Circle the Northwest 2025

Bresaylor

St. Walburg

Gateway to the Northern Lakes

Message from the Mayor

Welcome to the Town of St. Walburg! As a must stop destination for those traveling in Saskatchewan, we have an abundance of speciality shops and unique points of interest to enjoy. The new Tourism Centerpoint as you enter our community will share information and highlights that will be of interest when deciding what to do first. A visit to the Imhoff Gallery, our local Museum, or a walk along the Great Trail are well worth the adventure. All the amenities and character you look for are here, especially when looking for those sought-after unique and interesting purchases. Come and enjoy a coffee, lunch, or fine dining.

If you are looking for things to do this summer, we host two large weekend events that bring thousands of people to our town. Party in the Pasture usually takes place in June - three days of mud, quad and Demolition Derby, and a slow pitch ball tournament. There are also many activities for all ages, including live music and beer gardens. Our Wild Blueberry Festival is always the fourth weekend of August and brings a vast variety of outdoor vendors, food trucks, entertainment with live music, interesting people to visit, and places to see.

As a destination vacation, we are the Gateway to the Northern Lakes, offering an abundance of camping, swimming, and family gatherings around the campfire while enjoying one of our beautiful sunsets. Hotels and RV camping offer a comfortable place to rest while enjoying our Town’s many events, activities, and amenities. Come and see all that St. Walburg has to offer!

Mayor & Council 2024 - 2028

Mayor Nancy Schneider

Back Row: Councillors Jason Utz; Travis Peterson; Erika Buckingham; Dawn McKellar; and Bonnie Davis-Schmitz Front Row: Councillor Jean Steinacher and Mayor Nancy Schneider

Website and Facebook

The Town of St. Walburg website offers information and the ability to share items that are happening in our Community. The Town Office welcomes and promotes submission of events. Contact the Town Office with detailed information at 306-248-3232 or info@stwalburg.com. Your event will be added to St. Walburg Events. You can also find us and what’s happening on Facebook.

St. Walburg Library – www.lakeland.lib.sk.ca

Lakeland Library – St. Walburg Branch is located at 134 Main Street, in the same building as the Town Office. Public access computers, internet, large print books, DVDs, Blue Ray, audio books, and more are available to the community.

The St. Walburg Librarian is Maxine Forsyth. Contact the St. Walburg Library for more information at 306-248-3250.

Bulk Water

Clean, safe, potable bulk water is available in St. Walburg at the Water Treatment Plant on 4th Street West.

Cards can be reloaded with any amount and used indefinitely. The water card deposit is refundable upon return of the card to the Town Office.

The bulk water machine accepts loonies and toonies.

Waste Transfer Site

The Site is located approximately 3 miles west of the Highway 26 and 3 Junction. Weather permitting, the Site is open May Long Weekend until mid-October each year. The Site is open to residents of St. Walburg, the RM of Frenchman Butte, and the RM of Mervin. A fee schedule is in place for any items taken to the site.

Town Campground

The St. Walburg Campground has sixteen 15-amp and ten 20-amp sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Available amenities include bathrooms, showers, water tap, sewage disposal, with all that St. Walburg has to offer within easy walking distance. Phone the Town Office for more information, pricing, and payment methods.

Town Staff Cross-Functional Leadership Team: Chief Administrative Officer Christine Seguin

Assistant CAO Sandi Bannerman

Infrastructure Team Lead Lyle Knight

Office Staff: Sandra Bannerman, Barb Gauthier

Infrastructure Staff: Evan Macnab

134 Main Street, PO Box 368

St. Walburg, SK S0M 2T0

Website: www.stwalburg.ca

Facebook: Town of St. Walburg

Email: info@stwalburg.com

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday to Friday

Closed on Statutory Holidays

Transit – Van

The Town of St. Walburg offers transportation services on our accessible 12-seat van, the ultimate way to get around town. Within Town limits, the costs are $5 return trip, $3 one-way, or $30 for a monthly pass (unlimited trips within the same month). The out-of-town rate is $1/km, typically within a radius of Turtleford to Paradise Hill. Phone the Town Office for details or to book your trip.

Initiative for RM of Frenchman Butte, RM of Mervin, Paradise Hill, St. Walburg and Turtleford Residents

306.218.8188

Call for Details

For residents to attend non-emergency medical appointments in North Battleford, Saskatoon, Lloydminster, and Edmonton

station wagon serving as an ambulance. His son, Gordon, who took over for Ken was on the very first call. MAC bought their first real ambulance in 1968, progressing from a station-wagon type, to a low-rise van, to a highrise van, to a modular. They started with a fleet of one ambulance progressed to two, then three and then four ambulances. In the mid-1970’s MAC organized their first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course, followed by a second EMT course in the mid 1980’s. From the very beginning the ambulances were staffed with people with first aid training partnered with RN’s or CNA’s (now LPN’s). MAC could boast a high level of care with their crews of EMT’s and RN-EMT’s and were already being recognized provincially as a progressive ambulance service. In 2001 our former health region allowed MAC to provide the next level of care with EMT - Advanced which added a significant benefit to patient care and treatment. Over the next few years the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics came into being and EMTs became known as Primary Care Paramedics, EMT-A’s became Intermediate Care Paramedics and the highest level of road ambulance paramedic, the Advanced Care Paramedic. Currently we have three full-time Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP’s), and one staff member who is in school to become an ACP. We are progressing towards a full advanced life support (ALS) service and we hope to accomplish this, with the support of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, in the very near future.

St. Walburg’s Great Trail & The Trans Canada Trail

St. Walburg’s segment of the Trans Canada Trail

Have you traveled the St. Walburg segment of the Trans Canada Trail? If not, you have a marvelous treat in store. The Trail is a unique seven-kilometre exhilarating route. The entrance to the Trail just west of Highway 26 at St. Walburg’s south end has a handsome new entrance gate.

Don Nicholson, along with some helpers, are mainly responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the trail. They do a super job.

As you know, Canada’s trails can be cycled, run, hiked, skied, or explored on horseback. No, yo u’re not allowed to drive your truck or your SUV along the Trail.

PRESENT

St. Walburg’s Trail meanders along the south edge of town. It turns northward at the west end of the community and continues northward as far as the Canadian National Railway grade, which borders St. Walburg on its northern side.

On July 1, 2018, Duane and Jennifer Larre purchased Marshall’s Ambulance Care from Gordon and Joanne Marshall. The relationship between the two couples goes back much further than the purchase date of the company. Duane and his family have been residents of St. Walburg since 1906 with his great-grandfather immigrating to the area from France. The Larre’s have farmed south of St. Walburg since their arrival in Canada and still do to this day. Duane’s grandparents Joe and Josephine were good friends of the Marshall family for many years. This relationship has continued to pass down through the generations with Roger and Joann. Jen moved to St. Walburg in July of 2005 after accepting her first paramedic job with Marshall’s Ambulance Care. Jen earned her Primary Care Paramedic certificate earlier that year. In 2007, Jen furthered her career by enrolling in the Intermediate Care Paramedic Program. After completion she worked with MAC, full-time for a few years before taking on a casual position with the company while her and Duane’s family expanded. Even though the owners of the company have recently changed, you can still expect the high level of professionalism, quality of service and care that you have come to know and depend on.

Signs have been erected to aid the novice long the route. The Trail takes advantage of the railway grade, curving eventually into a south easterly direction. A sign directs you westward towards Highway 26 on its ea sterly edge, just across the highway from where you started.

Generally speaking, one can get printable maps and downloadable GPS coordinates for all operational Trail segments. Maps of specific Trail sections can be downloaded for operational Trail segments such as St. Walburg’s.

The Trans Canada Trail project was introduced in 1992 to celebrate Canada’s 125th birthday. Regional trails can be enjoyed a round Meota, Edam, Turtleford, Paradise Hill, Paynton, St. Walburg, Frenchman Butte and Mervin.

As weather permits St. Walburg’s Trail is manicured 12 months of the year. Severe winter storms or excessive rainfall can sometimes delay trail upkeep temporarily.

Traveling the St. Walburg Trail treats one to the flora and fauna of this northwest region. There are rest benches along the route and occasional signposts featuring some of this region’s natural highlights. What better recreation can you imagine on a sunny a fternoon than to set out and travel St. Walburg’s own Trans Canada Trail?

WestMed Paramedics Inc. provides high quality Basic and Advanced Life Support pre-hospital emergency care to residents within an area of about 12,000 square kilometers which consists of:

* from the north: the entire Rural Municipality (RM) of Loon Lake and a southwest section of the RM of Beaver River on a line that runs along the south border of the Mudie Lake First Nation

St. Walburg Allied Arts Council

* from the west: the entire RM of Frenchman Butte (excluding the Onion Lake First Nation) and the portion of the RM of Brittania that runs from the Deer Creek Bridge to the Hillmond intersection on Hwy 3,

* from the south: the entire RM of Mervin

* from the east: the portion of the RM of Parkdale starting just east of Fairholme on a north/south line to the RM boundaries.

The Allied Arts Council is a group whose mission is to support and promote the arts in St. Walburg and its surrounding communities. Through this endeavor, the council will host and support events that focus on the arts and offer classes in areas related to the arts. This past year was a busy one for SWAAC. We hosted "The Best Town Party in 100 Years"; an evening that showcased local musical and dramatic talent as well as many memories in honour of St. Walburg's 100th birthday. We offered classes in calligraphy, acrylics and paint pouring. SWAAC always welcomes class or program suggestions and new members.

* all towns, villages, First Nations, hamlets, resorts, etc. located in the above RM’s.

St. Walburg

St. Walburg Town Campsite

St.Walburg Community Campground features level, electrified sites, overflow camping, modern toilets, coin-operated showers and tourist information. Reservations are not accepted. The campground has 16 electric sites with 15 amp service and 10 electric sites with 20 amp service. A coffee shop and licensed dining are adjacent to the campground. Open May 15 to Sept. 15. The daily cost of camping is $25 per unit for all sites. Sewage disposal for non-campers $5.

The Legacy of Count Berthold von Imhoff

Tour the original working studio and home of this Renaissance-styled German artist

Saskatchewan is home to one of Canada’s hidden artistic treasures.The remarkable story of Count Berthold von Imhoff, a man whose talent earned acclaim in Europe, prestige in America and honour by the Vatican, yet who chose for himself a life of struggle and sacrifice, comes to life in the viewing and media tour of Imhoff’s working studio turned museum.

Born in pre-industrialized Germany, Berthold von Imhoff showed artistic promise at an early age and, as a youth, studied art in its higher forms at famed academies in Halle and Dusseldorf, acquiring a technique of bold, vigorous brush work, dark colours and strong contrasts.

In 1886, at the age of 16, Imhoff won the Art Academy Award of Berlin for his work,The Glory of Emperor Frederick William. His reputation grew and, as he covered canvass after canvass, Imhoff’s journey from Europe to the United States and finally to northern Saskatchewan brought wide appeal for his mostly religious-themed art.

Imhoff’s death in 1939 didn’t lessen the public’s interest in his work. As a result, the descendents of Imhoff have maintained his working studio, built on the original homestead site, as a museum that is open to the public during the summer months. Two artistically treated rooms in the artist’s original home are also included in the tour.

Recognizing its massive contributions to religious life, the larger artistic community in the province and the country as well as the history of German migration to Canada, the Saskatchewan government declared the Imhoff studio and home a Provincial Heritage Site in 2005.

Three generations of the Imhoff family have contributed to the protection of Imhoff’s legacy of religious and historical art — a private collection that has been maintained since the artist’s death.

Several communities in Saskatchewan are linked by the works of Imhoff, who donated much of his time and talent to complete the interiors of these churches. Viewing these works provides further insight into Imhoff’s legacy and why, more than 70 years later, it continues to inspire.

In St.Walburg, begin with a tour of Imhoff’s home and working studio, located five km south of St. Walburg. Guests who have packed a lunch are welcome to dine on the patio of Imhoff’s original home.

Other points of interest in St. Walburg relating to the artist: The St. Walburg and District Historical Museum, the former Catholic Church on Main Street in St. Walburg.

The burial site of Imhoff, located at the Roman Catholic cemetery.

Berthold von Imhoff Statue and Mural, St. Walburg.

Opening undetermined at time of printing check our website

In Paradise Hill:

Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church. (Contact Albert at 306-344-2057 for viewing.)

The Province of Saskatchewan:

Murals and frescos in churches at Leipzig, Denzil, Humboldt, North Battleford, Muenster, Reward and Bruno, among others.

