Friday,April 24, 2009 - PRAIRIE POST -
9
Walk for Wellness is in
Art Gallery of Swift Current
s
memory of Richardson
Exhibition: April 25 to May 16, 2009
40247505•04/24/09
l
BY ELIZABETH HUBER Last year, the walk, which is one
SWIFT CURRENT of the association’s major
a
Nickels and dimes, sometimes
fundraisers for the year, brought
only one at a time, was how
in $5,000.
Jimmy Richardson raised $1,000
Coupled with the 5th Annual
for the annual Canadian Mental
Mayor’s Luncheon in May, the
n
Health Association Walk for
two events are the primary
Wellness.
fundraising and awareness events
Going into the 13th annual
for the year. Marc Habscheid,
o
fundraising event the association
former NHL player and Hockey
JIMMY
has lost its biggest supporter and
i
RICHARDSON
Olympian, will be the guest
is honouring his memory.
speaker at the Mayors Luncheon
As a client and board member, Richardson
on Thursday, May 7. The luncheon, catered
by the vocational participants, raises less
s
donated his time to collect pledges for the
Jill Armstrong
annual walkathon.
than the walk and serves more as an
Raised in Swift Current, Jill Armstrong spent several months of high school
Vocational worker Helen Hyde, once
education and awareness vehicle for the
living in Europe and travels as much as possible since. She recently
s
observed Richardson at work in one of the
association. completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Arts at the University of
local drug stores.
The non-government and non-profit
Regina specializing in printmaking. Jill is interested in the connection
“He simply asked everyone in the store.
organization struggles each year to make
between geographical region, history, and identity. She is currently
ends meet. Fundraising is necessary just to
e
exploring pattern and its role in social history.
When they said they had little money he
replied, ‘25 or 50 cents would be just fine’,”
keep the building open.
described Hyde.
“The staff volunteer their time, plus they f
“He raised more than $1,000 himself with
find volunteers to make enough money to
quarters, nickels and dimes and loonies and
get our groceries met,” said Smith. “It is
toonies,” added Ruth Smith, executive
really hard to find enough money for
o
director of the Swift Current CMHA branch.
everything,” she added, the passion for the
“It was $1,000 every year. Can you
organization in her voice.
r
imagine?” she added. Laughing at the
Dealing with stigmas
memory, Smith described Richardson just
“The other thing that makes it harder for
pouring his pledges onto the counter.
us is that there are still a lot of people who
In celebration of his life and passion for the
want to deny mental illness.” P
association’s work, the 13th annual Walk for
With so many stigmas attached to mental
Wellness has been renamed the Jimmy
illness, fewer people may be willing to reach

Richardson Walk for Wellness.
into their pocket books and support the
Helen Hyde, the branch’s vocational
cause. Smith hopes someday the stigmas
Jillian Cyca
supervisor worked with Richardson for
will pass and mental illness will be
Jillian Cyca of Swift Current has recently finished an Honours Bachelor of
g
10 years before he passed away on
recognized just like cancer, alzheimer’s, or Arts with majors in art history and studio art with a focus on printmaking
September 15, 2008.
any illness that attacks a person and from the University of Saskatchewan. Jillian pursued a variety of studies in
When he first came to the Canadian Mental
becomes part of them. In the meantime,
art history, drawing, sculpture, photography and printmaking. For a four
Smith is racking her brain trying to find ways
n
Health Association vocational program in
month period she went to Japan to study art and art history at Kansai
to cut costs in the centre.
Gaidai University near Osaka. This unique experience has
1998, he was struggling with an alcohol
Mental illness or disordera affect an
influenced her approach and art forms.
addiction, had amassed bills and had no way
to pay them, described Hyde within a
estimated 10 to 20 per cent of Canadian
u
testimonial of Richardson’s life.
youths and it is increasingly affecting lives,
Coffeehouse Evening
“Jimmy was pleased to be asked to sit on
according to information provided by the
the local CMHA board,” continued Hyde.
