The SVRSS Tigers Hockey Team started their season on home ice this past weekend in the Swan River Centennial Arena. The games were well attended but, for those that could not make it, the teamed offered a treat for at home viewers with a multi-camera production thanks to the SVRSS Visual department...

Victory Loans were appeals to Canadians by the federal government for funds to help finance the war effort during WWII.

Nine appeals were launched between June 1941 and November 1945. War revenue was roughly evenly split between corporate and individual contributions amounting to approximately $12 billion.

“Paratroopers invaded Manitoba and inaugurated the 6th Victory Loan campaign. Following a ceremony at the Legislature Building in Winnipeg, twenty-two paratroopers carrying Victory Shields by plane, parachuted to many units throughout the province.” (Apr. 27, 1944, Dauphin Herald and Press)

Local residents turned out in record numbers on the Saturday afternoon of Apr. 22, 1944, to watch 18-year old Canadian paratrooper, Private Fred “Sticky” Stokotelny, make a spectacular jump from a twin-engine Lodestar aircraft flying at 800 feet above the fairgrounds. Skilled in spot landing it took Private Stokotelny less than a minute to drop to the infield of the race track. Upon touchdown he disengaged himself from the parachute harness and did an “on the double” sprint to deliver Unit 38’s Victory Loan shield to Mayor Johnston.

On behalf of the armed forces he appealed to citizens of the Dauphin area to lend every possible dollar in order that “our fighting men may continue to have the best of equipment in sufficient quantities.”

The jump on Saturday afternoon was the eighth one for Stokotelny and the 15 mile per hour wind nearly carried him right into his parent’s backyard. After the presentation, Stokotelny and the mayor embarked on a car ride through Dauphin’s main streets.

The next evening the official inauguration of the 6th Victory loan in Dauphin was marked by an official presentation of Unit 38’s shield at a rally held at the Dauphin Theatre.

The shield was presented by Private Stokotelny to local war finance chairman W. L. Breadner. In accepting the shield Breadner pledged full support to the unit to attain Dauphin’s commitment of raising $425,000.

Stokotelny also presented similar shields to Group Captain J.C. Huggard and Wing Commander H.E. Stewart, commanding officers of the two local air training facilities.

On behalf of No. 10 S.F.T.S and No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School both pledged campaigns of $75,000 and $80,000.

As part of the evening program, Flying Officer Donald Keith, a Nova Scotian stationed at the Elementary Flying Training School in Neepawa, gave an inspiring presentation of his enlistment as a pilot.

After 85 hours of training he was deemed combat ready. Keith was one of the first 44 Canadians to land in England and on April 5, 1940, he saw his first action. After spending a year as a Spitfire pilot, Keith was transferred to Singapore. On February 5, 1942, the boat transporting the troops was bombed for seven hours by the Japanese. Nine hundred servicemen were killed and another 400 wounded.

Keith escaped with four other airmen in a small boat and was later picked up by a battleship heading for Java. Fighting with the Dutch army the five airmen went to the front, held out for seven days and then headed for the hills. For 29 days they lived on coconut milk, bananas, berries and fruit.

They came upon a sampan and started on the 2500-mile trek to Australia. Five days later they were rescued and landed at Ceylon. Several weeks later they were sent to Australia where Keith was issued a tropical uniform consisting of a pair of shorts, a shirt, a pair of boots and a pistol.

He was wearing the same uniform when he returned to air force headquarters in Ottawa on July 24, 1943. Keith’s description of his escapes and sheer horror of modern warfare served to prove to the audience of backing “our fighting men to the full.”

The evening continued with violin and accordion solos by members of the paratroop show who had earlier entertained at No. 10 and No. 7. They were followed with some spirited community singing. Two war related films, “Target Berlin” and “War Department Report” concluded the evening’s program.

Victory Loan appeals during the course of WWII encouraged the citizens of the Dauphin area to contribute to Manitoba’s provincial quota.

