Heritage Showcase Homecoming 1989

While I was sorting though my memories boxes of document I saved over the years I came across four “The Hilroy Exercise Books” in which I recorded 2 ½ years  of planning meetings and work that went into the Heritage Showcase 1989. That event was the biggest one event I had the honour to co-chair. At that time I did not know how much work it would take. But we had a vision to goals to make it a success.  

December 1986 “At the Annual meeting President Nelson Sunshine, in his acceptance speak, proposed a Homecoming Weekend which would involve the whole community and organizations, Hadassah-WIZO, Sisterhood, B’nai Birth Youth Group BBYO. He appointed Dave Shaffer and myself to co-chair this event.” 

An  Advisory Board was formed to move the event along. with  Lorraine Birstein, Dave Shaffer, Cecilia Rotstien Jerry Birstein, and Nelson Sunshine.

Over the next two and half years interested member join this project. We brain-stormed ideas. Many ideas were looked into. Archive research to put together a video, book and showcase of artifacts, mailing lists, bus tour of early Jewish homes, first synagogue and cemetery. Synagogue services, entertainment, brunches, cocktail parties, dinners.

Beth Jacob marks 40 years  with Homecoming Weekend 

Regina Sun June 4, 1989

In 1913, the Jewish community of Regina dedicated their first synagogue, House of Jacob, on the 2000 block Ottawa Street. In 1949, the present Beth Jacob Synagogue was built at Victoria Avenue and Osler Street. 

On May 21 this year,  the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the cornerstone was celebrated as part of a homecoming event sponsored by the Beth Jacob Community. Eleven former presidents attended the homecoming, including Victor Samuels and Sam Shragge who were part of a presidium in 1946-47. The president this year is Issy Steen. 

The weekend of nostalgia started with registration at the Ramada Renaissance on May 19. A total of 220 people registered with 130 being former Regina residents from many areas of the United States and from as far west as British Columbia to as far east as Quebec.

As part of the weekend, a historical monograph "Our Heritage" was published. It traces the settlement of Jews in Regina and area from the late 1800's to the present. One section deals with the women's point of view and another on family histories. 

The weekend festivities started with a traditional Sabbath dinner after which participants were bused to the Synagogue for a special ceremony honoring the Jewish "women of valor" of the community. A Friday service followed including a choir of 18 children. 

On Saturday morning. Rabbi Shlomo Truzman conducted a service where all former presidents or a family member were honored. In the evening, a dinner and dance was held at the Ramada with official greetings being brought by Major Jeffrey for Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Fedoruk; Joan Duncan, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, for the government of the Province of Saskatchewan  Premier Grant Devine, Mayor Doug Archer on behalf City of Regina. Senator Sid Buckwold, former mayor of Saskatoon, gave the invocation. During the evening, Noel Sandomirsky paid tribute to the former presidents. 

On Sunday morning, visitors were taken to the Regina Jewish Cemetery for a visitation and prayer. Later, there was a rededication of the cornerstone for the 40th anniversary of the building of the synagogue.

Chairman of the rededication was Paul Pearlman, and others in the official party were Margery Levine of Regina and Marg Silverman of Vancouver, who were involved in the original dedication 40 years before.

Also taking part were Dr. Stanley Sunshine of Vancouver; Toby Meirovich of Regina; former Mayor of Regina Larry Schnieder, M P for Regina Wascana; and Les Benjamin, M P for Regina-Lumsden. The benediction was performed by Rabbi Truzman, and Victor Samuels unveiled the 40th anniversary cornerstone. 

In the afternoon, guests were taken for a bus tour of Wascana Centre and the Core Area of Regina where many lived years ago. On Sunday evening, visitors were dinner guests of Regina residents. The final event of the weekend was a special concert where Sherv Shragge showed a documentary he produced especially for the homecoming, titled "In Search of a Minyan ". Sherv had interviewed local residents and told the story of Regina and area Jewish Communities from past to present, including thoughts of the future. The evening also included entertainment by Regina Summer Stage with excerpts from Fiddler on the Roof. 

A  farewell message was given by by Lorraine Birstein, homecoming co-chairman.

