The status quo was maintained this past weekend as both the Northern Manitoba Blizzard and Neepawa Titans split their weekend sets. That leaves the Blizzard two points up on the Titans with two games in hand in the battle for second place and home-ice advantage in the first round of the MJHL playoffs.
Blizzard Head Coach and General Manager says Eric Labrosse says while first place is still possible and within the realm of possibility (see this week’s MJHL column), playing Game One of their first-round playoff matchup at home remains the ultimate goal.
“We don’t want to lose any games, but the key part in all of this is to have home-ice advantage in the playoffs, whether it’s first or second,” he said. “It would be great to finish first, but my focus is to stay ahead of Neepawa.
“They’re two points behind us and though we still have two games in hand, they’re breathing down our backs – we can’t seem to pull away from them,” he added.

Recently the tri-community welcomed some international guests to experience all the charms of northern Manitoba and the true north way of life. Students from Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute (MBCI) hosted some international students from France a couple of weeks ago. This was a wonderful opportunity for all the students involved for a variety of reasons.
“This is the third international exchange program we’ve run,” said MBCI French Immersion Instructor Chris Afatsawo. “The exchange is between MBCI and a sister school in Bordeaux Jean-d’Arc d’Ascension, France. The purpose of the exchange is both linguistic and cultural.

Every year provincial government dignitaries come in to take in the Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival (NMTF). This year, five provincial Ministers took in the event, including the Minister of Culture, Sport and Heritage, Nellie Kennedy.
“Since we arrived in The Pas it has been non-stop excitement and we’ve had a lot of fun,” said Minister Kennedy. “This is my first time attending the NMTF and it did not disappoint. Everything that other people had told me about the event was true, but it was so much more.
“I was here with my colleagues, Minister Bushie, Minister Marcelino, Minister Simard and Minister Wiebe and our local MLA Amanda Lathlin showed us around.”

