Saint John's School of Alberta » News

Alumni Passes Away

Barbara McKay — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:38:59 +0000

Stephen in "historical costume" circa 1980's

Quite suddenly, on Saturday January 21, 2012 alumnus Stephen Whistance-Smith (laundry # 408) passed away. Stephen was a student at St. John’s from 1973 – 1975. Notification of his passing came from his brother Douglas (1980-1983 laundry #798). We express our condolences to the family as they grieve their loss.

Alumni Parent Passes Away.

Barbara McKay — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:38:21 +0000

On December 16, 2011 John Zigarlick; alumnus Rory Zigarlick’s (AG 1981) father passed away. When Rory was in the school, his Dad was president of Echo Bay Mines, and was always there to lend a hand to us when our canoe trips were in the north. On many occasions he arranged for the brigades to fly out of Yellowknife on the company plane.

Our condolences go out to his family.

See the article on John Zigarlick from the Edmonton Journal.

SJCBS Photos from the ’60′s

Barbara McKay — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:03:03 +0000

We received some great old photos from an alumni. They include pictures from the 1967 Grande Portage canoe trip; as well as the student body photos from the years 1964 through to 1969. They are posted on our Picasa page at this link:

Or you can scroll to the bottom of any page on this website and click on the Picasa icon in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Check out the story of how St.John’s Discovered the Use of Canoes

Barbara McKay — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:14:31 +0000

While researching material for our history book, we came upon an article from the early days of the school. It is an interesting story about how and when canoes were first used by the school.

Click here to read the story, taken from the 1966 SJCBS yearbook.

Or, click on Stories in the top menu bar.

Enjoy the read.

Our St. John’s Community Loses Another Founding Member

Barbara McKay — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:16:37 +0000

Nancy Wiens

In the early hours of September 13, 2011, Nancy Wiens (wife of founding father Frank Wiens) surprised us with her passing. Nancy was 87, but was still living on her own and determinedly independent to the last. Nancy along with Frank and Ted and Virginia Byfield began the adventure of the St. John’s Schools back in 1957. She worked as the school nurse and administrative office assistant. Along with the school adventure; Nancy raised 10 children and in later years enjoyed her 23 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. In her retirement years she gave her time to volunteer activities in the Selkirk community; as a member of the Rotary Anns, working at the Selkirk Food Bank and the secondhand clothing shop ‘the House of Economy”. She was predeceased by her husband Frank in May of 2010.

Funeral services will be held at St. Peter’s Parish, Dynevor, in the old stone church near East Selkirk on Monday, September 19th at 3:00pm. Interment will follow immediately in the cemetry.

A complete obituary can be seen in the Winnipeg Free Press

Re-Living the Methye Portage

Barbara McKay — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:10:23 +0000

Methye Crew 2011

In mid-August several Manitoba alumni and their children tackled the Methye portage. They began at the bridge on highway 955 north of La Loche and traveled on the Clearwater River west to the portage. Yes, that’s right they did the portage backwards.

The weather and bugs cooperated to make it a memorable trip. Included in the crew are; Richard Bird SJCBS ’67, Jim McKay SJCBS ’67, Mike Solmundson SJCBS ’79 and his sons Kyle and Kevin, and Danny Lynes SJCBS ‘ 80.

New Photos Added to Picasa Gallery

Barbara McKay — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:36:53 +0000

Interschool Dog Race 1977

For those students who participated in the February 1977 Inter school dog sled race, we came across the pictures taken on the race. Scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the icon on the far right to see the album “1977 Inter school Dog Sled Race” in our Picasa albums. (Or click here)

Refurbished Father Sargeant Canoe Launched!

Barbara McKay — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:03:19 +0000

After a few years of work, the Father Sargeant was re-launched! When the Alberta school closed, Rod Coates (SJCBS #175) bought some of the canoes – one being the Father Sargeant. He has been working on the canoe for a few years, and and this summer the refurbished canoe was launched. Rod’s family paddled around the lake and then took some video. Bow to stern and then port to starboard in the video are; Jason Coates (1122SJSA), D’arcy Coates, Alex Coates, Sandie Coates (sunglasses), Lorraine Coates, Elise Coates, and Rod Coates (175SJCBS).

Click here to see video of the Refurbished Father Sargeant

Memory Monday – Dog Crew

Barbara McKay — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:00:58 +0000

Friends at the Kennel

In an earlier Memory Monday, many of the comments about your favourite crew work centered around the dog crew. From working in the kennel looking after the daily needs of the dogs to taking them out for walks and riding on the sleds on trips.

Send in your dog crew stories. Who was your favourite dog, dog trip or crew experience?

Click on the title and scroll down to submit your story.

Former SJCBS Headmaster Passes Away

Barbara McKay — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:44:07 +0000

Bruce Handford

Suddenly on Friday July 15, 2011 the former Headmaster of St. John’s Cathedral Boys’ School, Bruce Handford passed away. Bruce was associated with the school for 20 years, and was the headmaster until 1990. A natural teacher, he was able to inspire students not only in the classroom but also in the outdoor program, sports program and in debating issues. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

To see the official obituary click on this link.

http://www.passagesmb.com/obituary_details.cfm?ObitID=180513