Located along the La Vérendrye Trail (PTH 12), Grand Beach ranks third among the top 10 North American beaches. The seventeenth century French explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes de la Vérendrye referred to the area as Grand Marais, meaning “Big Marsh.” Grand Beach achieved worldwide fame in the twentieth century thanks to the Canadian National…
One of the earlier Bandmasters of any repute, was Claude R. Macfie who lived on the east side of the Red River. He started forming his Band in the late 1870’s and early 1880’s and by 1883 was playing to large crowds on both sides of the Red River. His group was basically a Brass…
In the summer of 1967, an annual celebration began in Selkirk, Manitoba. The Highland Gathering began in Manitoba in part because many people had emigrated from Scotland and the British Isles in the 1960s. These new arrivals were recruited to work at the Selkirk Hospital for Mental Diseases as psychiatric nurses. There were pipe bands…
The Province of Manitoba passed legislation to allow the formation of the R.M of St. Clements on 7 July 1883. The legislation was proclaimed as law on 16 November 1883 and deemed effective by 22 December 1883. The original boundaries included: Portions of the County of Lisgar, from the Red River to the line between…
The only mail transportation in the early years to and from our Red River area was by packets or brigades of the Hudson’s Bay Company or the North West Company. These fur company expresses travelled back and forth between Montreal and Red River at least twice per year and as a courtesy, often carried mail…
It can safety be said that we, on the east side of the Red River, lying in the area now known as the Rural Municipality of St. Clements, had for our first local government, the old Governor and Council of the District of Assiniboia. This government was basically municipal in administration. Our local parishes of…
The rural municipality of St. Clements comprises of all those portions of townships 13, 14 and 15 in range 5 east lying to the east of the Red River and outside the limits of the Parishes of St. Andrews, St. Clements and St. Peters; all that portion of township 16 in range 5 east lying…
The first Council Chamber, to the best of my knowledge, was located on the old Main Road (now known as Henderson Highway) on part of Lot 94. It was the old McKay residence. A photo has been located after much searching and we include it here as a record of our humble beginnings. The old…
The East Selkirk Busy Fingers 4-H Sewing Club was founded in 1950. Some of the founding members were: June Zegil, Carole Smith, Cecilia Klisko, Katherine Chanas, Sharon Corby, Frances and Olive Andrayko, Agnes Kwiatkowski, and Cathy Bosko, to name a f The 1953-54 executive€ were: Leader: Mrs. Evelyn Wesley; President: Bernice Kianski; Vice-President: Mary Luzny;…
Margaret Waytuik and Gladys Chorney hosted two 4- H girls from Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Anton and Adeline Chorney were hosts to Mrs. Bresley, 4-H leader from Nebraska, and Mr. and Mrs. Yurkiw and family hosted a 4-H boy from Nebraska. In 1962. Russel Kossack attended a short course in Brandon and Gladys Chorney went…
The East Selkirk and District Seniors Club was organized on March 15, 1982 and was sponsored by the East Selkirk Recreation Association as part of their Community Centre Program. The first meeting was chaired by Mr. Les Mazur, with guest speakers, Mr. Cal. Zacharias and Mr. Gerry Ham representing the Federal and Provincial Gov’ts. The…
On a bright October day in 1931, my husband and I and our young son saw Gull Lake for the first time. It was one of the most memorable days in our lives. Gull Lake was to become The Place Beyond the Hill for us – that better place which exists in dreams for all…
On the urging of Father John Sajewicz, Pastor of Corpus Christi R.C. Church, three resident members of the Knights of Columbus undertook the task of organizing a new Council in the Narol District, Brothers Joe Czubaty, Walter Natuik and Omer Ouellette can- vassed the district for candidates (30 were required). On November 12, 19’74,26 members…
Members of Donald Ladies Auxiliary talked about having some type of activity for Seniors of the community of Narol. It was decided to take positive action after some discussion. Mr. Gerry Hamm was invited to speak to the group and show slides regarding activities and other benefits offered by New Horizons. The initial meeting took…
The 1st. St. Clements Brownies and Guides both received their Certificate of Registration on November 25, 1974. Both of these groups were sponsored by the East Selkirk Recreation Association from their onset. The Brownies have continuously operated since their onset with Bernice Perrin as Brown Owl from November l974 to May 1982 when she moved…
The Ukrainian Benevolent Society of East Selkirk was incorporated by April 1, 1928 and continued as an active organization till the end of 1949, and beyond that time less actively. The first President was Andrew Uhryn while the Treasurer was Anastazia Romaniuk. The Secretary was Dmetro Ckalski and the Auditors appointed were: Dmetro Ckalski and…
The Ukrainian Youth Club of East Selkirk was organized in 1936 with an initial enrollment of some 13 members. The membership fee for joining was struck at 10 cents per month, per member. By 1937, this enrollment had increased to about 27 young people. The organization was very active and the membership were involved with…
By: John Kuzminski (In Memory of Iwana Franka) It was on May 14, 1920 that a group of twelve men in East Selkirk desired to form an association in the village and to name it the Ukrainian Home and Reading Society of East Selkirk in memory of Iwana Franka. (a famous Ukrainian Poet). The names…
It was on January 9, 1918 that the Reverend Ivan Kussy called a general meeting within the Poplar Park district to discuss the building of a Community Hall. The meeting was held at the home of KIym Weremy and Rev. Ivan Kussy chaired, while Mike Marko acted as the Secretary. to a lengthy speech the…
Historical documents and photos of the inauguration of the East Selkirk Recreational Association, including many significant achievements by the group and local projects they have been a part of.
On Jan. 14, 1957, posters were made and distributed throughout Grand Marais and surrounding districts. This poster announced an important meeting to be held Jan. 20, 1957 , in the Social Hall in Grand Marais. The object of this meeting was the forming of a curling rink in Grand Marais. A large number of people…
Members of the Rough, Tough, and Ugly group were: Jack Cybulski, Mike and George pawluk, Geo. Homenick, Bill Semenchuk, Metro Dalebozik, Mark Chernetski, Mike Peake, Bill Pihulak, Bill Tesch, Walter Lazaruk, Pete Huculak, Douglas Nelson, Jake Davis, Matthew Babiski, Fred Babiski, Bill Babiski, peter Kuhn, Sam Darichuk, John Darichuk, Peter and Mike Kreviazuk, John and…
The Selkirk Wildlife Association was first organized in 1942-43. Some members of the first executive were, Ben Funk; President, Dr. Wittiker, Dr. Robinson, Doug Pruden, Frank Newman, Arry Verhuel, and Casey Van Hartevelt, who assisted in respective positions. They received guidance from the parent body “The Manitoba Wildlife Federation”, and supported functions in return. The…