Spring has Arrived

Now that spring appears to be on it’s way, all of us are thinking how best to celebrate it’s arrival. On June 9, 2012, we will be hosting our 4th Annual “Last Spring Fling” at Saint John’s.  As with the past three celebrations; we look forward to seeing old friends and sharing an evening of camaraderie and memories.

We have an additional reason to gather – to say a farewell to Blaine Thauberger who will be moving to B.C in the summer. Blaine has been on staff with us since the early 1980′s and has been invaluable to us as we continue to move through the new phase in the Saint John’s story. We will miss Blaine, and invite you to come out to share in our farewell to him. Bring your favourite “Blaine” story to share around the fire.

The evening will begin with a Compline service at 5:00pm followed by a potluck supper, hosted at the McKay’s. Other items to bring are a lawn chair and your own refreshments.

If you are able to come, please contact us at 780-701-5625 or bmckay@sjsa.ab.ca. We look forward to seeing you on June 9th. Send this email on to a friend who might not have heard about our get together.

Sample Front Cover

Check out the “sneak peek” of our history book. Click on the link on the right hand side of our home page.

Dave Leach and Michael Owen - 2012 (Grad Class 1982)

Our condolences go out to his family.

See the  article on John Zigarlick from the Edmonton Journal.

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.

Canadians at a Mexican Wedding

On November 19, 2011 Rodrigo Anaya (SJSA 92-95) wed his fiancee Alejandra in San Juan Cosala (a small town south of Guadalajara located on Lake Chapala).  The service took place in a beautiful church built in 1740.

From the church the reception moved east to Ajijic, the venue was located on a hill overlooking Lake Chapala.  True to Mexican tradition the party carried on well into the night with great food and much dancing.

There were a few Canadian SJSA alumni in attendance (Mike & Kristin Jaskiw, Keith & Barbara McKay and Jay Berg). As well, there were a few Mexican SJSA alumni (Juan Carlos Munoz (’86-’88) his wife Cintili, Juan Pablo Anaya and Diego de Anda).  It was wonderful to meet Rodrigo and Ali’s families and to share in their special day.

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

Or, click on Stories in the top menu bar.

Enjoy the read.

(A story taken from the SJCBS yearbook of 1966)

“Don’t expect great things from me,” said Dr. John P. Norquay. “I’m not young anymore, you know, and besides you’re using the wrong boats.”

It was July, 1960, and the doctor was discussing the proposed 400-mile expedition from The Pas, Manitoba, to Winnipeg by rowing cutter. The school needed another man for the trip and had approached the doctor. Though over 50, he certainly looked tough enough.

The doctor, a veterinary inspector with the federal department of agriculture whose son was in the school, had agreed to come, but not without first protesting the type of boat then used by the school. The rowing cutters, he said, were ungainly, slow and European.

“What you need are canoes. They are the beautiful craft – long, light, fast and incidentally genuinely Canadian. One of the days you’re going to discover them.”

Having said this, he threw himself into the expedition with all his enthusiasm. It proved to be one of the school’s toughest. He endured mosquitoes so thick in the Summerberry marshes that he boys and men had to wrap towels around their faces as they prepared their camp. On a height above the old Demicharge Rapid, he astonished the crew by hoisting an 80-pound wet tent up a 60-foot cliff to a camp site.

Twice severe storms on Lake Winnipeg drove the cutters ashore, the second time onto the rocks of Wicked Point. Here “Old Doc”, as the boys called him, leapt out of the boat into the surf and helped brace the cutter against the waves as the crew unloaded it.

Each morning he was up before his youngsters, got the fire going and then awakened the crews with the same refrain: “It’s daylight in the swamp, gentlemen.”

When one of the two boats was damaged at Wicked Point, Doc Norquay volunteered to remain behind in charge of a stranded crew on short rations as the sailing boat St. Peter came north to pick them up. The other cutter pushed on and eventually reached Winnipeg.

The cutters, said the doctor later, were better boats then he thought. But he’d still stick with canoes and he thought the school should do the same.

Last November at Winnipeg General Hospital Dr. John Prichard Norquay died of cancer. He was 57. During his year-long illness there had been a pathetic incident.

Unknown to the school, the doctor had moved into a home in St. Norbert on the banks of the Red River. Here for months he fought his last fight. One fine June evening, he lay on a cot watching the old river when suddenly from far upstream he heard singing voices. Within minutes nine canoes appeared before him. He pulled himself to his feet and made his way to the edge of the river, waving his hand and softly calling.

But the wind was on the water and the paddlers didn’t hear. Some waved back but none knew who it was. Moments later they were gone.

They’d missed Doc Norquay’s last salute. But as he beheld those long, low craft, the joyful swing of the paddles, the yellow gleaming in the evening sun and the cross blazing on every bow, he knew at least that the day had finally come. St. John’s had discovered the canoe.

The group included Dave Hunt, Sean Freeland – new students together in 1983, Cam Hawrish – new in 1985, Jay Berg – new in 1992, (these guys are featured in the photo gallery); also Charles McKay – new in 1997, along with Blaine Thauberger – new in 1976, Keith McKay – new in 1963 (SJCBS) and a friend of Sean’s, Fran Tully. (Some pictures shown in the gallery below.)

What are your ideas to continue the ‘living memories”? Send in an idea and get in touch with your classmates to see if any of them want to participant in a new outdoor adventure.