Category: Our Stories

Museum, Our Stories

The Lake or Bust

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

TOMAHAWK PARK: PART 2 (OF MANY)

While the Cut Knife Rodeo Tomahawk Association was being formed, and tourism opportunities researched and discussed, the community was also fundraising for a building to house Clayton McLain’s collections. In July 1969, the Cut Knife Odd Fellows Lodge sponsored a Walkathon, one of many efforts carried out over the next few years, that led to the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum opening in 1971 on the Canada Day weekend.

In the face of an early morning downpour, muddy roads and threatening skies, 47 participants turned out to compete in the walkathon from Cut Knife to Atton’s Lake, a distance of 13 miles on July 6. The proceeds will initiate a fund to move the Ovenstown School from Cloan to Cut Knife.

It is a project of the Cut Knife Odd Fellows Lodge to have a district Museum to house the collection of mementoes of early life and settlement in the Cut Knife and Riding Hills, collected by the late Clayton McLain. The Ovenstown School, itself a fitting reminder of the earliest days of settlement in the Rockhaven – Cloan district and in later years serving the congregations of the United Church, was donated to house the exhibits. The site in the park area on the west side of town has been donated by the town, and will make an admirable setting for such a building…

A total of $1679.50 was raised in pledges…

~ from the Highway 40 Courier: Thursday, July 10, 1969 (page 5)

the lake or bust, july 1969 walkathon fundraiser
A walk-a-thon, with proceeds for the Cut Knife Museum fund, was held July 6 with walkers travelling the 13 gravelled miles from Cut Knife to Atton’s Lake. Recent rains made cool, and in some places rather muddy conditions for the participants. Among those completing the walk were Mrs. Vilda Laing, Gerald Hardy, Sylvia and Trevor McLain, Gordon Weikle of Cut Knife also arrived at his destination, travelling the miles the hard way, pushing wheel barrow and daughter over the bumpy miles.

Don’t miss an installment of this local story. Click the FOLLOW button in the right side bar. Then enter your email address to receive post notifications.

To be continued…

~ Debbie M.

Museum, Our Stories

Wild Rodeo

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

TOMAHAWK PARK: PART I (OF MANY)

Last year, about this time, we received a research request into the origins of the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum. Ultimately, the information we provided will contribute to a research paper on the development of Saskatchewan museums prior to the mid-1970s. The CMMM’s origin story, in and of itself, is interesting but factor in a giant Tomahawk and a rodeo…

Well, many of us don’t really know the history of the World’s Largest Tomahawk or why it’s in our backyard. So, let’s go back to 1969, to a front page article in the Highway 40 Courier.

Highway 40 Courier: Thursday, October 2, 1969
Cut Knife Goes Western With Wild Rodeo, Front page

There is no way to learn how to hold a rodeo, other than holding one, and that is precisely what this town is planning to do. The rodeo will be held October 21 and 22.

It has set its sights high, at creating one of the top rodeos in western Canada, but that goal is still in the future.

This year, the community will be content to hold an indoor event, attracting amateur cowboys from the province, and letting it grow from there.

The idea hatched out of a discussion of the lack of attractions Cut Knife had for the tourists. Someone suggested a giant tomahawk and while that project is somewhat in the future, a rodeo was suggested for this year.

An association was set up with Ken Sayers as president, and other members being Irwin Blanchette, Jim Wettlaufer, Herman Stang, Gordon Weikle, and Bill Ross, who chair the meetings.

Mr. Sayers and Mr. Blanchette looked into the possibility of holding a rodeo, and the result is the indoor event, this month.

It is being held under the Canadian Amateur Cowboy Association and the stock is being brought in by Vern Franklin, of Marwayne, who supplies the animals for Meadow Lake.

Whereas one of the problems for most communities is to get public support, it hasn’t happened in Cut Knife, where everyone is doing his or her bit for the big show…

Thousands of souvenir “wooden nickels” will be manufactured and redeemed during the days of the rodeo…

Included in the rodeo will be saddle and bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer decorating, ladies’ barrel racing and midget calf riding.

It promises to be a big and exciting rodeo with much to see and do.”

~ from the Highway 40 Courier: Thursday, October 2, 1969 (page 1)

world's largest tomahawk, in winter, sign reading cut knife rodeo tomahawk association
“Cut Knife Rodeo Tomahawk Association” sign supporting the Tomahawk’s handle

Don’t miss an installment of this local story. Click the FOLLOW button in the right side bar. Then enter your email address to receive post notifications.

To be continued…

~ Debbie M.

map of railways circa 1970s
Our Stories

Rockhaven Retirement

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

FAYE ROWAT RETIRES 1983 – 2024

The original Post Office was Ovenstown (32-42-20-W3) from 1905 – 1912, named after pioneer homesteader Dr. Robert Ovens. In 1912, the Post Office moved to SW5-43-20-W3. There are 3 stories circulating about how Rockhaven got its name: 2 involve a town in Ontario and the other centers on the Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone. In any case, Faye Rowat’s retirement from Rockhaven’s Post Office may mark the end of an era.

on left 40 year anniversary cake, on left retirement gift aerial photo
Left: Cake celebrating 40 years as Postmistress; Right: Faye Rowat receiving retirement gift from Randy Strelioff

Faye was born and raised in the village of Rockhaven, probably within 500 feet of where she lives today. She, and her husband Don, raised two boys and when the boys were almost ready to leave the nest, Faye became the Postmistress of Rockhaven and area.

