Yes, I have written about Saskatchewan several times but each time I enjoy different events which all contribute to my appreciation of people there and my journey with them.

The appointed time for the trip was Heritage Days in Veregin July 15 and 16, 2017 but as usual, my schedule includes the Whatshan Jam the weekend before. Oh yes, there was need to ensure that Baunya was operational before the Jam as people would be coming and the notoriety of a Baunya at Whatshan was already inspiring curious people………….will this be for real?

So some of us got onto this on July 01. It was great to se see Larry Jmaieff and Sharon show up for the first time but Larry had already contributed with a donation of a “Chop Saw’, arranged for a Compactor from a friend and provided transport for much needed cedar panelling from Salmo.

I could say similar actions about many volunteers that worked on this project but Larry was the first besides JJ Verigin that came to us from Grand Forks.

We were very successful with all the others, to achieve “substantial completion”. Even my cousin Allan Markin and his wife Patrcia with friends survived the inaugural Baunya along with cousin Lloyd Morozoff on July 14, 2017. The screaming with joy as the cold shower between the benches was activated when others least expected.

Well all that activity, contributed and accentuated my lower back and leg as my “girl friend” Sciatica became a persistent partner that even Kurtis Verigin, our volunteer Massage Master could only temporarily tame before Marilyn and I started on our 64th trip to Saskatchewan that Wednesday, July 12, 2017. Getting in and out of the car almost required a crane to achieve success without too much pain.

Our first stop was the National Doukhobor Heritage Village at Veregin, and we witnessed all the hectic preparations taking place by faithful volunteers and then carried on to Benito, Manitoba to see sister Mary Khadekin. It was great to see again, the last remaining sibling in my family. Her usual remedy for all is “have a shower!”

I did.

The next afternoon became an interesting sequence of events that surpassed my previous challenge to construct 29 International Pavilions at Expo ’86 in Vancouver. Peter Perepolkin from Shoreacres and I were to deliver two (2) 8′ x 4′ mounted posters that would high-lite Veregin from 1929 through to 2017. I will go through the events so that all can understand how complicated things can get:

1. Peter was bringing the printed posters with him to Yorkton and had reserved a rented vehicle in Yorkton upon arrival. The vehicle was not available!
2. The two Alumaboard panels that would receive the posters were shipped from Calgary (there was no closer supply) but never arrived in Veregin. Peter found them in a freight warehouse in Yorkton
3. I was able to establish cell phone contact with Peter and we now needed a pickup to bring Peter, the panels and his posters to Veregin that afternoon so that the completed posters would be available to display for the centennial celebrations that weekend
4. Phil Perepolkin, Curator at the NDHV came to the rescue with the loan of his pickup and off I went to Yorkton
5. I forgot which motel Peter was in and so the solution was to call him. Of course, that is when my cell phone lost power and left me visually checking motels. On the third try, I saw him standing patiently, in front of one.
6. We arrive in Veregin and were relegated to the equipment shed. After finding enough support material we neglected to estimate the dust in the air and soon realized the static conditions and process to adhere the poster to Alumaboard was perfect for all the dust to interfere
7. We looked for another location and requested a move to the dining hall that was already all set for lunch the next day. Thanks Phil for allowing us to set up there
8. Yes the beautiful frames that we made locally, were found to be 3/4″ too small both ways, to fit the completed poster. Okay we will proceed without frames
9. Thanks to the persistence of Peter and Phil, the posters were completed and one temporarily mounted in the Dining Hall. The other was taken to the New Horizons the next day.
10. The frames would be completed in the future
11. I was a wreck physically and literally an impedance rather than an assistance at this time
12. After all that, I had to take Peter back to Yorkton and returned to the Duck Mountain Motel in Kamsack at 1115 hours to find that all my Saskatchewan friends in bed. Of course they were concerned and looking for me but I was only able to answer their texting about 1000 hours when my phone got recharged in my car.

So that was an Oiyayoi all right!

I had made a promise to some of my Brirish Columbia Choir members that I would meet them at the Ramada Inn in Yorkton at 0800 hours, Saturday, so that we could tour the railroad constructed by Doukhobors from Yorkton to Canora (29 miles) back in 1910.

My friend Lawrence Popoff was waiting for me at 0645, Saturday morning so that we could do all this together.

It was great as about 20 choir members were front and center of the Ramada Inn in Yorkton and eager to tour which included Ebeneezer that used to be a stopping place on the former Fort Pelly Trail and then became a commercial part of the Doukhobor project of buildings that included grain elevator and business district. The railway was completed between seeding and harvest so that a mile of trackbed was delivered every day and a half. An amazing feat when one considers no backhoes but horses, oxen, scrapers and about a 1,000 men. The railway is still in use today.

