Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/12/2020 (1972 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
It was a year like no other.
Life in Manitoba was normal in January and February. Then, March hit, and with it came COVID-19.
Shops closed their storefronts, restaurants their dining areas. Folks were told to work from home, learn from home — just stay home. People became experts in Zoom calls and hand-washing.
The last nine months have been a rollercoaster. Case counts were down for most of Manitoba in the summer; they spiked in the fall. The health care system has been strained and for the last few months, there’s been pandemic-related deaths announced daily.
This year in review strives to capture the highs and lows people in Manitoba’s rural west have gone through. It starts with ordinary stories not tainted by the pandemic.
From March onwards, most reflections have something to do with COVID-19. But not all are bad. Through the pandemic, folks have gotten creative. People have been caring, thoughtful and resilient.
So here’s to 2020, a year that many people can’t wait to end.
January: La Salle School unveils new gymnasium
Children sang, and Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen spoke, at the unveiling of La Salle School’s new gymnasium on Jan. 28.
The 5,300-square-foot gym was one of the changes made during the school’s $11 million of additions and renovations.
A second floor with six classrooms, two meeting rooms and two bathrooms was also completed. Kids in kindergarten through Grade 8 attend the school.
February: Planning to replace Portage la Prairie’s hospital
Organizers took the first steps to building a new hospital in Portage la Prairie.
Portage District General Hospital Foundation said the health centre can’t be renovated or expanded efficiently, and that a ft3 Architecture Landscape Interior Design study found it’d be easier to just replace the building.
Tara Pettinger, executive director of the foundation, started contacting municipalities upon learning the news. She emailed Headingley’s council on Feb. 4 and asked them to write a letter of support for the novel health centre. She did the same to other municipalities.
The current medical site has 88 beds. Southern Health’s board agreed to support the foundation’s goal after hearing a presentation on the project.
In February, a proposal was to be submitted to the province.
“The support from Southern Health-Santé Sud is positive progress and we will continue to remain optimistic that Manitoba Health will see the need for a new regional health facility,” Pettinger wrote in a statement.
March: Restaurants close as COVID-19 spreads
All of a sudden, life was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
No more than 50 people were allowed to gather, and a new term — ‘social distancing’ — was introduced. In response to new restrictions from the provincial government, restaurants closed their doors, pivoting to takeout and delivery services.
The Gates on Roblin stopped in-person dining on March 29. Many people cancelled or postponed the weddings they’d planned at the venue, said Ray Louie, the company’s general manager and vice-president.
Ying Ying Chinese Food in Headingley temporarily blocked its tables beginning March 30. Lita’s Station, a Portage la Prairie joint, locked its doors to the public on March 24.
“Our sales were so low,” said Norman Winter, co-owner of Lita’s.
On March 25, Headingley restaurant Indian Garam Masala posted on Facebook it’d help locals who ran out of food. The business was open for pickup.
April: Seasonal workers delayed in coming to Canada
Farming was in flux for Manitoban fruit and vegetable growers who rely on seasonal workers.
Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented temporary foreign workers from arriving in Canada at a regular time.
For Beth Connery, that meant waiting to see what would happen to the upwards of 50 farmhands she usually employs. Connery operates Connery’s Riverdale Farms, and Connery’s Berry Farm, in Portage la Prairie.
Her hired help typically begin to transplant seeds and harvest asparagus in late April. But, with nobody for sure coming, seasonal plans would have to change, Connery said.
“We want all workers to stay safe,” she said, adding she was in regular contact with her usual employees and hoped governments could find a way to bring them across the border.
Employment and Social Development Canada mandates the regulations governing temporary foreign workers. On April 6, the department said the federal government would allow workers to enter Canada, but they didn’t provide details.
May: Students bring seniors a change of scenery
Grade 5 and 6 students at La Salle School brightened seniors’ windows with handmade artwork.
Teacher Donna Cain presented her class the assignment at a time when people were continually reminded to stay home and self-isolate. Thus, the 23 kids would reach elders who hadn’t seen many people for months.
Stacey Pereira took a centre role in her daughter Grace’s project. She collected names and addresses of seniors living in town, and she bought clear vinyl sleeves to protect students’ art from the weather.
The youths drew flowers, animals and inspirational messages. Residents of La Salle Manor, among others, received the pictures.
May: Legion looks to GoFundMe to keep running
The operations halted, but the bills did not.