No matter where they go in their lives, Swan River connections stay strong in the Ukrainian Dance world. Alexis Denischuk with Vohon (Edmonton), Olivia Chmelowski with Zabutnyy (Regina), Myley Brunel with Zirka (Dauphin) and McKayla Hnatiuk with Bratsva (Dauphin) were all on the big stage at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin from Aug. 4-6.
McKayka Hnatiuk
McKayla has been dancing with Bratsva in Dauphin for eight years. She is the daughter of Jason Hnatiuk as well as Sylvia Hnatiuk’s grandaughter.
She received four gold medals for her solo dances at different competitions and this year her dancing group was chosen from the talent competitions to perform at the grandstand on the final night of the festival.
Myley Brunel
Myley attended her first Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival as a spectator with a family friend, the summer of 2014 and fell in love with the costumes, especially the red boots and floral Vinoks, so in that fall, her parents Robert and Erin Brunel (nee Immerkar), registered her with Zirka and she has loved Ukrainian dancing ever since. Myley is the grandaughter of Evelyn Immerkar of Swan River.
Myley started dancing in Grade 2 in 2014.
Myley competed in competitions in Brandon, Yorkton, Regina and Dauphin.
She received most outstanding effort award with Zirka in 2014-2015 dance year and the Dedication Award in 2022-23 in memory of Chris Perih.
Presently Myley and her group are preparing to perform in Disney World, both on stage at Epcot and during the Disney evening parades in 2024.
Myley loves the opportunity to meet with her dance group at practices and enjoys meeting other dancers.
She is now old enough to wear the red boots that she fell in love with all those years ago.
Sara Synk
Sara is the daughter of Niomi (nee Hrappstead) and Joe Synk (former RBC Bank manager in Swan River).
Sara started dancing at the age of three with the Dolyna Dancers in Swan River.
She continued dancing, joining Troyanda Ukrainian dance group when she moved to Brandon, where she attended high school and her first year at Brandon university.
Since then she has moved to Regina to join Zabutnyy Dance Company as she finishes her education at the University of Regina.
During the Ukrainian dance festival Sara joined Alexis Denischukdancing the hopak.
Sara’s father also taught Ukrainian dancing in Swan River.
Sara enjoyed travelling to places in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to dance and still continues to love the art of dance.
Alexis Denischuk
Alexis started dancing with the Swan River Dolyna Dancers and continued on until graduating from high school.
From there she went on to continue her education at the University of Regina and danced with the Zabutnyy Dance Company for 3.5 years. The highlight of these years was travelling to Ukraine to dance at numerous dance festivals and workshops. Dancing in the famous Opera house in Lviv, Ukraine, was an amazing experience for Alexis.
Upon graduation she moved to Edmonton where she successfully auditioned for the Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. She was honoured to dance at the 50th Vegreville Pysanka Festival. She also performed in Portugal’s International Dance Festival with the Vohon dancers where she shared the stage with multiple countries.
The National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin was where she was reacquainted with Myley, Olivia and Sara.
It was an honour to Alexis to return to her home roots and experience dancing on stage in her home province alongside so many talented dancers. Alexis is very grateful for the lifelong friendships she has made during her Ukrainian dance career.
Olivia Chmelowski
Olivia started dancing at the age of three and never looked back as she absolutely loved it from the get-go.
Throughout her years as a Dolyna Dancer, she was privileged to have incredible and dedicated instructors: AnnaLee Fuhr-Parnetta, Joe Synk, Becca and Jen Guay and Maks Zabutnyy (the latter three drove out from Regina weekly to teach them), Kelsa Unruh, and finally Amanda Yaschyshyn were all instrumental in fostering her love of dance and in her eagerness to give back, she also helped out with the instruction of the younger students in her last few years with Dolyna.
As she made her way to Regina for university, the pandemic was still in full swing, so there was no dance to pursue. By the time it was over, Olivia had fallen into a comfortable school/work routine but missed dancing, so returned to the familiar world of Ukrainian dance when she joined Regina’s Zabutnyy Dance Company. They practice twice per week and she’s had the opportunity to perform at many events in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, most recently Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin. When asked what she enjoys the most about dance, Olivia says she obviously loves the actual dancing, but the best part is the friendships she’s formed along the way.

By Ed Stozek
For the Herald

“In the spring of 1946 Mr. Hugh Campbell rode into my father’s farm yard on horseback. He introduced himself and said that he and his wife Maime wanted to start a year-round Sunday school in the community.” (Dean Durston)

That summer the Campbells also organized the first Bible camp scheduled from July 17 to 24. The Geisel Point Camp was located several miles northeast from Ochre River on the shore of Lake Dauphin on property owned by Alex and Christine Geertsema.

