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June 26, 2010 Two Summer Solstice celebrations were held in southern Saskatchewan to welcome the long, lazy days of summer. In both locations, Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan and St. Michael’s Retreat House, the weather cooperated with sunny skies populated occasionally with summer cumulus clouds and a dearth of mosquitoes. Winter Solstice recognition has been celebrated at St. Michael’s for 10 years and this year supporters of the Retreat House began what they hope is a tradition of celebrating the summer solstice. “It’s so different from winter were we wait for the darkness and celebrate the return of the light,” said Cindy Seiferling of St. Michael’s. “We also want to make it a family celebration with Father’s Day.” The Summer Solstice always occurs on or near Father’s Day, the third Sunday in June. While St. Michael’s was beginning a tradition thousands attended Gravelbourg’s 10th anniversary of celebrating the Summer Solstice. This bilingual community celebrated in both French and English over 3 days with cultural demonstrations, including dance and music groups, art, artisan and craft displays ending on Sunday June 20 with a Choral presentation in the historic Our Lady of Assumption Co-Cathedral. “It’s a 3 day cultural festival,” said Shelley Hirstwood, Gravelbourg’s Economic Development Officer and Summer Solstice Coordinator. “Each year we celebrate a particular nationality and this year it was German so we had several German themed cultural events.” There were several other cultures present and it was like a mini mosaic, Said Hirstwood. The number of people who attended St. Michael’s was minuscule compared to Gravelbourg, about 30, but they were enthusiastic and enjoyed the afternoon. Vince Murphy, one of the organizers, noted the initial turnout for the first Winter Solstice celebration was also small but attendance has grown each year. “We worked at it and each year the Winter Solstice has gotten bigger and is a great success.” He expects it will take time to build the Summer Solstice celebration. It was a casual day with few organized activities. A huge “summer circle” was drawn on the parking lot and everyone was encouraged with the aid of sidewalk chalk to draw their own favourite icon of summer. A few drew various images of the sun, water, earth and sky and Joe Dufour drew a trumpet that brought back memories of playing the instrument with a summer band. There was one activity in which everyone participated; standing around the circle chanting a 4 line rhyme about summer, readings of a few prepared lines about summer and a small fire representing the heat and light of summer. Some walked down to the Labyrinth which plays an important role in the Winter Solstice celebration then up to the Summer Circle dedicated 2 years ago on a nearby hill. Both were listed as mediation sites. Frank Flegel 
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