The Town of The Pas has completed their Asset Management Plan thanks to the assistance of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Recently a report about the Asset Management Plan was published on the town website; it is a report summarizing the process, not the actual study itself.
“We have some information out about our Asset Management Plan on our website,” said Town of The Pas Mayor Andre Murphy. “The thing about asset management plans is that they are complicated spreadsheets to understand if you are not working with or directly involved in the process. The study takes the assets in one’s community and determines the life left in these assets, what needs to be replaced and how a council can make those decisions going forward.

Writing and publishing a novel is something that a few people dream of, but sometimes never find the actual time to do. A former Valley resident, despite his extremely intense schedule and career, has found an opportunity to achieve that very thing he has dreamed of. Dale Fedorchuk has a career that is beyond impressive; one that really sounds like it’s out of a book all its own.
“I was born in Swan River and my parents are Bill and Rose Fedorchuk,” said Dale Fedorchuk. “I grew up on a farm in the Big Woody District. After I graduated from the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School (SVRSS) in 1977, I started at the University of Manitoba in the same year. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1980, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the U of M in 1983. I was called to the Bar in Manitoba in 1984. I practiced law in Manitoba from 1984 to 2001.
“In 1994 I participated as a Controller in a joint military, intelligence and police field training counter-terrorism exercise in advance of the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, B.C.. Three years later, I was offered a contract to develop military exercises and provide instruction part-time for the United States Air Force Special Operations School. United States Special Operations Command – Joint Special Operations University picked up my contract and I became part of a team briefing Special Operations Forces, which is mostly Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets before they were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.
“I served in this capacity part-time for 16 years from 1997 to 2013, while I continued to practice law,” said Fedorchuk. “In May 2001, my wife, Anika, and I moved to Calgary. I was called to the Bar in Calgary in 2001 and I have practiced criminal law here since that time. In 2010, I was appointed a Queen’s Counsel. After King Charles was crowned, I became a King’s Counsel. I am a criminal defence lawyer and I litigate most of my cases before a jury. I live in Cochrane with Anika and our pets, and I practice law in Calgary and its surrounding regions, with no plans to retire.”
The dream of writing and publishing his own book was something that had intrigued Fedorchuk at an early age. He had a love for reading books that turned into a flare for writing, but it wasn’t until much later that he took the plunge and wrote his first novel.
“Since I was a teenager, I wanted to write science fiction stories,” said Fedorchuk. “I was an avid comic book and science fiction reader from the age of 10. I spent many hours as a youth devouring a hamburger nip, a cold Pepsi in a glass bottle, and numerous comic books at Dick’s Café in Swan River. The owners of Dick’s Café had been so kind to me; they would allow me to sit and read comics for hours while Mom and Aunt Jean Fedorchuk shopped.
“In high school, my English teacher challenged me to write a science fiction short story and publish it in the Star and Times. I wrote it and, to my surprise, the Star and Times printed it in its entirety. I still have the article buried somewhere in my personal papers. After I left high school, though, the pursuit of a legal career swept my ambition to write under the carpet, until last year.
“I had attended a family wedding in Swan River, where I sat with my nieces, Micayla and Nadia Krahn,” said Fedorchuk. “In the 1980s, I wrote poetry, including a series of poems about a fictional character called Tul’ran the Sword. I gave a copy of my poetry to my sister, Connie, many years ago, and my nieces read the poems. At the wedding, Micayla and Nadia told me how much they enjoyed Tul’ran’s poems and asked me why I never wrote a story about Tul’ran. They challenged me to write a novel and I accepted the challenge.
“Writing my novels is one of the strangest experiences I’ve had. When I sat down to start writing my first novel, the words poured out of my mind, through my fingertips, and onto the keyboard. I couldn’t type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts sometimes. I see passages of the book like scenes from a movie in my mind. I try to record those scenes as accurately as possible.”
The storyline of Fedorchuk’s book has an ironic sense of what he has experienced in his career but with a more Sci-Fi/Fantasy twist.
“The novel starts in an oasis in the desert near the city of Ur in Mesopotamia in 2005 BC,” said Fedorchuk. “The lead male character, Tul’ran az Nostrom, known as Tul’ran the Sword, is brooding under a palm tree about his life. Although Tul’ran is wealthy and legendary, there is no peace within him. He hears a woman’s scream, and rides his stallion, Darkshadow, to the aid of Erianne of Kabolon. Erianne is an intelligent and courageous woman running from assassins.