So, Roy Switzer began a GoFundMe campaign for Royal Canadian Legion Branch #171 in Sanford. Switzer, the Legion’s president, set a goal of $10,000.
The legion would normally pay for its hall’s utility and insurance bills by renting the building to local groups. Macdonald Services to Seniors would host weekly lunch programs there, and the Legion’s ladies’ auxiliary would hold gatherings to raise money. However, the get-togethers couldn’t happen because of the pandemic.
By May 11, locals had pledged $6,615 through the GoFundMe page. The ladies’ auxiliary and Macdonald Fire Department were among those who donated.
“I’ve had to take these measures to keep the Legion alive,” Switzer said.
June: Creation of tree shelterbelt begins in Cartier
The stretch of Trans-Canada Highway between Elie and St. Francois Xavier started getting spruced up with new life.
Crews began planting the first of approximately 20,000 trees and shrubs along the north side of the highway. The province is funding the three-year, $2.5 million project to create a buffer along the busy road.
The greenery should reduce north winds blowing snow across the highway and therefore prevent road closures, organizers said. Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation is heading the project, and Manitoba nurseries like Shelmerdine Garden Centre are providing the plants.
The first one and a half kilometres — in the Rural Municipality of St. Francois Xavier — were expected to be completed this year, said Stephen Carlyle, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation’s chief operating officer.
Another six kilometres should be done in 2021, with the final eight finished in 2022, Carlyle said.
The dead trees along the strip are being removed. Spruce, pine, Manitoba maple, birch, poplar and chokecherry trees, and haskap bushes, are taking their place.
June: A socially distanced graduation
This year, Portage Collegiate Institute’s graduates had a timeslot to receive their diplomas.
The ceremony ran from June 24 to 25. Grade 12 students stood on an outdoor stage during their scheduled time. A parent or guardian presented the senior with their diploma and moved their tassel from one side of their cap to the other.
July: Same library, new rules
On July 15, folks could enter Headingley Municipal Library — it was the first time since COVID-19 hit Manitoba.
The library opened with reduced hours and new protocols, like mandatory temperature checks and mask usage. Families who wanted to visit the children’s section needed to book an appointment in advance.
Curbside pickup was a popular option at the public hub, and many people took to asking the librarians to choose books for them.
August: Girl Guides unveil community park
La Salle’s Girl Guides officially opened a community park they revitalized after five years of work. Around 30 people gathered to celebrate on Aug. 11.
The guides collaborated to beautify the green space at the corner of Highway 330 and River Ridge Road. They applied for financial assistance through a Girl Guides of Canada tree planting grant, and they worked with local greenhouses and Pineland Forest Nursery to plan where the trees should go.
The Rural Municipality of Macdonald donated the land. Now, the space has bird houses and a park bench. It’s open to the community, and the guides hope to use it for future meetings and ceremonies, organizers said.
September: High-speed fibre-optic project announced for rural municipalities
The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region announced it’d bring high-speed fibre-optic internet to underserved areas in rural municipalities.
The WMR held its launch ceremony on Sept. 29. The first stops for the new connection would include Portage la Prairie, Headingley and Macdonald, the organization said.
JohnQ Public Inc., the WMR’s economic development arm, owns 50 per cent of the project, while Manitoba-based internet service provider RFNOW owns the latter half. JohnQ has directors from participating municipalities, including from Portage la Prairie, Headingley and Macdonald.
“People in the metro region … don’t have access to high-speed internet service, which is incredibly important for businesses, for farms, for residents, for schools, and even more important because of COVID right now,” said Colleen Sklar, the WMR’s executive director.
She added it’s rare for communities to come together on a project like this.
October: Headingley woman gives away pumpkins, raises money for cancer kits
A woman in Headingley simultaneously donated hundreds of pumpkins to children and raised hundreds of dollars for charity — all within a week.
On Oct. 3, Charlene Henry posted on Facebook asking if people wanted small pumpkins. She had picked three truckloads from a patch where the vegetables had no use.
A big response led Henry to leave hundreds in bins at the end of her driveway. She didn’t charge anything, but she asked that people leave a donation for Keira’s Krusade, an organization that makes care packages for kids with cancer.
At the same time, Henry was dropping off the mini gourds at schools and daycares in Headingley and Winnipeg. She delivered 200 to Phoenix School, around 100 to Bright Beginnings Educare, and hundreds more to institutions in St. James.
