 at the Caleb and Marcail Philp helped bring some Eas- AHL level in 2021-22, and As the Co-op Refinery lockout of Unifor 594 workers stretches into its third ter spirit to the community in the midst of the CO- $750,000 in 2022-23. month, workers made an appearance at Shellbrook’s Lake Country Co-op gas VID-19 pandemic by stashing egg-shaped treats *** station and C-store to send their message to the public. along the Shellriver Road. Continued on page 7 December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 7 Looking back on the year that was 2020

April Cont’d The Spiritwood Public Library was due to host Dr. Harold Fast, founder of Fast Ge- netics and recreational pilot on March 24. However, due to the closure of all non- essential services amid the COVID-19 Pan- demic, the library has had to forgo all pro- gramming until further notice. The program, titled “Learn at Lunch,” was to feature a lunch time presentation by Fast about his fundraising flight expedition with Give Hope Wings that would travel around South America to raise money for Hope Air. *** As COVID-19 continues its gradual spread across Saskatchewan, few commu- nities are as prepared as the Big River First Nation is to face the threats it poses. W.P. Sandin High School teacher Lindsay Kyliuk writes on the white- Where governments of all sizes around board attached to his Math Mobile. The novel teaching method was de- the world were caught flat-footed and left vised as a way to teach students in person while practicing proper physi- reacting to the pandemic, Jack Rayne, cal distancing. Kids cleaned up Cameron-Bourdages Me- Chief of the Big River First Nation, says his morial Park in Spiritwood as part of Rivi- community began introducing prepared- With the COVID-19 pandemic prevent- shoppers safe during these uncertain er School’s Be Kind Tuesdays. ness measures “right away” when it first ing families from gathering for Easter, the times. Their protocols have been con- heard about COVID-19. Philp family decided to bring the spirit of tinuously updated as more information is all local playground structures and sports *** the holiday to Shellbrook by hiding Easter brought to light. fields. The COVID-19 pandemic has left Sas- treats all along the Shellriver Road. *** The town made the announcement on its katchewan’s small business community in Nicole Philp let the public know about the Though COVID-19 has given Shellbrook website and Facebook page on April 29, cit- uncharted waters. egg hunt via a Facebook post that took the ratepayers plenty to worry about over the ing concerns that the use of shared high- As a small-town grocery store, Jody form of a poem. past month and a half, an increase in prop- touch surfaces could help the spread of CO- Lanovaz says the Shellbrook Bigway hasn’t *** erty taxes won’t be added to those concerns. VID-19 and endanger the health and safety been immune to the changes brought on by With the ongoing COVID-19 forcing busi- Shellbrook’s town council tabled the of families. the pandemic. nesses to make difficult cutbacks or close 2020-2021 municipal budget on April 20. *** “It’s been mostly supply chain issues and their doors altogether, some ratepayers The budget projects that revenues and ex- A Shellbrook-based company is going to shortages; that’s been the biggest thing,” he have been wondering what sacrifices and penses will be dead even at $3,815,263 — an be contributing in a big way to the final said. “Then, because of what’s been going cutbacks their municipalities are making increase of just $5,000 over the 2019-2020 phase of the project to upgrade the Shell- on all over, it seems everything’s been run- to save money during difficult economic budget, which was higher than normal due brook Recreation Complex. ning late.” times. to infrastructure work being held over. Curtis Bloom’s Livewire Electric was *** Kelly Hoare, chief administrative officer The budget also holds the mill rate steady selected from a pool of 27 companies to Students in the Light of Christ Catholic for the town of Shellbrook, says the town at 3.98, after ratepayers saw a 3 per cent in- complete the installation of the rink’s solar School Division (LOCCSD) were able to hit office, which is closed to the public, isn’t as crease in last year’s budget. panel array. the books again starting March 30. full as it normally is. Currently she’s there *** *** Following the indefinite suspension of all alone during the day, while one other staff MAY It may soon be the end of the line for one pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 classes member is working evenings and a third is When the Hidden Hills of Shellbrook of Shellbrook’s oldest original buildings. on March 20, the provincial government’s working from home. Golf Course is permitted to reopen on May At its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, May Education Response Planning Team (RPT) “We are considered an essential service 15, general manager Larry Ritchie says he 19, Shellbrook’s town council will be voting has been meeting daily to provide support and need to be available to our ratepayers,” and his fellow staff members will be follow- on a bylaw to repeal the heritage status of for the school divisions in the province and she said. ing the provincial regulations to the T (no the CN Railway station, which currently help initiate supplemental learning oppor- *** pun intended). serves as the Shellbrook and District Heri- tunities. The economic storm generated by CO- However, for all the ways in which CO- tage Museum. *** VID-19 could cost the province between VID-19 will change the golf season, Ritchie Barring an outpouring of objections from $1.3 billion and $3.3 bil- says his spring was still very much business the public, the bylaw is almost certain to be lion over the course of as usual. enacted by council, paving the way for the the 2020-2021 fiscal year, “I always had suspicions that if they railway station to be demolished. depending on how long opened up anything, golf courses would be *** pandemic-related eco- the one thing people could get out and en- School may out until at least the fall nomic restrictions remain joy for the summer,” he said. “I pretty much (the Saskatchewan government officially in place. followed the same things I do every spring, announced this on May 7), but staff from At least, that’s what the except I didn’t bring any staff in.” Shellbrook Elementary School and W.P. provincial government’s *** Sandin High School are still finding unique projections are telling it. Whether they’re being homeschooled by ways to connect with their students during *** their parents or taking classes posted on- the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the closure of line by their regular teachers, students are On Monday morning, staff from both many businesses that are finding ways to maintain their study habits Shellbrook schools held a parade to say hel- considered non-essential during the pandemic. And teachers, mean- lo to their students, and let them know just due to the COVID-19 pan- while, have been finding new and unique how much they miss them. demic, those providing ways to instruct their students in this age *** necessities have remained of physical distancing. On the first Tuesday of each month, Rivi- open and finding ways to Take Lindsay Kyliuk, a local teacher er School in Spiritwood focuses on demon- continue operating. Hu- at W.P. Sandin High School, who took to strating a little more kindness. This has not jber’s Market on Main is teaching his classes in person using a giant ceased during remote learning as a result one such business in the whiteboard welded to the back of a truck. of COVID-19. Staff and students alike are town of Spiritwood. *** encouraged to share a smile, good humor, Big River First Nation Chief Jack Rayne is doing his Taking action on March As the province prepared to enter phase forgiveness, and lend assistance to their part to support the community during the pandem- 13, the local grocer imple- one of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan families, friends and community. ic. Here, he and others prepare meat gathered by mented a variety of proto- on Monday, the Town of Shellbrook made *** the community’s hunters. cols to help keep staff and the decision to formally prohibit access to Continued on page 8 8 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 Looking back on the year that was 2020

May Cont’d The funds, which were raised at A broken transmission line caused 2020’s highly successful Hockey Day in the power to shut off around 8:30 p.m. Shellbrook (the event brought in more on April 30th in many Northern Sas- than $100,000, making it the second katchewan communities. most successful Hockey Day from a SaskPower reported that the out- fundraising perspective), come as the age affected Patchunak, Turtle Lake, Steering Committee is poised to begin Glaslyn, Goodsoil, Pierceland, Buffalo work on the third and final phase of its Narrows, Beauval, Ile-A-La-Crosse, project: the installation of solar pan- Turnor Lake, Turtleford, Spiritwood, els to power the Shellbrook Recreation Shell Lake, Moosomin FN, Jackfish Complex. Lake, Cochin, Meota, and Paradise Hill. *** Power restoration came as early as With phase two of the Re-Open Sas- 10:30 p.m. for some, while others were katchewan plan getting under way ear- out until nearly 5:30 a.m. lier this week, Honeywood Heritage *** Nursery was able to herald the arrival One local project which has not seen of spring by holding its opening day on any setbacks due to the COVID-19 pan- Saturday, May 16. DL Construction busy at work putting up the Fast Genetics Silver Buckle demic is Spiritwood’s Town Square. The nursery was blessed by warm and Bandshell. The Northern Lakes Economic Devel- sunny conditions throughout the day, opment Corporation (NLEDC) say they and, after two months of being discour- bilitation of at least 100 RM roads, and *** are still on track for completion by July aged to travel in the midst of the COV- improvements to community airports. Shellbrook’s CN Railway Station, 1. ID-19 pandemic, guests were more than *** which currently serves as the Shell- *** pleased for the opportunity to get out “May long weekend kicked off to a brook & District Heritage Museum, has The Shellbrook Recreation Project of the house (and perhaps pick up some great start with lots of golfing activity as received a last-minute stay of execution. Steering Committee is one giant leap flowers or plants in the process). well as several Memberships purchase,” At its May 19 meeting, Shellbrook’s closer to its fundraising goals, after *** says Glennalda Saam, club house man- town council was set to pass a bylaw receiving a $100,000 cheque from the Along with many other summer ager at the Spiritwood Golf Course. to repeal the building’s heritage status, Hockey Day in Shellbrook Committee. mainstays, the COVID-19 pandemic Golf courses were allowed to reopen paving the way for its eventual demoli- continues to cast a long shad- to the public on May 15, just in time for tion. However, following expressions of ow of doubt over the 2020 May long weekend. interest in the station, it agreed to wait softball season. *** 90 days before adopting the motion. In its most recent announce- The 4-H year has come to an end ear- *** ment, which was made on lier than we hoped. The Regional Show A few days before the coronavirus be- May 6, Softball Saskatchewan and Sale in Prince Albert has been can- came COVID-19 and the scare in other suspended all sanctioned ac- celed this year due to COVID-19. The countries became a pandemic in our tivities until May 31, extend- club is disappointed not to be able to own beautiful country, with almost ev- ing, by two weeks, a previous show off their project animals, which ery venue told to shut down and people suspension until May 15. they worked so hard with this year. told to stay home, the Leoville Heaulth- *** *** care Auxiliary had our Annual Fund- As part of a $300 million While very little feels normal in the raiser Bake Sale. investment in Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 world we find ourselves in, Most of the money raised as a result highways and infrastructure, there is at least one dream that hasn’t of these fund raisers is donated to the the stretch of Highway 3 that been dashed by the pandemic. Evergreen Center. connects Shellbrook to Prince Shellbrook’s Field of Dreams crop *** Albert will be receiving three was seeded by Cervus John Deere on Heavy rains and strong winds started sets of passing lanes. Monday afternoon, meaning it will con- to rip through the RM of Spiritwood The provincial government tinue to provide an important stream of on the evening of Wednesday, May 20 announced the project last revenue for the Shellbrook Recreation and only let up midway through the week, along with plans to up- Complex this year. following morning. The thunderstorm grade 325 kms of thin-mem- It wheat crop is expected to bring in sent waves crashing up over the berm at brane surface highways, 24 to $50,000. Meeting Lake Regional Park. 26 new sets of highway pass- Cervus John Deere handled the seeding for ing lanes (including the High- this year’s Field of Dreams crop in Shellbrook. way 3 passing lanes), reha-