Berks County, Pennsylvania:

Imhoff also decorated more than 100 churches in the United States, particularly in the Berks County area of Pennsylvania.The best-known location is perhaps St. Peter’s Cathedral in Reading, Penn., which contains 226 life-size figures representing the Communion of Saints.

St. Walburg

St. Walburg & District Historical Museum

Established in 1983 in the former Roman Catholic Church Located at the top of the hill of Main Street

July 1st until Labour Day ~ 7 days a week

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

(Closed from noon to 1:00 p.m.)

Admission is by Donation

2025 we are 100 years old!!!

We will be celebrating August 1, 2 & 3 weekend. Come in, see our artifacts, and learn about the people who made it all happen

We proudly display more than 2,000 local artifacts including:

• Original Paintings by Count Berthold Von Imhoff

• Past Business and Military Displays

• Medical Room

• Furniture and Household Items

• Local History Books and Newspapers

• And so much more…

Come In, Browse or Enjoy a Guided Tour!

To reserve a group or off-season tour call: Lillian McGowan - (306) 248 - 7663

David Swift - (306) 248 - 3848

Susan Burgess - (306) 218 - 7881

Illustration of original church and rectory. Church is now the St. Walburg Museum. The rectory and church hall have been moved out to the Bright Sand Region at the home of Dave and Muriel Swift.

Built on faith and friendship: The story behind St. Walburg’s centennial church

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in St. Walburg will be 100 years old in 2025.The Parish is planning a “Homecoming Celebration” on the August long weekend of 2025. This historical summary is by way of introduction to the event.

Assumption Parish turns 100 in 2025

With the arrival of the railroad in 1921 many changes took place in the St.Walburg area. A townsite was established on the southeast portion of Section 5, Township 54, Range 22 west of the 3rd Meridian. This meant that the business district now referred to as “Old St.Walburg” which was on the Musch quarter 4.5 miles south and east of St.Walburg’s present location would

have to relocate to where the new train station would be built.

Rudolf and Walburga Musch had proved up the south east portion of section 22 Township 53 Range 22 west of the 3rd Meridian on January 24, 1911. In addition to the general store that Musch and his wife established on this property they welcomed other entrepreneurs to start businesses there as well. Now, these business owners shrugged their shoulders and moved up to where St. Walburg exists today. They felt confident newcomers to the area would require their services.

In Prince Albert Bishop Joseph Henry Prud’homme was in charge of the Diocese which included St. Walburg. Father Hubert Hermes O.M.I. a priest from Germany was

appointed Pastor of the St.Walburg region in 1921 or earlier depending on the source used. His mandate was to develop and centralize Catholic Church life in the area.

At this time there were a number of small communities each of which was working to be viable and of course successful. Ste Marguerite residents for example only 4 or 5 miles south and west of St. Walburg were planning to upgrade their chapel. They had lumber ready on site to help with renovations. In 1923 however the Bishop designated that construction at Ste Marguerite halt and the lumber used to begin construction of a church in St. Walburg. This was very upsetting for the Ste Marguerite people.

Other pioneer settlements in the area

St. Walburg

recognized that despite the heartbreak their centers would shrink as St. Walburg would develop. Charlotte, Kilronan and St. John’s were affected. Father Hermes was given the difficult task of centralizing these areas from a Catholic perspective. Frank Madden supplied more lumber as the Ste Marguerite lumber was used up. Berthold Von Imhoff generously decorated the interior of the Church of Assumption with his beautiful religious oil paintings in about 1935. This was in spite of the fact that Mr. Imhoff was a Ste Marguerite resident.

In 2025 the original Church of Assumption, now a museum, will be 100 years old.

For years there has been a mystery about who actually built the Church, the Rectory and the Hall. Finally, in fall of 2022 a lady named Sheila Brooks from Ontario came into the St. Walburg Museum with a copy of excerpts from the autobiography of her husband Al Brook’s grandfather,Arthur S. Brooks.

The mystery was at last solved! And this just in time for St. Walburg & area to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the building of the Church.

Arthur S. Brooks was born in the United States near Cadillac, Michigan in 1887. His family moved when Arthur was a boy to Fenelon Falls, Ontario, about a 2 hour drive north east of Toronto. In 1905 Arthur travelled to Saskatchewan to work for a time. He went back to Ontario after this but returned to Saskatoon in 1910 and worked in a General Store. A few years later he moved north to North Battleford where he worked as a carpenter with some construction workers he met there. Then in 1917 Arthur married Charlotte and they filed for a homestead property at Frenchman Butte on the eastward side of the big hill (NW 24. Twp. 53, Rg. 25 W 3rd). On August 26, 1921 the homestead was proved up.Arthur and Charlotte had some children and felt it would be best to move off the homestead for the kids to attend school. As it happened a Mr. Bertrand contracted Brooks at the time of Brooks’s Auction Sale to request that he come and build a house for his family on the south side of Half Moon Lake.The Brooks family could live for free for the summer in an empty granary Bertrand owned on his property.When the house was built the Brooks family decided they would move into St-Walburg. This arrangement worked out well and in the Fall of 1924 the family moved into St. Walburg where the children could

attend school and there was work to be had. Father Hermes hired Brooks to help some contractors from North Battleford whom Brooks had worked with earlier to help close the church in before the snow came. Once the building was closed in the men under contract went back to North Battleford. Father Hermes and Brooks continued with the work.They built the steeple and put a big cross up on top. Then they worked inside to build the ceiling arches in the interior.

At Christmas time of 1924 the first Mass was celebrated in the unfinished Church.

Arthur Brooks and Father Hermes worked well together and became good friends. Each respected the other and both were highly skilled in regards to carpentry and construction. Then after a few years, probably in 1926 Father Hermes asked Brooks to take on the job of heading up the building of a priest’s house (rectory) and Church Hall. Father Hermes visited Brooks’s house occasionally in regards to this work to discuss business. This caused some criticism among parishioners. “ Why does he visit a Protestant Orangeman instead of us?” Brooks jokingly told them, “Well, Father knows he can trust me I guess. That’s more than he can say for you fellas.”

Brooks hired Herb Willey, William McDowell and Frank Bowbys to help him with the building of the hall and Rectory.

Note: Arthur Brooks excerpts from his autobiography discusses in some amusing detail about this work.This is available in the museum in case you’d like to check it out.

Arthur Brooks was very praising of Father Hermes’s trust, generosity, respect and concern for Brooks himself and for the workers. Father Hermes was equally satisfied with Mr. Brooks.

The Church, Hall and Rectory were used by the people of St. Walburg until 1984 when it was determined that a new Church, Rectory and Hall were needed. Mr. Herman Gartner of Lloydminster was commissioned with this project.The original Church became a museum and serves that purpose today.

While the new Church was completed in 1984 it took a few more years for the hall and new Rectory to be completed.The old hall and Rectory were eventually sold to Dave and Muriel Swift and were moved out to their home property near Bright Sand Lake.

100 years is quite a long time and much water has passed under the proverbial

Circle The Northwest • 2025-2026

bridge. This writing is simply to provide a small outline as to some of the occurrences of the time.

Arthur Brooks, probably of English descent was a most interesting person. He was deeply devoted to the works of the Salvation Army. He was Anglican by persuasion but attended the United Church in St. Walburg. He devoted much time and significant service in that capacity. Faith was central to his life. He was skilled and hard working in many areas. He was also a rolling stone as is evidenced by his many moves throughout his lifetime. He died at age 90 in 1977, In addition to his impressive “building” efforts he owned and operated a saw mill for several years, spending many winters logging in the Saskatchewan bush. He owned a store and post office in St.Walburg for a few years. Eventually the family moved to Cleeves where he owned a store for a time and then they moved to Elmhurst.

He and Charlotte had 5 children. Harvey, their youngest child, died at age 14 in 1938 and is buried in North Battleford. Perhaps this tragedy prompted the family’s move back to Ontario.

Brooks passed at age 90 and is buried in St. Catherines, Ontario, where he spent the last years of his Life.

The story of Father Hubert Hermes should also be mentioned. He spoke German, French and English. He was a good and gentle man. He was well educated not only in spiritual matters but politically and psychologically as well. He had a keen understanding of and appreciation for human nature. He was an avid, knowledgeable gardener and spent many hours at this hobby. He was a highly intelligent and hard working individual. He worked in this St. Walburg region, serving the spiritual needs of this diverse area. He was called to make complex decisions for a space which included the Kilronan district, the Bright Sand region, St.Walburg, Ste Marguerite, St. John’s, and Cleeves. In 1925 Butte St. Pierre was also made a mission of St.Walburg. All this responsibility was no small challenge. Eventually Father Hermes was given the aid of some “helper” priests in the persons of Father J.B Schultz O.M.I. from 1923 to 1930 and the Riffel brothers, Fathers Tony and Tim from 1943 to 46. Nonetheless after serving in Assumption Parish from 1921 to 1946 his strength began to fail. Father Hermes died at age 67 after 25 years of difficult, faithful but rewarding service in this St. Walburg region.

Construction of St. Walburg Cenotaph in the late 1900’s.

St. Walburg Royal Canadian Legion: A proud tradition of service

In 1926, a branch of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League was formed in St. Walburg. The branch charter, dated October 22, 1926, listed the following charter members: George Stewart, George McKenzie, Charles E. Robins, George D. Robins, John E. Mayhew, James S. Mayhew, Albert B. Mayhew, Thomas J. Hartley, John H. Reynolds, Thomas H. Reynolds, and Ernest F. Barnard.These men were all veterans of the First World War.

Over the years, many veterans of the Second World War and other conflicts joined the Legion and added their support to the branch. In the beginning, the group held their meetings in members’ homes or in available community buildings. Eventually, they were able to build a Legion Hall on Main Street in St.Walburg.The hall quickly became a central meeting place in the community and hosted many events, including dances, suppers, and commemorative services.

The Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1954

and became an integral part of the Legion’s activities. They organized fundraising events, provided support to veterans and their families, and participated in community service projects.

In 1986, the St.Walburg Legion Branch 236 celebrated its 60th anniversary with a weekend of events, including a parade, banquet, and special commemorative service.

Remembrance Day services have always been a central part of the Legion’s activities. Each year, the community gathers to honour those who served and sacrificed for their country. Wreaths are laid at the cenotaph, and the names of the fallen are read aloud. The service is followed by a luncheon at the Legion Hall.

Today, the Royal Canadian Legion continues to be an important part of the St. Walburg community. Although membership has declined in recent years, the branch remains active in supporting veterans and promoting remembrance.

St. Walburg

Veteran Banners Give New Life to Old Stories in St. Walburg

In 2020, a group of dedicated volunteers came together with a shared vision: to create a project that would honour Veterans and Service Members who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Inspired by similar programs in other communities across Canada and the United States, we knew from the moment we saw them that this was something we had to bring to our own community. The idea of joining a broader movement to pay tribute to these heroes was both humbling and inspiring.

With tremendous support from our Royal Canadian Legion #013, the Town of St. Walburg, and the Veteran’s families and friends, we went to work to bring our Veteran’s Banner project to life. All banners are sponsored by family and friends and we welcome each and every one.

Researching and talking to many families was such a wonderful experience for each of us. Hearing their stories about their loved ones and how proud of them they were. I had the privilege to talk to a few Veterans, this was an experience I will surely never forget.

We discussed topics with families that they never really talked about and it really helped to open some doors. Interest was sparked about a history that was somewhat laid to rest. I’m not going to lie, there were tears as well. I don’t think you can try to understand or feel some of this without deep emotional feelings. Knowing that others do indeed care and think about what sacrifice was made, can

be very healing. It sparked a lot of conversation within our community, and for many of us including the students within our school, it really brought a face to the stories.

Three booklets have been printed with stories, photos and information about each Veteran as well as a bit of information about that time and place in history. Part of the program was giving each family within the public school and

home school system a copy of the books.

This year will mark five years that our Community of St. Walburg has proudly displayed our Veteran Banners.There has definitely been an increase in presence and awareness on social media that we have all noticed as well.

At the end of October 2021, our first banners went up—33 in total. It was a powerful and, at times, overwhelm-

ing experience, as if these men and women were right there with us, coming to life before our eyes, guiding us in spirit. Perhaps, in some way, they truly were.

From 2022–2024 we added 38 new banners for a total of 71 banners to date. One of our latest banners also recognized the efforts of the animals in war and the roles they played for many of our Veterans and Service Members.

One of the World’s Most Liveable Communities

St. Walburg, located in beautiful Northwestern Saskatchewan, may be small but that hasn’t stopped representatives from the town of 672 (2006 census) from making a big impression on the world at the LivCom Awards.

