Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý (EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article includes highlights of events which were reported on the pages of The Preeceville Progress during the course of 2016 and serves as a nostalgic reminder of the year passed. Dates listed refer to the publication dates, not to the dates of the events.)
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January
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý JanuaryÌý14-Regular curling in Preeceville for the new year kicked off.The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles were scheduled to stop in Preeceville.The Sturgis Composite High SchoolÌý junior girls' basketball team brought home its first tournament win. The Preeceville and District Mushers’ Rendezvouscommittee had been preparing for months for the annual Rendezvous.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý January 21-The Kelvington 4-H Beef Club reported a progressive year. The St. Patrick’s Roman Catholiccongregation took on the challenge of creating little dresses for girls across the world through the Dress a Girl Around the World project. The Laird Gervais rink of Crystal Lake won the Preeceville curling club's 200 plus bonspiel with a total of 15 rinks entered. ThePreeceville IP hockey team hosted a six-team tournament.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý January 28- The Etomamie Valley Rider acknowledged riders accomplishments atÌý its awards night. The Federated Coop continued with its improvements with sixteen new fuel tanks shipped and installed to the bulk fuel station. Preeceville Minor Hockey celebrated minor hockey day. The Preeceville Lions Club has been part of the community for 55 years.
February
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý February 4- The main attraction at the annual Preeceville and District Musher Rendezvous was dog sled races but many other activities focused on fun were also held. The Preeceville and District Mushers’ Rendezvous hosted its 17th annual edition of the Mushers’ Rendezvous with all proceeds going towards the multipurpose pad to be used by STARS air ambulance.Bruce Rawling was showcased in a concert at the St. John Lutheran Church in Preeceville.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý February 11- The Preeceville Curling club celebrated Curling Day in Saskatchewan. Dr. Morteza Shahrestani began practice as a general practitioner in Preeceville. The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles stopped briefly in Preeceville along their journey. The Town of Preeceville was awarded $175,000 to help with the cost of replacing the arena roof through the Government of Canada's 150 Community Infrastructure Program. United Church congregation members joined together in an evening service that celebrated the Week of Prayer.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý February 18-A playground became a reality for Lintlawresidents. Shirley Jackson of Saskatoon began her new post as acting administrator for the Town of Preeceville. Shrove Tuesday was celebrated with a pancake supper in Preeceville.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý February 25- The Preeceville 606 air cadet squadron hosted zone curling with six teams. Pastor Hein Bertram of Â鶹ÊÓƵ Africa joined the St. John Lutheran Church in Preeceville as the new pastor. Kennedy Kosheluk received the Parkland Music Festival adjudicator’s recommendation for the provincial festival. The Minnie Zimmer and Bonnie Paul rink won the Endeavour women’s two-on-two bonspiel.
March
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý MarchÌý 3-Heather Martian of Norquay opened an accounting business, MLJ Accounting in Preeceville. Cara Zubko, originally of Preeceville, was honoured with being nominated for the 2016 BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award. The Roughrider Snowmobile club hosted its third annual family snowmobiling day. Forty-nine snowmobilers took to the trail in the Okla snowmobile derby.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý March 10- The Preeceville Hospital’s annual bed push for Telemiracle 40 raised a record-setting $7,567.30. Twenty-four rinks were entered in the Preeceville open bonspiel. The 64th annual Sturgis ice carnival featured the Sturgis Figure skating club and its achievements throughout the year. The Sturgis Mini-Miracle continued its tradition of helping others with its 36th annual Mini-Miracle. The St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Sturgis played host to the year's annual World Day of Prayer service.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý March 17- Ivy Peterson (Bannister) of Preeceville celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by many family and friends. The Endeavour Figure skating club presented Super Heroes in its annual ice carnival. The final bonspiel of the curling season concluded with the Matt's and Home Hardware bonspiel in Sturgis. Tanya Lawson, assistant to the Turley vulture research project in 2015, gave a detailed presentation of the finding of the research in Preeceville.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý March 24-Dancers with theStudio Dance One club from Preeceville brought home numerous gold, silver and bronze medals from the Wadena Dance competition. The Wheatland Band was the final concert in the series of three Stars for Saskatchewan concerts. The Preeceville Pats midgets hockey team won the B side of the league championships. The Preeceville Pats peewee hockey team won the A-side banner in the league. The Preeceville Figure Skating club hosted its annual ice carnival.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý March 31- The Preeceville Pats atoms won the A-banner of the Major Hockey League in Preeceville. Holy week servicesconcluded at the Trinity United church in Preeceville.The Preeceville Club 60hosted a one-day shuffleboard tournament with 13 teams.
