THE Underground PRESS

Volume 8, Issue 1 SNOW LAKE, MANITOBA January, 2003 Tolko set to Ken Baird - One who made it

The NHL is the pinnacle that every kid who straps on a set More than 100 area residents showed up at the Snow Lake STAFF: STAFF: of blades aspires to. However the league is as far away from Elks’ Hall on December 10th, to hear what Tolko Manitoba the Snow Lake Minor Hockey system as is the likelihood of someone has planned for the timber around and accessible to the Town of Snow from this small community ever making it there. Kenny Baird is the Lake. It may not have been the meeting that everyone had been only Snow Lake Minor Hockey product to ever play in the NHL. He expecting, but it was interesting all the same. did so in the early 1970’s, with a now defunct team called the Oakland Officials from Tolko have made a number of trips into the Seals. community in the past 3 – 4 years. Most were for community based Baird started his minor hockey in Flin Flon, and when his family meetings and many of those came to a stalemate when the company moved to Snow Lake in 1962, the 12 year-old continued playing at the showed maps that earmarked an area east of the community for cutting. midget level. It was in Snow Lake that the, then, defenseman decided That area, the forest in the Osborne Lake area, has been a bone of to pursue a career in hockey. He played 2 years at the Junior level, contention between the company and locals during the period. Tolko most of the time with the Flin Flon Bombers, however there was a one has plotted out the area because of it’s saw log potential, and game stint with the Estevan Bruins. He set a record in Flin Flon for community members feel it should be left untouched because of its points by a defenseman, with 75 during the 1970-71 campaign. He also traditional use by area trappers, anglers, and lodge owners. made the 1970-71 WCHL All-Star Second Team. As most of Tolko’s previous Snow Lake meetings were contentious His second year of Junior must have impressed the scouts and as a and unruly at times, the company brought along a private consultant, result he was selected in the second round of the 1971 draft, 15th overall Sheldon McLeod, to act as a facilitator. This proved to be an astute by the Seals. This was the same year that Guy Lafleur and Marcel move, as this meeting was on time and on track the entire evening. Dionne went 1st and 2nd and players such as Craig Ramsey, Larry Previous to the meeting a hand-out was placed on the chairs in the Robinson, and Rick Kehoe went 19th, 20th, and 22nd respectively. hall by the local Resources Enhancement Group. The leaflet Oakland actually traded their first overall draft pick to Montreal that highlighted some questions the group felt needed to be addressed as year, and the Canadien’s used it to secure Lafluer. This meant that the well as provided a copy of a controversial resolution dealing with Seals had no pick in the first round. Baird being the first pick of the proposed timber cutting in the area that the town council passed at their second round ended up being the Seal’s first pick overall. “After the December 3rd meeting. Although quite lengthy, that resolution draft, I played with the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central League, basically asked that Tolko fully address, discuss, and consult on all and got called up a couple of times that first year,” said Baird. “I cutting in the area before the town would give approval to it. played 10 games with the Seals in 1971 and the next year I jumped to After several of the pulp and paper companies executives explained the World Hockey League (WHL) with the Alberta Oilers (changed to their Licensing, Buffer and Forest Management Guidelines, Harvest Edmonton Oilers in 1973), and spent five years with them.” In his and Renewal Plan, and Environmental Management Systems, move from Junior to the pro ranks, Baird moved frequently from Woodlands Manager, Dave Neufeld rose to clarify the economic defense to the left wing. He says that he picked up a few assists in the benefits of Tolko’s presence in the Snow Lake area. He stated that NHL, but never did score a goal. However, it was a different story In although Tolko had not been actively logging the area in the past, they the WHL. He got 14 goals in his first season, 17 in his second, and had held meetings and listened to what Snow Lake’s people had to say. picked up 30 in his third. All the while, averaging 130 penalty minutes Adding that he realized that there had been problems in the past. “We a season. want to move forward in a different direction in the future,” said “I was always kinda’ one of the rougher guys on the team” Baird said Neufeld. “We acknowledge the fact that you want more involvement in modestly. “I wasn’t a goon by any means, but I usually ended up in it,” where logging roads go and that you want other resource users taken he added. “There wasn’t a whole lot of guys who fought on the teams, into account. We have also read the council’s resolution. I think that it so at times you just had to.” Baird says that he and Teddy Green is right on, this is what we want to do.” Neufeld said that the forester duked it out a few times, but eventually ended up playing together. would sit down with locals and come up with an acceptable and “You know, when I was fighting him, I didn’t much care for him, but detailed plan for their area operations, however he warned that it must when we played on the same team he ended up being a pretty good be based on sound reasoning and reality, stressing that logging an area guy.” can’t be ruled out simply because people don’t want trees cut down. Injuries and sickness began to play a part in Baird’s career starting in Neufeld also acknowledged another issue brought up by locals at the 1973-74, when he missed several games with an inflamed sac previous meetings. “You have told us that you don’t receive any around his heart. In 1975-76, he missed the final 33 games of season as economic benefits (from timber cut and removed from the area),”he a result of a serious knee injury and subsequent surgery. In 1976, the said. “We want to insure that there is a base of operations here and that then 26 year-old, Baird got sick and was diagnosed with Diabetes. He jobs and opportunities go to local people. This would include cutting, missed pretty well the whole year, however he returned to the pros in building roads, and handling logs.” Neufeld confirmed what he had 1977 with the Winnipeg Jets and ended up winning the Avco Cup with told the council and stakeholders in previous meetings. “We will set up the team that year. an office in Snow Lake in the next few weeks. We will man the office, Following this he went to Europe for four years and played with bring in detailed maps and discuss issues with people on a personal Duisburg, Germany in the European League. “In 1979, I played in the (SEE TOLKO on page 4) (SEE BAIRD on page 3) Page 2 THE Underground PRESS January, 2003