As one of the 40 attendees of that first camp, Dean recalled sleeping in a granary. A large tent served as a cooking and dining facility. He also noted that some activities included boating, swimming and making friendship sticks from diamond willows. Everyone attending the camp signed their names on a friendship stick. Dean still has his friendship stick as a keepsake.

In 1947 the camp was relocated to Durston Park where land had been previously purchased by William Durston next to the Riding Mountain National Park. Several acres had been cleared and grass was sown with the goal of making an area suitable for groups of people and families to camp or to have picnics. It was an ideal location for a Bible camp.

The Campbells stayed in the district for approximately seven years and organized the Bible camps each summer.

In 1952 the camp became affiliated with the newly-formed Parkside Gospel Church. The Bible camp was operated by the church board and directed by the church pastor, Carl Frost.

That spring it was found that the dining hall and cookhouse at the camp were flattened by heavy snow. During a Sunday morning service an urgent plea was given asking for assistance. The same afternoon a group gathered at the camp and made plans to raise the roof and add a new kitchen. Within one week all the material was donated and the project was completed. Only one week of boy’s camp occurred in 1952.

“The following years, Kids and Young Peoples’ camps were held with attendance of 60 to 70 children and 25 to 30 young people. Money was scarce as camp fees were insufficient to pay expenses. Speakers and workers came on a gratis basis. Community assistance increased and donations of food were gratefully received.” (Carl Frost)

In April 1964 the grounds were leased to the Canadian Sunday School Mission (CSSM) and it took over the camping program. The Sunday afternoon on Aug. 1, 1965, marked the end of the first two sessions by the CSSM. Two weeks of camps were held with the first session for children 12 years old and over. Between 50 and 60 campers participated in a full program of sports, horseback riding, swimming and Bible studies. Morgan Brown, a local high school teacher, fulfilled the role as camp director and Rev. Peter Unrau from Kelowna, B.C., served as teacher and guest speaker.

For the second week over 100 children attended. Don Lee from Amaranth led the camp while Pastor James Gregor was in charge of teaching and Bible lessons.

The camp was filled to overflow requiring tents rushed into use. Campers arrived from various locations including Amaranth, Kelwood, Erickson, Winnipeg, Dauphin and Flin Flon.

Most of the camp workers gave their time and money with only a few of the staff receiving remuneration, and even then, they were paid very little. Many others donated their time doing carpentry, cooking and general labour to make the camp experience for the campers a resounding success and it was anticipated that three weeks of camp would be hosted the following year. A local farmer, Ross Seale, was chairman of the board consisting of men from four areas in Manitoba.

Aug. 31, marked the end of another successful year of operation of the Dauphin Bible Camp. Eighteen one-week sessions for age groups ranging in ages from six to 17 were offered with 448 campers attending.

From July 10 to 14 my grandson participated and experienced the many positive and enriching programs associated with the camp. When I picked him up after his week of camp was over, he was already asking if he could come again next year.

By Ed Stozek
For the Herald

A total of 72,354 men throughout Canada applied for conscientious objector status during World War II.

In Manitoba, Judge Adamson vigourously challenged individual applicants with personal questions based on their pacifist beliefs and then decided if that person qualified as a conscientious objecter. The conscientious objector status allowed the men to participate in doing alternative service as opposed to enlisting with the armed forces.

Farmers’ sons could also be exempt from enlisting because they were essential workers needed to support the country at home.

Ben Kroecker’s father was a pastor at Morris. He also was a farmer who operated a mixed farm and derived his income from farming. When Ben got his draft notice in the mail, the church made an appointment and he practiced his obedience by going to Winnipeg to appear before the judge. In his 10-minute interview, Judge Adamson asked if Ben was ready to go to the barracks. Ben replied that he was needed on his father’s farm. After some deliberation, Judge Adamson deemed that it was not necessary for Ben to leave the farm. Ben’s older brother had previously served in a camp for four months in the Riding Mountain National Park doing alternative service work. Having two sons leave a farm could spell economic disaster as farm help was in short supply. As a consequence Ben’s father had to pay $15 per month to the Red Cross.

Some young men from other parts of Manitoba attempted to use their religious beliefs in objecting to serve in the armed forces. Mike D. from the postal district of Ukrainia was sentenced to nine months of imprisonment for failing to report for his four-month training stint after having been pronounced physically fit and after having received notice to do so.

