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2005 Saskatchewan Centennial July 23 and 24

Many communities chose to have local celebrations in honour of the province's centennial. The hamlets of Estlin, Gray, Riceton and Bechard joined  together to host a series of activities.
Saturday July 23 - all events in Gray
​Noon              Registration
1pm                Parade (see below)
2pm                Main Street Stage - Opening Ceremony (see below)
3-6pm             Rink - historical displays, ice cream, tea room
                        Memorial Hall - beer gardens
3pm                Main Street Stage - Entertainment/Talent which included a performance by puppeteer Sheila (Myers) Edgar.
4:30pm          Main Street Stage - 306 Sport Hall of Fame Induction (Myrna Bonsor, Crystal Frisk, Mac Paton)
5-7pm             Memorial Hall - dinner
7pm                Main Street Stage - dance
Sunday July 24
Riceton Sports Grounds
8-11am           Pancake Breakfast
                        SaskTel hot air balloon rides (weather permitting)
9am                Slo-pitch Tournament
Gray
9:30-10:30am Interdenominational Church Service at Gray United
11am-3pm      Rink - historical displays, ice cream, tea room        
Lori Boesch (Event Chairperson) opening remarks
​
Welcome to the Estlin/Gray/Riceton/Bechard Saskatchewan Centennial Celebration!!!  Small town Saskatchewan is really the place to be – not only this summer for the opportunity to celebrate our province’s centenary – but to appreciate what a ‘sense of community’ can do!
We welcome the crowd here today – recognizing some frequent visitors, others home for a visit with friends and family and especially the newcomers to rural Sask.  Small towns need participation to survive and we have to count on everyone in the community to support our activities.
Our opening ceremonies will begin with our special guests being led in by Sarah Yeo (a former area resident) playing the bagpipes, Andy Frisk (another former area resident) in red serge representing the RCMP, followed by our special guests; Mr. Ralph Goodale, Mr. Don McMorris, Mr. Bill Gillis, Mr. Roy Black, Mrs. Jean Coldwell and Mr. Con Bechard.  Please welcome them.
The national anthem is now going to be performed by three generations; Sharon Frei, her daughter Karen Butel and her son Jordan.  Please rise –
I would now like to invite Ralph Goodale the Minister of Finance and our Member of Parliament to say a few words.
To get in the celebratory mood, we now have a group to perform the official Saskatchewan song written by Brad Johner.  Singing Friends and Neighbours are a group of farm ladies who enjoy singing for your entertainment.  They represent the communities of Estlin, Gray, Kronau, Lajord, Lumsden and Regina.  The director is Marilyn Hill from Lumsden.  Ladies –
Now our MLA for Indian Head/Milestone, Don McMorris –
The Gray School and community children will now come up on stage.  Cheri Helstrom and Penny Wiebe have been coaching this group and from watching rehearsal yesterday I will say you are in for some participation!  Alyssa Johns-Wozney is the group’s MC.
We have invited a representative from each of the four participating communities to say a few words.  Leading off the group will be Bill Gillis representing the host town today – Gray.  Bill is mayor of all and committee member of everything and has lived in Gray his whole life.  While working on the house lists you will see around town – it seems that Bill and Bebe Gillis have lived on every street.  He is definitely the go to guy for all information.  Bill –
A story that I have heard recounts a Mr. Black speaking to Mr. Green (the names have been changed to protect the innocent) back in the days of party lines.  At the end of the conversation Mr. Black said goodbye to Mr. Green and also to Mrs. Brown (a supposed eavesdropper) who in this case was caught – because she responded with a goodbye.  I must say though – the days of the General Rings and eavesdroppers sure must have made it easier to spread the word regarding any news.  That seemed to be one of our challenges over the last few months – to keep the locals informed.  So, Mr. Black – speak on – we are all listening!
Pull of the Land is a stage production that was written by Beth Robertson and was originally performed in Harris, SK.  Morgan and Angela Moats (of Riceton) will now perform a song from that play ‘Prairie Sentinel’ - a tribute to the grain elevators that used to dot the landscape.
