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WILKIE — The Press-Herald paper and SASKTODAY.ca website have carried many great stories from Wilkie in 2021. Here is a year in review from this community.

In January Wilkie learned the Government of Saskatchewan was providing $200,000 for the construction of a new group home for Prairie Branches in Wilkie that would become home to five people with intellectual disabilities.

Would the third time be charm for Wilkie’s Hockeyville bid? Wilkie placed top 10 in 2017 winning $25,000 and in 2019, the community placed in the top four, which garnered them $25,000 in prize money and an additional $50,000 when Brett Wilson, kicked in $25,000 and enlisted another Saskatchewan business to do the same. The 2019 win also earned Wilkie Minor Hockey $10,000 in equipment along with a big delivery of Kraft Heinz products for their food bank.

January saw the change of ownership for a longtime Wilkie business when owner, Don Delainey, handed over the keys of Wilkie Auto Repair to his son Chris and wife Sharisse and family, and son Mark.

After beginning employment at the arena in Wilkie in January of 1981, Daryl Glackin celebrated 40 years as a mainstay employee in this community recreation venue.

After a devastating December for Wilkie seniors' centres due to a COVID-19 outbreak, the community rallied to lead a parade letting the residents of these facilities know they are missed and truly loved by Wilkie residents. The event also paid tribute to the six residents at Poplar Courts who succumbed to COVID-19.

In February, an interesting project in Scott was featured. Gerein’s Greenhouse showcased their taste of the tropics, growing bananas, pineapple and other tropical plants.

Wilkie’s Kevin Glessing entered the Calgary curling bubble as an official for the Tim Horton’s Brier and the World Men’s Curling Championships. Glessing experienced no hurdles in the first event, however a later COVID scare presented a much different experience. Glessing was also part of the Olympic Curling Trials held in Saskatoon in late November and early December.

Melissa Cey was one of the women featured in the annual agriculture issue in a special section devoted to women in agriculture.

St. James CWL honoured some milestone memberships. Evelyn Germsheid has served a remarkable 65 years with the organization, while Lois Weber has served 60 years. Forty-year acknowledgment went to Georgine Thomas while Rita Hansen and Charlotte Hartter were recognized for 35 years of service. Pat Exley was the lone 30-year recipient, while four women earned 25-year recognition ‑ Gina Keller, Tracie Mann, Cheryl Miller and Vivian Sieben.

Wilkie’s application for solar panel project funding was approved and the project was to be completed by Dec. 31 of 2021. The Town of Wilkie applied to the Investing in Canada, Infrastructure Grant, submitted through the Saskatchewan government, and once approved was sent to the federal government for approval. The application was made to help reduce operational expenses leaving the town roughly 27 per cent of the cost, or $135,000, to cover.

Former Wilkie hockey product, Kailee Skinner, was part of the NCAA frozen four, setting sights on a national title, playing for the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs women's hockey team.

The May report from Wilkie Fire Department showcased how busy this division of protective services had been because of the prolonged dry weather. The WFD reported seven grass/brush fires along with their regular training practices. Just to give residents an idea of what kind of commitment WFD members put in, there was a total of 169 firefighting hours served in May.

McLurg’s Taylor Wakelin earned a national award for her Remembrance Day entry that would grant her a trip to the nation’s capital for Remembrance Day services in 2021.

Wanting to do something to raise awareness about residential school atrocities and to honour the memories of the 215 children found buried at a Kamloops, B.C. residential school site, Wilkie councillor Helen Urlacher organized an event in the community. June 10 a candlelight vigil was held at Memorial Park along with children’s shoes being placed on the steps of the nearby Wilkie United Church as a symbol of remembrance.

McLurg graduation, like other area schools, were forced into a second subdued celebration that included a community parade.

Second half of 2021 provides more great Wilkie stories

The Brewers finished top in the NSRBL regular season before playoffs began and they captured the 2021 Senior AA Tier 2 Provincial Championship in North Battleford Aug 8, defeating the Parkland Pirates in the final 13-7.

After taking a one-year hiatus, Wilkie would once again have a car show, this time called the Wilkie Show 'n' Shine. “It was a great thing to happen in Wilkie and something that was sorely missed last year. With restrictions lifting in July, it was an easy decision to get the ball rolling again,” says co-organizer, Phil Heilman.

The Pegasus Project took a turn in Wilkie drawing attention to fundraising for STARS Air Ambulance service.

Tired of waiting, a petition began to garner attention to the fact Wilkie’s health centre no longer has an ER. The SHA announced as of June 21, 2021, emergency and outpatient services would be suspended until further notice. Lab, X-ray and community services were available by appointment only. The reason was stated to be in response to the pandemic and the need to fully cohort staff to ensure the health and safety of patients, residents, employees and physicians. The layout of the Wilkie and District Health Centre and current staffing levels required a temporary consolidation of resources to care for long-term residents.

It was exciting to see McLurg football back in action, even ensuring a dramatic win in their opening game. However due to small numbers, injuries and some isolation requirements the team was forced to cancel their participation in the remainder of high school football season.

The Wilkie Motel held a grand opening under new ownership after an extensive renovation process.

St. James Roman Catholic Church completed a major renovation project. Built in the mid 1950s, the building saw the wear and tear of time. A generous parishioner who had recently passed gave a substantial donation designated for restoration of the exterior of the church. The project included repair and painting of the massive roof and domes, exterior painting plus repair and painting of the three flights of stairs that lead into the building. The cost of the project was approximately $200,000.

Longtime Wilkie Christmas hamper program volunteers John Fenrich, Dave Martin and Henry Gutting stepped down, commended for their dedication and hard work for decades of this organization. Helen Urlacher, Carolyn Eremko, Lauralee Kropf, Suki Pangalia, Andrea Kotzer, Sherri Hanterman and Kim Workneh stepped took over the program.

The McLurg Broncs senior boys' volleyball team won provincial gold capping off a stellar season. Shortly after this win was achieved it was announced that graduating player, Isaiah Mamer, was signed with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s volleyball team. Mamer is the fourth McLurg athlete since 2018 to be signed to U of S athletics.

Wilkie Fire Department was the beneficiary of a $2,500 donation from Viterra in Wilkie that will be earmarked towards equipment updates.

The Wilkie Outlaws finished the first half of the SWHL in top spot, looking to retain the momentum for the second half of the season.