Arrested earlier that week, Mike appeared before Magistrate Little and declared, “According to the word of the Lord, I am not guilty.” (May 1,1941, Dauphin Herald) Half an hour later he changed his plea when he admitted that he had misinterpreted the charge.

Mike had previously applied for a postponement of training and with 13 others from the Dauphin Judicial District, appeared before Judge Adamson in Winnipeg on Mar. 25.

Adamson heard the 14 young objectors and then advised them to report to their training. Except for Mike and two others, all were farmer’s sons asking postponement in order to help on their familys’ farms.

Mike declared that he would not appear for his training and was warned that he would be prosecuted if he did not turn up in camp on the designated date. Evidently having thought about the matter, Mike admitted that it would probably have been better if he had reported. He noted that he was not disloyal to the country and was willing to do some other sort of work that would help the war effort.

Walter B., age 21, became the second objector from the RM of Dauphin to be convicted under National War Service Regulations and was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment with hard labour at the Dauphin jail.

Walter was convicted in front of Magistrate Thomas Little on a charge of failing to report for medical examination for compulsory training after having received notice to do so.

Evidence produced in court showed that Walter had received his notice on Mar. 26, 1940, and was to have reported almost immediately.

He wrote to the Department of National War Services in Winnipeg explaining his stand. If he was not going to fight why should he take his examination for training? He was advised by the department to report within a reasonable amount of time and was warned twice of the penalty.

Walter noted that he had taken up studying the Bible, “Pretty near two years; since the war started.” (June 3, 1941, Dauphin Herald) He had been baptized in July 1940, by a farmer who lived north of Sifton. Six months later he was studying the Bible himself.

Some young men faced the consequences of failing to comply with the enlistment process. Others were deemed as conscientious objectors or as essential workers needed to work on the family farm.

By Ed Stozek
For the Herald

The Sunday closest to Aug. 15 commemorates a special church event. On Aug. 13, the annual Mass occurred at the Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church located six miles northeast from Oakburn.

Completed in 1902, the St. John Cantius Church was built from logs and was inadvertently situated on the road allowance. The church soon became the spiritual centre for the Polish and Ukrainian settlers who arrived in 1899 and settled north of the CN line.

Church records show that from 1901 to 1910 there were 178 marriages, 1,103 baptisms and 76 funerals. Once other churches were built in the district, membership at St. John Cantius began to decline. A new church was constructed in 1925, however, it burned down on Nov. 2, 1928. It was replaced with the current church building in 1929. On Aug. 15 of that same year Archbishop Sinnot gave it the title of Our Lady of the Assumption.

Even though the church is presently used only once a year, it still holds many interesting family stories. On Feb. 12, 1906, my maternal grandparents exchanged their wedding vows in the original church building. Even though they practiced the Ukrainian Catholic faith, the St. John Cantius Church was one of the few churches in the district where a priest was available. In the early days when a priest visited a parish it was not unusual to see couples standing in a row in front of the altar waiting to be married. There were also many other couples waiting to have their babies baptized.

My parents joined the congregation shortly after they started their mixed-farm operation in 1945. My father became the organist and choir director. When my sister Cornelia passed away at the age of 10 in 1951, my father played for her funeral service.

In conversation with my older sister Alice, she noted that going to church was a regular Sunday event. Everyone got up early in anticipation of the 11 o’clock morning service. First the daily chores were quickly completed. Then the family dressed up in their “Sunday clothes.” My father wore his suit and my mother and sisters wore dress clothing ordered from the Eaton’s catalogue. Traditionally the men sat in the pews on one side of the church and the ladies sat on the other side.

During the winter months the roads were often full of snow drifts and driving a car was not possible. Instead, two horses were hitched up to the caboose. With the small stove providing heat for the passengers, everyone sat in comfort for the trip to church.

In the 1940s and 1950s, the loft would have been occupied with a choir and an organist. For the Aug. 13 service, Fr. Bisson brought his guitar and we all sang familiar hymns. At the end of the service Fr. Bisson drew our attention to an impending problem with the church structure and noted, “While it looks picturesque there is a need to keep it that way as water in the last few years is infiltrating the church at the steeple. If this is not soon remedied the structure of the church will be compromised and will over time become too costly to be repaired if we keep delaying the problem.”

Even though the interior of the church is still in excellent condition it would be a tragedy if the leak in the steeple led to the deterioration of the historic building.