“Together, they flee and fight various assassin groups, as they try to rejoin her fellow travellers. As they do so, they learn truths about one another that take this story far beyond the ordinary. This is not a typical fantasy, historical romance novel; it has twists and turns drawing the reader into an unexpected journey. The series is centred around Tul’ran and Erianne, and their efforts to administer justice against violent crimes perpetrated against men and women alike. As the books go on, other characters join them.”
Fedorchuk wrote his first novel in record time, but the real challenge was determining the best course of action to get it published.
“It took only eight weeks to complete the first draft of the first book, The Ballad of Tul’ran the Sword,” said Fedorchuk. “My wife, Anika, is also my paralegal. I turned the draft over to her for editing and she did an excellent job of it. Once she edited the first draft, I created a second draft and emailed it to my beta reading group.
“The group consisted of men and women ranging in age from 14 years old to 72 years old. I received an enthusiastic response and suggestions for edits. After incorporating the edits, I began the process of trying to get the first book published.
“All the articles I read about publishing suggested a traditional publisher would not entertain a manuscript submission unless I had an agent,” said Fedorchuk. “I prepared a query letter and approached several agents, who either rejected my proposal or ignored it. On the last weekend of April 2023, I attended the Calgary Expo. I met Amanda Muratoff there, who co-authored a fantasy series. She was kind enough to speak to me at length about her experience with self-publishing, more commonly described as indie publishing.
“I formatted my manuscript to meet the requirements of Kindle Direct Publishing. Using Artificial Intelligence drawing programs, I created images for Tul’ran and Erianne, as well as a desert scene. I manipulated the images with Corel Photoshop and created the covers. The first novel was then published on July 13. It is being distributed through Amazon worldwide. Since publication, I’ve learned the bookseller, Barnes & Noble, has picked up my book and is selling it in the United States.”
Since his first novel, Fedorchuk has actually written a series from The Ballad of Tul’ran the Sword.
“The series currently consists of The Ballad of Tul’ran the Sword (Book I), A Time, and Times, Half a Time (Book II), and Abandon Hope (Book III),” said Fedorchuk. “I have written two-thirds of the fourth book, Wolf’s Den. The second book, A Time, and Times, and Half a Time, will be published on Nov. 6.
“I will publish the third book, Abandon Hope, on March 24, to coincide with my mom’s 85th birthday. There is no set publication date for Wolf’s Den just yet, but I anticipate it will be published in the summer of 2024. I’ve sketched the concepts for the fifth book, When the Sky Falls, but I haven’t started writing it.”
Fedorchuk has found writing the easiest part of the process, but when it came to finding ways to publish his novel, that proved to be more trying.
“I am blessed in that writing, so far, has been the easiest part of the process,” said Fedorchuk. “As I’ve said, the passages in the book appear as scenes from a movie in my head: all I must do is record them. The most challenging part has been the attempt to engage a traditional publisher.
“The advantage to having a traditional publisher is their expansive ability to market a novel. In my experience, it was as difficult to secure an agent as it was to secure a traditional publisher. I hope my books are regarded well enough to engage the interest of a traditional publisher. Sometimes a traditional publisher will sign an author who is an indie publisher.
“The most enjoyable part of the experience has been sharing it with my wife, Anika, my 14-year-old niece, Payton Goller, and my 72-year-old military brother, Mike Bennett,” said Fedorchuk. “Mike is a retired Green Beret, having left the US Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He wrote the Foreword to the book.
“These three people have read all the manuscripts and commented on them, giving the books a much richer depth. I’ve spent hours talking to each of them about the nuances of the characters I’ve created in the novels, and the emotional waves the reader will coast as they progress through the series.”
Fedorchuk’s books are available to purchase on Amazon, but he is currently exploring other retail platforms.
“My books are available on Amazon worldwide, although only the first has been published to this date,” said Fedorchuk. “As well, my American friends can purchase them from Barnes & Noble. I am currently in discussions with Chapters/Indigo bookstores for the distribution of my novels in Canada.”
Fedorchuk is working to finished writing his fourth book and has now moved on to writing the fifth, with no shortage of ideas or writer’s block stopping him.
“I’ve completed 225 pages of the fourth book, Wolf’s Den, which means it is two-thirds complete. All my novels are over 350 pages long. I have plans to start writing the fifth novel, When the Sky Falls, as soon as Anika has begun editing the publisher’s proof copy of Wolf’s Den.”

