Honey Sales Practice

Throughout the years, there have been some great (unusual) stories that have come from students who have been out selling honey (or in Manitoba, meat and sausages).  They often involved all the excuses for not purchasing the product, or perhaps the dog who greeted the salesman as he approached the door.

Some of the funnier ones involved alumni who answered the door and provided great stories for the young man who just wanted to sell a jar and be on his way.

Tell us your best honey (meat) selling story. Click on the title and scroll to the bottom of the page to submit your memories.  Or, click on the photo to see a larger version)

Food Fantacy Come True - Nechacko Trip 2004

While on canoe trips, most students would have imagined a much different menu than the one served out each day.  “Food fantasies” ranged from the simple – a loaf of white bread, to the more elaborate – pizza and hamburgers and much more …

One alumni, David Jephson – made these fantasies come true for the Nechacko brigades over the years. The photo on the left shows the appreciation these students felt for Dave’s gift.

Can you imagine having hot pizza delivered by helicopter on your canoe trip? Now, that is a fantasy come true!

Send us your food fantasy stories – whether it be on a canoe trip, or perhaps a dog run, there would have been talk of food. We would love to share your memories.  (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your memory. Click on the photo to see a larger version.)

Kitchen Crew 2006 - Lots of Potential for Pranks Here!

While on crew, no doubt all of you have pulled a prank or two on your crew mates or even the staff member who was supervising. We hear of many of these stories from the kitchen crew – and I am sure there are many others.

Send us your story – or one you remember having been pulled on you! (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your memory.)

1981 Interschool race

From 1969 through to 1990 (with the exception of the years 1984 & 1985) the Manitoba and Alberta schools competed in an inter-school snowshoe race, a distance of 35 miles (56 km).  Initially this race was only for senior students – in 1986 a junior race was introduced, it’s distance 20 miles (32 km). The competition in these races was fierce. The training hours long. The support for the program incredible. The students who earned a place on these teams were, to the school, what today’s elite athletes are to any top ranked teams.

Both staff and students entered the fray with the pride of their respective schools at stake and a determination to win. Yet, it is also amazing that team members and coaches have also felt that almost mystical feeling when the teams have crossed the finish line and they have tasted the achievement that each one had whether first or second.

It is interesting to note that after twenty races in the senior division  each school team had won 10 times.  In the junior division the split was three for Alberta and two for Manitoba.

What are your memories of the inter-school snowshoe race whether a participant or spectator. send us your memories. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story. Click twice on the photos to see larger version). To see more race photos check here to go to our Picasa photo album site.

Compline around the fire on 2006 hiking trip.

Over the years at St. John’s students have learned many hymns, whether through the choir practices at Christmas, compline in the chapel or on outdoor trips.

The Alberta school’s official hymn was “I Feel the Winds of God Today.”  This is also a favourite of many staff and students from the other St. John’s schools. It flashes us back to times of great camaraderie, wonderful singing and just a sense of peacefulness.

What are your memories of this hymn … when did you sing it, where did you sing it, who was with you? Can you still remember the words? Send us your story.

(Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story. Click on the picture to see a larger version.)

This is to certify that you have made a mistake...

For all who have experienced dog sledding – you know the 1st rule. And any who have broken the first rule know the consequences! Even the best of  mushers, have at one time, had that team disappear along the trail in front of them.

Here is the proof!

How many of you would have received this certificate?

Send us your stories of breaking this rule, who was with you? How long did it take to catch up to the sled? What misadventures caused the sled to get away from you?

Click on the title and scroll down to submit your story. Click on the image to see a larger version.

"Lights Out" - time for the raids.

Through the years, all students who attended St. John’s would have participated in the “dorm raid”.  Some of the more imaginative boys would plan for days so that the raid went off without a hitch.

Some raids were more successful then others. Submit your story of your “best ever dorm raid”.

Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story. Click on the photo to see a larger version.

SJSA Historic Snowshoe Route Map

For any student at the St. John’s schools, many, many hours were spent out on snowshoe trails. With so much time spent out there, you became familiar with the landmarks on the various routes.

For the Manitoba students there were the favourites; A&W at Lockport and the little store in Clandeboye.  Each looked forward to the snacks available at these destinations after the long hours on the trail. In Alberta there were no such favourable landmarks, just the recognized trail names or houses along the way.

Many years ago, a senior student from the Alberta school created the map shown here; with his version of the trails and landmarks, along with comments about these  “landmarks”.

Send us your memories of the snowshoe landmarks from your days on the trail. (Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit your story, or click on the photo to see a larger version)

SJCBS Float in the Festival du Voyageur Parade 1976

Back in the mid-seventies, SJCBS was approached to help with a new event in Winnipeg. A committee was being set up to organize a winter festival in St. Boniface. This festival was a good fit for the school – a celebration of the life of the voyageur. Keith McKay joined the committee, and the students from the school were recruited to make trophies for the events and to participate in the snowshoe races, parades and the creation of voyageur delicacies.

That first year the St. John’s participants won all the races, and re-claimed the trophies they had made. Since then the Festival du Voyageur has become one of the premier winter festivals in Canada.  Who knew??

Send us your memories of the Festival du Voyageur, or for the SJSA alumni send your stories of our Voyageur Christmas celebrations.

To submit your story, click on the title and scroll to the bottom. Click on the picture to see a larger version.

The "outdoor uniform" circa 1970's & 1980's.

Continuing our theme from last Monday – the cup and spoon, we had an email from an alumni commenting on the bush jacket in the picture. He mentions;  “funny how bush jackets were akin to finger prints!”

This was true, you could always tell who the student or teacher was by which bush jacket you were seeing.

Who still has their bush jacket?

We’d love to hear your memories of the outdoor uniform. It was a far cry from the high tech gear used today.

(Click on the title and scroll to the bottom to submit you story. Or click on the photo to see a larger version)