the Pumphandle

Hear Yea! 2011

2011-12-13T22:50:00.001-06:00

Hear Yea! Hear Yea! Hear Yea!

If you are a taxpayer of Stanley, I bring you tidings of great despair during this 2011 Yuletide Season. Seems like Stanley council construction of the New Jerusalem Offices next to the Co-op Gas Bar on Hwy #14 has run amuck, with an 66% oversight cost.

The Stanley taxpayer on Dec 22^nd, should NOT be a hearing about proposed borrowing at the municipal council chambers, at all. It should be an inquiry about council actions to date, and why they should all remain in office, for the rest of their terms.

Overages on projects of 66% are not acceptable, in fact it is absolutely contemptible. How many other projects have gone array with this council? Did the BDO building have a cost overrun of 66%, Will Access Credit Union have a 66% overrun. How can this council be trusted any more?

The explanations given by the C.A.O. and Mr. Peter Klassen is as weak and feeble as they come. Mr. Klassen we do not amortize the errors of Council borrowings, until the time of the rapture.

It may be a Merry Christmas elsewhere, but not here in Stanley.

Open letter to Morden Town Council

2011-10-08T11:49:00.005-05:00

Perhaps at the next council meeting you should consider removing the yellow signs on Thornhill Ave. indicating Historic down town Morden, if it’s not to be? At the same time they may also consider changing the town slogan from See History Unfold to just See History Folding

Since previous councils seen fit to pack up the old Morden Museum and gradually disperse it about.

The most recent issue the Arlington Hotel is most tragic.

The two parties involved, yourselves and Rudy Enns seems to be at logger heads over it’s future or it’s demise.

Does the Town Council not have the wherewithal or mechanisms to deal with this issue in a appropriate and open fashion, it seems not.

Surely, in the heat of accusations, a competent unbiased mediator could be sought to not only diffuse the issues, but work towards implementing a feasible and acceptable plan for all concerned.

Just as the residential development at Lake Minnewasta was put under community scrutiny so can the Grand Old Arlington.

One can more easy accept whatever the out come of the Arlington, as long as that due process has occurred.

"The Arlington Hotel"

2011-10-05T13:31:00.009-05:00

It’s been a busy week around Lake Minnewasta.

The most recent collapse of a wall on the vacant historic Arlington Hotel brought a morning flurry of activity to the downtown, which has been dying from a lack of business activity in the past few years. The collapse of the wall brought about eerie morning activity to the usual empty main street. Coffee sales were brisk

this morning, as the fire and rescue department attired in their bright orange colors, enhanced the circus atmosphere to the otherwise desolate main street landscape.

The Arlington has had it’s share of fights throughout the years.

Usually it started with the bar room brawl inside and then moving on to the streets. But this time it’s different. It’s a fight which the Arlington itself is a direct participant and not just a facilitator, and the final outcome will decide if the Arlington lives or dies on the streets of Morden. It’s a fight to the death and the Arlington if it loses, it will become it’s own Arlington cemetery,

burying with it all the memories good and bad, from the earliest beginnings of town itself. Anyone for playing the song streets of El Paso?

Taking a walk in historic downtown Morden, visiting the past or seeing history unfold, are slogans that will become obsolete overnight with the loss of the Arlington. And even if it fell down is there anyone that would hear it? Morden’s loss of downtown business activity is comparable to the old saying, “if a tree falls in the forest and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? If a building is demolished and there’s no one who remembers it’s history, does it really matter?

Of course the individuals eager to have it removed, always pull out the public safety defense, their morals and values

for the safety of the citizenry, because of the office they hold, are higher than those of the citizenry who value our past. What background of history with the town do they hold? Were their grandfathers and great grandfathers part of the history of Morden or are they just transplants to the area after the fact? Coming up with the generic argument of public safety, sounds very caring and concerning, but so too would the premise that the building is an unsavory incubator for disease and rodent infestation.. As well the shear height of this 3 story monolithic eyesore shaded and curtailed the full potential of the trees the Town planted to line main street. There are always arguments, but in this instance you get only one chance to do the right thing. The 72 hour demolition deadline being issued scared me. It spoke to the fact that the decision makers, those we elect to

give us sobering thoughts and well thought out judgments, would indeed hasten to order demolition in what appeared to be a predetermined resolution.

You cannot recreate history. When it’s gone it’s gone and you can’t rebuild it or wish it back after the fact.

byline - Terry Titchkosky

AS I SEE IT

2011-07-21T11:35:00.026-05:00

I'm usually hesitant to express my thoughts, whether they be right or wrong.
Occasionally though I sometimes create a photo or cartoon that expresses my feelings at the time. Here are just a few of my creations that have been gathering dust in my computer, that I thought I would share.

Ah, I remember this lady! She was part of our Chautauqua celebrations. The banners were hung on the Highway with care, in hopes that our Town artists could celebrate the arts with some flare! Unfortunately I saw the banners in a somewhat different light. They appeared to me as the “pants” of a somewhat heavy woman, and thus the result was this attention grabbing welcoming pose. Perhaps they could have been used as an alternative advertisement for our “Farmers Market” produce after the Chautauqua celebrations ended! Fresh Veggie Eating Capital of Canada!

Then there those discussions regarding the viability for the construction of a museum to lodge the artifacts that are being discovered in our surrounding landscape. I wondered just how the two worlds that exist in our area would cope with the convergence of two beliefs.

As always, if you’re going to build something, just where is the best location?

Everyone seemed to have an opinion. The dig site location or the more visible corridor location. Ah, such a dilemma! Maybe it should be decided by the those who are directly involved. Maybe let the dinosaur decide by a “flip” of a coin.

Heads, Thornhill or Tails, the Corridor.

And then of course we’d require new signage on our highways, and the dilemma of where to put those Dinosaur Crossing signs.

I remember when I thought my internet service was extremely slow and wasn’t at all pleased when my internet service provider MTS did not respond quickly to my needs.In fact they refused to set an appointment time with me. They would only say they’d be out to my place sometime next week Friday.

As if I was to stay at home and wait for them to arrive at their leisure? That’s when I heard Telus, another supplier was competing for business and created this cartoon depicting the MTS buffalo being done in by the competition. I actually sent this to MTS

Then came our own Canadian Election which coincided with the Charlie Sheen antics. What was even more strange was that Charlie Sheen’s character on his show, had the name Charlie Harper……no I’m not kidding. Both he and Stephen Harper had one goal……WINNING and thus

But overall the best things in life tend to be free…like a coupon. I came across these being handed out by a friend of mine and I thought I would share one with all you who read the blog and might need a hug.

Images and comments by Terry Titchkosky

"Mennonite in a Little Black Dress"- A Review

2010-09-29T22:40:00.005-05:00

This book review is the result of a young Mennonite waitress in a Black Outfit (black outfits are the unofficial color of the waitresses at this restaurant) scoffing at my reading of The Housecoat Diaries by John Scoles. After glancing at a few passages she determined it was unsuitable reading for an older person like myself, and she bluntly told me so. I completed reading the book at the restaurant - under the duress of her glances - over a period of several weeks.

I then suggested that she read it to stretch and broaden her scope of the humanities. She would do nothing of the kind. Perhaps she felt she would become tainted, who knows?

Now that she had skewered my psyche, I decided the next book I read would require her impartial consent. That book would be one suggested by my niece, who had yet to fail me literature-wise, with the exclamation “Uncle Harold you should read this book!”

After reading all the glowing accolades on the back cover of the book “Mennonite in a Little Black Dress” by Rhoda Janzen, it certainly made sense to me to get the stamp of approval from The Young Mennonite Waitress in the Black Outfit at the restaurant. Once again she glanced at the book, and approval was conferred quickly, but with a proviso, that she receive a review of same.

Here goes!

Dear Senior Intervener,

(or Young Female Mennonite in a Black Outfit)

I labored over reading this book. For me, it did not live up to the glowing praise it received from other reviewers.

It is a memoir that could be applied to a host of other ethnic and faith groups, with the Mennonite flavor only touched upon, in my opinion. Tragically, Rhoda Janzen’s tale, like those of many other bright young Mennonite girls who have left the traditional Mennonite lifestyle for the mainstream via marriage, have found their partner wanting. I can attest to these situations. Rhoda does find a process for her own reconciliation, which may be the best part of this memoir. Mennonite humor has always escaped me , except for mimicking platt deutsch (low German), which, as a friend told me, now would probably be considered racist. I found some amusing dialogue, but no laughter.

I would rate it an average read.

When I get older and much wiser, hopefully, I will be able to select my own books to read again, until then the Young Mennonite Waitress in a Black Outfit at the restaurant holds sway!

Deere World!

2010-08-12T22:40:00.005-05:00

My Father was a dyed- in- the- wool "Deere" man - John Deere, that is! For those of you too young, and those of you who never left your urban dwellings, all this may be a little too deep to fathom. But come along for the ride anyway. It might just be fun for you!

You see, John Deere has been a farm implement manufacturer for many decades. You older people know that - their business was tractors, combines, balers, and other farm machinery. Actually, just into the turn of the 20^th century there were numerous tractor and implement manufacturers, but they are now down to about 3 major companies, one of which is Deere & Co.

Earlier in time, the local John Deere dealer was “A. Shareski & Son”. They were located on the south west corner of Stephen & 4^{th St.} right here in downtown Morden. The shop, about 80 X 30 ft., is now occupied by Boundary Plumbing & Heating. It was just a rectangular frame structure with a 1^st coat of grey based stucco for the front, and a metal John Deere sign. Nothing really elegant about it at all. It was here in 1959 that my dad bought his last J.D. tractor, the last of John Deere’s 2 cylinder tractor line. Sort of a fitting end to my father’s calling. John Deere tractors had a unique “put, put,” sound, while other companies' machines hummed along with their 4 and 6 cylinder engines. My dad's tractor was a new standard model 730 Diesel that could crank out 53 hp. Boy, this beast had power! You were just waiting for something to get in its way so it could demonstrate that power.

So what’s my point? Well I’m getting to it - hang on. It was really big potatoes back then, and was the centre of my dad’s and my universe at the time.

Now leap forward 50 years to 2010, to Hwy #3 east of Morden, and the GVE location. Green Valley Equipment, John Deere Dealers for Southern Manitoba

The Morden location has just completed building a two story 12,000 square foot showroom with an additional 8000 square feet of office space. When you enter at the east door you are overwhelmed by its spaciousness. You could put six “A. Shareski & Son” buildings in the show room alone. Along the south wall are the main and 2^nd floor offices, which are all glass and you can see the staff. It is impressive and its offices would be the envy of most Banks & Credit Unions in Southern Manitoba, I’m sure. It feels like a mini Wall St.!

There is an almost outdoor-like atmosphere In the southwest corner where there are tables and chairs surrounded by slush machines, drink machines, coffee pots, candy and chip vending machines, along with a Microwave oven. It's complete canteen style convenience! They even have a big wide screen LCD T.V., showing J.D. ads. You would think they could at least have old re-runs of the John Deere Day flicks.

At Shareski’s they had a Coke cooler; and a table made from an old disker blade welded to a 1" inch pipe with 30”x 30” plywood for the top, which was spray painted John Deere green. Here they played endless hours of checkers, mostly during the fall and winter.

Back to GVE ...... Just to the north of their canteen area, along the west wall, stand six individual reception counters for parts sales, with the latest software wizardry to find your particular part. They remind me of airline reception counters at an airport terminal, but hopefully, the service is much better. They even have a parts gal working there.

Shareski’s just had a big long battered wooden counter, with a heavy metal catalogue holder for their 16 or so parts books, with page corners worn from constant use. Then, heaven forbid, you might have to crank up the old magneto phone, get an operator, and ask for the Regina J.D. parts department, no less. (Much more civil than, push 1 for service, push 2 for sales, push 3 for a morgue, your call is very important to us, when what you really would like to do is push the whole organization you're calling off a steep cliff.)

But I digress, back at GVE, fronting the parts section, are J.D accessories such as tools, batteries, clamps, filters, lubricants, First Aid kits, pulleys, wheels, tillage shovels, battery chargers, and toolboxes for the back of your F-150 & 250 Fords. All the stuff you require to practice modern day farming.

In front of the glass offices is a huge green & yellow J.D. air seeder which has all kinds of air and hydraulic hoses going to the shanks of a huge J.D. cultivator. It looks like the life support system for a hospital patient. Only this patient would have to be dinosaur-like in size!

And now we get to the merchandizing factor, and this is the kicker.

Companies now want your heart, soul, body, and pin #, not for your personal survival, but theirs.

J.D. Financial Report

Top farm equipment manufacturer Deere & Co. finished out fiscal 2009 profitably, despite the economic slowdown, reporting full-year earnings of $873.5 million compared to $2.05 billion in 2008. The company’s agriculture and turf equipment sales saw a 14-percent decline for the year, but the division maintained an operating profit of $1.45 billion, decreasing from $2.46 billion in 2008.

Deere forecast that its worldwide sales of agriculture and turf products will decrease by about 4 percent in 2010. The company estimated that industry wide farm machinery sales in the U.S. and Canada will drop 10 percent in the coming year.

And that, folks, could be the reason Deere has entered the general merchandizing area - so they can prop up their sagging earnings.

Now wade into the remaining floor space, and in the games section you will find John Deere darts, playing cards, checker games, poker chips, horse shoes, and even a J.D. pool table. A far cry from the A. Shareski & Son” checker tournaments" of yesteryear.

For the children, there are model upon scaled model of past and present tractors, front end loaders, combines, balers - the entire J.D. green line of farm equipment. In my childhood I farmed the entire summer with my cast iron John Deere model “B” toy tractor, and a cast iron red Massey-Harris 44. That was before Ferguson came along. But I digress again.

Ok! Let’s start over with baby stuff and slowly graduate to monster combines.

What do babies like? Food - so you can get a J.D. baby dish & cup, or you can read or chew on the thick paged J.D. illustrated picture book. That’s fun! Or how about some J.D. string puzzles? Or if you can crawl around, how about a choice of complete model Farm Yard sets? If you can make tractor sounds, you can play with the long green line of Deere toys I mentioned earlier. If you are slightly older, you can get on the bigger plastic units that you can push with your legs. A little older yet, go for the battery powered units, and if you happen to have a breakdown, just fix it with J.D. plastic tools like drills and saws. Deere does yield to the feminine side with small pink colored bikes, wheelbarrows, and wagons

If your tots have been running around the farmyard “buck naked”, not a problem - clothing is abundantly available from tots to adult sizes. Little tots to children to adult guys and gals T-shirts, pullovers, coveralls, numerous caps and hats, all with J.D. logos. And there are also dozens and dozens of assorted work gloves.

There are household items such as flyswatters, dog leashes, picnic bags, fridge magnets, various J.D. wall plaques, place mats, J.D. brooms, dustpans, along with wall holders for them.

Not to mention an assortment of wall clocks.

Accessories such as wallets, watches, including pocket watches,are also available.

Don’t believe me? Check out this Web Site .....

http://www.greenvalley.mb.ca/

Being an adult, I was looking around for the back room tattoo parlor to get myself a John Deere – deer logo tattoo - in green & yellow on my butt…. for posterity, a chance my father never got.

Ok! So you settle for one of the many barbecues available. Or maybe one or two vaults in which to lock up your guns, rifles, and what money you have left after leaving the premises.

I’m getting a headache from all this. Where do they dispense the J.D. drugs?

So, get on down to GVE, and check the Deere prices at a location near you!

Now back to that romance letter I started ….

Dear John!

I am writing to tell you about the passionate and intimate moments we shared and enjoyed together, But I must tell you. I have been smitten by another’s love……………

All Is Not LOST!

2010-08-05T21:31:00.004-05:00

Hitting the dining spots of Morden, I come in contact with a great many young ladies (teens) who serve and waitress in our local restaurants. Chit chatting with them over time, you can begin to build a tiny profile of their likes and dislikes, goals and ambitions. (Of course, they can do the same about me!) It is nothing but a delight to engage in this sort of 15 second banter with them. It reveals many fascinating facets of who they are, and in what they are involved with. But on ocasion, one is blown away by a comment or a reply they make,

Such was the case just the other day.

Driving around the streets of town on the Monday of the August long week-end, with little traffic around, I thought I saw one of these gals strolling on the street.

Upon seeing her the next day at her work, I questioned if it was she whom I saw walking north on 8th Street..

"Yes, it was", and she had gone to mail a letter.

"You were mailing a letter to me?" I asked spontaneously.

"No, I was sending a letter to my sponsor child."

"Your sponsor child?"

"Yes!"

"You sponsor a child?"

"Yes!"

And then she left, and I was in left in a mental haze!

This young, attractive, dynamatic, dramatic, goofy, joyful, fun loving,

and sweet, caring gal, just elevated her stature right before my very eyes.

There will be a new respect paid to her. Her obvious concern for the plight of others is heart warming.

She has a little brother, who admires her very much, and he comes in a large 2XL size, add me to that admiration list.

Who’s painting all young people with the same brush, saying that nothing will ever become of them down the road.

Great teens and kids are still around us folks! You just have to engage them and express an interest in their hopes and desires, and let the dialogue flow. As adults, we can sometimes be pretty intimidating.

I have no idea what formula applies to having great kids. It may be genes, it may be parenting, it may be schooling, it may be the physical and mental environment they live in, it may be unconditional love - who really knows?

All I can say is, when you come across it, savour it, while you can.

Anchors Away - News Wise

2010-07-15T19:37:00.026-05:00

As Canadians, we have recently weathered the Winter Olympics, and the G8 & G20 Summit Meetings. Now suddenly, we have the T.V. Network News Anchor Wars! Lloyd Robertson's retirement is just a year away ( seems he has been with us since the days of Howdy Doody, Gunsmoke, Dallas, to Canadian Idol). Then there's Kevin Newman of Global fame, who is stepping down after just 9 years, having started at the same time as the Amazing Race series. Look out. Peter Mansbridge just standing delivering the news, and chatting with weather gal Claire Martin just wouldn't cut it anymore. At least not with the likes of Lisa La Flamme and Dawna Friesen arriving. This should give hope to the bevy of gal
correspondents at the CBC, should Peter's ratings fall flat. Myself I'm partial to Lisa LaFlamme. She seems charming, warm, earthy, articulate, and well schooled in journalism and interviewing. So my money is on Lisa! However beginning a year later, may give Globel's Dawna Friesen the edge in this shoot out. Dawna Friesen in her early days here in Manitoba, always seemed a little stiff and snobbish, but was a most competent reporter nonetheless. Her claim to fame is having come from the rural roots of a Manitoba farm. These ladies, and the gals to come, have a big task, not only to challenge the gender issue, but also the diminishing news viewership, as well as the hundreds of alternate news sources. I wish them well in their ongoing endeavours...........and that's the kind of day it was......for me!

Journey 2009

2009-08-07T16:44:00.031-05:00

This will be my third journey to visit Manitoba towns, villages, and hamlets. My intent this year is to visit the communities surrounding Riding Mountain National Park and beyond. The Park is enclosed by three Hwy‘s - #5, #83, & #45.
It is like a misty English morning on Monday as I depart from Morden at 7:25 a.m, June 22nd.
The temperature is 17C.
I have all the provisions needed to sustain my health conditions along with the travel information I require. So, farewell, Morden & friends, hello, summer highways, as I check my odometer reading upon departure.
My starting point for this journey will be at the Jct of Hwy #16 & PRR #260, just west of Gladstone, or as some call it “Happy Rock”. I take the same route as last year - north on the Rosebank Rd. PRR# 432, turn west on PTH #23, then north on PTH#34 and head for Holland. Here I join the locals in the Hollander Motor Hotel for breakfast. I glance over at another table only to see Robin Flood, a chap I worked with at MTS. He was in town for Holland’s Fiddle Festival held the previous night. We chit chat and later both depart from Holland.
Back in the van, I continue north on PTH#34 across the Trans Canada to Hwy#16 and Gladstone. I top up my fuel tank at the Gladstone Co-op Gas Bar, and head west on Hwy #16 to PRR # 260.

From this point I begin my planned journey, so if you wish, grab an official Manitoba Map, and follow along on my Journey.

