The Headliner
A look back at 2021
Joseph Bernacki, John Kendle, Gabrielle Piche 16 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021If 2020 was a year like no other, with the arrival of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant disruption of life as we knew it, then 2021 was A Year Like No Other: The Sequel.
The ‘new normal’ of life in Manitoba involves hand sanitizer, mandatory face masks in public spaces and the expansion and contraction of public health restrictions.
Children and students spent the first half of the year finishing up the 2020-21 school year in virtual classrooms. By fall, businesses, schools and event and entertainment venues began to open up at full capacity (with mandatory masking for all and proof of vaccination requirements for adults). However, the rollercoaster nature of this SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been such that we end 2021 worrying about the new, seemingly more infectious Omicron strain of the virus and wondering if we may yet face another lockdown and tighter restrictions.
Throughout the year, however, most Manitobans have proven themselves to be caring, thoughtful and resilient. We have found new and creative ways to endure the difficulties of the past 12 months, and to make the most of what we have been able to do.
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Montessori school planned for Grace Church
Margaret Spratt 3 minute read PreviewMontessori school planned for Grace Church
Margaret Spratt 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 20, 2021The R.M. of Headingley council approved a request to use Grace Community Church as a daycare/Montessori School at its Dec. 14 meeting.
The request came from Asma Jafri, who currently runs a daycare out of her home and needs more space.
“Children need other children,” Jafri said. “They want to play with others. They want to talk with others. They love to learn from each other.”
Chay Stratton, the children and community pastor at Grace Community Church, said there’s a need for daycare in the Headingley area.
ReadHelping seniors understand technology
Margaret Spratt 3 minute read PreviewHelping seniors understand technology
Margaret Spratt 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 20, 2021The Portage Learning and Literacy Centre will hold iPhone and smartphone seminars for seniors in January.
“I plan on not so much removing the mystery but removing the fear of pressing the wrong button,” said Holly Asham, a technology literacy teacher at the centre who will lead the seminars.
Asham said the program will focus on basic introductions to phones and computers, with an emphasis on transferable skills that seniors can use to across many platforms.
“These are all separate things,” Asham said. “You know, this is a drill and this is a grinder and this is a screwdriver. We want to connect all of those.”
ReadMovie studio headed to Headingley
Margaret Spratt 3 minute read PreviewMovie studio headed to Headingley
Margaret Spratt 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 20, 2021The R.M. of Headingley has received provincial approval of a zoning variance which will allow the Hudson Media Group to construct a movie studio west of Camp Manitou Road.
“It’s quite an interesting project,” said Chris Fulsher, chief administrative officer of the R.M. of Headingley.
The 16-hectare parcel of land has been re-zoned from neighbourhood to business is about 40 acres in size. Fulsher said the studio will consist of three sound stages and production facilities and will use all the latest technology.
Hudson Media Group is owned by Melissa Elias, a Winnipeg-raised actress who has appeared in several Hallmark movies. She did not respond to requests for an interview.
ReadSensitive Santa setting up shop on Dec. 11
Simon Fuller 4 minute read PreviewSensitive Santa setting up shop on Dec. 11
Simon Fuller 4 minute read Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021An upcoming community event is set to show that Santa has a sensitive side.
The Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association will hold a Sensitive Santa event on Sat., Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate, at 1549 St. Mary’s Rd. in St. Vital.
One of the goals of the event is to help ensure individuals of any age enjoy a stress-free visit with Santa and his helpers this holiday season. Kristy McFee, the association’s executive director, said recently that such a trip can be a stressful experience for many people with different abilities for any number of reasons — a trip to the mall can overwhelm the senses, lineups can cause anxiety, and loud noises can turn a magical experience into one to forget.
“As a parent with four kids, including a daughter with autism, I was talking to other parents about how hard the typical waiting-for-Santa experience can be for some people when they’re standing in line, and there are bright lights and lights flashing,” McFee said, noting she is excited about the upcoming event, not least because Santa has had some special training for the occasion.
ReadNew look, new titles for Canstar papers in 2022
John Kendle 3 minute read PreviewNew look, new titles for Canstar papers in 2022
John Kendle 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 6, 2021Your community newspapers are going to look and feel a little different in 2022.
Beginning with the issues of Jan. 5, the six titles published by Canstar Community News will be combined to become two larger community newspapers – the Free Press Community Review East edition and the Free Press Community Review West edition.
The Free Press Community Review, both East and West, will be full of local news, sports and feature articles written by our staff reporters, as well as the community correspondents who write about the issues that matter to their neighbourhoods.
The coverage areas of the two new publications are defined by a line that runs roughly parallel to the path of the Red River.
