Communities In Bloom

Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to encouraging and inspiring communities to develop, enhance and sustain the visual appeal of subdivisions, public spaces, parks and streetscapes through the use of floral displays, trees and landscaping. It promotes the preservation of heritage and cultural components and special emphasis is placed on environmental stewardship through recycling and tidiness. The provincial branch consists of a program offered by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.

The local committee was formed in 2007 and became a volunteer committee of the Council of the Resort Village of Candle Lake. It consists of volunteers with financial assistance from the village as well as fund raising projects, bringing about many positive changes in the resort area. With the help of numerous volunteers from the community at large, donating their time, talent and financial support many projects have been initiated, completed and maintained by the group and their supporters in the community.

An information kiosk stands at the entrance to the village, with a large area map of the lake and its subdivisions, parks, camps, boat launches and trails. Two additional maps of the local Parks and Rec trails and Snowmobile trails frame the kiosk. This was a true community effort involving local contractors, the village staff and many, many volunteers. The area features flags and planters filled with deer resistant plants!

One of our first Environmental projects was to approach Council to contract Greenland Waste to put recycle bins at the Landfill for paper, cardboard, tin cans and plastic. Our goal was to save as much material as possible from being "dumped" into the pit. This request was granted and in 2018 additional bins have been located on the RV grounds.
A budget request for a recycling building at the landfill was presented to Council in 2010. Funds that were contributed by Sheri and Jason Praski towards environmental projects, as well as additional help and funds from the Resort Village were used to construct the recycling building. This has reached its capacity for weekly use so we are in the process of adding a metal shed.
Recycling barrels are set out at the Sask. Provincial Park beaches, Tempo, C & S, Candle LakeGolf Resort, Pineview Carwash, RVCL Village Grounds, Nobles Point and Misty Meadows. The cans and bottles are collected and sorted by volunteers and funds raised are used for CIB Projects. Cans and bottles, milk jugs and cartons and juice containers can also be left at the Recycling Building. Paper, Carboard, tin cans, paint cans, batteries and empty propane bottles can be left at the Landfill Collection Bins free of charge.
Banners have been erected in the resort area. Banners are based on the theme.

Candle Lake a Resort for all Seasons

Hanging baskets have greatly improved the visual appeal of the downtown core. Many businesses and individuals sponsored the purchase of the flowers. The village workers assist in the watering and maintenance of the planters . The RV purchases the plants as part of our budget.
Christmas decorations, one of our major projects, are now purchased and handled by the Resort Village.
Signage was a big issues tackled by the committee. Three Welcome to Candle lake sign stands at the corner of 120 and 265. Two other signs for the northeast and northwest entrances of the resort area have also been installed. The committee assisted in the consolidation of the number of subdivisions to 23 and designation of streets to the appropriate subdivision. The committee has encourages and supports (with information and poles if needed) subdivisions who design and erect their own sign or mural for the entrance to their subdivision or other areas. Work of local artists can been seen on the murals at the entrance for Island View, Glendale Park, Nobles Point, Hayes, Minowukaw and Sanderman Park, Clearsand, Hanson, Waskateena Beach, Community Garden, Northview and Steen Subdivisions. Other murals are presently in the works. Eg:

Our committee has sponsored two Garden Tours as well as presentations by Ivan Beuker on deer resistant plants, Larry Mullen on backyard composting and Don Ragush on Hobby Greenhouses. There has been a perennial exchange at the last three programs. A seminar called Friends, Fungi, Flowers and Food was held in June 2011. A follow up visit to the forest for fungi identification was held in September.

Members of CiB in conjunction with the Mosher family and the Resort Village planned and established a park on King's Way Drive in 2012, complete with kiosk, tables, benches and swimming area. This park is dedicated to the memory of Daniel Mosher and friends who carved a trail through the bush from Paddockwood to Candle Lake 100 years ago.

For several summers we have held a BBQ in the Park prior to Saskatchewan Express, once again supported by many volunteers. We now host it every second year as we share with the new provincial park at Christopher Lake.
The Candle Lake Pitch In, in May Ditch Cleaning program is coordinated by Communities in Bloom. This program involves all the sports and recreation groups.
We support the May long weekend "Welcome to the Lake" Event by sponsoring a raffle for a beautiful basket of flowers and 10th Anniversary Recycling bags. Out Mascot Candy attends many of our events and particularly enjoys greeting everyone in May.