On Monday morning a farewell brunch was held at the Synagogue where a display of memorabilia was on display. Organizers of the homecoming are hopeful that, in 10 years time, they will meet again to celebrate the Synagogue's 50th anniversary.'

Lorraine Birstein farewell message:

'Honoured Guests, Friends: It has been a wonderful experience for us to watch this superb event develop from a glimmer of an idea two and half years ago to this wonderful weekend that we have shared. The emotions have truly run high from happiness and delight to sadness, all very healthy feelings.

On looking back over my journal much water has passed under the bridge in these past couple of years and the glimmer has gone from brain-storming sessions, to planning meetings, to hours of  research, to forming of committees, ironing out of details, fine tuning, checking and rechecking.

I can not say that this has not been without frustrations. I can, however, say that I now feel the frustrations was well worth it. I was honoured to be asked by Nelson Sunshine, then President, to Co-Chair the Homecoming with Dave Shaffer. At the time the task looked simple. At one of the early meetings, Dave suggested that a bag of chips and a case of beer would be enough. We've learned differently, haven't we Dave?

I will always remember someone saying, "It is my turn to do something for this community". That is why I was willing to donate my time these past two years to ensure that we would be given an opportunity to come together and be proud of our heritage, to record it and re-dedicate our support to this Synagogue.

At first our main task was to research names, addresses and send out all the publicity we could get. Through many hours of Jackie Sunshine's time we managed a mailing list of close to six hundred names. Of course, we knew we did not reach everyone and only a fraction of the people who had roots in Regina got on our mailing list.

The collecting of stories, pictures, minutes of meetings of all the organizations, then researching them became a heartfelt and tremendous task. David Green from Saskatoon very capably put the story together into a Heritage History Book. Shrev Shragge was instrumental in the production of the video.  As letters came in from many of you, we became very excited. Each time one was received we felt we heard from a long lost relative. Checking the mail daily had become something we looked forward to with eager and anticipation. That was one of the highlights of this project.

We turned Cecelia Rotstien's home into a meeting place, holding meetings at times that suited the committee members, at supper time, Sundays, even quick fifteen minutes ones at 7:30 in the morning before we went to work. Many times I was there earlier to assist Cecelia in getting ready for the meetings. Cecelia has truly been the motor of this operation. She served on the committee as the executive assistant. Taking on the responsibility of all the phone calls and communications that was needed. Her expertise in the fine details will never be matched by anyone. If you want a prefect job done, ask Cecelia. She makes sure every 'i' is dotted and every 't' is crossed. Cecelia, it is a pleasure working with you. And we all love you. You made Dave and my job easy.

Planning this weekend was truly a team effort. The Advisory Committee  who consisted of Nelson Sunshine, Jerold Birstein, Dave Shaffer, Cecelia Rotstien and I. We kept on top of everything. Other hardworking members who jumped in to work behind the scene were Francie Steen and her committee, who planned menus, plucked the chickens, baked and packaged all the food for our wonderful supper tonight, the hospitality room and lunches. She worked with our Mary Gettle, who is the Jewish Community's treasure in the kitchen. Jacqui Sunshine and her committee who efficiently chaired registration making sure all of your needs were met. Susan Lexier was well organized to keep the financial account in order. To all who chaired their part of the program, you all put your heart and soul into it and it touched us all very deeply. Thank you for your special efforts.

There are many I wish to thank and are all mentioned in the program. However, one special person who has been the most support, my husband, Jerry. Your tireless devotion has truly given me the strength these past two years and I will get your shirts ironed on Tuesday.

They say that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. In my opinion there are no weak links in this community therefore we have ensured and guaranteed a bright future. As of tomorrow this weekend will step quietly into the history of Regina Jewish Community and will remain in our archives for the future generations to examine, only then will the historical significant of this weekend will be truly known. But until then, as individuals, we can cherish it  in our collective memories.

To everyone who travelled back to Regina to celebrate with us and rekindle friendships, you are truly our extended family. Do have a safe trip home and come back again and again. May G-d bless you all.