The LivCom Awards are the world’s only competition focusing on best practice regarding the management of the local environment. Endorsed by the United Nations Environmental Programme, the 2007 awards held in Westminster, England showcased presentations from 46 communities and projects from 23 nations.

Judging is across 6 criteria considered to create livable communities: Enhancement of the Landscape, Heritage

Management, Environmentally Sensitive Practices, Community Sustainability, Healthy Lifestyles and Planning for the Future. One award is given for each category and St. Walburg was awarded the Criteria Award for Community Sustainability. In the Whole City Awards Section A, for communities with a population of under 20,000, St. Walburg won a Silver Award and placed second after Clonakilty, Ireland. This award is based on all 6 categories.

A

A Brief History of St. Walburg’s Wild Blueberry Festival

Brief History of St. Walburg’s Wild Blueberry Festival

The first Wild Blueberry Festival was held on the north end of Main Street, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in 1988. For many years, the event was staged on either end of Main Street, one year the north end the next year the south end. For over 30 years many changes have been made. The Festival has grown from a small marketing initiative designed to bring berry harvesters together with buyers to one of the largest one-day festivals in northwest Saskatchewan. The St. Walburg Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event with assistance from all volunteer groups and individuals in the area and the faithful return of vendors from year to year.

Many and varied vendors have graced the Festival, ranging from tethered hot-air balloon rides; ultra-rite tours; and a “casino” to add to the arts, crafts and food vendors who schedule their booths from year-to-year. Mention must be made of the North Battleford Country Dancers, who in a bus tour in 1990, stopped to provide that day’s and evening’s entertainment. The

first year the Committee provided the group with a box of chocolates to thank them for dancing all afternoon on the hot asphalt street. This group provided entertainment for many years. Some years there are many wild blueberries for sale, other years there are limited quantities. Wild Blueberry Sale tables are provided free of charge for Wild Blueberry Vendors. Sales begin at 9:00 a.m., come early to ensure there are still blueberries on offer.

Special mention must be made of the volunteer Event Coordinators who lead the Wild Blueberry Festival Committee members. The Coordinator spends the year ensuring the vendors are in place, a vendor waiting list maintained, work and clean-up crews organized, advertising, parking marked, and, the many and varied activities necessary to ensure a successful event. The volunteers who have undertaken this role over the years deserve a special “thank you” for the continued growth and cache the Wild Blue Berry Festival holds within the town, region and province.

It is estimated between 8 to 10, 000 people attend the Festival on the Saturday. We haven’t found a way to accurately count the participants. For the 25th Anniversary the Committee thought a large raffle would enable us to obtain a count. The raffle was free, the only requirement was to complete the ticket information. Results confirmed the Committee’s belief the event drew people from a large area, not only regionally but inter-provincially.

Festival goers start filtering into the community as early as Monday in order to attend the Wild Blueberry Festival. Many resort people in the area schedule family gatherings and weddings for this weekend as the Wild Blueberry Festival provides entertainment for everyone, young and old. Venders enjoy the event and schedule from year to year, and many of the venders end their season at the Wild Blueberry Festival. Other volunteer groups within the community have enhanced the Wild Blueberry Festival by creating events to coincide with the Saturday Festival.

St. Walburg Senior Centre: Join the Fun at 50+

The St.Walburg Senior Centre has been a cornerstone of our community for many years, offering cherished activities such as bingo, crafts, chair exercises, card games, and potluck dinners.

difficult to continue these events.

Sadly, we now find ourselves with only a handful of

members, making it

We are reaching out with a heartfelt plea for new members to join us in breathing life back into our Senior Centre. If you are 50 years or older, we warmly invite you to become part of our vibrant community. Together, we can restore the joy and

camaraderie that our Centre has always provided.

Additionally, our building is available for rentals.

Your support and participation can make a world of difference. Thank you for considering joining us.

St. Walburg

St. Walburg Royal Purple

The St. Walburg Royal Purple Society continues to be active in St. Walburg. The Canadian Royal Purple Society supports our Town and surrounding community.

Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association (SBIA) is our main cause that we support. Our group has many fundraising events each year to support this worthy cause.

Our group caters to funerals of any size and weddings, anniversaries, or any other special events up to 150 people.

New Members are always welcome. If you would like to become part of this dynamic group, contact any Royal Purple member or the president Jenny Looshorn at 306-248-7557

Back (L to R) Kim Rendle, Mona Korstanje

Standing (L to R) Jean Steinacher, Peggy Bull, Kaila Utz, Jean Gramlich, Melody Cole, Helen Harris, Terry Krzak

Sitting (L to R) Della Augustine, Olive Schneider, Inge Knopf, Dorothea Hocher, Joyce Fowler

Missing – Donna Hall, Lois Hawryluk, Maryanne Kurjata, Dianne Lalonde and Rose Steinacher

Our lodge meets the 2nd Monday of the month with a potluck in September (the start after the summer break) and December, which is our Christmas party. We also hold a corn/wiener roast in August and for those who are interested we have a secret friend which are revealed at our Christmas party. And at that time a new Secret Friend is drawn.

Serving with purpose: the mission of the Knights of Columbus

Blessed Michael McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 on the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Today, these principles serve as the foundation of our core values: Integrity, Professionalism, Excellence and Respect. St. Walburg’s Father Hermes Knights of Columbus council will celebrate it’s 63rd anniversary in the spring of 2025. The council was formed in April 1962 when St. Walburg, Paradise Hill and Barthel united to form Council No. 5256.The first meeting was held on April 17th with Harvey Willet as the Grand Knight and Father Anthony Herter as the council chaplin.The purpose of the organization is to help men remain strong in their faith, keep strong fraternal ties and provide insurance for the members and their families.

pate in the Christmas Parade with a live float depicting the birth of our savior baby Jesus, exemplifying the true meaning of Christmas.

Another project initiated by our council of knights is to supply and promote the installation of nativity scenes within the community. Our members were able to spend fraternal time together painting and installing many of the scenes in our town during the Christmas season. This “Keep Christ in Christmas” initiative has allowed St.Walburg to boast the highest per capita display of nativity scenes, making us the Nativity Capital of North America, with a total of 47displays in 2024, a new record for the community.

Since our inception over 60 years ago the local council has been very active living up to these ideals, by supporting the local catholic parish and the community at large.We have been actively protecting the rights of the unborn through donations and activities. Some local programs that have received support in the past include Minor hockey, Family nights at the gymnasium, Pro-Life bike-a-thons, support for the local food pantry, Basketball Free Throw in St. Walburg and Paradise Hill and the Hospital and Community Hall building funds.

We annually operate a booth at St.Walburg’s Wild Blueberry Festival and partici-

The members of our council are able to experience the fraternity of membership not only through many of the charitable activities that we are involved in, but also in the fraternal activities that are held for the members and their families. Bar-B-Ques, picnics, family card parties, and family dance socials are some of the many activities initiated and sponsored by our council.

Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. If you are interested in becoming one of our members or would like more information please contact Grand Knight Dave Yasinski at 306-2483380 or Financial Secretary Randy Ramsay at 780-808-0462.

HISTORY OF LOON LAKE

The Village of Loon Lake originated being called Loon Lake siding then Tulibee. A piece of land was surveyed then a Townsite Planning Commission offered lots for sale. Several lots were sold and building commenced. After many improvements (i.e., clearing brush, leveling ground, etc.) the Hamlet of Loon Lake was surveyed and born November 1931. Over time Loon Lake grew and was able to supply the needs of the people quite well. Services

which were offered were: general stores, lumber, hardware, dairies, hotels, restaurants, churches, post office, R.C.M.P., L.I.D., garages, blacksmith, community hall, hospital, medical doctor and drug store. The one downfall was that the railroad which had been promised never arrived and the closest station was 30 miles away over a less than desirable trail.

In January 1950 the Hamlet became an incorporated Village and henceforth The Village of Loon Lake. A council of 3 were elected (Ernie Kramer, Eugene Panian, and Harold Hinchcliff as overseer) and E.L. Pettis was appointed as Secretary Treasurer at $20.00 per month. In October 1957 power lines were erected and water and sewer were operating in July 1966. In 1974 natural gas reached Loon Lake. Over the years the population fluctuated but usually remained around 350 to 400 people. Presently the Village of Loon Lake continues to operate a fully serviced community with many of the same services it has always offered. The Council is now made up of four aldermen and a mayor. The Village of Loon Lake shares an administrative office with the RM of Loon Lake but employs their own full time maintenance foreman and two part time employees.

PARKLAND HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE

NOT A DAY WITHOUT HONEY

Welcome to Loon River Honey, where our passion for beekeeping has been buzzing since 2010 in the picturesque landscapes of Loon Lake, SK.

At Loon River Honey, we hold a deep appreciation for the remarkable creatures that are bees. They inspire us to craft premium quality conventional and organic honey in its purest form, while also nurturing exceptional colonies boasting the most desirable genetics.

What began as a small, inquisitive idea has blossomed into a renowned enterprise, celebrated by many for our dedication to quality and sustainability. Join us in celebrating the awe-inspiring world of bees and the delicious natural bounty they provide.

Our Candles are handmade without any added scent. Made from our own wax. When a wax candle is lit, a light sweet and natural aroma of honey is distributed in the area. Wax Candles not only delight with their appearance and swell, but also purify the air around. The candle flame is bright and warm and burns smoothly.

Available in: Jumbo Pine Cone, Wax Medallion (Set of 4), Carved Egg (pictured), Bear and Hive, Honeycomb Cylinder, Angel, Honey Cogan Skep, Flat top Votives (Set of 4)

Families, Groups, Golfers & Fishermen Welcome

the children’s playground.

The clean, sandy beach gently slopes down into the crystal clear waters of Brightsand Lake, where swimmers can relax in the buoyed area. Boating enthusiasts can launch their boats at the boat launch just past the concession.

For those who come to Brightsand, a stocked trout pool is always popular with the junior anglers and many older ones as well. Brightsand Lake is also famous for the “monster jack,” – great eating, if you are lucky enough to catch one in its cool, clean waters.

Brightsand Lake Regional Park offers group camping & a pavilion which is ideal for family reunions, weddings, anniversaries . Group rates & reservations are available.

The 18-hole mini golf course situated near the main offices proves to be a popular attraction for all ages. Come and enjoy a trip down memory lane. Golfing enthusiasts can try their skills on a scenic nine-hole sand-green course. Seasonal memberships, all day rates and nine hole passes are available.

Our mile-long beach is the perfect spot for waterfront recreation. A beach volleyball net is set up a short walk from

Explore the Forest

A variety of ecosystems occupy the more than 1,600 acres of Brightsand Lake Regional Park.

The northeastern section is dominated by a belt of aspen parkland, bordering the golf course.

Along the trails that stretch out in a northwesterly direction you will encounter unusual geographical points of interest such as eskers, kames and pushbanks.

A 28-kilometre trail through the park is an extensive grid that takes the hiker through just about every type of habitat the boreal forest has to offer - black spruce and tamarack lowlands, white spruce highlands, old growth boreal, bogs, marshes and lakefront terrain.

Originally marked and cleared in the 1950s and early 70s, Brightsand Lake has done considerable work on these trails in following years. New directional and interpretive signs were erected the summer of 2018.

Campers should check at the main office for information regarding trail system.

Interpretive pamphlets are available to provide a complete guide to the trail system.

Recreational amenities include kayak, paddle board, and canoe rentals on an hourly or daily basis.

Other amenities include groceries, fast food and a few confectionary items at our concession. Firewood, laundry facilities, modern showers and a beach change house are on site.

Swimming lessons are offered the first two weeks of August.

Accommodation

The park has two rental cottages. Accommodation comes with wood burning stoves plus electrical heat, a full kitchen with dishes, deck, barbecue and modern bathroom with shower, and is capable of sleeping up to seven people per unit. Bedding is the responsibility of the renter.

BRIGHTSAND LAKE REGIONAL PARK

27 km East of St. Walburg (4 km East/North along Hwy 26, then 23 km East on Grid 795)

Phone 306-248-3780 (May to Sept.)

1600 acres of beautiful well-treed natural park. Nature trail, picnic areas, playgrounds, disc golf field (with sets to rent or buy).

Large sandy beach, clear water, lake large enough to accommodate water-skiing, sailing, and canoeing. 9-Hole sand green golf course, 18-hole miniature golf course.

Visit brightsandlake.org for photos and information as well as updated fees.

