Looking Back — July 22, 2023

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/07/2023 (1149 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SIXTY YEARS AGO

When Satchel Paige (who is approaching at least 60 years of age) took the mound at Kinsmen Stadium yesterday, the first batter he faced was barely one-quarter his age. Sixteen-year-old Greg Borotsik popped up on Satch’s second pitch, but they later got together and the former major leaguer offered some words of wisdom to the teenager. Paige went just the first two innings as his Satchel Paige All-Stars went on to record a 5-3 victory over the Brandon Cloverleafs. But these two innings delighted the 600 in the stands.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

For the second time within a week, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Local 555 is striking Simplot Chemical.

More than 200 brightly costumed contestants for $1,900 in prize money at the two-day Pow Wow in Sioux Valley over the weekend. Dancers from all over Western Canada, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota participated.

FORTY YEARS AGO

The Neelin High School Chamber Choir has drawn top honours for the second year in a row at a 1983 national choral competition.

Heavy infestation of cereal crops by the true or common army worm has been reported by farmers in the Rorketon, Ochre River and Dauphin areas of west-central Manitoba.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

The Brandon Sun has learned city manager Earl Backman has been drafted to serve as executive director of the Manitoba School Division Boundaries Commission.

The sod was turned for construction of the Westman Kiwanis Courts, a new 36-apartment complex located at Fourth Street and Rosser Avenue. The five-storey building will feature 18 suites for seniors and singles and 18 family units.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

For Brandon hotels and restaurants, this weekend’s Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games has provided a welcome boost. “It’s been crazy,” says Bonanza Restaurant supervisor Karla Wlock. Other 18th Street restaurant managers agree that from lunchtime onwards, games participants and their families continue to come in for meals and increase their business. Hotelier Heidi Howarth estimates that half of her 72 rooms are filled by Games participants this weekend.

Things have gone from bad to worse in Neepawa, as the remaining 120 workers at the local Springhill Farms hog killing plant received layoff notices over the weekend, and all indications are the plant is closing for good. More than 300 of the plant’s 400 workers were laid off indefinitely at the end of June.

TEN YEARS AGO

Residents in the RM of Cornwallis say the City of Brandon isn’t being a good dam neighbour. Cornwallis administration said it was never approached by the city before it decided earlier this month to build a dike along Highway 110 — a plan the RM says will put some rural properties at risk. Cornwallis officials didn’t even know about the city’s $24-million diking plan until it was reported by the Sun on July 12.

Despite thundershowers on Sunday afternoon, Brandonites were given the opportunity this weekend to explore and learn about the history of the city they live in. The 12th annual Doors Open Brandon gave the public free access to homes, churches, museums and historical buildings, bike tours of three local parks and a bus tour of the city’s oldest and most interesting public institutions.