Heavy winds and rains sent waves crashing up over the berm at Meeting Lake Guests take a gander at some of the lilies and perennials available for pur- Regional Park causing extensive flooding and damage to the shoreline and chase at Honeywood Heritage Nursery. buildings. December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 9 Looking back on the year that was 2020

JUNE been happy to see the return of clients. If you ever visited Shellbrook’s Kinsmen *** Park in the midst of the spring thaw (or Graduation will look a little different for after a good rain), you no doubt noticed W.P. Sandin’s Class of 2020. that there were small rivers and lakes of With COVID-19 restrictions still in place yellow-brown water in all of the park’s — but gradually easing — this year’s crop ditches. of 31 graduates will be celebrated by their Thanks to ongoing COVID-19 restric- school and the broader community in a tions, however, that may not be an issue in parade and an outdoor ceremony at the springs and summers to come. Shellbrook Sports Grounds. “Due to only being able to rent out two *** camping stalls, we decided not to open at As the Co-op Refinery lockout of Uni- all this season and get the work done that for 594 oil and gas workers stretches into we have been putting off due to how busy month seven, union members made a it has been in the past years,” explained three-day stop in Shellbrook to picket and Town of Shellbrook CAO Kelly Hoare. get the word out. “We are fixing some drainage issues, About a dozen locked out workers were and moving the road inside and blocking walking the line at the Co-op Card Lock off some of the entrances to have better Lloyd Fisher (right) presenting Brad Nemish (left) of the SARCS board with along Highway 3, briefly stopping custom- control over who comes and goes, which a $1000 cheque to be put towards the Spiritwood Ball Diamond Restoration ers to share information. And though the should help with people leaving without Project. lockout seems nowhere near to ending, paying,” she added. picket captain Mikki Shaddock says the *** coordinated by the Saskatchewan Wildlife of Shellbrook Golf Course). workers still have the same primary goal While solar panels will be the primary Federation. The program allows students Just a hop, skip, and a jump up 2nd in mind: getting back to work. focus of phase three of the Shellbrook to learn firsthand about aquatic habitats Street West, the town has also been doing *** Recreation Project Steering Committee’s and fish lifecycles. The students follow the work on Kinsmen Park, and readying the A 25-year-old woman is dead, following project to upgrade the Richardson Pio- fish from eyed egg stage all the way until old Parkland Terrace nursing home prop- a single vehicle rollover just east of Shell- neer Recreation Centre, the inside of the fingerling stage before they are released erty for the installation of solar panels for brook last Thursday evening. rink will also look vastly different when into a provincially stocked lake. the Richardson Pioneer Recreation Cen- According to the RCMP, the rollover oc- it re-opens for the season, thanks to new *** tre. curred around 6 p.m. on Highway 3 near seating acquired from Edmonton’s Rexall With Saskatchewan now in phase three *** the Shellbrook Airport. Speaking with Place. of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, and Hair salons in the province were able to paNOW, RCMP Sgt. Rob King said the *** only 17 active cases in the province as of open back up again on May 19 and have woman was ejected from the vehicle and Back in February, 100 rainbow trout Monday, a sense of normalcy is beginning been busy catching up on overdo hair cuts pronounced dead at the scene. eggs arrived at Hartley Clark Elementary to return to Shellbrook and surrounding and colours. Local salons in Spiritwood *** Schools for the Fish in Schools program communities. were eager to get back to work and have Continued on page 10 In that spirit, the Shellbrook Kinettes, the Shellbrook Curl- ing Club, and the Hidden Hills of Shellbrook Golf Course have Community Calendar resumed their annual Lucky 7 ~ fundraiser. SPIRITWOOD: Wapiti Regional Library - Limited Capacity. Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm; *** Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm; Friday 9 am - 5 pm LEOVILLE: Wapiti Regional Library - Appointment only. Wednesday 10 am - 4 pm; COVID-19 may have hit the Thursday 10 am - 2 pm pause button on most people’s SHELL LAKE: Wapiti Regional Library - Curb Side Pickup. Tuesday 12 pm - 4 pm; regular lives. But it hasn’t Wednesday 12 pm - 4 pm prevented the Town of Shell- ~ brook from carrying on with BLAINE LAKE: Wapiti Library - Appointment only. Wednesday 12 pm - 6 pm; Friday a number of large local in- 1 pm - 5 pm; Saturday 12 pm - 4 pm. Contact us for more info 306-497-3130, www. frastructure projects, even if wapitilibrary.ca. some ratepayers question the BIG RIVER: Wapiti Library - Curb Side Pickup. Monday 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm; Wednes- wisdom of spending money in day 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm; Friday 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm economically uncertain times. CANWOOD: Canwood Branch of Wapiti Regional Library. Appointment only. Tues- Apart from the sewer relin- day 10 am - 3 pm; Thursday 10 am - 4 pm; Friday 1 pm - 5 pm DEBDEN: Wapiti Library hours: Appointment only. Monday 2 pm - 7 pm; Tuesday 10 ing, which the town has spent am - 4 pm. Librarian: Aline Hannon the past few years working on, LEASK: Wapiti Library & Legacy Gallery Hours - Limited Capacity. Tuesday 10:30 am the Town of Shellbrook is con- - 5 pm; Friday 10:30 am - 5 pm; Saturday 1 pm - 5 pm From left, Mason Wallin, Jamie Capner, Dave tinuing to build a second road MARCELIN: Wapiti Library - Appointment only. Tuesday 2 pm - 7 pm; Thursday 2 pm Philp, and Richard Bell were part of a small to Parkland Integrated Health - 8 pm; Saturday 9 am - 2 pm. For information on all your library needs, please contact work crew that helped carry the new seats into Centre on 2nd Street West 306-226-2110. the Richardson Pioneer Recreation Centre. (just north of the Hidden Hills SHELLBROOK: Shellbrook Branch of the Wapiti Library located at 105 Railway Ave., West (Provincial building). Library Hours: Limited capacity - Monday 2 pm - 6:30 pm; Tuesday 12 pm - 8 pm; Wednesday 2 pm - 8 pm; Thursday 12 pm - 6:30 pm; Friday 9 am - 4 pm.

TRIPLE YOUR ADVERTISING We’ll advertise your important community event in our Community Calendar FREE for two weeks prior to the event with purchase of a 2 column x 2” Display ad for only: $60.00 plus G.S.T. - A savings of over 30% Available to Non-Profit & Community Organizations Only Call Now For Further Details “Don’t miss out on letting your Community and others know of your event!” Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald Box 10, Shellbrook, SK S0J 2E0 JRT Excavating has been contracted to do much of the work on the second ac- Ph: 306-747-2442 • Fax: 306-747-3000 • Email: chads@sbchron. com cess to Parkland Integrated Health Centre off of 2nd Street West. 10 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 Looking back on the year that was 2020