I begin travelling North on #260 between Hwy#16 and the C.N.R. rail line at Oglivie. This is where the new Amish settlements were established about 3 years ago in Manitoba. However, there is no Oglivie - it is long gone, not a trace of it. I spoke to one Amish person travelling in his one horsepower buggy and he indicated that 15 families had moved to this area. They do not wish to have their pictures taken, so I respected that. However, I have pictures of their large square two story homes and barn yard sites. There are signs posted on the Highways with a horse and buggy symbol indicating you are in Amish country.
Unlike us who are running about to and fro, concerned about the price of oil, you can be assured that they are not.
A little further north sits the village of Plumas. It appears prim and proper, with well maintained yards and fairgrounds. There is a mix of housing ranging from the 40’s to the70’s, a Stop & Shop Grocery, Austin Credit Union, modern Plum Inn - for sale or lease, Service shop, Insurance brokerage, P.O., curling rink, Cargill Farm Service Centre, and G.W.B. used Auto Sales.
Heading North again on PRR#260 I go to Tenby, just a km or two west off #260. I drive into a local Tenby area farmyard and speak with the gentleman owner. He informs me that all that is left of Tenby is the school, just a ¼ mile south on the municipal road parallel to the C.N. Rail line. Sure enough there is a small one room early cement block type school with maintained grounds.
Back to the #260 north to Watersee. There is a long abandoned Hall, but it has a General Store and active Christ Lutheran Church. There are about 5 - 50’s, 60’s vintage type homes in this hamlet.
I now proceed west 0n PRR#261 from Watersee to Glenella. Glenella is the “Broom Ball Capital of Manitoba” It has an abandoned Pool Elevator that is still in good shape. There is also the Beautiful Plains Credit Union, a small lumber yard, and a 1920’s vintage Hotel. It is about 1:00 p.m. when I spot Laurette’s Family Restaurant housed in a 1960 style building. There are three middle -aged ladies having coffee outside, puffing on their cigarettes. I greet them and enter the restaurant. The first person I see is Robin Copeland, a former Hydro man from Morden, who is just leaving, so we exchange greetings. He mentions he is working out of the Neepawa Hydro District, where he now lives. I order a turkey salad sandwich & fries, while 6 adults and a mother of 3 pre-schoolers grace the cafeteria. The village consists of a few dozen nicely kept homes, again 1960’s vintage.
A few kms west of Glenella on PRR#261 you can begin to view the very beautiful Riding Mountains. #261 west takes you to Hwy #5, then a few kms south on #5 and you arrive at the village of Riding Mountain. Riding Mountain is a very well treed area because of its close proximity to the base of the mountains. It boasts a repair shop, convenience store, with Post office and Bus Stop. Across the way is a 1940‘s/50’s Legion Hall, a mix of about 20 homes from 30’s to 70’s, that have a very "cottage" feel.
Backtracking north on Hwy #5 my next stop is Kelwood, a community about the same size as Riding Mountain. It also boasts a Royal Canadian Legion, Knox United Church, and older skating and curling rinks, a drop in centre, and Lucky Dollar Store/P.O. The Harvest Sun Café and Bake shop closed. Again there are about 20 or so homes.
Not too much further north on #5 is the Hamlet of Norgate It has a mix of older housing with spacious lots, a 1970’s Kingdom Hall, and a nice white painted, well maintained Anglican Church. There are no consumer services in Norgate.
My next stop on Hwy # 5 north is the village of McCreary, with a population of 487 souls. It has a Curling rink, Skating rink, and an accompanying Fair grounds, and a recently abandoned U.G.G. elevator. McCreary is a small size service centre, and has the McCreary -Alonsa Health Centre and Personal Care Home. Speaking with the village administrator, I learn that they have just filled their medical needs with a husband and wife doctor team. McCreary has Mountain Side Inn, RBC Financial Services in an old Royal red brick bank building still in use, P.O., Reischek's Pharmacy, Pizza Café, True Value Hardware, Library, and large Legion. The new R.M. and town office are housed in new buildings. It is nicely treed with a mix of older to newer homes, with a new style modern R.C.M.P. detachment. It boast a newer hotel, the Agassiz Park Lodge, for the winter skiing crowd.
The next stop is Laurier just west off PTH #5 on PRR# 480, surrounded by the flat prairie landscape. It is a small village with a large Roman Catholic church built in 1962. It has a curling rink and a 70’s era school. Delman Industries have two large 100+ ft long buildings, but I was unable to determine what they do. Molgat Shopping Centre houses Home Hardware & the Liquor Agency, with a large lumber shed across the road. It has a Lucky Dollar store that is closed, and Community Centre with a Caisse Populaire. I am speculating that Senator Gildas Molgat who was at one time the Liberal leader but never Premier, of Manitoba, hailed from this area.
Back tracking east on PRR#480 to PTH#5 and continuing east on PRR#380 and then north, I arrive at the one street hamlet of Ste Amelia. It has a large brown ashphalt clad Roman Catholic Church and graveyard. Across the street is a Community Hall. Ste Amelia has 7 older homes and one 70’s era house.
Now heading east on PRR# 380 to PTH#5, then north on #5 to Ste Rose du Lac. Ste Rose is a well kept town with all its business mainly on one street. Its only business brands are Petro Can and a Chicken Chef restaurant. It has the Curling rink, skating rink, and Community centre all in a row. It also hosts a Hospital facility.
Driving west on PTH#5 to the Jct of #480 and south to the hamlet of Makinak, which is now only a shadow of its former self. Another one street hamlet, with a curling rink and Community Hall, an abandoned Service station, and elevator. There is one large old commercial building now being used as a home, along with an abandoned brick church, and a smaller one which still appears to be active.
Going east from Makinak on PRR#582 then north to Ochre River one can see the Riding Mountains in the distance. Ochre River seemed like a community that had passed its expiry date. It had older homes with not much attention paid to the yards. They have a Curling rink with an outdoor skating rink, and a newly clad Community Hall. It has a shabby Hotel that was still open and a recent metal 3 stall fire Hall.
I leave Ochre River via Hwy#20 proceeding north towards Dauphin Lake and cottage country. There are two cottage areas at the south end of Dauphin Lake on PTH#20. One called Ochre Beach, and further north Dauphin Beach. It is typical cottage country with newer cottages and developments mixed among the existing ones.
I now head west on PTH#20 towards Dauphin and an overnight stay in this city. It is now around 8:30 in the evening as I roll into Dauphin, a well treed and well kept small city of 7,906 persons. I drive through its downtown area and proceed south on Main St/Hwy10A where I book into the Highland Motel. Before retiring for the evening, I gas up at the Co-op Gas Bar and lunch at the Pizza Hut a few doors south of my Motel. I then retire at the Highland for the evening.

Day 2
After a good night's sleep, I arose about 8:00 a.m. to what appeared to be another beautiful day. I packed the van and headed for Smitty’s Restaurant for breakfast. Not much action at Smitty’s as only one table was occupied in the large establishment. The server brought me a pot of coffee, which was convenient, and then I perused the menu. I placed my order for a skillet breakfast, and contemplated the new day. As I proceeded with my breakfast, the female server was most attentive, but not intrusive, and I find this uncanny. Perhaps this attention was because of the low breakfast turnout, I don’t know. My tummy satisfied, I ventured downtown to the city sites. My first stop was the Parkland Recreation Complex built in 1997, housing curling rink, arena, wave swimming pool, and 2000 seat entertainment venue, as well as a 211 meter rubberized 2 lane walking/running track. A fine impressive addition to the City of Dauphin, even with the loss of 180 souls since 2001. One thing that is noticeable about the Dauphin landscape is that it has only one highrise, about 8 stories high. After viewing the downtown, I headed over to the Fort Dauphin Museum on Jackson Street. It is a quaint little trappers' fort that takes up about 3 city lots. Constructed in 18th century style, it is a fur trading post with a blacksmith’s shop, trapper's cabin, a pioneer log home, dating from 1882, and a one room school built in 1894. Located outside the fort’s gates are flower beds with a variety of flowers. This is where I tested the flower setting on my camera, which turned out great. I continued north on Jackson and Keays Street until it becomes PRR#362, and continued north and west until I reached Valley River.
It was a clear day with a noticeably strong wind prevailing. Valley River lies on the flat of the land. The Vladmir and Olga Ukrainan Catholic Church is the centrepiece of this community, which has celebrated its 82nd anniversary. The Community Centre, built in 2002, sits across from the old centre. There are 7 homes and 3 abandoned ones.
Back to PRR#362 to Jct of 491 and west to Trembowla, site of the Cross of Freedom next to the Drifting River, where the first Ukrainian settlers arrived in 1896. St Michaels Church, built in 1898, along with other historic buildings - including a school, are located at this site.
Once again I backtracked on PRR#491 to PRR#362 and headed north to the village of Sifton. Like many of Manitoba’s villages, Sifton’s star has waned over the years, and the evidence of that is in its vintage buildings. There is the faded lettering on the once “A.T. Gniazdosky” Cockshutt Farm Implements building, the abandoned Kennedy General Store, the 70’s era Vault Café and Lounge. The commercial activity consists of Boauski’s Grocery, a small convenience store, Liquor Vendor and Post Office. There is a small Block Wood Furniture Manufacturing shop, but I was unable to determine its status. Sifton has Golden Harbour seniors' home, a Community Centre and an open air skating rink. The village has large spacious lots with a few new homes. On 3rd Avenue S.E. stands Sifton’s landmark - the Holy Resurrection Russian OrthodoxChurch.
It was built in 1926, and is now an historic site. Mary Maxim entrepreneur Willard McPhedrain began his international mail order company from humble beginnings here in Sifton. Known for its unique sweater designs, the company grew immensely and by 1955, had moved its operations to Dauphin. Mary Maxim continued to expand, and in 1959 moved again, to Paris, Ontario, where it still exists today. A Spinning Wheel Cairn was built in 2000 to recognize the founder of the Mary Maxim Company in Sifton.
I then proceeded east on PRR#267 out of Sifton to Jct Hwy#20, then North on #20 to Fork River. The traffic was very light, the wind still very strong, and the highway in excellent shape. The landscape along #20 to Winnipegosis is as flat as I’ve seen anywhere. It seems as if someone has rolled it flat. Unlike southern Manitoba, the farm yards are fewer and further apart, with numerous round grain bins on site as their signature. Fork River has about a dozen homes with a few newer ones, a recreation Centre and Community Centre. There is a cairn showing the location of all the schools in the R.M. of Mossey River. There is an older Pool elevator with a new steel bin annex, which I assumed is now a private venture.
From Fork River I proceeded east on PRR#364 and then north, hooking up eventually with Hwy #20 just before Winnipegosis. The rural landscape along PRR#364 does not change from what I have already seen. At the Jct of #20 Hwy, I proceeded north to Winnipegosis.
It lies on the south west shore of Lake Winnipegosis, and has 628 inhabitants. The abandoned railway line with its planted rows of trees provides a nice green space for the downtown one street business section. There is an old boat on display called the "Myrtle M." It was also being used as an All-Terrain Vehicle run at the time when I checked out 1st Street. The businesses on 1st Street consisted of George’s Garage, Winnipegosis Locker plant, Pharmacy, Hardware, Meat Market, Solo Store, Scotia Bank, and the Dauphin Plains Credit Union. The village has a pulse to it as people mill about. The Winnipegosis & District Health Centre houses the Hospital Senior suites and Personal Care Home. It has a nice spacious courtyard facing the Mossey River and the one lane bridge that crosses it at that point. It is a pleasant setting for this entire facility. It was now around 1:00 p.m. and I entered The Winnipegosis Motor Inn for lunch. I viewed the menu and waited as an elderly hostess slowly completed her tasks at the desk. She brought me a menu and I decided on the lunch special: ham, potatoes, pasta salad and a garden salad. It is a tasty and filling lunch. I dined with only one other customer present. I topped up the van with petrol at the “Foxy Gas Bar” down on the wharf. I then proceeded south on PTH#20 to the Jct of PRR#269 and headed west to Ethelbert.
The village of Ethelbert has suffered a loss of 23 people since 2001, so the population now stands at 312. The Fork River runs through it, and the community appears to have a Curling rink and skating rink that are in good condition. Its business services are Bird’s Corner Store, Rewniak’s Solo Store, Burdeniuk’s Service Centre, Andres Insurance Brokers, and Stetson Café & Grill. I spent some additional time prowling the streets looking for an airplane that has been converted into a house. I received this tip from a gal in Morden who claims it is located in Ethelbert. Alas no plane, so I visited the village office and mentioned it to the staff. They informed me that it is located in Garland, a hamlet 18 kms north on PTH#10.
I debated about going there, and in the end decided it’s not every day you see an airplane converted into a home, so off I went, travelling the 18 kms north on PTH# 10.

Garland is about 1Km east off PTH#10 at the base of the Duck Mountains, where the soil texture is light. I turned left on this single street hamlet on a soft road bed, and sure enough about the 4th or 5th lot in, I spotted the old Air Canada jet with wooden steps up to the cockpit. The motors have been removed and it appears to be a Vickers Viscount turbo prop, with Air Canada markings. It apparently was brought here 16 years ago by an ex pilot and it is his home. There was no one about in this hamlet of about dozen homes, so I took a few pictures of the jet, and proceeded to the south end of the Street. I entered Wasyluk’s General Store which has served the R.M. since 1924. It literally has everything, from fruits and vegetable products, meats, canned goods, frozen products, an assortment of oils & fluids, T shirts, footwear, kitchen utensils, cookware, camping cookware, an assortment of hardware and tools, to batteries. It was simply an amazing store, a real gem, with living quarters attached. A gentleman, probably in his early 60’ had taken over from his father and lives there with his elder mother. He indicated his supplier could no longer get certain items for the store. I then bought 2 bananas and bade him adieu. As I left I realized I had experienced a bygone era that today’s convenience stores can never capture. I was pleased I had made the choice to go the few extra few miles! Back on PTH#10 and going south, I reached the Jct of PRR#273, then went east on #273 until I reached the crossroads of Ukraina.
In one corner is a tiny long abandoned Ukrainian Church. North across the road is a well kept yard and modest home, with large stock of cord wood about 150 ft long and 4-5 ft high. West of this, and across the road again, is the Ukraina Community Centre, which still appears to be active.
Returning west on PRR#273 to PTH#10 I headed south again to the Jct of PRR# 267 and east to Jct #274, then south on #274 until I reach Venlaw.
Again. there are a couple of older homes at a crossroad, and an abandoned Community Centre and a former older repair or service garage. I continued south once again, driving through crop and cattle country as I neared Gilbert Plains.
Gilbert Plains is a small service centre of 760 people, with a Library/Fitness centre, Credit Union, old brick C.I.B.C. bank, Family Foods, large Consumer Co-op services centre, and large Agri Centre, a 1929 Post Office Building, and Royal Canadian Legion Br #98. The local elevator is run by Federowich Farms. Other amenities include a large school district, Gilbert Plains Heath Centre and senior housing, and the Gilbert Plains 18 hole Golf Course. I entered the older Gilbert Plains Hotel and had soup and a hot dog for supper. I left this very orderly town and headed east on PTH#5 to Ashville.
Ashville is just north of the Jcts of #5 & #10, between the Wilson River and the C.N.R. tracks. It is hamlet of 8 neat homes straddling #10 Hwy, with many outdoor Post Office boxes. I turned around and backtracked to Gilbert Plains, and found that just a few kilometres west of Gilbert Plains on #10 is a Brett-Young Seed plant.
I continued west on my sojourn to a town of 839 people, namely Grandview. In 1901, so the story goes, someone stood looking west of town toward the Duck Mountains, and made the statement “What a grand view!” And the name stuck! It is located in a picturesque valley between Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Riding Mountain National Park. Most of its businesses are on Main Street - the old brick Post Office, Cairn’s Pharmacy, Grand Auto Body, Credit Union, Motor Inn, C.I.B.C., and Home Hardware. The Wilson Centennial Campground has a baseball park with three diamonds, a swimming pool, a tennis court, a skating rink and a curling rink. The Watson Crossley Community Museum has been preserved here with displays that include a pioneer log house, pioneer artifice, school, church, and steam traction engine. A steam traction engine up high on two pillars is the town’s mascot at Main St. and #5 Hwy. Grandview also boasts a modern 18 bed hospital. I booked into the 8 unit Parkview Motel, put my personal effects in order, and readied myself for a good night’s sleep.

Day 3
I got up around 8:00 a.m., and on the advice of the Parkview Motel owner, headed down to the “Friendly Corner Bake Shop”. The bakery was about 1/3 full and everyone was helping himself to self serve coffee. The breakfast special is available until 10:30 for $4:20. I placed my order for bacon, eggs over easy, shredded potatoes, and dry rye toast. The opening to the kitchen is quite large and you can see all 8 employees busily mixing many different batters of dough. My breakfast was brought to me, and I noticed that the only 3 chairs available were at my table, as the bakery is now packed. As I consumed my breakfast, some mentally challenged people slowly entered the kitchen. There are nineteen of them - many hug the employees and some even help them. Next door, adjoining the bakery is a lounge and activity area for them. I checked out Home Hardware and then left Grandview on a high note.
I headed west on PTH#5 again to the Jct of PRR#584 then headed north to Shortdale. There is only a plaque at Shortdale, which was a lumbering community when the Rail line came in 1903. The Metis were to the south of it, and the Ukrainians and Polish immigrants north of the rail line. By the 1920’s it had about 200 residents. It was served by a blacksmith, 3 general stores, a pool hall, 2 dance halls and a school. In 1934 a grain elevator was built. By April 2007 the remaining buildings were destroyed by a grass fire. As I ascended the curve west out of Shortdale, a big brown ball of fur flew across the road in front of me and disappeared like a bolt of lightning. I’m sure it was a bear, but I could not see hide nor hair of it after it disappeared into the bush. That was my wild animal experience for this trip.
I continued on until I reached PTH#5 and proceeded west to Roblin. This town has taken a 146 person hit in population since 2001. However its hustle and activity does not reflect this. It has a complex with a newer curling and skating rink, an outdoor pool and waterslides, as well as a small ball park. It's medical facilities consist of a newer District Health Centre, hospital, Crocus Court Personal Home, W.E. Nash Medical Clinic, and Roblin District Ambulance Service. Downtown, there is a new RCB Royal Bank, Fields Store, Home Hardware, Piston Ring, Pharmasave, movie theatre, new IGA, new Credit Union, and new Co-op Food Market, McMinn & Yates building supply, and assorted other businesses. They also have Ford, G.M., and Chrysler dealerships, There is a very tiny lake at the south end of town, and at the east end, just north of Hwy #5 there are about 10 new homes as well as a new United Church. Shepherd Implements supply the area with New Holland and Case IH farm equipment. I pulled into the Roblin Co-op gas bar and Subway Restaurant. It is the first time I have encountered my favourite beverage - Nestea Zero ice tea, at both the gas bar and Subway. I had a Subway sandwich and departed Roblin via Hwy #83 north to the Jct PRR #593 to Deepdale.
This is another town which is no more, so I headed west and north on PRR # 484.
Mararoff is not found, or missed. This brought me to the Jct of PRR#363. I headed east on #363 to Hwy#83, then north on Hwy#83 to Jct of PRR#367.
A few kms east on #367 I encountered the hamlet of San Clare. It consists of about half a dozen recent homes and Post Office agent. It has a new Metis Centre and Legion Branch #237. A curling rink, playground, and one abandoned commercial building make up the rest of San Clare.
Further up the road is Boggy Creek where I believe music festivals have been held in the past. There is a sort of a 357A bypass on a curve at Boggy Creek, that has 2 older homes and an MTS Shack. I continued on to Jct of PRR #594. headed south on #594, and south again on Hwy #83 and Roblin. At Roblin I turned west on Hwy #5 and crossed the Lake of the Prairies near the Saskatchewan border. At the Jct PRR #482 I traveled south along the west side of the Lake of the Prairies to the hamlet of Dropmore.
Dropmore, a one time rail stop, has about a half dozen older cottages, a few mobile homes and two new log cabins for rent. There is a groomed area with a cenotaph memorial to honor the many War dead. A few kilometres south is the newly created Kilman Resort, with camping/RV facilities, cabins, and lounge. North of the Resort there is about a mile of new cottages along the shore line, with various contractors milling around. Further south on PRR#482 I reached the Shellmouth dam site, where I spent a little time surveying the valley in which Lake of the Prairies was created. It was now 4:12 p.m. on this beautiful day, and I hoped to reach Russell before nightfall. I continued south to the Jct PRR #549 then headed west on #549 until I reached the hamlet of Shellmouth.
Shellmouth could be considered a quaint place that reminds me of La Riviere, with a shallow wide valley. It contains about a half a dozen older homes scattered over 2 streets, with the Assiniboine River meandering close by. I backtracked east on PRR #549 to the Jct of PRR #482 then continued east on #482. On this stretch you come across the Asessippi Ski Resort, which opened in 1999, just in time for the 21st Century. It is a fine modern facility, with 24 downhill runs, lodges, and cabins. Upon reaching Hwy # 83, I turned north for a few Kms then east at the Jct. of PRR # 366, and headed for the village of Inglis.

It is 5:00 p.m. and I’m concerned that the five Grain Elevators - now a National & Provincial Historic Site and a Manitoba Star attraction, may be already closed for viewing. I arrived in the small village to find that the elevators are open until 5:30 p.m. which gave me a half an hour to tour. As I entered the Paterson Elevator office, I question why I am paying a $5:00 fee to see an elevator, when as a young lad I delivered grain directly to the elevator from the field, and was in and out of elevators for most of my teens. It suffices to say nostalgia took over, and I returned to those wistful days of yesteryear. There are five Prairie Giants as they call them, the Paterson, Reliance (2), National, & U.G.G.
It appeared odd that the “Pools” were not represented in that they had a profound effect on the entire prairie cultural and grain business. An elevator was built in 1922 by Matheson-Lindsay, between the UGG and Paterson elevators. It was later sold to Province Elevator, which became Reliance in the 1930s. In 1941, Reliance added its second, and newest elevator of the five. This complex was then sold to Manitoba Pool in 1952, and finally to UGG in 1971. A young third year history student
“Haylan”gives me the tour and asked where I was from. I said Morden and she replied that she had an aunt Cheryl Digby who lived in Morden. I replied I had not met her, but did know she was employed by the town. Inglis consists of 3 streets and 3 avenues and has a population of about 200 people.It has a tennis court, an outdoor basketball court, a natural ice indoor skating arena with the elevator murals, and a curling rink with three sheets of artificial ice. Main Street businesses consist of Inglis Hotel, the Prairie Grill, Roblin C.U., and Jordie’s Food Market.
One of the buildings has a lot of potted greenery out front and I am unable to determine if it is a garage, or plant shop. It beckons me, so I park and enter the premises. I am greeted by a large German Shepherd, who gaves me a sniff security check, and then wandered off. I glanced about, and noticed one side is mostly automotive stock and the other notions, soaps, scarves, and towels. The silence is broken by impeccable quality English, that greets me, and I immediately realize this gal is not local. "Can I help you?" "No, I’ve just come from touring the elevators and I’m just browsing around." I ask, "You're not from around here?" "No, I’m from Toronto," she replies. "TORONTO! You're like the gal on Corner Gas. How did you wind up here?" "I have some friends here, and was looking for a smaller, quieter place, but this might be a bit smaller and quieter than I anticipated. I’ve been here for three years now." She asks me where I’m from, and I reply Morden. "Morden - I’m trying to get a vendor spot in the Corn & Apple Festival, and haven’t heard from them yet." I tell her I can check with the Morden Chamber when I get back, if she can give me a business card and her e-mail address, which she does. I ask her if I can get a picture of her, which she allows, and tells me she is third generation Chinese Canadian. Her friend operates the Inglis Country Service Centre, while she operates under the name “Secrets from the Garden” under the same roof. As it is 6:30 p.m or later, I indicated my wish to get to Russell and get a bite to eat at Connie’s Drive In. She says she knows Connie and asks me to say Hi to her. I bid her adieu and rushed west on #366, turned south on Hwy #81 and cruised to Russell - some 16 kms south. In route I kicked myself for not having purchased an item from her.
Connie’s Drive-In is right on Hwy #16 - an orange building next to the A&W, with a Chicken Chef to the west of that. A Filipino lady came to the window and I handed her a Morden Kopper Kettle business card with Albert & Shelia Cabildo’s name on it. I asked her if she knows them, “Yes, it’s my kid sister." I ordered a cheese burger and fries. As I waited for my order, a gentleman of about 40 advised me that if I continued driving at a high speed my tire would blow out. I was aware my tires were becoming bald, but I wanted to get the last lick out of them on this trip. I asked him jokingly if he made a habit of checking people's tires. He said "Yes, I’m a tire man." I looked up to see that he was driving a Fountain Tire truck with the big blue Fountain logo. He pointed out that the steel braid is now exposed on my tire. My food order was called and I sat at one of the picnic tables contemplating my tire status. I ate gingerly, as my stomach seemed a bit queasy. I now began my search for lodging. I checked out the Jolly Roger Motel. It seemed a bit pricy and the Russell Inn, owned by the same group is out of reach for me. The Hub Hotel only has second floor rooms, which are also a bit dear. I then checked my tourist material for a Bed & Breakfast, and came up with Sanderson’s Hill. I went to the address - only Chinese occupants speaking broken English. It was getting late, I have a worn tire, so I reluctantly booked into the Jolly Roger, and received a $5.00 coupon for breakfast that could be used at the Russell Inn. As I began to unload the van, I heard a voice from the parking lot call out "Morden". A gentleman approached me and I saw that it was Henry Thiessen from Morden. He asked me if I had supper. I said yes, but that I could still join him for his. I asked him what he was doing in Russell. He replied that artificial insemination of horses brought him this way. We discussed his family and grandkids, his well-witching in both Kenya and locally, and his rare model Jeep. Henry is a hearty eater, and polished off his salad, roast beef, and dessert in a timely manner. It was around 9:45 p.m. when we both returned to the Jolly Roger Motel and turned in. I found the bathroom to be a very cramped facility as I prepared for bed. So ended Day 3 of my journey.