“The teachers were so happy,” Henry said. “All of the teachers that had messaged me, like, ‘Do you have 24 for my class? Do you have 22 for my class?’”
Kids painted the pumpkins and used them for Thanksgiving crafts, among other things.
By the end of the week, Henry had given all the pumpkins away. She’d also raised $600 for Keira’s Krusade.
“People do want to give,” Henry said. “They were very generous, I think, when they were leaving those donations.”
November: Virtual Remembrance Day service to fit pandemic restrictions
Normally on Nov. 11, Headingley Community Centre is full of folks honouring Canadian veterans.
This year, the building sat empty. Headingley Historical Society, the group to plan the Remembrance Day service, took the event virtual in an effort to recognize troops while also abiding by provincial health regulations.
The society hired videographer Sarah Sgambato to make the film. She ended up with a video featuring a speech from Headingley Mayor John Mauseth, a prayer from Rev. Cathy Maxwell of St. Charles Headingley United Church, a last post, a moment of silence and a clip of Canadian Armed Forces members laying a wreath.
The piece is almost 13 minutes long. The Macdonald-Headingley Recreation District posted it on YouTube for people to view.
November: Bear Clan pivots to care packages
Portage la Prairie Bear Clan temporarily halted its patrols and put its focus on providing community care packages amidst rising COVID-19 case numbers and code red restrictions.
“We take direction from our city,” said Manon Timshel, the group’s co-ordinator. “What we’re hearing is that people really want us to be helping these people isolate, helping keep our numbers low, and helping reduce some of the financial stress or stress of going outdoors by delivering these small care packages — and that’s what we’re gonna do.”
Timshel announced on Nov. 13 the Bear Clan would stop patrolling for at least four weeks so it could put its funding and energy towards the care packages.
Portage la Prairie, along with the rest of Manitoba, had been under the province’s code red pandemic designation since Nov. 12.
“With the numbers rising, and the restriction levels rising in our region and in our city, we’ve seen our care package requests more than double what we have funding for,” she said.
The Bear Clan output 10 to 15 care packages per week. They received at least 20 requests for packages within that timeframe. Between late March, when they began the program, to the end of September, they’d distributed around 260 — there’d been a lull in summer, Timshel said.
Each parcel contained protein, breakfast foods, soups and produce. A family package would include kids’ activities like comics and crafts. Bear Clan members would drop the goods off at people’s doorsteps — they wouldn’t enter households.
The Bear Clan’s needle team continued to work during daylight hours.
December: Cartier chooses new reeve, Ward 5 councillor
Residents in the Rural Municipality of Cartier crowned a new reeve and Ward 5 councillor in a Dec. 2 byelection.
Christa Vann Mitchell, the former Ward 5 councillor, is the municipality’s new leader. She ran against Ed Rempel, a former councillor for the Rural Municipality of Macdonald.
Dan Bouchard now represents Elie and Glengarry as councillor. He’s been the municipality’s fire chief for 17 years, and he’s spent four terms on Elie’s Local Urban District committee. He beat Lynn Kauppila and Kevin Nixon for the role.
Coun. Ken Beaudin (St. Eustache/Poplar Point) had been acting reeve since Dale Fossay left the position in August. There hadn’t been a Ward 5 councillor since Vann Mitchell stepped away on Oct. 13.
December: A mini parade to spark Christmas spirit
Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus toured Manitoba.
Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus pulled a trailer decked with a nativity scene and Christmas lights around Winnipeg. They also stopped in Oak Bluff on Dec. 5.
The goal was to bring some Christmas spirit to folks in a safe way, said Corey Bossuyt, the attraction’s organizer.
Wherever the float went, it had Christmas music blasting.
“People come running out of their house, dancing on the sidewalk, dancing on their driveways,” Bossuyt said.
The scene typically started cruising at sunset, ending around 10 p.m. However, volunteers sometimes drove it around during the day, stopping by care homes and hospitals. Someone offered to tour the city all Christmas Day.
It was a year like no other.
Corey Bossuyt stands with the miniature float he created using the Knights of Columbus's nativity scene. Volunteers drive the float through Winnipeg daily to spread Christmas cheer. (GABRIELLE PICHÉ/CANSTAR COMMUNITY NEWS/HEADLINER)
Life in Manitoba was normal in January and February. Then, March hit, and with it came COVID-19.
Shops closed their storefronts, restaurants their dining areas. Folks were told to work from home, learn from home — just stay home. People became experts in Zoom calls and hand-washing.
