(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article details highlights of events which have been reported in The Canora Courier during the course of 2023 to serve as a source of nostalgia for the year that has passed. Dates listed refer to publication dates and not to dates of the events.)
January
Jan. 12
Mayor Mike Kwas said town council was halfway through its four-year mandate, and while many projects had been completed, work to improve the community was ongoing.
The Preeceville U18 Pats, including a number of Canora players, won three straight games over the holiday season.
At the Canora Golf and Country Club, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee medals were presented to deserving recipients from across the Canora-Pelly riding.
Jan. 19
The Canora foursome skipped by Brandon Zuravloff won the Duck Mountain Super League curling championship by going undefeated through the playoffs in Canora.
Tarrington Wyonzek, who has ties to Canora, experienced a career highlight as a linesman at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Toby Olynyk of Buchanan scored a pretty goal to start the Canora Cobras senior hockey team on the way to a dominant 11-3 win over the visiting Ituna Avalanche
Jan. 26
Canora-Pelly MLA Terry Dennis and his predecessor Ken Krawetz found out they were on a list of approximately 200 names of Canadians sanctioned by the Russian government, and therefore banned from entering Russia.
Hockey players from Canora and area under the age of seven came together for the U7 Jamboree, where they played actual games and also rotated through drills focussed on skill development.
Canora/Sturgis RCMP responded to a call of a male hitchhiker on Highway 5 by Rama who was not dressed for the cold, after being left on the side of the road following an argument.
February
Feb. 2
In spite of bitterly cold temperatures outside, a very successful Canora Minor Hockey Day filled with six games “went off without a hitch” according to President Stacy Vangen.
For the first time in several years, after the removal of COVID-19 restrictions, in-person Global Week of Prayer for Christian Unity services were held in Canora.
Thanks to financial support from River Ridge Fish & Game totalling $8,000, archers from Canora Composite School and Canora Junior Elementary School will be able to continue to develop their skills.
Feb. 9
The Good Spirit Cross Country Ski Club reported that cross-country ski trails are attracting more and more skiers each year.
Surrounded by family and friends, Lena Kobelka celebrated her 100th birthday at Gateway Loge in Canora.
The U18 Preeceville Pats, including a number of Canora players, kicked off their provincial run with a comeback win over Humboldt.
Feb. 16
Canora Auto Electric, owned by Al Witwicki, ended its century-long presence in Canora.
The Good Spirit 4-H Junior curling team won the NE Regional 4-H Playdowns in Kelvington, with team members: Paisley Wolkowski, Jackson Callin, Lane Harper, Rachel Armbruster, Jordan Lukey and Jesse Lukey.
The CCS senior girls basketball team, coached by Olivia Gordon and Bailey Potts, finished second at the Canora tournament.
Feb. 23
A safety patrol program was started at Canora Composite School to improve the safety of students at times of exiting and entering school buses.
CCS graduate Clay Sleeva, a member of the Yorkton Terriers, was named a community ambassador and SJHL all-star.
The trails were lit, the weather was near-ideal and over 70 skiers came out for the Lamplighter Loppet hosted by the Good Spirit Cross Country Ski Club.
March
March 2
Joining communities all across Canada, a candlelight vigil was held at the Ukrainian Heritage Museum in Canora to mark one year since the Russians attacked Ukraine.
Scott Gullacher, the engineer that designed a bridge in the RM of Clayton that collapsed within hours of opening to the public, was temporarily prohibited from practicing.
To complement the subject material in the Grade 11 Foundations 30 class, CCS math teacher Thomas Lowes invited Kristin Olson and Sean Plosz of Crossroads Credit Union to speak to the class.
March 9
Ken Rolheiser of Canora, regular columnist for the Canora Courier, released his second book comprised of those columns, Pause for Reflection.
After the completion of training involving CCS Grade 5 students, the students immediately started their patrols.
For the first time in 10 years, the CCS junior boys basketball team won the District Championship.
March 16
Canora Minor Ball was preparing for the upcoming season, offering mixed baseball and girls softball in age groups ranging from U8 up to U18.