Connor Gottfried of Calgary, Alta., formerly of the Swan Valley, is flexing his creativity and trying his hand at creating contemporary art, art that has grown from an experimental hobby to finding a footing with an international audience.
Gottfried has taken to making interactive sculptures that is inspired by video games and culture of the 1980s and ‘90s, putting playable screens inside replicas of video game boxes as well as incorporating other technology and creating modified icons of the era.
“I’ve always been inspired by contemporary art, especially street art from my years skateboarding and snowboarding, and around 2016, I decided to buy some canvases and try to create some large artworks,” he said.
“I started with paint scraping and soon realized that I could print sheets of paper from my computer and glue them to the canvases to add digital realism in spots. Then, in 2019, I had an idea to put a small screen into a canvas that could play video games on it. Something clicked and it just resonated with me to explore the intersection of art and technology.
“I started building pieces with larger screens and these started doing well on the internet, with lots of people connecting with me on Instagram and a feature in an online magazine,” Gottfried continued. “Seeing how much joy these were bringing people really inspired me to create more.”
The first two pieces Gottfried made were intended to be prizes for the local-to-him University of Calgary campus radio station CJSW, to benefit annual fundraiser.
“Initially, I was just exploring an idea that I thought might be a cool prize for someone who donated to the station,” he said. “When that piece was featured on a popular American blog, it made me realize that it was connecting with something larger.”
The pieces are comprised of two categories of components: the electronics; and the sculptural aspects. In general, Gottfried buys the electronic components from Amazon since the small pieces are difficult to find in brick-and-mortar stores. Some items he’s also been able to source directly from China to lower costs.
“For the sculptural elements, I design the piece in Photoshop using layers and then these layers are printed onto an Aluminum Composite Panel, or ACP, at a print shop in Calgary,” said Gottfried. “ACP is a material commonly used in signage which has a layer of aluminum on either side of a plastic core. It’s both strong and lightweight so it’s perfect for these.
“I provide the print shop with the images and the tracing paths, and they use the tracing paths to cut out the parts for me using either a laser or a CNC router. This way, I can get 100 percent accurate pieces to assemble.”
Tinkering with computers and technology has been a lifelong passion for Gottfried, with his parents bringing home an Apple II computer when he was only five years old. In the 1990s, Gottfried was also involved with the local AccessTV committee, what is now known as a WCGtv Community Media Committee that produces local content for WCG cable, as well as being a major part of bringing internet connectivity to the Swan Valley. Today, Gottfried remains a leader in his company Leara eLearning, which provides a software e-learning and training product.
“When I was young, I was really blown away by the concept of an interactive game, how you could control the character in a virtual world, a world that you could create through programming,” said Gottfried. “Seeing this evolve over my lifetime into what it is now has been fascinating. I think it’s interesting how, in a sense, we shared a childhood with technology itself. We played together with the technology and, as we matured, so did the technology.
“Now, technology has matured into things like AI, which is highly complex. There will never be another generation who will experience the innocent relationship to technology that we had in our youth.”
Many of Gottfried’s pieces feature Nintendo properties such as the Super Mario Bros., Pokemon and the Legend of Zelda, as well as other video game icons – such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Tetris – and wider pop culture staples such as the Golden Girls, the Simpsons, Mr. T, Spongebob Squarepants, and more.
Gottfried’s collection has connected with an audience enough to soon find its way into a contemporary art gallery in Taipei, Taiwan, where he will display 65 pieces in the Dopeness Art Lab beginning on April 12.
His first piece went viral on Instagram in December 2021, and he has also had a solo exhibition at the S16 Gallery in Montreal, as well as contributed pieces in group shows held in Toronto, New York City, New Orleans and Los Angeles.
“I definitely have a personal love for video games of that era,” said Gottfried. “I’ve also chosen games that I think will help the audience feel nostalgia for themselves, so I often create pieces for games that I’ve never played. The underlying connection with all these pieces is the concept of play, which is why I’ve called my collection ‘Play’. Play is where we take risks, problem-solve, and explore curiosity and our imaginations. It’s an integral part of human development, but we often stop playing as adults for a variety of personal and social reasons.
“One of the things that I find interesting is that in this early era of video games, not only were the players playing, but the game designers and hardware designers were playing as well. They were taking risks, experimenting and problem-solving in playful ways, and so the whole industry was in a state of play at that time. With this exhibition, I’m inviting the audience to re-engage with that sense of wonder and to both physically play with the art while also considering how they play – or don’t play – in their daily lives.”
Gottfried also feels like having a solo display at the Dopeness Art Lab is very significant for him as an artist.
“The Dopeness Art Lab is the most visited gallery in Taiwan.” he said. “They have a beautiful gallery space, so it will be really cool to see all of the pieces together in that environment. It’s also significant for me to exhibit in Asia, since this is the birthplace of the video game industry and many of the game characters that we cherish in North America. I’m excited to see how they respond to this exhibition.”
Gottfried added that the Canadian, American and European art scenes have so far been welcoming to him. He has sold pieces in Canada, the US and Europe and would love to do a solo exhibition in the US or Europe in the coming years. In general, his local art community in Calgary is more focused on a different style of art, leaning towards “western” art, so he’s had to reach out to other locations to connect with artists and curators who are interested in exploring technology-related art.
Gottfried’s pieces sell for between $2,000 and $6,500 USD, with all sales now going through Dopeness Art Lab. While he has previously done one-of-a-kind pieces, he now typically will produce five of each kind, allowing more than one person to collect a piece.
Gottfried concluded that even he is now connecting with a global audience with his work, his art and his passion, he doesn’t forget that it was cultivated in the Swan River Valley.
“When I was growing up in Swan River, I was exposed to skateboarding and snowboarding at an early age. At that time, both of these sports were considered outsider activities and were frowned upon by many people in Swan River,” he said. “The sports, however, had a vibrant culture of art and music that was disseminated through videos, clothing and skateboard graphics and this enriched our lives as youth in the Valley.
“This connection to a global culture of visual design, punk music, freedom of expression and joy changed the course of my life and I see this as the root of my artist practice.”
Gottfried also sent a special shoutout to the old Short Stuff store that used to sell and rent video games – video games whose packaging tapped into his wonder with design – as well as his former art teacher Paul Freed, who taught him freedom of expression at an important time in his life.