The RCMP Musical Ride is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year and has been touring across Canada to celebrate. A former resident from The Pas and RCMP member, Constable Katherine Hansen, is a part of the RCMP Musical Ride and on this commemorative anniversary tour.
“I was born and raised in The Pas,” said Constable Katherine Hansen. “I lived in The Pas up until I turned 30 years old and went into the RCMP. I worked on The Pas Fire Department and The Pas EMS, with the focus on going into nursing, when I then decided to join the RCMP instead. I was accepted into training in 2009, and always wanted to be a police officer. I knew a lot of the police officers in The Pas and decided it was the best fit for me.
“I worked for the RCMP sine 2009 to 2019, then I joined the RCMP Musical Ride. I was stationed in Alberta in the communities of Fort McMurray and Viking, before I went into the training for the RCMP Musical Ride. I’ve been with the RCMP Musical Ride ever since.”

Experiencing a new country and culture is a life changing experience that everyone should embark on at some point in their lives. Recently The Pas Helping Hands 4-H have had a visitor from Japan come and experience live in the north. An exchange student, as part of a 4-H program, has been in The Pas for a couple of weeks, taking in all the sights and wonders of both the area and the province as well.
“This is the 36th year the Manitoba 4-H Council has partnered with the York Benimaru Foundation in Japan to host exchange students,” said The Pas Helping Hands 4-H Leader Cheryl Antonio. “Each year, 20 students travel from Japan to the USA for two weeks to learn English. This year, they were in Seattle, Washington, at the university.
“Then they come to Manitoba and spend two weeks with a 4-H host family. There are many wonderful sponsors for the program. Families are encouraged to welcome the students into their homes as one of their own, include them in the chores, encourage them to follow the same rules as their own children, and to also engage them with the ways of everyday life. Of course, we also love to show them the highlights of our province and hometowns.”

Recently some University of Saskatchewan students, led by Dr. Alex Wilson, finished up their final trek of an Indigenous land-based education program. This program is the only one of its kind and garners interest from all over North America.
“The University of Saskatchewan Masters of Indigenous Land-based Education is a graduate program, which I’m a part of teaching, for educators doing land-based education in K to 12 schools and also in community organizations,” said Dr. Wilson. “They are in co-horts and there is one co-hort of 19 students that is just finishing their degree. This particular co-hort was one that I took on a canoe trip that started in Nipawin, Saskatchewan and finished up in Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) as part of their last course.

