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Centennial celebration attracts a thousand visitors

The Town of Hafford and Rural Municipality of Redberry held an extremely successful centennial celebration June 28 to July 1.
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The Hafford legacy project designed and created by Jim Jensen of Mont Nebo consists of 10 steel panels, each representing a decade in history. Mayor Ron Kowalchuk, left, and RM of Redberry Reeve Don Paulow hold the ribbon while Margaret Lommer cuts the ribbon.

The Town of Hafford and Rural Municipality of Redberry held an extremely successful centennial celebration June 28 to July 1.

Over 1,000 guests and visitors travelled from many destinations within North America to attend the celebration that began with a registration and reception Friday evening.

Saturday began with a parade and the team of brothers, Steve and Bill Puto, were the announcers. The parade was led by Sgt. John Redlich of the Blaine Lake RCMP detachment, mounted on his distinctive horse. Following on foot were Cst. Stephen Parchewski, Cpl. Dalton Marciniuk, retired RCMP member Peter Grabowski, retired Saskatoon city policeman Ed Grabowski, Cst. Cindy Parchewski, Canada Border Services' Les Tkachuk and Milan Gonda.

The Town of Hafford and RM of Redberry No. 435 centennial committee consisted of Ollie Marciniuk, Ron Kowalchuk, Irene Attrux, Ron Tkachuk, Peter Kyliuk, Don Paulow, Alan Tanchak, Evelyn Grzybowski, Ron Tanchak and Denise Kowalchuk.

The dedication of the legacy project was held at the end of Main Street. The monument was designed and created by artist Jim Jensen of Mont Nebo and depicts 100 years of innovation. A centennial flag raising ceremony was held at the legacy project site with Michael Herman and Brittany Attrux. The two Hafford Central students designed the selected centennial logo and, with a few modifications, the logo was adapted into a flag design honouring the pioneers and forefathers.

"On behalf of Premier Brad Wall and the Government of Saskatchewan, I am happy to join you for the unveiling of this centennial statue," commented Scott Moe, MLA Rosthern/Shellbrook. "It is exciting to celebrate the progress and development of the area over the past 100 years and it is especially exciting to look at where we are today and where we will be in the future. As this province continues to move forward, I know the RM of Redberry and Town of Hafford will continue to contribute and be a great place to live, work and play for another 100 years."

The honoured guests participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony were Town of Hafford Mayor Ron Kowalchuk, RM of Redberry Reeve Don Paulow and Margaret Lommer, whose father Henry Hudek initially sold the land to CNR for the proposed townsite. A dedication plaque was unveiled acknowledging the past, present and future. It read: "To the past: Thank you. To the present: Enjoy, appreciate. To the future: Build. Strive. Dream."

Hafford Central School and many rural schools were open to visitors. Long-time friendships were rekindled and fellowship continued throughout the weekend. Saturday evening concluded with a banquet and dance in the communiplex. The centennial committee planned two dances to accommodate both the young and mature generations.

Sunday offered guests the opportunity to attend a church service of their choice. People had the opportunity to gather once again at the communiplex for a centennial brunch and fellowship before going to Main Street to witness a selection of local musical and cultural entertainment.

An unveiling of a commemorative plaque honouring the members of legislature in the Redberry Lake Constituency was held Sunday afternoon at the shores of Redberry Lake. The constituency was in existence from 1905 until 2003 when the electoral boundaries were changed and the constituency of Redberry Lake ceased to exist. Residents in and around the Redberry Lake area were placed in the Rosthern-Shellbrook constituency while those residents west were included in the Biggar constituency.

The centennial committee felt it pertinent to honour those individuals who dedicated their time and efforts in serving the constituents of the area for 98 years. Honoured were George Langley for serving after being elected in 1905, 1908, 1912, 1917; George Cockburn 1921, 1925, 1929; Omer Demers 1934; Orest Zerebko 1938; Dmytro Lazorko 1944; Bernard Korchinski 1948, 1956; Dmytro Zipchen 1952; Demitro (Dick) Michayluk 1960, 1964, 1967, 1971; Dennis Banda 1975, 1978; John Gerich 1982, 1986; Walter Jess 1991,1995; and Randal Weekes 1999.

Family, friends and dignitaries were among the many in attendance to witness the event.

"It has been an honour to be MLA for Redberry Lake and represent the area from 1999-2003 in the legislature of Saskatchewan," commented Randy Weekes, MLA for Biggar consitituency. Weekes commented that he enjoyed meeting and talking with former MLAs of Redberry/Redberry Lake and their families as well as the relatives of MLAs previous.

Hafford Mayor Ron Kowalchuk and RM of Redberry Reeve Don Paulow accepted Saskatchewan flags from Scott Moe, MLA for Rosthern/Shellbrook and from Randy Weekes.

Centennial celebration weekend concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks.

Hafford's annual Canada Day celebrations took place Monday morning with a flag raising ceremony, ball games, children's events and entertainment. It was a weekend of fun, laughter, tears, fellowship and reminiscing, exactly what the planning committee had intended.