Anchor down in steeltown

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This article was published 17/02/2024 (598 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“You careened on your head!” I yelled to Margie from a snow-packed Selkirk hilltop.

For a getaway breakfast we took a half-hour drive from Winnipeg to Selkirk (aka Steeltown), detouring at Little Lake Park where my Selkirk-raised dad played. A Sled Borrowing Bin awaited fun-seeking children.

Saying nothing, Margie grabbed a saucer, scooted to Little Lake’s hill, and disappeared. When I ran for a photo, she was halfway down, dashing down, upside down. Screaming uproariously.

Over breakfast at Roxi’s Uptown Café she re-lived how her “bumpy jumpy saucer went wonky” and how “dangerously stupid it was.” And warned that, next time, I’d better seize life’s fleeting moments and join her.

That’s when a youngster in teamwear clunked past our table — on skates. Yay, Selkirk!

We trekked Selkirk Park’s good trails and, near the brightly striped water tower and bustling outdoor rink, found a seasonal game and equipment lending library. City hall supports block parties with games. An arts centre and hockey thrive.

Selkirk’s village vibe dawned on us. I should have known; we’ve witnessed the exuberant effort for its fun-filled Holiday Alley. And after Snak Shak maple-bacon sundaes last August, we watched all hell breaking loose when dogs gloriously take over Selkirk Park’s outdoor pool.

For more than day-tripping, Canalta Hotel’s Lorena showed us the fireplace and hot tub suite with breakfast for $250 weekdays. She rightly said, “Compare that to Winnipeg!” But seeking a more storied experience, we opted for a short drive to the house of a member of Louis Riel’s government. Thomas Bunn House B&B’s website promised affable owners, saying “After a marriage of 50 years, they are always excited to have someone new to talk to.”

Hosts, Fraser and Bev Stewart, live next door, letting guests make breakfast from abundant provisions. That reduced the risk they’d call 911 about someone snoring.

It’s a museum sleepover. Three-foot-thick walls, a fireplace insert, and hand-hewn beams characterize this 1864 treasure. Bunn House also features books, Bay blankets, and Brown Bess – a War of 1812-era musket. Fraser pointed with a wink, “I can’t say for sure Riel sat in that chair, but prove otherwise.” But Riel’s certain presence urged me to launch another Resistance: to afternoons without naps.

Crossing Selkirk’s Blue Bridge is an event. It’s Manitoba’s last lift bridge. And it’s sure skinny. As a wide bus approached, Margie exclaimed, “Close your eyes!”

Murals adorn Selkirk. Admire Manitoba Avenue’s beadwork and wildlife masterpiece called “The Healing Path.” Find the sasquatch. And far from oceans, a seasonal marine museum entices with commanding ships and ferry tales.

Selkirk claims it’s Catfish Capital of the World, celebrated with Main Street’s giant Chuck the Channel Cat. I asked Margie, “Ever seen a catfish?” She replied, “Our darn Tammy had her claws out splashing into my sister’s goldfish bowl!” But don’t expect catfish on menus, just hooks. Sonar is fine, but how about a CATscan?

The Red River comprises a frozen freeway to fishing shacks. These range from RV’s on haybale foundations with Jets flags to bungee cord-wrapped cardboard pop-ups. All are optimistically located for the biggest saugers and local emerald walleyes called “greenbacks.”

The renowned Smoke N Fish shop opens at 5:30 a.m. Fishers wait. On the glass bait tank holding “livies,” a sign for kids says “Look for the predaceous diving beetles.” Darting among fatheads, I saw one! For tackle, find FlashBombs, Rattle Stix, Wingdings. Endearingly, find handcrafted jewelry, Anita’s mukluks, Rosey’s quilts.

Selkirk tucks away unique shops for the Curio Capital of Manitoba. Big Dollar is unlike any store. Discover cremation urns displaying birds, butterflies, barns. Opt for, yikes, cremation necklaces. Find trophy heads of wolves, fierce bears, a gorilla. Unearth a miniature giant Chuck.

The Cozy Fox features 100 Manitoba vendors with 3D-printed dragons from Selkirk, solar light “patio piers” from St. Andrews, and figurines including turtles with hats. The Gypsy Traders specializes in “up-styled” rejuvenated furniture, plus life-like needle-felted chickadees from Teulon and East Selkirk honey.

Wishme features Lake Winnipeg Glassworks, plus Selkirk’s Barr Soap. The spelling is no lye. Find Spud Guns, Cosmic Shock Phasers, and Secret Boxes promising “Only you will know the secret to open.” I unsuccessfully told Margie I really needed one.

The MacGarvie Company candy store offers rare stateside bars: Longboys, Abba-Zaba, Zagnut. We invested in Mac and Cheese Gummies. For our grandson. Of course. What’s unexpected: Taco Tuesdays.

Upper Crust Bakery’s top-selling cinnamon buns accompany Manitoba’s fergasa bread. N-Joy’s European-style café rotates delights like peach cake. Selkirk’s library offers not just baking books, but baking; Brew+Bake sells Anna’s treats. When exclaiming “Yum!” – whisper! And maybe tiptoe when on skates.

Three 6 Tea stocks over 150 varieties. Most popular: Vancouver-born London Fog. How about a much thicker Selkirk-born Highway 9 Fog?

Serving satisfying breakfasts, The Riverboat attracts seniors. But last summer, we went too. In a 1940s-era diner, The Mighty Kiwi makes popular Gouda Melts and pineapple-based Bikini Bottoms. In Roxi’s hard-rocking bar Thursday evenings, we discovered nacho cheese and perogy wing flavours – with toppings. The server asked, “You want them naked or…?” I insisted, “I’ll keep my clothes on!”

Retiring to Bunn House, we saw bunnies, a fox, deer. And we rejoiced in Selkirk’s curiosities. Maybe Mac and Cheese Gummies.

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