ReadAcknowledging the great work of Urban Stable
Myrna Driedger 4 minute read PreviewAcknowledging the great work of Urban Stable
Myrna Driedger 4 minute read Friday, Dec. 3, 2021I’ve always felt that strong community organizations are at the core of a happy, connected, and vibrant community. As the MLA for the constituency of Roblin, I’ve had the honour over the years of connecting with so many impactful community organizations.
One such organization is Urban Stable. Its mission is to empower youth to engage in their education and community and achieve personal success through hands-on learning experiences with horses.
Growing up around horses in my home town of Benito, Man., I know how impactful their presence can be.
Recently, one of the pillars in the Urban Stable community announced her retirement from Urban Stable. Wendy MacDonald, co-founder and executive director is retiring after 20 years. I want to say thank you to Wendy for all her hard work over these past two decades. Her dedication to community has positively affected the lives of so many youth— over 700 youth and their families, in fact.
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Macdonald Swarm looking to sting the competition
Joseph Bernacki 10 minute read PreviewMacdonald Swarm looking to sting the competition
Joseph Bernacki 10 minute read Friday, Dec. 3, 2021Nearly a month in to their inaugural regular season, the Macdonald Swarm are looking to sting the competition in the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League and start putting some more wins in the column, just as they did on opening night.“They were anxious to get going, we were a little bit nervous where we’d fit,” said Brad Day, general manager of the Macdonald Swarm, talking about the team’s first game.“We had played one exhibition game and lost in overtime. A lot of these guys hadn’t played in a year or year and a half so they were excited.”“The first game everyone was pretty excited, getting the ball rolling and not knowing what to expect,” said Swarm head coach Darren Wiechern.The Swarm, based out of Sanford, defeated the Lorette Comets by a score of 3-2 in overtime in that first game.Since then, the team has fallen to 1-4-0 through its first five regular season games and sat last in the six-team league ahead of a Dec. 4 game vs. Lorette. Day said there is plenty of motivation to keep building from defeat.“It was very nice, we played a tough team and every game so far has been close,” Day said.“We’re getting better, stronger and a little more comfortable with each other. We’re a competitive team in this league and our goaltending has been exceptional. Hopefully we have a good back half to the season here.”“We knew Lorette was going to be one of the better teams in the league so it was a good win for us,” Wiechern added. “My biggest takeaway is knowing that we can keep up with all the teams in the league and fine tuning the little aspects to hope they come around come playoffs. Our defensive game needs to be picked up a little bit with regards to breaking out and keeping the control in the offensive zone.”The general manager recognized Wiechern’s concern and said many teams in the league are still finding their feet defensively. “We need to improve our defensive play and that’s no secret amongst all of us,” Day said.“That’s going to be the focus, work more on systems and continue to play hard.”At press time, the Swarm had played four of the five other teams in the HTJHL and had 19 games left in the season. Day said his expectations of the league play have improved.“It’s a very good league, when I looked at this league in the past, guys had told me it’s decent but it’s not great,” Day said. “They said it used to be a league of just thugs, a tough-and-rough league and the quality of hockey has dramatically improved.”The general manager said there’s a lot more skill present on ice every night which has kept the play at a high level and the competition excellent.“It’s been very close, if you look at the first couple of weeks, just about every single game was an overtime game or a one or two goal game,” Day explained.“For us as a new team to be able to hang in that group has been good. We’ve had some injury issues and that’s made it a little more difficult for us as well. We’re in much better condition as a team than we were a month and a half ago. It’s a bit of puck luck here and there, and now it’s a matter of winning.”The general manager said the River East Royal Knights of the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League recently recruited Brennan Cook, a forward from the Swarm. Day said he is happy to see kids move on to a higher level of junior hockey and is grateful to both the Sanford and Starbuck arenas for giving the Swarm a home rink this season. “After starting a team this late, they’ve been extremely cooperative in accommodating us,” Day said.Day and Wiechern said the Sanford club has gotten a lot of interest from kids in high school and other junior hockey leagues after the season has started. The two are delighted to see the enthusiasm the team has brought to the community and look to expand their contingent base of players. “It’s been very satisfying for me and certainly I see going forward it’s an opportunity for a lot of kids,” Day said.“We have a couple more now, a few guys looking to make a fresh start now close to home,” Wiechern said.“It’s great, it’s all a very close group of guys, they all enjoy playing together and our chemistry is starting to come around and you can see the morale in the dressing room, everyone is there having fun and that’s the main thing to be.”
Nearly a month in to their inaugural regular season, the Macdonald Swarm are looking to sting the competition in the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League and start putting some more wins in the column, just as they did on opening night.
“They were anxious to get going, we were a little bit nervous where we’d fit,” said Brad Day, general manager of the Macdonald Swarm, talking about the team’s first game.
