Jenn Cook
Theatre 53 making a habit of great performances
Theatre fans in the community were not disappointed this past weekend as Theatre 53 presented Drinking Habits. Known as a laugh out loud comedy, the cast lived up to the performance billing and more. Under the direction of Barb Shaw-Ings, the eight member cast kept audiences laughing and guessing what twist was coming as the production evolved.
The play is centered around accusations, mistaken identities and romance as two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing were secretly making wine to keep the convent's doors open. Plot twists happen right from the beginning as reporters (and former fiancees) Paul and Sally were hot on the nuns trail.
Multi-million dollar health care investment announced
The old Gateway lot next to Giant Tiger was the backdrop for a 39 million dollar announcement Monday. Premier Heather Stefanson stopped in town to announce funding for new medical clinic to be built on that site.
“It was a great day with an exciting announcement for our Tri-Community,” Town of The Pas Mayor Andre Murphy said following the announcement. Murphy thanked the government for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities. Work on the clinic from a local level has been on-going for years and despite a 2015 announcement for a medical clinic which did not happen, locally persistence continued.
There are many stakeholders such as the RM of Kelsey, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, NRHA, The Pas Community Development Corporation and others who have worked tirelessly over for many years to see an announcement such as this happen in our communities,” Murphy said, adding a special thanks to Kent Cook and Rod Berezowicki for many years of lobbying, meeting, and “no quit” effort to ensure we achieve this well needed service for our Tri Community.
Podcast provides space for young northern voices
On February 28th Owen Dawe and Jann Brooks were joined by Arlo and Jo to discuss their identities as two-spirited youth in the north. This was the first podcast that was launched under Young Voices of The North, an initiative funded through Say Yes! to Kids grant.
Since that first podcast episode, the youth involved have dropped three more episodes - Education and Career Opportunities; Newcomers; and Songs We Each Picked. The podcast variety is reflective of the young people that are invovled in the project itself. Currently actively invovled in the project are Dawe, Arlo Fenner, Namirembe Afatswo and Eniola Atoyebi. Joining the youth is Rev. Brooks, who has provided support and guidance but emphasizes that the podcast goal is to be youth led.
Legion reflects on another successful Chase the Ace
After an exciting round of Chase the Ace that saw the pot grow and the cards shrink, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 19 The Pas executive has taken a moment to reflect on another fantastic round. “We definitely want to thank the volunteers, members, non-members, staff and of course our patrons that have been with us from the beginning of this current CTA,” Legion President Angie Nikolychuk commented, adding a congratulations to the latest winner Monica Ross. This round of Chase began back in 2020 with a pot of approximately $17, 000 and grew to the $245,878 that Ross’ won March 4th.
Reflecting back on the event, Nikolychuk said the first Chase the Ace was different than the current one. At the beginning patrons had to buy a drink on a Saturday night to receive a ticket. “It was a very slow growing pot, but we also saw that it was not a great way to promote the event. So once that was given away, we relooked at our options and worked with Lotteries Manitoba to hold the event as it is now done,” she explained.
Chase the Ace win a surreal experience for winner
The excitement of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 19’s Chase the Ace has come to end with Monica Ross taking home almost a quarter of a million dollars. Ross’ ticket was pulled and because it was the last card in the 54 card deck this round, she was a guaranteed winner. Despite not having to “guess” where the ace was, a smiling Ross nevertheless placed the free drink chip on the face down ace, more as a matter of ceremony than requirment.
“Before I even went up, I had like five other peoples (tickets) that each had sent me $20. I wrote their names, took the pictures, here’s your tickets, wrote my name on mine and when they called the number, I looked and I could see I think its in this one. Then I showed someone at my table is this the number they called, they were like ya that’s it,” Ross explained.
Manitoba RCMP opens new detachment in Norway House
On August 18, the Manitoba RCMP held a formal ceremony to officially open the new Norway House RCMP detachment.
The detachment, situated in downtown Norway House, was built after extensive consultation with the communities from Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation and Norway House with regards to site selection and design elements. It replaces the former detachment which was built in 1973.
“This project really epitomizes what the RCMP continues to strive for – community engagement and consultation when it comes to our presence in the community,” says Superintendent Ryan Mitchell, Officer in Charge of Manitoba RCMP’s North District. “In the lobby, there are graphics along the walls that depict the Seven Sacred Teachings. These teachings align very closely with the RCMP’s Core Values, and serves as a reminder to us on a daily basis on how we want to lead and serve our community.”
For more check this week's Opasquia Times!
Local fiddler making her music mark
Local fiddler Caitlin Armstrong is making her mark in the fiddling world. For the second time, Armstrong is headed to the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition where she will compete against fiddlers from across the country.
The event will be held in Winnipeg August 26 & 27th with Armstrong joining a select few fiddlers from Manitoba to represent the province.
“A handful of people get selected from each province and then go to compete. It’s the biggest competition in Canada,” Armstrong said. The competition is based on provincial selection which occurs as a result of getting noticed in the industry.
Boat parade brings fun and smiles to Cleawater Lake
The weather was clear and the water was calm, perfect conditions for Wally's Place 3rd Clearwater Lake Boat Parade, held this past Sunday.
According to Cheryl Antonio, 39 water crafts were registered from sea doos to pontoons to motorized canoes. “There was even a sasquatch sighting,” she said. The boats assembled and lined up and were ready to go by 11:00 am at the Camper's Cove boat launch. “Parade marshall and main sponsor, Wes Greenwood, led the amazing site back around and in front of the people-packed beach,” Heading down the shore lines, Greenwood was so pleased to see docks crowded with spectators.
Locals enjoy long standing music festival
Dauphin’s Countryfest continues to be a favorite summer event for residents of the tri-community area. After a two-year break, the atmosphere at this year’s festival was nothing but positive and while crowds were not as large as in previous years, the event was a success with a top-notch Canadian performers line-up over four days.
“This year, the focus is ‘return to the hill’ and the people have, from patrons to volunteers. It’s been great and so many of the performers have expressed how happy they are to be back at Dauphin’s Countryfest.” General Manager Rob Waloschuk said after day one of the event. Waloschuk emphasized that, like many festival and events, the key to success is everyone.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of loyal ticket buyers, the support of our volunteers, our community and the support of you all,” Waloschuk said
Railcar excursion heading from The Pas to Churchill
The grounds of Canadian Kraft Paper were full of hustle and bustle Saturday afternoon as members of the North American Railcar Operators Association were working to off load railroad motorcars in preparation for a journey north to Churchill.
The excursion, more than two years in the planning, is not the first one of its kind in the area and those making the trip were excited to in the community, preparing for the journey north.
“Right now we are making preparations for a motor car excursion between The Pas and Churchill,” Mike Ford, excursion coordinator commented while keeping a watchful eye on the loading process. “This current activity we are doing right now is called set on - where we’re basically setting the cars on the track. We take the cars out of the trailers get them ready to go,” he explained.
The excursion to Churchill includes 25 cars ranging in size and power and includes 49 people. Ford explained that generally a car will sit two to three people - husband and wife teams or a couple of buddies - however, some cars can hold up to four people.