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The Cut Knife LakersBy Pat Duncan
Around 1970 -72, there was a transition from minor baseball to softball, fastpitch or fastball, which ever you want to call it. For a few years these young people had watched the Cut Knife men, guys like the Dion bros, Gerald Hardy, Wayne Wolf, Bill Churchman play ball in the local regatta tournament at Atton's Lake. It was a weekend that all ball fans seemed to attend; the ball diamond was lined with lawn chairs by the hundreds to see the final games. Those years some of the top teams like the Rempel Bros and Saskatoon Merchants, along with pitcher Fred Gartners A & W Bears from North Battleford quite often played in the final game, and it was the best fastball you could see. These teams also competed in the Canadian Senior Men's A Championships, so it was top quality ball. Because of this, it was not hard in the early seventies to find young players interested in playing fastball.
It all started off with a few practices and then someone mentioning we should go to the Delmas sports day, winter sports day or wherever we could get a game. It only took a couple of summers for the team to get much stronger. With the addition of pitchers Del Bertoia, Carp Chorney, Jerry Hewson and young Lorne Rutley, we were ready for any tournament. We got new uniforms and called ourselves the Cut Knife Lakers. We were all from the local area and our games were all played on the old "A diamond" at Atton's Lake. It was probably the best place to play and watch ball. For cabin owner to campers the atmosphere was always great for a game. Around 1976 or so the Lakers became a very competitive team, winning lots of tournaments and also playing in a league with the Ruth Rustlers, Scott, and Unity. It was not long before there were too many players for one team, so a new group of young guns started the Cut Knife Seedcoats. A couple of years later another local team, the Cut Knife Blues began playing. This made three teams all from the local Cut Knife area. This now made six teams for the fastball league, which played games every Tuesday and Thursday. Also there were tournaments every week-end so there was lots of ball to be played. The games, either within the league or against each other in a tournament were very intense and exciting to watch or play. The Cut Knife Lakers had many years of successful fastball, attending and winning many tournaments including the local regatta at Atton's Lake. The highlight every year was the local league tournament where the Lakers, Scott and Ruth Rustlers were very strong for many years, then in the mid to late 1980's the young Seedcoats became very dominate. By the late 1980's, some of the Lakers had either moved away or stopped playing and a new team started up. This team consisted of players from the Lakers and Seedcoats. The new name was called the Cut Knife Drillers. They played together for a few more years and were also very successful in the league and tournaments. Playing fastball for the Cut Knife Lakers and Drillers took us from Cut Knife to Montana and many places in between for games and tournaments. The teams were also followed by many fans that enjoyed good games and lots of fun.
The Cut Knife Lakers coaches were Baillie Rutley, Jack Ovens and Ed Feser. Players were, Del Bertoia, Carp Chorney, Jerry, Ken and Larry Hewson, Lorne and Randy Rutley, Albert Desmarais, Rob Rewerts, Neil MacDonald, Warren Lamb, Terry Carlton, Pat Duncan, Ken Stewart, Howard Hebson, Tim Smith, Scott Ovens, Rene Feser, Darren Brick, Lorne Davidson, Blaine Reble, Darrel Brown, Elvin Milne, Bill Churchman, Jim Holowachuck, Larry Pellerin and Ken Bertoia. Included in the Cut Knife Drillers, Lance Berecloth, Darren Corney, Roger Dupuis, Mike Pierson, Cory Rewerts, Doug Rutley, Garan Rewerts, Darren Alexander, Bryce Wehrhahn, Darin Managre, Brad Hampson, and Gord Weenie.....
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Cut Knife DrillersCirca 1985
Ball Diamond
Credits:Deasmarais, Albert
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Merry Go Round Removal1977
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Credits:Foisy, Noreen
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Memories of the Summer of 1977 at Atton's LakeBy Noreen (Rewerts) Foisy
For as long as I can remember going to Atton's Lake was somewhat magical for me. I can remember when I was very young, once you peeked over Lambier's Hill, if the water level was up at Atton's Lake you could actually see it. Boy those last miles seemed like an eternity! It was nearly as exciting as Christmas. I suppose we were probably on our way to one of the Regatta's. I remember being at Atton's Lake strapped in the Merry-go-round and having such fun on that ride.
It was like a dream come true when Mom and Dad bought a lot right across from the golf course when I was about 12 and moved an old house that we referred to as "The Ross House" that had been located across the road from our farm.
Summers spent at the lake as a teenager were so much fun! You met up with your lake buddies. Some were your regular friends from Cut Knife, but some were from neighboring towns and even further.
In the summer of 1977 I got a job working for the Elks at the concession booth. In those days, the Elks ran the booth and hired young people to work, usually high school or university students.
Lyle and Emma Sandberg were our supervisors and they were great to work with. I remember the summer seemed especially rainy - it was cloudy and cooler than usual. One beautiful day near the end of the season, Lyle insisted that he run the booth while we girls spent the afternoon on the beach. I will never forget his kindness.
It was unusual at that time for customers to actually come in the booth to choose what they wanted. Most of the time, they would send us searching for their goods. The children were lots of fun. They would say the funniest things. I remember one youngster that would come and ask for a "smack of parties".
Because there weren't too many people that had telephones in their cabins and they certainly didn't have cell phones, we spent quite a bit of time receiving calls and relaying messages to campers. I don't know how many times I would call out "________, Come to the Booth" over the loud speaker.
The Merry-go- round was removed from the playground area in the Park in 1977. I took a photo with my trusty camera of the process. I am including it with my story.
Rick and I now have a cottage at Atton's Lake and probably will have for many years. My family also spends a lot of time there golfing and getting together. The natural beauty and the wildlife is something we have come to enjoy there. It is definitely a summer meeting place for us.
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Sign on road to lake1978
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Credits:Highway 40 Courier
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Highway 40 Courier, July 19, 1978Elk's Annual Sports Day a Success!!
Sunday, July 16 was a pleasant day for the Cut Knife Elks Lodge #380 24th Annual Sports Day at Atton's Lake. There were in the vicinity of 3000 persons in attendance. Activities were busy at the booth with (can you believe!!) about 2100 hamburgers sold!! The ball games were the main attraction. An "Antique" car display proved interesting. The "Country Sunshine" Band from Hafford were enjoyed by all.
There were many other activities in the park. Conditions were ideal at the beach. The day also provides a great opportunity for family get-togethers and a good deal of friendly visiting.
The results of the Ball Tournament were as follows:
A SIDE:
1ST - A & W Bears of North Battleford clinched first spot winning $400.00. Winning $250.00 were Rempel Bros. of Saskatoon.
B SIDE:
Our local team, the Cut Knife Lakers won first prize on the B Side, winning $250.00. Ruth won 2nd prize in the B Event, winning $100.00.
Our local team, the Cut Knife Lakers played their first game at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning, losing 2-1 to the Rosthern F.F.C.'s . Their next game was against the Macklin Merchants when they beat them 12-3. Then they met the Saskatoon Lumbermarts and after playing three innings, they beat them 7-0. In their final game, they beat Ruth 7-3, clinching first in the B event. Congratulations Lakers!
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Notice to Cabin OwnersJune 6, 1979
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Credits:Highway 40 Courier
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The enviornment began to influence the cabin owners as they were required to upgrade their sewage facilities.22
Swimming BadgesCirca 1970-1980's
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Credits:Sayers, Lorna
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Swim Instruction and Water Safety Courses were offered by the Elks throughout these years.24
Hole in One!August 9, 1978
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Credits:Highway 40 Courier
Lorie Gibson
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