“We had played one exhibition game and lost in overtime. A lot of these guys hadn’t played in a year or year and a half so they were excited.”
ReadYuletide Lights delight at Fort la Reine
Joseph Bernacki 8 minute read PreviewYuletide Lights delight at Fort la Reine
Joseph Bernacki 8 minute read Friday, Dec. 3, 2021A Christmas display that will take you back to a simpler time is underway at Fort la Reine as the museum is hosting its first outdoor evening walking tour.“It’s definitely a pleasure to step away from the office every once in a while and co-ordinate a large-scale event, it’s something that I’m really passionate about,” said Madison Connolly, executive director of Fort la Reine Museum. “I just love seeing the smiles on people’s faces and it’s worth putting in all the extra hours setting up lights and decorating.”Running from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 9, 10 and 11, the museum’s Yuletide Lights display will take guests on a walking tour of the grounds and through a few of the heritage buildings on site, including the general store and community favourite Hourie House, each decorated in a Victorian Christmas style. Connolly said the event was an idea she would have liked to have offered last year but could not due to the pandemic. “The idea came out last year when we couldn’t offer our regular yuletide event, which is usually what we do in one afternoon in the second week of December. We’ll have sleigh rides, activities and games and festive programming during the day,” Connolly explained.“I started organizing a yuletide lights event in lieu of our regular holiday event and this was going to be an outdoor walking tour of all the heritage buildings lit up for the holidays, some music and more of a safer choice for people who want to celebrate the holidays.”In partnership with Portage Learning and Literacy Centre, admission is gained by donation this year and complimentary hot chocolate will be served indoors. Attendees 12 and up must show proof of vaccination for the event and the museum is asking the public to not bring their dogs to the outdoor display. Miriam Turyamwijuka, the settlement co-ordinator for PLLC, said the event is a welcome return to Portage after the city stopped its light display years ago. “I think it’s quite exciting, years ago we used to have lights at the island and people would drive around and see the lights and people have really missed it for so many years,” Turyamwijuka told The Headliner.“I’m excited to see some of those lights that we’ve missed. To see this happen, it brings up the spirit and it fills in that blank a little bit.”Turyamwijuka explained that the city used to allow cars to explore the island in Portage for $5 and see the various light displays. The settlement co-ordinator said Connolly’s efforts are giving the museum new life through its seasonal events.“The way the museum runs now is it really encourages the community to get out there and appreciate the history that we have here,” Turyamwijuka said.“When we were setting up the lights inside the buildings for a heritage theme and going through some of the decorations, I thought this reminded me of when I was a kid. You kind of get a little thrill and I think that’s what people get when Madison does these events. This looks like something I got for my grandparents.”Connolly, approaching her fourth year as executive director for the museum, echoed that idea.“It’s also nice to make sure to let people know the museum still exists in the off-season,” Connolly said.“There are still people that are thriving here and wanting to see the museum grow and become more of a staple for community events. I’m really excited to bring a little bit of joy to people this year.”For more information on this year’s event, visit fortlareinemuseum.com
A Christmas display that will take you back to a simpler time is underway at Fort la Reine as the museum is hosting its first outdoor evening walking tour.
“It’s definitely a pleasure to step away from the office every once in a while and co-ordinate a large-scale event, it’s something that I’m really passionate about,” said Madison Connolly, executive director of Fort la Reine Museum.
“I just love seeing the smiles on people’s faces and it’s worth putting in all the extra hours setting up lights and decorating.”