Day 4
I arose around 7:00 a.m. although I did not sleep well, which is a rarity. Once again it was a beautiful day as I entered the dining area of the Russell Inn. The breakfast menu has little under $10.00, but I ordered my standard poached eggs, sausage, hash brown potatoes, dry rye toast, and coffee. When I received my breakfast I noticed the egg yokes have an orange tinge to them but no difference in taste. When I questioned her, the waitress informed me that they were Omega eggs which are healthier. Perhaps the reason their breakfasts are in the $10 - $15 range as opposed to the normal $5.00 -$6.00, is because of the coupon. This kept me on budget!
I cruised over to Russell Tire on my exposed bald tire, to find the co-owner just opening up and no customers in sight. I pointed out my dilemma and he directed me to drive into a stall. He brought out his top of the line Goodyears at about $120 each. I informed him I did not want a set of tires that exceeded the value of my van. He understood, and found a pair at $84 apiece, installed, made by Goodyear under another name. I said it was a deal and to put them on. I noticed they had a similar tread design to my originals. By 9:00 a.m. I was back on the road, very confident I would make it home.( I have no by-line on the town of Russell as I covered it in my Journey 2008 trip. (See pumphandle Blog Archive July/2008).
I left Russell via Hwy #45 east to Silverton, which has a few homes, an abandoned 2 story brick house, a rink and Community Hall. It has an abandoned U.G.G. elevator but no rail line. What stands out is a very immaculate older white United Church. Continuing east my next stop is Angusville.
This is a small village that has a dozen or so homes, and a 2 block main street that is closed down except for the R.M. of Silver Creek and Vanguard Credit Union. It has the appearance of a ghost town. Staying on Hwy #45 you pass along the top and east corner of the Waywayseecappo First Nations Reserve before reaching Rossburn. With its population of 546 people, Rossburn has a pulse and activity on its streets. Their businesses consist of a Co-op Gas bar, Vanguard Credit Union & Financial Services, Home Hardware, Rossburn Pharmacy, Parkway Co-op Grocery Store, L P K Enterprises, a Liquor vendor, and a 70’s era District Health Centre and Personal Care home. Interestingly they have only one Church - The Rossburn Community Church. It’s a "feel good town".
I headed north on PRR #577 to the crossroad at Olha. I had a curious reason for coming to this overlooked prairie outpost, and that was to check out the origins of Mike Swistun, whom I stumbled across in my internet travels. He was billed by Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus as the “Strongest Man in the World,” when he toured with the world famous troupe during the summer of 1923. Mike could bend iron bars with his teeth, support five men on his stomach, and hold two automobiles at a stand-still with his massive arms. During the 1920s, he performed many of the illusions which astounded rural crowds across the West when he toured the small towns each winter. Mike passed away in 1980, and his poignant life story can be checked at: http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/03/strongestman.shtml
Olha is some 14 or so Kms north of Rossburn on PRR #577. At the crossroads of Olha, in the northwest corner, is St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church. It has a spectacular interior. painted in 1927 by Jacob Maydan, a well-known church painter. In the northeast corner is the Olha General Store, and in the southeast corner, the Community Hall. I entered the Olha General Store which is a small house with a detached garage and one room which is used as the store. It is crammed with food stuffs. Two ladies are engaged in discussion, one a customer, the other the owner/operator - a lady in her mid to late 60’s. I asked her if she is aware of the “Strongest Man in the World,” coming from this area. She replied that she knew him personally, his son Paul, and his grandkids, whom she kept on occasion. She knew where they currently are and still keeps in contact. Her name is Marion Koltusky and she’s been in the Olha area all her life. Mike would show her all kinds of binder twine string tricks, along with his illusions. He was shunned by the locals and often taken for a vagrant, even in Rossburn. She told me that the son, Paul, lives on the home farm one mile east of Olha and about a 1/4 mile south. He has a threshing machine at the entrance to his lane. (S.W.36-19-22W.) She also told me that a little further south of Mike’s and about ½ mile are the buddas, small tent shaped pole structures with roofs of hay, the kind Mike was born in, in 1900. She also told me of the Ukrainian Monuments 2.5 miles south of Olha on PRR #577 next to Patterson Lake. I purchased a pack of sunflower seeds from her and thanked her for her valuable and useful information. Oddly enough when I got home, Saturday’s Winnipeg Free Press featured an article on Marion Koltusky and the Olha General Store (June 21/09). I checked out the Mike and Paul Swistun farm site and the buddas, then returned to Olha and PRR #577 and went south the 2.5 miles to the Ukrainian Historic Site The signage sent me about one mile west on a little used municipal road to the shores of Paterson Lake. Here is a large granite monument that has been erected to commemorate the one hundredth Anniversary of the Ukrainian Settlement in Canada -1891 - 1991. At this location a reburial has taken place with a stone Cairn and plaque honouring the memory of the forty-two children and three adults who died tragically in a scarlet fever epidemic in May 1899 (10th - 30th) at Patterson Lake, during the Slavic immigration to Manitoba. From this solemn site I returned east to PRR #577 and south, back to Rossburn.
At the Jct of Hwy #45 I turned east to Oakburn. This hamlet of about 20 or so homes is a dwindling community, but has a Ukrainian Catholic and a Ukrainian Orthodox Church as well as a Catholic Church which also has a Parish Hall. Oakburn has a Memorial skating rink and curling rink. It has the Strathclair Credit Union and Vanguard Financial Services. This is the first place I found an outdoor pumphandle water pump, so I take a picture. It must be a patriotic area as it flies nine Canadian Maple Leaf flags on a corner lot coming into town. It was 1:00 p.m., a warm day, and a snack would be nice! I pulled up in front of the Oak-Site Grocery & Liquor Vendor. There were all sorts of promotional signs outside the store, boasting that they have fresh coffee every 20 minutes, fresh rib eye - emphasis on "fresh". It’s an older building, very neat and clean, and the store operator asked if he could help. I mentioned I was looking for some pre-packaged sandwiches, subs, or burgers. We don’t have any, as we make them up fresh from the Deli, he told me. I had him make up a pepperoni & cheese sandwich on brown bread with lettuce. It was indeed fresh, delicious, and tasty. I then bought a pepperoni stick for the road. It was now 2:00 p.m. and I headed east on Hwy #45 to Menzie
Menzie consists of a few older homes, a church, and a Ukrainian Hall.
Continuing east is Elphinstone, nestled on the north bank of the Little Saskatchewan River. Taking PRR #354 across the river, there is a mix of modest older homes, an older red brick R.C.M.P. station, The Valley View Hotel, Hilltop Groceries, and a large 70’s era metal clad Memorial Hall. The first Post Office was established August 1. 1887 and its first postmaster was John A. McDonald. Just north of Elphinstone is the Keeseekkoowenin Reserve.
Eleven kms further east on Hwy #45 there is a large blue and yellow circular sign announcing Sandy Lake, a Community with a Pioneer Spirit. By 1910 Ukrainian immigrants had a hold on this area, and it became an unincorporated village on June 15, 1939. I found that Sandy Lake is a delightful surprise and hideaway, as I traveled its streets and lake area. I estimated there would be 200 -350 people here. It is a Agri-resort town with 40’s - mid 70’s housing and cabins. It does not have the mega $500,000+, cottage castles yet. I found it a quaint, serene, and restful village with the amenities and the activity at a level, I could handle. The lake shore is enticing and the drive along it, oh! so pleasant. It appeared to be a secret resort area with fishing, swimming, camping, and golfing. For services there is the Sandy Lake Credit Union, Dollar Store, Hardware, Hotel, Auto Service, Locker Plant, and Park Insurance Agency. There is also the Heritage Co-op, and Country Floral & General Store. The local elevator is under the ownership of the Lewandoski family. I left feeling as if I had come upon a prairie gem.
Onward - on Hwy #45 east to the junction of PRR #270 where I turned north to Rackham. Rackham does not make any appearance, so I wrote it off as a ghost town, and continued north to the Jct of #354 and east to Onanole.
Onanole is the typical "out of Park" commercial resort centre. Its off season population is around 400 people. The entrance to Onanole is marked with a huge statue of an elk. It has a Food Store, Home Hardware, Fast Gas, South Gate Motor Inn, and assorted other shops. There is a Recreation Centre with a Skating and curling rink, plus a senior centre. I was now southward bound on Hwy # 10 to Erickson.
Erickson has gained 8 people since 2001 for a total population of 456 people. However, with the hive of activity on the streets you would think it was much more. Perhaps because its elevation of 2054 feet makes it the highest town in Manitoba, or the fact is was originally settled by Scandinavian people - take your pick! This activity is generated by Canada Post, Erickson Credit Union, Heritage Co-op, a Library, M&M Grocery, Mountain Park Pharmacy, RBC Royal Bank, Rona, and the Nordic Inn. At the west end of Main Street there is Viking Ship monument, with a pond-like tiny lake behind it. I topped up my van with fuel at the Co-op Gas Bar and departed. I traveled Viking country via Hwy #10 south to the Jct of PRR #357, then east toward Bernie.
It was about 18 years ago that I drove the scenic #357 called Mountain Road. There are no communities on Mountain Road between Hwy’s #10 & 5. It is sloping countryside where you can see for miles to the east and south. There are no distractions like advertising signs, only road signs. So what you see are grain fields, hay fields, pastures, cattle, horses, and beautiful farm yards. It takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on your speed, to reach Hwy #5. It is a calm but exhilarating drive. One I would recommend if you are in the area.
I turned north at the Jct of Hwy #5 and traveled to Jct PRR #352, and headed east again to Birnie.
Bernie is hamlet of about 6 or 7 old and new houses on spacious lots with immaculate grounds in golf course shape, with one particularly well maintained 2 story brick home. The entire hamlet sits on a very flat and even plane.
I backtracked on PRR #352 to Hwy #5 and sped south to Eden. There are no “Gardens” here, so it is not the Biblical location mentioned in Genesis. It is another small village with about 15 to 18 homes of 50 -60’s vintage, and one small commercial operation called Penno‘s Machining & Manufacturing. There are no other services. They do have a sense of humour, in that their mock Fire Hall is about the size of a garden shed. I crossed over Hwy #5 and proceeded west on PRR #265 to Polonia.
Polonia is touted as one of the most beautiful valleys in Manitoba. At the bottom of the valley on the westerly side sits the beautiful white St. Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Church, beside it to the west a well cared for Grotto, and west of that, the Community Hall and parking lot. The area was settled by the Polish and Ukrainian immigrants from the old Austrian - Hungarian Empire in the 1890‘s. The Poles gradually drove the Ukrainians away from the area and it became a predominantly Polish Community. Now up the west embankment to the Jct of PRR # 262, south on #262 to Clanwilliam.
Clanwilliam is home to the Rolling River First Nations Reserve. It has about a dozen homes, a General Store and Post office, and an abandoned grain elevator. I proceeded south on PRR #262 to the Jct of PRR #471, then east on # 471 for about 6 -7 kms, Bethany is a few kms south off #471. Currently Bethany has about a dozen or so homes - some untidy - and no services. Bethany Motors, an auto wrecking operation, is the only enterprise. Harvey I. Pollock, Q.C., of Winnipeg, and famed World Whistler, attended a country school for grades 1 to 4., in the early 40’s. As the evening progressed I took the municipal road north to PRR #471 and turned east to Hwy #5.
I had now completed my intended journey, so I turned south on Hwy #5 to Neepawa.It was my intention after lunching and snacking for four days, to treat myself to a decent supper. I pulled up to Mr. Rib’s Family Restaurant at the N.W. corner of Hwy’s #5 & #16. It was 8:00 p.m. when I entered this very large, high -ceilinged, and spacious restaurant. At this time there was only one other customer. I ordered their special ($17.75 including tax) which was a Rib eye steak, stuffed potato, rice & vegetables, plus a garden salad. It was excellent, and I savoured every morsel of it! It was now 9:00 p.m. as I topped up the van at the Neepawa Co-op Gas Bar for my return home. I pointed my van south on Hwy #5, set the cruise control, and headed off. I went east at Hwy #23 to Rosebank, and then south on PRR #432. I arrived home at 11:00p.m., June 25th/09.

Observations
1. With the late spring, crops were delayed across the entire province.
2. Church domes were very prevalent in the region I travelled, as opposed to the steeples of Southern Manitoba.
3. Many Ukrainian, Polish, and Slavic immigrants suffered tragic fates at the turn of 20 century, yet still survived to build vibrant communities across Manitoba.
4. There is a lake for almost every herd of cattle around Riding Mountain Park.
5. The Co-op Gas Bars & Convenience stores are the most up- to- date and predominate supplier of fuel and junk foods.
6. There is a story in every nook & cranny, even in the most remote of areas!
7. Total mileage of trip 1753 km or 1089 miles.

Till next time,….Cheers!

"SIMPLE Economics"

2009-06-11T16:55:00.011-05:00

It is the month of August, on the shores of the Black Sea. It is raining, and the little town looks totally deserted. It is tough times, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.

Suddenly, a rich tourist comes to town.

He enters the only hotel, lays a 100 Euro note on the reception counter, and goes to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one.

The hotel proprietor takes the 100 Euro note and runs to pay his debt to the butcher.

The Butcher takes the 100 Euro note, and runs to pay his debt to the pig grower.

The pig grower takes the 100 Euro note, and runs to pay his debt to the supplier of his feed and fuel.

The supplier of feed and fuel takes the 100 Euro note and runs to pay his debt to the town's prostitute that in these hard times, gave her "services" on credit.

The hooker runs to the hotel, and pays off her debt with the 100 Euro note to the hotel proprietor to pay for the rooms that she rented when she brought her clients there.

The hotel proprietor then lays the 100 Euro note back on the counter so that the rich tourist will not suspect anything.

At that moment, the rich tourist comes down after inspecting the rooms, and takes his 100 Euro note, after saying that he did not like any of the rooms, and leaves town.

No one earned anything. However, the whole town is now without debt, and looks to the future with a lot of optimism.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the United States Government is doing business........

Ditto "Canada" (The best of the e-mails)

Climate What ?

2009-06-08T19:16:00.004-05:00

I’ve had it with climate change, and so have the birds, as far as I can tell. The long cold winter period of 08/09 has frayed my nerve endings, and this spring period would benefit only Polar bears, to my way of thinking!
It’s the first time the Sears Fall & Winter catalogue is in sync with the season. Now, just that fact should have tipped me off . I can’t recount any normal, bright, spring-like days - except days when I had a medical appointment. The days are longer, but you can’t sit out at night to enjoy them without a Buffalo robe. I’ve put in my bedding plants between frost, showers, and strong wind gusts. The plants are screaming “Take us back to the greenhouse,” and I can hardly blame them. They fear the frost warnings as I do! If this continues, I’ll be looking for a Clinic that can inject me with some Inuit genes, so I can survive the upcoming summer.
Yes, I know Calgary was blanketed with snow and freezing temperatures, but I have no empathy to spare for other regions of Canada at this moment. We're all in this together.
Last Friday I volunteered at the local Threshermen’s Heritage Day, only to be awakened by the furnace fan kicking in. Looking out, I viewed kids and adults wearing winter garb ... (probably from Sears).
Here we are, with the year almost half over, and no B.T.U. to be had anywhere. It has affected and delayed local seeding, bedding plant operators, golf courses, garage sales and the like. I’m not totally ungrateful for residing in this country, because in the BIG scheme of things, this is merely a speck of sand in the ocean of issues.
I just realize that I don’t have the patience of Job.

"Mikhail Lennikov

2009-06-06T22:49:00.005-05:00

“I have a simple, straight forward, democratic solution regarding the “Mikhail Lennikov” issue. We Canadians like to consider ourselves a fair minded people, and in that light, I propose we have a VOTE on this matter as to whom we would prefer to have as a true Canadian citizen, and who to drop from the following group of 4.

1. Steven Harper - Prime Minister

2. Janson Kenny - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

3. Peter van Loan - Minister of Public Safety

4. Mikhail Lennikov - landed immigrant

In the spirit of the Reform/Conserative movement, I feel this is a fair and equitable solution that a public vote could determine. Along with the cold weather in many parts of the West, it seems Mr Harper also wishes to resurrect the Cold War of yesteryear with Russia. His two cabinet ministers, ages 41 and 46, would only have experienced cold Cokes during this period. Slim on cold war events but adept at attack ads and U.S.S.R. tactics borrowed from the 20th century, they forge blindly on. So it is up to the remainder of us who felt the effect of the Cold War period to sort this matter out for these young bumpkins. Mr. Kenny has to stop hiding behind the Court order he can sidestep, and Mr Harper must cease and desist using K.G.B. tactics to discredit Michael Ignatieff, just because his parents were Russian immigrants.

Cast your ballots, folks!

The Lois Club!

2009-05-02T21:56:00.004-05:00

When you look around, how many people do you see? Okay then, how many gals do you see? Now, discreetly call out the name “Lois”. Any response? Probably not, because the use of the name Lois has been declining over the decades since the 1930’s. Today’s crop of baby girls tend to get names like Destiny, Trinity, Harmony, and Summer. But that doesn’t mean the “Loises” of the world are taking this lying down.
No sireee! They have formed "Lois Clubs" across the globe, have their own logo, and are having the time of their lives. This club is made up of a group of women with a name-in-common, who meet four to five times a year for lunch. Most of the Loises are at an age where they no longer want to bake cookies for sales or become active in social issues. They just want to meet for lunch with other women named Lois, because as they say "I never met a Lois I didn't like."
They enjoy the company of other women who also are named Lois. They have suffered from the harassment of nicknames, and the misspelling (Louis, Louise, or Lewis) of their simple four-letter name.
The magic of this concept is evident in the growth of the loose knit organization. The first Lois Club started in Minneapolis in 1979, when a woman named Lois met with an insurance agent who was also named Lois. Each Lois had a friend named Lois, and the "Lois Club" was born, just because they thought it would be fun.
An alert local “Lois” dad, listening to the Peter Gzowski show on CBC radio in 1997, where the Lois Club concept was being featured, took down some details, and turned the information over to his daughter Lois. At that time, Lois Dudgeon was working for the 1999 Winnipeg Pan -Am Games and met a Lois Howard there. From this encounter, the Manitoba version of the Lois Club was launched, with Lois Dudgeon and Lois Howard, both of Winnipeg, as the co- founders.
On May the 9th, 1998 at the Charterhouse Hotel in Winnipeg, now the “Home of the Lois Lunch”. the first gathering of Manitoba Loises occurred. Of the 90 initially invited, 36 attended this first annual lunch.
Subsequent lunches that draw around 40 Loises, are now held every April. From a membership of 275 in Manitoba, they come from as far away as Snow Lake and The Pas. Each lunch has its own theme - ranging from fashions, to bring a friend, to shopping. The Loises range in age from 7 to 90, and all are welcome. They were in the 2005 Corn & Apple parade, in 2007 they scooted out to Grosse Isle, and in 2008 gathered at Roland for additional outings. They model and wear blue “Lois” T - shirts at their functions. At these events they socialize, catch up on each other's lives, and form friendships with new members. The Manitoba gals have an honorary “Lois” named Brenda Horton, who produces “Lois’ brand spices & mustards under the Lois Fine Food Brand.
So there you have it, a group that still likes to have fun! How did I stumble upon this information? Well, it just happens that my niece “Lois”, is co-founder of the Manitoba Branch.
(And don't forget the most famous “Lois” of all, “Lois Lane” of Superman fame!)
Loises are nice people to know.
Now, if you are a "Lois", or know a Lois, then call Lois @ (204) 822-6207.

Click here>>>>http://loisclubs.com/pub/history.html

Canadian

2009-04-14T22:18:00.012-05:00

It may not rank up there with the Battle of Waterloo, the sinking of the Titanic, or Custer’s Last Stand, but it will rank high among the Canadian Curling establishment and its fans for a long time to come.

That would be none other than Kevin Martin’s loss to the Scots in the 2009 Ford World Curling Championship at Moncton. How could all these talented Canadian teams, the men’s, ladies, and juniors all go down in the same year? Kevin Martin, the unbeatable juggernaut, Jennifer Jones, the comeback gal - but it was not to be. Any money on Martin seemed 100% safer than the stock market, but as baseball great Yogi Berra once said “It ain't over 'til it's over.”

Such was the case in the 10th end of the Canada vs Scotland game. They took as much time as committee members to discussing their options, and then, like a committee, Martin ditched his 1st rock, and stunned the nation. Then came up short on his last rock while his entire team curled 5% better throughout the game. Curling country at that moment was blown away, if not a little angry.

But fear not, my sidekick Terry, and I have a solution to this dilemma.

A few changes will be required at the Canadian Curling Association level, but we don’t see that as an issue. It could be done by bringing in a few T.V. game show features. Using the lifeline strategies of “Who wants to become a Millionaire” we would offer 3 lifeline options:

1. The 50-50 option, whereby 2 rocks that are in play from each team could be removed, causing less consternation for all.

2. The audience result screen would indicate their preference for: a draw, take out, bum up, or guard. This would help in clearing out the cobwebs in the skip’s mind.

3. Call a curling buddy (one with a Blackberry), so he/she can size up your dilemma on their tiny screen, and then advise you where the closest Liquor Mart is should you blow your shot.

Does it have possibilities? You bet!

Because these options would surely favour Canadians, we could once again dominate the World Curling scene.