Following the service, Fr. Bisson carried out the tradition of blessing each grave. Then it was time for food and fellowship in the outdoor setting on the church grounds. Since it had been many years since I last attended a service, it was great to recognize some familiar faces and names and touch base with the past. Along with a cup of coffee, cold cuts, buns and a variety of desserts, there was ample fellowship and all too soon it was time to head back home to Dauphin.

Hopefully, the leak in the steeple will be fixed and we can look forward to many more Sundays closest to Aug. 15.

Nearly 50 motorcyclists took part in the sixth annual Memorial Ride in late August 2023 and through their support, helped contribute towards identified needs at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC).

This year, the Memorial Ride, spearheaded by Tony’s Auto Electric and JDS Laundromat in Dauphin, made its way through Parkland communities along Highway 5 and Mountain Road and reached its final destination in Erickson.

The 300-kilometre return trip raised a total of $2,200 that was donated to the health centre, through the Dauphin Hospital Foundation.

The Memorial Ride is held in loving memory of those lost over the past year. It aims to bring people together in celebrating and recognizing the lives of those lost and it does not matter if people rode a motorcycle or just purchased tickets. The goal was to enjoy the day, visit with people, share memories and contribute to a worthy cause.

Organizers were very pleased with the support of communities and individuals along the way. The Dauphin Hospital Foundation and Dauphin Regional Health Centre sincerely thank the organizers, participants and all who contributed to this worthy cause.

By Ed Stozek
For the Herald

As a child growing up at Medicine Hat, Alexander Peter Chernywech received a violin from his father at the age of nine and began studying classical violin under the instruction of Frank Nowak. Cherny’s interest in playing the violin eventually led to joining the high school orchestra.

One day Cherny happened to hear “Rubber Dolly” as well as “Don Messer’s Breakdown” and this inspired him to play country music on weekends for money.

“I needed the money, it was just when I started to go out with girls.” (Aug. 9, 1974, Dauphin Herald)

Cherny also became passionate about country music after buying a 50 cent ticket to see Wilf Carter perform. He formed a country band and played at western fairs including the Calgary Stampede.

The “fiddle” music gained him popularity locally in the Medicine Hat area. He got further experience by joining Vic Siebert's group, The Sons of the Saddle in 1951 and attained success through broadcasts on Medicine Hat’s CHAT radio.

His next step included an audition on CKNX-AM Radio’s Saturday Night Barn Dance that aired from Wingham, Ont. He was very nervous but he passed the audition and became a regular from 1952-59 performing with artists such as the Mercy Brothers, Gordie Tapp, Tommy Hunter, Gordon Lightfoot, Myrna Lorrie and Wilf Carter. Cherny eventually made it to television starring in CBC’s Country Hoedown.

In 1960 and 1961 Cherny entered the Annual Old Time Fiddle Contest in Shelburne, Ont., and was named both North American (Old-Time) Champion and Novelty Class Champion becoming the first Canadian to win in both categories.

While doing the Barn Dance shows Cherny had two major influences, comedian Gordie Tapp of Country Hoedown fame and singer Tommy Hunter.

Cherny was a leading studio session musician recording with Gary Buck, Dick Damron, Tommy Hunter, Jessie Winchester and Sylvia Tyson. As a solo artist Cherny released more than 10 studio albums and received the RPM Big Country Award for Top Country instrumentalist in 1978. He covered notable standards such as “The Orange Blossom Special”, “Back Up and Push”, “Road To Boston”, and “The Black Velvet Waltz.”

The accomplished fiddler’s travels sponsored by CBC for the armed forces took him to France, Germany, England, Cypress and even behind the Iron Curtain. He managed to get a visa and visited his baba in Ukraine, noting that it was a great experience to meet her and that he would love to do it again.

Cherny’s travels also included performing at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in Dauphin in 1967.

As noted in the April 28, 1967, edition of The Dauphin Herald, “Top instrumentalist on radio and television, Al Cherny, selected to be one of the stars of the second annual National Ukrainian Festival.”

His performance later that year inspired several hundred fans to write letters requesting to bring him back for 1968. He also was the feature grandstand entertainer in 1972 and 1974.

