Rural Roundup — March 10, 2023

MINNEDOSA

Canadian rock band the Glorious Sons will play Rockin’ the Fields of Minnedosa this summer.

Frontman Brett Emmons, who grew up and still lives in Kingston, Ont., said the band’s influences include the Tragically Hip. The Hip’s songs, stories and lore have been a huge part of Emmons’ inspiration, and their song “Wheat Kings” was the first song he learned to play on acoustic guitar.

The Glorious Sons have had 10 hits on the radio, and have recently toured with the Rolling Stones. Rockin’ the Fields management stated in a press release that including the Sons in the festival, which runs from Aug. 4-6, is keeping it true to its rock ‘n’ roll roots.

Friday night’s main stage will include Kick Axe, Jack Russell’s Great White and Sebastian Bach, the original lead singer of Skid Row, Default, Dallas Smith and the Sheepdogs will also perform. On Sunday, Toronto, Aldo Nova and Lou Gramm, the original lead singer of Foreigner, will take to the stage.

» The Minnedosa Tribune

VIRDEN

The Virden Variety 4H Club held its annual public speaking event at the local level last month in the Victory Church lower auditorium.

Judges Heather Reimer and Dale Davison heard six speeches, two of which included a visual presentation. Cloverbud member Lexi Mills gave a speech on dogs, and the junior speakers included Michael Cook with a speech on hot cars, Lexie Wolters with a speech on her dog, Aubree Jeanes with a speech on creating malleable slime, Kyler Wolters, who spoke about the use of spray foam installation, and Landon Timchisen discussing a rock display.

Both Timchisen and Jeanes’ speeches included visual displays.

» Virden Empire-Advance

The Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth held a regular council meeting recently where the Virden Handi-van was the main topic of discussion.

Councillors heard of the transportation service’s deficit from information from a Handi-van committee meeting that said that the organization has been operating at a significant deficit for several years, which has led to the erosion of the fund set aside for replacement of the vehicle.

A proposed increase in user fees would result in a cost of around $250 for a client in a wheelchair to go to the doctor in Brandon. All councillors agreed this would be unacceptable and discussed some reasons why this situation has developed when, in comparison, the Elkhorn Handi-van service is operating effectively. One difference between the services is that all Elkhorn Handi-van drivers are volunteers while the Virden organization employs a full-time paid driver.

Currently, the RM contributes $3,000 annually to both the Virden and Elkhorn vans. The Virden organization also receives similar funding from the Town of Virden and $1,000 from Pipestone. Coun. Lyle Kinnaird suggested the possibility of increasing the RM’s contribution by an amount matching any increase given by the Town of Virden.

Reeve Clayton Canart agreed that support for this service could increase but it would need to be equitable between the Virden and Elkhorn organizations.

“We have a service in the community, that means a lot for seniors and others that need it. The public need to understand that it’s not staying viable, that the way it’s currently operating fiscally or financially is not sustainable,” Canart said, adding that community volunteer help is essential to assist in fundraising and management of the service.

Further discussion focused on possible changes to the governance of the organization to include more community members on the Handi-van committee. Canart agreed but said the deficit in funding needs to be addressed immediately. Council will address specifics of the funding policy in future meetings.

» Virden Empire-Advance

NEEPAWA

Harris Pharmacy, one of Neepawa’s longest-standing businesses, is planning to move down from its current location on Mountain Avenue into a new building south of the Salvation Army store.

Heather Todoruk, owner and head pharmacist at Harris Pharmacy, said she’s looking forward to the pharmacy being in a one-level space. The current structure is actually two buildings, and was at one time occupied by three businesses.

Plans are being drawn up for the pharmacy’s new facility, and construction is slated to begin this spring. Once the pharmacy moves, the current building will be put up for sale.

» Neepawa Banner and Press

The Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce has confirmed that the 2023 Chamber Fair will be held from May 26-28. However, organizers are currently seeking volunteers to help keep the event alive.