GOUGING

2009-03-19T22:18:00.006-05:00

There are more symptoms to this economic turndown than mosquitoes on a good Manitoba summer day. All the theories of the economic gurus, pundits, brokers, and panhandlers are being shot to pieces like so many clay pigeons at a skeet shoot. Well, just pick a theory, any theory, and you will surely have uncovered another symptom of the current economic quandary. I say quandary as it is defined as: “a state of uncertainty or indecision as to what to do in a difficult situation.” Wonderful!
The big words being used now are "bailout" and "stimulus". I think this was so brilliantly explained in our previous e-mail article of Feb 23 /09.
My spin on all of this has to do with “gouging” and its multiple meanings, such as skimming, scalping, pilfering, inflating, and ripping off, of the general public and each other in all manner of forms.
Let’s begin with entertainment and sports ticket purchases from Ticket Master. These are redirected from the main Ticketmaster site to a subsidiary that charges more. Most jurisdictions do not allow the sale of tickets for more than their face value (dreadful). Then you have the various agents of the Lottery Commissions across Canada thinking they have more entitlement to winning lottery tickets than you do. They are employing all sorts of schemes telling you that you didn’t win anything, and are cashing in your winnings. (dreadful). Then you have badly managed muli-billion dollar sports franchises that have owners/managers that must have all been auctioneers in a former lifetime, the way they outbid each other for players. Baseball’s Rodriguez and the Yankees agreed to a 10 year, $275 million contract. This contract is the richest contract in baseball history. Okay, so this is in the good old U.S.A , but you get the picture. That’s probably equal to the G.N.P. of Vatican City (dreadful). Back to basics and your average home buyer, if there is such an animal anymore. All housing prices literally went through the roof because buyers didn’t know a fixer upper from India’s Taj Mahal. They threw money at realtors like it was wedding confetti, and the realtors treated it in the same way, brushed it off and looked for the next naïve victim. Thus realtors, mortgage lenders, and insurance companies benefited big time, when caution was deleted like a virus from the English language and dictionary, along with prudent business acumen. (dreadful). Then you have that other North American favourite the “Oil companies” whose explanations defy 99.9% of the rest of the world’s logic on petrol pricing. Filling our gas tanks over the last few years, gives us first hand exposure to their scheming methods. They operate as State/Nations unto themselves and have the ability to cripple any country or the World at their pleasure. They were well on their way prior to the 2008 fall economic collapse. With their steadily increasing gas prices, they brought the entire economy to a dead halt on their own, without any help from any other economic engines (dreadful). Then we have the high roller investment sellers and brokers whose only vested interest, it seems is their commissions. It doesn’t really matter what is sold, as long as it pays a commission. It can be anything from junk bonds and stock, to off shore crap shoots, not to mention the pyramid investment operators (dreadful). We need go no further than our own community, Morden, for this phenomenon. When the pipe liners arrived, all matter of goods, services, and accommodation suddenly became dearer. Current tenants were tossed out of their rooms and suites, for the higher paying pipe liners.(dreadful). We are all, to varying degrees, guilty of this gouging virus, and there seems to be no solution. Does it sound like I’m on a rant? Indeed I am. Let’s hope we see our way through this man- made mess.

A public open letter to:

2009-03-13T12:56:00.005-05:00

Mr Doug Wurch

Director, MTS/Allstream Retail Planning & Development.

Why do you continue to hit on, and harass, the five to six hundred customers in the Morden area who, do not wish or intend to pay your silly punitive $1.50 service charge? Are you not receiving full payment from them now? Has your Buffalo public relations section run roughshod over the entire MTS/Allstream operation? You would think by now, you would have come to realize it has been nothing but a total failure. Banks also have service charges, but we have the option of using alternative banks. No such luck with land based phone service in this area. You snuffed that out by buying up Valley Cable. Sending out monthly harassment notices to customers, at approximately $300.00 a month to recover $900.00 worth of illegitimate service charges, would seem absurd to a majority of business service providers. What do you hope to gain by employing these draconian tactics?

950 on your dial

2009-03-12T17:38:00.009-05:00

With the passing of American icon (?) Paul Harvey, I thought it timely to suggest that perhaps now would be the time to have a Canadian commentator and observer be a part of Southern Manitoba’s airwaves. In this regard, I contacted Golden West Broadcasting, as they had aired Harvey’s news comments and The Rest of the Story on CFAM 950.
With approximately eight hours of the day devoted to eight American show hosts and pastors, I felt this was not an unreasonable stance to take. Mr. Elmer Hildebrand, C.E.O. of Golden West responded to my e-mail, and indicated that their focus is on local news with an experienced news staff.
Fair enough, but what does this have to do with attempting to showcase Canadian commentators, with their observations and insights? Mr. Hildebrand’s response was, “ On the national scene in Canada we have not been able to find anyone with the standing of a Paul Harvey...even though we have been looking for one for decades”. Pretty feeble effort on your part I’d say. We have local talent, but no national talent? That type of pontificating is more than the average intelligent Canadian mind can comprehend. Good Day!

The 81st Academy Awards

2009-02-26T22:53:00.004-06:00

I had intended to pass on the 81st Academy Awards, but somehow my mind got lured into it. My days of seeing every film, and keeping up on the Hollywood crowd has passed. The only exception would be 007 James Bond, and he’s more Pinewood Studios than Hollywood oriented. So I am not familiar with the current crop of actresses, and their activities to remain in the limelight. Names like Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet are all just a blur to me. I’m still stuck in the Faye Dunaway, Raquel Welsh, Bo Derek, Ursula Andress, and Julie Christie time frame. However, I believe I have seen enough films over the years to comment on Kate Winslet's "best actress" performance in “The Reader”. If you take out all the sex scenes and bathing scenes, with what are you left? Only some court scenes and bicycling scenes, which hardly add up to a searing Academy performance. But I guess after receiving six previous nominations and not winning, the seventh one is automatic. I have not seen the other nominees' movies, but surely the other four candidates portrayed more dramatic and compelling roles. But if this is considered the Oscar performance, why would I want to see the others?

Stimulas Bill

2009-02-23T21:57:00.007-06:00

Just recieved this e-mail providing a simple explanation of the Stimulas Bill.

Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?"
The professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you." The student agreed.
At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's house. The professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool.
They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, "First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water as you can." The student did as he was instructed.
The professor then continued, "Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it." The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told.
The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool.
The confused student asked, "Excuse me, but why are we doing this?"
The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper.
The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find out the real story soon enough.
However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to become worried that his economics professor had gone mad. The student finally replied, "All we're doing is wasting valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you'll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could have been a truly productive action!"
The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, "Congratulations. You now understand the stimulus bill."
(The best of "the e-mails")

"Woody Flex"

2009-02-04T21:05:00.011-06:00

Ahhhhhh!!!……. the Ford "Flex"! I finally saw one in the flesh (metal) the other day. It caught my eye enough to search for it on the internet. The site describes it as …."something different, unique, all new crossover, radically bold, boxy, eye-catching design". All these superlatives are just rolling off the tongue at Ford’s promotion assembly line. Well Henry, dear Henry, I think it’s more like……"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue." For all those young Ford engineers and designers, please know the Flex was around in 1947, but it was then called the “Woody”. If you slapped wood grain panels on this 2009 Ford Flex, you would have the 47/09 “Woody Flex” of today. I think Ford has taken a line from James Bond, in that they may have "shaken" their product line, but "not stirred" their imaginations. Now the Ford Motor Company hasn’t requested any bailout money yet, so I guess they are banking all of their money and hopes on the Flex. Check the pictures below, and I think you will agree that this is just the reincarnation of the same old, same old, with a bit of a twist.

1947 Ford "Woody"

2009 Ford Flex

The fake wood is an aftermarket add-on. Available in any color you can get your Flex in, it looks as cool as it can in black with the black roof.

Christmas Potpourri!

2008-12-12T22:23:00.004-06:00

Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it. ~Richard Lamm

What do you call a chicken at the North Pole?...Answer : Lost.

What kind of pine has the sharpest needles?......Answer : A porcupine.

Where does Frosty the Snowman keep his money?.....Answer : In a snow bank.

Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus were riding in the elevator of a very posh hotel. Just before the doors opened they all noticed a $20 bill lying on the floor. Which one picked it up?
Answer : Santa of course, because the other two don't exist!

What happened when Santa's cat swallowed a ball of yarn?.......Answer : She had mittens

Who delivers cat's Christmas presents ?........... Answer: Santa Paws !

Why do birds fly south for the winter ?..........Answer: Because it's to far to walk.

Blonde Moment!
A Blonde gets a job as a teacher. She notices a boy in the field standing alone, while all the other kids are running around having fun. She takes pity on him and decides to speak to him. 'You ok?' she says. 'Yes.' he says. 'You can go and play with the other kids you know.' she says. 'It's best I stay here,' he says.' 'Why?', says the blonde.
The boy says: 'Because, I'm the goalie!!'

Get into the Christmas spirits. Whisky, vodka, gin

On Donner, On Blitzen, On VISA.

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

POST ELECTION

2008-12-02T20:54:00.003-06:00

In a pre-election letter to the editor of the local Morden Times, I had suggested that if Prime Minister Steven Harper did not achieve a majority, he should step down. This issue is even more critical now, with his latest schoolyard bullying tactics. There is plenty of timber within the conservative caucus from which to choose an alternate prime minister. And Mr. Harper could return to the back benches of parliament. For starters, there is Jim Prentice, Chuck Strahl, Diane Alboncz, Lawrence Cannon, Rob Nicholson, and Jay Hill. There is no need for the opposition parties to become involved in governing until their own houses are in order. So it is entirely up to the Conservative caucus and party to restore decorum, not Mr. Harper. What a wonderful Christmas present that would be for all Canadians - peace, harmony, and good government, with a newly minted prime minister, and no election!

North Star Fibre

2008-11-24T16:44:00.005-06:00

Locally many of you will be unaware of this small industry tucked away in Morden’s Industrial Park. Back in 1999 the father & son team of Almer and Jeff Enns started this venture converting newspapers, flyers, posters and all manner of paper, into a fire retardant insulation material for homes and buildings. Then in August of 2006, they sold to the Can-Am Colony of Hutterites based in Margaret, Manitoba, which is west of Ninette on PTH # 23. As this was not to be a hands on operation, they hired Garth Vandenberghe as their Business Manager. Garth originally from Killarney started out with United Grain Growers (U.G..G.) which became Agricore-United, having spent some 15 years with the two organizations.. Garth resides with his family in Morden. The complex Garth manages is a 25,000 sq ft. steel structure which houses offices, production machinery, and warehouse storage. The newsprint or raw material comes from re-cycling programs in various communities such as Morden, Winkler, Portage, Killarney and even as far away as The Pas. They have 13 pick ups a month that collects approximately 260 tons of paper. Some of this tonnage can be ruined as a result of containing plastic bags, wraps, etc. Their most plastic free paper comes from Winkler as it is checked and removed by Gateway Resources.
The paper is then placed on a conveyor and feed in to a John shredder much like your home office paper shredder. Then the shredded paper proceeds to a attrition mill where Boric acid is added and mixed with the shredded paper much like your home blender. This now fire retardant fluffy material is then packed into a 25 lbs plastic bag much like a peat moss bale.
Boric acid is found in many parts of the world, the boric acid used by Northstar comes from Turkey. Boric acid has countless uses from antiseptic, to cleaners, to use in nuclear plants, to the making of silly putty. It comes in hugh container sacks. The product looks and feels just like the table salt in your kitchen.
The bagged Insulation is then distributed mostly in Western Canada to independent retailer and insulation installers. There biggest market are new buildings. A machine is required to re-fluff the insulation and blow it in place. The plant employs 8 full time and 12 part time employees.
Since Can- Am’s takeover in August 2006, Grath has been pleased with the present growth and sales they are achieving. But mostly what Grath wishes to secretly relay, is his trip to Mexico this summer with his family, where he caught a record 262.5 lb. Blue Marlin: landing it after some hours, and made the pages of the local media. Good show Grath!
Keep Snug - Insulate!

Click here>>>>http://www.northstarfibre.ca/northstarfibre.htm

"Quantum of Solace"

2008-11-16T13:16:00.012-06:00

With the making of the 22nd Bond film, it may be becoming some what difficult to constantly attain the high expectation level of each and every Bond film. With the resuscitation of James Bond in “Casino Royale”, played by Daniel Craig, there seemed to be a new lease on life for the Bond movies. Making a sequel to it, may be their downfall.It seems as if the whole Bond mantra has been dumbed down and turned into all the other current high octane exploding, car chasing, roof jumping, mindless drivel we currently are subjected to at the theatres. Although Daniel Craig still portrays a very convincing Bond to my mind, he is all that holds this movie together. Once again the opening credits were even more bland than Casino Royale’s. As for the theme song “Another Way To Die", performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys, it is surely a misnomer. The theme songs were always the audio invitations to seeing the films. This is also David Arnold’s 4th kick at the sound track for the Bond movies, and seems to be his least compelling composition. The cinematography is once again excellent, but the locals are drab and dreary, and lacking the trademark exotic sites. The bad guys are like wall street brokers - hard to separate and identify from the mainstream of society. There is no magnetism between Bond and Camille Montes (Olga Kurylenko), and she has little impact in the whole story line, nor are there any witty or caustic exchanges between them. Thus the whole pictue winds up as a misplaced 007 agent, more suited to a Die Hard or Lethal Weapon series…………....... so sorry James!

Winter Woes!

2008-11-13T16:52:00.004-06:00

Well it’s here, winter in all its glory - first rain, then sleet, then snow! Definitely the worst combination for driving, getting around, and removing! Maybe this didn’t happen where you are, but it definitely did here, and in most of Western Canada.The only advantage I had this year over last year's first snowfall, is that my good neighbour “Jake” tipped me off that by using gasoline in my snow blower it will start and even work. Wow! Where do these guys come up with these innovative ideas? So I pondered on that tip for some weeks, and then it snowed, and I was ready. But I’m still not convinced winter is a BIG deal and I personally loathe it. It may be great for those who love to play hockey, ski, snowboard, snowmobile, have 4x4’s, and hunt game, but as for me I’d prefer to just hibernate until mid-March. I would even sacrifice Christmas. I propose that we like- minded individuals lobby the pharmaceutical industry giants to perfect a so- called "Hibernation Serum" that can be taken in early winter, much like a 'flu shot. I’m sure it would rank right up there with Viagra for sales, at least north of the 49th parallel. Can you recall truth serum? It was a total flop, but hibernation serum has much greater potential. Come on, let’s go for it, hibernate a little, I say. As for myself, I can live off the reserves of my body fat, with a lower body temperature, pulse rate, and slower metabolism. Then when I burst forth in the spring, people will say “My, you’ve lost weight Harold! How did that happen?" "Oh! I just slept it off this winter," would be my smug reply!

Remembrance Day

2008-11-01T12:40:00.011-05:00

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician,Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,

It is the VETERAN, who serves under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

War does not determine who is right - only who is left.~Bertrand Russell

Federal Election Helper & Thanksgiving!

2008-10-06T17:30:00.008-05:00

There may still be a few of us requiring some guidance in determining how we should cast our VOTE!
the pumphandle has come across a very useful and handy devise in the “Toronto Star”
It’s fun and may even be helpful in your deliberations!
Have a wonderful, Thanksgiving!

Click http://www3.thestar.com/static/election/quiz/index.html

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

3000+

2008-09-21T13:21:00.005-05:00

to all you wonderful pumphandle readers in helping to achieve the 3000 “hit” level for this tiny publication, in just a year and a half, we are so gratified by your response and comments. We will try to keep up as they say “the good work?” Again if there is someone you think would enjoy our babble, then spread the word. Terry & Harold, Cheers!

Portage - Lisgar

2008-09-19T13:06:00.004-05:00

With the coronation of Candice Hoeppner for the Conservative Party in Portage -Lisgar, one has to go further afield to get a political rush. Why not follow the Prime Minister? It appears the Conservatives are making his leadership the centrepiece of their return to power. However, the election that nobody wants, and which may change nothing, will be at a cost of some $300 million. If the Prime Minister does not receive a majority, he should be obligated to step aside, and let another member of his party govern. After all, it was he who said that he could no longer govern in a minority situation.

************************************************

"Grannie do all fairy tales begin with Once Upon A Time"

"No darling, there is a whole series of fairy tales that begin with,

"If Elected I Promise"

The Photo's of John Neufeld

2008-09-17T23:44:00.009-05:00

Birds Lake area on your left.
Morden area to your right
(click on picture to enlarge)

A Prairie Poet Laureate

2008-09-13T22:07:00.007-05:00

During a recent supper at a friend’s, the subject of books was brought up. Scanning her bookshelf, the hostess mentioned a book of poems her cousin had written. That tweaked my interest! "Your cousin, you say?" “Yeah, my cousin’s hubby.” "Well then, let's have a peek." I skim through its pages, and become engrossed. It grips me, holds me, and utterly intrigues me! It’s like nothing I have read for some period of time. It is absolutely insightful, revealing, eloquent poetry. It’s about farming prior to the Agri- operations of today. It is a charming insight into all those seasons and events that occur during a lifetime of toil and affirmation. If you have any affinity for the soil, the seasons, or animal husbandry on the prairies, then this is your bond of kinship with that time. You will delight in these heart rending soliloquys, as they course through your veins. After years of these poems riding around in the toolbox of his tractor, Terry has dusted off the topsoil and polished up his work to be shared in a book. It is titled “Big Thoughts from a Small Farmer” 1988 -1999. It was written by Terry Jacobson who farms near Wales, North Dakota, just beyond Maida. I highly recommend this publication which can be had from the following Website:

Click here>>.http://www.npsas.org/

Then go to: NEWS & EVENTS
go to:….Newsletters
Then go to the topic:…. “Evolution” by Terry Jacobson
& sample the poetry.

GIVE THEM A HAND!

2008-09-03T12:36:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to Harry Mortimer and his M.T.S. Volunteers for changing a drab M.T.S. display at the Pembina Threshermen’s Museum into a showcase exhibit worthy of it’s rural history. It is an excellent exhibit now of communication paraphernalia over the years and decades, displayed and labelled most appropriately. It is a fitting tribute to all the individuals who worked in the industry, to all the rural exchanges, the communities and its past history. Congratulations are also in order to the board members, the administrator, thier dedicated volunteers, in their continued efforts to upgrade and make this Museum more relevant. Why not take in there 40th Anniversary celebrations this Friday & Saturday September 5th & 6th. 2008, on Hwy #3 between Morden & Winkler. Do they have an iPhone?, not yet!

We could write about..?

2008-08-29T12:09:00.008-05:00

In the waning days of August, scrambling for some story material, several topics come to mind ......
We could write about the chilly weather we had right after the Corn and Apple Festival here in Morden, but that is becoming a yearly event. We could write about the shortfalls of the 2008 Corn & Apple Festival, but that would only fall on deaf ears. We could write about Michael McCain and the listeriois Maple Leaf Food Co., I’ll bet he wishes they had never had that family feud and were still on the McCain frozen potato side of things. We could write about the poor signage directing composters to the new composting site, but they will find that out soon enough on their own. And since when have the town fathers ever given us any proper direction? (Comrade Terry has addressed this in his article) We could write about the 86% of Canadian consumers who walk away from their store purchases after waiting too long for service, but why not wait till it reaches 100%, or the retail market crashes, whichever comes first. We could talk about the upcoming Federal Election, but who wants 24/7 coverage of that event - Steve, maybe? We could talk about the Portage-Lisgar election, but it has been decades since we have had one. Instead, we take the high road, and just have an appointment! Odd, when the Conservatives are pushing so hard for an elected Senate. We could talk about the election States-side. That evokes flashbacks to the 1960 Kennedy/Nixon election. But I was young, naïve, and idealistic then. Now I’m old, cynical, and more pragmatic. So there you have it - a collage of issues to tweak your discussions. Take your pick!

Morden Compost Site Sign

2008-08-29T10:10:00.008-05:00

I saw three people at the Morden Compost Site, standing scratching their heads trying to decipher the directions on a sign for the new compost site. I went over and looked at the sign and it's unbelievable that someone could create a sign so confusing. When you are viewing the sign you are heading "South" down Mountain. I went out and took a picture of the sign as it appears. It took me awhile to figure out what exactly was wrong with the sign, eventually I surmised that the sign was in reverse of what it should be. With photo editing one is able to correct it and show how it should appear as you're facing south.

Someone in their wisdom has been taught in school that when you post directions on a map, North is always at the top, and that is correct when you are drawing a MAP!
This however is a sign to indicate a "route" or "path" to follow, not a MAP!
Using the principal of showing directions of North, East, West, and South on a route sign, the sign for making a right turn at this corner would appear as below.

Talk about confusing! Our town officials are elected to give
direction to the town, I only hope their direction for the town
is clearer than their signage.

MAMMA MIA - Review

2008-07-30T13:13:00.003-05:00

If you would like to enjoy a flashback moment in time from the 80’s, then the current movie Mamma Mia is your ticket. The producer/writers have skilfully taken the musical genius of 80’s hit group ABBA and weaved a cute story around their prodigious musical compositions The cast musically speaking may be a bit on the American Idol side, not really noted for there musical talents, however sufficient enough to pull it off with enthusiasm.
The dance sequences and choreography have some inspired novel elements. Filmed against the rugged beautiful Mediterranean scenery only adds to it’s genre. Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Julie Waters and Christne Baranski
provide you with an eyeful of action. Oh!, we must not forget ex-Bond hunk, Pierce Brosman.
It’s not an epic, but it is delightful and the ABBA sound is once again enthralling .