One more thing, there has been a suggestion that we should write another book with comments of everyone's feelings that were expressed this weekend.  We'll need a good working committee to put it together. There will be a list going around to sign your name and the first meeting will be held at Cecelia's  home, 25 Haultan Crescent at 7:30 pm, Tuesday.  Don't be late'  Thank you. Lorraine 

Being Entrepreneurs

 I realized while writing my autobiography I missed writing about "Being Entrepreneurs Story". 

Just after we were married in 2005 Randal and I were enthusiastic to learn to become real Entrepreneurs!! 

I was already with the Total Wellness Home of Nikken Global Community and had invested in a Wellness Home.  

While Randal owned and operated Studio-eh Picture Framing and Design.

Randal Martin 

We sat down one morning to see what else we could do to add to our income.  As we had a Wellness Home using the Nikken Products and an extra bedroom with a bathroom that was not being used we looked into making our home into a Bed and Breakfast Spa  

We added to this "Lorraine's Kitchen". Since during the long winter months we had nothing else to do! I made apples strudel and knishes and sold them to my friends. I had learned to make them during my volunteer days with Regina Hadassah-WIZO. 

From "Lorraine's Kitchen" a how-to video. Making Apple Strudel when the weather out side is -30 C.

I also sold Paulette Millis' Cook Book "Eat Away Illness". In 2008 we teamed up and put on a Demonstration using her recipes. 

Meanwhile, Randal was busy producing a News letter for Regina Beach and Buena Vista and Area. 

From there we created a new image and named it "Under One Roof"

In 2010 one -30C day in December I looked out the window and came to the conclusion that living in Saskatchewan and waiting for  our businesses to pick up was not exciting. Plans were set into motion to down-size and sale the house. Before we knew it we were at a RV sale  and bought an Open Range then a Dodge Ram.

We took our Wellness Home with us and are now Full-time RVer.  

Wellness On Wheels11 was born. 

The Story Behind A Sea-Shell Brooch

During 2022 I have been taking a Humans Being More Class on telling stories in a clear and entertaining manner. Jeff Isom, Chancellor of Nikken University at Nikken International, Inc., leads the class. One assignment was to give a 2 minute talk about something we have around the house.  My choice for this assignment is to talk about a sea-shell dog-shaped brooch I made in 1950 while attending a one-room school ranging from grade one to six in rural Saskatchewan. During that year there were only 16 student. There were only 3 in my grade. 

Quote from my Autobiography Page 18: “Margaret Sarich was my grade six teacher. She trained with my sister, Clare,  in Normal School (Teacher’s College). During the winter of 1950 a hobby class was formed and Miss Sarich taught us leather work, plaster of paris ornaments and  sea-shell jewellery. I made a leather wallet, an ornament and a pink sea shell dog brooch. I still have the dog tucked away in my jewellery box. I remember how good I felt being taught by her. Her remarks on my report card were: ‘Lorraine’s attitude towards her work is satisfactory. She need to pay attention to her reading, Lorraine is an average student’ ” 

Lorraine 2022 

June 8 1960 Memories from my Europe Trip Diary

We were on our way to Switzerland to visited Jacqui's family and picked up our mail. At noon we had arrived at the Frontier of France and Switzerland, where our Canadian driver dropped us off. We stood by the road for a couple of hours before we got a ride. This time with an American fellow from Geneve who drove us as far as the main Lausanne highway. We were now in Switzerland and got our first good view of the geyser on Lake Geneva. A rich elderly man picked us up and took us to right to Rolle, Switzerland. He told us he owned a farm in Chile, a home in Madrid, in Tangers and Evie. He took our names and wanted us to visit him some day.

We spent a couple of weeks there. Rolle was small village in the hills between Geneva and Lausanne. We got really excited over all the mail we received. We had not heard from Saskatchewan since we left Belmont, England. All along our travels we wrote long letters and post cards home. For the next few days as we stayed in Rolle we busied ourselves writing replies. We also wrote to others whom we met and stayed with in Spain, Portugal and France.

