Doug Zywina
Carefoot gets help behind the bench
Former Rangers Colton Robak and Chris Belhumeur will join head coach Tyler Carefoot on the Parkland Rangers’ bench this season.
After two seasons with the Rangers, Robak played junior A hockey with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Steinbach Pistons and OCN Blizzard. He helped out at times last season as a trainer and enjoyed being back in the rink.
“And Tyler Carefoot approached me early this summer about potentially coaching. It wasn’t an easy decision, just because I am quite busy with work. I work at the hospital as a nurse, so it was challenging trying to decide whether I was going to do it,” he said. “After a short discussion, I was able to make it work, so I was able to go in.”
While maintaining his duties as trainer, Robak will also work with the team’s defencemen.
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Around the corner
The ice is in at Credit Union Place, which can only mean hockey season is not that far away.
An elite skills and skating camp takes place at the CUP, Aug. 2 to 5, featuring former Dauphin Kings Grady Hobbs and Nakodan Greyeyes, as well as strength and conditioning coach Hayley Choma.
The Dauphin Kings skill and development camp goes, Aug. 15 to 19.
Fender bender
A two-vehicle accident on River Avenue, Saturday morning delayed the start of the Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival parade.
One vehicle had pulled over to let passengers out to watch the parade and was rear ended by another vehicle.
No one was injured in the accident.
Honouring the past
The Very Reverend Father Oleg Bodnarski gives a blessing at a celebration honouring pioneers at the Trembowla Cross of Freedom, July 31.
It was the first time in two years the historic site has been able to celebrate the service, held annually on the Sunday of Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival weekend.
CNUF return to Selo Ukraina better than expected
After a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival (CNUF) made a triumphant return over the weekend with three fun-filled days full of Ukrainian culture and heritage.
CNUF president Kayla Gillis felt this year’s festival was fantastic, thanks in part to more people attending than expected.
“I would say that we had about 7,500 through the gates, which was phenomenal,” she said.
Gillis feels the festival’s success year-after-year can be attributed to the patrons who keep coming back.
“Bringing in that high caliber entertainment. Bringing in local entertainment, as well. But I really have to say it’s our patrons and our sponsors that really keep the festival going. So I hope they continue,” she said.
Gillis was at a loss to explain what made this year such a success, suggesting the lack of a live event the last two years had people eager to celebrate its return.
“I think it was just getting together and just having that enjoyment. Coming together as a community, coming together as a festival family again,” she said. “I know with recent events that happened in Ukraine, too, I know a lot of people have been coming just to show their support to our culture.”
Some of the Ukrainian families who relocated to the Parkland because of the war in Ukraine were in attendance and even stepped up to volunteer at the gates and in Baba’s Kitchen.
“It was really nice to see,” Gillis said.
Saturday’s Zabava was cut short because of rain, but it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of everyone in attendance. Gillis was appreciative of the support of the many people who volunteered during the festival. Of the 210 people who volunteered at the festival, Gillis noted an organization came from Brandon, as well as some from Saskatchewan.
“A lot of the service groups in town helped us out. So it was really nice to see that everybody came to help and support us,” she said.
But the plan for next year is to being in something new every year.
“Which brings in new attractions, which brings in new people that haven’t been here before,” Gillis said.
The war in Ukraine was on the mind of everyone in attendance, with one dance group performing a military style dance.
“That was a very special moment. There wasn’t a lot of dry eyes in the stands for that dance. But I think everybody is thinking about it and you could tell, everybody wants to make sure that everybody is happy and supporting (Ukraine),” Gillis said, adding there were a couple of groups were collecting funds, as well.
Planning is already underway for next year, Gillis thanking everyone who attended this year’s festival.
“Thanks to our supporters, contributors, everybody. It’s been phenomenal. It’s a little overwhelming, a little emotional. It’s been fantastic.”
Open mic night returns
Tyson Vandepoele and Damion Knapman hit the stage at the Watson Arts Centre’s Old Fire Hall, Friday, during a summertime open mic night.
A small, but appreciative audience enjoyed the musical stylings of several local musicians.
The next open mic night will take place, Aug. 19.
Mavericks improving on the pitch
The Dauphin Mavericks are back on the pitch, playing in Rugby Manitoba’s M League.
The league features seven teams, most based in Winnipeg.
