A new venture for Watson’s Town Council had people gathered inside the Civic Centre visiting, meeting representatives of the town’s clubs and organizations, and sharing a delicious smokie supper.
The Welcome to Watson BBQ/Meet and Greet was hosted by the Town of Watson, and it gathered many community members and a dozen or so clubs and service agencies, all with members ready and willing to talk about their programming and welcoming new members into the fold.
“We thought as a new council that we would have a barbecue day where we could invite everyone from town – new residents, existing residents – along with a bunch of community clubs to get together so we could actually meet, get to know each other, and give people an opportunity to sign up for new clubs,” said Watson Mayor Bruce Nordick. “The are lots of people who don’t know anybody in town, and we’d love to have more members – we're obviously looking for new volunteers.”
Put two and two together, said Nordick, and you come up with a great early summertime gathering that he predicts will become an annual one.
Among the groups on hand was the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge whose staff and residents are anticipating the eventuality of a new facility. The project is still in the development stage, but the Lodge and its residents continue with their warm and supportive care for patients, along with innovative programming.
“One of the new programs we’ve developed is our adult day program,” explained Riley Haussecker, site manager for the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge. “It’s a program that allows people from the community and the surrounding area to come to the lodge for a day. It helps community members stay in their community and helps their caregivers to have a bit of a break from their loved ones. The care givers are able to get things done and their loved ones have a bit of an outing.”
In anticipation of a new lodge, the Quill Plains Health Foundation is always busy supporting the venture through fundraising to supply equipment and furnishings. Following on the heels of last year’s yuletide Jess Moskaluke concert, the Foundation members have another big seasonal event planned.
Foundation Chair Norma Weber says the Christmas Party comes to Quill Lake’s Community Hall with a supper and dance featuring Moose Jaw’s classics band the Bromantics. The band’s blend of rock and pop classics, doo-wop and Motown has made them western Canadian favourites. The event promises a great outing as a Christmas celebration for workplaces and groups with the show hitting the stage on November 22.
Watson boasts an active taekwondo martial arts club, headed up by seasoned instructor Jeff Turchyn. The club meets three nights a week and has membership opportunities for those as young as 5 up to any age adult.
“You get the opportunity to do courses, seminars and tournaments throughout the province and country,” Turchyn said. “With national competitions coming up next weekend, it’s sure to be a busy one.”
One of the outstanding cultural features in Watson is the District Heritage Museum housed in the historic Bank of Commerce building. Emery Sobchyshyn has returned to the Museum as an associate this summer and says there is a host of events planned starting with the Mother’s Day Tea happening on Sunday, May 11. They’ll be part of Spring Into Watson, the annual community event hosted by the Watson Chamber of Commerce, with their pancake breakfast at the New Horizon Centre.
Other groups on hand at the event were the Watson Dance Club, the Watson Quilters’ Guild, the Watson Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and an anchor in the community, the Watson School.
It promises to be another busy season in Watson, and the folks there are off to a great start with a vibrant community get together as an embrace to its citizens, new and long-time.