June 8 1960 Rolle Switzerland 

Woke early and was down for breakfast by 9:00am. Another cloudy day. Spent all morning ironing clothes. Then sat in hot sun and hemmed our towels if you please, and sewed crests on my jacket. At 2:00pm we went down to a church tea, had ice cream and strawberries tarts. Went to post office, then to the beach. The sun went in and it began to rain so that ended that. Stopped at a bar to keep out of rain. Forgot bread so Marion and I walked back to Ville centre for some. Back for supper and more ice cream and strawberries. Show Aunt Justine and Madeline our pictures before going to hotel at 9:00pm. Beautiful full moon, shining on the lake, Can see the light of France across lake.

                         Lorraine looking out at the Geyser on Lake Geneva.

Inspirational Sayings From Notes and Clippings

When I set out to write my story I found giving inspirational sayings gave the essence to each chapter. I often re-read them to start my day. 

Forward: "Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be. Your ideal is the prophecy of what shall at last unveil" -- James Allen, British Philosophical write, know for his inspirational books, poetry, and a pioneer of the self-help movement. 

Chapter One: The Gallivan Years: "Relationships are forever. They are eternal. Not just permanent in this lifetime. Once you establish a relationship, it is an eternal relationship".--Abraham by Esther Hicks  

Chapter Two: My Training days: "Only a life lived ti service to others is worth living"--Albert Einstein 

Chapter Three: Europe Adventures: "Explore new ideas and opportunities often. Your natural human fears of failure and embarrassment will sometimes stop you fro trying new things. But you must rise above these fears, for your life's story is simple the accumulation of many small, unique experiences you have, the more interesting your story gets. So Seek as many new life experiences as possible and be sure to share them with the people you care about. Not doing so is not living" --Marc & Angel Hack Life 

Chapter Four: My Working Years: "Our time here is limited. Regardless of Age, circumstance or theories imposed by others... don't waste your time living someone else's life. Be true to your own music and dance to it" --Odette Worrell

Chapter Five: My Catholic Life: "Trust God and His Promises-One of the reasons why most people do not realize the future God has placed in their spirit, is their inability to activate their faith in accordance with their dreams. Scripture admonishes the 'Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart's desires' "  Psalms 37:3-4 NLT

Chapter Six: My Jewish Life: "O heavenly Father, the approach of another month reminds us of the flight of time and the change of seasons. Month follows month, the year follows year. The years of man's life are few and fleeting. Teach us to number our days that we may use each precious moment wisely. May no day pass without bringing us closer to some worthy achievement. Grant that the new month bring life and hope, joy and peace to al thy children." --A Jewish Prayer for a New Month 

Chapter Seven: Living My Life: "From HIs Dwelling place He keeps watch on all who are living on the earth"-- Psalm 33:14 

Chapter Eight: Finding My Inner Self: "Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into" --Mahatma Gandhi 

Old Report Cards

Report Cards from 1944 to 1954 

 

All my report cards were saved in one of my early scrap books. They gave me an insight of what kind of student I was. It seemed I was always described as being a poor reader and speller. I remember how shy and terrified I was during those early years.

Grade One 'Lorraine's reading will improve as her experience with language widens. Like the other girls, she is not gifted in language. They all need to read more. Art talent is good'.

Grade Two 'Lorraine is doing very good work. Her reading could still be improved' : 'Lorraine could raise her marks by extra studying' and 'she is doing good work'. 

Grade Three 'Lorraine's literature mark was a surprise to me as she ordinarily does good work' and 'Lorraine is a splendid student' and 'Lorraine has passed to grade five with honours'. 

Grade Four  'Lorraine's attitude to her work is excellent. Her progress is fair' and 'Lorraine takes an interest in her work. She is very weak in reading, any reading at home will help'.

Grade Five Lorraine's attitude towards her work is satisfactory. She needs to pay more attention to her reading' and 'Lorraine is an average student'.

Grade Six  'A very good student' and 'Doing find work'. 'Lorraine is a very good student. Her trouble in spelling is a handicap. She should give spelling more time and attention'.

 After that the teachers did not write any comments. 

