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My Take on Snow Lake - May 6, 2016

Snow Lakers have left their mark at home and beyond

As has been the case since time eternal, one story begets another. They are usually a contest of “one-upmanship,” that hold a common thread within the topic. You know the kind I’m talking about … when you tell a story and then someone adds to it, usually beginning with the words: “Oh ya, well that’s nothing!”

Well, of late, a number of stories have appeared in Snow Lake’s local paper (the Underground Press) which were spurred by a story in the previous issue(s). They aren’t really stories based on “going one better” or embellishing the facts, but they all hold one point of origin or foundation … Snow Lake.

Most folks have heard the old adage, nature versus nurture. You know, how one’s DNA or physical and mental makeup forms them into what they are, as opposed to the surroundings or atmosphere that they are brought up in. Well, the argument can be made for either, but I think it is a little of both.

Snow Lake, many would agree, is a gem nestled in a remarkable province and situated within the confines of a magnificent country. Life here for most is a treat. There is the freedom that allows everyone to roam anywhere; the safety of neighborhoods filled with people who have one another’s backs; the seasonal beauty and recreation of the lakes; the abundant resources that provide a living; the fish, flora, and fauna which provide us with pastimes; and the lifelong friendships that evolve from experiencing it all with your buddies. It’s a lifestyle that produces a viable and variable stock; our children … and the community has been doing this for people since 1947, when the town first sprouted roots.

Snow Lake has never boasted a population greater than 2,200; that was our peak in 1979-80, when we had numerous mines feeding a spanking new mill. We had over 500 kids in the school, a Main Street full of cars, a bank that saw lineups run out its doors, and a bar that was full of revellers on nearly any night of the week. It has seen a few high points since that era, and more than its share of lows, but through it all we have produced generations of young folks who have gone on to accomplish some amazing things in this world. They all have one thing in common: they are from Snow Lake and when asked, they remember where they came from!

Just for a moment, take a look back at some of the talent this town has produced:

On the social, medical, science and education front, there is Dr. Tom Hobman who is a professor of cell biology and associate dean of research facilities in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta, as well as being the Canada research chair in RNA viruses and host interactions. Dr. Debra Isaac is a clinical professor, specializing in echocardiography within the cardiac sciences department at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta. There’s Dr. Joe Tomkowicz, a doctor of veterinary medicine at the Animal Medical Centre in Edmonton. Activist and advocate Leslie Spillett is the executive director of Ka Ni Kanichihk. Bryan Grimmelt is an analytical chemist and biologist, who has worked as a senior chemist for toxicology and analytical services at the University of Prince Edward Island, as well as a lab manager for Technology Crops International PEI and Phenomenone in Saskatoon. Dr. Rick Robinson is an environmental scientist who operates parts of the water and wastewater system in Calgary. Dr. Eugene Kowch is an associate professor of adaptive learning organizations at the University of Calgary, annd Shannon Harris is a limnologist/biologist with the B.C. provincial government

In entertainment and arts there is Randy Booth, who was a masterful songwriter and bassist, a Juno Award winner and a member of such bands as Eagle and Hawk, Idol Eyes, Harlequin and Les Pucks. Jimmy Guiboche is a premier blues guitarist and much sought-after session player. Dayn Armsworthy and Lyle Leclair are both on the cusp of eminence in their own Edmonton area bands: Armsworthy in Corvus the Crow and Leclair in Big Electron. Kendra Slugoski is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience at Global Edmonton. Randy Crone is an extraordinarily talented poet with two books of prose under his belt. Michelle Grimmelt’s book The Aura of the North reminded us all of what it actually felt like to grow up here and why we love it so much. Audrey Casey, Joan Currie, Wendy Provins, Elaine McAuley, Janelle Leclair, and Alice Shipowich … people who were, and are, all fabulous artists.

Those who got their start in Snow Lake and made it count in the corporate world include Bill Forsyth, who turned a childhood and education in Snow Lake into a position as technical director of growth and innovation with Rio Tinto. There’s Gary Halverson who went from his first upper management position as the general manager of New Britannia Mine and moved on to become chief operating officer with Barrick Gold, then chief executive officer of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Richard Trudeau began as an HBM&S Planner in Snow Lake and is now manager of Flin Flon and Snow Lake Mines for Hudbay. And Ben Grimmelt is the west division manager with one of Western Canada’s largest paving contractors, E Construction Ltd.

In sports, there is Wayne Fleming (born here) who served as assistant coach in the National Hockey League for the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. Ken Baird laced them up and laid them out with the California Golden Seals, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Cowboys and Winnipeg Jets. Cal Hammond was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1970, acquired by the American Hockey League’s Cleveland Barons in 1971 and then eventually signed by the Minnesota North Stars, where he backed up Cesare Maniago. Rick Semeniuk is a major league referee and commissioner of the NJHL. Gary Gaudet still holds 10th place in scoring within the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and points, goals and assist records with the Weyburn Red Wings. Joe Milburn, Shane Holunga and Lem Randall all played NCAA Division 1 hockey in the states. Hilton Wood is the physical fitness program co-ordinator for the Winnipeg Police Service. And of course my own kids who have all done so well.

Hey, and let’s not forget some of the homegrown talent that stayed behind! People like Gerard and Roxane Lamontagne, Chris and Tyler Samborski, Brenda Forsyth, Clarence Fisher, Kelly Wiwcharuk, Terry Hornyak and Jill Arpin: people who have worked, and continue to work, so hard to take our community to another level. And Bev Taylor, Garry Zamzow, Kayla Ryan, Wanda Huff, and Lars Stoltz, whose artistry has remained here for all of us to enjoy.

Nature or nurture brings to mind the chicken-and-egg scenario, where we ponder over which one came first, or if one begat the other. All I know is that Snow Lake has been good for a great many people over the years and that they are perpetuating this … by teaching their own children, while spreading their wondrous talents and remarkable abilities throughout our community, our country, and beyond. 

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