June Cont’d streamlined spending estimates in the In a normal June, Grade 12 students wake of a burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic, from across Saskatchewan would be dress- the Saskatchewan government has tabled ing to the nines to walk across the stage its formal 2020-2021 budget. and received their high school diplomas As expected, the economic impacts of right about now. the pandemic are visible in the budget’s But 2020 has been anything but a or- bottom line. Where the government had dinary year thus far, and thanks to COV- anticipated delivering a balanced budget ID-19 this is no normal June. this year and next, it’s now predicting a Case in point, Medstead Central School $2.4 billion deficit, thanks to a $1.2 billion and the broader community of Medstead, drop in revenues and $1.1 billion increase where grads will be fêted with a parade in expenditures. and short ceremony this Saturday, June *** 20, at 5 p.m. The Shell Lake Legion held Decoration *** Day on Saturday, June 13, with Legion and Nearly three months after it presented family members in attendance. We heard inspiring messages from Com- rade David Jensen and our village Mayor, In true Medstead fashion, a John Deere Combine was decked out and carried Anita Weiers. Wreaths from Remembrance a couple more graduates. Day 2019 were laid at each of the Veteran’s crosses in our Veteran’s plot at the ceme- yet know when it’s going to re-open to the the east side and block 3 of the west side tery. We Shall Remember Them. public, but that isn’t stopping librarian as well as the sidewalk on 3rd Avenue run- *** Dian Campbell from providing kids with ning past the RCMP are on the schedule for Spiritwood High School students and ways to keep learning and reading over the 2022. staff are congratulating retiring teacher summer. JULY Mr. Deon Nordstrom from a distance this For this year’s Summer Reading Pro- It may not have been the graduation that year. Mr. Nordstrom first arrived at Spirit- gram, which runs from July 2 through Au- W.P. Sandin High School’s class of 2020 wood High School as an intern under the gust and is open to children aged 4 to 12, had imagined at the outset of the school guidance of Mr. Glen Delisle in 1990. He Campbell is putting together hundreds of year, but it was certainly a day to remem- then stayed in Spiritwood, teaching for his hands-on learning kits. ber. entire 30-year career at SHS. *** On Friday, June 26, after months of won- *** After months of uncertainty caused dering whether the COVID-19 pandemic When Shell Lake-based artist Rigmor by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the would allow them to celebrate at all, the Clarke got the phone call, she thought it Shellbrook Swimming Pool is finally get- school’s 31 graduates were fêted by the was a hoax or a scam. ting the green light to open for what’s left community, their families, and their teach- But, as it turns out, it was neither of of the summer. ers, in a parade, an improvised in-person those things. She really had been selected *** ceremony, and a digital presentation. as one of 10 people to be presented with the The whole village seemed to be out in W.P. Sandin’s Class of 2020 is: Nathan Shell Lake artist Rigmor Clarke was Saskatchewan Order of Merit this year. Medstead on June 20 for the Graduate Pa- Anderson, Alexis Banda, Ashton Barden, selected as one of 10 Saskatchewan *** rade that was held. Rural residents made Zachary Bernath, Mya Boettcher, Darla Order of Merit recipients in 2020. The Shellbrook Public Library may not the trip to the Community Centre to watch Bruneau, Tyson Crawford, Riley Crawford- will village residents pulled benches and Beauchesne, Jacob Feige, Austin Ferster, lawn chairs down to the end of their drive- Johnathon Fonos, Spencer Fox, Dallas ways. Someone even brought a gong. Galloway, Burk Gosselin, Brady Kelly, *** Mason Kelly, Logan Lajeunesse, Nicho- PRAISE & WORSHIP Prairie Community Endeavors was al- las Lanovaz, Austin Larsen, Kerrington Regular services, Sunday school and special services will be listed. lowed to open its doors again on June 11, Long, Savannah Naber, Thi My Duyen which made attendees very happy. Jenni- Nguyen, Meghan Person, Hannah Remus, PARTNERS IN FAITH SEVENTH DAY ------fer Peters says that social distancing is still Chase Ross, Ethan Schmidt, Ethan Skauge, Lutheran/United/ ADVENTIST Gideons International being practiced even though it’s hard when Ashley Skavlebo, Cameron Stene, Ashlee Christchurch Anglican, 407 - 2nd Ave .E, of Canada you “miss your friends.” Wolfe, and Tasje Wolfe. 137-2nd St. W. Shellbrook Battlefords Camp Attendees are enjoying getting back to *** Spiritwood Sat., 9:45 am - Phone Art Martynes Worship 11:00 a.m. (306) 389-4633 their routines, going for walks, and mak- Continued on page 11 Sabbath School ing sun catchers. Rev. Sarah Urano Sat., 11:00 am - Worship ------*** ------Broadcast on EVANGELICAL FREE UNITED /ANGLICAN VOAR 92.1 FM Mont Nebo The Town of Spiritwood has Worship Services Wed., 7:30 pm - Pastor Liviu Tilihoi recently gotten to work on a Glaslyn Bible Study & Prayer 306-747-3398 3-Year Sidewalk Restoration Time is on the sign Sun., 10:30 am - Worship ------Project. Block 1 on the east Rev. Kun Kim Pastor Bill Klumpenhower Rev. Don Skinner MENNONITE ------side of Main Street is torn up ------BRETHREN LAKELAND and will be getting new con- CATHOLIC Glenbush COMMUNITY CHURCH crete or resurfacing done by SUNDAY 10:00 am - Sunday School Spiritwood Lajcon Distributors. Weath- Spiritwood - 11:15 a.m. Worship 10:50 am Sun., 11 am - Worship er dependant, this section Leoville - 9:30 a.m. ------Service & Sunday School should be completed within 2 FIELDS OF HOPE Chitek Lake - Closed for Pastor Gerry Zak weeks of the start date. the Season (HOFFNUNGSFELDER) ------Everyone Welcome MENNONITE CHURCH BELBUTTE FULL Two curb stops were re- SATURDAY Glenbush GOSPEL paired on the east block 1 Shell Lake - 8:00 p.m. Worship - 11:00 am 11 am Worship Service before the rest of the work Medstead - 6 p.m. ------1st Sun., 7:30 pm began. The town foreman Father Ramel Macapeia BETHEL - Hymn Sing will determine which other ------Medstead Pastor Floyd Berg curb stops are not working PARTNERS IN 1st Sunday, 10 am ------and have them fixed prior to WORSHIP COWBOY CHURCH Worship work for the next two phases Shell Lake Pastor David Jensen Spiritwood Worship - Sunday 9 a.m. Every Wednesday Night as well. Dallas Galloway and Meghan Person rode to- 3rd Sunday - 10 am Blocks 1 and 2 on the west gether, and weren’t shy about playing it up for the 306-841-7333 Worship 7 pm Pastor Sarah Urano Spiritwood Legion Hall side of Main Street are slated crowd, during W.P. Sandin High School’s gradu- Pastor David Jensen ------Pastor Rick Martin for 2021. Blocks 2 and 3 of ation parade. December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 11 Looking back on the year that was 2020

July Cont’d Winning the 2020 Dwayne stemming from a multi-vehicle accident on W.P Sandin High School Fremont Trucking Award of a Manitoba highway that killed two people graduate Alexis Banda recently Merit is Makenna Bloom a se- and injured 15 others. joined the esteemed company nior member of the Wild Rose *** of 55 other students from across 4-H Beef Club. A 15-year-old girl is dead after being Canada, after being selected as Winning the 2020 Steen Agen- struck by a car in Debden on Tuesday, July one of the recipients of a $1,000 cies & SGI Canada Scholarship is 7. Kin Canada Bursary. Gage Grassick a senior member In the week since the tragic accident, *** of the West PA 4-H Beef Club. the victim has been identified as Kaylan Though Saskatchewan is still The Charity Steer sold in an Keegan Lee Keenatch. far from back to pre-COVID-19 online Facebook event. There *** normal, Shellbrook and area res- were 17 businesses who put in A series of costly acts of vandalism by idents will at least have a place to $500 each to purchase the steer young motorbike riders has the Lake Coun- cool off and make a splash this for $8,500 and then donate him try Wildlife Federation wondering what it’s summer. back to be resold. supposed to do to recuperate the costs of As of Monday, June 29, the The second round of the sale fixing the damage. Shellbrook Swimming Pool is of- was held the following day and The acts of vandalism and trespassing ficially open for business, operat- the steer was sold for $2,700 to were perpetrated at the club’s 500-metre ing daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Twin Groves Farms and Carter’s range, which is located five km north of and from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Custom Ag. Shellbrook and about six km west on High- *** *** way 55. École Debden Public School Canwood Public School hon- *** held a virtual graduation cer- Spiritwood Lions President Bryan Ferguson (left) pre- oured the graduating class of The Shellbrook Volunteer Fire Depart- emony on Friday June 12. The senting Shandra Epp (right) with the 2020 Spiritwood & 2020 with a virtual ceremony on ment has upgraded its logistical capabili- video included the announce- District Lions Club Graduate Scholarship. June 19. ties to respond to emergencies, after re- ment of awards, scholarships The video included history and ceiving a $1,500 grant through FM Global’s and the future plans of each graduate. and the Prairie Spirit School Division. prophecy by Briar Cain and Cassidy Ander- Fire prevention Grant Program. Heart-felt speeches were made by the At this early stage, however, Hodges son, a thoughtful valedictorian address by For the Shellbrook Volunteer Fire De- grade 12 class to honour their teachers and couldn’t provide a timeline for when the Noah Johnson, presentation of scrolls, sub- partment, the grant money will help it up- parents. project will be completed. ject awards, character awards and scholar- grade its tech configuration — consisting of Debden’s class of 2020 included: Da- *** ships, as well as heartfelt messages from iPads for the fire trucks and a large monitor kota Aarrestad, Jett Amundson, Sonora When Hugh Lauder decided he wanted staff. in the Fire Hall — allowing the department Amundson, Morgan Beaulieu, Shay Du- to start his own landscaping company af- *** to respond to service calls more efficiently. mais, Layton Ferster, Morgan Gaudry, ter visiting his sister in Toronto in the late The cars were lined up at SAAD SAC *** Jayde Hinson, Thomas Jean, and Colten 1950s, he didn’t really know what he was park, Esso, and the Cameron-Bourdages The Shellbrook CN Railway Station may Shadlock. doing. Memorial Park, filled with spectators anx- get a new lease on life, and a brand new *** Sixty years later, Shellbrook-based Shell- ious for the promised fireworks show. purpose for existing, if Shellbrook’s town As part of a $110.5 million investment in view Sod employs 17 people and has foot- Northern Lakes Economic Develop- council proves amenable to a proposal, be- six school infrastructure projects, the town holds in nearly every major city and small ment Corporation (NLEDC) was able to ing put forward by a local group, to save the of Blaine Lake will be receiving a brand town in Saskatchewan, serving customers secure enough funding for approximately building from demolition and transform it new Kindergarten to Grade 12 school in the from the American border all the way up five times the fireworks that were lit off into an artisan’s collective. near future. to La Loche in the far north (though, half the previous year at the ball diamonds. A *** The build, which is part of the province’s of its business is in Saskatoon, and another grant from Canadian Heritage played a big This year’s first recipient of the Spir- broader two-year, $7.5 billion infrastruc- third is in Regina). part in obtaining the volume of spectacular itwood and District Lions 2020 Lottery ture strategy to stimulate the economy *** fireworks that were on display for the July Grant is the Spiritwood Public Library. post-COVID, comes with an estimated The 2020 Prince Albert Regional 4-H 1 celebration. Lion Shelley Allard, who heads up the price tag of $9.5 million for the govern- Beef Show and Sale was postponed due to *** Grant project, was happy to present the ment. the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the post- A 56-year-old semi truck driver from $800 cheque to a thrilled Librarian, Joyce According to Chris Hodges, a media rela- poning of the event, the committee was Shellbrook is facing a slew of charges, Carriere. tions consultant with the Ministry of Edu- still able to move forward with the sale of cation, the full costs for the construction of the charity steer and two scholarships that the new facility will be split by the province were awarded.

