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.
Elks Mark Monumental Milestone It's one of the first buildings a person notices when entering Snow Lake. The big mauve, or purple Quonset, that nestles between the Brentwood lift station and the Bella Apartments. It's called the Elks' Hall and it has sat at this prominent location for 44 years. However the building's inhabitants have been a part of the community a tad longer. Snow Lake's Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks celebrated 50 years of existence on June 10, and a number of community members, both past and present , were there to help them do it up right! The evening began with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres Ð organizers did well in enlisting a couple of very attentive Girl Guides (Holly McLaughlin and Angel Cann) to bring around the appetizers, tea, and coffee. They were never far from anyone's attention and seemed to almost sense who needed what and when. With the pre-supper mingling winding down, Elks member and emcee Brenda Forsyth-Flamand made her way to the microphone. 'Not even that old' "Fifty years, wow, I'm not even that old," Forsyth-Flamand exclaimed as she introduced the head table. Starting with Stuart and Ellen Bridgeman, she made her way from one end to the other. "Stuart is one of our longest-standing members, he has 38 years in the Elks," said Forsyth-Flamand. "Next there was Cauline and Daryl Armsworthy. Cauline is the president of the local Legion branch. Mayor Clarence Fisher and wife Jacquiline Nogier. The last honoured lady of the Royal Purple, Kim Stephen, and husband Hank Dyck. Our Royal Purple folded this past fall, so we thought that we'd bring them back here tonight and honour them as well. "Then Ron and Anita Baschuk. Ron is here for the Flin Flon club as well as representing the Grand Lodge, and finally, Brian and Betty Hicks representing the Lions Club." Prior to dinner, Forsyth read out the names of her brother Elks who had passed on as fellow Elk Connie Bartlett lit candles in their honour. They were: Walter Johnson (March 1963); James Gowan (July 6, 1972); Robert Thompson (Jan. 17, 1974); Paul Neilson (Nov. 27, 1974); Percy McMurray (Jan. 24, 1977); Joseph Courchene (March 30, 1979); Ernest Erickson (May 26, 1980); Mike Kowalchuk (Aug. 9, 1981); Roy Baird (Dec 10, 1987); Cecil Hall (Feb. 16, 1989); Melvin Rolles (Dec. 18, 1989); Ed Schneider (Oct. 22, 1992); Archie Payne (May 31, 1994); Elwood Pockett (Aug. 24, 1994); Ed Johnson (Dec. 11, 1992); Louis Stoltz (Aug. 17, 1995); George Sicotte (May 9, 1996); Ab Schellenberg (Jan. 26, 1997); Dave McLeod (Aug. 3, 1998); Louis Tabin (Aug. 31, 1998); Willie Holunga (Jan. 10, 2004); James Pockett (July 11, 2006); and Nick Tchozewski (July 24, 2010). Supper Subsequent to calling out the names of her fallen brethren, Forsyth-Flamand announced that the buffet supper was ready. The roast beef supper, put on by several Girl Guides, their parents and leaders, was exceptional. Following supper, Forsyth-Flamand provided a little history of the local Elks. She advised that although membership had been larger in past years, the club currently has 19 members. The club's first Exalted Ruler was George Young, who served from 1961-62. See 'New...' on pg. 11 Continued from pg. 10 The current Snow Lake Elks Lodge was constructed in 1968, and Forsyth-Flamand noted that over the years the Elks have done a number of things to upgrade it Ð most recently, new front steps. The Elks have been very active within the community over their 50 years here. Many of their projects were listed, and it was noted that they purchase medical 'Lifelines' for a couple of local residents. They supply awards for Minor Hockey and in the past have done so for the local junior hockey team. They give a bursary each year to a Grade 12 graduate, and put on a weekly bingo and turkey bingos. The club also helps out at Safe Grad and Canada Day events, and supplies a free meeting place to the Sparks, Brownies, and Guides. The Elks have donated numerous items and cash to the Snow Lake Health Centre. They make donations to the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children, as well as a number of activities that have been sponsored annually in the school and recreation facilities. Following the club history, Elk Ron Baschuk spoke on behalf of the Flin Flon Elks as well as the Grand Lodge, congratulating the local club on the "50 years of Elkdom." Subsequent to this, Baschuk presented the club's Stu Bridgeman with a plaque from Grand Exalted Ruler Dave Herley. He made another presentation to Orville Becking on behalf of the president of the Manitoba Elks Association. Both presentations were to the local club acknowledging their milestone. Mayor Clarence Fisher spoke to the gathering. He related his own experiences as a boy whose father and uncle were active members of the club. He joked that as a non-member he'd logged a lot of hours in the lodge, from Christmas parties to bingos. Articulate Amiable and articulate, Fisher praised the Elks' fundraising and service to the community, prior to wishing them all the best on behalf of the town in reaching the 50-year mark. Cauline Armsworthy followed and congratulated the Elks on behalf of the Legion and Legion Ladies, noting that her father and father-in-law had both been proud members of the local club. Next, Baschuk was back up again, this time representing the Flin Flon Lodge. He presented John Pishak with a plaque for the local Elks from their Flin Flon brethren. Brian Hick then congratulated the group on behalf of the Snow Lake Lions Club and presented a plaque that Rene Lamontagne accepted on behalf of the club. On behalf of the now-defunct Snow Lake Royal Purple, Kim Stephen accepted thanks from the Elks for their past service (and for leaving everything in the kitchen for the Elks). Prior to this, she and Ellen Bridgeman presented a commemorative plaque to the Elks, which Kirk Melnick gratefully accepted. Concluding the formal portion of the evening, Forsyth-Flamand offered a number of thank-yous prior to Irene (Schellenberg) and the Goodniters taking to the stage. They played exactly what this crowd wanted to hear and the dance floor was hopping all night long. One could say that it was music to knock your socks off, perhaps even make a person's dress slip down an inch or two! There were a number of presentations from the penny parade and door prize draws throughout the evening. Most attendees stayed, danced and continued to help the Elks celebrate their 50 years in Snow Lake. My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays. 6/24/2011