Joey Palagian of Canora signed with the Regina Thunder junior football team to continue his football career while studying at the University of Regina.
The Canora rink skipped by Terry Wilson won the A event championship at the Canora Men’s Bonspiel.
March 23
The Canora Veselka Ukrainian Dancers Intermediate Group 1 brought home gold and silver medals from the Tavria Festival in Regina.
The rink skipped by Jordy Zbitniff won the Canora Junior Curling Funspiel.
The Canora Composite School senior boys basketball team made it to the semifinal round before being eliminated at conference playoffs.
March 30
Canora Council approved a non-profit museum grant of $2,000 for the Canora Ukrainian Heritage Museum.
It was announced that pavement sealing work on Highway 5 near Invermay will take place in 2024.
A 50-year-old male suspected of launching fireworks at three Toronto-area police divisions was arrested at a Canora motel after briefly locking himself in a hotel room and later attempting to elude police on foot.
April
April 6
Audrey Hrycak led the participants in the Pysanka Writing Workshop at the Ukrainian Heritage Museum in Canora through the steps in this popular tradition.
The Canora/Sturgis RCMP were called to a theft complaint where a male grabbed a bottle of vodka and walked out of the Canora Gateway Co-op Liquor Store without paying.
The Robert Waselenko and Ron Hoehn teams tied for first place at the Canora Mixed Windup Bonspiel, the final event of the curling season.
April 13
For the first time, the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church held a Way of the Cross walk to commemorate the last days of Jesus as a man.
At the Canora Minor Hockey awards evening, the Jerry Mydonick award for volunteers went to Terry Demchuk.
Tomas Hauber of Canora received the best defenceman award for the U18 Pats at the Preeceville Minor Hockey awards night.
April 20
Canora and District Fire Rescue is on the lookout for more recruits.
The gold medal winners for the 2022/23 shuffleboard season at the Keen Age Centre were Elsie Obodiak and Glen Leson.
The U18 Preeceville Pats won the Major Hockey League A banner with contributions from a number of Canora players: Briel Beblow, Bronson Heshka, Hunter Lamb, Cody Vangen, Wyatt Wolkowski, Porter Wolkowski and Tomas Hauber.
April 27
Danielle Dutchak of Canora performed a solo Ukrainian dance, giving Ukraine newcomers a taste of the culture of their homeland at a special welcome event in Canora.
Jada Nordin and Noah Prychak of Canora joined forces to qualify for badminton conference playdowns.
Brett Drozd, grandson of Olga Drozd of Canora, shared how he has been offering humanitarian aid in war-torn Ukraine.
May
May 4
Canora and District Fire Rescue hosted a weekend vehicle extrication-training program for volunteer firefighters, helping them stay up-to-date on the latest rescue techniques and equipment.
Sgt. Bailey Potts showed her RCMP vehicle, complete with lights and noisemakers, to all the children at Canora Children’s Centre and Kidspace.
CCS advanced four doubles teams to district badminton playoffs: Gurmanpreet Singh and Gunjunpreet Kaur, Ira Mykytyshyn and Tucker Mydonick, Meekah Unick and Josie Mirva, and Paisley Wolkowski and Maddy Dutchak.
May 11
Canora archers from Grades 4-12 won three team medals and six individual medals at NASP Provincials.
Wynn Fedorchuk announced he was running for the NDP nomination for the Canora-Pelly riding heading into the next provincial election.
At the Crossroads Credit Union AGM, Walter Ostoforoff, board president, reported that, “Crossroads had a positive, successful year with dividends being allocated back to its members.”
May 18
The 47th annual Veselka Ukrainian Dance Concert at Canora Composite School provided a welcome opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian Culture along with the dedication and talent of the featured student dancers.
The Derina Harvey Band thoroughly entertained an enthusiastic local audience at Canora Composite School.
Seeding was progressing very slowly in the east central region as snow and excess water were slow to disappear.
May 25
As the temperature climbed, things were getting busy for owner Cora Tibbett and the staff at Canora Greenhouse.
At the pre-district track-and-field meet in Yorkton, Henry Craig of Canora won gold medals in intermediate boys long jump, triple jump and high jump.