Shellbrook firefighters Larry Bergen and Kerry Wendel, fire chief Darwin Fireworks lit up the sky at the SAAD SAC park in Spiritwood on July 1 for Baptist, and Fire and Rescue member Al Dion with the fire prevention plaque Canada’s 153rd celebration. from FM Global. 12 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 Looking back on the year that was 2020

AUGUST local business owners, Sally and Rene Nearly a year after releasing his debut Turgeon, to have to lay off most of their novel, The Road to Blackthrush: The full-time staff and transition to operat- Sixth Order Book One, at the young ing their business by themselves. age of 20, Debden’s Dylan Aarestad There were a few people who would (pen name Jarret Madden) is continu- come in for something almost every ing the story he began with the release day, according to Sally, but once the of his second book, The Forsaken. grocery store closed, Spiritwood would *** become a ghost town The flat roof of the Town of Blaine *** Lake’s municipal office will soon be a Dancers recently returned to the thing of the past, thanks to funds the studio for the first time in almost five municipality received through the Mu- months, when Shellbrook’s Studio 747 nicipal Economic Enhancement Pro- Three rows of solar panels now stand on the property that was once Parkland hosted its second ever Camp 747 from gram (MEEP). Terrace. The panels mark the final stage of the three-year, $2 million renova- Aug. 5-7. Town of Blaine Lake administrator, tion of the Richardson Pioneer Recreation Centre. Led by studio director Kelly Woodley Brenda Lockhart, says the town’s origi- and instructor Rebecca Cohen, Camp nal plan was to repair issues with the $25,152 for upgrades to local roads and and the accompanying restrictions, the 747 taught its participants everything office’s current roof. But the $60,000 bridges. Senior Golf Committee has decided to from tap, jazz, and ballet to hip hop, it received through MEEP to do the *** cancel the tournament for 2020. contemporary, and acro. Most impor- repairs allowed for a more ambitious After three years, and three phases, *** tantly, though, the 33 young dancers, plan. the end is finally in sight for the Shell- It’s not quite all fun and games as who came from the broader Prince *** brook Recreation Project Steering usual, but the Town of Shellbrook’s Albert area, as well as Hafford and In other MEEP funding news, an- Committee’s $2 million project to up- Summer Playground Program did Tisdale, to take part in Camp 747, had nounced last Wednesday, the Town grade the Shellbrook Recreation Com- manage to get off the ground this sum- plenty of fun. of Shellbrook received $207,544 for plex. mer and lend a little normalcy — and *** its own $6.8 million water treatment This summer, the focus has been on much-needed outdoor activity — to One driver in Shellbrook received an plant project. Like the Town of Blaine the final major piece of the project: a local kids during the COVID-19 pan- unwelcome surprise on Friday, Aug. 7, Lake, the Town of Shellbrook is also 100kW solar panel array that will pow- demic. when a light standard, located on Main planning to switch to a partial reverse er the rink more sustainably, and open This year’s program kicked off in July, Street between the intersections of osmosis system. up a new stream of revenue for the fa- and is expected to continue through to 2nd and 3rd Avenue, toppled over onto Finally, the Village of Shell Lake cility in the distant future. the end of August. Due to COVID-19, their parked vehicle. As of Monday, Aug. 3, the program is limited to 15 children, Scott McGregor, a spokesperson for Amund Otterson, project and two program supervisors to over- SaskPower, says the felling of the light manager for the Steering see each week’s themed activities. standard is being attributed to the per- Committee, anticipated *** sistent strong winds in the Shellbrook that the installation of Plans for Shellbrook to host both the area on that day, as well as the age of the solar panels should be U14 and U16 provincial ball tourna- the pole. mostly completed at some ments have officially be axed, thanks *** point this week — barring the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The roads in Shell Lake are getting a any unforeseen delays with *** much-deserved facelift this summer, deliveries. “Before COVID, we would sell 12- thanks to budgeted spending by the *** 15 pots of coffee in a day and as soon Village of Shell Lake. One person is dead, fol- as COVID hit, we were down to 1 pot. Road crews were busy repaving Main lowing a two-vehicle col- Some days, on a good day, you would Street last Thursday, and Shell Lake lision on Municipal Road make 2 pots,” said Sally Turgeon when Mayor Anita Weiers says folks can ex- 693, north of Holbein, over discussing how the pandemic has af- pect to see them again in a couple of the August long weekend. fected business at Spiritwood’s local weeks, when they redo 1st Avenue W *** pizza and sub shop, Papa Rene’s. going past the Shell Lake Hotel & Bar. The Shell Lake Senior’s At the onset of government restric- *** Golf Committee met on tions, business was very slow causing Continued on page 13 July 28 to discuss the pos- sibility of having the Annu- al Senior’s Shell Lake Bud Dicus Golf Tournament. Crews completed roadwork on Shell Lake’s Main With great regret, because Street in August. of the COVID-19 pandemic

Thanks to MEEP funding, the municipal office in Blaine Lake will soon have Sally and Rene Turgeon (left) and some of their staff at Papa Rene’s in Spirit- an entirely new look. wood were hard at work on Monday filling orders. December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 13 Looking back on the year that was 2020

August Cont’d *** Harold and Marjorie Fast were sad to The staff and students of W.P. San- have to cancel their annual Fly In Break- din Public High School will be return- fast due to the pandemic’s restrictions. ing to school with a new roof over their The annual event would bring in a dozen heads, courtesy of a roof repair project or more pilots on their small aircrafts as undertaken by the Saskatchewan Rivers well as neighbours and other members Public School Division over the summer of the Spiritwood and area community vacation. for a morning of pancakes, socializing, *** and if the weather was permitting, a The Shellbrook RCMP and Saskatch- little bit of flying. The Fasts are hoping ewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit North as restrictions lift that they will be able are seeking the public’s assistance fol- to resume the event next year and have lowing a suspicious death in Shellbrook it be even bigger and better. on Friday evening. The old Shellbrook Union Hospital has received a major facelift over the past *** According to an RCMP release, a few months, ahead of its eventual transformation into a cannabis production Following a months-long race that young male was brought to Parkland facility. went all the way to the final ballot, Erin Integrated Health Centre with serious O’Toole has been tapped to replace An- injuries between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on municipal hurdles have been cleared, soon. drew Scheer as the leader of Canada’s Friday, Aug. 21. The male died of his in- and a lot of time and money has been *** Conservative Party. juries shortly after. invested in getting the facility ready. A fallen light standard located on *** *** Now, thanks to COVID-19, Gill says Shellbrook’s Main Street, between the After a summer lacking in the usual Shellbrook’s town council has chosen Greenco Farms Ltd. is stuck waiting for intersections of 2nd and 3rd Avenue, fundraiser barbecues for local organi- to delay its planned upgrades to the mu- its Health Canada licenses to operate. has been replaced by SaskPower. zations and sports teams, folks from nicipal water treatment plant, in favour *** The replacement was completed over a Shellbrook and area got to enjoy grilled of pursuing an opportunity to cover a The Saskatchewan RCMP has re- the span of a couple hours the morning burgers and hot dogs for a good cause larger portion of the project through the quested an independent external inves- of Thursday, Aug. 27, nearly three weeks on Thursday. federal government’s Investing in Cana- tigation, following an in-custody death after the original pole was toppled. Joining forces with local recreation da Infrastructure Program. at the Ahtahkakoop RCMP detachment. *** volunteers, Randy Hoback, MP for the The decision came at council’s Aug. According to the RCMP, a 24-year-old Past and present members of the Prince Albert riding, hosted a physical- 17 meeting, just as it was set to approve male was taken into custody, in relation Parkside Housing Authority gathered ly distanced drive-thru barbecue, rais- a motion to borrow up $7.6 million to to an ongoing investigation, at approxi- together to congratulate and thank one ing $2,076.95 to help cover the costs of complete the project, and award the mately 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. of the their board members and chair- the new seats at the Richardson Pioneer tender for the first phase of the work, 26. man of the board Stewart Johnson Recreation Centre. which carried an estimated $1 million Speaking to the Chronicle & Herald for his many years of service. Stewart price tag. Monday morning, Randy Jesse, a Staff served the board and the community of *** Sgt. with the Moose Jaw Police Service, Parkside for the past 37 years. We ap- An early morning fire in said two investigators have been dis- preciate Stewart for all of his time and the Town of Spiritwood de- patched to conduct the investigation expertise! stroyed the SaskTel build- and cautioned that details of the inves- *** ing on Highway 378 on tigation won’t be made public any time Continued on page 14 Sunday, Aug. 23. The town was without landline and cellular ser- vices all day Sunday, and residents using SaskTel as their wireless internet pro- vider were also without an internet connection. SEPTEMBER It’s a waiting game, says Rav Gill of Greenco Farms Ltd., the company working to transform the former Shellbrook Union Hospital into a cannabis production facility. Car owned by Battlefords Vintage Auto Club on display at the Rabbit Lake Randy Hoback, MP for the Prince Albert riding, Since news of the plans Museum on Aug. 16. hands out drinks to a customer at a drive-thru for the old building be- barbecue hosted in Shellbrook on Thursday, Aug. came public knowledge at 20. the tail end of 2019, all the

The SaskTel building was reduced to a pile of rubble following an early morn- W.P. Sandin High School’s roof is getting some major repairs to begin the ing fire on Sunday, Aug. 23 leaving Spiritwood and area without landline, cell school year. service, and some internet service. Photo submitted by Dave Hyndman 14 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 OBITUARY ~ Pat Gunn