61 Years Ago Nursing in Switzerland

In September of 1959 two of my nursing  Psychiatric Nursing colleagues, Marion Bronsch and Jacqui Dutruit and I travelled to England to work for 6 months, in Belmont Hospital Sutton, Surrey. During the next six months that followed we hitch-hike throughout Europe and by August 1960 we ran out of money so had to find  work in order to return to Canada. 

Lorraine,  Marion, Jacqui 

Fortunately, we were able to find hospitals that accepted our nursing degree. Jacqui in “Hopital de Cery”,  Lausanne,  while Marion and I in a small hospital located between Lausanne and Geneva, Switzerland.  Here is it's  history which is still in operation today: 

Quotes from  “Notes and Clippings-It all started in Saskatchewan”, autobiography, 

Page 131“Institution Lavigny In 1905, shocked by the tragic death of a young epileptic, Charles Subilia, Minister of National Waldensian Church, laid before his colleagues at the Conference of Cantonal ministers a report on the public assistance Vaud in which he advocates creation of an "asylum for the sick can not be allowed in the current charitable institutions and especially people with epilepsy." In September 1906 consists in the Hôtel de Ville de Lausanne "the Company in favour of epilepsy", which is the acquisition of a property in the village of Lavigny. In 1907 there was opened a shelter that welcomes minors sixteen residents. The Institution Lavigny was born, and with it the assumption by the company of people with epilepsy in respect of moral values footprints of any religious philosophy of the new century: the love of neighbour, self-sacrifice, family spirit”

Page 131 “Because of the language barrier (French/English) and our short time there (2months),  Dr. Tchicaloff hired Marion and I as nurses aids.  Our wages would be 50 SF a month, ($50.00). We would be working twelve hour shifts, seven in the morning to seven in the evening, with two hours off at noon and tea breaks. For our first month we got one days off a week. There was no sick time. If we were not able to work due illness the day-off would be used”

Lorraine Christmas 1960 

Page 133 “By the end of October we had made our minds up. Marion and I talked it over with Jacqui and we decided we would like to work until spring. When we told Dr. Tchicaloff  of our decision he raised our wages to 550 SF a month. I felt much better for staying another four months and earning more money. Now we were encouraged to take French lessons.”

Page 136 (From Letter of Recommendation) 

“I, the  unassigned, Dr. Michel Tchicaloff, Medical Director of the Institution of Lavigny certified that Miss Lorraine Bertrand worked  as nurse since the September 5, 1960 with  satisfaction. Her work  in particularly with  the various problems posed by patients with epilepsy. We  regret to see her leave and want all our best for the continuation of her career.”  

Today the three of us remember those time together with nostalgia.

Gallivan My Home Town

 

Quote from Notes and Clippings, It all Started in Saskatchewan and Autobiography 

by Lorraine (Bertrand/Birstein) Martin 2017  

Chapter One The Gallivan Years Page 28 

Gallivan My Home Town

  (Published in the Western Producer during the 1950s )

Dear Co-op- I want to tell you about my home town. In Gallivan there are only a few buildings. There are two store and in one store there is a post office. The owner of this store also runs a work shop, a sort of garage. The community hall is used for a high school. The public school is in a different room altogether. Our school takes grades one to six, the other grades seven to eleven. There is also a United Church and a manse. There is a C.N.R Station, a Pool elevator. A few men work on the section and fix the railway. Around the district there are many farmers. The history of Gallivan is a very interesting one. In 1903 the first man to make a settlement in this district was Mr. Mike Gallivan. Mr. Gallivan came from Ontario to Saskatchewan in 1903 to seek a new home. Choosing the land, now where Gallivan stands, he cleared and broke the soil on which he planted trees because there weren't any but small scrubby poplars. He built a home and ran a blacksmith's shop, which still stands. The home also stands but is remodelled. When the settlement was young, there were no store, or good roads, railway, elevators, schools or churches. The railway was built in 1912, elevators in about 1913, school in about 1917, hall in 1940 and there were telephones put in homes. The nearest town was North Battleford. Now, Mr. Gallivan is a resident of Cut Knife, which not far from the hamlet, which bears his name. ---------- “Frenchie” Gallivan Sask. ("Frenchie" was my pen name at the time) 

Tasks Needed to Compile and Publish Book

In a recent Human's Being More Online Class the assignment was to make a list  of  "Tiny Tasks"  to complete a goal or habit.  