JUST A SMALL TOWN GUY

2008-07-15T21:21:00.008-05:00

There are times when friends or family may become a little too intrusive, or overbearing, and you must take remedial action or you will succumb to their every whim and whimper. The method I use is threats - I should say subtle and veiled threats, and innuendo. One of my tactics is to say “If you become too bothersome, then I may have to move, and go live somewhere else, like Moosomin, Saskatchewan. ”Where’s that?" "Oh, it’s a nice little place on the Trans-Canada, Hwy #1, just over the Manitoba border. Just far enough away to keep meddlesome people at bay."But in truth, it may fit the bill, as the type of community I secretly envy. For three decades I put up with the urban scene. Never at heart was I a "city dweller". After my stint with the phones, I would find that rural haven, and relish it until my days end. Not all my wishes fell into place, but enough of them to return to Morden. Morden, however, was in the cusp of its transition to a suburban existence. Because there cannot be duality of goods and services in such a small emerging trade area, Winkler became the name brand "super store" centre, with Walmart, Rona, Staples, etc. This gave Morden a "strip mall" status, thus having Morden’s population getting their goods and services in Winkler.So there you have it in a nutshell, with me being slowly dragged back into my former Winnipeg status of "city dweller". If an item or items is not to be had locally, off you go on a busy Hwy, to a huge parking lot, to a Big Box Store, with greeters you will never see again, and with endless product lines. You need a G.P.S. to find either your items or a clerk, and if you tire, there's a senior scooter available. They have cheese chests in these places as long as the lot your house sits on! Then you wait at the check out counter, and if that’s not to your liking, you can check it out and bag it yourself. That’s how grateful they are, that you have shopped there. When you exit and head towards your car or van, you find all the other vehicles look the same as yours. Doesn’t that make a person look foolish. As you leave the confines of Winkler, you note another structure being built, Oh! my, I wonder what store is going up there? It’s a Church you idiot! It’s the only competition the Big Box stores have around here.So I’m looking for that rural haven, that compact, at your doorstep, at your service, town and neighbourhood that has most of the amenities and necessities without the Name Brands, Big Boxes, and the eternal frustration factor. That place where you know the owners and staff, and they know you. Where you can see where you parked. Where people are helpful, cheerful, and amusing. Where life ebbs and flows with the pulse of its citizens, and is not dependent on the Friday sales flyers for a rush.You say it doesn’t exist? Then, my friend, check out Souris, Russell, and gold medallist Moosomin, Saskatchewan, as I have. Should you share my views, oh, how yon Mossomin beckons! I guess I’m just a small town sort of guy.

http://www.moosomin.com/

Journey 2008

2008-07-04T17:34:00.015-05:00

About 7:30 a.m. June 23rd, with gas costing $1.359 @ litre, I depart from Morden. With several changes of clothes, drugs, medications, insulin, blood glucose meter, and a sleep apnea machine, I feel like a travelling pharmaceutical Rep! In addition to all this, I have maps, brochures, sunglasses, water, and my new 4 week old high tech digital camera - on which I can operate the on/off switch. All this, and my I.D. Canada cap from Dollorama! It is my intent to see all towns, villages, and hamlets between Trans Canada #1 & #16 to the Saskatchewan border. Bon voyage Morden!
I proceed north on PRR# 432, locally known as the Rosebank road, turn west on PTH #23, then north on PTH#34 and head for Holland (Manitoba style). I go to the corner Mohawk gas bar & café, which officially closed that day. Off to the downtown, and the Hollander Motor Hotel for my breakfast. It’s a typical small sixties or seventies built Hotel. I sit down at 9:00 a.m., as the only patron and order my usual sausage, eggs, hash browns, and dry rye toast. Slowly the coffee crowd drifts in. The final count comes to 8 guys my age, and 7 women, along with one young gal. The guys discuss cattle and haying, and I exchange pleasantries with the older gentleman sitting across from me.
Back in the driver's seat I continue north on PTH#34 to the Trans Canada and Austin. I am skipping Sideny, Austin, and MacGregor as I toured these 3 villages in the early 70’s when I was with MTS. So across #1 and north on PTH#16 to Gladstone - also referred to as “Happy Rock”. Before getting to Gladstone I turn into their Golf & County Club on #34, 4 kms south of Gladstone. It boasts a 9 hole course that appears much like Roland’s. It has a rustic looking Club house with an L shaped deck about 20-24 feet wide, with outdoor tables. I ordered a sandwich and coffee, and having finished lunch, headed north again to Gladstone, a community of 848 people. There is a mix of old and new housing, and a community pool. It has a busy bakery with one sidewalk table. Delmar Commodities Ltd., a grain company, owned by the Mayor of Winkler, has a facility here, as well as at Jordan, and Somerset.
I now top up my gas tank at the Co-op Hwy Gas Bar @$1.339 and head east on PTH #16 to Woodside. After 1872, it had a daily train, train station, section house, stockyards, a Post Office, 2 stores, and a school. Now all that is left east of the Whitemud river is a large stone monument with a plaque about Woodside and a Canadian flag.
From Woodside I proceed south on PRR#350 to Katrina. Just off the road to the west, stands a lone Pool elevator. It appears to still be in good shape, and only recently abandoned, with a satellite dish still attached to the office. The south side of the approach is tree lined and there are 3 manicured yard sites close by. I decide I’ll take a picture of the Katrina elevator, but my camera wouldn’t function and I’m somewhat devastated. I look through the trouble shooting section of the manual, and determine it must be the film chip. Disappointed I lay it aside, then turn west on the municipal road system until I again reach PRR#34, turn north, heading back to Gladstone. I then go west on PTH #16 to the junction of PRR#352. #352 proceeding south is a good gravel road, and reminds me of old #3 from Morden to Winnipeg some 50 odd years ago. #352 on the west side, has about a 50 foot high embankment all the way to the hamlet of Edrans, therefore no view to the west.
Edrans has a well maintained church and community hall, plus an outdoor rink. There are 6 new homes, 2 others, and one mobile home. It is absolutely tranquil, with no one around.
Firdale, further south down the road at the CN tracks is no more. I am now back on #1 west to Carberry.
Carberry is an older established town of some 1502 people, with many older homes, some 25-30 new homes, and a neat old time Main street. It has an Anglican and a United Church that are kitty corner to an old brick Presbyterian church. Carberry also sports a G.M. dealership. Going west on PRR #351 I find what has to be the most patched section of asphalt in the province! There is little orginal pavement, no shoulders, and the grass runs right up to the edge of the road. Yet it is a beautiful winding drive - both for the soul and the mind.
The next stop is Douglas - an old 2 street hamlet on the south side of the CN main line - which has a general store and school. I leave Douglas going west via PRR #457, which is also designated as “Veterans Way” probably because of it’s proximity to the Shilo Forces base.
This takes me to Carter, which is as neat as a pin, with not more than a dozen homes. It is a real contrast to Douglas, just down the road. This area is all open prairie.
I now divert from my orginal plan because of my Fujifilm high tech camera. I cannot return home without pictures, when it has the capability of taking up to 200 images!
I head into Brandon to the mall at the south end of the city on Hwy #10/18th Street. Here I seek out the Source store, and explained to a young chap waiting for me in the aisle, that I am unable to make this camera function. I told him I felt the memory chip might be damaged. He took a cursory look, pushed a few buttons and voila - there are my pictures!
The veins in my neck expand, my rage builds, and I want to choke someone or something, because I become so frustrated with this microchip world. But I am grateful, and thank him, politely.
I top up with gas at Shell @ $1.324 and depart from Brandon, camera ready.
North on PTH #10 lies the village of Forest. It is split in half by this major Hwy, with the High School to the East and the Elementary School to the West. It consists of about 6 newer homes, and 6 older homes, as well as an abandoned Pool elevator. About 4 -5 Kms north of Forest sits the largest Viterra (formerly Pool, formerly Agricore -United) inland terminal I’ve seen, served by the CN Rail Line.Just before Viterra’s terminal, and to the west, on the gravel municipal road and then north on PRR #468 at the CN rail line lies “Justice”. Like the old saying “ Not only must justice be done, but seen to be done”. This hamlet of about 9 homes and an abandoned Pool elevator also has a seventies geodesic home. Moore Park is on the Provincial map, but can’t be found. This leaves me travelling west on PRR #353 to Brookdale, on the open prairie - which is flat as far as the eye can see. Brookdale is a community of about 20 homes, a P.O., and newer Community Centre with a 2 sheet curling rink. It has a 60’s style elementary school. The whole village is as neat as a pin. There is no evidence of any rail line. About 6-7 kms east you find an abandoned elevator. The next stop going east on PRR #353 and PTH #5 is Welland. It has about a 6-10 acre Auto wrecking operation that is entirely fenced in. It has a mix of mostly older homes with an abandoned sports field, but a well cared for Community Hall.
Back tracking on PTH #5 about 2 km west of Wellwood, you find 5 huge storage buildings with signage reading "Spud Plains Farms". Waiting for the summer/fall crop are 2 mechanical potato pickers and 10 potato hauling trucks - a bit like what you would run into at Winkler. Other new storage facilities are under construction around this area.
Proceeding north on PTH #5 to Neepawa, I pass a non existent Halboro, which, again is still on the provincial road map.
I arrive at Lee’s Village Restaurant in Neepawa around 7 p.m. as a light rain begins. I want to check this Restaurant out, as the former owners now operate the Kopper Kettle in Morden. The two customers there leave shortly after I sit down, and I am now the lone customer. I place my order with the waitress, and mention that I’m from Morden, and did she know the previous owners, Albert and Sheila. Yes she does, and advises me that the new owners are not very outgoing, and stick to themselves. Her shift over, she leaves, and my dinner is brought out by the owner/chef. He asks me about Albert and Sheila, and if they have turned the Morden restaurant over to a Chinese menu. I responded that they served Canadian dishes, and had added a Chinese menu. I then asked him where he was from. He replied "Onno". "What?" "Onno". Well, between my bad hearing and his bad English, it finally hit me……."Do you mean Toronto?" "Yes, yes, Onno."
"So why Neepawa?" "Too many people in Onno, too many people." "Ok so that’s a long way from family?" "Family in China." "Were they hit by the earthquake?" "No, no, that in Northern China, family in Southern china, no earthquake." I ask him about accommodations, and he suggests Neepawa Motel. Now finished with my veal & veggies, I pay, thank him and depart. I think to myself it’s not too often you get to speak to people on an international level, even if it’s via 'Onno'. I book into the Neepawa Motel on Hwy #16 and unload my pharmaceutical stockroom and bags.
It is about 8:00 o’clock in the evening as I begin to travel about this community of 3298 people. A famous Canadian author originated from here - Margaret Lawrence - but I have never read any of her books. I pass the house she was raised in, then take in the very neat, orderly, and beautiful town site. They claim to be Manitoba’s most beautiful town, and they well may be. There is well kept housing and yards, and a new 25 housing development south on PTH #5. In the southeast end of town across from Park Lake and its tributary, the valley continues north of #16 and is overlooked by Eastview Lodge, a 5-6 story senior home, and what a view it must be. You also overlook the sports grounds with a large and small outdoor pool. Further east is a Campground for R.V.’s. There are many large trees, and there are times you feel as if you are left on the stop frame button of 50’s, 60’s, & 70's. The Churches here - Calvary Chapel, St Dominic’s Roman Catholic, Knox Presbyterian are all on the same side of First Ave between Ellen and Hamilton Streets. They appear to be in a horse race for Win, Show, & Place, or if viewed from the east, all sitting in the starting gate, ready to snatch you off
those pagan streets. Then I came upon Riverside Cemetery. It is vast, and every person who ever lived here must be buried here, or comes back to be buried here. It is very large with very old tall pine trees, and in the vacant area’s about 6-8 ft sculptured pines. Every headstone and base is level, straight, and erect. About 75% of the grave sites have a flowerbed with no less that a dozen multi-coloured petunia
plants.
Forget their Lily festival - go to Riverside! It is a beautiful park-like setting and expresses much reverence for the dead. Neepawa has most of life’s amenities, including a few well-known names like Safeway, McDonald’s, and Dairy Queen - which I visited. It has the three Americam car dealerships G.M., Ford, and Chrsyler, as well as the major implement dealerships, CaseIH, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, and John Deere.
So, if it’s not the most beautiful town in Manitoba, it’s darn close!

Day 2

I depart from beautiful Neepawa about 7 a.m., heading for breakfast in Minnedosa, but stop in at the hamlet of Franklin. Franklin is framed by the northern escarpment running parallel to PTH #16. Crossing the C.P. line is a small Viterra (Pool) agri operation, a fairly large brick Memorial Hall and about 10 older homes, unprotected from the elements. A lab dog is roused from his resting spot in the middle of the road - he probably hasn’t moved for any traffic for some time, especially not this early in the morning.

I leave Franklin for the town from where the late media mogul Izzy Asper hailed, and Manitoba's 15th premier Walter Weir (1967). Heading down the valley into Minnedosa it appears untidy, tired and weary from life’s struggles, and it dampens the good spirits I had that morning. I enter the Café of the Minnedosa Inn and a few of the local coffee crowd are there. I sit at a window table and look up at limp curtains. Across the way I see “W.C. Fields” - at least I’m dam sure it's W.C. Fields, sitting alone, having coffee. This was a man who captivated audiences with lines like, "A man's got to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another drink." A half a dozen C.P. rail guys come in and sit down, as Minnedosa seems to be a bit of C.P. Rail depot. A waitress, the only waitress and cook, comes and takes my order. She moves around like a wind-up doll. My eyes wander over to a wall hanging with three wolves on it, ready to pounce on and eat the first breakfast that appears. Once again I glance over at W.C. He must be a clone. Above the kitchen door is a picture of a diner with classic 1950’s cars that have red tail lights that blink, as do the lights on the diner. I find this item tacky. My breakfast of sausage, eggs, cubed potatoes, and dry rye toast arrives, and W.C. leaves. I finish my breakfast, and leave to do more exploring. The turn of the century Court House is similar to Morden’s without the open-space setting. As for the Minnedosa Civic Centre - it is much like the Morden Art Gallery. The old Anglican Church is an early field stone structure. The cenotaph in centre of town is guarded by an old WW ll tank. Just a little north of the cenotaph is a tiny park with an old C.P. Passenger train engine and caboose. A local creek runs by the park. I drive by Minnedosa’s 18 hole Golf course to check it out, and see more golf cart shed storage than at any other course. Well, I sort of have my fill of Minnedosa, and head west on PTH #16 to Basswood. Basswood feels like you are in cottage country. The only action is an auto body shop with some older homes that are well spaced. Next stop Newdale. It has a Cargill pre-inland terminal elevator, and a Co-op Food Centre which is closed. The New Leisure Restaurant is up for sale, and there is a Drop In Centre, and a Credit Union. It also has the Harrison House Senior Home and a 1926 Community Hall. RTM Transport has about a 10 acre depot here.

Next stop - Strathclair - reminds me a bit of Miami. It has a tiny old Hotel, a Drop In & Gift Shop, Co-op Grocery, Credit Union, and Calton Centennial Lodge. It has the whitest painted United Church around, with 5-7 new homes in the area. Heading west now on PTH #16 to Shoal Lake which seems to be sitting at the cross roads with 680 people. It has lost 120 people in the last 5 years. Its hold as a regional centre seems tentative. There is a newer Shoal Lake -Strathclair Health Centre, new fire hall, and a goodly number of amenities, along with a Chrysler dealership. Agri-wise there is Massey Ferguson, New Holland, John Deere, and Kabota. You can also include the 9 hole Lakeside Golf Course. Kellog is on the provincial map, but can’t be found.

Solsgirth, still on PTH #16, has a pre-terminal abandoned Cargill elevator with a satellite dish. There are two abandoned churches in the tall grass, one of which is Eastern Orthodox. Foxwarren has a unique memory garden, in which there is a plant for each person memorialized, with the name of its contributor or family. There is a small Viterra depot along with a leisure centre and little used mini golf course, plus a library, another very white painted United Church and a Masonic Hall. All the homes are modest and very well kept.

Binscarth is a 395 peopled community on PTH #41 north. Located here is a Paterson inland terminal with a sign indicating it is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary. There is an old Hotel, Vanguard Credit Union, and a Métis Cultural Centre.

Russell is the last major stop on the Yellowhead Hwy before you enter Saskatchewan. This service centre of 1428 people has lost 159 souls in the past 5 years. The chamber claims a 1700 count population. However this has not taken anything away from it’s vibrancy. There is activity on the streets and a bit of a buzz all around town. It has almost all the amenities one requires , for recreation, health, schooling, and agri-business, and only one brand name - an A&W Restaurant. It has the most attractive Civic Centre I know, of set in a free space area, with a combination flag, flower, fountain arrangement in front. It is a striking public area of town. Another factor not seen in other towns are the 9 big timber arches that criss-cross each intersection along Main Street, forming a prairie 'Arc de Triomphe' all the way down Main Street. Clever marketing, I’d say! I was last here for the 1973 MTS operator strike, and recall an older hotel where the world’s most tasty and delicious soups of my life were devoured. I hailed a town employee getting into his pickup and ask, "Where’s the best place for lunch?" He recommends the Assessippi Inn just up the street on Main. It is an older establishment that has probably seen more than one renovation in its life. I notice the special of the day is a cheeseburger plate. I ask the trim young waitress if their burgers are better than the A & W’s (which is located at the end of Main on Hwy #16). She responds that she doesn’t like A&W burgers. Ok! I think to myself, and order their special. I bite into the non-descript burger and my taste buds go wild! It is the most succulent and delicious burger I’ve had in decades, and I savour the moment. The waitress is right on, who would want to eat an A&W burger after this, ever. I also recall back in '73 the Clement families operated most of the enterprises in town, such as International Harvester, G.M. dealership, a Hardware store, and other businesses.They are still there, but there presence has waned, or their siblings have moved on.

Russell is also the home of Manitoba’s Beef & Barley Festival held annually in October. Well one more stop before the Saskatchewan border, at a place called Harrowby.

Harrowby has been totally replaced by a CanAmera Foods plant that processes canola, served by the C.P. rail line, the only evidence of Harrowby is it’s graveyard east of the plant. You take an excellent gravel road in a southerly direction and descend into the Assiniboine River Valley. This is wide open, big sky country with no traffic and sparse dwellings. You are eventually taken to the bottom of the Valley and cross the Assiniboine River at Millwood, which is identified by a Hwy sign from both directions about 100 metres apart. Millwood has a long abandoned school, partially hidden by a grove of trees. I continue south until I happen upon PRR #478 and go east towards Binscarth, which was visited earlier.

At the junction of PTH #41 running north and south, I head south to St Lazare, a French community which hugs the east side of the Assiniboine valley. It is a quaint tiny hamlet/village, and it seems to ooze character. Commerce wise it seems to be dominated by the Fouillard families. There is Fouillard Carpets Ltd., Fouillard Furniture & Appliances Ltd., Fouillard Discount Centre, Fouillard Implement Ltd., Fouillard Steel Supplies Ltd. and to top it off a street, Fouillard Avenue W. St LaZare’s population is 265 and hasn’t changed in the last 5 years, with 26 families of Fouillard’s listed in the Telephone directory. I run into one of the Fouillards at their Steel Supply shop and he tells me he is a 3rd generation Fouillard and his grandfather settled here in 1903. The Fouillard business has a long reach - as far as Moosomin Sask. It has a surprisingly well stocked grocery store, called Decorby’s Family Foods, with what seems to be a better than average meat products section. I pick up one banana and the check out person/owner refuses payment. I ask him how much for the Moosomin Paper he says a dollar and I leave him with a loonie and a quarter. There is also a bakery & café, along with old standby Vanguard Credit Union. The Fort Ellice Hotel, places you right on the set of the old “Newhart” T.V. Show. You are just waiting for Larry and his brother Daryl, and his other brother Daryl to spill out onto the porch trailed by Bob Newhart himself. I enter the small lobby and peek into the parlour which is not much bigger than your average living room, with 3 VLT machines. The French-accented server asks me where I’m from. I say "Morden". "Oh yah, close to where the tornadoes came down." "No, we weren’t close to any tornadoes. They were over by Niverville where I bought my car. Niverville is a lot closer to Winnipeg than Morden." "Well I don’t use a map," he replies. My van groans climbing back up PTH #41 east. It is a steep gas consuming climb.

At the Jct PTH # 42, I head east to Birtle, home to 662 people, situated in the Birdtail River Valley. It kind of reminds me of La Riviere. It has a good core of business, mixed housing, tree lined streets, and appears very liveable. Co-op gas here is $1.28@litre. The one exception in Birtle is that its MTS office is a brick structure , whereas all the other offices of the 70’s were stucco and siding. I’ll have to make some inquiries. Moving on down PTH #83, then west on PRR #355 to Isabelle long gone, so are the railroad tracks, leaving a dilapidated old Pool elevator. But it has a well kept, charming, metal clad United Church. Decker, a few miles east, has an old weathered abandoned service station, with an old 1970 Olds sitting in the tall grass. It has 4 homes and one abandoned one, and a small brick United Church which still appears active. As I pass the church and turn the corner and stop to observe an abandoned 2 story frame house of 1920-30 vintage, I see movement in the grass. There, some 20 ft away is a young fox. I frantically look for my camera, open my van door and leave it open so as not to scare this fox. I slip around the front of the van, and it sees me, but is not frightened off. I snap a few pictures. It then rises out of the grass and goes under the van. I backtrack and move further away from the van, then see him under the van sniffing the deferential. He turn and heads for the opposite side of road and flops down in the taller grass. jumping up now and then to snap at a grasshopper, completely oblivious to me. I continue taking pictures as it poses, and I hang around for about another 5-10 minutes. I feel this will be the hi-lite of my trip. I check the pictures on my camera and I am pleased.

Lavina canot be found, so onward east to McConnell. McConnell consists of 2 abandoned former Pool elevators and railway, plus an abandoned church and old frame school house. Further east is Cardale, about 30 kilometres below Newdale. They sport a newer combined curling and skating rink, and their grounds are immaculate. There is a beautiful brick 1915 vintage church, along with a 2 story 1915 Consolidated School. There is also a Co-op, and Dora‘s Coffee Shop. Oak River is a pleasant peaceful place, with an abandoned U.G.G. elevator , new senior housing, fairly new and large United Church. I enter the local restaurant, but it is closing up as it nears 8:00 p.m.

I slip over to the small Blanchard Hotel, but his cook has left to attend to domestic matters. I view the living room size parlour which is waiting for a customer, any customer, and begin chatting with the proprietor, I assume. I mention seeing the young fox at Decker, and he in turn tells me about his cougar sighting in the vicinity.

I bid him adieu, and travel west on PTH #24 then north to Hamiota on PTH # 21.Hamiota seems to be a semi-regional town of 823 people. It again has the basic amenities, but also the region’s District Health Centre, a fairly decent facility. Vanguard Credit Union also has it’s biggest office building here. It’s early evening and a shower is threatening. I enter a large high-ceilinged restaurant with about 14 Tables, one server/cook, and me - the lone client. I order chicken fingers, I receive 3 chicken fingers with honey garlic sauce. They are hot and I must be careful not to burn my tongue. I am pushed for time, so make a cursory check of Hamiota. It has a fairly new attractive sports complex and baseball diamonds. It considers itself the "Baseball Capital of Manitoba". I do recall the many baseball teams coming from here, appearing at Morden’s July 1st baseball tournaments in late 50’s and into the 60’s, always with competitive teams. I point my van south on PTH #21, then west on PTH #24 and arrive at Crandell. Crandell is situated slightly north of PTH #24, has a little used trail/road from it’s south municipal road that curves over to the west municipal road. The trail accesses an abandoned United Church, Post Office/Hall, an old water pumphandle pump, a school cairn, and last but not least, a 5’x 5’ MTS shack.

