Piecing Together the Social Fabric Table of Contents


• Cowboy Poetry Tradition Continues ............................Page 4 • Rodeos Steeped in History .......................................Page 5 • History ... the Final Judge on the CWB .................... Pages 6-7 • Blumenfeld Church Transcends Time ...................... Pages 8-9 • Maple Creek Chamber builds up business .................. Page 10 • Business booming around Maple Creek ................ Pages 12-13 • Destination: The Cypress Hills ........................... Pages 14-15 • Val Marie is Planning to Succeed ....................... Pages 16-17 • Kyle Thrift Store Idea a Popular One ......................... Page 18 • High-end Pastry Chef on the Rise ............................ Page 19 • Swift Current designer knows her fashion ............. Pages 21-22 • G-mac’s AgTeam Growing Business ...................... Page 20-21 • Ambulance Service Thrives .................


... Page 23


Southwest Progress Report 2012 3


Welcome to the 2012 Southwest Saskatchewan Progress Report


This year, the annual Progress edition looks at how business contrib tes to the overall c lt ral make


This year, the annual Progress edition looks at how business contributes to the overall cultural make-up of the southwest and makes the area unique within Saskatchewan.


p of the so thwest and


Our theme “Piecing together the social fabric” is reinforced through our stories of residents in southwest communities working together to make their towns stronger.


Reporters from Maple Creek News/Maple Creek & Southwest Advance Times, Prairie Post, Shaunavon Standard as well as freelancers took the time to travel across the southwest to find out what is making communities unique. From Val Marie to Kyle and Swift Current to the Cypress Hills, there is a tremendous effort put forth by those people trying to make different ventures work which ultimately contributes to making up what is a dynamic southwest social fabric.


The first part of the section deals with a more historical look at the southwest’s social fabric while later, our Report deals with those who have new ideas and new perspectives.


We also look at the history of how agriculture was shaped in this province.


We hope you enjoy the 2012 Southwest Progress Report. — Ryan Dahlman, Managing Editor, Prairie Post


Cover design: Allison Peltier Editorial Contributions: Elizabeth Heatcoat, Matthew Liebenberg, Monique Massiah, Courtney Smith


Sales: Della Fournier, Joanne Gregoire, Kaley Tumback Editorial layout: Rose Sanchez


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