Read‘If we can’t mingle, let’s jingle’ in Portage
Joseph Bernacki 10 minute read Preview‘If we can’t mingle, let’s jingle’ in Portage
Joseph Bernacki 10 minute read Friday, Dec. 3, 2021The festive spirit is in the air down the streets of Portage La Prairie, as several businesses are coming together to spread some holiday cheer via recorded videos and greetings.“We have some really great entertainers in Portage, and we thought it would be a great way for people to show off their talents and send a holiday greeting for the whole community to get involved,” said Megan Romphf, cultural connector for Portage Local Immigration Partnership“It brings joy and a sense of camaraderie over the holiday season in Portage La Prairie.”Romphf and her co-worker Tara Brugger, the community engagement co-ordinator for Portage Community Revitalization Corporation, originally wanted to host a virtual community Christmas concert but the idea was set aside this year based on some logistics issues and time. The two brainstormed some ideas with inspiration from a ‘sign wars’ challenge issued by Styled With Meraki hair salon and Tornado’s Restaurant in the city over the summer. Businesses began promoting others via shoutouts and the idea of ‘If We Can’t Mingle, Let’s Jingle’ took off from there.“That’s how we came on the idea — what if we could challenge other businesses to put out a holiday jingle just to help spread the holiday cheer,” Brugger told The Headliner. “I’m so excited, especially as I know we have a few newer businesses in Portage, as well. I think it’s a great way for some of those newer and smaller businesses to jump on board, as it’s free advertising for them. It also brings our community together. We have some members stuck at home and this is a way they can go out, stay safe and get that holiday cheer.”The idea quickly garnered the interest of Meseyton Construction in Portage, who agreed to be the main sponsor for the event, which wraps up on Dec. 17. The construction company was the first to call out other businesses in the community, including PCRC and E.F. Moon Construction.“It was a fun little event. A couple of coworkers got together and made a fun video to call out a couple of other businesses and it’ll be interesting to see how it takes off over the next couple of weeks,” said Brendan Schaan, human resource generalist for Meseyton Construction.“We have a financial commitment in it as well. We’re looking for as many people as we can to get their names put in before the 17th of December and then we’ll do a live draw. The winner can pick the charity of their choice and donate $400.”At press time, PCRC quickly got their video jingle together based on the Twelve Days of Christmas — their 12 days of Portage video was sent out to Prairie Fusion Arts & Entertainment, the City of Portage and the Family Resource Centre. The lyrics were as follows:“On the 12 days of Christmas, Portage gave to me: 12 geese a hissing, 11 potato trucks, 10 train crossings, nine zoom meetings, eight months of drought, seven grain silos, six Portage Terriers, five chicken and pizza places, only 4 parking spots, three COVID shots, two Ferris Wheels (round-a-bouts), and one larger than life Coke Can,” Brugger exclaimed.Schaan has found over his time spent in Portage that the community tends to gravitate towards ideas like this when you’re from a place where everybody knows your name.“It’s a wonderful thing to see. Over the summer when we did those sign wars, you just saw how this community picked up on something that they thought was a really great idea and they continued to carry it through,” Schaan said.“People pick up and help each other out as much as we can.”It’s in part why Brugger and Romphf continue to do what they do as facilitators of events across the calendar in Portage.“I think what I’ve enjoyed the most is that everyone is so willing to jump on board with ideas to help strengthen and build our community,” Brugger said.“It feels really good, it’s about coming together as a community and sharing in the spirit of the holidays,” Romphf said.“It feels very humbling to know that we all share the same passions and goals which is building our community from within the community. It makes everyone feel welcomed to be a part of this.”To check out the different holiday jingles submitted online, visit PCRC’s Facebook page.
The festive spirit is in the air down the streets of Portage La Prairie, as several businesses are coming together to spread some holiday cheer via recorded videos and greetings.
“We have some really great entertainers in Portage, and we thought it would be a great way for people to show off their talents and send a holiday greeting for the whole community to get involved,” said Megan Romphf, cultural connector for Portage Local Immigration Partnership
“It brings joy and a sense of camaraderie over the holiday season in Portage La Prairie.”
ReadTwisters touch down on the ice
Joseph Bernacki 11 minute read PreviewTwisters touch down on the ice
Joseph Bernacki 11 minute read Friday, Dec. 3, 2021
The Pembina Valley Twisters are continuing to create a whirlwind of force on ice as the club is putting the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League on notice.“I’d say the group of guys have bought into the way we need to play to be successful this year, they are playing hard and coming to the rink ready to work whether it’s a game or practice,” head coach Matt Dyck said. “Everyone’s been working hard, buying into the system, making a good first pass and getting pucks in deep,” added Twisters captain Travis Penner.At press time, the Twisters had a record of 13-3-2 and sat third in the league with 28 points as they closed in on the season’s halfway mark. The Pembina Valley squad won eight of its nine games in October, and are riding a three-game winning streak from the month of November. The head coach said special teams have lately become an area of focus.