Arrow River is a hamlet just north of PTH #24, with a few older scattered homes and what appears to be an aboriginal community. Proceeding west on PTH #24 to the jct of PTH #83 and a few kilometres north lies Miniota. It is a very down-sized version of Hamitoa, with a population base of 215 people. It has a recently built hall, arena, curling complex, plus Vanguard C.U. Its streets are gravel based, and it has planted trees on the abandoned Railway right-of-way. Twin Valley Co-op Ltd provides the groceries, farm supplies, and hardware needs to the area residents. Night is now coming upon me and I book into The Miniota Motor Inn, a 7 unit hotel, bar, and restaurant, 1960 vintage. There seems to be a little action here, as the front parking lot of the Inn has a long line of late model Fords, G.M.’s and Dodge pick-ups. I drive around to the back, unload my luggage and stuff, and head for the bar around 9 p.m. This living room sized bar is packed with young to late middle aged local golfers. I find a chair, set it up next to the bar, and take a chance on a Coors light beer, hoping it will have no ill effects on me. The Golf group call out their prizes and winners, while I avail myself of free popcorn and buy a package of peanuts. I retire around 10 p.m. for a good night’s sleep.

Day 3

I rise, feeling no ill effects from my one beer the previous night, load the van and head for breakfast. The dining area of the Miniota Motor Inn is huge - about a 40’x 60’ room with a 14-15 ft ceiling, nice and spacious. There are 3 long B.S. tables which can each accommodate 12 individuals. There are about 5-6 patrons seated, and an elderly gentleman comes to take my order. I order a western omelette and he goes off to the kitchen to prepare it. The kitchen has a large wide opening so staff can see you and you can see them. My omelette comes brimming with chopped ham and onions etc., but is slightly on the leathery side. I top up with petro at the Twin Valley Co-op @ 1.349 a litre. I leave around 8:00 a.m. a little later than I had hoped, but it is a beautiful day. I head south on PTH # 83 to the jct of PRR #457 west down into the scenic Assiniboine valley and up the other side to the endless flat prairie horizon. At the jct of PRR #256 I turn north to McMcAuley. After more than a few Kilometres, I realize I’ve missed Willen, but I haven’t! It’s now non-existent - which I confirm in McAuley.
Pressing on, I come upon the familiar signage announcing I am entering the R.M.of Archie. I immediately think of none other than “Archie Bunker” of 70’s sitcom fame. The R.M. of Archie is celebrating it’s 125 anniversary this year. McAuley is almost a "Petticoat Junction" sort of place. McAuley’s main drag, Qu’appelle Street, is as wide as Portage Ave. It has a combined curling rink and arena and a small mobile home type library. I enter the small 800 sq foot or less Archie office, and notice that they have retained some of the old office furnishings such as a slanted desk, an old typewriter, stamps, lamps, and ledger books. The remaining part of the office has today’s sophisticated technology. The lone gal behind the counter can’t be any more than 28-34 years old and I strike up a conversation with her. I ask her if she is the Secretary Treasure of the R.M. She replies "Yes." "And are you everything else?" Again she replies "Yes." "Awesome responsibilities and work load I’d say." She indicated that if she took 3 days off, it took a of effort to get back on track. However Council has approved a part time assistant. I then asked her where a person can have coffee. She said over at the School on the Hwy. A 1961 built school, no longer a teaching facility, has been turned into a community Mini Mall. It now houses the community store, cafeteria and thrift shop. The R.M. office, along with their library, are also thinking of relocating here. In a green space on the east side of the R.M. office is a small Memorial to those who served and died in WW I and WW II. The second World War had 174 individuals that enlisted, and 10 whose lives were lost, from this municipality alone. I now drop into the McAuley Mini Mall cafeteria for coffee, and with their permission join 2 guys and a gal about my age. We strike up a conversation that leads to discussion regarding the demise of smaller communities. The one gentleman said that it all fell apart when the elevator closed. But he also has another theory. His wife, having been a school teacher there, indicated that some 65 years ago, there where 27 bachelors in the R.M. of Archie, had they married and had at least 2 children (an additional 108 people) things may have taken a different direction. I say good math, but an improbable theory. Especially when he and his wife are retiring to Moosomin where his son already lives! Finishing up my coffee, I leave, and head south on PTH #41 for the hamlet of Manson. My stomach is becoming unsettled and I blame it on the McAuley water or the water they use for their coffee. Manson is about a ¼ of a kilometre east off #41, and a gopher sits up and greets me on my way in. Manson is a lonely old 4 home hamlet with a community rink that shelters the Mail boxes inside its entrance. It has 2 older abandoned churches overgrown with brush. From Manson I proceed directly west to Moosomin Saskatchewan.
(I will discuss the merits of Moosomin in a later article)

Now leap frog over to Hwy #1, also know as the Trans-Canada to Kirkella. This town has been replaced by a Manitoba Tourist and Information Centre and rest stop - end of story.
Elkhorn is the next stop. It has a stately old C.I.B.C. bank still operating, along with an elegant old red brick post office. Twin Valley Co-op also operates here in a community of 461 people The jewel, they say, in the Village of Elkhorn is the Manitoba Antique Automobile Museum. However, I can‘t confirm this. A bit of a pun here, but Elkhorn also has an Elks (fraternity) Hall. I also check out a local building that has been divided up into a few shops, each selling knickknacks and crafts.
Back on the Trans-Canda going east - farewell Elkhorn, hello Hargrave. Hargrave has a pre-terminal Viterra elevator system with huge tall round steel bins. The R.M. of Wallace has its municipal shops here, and there are about 3-4 older homes. Across the Hwy #1 is St Andrew’s United Church. With a bright red tin roof, you can’t miss it!
Next stop - “Gopher Creek” - now commonly know as Virden, a regional town and service centre of 3010 people. Virden is a mixed bag for me, part historical, part modern, part buoyant. It’s very much like Morden but minus the 50’s oil boom. It has stately older homes along with new housing south of town along Thomas Drive. It has an historic refurbished Civic Centre, an historic C.P. fieldstone Railway station, and the old “Alexandra Hotel" kitty corner to the rail station. There are two major streets - King Street and 7th Street S. Virden’s recreation facilities include an outdoor swimming pool with a 100 ft curved water slide. Like Morden, it has a farmers market - theirs is on Friday. Virden appears to be an active community, with most of life’s amenities, going about its daily business. It is also the home to well know wildlife artist Terry Mclean. I now bid Virden adieu.
I leave Virden, going east on PRR #238 for about 20 kms, turn north for about another 20 kms and arrive at Lenore. It is a hamlet comprised of an abandoned Pool elevator, an old faded abandoned service station still with it’s Gulf sign. There is a 1914 C.O.F. Hall with recent metal cladding. A beautiful old brick house and a large Presbyyterian church still remain along with a few homes. I slow down for some children playing on a yard and close to the street. I stop and chat a moment with a young mother who was raised here and has lived all her life in the area.
The welcome sign for Kenton reads, “ The best little town by a damsite!”I get the impression this is a “perky” town that wouldn’t be held down. Kenworth dam is within 2 kilometres of Kenton offering recreational facilities. The Kenton Co-op has served the area for 75 years. Add to this Economy Catering, Whyte’s Lumber& Insurance, Redfern Farm Services, and of course, Vanguard C.U. There is a large and what appears to be an active Legion Branch No. 118. There is almost a full block taken up by Woodworth Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ltd, with just a few used cars. By local accounts it does quite well and has another outlet in Shoal Lake to the north.It’s around 6 or 6:30 p.m. when I step into Kenton’s Houston’s Family Restaurant where there is one lone customer. It’s an older building tastefully decorated in an alternating tiny patterned blue and white wallpaper. It has an open kitchen, divided from the dining area by a counter and till. Two older customers arrive and seat themselves. I order, and begin chatting with the chap at the next table, who has a similar body profile to my own! He talks about Kenton as if he were the Mayor! He just loves and adores the place, having moved here after leaving Moosomin 12 years ago. I later find out from the Chef/owner that he is a grader operator for Woodworth Municipality, also celebrating its 125 years anniversary.
Harding, again east of Kenton on PRR #238, would be a painter’s delight. It’s all about old faded buildings of yesteryear - an abandoned store, garage, and outbuildings, with Canada Post boxes just off the road. Next to the 1914 Harding Agriculture hall are weathered and dilapidating Fair ground facilities. It is a picture of the past, including about 4 older homes.Bradwardine is a sad dying small village, with about a dozen homes, 1/3 of them vacant. It has 2 old, very faded abandoned elevators that are unidentifiable. I leave this small knit community with a sense of despair.Pushing onwards further east, I reach Wheatland, a hamlet of about a dozen homes, all 40’s and 50’s vintage.
Rivers is situated at the JCT of Hwy #25 and PRR #250. At Crosstown Tempo I only purchase $10 of gas, because of it’s price, which isn’t even stated on my receipt. It is an established town of 1193 people with a goodly number of amenities and a Hospital. There are 4 senior housing facilities, such as the recently built Westwood Lodge, but no other noticeable buildings. Its Credit Union is a Westoba branch. What is odd about this town from others, is that it has no Co-op services of any kind - no gas bar/ bulk fuels, no agri services, no hardware/lumber yard, no grocery store, nothing, In turn it has a fair sized independent Bigway Food store. This singular independence of mind must have been imbued by the pioneer, Sir Charles RIVERS-Wilson, who brought his Grand Trunk Railway across the plains, bringing promise and hope to settlers, and who may have never left, even when the Grand Trunk was taken over by CN.
Rapid City, neat name - slow pace, as I turn into the curve on PRR #270 north entering Rapid City, I notice that all there ball diamonds are full as evening begins to set in. It’s an uplifting sight and warms the heart. 416 souls reside here and it is so reminiscent of Ninette that it's uncanny. It has a water basin that adds to it allurement. It has the very minimum of services, like Ninette.Its homes are well spaced along gravel streets. The Legion’s Valley View senior Centre sits on a large lot in the middle of the village with attractive flower beds. Another reason for seeing Rapid City was the big too doo the M.T.S. made about it back in 1976 or 77, because it was the very last telephone exchange that went from a magneto exchange to dial phones. Imagine, in these days of cell, Blackberries, and iphones - crank phones? The MTS even gave out large yellow buttons announcing “No More Cranks”Taking PTH #24 east and #10 south, I hit cruise control, and roll into Brandon about 9 p.m. I top up my tank at Petro Can @ $1.359 and drift down Motel Lane. I bunk in at Barney’s Motel and make ready for day 4.

Day 4

After another good night’s sleep, I reload the van and head over to Smitty’s in Brandon on the Trans Canada. It’s around 7:30 a.m. and I’m surprised how few customers there are. From there I head south on PTH #10/18th St N. into the Assinboine basin. I turn left at PRR #459 otherwise know as Grand Valley Rd. and head west once more. #459 runs along the base of the north Assinboine valley starting out with Federal Research Station, and then dotted with yard sites and farms along the hillside to the jct of Hwy #1. This must be a pleasant, short, and scenic drive for those in and around Brandon.
Close to the Jct of Hwy #1 and 1A east you find the village of Kenmay. There is heavy traffic through this village of about a dozen homes, that straddle both sides of Hwy 1A.
Alexander, next on the Trans Canada west, lies on the CN main line. Main Street faces the railroad with Stah’s Food Mart, Dunee Designs Art & Crafts, and a recently abandoned elevator. There are a few new homes here.
Griswald is my next stop. It is a small hamlet, with a large Cenotaph. I come upon what seems to be an active MTS payphone in the semi entrance of what might have been a Hotel. This has me puzzled, but knowing MTS’s record keeping they probably don’t know about it either! It has other abandoned recreational buildings, and about 6 other homes. Griswold United Church is a breathtaking field stone structure erected in 1898, now a Provincial Heritage site. It appears to be in excellent shape, outside anyway. West of the Church is a recently vacated 2 story house whose brick structure seems intact. I start to visualise a Bed & Breakfast - the Trans Canada is a high traffic route, and a paved road, with ample mature trees, about ½ kilometre long, leads right to its doorstep. Dream on!
West down the Hwy where the Trans Canada takes a dip, south of the Hwy, lies Oak Lake. It has a 70’s Agriculture Society & Recreation Centre, with a separate Community Hall. There is a steel bell tower, and a mural on its Municipal maintenance shop. Commercially, there is the Perogy Pantry, Co-op, an early period classy Post Office, and Vanguard Credit Union.
Leaving this community of some 363 people I turn west again on the Trans Canada to the junction of PRR #254 and head south for Oak Lake Beach Provincial park. It is typical cottage country with cottages about 3 to 4 homes deep from the lakeshore, extending about 2 or 3 kilometres. There is a new development opening, called the Chokecherry sub division, behind the existing dwellings. I note to the east, an open area that appears to be a Golf Course, which it is. I drive through a newly made entrance and come upon the construction of a brand new Clubhouse. It is almost a 1/3 scale model of the one Morden has moved to their Golf course. That sort of blows me away! Well, this ends the formal part of my original plans, and I mentally prepare for the remaining homeward-bound journey.
I shall make comment on the places I have been, and not been, as I trek home.
PRR #254 takes me south to PTH #2 . At this corner, Murphy’s Salvage ( a used farm machinery parts supplier) has a huge inventory of used combines growing out of the ground. Just a kilometre east are the remains of Deleau, a former gas stop and restaurant turned residential, I think?
There is still a Pepsi sign, and a gas sign that reads 48.3, Oh! were that true! No 2 eastbound takes me to Souris, a natty place of 1772 folks.
It is still small enough to stave off the super sizers like Canadian Tire and Super Store, so it is my kind of town. The historic commercial section overlooks Victoria Park, which gives it a nice touch. It's noon, and on the recommendation of the gals in the town office, I enter Forbidden Flavours & Deli (proves women will always lead you astray!) It is just a tourist’s delight, not to mention for the locals as well. It is a turn of the century building, with a 14’ to 15’ foot ceiling. This is a metal ceiling in an attractive green coIour, with lovely hanging light fixtures that drop about 5 ft. The walls are sand - coloured, making it appear very open, airy, and expansive. There are 14 tables with bluish/green upholstered chairs. You wander to the back, select your drink out of the cooler or order one of their many coffee or tea specialties at the till, where you also place your order. They give you a large numbered card and you retreat to a table with your beverage and card #. There is a chicken cheese sandwich, a beef cheese sandwich and I can’t recall the 3rd item. I ask the owner/operator "Which is your best?" "We're moving a lot of chicken cheese." "Fine, give me a chicken cheese." Ten of the tables are already occupied. The crowd varies from teens, to young office ladies, to middle -aged, and seniors - a very mixed clientele indeed. My sandwich comes, and for the second time my taste buds rejoice over this succulent sandwich. So! If a women ever suggests to you, to go to a forbidden place, for goodness sakes, go man! After taking a quick tour of Victoria Park and its goose inhabitants, I gas up at Shell @1.359 a litre and point myself in the easterly direction of Carroll.

Carroll is about a kilometre south of #2, next to the CP rail line. As a matter of fact, CP has rail cars parked from here all the way to Souris 16 to 18 kilometres away. Carroll has an abandoned Don’s Grocery, and a metal clad Community Hall, as well as an equal number of new and older homes.
At a leisurely pace I drive through the villages along PTH # 2 and make a deliberate stop in Glenboro to see a long time ex MTS gal, who is not around.
Next village east - Cypress River ( I’ve always been intrigued by that name) south on PRR #342 from Cypress to PTH #23 and west to what remains of Rosebank. From here south to Morden, to “See History Unfold”.
I top up my gas tank at Rural Repair @ $1.359 a litre, then cruise over to the ever familiar Kopper Kettle for supper around 5:15 p.m. Later I drive on to my lane having completed 1801 kilometres in four days
I go into my home and greet Schpitzie my 17 year old cat, who doesn’t even ask where I have been.
Observations
1. I don’t know if there ever was, or will ever be, a late spring/early summer as green everywhere as this year. (except, as I tell my agri- buds for chemical spills)
2. I have a much greater appreciation of the sacrifices all these communities and districts made during The Wars when young lads & lassies were in their prime. Sacrifices then, whose numbers exceed some of the population remaining today.
3. A greater appreciation of the role of the Assiniboine River has, and the effects it had on pioneers and current communities.
4. The fact I did not see one motorcycle in my travels.
5. That there are a lot of Angus herds out there, to back up McDonald's claim about serving Angus burgers.
6. That the local papers still remain true to there communities.
7 The most prominent financial group is Vanguard Credit Union, with branches in 14 communities.
8. That the liquidation of the SAAN stores leaves communities like Neepawa, Minnedosa, Russell, Moosomin scrambling for an apparel and
general goods outlet.
9.The expiry date on many of our Highways and by ways, constructed 50 years ago is here..
10. That I literally drank litres of Coke’ s product NESTEA zero, which I consider to be the “nectar of the gods”
Till next time,….Cheers!

SIGHT LINES

2008-06-26T19:30:00.007-05:00

Sometimes individuals, communities, or organizations are gifted by nature, fate, or whatever. Some of us embrace and enhance it, others diminish it.

Such seems to be the case of the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club’s current foray into replacing its Club House facilities. Its most appealing feature, an uninhibited panoramic view of the course and town beyond, has been lost. That view has now been reduced to the scale of a camera viewfinder.

It was always a pleasure to take friends or guests to the old Club house, to lunch, and bask in its beauteous surroundings. Their Web site says, …..”You can marvel at the panoramic view from the restaurant surrounded by windows or from out in the fresh air on the deck.” This is only from the seven tables beside the windows to the east and south. Even here the sight lines are interrupted, both by a retaining wall and circular drive. In previous years, one would see walkers, joggers, bikers, and strollers, heading up to the lake, as well as being able to watch the action on holes #9 and #18.

It’s like the carbon emitters trucks and SUV’s hitting on environmental crowd. I believe that a somewhat raised Club House and a lower circular drive and retaining wall, would have kept most of the old sight lines. An elevated floor under the cathedral ceiling portion of the Timbers restaurant could provide for a better visual view.

Without the log siding, the former 'rustic Pembina Crossing look' of the building is lost and disappointing. On one's approach to the Clubhouse, the first visual impression that hits you right in the eye, is the bank of huge mechanical devices that surround the rear portion of the building.

Reminds me of the old Joni Mitchell song,

Don’t it always seem to go.
That you don’t know what you’ve got.

Till its gone.

They paved paradise

And put up a parking lot.

K & D MUSIC FEST

2008-05-28T11:56:00.009-05:00

This year the K & D Music Fest is celebrating it's 10th Anniversary. It all started out 10 years ago as a little party in the garage organized by Ken and Delores Schellenberg and has become an international event. Seven years ago they moved it into their big shed on the farm where they can accommodate the large crowds that come and enjoy a camping weekend in the Pembina Valley. It's a festival of music that promotes and preserves your favourite country classics and old time music from the past. You can dance or just listen to the many performers that grace the stage during the four day event. I personally been associated with the event for the past seven years, only because of a chance meeting with Ken one day in the town of Morden, when I happened to comment that I had a sound system. The rest is history, and over the years I have met hundreds of performers that have graced the stage at the K & D Music Fest. Both the attendees and the performers are wonderful down to earth type people who enjoy the same old time values and old time music. If you're into rap or heavy metal this isn't the place for you! Enjoy the relaxing casual slow paced life of the Pembina Hills, you can rejoin the rat race after this refreshing weekend.
This year features as usual the best in Canadian and U.S. bands. Check out the poster for details on performers and times. Also it's a great affordable camping weekend. Your hosts Ken and Delores and their Family are all waiting to see you and greet you at the site.

Pick a Winner Steve!

2008-05-27T19:58:00.004-05:00

Sitting there alone at the Kopper Kettle restaurant stuffing my face with sumptuous raspberry bread pudding, my mind slipped over to the current political fray around Ottawa. Now I think I could actually help our Prime Minister out , even though I’m not prone to helping any Prime Ministers, especially right wing ones.
Seems like the bottom has fallen out of this so called New Government and it has become old over night. It also seems like Bernier and Couillard (Julie) have made it look like old home week, just like in the good old Tory days. Reminds me of the old saying “ What goes around, comes around”. Well maybe not quite as amusing as the old verbal exchanges between Sheila Copps and John Cosby, but none the less, interesting. You Mr. Haper have in your caucus a competent, seasoned and well spoken individual, her name is Diane Ablonczy and she is currently being wasted. As the new minister of External Affairs she would raise the profile of Canada and would be a worthy minister on the world stage, no more bumbling here. Yes I realize your both from Calgary, so what? yes I realize she was a leadership candidate, so what? She is far and away better than air-bag John Braid or Ms. “sweets” Rona Ambrose, get with the program Stephan, pick a proven winner eh!

Barbara Walters!

2008-05-01T23:05:00.003-05:00

Barbarwaaah! Barbarwaaah! How could you have devastated me so, - having an affair? An affair? You, an American “pop” icon. You, ABC’s original million dollar “babe” - how could you? How dare you dump your dark secret passions of the past on an unsuspecting public. If I was ABC, I’d be asking for a refund, or at the very least, hire Kenneth Starr to impeach you. Are you unaware of the 7th commandment “thou shall not commit adultery”? Well perhaps you didn’t commit adultery, after all, he was a Republican senator. But surely you must have lusted a little, even President Jimmy Carter admitted to lusting in Playboy. "I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I committed adultery in my heart many times," he has said. Please say it isn’t so, Barb.

And you ran right into the arms of the highest rated T.V. talk show, "Oprah", to deliver that knock-out punch to those very young media hogs like Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus), and to ward off the Britney Spears, Jessica Simpsons, and Paris Hiltons. Not since “Who shot J.R?” has such media pandemonium broken out in our midst. I can’t wait for the encore!