Special Care Home in Her active involvements Gerald (Arlene), and Ja- husband George Gunn supportive and compas- Saskatoon. in the St. Andrews An- net; grandchildren Geof- Jr, brother Les Coles, the sionate care of our moth- Born October 15, 1930 glican Church, the Shell- frey (Mallory), Winnipeg, in-laws, Lois (Ron) Ever- er, sister, aunt and friend. in Wells, Somerset, Eng- brook Auxiliary/Legion, Cameron (Alexandra), ett, Victor (Gertie) Gunn, The internment will take land, Pat grew up on the CNIB and the Shellbrook Regina, Phillip (Suvisa), Clara Coles, Glenna (Lee) place at a later date. In Coles family farm in Fox- Housing Authority were Calgary, and Patrick of England, Jessie (Gary) lieu of tributes, memorial dale, married and raised interrupted by the on-set Vanderhoof; great grand- Crabbe, nieces Zena-Ma- donations may be made in her family at a neighbor- of Alzheimer’s, leaving children Albert, Zacharia, rie, Sharon and Barbara, memory of Patricia to the ing farm in Foxdale. Pat her beloved home, yard, Anthony, and Athena; the nephews Garry and Gor- Honeywood Farms, Park- was a young widow when and community in 2012. Coles and Gunn nieces don, and Pat’s very special side, Sask. she became one of the Following that her great- & nephews and their cousin Audrey Vaughn, Family and friends original staff at the time est pleasure were her re- families; cousins Nellie Surrey, England (these wishing to send online the Shellbrook Nursing turn visits to Shellbrook Berherski of Saskatoon women hosted each oth- condolences are welcome Home opened; loving her and Foxdale. and George Benjafield of er’s visits over a span of 70 to visit www.beaulacfu- job to retirement in 1995 Patricia is loved and Plymouth, England; and years). neralhome.com Arrange- GUNN – Pat when she left the farm remembered by her sis- her many friends and Family wish to thank ments have been entrust- It is with heavy hearts, and moved into Shell- ter Sheila Coles of Prince their families. Pat was the staff of Luther Special ed to the care of Beau the family of Francis Pa- brook. Her passion for Albert, sister-in-law Ruth predeceased by her par- Care, the Franklin Retire- “Lac” Funeral Home, tricia (Pat) Gunn advise friends, family, garden- Coles also of Prince Al- ents, Fay and Don Coles, ment Community, Dr. N. Tammy Smart – Funeral of her passing on Decem- ing, curling, golf, politics, bert; children Derek her parents’ in-laws Ma- Khayyam and ophthal- Director, Shellbrook, SK. ber 16, 2020 at the Luther and travel kept her busy. (Martha McDonagh), bel and George Gunn Sr, mologist Dr. Ravi for their 306-747-2828. Looking back on the year that was 2020 September Cont’d Kai and Janet purchased sent Spiritwood’s SaskTel build- roads and sidewalks. The work A few people braved the cold Kai and Janet Wong, owner- the cafeteria in late 1990 and ing up in flames on Aug. 23 left included replacement of side- and rain showers in Debden last operators of the Leask Cafete- moved from Saskatoon to Leask the area without landline, cellu- walks on Main Street, on the Thursday, to listen to an update ria, have sold the business and with their sons. Andy was two lar, and internet services. southwest side of the intersec- on what was happening in Ot- are retiring to Saskatoon. at the time, and Jason was SaskTel was able to construct tion with 2nd Avenue, as well tawa from Gary Vidal, Member only two-months-old. a cellular on wheels overnight resurfacing of 2nd Avenue up to of Parliament for the Desnethé- On Jan. 1, 1991, they Sunday to restore cellular ser- the Debden rink. Debden May- Missinippi-Churchill River rid- opened their doors, vice to the area, but landline or Rod Fisher says the projects ing. serving the commu- and internet services were still were part of the village’s infra- *** nity of Leask and the unavailable. structure upgrade program, Continued on page 16 surrounding area for SaskTel was able to construct and preparation for almost thirty years. a new permanent building dur- Debden’s upcoming *** ing the week of Aug. 22 while centennial. With the announce- crews cleared the debris from *** ment of the Municipal the lot. The new building was A year ago, Shell- Economic Enhance- moved on to the lot on Aug. 29 brook’s own Brian ment Program, the and crews could be seen wiring Hagel became royalty R.M. of Spiritwood the building throughout the day when he was named has received approval Sunday. the Take off Pounds for $175,000 to assist *** Sensibly (TOPS) in the construction Tuesday morning was the weight loss king for of a new public works first day of classes for schools in Saskatchewan. building. the Shellbrook and Spiritwood Now, with his wife The 50’ x 60’ heated areas, marking the first time Vici’s help, Brian is building will provide schools have been in session hoping to impart this additional work space since being shutdown by CO- mindset on the mem- for equipment mainte- VID-19 in March. At Shellbrook bers of Shellbrook’s nance and house snow Elementary School, students at- TOPS chapter, and Owner-operators of the Leask Cafete- plows for the winter tending school in person were support them on their Roads in Debden received some much- ria, Leo Jiang and his wife, Jennie Li months. asked to gather in clusters with own weight loss jour- needed TLC, as part of the village’s with their son, Andy, Janet and Kai *** their homeroom teacher to be ney. planned maintenance and prepara- Wong. The 4 a.m. fire that walked through some back-to- *** tion for its upcoming centennial. school safety basics, before be- ing guided into the school. *** Talk about taking it down to the wire. Brendon Canaday and Devin Dicus, both well known in the Shellbrook area for their exploits at the rink and on the links, earned Saskatchewan’s Northern Team Championship at the Cooke Municipal Golf Course over the Labour Day long weekend. *** The Village of Debden made A new Sasktel building was moved onto the cleared site just upgrades to infrastructure in Scott Moe announces Highway 24 upgrades at Spiritwood’s six days after a fire destroyed the old one in Spiritwood. late August, including work on Cameron-Bourdages Memorial Park. SPORTS December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 15 The best quips and quotes from 2020: part 2

RJ Currie of sportsdeke. • Comedy writer Brad Houston paid a recent visit: TheAthletic.com story on at Portmarnock in Ireland, com: “Reuters reports a Dickson of Omaha, on Ne- “Hey, Astr*s, try stealing this the 1977 NHL draft, where on public opposition to the British man spent five years braska Cornhusker football sign!” it was pointed out Larry government declaring a six- building a high-performance fans: “There’s something • Joel Beall of GolfWorld, Robinson’s brother Moe was week ban on golf to help fight vehicle from scratch, despite seriously wrong with people on Matthew Wolff shooting drafted by the Habs in the COVID-19: .”At end-of-day being blind. So what’s the NY who will wear a rubber corn- a third-round 65 at Winged third round: “I think the big (petitions) could be as use- Knicks’ excuse?” cob head on their noggin but Foot during the third round question is who drafted Curly ful as an ashtray on a motor- • Public-service tweet from won’t be seen in public in a of the U.S. Open. “He did so Robinson?” Reader Tim M. bike.” Ottawa Public Health: “We Covid mask.” hitting from spots requir- countered with: “I could • Alex Kaseberg again: admit, sometimes wearing a Baseball writer Buster Ol- BRUCE ing a compass rather than have sworn he played for the “The New York Jets are go- mask in public isn’t the most ney of ESPN, on Dr. Anthony a yardage book, needing Canyuk-nyuk-nyuks.” ing to follow Donald Trump’s ENTON fashionable or comfortable Fauci’s wild ceremonial first P a weedwacker instead of a • @rslashpatriots, via Twit- lead and are going to sue all choice. But some people wear pitch to start the MLB sea- ~ wedge.” ter: “The Jets are 750:1 to win 16 teams that beat them.” Leafs jerseys, so yeah. Just son: “A socially distant first Brad Dickson again: “In the Super Bowl, meaning if Headline at @ saying.” pitch.” Nebraska high school football you bet $100 on it, you would NotSportsCenter: “Report: • Dwight Perry of the Se- • Comedy writer Alex Kas- VID-19 victims, Big Ten and Franklin defeated Elba by a lose $100.” Trevor Lawrence says his attle Times: “Sheila Ford eberg: “Effective immedi- Pac-12 football: “I’m waiting score of 60-6. The Elba coach • Steve Simmons of the doctors have told him he’ll be Hamp, 69, has replaced her ately, Washington will call it- for the leaves to announce said his players could’ve Toronto Sun: “Leafs have cleared from COVID to play mother, 94-year-old Martha self the Washington Football they’re not turning colour come back from such a deficit signed Joe Thornton. They’re football again as soon as the Firestone Ford, as Detroit Li- Team. Apparently the name this year.” if only they were playing the aiming to win the 2012 Stan- Jets draft another QB.” ons owner and chairperson. ‘We Can’t Think of Anything • Another one from Alex Atlanta Falcons.” ley Cup.” • Steve Simmons of the In other words, the Lions Else’ was already taken.” Kaseberg: “The city of Los • Boxer Gerald Meer- • Dwight Perry of the Se- Toronto Sun: “History and traded in their 1925 Ford for • Sean McIndoe, in the Angeles is going to name a schaert, who lost his last attle Times: “Provincial au- irony: The mayor of Montreal a 1951 model.” Athletic, surmising how a de- street after Kobe Bryant. It fight in 17 seconds, on Twitter thorities have told the On- is calling for all the citizens • Patti Dawn Swansson, cision may have been made will be like any other street while watching the Trump- tario Hockey League that to wear masks. Her name is aka the River City Renegade, about how the Columbus except you are not allowed to Biden debate: “I wish this if it wants to play amid a Plante.” on attempts by major league Blue Jackets were named: pass on it.” debate lasted as long as my pandemic this season that it • Patriots QB Cam Newton, sports to resume playing: “As if a toddler was asked to • Comedy writer Brad Dick- last fight.” will have to ban bodycheck- to reporters, on his dietary “I’m more excited to see toi- name a team based on the son of Omaha: “On the news • Dwight Perry again: “The ing and fighting. In a related habits: “Just because I’m veg- let paper back on the shelves first thing he saw on the floor tonight all they talked about Yankees — for the first time story, Don Cherry’s head just an doesn’t mean I just go out- than shinny on the ice, hoops in his front hallway.” were boycotts, protests, riots, in their 120-year history — exploded.” side and pick up grass and, on the hardwood and round- RJ Currie of sportsdeke. violence, dissension, disease, hit into five double plays and • Michael Farber of si.com, you know, put ranch on it. … I ers in the ballyard.” com: “The Jays released left- lawsuits and court cases. And committed four errors in the on Twitter: “Watching a pa- still love good food.” Headline in TheOnion. handed reliever Marc Rzepc- that was just the sportscast.” same game in a 4-3, 10-in- rade from the bullpen early • Charles Barkley, on trying com: “Washington Redskins zynski. He was hampered by Patti Dawn Swansson ning loss to the Marlins. Or in a 1-0 World Series game is hypnotism to help correct his Change Their Name To The a high pitch count and a low again, after Saskatchewan as the 1962 Mets used to call as entertaining as watching funky, hitchy golf swing: “All D.C. Redskins” vowel count.” premier Scott Moe declared such an occurrence, Friday.” Bryson DeChambeau check I got was a good nap. I woke Headline at abcnews. From the Seattle Kraken Sept. 6 to be Roughriders’ RJ Currie of sportsdeke. his notes.” up with the same crappy com: “(Redskins owner) Twitter feed: “Fun fact: We Day across the province and com: “The Nebraska State • Another one from Alex swing.” Daniel Snyder realizes he are the only team that Con- for everyone to wear green Fair broke a record for the Kaseberg: “Federal agents Sign in front of a church really likes money and will nor McDavid has not scored and white: “A melonhead longest parade of old tractors are questioning USC football in Winnipeg: “Wear a mask. look into changing his team’s against.” needs urging to wear green when over 1,100 showed up. players in connection to a It’s not like we’re asking you name.” Craig Calcaterra of NBC- and white like a priest needs In Canada, that’s just part of fraud investigation. And the to wear a Riders’ jersey.” Jack Finarelli of sports.com, via Twitter, on a reminder to say prayers on the last-minute Labour Day penalties could be stiff. Some • Saints coach Sean Pay- SportsCurmudgeon.com, on Nationals catcher Tres Bar- Sunday.” crowd at Mosaic Stadium.” of the players may be forced ton, after his team’s 31-3 QB Bobby Layne putting a rera’s 80-game suspension Headline in the New York Patti Dawn Swansson to attend classes.” win over hometown Denver curse on the Lions when they for testing positive for Dehy- Daily News: “Normalcy in again: “I think (Jets’ Blake) • Fark.com: “Jimmy Kim- Broncos, who played the traded him following their drochlormethyltestosterone: 2020 at last ... Jets remain Wheeler is still a useful play- mel to Clayton Kershaw and NFL game without a legiti- 1957 title season, vowing “If he can spell it on the first Jets!” er, but a year from now he’ll Cody Bellinger: ‘Was it easier mate quarterback, thanks to they wouldn’t win another try, they should reduce his • Sign of the times, from be slower than a sports writer to win the World Series when COVID-19: “I felt bad for the one for 50 years: “He under- suspension to 40 games.” Dwight Perry: “Banner reaching for the bar tab.” the other team wasn’t cheat- cardboard fans.” estimated the ineptitude of • Tim Hunter of Everett’s towed behind an airplane • Reader Steven S., re- ing?’” Care to comment? Email the franchise.” KRKO Radio, on other CO- above Dodger Stadium when sponding to Sean McIndoe’s • Conor Russell, head pro [email protected]