At the Canora Composite School Graduation barbecue fundraiser, Toby Olynyk, Joey Palagian and Tomas Hauber were among the hardworking members of the grad class flipping burgers and serving customers.
June
June 1
The Canora Tourism Fundraising Committee unveiled a pair of new “Canora” signs at the entrances to the community at the south and north ends of Norway Road.
Incumbent Terry Dennis and Buchanan Mayor Sean Wilson each declared their intention to run for the Sask Party nomination for the Canora-Pelly constituency in the next provincial election.
Students at Canora Junior Elementary School took part in a bike safety rodeo put on by members of Canora & District Fire Rescue and the Canora/Sturgis RCMP.
June 8
Tarrington Wyonzek, who has ties to Canora, experienced a career milestone when he worked at a linesman at the World Hockey Championship in Finland.
Thom Carnahan, padre for the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, spoke at the dedication of the new veterans’ monument during Decoration Day at the Canora Cemetery.
Travis Mentanko of the Supers homered, doubled, and drove in five runs in a 7-3 Canora win over the Yorkton Marlins.
June 15
At the Canora Composite School Awards Night, Grade 12 student Zoe Thomas won three athletic awards and seven academic awards.
Led by WO1 Aaron Chassé, Cadet Parade Commander, the Canora Air Cadets marched past the reviewing stand during the Annual Ceremonial Review.
Talented young CCS actors explored the theme of identity in the CCS drama production, Identity Play; Or who you are when you think you are.
June 22
At the eighth annual River Ridge Fish & Game Gun Show in Canora, those who enjoy guns and related activities had plenty to see with displays by 32 vendors covering 115 tables.
Canora athletes won a pair of medals in track-and-field provincials: Matthew Makowsky took silver in the high jump and Joey Palagian was a member of the bronze-medal winning 4x100M district relay team.
At Co-op Equity Days in Canora, Orest Lewchuk received his equity cheque from Gateway Co-op General Manager Brad Chambers.
June 29
Fr. Joakim Rac officially retired from his position as Ukrainian Catholic minister of Canora and many surrounding communities.
Members of Canora & District Fire Rescue were called to a major, multiple cabin fire at Burgis Beach, according to Jess Harper, fire chief.
During Canora Minor Ball Day, a total of 15 games took place featuring Canora’s nine baseball teams and six girls softball teams.
July
July 6
Under near-ideal weather, the 28 Canora Composite School graduates were honoured at King George Park in Canora.
As valedictorian, Kailey Sleeva brought back special memories for her classmates while helping everyone else get to know the 2023 CCS graduates a bit better.
With back-to-back wins in Melville and Langenburg, the Canora Supers wrapped up first place in the Southeast Senior Baseball League final regular season standings.
July 13
Canora town council approved a bylaw allowing the operation of golf carts on the public highways within the municipality.
Invermay School 2023 graduates honoured were: Hallie Pozniak, David Keller, Nathaniel Minhinnick, Jesse Grychowski and Kayla Dubas.
Jack Craig received the Grade 11 most outstanding GSSD band member award from Nathan Seghers at the band’s annual awards night.
July 20
After four decades of serving God in East Central Saskatchewan, and 28 years at the STS. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canora, a farewell/retirement social was held for Fr. Joakim Rac.
The Canora/Sturgis RCMP reported that art supplies were stolen from Canora Composite School.
The Crystal Lake Recreation Board hosted a one-day concert on the beach featuring award-winning JJ Voss.
August
Aug. 10
The Canora Supers clinched their fourth consecutive Southeast Senior Baseball League championship with a 3-1 series win over the Parkland Pirates.
Joined by Councillors Eric Sweeney, Denise Leslie and Brad Gabora, Mayor Mike Kwas performed the ribbon cutting to officially open the Canora Aquatic Park.
As part of the Canora in Bloom festivities, members and visitors gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Keen Age Centre in Canora.
Aug. 17
Filling the Gap Food Bank in Canora was in urgent need of financial support in order to meet the need from local families for back-to-school support.
Canora town council passed new restrictions on when lawns can be watered.
