1

First Picnic
1907
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

2

Cut Knife Journal, August 20, 1914

Atton's Lake the Spot for Picnics
On Sunday last a party of picnickers from town spent the day at Atton's Lake - one of the most beautiful lakes in Saskatchewan. The day was spent by those present in boating, bathing, snap shot taking and many other things usual at an outing of such kind. This outing was the result of a baseball game played a few days ago between the married and single men, the losers to pay for picnic - the married men being elected. Mr. Geo. Laliberte was the captain for the married men and did his part in a very credible manner. When the party arrived at the lake, Mr. Laliberte assisted by J.L. Ross put on a general "house woman's clothing" and commenced to get dinner for the gathering - some dinner too. We even had chicken which was cooked to the King's taste. It would be a hard task to mention just what the tables were composed of in the eating line, but we might say there was sufficient to "feed" another party of the same size left. We would strongly recommend the above two gentlemen to any future gatherings as "help". The party consisted of the following: Mr. And Mrs. Kenneth Robertson and two children, Mr. And Mrs. L. Jeanotte and child, Mr. And Mrs. J.E. Tackaberry and two children, Mrs. Reid, Miss J. Warden, the Misses Orton, Roy Patterson, J.L. Ross, Elmer Munsell, J. And S. Warden, L. A. Fitzpatrick, R. Ross, E.A. Dillman, R. Mitten, P. And J. Gibeault, E.L. Hobb, Harold Ramsay, W.W. Johnson and "Nigger", the mascot of the party.
NOTES OF THE DAY:
" Some cooks - enough said.
" Some beautiful spot for a picnic. Eh!
" Many fine snap shots were taken of bathers.
" Ab, does not like bathing with his Sunday clothes on.
" The children sure enjoyed the sandy shores of the lake.
" Harold, with Rio De, his race horse is quite a ladies man.
" It was a fine day for bathing, nearly all the party enjoying a bath - men, women and children.
" Yellow, green, white and black was in evidence when Harold and "Jim" took Rio De out beyond his depth with the boat.
" One of the party who refused to swim and was caught playing tricks was carried into the water by two able bathers with his clothes on and "ducked".

3

Three young ladies at the first picnic
1907
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

4

Cut Knife Grinder, July 22, 1915

Camping Out Idea for Cut Knife People

The people of Rosetown have struck upon a happy idea of getting away from the dust and grime of office and store and enjoying a week or a weekend at Crystal Beach near Harris, twenty miles away, where they have founded a resort known as "Camp Rest-a-While". A number chipped in together and purchased a tent or several and a complete camping outfit and take turns in going out in batches for a short holiday; making it a point to assist each other in business affairs to enable all to get away.
It just struck us this would be an idea well worthy of giving a tryout in Cut Knife and form a camp at Atton's Lake suggesting "Camp Loafawhil" as a suitable name. We have had the joys of a dip at Crystal Beach and have also had several baptisms in our local lake and heartily accord the preference to Atton's Lake. The general camping conditions and scenery are also far ahead of the lake at Harris and we see no reason, with a little cooperation, why many very enjoyable and health-giving outings could not be given to the business men, their wives and children and the people of the town in general. Think this over and discuss it with every meal. - It will prove an aid to digestion.

5

Main Beach in 1914
1914
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

6

Cut Knife Grinder, June 27, 1918

The Chautauqua entertainers went out to Atton's Lake yesterday, after the afternoon performance, to enjoy the cool breezes and refreshing waters of our summer resort.

7

Boating on Attons after a Double Wedding
July 26, 1914
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Weikle, Rena

8

Eliza Brown, cooling off by wading.
Circa 1913-4
Main Beach, Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Weikle, Rena

9

Cut Knife Grinder, July 4, 1919

Holiday Picnics

The picnics at Atton's Lake on July 1st were a decided success, both the one gotten up by the Unity people and the one by the Ladies' Aid of Gallivan. In all, about 60 autos came, loaded with people, besides numerous horses and rigs. The latter, however, were hopelessly in the minority.

The day's amusement consisted principally of bathing and boating, although a schedule of races was inaugurated, which produced very good entertainment and enthusiasm. The day passed pleasantly and everybody present seemed to fully enjoy themselves.

One incident that afforded considerable amusement was the maiden effort of a young man to take a swim. After making full preparations he walked into the water up to his knees, shook his head, looked at the other bathers, discovered that the water was wet, and beat a hasty retreat. It may have been that he was a little sensitive and hesitated to brave the dangers of the deep before so many accomplished swimmers. And in this connection the words of the old proverb fit admirably: "Faint heart ne'er won fair lady: - or learned to swim either.

10

Very Early Picnic
Circa 1915
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

11

Lunch on the Grass at the Lake
Circa 1915
Atton's Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

Credits:
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum

12

Cut Knife Grinder, August 22, 1919

Bathers are making good use of the lake while the weather continues to be favourable. And, by the way, why does everybody refer to that lovely spot simply as "the lake?" Why not get to know it as Cut Knife Beach?