April
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý April 7-The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, Preeceville branch, sponsored a firearm safety course. The recycling program in the Town of Preeceville had seen positive results. The Preeceville branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation hosted its annual awards banquet and awards night. Eleven Preeceville students accompanied by Leslea Hanson, chaperone, attended the annual WE Day conference in Saskatoon.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý April 14-The Preeceville Harvard 606 Air cadets’ marksmanship team earned its spot at provincials after members placed first at the zone competition held in Yorkton. The Come Grow With Me program encouraged children and their parents to become more involved in family time. Representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion Number 188, Preeceville branch, presented awards to Preeceville School students for their winning entries in the annual Remembrance Day poster and essay contest.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý April 21-The second annual Preeceville spring expo trade show welcomed 72 vendors. The Preeceville seniors hosted the trump whist games for the Parkland Valley Region of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness 55-Plus games. The Sturgis branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation held its annual banquet trophy night. Preeceville and area volunteers were acknowledged for their dedication to volunteering.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý April 28-Members of the Sturgis Archery Club participated in the Junior Olympic program indoor provincial meet in Prince Albert. Hospital auxiliaries from across the District 3 region attended the annual Saskatchewan Health Care Auxiliaries association annual meeting in Preeceville. Rhonda Leibel launched her book Princess’ Knight.
May
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý May 5-Studio Dance One members performed at an annual recital. The Preeceville and District Heritage Museum hosted the annual Seneca Root meeting of museum representatives. The Gateway Co-op hosted its annual informational meeting. The Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club presented the annual spring concert in Sturgis. TheFamily Resource Centrefaced a challenging future.The cast and playersof the Preeceville-Sturgis United Church players performed their annual spring play.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý May 12-Members of the Assiniboine beef and Multi 4-H Club enjoyed a fun day at the Rockford Hall. The Sturgis Horticultural Society hosted its annual green thumb sale in Sturgis. The Preeceville and District Heritage Museum prepared to open for another busy season. The Preeceville St. John Lutheran Church women’s club continued with the challenge of making quilts for those less fortunate. Students from the Sturgis Composite High School and the Elementary School hosted a science fair.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý May 19-Cara Zubko of Stenen, who had recently graduated from Ohio State, was selected to play professional hockey with the EHV Vienna Sabers from Austria. The Preeceville School was selected as a recipient of the year's Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge. The Sturgis Composite High School performed its annual school play. Michelle Dodge opened a new hair salon, known as A Touch of Class.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý May 26-Preeceville School honoured 24 graduates. Sixteen Sturgis Elementary School students celebrated a milestone with a graduation ceremony. Members of the Sturgis Composite High School SADD chapter put on a mock accident that featured the effects of drinking and driving. Concerned Preeceville and area residents lined up to sign a petition that voiced their concerns with the SHR recent announcement of acute inpatient admissions and emergency room services that were to be suspended at the Preeceville andÌý District Health Centre.
June
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý June 2- Sturgis Composite High School honoured 13 graduates. Sturgis Station House and Preeceville and District Heritage Museum opened for the season. Preeceville Ambulance hosted an appreciation day during Emergency Measures day. The Preeceville School hosted an oratory competition. Preeceville residents traveled to the Legislature in Regina to protest Sunrise Health Region’s proposed temporary closure of the Preeceville Hospital emergency service.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý June 9-The Good Spirit School Division band hosted its annual awards concert at the Sturgis Composite High School. The Preeceville School Community Council spearheaded a community garden project. The Sturgis Kinsmen club sponsored its annual duck derby. The Preeceville Grade 4 students took up the challenge to create fish artwork that was submitted into the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation fish artwork contest.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý June 16- Canola test plots were seeded as a crop fundraiser for the Preeceville Arena. The Town of Preeceville developed a golf driving range. The St. James Anglican Church congregation of Endeavour held its annual Church Mouse Sale. The piano students of Bonnie Lisitza of Preeceville hosted a piano recital. Preeceville Nursery School students from the four-year-old and three-year-old classes were all acknowledged for their hard work throughout the year.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý June 23-The Assiniboine Beef and Multi 4-H Club hosted its first ever achievement day. The Preeceville Harvard Air Cadet Squadron hosted its annual inspection and awards day. The Preeceville School Kindergarten class honored 30 students. Top academic and athletic students were acknowledged for their achievements at the Preeceville High School awards day. United Church congregations across Canada marked an anniversary.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý June 30-The Preeceville School hosted an appreciation breakfast that showed their appreciation of the many volunteers who helped with the Breakfast Café. The Preeceville and District Heritage Museum sponsored a 1950's fun night. The Preeceville and District Heritage Museumreceived a special donation from the Peter Rupchan collection. Students at the Sturgis Composite High School received awards during its awards day. A summer solstice fun day was held at Annie Laurie Lake.
