Rural Roundup for Thursday, Nov. 16

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This article was published 16/11/2023 (901 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DAUPHIN

Alabama will be among the entertainers at next year’s Dauphin’s Countryfest June 28-30.

The band, one of the most successful in country music, will play at the Selo Ukraina site next year, which is the 35th iteration of the music festival. Other musical acts include Jo Dee Messina, Diamond Rio, Mark Chestnut, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Michelle Wright, Jason McCoy, Doc Walker, The Frontmen, Patricia Conroy, Lisa Brokop and Beverly Mahood.

“This summer, we are putting the ‘country’ back in Countryfest, celebrating 35 years of incredible music, unforgettable moments, and community spirit,” promoter Rob Waloschuk said.

» Minnedosa Tribune

MINNEDOSA

Two long-standing Westman paramedics, Barb Hanishewski of Minnedosa and Amanda Cornish of Erickson received the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Exemplary Services Medal on Oct. 12 in Winnipeg.

Anita Neville, the lieutenant-governor of Manitoba, presented the medals to the women and other EMS employees from Manitoba.

The Exemplary Services Medal was created on July 7, 1994 to recognizes professionals in the provision of prehospital emergency medical services to the public who have performed their duties in an exemplary manner, characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency. Recipients must have been employed with emergency medical services on or after Oct. 31, 1991 and have completed 20 years of exemplary service, including at least 10 years in the performance of duties involving potential risk.

» Minnedosa Tribune

MINNEDOSA

Dr. Ajai Khandelwal, who had practiced medicine for almost 50 years out of Minnedosa, retired on Oct. 18, when he officially closed the doors to his practice.

Originally from New Delhi, India, Khandelwal, started working at the Minnedosa Hospital in 1974. Living in Erickson at the time, he would drive to Minnedosa to see patients and perform surgeries. He moved to the town in 1992. From then on, he practised in the community and made the drive to Erickson, where he continued his practice until just recently.

Becoming a practising physician at the Minnedosa Medical Clinic in 1991, Khandelwal worked with dozens of fellow physicians throughout his decades of work. He made the move to the new Primary Care Centre in 2018, which was named after him and featured his name on the exterior wall.

» Minnedosa Tribune

KILLARNEY

Residents and visitors to Killarney will see a new sign at the corner of Broadway and South Railway near the fire hall that gives special honour to the men and women who serve and have served the Killarney-Turtle Mountain Fire Department.

The sign was a long time coming, but represents a great group effort, Mayor Janice Smith said.

“We’re pretty pleased to have it up, so everyone can appreciate all the work that our fire department does for our community,” Smith said.

Numerous businesses and organizations were involved in the construction and installation of the sign.

“This was definitely the community working together, and the cost was very, very minimal,” Smith said. “There were a lot of donations and in-kind giving.”

» DiscoverWestman.com

GLENBORO

For the last 24 years, Dr. Walther Eduard Swanepoel has served Glenboro and the surrounding area, providing medical guidance and relief to generations of residents.

On Oct. 27, Swanepoel saw patients as a full-time doctor for the last time as he settles into retirement.

Swanepoel, who is from South Africa, first arrived in Glenboro on May 31, 1999. Since then, he has dealt with personal challenges of prostate cancer and a heart attack during his 24 years as a doctor at the Glenboro Hospital. He said the support of hospital staff and community members helped him cope with those challenges.

At age 71, with his retirement quickly approaching, Swanepoel said he will retain his medical licence and be occasionally available to help out at Glenboro Hospital. He also plans to travel with his wife across Canada and make trips back to their former home in South Africa.

» Glenboro Gazette

GLENBORO

The Glenboro Health Action Committee has raised $113,115 through their recent Hundred for Health Care campaign. Not only did the group reach their capital goal, but they surpassed it, the committee said.

The funds raised will put the community in a more competetive position to recruit a primary care provider for the community’s health care centre. Although the campaign has now finished, the committee always welcomes donations towards its efforts to recruit and retain health care professionals at the Glenboro Health Centre.

» Glenboro Gazette

Glenboro’s ‘Tis the Season Christmas Festival is returning this year, including the annual parade, which kicks off the Christmas season in the community.

For a number of years, the tradition lapsed. Sara Smith, owner of The Vault on Broadway Avenue in Glenboro felt the loss of things like the annual parade and the other celebrations that she’d enjoyed throughout her childhood. She decided to organize the event and has been joined by several volunteers who now serve on a committee to make it happen every year.

On Sat., Dec. 2, the community will once more be able to enjoy the festivities. While at the time of writing plans had not been finalized yet, this year’s event will include a craft and trade show at the community hall, local shopping, sleigh rides, free pictures with Santa, a 50/50 draw, a free kids’ movie, and a goodie bag at the theatre.

The Christmas parade will also be back this year.

» Glenboro Gazette

RUSSELL

Russell’s Darren Boryskavich has earned a Manitoba Lifetime Achievement Award. Last month, the 48 year-old added the Special Olympics Manitoba 2022-23 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame to his list of accomplishments.

Boryskavich won more than 60 sports-related medals overall, including a gold and two bronze from the World Winter games in Austria in 2017.

St. Lazare’s Donna Simard’s son Isaiah works through the Special Olympic ranks with Boryskavich. She nominated Boryskavich for the Manitoba Lifetime Achievement Award, in part due to the ongoing support he has given Isaiah since he started with the Special Olympics in 2017 at the age of 12.

“This club welcomed us, and Darren quickly included us into his friend group,” Simard said. “It was Darren’s enthusiasm that really inspired our family.”

» Russell Banner