The community’s annual Santa Claus Day and the possibility of once again holding a calendar lottery were among the items discussed by the Norquay Recreation Board at its regular meeting on November 9.
Representing the chamber of commerce, Nicole Korpusik reported that Santa Claus Day is to be held on December 5 in conjunction with the Home and Gift Show at the Communiplex. She said the Norquay Trade Show will be held March 18 and 19.
Members discussed the possibility of holding another calendar lottery as had been done in the past. It was agreed to hold such a lottery within the next two years with proceeds going to support the Communiplex upgrades.
Discussing the Communiplex Management Board activities, Ruth Demetrick said that the new light fixtures for the hall have been received and are awaiting installation. The old light fixtures have been removed from the skating rink. A community meeting was to have been held November 18 to discuss the upgrades needed for the Communiplex as well as the fundraising that will also be necessary to complete the projects and ensure that the Communiplex will continue to be available to meet the needs of the community.
Vaughan Demetrick reported that the curling club was still looking to hire an ice-maker or assistant to the current ice-maker; that the first wing night was held November 6 and was well-attended. He said that win nights are to be held every Friday night for the curling season with cocktails beginning at 6 p.m. and wings beginning to be served at 6:30 p.m.
The ice is installed and painted, he said. Regular curling was to begin this month.
Discussing the Walking Club, Laura Dahl said that the club was to resume meeting on November 16, which was a little later than last year due to the warm weather this fall. She said that Hyas residents have approached the Walking Club with an idea to spark interest in getting more people out by doing a challenge of some sort between the two communities.
The club meets to walk on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Communiplex, but the president is available to open the Communiplex any time if people are unable to meet with the group at the regularly scheduled time.
“Anyone and everyone is welcome and encouraged to join,” she said.
Regarding the Norquay School, Stacy Rubletz said that the junior boys and girls volleyball ended with both teams have made it to district playoffs, with the girls team finishing first at Conferences, and the boys team finishing second. The boys team was not able to attend Districts however, due to a lack of players. The girls team had a tough day at Districts and were unable to advance. The senior girls volleyball team lost at the Conference playoffs in Invermay and its season ended. The senior boys were to play in Conference playoffs in Sturgis for a chance to move on to Districts.
Junior basketball started in early November, while the junior girls began practices on November 16, she said. The junior curling season was also to begin in November.
Students in Grades 10-12 were to attend a career fair in Yorkton on November 20; parent-teacher interviews and the student-led conferences were to be held November 25 and 26. The elementary classes’ Christmas concert is being held December 17.
Discussing the NICE Centre, Delphine Howard reported that two flu clinics were held at the centre on October 21 and November 9. She said that a cleaning day was held November 6 with seven members taking part.
A new caretaker has been hired and will be cleaning on Fridays, she said.
A fundraiser potluck was to have been held November 13 when for those bringing food, the cost was $5 and for those not bringing food, the cost was $10.
Regarding Ukrainian dance, Lilia Livingstone said that regular lessons were continuing for all groups on Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. and that at the regular meeting held October 26, the upcoming dance competitions, the trade show lunch and the Malanka banquet and dance were discussed. The date for the Malanka Ukrainian New Year’s banquet and dance has been set for January 23.
Delphine Howard said that the health auxiliary purchased a clothing labeller and has presented the funds for the secure outdoor area to Wendy Naclia, the health service manager for the centre and work has begun to prepare the site.
“As always, new members are always welcome and will be accepted at any time,” Howard said.
Laura Dahl, representing the Norquay branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, said that November was a busy time with Remembrance Day activities and said that the response in the Pelly, Norquay and Sturgis schools to the Remembrance Day poster, colouring and essay contest had been “unbelievable.”
She said Legion members were selling tickets to raise money to be used for the school scholarships and that on the last Friday of each month a potluck supper is being held with entertainment provided.
Speaking about the Tail Twisters 4-H Club, Ruth Demetrick said that the club held a successful hotdog fundraiser on October 14, and she thanked the Norquay Co-op and to all who attended and supported the fundraiser.
A riding clinic with instructor, Heather Barzeele, was held October 24 at Naclia’s Riding Arena, on the topic of “Groundwork and bomb-proofing your horse,” she said. The archery project was to start in mid-November. A general meeting was held November 2, when upcoming projects and meetings as well as public speaking were to have been discussed. The Norquay 4-H club is responsible for hosting the district public speaking competition in March.
The Norquay Playschool parents were to start with an In Good Taste fundraiser at the end of November, Maggie Lukey said.
Regarding figure skating, Nicole Korpusik said that registration closed on November15 and that the members of the executive attended a Skate Canada general meeting and were selling tickets for the Skate Canada raffle with a portion of the proceeds raised to be returned to the local club. She said that the ice would be made in the rink once the weather becomes cold enough.
Reagan Foster said that the senior band played at Remembrance Day services and members were planning to attend the Grey Cup parade. The chocolate fundraiser and the fruit fundraiser were both very successful, she said. The fruit will be delivered in a few weeks.
The intermediate and senior band members will be going to the Moose Jaw Festival May 19 and 20, Foster said. In March, the senior band plans to go to Saskatoon for some classes with the University students and attend a Saskatoon Symphony concert.
The first meeting of the Norquay Nighthawks was held October 21, Nicole Korpusik said. Once the ice is in, practices will be held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. in Norquay with shinny to follow. The team is looking at scheduling one or two games per month.
Seventeen persons are registered with the Active Aging Group, Delphine Howard said, adding that she and Diane Romanow took a refresher course and were working together to present the program.
“Interest in the program has soared,” Howard said. “We are very happy with the attendance.”
It was decided that the SaskLotteries grant total of $10,500 be disbursed to 16 member groups.
Every community group in the recreation board was requested to send a representative to attend the community meeting regarding the upgrades and fundraising on November 18 at the Communiplex hall, and a recommendation was made that each group hold a fundraiser at some time over the next three years with the funds earmarked for the Communiplex upgrades in order to help match the grant funding.