Our next town rep is from Riceton – when asked to participate in today’s ceremonies – she accused us off choosing her because she was old – well not only is she old, but we also learned that Jean (Purves) Coldwell is also the longest standing resident of the community and a representative of one of the original pioneer families!  So, Jean on all accounts you make a spectacular spokes-person for Riceton.
Con Bechard is the representative for the town of Bechard.  Con has spent his life in our communities and witnessed many years of changes.  I have heard Con referred to as the ‘front man’.  He arrives in advance of his sons’ and the Cleanfield Farm Services spray units. 
Morgan and Angela will now perform a second song from Pull of the Land – Sky High – let’s appreciate our never-ending horizon and our (nearly always) blue skies.
Announcements;
  • at the Registration Tent (also designated as History in the Making) we have some History opportunities – we have sets of The Ties that Bind history books. – the first edition and in support of our centennial year we are producing an update version – 1984 to present.  Last minute additions can be submitted by Thursday, July 28.  We will get the book to print and mail by the end of August.  Please purchase the number of copies you would like this weekend.
  • We have initiated a documentary project.  Filming has begun this weekend and then will be in production for the next couple of months.  The film will be between one and two hours in length and available in DVD or VHS.  Please let us know (once again at the Registration Tent) if you are interested in purchasing this production (or would like more info regarding the project).  If you have interview or story ideas please let Leeta Gooding, Bill Gillis, Don Moats, Mac Paton or myself know.
  • The Talent Show will begin shortly – if you have not registered, please come up to the tent and do so.  At 4:30 on the stage will be the 306 Community Sport Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.  Something not on the schedule is the opportunity to walk through Gray School from 5-6PM.  Choir practice (for church service tomorrow) is at 7:30pm at the church.  The choir leader is Diane Burrows.  The steak BBQ will be followed by a street dance.  Tomorrow is Family Fun Day in Riceton – following the pancake breakfast there will be kid and family activities – potato sack races, face painting, horseshoes, ball diamonds available.  Come out and enjoy the day.  Box lunches will be available – if you plan on having lunch, please let the Registration Tent know.  The History displays will be open tomorrow from 11AM – 3PM.
I would like to acknowledge the ‘committee’ for the weekend.  Our meetings were open to all but I will recognize the main group; from Riceton – Lee Moats and Rob Pitchko, From Estlin – Myrna Bonsor, Thelma Dobrowolski, Leeta Gooding, From Gray, Todd Brunas, Sheila Carnegie, Donna Ford, Randy Frei, Sharon Frei, Crystal Frisk, Bebe Gillis, Bill Gillis, Cheri Helstrom, Maxine Hendrickson, Greg Kelly, Randi Kelly, Todd Lewis, Joyce Wozney, Leonard Wozney and Rob Wozney.  Also, thanks to some of the community groups that are volunteering their time as well – the Gray Hall Board, Riceton Rec Committee, Riceton Ladies Club, Riceton Volunteer Fire Department, The Screaming 0’s hockey team, Singing Friends and Neighbours,
I will now invite Friends and Neighbours to perform The Days of Long Ago.  This is to the tune of Auld Lang Syne and the chorus is printed on the back of the Schedule of Events – please sing along.
Enjoy the weekend.
Some notes;
  • residents in the area committed to purchasing the plywood purchased to put down the floor in the rink.
  • bakers were recruited to come up with 100 homemade pies!!
  • lapel pins were sold
  • costs were; Registration $5, Supper ($15 Adult, $7.50 for 6-12yr), Breakfast ($5 Adult, $4 6-12yr), History books - Volumes I and II $25, Volume III (new softcover) $15, Lajord Homestead map $10.
  • people could sign up to receive more information on the DVD that was filmed during the weekend.
  • the raffle prizes included a knife set carved by Irv Brunas. Anyone remember the other prizes or have a copy of the ticket?
  • church service participants were Music Leadership: Sharon Frei, organist; Debbie (Frei) Mooney, pianist; Community Choir; Singing Friends and Neighbours; and Dianne Burrows. Presiding and Preaching: John Haas; Time with Everyone, Carolyn McBean; Scripture Readers Con Bechard and Lawrence Boesch.
the ties that bind
​
Prior to the Saskatchewan Centennial celebrations, locals (middle-aged) approached locals (more senior) to tell some 'stories'. Those stories became the ties that bind DVD along with some celebration weekend highlights.