What happens when you don’t advertise? Very little.

News Media Canada Médias d’Info Canada 16 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 Looking back on the year that was 2020

September Cont’d all the way to the national contest with The Spiritwood and District Li- their entries. ons Club kicked off the start of their *** 2020/2021 season with a socially dis- Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pan- tanced meeting at the Legion Hall. demic, and the fears of a rising second The meeting provided an opportuni- wave, this fall will be filled with most ty for Lions’ past president Bryan Fer- of the usual tricks and treats. guson to present the 2019/2020 Lion of In the latest update to its Re-Open the Year Award to Lion Shelley Allard. Saskatchewan Plan, the provincial *** government and health officials gave It was possibly the last warm day the go ahead to trick-or-treaters, albeit of the season on Saturday, Sept. 5, as with a few caveats and guidelines. Spiritwood High School was finally *** able to hold a graduation ceremony to The race is on. send off the class of 2020. On Tuesday morning, Saskatchewan *** Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty dis- Sidewalks in the town of Big River solved the Legislative Assembly, sig- got a much-needed facelift at the tail nalling the beginning of the province’s end of August, as part of a multi-year 29th general election. budgeted project to upgrade local in- frastructure. *** The resurfacing work, completed by The College of Dentistry at the Uni- Saskatoon-based Lajcon and funded, versity of Saskatchewan (USask) has in part, by the province’s Municipal Spiritwood Lions’ Past President Bryan Ferguson (right) congratulated Lion partnered with the Big River First Na- Economic Enhancement Program Shelley Allard (left) on being named Spiritwood and District Lion of the Year tion to launch a new dental clinic, pro- (MEEP), cost about $35,000 and saw for the 2019/2020 season. viding service to a community with sidewalks along Highway 55, from limited access to oral health-care. Forbes Street up to Main Street on the Blaine Lake RCMP is seeking the back a few decades and were treated to The clinic, which officially started east side, resurfaced or replaced. public’s assistance in identifying five a drive thru burger sale courtesy of the taking patients on Sept. 28, is located *** individuals who are persons of inter- Spiritwood and District Lions Club and in the Big River First Nation Health Students in Blaine Lake will be learn- est in an assault and robbery that took a drive-in movie Sponsored by Prairie Centre. Prior to its opening, commu- ing in a brand new K-12 school as soon place outside of an R.M. of Blaine Lake Centre Credit Union. nity members would travel to the near- as 2023. building. OCTOBER est dental clinics in Shellbrook, Prince That’s according to Premier Scott *** With school back in session for the Albert or Saskatoon. Moe, Deputy Premier and Education Big River RCMP are seeking multiple first time since March, the Shellbrook *** Minister Gordon Wyant, Batoche MLA suspects, following a break and enter Legion was finally able to conclude In what has been a year filled with Delbert Kirsch, and officials from Prai- and theft at Pawn Prophet in Debden. some leftover business from 2019’s Re- protests, Saskatchewan’s general elec- rie Spirit School Division, who were in Police say an employee of the shop re- membrance Day Poster and Literary tion kicked off last week with a peace- the community morning to announce ported seeing three males, all dressed contest last Wednesday. ful, one-person protest in Premier the beginning of the planning and in black and wearing masks, exit Though Legion representatives Scott Moe’s own backyard. design phase for the replacement for through the back door of the shop car- Helen and Henri Dagenais were able Crystal Frenette, a resident of the Blaine Lake Composite School. rying stolen merchandise shortly after to hand out the local branch prizes in Prince Albert area, set up a lawn chair *** 6 a.m. the fall of 2019, the forced closure of outside of Premier Moe’s constituency Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe *** schools prevented them from handing office last Wednesday morning, and was in Spiritwood Tuesday, Sept. 8, to The Government of Saskatchewan out the prizes from the higher levels of also affixed homemade signs to the announce his government’s plan to up- announced it has recommended more competition. side of the building, reading “No Small grade 50 kms of Highway 24 between than 120 infrastructure projects to This year, there were a few of them Nuclear Reactors” and “Climate Emer- Spiritwood and Chitek Lake. Canada for final approval under the In- to hand out, as Reese Galloway and gency.” Construction is scheduled to begin in vesting in Canada Infrastructure Pro- Marcail Philp, both Grade 7 students *** 2021. gram (ICIP). at W.P. Sandin High School, made it Continued on page 17 *** Including a rebuild of the curling rink The Town of Spiritwood submitted in Canwood, valued at $450,000 and an application for the Provincial Traf- sewage pumping station replacements fic Safety Fund Grant through SGI for in Spiritwood, totalling $2.1 million, a Speed Reduction Initiative & Pedes- the projects represent more than $192 trian Safety Project. The application million in provincial funding. was approved and the town received a *** $9,033.34 grant for two portable Ped- There were a couple blasts from In-A-Bag School Stop Signs and two the past to take in this past weekend Pedestrian-Activated Crosswalk Signs. in Spiritwood that involved driving *** around in your car. The town was taken

W.P. Sandin High School students Reese Galloway and Marcail Philp (front) accept their awards from Shellbrook Legion members Henri and Helen Da- A big screen was brought in to the SAD SAAC Park for Prairie Centre Credit genais, and principal Karisa Klaassen. Galloway’s junior black and white Union’s Drive In Movie Night. poster, and Philp’s essay, made it all the way to nationals. December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 17 Looking back on the year that was 2020