“(On) our power play, we’ve been able to generate offence by getting a lot of pucks to the net, obviously when you’re capitalizing on that, that really helps out getting wins,” Dyck said. “Our penalty kill took a bit of a hiccup there two or three weeks ago. If you take seven or eight penalties a game, pucks are going to start going in the back of the net. I think we have a stranglehold on that now.” The Pembina Valley club has maintained a strong defensive presence on ice from the season star, averaging only 2.72 goals against per game, good enough for second best in the league. “Playing good defence is where everything starts,” Penner said.“You can score as many goals as you want but you can’t let in more than two or three to typically win a game.”The captain, who now has four goals and 15 assists on the year, said the goaltending tandem of Logan Enns and Martin Gagnon deserves credit.“Both of our goalies have been really stellar this year in all situations,” Penner said.“Just being consistent and making big saves occasionally when there’s a breakdown and they have to.”“They are a really good tandem, I think they are pretty confident that they can both face any team in the league and we’re confident in them,” Dyck added. “I think we only have five games where we allowed more than three goals, we’ve given ourselves a chance to win on a regular basis.”Gagnon, in his fourth year of the club, has a .907 save percentage with a goals-against average of 2.66 and a record of 6-3-1. Enns, in his first year with the team, has a .905 save percentage with a GAA of 2.50 and a record of 7-0-2. On the offensive end, the team has not taken its foot off the gas, averaging 4.33 goals per game — third highest in the MMJHL this season. The head coach said scoring was high at the beginning of the year as teams struggled defensively but play has now tightened up. The Twisters acquired forward Curtis Rebeck from the River East Royal Knights in a trade two weeks ago that has pleased management.“It gives us three offensive threats and solidifies our top four, so we can basically open our door, and play four lines which gives us a big advantage for the duration of the game,” Dyck said.“If you go through our game sheets, you don’t just see the same guys on there every night. There was a stretch when our third and fourth lines were producing all of our points. That’s helped to our success.”The head coach said the league’s competitive natured has not waned as the Twisters sit behind the St. James Jr. Canucks and Transcona Railer Express , who are in first and second place, respectively. Dyck said the Canucks defensive core and Transcona’s offensive forwards will make them stiff competition, and acknowledged the parity of the MMJHL.“If you look at those top six teams, we lost to Fort Garry, Stonewall and the Charleswood Hawks,” Dyck said.“Right there that goes to show you if you don’t show up ready to play, anyone can put themselves in a game with you.”“If you’re not working hard every night, you can’t take nights off, it’s as simple as that,” Penner said.Dyck said going into the Christmas break he would like to see a consistent effort throughout the Twisters lineup to prepare for an intense return in January.“After Christmas things are going to pick up quite a bit moving into that last stretch before the playoffs,” Dyck said. “The pace of play is going to get a lot higher, your time and space is going to be taken away, and we want to go into the break firing on all cylinders.” For the Twisters captain, the motivation has not dropped since the start of the season as he tries to make the most of his time left in junior hockey.“It’s my last year of juniors so this is my last chance to win the trophy again so every night is a building block towards the playoffs, trying to become a better team and I give it my all,” Penner said. “Doing all the little things you got to do to win hockey games.”
The Pembina Valley Twisters are continuing to create a whirlwind of force on ice as the club is putting the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League on notice.
“I’d say the group of guys have bought into the way we need to play to be successful this year, they are playing hard and coming to the rink ready to work whether it’s a game or practice,” head coach Matt Dyck said.
ReadOne million lights and counting
Joseph Bernacki 9 minute read PreviewOne million lights and counting
Joseph Bernacki 9 minute read Monday, Nov. 29, 2021The wait is nearly over for those looking to enjoy the Christmas spirit in the air at the Red River Ex, as the Canad Inns Winter Wonderland display is set to light up on Dec. 3. “Every year for me it screams Christmas,” said Garth Rogerson, CEO of the Red River Exhibition Association. “I’ve enjoyed putting together our statue area this year, our skating rink is very popular and this year we’re opening a brand new permanent warm up structure. It’s all going to come together. I love the show so much that I go through it every night.”After 22 years and counting, the CEO shared what he loves the most about the 2.5-kilometre drive in light displays. “There’s so many different areas that there is really something for everybody,” Rogerson told The Headliner.“We see particularly with the Tunnel of Hearts, we see people that stop and get engaged in that area. We’ve made that area extra wide for people to do those kinds of romantic things. I imagine those photos turned out pretty good.”Running from Dec. 3 to Jan. 8, 2022, the 26 different themed Christmas light displays take a lot of work to set up each year. It’s a process that begins well ahead of the holiday season.“Some of the fixtures are over 30 feet tall, it’s not just setting up, it’s all those darn bulbs,” Rogerson laughed.“It takes months, we start this in September and they’re working right until we open in December. It’s a massive undertaking. Just think about setting up bulbs on your house, well times that by 5,000 and you have what we do here. There’s 10 guys working every day, all day trying to get it set up.”Over 3,000,000 watts are lit over the course of the 2.5-kilometre drive. Another highlight on display in the winter wonderland is the 70-foot-tall Christmas tree. It’s a job the CEO is happy to pass along based on the extreme heights.“Getting the tree up takes specialized equipment and takes someone with enough bravery to go up on a machine 70 feet up,” Rogerson joked.