We enter a float which promotes recycling and beautification of RVCL and area in the July 1st parade.

In 2017, the 10th anniversary of our committee, we chose recycling bags as our way to advertise and celebrate our work in the RV of Candle Lake. These bags were for sale at various businesses durinq the summers of 2017-18
Aschim Homestead Heritage Forest

In 2007, Cib was looking for a project which could become their Historical and Heritage component, they learned that The Homestead Heritage Forest and its 32 acres was being releaased from the RM of Paddockwood. The RVCL assumed responsibiltiy for the area because of its potential as a tourist and hiker destination close to Candle Lake. It is located approximately 7 km from the Village itseld and 2km fromt he junction of highways 120 and 265. CiB volunteers took over responsibility for improvements and maintenance of the area including the home, yard and trails. CiB volunteers received a small budget from RVCL and use other funds from their various fund-raising projects.

Background Information

In 1932, Ansgar and Christina Aschim bought 130 hectares of land and built a two-story Norwegian style cabin from fire killed spruce harvested on the east side of Torch Lake. A barn, pig house, garage, smokehouse and warm-up shack were also built on the property. Other reminders of farming days long past are the horse drawn seeder, hay wagon wheels still on the property. In 1942, the Aschims left the property, returning in the summer to log and make forest improvements. In 1965, the provincial government acquired the property, and in 1977 responsibilty was given to the Saskatchewan Forestry Association and it was named the Homestead Heritage Forest.

There are five different trails featuring signs (a very large sign illustrating the area and trails is just inside the entry) boardwalks, stands of beautiful white spruce trees, marshes with black spruce, wildflowers, berry bushes and beautiful grasses. Moose, elk deer red squirrels and songbirds are special attractions of the area.

Historical pictures and documents are located in the yard and the house. The trails and yard are well maintained and boardwalks receive continual repair. This work is supervised and done by volunteers. There is one maintenance worker who does the trail trimming and yard care. The reclaiming of a former trail to Torch Lake is in the works for the spring of 2021. As mentioned, the responsibilty for this wonderful Heritage Homestead is assumed by Candle Lake Communities in Bloom Committee.

Map of the Trails at the first Junction

As more and more people have become aware of this beautiful spot in the boreal forest, it has become a poplular spot for local residents and tourists alike.

Historic Note:

"A Wagon trail ran through the property long before the Aschims arrived. During the Riel Rebellion of 1815 the trail was used to haul fish from Torch Lake to feed General Frederick Middleton's troops. In 1919 this same trail was used for logging. You can see the ruts worn over time by the wagon wheels."

Heritage Recognition Award for Aschim Homestead Heritage Forest

October 2020 - this award is presented annually by The Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, and is in recognition of our ongoing efforts to maintain and expand this beautiful, peaceful historic area.

Recent Initiatives

1. Community Garden Grant ($10,000)

2. Purchase of a playhouse for the playground at Waskateena Beach ($11,000)

3. Purchase of saucer swing for the playground at Waskateena Beach ($15,000)

4. Purchase of boat dock for the shore near the trail up to Old Baldy ($6,000)

5. Purchase of signs, benches, trail markers for Aschim Heritage Homestead (ongoing) site.

Committee Members

Chairperson: Gail Haight

Vice-Chair:

Secretary: Joanne Gartner

Treasurer: Gail Haight

Members-at-large: Roy Button, Fran Bardar, Terry Busa, Helen Croissant

Committee Chairs:

Environmental Awareness / Recycling: Gary Haight/Dennis Lokinger

Heritage Conservation / Forestry: Ed Horn

Signage: Ed Horn

Floral Displays: Doris Horn and Wendy Busa

Spring Pitch-In: Marilynn and Terry Pearse

Publicity/Community Profile Book: Gail Haight

Council Rep: Debra Hunter

Village Foreman: Robert Johnson

Many other volunteers provide the very necessary support to make the organization successful.. Volunteers are always needed and much appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering on an occasional bases, please contact Gail at 929-3149 or any other members.

People, Plants & Pride....Growing Together