"Tiny tasks are the actions you end up with when you break a goal or habit down into the smallest component parts that are necessary for accomplishing the goal or habit. What are the tiny tasks needed to accomplish your goal or habit? What is the system or process for allowing the goal or habit to be enacted and completed?"

I choose the following tasks for a goal on how I published my story. 

1.  Back in 2010, I conceived the desire to write my story.I visualized the steps,ie: the content, research, compiling material. 

2.  In a special containers I collected my material, pictures, journals, diaries, records that I had on hand and saved. 

3. I set up a schedule on my calendar to work on my story production and I identify the best time of day to get started without distractions. I found early mornings worked best for me as I got inspired just as I woke up and before I got out of bed. After good nights sleep and I felt well rested and was able to focus on the tasks.

4. Made my work area /office as comfortable as possible good lighting, clean air and container of water.

5. Organized supplies I needed ie: pens, pencils, paper, markers, envelops, file folders, sticky notes, waster paper basket, computer/typewriter, phone.

6. I sorted out all the necessary material in the order I decided where it was to appear in my story.

7. I typed out all my journals/diaries on the computer.

8. Pictures: tell stories, create memories and recollections on past events. I scanned older pictures onto the computer in to dated files and wrote down my memories and identified the people, year and occasion. 

 9. I reviewed my wrote daily to edit the content and make the necessary changes. 

10. I made trips to researched in the archives of community newspapers that reported my participation in events. Fortunately I had saved many clippings. 

11. I scanned all these reports and clippings on the computer and placed in dated files. 

12. Genealogy research was given from many family members who so thoughtfully  had recorded theirs. I contacted them for permission the used their material. 

13.  The content table was a guide to work from. I researched other books for reference. I created a page to record where I got references. This included - unpublished family stories, newspapers, historical community publications and online sites. 

14.  I took a workshop on writing for what is called “A Vanity Book” (where you can say and do what you want.) 

15.  I took my time with a comfortable date of completion. 

16.  I wrote daily when things came to mind. 

17.  Once I chose an editor and publisher (Studioeh Designs- owner, my husband) I worked closely with him. Every step was a new learning curve and was exciting to see it coming together. He worked in his favourite computer picture and document editing programs. 

18.With the advise of my editor I selected  a Publisher - Kettle Valley Graphics, Kelowna, BC.

19  Proof reading: I asked others to proof read my text and suggest changes. 

20. Applied for a ISBN number. A self published finished book was the reward of four years of work.

 21.  Book Launched: I planned dates and places to do a book launch with family,  communities in which my story took place and libraries. 

Osoyoos Library 

North Battleford Library 

Signing with family, BC 

From what I learned writing my story I am now working on my mother's story. “Hughenna’s Story”. 

Lorna (Buglas) Gaudet Memories

I have the pleasure to connect to a girl friend from early Gallivan School Days, dating back to 1950's. I asked her to write her memories of those days. 70 years has gone of grades 5 and 6 at Gallivan Public School. 

Back row- Arnie Anderson, Clifford Laing
 Front row- Lorraine Bertrand, Lorna Buglas, Gail Laing, Elaine Scott 

From Lorna ( Buglas) Gaudet (January 11, 2021)

In July, 1950, Jim and Mary Buglas and their children: Connie, Fred, Lorna, and Kathleen moved to an almost hamlet of Gallivan, Saskatchewan. It was not a promising move: filthy house, no electricity, weed (mostly tansy) choked garden and yard, and two grain elevators: Pool red “B” storage elevator (plugged full of spoiled barley) and grey metal-sheeted “A”, supposedly clean and ready for operation. It turned out that the clean referred to all the office furniture that had been cleaned out by the previous agent, who had also been hired to make the Pool house’s attached garage into a kitchen. He and a crony did so using a few bags of wood shavings and a hundred small pieces of drywall—larger sheets having somehow got sidetracked to a private project back in his homebase of Wilkie.