July
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý July 7-Sheldon Luciw of Preeceville was recognized at the Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association with an outstanding officials award. JJ Guy and Gordon Stobbe released their new album. Preeceville Elementary students were acknowledged for their hard work and dedication throughout the school year during an awards program. Kipp Bayer from the Sturgis Composite High School was presented the service award for Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association. It was announced that students at the Sturgis Elementary school would be relocating to the Sturgis Composite High School in the fall of 2017.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý July 14- Mud bogs wereÌýheld in Lintlaw. Gerald Sliva had a book published of his life as a youth growing up in Kuroki. The residents of the Preeceville and District Health Centre received an outdoor gazebo.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý July 21-Jasmine Knihniski was all geared up for her 20-day adventure that was to see her traveling to Africa. Chuckwagon and chariot races were the highlight of Preeceville Lions Club Western Weekend. Nelson Lake Bible Camp celebrated its 80th anniversary.Children were invitedÌýto celebrate the power of imagination at the Preeceville Public Library during the summer with the TD Summer Reading Club.
August
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý August 11-The Assiniboine Golden Aces won first place in the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association’s provincial slo-pitch tournament. The sixth annual Sturgis motorcycle rally weekend was another success. The centennial of the Green Leaf Cemetery was celebrated with a special blessing of family members’ graves. A town hall meeting was held at the Legion Hall to discuss the future of the Preeceville Hospital. The Sturgis Composite High School class of 1996 hosted a 20-year reunion.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý August 18- Many archers enjoyed the3-D archery shoot near Preeceville. The Town of Preeceville created a corn maze west of town. The Preeceville Filipino community gathered at Annie Laurie Lake in Preeceville to celebrate a special feast. The Sturgis Horticultural Society hosted another successful horticultural show with 214 entries. The Preeceville Co-ed Slo-Pitch League concluded the season.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý August 25-The Assiniboine Beef and Multi 4-H Club hosted an awards night. Esther Prystay of Preeceville, who has made a lifetime career out of her passion for growing flowers, was profiled. The Sturgis Station House Museum held many events over the summer which was highlighted by the move of the Brookeview School onto the grounds.
September
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý September 1-There are two new members of the teaching staff who joined the Preeceville School staff and one new member at the Sturgis Composite High School. Sierra Meroniuk of Sturgis signed a contract to play hockey for the AAA Weyburn Goldwings. The Town of Preeceville hosted a cultural day with many community members showcasing the many cultures in and around the community.The Preeceville community was towelcome two new doctors in October.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý September 8-Nelson Lake Bible Camp celebrated its 80th anniversary.The Preeceville Panthersfootball team hosted a football camp. School began for students in the Preeceville and Sturgis schools. The St. Patrick's Sturgis and Preeceville councils of the Catholic Women's League of Canada welcomed Rev. Mark Miller in a care for dying presentation.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý September 15-The Town of Preeceville hosted a registration and information session.Chuck wagon and chariot races were held at the Sturgis sports grounds.Jasmine Knihniski of Preeceville traveled to Tanzania, Africa in a humanitarian mission.Preeceville Elementary students showcased their athletic abilities at the annual track-and-field day meet.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý September 22-The Sturgis Station House Museum hosted a cultural day. The Sturgis Kinettes’ fall market provided the opportunity for local vendors to display their products. The Etomaimie Valley Riders horse club sponsored a gymkhana event on the Sturgis sports weekend. Preeceville and Sturgis school runners did well at a cross-country meet.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý September 29-Chelsa HeskinÌýwas diagnosed with dopatic generalized myoclonic astatic epilepsy that made her have up to 250 seizures a day.The largest pumpkin to win the 20th annual Preeceville Great Pumpkin contest tipped the scale at 134 pounds. The annual veggie exchange was another huge success with garden producers sharing extra vegetables with their fellow gardeners.Alan Holmber was elected Sturgis’s mayor.
