As the Broda Sportsplex in Kamsack opened for the winter season on the weekend, Kev Sumner, recreation director, looked forward to a couple of events being held this fall and is attempting to address a situation involving dogs at the sportsgrounds.
Of major concern to Sumner and other organizers of the annual Santa Claus parade being held during the community’s Moonlight Madness pre-Christmas shopping promotion, is that Santa will be coming to Kamsack this year without his reindeer.
For a few years now, with the help of former resident Gerald Ignatiuk of Preeceville and Wes Wirtz of Wadena, who operate the South Tundra Reindeer farm near Wadena, Santa came to Kamsack with a couple of his reindeer.
Unfortunately, a disease has affected the reindeer, Sumner said last week, adding that because of this, the reindeer will not be able to come to Kamsack.
Sumner said that this unfortunate event has provided a challenge and he said parade organizers this year will want to focus attention of people wishing to add their own “reindeer” to the parade.
“Maybe some children would like to get into the spirit and walk in the parade dressed as reindeer or some people might want to put a costume on their dogs making them resemble reindeer,” Sumner said. “It could be a lot of fun.”
He encourages groups and businesses to begin thinking about entering floats in the annual Santa Claus parade and said efforts are being undertaken to have a hockey game at the Broda Sportsplex to begin following the parade.
Regarding decorations, Sumner said it is possible that a contest will be launched to seek the best-decorated home for the holidays.
“We’ll do a twinkle tour of the community, and find a winner,” he said.
Prior to that, Sumner said a committee will be looking at all the homes in Kamsack that will be decorated for Halloween with the objective of finding “the best.”
He challenges homeowners to come up with a design that might out-shine the decorations that Shelley and David Filipchuk set out at their home on Nicholas Street each Halloween.
Of most immediate concern for Sumner is addressing complaints being received of dog poop at the sportsgrounds.
People often go to the sportsgrounds and use the area like an off-leash park, but fail to pick up after their dogs.
One plastic bag dispenser is available at the KCI nearby and this week another was scheduled to be placed at the sportsgrounds.
Remember it could be a fine of $100 if someone is proven to not having picked up after his or her dog, he said. Kids play at the sportsgrounds and it’s not hygienic to have dog poop scattered around. Also, it’s a matter of community pride.
“With that sort of a fine, it’s worth taking a bag along with you.”