On Saturday, Dauphin scored an impressive 55-10 win over the Winnipeg Assassins.
The win was Dauphin’s second straight victory, coming off the heels of a 20-0 win over the Winnipeg Wanderers, July 16 in Winnipeg.
The Mavericks started the season with four straight losses, but have improved with each game.
Mavericks president Codi Harrigan said the M League is a bit more flexible in that teams don’t have to commit to 15 players on the pitch.
Read the full story in this week's Dauphin Herald!
Ace recorded at Battle of the Belts
The Battle of the Belts has new champions, while a Stonewall golfer went home $1,000 richer at the Gilbert Plains Country Club, Sunday.
The highlight of the tournament came when Shane Saunders of Stonewall sank his tee shot for a hole-in-one on no. 4.
Dale Murray and Boston Karlson combined to shoot a 63 to win the third annual tournament, finishing one shot ahead of runners-up Dave Campbell and Ted Rea, who were awarded second place on a countback over Jake Wiens and Jackson Delaurier, in third.
Countbacks were needed to determine the placing in each of the six flights.
First place in the first flight went to Shawn Pangman and Earl Thompson, with a 66. Mark Odut and Danny Scott were second on a countback over Regan Hedley and Jerron Kyle after both teams shot a 68.
Peyton Lepla and Nelson Lepla were the beneficiaries of a countback to win the second flight. Darnell Duff and Sam Brownell were second and Dave Sigvaldason and Sandy Hafenbrak were third, with all three teams shooting a 71.
Dean Murray Bob Murray won the third flight with a 74. In second place, one shot back was the team of Brad Sigurdson and Clayton Mychalchuk, while in third place was Neil Kichuk and Ryan Bettesworth, who were also one shot back of the winners.
Shawn Sarkonak and Errol Karlson won the fourth flight over Karl Messinbird and A.J. Zachenbiak after both teams scored a 77. Cash McCallum and Max Clemmenson were third with a 78.
In the fifth flight, Wayne Bazylo and Florence Burdeny took top honours after carding a 79. Troy Caruk and Jeff Zeiler were second and Jeff Campbell and Jordan Campbell were third, with each team scoring an 80.
Ron Paziuk and Sharon Paziuk topped the sixth flight over runners-up Dustin Dawson and Jodi Gancher, while Charlie McKay and Brennan Burns were third. They all finished with an 83.
Rea was the closest-to-the-hole on no. 9, while Ryan Rauliuk was closest on no. 14 and Brent Stykalo won the same contest in no. 17.
GPCC hosts ladies scramble
Pearl Maksymetz and Marilyn Schwitzer teamed up to win the 2022 Gilbert Plains Two-person Ladies Scramble, Saturday at the Gilbert Plains Country Club.
The pair shot a 77 to finish one shot ahead of Teresa Gulak and Stephanie Remniak. Jill Watt and Jen Knutson were third with an 80.
Melissa MacQuarrie and Nadine Soloway captured top spot in the first flight, carding an 85, three shots better than runners-up Kerry Brook and Pauline Murray. In third place on a countback was Bev Hess and Leanne Fedak.
A countback was needed to determine the top three spots in the second flight. First place went to Keesha Fairbrother and Megan Quesnel, while in second place was Jan Nakonechny and Linda Johnston, while third place went to Amber Tarrant and Beth Tarrant. All three teams finished with a 92.
It was the same case in the third flight, with Camillan Ironstand and Krystal Ironstand taking first place, over Karol McCaig and Eilene Moosen in second and Stella Talpash and Elise Karnes in third. They all shot a 101.
MacQuarrie won the closest-to-the-hole contest on number 9 and Dianna Taylor won on number 17. Quesnel had the longest drive on number 12 and Nakonechny won the closest-to-the-line in number 5.
New champ
Earl Thompson tees off on no. 16 en route to winning the Dauphin Men’s Golf Club Championship, Saturday at the Dauphin Lake Golf Club.
Thompson shot a two-round total of 155 to finish four shots ahead of runner-up Keith Hanke. Larry Nepinak won the first flight, carding a 162, two shots better than Dennis McKay, who was second.
Wayne Bazylo’s 176 was good for first place in the second flight, while David Contois was second with a 179.
Kelvin Korman was the low net winner with a 140 and Bart Michaleski was the runner-up with a 147.