The community of Kisbey celebrated Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's record-breaking reign with a ceremony and celebratory lunch for over 100 people at the village's recreation centre on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The Queen became the longest reigning monarch in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on Sept. 9, surpassing the record set by Queen Victoria who ruled from 1837 to 1901. The Queen surpassed her great-great-grandmother's reign of 23,226 days, 16 hours and approximately 30 minutes on Sept. 9 at 5:30 British standard time.
Verna Reed of Kisbey's Fern Rebekah Lodge says, “The Monarchist League of Canada asked communities if they would like to hold an event to celebrate this occasion. The Village of Kisbey asked the Rebekahs if we would help out and we said 'Why not?'”
“We're more than thrilled with the turnout today, especially with harvest and everything.”
Fellow Rebekah and Noble Grand of the Fern Rebekah Lodge, Charlotte Hookenson says, “We started planning it in August. It's a community event and we're not only happy with the people that have come out from our local area of Kisbey and Arcola. We also have people here from Carlyle, Estevan, Kennedy, Kipling, Manor, Redvers and Stoughton.”
“She's been my only Queen and I remember her coronation and standing by the flagpole growing up. She's the only Queen many of us have ever known.”
Kisbey Mayor Kalvin Nankivell started the ceremony by reading the proclamation from the Village of Kisbey paying tribute to the Queen's record-breaking reign. Reeve of Brock No. 64, Paul Cameron said the oath of allegiance to the Queen.
During his prayer, Arcola/Kisbey United Church minister, Rev. Koshy David said, “ Though we are different, we are united. We have settled here and we remember the life and contribution of the Queen and her long life and wisdom.”
Hookenson read the Queen's reply to a message sent to her on behalf of the Kisbey community, as well the reply from the office of Her Majesty's private secretary, stating “The Queen has asked me to send her best wishes to you.”
Guest speaker Ed Komarnicki, Member of Parliament for Souris-Moose Mountain, said, “The Queen is that calm, still voice, that anchor in a turbulent world. Her Majesty has seen a lot of changes-TV was new at the beginning of her reign and she was the first monarch to send an email and a tweet. There have been a lot of changes, but our Queen has not changed.”
“It's very special and unique to have a smaller community put on such a marvellous event. Hats off to the community of Kisbey and to the Fern Rebekah Lodge #33 for putting on such a historic occasion.”
Komarnicki also joked about the number of festive hats in the room and how Irene Doty of Carlyle-who loaned her festive hat collection- made a special effort to match hats to the colour of each woman's outfit. “I was a little worried they'd make me wear one and match it to my tie,” he laughed. “But seriously, Kisbey is making some history here with this marvellous celebration.”
Doty said she was delighted to be a part of the event. “I brought 75 hats,” she said. “And I find this awesome that such a small group of ladies from the Rebekahs put on something so memorable.”
Pianist Janelle David agreed. “It was a really unique experience and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it.”
“It's great to honour the Queen,” added Crystal Cutler of Arcola. “It's not every day you get to wear a hat and have tea.”