​We also encouraged residents (past and present) to provide updates for a the ties that bind Volume III. These two items were distributed post-event.
​
ties that BinD Volume III
ties that bind DVD
  1. ​Riceton Volunteer Fire Department - Truck #1
  2. Corky and Betty Lafoy - Bridal carriage owned by Little Farms – being pulled by Don Moats horses.
  3. Ralph Goodale, Finance Minister and our Member of Parliament, RCMP Andy Frisk (driven by Todd Lewis - 67 Buick Electra convertible originally from Vegas)
  4. Don McMorris – MLA for Indian Head/Milestone
  5. Rengro – here comes the clown
  6. Clarence Coldwell - 46 1 ¼ tonne chevy from General Motors, 22,000 miles, belonged to Merle Boesch, and Jack Purvis
  7. Grandma’s feather bed
  8. Emma Yeo - baton twirler
  9. Dave Helstrom - 27 Chevy belonged to Lou Carter (grandfather), original condition, once owned by Corky Lafoy
  10. 1949 John Deere A driven by George East – owned by Morley Gooding
  11. Morley Gooding - 1949 GMC 1 tonne dual wheeled truck.  Both of these two vehicles were bought from KC Gillis. The first time that Morley Gooding bought new.  He is pulling trailer of stationary engines.
  12. Pitman Nudist Colony - not sure if they are looking for new members
  13. Barry Frisk- Model T Ford Car - 27 touring (Kitty Dunning, 91.5 yrs old)
  14. Giggles the Clown from Funtazn Entertainment
  15. John Deere HN, 41, 1075 built and this is one of the survivors, one wheel on the front (owned by Barry Frisk, driven by Glen Cleveland)
  16. School Days Float (Jesse, Reily ((Ball uniforms)), Tessa, and Amanda ((Choir Uniforms))Gooding,
  17. WC Allis-Chalmers belonged to Riceton telephone company now owned by Neal Moyse
  18. Truckload of stationary engines owned by Neal Moyse
  19. German settlers coming to Saskatchewan – Steffi, Phillip and Nicole Schaffer
  20. Paul Boesch driving a Wilmar 8650 2004 340 horsepower 100 foot boom 20 mph
  21. Ducks Unlimited Canada float - Wetland Float (Morgan and Lee Moats as ducks, Joshua Moats as Fox accompanied by Ali Matai, Sam Mura and Angela Moats, and Laurie Moats driving.
