Page 6 - March 11, 2019
P. 6
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 6 MONDAY MARCH 11, 2019 MONDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2019 PAGE 7
Muskeg Flyers
Celebrate
40th Anniversary
by Lara Felsing year they hosted the 1986 Alberta
Winter Games. The video consisted
It's been forty years since a group of very humorous and light-hearted
of like-minded adventurers decided interviews with ski competitors,
to form a cross-country ski club in organizers and volunteers, who told
Edson. the tale of a very warm and snowless
To celebrate this occasion, a dinner winter games. With record high
was held at the Galloway Station on temperatures that year, the trails
March 2, and approximately 50 were reduced to a forest floor of wet
members, former members, and grass and rocks, and volunteers and
guests enjoyed dining, visiting and organizers had the pain staking task
sharing memories of the club's past of harvesting whatever snow they
four decades. could find from nearby arenas and
One of the founding club members, yards.
Marsh Hoke, reminisced about the Close to a couple of hundred
club's early beginnings and truckloads of snow were brought in
explained how Hornbeck was chosen and spread across the trails so that
as the location for the club's trails the games weren't cancelled. The
due to it being undeveloped yet still skier's spirits remained high
close to town. Member Dave throughout the warm day and they
Thompson came up with the name persevered along the sparse trails.
'Muskeg Flyers' in 1979 and the club In contrast, this year's cold snap
registered with legal status that same prevented the Muskeg Flyers from
year. During the early 1980s the hosting their annual loppet - which
Flyer's Jackrabbit program was didn't discourage the resilient club
developed and went on to teach who, over the years, have survived
many children to ski. through thick and thin.
The original trails that skiers used "It was unfortunate that we had to
were previous logging roads, with cancel the loppet this year," said Members and guests dish-up the delicious meal during the Muskeg Flyers
the muskeg and creek-crossing being Muskeg Flyer loppet organizer Lisa 40th Anniversary celebration at Galloway Station in Edson. photo Lara
rough and challenging. The new club Wilkinson. "The event is enjoyed by Felsing
members had the labour-intensive locals as well as skiers from places
job of building the creek crossings such as Edmonton and Drayton
PASSPORT PHOTOS & MORE by placing fallen trees covered with Valley, ranging from kids to
brush on top; followed by packed
competitive skiers. We are hoping
snow. As the Director of Trails, for a big turn out next year." THIS WEEK’S FEATURE
Marsh Hoke still spends many hours With close to 200 members, the
Professional Digital on a snowmobile grooming trails; Muskeg Flyers have a reputation for Mint Homes Ltd.
Passport System with help from the other dedicated their well-maintained trails which are
known throughout the province.
Muskeg Flyers volunteers.
Longtime treasurer Anne
photos ready McCracken read a congratulatory "Edson is fortunate to have a group
of dedicated volunteers who
in minutes letter from former coach Richard maintain excellent trail conditions,"
continued Wilkinson. "We are truly
Quinlan sending warm regards to the
while you wait... club on their 40th anniversary. As a spoiled."
young adult, Quinlan enjoyed the More information regarding the
Hornbeck ski trails when he first club can be found on their social
T moved to Edson to work for Fish & media page under Muskeg Flyers.
The Weekly Anchorhe Weekly Anchor
Wildlife. He worked from 1983 to
For anyone interested in trying the
5040 3rd Avenue, Edson 1989 as a club coach training teams sport, the club offers an annual rental
5040 3rd Avenue, Edson
successfully for provincial and
program for children and youth, and
780-723-5787
be rented on a short term basis. Call
The entertainment for the evening
DROP IN AND SEE!ROP IN AND SEE! 780-723-5787 national competitions. Yellowhead County has skis that can
D
was provided by the Flyers who
Yellowhead County at (780)723-
presented a video created by Bill 4800 for more information.
Hunt and Robert Engel during the
One bedroom and two bathrooms
Spacious bungalow with excellent street
appeal Den off the foyer can double as a
guest room Vaulted ceiling over great
room Walk-in pantry in large open
kitchen Huge master
suite Curved landing For these plans
leads to full basement.