The Swan Valley Health Centre was home to students from the Rural Interest Group, learning from physicians and paramedics directly for their schooling...

City council held a pair of public hearings related to the lagoon project set to kick off this spring to open its regular meeting, Feb. 3.

The hearings centred on Bylaw 02/2025 and Bylaw 03/2025, which allow for financing $9.1 million of the City’s portion of the $20 million project.

Bylaw 02/2025 authorizes the expenditure and borrowing of $4,692,500 as a local improvement to be paid through taxation, while Bylaw 03/2025 allows for a further $4,692,500 to be paid back by way of a utility surcharge.

Additionally, the City’s portion will be topped up with $58,000 from the Gas Tax Reserve Fund and $971,000 from the Water and Sewer Reserve. The remainder of the funding comes by way of a $9,135,000 grant through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Added to taxes

Councillors opted to add to receivable accounts to the tax rolls in the amount of $469.18. That total is comprised of $201.07 owing at 38 7th Ave. SE for weed control costs and $268.11 outstanding at 108 3rd Ave. NE, also for weed control costs.

Recreation

In her report to council, city manager Sharla Griffiths updated on the efforts of senior administration pertaining to recreation. Hours of discussion have resulted in some direction for Dauphin Recreation Services to consider in both the long term and short term. The City remains committed to working collaboratively with the RM of Dauphin to establish a fair and sustainable recreation agreement that ensures the long-term success of local recreation programs and facilities, given that both councils recognize the vital role that recreation plays in enhancing the quality of life for residents and the importance of ensuring that facilities remain accessible, well-maintained and financially supported.

Performance management

Griffiths informed councillors administrators have been working on a performance management policy and review forms to better deal with employee performance in a fair and consistent manner. Performance management, she said, is a tool to measure an employee’s performance and to track their progress throughout their time with the City.

Radon plan

Deputy city manager Lisa Gaudet updated councillors on the radon file. Utilizing a $15,000 grant through Health Canada’s Radon Outreach Contribution Program, Gaudet has raised awareness about the dangers of radon in the community and has developed a draft of a City of Dauphin Radon Action Plan, to guide a  radon education and action campaign in the future. Gaudet hopes the plan serves as a model for other municipalities to  follow, igniting further action at the provincial and federal levels to support radon action.

The plan will be presented for council’s approval at its next regular meeting, Feb. 24.

Accounts approved

Council authorized the issuance of 26 cheques totalling $287,007.82 to cover outstanding accounts. Three electronic payments were also approved, totalling $17,320.23.

Curling rink chiller

Councillors gave Dauphin Recreation Services the go ahead to order a new chiller for the Parkland Recreation Complex curling rink at a cost of approximately $220,000 plus applicable taxes. While such purchases would normally wait to be included in the City’s operating budget,  the lead time for procurement and installation prior to next curling season meant the request had to be expedited. The purchase will be financed by funds withdrawn from the City’s Active Living and Recreation Reserve.

DRS also sent requests for additional 2025 capital expenditures including a pool change room rooftop unit at an estimated cost of $62,000, pool sandblasting and painting at a total project cost of $25,000 (with $10,000 already allocated by DRS) and a paint sprayer for ice making at an estimated cost of $16,000. Those requests were forwarded to budget deliberations.

To see the full story, read this week's edition of the Dauphin Herald.