  22. Neal Moyse - 555 Massey Harris tractor
  23. Agricore United (Randy Swan)
  24. Kim Moats, Hayley Moats, and Dale Yeo (on horseback)
  25. Wendy Gooding - Truck, 49 Chevy
  26. Dale Gooding - John Deere D 1949
  27. Randy Frei’s First Golf Instructor
  28. Wozneys - Leonard, Paula, Andrew, Mandy and Joyce
  29. Tessa Johns - decorated bike
  30. Chris and Ian
  31. Alyssa - Dino car
  32. Keith – Trike
  33. Garden tractor with advertisements from the past (Micheal, William, and Cameron Gillis)
  34. Bill Gillis on a homemade Tractor built in 1952 and still working
  35. Terry Baker with his team and wagon with some children in period costume
  36. Brett Moyse - BNM mobile service truck
  37. Con Bechard driving a 8N Ford tractor pulling a John Deere plough, owned by Ron Mcdonald.
  38. John Deere G (owned by Morley Gooding) driven by Duke Gooding
  39. Darren Helstrom- Nordic Electric truck (Darren now resides in Regina and does electrical work in the area) (his sisters sons Lachlan and Marshall)
  40. Dale/Sarah Yeo Pipe band –
  41. Neal Henry-
  42. Tom Kinvig - 1926 John Deere tractor
  43. Stephen Moon
  44. Jared Nelson
  45. Dee’s Trenching – Dee Renwick
  46. Gray’s Lawn Chair Brigade
  47. Markusson’s
  48. Riceton Fire Department Truck - #2
Attendee list;
Anaka, Robert and Ruth
Anaka, Warren and Gina
Baker, Terry
Bassingthwaighte, Carol
Beaudet
Bechard, Con and Audrey
Bechard, Ken and Joyce
Bechard, Blair and Cindy
Berenbaum, Geri
Beingessner, Mark and Connie (Black)
Black, Roy and Josie
Boesch, Carla (Paul)
Boesch, Laurence and Carol
Boesch, Dean and Shirley
Boesch, Kris and Carpenter, Ginny
Boesch, Lori
Boesch, John and Jeni
Boesch, Paul and Tanja
Boesch, Steve
Bonsor, Myrna (and family)
Brogden, Beau and Shelley
Brunas, Todd and Janice (McGillivray)
Brunas, Irv and Lois
Burrows, Diane (Thompson) and Brian
Burwell, Dorothy (Hendrickson)
Butel, Karen (Frei) and Steve
Carnegie, Bill and Sheila
Clark, Mary (Yeo) and Jack
Clarke, Ken and Glenis
Clay, Anne
Cleveland, Glen
Coleclough, Kathleen and Jeff
Coldwell, Clarence, Jean and family
Colquhoun, Mabel
Copeman, Sharon (Glaze)
Copp, Pat (Beaumont) ??
Cornish, Matt, Maria and friend
Cross, Shirley (Schultz)
Cross, Gerald and Vi
Daborn, Jackie and Robin
Davey, Keith and Donna (Boesch)
Dobrowolski, Donald and Jackie
Dobrowolski, Nick and Thelma
Dobrowolski, Dennis and Michele
Dobson, Marlene (Gooding)
Douglas, Curly and Norma (Helstrom)
Drew, Evelyn and Wanda
Drew, Lyle and Carla
Dunning, Kitty
East, George
Eberhardt, Kathy
Ehmann, Jim and Leanne
Ehrmantraut, Bill & Jean (Richardson)
Felske, Elaine (Helstrom)
Florek, Deb
Ford, Donna
Ford, John and Elsie
Frei, Randy
Frei, Sharon
Frisk, Barry and Crystal (Dunning)
Frisk, Andy and Sharon
Galon, Jean (McGillivray)
Ganne, Joy (Burwell)
Gervais, Albert and Fran
Gillis, Carl and Joan (Knoke)
Gillis, Bill and Bebe
Gillis, Ken
Gillis, Rick and Shannon
Gillis, Doug and Annette
Gutiw, Diane and Pete
Glasser, Lorna (Henry)
Glaze, Bob
Glaze, Gord and Viola
Good, Elaine (Moats)
Gooding, Audrey
Gooding, Dale and Janice
Gooding, Glynn and Debbie Struthers
Gooding, Keith and Dorothy
Gooding, Morley and Leeta
Gooding, Duke and Wendy
Gooding, Bruce and Carolin
Graham, Don and Charlene (Aitken)
Hannan, Ev
Hannan, Tommy
Helstrom, Dave and Cheri
Helstrom, Darren and Diane
Hendrickson, Terry and Barb
Hendrickson, Ken and Maxine
Hendrickson, Mark
Henry, Gwen
Henry, Floyd and Teenie
Henry, Neil and Joan
Hozempa, John and Laurie
Huber, Gary and Shannon (East)
Hutchinson, Ronald and Marion
Jansen, Tim and Lynn (McGillivray)
Johnston, Bill
Jones, Bruce and Deena
Kerney, Perry and Shelley (Lafoy)