Member of National Home Warranty Program
Phone: 780-723-2330
Muskeg Flyer Marsh Hoke presents a video of the 1986 Alberta Winter Fax: 780-723-5068
Games during the club's 40th Anniversary dinner on March 2. photo
Lara Felsing Email: minthome@telusplanet.net
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 6 MONDAY MARCH 11, 2019 MONDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2019 PAGE 7
Muskeg Flyers
Celebrate
40th Anniversary
by Lara Felsing year they hosted the 1986 Alberta
Winter Games. The video consisted
It's been forty years since a group of very humorous and light-hearted
of like-minded adventurers decided interviews with ski competitors,
to form a cross-country ski club in organizers and volunteers, who told
Edson. the tale of a very warm and snowless
To celebrate this occasion, a dinner winter games. With record high
was held at the Galloway Station on temperatures that year, the trails
March 2, and approximately 50 were reduced to a forest floor of wet
members, former members, and grass and rocks, and volunteers and
guests enjoyed dining, visiting and organizers had the pain staking task
sharing memories of the club's past of harvesting whatever snow they
four decades. could find from nearby arenas and
One of the founding club members, yards.
Marsh Hoke, reminisced about the Close to a couple of hundred
club's early beginnings and truckloads of snow were brought in
explained how Hornbeck was chosen and spread across the trails so that
as the location for the club's trails the games weren't cancelled. The
due to it being undeveloped yet still skier's spirits remained high
close to town. Member Dave throughout the warm day and they
Thompson came up with the name persevered along the sparse trails.
'Muskeg Flyers' in 1979 and the club In contrast, this year's cold snap
registered with legal status that same prevented the Muskeg Flyers from
year. During the early 1980s the hosting their annual loppet - which
Flyer's Jackrabbit program was didn't discourage the resilient club
developed and went on to teach who, over the years, have survived
many children to ski. through thick and thin.
The original trails that skiers used "It was unfortunate that we had to
were previous logging roads, with cancel the loppet this year," said Members and guests dish-up the delicious meal during the Muskeg Flyers
the muskeg and creek-crossing being Muskeg Flyer loppet organizer Lisa 40th Anniversary celebration at Galloway Station in Edson. photo Lara
rough and challenging. The new club Wilkinson. "The event is enjoyed by Felsing
members had the labour-intensive locals as well as skiers from places
job of building the creek crossings such as Edmonton and Drayton
PASSPORT PHOTOS & MORE by placing fallen trees covered with Valley, ranging from kids to
brush on top; followed by packed
competitive skiers. We are hoping
snow. As the Director of Trails, for a big turn out next year." THIS WEEK’S FEATURE
Marsh Hoke still spends many hours With close to 200 members, the
Professional Digital on a snowmobile grooming trails; Muskeg Flyers have a reputation for Mint Homes Ltd.
Passport System with help from the other dedicated their well-maintained trails which are
known throughout the province.
Muskeg Flyers volunteers.
Longtime treasurer Anne
photos ready McCracken read a congratulatory "Edson is fortunate to have a group
of dedicated volunteers who
in minutes letter from former coach Richard maintain excellent trail conditions,"
continued Wilkinson. "We are truly
Quinlan sending warm regards to the
while you wait... club on their 40th anniversary. As a spoiled."
young adult, Quinlan enjoyed the More information regarding the
Hornbeck ski trails when he first club can be found on their social
T moved to Edson to work for Fish & media page under Muskeg Flyers.
The Weekly Anchorhe Weekly Anchor
Wildlife. He worked from 1983 to
For anyone interested in trying the
5040 3rd Avenue, Edson 1989 as a club coach training teams sport, the club offers an annual rental
5040 3rd Avenue, Edson
successfully for provincial and
program for children and youth, and
780-723-5787
be rented on a short term basis. Call
The entertainment for the evening
DROP IN AND SEE!ROP IN AND SEE! 780-723-5787 national competitions. Yellowhead County has skis that can
D
was provided by the Flyers who
Yellowhead County at (780)723-
presented a video created by Bill 4800 for more information.
Hunt and Robert Engel during the
One bedroom and two bathrooms
Spacious bungalow with excellent street
appeal Den off the foyer can double as a
guest room Vaulted ceiling over great
room Walk-in pantry in large open
kitchen Huge master
suite Curved landing For these plans
leads to full basement.
Member of National Home Warranty Program
Phone: 780-723-2330
Muskeg Flyer Marsh Hoke presents a video of the 1986 Alberta Winter Fax: 780-723-5068
Games during the club's 40th Anniversary dinner on March 2. photo
Lara Felsing Email: minthome@telusplanet.net
