MAIDSTONE — Ratushniak Elementary School pre-K to Grade 3 put on a fantastic concert, “A Hollywood Christmas,” Dec. 14. With two performances (10 a.m. and 7 p.m.), the students and staff entertained large crowds with lively music and lights interspersed with Christmas jokes and ending with everyone singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Good job, Mr. Becotte, on the JBL pro with digital board or, in layman’s terms, wireless sound system. Thank you to all who played a role in the concert and to those responsible for bringing back the show for our community to enjoy.
The children at Grace Community Church presented their Christmas pageant, “Someone Is Coming to Our House,” a story about the birth of Jesus, as part of the church service on Dec. 18. It was a joy to see the young people engaged in this performance celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
Maidstone Museum invites the community to drive or stroll by the museum to enjoy the beautiful decorations. The lights will be on every evening from about 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. MST until early January. Thank you to Joyce Weston and the United Church for allowing us to display the nativity scene built by her late husband, Keith Weston.
Talance Kalmakoff of Maidstone is one of a trio of Battlefords area athletes preparing for Canada Winter Games 2023 in Prince Edward Island and at Crabbe Mountain, N.B. See the separate article on the team in this paper. While Talance has been training hard, she’s also fundraising for their trip. If you would like to support Talance in this endeavour, please contact 306-893-8388.
Thank you to Kristin Becotte for providing me with so much sports info this week. The Junior Boys’ Blue basketball team fought hard but lost 48-23 to Hillmond on Dec. 12. The Junior Girls’ Blue team won their first game with a score of 48-40 against Hillmond. Chelsey Parkinson and Elise Kaltenborn are the junior basketball coaches. The senior girls’ basketball team played in Lashburn Dec. 14 and won. Their coaches are Ruby Fehr and Kaitlin Harman. The senior boys played in Lashburn the same night but lost their game. Kevin Pino is their coach.
In boys’ hockey, the U13 team won their game against Meadow Lake Dec. 17. It was coach Huchy’s 40th birthday so everyone in the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to him. The U11 team coached by Justin Johner won their game the same day. The other U11 team coached by Brennan Becotte won their game 9-6 against Lashburn Dec. 18.
In November, I reported on a few volleyball players who were chosen to play on teams in Lloydminster this winter. Congratulations also to Brooke Wicks playing with the Momentum 13U girls and Sophie Becotte with the Rustlers 16U girls. Practices have just started with tournaments coming up in the new year.
Dreams of a “white Christmas” will certainly come true this year but we could do without the frigid temperatures and winds (every prairie dweller’s dream). Hopefully the weather co-operates so family and friends can enjoy the day together, and perhaps even participate in some outdoor fun. Travel safely and have a blessed Christmas filled with joy and love.
Upcoming Events
• Saturday, Dec. 24 - Transfer site not open.
• Saturday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve Services – Everyone is welcome to attend. Grace Community Church 6:30 p.m.; Maidstone United Church 7 p.m.; St. Andrew’s Anglican Church 7 p.m.; Maidstone Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 28 - Yellowhead Ramblers play at Pine Island Lodge 2 p.m. and Pine Island Suites 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec.3 1 - Transfer site open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 5 - School resumes.
