Holiday Tree Lighting 2022
On Thursday, December 1st, Johnston Agencies hosted the 9th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Although the weather outside was frightful for most of the day, by evening the wind had settled down, and about 150 people gathered in person for the festivities, with many more joining the livestream on Facebook thru the Porcupine Plain Holiday Tree Lighting page, where the video is still available.
Nick Wood, Mayor of Porcupine, welcomed the crowd and chatted a bit about the spirit of volunteerism, acknowledging the award that the evening’s host, Johnston Agencies, had received earlier in the year from the Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan for community involvement. Nick then outlined the criteria for being nominated as the “Official Tree Lighter” which includes being an active community member, and someone that carries the spirit of Christmas kindness with them year round.
Estelle Leichert, former resident of Porcupine Plain (now of Saskatoon), then came forward to introduce her friend, fellow volunteer, former employer, and this year’s Tree Lighter, Glenda Kwasney.
In 1982 Glenda started working with Jim’s tax service, and in 1991 became her own boss with Porcupine Accounting. It was a good year to start in the accounting industry because it was the same year that GST was introduced! As a member of the business community, Glenda has done lots of volunteer bookkeeping for the small charities in town, always has an item to donate or time to give to a local fundraiser, and often her office is known as the drop off for many groups. She has served as the Playschool teacher, Sunday School Teacher, member of the Anglican United Church Women’s Group, and Fall Supper organizer. She was very involved in the annual sports day committee for many years as the treasurer and helping to organize and volunteer at the sports day. She has served two terms on the Parkland Co-op Board, and is currently a board member of the Centennial Lodge. Glenda has also been involved with the Larwood Shaw Memorial Swimming Pool Committee since it’s inception, and is helping to bridge the gap of knowledge with the new pool build. She has done books for the pool, wrote grant applications, worked bingos, organized and served farmers market lunches and pretty much every job in between. Glenda has been married to her husband Fred for over 45 years, and has three children and seven grandchildren that she helps whenever she can!
Glenda then lit the tree and was presented with a small lantern as a token of appreciation for her dedication to the community, as well as an ornament that commemorates her as the 2022 Official Tree Lighter. This ornament will hang on “Ornament Row” next to the Christmas tree, along with those of the previous recipients.
Amber Hoffus of Johnston Agencies, event sponsor, then thanked the people involved in the event, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas from the Johnston Agencies Team. The kids in the crowd quickly lined up for sleigh rides, given by Dallas Langevin of Roblin, MB, and the rest of the crowd huddled around the blazing bonfire built by the Porcupine Volunteer Fire Department with the leadership of Retired Fire Chief Dave Hipkins, to drink hot chocolate, eat cookies baked by the Porcupine Comprehensive Food Services classes, and visit with neighbours and friends.
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Sask) Presentation
At a presentation held on December 2nd at the Kelvington Legion Hall, several residents of Porcupine Plain & Area were presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Sask) in recognition of their significant contributions to their communities. The Crown in Canada has a long history of instituting commemorative medals during important years; since the 1935 Silver Jubilee of King George V, commemorative medals have been awarded to recognize all manners of service to Crown and Country, be it at the local, provincial, national or international levels. As part of the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty ascending the throne as Queen of Canada, this long tradition of creating commemorative medals has continued. In the absence of a Federal Platinum Jubilee Medal program, six provinces have established Jubilee Medals of their own, each with the same ribbon, overall design and criteria. The design of the medal was approved by Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle on May 17, 2022.
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Saskatchewan to honour Her Late Majesty for Her service to Canada, while also recognizing the significant contributions and achievements by Saskatchewan citizens. The Porcupine Plain & Area residents honoured on December 2nd included Vernon Armitage, Bobbie-Jean Buchanan, Muriel Cameron, Nino Hernandez, Marilyn Jonas, George Kays, Barry Leier, Tom Lindenback, Danielle Quiring-Webking, as well as Peggy
Looby and Lana Woulfe of Bjorkdale. Collette Bourgonje was also named as a recipient.