Lineups were a common sight for the ninth annual festival. My wife Janice and I attended a grandstand show in 1974. That year it was estimated that over 12,000 people attended the shows with 3,700 on Friday night, 3,800 on Saturday afternoon and 4,000 on Saturday night. Some of the performances included stage and radio performer Joan Karasevich, Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival Choir, Dauphin's Troyanda Singers, various dance troupes including Dauphin’s Zirka Dance Ensemble, Rushnychok, a four-piece band from Montreal, and one of the finest professional fiddlers of the day, Al Cherny.

It was great to see Cherny entertain at the grandstand. “Al is forever smiling and who can’t picture him playing his fiddle. He can play the fiddle in almost any position, behind his back, over his shoulder, under his leg and even with his teeth.”

The audience was very familiar with Cherny’s music, as most had followed him on Gordie Tapp’s Country Hoedown from 1959-65, as well as The Tommy Hunter Show. Hunter’s show initially aired in 1965 and Cherny regularly appeared on it until his death in 1989.

Personally, it brought back memories of a Friday night television ritual watching Cherny perform fiddle tunes on the black and white television set in my parent’s living room.

By Ed Stozek
For the Herald

Kindergarten is a German word translated as a “children’s garden’ and refers to a place where children are nurtured and allowed to grow at their own pace.

In the 19th century the original goal of early kindergarten was to promote the assimilation of newcomer children to life in Canada with provisions including clothing, meals and even shelter.

Throughout the years programs in our education system have evolved. For example, kindergarten programs were offered by organizations or private individuals at a variety of venues. My nephew attended kindergarten classes taught by the minister’s wife at the Plumas United Church.

The Manitoba government first provided grants for kindergarten in 1967 encouraging all school divisions to establish such programing. In 1968 Manitoba Education issued the first kindergarten curriculum guide. Every school division across Manitoba now offers a kindergarten program. Some operate for a full-day everyday while in rural Manitoba some operate on a full day on alternate days. At Cartwright, our grandson Syd attended half-days every day.

Getting ready for school in the morning, learning the alphabet, counting, and playing with other classmates were all part of the of the daily routine for Syd who started kindergarten this past September.

Shortly after he began his scholastic journey I asked him what he liked best about school. He promptly answered, “recess and snacks.” Syd ended up enjoying his year and along with recess and snacks progressed from learning the ABCs to reading age-related books. At his kindergarten graduation he received a certificate indicating that he was a “rocking reader.” In a recent conversation with Syd, he proudly noted some of the books that he had read.

In Dauphin, the Edgar House had an interesting history regarding kindergarten. An advertisement in the Aug. 31, 1939 edition of the Dauphin Herald, announced that Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren were opening their studio at 703 Gartmore (Main) St. North. Along with piano and singing lessons, daily classes in “general kindergarten work for pre-school age” were offered.

The couple had just returned from Toronto having spent the summer at the Royal Conservatory of Music. That September, six five-year-old students were enrolled with Mrs. Dalhgren for piano lessons held twice a week. From that original class, Mrs. Dahlgren soon developed a daily kindergarten program with classes in the morning and afternoon.

It became a very successful venture. “The big white Dalhgren house on Dauphin’s Main Street has been ringing with the sounds and noises of children every school day for thirty years. It wouldn’t have gone for thirty years were it not for the enthusiasm of every new class. It was exciting for children to learn to play and get along with other children so that they would be prepared socially for formal schooling.” (April 2, 1969, Dauphin Herald)

Daily routine included the children sitting in desks for part of the time, doing informal reading and learning to recognize words. They also learned songs, listened to stories, honed their co-ordination skills by using scissors for cut-outs and colouring with crayons. They also played games, exercised, had rest periods, snacks and were sometimes allowed to go upstairs to watch Mr. Dress-Up on television. Occasionally Mr. Dalhgren told them stories.

Mrs. Dalhgren’s kindergarten program changed and developed over the years but one thing that remained constant since the early years was the annual production presented at Christmas and in June.

Music was a very important component of the kindergarten program. Mrs. Dalhgren felt that music helped the children develop their sense of rhythm and time. The productions included performing Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, or Snow White.

My wife Janice recalled that her mother enrolled her midway through the school year. She ended up practicing for the Snow White production and noted that the students wore elaborate costumes when the operetta was presented to the public.

Today we can reflect upon some of the differences between the past and present programs and especially at some of the similarities that have stood the test of time.

After attending daily kindergarten classes Syd was looking forward to summer holidays. He was also excited at the prospect of starting Grade 1 in September.