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.
Snow Lake's Canada Day Celebration began as it always does, with the community dance on the evening of June 30th. The following day, those who went home early, or who weren't quite as determined in their celebrating, joined others who continued celebrating through the early morning hours, and assembled at the beach tennis court for the annual pancake breakfast. Following breakfast, the setup began for a fun filled day of races, contests, draws and excited celebration. People arrived at the Sunset Beach venue with the parade, which winds its way along the lakeshore from the uptown, eventually concluding at the beach. The parade featured a wide variety of floats chased by an even broader assortment of children. Treats tossed from former eventually ending up in the possession of the latter. I'm sure most would agree that the 2009 parade was exceptional. One almost thought that it was winding through the fragrant and blossom lined avenues of Herb Lake Landing rather than those of Snow Lake. In fact there were three floats from that community and they appeared to be almost museum pieces on wheels. Obviously much thought and loads of work went into their layout and constructionÉand it wasn't wasted, as they went home with the prize for best overall float. Winners in the 2009 parade were: Best Overall ($100) Ð Herb Lake Seniors; Best Canada Day ($100) Ð Health Auxiliary/Second Glance; Small Motors ($25) Ð Jesslyn and Sarah Turnbull; ($25) Ð Lyndon Bartlett. Once the parade ended and its participants gathered in the beach parking lot, people made their way to the center of the beach where the flagpole is situated. At noon, Second World War Veteran Ben Foord raised the flag, while young Zachary Roberts amazed all in attendance with his rendition of the National Anthem. Once Zach had finished, the hunt was on for a knife as next on the agenda was the cutting of the Canada Day cake. Mayor Zamzow and wife Sylvia cut and passed out the cake, while the United Steelworkers Local # 7106 handed out ice-cream. Following cake and ice-cream, the kids races began with a flourish, as did the money dig (cash in plastic bags hid in mounds of sand) in another area of Snow Lake's spacious and well maintained summer gathering place. Additionally, beach volley ball got underway in another area, and the Pie Eating contest in another still. The Beer Gardens and Food Booths were both popular spots and several contests no doubt took place as a result of challenges issued in the former. Winners in the Obstacle Course were Shelia and Christina Holmgren and Bailey Galiz and Cheyenne Tandy. The Tug-of-war went to the team of Amanda Lavoie, Michelle Sicotte, Ryan Leaman, Devon Powell, Shane Fris, and Rick Leaman. As well, winners of the Best Dressed in Red and White from the social the night before were the couple of Dianna and Glen Bartley, the best dressed female was Tara Semanuik, and from all the males in attendance, it was Ian Lamontagne. The 50/50 winner from the dance was Michelle Sicotte and Randy Compton who split $245 and Lynn and Davy-Boy Smith won the Legion's big one Ð $1,000 Ð the next day. Around 6 p.m., the Snow Lake Elks held their first ever Canada Day Scavenger Hunt. Spokesperson Connie Bartlett noted that although there were only six entries, the teams seemed to have fun! "We had a list of 50 items Ð which were all purple (The Elks colour)," said Bartlett! "And there were 10 bonus points awarded if the team brought all the items back in a purple back pack." The team of Jaimee Gogal, Joan Gogal, Sierra Turnbull, and Haylee Turnbull managed to best the 2nd place team of Faith Byblow, Amanda Perrett, and Jullianne Perrett by just a half of a point. The girls all split $45. Finally, as darkness settled in, people began to gather at the beach for the fireworks display. Over the past decade or so that Ivan Ward and the Snow Lake Fire Fighters have put on the local show, I'm certain that I have used every glowing phrase and laudatory description that I know in recounting each year's given display. I have come to the realization that I'm about to start repeating myself. Nevertheless, this year the show was unsurpassed in its artistry, unequaled in its sequence, and unending in its brilliance! Just an unbelievable job guys.