They added a porch onto the house and mailboxes were installed. There’s a partition with a wicket across the porch so the customers would have access to their boxes from one side and the workings of the post office in behind. Faye served the community for forty years. She was absolutely committed to her duties; in all the time I’ve known her, I don’t think she missed a day of work. She knows everyone, and their cousins, and all the family interrelationships, and knows pretty much everyone’s birthday by memory. She would phone or text you if you had a parcel which is a service you don’t expect nowadays. 

She’ll be replaced by a superbox, no doubt, but it won’t be the same. About fifty people came to the Cut Knife Seniors Center on Saturday to recognize her service and wish her a happy retirement.

submitted by Randy Strelioff

~ Debbie M.

Royal Bank calendar 1963
Archives, Museum, Our Stories

Calendars for a New Year

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

“SPONSORED CONTENT” BELOW

CMMM’s current display in the Cut Knife Library features vintage calendars from former area businesses and from a few companies still operating today. Years represented range from the mid-1920’s to the late-1970’s. As marketing materials and as customer appreciation items, these sponsored calendars were a useful tool for families and also provided easily accessible contact information. Many also featured beautiful art work, photography and / or typesetting. Here are a few examples.

Raymond’s General Merchandise & Coal Dealer, Carruthers, 1924
W. Wettlaufer, Oliver Farm Equipment Sales & Service, Cut Knife, 1941
Cut Knife Pharmacy, L. I. Forest, Prop, Chemist & Druggist, 1949
Elgar Coffee Bar, Home Cooked Meals, Cut Knife, 1962
Jack Parkinson & Family, Your Imperial Oil Agent, Cut Knife, 1978

These calendars and in fact, all of our Library exhibits, are best viewed in person as the overhead lighting and the limitations of the glass cases make for poor photos. To browse the complete exhibit which includes another dozen calendars, visit 113 Broad Street.

~ Debbie M.

patterson's freshpack chocolates
Archives, Museum, Our Stories

Winding Up “Prairie Christmas”

Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

SERIES LINKS | BOOKS FOR SALE | MORE MEMORIES

patterson's freshpack chocolates
Patterson’s Freshpack Chocolates

Seasonal exhibit now on display in the Cut Knife Library, 113 Broad Street.

Sending out our appreciation to all the blog readers, and Facebook friends who read, and shared, and commented (and liked and loved) this series of posts. Thank you so much!

In case you missed any of the Prairie Christmas posts, links are here:

All excerpts taken from Prairie Christmas: A Collection of Stories and Recollections published as A Clayton McLain Memorial Museum Project, Cut Knife, Saskatchewan 2006 – 2007.

We have 4 copies of Prairie Christmas remaining. We accept e-transfers to cmmmcutknife@gmail.com, cheques and cash. Arrangements can be made to pick up in Town. Shipping costs are extra. Visit the Gift Shop here. Email first to confirm availability.

A few additional memories submitted by our readers:

In response to the question, “Folks, looks like CK’s Santa Claus Day may have started back in the 1950’s. That’s ** 70 ** years ago! Anyone reading this able to confirm?” Robert R Loranger replied:

Have fond memories of Santa day, there were four of us children, our family was poor and treats were not plentiful, so the bag of candy and the picture show in the old theater was a big day. I know it is seventy plus years. Thank you to the Elks for keeping it going all these years. Has made many good memories for many children over the years. There is still a Loranger living in Cut Knife and that is five generations, soon to be six. Merry Christmas everyone.

Facebook, December 21, 2023
Actors: Lorraine Bertrand, Herb Wilkinson, Kay Buglas

Lorraine (Bertrand/Birstein) Martin: Christmas Concerts were always a favourite time for us as we grew up. What child does not like Christmas Concerts?


All the Gallivan school teachers would start looking for Christmas skits, poems and songs, in late November. We would be assigned to a part and practicing would begin in December. We looked forward to the night of the concert. Many parents assisted with the preparation and goody bags. Each child got some little toy along with the candy, nuts and a Christmas orange. Santa Claus was the biggest hit when we would try to guess which farmer was under the beard.

When I was in grade nine, Peggy Durant, the public school teacher, taught a few of us girls to tap dance. We learned a few steps and were ready to perform at the Christmas concert. Our performing costume was a short skirt made of coloured crepe paper with a rope of silver trim on it. Peggy (Margaret) Ovens, Bernice Gallivan and I danced the routine of “time steps, break, tap back, touching steps, heel steps, turning steps, heel step left, heel step right”. We were watched and chuckled at by the male population who stood in the back of the hall as we bounced our mature forms with every step.

The Gallivan high school students put on a play under the direction of Mr. Wilkinson. It was named, “Our Dream House”. We spent several evenings at the Hall practicing. We also performed it at one of the 4-H Club events.

from Notes and Clippings: It all Started in Saskatchewan, page 25

~ Debbie M.