This past weekend, our great grand niece (see how old I am) played in a local invitational Volley Ball Tournament at St. Mary High School. It was great to talk to her and hear how excited she was to be back playing, despite having to wear a mask, enjoying a part of school life that has been badly missed due to Covid. 

A big thank you to all those who worked very hard at St. Mary to see that proper Covid protocols were administered, and the athletes could PLAY once again.

Fifty years ago, October 1971, the masks, unless it was for Halloween purposes, were not apparent at events that took place in Prince Albert and area. 

So ‘mask free’ let’s look back at what was happening fifty years ago this month.

On Friday, October 1, 1971 a Testimonial Dinner was held to honour Bill Berezowsky for 19 years of service rendered as the Prince Albert Constituency M.L.A.

Prince Albert’s new Junior A Hockey team assumed the name ‘Raiders.’ Other names suggested were:  Toppers, North Stars, Chiefs, and Prince Albert Lakers.

Three Prince Albert musicians earned Royal Conservatory of Music awards: Kathleen Lohrenz, piano, Cheryl Wendland, violin, and Bonnie Lyn Koshley, piano.

A new downhill skiing area was being carved out of the bush one mile east of Prince Albert. It is to be named Adanac Ski Valley.

Seventeen year old Lawrence Meredeth took top prize at the CO-OP Kubasa eating contest. 

Saturday October, 2nd the Prince Albert Tech Tigers won their first football game in five years (an 8 -7 victory over P.A.C.I.).       (I was there!!!) 

Prince Albert Student Residence athletes won first place trophies at a Cross Country Track Meet in Lestock, Saskatchewan. Award winners were: Thomas Cook, Gilbert McKenzie, Nancy Ross and Leona Martin.

Lee Gisi and his son Brent proudly displayed two 40 lb. pumpkins grown at their farm.

11 month year old Janine Bristowe was featured with her pick of several possible Jack-O-Lanterns harvested from her parent’s, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bristowe’s, Prince Albert garden.

Max Braithwaite, a famous Canadian author, who once lived at 167 Twenty First Street West, revisited the city.

Karen Lang, Connie Hadley, Laurie Sundbo and Kathy McMaster won the right to represent Prince Albert in the Pepsi Cola Canada Badminton Tournament to be held in Saskatoon.

The construction of Prince Albert’s new Ice Arena, the future Communiplex,  was reported to be on schedule.

On International Newspaper Carrier Day, George Regnier of St. Louis and Kelvin Grams of Prince Albert were recognized for ‘Excellent Service to Customers.’

Charles Taylor, with a grade twelve academic average of 94.9%, was awarded the Governor General Medal at Riverside Collegiate.

Captain Brent Kennedy of St. Anne’s Flag Football Team received, on behalf of his teammates, the Chad Trophy – emblematic of championship in elementary Separate School Flag Football.

Peter Griffiths won the Prince Albert Toastmaster of the Year Award.

Prince Albert Raiders played their debut game in the Saskatchewan Amateur Junior Hockey League’s regular schedule in Humboldt on October, 28th.   (Raiders outshot Humboldt 38 -20, but lost the game 4 -2)

A Halloween play – “The Little Witch” – was held at Queen Mary School. Janet Wilson played the leading role. The price of admission was ‘one penny.’The money raised went to UNICEF. 

A Testimonial Dinner for George Ross, manager of the Prince Albert Exhibition, was being planned. Ross was retiring after 28 years of managing exhibitions in Lloydminster and Prince Albert.   

The Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club held its 1971 Harvest Bonspiel. The team of Gordon Widger, skip, Andy Kozon, third, Sharon Kvinlaug, second, and Zenia Kalyn, lead were the winners.

Hope you enjoyed these tidbits from the past. Again I thank the Prince Albert Historical Museum’s archives for providing the above information.

Enjoy the rest of October 2021 – masks and all.