麻豆传媒AV

The United Commercial Travelers of America started in the United States Jan. 16, 1888. The local chapter, the North Battleford Council No. 645, started Jan. 17, 1923 and the North Battleford Ladies' Auxiliary formed in 1928.

Guest nights better known as "amateur hours" were held in surrounding communities like Edam, Glaslyn, Hafford, Paradise Hill, Wilkie and others. The performance was broadcast over CJNB radio. Local singers and musicians had the opportunity to perform on the radio. Everyone had a radio, but few had a TV and reception was poor quality at best. TV came to Saskatoon in 1954 and reliable television came years later. The UCT shows became very popular and supported the cancer fund.

On most nights about 15 to 20 individuals or groups would perform in each community. Parents, relatives and friends would pledge money to their favourite group. The group who collected the most money during the show received a cash prize and the opportunity to perform in North Battleford at the armoury building at 702 - 102nd St. (Edward Street) at the "annual final." The first finals of UCT CJNB Guest Night was thought to have occurred on June 2,1959. CJNB started broadcasting on Jan. 28 1947, on channel 1240 and then changed to channel 1460 in 1951.

The $75 dollar first prize in 1959 was more than most people earned in a week.

The program from district points was carried over telephone company long distance lines. In some locations with only one long distance line, long distance calling was postponed until after the amateur hour was completed. The announcer would call each group to the stage. Each performer would give their name, they would also be asked if they wanted to say hello to friends or relatives. One five-year-old girl said "I want to say hello to my brother Fred, where ever he is!" Eldon Elliott and Alex Johnson were two of the CJNB announcers who worked on these broadcasts.

UCT members who attended all shows were John Black, Charlie Matthews and Stan Rowlands. Some other members who worked on amateur hours were Panos Antaniades, Lyle Abbott, John Bain, Jim Barbour, George Biggs, Jack Calvert, Alf Cashmore, Harvey Elliot, Jerry Feschuk, Al Freeman, Don Grant, Ron Hill, Bob Irwin, Jake Krause, Jack Lamon, Bill Lloyd, Hugo Martin, Ken Richardson, Ray Schell, Jack Schneider, Larry Tatchell and Ray Thompson and others.

All communities were competitive. If Mary Jo raised $22, Joe Blow raised $20 and Billie Beet raised $25, soon Joe's family and friends would pledge more money, This was repeated numerous times. Most programs were in a community hall, and after a few visits to the community watering hole, money flowed freely to all contestants.

All contestants performed several times during the evening. UCT announcer would say, the program last week, had raised a couple of hundred dollars more. Soon it was not a competition between individual performers it was a competition between towns. Add a little alcohol and pledges increased.

Some of these shows lasted past 2 a.m. Thousands of dollars were raised for cancer which has affected most families. Many performers had their moment of fame, performing on CJNB radio.

Past Grand Counsellors from North Battleford UCT 645:T.H. Board 1934; J.W. Moffat 1940; C.H. Matthews 1959; Al Choque 1973; Herb Knoll 1984; Don Salie 2005; and John Welykochy 2008

Thanks to Don Salie and John Welykochy for the information.