9 - 30 amp/water

17 - 30 amp

14 - 15 amp

12 - regular non-electric

14 - premium non-electric

5 - group electric

52 - seasonal

See saskregionalparks.ca for fees brightsand.letscamp.ca for reservations. Firewood, concession/groceries, picnic tables, shower/laundry facility available.

Trails to Nature

Brightsand Lake Regional Park invites you to enjoy and explore their outstanding trail system. Twenty-eight kilometres of trail have well-marked intersections and interpretive destination signs, making this hike a delight for beginner or advanced hikers. Many geological points of interest are showcased, giving hikers a rare firsthand look at features such as eskers, kames and pushbank ridges.

Watchers will take interest in the many unusual species of birds residing in the diverse ecosystem of old-growth boreal forest, aspen parkland and wetlands, which includes bogs, muskeg and lakefront marsh.Whooping cranes have been known to reside along the far reaches of the trail system.

We Welcome You

Brightsand Lake Regional Park is waiting to welcome you. Our staffed summer season runs from May 15 to September 15. Come and spend some time with us enjoying our sandy beach, cool, clear lake, a picturesque round of golf, or just relax and soak up the sun!

Make Brightsand Park Your Family Destination

Tucked away down a country road, 27 kms north and east of St. Walburg, Brightsand Lake Regional Park is a stunning destination park awaiting discovery. Northern wilderness plays host to a well-developed facility, boasting many amenities for outdoor recreation and camping comfort.

Spanning over 1,600 acres across the entire northern end of Brightsand Lake, the park offers 123 spacious campsites nestled into their own piece of forest. Several premium campsites are lakefront, and have their own beach area.

Electrical and non-electrical campsites are available. A total of 52 seasonal sites are available, with or without power. Family reunions and other large gatherings will find our 5 group sites ideal for their function. Taps with potable water are conveniently located throughout the camping areas, and an RV sanidump is located near the park entrance.Two rental cabins offer visitors all the modern conveniences, and are a short walk from the beach.

Founded in 1965 by supporting community bodies, Brightsand Lake Regional Park has undergone a gentle evolution, starting out as the meeting point for the local community. Cabin lots and campsites soon became available, and travellers from many locales discovered the towering spruce trees, the clear water and sandy, mile-long beach of Bright-sand Lake. As families moved away, many kept returning for cabin and vacation time, and told their friends, who told their friends, which is why it is a popular summertime retreat.

Brightsand Lake has become a true destination of choice for many travellers, offering a wide range of amenities and special events for the whole family.

Photo credit

Photography by Brandi

Mayor’s Message

Welcome to Paradise Hill! We take pride in our scenic setting, surrounded by trees against a hillside, with a creek meandering through. Whether you are stopping by as a visitor or potential resident, the village has much to offer you -- with our friendly residents, many businesses, outstanding recreational facilities, updated infrastructure and wonderful location.

The excellent sporting and recreation facilities in Paradise Hill ensure lots of action for all ages, whether in the arena, curling rink,

bowling alley or ball diamonds. Our campground is a great place to spend a night or a few weeks, with beautiful sunset views to enjoy there. As well, we are a half hour drive away from Bronson Lake Recreational Site with its wonderful fishing, quading, hiking and camping opportunities.

On the second weekend in August we welcome hundreds of visitors to the annual “Summer Bash”. This event includes Friday and Saturday night cabarets, and a slo-pitch tournament. Other events throughout the year also draw visitors from near and far.

Paradise Hill Community Centre is a state-of-the-art project completed in 2016. This building, attached to the K-12 School, is a testament to what a community can accomplish when they work together, as stated in its motto, “Working together for a common goal”. Many wonderful events have been held in the Community Centre, including weddings, family reunions, banquets, concerts, dinner theatres, craft/trade shows, and a wide variety of sporting tournaments, meets and leagues.

A new 16 lot subdivision on the west side of the village provides a perfect location for new residential housing. A reverse osmosis water treatment plant was completed in 2008, and we have a new regional lagoon (a partnership between the Village of Paradise Hill, R.M. of Frenchman Butte, and the Town of St. Walburg). These developments are all part of the progressive outlook of Paradise Hill.

Paradise Hill’s 13 bed care home was a welcome addition to our community in 2006. Along with the 18-unit Heritage Homes and Heritage Manor, it provided the means for seniors to enjoy living in our community.

Check out the paintings by Berthold von Imhoff in the Roman Catholic Church, walk along the nature trail along the former CN rail line, or stop in for an ice cream or meal. Whatever brings you here, you are sure to receive a warm welcome in Paradise Hill. Enjoy your stay!

Mayor Bernard Ecker

View Paradise

“This is Paradise!” Ernest Beliveau exclaimed to this brother, when the two men returned from their Klondike adventures in the 1890’s, to the country they had first explored ten years previously.Today, as visitors and residents view this treed hillside, now with a village nestled beside it, the same description often comes to mind.

At the north entrance to the village from Highway #3, a scenic historic park and picnic site has been developed beside a meandering creek. A twice life-sized ox and cart monument honours the famous Carlton Trail, which in previous centuries passed by this hillside. The trail was once the main overland route between Fort Garry and Fort Edmonton. A large sign depicts a map of the Trail and lists important events in its history. A teepee frame commemorates the First Peoples of the area, as an historic gathering place. A trading post and store near this site served local First Nations people and settlers, before the railway came through in the 1920’s.

The CNR rail line was built in 1927 on the other side of the creek, and the town site, named Paradise Hill was surveyed there a couple years later. The settlement was incorporated as a village in 1947. Today it has a population of just under 500 people, with many homes, businesses, a long-term care home and various recreation facilities. The Village has a K-12 school, attached to the school is the Paradise Hill Community Centre which has meeting rooms, a large commercial kitchen and a hall complete with a stage and seating area for 500 people. The hall is able to be used as another gymnasium or banquet room.

The Paradise Hill Campground on the west side of the village includes a modern washroom facility with hot showers, 6 electrical campsites and a large overflow area. Nearby are 2 ball diamonds, a 2-sheet curling rink, a 4-lane bowling alley and a skating/hockey arena. For the nature enthusiast, a trail along the abandoned CN rail line by the Paradise Hill Marsh provides an excellent opportunity for bird watching. Another walking nature trail on the north side of the village goes through the spruce bluff.

Paradise Hill is home to the beautiful sacred paintings created almost a century ago by Count Berthold von Imhoff and his son Carl, of St. Walburg. Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church features many original Imhoff paintings. This church is one of more than 100 churches that Imhoff painted throughout

Saskatchewan, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Germany. East of the Village on Hwy #3 is the Community Park, available for hosting ball tournaments. To the Northwest can be seen the large butte which is known as Frenchman Butte, an important site of the Northwest Rebellion of 1885. West of Paradise Hill just 10 kms away you can fish off the banks of the North Saskatchewan River.

Visitors are always welcome in Paradise Hill, experience the beauty of nature, the fascinating history, or the vibrant community life of today. Come and “Vacation in Paradise”.

www.paradisehillranchandwesternwear.com

Ph: 1-306-344-2188 / email: info@phillranch.ca

#301 - Hwy #3 / Paradise Hill, SK S0M 2G0

Ph: 1-306-234-0034 / email: meadowlake@phillranch.ca

704 - 9th street West, Meadow Lake, SK (Next to Home Hardware)

History Revival at Little Stone Church

Holy Trinity Church Deer Creek was erected in 1935 by members of the community, with the help of a stonemason who was living in the area.

Those members are all gone now, the last one, Norman Moore, having passed away in 2018. Norman took an active part in building the church, and also in the many changes and renovations that took place over the years. Even in his 80’s, Norman showed his dedication to the church. He could swing a hammer and haul lumber around, keeping up with the youngsters. His family have taken over the tradition of service to the church, living by his example. It became a tradition in the

early days of the church for families to bring a picnic lunch and after the morning service, share a meal and enjoy games. It was a great way for everyone to socialize.

This tradition seemed to wane in later years as people always seem to be in a hurry and many people drifted away, many moving out of the community for work.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the Little Stone Church. Young people are coming in. The congregation enjoys sharing lunch, or cake and coffee, and fellowship after services. Visitors are invited to follow the Holy Trinity Church’s facebook page for a schedule of services and are most welcome to attend.

Our Little Stone Church has had visitors from all over the world. Everyone is welcome to come, rest, and pray.

Frenchman Butte... So Much History

Rated as

“The best small town Museum in Saskatchewan” by Saskatchewan’s prestigious Prairies North Magazine’s reader survey, the Frenchman Butte Heritage Center and Museum is located right in the picturesque hamlet of Frenchman Butte, on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River Valley.

It features a complex of 10 buildings, of which eight contain exhibits for the curious visitor to explore. The museum portion of the facility was initiated in 1979 and has grown in content with each passing year. Recently a recreational vehicle campground with 10 fully serviced sites was incorporated into its expanding facilities. Situated on the east end of the complex this RV park provides a convenience base for visitors intent on exploring the museum and nearby historic sites, the Provincial Historic Park at Fort Pitt and the National Historic Site of the Battle of Frenchman Butte between Cree warriors and the Alberta Field Force in 1885.

The main exhibit building, the Lloyd Furman Building, contains hundreds of items to view, some of which are singularly unique. An example is a display of Louis Riel’s buckskin jacket that was provided to the museum by its owner for exhibition as part of the 1885 Métis section. In addition there are artifacts from Fort Pitt, a Métis Red River cart, a beaver hat and buffalo coat, the epitome of men’s style in the 1800s, the reason the fur trade flourished in the early days of Western Canada. The museum’s collection of firearms also features rifles of the 1885 militia forces involved in the North West Resistance.

Next door to the Furman Building is a unique vertical log homestead cabin of the Leer family, its table set for supper in “depression style” (upside down to keep the dust off the eating surfaces). From this early home venture across the street to the Big Hill School, built in 1927. Its desks await the eager students to take their places. Over at the Canadian National Railway Station the stationmaster pours over his ledgers in the office and two travellers patiently await the arrival of the noon train. Other exhibit buildings entice your exploration as well. Check out the farm machinery shed and the photo collection in the CNR’s caboose.

A tour of the exhibit buildings under the guidance of a friendly, informative tour guide (required for exhibit security reasons) is an excellent experience; learning from the exhibits during your tour will occupy about an hour and a half. Your last stop can be

the Log Cabin Tea House. This exceptional “homey” restaurant provides non-alcoholic refreshments and light lunches in a friendly farmhouse atmosphere. Your servers are volunteer members of the local community who truly enjoy telling of their own life experiences living in the district as well as explaining the diverse heritage we enjoy. Children visiting the Heritage Center are not at all neglected. There is a nine hole, mini-golf course on site which uses models of significant local structures of the district as the game’s obstacles. There is also a modern playground area for them to enjoy while parents are otherwise occupied.

The Heritage Center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends from the May long weekend and daily throughout July and August, closing for the season after the September long weekend. Tea House hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and open the same days as the museum. Off-season viewing arrangements can be made by contacting 1-306-344 4478 in advance of your visit.

Over the past 250 years this portion of Saskatchewan has witnessed a parade of history from the early explorers, the fur trade forts, development of the Carlton Red River Cart Trail, steam powered paddle-wheeled river boats, the 1885 N.W. Resistance, homesteading and the drought dominating Great Depression as well as two world wars, and of course the many good times that intermingled with a few of the bad. Enquire at the Tea House about guided tours of the nearby historic sites, conducted for a reasonable fee by senior members of the museum who specialize in the skills of a historian storyteller.There are two major historic sites within just minutes’ drive; Fort Pitt Provincial Historic Park and the National Historic Site of the Battle of Frenchman Butte. Both feature walking trails and interpretive story boards that showcase the events of our frontier past.

The Frenchman Butte Heritage Center and Museum is without a doubt, a premier heritage facility, operated by a staff of dedicated volunteers who encourage you to explore the history of our district and discover the challenges facing our forefathers in settling western Canada. “We have So Much History!”

Town of Turtleford

219 Main Street, P.O. Box 38 Turtleford, SK S0M 2Y0 Phone: 1-306-845-2156

Facebook: Town of Turtleford Website: www.townofturtleford.com

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

*Closed Statutory Holidays

The Town of Turtleford is an active, growing community. Hockey, fishing and roasting marshmallows is what we do. A community where everyone knows your name, and your kids’ name, and your dogs’ name. Our Turtleford Tigers, the hometown hockey club, put on quite the show each winter at the Turtleford Community Centre.