“The effort is worth it when we see so many people come through and enjoy the show.”Rogerson has overseen the event for 14 years as CEO. This year he recommends Mondays and Tuesdays as good days to attend the displays based on huge crowds from last year, but is optimistic with more things open to the public, the lines should not be as lengthy. “Last year was four times the crowd we usually get, we had a five-kilometre line of cars which was incredible,” Rogerson said.“I think people will be reassured they won’t have to wait two hours in line.”Rogerson said on weekends it is typical to see over a thousand cars attend the displays in a single night. This year, the Red River Ex is offering a special promotion to guests who attend on Wednesday nights. Each attendee will be given a pair of 3D glasses, which gives each light display an added dimension, according to Rogerson.“I wouldn’t recommend driving home with them on,” Rogerson laughed.For the CEO, the winter wonderland display always seems to bring him the Christmas spirit, and he can see that resonated in everyone that attends the seasonal attraction.“I love Christmas and I love the lights, the gaudier the lights, the better and you can never have enough,” Rogerson said.“It’s hard to describe, but it makes you feel warm inside. I often go out and direct traffic, and people are rolling down their windows and wave and say ‘Merry Christmas’, everybody seems happy and they enjoy their time here. It’s a unique kind of experience that you don’t often see and I think the show does that.”Over those 22 years, more than $340,000 has been given away to local charities in proceeds from the show. This year the Red River Exhibition Foundation has grown its scholarship program to 28, a number Rogerson is excited to see rising. The CEO is encouraging people to bring as many as they can fit into one car and to buy their tickets in advance, which are $15 per car. For more information, visit redriverex.com
The wait is nearly over for those looking to enjoy the Christmas spirit in the air at the Red River Ex, as the Canad Inns Winter Wonderland display is set to light up on Dec. 3.
“Every year for me it screams Christmas,” said Garth Rogerson, CEO of the Red River Exhibition Association.
“I’ve enjoyed putting together our statue area this year, our skating rink is very popular and this year we’re opening a brand new permanent warm up structure. It’s all going to come together. I love the show so much that I go through it every night.”
ReadPortage musician wins guitarist of the year
Joseph Bernacki 8 minute read PreviewPortage musician wins guitarist of the year
Joseph Bernacki 8 minute read Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021The days of chasing that neon rainbow have come one step closer for Troy Flamand, a guitarist from Portage La Prairie. Flamand recently took home the 2021 Manitoba Country Music Award for Best Guitarist in the All Star Band of the Year category and his first ever win was an indescribable feeling.“Honestly, I was absolutely ecstatic,” Flamand exclaimed.“There was an unbelievable list of very talented guitar players up there and I keep saying I was honoured to have my name alongside those musicians, it was definitely something new for me.”This was Flamand’s second year being nominated in the same category following a nomination in 2019. Flamand said he was able to enjoy the moment even more by his relation to the rest of the people in the category.“One of them was a cousin of mine growing up, Brad Moggie, and the rest of the guys, Jordan Day and Brennan Wall, I’ve met and they are all great guys and musicians all around,” Flamand told The Headliner.Flamand is no stranger to learning music, having picked up the fiddle at age 12 which first got his interest in music. After a little while, the fiddle player turned to the guitar and by the time high school came, Flamand was playing in a few local bands.“I was doing a lot of rock music, kind of like any guitar player starting off,” Flamand said.“Then I started to hear some guys playing with a country sound, and just the tone that came from a country guitar player blew my mind and so I turned my focus towards that.”Flamand said he also found inspiration from Moggie after watching him play in local country bands in the area.“Just the way it gets a crowd going, it really drew me to it,” Flamand said.When he’s not working his regular job on Monday to Friday, Flamand has been able to stay busy in the Manitoba country music scene by performing with fellow Manitoban artist, Kendra Kay. The guitarist said he is a grateful to have an employer that understands his music career, especially while he prepares for upcoming gigs.“I’ve been playing with her for seven years now, and I’ve been fortunate to travel across Canada with her and play guitar and love every minute of it,” Flamand said.“I’m in Ontario right now for the (Canadian Country Music Awards) and my employer said go out there and do your thing and take the time off. The dream for any musician is to do it full time and I’m working my way there. I’m enjoying life with what the guitar has brought me.”Flamand was Kay’s lead guitarist during her shows at the event in London, Ont. The guitarist said he was able to take his playing skill to the next level after years of listening to country stars like Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Vince Gill.“I always heard my older cousin playing them and I thought Brad Paisley was one of the best guitar players I had ever heard,” Flamand explained.“I’ve picked up a lot of Vince Gill’s technique in guitar playing especially moving into more of a lead guitar role with the bands I play with.”At the start of the pandemic, Flamand like many musicians took some time to dig deep into songwriting and is grateful to have had opportunities to do a lot of local shows in Portage while he soaks in the impressive award he won.“Portage has been a great place to grow up and chase my aspirations for everything,” Flamand said.“I’m a very fortunate guy to have the things I have going on right now and I’ll see where they take me.”
