The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Bruce Fidler wears his pride for Creighton on his sleeve. As mayor of the sleepy town of 1,500, he spends much of his time touting the virtues of what he considers to be a first-rate community. So no one is more delighted than Fidler to find out Creighton has been nominated in the Great Places In Canada contest put on by the Canadian Institute of Planners. 'We feel that Creighton is a nice, friendly, safe town to live in,' he says. 'We have an excellent education system, recreation _ we've got it all.' The Great Places contest is accepting nominations in three categories: Public Spaces, Streets and Neighbourhoods. Creighton was nominated in the Neighbourhoods category by resident Brenda Schmidt. As of Monday evening it was one of eight nominees in that category along with Churchill, Man.; Fernie, B.C.; the Victoria Park neighbourhood in Kitchener, Ont.; the LaHave River near Bridgewater, Nova Scotia; the Old Montreal neighbourhood in Montreal; the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood in Montreal; and the Parkdale neighbourhood in Toronto. Parkdale was the runaway leader in online votes with 495. Creighton ranked fourth with 26 tallies. More communities may be up for the honour yet, as nominations are open until Jan. 31. Winners will be chosen through an online vote as well as the opinion of an independent panel. However, the 'People's Choice' winner in each category will be determined solely by online votes. A plaque will be presented to the mayor in each winning location, and certificates will be awarded to the nominators. Nominators of winning communities will also receive travel vouchers and gift cards, while the towns themselves will be the subject of feature articles in up! Magazine. Mayor Fidler said he would welcome the added publicity for his community. 'It would just let people know where we are, who we are and hopefully attract some more tourists to the area to just come see what it's like,' he said. Yet Fidler knows Creighton lacks the population of most of the other nominees. But 'irregardless of what happens, we're very proud,' he said. 'We'll do the best we can,' the mayor added as he encouraged everyone to log on and vote for Creighton. Winners will be announced on April 30. Votes are being accepted until Feb. 29 at http://www.cip-icu.ca/greatplaces/en/. The following article accompanies Creighton's entry on the contest website: 'Creighton, named after the prospector Thomas Creighton, is primarily known as a mining town. 1,500 people call it home. Creighton sits on the Precambrian Shield in northern Saskatchewan at the end of the Hanson Lake Road, surrounded by the magic of the boreal forest. In the winter, you can walk down Creighton Avenue and stroke the sun dogs. You can stop and watch ptarmigan dining on the willow. The stars are heavy above town. Here, you can look out your window and watch the northern lights dance. 'The Town of Creighton website is as clean and efficient as the town itself. According to it, the area's history reaches far back. The Saskatchewan Department of Natural Resources surveyed the town site after WWII. Creighton was incorporated as a village in 1952, and attained town status in 1957. 'A friendly, active community, Creighton invests in recreation and wellness. The Creighton Ball Diamond, Creighton Tennis Court, Creighton Sportex, Lions Mushroom Spray Pool & Park, Creighton Soccer Field & Oval of Dreams Running Track, Creighton Skate Board/BMX Park. Ski trails and snowmobile trails nearby. You can follow the Community Connections Walking Path that links Creighton to Flin Flon, Manitoba, and stop anywhere to paint or write. 'The Town of Creighton is a community that values community. The website lists the people at the Creighton Town Office and numerous community groups. Individuals have their say. The town council, administration and public works consist of neighbours, friends, or people you see in the post office. Everyone makes a contribution. 'The landscape and history of Creighton appeal to the imagination. The arts community is thriving here. It's an artist's dream.'