Many families have created legacies within the Swan Valley based on their contributions, time and effort given to projects they are most passionate about. For Carolyn and the late Harvey Baldwin, skiing was something that brought them together and a sport they shared with their family and generations to come.
“When I moved to Swan River in the mid 70’s, what drew me the most to Thunderhill Ski Club was its beauty and that it was not far from my doorstep,” said Carolyn Baldwin. “After a few years of skiing, I decided to join the board in the late 70’s. It was just a small club at that time.
“It was on the slopes where I first met Harvey and well, that’s a story in itself. Our family grew, when we had two girls, LeeAnne and Lana. The Thunderhill Ski Club was our family time, where they learned to ski, work, and volunteer. Now I am enjoying teaching my 2-year-old grandson Coulter to ski.”
Both Carolyn and Harvey were active in the Thunderhill Ski Club. They both saw many positive changes and expansion of the facility over the years.
“Being part of the Thunderhill Ski Club board for 40 plus years and managing day-to-day operations for approximately 25 years, I have seen many changes and projects,” said Baldwin. “The Chalet expanding, the new shop installed, and new slopes being developed.
“The biggest project of my time was upgrading the T-bar. 2011 began the long project of installing the Brandson Express and JB Construction lifts. Harvey came on board helping with the installation and moved to being the hill manager.”
Carolyn accredits Thunderhill Ski Resort’s growth to all the people who worked there together to make things happen. Everyone pitched in to get things done and helped it to grow into what it has become today.
“In all the years I have been with Thunderhill Ski Club and the projects I worked on, the one thing I know is it’s the team that makes it happen,” said Carolyn. “Thunderhill Ski Club has a big team behind it.
“Throughout the time I managed the hill, I always had an awesome team supporting me, from staff to board members and volunteers. I was so grateful to have that support.”
Recently the Thunderhill Ski Club presented a special tribute to the Baldwin family and their efforts to help the facility improve and grow. One of the ski runs has been named after them and will be there for all to enjoy as much as the Baldwins have enjoyed skiing.
“It is an honor to Harvey, myself and our daughters to recently have Homeward Bound renamed to Baldwin’s Bend,” said Carolyn. “As well as being recognized along with those who have come before us and those who will continue the legacy of Thunderhill Ski Club.”

The Westwood Inn and Conference Centre was home to PC Party leadership candidate Obby Khan this past weekend (Feb. 8), learning and connecting with Khan about Manitoba...

The Pas and Area Animal Shelter held an open house and Pet Care 101 event last Saturday, January 31. This gave people a chance to stop by the animal shelter and learn more about the organization, but most importantly, meet the pets available for adoption.
There are lots to consider before becoming a pet owner. People need to understand all the responsibilities associated with being a pet owner.
“Families should discuss and make sure they are ready to take on a cat or dog before doing so,” said The Pas and Area Animal Shelter Manager Tina Donaldson. “Things to consider are costs involved when getting a pet, making sure one can vet and feed them, give them the exercise and attention they need. It also helps to research the breed of pet to help owners get a better understanding of the pet’s traits.
“When adopting from a shelter, be patient. Training may be needed with some of the pets. Some have come from abusive or neglectful backgrounds. Give them time to adjust to their new environments, to gain your trust and make them feel safe and loved.”

The announcement of Peavey Mart closing spread like wildfire when the franchise first announced it was closing operations only in certain parts of Canada. That quickly changed into the franchise closing its doors permanently and leaving Swan River with another loss.
The Star and Times reached out to Peavey Mart for comment and they declined to answer any questions but released the following statement,
“Peavey Industries LP ("Peavey" or "the Company"), Canada’s largest farm and ranch retail chain, announced today that it has sought and obtained an Initial Order for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) from the Court of King’s Bench Alberta.
Following the recently announced closures of 22 stores in Ontario and Nova Scotia, the Company will now begin store closing sales at all remaining locations across Canada. This includes 90 Peavey Mart stores and six MainStreet Hardware locations. The closures and liquidation efforts will commence immediately.