The Buglases had moved from a newly refurbished electrified Pool cottage with a changed roofstyle, an extra bedroom, an enlarged cellar (almost a basement!), their much-loved home in the Village of Adanac, near Unity. We were moving from a tidy place where Jim had one grain elevator to operate for the Sask Wheat Pool among friendly rival buyers for the Searle, Reliance, and United Grain Growers. The Village had a general store and post office, regular daily train service (on the second most important CPR line across Saskatchewan), a lumberyard, a livery barn, a hardware and vehicle repair service, a hotel, with ice-cream parlor, a skating rink with permanent boards and changing house, an elementary school, a town hall, wooden sidewalks, two churches with rectories (Anglican and United), assorted houses, two farms on opposite sides of town. But no highschool.

Gallivan had a CNR branch line stationhouse used as a “section house” (inhabited by the Section Foreman (section men kept the track in shape by daily patrols and hard work in all weathers, patrolling from their speeder—noisy gas-engine fueled and fumed open vehicle). Gallivan had two stores, one with post office and garage vehicle repair. Both had gas pumps and fuel delivery services. There was one farm at the north edge of the hamlet, a United Church with manse (rented out), two schools (the hamlet hall doubled as the highschool), four other dwellings. The hamlet water sources appeared to be the Cut Knife Creek, curling its way around the hamlet and a few farms, and the store\post office’s drilled and handpumped well.

The Buglases soon adapted to the friendly people in and around Gallivan. A lot of hard work and Jim’s carpentry skills began to furnish the elevator office, added our Adanac “playhouse—guest bedroom” hauled by truck from Adanac (built from Buglas-bought lumber, not Pool-owned) but tacked as a leanto on the northside of the Pool cottage. Very soon, with the start of school, the Buglases met their classmates as friends.

Early in September, Lorna’s Grade VI classmate, Lorraine Bertrand brought a supper invitation for Lorna and Kay to join the family of Ovide and Hughenna at their farm a short half-mile from Gallivan. It was a momentous occasion for us. Their home had the most wonderful barn with two gleaming silver cupolas, a wonderful garden-orchard, electricity, water, and a dear welcoming family. Ovide (farmer-electrician) charmed us forever by telling shy us that he charged a nickel to all guests passing him to slide onto the bench seat in back of the long table, and Hughenna won our hearts with her kind words and delicious meal.

As that school year went on, Lorna discovered that she and Hughenna were READERS with very similar tastes. Hughenna lent Lorna her bookclub copy of T.H. White’s lovely novel “Mistress Masham’s

Repose”, published in 1946 . It was magic—a long-past its glory days eighteenth century palace Malplaquet in rural England with a manmade lake and a Greek Temple inhabited by a kidnapped colony of Lilliputians. The Palace is the home of ten-year-old Maria, an orphan and her wicked governess Miss Brown, and so the adventure begins. Dad and I both loved that book and others Hughenna lent us. In my twenties I found a copy of White’s book in a Saskatoon used book store, bought it, and have reread it every two or so years since. That childhood magic happiness returns.

Another Mrs. B. moment came the fall I was twelve. Kay and I had gone home with the Bertrand family from our two schools. During the summer the hall had been moved from behind the United Church to a wonderful basement, engineered by Bob and son Clayton Mclain. They built cement foundations like they should be built. Of course, the many bystanders, of those summer days had lots of advice. But for vandalism and neglect on the part of us who loved that dear hall/school/basement, it would be standing still.

Back to the story, Lorraine and I were in Grade VII (high school now) and Arthur and Kay were in Grade V, with David in Grade I at the elementary school. When we reached the farm, Kay was recruited to help with the afterschool chores, while Mrs. B. appeared with two lidded metal pails (lard pails, I think). She handed one to me and said, “You come with me.” We went to the orchard-garden and sand(choke)cherry tree. We picked sand (choke)cherries and talked until our pails were full of ripe dark purple fruit. We talked books and life. She wanted me to promise her that I would let nothing stand in my way of going to University and becoming a writer. If only-- The pail of cherries I picked Mrs. B. sent home to Mom who very gratefully made jam and returned the pail via Lorraine and Art to their mother. Of course, my mother, another good cook had filled it with cookies or possibly date squares (also known as matrimonial cake).