The days of chasing that neon rainbow have come one step closer for Troy Flamand, a guitarist from Portage La Prairie.
Flamand recently took home the 2021 Manitoba Country Music Award for Best Guitarist in the All Star Band of the Year category and his first ever win was an indescribable feeling.
“Honestly, I was absolutely ecstatic,” Flamand exclaimed.
ReadSenior living complex enters second phase
Katlyn Streilein 5 minute read PreviewSenior living complex enters second phase
Katlyn Streilein 5 minute read Friday, Nov. 26, 2021The Assiniboia Community Committee met on Nov. 24 to approve three property developments and discuss a number of issues related to zoning and community clubs, among other hyperlocal issues.
The committee approved a plan by Brightwater Senior Living to construct the next portion of its three-phase assisted living housing project in Linden Ridge. The first phase saw the construction of a three-storey, 170-suite apartment on the west corner of the 10.8-acre lot at 75 Falcon Ridge Dr.
Phase two of the development entails a new three-storey, 208-unit apartment, also geared to older adults. The proposal includes plans for 328 parking stalls, 203 of which would be located underground.
“What’s unique about this campus is that the aggregate of the campus is a continuum of care for senior living,” Randall Corwin, the director of Riverbend Construction (the developer and operator of Brightwater Senior Living) said during the Nov. 24 meeting.
ReadNews in brief
8 minute read PreviewNews in brief
8 minute read Friday, Nov. 26, 2021Caution urged near waterWith temperatures dropping, residents are reminded to use extreme caution around all waterways, including drainage ditches, culverts, streams, creeks, retention ponds, and rivers and to keep dogs and other pets at a safe distance, as well.“We are starting to see thin layers of ice forming on the river and ponds,” said assistant chief Mark Reshaur, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.“Staying away from the riverbanks, and off of any thin ice, is the only way to prevent the dire consequences of falling through,” added patrol sergeant Jason English, River Patrol Supervisor for the Winnipeg Police Service. “The WPS considers all frozen bodies of water within the city of Winnipeg to be unsafe for recreational use with the exception of areas that are monitored in accordance with the City’s Frozen Waterways By-Law, such as the Forks Centennial River Trail.”According to a City of Winnipeg release, the WFPS responds to approximately 200 water and ice safety calls for service. The public is reminded that while “Danger - Thin Ice” signage is posted at specific locations including outfalls, retention ponds and other potentially dangerous areas, all ice should be considered unsafe even if warning signage is not present.Meanwhile, the province also issued a warning regarding thin ice on Manitoba’s lakes and rivers.The Hydrologic Forecast Centre of Manitoba Infrastructure cautioned recreational users of waterways, such as snowmobilers, skiers, icefishers not to head out on the hard water just yet, as ice conditions in southern and central Manitoba are likely dangerous until at least mid-December.“Thin ice is often covered by snow, which produces weak spots due to its insulating effect,” the news release noted. “(And) areas of fast-flowing water tend to have thinner ice at this time of the year, which may not be visible.”City seeking input on enhanced summer bike routesThe City of Winnipeg is seeking feedback on the Enhanced Summer Bike Route Program via an online survey.The program was first piloted in 2020 as a response to COVID-19. In 2021, the City of Winnipeg created 17 routes dedicated to active transportation on shared roadways throughout Winnipeg, limiting motor vehicle traffic to one block, either daily or on Sundays and holidays only (depending on route), between May and November.City planners are now seeking info on the routes, so as to decide whether “to continue any or all of the routes in some capacity beyond 2021 or until full studies can be conducted in each route’s respective area.”For more information, visit winnipeg.ca/summerbikesKeeping cool for a causeA group of outdoor enthusiasts want to make Winnipeg the snowman capital of the world. The Last Snowman Contest is back with a slate of cash prizes to be won. Former Winnipegger Maria den Oudsten founded the contest in 2003 to raise awareness about climate change.“The snowman is an icon and warning that if we do not do something about global warming, we may not see another snowman,” den Oudsten said, in a Nov. 24 press release. Last year, den Oudsten awarded $5,000 to the best creations and plans to do the same this time. The first place builder earns $2,000, second place brings in $500, and the next top ten designs win $200. The snowmen are judged on height, sturdiness, decoration, presence, charm and likes on social media. For each post, $1 will be donated to an environmental charity. Photos can be posted to the Facebook page @lastsnowmanwinnipeg or on Twitter @SnowmanLast. Entries may also be submitted by email to lastsnowmanwinnipeg@gmail.comFor more information, contact local ambassador Sandra Hasenack at 204-797-6022.