October cont’d A registered nurse from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation was fêted alongside her colleagues last Wednes- day, after winning the 2019 Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association’s Award of Excellence for Truth and Reconciliation in health- care. Norma Rabbitskin, who has served as a registered nurse for 31 years, was rec- ognized for incorporating cultural practices into pri- mary care. *** The main outdoor project The Blue Sky Country Boys had the Rabbit Lake Community Hall the Idylwild Lodge Auxil- rockin’ and rollin’ at an old-time concert and supper. iary has been working on for the past 8 years is the katchewan in March, shut- officers from the Ahtahkakoop RCMP Gazebo project. After years ting down hockey while Detachment attended the scene of a of fundraising and canvass- many local teams were in suspicious sudden death at a rural ing, construction finally be- Norma Rabbitskin, a registered nurse from the Sturgeon the midst of playoff runs. property approximately 32 kilome- gan in 2017. Louis Marion Lake First Nation, was recently honoured by the Sas- Second, it was the first tres north of Shellbrook, SK, along was the project manager katchewan Registered Nurses Association. game — albeit an exhibition Highway 240. and L&L Construction built match — for the Parkland The victim has been identified as the beautiful Gazebo that ing been overbuilt with golf courses, AA U18 Elks, who played 48-year-old Bradley John Schmalz, a stands there today. The project was making it a very competitive market. host to the Prince Albert Vikings in resident of the RM of Shellbrook. completed this past Saturday with Revenues from golf alone were not their debut, in front of a crowd of 150 *** the installation of sod. going to be enough to keep the golf enthusiastic spectators. The Shell Lake Legion had applied *** course afloat. Finally, it was also the first victory for funding through the Community The sun was out and shining on With the help of Golfshape De- for the team, which managed to top War Memorial Fund and were ap- Saturday, Oct. 3 for the Fall Fun Run velopment Inc., the owners finally the visiting Vikings 5-4. proved for our project of restoring hosted at the Spiritwood Golf Course. settled on a design that suited them our Memorials. Organizer, Lucinda Smolinski, was and their available space. Construc- *** The funding allowed us to repaint happy to see her available spots filled tion began this year, overseen by Pete The Village of Canwood may soon the 720 feet of railing running up the up by participants wanting to either Klassan, to create a park with 26 sea- have a new curling rink, after a hill, and sand and repaint the crosses walk or run 5 or 10 kilometers around sonal sites and 5 daily rental sites. $450,000 infrastructure project to in the Legion Memorial plot of the the Spiritwood Golf Course. The *** rebuild the facility was forwarded to Shell Lake Cemetery, and replace the group was mainly female, with a few The first annual Thickwood Hills the federal Investing in Canada In- name plates. men joining in and even some kids Adventures Arts and Crafts Show frastructure Program (ICIP) by the *** who ran/walked a 2 km loop. is in the books, and owners Doreen provincial government. Dahnis Duquette was nominated *** Kemp and Bryant Churko, who host- Erin Robertson, administrator for by the Staff at Leask Community Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott ed the show and sale on Sept. 18, 19 the Village of Canwood, says the curl- School and then had to complete a Moe is self-monitoring for COVID-19 and 20, say the credit for its success ing rink project will involve a demoli- personal application before being se- symptoms after a potential exposed goes to all who participated. tion and rebuild of the portion of the lected from many applicants across to the novel coronavirus during a re- *** building over the three sheets of curl- the Province to represent Prairie cent campaign event. Saturday, Oct. 17 was a day of many ing ice, as well as the addition of a Spirit School Division as a member of *** firsts. concrete ice surface, which will allow the Provincial Youth Council. She is An idea that has been three years For starters, it marked the first the rink to be a multiuse, year-round among 12 students across Saskatche- in the making is finally coming to time the Richardson Pioneer Rec- facility. wan that will provide their views and fruition for the owners of the Spir- reation Centre was home to hockey *** ideas to the Minister of Education. itwood Golf Course. One owner, Jim action and a large crowd since the On Oct. 15, 2020, the Saskatchewan *** Bedi, described the province as hav- COVID-19 pandemic reached Sas- RCMP Major Crimes Unit North and Continued on page 18

The Parkland AA U18 Elks had their first action of the 2020-2021 season on 21 volunteers were out early on a Saturday morning to help haul, lay, and Saturday. The team hosted the Prince Albert Vikings at the Richardson Pio- trim the sod to fit the space outside the Idylwild Lodge. neer Recreation Centre. 18 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 Looking back on the year that was 2020

October Cont’d The Spiritwood and District Lions Club hosted their annual District Gov- ernor’s visit on Oct. 8 at the Legion Hall in Spiritwood. Spiritwood Lions President, Marg Pretli, was presented with the Mar- vin Chambers Fellowship for contri- butions to the Saskatchewan Lions Foundation and the Melvin Jones Fel- lowship for contributions to the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Lion Dave Hyndman received the very special honour of being inducted into the Saskatchewan Lions Hall of Fame this year. *** In a crushing defeat for Ryan Meili and the opposition Saskatchewan Lion Dave Hyndman was inducted Instructors from Focus Goaltending help the young goalies hone their skills NDP, Premier and Rosthern-Shell- into the Saskatchewan Lions Hall of at a goaltending school in Shellbrook made possible by the Rolston Memorial brook MLA, Scott Moe, has received Fame at the Spiritwood Lions Dis- Fund. his first public mandate since taking trict Governors Banquet. He is pic- over leadership of the Saskatchewan tured here with his wife Glenda Hyn- val and haunted house — the town of other Rabbit Lake music and dinner Party in 2018. dman. Shellbrook came through and pro- night for a lucky few on Oct. 24. Along with Moe’s overwhelming vided some treats for local ghouls and Health guidelines were followed and mandate, Saskatchewan Rivers MLA The Spiritwood and Area Recreation goblins on Oct. 31. the evening was enjoyed by all in at- Nadine Wilson, and Meadow Lake Centre has been slowly reopening its At the Richardson Pioneer Recre- tendance. MLA Jeremy Harrison also won in doors to the public. The mezzanine has ation Centre, the town hosted two free A supper by Jeanette and Tina was landslides. been available for rentals since Sept. 9 hour-long public skate sessions from followed by some lively old time rock n’ *** with Yoga, Dance class, and step fit- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each session was open roll and classic country music played In what has, thus far, been a school ness all starting up. for up to 30 skaters by Freddie and Sheila Pelletier. year unlike any other in recent history, Hockey players and skaters were *** Halloween was different than usual the numbers are in for the Saskatch- able to hit the rink again Oct. 26, curl- Eleven goaltenders have gathered this year as a result of the ongoing CO- ewan Rivers Public School Division ers should be back out sweeping Nov. once again for the second year in a row VID-19 pandemic. (SRPSD). And, as is to be expected, 2, and bowling is hopefully reopening to work on and improve their skills, Children were still able to go around they appear to reflect the ongoing real- Nov. 2. thanks to the Rolston Memorial Fund. trick-or-treating if they chose to do ity of the COVID-19 pandemic. NOVEMBER This years list of goalies are: Brody so, however those wishing to hand out For all schools but one in the cover- After Monday, Nov. 9, there will be Moe, Emmet Spriggs, Ty Keyowski, candy were asked to tie an orange rib- age area of the Shellbrook Chronicle, some new faces around Shellbrook Brooklyn Anderson, Kendall Cook, bon on their door handle to indicate the enrolment numbers are (unsur- Town Council’s table, including a new Camerin Smart, Matt Muller, Eli Foy, that it was safe to trick-or-treat there. prisingly) lower than in years previ- face in the mayor’s seat that has been Nikita Krayetski, Camden Altstadt, *** ous, bringing an end to five years of occupied Mayor George Tomporowski and Jace Dorward Nearly a year after it was announced student body growth in the area. for the past 11 years. *** that Shellbrook would be home to an *** *** The Shellbrook Public Library’s first U18 AA hockey team, the wait to see As COVID-19 case numbers con- While COVID-19 may have resulted “Story Stroll” was a great success, even the Parkland Elks in action is finally tinue to rise across the province, the in the cancellation of the Halloween with the cold weather. 116 children over. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has been festivities that many of us are used to registered and received story packets, And boy, the team sure didn’t disap- declared the site of an outbreak. — including W.P Sandin High School’s then they travelled down the Story point. *** always well attended Quarter Carni- Stroll path to enjoy the story. The Parkland Elks opened their sea- *** son on home ice against the Humboldt Pelican Lake First Nation and Broncos this past weekend, scoring a Witchekan Lake First Nation and decisive 6-3 victory in front of an en- Paper Excellence Canada have an- thusiastic hometown crowd. nounced the signing of a Letter of In- *** tent that sets out the intentions of all The ballots for municipal elections parties to build a collaborative rela- have all been tallied, and councils in tionship with each other in Saskatch- towns, villages and Rural Municipali- ewan. ties will have a mix of new and famil- *** iar faces when they reconvene for their Jim and Elaine Tomkins hosted an- next meetings. In the Town of Shellbrook, Amund Otterson was promoted to Mayor, receiving 307 votes to Donovan Kultgen’s 163. As for the council election, Cheryl Ledding and Bruce Cle- ments were selected from the five competing candidates with 211 votes and 185 votes, respec- tively. *** In the R.M. of Shellbrook, Christine Strube earned a de- cisive victory in the Division 3 race, besting opponent Curtis Bloom by 35 votes. After 51 years of cutting hair, Jerry Heinbigner, owner of Jerry’s Barber Shop Kaydence and Aubrielle Booth enjoy the *** in Leask, decided to hang up his scissors and retire. Shellbrook Library’s Story Stroll. Continued on page 19 December 31, 2020 www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald 19 Looking back on the year that was 2020

