Tag Archive for: Saskatchewan

A Magical Lighted Launch

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The night of the “Lighted Launch” at Fife Lake was magical.  There’s no other way to put it.

To begin, the weather was perfect.  The night was warm and the lake was calm.

Second, the turnout for this event was incredible.  Rockin’ Beach, the name of the Regional Park at Fife Lake, is situated about 16 kilometres east of Rockglen, which has a population of about 350.  There’s no more than a hundred students in the K – 12 school.

Yet, there was easily 60 people at the “Lighted Launch.”  One lady had driven over an hour with her two children to attend.

Many of the students who came had continued making origami boats at home after the workshop I did at Rockglen School, and that’s what they brought to the “Lighted Launch.”

After a brief welcome, we assembled the candles and boats.  Then those who wanted to set sail stood on the dock and waited to have their boats lighted, while the rest stayed on shore and watched the sparkling fleet.

Once all the boats were launched we just absorbed the magic of the night.  Such a pretty sight, it was.

If a critique had to be made, I’m sure it would be that the kids had wished we had more boats.

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Flying Kites in Biggar

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My Facebook Post for September 22 reads as follows:

“That awesome feeling when you teach sixty-three kids how to make their own kite, then go outside and listen to their squeals and watch their smiles as they fly those kites.”

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First thing in the morning I had a workshop with the Grade One class at St. Gabriel’s School in Biggar.  There were twenty students and we had an hour to assemble our kites.

My knowledge from a previous Culture Days Activity–the Windscape Kite Festival in Swift Current–came in handy. I had the parts pre-cut and ready to go, and I had the confidence of two days of kite-making behind me.

Next, I did a workshop with forty-three students from Biggar Central School.  Because they were an older group of students I included them in the process a bit more.  No pre-cut parts for them.  I gave them templates to trace as well as ribbon and string to cut.  We still had an hour to assemble to the kites, so it was a bit more intense considering the size of the group and the added workload.  But, just like the Grade One class of St. Gabriel’s this group of Grades Four and Five assembled their kites in a little over the allotted time.

While the kids finished up I took a lunch break.

When I returned to the school my chaperone and I walked in the direction of a large field that connects the two schools, which is hidden behind a hill.

As we walked up the hill I heard the students before I saw them–squeals of delight, laughter, running, and play.

I rushed to the top and was thrilled to see sixty-three students enjoying the simple pleasure of flying a kite (and, indeed, most of the kites did take flight).

Some of the students were running and laughing out loud, while others stood still and enjoyed the experience in silence with grin.

Either way, it was an enjoyable afternoon.  And the students learnt how much fun can be had with a little string, ribbon, a plastic bag, and a couple of sticks.

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SaskScapes – with guest Jinny Nieviadomy

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When Jinny Nieviadomy came to Meadow Lake, SK there was no doubt in her mind that she was meant to be there. Jinny has had a major impact on the Meadow Lakes community as a teacher and arts promoter. She founded The Artistic Incidents Studio…a space that children and adults alike, to find their own artistic voice through various medium.

A Hidden Hero by Christine

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In this digital story, Christine, of Weyburn, pays tribute to her late uncle, a war veteran who didn’t speak much about his time in military service. Despite this, Christine managed to piece together tidbits of information, photographs and family memories in order to write and produce this lovely story about her uncle, Sgt. Hugh A. MacDougall, a “hidden hero.”

SaskScapes – with guest Ley Ward, the “Lego Wizard”

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Springing out of his own “Lego Dark Age”, Ley Ward, the “Lego Wizard”, reconnected with the memories of a toy from his childhood, and became part of an International movement of lego users who take this hobby very seriously. Ley shares the serious business of humour, and how lego has informed his other artistic pursuits. Lego users are indeed a unique breed, and you’ll hear Ley discuss how much emotional support they provide each other. And yes, we discussed the Lego movie!

 

 

CTV Saskatoon Highlights a Culture Days Activity

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On September 16, CTV Saskatoon News went to Waldheim as part of the north portion of their Hometown Tour.

They took in a cultural feast, visited a few local businesses, stopped by the Rec Centre and the school.

While at the school, one of the things they focused on was a Culture Days Activity that has been in the works since last Spring.

Under the guidance Marla Laskowski and myself, Some of the high school students  as well as other members of the community have been busy learning how to knit and crochet so as to Yarn-Bomb the front of the school.

Needless to say, the students were very excited to have their project highlighted and featured on the 6:00 News.

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A Different Balance by Megan

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After Megan’s grandfather passed away, she found a scrapbook documenting his life as a young man. Before opening it, Megan thought her grandpa was “just a plumber, running a successful business in town,” but she learned that he was much more than that. Here’s the digital story that Megan wrote, voiced, and produced at a workshop in Melfort after flipping through the pages of her grandfather’s scrapbook.

Origami Boats at Rockglen School

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On September 15, I spent the day in Rockglen.

I met with two Board Members of Rockin’ Beach Regional Park to discuss their upcoming Culture Days event.

Plus, I facilitated two workshops at Rockglen School, which included all grades (1 – 12).  In those workshops, I explained the history and meaning of Culture Days and then gave a tutorial on how to make an Origami Boat.  Further, I extended an invitation to the students of Rockglen School.  I invited them to bring their Origami Boat (that they just made) to Rockin’ Beach on Wednesday, September 24th at 7:00 p.m..  I explained to them that at this time we are going to have a “Lighted Launch.”  We will put candles in the boats and launch them from either the shore or the middle of the lake (depending on the win) and enjoy the light show while we roast marshmallows and visit on the beach.

 

Moving to Melfort by Liezel

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Liezel moved to Melfort from the Philippines in 2002. In this digital story, she shares her adventure of integrating into Canadian culture as well as the challenges she faced as a newcomer to Saskatchewan. Today, she is happy to call Melfort home.

 

Moving to Eastend by Nathan

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Nathan moved to Eastend, SK when he was 12 years old. A self-described city boy at heart, Nathan wrote and produced this digital story on how he grew to appreciate living in a small prairie town.