(picture at Ebeneezer here)

This interesting project can be explored in detail in Jonathan Kalmakoff’s Doukhobor Genealogy and my Veregin Story 2017 Appendix.

We carried on to Canora and were able to see some of the remaining buildings that were also part of the original Doukhobor enterprises.

We all took a picture with the Ukrainian Lady statue and her traditional welcome with a loaf of bread (Lasha) on entry to Canora.

This was followed by stopping at the Co-Op store to buy “Hlep Smakum” (Poppy-Seed Roll).

The gang though I was “pulling their legs” but quickly bought out the supply. Delicious! I am sure there will be test baking in British Columbia at some time.

We were able to arrive at the NDHV at 1015 hours in time to inspect their bread baking process after singing “Daraheeya Meinootee” (Precious Moments) to attract the cooks to meet us.

We were ready for the delicious lunch at 1100 of choices:

• Qwass
• Borch
• Bread
• Tarts (Kaleenya, Sasktoon Berry or Strawberry)
• Berry Juice
• Coffee

(Post continues 1540 hours July 29, 2017

It was great to watch all the volunteers as they fed the 280 Registrants that included a large tented addition to the large Assembly Building.

Then it was mobilizing all to the air conditioned buses for a tour of all the Doukhobor Villages in the South Colony that were built by the 3,500 Immigrants starting 1899. Unfortunately, not all the Registrants realized the scope of this tour and so cars and vans followed the buses as Jonathan Kalmakoff identified and quantified the sizes of these villages as we approached them. Using technology, all of us were able to hear Jonathan on FM Radio.

Yes there were sites that were special as that of Peter Verigin (Hospoidnee) burial place in a grove of shrubs just off the former Otradnye Village which was the center of the all villages from an administrative aspect.

Nadjoda Cemetery had a special impact as the burial place for Lebedev was identified. This was our brave reluctant enlisted Doukhobor who led other young men like him to place their bayonetted rifles into the parade ground on that Easter Sunday and declare that they would not bear arms anymore. A significant event as they were severely punished by their commander but defiantly maintained their resolve.

The Choir from British Columbia broke into in a hymn “Speetya Arle Baywetee” (Sleep on Brave Angels)

The tour ended at the site of the original Flour Mill, Brick Factory, Elevator which was the former Doukhobor Industrial Park and then to disembark at the National Doukhobor Heritage Village (NDHV).

(Post continues 1200 hours July 30, 2017)

The evening was celebrated starting a Shishliki Dinner (traditional for Veregin) and vegetarian for those that had preference, followed by performances from the British Columbia and Saskatchewan Choirs. A great time for all those in attendance. It seemed like would not be enough but we had two mysterious ladies that knew everything about life and divulged it all to an appreciative audience.

It was back to the Duck Mountain Inn at Kamsack and another attempt at getting the “gang” together but it was late and the “oldies” needed their rest and so a limited social prevailed as we all needed to be up bright and early for the Sobrania on Sunday.

The walls of the 100 year old “Dom” rang with Russian Psalms again and we all could feel the Quantum Physics of yore entwining with today and all were smiling with rapture to the thrill of the moment. All the material wealth of the World would not compare with the spirituality of the genuine love that was there for all of us to enjoy. This photo was taken on the East side of the “Dom” just after the Sobraniya.

The Blinsi Brunch with all the syrups and topped with fruit and the volunteers again delivering hospitality with their smiles and love. Well, you just had to be there!

Then the singing started again with all choirs participating. We had greetings from the MP Wagantall as well as the MLA, Cheveldayoff, Minister of Sports and Culture in Saskatchewan. Yes time has advanced so now a Doukhobor descendent from Blaine Lake brings greetings from the government in power. A powerful voice in the ruling government.

I had an opportunity to promote Veregin Strory 2017 which is scheduled for publishing in October. It outlines the establishment of Veregin from Doukhobor roots and takes it through the trials and tribulations of the Foreclosures of the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood (CCUB).

The volunteers working on this publication will utilize the grant provided by Allan Markin whose grand parents, all came through Veregin, initially prior to settling in Alberta. all proceeds will become part of the NDHV fund raising efforts to continue their good work.

The farewells were difficult with many as we never know if that may be the last time. Marilyn and I joined Lawrence and Kathy Popoff to have dinner in Yorkton with many of the British Columbia participants. Yes the review of the celebration was very positive as for many, it was their first time visiting Doukhobors in Saskatchewan.

Marilyn and I returned to sister Mary’s “haven” in Benito to try and recover from my ailments. A sister’s TLC is like no other!

I realized that the stress on my body that started on July 01, 2017, needed rest and so I did.

We decided that travelling the shortest route home would be best and so Saskatoon and all our friends would need to wait till next time as we waited for my body to heal until travel could continue again.

This last entry was made 1700 hours, Monday July 31, 2017 by Elmer Verigin