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This article was published 23/11/2023 (684 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

STRATHCLAIR

Strathclair Theatre Chorus wants to help local audiences get in the Christmas spirit with their performances of “It’s Christmas,” a blend of traditional and contemporary Christmas music.

The performance features traditional hymns like O Holy Night, fun novelty songs such as Thirty Second Fa-La-La, and selections from movies and musicals like Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Polar Express. The 50 men and women who make up the ensemble will take the stage in Minnedosa at the United Church or Nov. 26, at the Hamiota Elementary School on Dec. 2, and finally at the Bend Theatre in Strathclair on Dec. 9.

» Minnedosa Tribune

RAPID CITY

A two-night, sold out, dinner and dessert performance was held in Rapid City on the evenings of Oct. 27 and 28 by the cast of the Rapid City Drama Club. The cast of six performed the play “Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses,” and a meal catered by Mary Phillips accompanied the performance.

The play is based at the fictitious Lover’s Landing Beach Hotel in the Gulf of Mexico, a place known for its mystique and a popular wedding destination. The cast of Candy, Willberforce, Audrina, Beatrice, Traci, Douglas, and Peter provided a great deal of shenanigans that keeps everyone at the edge of their seats.

The drama club has been very fortunate to have the support of the Rapid City community and area, and appreciates all they do to help by volunteering, coming out to watch performances and providing some props, said Director Karen Martin.

“We seem to have developed a lovely audience over the years as well, who we enjoy seeing year after year. This year we sold out in under an hour. It blew us away with how eager everyone is to join us for an evening of good food, laughter, and relaxation with friends. What more could anyone ask for?”

» Minnedosa Tribune

VIRDEN

“The Music Man” was a three-hour production that swept the audience out of the day-to-day world into River City, Iowa, in the early 1900s. With a population of less than 3,000, it might have been Virden.

“The Music Man” ran six showings during the first week of November, and producer/director Michelle Chyzyk said the cast and crew were feeling fantastic about their team effort in making the production happen.

“We felt we took a fresh loving approach and breathed life into a well-known classic and the wonderfully memorable characters. Many comments heard were, ‘I don’t remember ‘The Music Man’ being such a funny show!’”

»Virden Empire-Advance

OAK LAKE

Patricia Baker is the new president of the Oak Lake Legion Ladies Auxiliary No. 79. She and other legion members held a 75th anniversary celebration to honour those who serve their community last month.

The Ladies Auxiliary serves lunches in the community, and this fall they provided a lunch for Liberal candidate Michelle Budiwski in Oak Lake.

“We are just a small group of people who help out with the meat draws and assist with the Christmas suppers every year where we cook turkeys and organize the event,” Baker said.

On Jan. 12, 1948, Royal Canadian Legion Command in Ottawa, issued a charter, and the Oak Lake Legion Ladies Auxiliary came into being with 18 Oak Lake ladies as charter members.

Over the 75 years membership has fluctuated. In 1949 there were 52 members, and as of Oct. 9, 2023, there were 12. As of now, there are no new upcoming members that they know of, however the ladies feel it’s important to keep the auxiliary going.

Baker says because there are so few veterans left it is not necessary to be connected to a war veteran to acquire a membership. The Oak Lake Legion Ladies Auxiliary No.79 meets the third Wednesday of the month, excluding July and August. They welcome all who are interested to attend.

» Virden Empire-Advance

DAUPHIN

The longest running social in Dauphin was held earlier in November at the Dauphin Fire Fighters Association’s 122nd annual Fire Fighters’ Ball.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Jack Carey Memorial Fire Fighter of the Year Award to Jordon Steiner. In his remarks introducing Steiner, Dauphin Fire Chief Cam Abrey said Steiner is a past member of the executive of the firefighters’ association and has been an integral part in the past successes of the firefighters’ ball in previous years.

Steiner continues to volunteer for the various events that the department takes part in and takes on a leadership role in every aspect of the department’s operations, Abrey said.

“I have worked alongside of this individual at training events and emergency response scenes and the level of compassion that they demonstrate when it comes to patient care is top notch,” Abrey said.

Nominations for the Jack Carey Memorial Award are forwarded to the fire chief a month prior to the ball, submitted by the firefighters. There were five nominations received this year, and all were for Steiner, which Abrey said goes to show what an impression he has made on his fellow fire fighters.

“It’s a huge honour,” Steiner said.

»Dauphin Herald

NEEPAWA

An investigation is underway into the exact cause of a fire at a barn located on the former Neepawa Food Processors property.

The Neepawa Fire Department received a call at 5:48 p.m. on Nov. 4 about a structure fire on Dominion Road. Fire Chief Yves Guillas said the building must have been burning for a while before the call came in, as the roof and walls were gone when the fire crew arrived.

There was some paperwork and egg crates within the building, but Guillas said he was initially concerned over whether any more dangerous materials were involved.

The fire is being considered suspicious and is being investigated. If the fire was deliberately set, Guillas said he is concerned about further incidents in the future.

» Neepawa Banner & Press

The beef industry’s future and some of the challenges that surround it were recently discussed in Neepawa during a Manitoba Beef Producers’ fall district meeting — the seventh and final of the in-person district meetings for the fall.

At the meeting, the idea of seeing the Manitoba RCMP establish the position of livestock investigator was brought up. The duties of the officer would include investigating cases of missing and/or stolen livestock or frauds related to livestock.

Producers suggested that the lack of knowledge of livestock among police can hinder them when it comes to a theft, and that the RCMP don’t have enough time to be able to investigate, due to being busy with other matters.

Manitoba Beef Producers general manager Carson Callum said they are collaborating with other provinces on the development of a national transportation app for cattle which could help meet traceability requirements.

There was also discussion about mandatory livestock inspection, similar to what is already in place in other provinces.

» Neepawa Banner & Press