We know how to play all year round. In the winter there is ice fishing, skidoo trails, cross country skiing, and, of course, HOCKEY. Turtleford is home to minor hockey clubs for all ages, men & women’s rec teams, senior team, power skating club, figure skating club, and goalie camps. Turtleford also has an award-winning Dance Studio in which dancer travel the world to show off their skills. In the summertime, we have numerous lakes suitable for swimming, fishing, boating and water sports, spray park and the Turtle River is the perfect speed for a river float. For the sports enthusiast, there are the ball clubs, golf courses and the Turtleford Walking Trail. In the fall, the hunters find their paradise. The area around Turtleford is flush with game birds, moose, elk, and deer.

Picturesque forests, lakes and pastureland nurture all types of wildlife. For the bird lovers, over 250 bird species can be spotted. Foxes,

beavers, and bears, oh my, they love the Turtleford area as well.The only thing we really don’t have is Turtles! Turtleford got its name from the Turtle River and Turtle Lake, neither of which are home to, nor never have been home to Turtles. The only turtle that lives in Turtleford is Ernie and he always like visitors.

The community has a grocery store, credit union, post office, liquor store, restaurants, clothing stores, spin studio, beauty salons, tanning salon, bar, a motel, service stations, vet clinic, hardware store, school, daycares and industrial supplies store.You will feel safe and secure with the Riverside Health Complex nearby, hosting an Emergency Room, Medical Clinic, Laboratory Services, Physiotherapy Department and Nursing Home. Riverside Handi Van provides transportation for people with disabilities to medical appointment, downtown for shopping and business, or just for socializing and visiting. The Handi Van Board is always looking for Volunteer drivers and can be contacted at town office. The local RCMP Detachment is right on Main Street and our awesome volunteer fire department has a new Fire Hall just West of Town.

The Town of Turtleford Council has seen some changes over the years. Our current council was elected in Fall of 2024.

Please meet our Council Members and Staff:

Mayor: Doug Milne

Deputy Mayor: Kelly Garner

Councillors: Skye Angus, Josh Bloom, Aaron Chambers, Colin Chambers, Ivy Dusanko,

Administrator: Deanna Kahl Lundberg

Assistant Administrator: Karen Robb

Maintenance Personnel: Landon Nelson, Cole O’Hare, Heather Leonard

Seasonal Outside Maintenance: Marty Rivard

Transfer Station Attendant: George Zaychkowsky

Water & Sewer Bills are sent out monthly the last week of the month. Residents are encouraged to help us save trees by signing up for eBilling by contacting the town office staff.

The transfer site is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm and the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10 am to 2 pm. Garbage is collected at your curb every Friday, rain or shine. Bags must be tagged for pick up. Garbage tags can be purchased from the Town Office or Transfer Site for $3.00 each.

Road repairs and maintenance are conducted as needed. Mowing town property is conducted throughout the summer months. Snow removal during the winter months as needed.

The Town Office is open Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Closed for lunch between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm) The Town Office has an incredible collection of…you guessed it TURTLES! Feel free to stop in, say hi and check it out. The Town Office and Transfer site are closed Statutory Holidays. For information on updates and contact information please visit www.townofturtleford.com or follow us on Facebook. Any new services or events that come up within the community, please contact the community with information. Information can be added to the eBoard located at the end of Main Street in front of the Turtleford & District Co-op.

More than 250 Birds

Bonny Macnab...

Country Artist

Through the years Bonny’s work has earned a solid reputation as a quality exhibitor with her “Reflections of the Earth” and “Continuum” both full expression of her passion for nature and her ability to re-create conversations with nature. Bonny’s work illustrates a great love of people and their surroundings. She captures the emotion and spirit of her subjects. Favourite media are oil, watercolours and silk painting. In addition to subjects of her own choosing, Bonny will contract to produce portraits and other commissioned works. Most recently Bonny along with her daughter Rebecca Knowlton completed a whimsical fun feeling mural for the Turtleford Library. A generous donation by Barb Ashton, lumber and supplies donated by the Turtleford CO-OP.

Bonny’s mural work is also well recognized, in 1998 she created “Headin’ In”, a large mural now displayed in Turtleford. The mural’s roundup theme is a vibrant and eye-catching, depicting the ranchers fall task of bringing in the herd for winter.

Macnab was commissioned by the City of Regina for a “Farewell Mosaic Stadium” mural. The mural was created with images depicting scenes of Roughrider fans celebrating

and is home in the new Mosaic Stadium.

Visitors to Lloydminster can also experience Bonny’s talent. A 36- by eight-foot mural depicting 50th Street circa 1930 has been erected in that city.

The curiousity of silk and fiber art keeps Bonny’s art fresh and interesting, her silks are sold on her website and in stores across Saskatchewan.

Bonny continues to work with Artist in School programs through the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Working with teachers and students teaching curriculum through art. 2021 was a busy year as Bonny received the Canada Council Research and Creative Grant to continue reseach on plants that she can extact an image from through eco-printing.

Whenever possible Bonny encourages and inspires others to find their creative self.

Bonny lives east of Mervin with her husband Gary. She says the view from her farm is spectacular and invites you to come out for a visit to see her work. In the spring and summer you can also enjoy flowers, bedding plants and nursery supplies at her two 1,500 square foot commercial greenhouses. Maple Ridge Ranch is where the joys of painting and planting meet.

Trans Canada Trail World’s longest networks of trails

Facts about the Trail

About the Trail

The Trans Canada Trail is one of the world’s longest networks of trails, developed and promoted by a non-profit registered charity.

When completed, the Trail will stretch nearly 24,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans, linking Canadians in close to 1,000 communities.

Today, over 18,000 kilometres of Trail have been developed. Millions of Canadians and international visitors are using the Trail to hike, cycle, ski, horseback ride, canoe and snowmobile. The Trans Canada Trail offers countless opportunities to explore Canada’s diverse landscapes and rich history.

What is the Trans Canada Trail?

Initiated in 1992 as a project to celebrate Canada’s 125th year, the Trans Canada Trail is the world’s longest networks of multi-use recreational trails, comprised of land and water routes across urban, rural and wilderness landscapes. Once fully connected, it will stretch nearly 24,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans, through every province and territory, linking Canadians in nearly 1,000 communities.

The Trans Canada Trail is made up of nearly 500 individual trails, each with unique and varied features. This contributes to the diversity and grandeur of Canada’s national Trail. For day trips or multi-day adventures, the Trail offers countless opportunities to explore and discover.

How much of the Trail has been connected?

To date, just over 20,000 kilometres of the Trail are operational which is 86 percent of the proposed route. Four out of five Canadians live within 30 minutes of the Trail.

How can I find the Trail in my area?

Explore the Trail: Use our interactive map to highlight specific activities or points of interest, mark points or sections of the Trail you have visited and upload your own photos and stories. You’ll also find printable maps and downloadable GPS coordinates for all operational trail sections.

You can download a map for a specific Trail section, or maps for an entire province or territory.

Visit the websites of our provincial and territorial partners. They offer a wealth of information about the Trail in every province and territory.

The trail goes through three R.M.s (Turtle River, Meota, Frenchman Butte & Mervin) as well as the towns of Edam, Turtleford, St. Walburg & Paradise Hill. The trail includes 2 historic settlement trails for this area; Paynton and Fort Carlton. Our section starts at the Lions Park.The midpoint of our trail is 108.95 longitude 53.35 latitude Follow it south past historical markers into Turtle River R.M.; follow it west into Frenchman Butte.

•

•

•

•

•

•

Agro Centre

THUNDERCHILD WELLNESS CENTRE

THE ULTIMATE SPORTS AND EVENT DESTINATION

Experience our state-of-the-art facility designed to host everything from thrilling hockey games to unforgettable celebrations. With top-tier amenities and versatile spaces, we have something for everyone!

FITNESS CENTRE

Our Fitness Centre features a yoga studio, a wide selection of cardio equipment, and a full range of cable and hand weights to keep you moving.

CONCESSION

Grab a bite at our concession, where we serve handmade, never-frozen burger patties, fresh hand-cut fries, and our signature in-house seasoning sauces and spices. With daily specials and a dedicated kids’ menu, there’s something for everyone

ICE ARENA

Our NHL-size arena boasts 1,080 bucket seats, 11 spacious dressing rooms, a jumbotron, and two wireless score clocks, ensuring an incredible experience for players and fans alike. Skate rentals and sharpening services are also available.

FIELDHOUSE

For recreation and fun, our field house offers a variety of sports equipment for rent, a drop-down divider curtain for multiple activities, and exciting birthday party packages, including bouncy castle rentals.

EVENT HALL

Planning an event?

Our spacious event hall accommodates up to 300 guests. The attached kitchen ensures seamless service for both small and large gatherings.

BOOK YOUR NEXT EVENT OR VISIT US TODAY!

From sports and fitness to celebrations and community gatherings, our facility is built for action, connection, and unforgettable experiences.

• In-House Catering

• Podium Stage with a Backdrop

• Modern AV Equipment

• Ceiling-Mounted Projectors

• Portable Speakers

twc@recreationexcellence.com

Services, Shopping and Hospitality

Turtleford, founded before Saskatchewan became a province, continues to be a vital, vibrant community.

Hardy settlers chose this convenient and scenic location to establish a centre of business in the early 1900s, and by 1914 enough development had occurred to warrant incorporation.

Today, a bustling downtown, with a wide variety of services, welcomes visitors to Turtleford. Over the past few years, Main Street has been enhanced with modern new structures, including a new grocery store and municipal office, and extensively renovated and updated financial institution. The business sector features two grocery stores, a pharmacy, restaurants, convenience stores and a host of other outlets.

The community is home to Riverside Health Complex, which is an integrated health care facility offering long-term, emergency and acute care services.

While offering a full range of consumer items for visitors to nearby picturesque lakes, Turtleford also boasts its own attractions.

Turtleford is home to Canada’s largest turtle. Ernie, who draws attention to the town’s tourist information centre and business directory sign, stands more than eight feet tall, is 28 feet long and 14 feet wide. He has guarded the town’s perimeter since 1983.

He was constructed to commemorate Turtleford’s acquisition of town status.

Turtleford and District Museum, in the original CN Station, will help visitors understand the history of the area. Birding enthusiasts will find the area rich in entertainment and are invited to take a walk down the town’s hiking trail along the Turtle River.

Golfers will be pleasantly surprised by a beautiful nine-hole, grass green course just a five minute drive from town. Lions Campground offers a place to rest or to spend the night. Amenities include tennis courts, playground, ball diamonds, picnic sites and campsites.

Bonny Macnab’s mural, “Headin’ In,” portraying a traditional fall cattle roundup, is situated beside Hwy. 303 near the junction with Hwy. 26. Turtleford Communities in Bloom committee has established a Memorial Park at the base of the mural.

A moose in a pristine forest setting is the subject of Dave Heibert’s mural, which can be found next to the Turtleford and District Co-op Grocery Store at the end of the town’s Main Street.

Cool Off Behind the Glass

Die hard curlers and curling fans come from several areas of the prairie provinces to take in Livelong’s annual Summer Spiel. Cooling off with a curling game in the middle of the summer has become an annual tradition in this friendly Turtle Lake community. Livelong Curling Club hosts its Annual Summer Spiel July 9-13, 2024. The bonspiel offers cash prizes and organizers hope to attract 16 teams for the regular spiel.

There will also be Sturling Spiels on July 9, 10 & 11. The kitchen is open daily featuring home cooked meals serving lunch and full suppers in the evenings attracting curlers, fans and the general public.

To enter call Doug at (306) 845-8088 or email ladra@myaccess.ca. Entry fee is $320 per rink for regular curling and $80 for each of the Sturling Spiels.

Slide on over to Livelong for some unusual summer fun. You can stay right in the village so you don’t miss a draw. Livelong’s fully serviced RV park with washrooms and showers will be open during the spiel. Follow us on Facebook. Die hard curlers and curling fans come from all corners of Canada to take in Livelong’s annual Summer Spiel.

Brooksdale School: Where yesterday still teaches today

After 1918’s harvest, George Cormack and Laugi Gudmunson scouted their district on horse-back and selected a small knoll of land that seemed an ideal site for a new country school. The first meeting for the school was held at George and Mae Cormack’s house on January 20th, 1919.This meeting contained information on the organization of a new school district, and the election of the trustees. Seven people showed up to this meeting, Frank Gibson, Hugh McMurphy, William Maess, George Cormack, Laughi Gudmunson, Nathaniel Billings, and Fred Green.

