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.
Canada Day was a bit of a bust, but it certainly went out with a bang! The celebration wasnÕt the success it has been in the past, or that it could have been, but it certainly wasnÕt from a lack of trying; both on the part of the organizers and the participants. The social on June 30 as well as the pancake breakfast and parade the next morning werenÕt affected by the rain, but pretty much everything else was. It wasnÕt a steady drizzle, instead we put up with large, looming, black, clouds that burst, soaked everything in their path, then moved away. But they didnÕt move away for longÉ just long enough for everyone to get rigged back into what they were doing, before they burst again. Festivities at the beach began with Second World War veteran Ben Foord raising the flag, while an honour guard made up of RCMP Cpl. Jackie Wheeler, Parade Marshall Rene Lamontange and a contingent of the Snow Lake Senior Rangers stood at attention. Sisters Riley Galiz and Robin Coulson very pleasingly and proficiently harmonized through O Canada, while Foord set the flag at half-mast. This was very touching, as it was in honour of the sudden passing of veteran, Legion member, and a friend of many, Gerry Stubbs. After Mayor Garry Zamzow and Foord cut the Canada Day cake, the Steelworkers passed out ice cream. Following this, the food booth, beer gardens, beach volleyball, and childrenÕs races began, but before long, the clouds opened up and everything came to a screeching halt. Once that initial downpour was out of the way, people made their way back to the beach to try it again. Events such as the penny parade, money dig, toy walk, face painting, red and white hair extensions, and the races did eventually play out and conclude, but most others were downsized or cancelled because of the intermittent downpours. The beach volleyball teams only managed to get a single game apiece in, so in a show of true Canada Day spirit, they donated the entry/prize money to the Friends of the Firemen. It appeared that the various draws, canoe jousting and possibly the talent show may have been held; however, no results had been received by press time. Winners in the parade were: Best Canada Day Float: 1st Diamond Willow - $100; 2nd Cornerview $50. Best Overall - Wekusko Falls Park $100 (they donated it to the fire truck). Small Motors: Best Canada Day: 1st - Cody Robinson $50. Winners in some of the races: Running Races by Canada Day Committee One-year-olds 1st - Jack Katterhagen, 2nd Ð Callie (last name not given), 3rd - Jesse Yoder Two-year-olds 1st - Alyssa Cockle, 2nd - Rydell Monias, 3rd Ð Roxanne (last name not given) Three-year-olds 1st - Lochlan Zorn, 2nd - Sara Turnbull, 3rd - Allie Galiz Four-year-olds 1st - Karson Yoder Five-year-olds 1st - Preston Erickson, 2nd - Jayden Glenn and Riley Reierson, 3rd - Lauren Francis Six-year-olds 1st - Evan Yurkemik, 2nd - Tessa Sass Seven-year-olds 1st - Justin Francis, 2nd - Evan Galiz, 3rd Ð Heather (last name not given) Eight-year-olds 1st - Magenta Fourie, 2nd - Kyla Spruyt, 3rd - Christian Fisher Nine-year-olds 1st - Jordon Sass, 2nd - Riley Felchun, 3rd Ð Tanya (last name not given) Ten-year-olds 1st - Cole Reierson, 2nd - Joan Gogal, 3rd - Kade Korchinski Eleven-year-olds 1st - Austin Roberts, 2nd - Nick Gray, 3rd - Marty Burwood Twelve-year-olds 1st - Cody Robinson Garson Gold race winners were: Family Fun Races by Garson Gold Corporation Three-legged race 1st - Ellen Hornyak and Kade Korchinski, 2nd - Drew and Cole Dunbar, 3rd - Kathleen Deduke and Rylan Walker Wheel Barrel Race 1st - Drew and Cole Dunbar, 2nd - Ellen Hornyak and Kade Korchinski, 3rd - Calvin Carins and Justin Francis Sack races (ages 6 and under) 1st - Jade Johnson, 2nd - Lauren Francis, 3rd - Ryanne Galiz. Sack races (7-10) 1st - Cole Dunbar, 2nd - Jordon Sass, 3rd - Kade Korchinski and Jordan Strickland. Sack races (11 and up) 1st - Danny Otto, 2nd - Cody Robinson, 3rd - Kathleen Deduke. As was the case for the 60th, the rain delayed the fireworks for another day, but surely everyone would agree, they were well worth the wait. It seems that each year, the comment is, ÒWow, they were much better than last year.Ó Or, ÒThere were a lot more than last year!Ó I donÕt know whether that is the case, but I do know that Ivan Ward and the Snow Lake Firefighters do, without a doubt, come up with more elaborate displays and more innovative ways of demonstrating them. These guys spent practically two full days at the beach setting this display up and I donÕt think that it is possible to convey how much each person in this community appreciates that. They are all heroes when they don their turnout gear and they are certainly champions of the community on our nationÕs birthday. It was an amazing display of fireworks! My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