The last nine months have been a rollercoaster. Case counts were down for most of Manitoba in the summer; they spiked in the fall. The health care system has been strained and for the last few months, there’s been pandemic-related deaths announced daily.
This year in review strives to capture the highs and lows people in Manitoba’s rural west have gone through. It starts with ordinary stories not tainted by the pandemic.
From March onwards, most reflections have something to do with COVID-19. But not all are bad. Through the pandemic, folks have gotten creative. People have been caring, thoughtful and resilient.
So here’s to 2020, a year that many people can’t wait to end.
January: La Salle School unveils new gymnasium
Children sang, and Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen spoke, at the unveiling of La Salle School’s new gymnasium on Jan. 28.
The 5,300-square-foot gym was one of the changes made during the school’s $11 million of additions and renovations.
A second floor with six classrooms, two meeting rooms and two bathrooms was also completed. Kids in kindergarten through Grade 8 attend the school.
February: Planning to replace Portage la Prairie’s hospital
Organizers took the first steps to building a new hospital in Portage la Prairie.
Portage District General Hospital Foundation said the health centre can’t be renovated or expanded efficiently, and that a ft3 Architecture Landscape Interior Design study found it’d be easier to just replace the building.
Tara Pettinger, executive director of the foundation, started contacting municipalities upon learning the news. She emailed Headingley’s council on Feb. 4 and asked them to write a letter of support for the novel health centre. She did the same to other municipalities.
The current medical site has 88 beds. Southern Health’s board agreed to support the foundation’s goal after hearing a presentation on the project.
In February, a proposal was to be submitted to the province.
“The support from Southern Health-Santé Sud is positive progress and we will continue to remain optimistic that Manitoba Health will see the need for a new regional health facility,” Pettinger wrote in a statement.
March: Restaurants close as COVID-19 spreads
All of a sudden, life was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
No more than 50 people were allowed to gather, and a new term — ‘social distancing’ — was introduced. In response to new restrictions from the provincial government, restaurants closed their doors, pivoting to takeout and delivery services.
The Gates on Roblin stopped in-person dining on March 29. Many people cancelled or postponed the weddings they’d planned at the venue, said Ray Louie, the company’s general manager and vice-president.
Ying Ying Chinese Food in Headingley temporarily blocked its tables beginning March 30. Lita’s Station, a Portage la Prairie joint, locked its doors to the public on March 24.
“Our sales were so low,” said Norman Winter, co-owner of Lita’s.
On March 25, Headingley restaurant Indian Garam Masala posted on Facebook it’d help locals who ran out of food. The business was open for pickup.
April: Seasonal workers delayed in coming to Canada
Farming was in flux for Manitoban fruit and vegetable growers who rely on seasonal workers.
Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented temporary foreign workers from arriving in Canada at a regular time.
For Beth Connery, that meant waiting to see what would happen to the upwards of 50 farmhands she usually employs. Connery operates Connery’s Riverdale Farms, and Connery’s Berry Farm, in Portage la Prairie.
Her hired help typically begin to transplant seeds and harvest asparagus in late April. But, with nobody for sure coming, seasonal plans would have to change, Connery said.
“We want all workers to stay safe,” she said, adding she was in regular contact with her usual employees and hoped governments could find a way to bring them across the border.
Employment and Social Development Canada mandates the regulations governing temporary foreign workers. On April 6, the department said the federal government would allow workers to enter Canada, but they didn’t provide details.
May: Students bring seniors a change of scenery
Grade 5 and 6 students at La Salle School brightened seniors’ windows with handmade artwork.
Teacher Donna Cain presented her class the assignment at a time when people were continually reminded to stay home and self-isolate. Thus, the 23 kids would reach elders who hadn’t seen many people for months.
Stacey Pereira took a centre role in her daughter Grace’s project. She collected names and addresses of seniors living in town, and she bought clear vinyl sleeves to protect students’ art from the weather.
The youths drew flowers, animals and inspirational messages. Residents of La Salle Manor, among others, received the pictures.
May: Legion looks to GoFundMe to keep running
The operations halted, but the bills did not.
So, Roy Switzer began a GoFundMe campaign for Royal Canadian Legion Branch #171 in Sanford. Switzer, the Legion’s president, set a goal of $10,000.