November cont’d In the Town of Blaine Lake ratepayers opted to elect a new mayor, giving Matthew Hutch- ings 136 votes to Allan Soren- son’s 66 and Ernest Crowder’s 26. The council election, mean- while, brings a mix of new and returning councillors, includ- ing Jason Weber (143), Melissa Johnson (126), Rodger Peder- son (116), Bev Breland (109), Darlene Harder (109), and Jen- nifer Gutknecht (104). *** The R.M. of Blaine Lake also has someone new (sort of) at the head of the council table. Gerry Strelioff was able to Shellbrook Legion member Anne Gaboury reads out the roll Some members and associates of the Spiritwood Legion held win election as reeve with 105 call, honouring Shellbrook and area soldiers who fell in com- a small service of 8 people at the Spiritwood Legion Hall on votes, defeating Glenn Lamon- bat, during the Shellbrook Legion’s Remembrance Day cer- Nov. 11. tagne (69) and Christine Dar- emony. gin-Linsley (52). were newly elected. August. She and her family As for the Division 1 seat, it Rounding out the results bent Paulin Beaulac (53) being *** were surprised when she re- will be occupied by Michael along Highway 40, Parkside’s chosen to fill the four available Aside from the municipal ceived an invitation to partici- Chudskov, who beat out Brian council election saw Wayne seats. elections, the Saskatchewan pate in Golf Canada’s Junior Verbonac by just six votes (27 Pringle receive 38 votes, and *** Rivers Public School Division Camp at Bear Mountain Resort to 21). In a Division 5 nail-bit- Perry Lecomte receive 26 bal- Finally, the R.M. of Big Riv- also held a school board elec- in Victoria BC. er, incumbent John Priestley lots to earn re-election. er’s Reeve contest saw Dana tion in Subdivision 4. In that *** managed to hold onto his seat, *** Pettigrew unseat incumbent race, newcomer Cher Bloom Hot off their first season and scoring 17 votes to Ryan Dage- Moving north along Highway John Teer by a comfortable easily unseated incumbent home opener, the Parkland AA nais’ 16. 55, Village of Canwood mayor margin of 337 to 136. In Divi- John McIvor by a tally of 317 U18 were able to keep their win *** Robert Thompson fended off sion 3 it was a similar story, to 110. streak going, with a shaky but In the Village of Marcelin, a challenge from councillor with Jeff Wiebe earning 114 *** successful outing against the it’s mostly familiar faces, as Lloyd Bather, defeating him by votes to Devin Block’s 79. Saskatchewan’s hockey com- Prince Albert Vikings in Shell- Tom Hatfield (5), Craig Verbo- a tally of 93 to 66. He’ll have an *** munity is mourning the loss brook on Friday evening. nac (49), and Lynn McCormick all new council to work with, In other R.M. results, the of one of the province’s NHL Before the action could be- (44) were all re-elected. Newly as Ken Moar (100), Ron Will- R.M. of Medstead saw the tight- greats, following the passing of gin, however, Shellbrook Mi- elected is Lindsay Chmil (46). ner (91), Svend Hansen (83), est possible race for Reeve, as Jim “Chief” Neilson at age 79. nor Sports took a moment to *** and Lorne Benson (82) were Tracy Lockhart defeated Ber- Neilson was born in Big River honour the late Michael Cle- By stark contrast, the Village elected to fill the four available nie McClean 79 to 78. The R.M. to a Danish father and Indige- ments, who passed earlier this of Leask has an all new coun- seats. of Spiritwood’s Division 1 race, nous mother. He was sent to an year and was a staple in Shell- cil, including Valerie Priestley, *** meanwhile, saw Larry Vaagen orphanage at age five and spent brook’s hockey community Warren Morley, Murray Dono- In the R.M. of Canwood, oust incumbent Doug Johnson his 12 years there learning to throughout his minor hockey hue, and Shea Donohue. meanwhile, Ralph Korody was by a vote count of 81 to 45. play hockey, before launching years and as the backstop of *** re-elected as Division 1 coun- *** a 16-year NHL career with the the Shellbrook Elks (a team he With two new potential cillor, receiving 37 votes to Lastly, in the Village of Leo- New York Rangers at age 21. led to two Fort Carlton Hockey reeves on offer, voters in the Gordon Skavlebo’s 19. ville, incumbent Ron Craswell *** League titles). R.M. of Leask chose to sup- *** held onto his mayor’s seat, Brooklin Fry, a 15-year-old *** port the new face, Craig Ham- As for the village of Debden, earning 96 votes to Louise youth golfer from Shell Lake, In a Remembrance Day un- ilton, over long-time Division its council race delivered a mix Beaulac’s 77. had an eventful 2020 season like any other, members of 4 councillor Edward Musich. of new and old councillors, As for the council election, which she thought would have the Shellbrook Legion, special Hamilton Received 179 votes with incumbent Norman Cyr Marcel Bruneau and Ernest wrapped up with her second guests, and about 50 attend- Musich’s 40. (79), Raymond Brad (73), Ceci- Denis earned re-election, while place finish in Waskesiu’s La- ees braved blustery and snowy *** le Compagna (69), and incum- Mario Ruel and Beau Vandale dies Lobstick tournament in conditions to hold the commu- nity’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony last Wednesday. *** In the face of a surge of CO- VID-19 cases, the leadership of the Big River First Nation has announced that the com- munity will be entering a “total lockdown.” In a memo sent to all Big Riv- er First Nation band members on Oct. 30, the Big River First Nation’s chief, Jack Rayne, and its security officers outlined the new measures that will be in place. These include travel restrictions, which prohibit A ceremonial puck-drop was held at the travel in and out of the com- Friday Nov. 13 Parkland AA U18 Elks munity for anything other game, in honour of the late Michael than groceries or medical and Clements. With Clements’ family look- essential services. ing on, Rylan Moe drew the honour of Lines at the Shellbrook Community Hall were long throughout the day, during the *** taking the faceoff for the Elks. advanced municipal and school board election polls held on Nov. 4. Continued on page 24 20 Shellbrook Chronicle & Spiritwood Herald www.shellbrookchronicle.com | www.spiritwoodherald.com December 31, 2020 ShellbrookShellbrook ChronicleChronicle && SpiritwoodSpiritwood HeraldHerald

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November cont’d on Nov. 11 this year to honour and re- wan’s Ministry of Highways and Infra- seemed to satisfy the needs of people to Remembrance Day was snowy, windy, member the sacrificed made by the Ca- structure completes a project to install observe this day of remembrance. and cold this year. While the weather nadian armed forces in past wars and new lighting. *** wasn’t too out of the ordinary for mid- current peacekeeping operations. *** It was 1979 when Murray and Helen November in Saskatchewan, it certainly *** The Royal Canadian Legion Shell Mack made their return to Spiritwood, was a different Nov. 11 than years past. Late night drives along Highway 3 Lake Branch #15 held the annual Re- building and opening Spiritwood Paint A small service attended by 8 people through Shellbrook will soon be much membrance Day service on Nov. 11, with and Body. 41 years later, they are ready was held at the Spiritwood Legion Hall brighter, and safer, once Saskatche- 33 people in attendance. to say goodbye to their life’s work as the The service was held in the Lion’s Hall shop is passed along to Murray’s most with appropriate COVID-19 protocols recent prospects, Logan and Nolan being observed. The modified service Greyeyes.

The RM and Town of Big River wish to congratulate Douglas Panter who was After 41 years of owning and operating Spiritwood Paint and Body, Murray presented with ‘A First Bar to The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal’ and Helen Mack are retiring and have sold the business to former students in recognition of 30 years of loyal and exemplary services to public safety in Logan and Nolan Greyeyes. From left: Logan Greyeyes, Nolan Greyeyes, Hel- Canada. The presentation was made Nov. 3, 2020, by Reeve John Teer. Your en Mack, Murray Mack. dedicated service to The Big River and District Fire Department and Com- munity is greatly appreciated. PRAISE & WORSHIP Regular services, Sunday school and special services will be listed. LUTHERAN CHURCH IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL FREE Zion - Canwood LUTHERAN Big River NOTICE Sunday School, Parkside 11:00 a.m. - Worship Worship Sunday, 11 a.m. 11 a.m. - Worship Bible Classes 9:45 a.m. St. John’s - Shellbrook Pastor Chris Dean Summer: 10:30 a.m. - 12 TO OUR READERS Sunday School, ------306-469-2258 Live-stream worship ANGLICAN CHURCH Youth Nite: Fridays service on Facebook, Leask - All Saint’s Mont Nebo Worship Sunday, 9 a.m. Bible Study & Prayer Rev. Emmanuel Aristide Sunday, 9 a.m. - Service St. Andrew’s - Shellbrook Sun., 11:00 a.m. - Worship ------Pastor Bill Klumpenhower Please take only as many Sunday, 11 a.m. Service PENTECOSTAL ------newspapers from our newspaper CHURCH Canwood - Christ Church CATHOLIC CHURCH Parkside Sunday, 11 a.m. - Service Debden bins as need to be read. 10:30 a.m. Worship 2 p.m. Service 2nd Sunday Sun. Mass - 9:30 a.m. Pastor Daniel Mooseely of the month Fr. Michael Fahlman 306-747-3572 Rev’d Eyad Ajii Big River - Sacred Heart Shellbrook 306-980-5916 Sun., 11:30 a.m. - Mass If you’re looking for newsprint paper, Sun., 10:30 a.m. - Worship ------Whitefish Pastor David Bodvarson UNITED CHURCH Sun., 2:30 p.m. - Mass. 306-747-7235 please contact us and we can Shellbrook - Knox United Victoire Canwood arrange a bundle(s) of recycled paper 11:00 a.m. - Worship Sun., 10 am - Worship Sat., 7:30 p.m. - Mass. Pastor Glenn Blazosek 306-747-3434 Fr. Michael Fahlman for your use at no charge. 306-468-2138 Student Minister Eucharist Celebrations Leask Gospel Tabernacle Jon Worrall Muskeg Sunday 11 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Big River Sunday, 3 p.m. Pastor Lorne Valuck Sundays St. Agatha’s - Shellbrook Contact us at 306-747-2442. ------10 a.m.. - Worship Mass - Sunday 9 a.m. SOVEREIGN GRACE at Anglican Church St. Henry’s - Leask BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Dave Whalley Mass - Sunday - 11 a.m. Thank you for your understanding. Currently meeting in 306-747-2804 Mistawasis 2nd & 4th Sundays, 1:30 p.m. homes on Sunday morning ------& Wednesday evenings Fr. Phong Tran MENNONITE ------Parkside 306-747-2309 BRETHREN CHURCH Leask 306-466-4498 SEVENTH DAY Marcelin 306-226-4615 Blaine Lake Gospel Chapel ADVENTIST ------109 Railway Ave. W. 407-2nd Ave E, Shellbrook Shellbrook Chronicle PRESBYTERIAN Blaine Lake Sat., 9:45 a.m. - Sabbath School Mistawasis 306-497-3316 Sat., 11:00 am -Worship Sunday worship Pastor: Rick Schellenberg Broadcast on & Spiritwood Herald 11:00 a.m. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. VOAR 92.1 FM Rev. Katherine Bretzlaff Worship Pastor Liviu Tilihoi ------306-747-3398