It was soon decided to borrow $3000 and to call for tenders to build a school 26 x 27 feet with a full basement. In

under two months and coming in under budget, the school was then built by July, 2019.The name Brooksdale was chosen for the school after considering other names such as Valley View, Springfield, Far View, Black Deer Ridge, and Jolly Nook.The name Brooksdale was chosen by George Cormack, named for his hometown in Ontario. Brooksdale officially opened on September 12, 1919 with Miss Catherine Priel in charge. A piano was bought in 1920 and a box social was held to raise the money. There were many children from the area that went through the Brooksdale school over the years.Abrahmson, Beardsworth, Beaulieu, Burroughs, Doolittle, Edwards, Eisel, Fredrickson, Carlson,

Clarks, Conacher, Cormack, Fehr, Foster, George, Gettin, Giesbrecht, Green, Gudmunson, Harkness, Hill, O’Hare, Jones, Jorgenson, Maess, Nearing, Nelson, Opperman, Pilling, Roach, Speer, Tesch, Tradewell, Ulmer, Wakeman, Wigg and Webber. Those are only some of the last names of students that attended Brooksdale school.

The school operated under various teachers until 19591960 when they closed. However the school was still serving the community in the form of Sunday School with a dedicated lady named Ruth Webber that taught Sunday School in the building for more than 50 years. Municipal Heritage designation status was awarded in the 90s.

Many locals have remained active volunteers to ensure the grounds and structure of the school remain pristine. Recently, through obtaining a grant, and hosting a traditional Box Social that was well supported by the community, a new cedar-shake roof was installed–a key investment to ensure the lifespan of Brooksdale continues for many years.

Brooksdale School remains a gem within our rural community. Past students and their families gather for reunions, school groups come for class trips and tourists from around the world have stopped in to be transported to a different time in history.The guest book is always open on the teachers desk for visitors to sign.

SAYERS BROTHERS FREIGHTING

By Robert Peterson Bresaylor Heritage Museum

Prior to arriving at the Bresaylor Settlement in 1882, the Sayers brothers, Henry, Cleophas and Joseph, had been involved in freighting, especially Henry. Henry had equipment and manpower. He had been married twice and had 21 children. All his sons freighted as they were growing up, transporting goods from the railhead at Swift Current to Battleford or Bresaylor and then freighting to Prince Albert, Green Lake, Onion Lake, Fort Pitt, Frog Lake, Cold Lake and any other location freight needed to go.

The train of freight would be led by a wagon pulled by a horse or horses. An ox pulling a cart would be tethered to one back corner of the wagon, walking in the wagon rut ahead. Another ox would be tethered to the corner of that cart, with as many as twelve carts used. This spread out the ruts, lessening the chance of sinking in the mud. The horse in the front set the pace, being easier to control than an ox. Each cart carried approximately 1,000 pounds of payload. Only two men were needed, with one man driving the horse in the front wagon and the other man keeping the oxen and carts following each other.

In 1965, a reporter interviewed Henry’s son Joe, who was then 95 years old. Joe reminisced about his freighting days. He recalled that a round trip to Swift Current took twenty days, eight days going down empty and twelve days coming back loaded. He charged $2.50 per hundred pounds of freight. The best haul he ever made was handled by two men and netted him $1,700.

In November 1882, the Sayers brothers made a trip to Swift Current loaded with furniture from the old Government house in Battleford. They returned to Battleford loaded with more freight.

The year 1884 was a freighter’s paradise. Four hundred cartloads of freight arrived in Battleford during a two-week period. There was a shortage of freighters to haul all the freight from Swift Current that year.

In 1885, Inspector Frances Dickens of the North-West

Mounted Police at Fort Pitt recorded that on February 10 the Sayers brothers arrived with freight for the Indian Department. On February 16, he recorded them returning from Frog Lake where they had delivered two large millstones as well as other machinery for a mill that was to be built there. The millstones are still lying where they were unloaded, as the mill’s owners and workers were killed during the Frog Lake massacre.

During the winter of 1885, the Sayers brothers hauled seven loads of freight from Prince Albert to the McKay Store in Battleford.

The Sayers brothers also did some freighting on the North Saskatchewan River. In 1883 they arrived in Battleford with a raft of 150 building logs.

Freighting started to decline in 1890 when Saskatoon became the railhead for the area, a shorter distance to haul goods than Swift Current. Freighting continued to decrease when the railroad was built through Bresaylor in 1905. There was still some freighting to points north until the railroad was built north of the North Saskatchewan River through Edam and Turtleford. During those years, a fish plant operated in Bresaylor. One winter enough fish were freighted from northern lakes to load 26 box cars.

My travel sketch kit – a sketchbook, a mechanical pencil, a white pencil crayon (since my sketchbook pages are tan), a pencil sharpener, a fine marker, watercolours and a travel paintbrush.

Give Travel Sketching a Try on Your Next Vacation

Written by Bonnie Davis-Schmitz

I was introduced to travel sketching only last spring. Like most people, I usually rely on photos and a few souvenirs as mementos of my vacations. I liked the idea of having a more personal record of my experience. I may be creative but I don’t have the drawing skills of a classically trained artist. I worried I would not be up to the challenge – and I certainly didn’t want anybody to see me sketching or looking at my drawings.

I searched for supplies that were easy to transport and wouldn’t take up much space. I wanted to be able to carry them easily while I walked. After a few tries, adding or removing items and exchanging others, I settled on: a small sketchbook, a mechanical pencil, a white pencil, a sharpener, a fine grey marker, an eraser, a limited watercolours pallet, and a travel paint brush. Cups to hold water are always available so I chose not carry one. (After my first summer of travel sketching, I’ll add a larger travel brush.) I considered loose paper in a folder, a pen, pencil crayons and conte (my favorite drawing medium) but decided to stay with a more compact kit.

During my first trip–a three-day visit with my daughter- I did a few practice sketches. I realized I didn’t have to spend more than 5 or 10 minutes to capture an image, and if I sketched longer than that, somebody would notice which left me feeling self-conscious. I learned that sketches didn’t have to be detailed to give me a memory of the time and place. Sometimes I adding a short note where and when the sketch was done, and occasionally an longer comment or description.

Over the summer, I gained confidence in sketching publicly – in parks, beside lakes, on city benches, and at highway rest stops. People noticed and occasionally looked curious, but very few commented.

I’ll be honest–some of my sketches will never voluntarily be shown to anybody! But I keep drawing and I keep learning. I’ve realized that taking the time for even a quick sketch gives me time to pause and really appreciate the moment. Don’t get me wrong! I still take lots of photos! But I now realize that when I only take photos, I snap and quickly move on to the next thing.

Now my travel sketching kit travels with me on every trip, carried in my purse or tote bag, or tucked into my suitcase. My travel sketchbook has quick drawing of things and places I’ve seen during my day and simple things like the glass of water in my hotel room as I settle in for the evening. I can always see where I paused to enjoy my experience.

I encourage you to try travel sketching – regardless of your age, skill level or location! At its most basic, all you need is a piece of paper and pencil!

Bonnie Davis-Schmitz is an active member of the St Walburg community.

Walburg

A quiet moment watching the bird feeder (pencil and water colour)

Bonnie Davis-Schmitz

DIG INTO OUR RICH HISTORY

Fort Pitt

Provincial Historic Park

Location:

West of Paradise Hill near the Alberta Border

Significance:

Once a bustling fur trading post, Fort Pitt was the site of the signing of Treaty No. 6 in 1876. Fort Pitt was burned and hostages taken during the 1885 Northwest Rebellion.

Frenchman Butte

National Historic Park

Location:

North of Frenchman Butte on Prov. Grid 797, follow the signs to the Rifle Pits

Significance:

White people taken hostage by the Cree at Fort Pitt were taken to an area just north of the butte. Here 1,400 warriors and civilians dug pits into the lip of the hill. A four-hour battle later ensued. A short walk will take you past the rifle pits to a commemorative plaque on top of the Butte.

Steele's Narrows

Provincial Historic Park

Location:

10 km West of Loon Lake

Significance:

Site of the final skirmish of the 1885 Northwest Rebellion.

Climb the stairs to the top of the hill and read about the final exchange of gunfire in Western Canada’s last armed conflict.

Shiloh Church and Cemetery

Location:

21 km north of Maidstone on Hwy. 21, 4.8 km east and 2.4 km north

Significance:

Shiloh Church was built in 1911 by the first black settlers in Saskatchewan. This historic church is constructed of hand hewn squared logs. The site features a memorial cairn, commemorating the settlers buried there.

Fort Pitt-Carlton Trail

Location:

Remnants of the trail can be traced throughout the Northwest, with markers in the Paradise Hill, Vawn and Edam areas.

A detailed map is available at Paradise Hill.

Significance:

The trail served as the first major overland route between Fort Garry in what is now Manitoba to Fort Edmonton. Fort Pitt-Carlton Trail is destined to live on in the new millennium as Prairie to Pine Regional Economic Development Association and local community groups are working to establish the Trans Canada Trail along the route.

Pine Island

Location:

Lookout and monument located 13.5 km. north of Maidstone on Hwy 21 and 17.5 km. east.

Significance:

Located in the

North Saskatchewan River, Pine Island was the site of five fur trading posts that operated from 1785 to 1793.

NORTHWEST MUSEUM GUIDE

Bresaylor Heritage Museum

Location:

P.O. Box 33, Paynton, Saskatchewan, S0M 2J0 Bookings by Appointment 306-893-8002 (Enola) 306-895-2075 (Bob) bresaylorheritagemuseum@outlook.com Facebook: Bresaylor Heritage Museum

Saskatchewan’s Northwest features a wealth of community operated and privately owned museums. Each reflects its own interpretation of local history, art and culture.

Imhoff Museum

Location:

8 km South and 2 km West of St. Walburg Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7 days a week June 1 to Labour Day Call 306-248-3812 for more information

St. Walburg & District

Historical Museum

Location: Main Street, St. Walburg Open: 7 days a week, 10 a.m. - noon, 1 to 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday - Sundays - 1 to 5 p.m. July to Labour Day weekend By special appointment other times Call 306-248-3267 or 306-248-3478

Frenchman Butte Heritage Centre & Museum Tea House

Location: Frenchman Butte

Open: Weekends Victoria Day to the end of June Daily July 1 to Labour day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tea House closes 5 p.m. Call 306-344-4478 for more information

Maidstone Museum & Pioneer Village

Location: Maidstone

Open: 1 to 8 p.m. daily Victoria Day to Labour Day

For more information Call 306-893-4078 or 780-205-9946

Featuring a CNR station housing artifacts from the area, as well as a circa 1950s station masters’ residence, wood stove and ice box.

Turtleford Museum

Location: Eastern Outskirts of Turtleford Open: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily June, July & August By appointment call 306-845-7777 or 306-845-7794

Washbrook Museum

Location: Edam

Now included in the Edam-Vawn Lions Heritage Village. The Washbrook collection is housed in the former grain elevator. For more information and viewing times call 306-397-2705

Big Bear Trail Museum

Located: Loon Lake West of the Recreational Center. Open weekly during the Summer months during the Farmers Market held beside the Museum, Saturdays 10 - 12 a.m. For information and appointments for viewing call 306-837-2156

Artifacts included in the Museum have been picked off the Big Bear Trail, they include ration tins used by Sam Steele’s troops.

A GOLFER'S PARADISE

Eagle Ridge Golf Course St. Walburg

Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens, Cart and Club Rental, Licensed Club House. Fully irrigated grass greens and fairways, driving range and putting green. The course is popular. Be sure to call ahead for a tee-off time.

Contact: 306-248-GOLF (306-248-4653) or 306-248-3287

Bright Sand Lake Regional Park

Features: Nine Holes, Sand Greens 306-248-3780

Blueberry Hill Golf Course

West Side of Turtle Lake

Features: Nine Holes (1449 yards)

Optional Nine Holes (2346 yards)

Cart and Club Rental 306-845-2595

Loon Lake Golf Course

Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens

This course is located on some of the most scenic and challenging terrain anywhere. Licensed Club House, Rentals, Pro Shop 306-837-GOLF

Mervin and District Golf Club

Just southeast of the Village of Mervin

Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens

Mervin was upgraded to grass greens several years ago, and has a reputation for offering one of the best groomed facilities in the area. Concession, rentals and pro shop. A brand new licensed club house is now open. 306-845-3121

Evergreen Green Acres Golfer Paradise

Turtle Lake

Les Olson 306-845-3772

In its 35th season, Silver Lake is known as one of the best golf destinations in the mid-west. To book a tee-off time call 306-893-2831

Little Loon Golf Course

8 km East of Glaslyn on Hwy. 3

Features: Nine Holes, Grass Greens. Very challenging irrigated fairways and greens. Club and cart rentals. Clubhouse with full food service. Busy weekends may require tee time. 306-342-2176

A Little Bit of HOLLAND

Edam - A Little Bit of Holland in Saskatchewan. Hosting 23 km of Trans Canada Trail route (www.tctrail.ca) along Highway 26, northwest 50 km from the junction with Highway 4.

