Dear residents of Zenon Park,

Our plans to attend the Centennial in Zenon Park had been planned long ago and we were delighted with the welcome we experienced. The organization involved for a little village this small to welcome so many people offers a challenge greater than one can possibly imagine. Fortunately, the weather cooperated.

My husband, Andre Courteau, was the youngest child born to Raymond and Helene Courteau when his mother was 49 and his father 55. Although I do not come from Zenon Park, I have a deep attachment to this place. We spent many days at times with Raymond and Helene when we came to visit.

Phyllis Dahl who owns their house today, allowed us to visit the residence. What a pleasure to see that the house has retained its original character. Our memories were bombarded with the many souvenirs that resurfaced.

The historic play told the dedication and determination of our pioneers. All the family was thrilled to see Ron Wassill proudly playing the role of Raymond Courteau. Aside from Andre (69 years old), this play was appreciated by Jean (90 years old) and Therese Fortier (86 years old).

The show on Sunday evening was exceptional. We could have spent the entire night at this presentation conceived by professionals. The music was inspiring and the projections as well. I was amazed at the variety of photos of the past and of the present as they were projected on the elevator, but when I saw Raymond Courteau, already aged, who was telling something, I shed a tear of tenderness for him.

 We visited the graveyard which is so well kept and respectful for those resting there.

Andre and I would like to thank you for organizing this lovely celebration. We shall never forget our Zenon Park roots.

Bien chers résidents de Zenon Park,   

 Nos plans avaient été faits depuis longtemps pour célébrer le centenaire de Zenon Park et nous avons été ravis de l'accueil dont nous avons fait l'expérience.  L'organisation faite par ce petit village pour acceuillir tant de gens défiait l'imagination.  Heureusement que le beau temps était au rendez-vous.

    Mon mari, André Courteau, fut le plus jeune des enfants de Raymond et Hélène Courteau, né quand sa mère avait 49 ans et son père en avait 55.  Moi qui ne suis pas originaire de Zenon Park, j'ai tout de même un attachement profond pour cette place.  Nous avons passé bien du temps avec Raymond et Hélène, plusieurs jours à la fois quand nous venions les visiter. 

    Phyllis Dahl, propriétaire de leur maison aujourd'hui, nous a fait visiter sa demeure.  Quel plaisir de voir que la maison possède toujours son

caractère d'autrefois.  Nos souvenirs se sont bousculés, tant il y en avait qui voulaient surgir.

    La pièce historique a raconté le dévouement et l'archarnement que nos pionniers ont dû manifester.  Toute la famille était ravie de voir Ron Wassil qui jouait fièrement le rôle de Raymond Courteau.  En plus d'André (69 ans), cette pièce a été appréciée par deux autres enfants de Raymond et Hélène, Jean (90 ans) et Thérèse Fortier (86 ans).

    Le spectacle de dimanche soir a été exceptionnel.  Conçu par des professionels, on aurait pû y passer toute la nuit.  La musique inspirait, et les projections aussi.  J'ai été surprise de la variété d'images du passé et du présent qui défilaient sur le silo, mais quand j'ai vu Raymond Courteau, déjà agé et qui racontait quelque chose, j'ai avait une larme de tendresse pour lui.

    Nous avons visité le cimetière, bien entretenu et respectueux de ceux/celles qui y reposent. 

    André et moi voulons vous remercier d'avoir organisé cette belle célébration.  Nous n'oublierons jamais nos racines à Zenon Park.

To all the organizers and the whole community of Zenon Park.  A heartfelt thank you for putting on such a fabulous Centennial celebration.  What a spirit this village has!  It makes me proud to come from and be part of this community!  Em lisant le livre (Histoire) on s’aperçoit de tous les success et beaucoup de talents des gens de Z.P.  Je veux mentioner la messe; quelle belle celebration!  Felicitations and hope this spirit lasts forever. 

Aline Gavel (Sirois)

We would like to thank you all very much for the Centennial, you put on.  For just a few people in a village it was unreal.  The parade was wonderful, the entertainment was aka wonderful.  The meals were very good.  Just seeing all the people that came back home.  It was just wonderful, so well organized, people having a good time.  We were sure happy we didn’t miss it.  You should be very proud of yourselves.  Words cannot express what you all have done, what a party!

Gordon & Bernice Barnett

A small village with a tremendous heart were able to accomplish a celebration of our past and current community over the past 100 years with absolute success. Sandi & I are forever thankful for the committee members and volunteers who gave their time not only for the three days but for the years of planning. It was truly a community gathering of all ages.

Our sincerest thank you for a wonderful weekend.