For years after that, Mrs. B. and I exchanged books and information on them (what was good in the Sask Wheat Pool travelling library (a cooperative program with the Provincial Library) or book clubs. Through Lorraine’s wonderful Memoir, I can relive my treasured friendship with Hughenna B.

Cut Knife Courier Ends

I wish to express my sadness that the Cut Knife Courier has been discontinued. The efforts Ray and Andrea Stewart have put into it over the past few years has been phenomenal. They should feel proud that they were able to contribute to everyone's lives as well as the Cut Knife Community. 

Although, I had not subscribed for the paper  for many years, I really appreciated these past years of receiving it online.  

I can not say enough about the value of a local newspaper, to the individuals, the province and the country. It has recorded  history in the making. For this alone is very important. The content of the stories were very personal which make the reader feel proud to get positive knowledge at the grass roots. 

For myself, what I have taken away was personal growth from the events that I was involved with during my early years when I lived in the Cut Knife area. It truly has left a mark on me over the years. I know all the individuals whom Ray and Andrea Stewart wrote about will feel the same. It had given us strength and moulded us to what we are today. Everyone of these stories have been interesting and heartfelt. 

If it had  not been for the Courier I would not have the courage to write my story in Notes and Clippings, It all Started In Saskatchewan.Those early reports I clipped out and have saved. I brings much joy to read them today. 

60 Years Ago Today

60 years ago today, June 14 1960, I was hiking through Switzerland.  Back in my early 20's I was on an adventure of  a life time hiking though Europe with two friends, Marion and Jacqui. We had become friends during our training as  Saskatchewan Psychiatric Nurses.  After graduation  we sailed to  England to work for  six months  in a hospital in  Sutton, Surrey

We  had just arrived in Switzerland, after hiking through France, Spain, Portugal and Austria,  We had been on the road since mid April. While in Switzerland we visited Jacqui’s family. Our mail from back home was waiting for us. It felt good to relax, have a bath, wash our clothes, and get our hair cut. 

Here is what I wrote in my Journal:   June 14, 1960 

“Woke early, had breakfast and at 9:00 am Jacqui's uncle took us to see the UN Building, making the 9:30 am tour. We were in awe with the beautiful modern rooms made of marble, brass and walnut wood. We went to the Assembly Room and sat in on the National World Committee meeting for a few minutes, listened through ear phones to the interpreter. The summer Conference of 1955 was held there. The pictures in this room were painted by a Spanish painter from San Sebastian, Spain.We walked around the grounds then went up to Library. Jacqui's cousin, Claude, worked at the UN Building so we met him for a short visit in the large beautiful Library. After our tour Uncle George took us back to his place for lunch. After lunch we went over to visit Jacqui’s cousins, Before supper Marion and I went to buy a gift for them. After supper we were taken to another cousin . We looked at pictures of our adventures. When is got dark to see lights of city reflecting on lake, beautiful. Home by midnight and spent the night.”

Visiting Jacqui's cousins 

Small Town Saskatchewan Newspaper.

The small town newspaper of the Highway 40 Courier, now known as The Courier,  was very important source of material that contributed to writing, Notes and Clippings- it all started in Saskatchewan. 

Over the years during 1940 and 1950 I clipped and saved articles that was of interest to me, thus my story. My last clipping was when I was doing a book reading at the Cut Knife Senior Centre in 2018.

On October 27, 2019 Global News published an article 

How a small-town Saskatchewan newspaper is surviving in a changing industry  by  BY NATHANIEL DOVE Posted October 27, 2019 7:43 pm updated October 28, 2019 4:25 am

Thanks to the Cut Knife  Courier editor, Ray Stewart,  for making this "small town newspaper" so interesting to it's many readers who resides elsewhere. 

Copies of Notes and Clippings are still available by contacting Lorraine Martin. lorrainemartin831@gmail.com