The culmination of Waseca's 100 year celebration July 2 and 3 was an interdenominational church-service held at 104-year-old Christ Church, which is now a municipal heritage site.
The joyous and inspiring service was conducted by a former Waseca resident, Pat Ribey, and the hymns were accompanied by Mary Lou Forrest who played the church organ, which, even though it also is over 100 years old, still sounds wonderful. The singing was led by choir composed of people from near and far and together with the congregation joined in singing the hymns enthusiastically.
A history of the building of the church was read from writings in the Waseca Herald of 1907 and 1908. One could feel from what was written at that time, the happiness and pride of the people having the first church built in Waseca.
The church was packed for the occasion and over 60 people were seated outside and, with modern technology, were able to hear and see the activity going on in the church.
During the service Carolyn (Schimelfenig) Jabusch and Dixie (Schimelfenig) FarKash sang two songs, which were composed by the late Lil Shuler, a long-time Waseca resident. They accompanied their singing with guitars.
The service was followed by a brunch at the community hall, which concluded the activity packed two-day celebration.
Interesting, enjoyable and some historical activities filled the time. Saturday at 4 p.m. a commemorative cairn was unveiled honoring the Barr Colonists, whose route from Saskatoon to Lloydminster took them by that location. There they camped overnight and a baby, Dick Topott, was born in the tent. Joan Gibbs of Neilberg presided over the unveiling. Because it was her farther who was born there, she gave an interesting account of the trek. The cairn is located on Waseca's centennial path.
Garon Bus Lines took a load of interested passengers to the Waseca Battle River bridge which is over 100 years old; to the site of Battlevale School; to Forest Bank church, which was built in the early 1900s, and school as well as other interesting points on the route. Rhonda BenKendorf, as hostess on the bus, related interesting history of the points visited. At St. Paul's Church, Forest Bank, they where met by Eileen Evans and Christine Pike, who served them lemonade and goodies.
Other events Saturday included music by Yellowhead Ramblers with vocalist Julie Maxwell; a concert in the evening with locals and visitors taking part. The concert included musical items by the Rust family and the Schimelfenig family; reminiscing by Bob Douglas and Mervin Hinde and vocal solos by Chrystal Hult. Meanwhile, the children were thoroughly enjoying the bounce house, the petting park provided by Craig and Deiedra Blyth and the haystack scramble as well as wagon rides round the village.
The Waseca Community Centre was open to visitors all day Saturday with the displays of antiques, pictures and memorabilia all contributed by local people and visitors.
Entertainment at the rink was well attended. Over 400 people were in attendance at the Saturday evening meal. The Saturday pancake breakfast and barbeque lunch were also well attended. Saturday evening at 11 p.m. a display of fireworks presided over by Waseca Firemen was enjoyed by all.
Thanks to the organizing committee, the many, many volunteers, guests from a distance who took part in the events, Jeff Murry, who was was MC for the Saturday evening program, the weekend will be long remembered, not only for all the activities but especially for the visits with old and new friends.
Congratulations to Denai and Conrad Smart on the birth of their first child, a baby boy, Gavin William. Gavin was born July 6.
Fifty-three members of the Janus family gathered at the home of Ellen and Maurice Oddan on the weekend of July 8 to 10 for a reunion, which they hold every three years on the second weekend in July. Since so many of the family members live in British Columbia, the venue for the reunion alternates. This was the year for them to come to Saskatchewan. Many from British Columbia camped with trailers, motor homes, tent trailers and tents in the Oddan yard.
The days were spent enjoying visiting, playing games and enjoying food.
Members of the family came as far away as New Zealand to enjoy the visit with family members. The family tree was updated by those who came.
The Janus family moved to the Battlevale district in 1923. The children all attended Battle vale school. Descendants of the original family continue to farmland farmed by the original family.