Anne Murray

2008-04-30T21:26:00.006-05:00

Seems I've been spending time lately going to concerts. We travelled to Winnipeg on Tues night April 29th to hear what I can only describe as a most memorable event, Anne Murray's performance at the Centennial Concert Hall. We walked from the parking lot at the back of the Centennial Hall and noticed a big semi rig backed up to the loading dock. In addition, a modest but huge tour bus (roadies bus) was parked on the side street. Directly behind the hall were parked two highly polished maroon colored tour buses. Obviously buses for the headliners and road musicians.
Billed as her last tour, the 2300 tickets for this event were sold almost immediately after they went on sale last December and now I see another concert is booked at the MTS center for May 17th, no doubt prompted by the huge demand for tickets. For the first 1/2 hour of the concert, the audience was treated to the great piano stylings of Michael Kaeshammer. His piano technique was amazing ending up his set with a medley of familiar old audience sing-a-long songs and setting up the perfect atmosphere for the appearance of what everyone anticipated....Anne Murray.
Anne's portion began with a video segment, which was a video montage of pictures of people with which Anne had met or performed backed by musical clips of her songs. It was a who's who of world class performers and leaders and left one feeling proud of that old Canadian identity.
With the stage set in darkness and only the silhouettes of musicians on stage, the introduction began. My eyes strained to view a glimpse of Anne on stage. I said to my wife sitting next to me " there she is!" which to my dismay wasn't her at all, as the stage lights rose to reveal it was her back up singer. A flash of light and ball of smoke and out came Anne Murray from behind a rising curtain at the back of the stage. I had fallen for the decoy.
In addition to six regular musicians that accompany her on tour, she was also accompanied, for this performance by a dozen Winnipeg Chamber Orchestra members playing violins, violas and cellos.
Her orchestra leader, who played a grand piano on stage, coordinated all the music and very competently led the entire musical team. Later in the show, she introduced her band members and revealed that the bass player, drummer and piano player were the most recent additions, they'd only been with her 25 years.
Her guitar players, of which there were two had been with her 30 and 38 years respectively and her female back up singer had been with her 30 years.
This long loyalty of musicians was most evident when in the middle of her show she did an unplugged segment with her two guitarists and back up singer, took requests from the audience and flawlessly performed songs at random. This truly demonstrates the confidence she has in her musical team and herself.
In addition in a more casual moment she read humorous emails she'd received from her fans.
The sound was exquisite. I've been in recording studios many times and there's nothing that can compare with the sound quality in a studio. The sound at this performance however was as near to studio quality as I've ever heard. We all know and appreciate that Anne Murray has a one of a kind voice. The richness, the range, and the distinctive Anne Murray sound were all present in her renditions of all her well known songs. So familiar were the songs that she asked the audience to sing-a-long if they knew them and hardly anyone in the crowd refused the chance. From what I read, she's the one who picks the songs she'll perform and would suggest that she maintains that position as she seems to possess the ability to know what the audience wants to hear, and when they want to hear it.
There was no awkwardness in her delivery of humour and she appeared fit and at home on stage.
It was a joy both for her and her audience to have her daughter Dawn Langstroth join her on stage. Besides her outstanding performance Anne is clever enough to do the songs people want to hear. Her new album Duets, aren't new songs. It's old songs. She never went into the "here's a new song off my new album" line. That's usually when my ears shut down at a concert. I want the hits and she didn't disappoint. It was a night of parents and grandparents to journey to Winnipeg for a visit with each other and Anne. The couple sitting next to me had travelled from Melita, to Brandon, to Portage to Winnipeg picking up people along the way for a night out.
Just a note of interest ...the merchandise counter at the Hall was about 25 feet long. It had available everything from programs, to mugs, to tote bags, to jewelery and there were lines four or five deep just to get to the table. I noted that people who had arrived with walkers and wheelchairs miraculously left them to stand in line to buy merchandise. She's on a 27 concert tour , and it's billed as her last ...say it ain't so Anne!

Yard Sales!

2008-04-30T15:05:00.007-05:00

Friends,......As you have heard, most of us will be getting a tax rebate cheque to stimulate the economy. If we spend the money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China. If we spend it on gasoline, it will go to the Arabs. If we purchase a computer, it will go to India. If we purchase fruits & vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras, & Guatemala. If we purchase a good car, it will go to Japan. If we purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan. None of which will help the Canadian Economy. We need to keep that money here in Canada. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it at Yard Sales since those are the only businesses still in Canada. (Best of the e-mails)

Wireless Review

2008-04-26T20:56:00.008-05:00

For those of you who didn't attend the Royal Canadian Legion's entertainment on Friday, it should be noted you missed a very good solid performance and it was free! The Bar Manager at the Legion, Bruce Salmonson has a buddy Paul, who sings with the barbershop quartet named Wireless. Bruce was able to talk the group into stopping over in Morden on Friday night on their way to a barbershop convention in Dauphin and performing at the Legion.
Prior to their performance at the Legion I visited their website and realized this was a group of talented individuals, and I decided to enlist the help of my friend David Destoop of "The Source Electronics" to help set up a sound and light system that befitted their talent.
The group Wireless has been together since 2005 and hale from Grand Forks and Fargo Area.
Unfortunately through poor marketing, advertising or member support, which are all common features for our local legion, the attendance was small.
The short program of 45 minutes with a further encore of 15 minutes was well received by those few who did attend what one could consider a professional and polished group..
Some local singers in attendance remarked on how exceptionally talented and versatile they performed.
Songs ranged from religious, to Broadway classics, to long forgotten ballads. There were also plenty of comedic performances within the repertoire. In general Wireless seemed to have fun while entertaining and that fun was infectious with the audience. The harmonies were clearly done to near perfection and the performance at the Legion became more of a concert than the usual bar band loud and riotous exercise. They were able to offer a mix of songs, some maybe not as memorable as others, but the shear delight of listening to their melodic and seemingly effortless harmonies overcame any lack of familiarity with the song.
In general Morden, you missed a great one of a kind performance. Check out their website by clicking on >>>http://wirelessqt.com/ .
Thanks Bruce!

I Am Hutterite

2008-04-26T14:20:00.006-05:00

The poised, polished and articulate Mary-Ann Kirby, author of the current best selling book “I Am Hutterite” breezed into town last night, along with her promoter Arvel Gray. They had made stops in Gretna, Carman and now Morden. You would be hard pressed in meeting her to determine that her early life was that of a Hutterite. She read from her book recounting the dramatic impact of her parents leaving the Colony some 38 years ago. The unfamiliar everyday normal encounters, such as food preparation and packaging, secular fashion, and strange customs and language. About living around Domain, Plum Coulee, and Winkler, and as a teen having worked at A&W and Salem home in Winkler. She then took questions from an audience of about 100+ people gathered at the Friendship Centre.
She began her career in journalism in Dauphin, Manitoba as a news anchor and reporter and later was appointed senior reporter responsible for aboriginal issues at CTV in Prince Albert. From 1993-1996, she worked in Ottawa as a freelance journalist and served as Media Relations Consultant for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
Mary-Ann lives in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan She has fulfilled one of her childhood ambitions of becoming a singer, and partners with Lisa Olsen as a easy listening duo at private and corporate events, fundraisers, resorts and other venues. You can catch them at this year's “Plum Festival” in Plum Coulee.

Performing Arts Centre

2008-03-06T21:43:00.003-06:00

The situation regarding the Performing Arts Centre is certainly a vexing and potentially divisive one for our community. We do not want to stifle learning nor at the same time be financially buried by it. The dilemma is, where does democracy come into play in all of this? When a 3rd party non- elected, unaccountable, individual gifts a community with conditions, that may well impose hardship, through increased school taxes and operating costs. It begs the school board to act responsibly and with accountability on behalf of taxpayers. If too a person the board members have total faith and belief in their financial capital and expense costs for the project, with only a slight impact on school taxes. Then they should personally be able to underwrite any cost overruns, and if not, then let the Western School division taxpayers decide their own financial fate via a referendum. The cost and magnitude of this project is such, that it should not fall to five trustees to determine. Nor did they have any pre-election mandate for it.

Moose, Fittwell & Co.

2008-02-29T11:26:00.012-06:00

In order to take a bite out of the long winter days, I indulge in one of my most passionate pastimes, exercising! Now for those of you who know me, you need read no further………..

For those of you who are still with me, here’s the scoop.
One of the reasons to exercise is that all my “idols” hang out at the local Fittwell Centre. There’s Uncle Bob Dyck (not a relative), crooner Wayne Motheral, debonair Don Sager, Arnold “007” Wiebe, and Jerry “Biker” Kehler, along with school boy chum Jim “Moose “ Giesbrecht, (2nd generation), who is a local sports legend in these parts. There’s a whole life time here of twisted mangled sinew and thinning hair. All of us being of sound mind and bad bodies attend this facility for various mysterious reasons, unbeknown to us, well for some of us anyway. It’s all about the camaraderie and joy we find at Fittwell, as long as we’re not all there at the same time.
Under the fine tutelage of Facility Director Deanna Pentland CFC, PTS, FIS, NWS, its run like an army boot camp, just kidding, just kidding, don’t panic! I have suggested a name change from Fittwell to the Sitwell Centre, something more appropriate to my style, but that bombed because younger people do attend.

Having gone for several years now, I feel I can offer a few sage tips on the fine points of exercising!

Top 5 Fitness Tips

1. Upon arrival at the Fittness Centre, you are unable to find a parking spot, don’t stress yourself out, just go home.
2. Don't overexert yourself to the point of injury and hospitalization.
As hospital food tends to add to your body weight, defeating the purpose of exercising.
3. Don't go over your allotted time frame on any one exercise machine, but if you do, dock that amount of time from your next exercise.
4. In the locker room, secretly sprinkle water on the front of your sweat shirt, to give that sweaty macho look.
5. Don't be taken in by Deanna's smiling charm, it's genuine.

As I’ve told Deanna “the best thing about Fittwell…… is leaving”.

Oh! did I fail to mention this, “Chicks” work out here too!

Local Legend Jim "Moose" Giesbrecht

Charles "Harold" Atlas

(All Photos & captions by Terry Titchkosky)

(Click on pictures for larger image)

Cheers!

Oscar's 80th

2008-02-25T21:03:00.004-06:00

One of my annual rituals since the beginning of television or time, whichever came first, is taking in the Academy Awards. Sunday’s 80th presentation I thought rather drab. One of the issues is in not knowing the new crop of performers or much about them. Jon Stewart the host of 80th Academy came out flat and stayed that way. He is much more suited to the political subtle innuendoes of the day, than the e-talk entertainment scene. Bring back Ellen DeGeneres she’s been the most entertaining and capable host as of late. As for the dresses and gowns very conservative in style, nothing outrageous at all, whatever happen to Cher? There was an absence of any life form like streakers, or any Jack Palace push up’s, or any hint of protests; except for Alex Gibney’s (“Taxi to the Dark Side”) statement regarding torture. The two musical categories for original song and score had a drought, and where left wanting, for some spark of musical creativity. Dwelling on this 80th Anniversary took me back to my youth and the 50th Academy Awards Anniversary. Charlie Chaplin who had been ban from entering the United States in 1952 after 38 years in the States; was accused of "un-American activities" as a suspected communist sympathizer He briefly and triumphantly returned in April 1972, with his wife, to receive an Honorary Oscar, and the longest standing ovation in Academy Award history, lasting a full five minutes. I mention this because not that much has changed over 30 years. Today you could step out of a shower with a towel around your head, and be picked up as a terrorist, because they didn’t like your You Tube material. So much for the 2008 Oscars and our age of paranoia!

Afghanistan

2008-02-21T20:41:00.012-06:00

The situation in Afghanistan is certainly a vexing one for Canadians, and even more difficult to assess and put into words. However I believe Larry L’s response to the Globe and Mail, sums it up quite succinctly.

Larry L from Waterloo, Canada writes: There is no doubt this situation is both dire and being swept under the carpet. How anyone believes 51,000 troops will save the day over 50,000 is the height of insanity. A few thousand more troops will not solve this. And no NATO nation is going to provide massive numbers of troops. I do not know the answer on how to resolve this. What I do know is where we are now is a stop gap at best and a declining one at that. More lives and more billions are not going to improve the situation. If we have no solution, we need to pull out and take a different approach. That is not a cut-and-run answer. That is not a typical liberal cowardice ideal. It is just reality. I don't want another dead soldier whose life is tossed away in some fruitless venture. It would be great to think we are stemming the tide, making a real difference. The reality is that every area we secure gets turned back as soon as we move to the next area. The poppy industry is the people's best hope for survival. Who can blame them? We have not inspired the people to stand and fight with us. They take what we give, gratefully, and when we go, they still have to live, feed their families. And so the poppies grow. Wouldn't you do what you had to in order to feed your family? It's sad that we live in a world where the truth is the enemy. It's sad that politicians on all sides feel the need to either lie, cover up or manipulate the truth. The question I'm always asking myself is this: If what we are trying to do in Afghanistan is working so well, if how things are organized is so spectacular, if the reason we are doing what we're doing is so right, then why do you have to do whatever you can to keep the information from us? Does no one understand that the truth is out there? It doesn't take long to find real information from real sources in real places. And it doesn't take long to unravel the web of disinformation. The question why so many accept what is fed to us.

Quiz?

2008-01-10T18:06:00.000-06:00

If you are an e-mail junkie then you have probably encountered the Quiz about Getting to Know Your Friends and family. What you are supposed to do is copy (not forward) this entire
e-mail and paste it into a new e-mail that you'll send. Change all the answers so they apply to you, and then send this to your friends and family, including the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends and family that you might not have known! The result for me has been that you get the standard truthful, sombre, sober, responses than can put you to sleep. So to assist and help you out with this dilemma, here are some sample responses you can use and good luck. As the saying goes “get a life,” spice it up, avoid the circling buzzards from picking on your carcass!

1. What time did you get up this morning?
a) in time for breakfast.
2. Diamonds or pearls?
a). how about a sow’s ear
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
a) don’t know yet, I’m still going
4. What is your favorite TV show?
a) Rin Tin Tin (1954-59)
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
a) What I had the pervious morning.
6. What is your middle name?
a) Disaster
7. What food do you dislike?
a) Rotten food
8. What is your favorite CD?
a) still playing LP’s, thinking about an MP3 player
9. What kind of car do you drive?
a) I drive a souped up, beater van.
10. Favorite sandwich?
a) Earl of ?
11. What characteristic do you despise?
a) Feline!
12. Favorite item of clothing?
a) The string Bikini.
13. If you could go anywhere on vacation where would you go?
a) Where you couldn’t find me.
14.What color is your bathroom?
a) from the throne, or the tub?
15. Favorite brand of clothing?
a) Cheap!
16. Where do you want to retire to?
a) to a bed.
17. What was your most recent memorable birthday?
a) when I contacted Alzheimers.
18. Favourite sport to watch?
a) women’s mud wrestling.
19. Furthest place you are sending this?
a) As Jackie Gleason use to say…….to the moon.
20. Who do you least expect to send this back?
a) Royal Mail.
21. Person you expect to send it back first?
a) Stephen Harper
22. Favourite sayings?
a) BULL_ _ _ _.?
23. When is your birthday?
a) sometime in the future..
24. Are you a morning person or a night person?
a) What would you like me to be?
25. What is your shoe size?
a) same as my mouth.
26. Pets?
a) one!
27. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
a) If I had any, I’d be sharing it with The “Pope.”
28. What did you want to be when you were little?
a) BIG!
29. How are you today?
a) I have a medical appointment.
30. What is your favourite candy?
a) Floss.
31. What is your favourite flower?
a) For-get-me-not’s.
32. What is a day on the calendar are you are looking forward to?
a) the 34th.
33. What church do you attend?
a) The Upside Down Church of the Fallen!
34.What are you listening to right now?
a) Furnace fan.
35.What was the last thing you ate?
a) Haven’t passed away yet.
36. Do you wish on stars?
a) No, on my feet.
37. If you were a crayon what color would you be?
a) all the colours of the rainbow?
38. How is the weather right now?
a) mostly unsettling!

There are 25 additional questions, but I’m sure by now, you get my drift.
Enjoy, and as Red/Green says “keep your stick on the ice.”

Dave!

2008-01-09T17:35:00.000-06:00

Just a stone’s throw north of Thornhill Manitoba lives a gentleman, who, since the day he was born, resides on a little piece of Paradise. He and his wife, Donna, are willing to share their Paradise with others, whether they are local people, or from far away. He calls this "Shannondale".
Dave was born, raised, educated, farmed, and raised a family, all within about an 8 mile radius of his yard site. In 1959, he took over the family farm from his parents , who had acquired it in the dirty 30’s. Dave never left this locale, except for one winter when, as a young man he was away. As was the norm in the 60’s and 70’s, Dave expanded his farm and seed operations. Then in 1997, after some 38 years of tilling the soil, Dave rented out his acreage.
I recall resettling in Morden at the time, and attending Dave and Donna’s farm auction sale with my brother Walter. Unlike the rest of the farm retirees rushing to town, Dave and Donna chose to remain on the farm. And why not? They had constructed a comfortable semi-chalet type home back in 1976, on the very edge of the ravine with a creek running some 150 ft below. They overlook boundless mature trees and a view of the valley that must encompass all of 40 acres or more. They are able to walk directly out into the natural woods from both the upper and lower levels of their home. From the front doorstep and stretching to the southeast is typical prairie landscape. A setting hard to match in any urban area!
After a bit of a respite, a few years later Dave rekindled his boyhood affection for recreation, only now with an emphasis on fitness and well being. Many a winter Friday, years back, the Thornhill school students entertained themselves on the Lumgair hills.

(Ski Run)

Dave, never accustomed to being idle, began the arduous task of creating an all season natural trail system for skiing, cycling, and hiking. The result, 20K of classic trails with a warming shack at the trail head. A Yellow trail that even beginners will enjoy, the Blue trail that is a moderate 10K workout, the Orange trail which is a 5K circuit with an option to go to 6K. The Orange tail also has 5 major slopes, along with many smaller slopes in the escarpment.

(Welcome Shack)

(Ski Trail Map)

Dave was courteous enough to take Terry Tichkosky and myself on a Ski doo and sled ride to view the scenic valley. It was like a roller coaster ride and we needed high speeds to get my weighty body to the top of the hills.

(Weighty Harold!)

Terry and I conceded that the whole area was just impressively breathtaking. I can only imagine what it would be like in the summer or fall, with a trickling creek running below. We also had the privilege of watching deer run across an opening. Many local skiers are regular attendants here, and individuals have come to visit from as far away as New Brunswick and Victoria B.C. Many groups, large and small, such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, come here for fund raising purposes.

(All Photos Courtesy Terry Titchkosky)

If you were ever going to apply the term “one tough old Scot" to anyone, then Dave, with his full head of white hair, a beard, and one knee replacement, with another to be scheduled, would definitely qualify. His lifestyle stresses the importance of being fit and doing exercises before knee surgery in order to have a faster post-surgery recovery.
Despite this, Dave continues to maintain these recreational trails mostly by himself. As Dave has stated, “Everyone should have fun and gain skills. "Fresh air is health care, Help yourself!"
So come on out to Shannondale.

Give me a break! OK?

2008-01-03T12:32:00.000-06:00

There is that tiny bit of breathing space between Christmas and the New Year where you can do something normal, like catch a movie or something. I’m not talking about the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie caper either, although I personally know a mother who is totally enchanted by it. I took in an English adult script called "Atonement" - heady English stuff, but sorry, no review.
The thing that struck me was that prior to this movie commencing, was the change from years back. When T.V. and movies started to compete for a viewing audience, you could go to a movie and shut out the outside world. First you would view a cartoon, then possibly a Newsreel, a local theatre ad for popcorn and pop, previews (trailers) and finally, the feature presentation. All this for the sum of 25 cents and some years later as much as a dollar.
My theory is, at the time you didn’t begrudge paying this amount of money. With T.V. , you had those intrusive commercials, you had family or friends disturbing you, with some even changing the channel on you, depending on the pecking order, even if you only had three channels. So when you paid to see a movie that’s what you saw, as straight forward and uncomplicated as you can have it. But oh! no! not today, no sirree. First, we begin with movie trivia, then some supersized ads for the theatre concession, then wonder of all wonders, car ads, endless trailers for features due in March of 09, more ads, finally the main feature.
What a pile of unmitigated commercial rubbish, and what is the supreme insult ….. an $8.00 admission charge!

Christmas at the DQ

2007-12-08T22:26:00.000-06:00

Christmas at the DQ in Morden

What would provoke someone to have, or want to have, Xmas at the Dairy Queen in Morden? Are they nuts or what? What parallel does it have with the Christmas story of yore? There is no Star in the East to guide you there, but you can rely on the locals to give you direction. It has never had one Wiseman visit it, let alone three. Three Wisemen anywhere in the world today would be a monumental surprise to us all. But the local “Bruce” Almighty has frequented it on occasion.

Bearing gifts is nothing new - in place of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we bring loonies, toonies, and coupons, and nobody is the wiser. As for shepherds, well, they have more or less gone by the wayside. However, a facsimile of them still exists in the form of bikers, with their Harleys, Hondas, and BMW, plus a lost tribe that call themselves "Hell’s Angels". This is as close as our local bikers will ever get to seeing a host of Angels, and when they do, you may be assured that they will be sore afraid and hugging the ground.
Then there’s Mary - and she actually exists at the DQ!
She is one of the most considerate, warm, kind, and caring women you could ever meet. She has kept the image of compassion intact since the days of Mary of Nazareth.
"More coffee, Harold?"
"Sure, Mary."
And then there is the Baby Jesus. Now you wouldn’t find Him at the DQ. But you will find parents who can’t find their child, muttering under their breath, “Jesus, where did that kid disappear to now?"
So to all the management and staff of the Morden Dairy Queen, Merry Christmas, you bring joy to all those you serve.
Is that not a part of the year round Christmas spirit?
And the same goes for all you loyal pumphandle blog readers!
Cheers!

HEROES and Cream Gravy

2007-12-06T23:10:00.000-06:00

How many times have you heard the phrase “I could write a book”, from a friend, a relative, or other assorted types? The fact of the matter is that they never write one, not that it’s any big disaster. It’s just another over used phrase that people throw around. Well a chap by the name of Roy Heinrichs, who hung out around Haubstadt (translated means Halftown) and has now retired to Altona, has done just that, written a book. It’s called Heroes and Cream Gravy. It covers Roy and that of his families through the cycles of life from his youth, his teenage years, as a young farmer, then as a seasoned farmer, then as a retiree and Grandpa. It covers the era from 1951 to the present. It depicts incidents and a lifestyle that is familiar to most of us in Southern Manitoba, who have lived during this time.
It took me a few or more chapters to get into this book, and begin to appreciate the legacy Ron was leaving, for this generation and its heirs. That somewhat parallels one's own life and many others who live along the 49th. A snapshot (another over used word) of Saturday night baths, outdoor toilets, Kraft dinners, Wonder Oil, harvests, dreams, and jeans. Cream Gravy? It’s about the all time great Mennonite dish, cheese perogies, smothered in dark brown fried sausage dripping gravy.
Want to know more………..read the book!

Tribulations!