A milestone class reunion was held at the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School (SVRSS) the week of the Northwest Round-up Fair and Rodeo. The SVRSS Class of 1973 was the first class to graduate from the newly formed regional secondary school and celebrated their 50-year high school reunion.
“1973 was the first year that the SVRSS opened, after a year of preparation by our school board, Swan Valley School Division Superintendent John Kastrukoff and SVRSS Principal Larry Sackney,” said Evelyn Immerkar. “Most Grade 12 classmates who attended that first year only had 10 months to get to know each other. Many students from the year before came back just to attend the many new subject areas offered by this new school.”
“Other schools that came to the SVRSS were from towns such as Cowan, Renwer, Minitonas, Benito, Durban, Alpine, Kenville, Mafeking, Birch River and Bowsman,” said Lorna Bell. “Each one of us tried to get to know each other through sports, classes, vocational courses and a beautiful spacious school equipped with a cafeteria.”
Graduation ceremonies were quite different back in 1973 compared to what they are today. It seems like the event itself was still prominent, just didn’t have all the extra extravagances that today’s graduation ceremonies have.
“In 1973, there were 167 graduates of the SVRSS,” said Immerkar. “This remains the third largest graduating class in SVRSS’s history. The SVRSS Class of 1973 had a long graduating ceremony, because of the sheer number of students graduating. There were also many speeches and awards handed out.”
“We didn’t have caps or gowns, but it was nice because we got to see everyone all dressed up in their best attire,” said Bell. “We had a small dance in the gym afterward which only a few attended.”
There have been other high school reunions at the SVRSS prior to this one, however, it is the first 50-year reunion that has been held. The events sort of stretched out over the week and gave former classmates a chance to catch up and make new memories.
“Previously the SVRSS Class of 1973 held a 10 and 25-year reunion,” said Immerkar. “Classmates came from all over Canada and the United States.
“The Class of 1973’s 50-year High School Reunion was held on July 25, with a social evening for over 100 people attending. Pizza was delivered all throughout the evening, while guests registered and received their name tags. Everyone exchanged hugs, caught up on life events and looked at memorabilia displayed and prepared for the next day.
“The next day, a morning brunch was enjoyed and prepared by the Bowsman Curling Club with over 120 people in attendance,” said Immerkar. “During the afternoon, a tour of the SVRSS was arranged by the current SVRSS Superintendent, and former classmate, Cam Mateika, along with three tour guides.”
“Participants were amazed by the exceptional condition of the school, with its technological advancement in classes delivered and the new expansion being built,” said Bell. “Local caterer Kyla Kluke provided a supper with a traditional Ukrainian flair. Many remembered having such a meal once upon a time in Swan River, meanwhile, some have not experienced the tasty Ukrainian favourites.
“The evening then proceeded to greetings from our first principal Larry Sackney, vice principal Leonard Harapuak, Mateika, MLA and former classmate Rick Wowchuk, and bringing greetings from the Town of Swan River, former classmate Don Bobick. Frank Ooms was the Master of Ceremonies, along with Diane White Gilmoure. Classmates Heather Pawlinsky and Marilyn Woodard Brown prepared a heart-warming tribute, along with a memory tree displaying names of those classmates and teachers who had passed.
“Donna and the Dynamos were extremely well received by approximately 160 guests with a variety of songs we all knew,” said Bell. “They also received a standing ovation. Music from 1973 played in the background, while classmates reminisced for the duration of the evening while scrumptious food was available.
“On the Thursday morning, classmates who were available gathered to decorate our float for the Northwest Round-up and Exhibition. The next day was the parade and approximately 50 people gathered to ride the float or to walk alongside, handing out candy to onlookers. After the float was undecorated farewells and hugs were passed around with promises to gather again.”
SVRSS Class of 1973’s 50-year High School Reunion was definitely one for the books. Many of the former classmates thoroughly enjoyed rekindling friendships and memories from back in the day. Both Immerkar and Bell enjoyed being a part of putting together and planning the event for their former classmates.
“We enjoyed watching our friends recognize each other after 50 years,” said Immerkar. “Another surprise was watching classmates get their name tags, which had their grade 12 picture on it. The other surprise and gratitude were receiving all of the compliments, and thanks for all the hard work and months of planning with the reunion committee. Another surprise was having some of our local classmates show up to help us out with the final preparations.”
“The most important part was that our community stepped up to help us out with this event,” said Bell.”

Some bad apples are coming to town, but even though their show is known as the Bad Apples Comedy Show, these apples are likely the kind you do need to keep the doctor away. Three comedians are starting off their comedy show tour in The Pas tomorrow. Comedians Nelson Mayer, Clayton T. Stewart and Scott Porteous are bringing the gift of laughter to an audience at the Norlite Hall.
Each one of the comedians performing has had an introduction to comedy and a desire to make people laugh.
“I've been a huge fan of comedy for as long as I can remember,” said Mayer. “At a very young age, before I ever should have heard these comedians, I would remember comedy bits by Cheech and Chong and Andrew Dice Clay, and perform them on the playground during recess for a small crowd of classmates.”

Weeds are always a pain for any property owner, but the weed, Burdock, is making its rounds throughout The Pas and spreading. Local resident Gerry Kennedy, has noticed that Burdock is rampantly spreading throughout the community and wants the public to be aware of how noxious this weed can be.
“We live on Hogan Avenue and I’ve noticed that we had some spots that had small traces of the noxious weed Burdock, growing,” said Kennedy. “Now some of the places have it growing in massive amounts to the point of it looking like a jungle of Burdock growing. It’s also popping up all over in the back lanes throughout The Pas. “There seems to be lots growing out by the Carrot River Valley too.”