The legion would normally pay for its hall’s utility and insurance bills by renting the building to local groups. Macdonald Services to Seniors would host weekly lunch programs there, and the Legion’s ladies’ auxiliary would hold gatherings to raise money. However, the get-togethers couldn’t happen because of the pandemic.
By May 11, locals had pledged $6,615 through the GoFundMe page. The ladies’ auxiliary and Macdonald Fire Department were among those who donated.
“I’ve had to take these measures to keep the Legion alive,” Switzer said.
June: Creation of tree shelterbelt begins in Cartier
The stretch of Trans-Canada Highway between Elie and St. Francois Xavier started getting spruced up with new life.
Crews began planting the first of approximately 20,000 trees and shrubs along the north side of the highway. The province is funding the three-year, $2.5 million project to create a buffer along the busy road.
The greenery should reduce north winds blowing snow across the highway and therefore prevent road closures, organizers said. Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation is heading the project, and Manitoba nurseries like Shelmerdine Garden Centre are providing the plants.
The first one and a half kilometres — in the Rural Municipality of St. Francois Xavier — were expected to be completed this year, said Stephen Carlyle, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation’s chief operating officer.
Another six kilometres should be done in 2021, with the final eight finished in 2022, Carlyle said.
The dead trees along the strip are being removed. Spruce, pine, Manitoba maple, birch, poplar and chokecherry trees, and haskap bushes, are taking their place.
June: A socially distanced graduation
This year, Portage Collegiate Institute’s graduates had a timeslot to receive their diplomas.
The ceremony ran from June 24 to 25. Grade 12 students stood on an outdoor stage during their scheduled time. A parent or guardian presented the senior with their diploma and moved their tassel from one side of their cap to the other.
July: Same library, new rules
On July 15, folks could enter Headingley Municipal Library — it was the first time since COVID-19 hit Manitoba.
The library opened with reduced hours and new protocols, like mandatory temperature checks and mask usage. Families who wanted to visit the children’s section needed to book an appointment in advance.
Curbside pickup was a popular option at the public hub, and many people took to asking the librarians to choose books for them.
August: Girl Guides unveil community park
La Salle’s Girl Guides officially opened a community park they revitalized after five years of work. Around 30 people gathered to celebrate on Aug. 11.
The guides collaborated to beautify the green space at the corner of Highway 330 and River Ridge Road. They applied for financial assistance through a Girl Guides of Canada tree planting grant, and they worked with local greenhouses and Pineland Forest Nursery to plan where the trees should go.
The Rural Municipality of Macdonald donated the land. Now, the space has bird houses and a park bench. It’s open to the community, and the guides hope to use it for future meetings and ceremonies, organizers said.
September: High-speed fibre-optic project announced for rural municipalities
The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region announced it’d bring high-speed fibre-optic internet to underserved areas in rural municipalities.
The WMR held its launch ceremony on Sept. 29. The first stops for the new connection would include Portage la Prairie, Headingley and Macdonald, the organization said.
Portage Collegiate Institute’s Class of 2020 was treated to a grad ceremony like no other on June 24 and 25. In order to observe physical distancing protocols, the ceremony was hold on an outdoor stage outside the school. Graduates and their families signed up for a time slot and, at the appropriate time, they waited at socially distanced intervals. As students’ names were announced, they took the stage, where their parents or guardians presented their diplomas and moved the tassels on their grad caps from one side to the other. Pictured here are graduate Keisha Cruz and her family.
JohnQ Public Inc., the WMR’s economic development arm, owns 50 per cent of the project, while Manitoba-based internet service provider RFNOW owns the latter half. JohnQ has directors from participating municipalities, including from Portage la Prairie, Headingley and Macdonald.
“People in the metro region … don’t have access to high-speed internet service, which is incredibly important for businesses, for farms, for residents, for schools, and even more important because of COVID right now,” said Colleen Sklar, the WMR’s executive director.
She added it’s rare for communities to come together on a project like this.
October: Headingley woman gives away pumpkins, raises money for cancer kits
A woman in Headingley simultaneously donated hundreds of pumpkins to children and raised hundreds of dollars for charity — all within a week.
On Oct. 3, Charlene Henry posted on Facebook asking if people wanted small pumpkins. She had picked three truckloads from a patch where the vegetables had no use.
A big response led Henry to leave hundreds in bins at the end of her driveway. She didn’t charge anything, but she asked that people leave a donation for Keira’s Krusade, an organization that makes care packages for kids with cancer.