The St. Andrews United Church Perogy Lunch was one of the most popular events during Canora in Bloom.
Aug. 24
Colby Fast of Canora was one of 160 registered archers who participated in the 28th Assiniboine River Archery Club 3D Shoot.
In spite of cloudy and drizzly weather, Gateway Co-op hosted a Kids Pool Party and Barbecue at the new Canora Aquatic Park.
Over 700 pilgrims gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Rama in celebration the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Aug. 31
Michael Woolard was the official winner of the nomination to be the NDP candidate in the Canora-Pelly constituency for the next provincial election.
The Canora Cobras Dunk Tank drew a large crowd at the Live & Play Street Festival, including a young thrower who had the privilege of dunking RCMP Sgt. Derek Friesen.
At the gathering to mark the 32nd anniversary of Ukrainian independence held at the Ukrainian Heritage Museum in Canora, Father Ivan Simko led a prayer for Ukraine in the battle to stand up to its enemies.
September
Sept. 7
The Arnold Mayrand Sales of Canora chuckwagon came thundering down the outside of the track to win a heat at Canora Ag Days.
Planting trees at the Canora Sports Grounds to create a “park atmosphere” were: Priyank Patel, Aaron Herriges, Kris Currie and Bronson Heshka.
The Canora/Sturgis RCMP responded to a call where, in poor visibility due to heavy fog south of Canora on Highway 9, a semi driver drove into the ditch to avoid a collision with a train.
Sept. 14
With increasing money-related pressure faced by Filling The Gap Food Bank in Canora, the donation of a side of beef by Gateway Co-op was a welcome boost.
With 26 years of experience as an educator, Shawna Stangel, the new principal at Canora Junior Elementary School, was excited about helping the school’s students excel.
Jenna Campbell joined her daughters Skylar (Grade 4) and Hazel (kindergarten) to see them off on the first morning of the new school year.
Sept. 21
Rebecca Hort, a graduate of Canora Composite School and the owner of a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree from the U of S, grew sunflowers reaching up to 15 feet high on her garden in Buchanan.
The Canora Composite School SRC hosted an assembly and set up fun games to welcome new students and welcome back returning students.
Valérie Caza of Canora had the memorable experience of attending World Youth Day in Portugal.
Sept. 28
At the fundraiser barbecue held at Gateway Co-op, Deryl Ortynsky was one of the first in line to buy a burger and a beverage in support of the CJES outdoor classroom project.
Approximately 250 CJES and CCS students showed their support and participated in the Terry Fox Run at the CCS track.
Ellyshia Enge filled up the tank for Greg Gawrelitza at the Gateway Co-op Fuel Good Day in support of CJES and other local community organizations.
October
Oct. 5
The Cognitive Cooking Class held in Canora, led by Julie Beitel, was all about learning cooking strategies to encourage good mental health.
Derek Serdachny, CCS vice-principal, reported another successful growing season for the school garden, where students can pick up skills to help them both now and in the future.
Aaron Nagy, a CIBC customer service representative in Canora, raised over $7,300 for the CIBC Run for the Cure.
Oct. 12
After taking over the position about a month earlier, Health Minister Tim McLeod visited Canora to tour the Canora Hospital and Gateway Lodge.
Students in the History 20 class at CCS, taught by Olivia Gordon, showcased their realistic diorama projects which focused on trench warfare in the First World War.
Tyson Megli was one of the farmers received a Rama Co-op Harvest Bag filled with Co-op snacks and beverages as part of their program to recognize farmers during the harvest season.
Oct. 19
Firefighter Shannon Leson was busy flipping pancakes to make sure everyone was well fed at the Canora & District Firefighters Pancake Breakfast during Fire Prevention Week.
Canora native Cheyenne Fediuk was enjoying strong community support after opening CF Aesthetics in her hometown.
Adam Gurski was one of the first in line to be vaccinated at the flu and COVD-19 clinic at Rainbow Hall in Canora.
Oct. 26
After more than 1,000 votes were counted, Sean Wilson was declared the winner over Terry Dennis for the Sask Party nomination in the next provincial election.