2007-11-30T00:14:00.000-06:00

The loss by the Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup should have tip me off as to the week I was about to encounter. On Monday I took Mr Frank Ptosnick in for his follow up eye appointment, at Misericordia Health Centre in my van. I set my clock/radio alarm the previous night, which failed me in the morning. Luckily I awoke just a few minutes later. On the way in for some foolish reason I turn my van lights on, even though we had endless visibility. While we were discussing and debating the great world issues of the day, there was a need to turn on my wiper blades, which resulted in the splitting of the rubber blade on one. As both were not cleaning the windshield all that well, I made a mental note to have them replaced. We arrived in time, jumped out of the van, I with a book in hand to see Frank’s eye doctor. A couple of hours later and a few chapters later. We headed back to the van anticipating lunch as it was 12:15 p.m. Low and behold we arrive at my van, inserted the key, NOTHING, except a sinking feeling, turned key again, sinking feeling hits bottom, angry follows, as I quickly realize my stupidity. Obviously I had inadvertently left my lights on, and didn’t even hear the warning bell earlier. Frank having a CAA membership said, will just give them a call. Back over the overpass and to a lobby with payphones. I call the number listed on Frank’s card but misdialed, there goes another 50 cents of my allowance for the month. Dialed again (actually key punched) and got hold of a pleasant person. I give him the pertain details and advise I would stand outside of the park cad to hail the responder, whom he said would be there no later than 1:20 p.m. The hate myself syndrome was really escalating within me.
So there we both stood in front of the entrance of the 25 Sherbrook Street park cad slowly getting colder. A CAA tow truck passed by, and later a CAA quarter ton. Frank finally went up to the overpass to get warm. Finally at 1:35 p.m. a CAA rescuer appeared. Wouldn’t you know it, his initial vehicle wouldn’t start, so had to get another one. Bang my van started and off we went to Frank’s 2nd appointment, to the hearing aid guy at the Grant Park Shopping Centre. Once there I remained in the van to make certain it got charged up. Upon Frank’s return I shut the van off, and we went to dine in the elegance of Zeller’s café. After a few hot coffees and a lite lunch we return home without incident although somewhat later.
Does it end there NO! I sat down to watch the evening news and my remote would not change the channels, big hairy deal but still irritating.
The deal with Frank was that he would take me into the Peg, for my eye appointment on Tuesday. Even thought my appointment was at noon, I want to ensure I had an alarm clock that worked. I retrieve the battery operated clock from above the big screen T.V. I began by setting it to Central Standard Time then set the alarm time. It dutifully awoke me, but I was unable to shut it off, as the on/off button is about the size of the eye of a needle. I quickly utilize my nail clippers and broke the entire button off. There I sat on my bed listening to the un soothing sounds of the alarm and the blinking miniature headlights, an added feature of this clock. Drowsy, but alert I proceed to remove the battery lid and take out the 2 double “AA” batteries. I then took those double “AA” batteries an put them in my T.V. remote, problem solved, a lease I could change T.V. channels now.
Frank P. arrived in his polished Chrysler Breeze which he preferred to use as it has front wheel drive, his truck although is roomier. Bundled up I was confined like a moth in a cocoon. Only a moth when it stretches, exercises, and breaks out of it’s cocoon results in a beautiful butterfly. Whereas I requiring to be pushed out the car door to get out, still remained ugly. The visit resulted in an eye condition that was improving, what a relief and positive affirmation for me. Another elegant lunch at Zeller’s and we are homeward bound.
I add my new 2008 eye appointment to my existing medical appointment list, only to notice I had bloodwork, for Wednesday morning at BTHC.
I fasted and got up as we all did to about 5”to 6” of pure clean white fluffy snow. Again, no sweat about a month ago with the assistance of my Honda manual, the big red snow machine’s controls were checked out, gas tank top up, shear pin installed, and motor started It purred like my cat Schpitzie,… girl. I return from BTHC and breakfast with the warmth of porridge and coffee in my tummy. I enter my shed set the controls, pulled on the starting rope, a small sputter and it died, despite my effort to revive it. So much for the famous Honda name and myth. My only saving grace that day was the cabbage roll dinner at the Friendship Centre. Morden Concrete’s Bobcat cleaned out my driveway.
Later a visit to “the Source” where I purchased a simply tiny travelling alarm clock. Dave and Jeff couldn’t contain their gleeful joy at prying money out of me, no matter how small the sum.
Oh! so this is rather long and I should be finished, SORRY!
Being a responsible person I checked in with “Ed” Lucier at Mountain Auto Service and replace my worn windshield wipers, There’s a couple of points for safely operating a vehicle. As I drove around with my door ajar light on, a matter I would take care of when I got home.
Back on the home front I settled in for a little fine evening cuisine. I put some Rib Style Boneless Pork in a bowl, added sauce and place it in my microwave. I savoured the thought of my cabbage roll side dish, obtained in a deal from the Friendship Centre. As I put on my oven mitts and removed the rib bowl, the glass turntable also came out and smashed smartly on the floor. More unanticipated clean up. This sort of soured my evening meal.
Well a good nights rest would take care of these matters.
Thursday, up after dawn jump in the van and zilch, nothing, dead, you stupid, ignorant, A…, as the anger welled up in me again. My mindless mind forgot to properly close the van door yesterday. Serves you right! Off I trudge to Mamma Mia’s for breakfast. Who comes in later but Frank Postnick and Reg Braun. I inform them about my most recent escape, they ask me if I have a battery charger, I reply yes I have, but doubt if I can find it. Once again Frank comes to the rescue and brings over his charger. I’m up and running again, I just don’t know for how long?
So there you have it a typical week in the life of…..Harold!

the exquisite hour

2007-11-24T23:42:00.000-06:00

Prior to internet dating, different skill sets were required in meeting eligible gals and guys. The exquisite hour provides a delightful insight into one of the methods employed in the early 60’s, by a Helen Darimont (Jeanette P. Hoeppner) perusing a Zachary Teale (Brad Wieler). The two work at the same establishment, but Helen has never been able to catch Zachary’s eye. So Helen puts a plan in place to entrap him. It is a one act play, that pardon the pun is exquisitely acted. It has a light breezy air about it with many humorous moments. It does not fall into the sitcom genre, but more of a 60’s version of a Victorian era play. It has subtleties and soft endearing twists It is a most delightful and enjoyable exquisite hour. It is a Candlewick Production, produce and directed by Darren Klassen an individual with local ties to Morden. If you missed the Kenmor venue, you can still catch it @Winkler Emmanuel Mennonite Church. Tickets available thorough the church office for Friday, November 30 & Saturday, December 1.

Could It Happen?

2007-11-14T17:36:00.000-06:00

What are the odds this weekend, of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers facing each other in the Grey Cup Classic on November 25, 2007? It would be event mangers dream, having these two rivals face off against each other. I think the whole Western population’s fans and non fans would ignite like an old prairie fire. The hang over’s from gatherings and parties would last well into the Xmas season and beyond.
The downer is holding this epic event in Toronto, unless of course Toronto wins. On the other hand two prairie teams might finally burst Toronto’s stuffy self-centred bubble and finally join the rest of the country, just for the joy of it. Realistically B.C. and Toronto at this point seem to have the edge, in player depth, execution and experience. The question is do they have the heart to win? By this week end it could just be a ho hum thing or a delightful madness. Stay tuned!

Tony, Tony, Tony,

2007-10-29T21:38:00.000-05:00

Tony Blair hit Calgary a few days ago, like the Red River Flood hit southern Manitoba in the spring of 1997, with a big splash. He was the newly minted fresh faced British Prime Minister installed on May 2 1997. He was young, contemporary, and a breath of fresh air for the British Isles. He seemed to be just the right antidote to the stuffy and stiff John Major Government from the left over days of the Margret Thatcher era. He seemed to have a pulse and vision and the youthful energy to re-vitalize and turn the United Kingdom around for a place in the 21st Century.
His handling of the death of Princess Diane with empathy and grace created an early bond with his fellow countrymen and people of the entire world.
Not since the days of Churchill, did Britain have such an articulate spokesman or master of the English language.The British economy performed well and he helped to negotiate the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, after 30 years of conflict. He appointed the venerable Robin Cook as his Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Cook announced, to much scepticism, his intention to add "an ethical dimension" to foreign policy. Thus the ship of State that seemed on course, made a swift turnabout when Blair single handily supported United States foreign policy. He encountered fierce criticism as a result, over the policy itself and the circumstances in which it was decided upon. Then Robin Cook resigned from his post, in protest against the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Following pressure from his own Labour Party, and the British public, Blair publicly stated he would step down as party leader. Thus a promising legacy in the style of the Kennedy’s vanished forever.
"I often say to people that Canada will become one of the most powerful nations in the world," the former leader of Great Britain said to a crowd of 2,400 people in Calgary. Unfortunaly it is all a little meaningless, when your creditability is shot, Tony.

Rendition

2007-10-21T22:19:00.000-05:00

A currently topical subject matter Rendition has now hit the movie screen. It revels the dark, murky, shifting events of the espionage world and their barbaric interrogation methods. The cast consists of Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, Alan Arkin, Peter Sarsgaard, Omar Metwalley. Through inattention or because of sub tiles, I had some difficulty piecing together the Arab side of the story. The U.S. story was straight forward. It involves an Egyptian American, Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwalley), married to Caucasian American (Reese Witherspoon). Anwar is fingered by the CIA (Meryl Streep) as a terrorist on the flimsiest of evidence and flown to a Middle East country to be interrogated. Gyllenhaal plays a CIA analyst who comes to question the U.S. government's sanctioning of the practice, and turns whistle blower. The one high light of the movie is Alan Arkin a U.S. Senator dressing down his subordinate in his office, it is an intense filled moment of reality. Apart from Arkin’s momentary performance it is a rather ho hum film. And “Yes” the U.S. does not torture, it just sub contracts.

Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra.

2007-10-17T23:59:00.000-05:00

If you wish a respite from the music of today there is no better cure than the timeless music arranged by Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. Who’s performance at the MTS Centre on Monday October 15th was amazing. He covers an incredible array of musical ground, from the hand clapping Radetsky’s March to his trademark Blue Danube Waltz. His orchestra and singers are top notch and hail from Europe, Chile, and Australia. The whole orchestra is in formal wear and the ladies in colourful gowns. Between songs Andre keeps up a lively banner with the audience and his performers. They in turn keep the audience amused with their many antics by sipping wine and being frisky with one another while playing. I was captivated by haunting and varied 3rd Man theme arrangement. The performance swept through Opera, Classical, Aria, and Polka works, in a delightful array of sounds. This was all rounded out with 3 female and male opera singers. It was the male Australian that caught my attention. I thought the high water mark was the very creative use of the percussion section. The encore began with Andre playing a sole violin with the Canadian Flag waving on the screens, as everyone rose to stand, for the stirring rendition of O Canada. This was followed by the moving performance of Amazing Grace accompanied by a lady bagpiper and ending in a Baby's Lullaby.
What can I say, it is the most beautiful music, almost heavenly. Long live Andre Rieu and his magical music.

Where’s Waldo? Where’s Terry?

2007-10-11T21:30:00.000-05:00

You know who, the Pumphandle’s co-contributor who has been absent from the blog lately. He has taken on the old home renovation gig, so he has been missing from the picture/action. Secretly, he is hoping to be the next Bob Vila, hosting a series called “This broken house of mine,“ débuting for the 2012-13 television season. Should this not pan out, he can always fall back on his quick wit and sense of humour with a Home Improvement series, as that has been long abandoned by Tim Allen. Nonetheless, he must be given a great deal of credit for such a huge undertaking.
Having apprenticed on 2 bathrooms renos, the remainder of the house has become his canvas.
Outbidding hordes of buyers at a flooring auction, he obtained a whole pallet of oak flooring. This then precipated removal of existing floor coverings, walls, kitchen cupboards, and ceiling stipple - a mighty chore in itself.
Under the guidance of Armand Tetreault, chief building consultant & advisor, part timer David (the enabler) Destoop, "Don’t cross" Norma (the benefactor), and Terry himself, the team was now in place.
Subsequently walls and ceilings were mudded, sanded, primed, and boldly painted. The floor was scraped down, cleaned, and cavities filled. Now for the big task - installing the oak flooring. Procedural debate among the team ensued, as to the best method to accomplish this. The decision was made to start in the middle of the floor and work out toward the walls. The first two strips of oak were glued, but this caused seepage, which hardened, and had to be removed so the other strips would fit. An air nailer was used, but that left faint impressions on the oak, so a different attachment (shoe) was tried - and solved the problem! Small hairline cracks appeared on either side of the staple, but this was corrected by reducing the air pressure. As the work continued, the floor began to take on the look of a beautiful dance floor.
So, folks, that is what Terry T is doing, and why he has been missing from the Pumphandle!
Should you meet him, and hear him singing, it’s probably a revision of an old Earnest Tubb tune called “ Walking the floor over you”.

Chorus:
I’m installing this floor just for you
I can’t sleep a wink 'cause it’s true
I’m hoping and praying
That you will love it too.
'Cause I’m going broke
Just installing it for you.

"Away From Her"

2007-10-08T15:05:00.000-05:00

I have been eagerly awaiting the much acclaimed Canadian production of “Away From Her“, written by Sarah Polley and staring Julie Christie (Dr Zhivago) and Gorden Pinsent. It had been getting good reviews, but never made it to the local big screens. A few weeks ago the Free Press advised it was now on DVD. Christie's portrayal is the female lead about a long-married Canadian couple coping with the wife's Alzheimer's disease. Based on the Alice Munro's short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain". The couple portray a very rational, civil, and proper couple. So much so, that they leave you with a very sterile feeling about their relationship. Although there are many considerate moments, they do not pack any emotional punch. Whereas “The Notebook”, with it’s similar theme starring Gene Rowlands and James Garner, was a much more Kleenex driven film, you felt it. Harvest Moon written and performed by Neil Young was a nice touch, as was Neil’s song Helpless, performed by k.d. Lang. The soundtrack score seemed somewhat inappropriate. It is definitely a Canadian film in the location sense, in it’s sweeping winter and spring scenes. It’s what I would consider a clean movie, no violence, a few bad words, very viewable, it just lacked any compelling emotion.

Nationalism

2007-10-03T22:16:00.000-05:00

I found this such a compelling analysis of our time, that I had to post it on the pumphandle.

Nationalism is a wedge to divide people from organizing in the way that multi-national, pan-national and non-national corporations organize. People have been divided-and-conquered by sex, race, creed, religion, age, and — of course — nation.
It’s clear that the large Fortune-100’s have no use for nationalism. One need look no further than their outsourcing, basing themselves in tax-free havens, registering ships to Liberia, obtaining Swiss Bank accounts, basing in the Caymans, Dubai, etc. Our top politically-connected corporations do this. In a nutshell, we have another case of socialism for the wealthy, capitalism for the poor.
Global freedom for the wealthy, nationalism for the poor.
The modern nation-state has become little more than an overgrown plantation or fiefdom. The lord of the manor may come and go at will, but the laborers are bound to it. IT’s perfectly fine for IBM to move to India, Ford to move to China, or Goodyear to move to Mexico and employ foreign labor. But it’s verboten for the world’s laborers to freely relocate themselves.
As a result, “nationalism” is very difficult to define. In practice, nations are little more than economic cartels for the powerful to exploit at the cost of the world’s working population.

Paul Bramscher October 2nd, 2007 2:23 pm
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Canadian Professional Police Association

2007-09-24T20:33:00.000-05:00

Moments ago I again received a call from the Canadian Professional Police Association for the 2nd time in about 2 weeks. They have been soliciting my support now for about 3 years. I do not recall the original event that made me have empathy for their cause and supported them with a one time financial contribution. I very much regret now in having given that support, only to receive constant telephone calls in return, bordering on harassment. All of us are plagued by constant solicitations of all sorts. Most of us deal with them by indicating we cannot support them all, so have chosen causes that we feel strongly about, and that is as it should be.
But to have a body representing all Police Services irritating the very public it purports to protect, is just down right ludicrous.

Welcome Bloggers

2007-09-19T23:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Pumphandle bogspot.com . If you are a new blogger to our site greetings, if you have been checking in as a regular reader, our thanks to you. Here’s hoping you will find it of interest in the coming days and weeks. Along with co-contributors and guests, it is a desire to fulfill the motto - local events, local issues, local comments, by local observers in the heart of Southern Manitoba. Our focus will be local, our reach Global. For information on the initiator, view my complete profile. Keep in touch by book marking us or making us one of your favourites. You can also favor us with your reply to any article. Cheers!……and have a great day.

Mumma Bears Restaurant Review!

2007-09-19T21:29:00.000-05:00

Another restaurant is now added to the Morden Mix formerly the Blue Marlin. The décor features the same floor plan and sitting arrangements and deep blue coloured seat covers with tan walls; and a unfinished partial wall in the inner dining area waiting for wood finished wainscoting. The lighting fixtures were also new. A sign coming in the door requested cash or cheques only.
The menu range from burgers to fish, ribs, chicken, veal, including senior portions and prices. Prices are moderate from $8 - $16.
I ordered the regular ribs portion, with oven baked potatoes and vegetables with a garden salad. The dinner I would say was about medium in portion and acceptable in taste. There vegetables were warmed over and they where aware of it and apologized for it, saying they were having trouble. I do prefer the Outpost Friday Rib specials over Mumma’s. I was delighted to be joined by Val & Ernie Pauls. Ernie had the senior’s Rib plate which had the same portion of Ribs as I had. So next time I’ll be ordering from the senior menu, which is about $1-$2 dollars cheaper.
Service and attention was good, for starters it’s not bad, and hopefully they will improve with time. Tasty rib’s Applebee’s style would be nice?

3:10 to Yuma

2007-09-13T12:15:00.001-05:00

3:10 to Yuma……1957 - 2007
In black & white with Glenn Ford and Van Heflin, exactly 50 years later in color with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Yuma 2007 style is a taut, well written, well directed, well edited, and well acted flick. It’s story, action and dialogue have you riveted to the screen. Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) is a no nonsense ruthless dude, yet somehow evokes empathy for his cut throat portrayal. Like the lad in one scene stated he’s not all bad. Crowe’s (Wade) dialogue towards Bale is probing and Bale’s (Evans) responses muted, but a rapport is eventually established. Bale (Evans) is steadfast and grounded and wishes to leave a moral imprint with his family. The story has subtle twists and turns and a dubious ending. Great camera work that is visually stunning and flows smoothly and effortlessly from scene to scene, enhance this film. There are blitztering hails of gunfire at the movies end, which is a bit far-fetched, but at lease they do reload frequently. The music score reminisce of Ennio Morricone spaghetti westerns doesn’t really come into play until the end but is a fitting score none the less. All in all the 1957 version and the 2007 deserve the label CLASSIC western.

Threshermen's Reunion 2007

2007-09-11T07:52:00.000-05:00

Driving down Hwy #3 east this past week, you may have encounter the sweet aroma of waffles and coffee or heard the rumble of tractor engines, and if you did, well the Threshermen’s Museum was celebrating it’s 39 year with a reunion event. The smell of enticing food drifted across the grounds propelled by light winds with an overcast sky. This did not dampen the enthusiasm of many a visitor, who attended this past Friday and Saturday. Only the Indonesian exchange group shivered in their winter vests. They surely must have felt that they where on the ice flows of the arctic sea. Never the less many people where surprised that such an attraction existed in out midst. They were amazed and intrigued by the comprehensive artifact and pioneer buildings of a by gone era. Others revelled in seeing and reliving a past, they where once a part of. Children seen miniature working steam engines and threshing machines, tractors and trains, that predated their i-pods and wii’s. They could also take as many rides as they wished in the barrel train including the odd adult. Many of the historic building were manned, such as organists in the church. a conductor at the C.P.R. station, school teachers in the school, a postmaster, and a pioneer milling flour with a turn of the century Allis Chalmers flour mill. There were some 40 entries in the tractor and vehicle parade which attracted a goodly crowd as did the tractor pull later Saturday afternoon. There was a pork meat action held of a freshly butchered pig from early Saturday morning, as part of the Museums fund raising. Then of course the Harvest maids with there wholesome dinners and suppers of soup, sausages, with Keike (noodles) and Vereniki (perogies). After all this one could then drag themselves over to machine shed #2 and take in an evening of entertainment, which was well attended both evenings.
That about wraps it up, unless of course you were part of the clean up crew.

Pavarotti

2007-09-09T23:48:00.000-05:00

Luciano Pavarotti who’s physical profile resembles my own, but who’s extraordinary tenor voice broke the operatic sound barriers of our time, was given a fitting departure in his hometown cathedral of Modena Italy. I am not necessarily a patron of the classics, but the rotund Pavarotti was captivating, engaging, and a natty dresser. He circulated in the operatic, folk, pop and rock music world with ease, having no problem teaming up with the likes of Bono and others artists. He drew fans from every music genre globally.
His teaming up with Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo as the 3 Tenors, even made a fan out of me. As one of Modena own resident’s said, “He was an exceptional man, for his humanity, for his culture and for his friendship.“
But we all have our detractors and oddly in death, Pavarotti’s was the local Modena parish priest the Rev Giorgio Bellei. Who told the Corriere della Sera Newspaper, that having Pavarotti’s funeral in the cathedral amounted to “profanation of the temple”; because he was a divorced man who had a child out of wedlock. I couldn’t agreed more than with Funeral director Gianni Gilbellini statement, that Bellei should have “kept his mouth sewn shut“, in light of the fact he approved Pavarotti’s funeral plans. Here is a man who had a most positive affect on the music scene globally all his life. I wonder what positive effect Bellei has had, on anyone’s life?

Morden Corn & Apple Parade Winners

2007-09-01T20:13:00.000-05:00

Commercial Local - Focal Piont
Commercial Visitor - Goodin Wildlife
Non-Commercial Local - Baseball Hall of Fame

Non-Commercial Visitor - War Amps
Horses - Franklin Voth Horse Team
Antique Vehicle - Bob Pinkerton (A&W)
Agriculture - Ed Fehr (Ford, John Deere, Oliver)
Marching Band - Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band
Clowns Kartotum Komedians (Shriner’s)
Music on a Float - Link & the Mustaches
Most Humorous - Hot Suds, Hot Tub`
Crowd Appeal - Fitwell Centre
Best Parade Theme - The 125 Year Float

See You In 2008

Fuhgeddaboutit!

2007-09-01T17:49:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, August 19th, MTS Allstream ran an advertisement in a daily paper for a Corporate Communications Coordinator.
They will definitely need one, to manage the bungling tactics they have used to apply an extra $1.50 surcharge to pay your telephone bill. This surcharge is to force you to pre-authorize the payment of your telephone bill, or charge it to VISA or MasterCard. Of course, no cost is incurred by MTSAllstream in using VISA and MasterCard is there? What nonsense.
The whole issue of privatizing MTS was to give Manitobans better service through competition. So where is it? This was merely a political dream not a reality issue. Outside of cell phones, there are no alternate telephone and internet services to be had beyond the perimeter. So all those who do not have the internet, chequing accounts, or credit cards, cannot obtain an alternate service. In fact, MTSAllstream with its purchase of Pembina Valley Cable, has snuffed out any alternate services, and in fact, cannot or does not wish to, offer its bundle packages that are available in most of Winnipeg. What a petty, punitive, hostile, way to treat captive customers.
Could they not entice these remaining customers by perhaps offering one of their Calling Features free for a year?
MTSAllstream's name should be changed to "MTS Allscream". And if we do scream, they’ll back off. We should not relent until every MTS Buffalo is bagged. Then you can say as they do, Fuhgeddaboutit.