Florent & Sandi Foucher  

SILO À SOUVENIRS / SILO OF MEMORIES

LETTER OF THANKS

The Silo à souvenirs project brought together Zenon Park artists Michel Marchildon, Véronique Poulin, Renée Sigouin and Zoé Fortier as well as Saskatoon artists Jean-Sébastien Gauthier and Stephan Fuchs. The team based their performance on the rich francophone culture and history of Zenon Park, worked tirelessly for several months to create and produce this particular mixture of music, story-telling, song, modern dance, spoken word and unforgettable video projections on the town’s last remaining grain elevator.  The artists were touched by the public’s heart-warming response to the content of the performance, the memory of which will not soon be forgotten.

Now that the dust is settling, the team is now in a period of reflexion which includes thanks to all those who helped the project come to life. We would appreciate if you could publish our list of thanx on the town’s website. We particularly wish to thank the ZP Centennial committee for it’s support, support which was acknowledged in all of the Silo promotional material as well as the performance closing and video sequence credits.  

In closing, we wish to remind the committee as well as all Zenon Park residents that Radio-Canada (Regina) has produced a half-hour ‘behind the scenes’ special recapping the highlights of the Silo à souvenirs project. The program will be pre-viewed on November 13^th & 14^th during the Rendez-Vous Fransaskois in Saskatoon. The program is scheduled to air sometime this autumn. We will keep you posted.

Sincerely

____________

Michel Marchildon

- Silo à souvenirs team

AFZP - Marguerite Tkachuk & crew

(funding, volunteers, Saskébec footage, second floor lodging, coffee maker, collaboration, etc!)

ZP Centennial committee – Celine Favreau, Connie Chabot, Francis Chabot

(funding, week-end passes, collaboration, logistics on Sunday)

Town of Zenon Park  (Lisa Leblanc)

(Access to ZP History book photos, rehearsal space / community hall)

Paroisse Notre Dame

(access to church and bell)

École Notre-Dame-Des-Vertus

(student drawings, video projector)

Zenon Park School

(student drawings)

Daniel McCrea

(electrician)

Clément, Edna & Alain McCrea

(McCrea farms)

(elevator and site … thanx Owen!))

Benoît Lalonde

(Internet connection)

Michel Moyen

(audio tech, grain tarps during downpour! & clean up on Monday)

Firmin Dion

(set up & clean up, organizing flight, etc.)

Léon & Hélène Marchildon

(food, lodging)

Daniel Marchildon (M & M Seeds)

(stage construction & dismantling, tools, trailers, front-end loader, truck,

suggestions, sprayer ride, campfire)

Gérald Marchildon

(stage construction & dismantling, rehearsal space)

Jérémie Marchildon

(set up, stage, etc.)

Clément & Béatrice Lalonde

(set-up, clean-up, tools, food)

Lucien Lalonde

(bee huts)

Marcel Moyen

(camera)

Derek Moyen

(volunteering to help

and showing up on time!)

Howard Gamel – Z.P. Groceries

(cooling and bringing beer to site!)

Lucien & Nicole Poulin

(camper & fans)

Cyril Valois

(taking distro back to S’toon)

Pascal Auger

(radio)

Maurice & Margaret Sigouin

(setting up dance floor/cleaning it regularly)

Sarah Marchildon

(programs, etc.)

Regina Moreira

(programs, etc.)

Stéphanie Gauthier

(program design)

Lina Brisco

(photos)

Glen Huckabay

(airplane flights)

Charles Lemire

(musician, clean up…)

Eric Asswad

(musician, tech work, clean up…)

Suzette Riou

(back up vocals)

Gisèle Lalonde

(back up vocals, food, clean up)

Pauline Moyen

(choir)

Janice Hudon

(choir)

Jacqueline Perreault

(choir)

Anthony Trombetta

(stage manager, staying calm)

Mark Schmidt

(sound)

Mason Harder

(projectors/lights, creative ideas)

Neil Haines

(projectors/lights)

Ian Campbell (video/v.j.)

Allysha Larsen

(food service and clean-up, program distribution)

Erica

(food service and clean-up)

Tim Thibault and assistant

(collaboration for plan B audio and sound in hall)

Raquette à claquettes

(Sunday night fiddling choreography)

ProPrint

(deal on printing)

Matrix

(deal on tapes…)

Beagle Productions-Dale Friesen

(video cameras)

Paved Arts

(equipment rentals)

Troupe du Jour

Evolution

Conseil culturel Fransaskois

Association jeunesse fransaskoise

Canada Council for the Arts

Saskatchewan Arts Board

Radio Canada

THANX FOR EVERYTHING!