A sports town, Edam is the home of the Edam Three Stars, champions of the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League for nine consecutive years, and who were champions again in 2009. Joey LaClare, former Canadian Amateur Boxing Champion in the 71 kg class, calls Edam home, as does Fiona Smith-Bell, member of Canada’s 1998 Olympic Silver Medal Women’s Hockey Team.

As you crest the hill north of Vawn you’ll notice the black oil tanks - sentinels to more than 1,000 oil wells within this heavy oil field. Husky Oil and Serafina Oil have built steam injection plants which began production in 2016. Stop at the RM of Turtle River office on Main Street for information on the local heavy oil industry.

Visit the village office and library to peruse the Edam Historical Society’s book Their Hopes - Our Heritage, and ask directions to the Washbrook Museum, the stocked trout fishing and campground at Picnic Lake or the government operated ferry which crosses the North Saskatchewan River daily from breakup to freeze-up.

Head north 7.4 kms along Highway 26 to the intersection, then west 3.4 km to the Fort Pitt Trail cairn to learn more about this early trade route. Read about our connection with the fur trade and the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Travel 3.5 kms south and 12 kms west from the cairn to the North Saskatchewan River overlooking Pine Island, where the Hudson Bay Company’s Manchester House competed for local furs from 1786 until it was destroyed by fire in 1794.

Edam’s recreation facilities include a skating rink, curling rink with three sheets of artificial ice and five-diamond ballpark

featuring shale infields. The village has a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school and a Level III-V health centre and long-term care facility. 2015 saw the opening of the Edam Enriched Manor. This facility has 26 units, some singles and the rest doubles. The Manor is open to anyone 55 and over. The rental of a unit includes all meals, laundry, parking and recreational activities and the manor houses the Early Learning Centre. Other services are post office, groceries, deli, bakery, restaurant, banking, automotive services, car and truck wash, bar, lottery centre, air strip, volunteer fire department, volunteer first responders and a public library.

The public library has free Internet and email service available. Travellers are invited to stop in and check in with family and friends at home.

Edam

Trails to Adventure

Edam is the place if you’re looking for outdoor winter fun. Tobogganing is enjoying a comeback thanks to a groomed hill at Dulwich Station; a small all-season day lodge with privy.

Lodge access can be arranged by calling 306-441-3753.

Battlefords Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club has extended their groomed snowmobile trails into the Edam area. For updated snowmobile trails information check www.sasksnowmobiling.sk.ca

Summer Adventure. If you’re looking for summer recreational trails, Edam is on the primary Trans Canada Trail route and the local TCT Committee has constructed over 3 km of improved walking trail in and around the village of Edam as part of 26 km of registered right-of-way passing through the RM of Turtle River. There are nature trails at Dulwich Station for environmentminded users year-round. This trail system is ideal for hikers and bird watchers.

Running parallel to Turtle River and situated mainly in the river valley, the pristine terrain of willows, poplars and prairie grasses provides safe haven for abundant wildlife. A den of coyotes has

made this area their home. Hawks, eagles, and owls have nested here annually. The river has been home to a colony of beaver that are not too shy to show themselves to the quiet and patient observer. Deer and moose occasionally frequent the area.

Two-Wheel Paradise

Cyclists will find kilometres of country roads to explore in this neck of the woods. Many of the roads within the RM of Turtle River surrounding Edam have been paved with oil sands, creating a dust-free surface. Traffic is generally light and motorists always courteous, creating a safe environment for law-abiding bikers. This region is scenic, offering long steep hills along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, to rolling farmland intersected by sandy trails bordered by saskatoon berry and chokecherry bushes. A route east of Edam includes Picnic Lake, a comfortable oasis offering the chance for a refreshing swim. Cycling a route from Edam west to the banks of the North Saskatchewan River overlooking Pine Island makes for an aggressive, but scenic, daytrip.Visitors can purchase a map at the RM office on Main Street in Edam, or ask one of the locals to suggest routes to explore. For more information call 306-441-3753.

Grain Elevator... Houses Collection

Edam’s former grain elevator is the centerpiece of the Washbrook Museum & Heritage Village.

Edam residents Harry and Mildred Washbrook devoted many years to their private museum of prairie artifacts. The museum was featured in a film about Saskatchewan shown at Expo ‘86, but their greatest enjoyment came from meeting the different people who came to visit their museum each year.

The Washbrooks made arrangements so the museum would continue to flourish even after they were no longer able to provide the tender loving care it had received for so many years.

The Edam Vawn Lions Club spearheaded a project to create the Washbrook Museum & Heritage Village, and relocated the contents of the museum to the former local grain elevator provided by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.

Directly across from the museum, the Heritage Village provides a new home for historic buildings on land donated by Les and Annabelle Elliott.The first building restored is the Edam Cafe, dating from 1915.

The Washbrook Museum & Heritage Village showcases all aspects of daily life in a typical rural community of days gone by.

The wide variety of artifacts creates a picture of the past to life in an enjoyable journey through time. The museum features theme rooms which illustrate the contributions of individuals, clubs and sports in general to our history.

The project has created a living legacy to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Washbrook's Museum

Fort Pitt Carlton Trail

Marker indicates where the original trail, dating back to 1829, can be seen.

Transition from Forest to Parkland

The village of Glaslyn is situated at the junction of Highways 3 and 4, bordering the transition of the parkland and boreal forest. This village of 400 is considered by many to be the gateway to the Northwest area of the province and access to some of the provinces best fishing, hunting and many, many other recreational activities, summer and winter.

Glaslyn was incorporated as a village in 1929 and has maintained a stable population and economy. Due to its centralized location and close proximity to the developing oil and gas fields in the west, it is beginning to experience a new economic outlook and positive change.

This friendly village has much to offer travellers, sportsmen, tourists or people just passing through. It is home to an RCMP detachment, post office, library, museum, hardware store, fire hall, liquor vendor, gift store, grocery stores, insurance agency, hair salons, hotel, restaurants, bank, automotive and machinery repair services, service stations, auto body shop, saw mill, real estate agency, and tire repair shop. 2014 saw the addition of Primary Health Care Services! Glaslyn now has a Medical Clinic open 2 full days a week with attending Nurse Practitioner Celeste Toews. We are very excited to be able to offer this service to our Community and area residents.This has been made possible through partnerships with the Village of Glaslyn, North Saskatchewan River Municipal Health Holdings, and Prairie North Health Region.

In addition to the large number of amenities, Glaslyn also has recreational facilities such as a hockey arena, bowling alley, sports grounds, community hall.

Just 5 km east of Glaslyn on Highway 3 is one of the nicest regional parks in the province. Little Loon Regional Park is a sparkling gem, possessing a nine-hole grass green golf course, numerous campsites, playground, swimming area, mini-golf and a lake stocked with walleye. The park books up quickly, so don’t hesitate to call for your weekend spot!

Stop in at our Museum for a rest on your drive through, or pay a visit to one of our many businesses, who are eager to serve you. You will find that people here go above and beyond to help and make you feel welcome.

The Village of Glaslyn

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Library, RCMP, Grocery Shopping, Credit Union, Post Office, Service Stations, Propane Refill, Diesel Fuel, Trucking and Hauling, Liquor Vendor, Restaurants, Lumber Yard, Hardware Store, Vehicle Licensing and Insurance, Hair Salons, Electrical and Construction Contractors, Mechanical and Structural Automotive Repair, Beverage Room, Accommodations, Museum, Churches, Elementary & High School, Community Hall, Medical Clinic, Air Strip, Camping, Grass Greens Golfing, Fishing, Boating, Park, Play Area, Outfitters, Indoor Skating Rink, Ball Diamonds, Bowling Alley.

Stop in for a visit this summer

Located at the Junction of Highways 3 & 4 North 40 miles North of North Battleford Lots for Sale: Residential, Commercial, and Industrial

Lake & Country Realty Ltd. and The Water Tower Gallery

141 Railway Ave. in Glaslyn

Lake and Country Realty Limited began in 2012 with just one dedicated realtor and has since grown to include a strong team of five. We proudly serve Turtle Lake, Brightsand Lake, Jackfish, Murray, Chitek, and many other communities throughout northwestern Saskatchewan—typically within an hour of our homes, though we’re happy to go the extra distance when needed.

Our expertise spans residential, recreational, bare land, farm, and commercial properties. By staying current with marketing trends and tools, we aim to deliver smooth, successful property transactions for our clients.

We’re deeply connected to the region and love the vibrant lifestyle it offers—from fishing and boating to sledding, golfing, skiing, and volunteering.Whether you’re buying or selling, we’re always happy to share our local knowledge and guide you to area attractions and activities.

Our team brings together diverse experience in banking, senior care, construction, education, social services, retail, and volunteer work. This blend of backgrounds fuels our shared passion for helping people with their real estate goals.

Reach out to our office—or connect with any of us directly. We’d love to help.

Water Tower Gallery is a boutique featuring an eclectic mix of artistry and craftmanship-from original artwork and handcrafted woodwork to glass, pottery and metal pieces. You’ll also find stylish clothing, luxurious skincare, and more.Whether you are hunting for a unique gift or something special for yourself, stop by and explore the treasures waiting for you!

Trails to Winter Fun

For an enjoyable day of winter fun, come ride the snowmobile trails of the North West. The Battlefords Trail Breakers have developed one of the best trail systems in the province for you to ride. The trails are part of the province wide Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association trail system which can be ridden across most of the province. There are over 10,000 kilome-

ters of trails through out the province.The Battlefords Trail Breakers system is 450 km which is the 3rd largest among the 43 clubs in the province.

The groomed trails encompass a very large area near the Battlefords. Trails extend from Delmas in the south east all the way to Turtle Lake in the north west. Trails take you through the communities of North Battleford, Meota, Cochin, Vawn, Edam, South Bay (south end of Turtle Lake) and Glaslyn. Trails are connected to Meadow Lake from the north and Rabbit Lake from the north east. The trail is well marked and signed for rider’s safety.There are several junction sign boards with maps and every warm up shelter has trail maps for sledders to take and follow trails. Trail maps can also be down loaded at www. sasksnow.com.

The Trail Breakers club was formed in 1998 with about 150 km of trails in the first few years. The system has expanded over the years to its present length of 450 km. The club purchased its first groomer from Table Mountain ski hill in 1999. With the development of the trails, the club purchased a second groomer in 2014. Both groomers run steady throughout the winter season to maintain a great trail to ride in comfort and safety. The club has invested over $250,000 over the past 20 years in grooming equipment, shelters and signs. Funding for our trails comes from a trail fund administered by SSA and paid from snowmobile license plate registrations. Only snowmobiles that are plated and registered are legal to ride the trails so please make sure your sled has a current license plate and is registered.

Along the trails, riders will come across our fantastic collection of 10 warm up shelters. The shelters, which were voted as best in the province, are all unique in design and setting. Shelters are equipped with wood stoves, firewood, solar panels with lights and outdoor bathrooms. Stopping at the shelters and visiting with friends and out of town guests is a favorite past time. Cooking hot dogs and having lunch at the shelters is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors.

For a fun day for you and your family to enjoy our scenic area, come and ride our trails.

Historic Past, Bright Future

Some of the earliest homesteaders to the Maidstone area arrived in 1902. The only building was a small log and canvas shack – William Small’s hotel and restaurant. Weary travelers could find shelter and a hearty pioneer meal: bread, salt pork, tea, and the occasional stewed rabbit. In the spring of 1903, a group of English settlers, the Barr Colony Expedition, was moving through Saskatchewan after arriving in Saskatoon. Some stopped in the area that would be Maidstone, and over the next few years were joined by other new arrivals, including Mennonites and African Americans.

Named after Maidstone, Kent in England, the new village was incorporated in 1905. The railway station was completed in the summer of that same year. William Stone, a Barr Colonist, seized the opportunity and built the first store, while his house next door also served as a community hall. These were joined shortly thereafter by two more stores: Courtice & Pickel’s General Store and Bryans Drugs & Settlers Effects. In less than 20 years, the population had grown past 200. When Maidstone received town status in 1955, it was home to over 500. Today, Maidstone has a population of over 1,200 people. Many more visitors from the surrounding area, come regularly to work, go to school, receive medical services, and shop at various stores. The history of Maidstone and area is carefully preserved to this day at the Maidstone and District Museum. The museum includes

a pioneer village of over ten historic buildings, including the original CNR station, school, general store, machinery shed, blacksmith shop, and church, all filled with artifacts from the past 100 years.

