- The town of Creelman was packed over the weekend with hundreds
of old friends who came to relive and remember the past.
- There were cameras flashing, hugs, shouts hello, and surprised
looks on the faces of past and present Creelman residents gathered
in the Creelman Community Complex during registration Saturday.
- One recognizable face was Ethel Pearce, who grew up in Creelman
and taught school in the town for five years. She moved away
in 1963 and now lives in Ogema.
- "I've seen some former students which is nice. They
seem pleased to see me. I'm interested to find out where they
all are now," she said.
- "This was my grade 1 and 2 teacher!" said Lorna
Bossenberry as she ran up to Mrs. Pearce to give her a hug.
- Another "popular attraction" for many Creelman
natives was E. Marguerite Long, who taught in Creelman from 1960-65
and now lives in Radisson, Sask.
- "I see them and I just love them," said the 89
year old of her former students. "They were the best kids
I ever had. Some of my high school students are now in their
50s!"
- Chuck Wilson said it was quite a surprise to see the woman
who taught him in grades 10 and 11 again.
- "She said she had nothing bad to say about me but I'm
sure she was being charitable," he joked.
- Miss Long was named as the Homecoming Queen for the weekend,
while Lyle McKee, a former resident who hadn't been back to Creelman
since he was a little boy, was crowned Homecoming King.
- Ross Hooker travelled all the way from his home in Oshawa,
Ont. to take part in the Homecoming. He lived with his family
in Creelman until age 16 when they moved to Ontario. Even though
he hasn't lived in the community since 1944, something keeps
pulling him back for visits.
- "Where else are you going to find a town like this?
It's such a friendly atmosphere and it's always nice to see the
local guys," said Hooker.
- This year's Homecoming celebration (the last was held in
1971) was the brainchild of a group of local women. They were
sitting around talking at a 25th Anniversary party when the idea
of a class reunion came up. Since the classes were so small,
they weren't sure what years to include. Finally they decided
to go all out with a Homecoming celebration that included everyone.
- The purpose was "to renew old acquaintances and bring
back people to rural Saskatchewan," said Lorna Bossenberry,
who was one of the organizers.
- There were 812 people registered to attend the event, but
close to 900 people showed up.
- During the weekend Creelman School was transformed into a
heritage tour site, with each classroom filled with special memorabilia.
- Ivy Dickie could be found perusing pictures in the country
school display, remembering her days as the teacher of Sequin
School, about 16 kilometres northeast of Creelman.
- "I had over 30 children, all grades up to 10,"
she said.
- One popular room was dedicated to the history of Creelman
School, displaying a table full of pictures that spanned the
decades, as well as old school jackets and uniforms, team banners
trophies, crests and much more.
- Onlooker Eric Loucks checked over the display of memorabilia
from Charlie's Pool Room with a special interest - his dad owned
Charlie's, a popular meeting place which served as the local
pool hall and barber shop in downtown Creelman.
- The Homecoming also included games, music, food, dancing,
a church service and unveiling of the cairn at the cemetery,
and preparation for the Creelman Fair.
- The fair was held Monday celebrating the 95th Anniversary
of the Creelman Agricultural Society.
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