Ally Potrebka, board and fair committee member, said there are seven committee member volunteers, but to run the fair a total of 40 are needed to help with various events, set up and takedown.

The Chamber Fair is the main fundraising event for the Neepawa Chamber of Commerce, Potrebka said.

“It helps us serve our membership throughout the year with advocacy, training and engagement with business owners.”

The fair also brings hundreds of new people to Neepawa every year, which creates income opportunities for local stores, gas stations, restaurants and hotels, Potrebka said.

“It also gives community members an opportunity to give back to their community through volunteering,” she said.

Every year, the fair features a midway, petting zoo, a townwide yard sale and social event. If more volunteers don’t step up, available events for this year’s fair may need to be reduced.

Anyone wishing to volunteer at the fair can contact the chamber office at 204-476-5292.

» Neepawa Banner and Press

BIRTLE

In early February, the Major Pratt Trojans, the Birtle Falcons and the Hamiota Huskies auctioned off items to help with fundraising for CancerCare Manitoba.

The Falcons, a high school team made up of students from Birtle, Shoal Lake and Rossburn, have put on an annual game fundraising for the society since 2015. The game is a way for teams to help support the CancerCare programs in area communities.

Bruce Coulter, principal of the Hamiota Collegiate, said players, coaches and management all realize that cancer has affected or probably will affect everyone at some point.

“We felt it was a great cause to support,” he said. “With the Hamiota and District Health Centre having a CancerCare unit, it seemed appropriate to raise funds for that unit.”

Over the years, the Falcons have sent funds to both the Russell and Hamiota CancerCare clinics. In addition to Hamiota, this year’s money will also be sent to local community cancer projects in the communities where the players live.

The total amount raised was $8,848, through attendance, a raffle table, an online jersey auction, a 50/50 fundraiser, and “Chuck a Puck,” which saw kids taking a toss from players or in penalty boxes.

In 2022, the event raised $6,076.

» Crossroads This Week

STRATHCLAIR

While the COVID-19 pandemic put the Strathclair Drama Club’s plans on hiatus for a while, the group made a return with last year’s production of Mary Poppins. Now, they’re looking forward to performing in their 39th production, “The Addams Family – A New Musical.”

Attendees will be met with familiar characters from Charles Adams and the early cartoon days. The production, by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, introduces the audience to new characters as well.

The show begins with the Addams family members gathered in their family graveyard to revive their dead ancestors in a celebration of community. When the ancestors try to return to their graves, however, Uncle Fester, played by Stan Runions of Rivers, blocks their entrance, enlisting their help to ensure the rest of the evening goes as planned.

A morbid Wednesday Addams, played by Ava Thexton of Brandon, has fallen in love with a “normal” boy, Lucas Beineke, played by Bailey Barker of Strathclair, whom she plans to marry without her family’s knowledge. She also wants her family to get along with Beineke’s. Wednesday has invited Lucas and his parents, Mal, played by Eric Menzies of Shoal Lake, and Alice, played by Ashton LeFave of Russell, to the Addams family mansion for supper.

Gomez Addams, played by James Comrie of Minnedosa, and his wife Morticia, played by Mariah Phillips of Brandon, are less than thrilled about the intrusion. However, they play along in order to appease Wednesday. Younger brother Pugsley, played by Emerson Pentecost of Minnedosa, is upset by the sudden change in his older sister and saddened at the thought that she will no longer torture him. Determined to bring his sister back to her old ways, he steals a potion from Grandma, played by Marilyn Ostash of Shoal Lake.

But when Lurch, played by Randy Collen of Minnedosa, hands Wednesday the spiked potion, it ends up in the wrong hands, and the lives of everyone involved are changed forever, leading the audience to wonder if there will be a happy ending.

The show was first performed on Broadway in 2010. It will be shown at The Bend Theatre from April 17-22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale March 25.

» The Minnedosa Tribune