Kelly, Randi, Greg and Lindstroms
Marschall, Jeff and Kim (Kelly)
King, Trevor and Colleen (McGillivray)
Kirkpatrick, Lance and Raylene
Knoke, Ev
Lafoy, Corky and Betty (Aitken)
Lafoy, Larry
Layman, Gord
Layman, Lucille
Lewis, Orval and Diane (Clay)
Lewis, Todd and Terry
Lewis, Rod
Lewis, Don and Anne
Lewis, Bob and Peggy
Little, Patrick
Lieppi, Jean and Victor
Luebke, Carl and Joyce (Boesch)
Marean, Fred (et al)
Maynard, Grant and Monique
McCabe, Bill/Tracey Kirkpatrick
McAllistair, Diane
McGillivray, Hugh and Louise
McGIllivray, Doug and Lois
Mintern, Pat and Cliff
Moats, Isabella and Shirley
Monson, Jim and Neta (Lafoy)
Moats, Don and Kim
Moats, Lee and Laurie
Matai, Ali
Moats, Emmy
Mohr, Roger and Deserai Piche
Monz, Joanne and Richard
Mooney, Curtis and Deb (Frei)
Morgan, Delmar and Cheryl (Ford)
Mossing, Reid and Myrna
Moyse, Loree
Myers, Doug and Pat
Myers, Joey and Bachynsky, Natasha
Myers, Blaine
Novak, Bernie
Novak, Eric
Parker, Rhett and Natasha
Paton, Mac and Leona
Perkins, Brian and Sharon (McGillivray)
Phillips, Bill and Arlene
Phillips, Diane, Joanne, et al
Pitchko, Rob and Brown, Lindsay
Posehn, Kathleen
Pratt, Olive and Harold
Prophet, Doug and Bonnie (Dunbar)
Rakochuk, Bill and Laurel (Burwell)
Reich, Kay
Schaefer, Steffi and Andreas
Schmeling, Beverley
Schwanbeck, Ron and Gaye (Burwell)
Steve, Marj
Stuike, Richard and Heather
Swartz, Lynn and Mona
Templeton/Aitken
Templeton, Brian and Yvonne (Gooding)
Templeton, Kay and Doug
Tennyson, Gerald and Geraldine
Thompson, Jack and Alyce
Tillier, Angela
Ulrich, Ron and Bev
Ulrich, Leo
Van Dusen, Bud and Connie (Lafoy)
Vernon, Neil and Cindy
Wahl, Kevin and Val
Wallace, Warren
Wiebe, Jen
Winter, Donnette
Wozney, Rob and Mandi
Wozney, Leonard and Joyce
Yeo, Dale
Hamlet of Gray has present day info.
  • Home
    • People >
      • ties that bind 1984
      • ties that bind 2005
      • ties that bind 2005 DVD
      • Articles and Stories
    • Places >
      • Buck Lake Church
      • Grain Elevators
      • Gray Businesses
      • Gray Cemetery
      • Gray Memorial Hall
      • Gray Museum/#306 SHoF >
        • 306 Sports Hall of Fame >
          • Rose Baker
          • Garth Boesch
          • Myrna Bonsor
          • Jesse Bratt
          • Ernie Dunning
          • Walter Dunning
          • Estlin 306's
          • Anita Ford
          • Atina Ford
          • Cindy Ford
          • Gary Ford
          • Ford Curling Team
          • Frei Curling Team
          • Crystal Frisk
          • Bill Gillis
          • KC Gillis
          • Morley Gooding
          • Dale Henry
          • Link Johnston
          • Kawuza brothers
          • Clarence 'Shoop' Lafoy
          • Wylie LaFoy
          • Don Lewis
          • Kristy Lewis
          • Lisa Lewis Kuski
          • Peter Noll
          • Gerald O'Brien
          • Mac Paton
          • George Spry
          • Fred Van de Kamp
          • Harold Webster
          • Induction Ceremonies
        • Grid Map Ceiling
        • Three town diorama
      • Gray Rink
      • Gray School
      • Gray Shortline Railroad
      • Gray United Church
      • Pioneer Windmill
      • Rural Municipality
      • Town Lots and Residents
      • Town images - aerial and other
    • Sports and Clubs >
      • Baseball
      • Children's Groups
      • Curling and Bonspiels
      • Figure Skating
      • Hockey
      • Ice Making
      • Ladies Groups
      • Masonic Lodge
      • Softball/Fastball
    • Timeline/Events >
      • 1984 Homecoming
      • 1987 Aquifer
      • Lagoon
      • 2005 Stanley Cup
      • 2005 Sask Centennial
      • 2011 Centennial
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