Maidstone can credit its steady growth to its centralized location in a resource-rich area of Saskatchewan. Vast, cultivated fields surround the community. Most are used for grain production, though a few large livestock operations are also located in the region. Crude oil, which began to be discovered in the mid-1950s and early 1960s, continues to drive economic growth as well. Its stable population and centralized location have also brought essential services to Maidstone. A hospital and two schools are located here, along with a host of other amenities across the food, medical, financial, and service industries.

Maidstone is building for the future, while preserving the way of life that residents have enjoyed for over 100 years. This twofold focus is expressed in our town motto: small town friendly, big town services. Residents and visitors enjoy the quiet relaxed atmosphere and safe streets; families feel at ease as their children play at the park across town. Committed volunteers keep the town beautiful, fundraise, and organize events for the whole community to enjoy. This sense of community, along with all the services a city provides, ensures Maidstone will continue to be a desirable community to visit, do business, and call home.

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & PIONEER VILLAGE

507 Hwy. 21 North, Box 330, Maidstone, SK

Ph: 306-893-2631 Fax: 306-893-2410

Email: info@keranda.com See us on the web@ www.keranda.ca

Maidstone

Delfrari-Victoria Park

We’re not a small museum; we’re a huge museum in a small place.

Frenchman Butte Museum

A Passion for the Past

Cradled in the picture-perfect valley of the North Saskatchewan River less than an hour’s drive northeast of Lloydminster, the hamlet of Frenchman Butte, population about 50, is steeped in history. Located on Treaty 6 territory, the community was named for a local landmark, a large hill where an unknown French trader was killed in the early 19th century.

Two 1885 North-West Resistance National Historic Sites are just a few minutes down the road: the Battle of Frenchman Butte five kilometres to the northeast, and Fort Pitt, the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, about 15 kilometres to the west.

Settlement of the hamlet coincided with the coming of the Canadian National Railway in the late 1920s. Many of the newcomers were Americans in search of land. Others went into business to supply the needs of the farming community. But improvements in agriculture and transportation in the 1960s and 1970s brought change and with it, a dwindling population.

Opportunity Knocks

When the CNR pulled out of Frenchman Butte for the last time in the late 1970s, a handful of history-minded folks in and around the tiny hamlet seized an opportunity. For the princely sum of one dollar, the newly-formed museum board bought the property, station and all.

Museum president Tom Hougham explains what happened next. “There was an old bachelor, Lloyd Furman, north of

town who was quite a collector. He was getting to an age where living alone wasn’t good so the folks on the board encouraged him to come and live in the station and bring his stuff. So he did. It all snowballed from there.”

Building the Dream

The station was just the beginning. As the collection grew, so did the need for more space. A steel quonset named for Furman was erected to house his collection of taxidermy, guns and Indigenous artifacts along with hundreds of items donated by people with connections to Frenchman Butte.

Tom takes pleasure in touring folks around the building—framed collections of projectile points, exquisitely beaded buckskin clothing, a replica Red River cart made by a local woodworker, intricate birchbark baskets, a buffalo hide overcoat, a copy of Treaty 6, remnants of trade goods found at Fort Pitt and an eclectic mix of settlement-era reminders of daily life.

Taxidermy specimens of birds and small mammals offer a close-up look at fauna native to the area. From further afield, there’s a prized collection of Inuit soapstone and ivory carvings.A recently acquired pictorial quilt represents the heart-wrenching story of British Home Children, youngsters who were sent to Canada to escape dire poverty. Most ended up on farms where they were expected to earn their keep. A local man is among those pictured.“Nobody around here knew he was a Home Child,”

Frenchman Butte

Retired rancher and long-time museum president Tom Hougham in the Lloyd Furman building.

Story and photos by Ruth Bitner

Text and photos originally appeared in "Prairies North" magazine Summer 2024

explains Tom. “There was quite a stigma attached to it.”

Several buildings have been moved to the site: Furman’s farm shop full of blacksmith tools; the aptly-named Big Hill one-room school with its wooden desks; the Leer family’s first home built of vertically-positioned logs held together with wooden pegs.

A renovated shed features transportation artifacts, the Buchta General Merchant display and a “man cave” where volunteers tackle restoration projects.Tom points out a shiny 1926 Model T Ford. “It still runs,” he says proudly. A pole barn provides cover for a steam traction engine and a couple of farm tractors.

The nine-acre complex, the pride of Frenchman Butte, also boasts a mini-golf course, a playground and an RV park on its well-maintained property. It’s a great spot to camp for a couple of days and explore the river valley.

Time Out for Tea

The tea house is the hospitality and administrative heart of the museum. Originally built in the 1990s north of the hamlet from locally-sourced spruce logs, it was taken apart then reassembled as a community gathering place, volunteer and visitor centre.With its exposed wood, pine ceiling and massive fireplace, it’s an inviting space where everyone’s welcome to linger over tea served in fine china cups or

mugs of steaming coffee and, often as not, a tempting plate of homemade goodies.

Every Sunday during July and August, Tom’s wife Marilyn serves up a hearty meal, sometimes with veggies from her own garden. “I cook for about 15,” she says. “If more show up, they get homemade buns.” Her only pay—happy customers and the satisfaction of supporting the museum.

Volunteers are the Lifeblood

Tom and Marilyn practically live on site from May to September. He’s the history buff, tour leader, artifact restorer and builder; she’s the financial officer,

grantsmanship guru, site manager and queen of the tea house kitchen. Both are strong believers in the museum’s mission to preserve and share the history of Frenchman Butte and area. Tom also has a family connection to Fort Pitt. His uncle Robert Hougham owned the land where its two forts once stood and encouraged preservation of the site.

Local businesswoman Bonnie Saunders, long-time board secretary and marketing director, contributes behind the scenes. “I’m pretty techie,” she says,“so I look after the website, Facebook page and museum swag. ...We’d love to be known as the best small town museum in Saskatchewan.” Certainly few can rival the natural beauty of its idyllic setting.

Lifelong Frenchman Butte resident Rudy Buchta spends most of his days helping out or guiding tours. “He lives for the place,” says Marilyn, “and keeps an eye on it during the off season.”

Dozens of other volunteers step up to staff the tea house, tend the grounds, maintain artifact collection records, restore artifacts, arrange exhibits and pitch in for special events. “If we have a project and we put the word out, we get a crew,” states Tom, who’s happy to have the help. Two summer students assist with day-today operations.

Best Day Ever

For a few days each June, school busses packed with eager grade five students roll in for a day of learning and fun. The tours are an effective way to connect children with the daily lives of their forebears.

“I want the kids to realize how hard

In Big Hill School, retired teacher Eileen Hines explains what school was like.“There were no electric lights. It was either cold or hot.There was no equipment. Big kids helped the little ones.”

Marilyn (left) and her crew on the tea house steps welcome students on school tour day.

Susan Rutherford and her husband stressed self-reliance as they raised five children on a farm just outside Frenchman Butte. On school tour days, she’s in charge of the laundry demonstration. Here she’s showing a washboard.

it was for a family to make a living about a hundred years ago,” explains Marilyn. “I like to tell them how they just couldn’t go and buy things. They had to wait for the cream cheque to come in or they traded homemade butter for things they needed. There were no credit cards.

“We talk about the laundry. When they see how hard it was to wash clothes, they understand why kids had one outfit for school, one for Sundays and one for

chores. I like them to see how different life was back then.”

There’s nothing like cranking a butter churn or scrubbing clothes on a washboard to get the message across. A taste of homemade ice cream and a bite of fresh bannock top off an action-packed day.

Lloydminster teacher Janet Gagnon has been bringing her students for as long as she can remember. “Frenchman Butte is a gem that’s right in our backyard. The

Museum grounds are immaculate, the displays are perfect, and there’s so much for the kids to see and do. My favourite part is that the seniors who are volunteering are in it for the right reason. They’re passionate about what they’re sharing and the kids have a wonderful time listening to their stories because they’re authentic. … The day is so well run, so organized. It’s just the best day ever. That’s why I keep coming back.”

Wildfire smoke hangs over picturesque Frenchman Butte in June, 2023.The red roof building is the tea house; the railway station is just behind.

Marilyn (left) and volunteer Heather Oberhofer demonstrate butter-making on the tea house deck.

Frenchman Butte

Community Celebration

The museum pulls out all the stops for its annual Heritage Festival, the biggest fundraiser of the year, held the second Sunday in August. Admission is by donation. It’s a homecoming of sorts, as visitors from near and far descend upon the hamlet to take in the day’s events, tour the exhibits, enjoy the food, and chat with friends and neighbours.

The day kicks off with a church service at 11:00 am. Last year, the pastor, who’s also a handyman volunteer, paid tribute to the RCMP on its 150th anniversary. Then it’s time to grab a hotdog before the parade. Hundreds of folks line main street to admire the procession of horses, buggies, vintage vehicles and tractors while kids scramble for candy.

A big tent offers a shady spot to relax and enjoy the toe-tapping tunes of the musical entertainers on the station platform. A blacksmith fires up a forge to show his skill with hot metal. A trapper displays an array of pelts. “It’s surprising how many people don’t know what they are,” he says. At the rope-making demonstration, visitors take turns on the crank. Quilters who meet in the tea house during the winter raffle off their handiwork. Old-fashioned games and races on the tea house lawn, face-painting and a balloon artist entertain the kids. All afternoon there’s free coffee and a line-up for homemade pie. A fabulous roast beef supper served right on main street wraps up the day.

The Festival is the embodiment of community spirit, of dedicated organizers, enthusiastic volunteers, generous sponsors and granting agencies pulling together to make it a success. Indeed, many hands make light work.

Leeann Weighill, a former summer student now living in Lethbridge, shares her thoughts: “It’s a place that fills your heart. ... It’s so nice to come back and be around people who value history and community.”

Volunteer board members Judy and Daryl Usenik enthusiastically agree. “It’s more than just a museum. It’s the lifestyle here. We’re very proud of it. Everybody is.”

Story and photos by Ruth Bitner, originally printed in Prairies North: the magazine of Saskatchewan, Summer, 2024. (prairiesnorth.com)

MUSEUM HOURS

May Long Weekend – June: Weekends only (Sat & Sun) | 10 AM – 5 PM

July 1 – Labour Day: Open daily | 10 AM – 5 PM

Guided Tours

Fort Pitt & Frenchman Butte National Historic Site Available on request

The line-up for homemade pie at the Heritage Festival.

As many as 700 people descend on tiny Frenchman Butte for the annual Heritage Festival. Big Hill school is on the left.

Volunteer Cliff Metherell explains how a telegraph works.“The sign displays the Morse code and I show the kids how to work the key.They tap out their name, then I tell them what it is.”

2007 INTERNATIONAL LIVCOM AWARDS

Earning the Criteria Award for Community Sustainability puts St. Walburg among prestigious company as one of the world’s most desirable places to live. The community also received a Silver Award in the Whole City Awards for communities under 20,000.

MORE INFORMATION SEE INSIDE BOOKLET OR PHONE (306) 248-3232 EMAIL info@stwalburg.com or MAIL Town of St. Walburg, Box 368, St. Walburg, SK S0M 2T0

Heritage Sites

St. Walburg & District Museum is housed in the old Roman Catholic Church on Main Street. Imhoff Museum, just south of town is the artist’s original studio. National Parks Historic Site of the 1885 Battle of Frenchman Butte can be found west of St. Walburg.

Natural Environment

Acres of wild flowers and berries, large variety of birds and abundant wildlife. Twelve large lakes and six golf courses within a 30 minute radius.

The Town

Life-sized bronze sculpture of Count Berthold von Imhoff on horseback, beautifully landscaped Centennial Park with a stunning town clock as its centrepiece, the Grotto and Shrine (a peaceful haven), integrated sports complex, Golf Course and Chuckwagon Monument.

Artists and Crafts People

Wildlife art, sculpture, drawing and many other interesting artists and art forms.

Services

Florists, home decorating and furniture, cappuccino and tea bar, massage therapy, hair stylists, nail studios and tanning salons, restaurants, liquor store, banking, camping/fishing supplies, pharmacy, souvenirs, clothing, hardware, lumber yard, Post Office, RCMP, ambulance, groceries, laundromat, gym, garages and health clinic.

Camping & Accommodations

Serviced campground with showers and electrical outlets. St. Walburg Inn, Farm House Inn, Blueberry Inn, and Marie’s Country Getaway.