At the same time, Henry was dropping off the mini gourds at schools and daycares in Headingley and Winnipeg. She delivered 200 to Phoenix School, around 100 to Bright Beginnings Educare, and hundreds more to institutions in St. James.
“The teachers were so happy,” Henry said. “All of the teachers that had messaged me, like, ‘Do you have 24 for my class? Do you have 22 for my class?’”
Kids painted the pumpkins and used them for Thanksgiving crafts, among other things.
By the end of the week, Henry had given all the pumpkins away. She’d also raised $600 for Keira’s Krusade.
“People do want to give,” Henry said. “They were very generous, I think, when they were leaving those donations.”
November: Virtual Remembrance Day service to fit pandemic restrictions
Normally on Nov. 11, Headingley Community Centre is full of folks honouring Canadian veterans.
This year, the building sat empty. Headingley Historical Society, the group to plan the Remembrance Day service, took the event virtual in an effort to recognize troops while also abiding by provincial health regulations.
The society hired videographer Sarah Sgambato to make the film. She ended up with a video featuring a speech from Headingley Mayor John Mauseth, a prayer from Rev. Cathy Maxwell of St. Charles Headingley United Church, a last post, a moment of silence and a clip of Canadian Armed Forces members laying a wreath.
The piece is almost 13 minutes long. The Macdonald-Headingley Recreation District posted it on YouTube for people to view.
November: Bear Clan pivots to care packages
Portage la Prairie Bear Clan temporarily halted its patrols and put its focus on providing community care packages amidst rising COVID-19 case numbers and code red restrictions.
“We take direction from our city,” said Manon Timshel, the group’s co-ordinator. “What we’re hearing is that people really want us to be helping these people isolate, helping keep our numbers low, and helping reduce some of the financial stress or stress of going outdoors by delivering these small care packages — and that’s what we’re gonna do.”
Timshel announced on Nov. 13 the Bear Clan would stop patrolling for at least four weeks so it could put its funding and energy towards the care packages.
Charlene Henry picked hundreds of tiny pumpkins with her children Adam and Amber. The family then donated the pumpkins to schools and daycares, and sold some to raise money for care packages for kids with cancer. (GABRIELLE PICHÉ/CANSTAR COMMUNITY NEWS/HEADLINER)
Portage la Prairie, along with the rest of Manitoba, had been under the province’s code red pandemic designation since Nov. 12.
“With the numbers rising, and the restriction levels rising in our region and in our city, we’ve seen our care package requests more than double what we have funding for,” she said.
The Bear Clan output 10 to 15 care packages per week. They received at least 20 requests for packages within that timeframe. Between late March, when they began the program, to the end of September, they’d distributed around 260 — there’d been a lull in summer, Timshel said.
Each parcel contained protein, breakfast foods, soups and produce. A family package would include kids’ activities like comics and crafts. Bear Clan members would drop the goods off at people’s doorsteps — they wouldn’t enter households.
The Bear Clan’s needle team continued to work during daylight hours.
December: Cartier chooses new reeve, Ward 5 councillor
Residents in the Rural Municipality of Cartier crowned a new reeve and Ward 5 councillor in a Dec. 2 byelection.
Christa Vann Mitchell, the former Ward 5 councillor, is the municipality’s new leader. She ran against Ed Rempel, a former councillor for the Rural Municipality of Macdonald.
Dan Bouchard now represents Elie and Glengarry as councillor. He’s been the municipality’s fire chief for 17 years, and he’s spent four terms on Elie’s Local Urban District committee. He beat Lynn Kauppila and Kevin Nixon for the role.
Coun. Ken Beaudin (St. Eustache/Poplar Point) had been acting reeve since Dale Fossay left the position in August. There hadn’t been a Ward 5 councillor since Vann Mitchell stepped away on Oct. 13.
December: A mini parade to spark Christmas spirit
Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus toured Manitoba.
Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus pulled a trailer decked with a nativity scene and Christmas lights around Winnipeg. They also stopped in Oak Bluff on Dec. 5.
The goal was to bring some Christmas spirit to folks in a safe way, said Corey Bossuyt, the attraction’s organizer.
Wherever the float went, it had Christmas music blasting.
“People come running out of their house, dancing on the sidewalk, dancing on their driveways,” Bossuyt said.
The scene typically started cruising at sunset, ending around 10 p.m. However, volunteers sometimes drove it around during the day, stopping by care homes and hospitals. Someone offered to tour the city all Christmas Day.