Caution urged near water
With temperatures dropping, residents are reminded to use extreme caution around all waterways, including drainage ditches, culverts, streams, creeks, retention ponds, and rivers and to keep dogs and other pets at a safe distance, as well.
“We are starting to see thin layers of ice forming on the river and ponds,” said assistant chief Mark Reshaur, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.
ReadJ.A. Cuddy School raises thousands for Terry Fox
Joseph Bernacki 10 minute read PreviewJ.A. Cuddy School raises thousands for Terry Fox
Joseph Bernacki 10 minute read Friday, Nov. 26, 2021The Red River Valley School Division continues to show an outpouring of support towards the legacy of Terry Fox and his foundation. Through the efforts of J.A. Cuddy School in Sanford, the foundation has received $13,528 from only 189 students.“I want to say how proud I am of the staff and students and the thankfulness of the community to support us the way they did,” said J.A. Cuddy principal Scott Thomson. “It isn’t anything specific that we did, it was the students and their families that ran with it. We were celebrating their success in fundraising for such a worthy cause. We’re pretty hopeful we’ll be the number one school in the province.”In years past, the school only focused on ideas like Toonies For Terry to help fundraise for the Terry Fox Foundation. Last year, the school raised $690, a previous high at the time. For this school year, Daniel Schinkel, a phys-ed teacher at J.A. Cuddy School kick-started their three week fundraiser with a new plan of action. “I felt like we could change it up this year and see what we could do and so some incentives came into mind,” Schinkel said.“We started off with simple things like pajama day for the kids, longer recess outside and then we got a little creative. We started to do tape the teacher to the wall and pie the teacher in the face at $2,000. Because they reached that in the first two days we had to keep adding on for every $1,000 until we reached $7,000.”Other incentives included Thomson kissing a goat at $4,000, a dunk tank at $5,000, the staff agreeing to walk outside in the winter in shorts, and the staff agreeing to sleep on the roof of the building on a spring night. Thomson said the students are holding them accountable for their hard work fundraising.“I think the community embraced that and has those same feelings about Terry Fox,” Thomson said.“The students when they learned about it, it started growing from there. It was really them that drove it, and we’d say ‘okay, our goal is $2,000, $3,000, $4,000’. Every morning on the announcements they reached their goal and we had to announce a new incentive to fundraise.”Schinkel said the school earned $2,000 in just two days. Over the course of the three weeks, students would send in online video pledges, and go door to door to family and friends in the Sanford community with their Marathon of Hope taking place on Oct. 8. The principal said aside from entertaining the students, the fundraising speaks to the importance of the charity, Fox’s legacy and cancer research itself. “Cancer has touched everybody in one way or another or unfortunately will at one point,” Thomson told The Headliner. “I think for people in my generation where we were around in school when Terry Fox was running and the impact that he’s had worldwide, it’s something that we’re proud of a Canadian that has done this.”“It’s crazy to think about how he was such an influential Canadian,” Schinkel added.Amelia and Naomi Wiebe-Price, sisters in Grade 5 and Grade 6 at J.A. Cuddy School, were two of the top student earners this year. Raising $420 each, the sisters were eager to do their part in representing the legacy of Terry Fox and enjoyed taping their teacher to the wall as an added bonus. “It felt really good because I knew I was raising money for something good,” Amelia said. “He did everything he could to try to raise money for cancer.” “One of my friends’ mom got cancer when I was really young and also a friend I knew it got it but has survived and is coming on and off of it,” Naomi said. “It feels really good to raise money so that people like her can hopefully get better. It was pretty fun to do some of those things but it was nice to know that we were also doing it for a good cause as well. I think we can all learn from him to do things to help people with cancer.” The phys-ed teacher said he enjoyed taking part in the activities the school has arranged thus far, but is happy his experience with the dunk tank is over. “The dunk tank was really cold,” Schinkel laughed.“That whole week it was really warm, the dunk tank shows up and then it’s like three degrees and windy. It was fun though and a blast, but cold.”The Wiebe-Price sisters are looking forward to being principal for a day as a show of gratitude from Thomson for their fundraising efforts. The school will find out in January if it was indeed the number one earner in the province, but no matter the result was delighted to earn what they could and hopes to replicate their efforts next year.
The Red River Valley School Division continues to show an outpouring of support towards the legacy of Terry Fox and his foundation. Through the efforts of J.A. Cuddy School in Sanford, the foundation has received $13,528 from only 189 students.
“I want to say how proud I am of the staff and students and the thankfulness of the community to support us the way they did,” said J.A. Cuddy principal Scott Thomson.
“It isn’t anything specific that we did, it was the students and their families that ran with it. We were celebrating their success in fundraising for such a worthy cause. We’re pretty hopeful we’ll be the number one school in the province.”
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