The Lloydminster Figure skating Club was founded in 1949 by Julius Bear
and with the help of Bertha (Dilling) Dubyk. There were some good
carnivals held in the next eight to ten years. Among the junior skaters
was Gail Holt.
In 1963 when Gail was eleven years old, she spent one month training in
North Battleford with professional, Mrs. Noelle Asleson, and then entered the Prairie
Section Championships in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. She skated against skaters
from Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Regina, and Brandon. She
emerged as the winner and was declared Juvenile Ladies Champion.
The new Centennial Civic Centre opened in 1964 and under the direction
of Noelle Asleson "Cowtown Carnival" was presented In 1966 and
"Tropic Carnival" in 1967. These productions featured local soloists
with Gail performing in both. Gail was the first local skater to get her
gold medal in figures and free skating. She also earned the gold it' dance
and free dance. Gail has taught in the local club and summer school as
well as many clubs in the surrounding areas - a credit to the Lloydminster Club
and to the parents who spent countless hours helping young skaters.
Gail, who lives with her husband Frank and son Shayne in Calgary,
currently acts an judge and "gold tester" in figure skating. Shayne
Mapletoft draws on his cowboy roots and his love of sports when choosing a
subject for his art. The "Buffalo Bill Cody" print is done in
pointillism style. This style is accomplished with an ink pen and
thousands of dots. It took 80 hours of work to complete and earned a mark
of 95% in a Grade 12 art class.