October
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýOctober 6-The Parkland Music Festival was scheduled to be hosted in the Preeceville and Sturgis areas. The Sturgis Kinettescelebrated their 40th year as an organization. Preeceville cultural day brought out many ethnic lifestyles.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý October 13-Preeceville and District Heritage Museum hosted many events during the 2016 summer season. Preeceville and Sturgis students raised awareness of the Terry Fox Run. The Preeceville and Sturgis schools celebrated the accomplishments of students and staff during Education Week.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý October 20-The 606 Harvard Squadron, which has operated in the community of Preeceville for the last 60 years, was seeking a highway bus.The Preeceville Arena kicked off its season with welcoming of all hockey players and figure skaters with a free general skate. The Sturgis Catholic Women's League sponsored the Klothes for Kids Missionary. Preeceville October trade show involved 45 vendors.
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý October 27-The Town of Preeceville Board of Trade sponsored an opportunity for residents to meet and greet the candidates who ran for a seat on the Town of Preeceville council. Residents had the opportunity to welcome, meet and greet the new doctors recently acquired for the Preeceville Medical Clinic. Education Week was celebrated at both Preeceville and Sturgis Schools. A two-day trappers’ course that featured a balance of theory and practical experience was held at Rockford.
November
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýNovember 3- The Preeceville rink canola fundraiser exceeded expectations. Alton Gregoryof Endeavour was presented with the Driver-of-the-Year award.Lisa Brokopwas the first concert in the set of three Stars for Saskatchewan concert series. ThePreeceville skate program attracted over 50 players. Danielle Chartier, MLA for Saskatoon Riversdale, chair of Public Accounts and critic for health, seniors, and Saskatchewan Builds for the New Democratic Party, addressed concerns and recorded questions from Preeceville and area residents. Voters went to the polls in the rural municipalities.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý November 10-Ian Abbott, civilian instructor for the Preeceville Harvard 606 Air Cadet squadron, was acknowledged with a Command Team Commendation award. Members of thePreeceville Harvard Air Cadets 606 Squadron canvassed the Town of Preeceville to promote wearing poppies. Ducks Unlimited Canada hosted its annual East Central Flyway fall banquet and fundraising auction in Sturgis.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý November 17-Nettie Auramenko of Sturgis celebrated her 100th birthday.Students, staff and invited guests assembled for the Preeceville School's annual Remembrance Day service. Residents from across the Preeceville and local area paused to remember the fallen soldiers and other war veterans. The Preeceville Skating Arena was renamed the Richardson Pioneer Skating Arena.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý November 24-A benefit fundraiser was held for Carol Gibb (Kozloski) of Preeceville. The newly-elected council members for the towns of Preeceville and Sturgis were sworn into office. The Whitehawk Arts Council presented its second concert, Lion Bear Fox in the Stars for Saskatchewan concert series. Walking programs kicked off in Preeceville and Sturgis.
December
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý December 1-The Christmas shopping season kicked off with the Snowflakes and Sugar Plums Christmas craft sale in Sturgis. The Sturgis, Preeceville and Endeavour Family Resource Centre celebrated its 20th year. A Preeceville liquor store employee, a Kamsack entrepreneur, and a Co-op store in Canora were selected to operate the liquor stores in those three communities.The Sturgis School Community Councilhosted its annual general meeting that focused discussions on the consolidation of the two schools.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý December 8- The annual Preeceville Christmas craft salewas deemed another success. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol was brought to life when readers took on the challenge at a program called The Dickens’ Night in Preeceville.Mayor Garth Harris discusses a new vision for the new year. Children and adults alike enjoyed skating alongside Santa Claus in the Skate with Santa.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý December 15-Judy Bjornstad, who has followed her passion for painting by creating numerous prints, was profiled. The Preeceville student representative council hosted a pancake breakfast. The Sturgis branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation hosted its annual antler measuring event. Sturgis residents enjoyed the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping with the Shop Sturgis and Win promotion. Alan Homberg, Sturgis’s new mayor, says that his intent is to focus on the growth of the town.
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý December 22- The United Church held its barn service in Preeceville. Christmas gifts and food hampers were wrapped for the Filling the Gap Christmas program. Past Sturgis Mayor Don Olson was acknowledged for his dedicated years of service as a councillor from 1991 to1997 and mayor from 1997 to 2016.The Preeceville Nursery Schoolsponsored a shopping spree raffle. The Sturgis Elementary students performed their Christmas concert. The Preeceville School elementary students performed for family members and friends in their annual traditional Christmas concert.