Sharon Murray, Buchanan Library board chair, cut the cake at the Buchanan Library 45th anniversary celebration.
At the 75th annual International Credit Union Day, the Canora Golf Course received $5,000 toward the purchase of a fairway mower from the Crossroads Community Investment Fund.
November
Nov. 2
Vic Hamer, who enjoys spending time at Burgis Beach in summer, continued to bring fresh water and other life-changing resources to the needy in Kenya.
The Canora Cougars senior boys volleyball team came up big when it mattered most, finishing first at the Canora Senior Boys Volleyball Tournament.
At the Ukrainian Heritage Museum in Canora, Dorothy Korol, treasurer, and Bernie Marchinko, president, displayed a recent local donation of Ukrainian clothing, most of which originally came from Ukraine.
Nov. 9
Students from Canora Composite School completed their Scare Away Hunger Halloween Food Drive, dropping off the donations at Filling the Gap Food Bank.
With Rhett Ludba and Ty Sleeva of Canora playing prominent roles, the U18AA Sask East Richardson Pioneer Oilers defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors 4-3 in overtime at the Canora Civic Centre.
Ty Korol, 13, of Canora, inspired a successful fall supper fundraiser for upkeep of the Mazeppa cemetery, where his Baba, Marlene Korol, was laid to rest approximately a year earlier.
Nov. 16
RCMP Cst. Derek Friesen laid a wreath to pay tribute to those who served Canada at the Remembrance Day service held at the Canora cenotaph on an unusually mild Nov. 11 morning.
Principal Shawna Stangel of the Canora Junior Elementary School addressed a meeting with parents to clear the air regarding the school’s controversial Halloween activities.
With the largest crowd in attendance for a Gateway Co-op meeting in recent memory, a vote was held at Rainbow Hall on a motion to remove the currently elected Canora district delegates and elect a new delegate body. The motion was defeated.
Nov. 23
At the Parkland Regional Library, life coach and author Lynne Harley read from her book, What If You Could, which is of interest to all age groups.
Joseph Kuruvilla of the Catholic Church in Canora and Kamsack donated all-new winter coats at no charge, available to those in need in the two communities during the cold winter season.
Jack Craig, Grade 12 student, played The Last Post, during the Canora Composite School Remembrance Day service.
Nov. 30
During Holodomor Week, a banner detailing this man-made catastrophe in the Ukraine was on display at the Canora Town Office to mark the 90th anniversary of this tragedy.
Pastor Mavis Watson, volunteer administrator at Filling the Gap Food Bank in Canora, encouraged local residents to give what they can to support those in need so they can put food on the table during the Christmas season.
Aided by funding from the Hospital auxiliary, the Canora Hospital acquired a Lucas chest compression system to be used at times when staffing levels are too low to perform the task.
December
Dec. 7
Peter Wiwchar, Sharon Ciesielski and Robert Waselenko were among the curlers who took to the ice to start a busy new season in Canora at the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre.
Mary Huebert of Canora took in an injured rough-legged hawk after opening the Majestic Raptor Rehab, a sanctuary for birds of prey.
The Canora Cobras senior hockey team hosted the Wapella Hawks and led pretty much from start to finish in an impressive 7-3 victory.
Dec. 14
A number of players from the Canora Cobras senior hockey team, including Logan Wolkowski and Captain Ryley Stefanyshyn, threw on their jerseys and joined the fun at Skate with Santa.
After many requests from fans, Ron Kalmakoff of Canora released his first holiday single, Christmas Once Again.
The Canora U9 Cobras hosted an eight-team half ice hockey tournament at the Canora Civic Centre.
Dec. 21
Canora and area residents once again showed their generosity through toy and cash donations, which filled the ambulance parked outside the Red Apple store for Fill the Sleigh Day.
During the CJES Winter Wonderland Family Engagement Afternoon, the kindergarten to Grade 2 choir enjoyed doing the actions while singing If I Could Fly Like a Snowflake.
The Canora Hotel was the site of the Assiniboine Chapter of the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan 50th anniversary dinner, with Sue Amundrud, STS Provincial Vice-President, serving as guest speaker.