CMHC. Canada’s youth suicide rate is the o
Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 pm
However, as he continued to struggle with
third highest in the industrialized world and
Walk and Talk Tour by the artists and curator, musical entertainment by
alcoholism, he asked the board to open the
is among the leading cause of death in 15- to
Julia Fritzke and Jackie Clifton, hors d' oeuvres, cash bar. Cover charge: $5
drop-in centre on weekends to help break
24-year-old Canadians, second only to
Sponsored by Innovation Credit Union
Y
the cycle. The Centre became his home and
accidents — 4,000 people die prematurely
helped Richardson face many of the
each year by suicide, continue the CHMC
obstacles within his life. Unable to read and
statistics. The difference is suicides are not
write on his own, the centre taught him and
reported by the media.
empowered Richardson with the ability to
The Jimmy Richardson Walk for Wellness,
Art Camp in the Big Top Tent
correspond with his sister in Scotland,
which benefits programs and services at the
where he was born and raised.
Swift Current Branch, takes place May 30 at
Raising money for the annual walkathon
Elmwood Park. Registration is set for 10 a.m.
was just one of the ways Richardson chose
followed at 11 a.m. by a leisurely one-
to give back.
kilometre walk along the Chinook Pathway
The Need to Fundraise
followed by a barbecue lunch.
Grasslands National Park get major $$$
BY ELIZABETH BATE Colin Schmidt, the communication, visitors
SWIFT CURRENT services and heritage presentation
As part of Canada's economic action plan coordinator at Grasslands National Parks, is
Grasslands National Park will receive excited to be getting the federal support. July 13 to 17, 2009 9:30am to 5:00pm For kids age 10 - 15 Bring a bag lunch
$835,000 in federal funding. Schmidt emphasizes the improvements
David Anderson, MP for Cypress Hills - will occur over limited homestead areas in
Five fun days of making art outdoors and in the big top tent at Gowan’s Grove, about fifteen
Grasslands and Parliamentary Secretary to the east and west blocks and will have as
miles south of Swift Current. The Grove is an established campground along a picturesque
the Minister of Natural Resource and to the little environmental impact as possible.
bend of Swift Current Creek, with chalet, washrooms, and kitchen facility. Students will meet
Minister of Agriculture, was pleased to see "It's been a very natural wilderness
at the Art Gallery and travel to the Grove in the Gallery’s van.
funding helping out a spectrum of projects. environment and that will still be there," he
The money will be used to improve says. "All of our planning and design
Mornings will be art expeditions into the landscape, drawing, painting and photographing
existing camping areas and to build new incorporates the environmental
from nature. Students will visit the nearby teepee rings and quartz hill. Afternoons will be
camping facilities as well as building new day assessment."
back in the tent, making a variety of sculpture projects. The day will also include swimming
program areas and equestrian facilities. There will be plenty to do. Day facilities
in the creek, weather permitting. At the end of the week, there will be a wrap-up exhibition,
"We think it's an important investment for will include trails and hiking and horse
with parents invited to see and celebrate the student’s artwork.
the southwest," Anderson says. "It's access to the homestead areas, school
important for tourism, it will provide jobs programs, the annual East Block Party in
Instructor: Kim Houghtaling, BFA, MVA, sculptor, painter and art educator.
and it will bring the spotlight back onto the August and an expanded visitor's centre
Grasslands National Park." slated to open on July 1.
Registration fee: $125 includes art materials and transportation from Art Gallery to Gowan’s
Grove and back. Students must bring their own appropriate outdoor clothing, bug spray, sun
Kritzer family shows ’em how it’s done
screen, lunch, etc. A detailed list will be supplied upon registration.
SWIFT CURRENT board and card games.
Registration deadline: June 15 Enrollment is limited. To register call 778-2736
A provincial contest which is trying to
Thirty-one classrooms, 96 families and 152
eliminate lack of activity was just won by a
individuals took part in the 96-day Challenge
Swift Current family.
which ended February 13. Those who need
Steve and Pam Kritzer had the best
some tips can go to www.saskatchewan
Art Gallery of Swift Current
presentation of 97 Saskatchewan families in
inmtoion.ca/turnitoff to help increase
411 Herbert Street East 778-2736 www.artgalleryofswiftcurrent.org
the ‘Saskatchewan in motion’ Provincial
physical activity.
Screen Time Challenge. Their children Cole,
Saskatchewan in motion is a province wide Gallery Hours: Mon to Thurs: 2-5 + 7-9 pm, Fri to Sat: 1-5 pm, Sun: 1-4:30 pm
12, and Hannah, 10, replaced time in front of
movement aimed at increasing physical Exhibition admission is free. Everyone welcome. Free guided tours.
the television with winter activities such as
activity for health, social and environmental
Supported by Sask Arts Board, SaskLotteries and City of Swift Current.
AGSC
skiing and tobogganing and indoor fun like
benefits.
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