E D IT O R IA L home town, but like he saw them. During this particular game, Al had called several, deserved, penalties in a row against the Spartans and the ’ve noticed (and I’m sure you have as well) several television and fans in the stands (me too) closest to the rotunda were getting on his print ads aimed at parenting over the last month or so. Some call case. Right before a face-off, he skated over to the boards right in front attention to the loss of control certain parents display when of us (this was before we had glass around the boards) turned right watching their kids play hockey, another tries to get families away from before the puck was dropped and spit over the boards just in front of all the VCR, Game Cube, and Computer and into spending quality time of our feet. He never said a word, didn’t give anyone a dirty look, but together playing board games. man, talk about making a point! Most of us laid off of him for the rest “Family game night” is what one of these commercials offers up as a of the game. But hey, not everyone dealt with things both on and off suggestion for spending time doing things as a family. An excellent the ice like “Big Al” did. idea! Why do I say that, you ask? Well, because every time I see the Kids, no doubt, try to do the best they can in any competitive commercial it makes me feel guilty. Which is precisely what it was environment, just as game officials attempt to be as fair and objective in meant to do. Hey, it’s a commercial for board games. What better way the same setting. However, sometimes the abuse coming from the of selling them, than by making baby boomers (who remember how stands drives them both away from the game. Certainly thick skin, like they had fun before computers and video games) feel guilty about not Al had, is a prerequisite to becoming a ref, but is seldom a requirement spending time with their family playing board games? However slick it to play hockey. Many times, both players and officials end up deciding is in the realm of advertising, it also promotes family values, and that’s that there’s just got to be something out there that is more fun than a good thing. playing or officiating a game in this atmosphere. Food for thought (at Most people, myself included, could always stand to spend a little least for me anyway) the next time I attend the rink. more time doing things with their families. But then, why buy a game ~**~ and sit around the house playing it? Why not spend some time with the Wierd web site of the month is: Dull Men Club http:// family outside of the house? There are a number of opportunities out www.dullmen.com. Hey, if you’ve ever wondered which airports have there, and we pay for them all through our taxes. There is Shinny (SEE EDITORIAL on page 6) Hockey, and Friday Night Curling. There is Public Skating, and there could be Broomball, Ringette, or Basketball. Rumour has it that the “Glow Volleyball” Tournament was quite enjoyable. Perhaps it’d be fun to do something like that again, or on a bi-weekly basis? It’s just a Marc, simple matter of talking to the Rec. Director and working with her to In response to your 11.25.2002 editorial on Kyoto, I would have to get something going. From there, all that needs to be done is show up disagree with you on a number of issues. Having said this, I do have to and have fun with the family. Which brings me to the other agree on the premise that climate change is one of the most important commercials that I mentioned several paragraphs back. and challenging environmental issues facing the world this century. So If you’ve seen the ads that I’m talking about, you likely realize that when the government asks us a rhetorical question on whether or not we too much family involvement – or involvement of a negative nature – agree that global warming would or could create serious problems for can make sport almost like a punishment to kids as well as the officials us and especially future generations, i.e.. ("What about the who are in place to insure their safety. The commercials are, as was the Children"), my obvious answer would be yes. This is an easy response, first one I mentioned, extremely slick and thought provoking. One has but there are far too many questions that have to be addressed before we a boy and his father being pulled over by a cop and the kid just rips a can make an informed answer. strip off the old man for knuckling under to the ticket writing cop. It is clear the environmental problems are a global problem and Another that I’ve seen, has a child and his father on the golf course. therefore requires a global response. The United States our largest The father misses a putt and the kid goes ballistic on him. They are trading partner has opted out of the accord and they account for 34% of actually kind of funny… until you stop to think about them for a the GHG emissions for all of the developed countries. Developing moment. They are actually an accurate portrayal of how some parents countries, such as China, India, Mexico, to name a few, account treat kids in sport and the officials who watch over them. for some of the world's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, Personally, I’ve never played organized hockey, and to be quite and they are not bound to emission reduction targets. So when you truthful, when I was a youth, I spent much of most school years looking factor in Canada's portion, which is 2% of the world's GHG emissions, for ways to get out of attending classes and very little time involved in and if we somehow manage to reach our projected 6% reduction by the sports they were offering. As a result, when my own kids became 2010, it will still have little to no effect on reducing the world's GHG interested in sport, I spent more time offering up encouragement to be emissions. involved and to do their best, than I did imparting any of my own So this raises the questions of what will be the economic impact on limited knowledge on sport or its intricacies and rules. Not guilty on Canada if we ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and is it worth it if it has little that front, I guess. However when it comes to abusing officials, I’m as or no impact on global warming. Economic analysis to date shows that guilty as anyone else. (SEE LETTER on page 6) I’ve never refereed a hockey game in my life and as mentioned I’ve never played in one either. Because of both these facts, at least a couple times during any game I’m wondering what was called as well as why it THE Underground PRESS was called. But has this stopped me from hurling insults at the people is a monthly, independent newspaper, published in who are making the calls? Nope. It gets to be kind of a mob mentality Snow Lake, Manitoba. where people, some like myself, feel they could do the job better than EDITOR: Marc W. Jackson the people doing it. Of course in most cases this couldn’t be farther Supported by many local contributors. from the truth. Any game is more easily played or called from the REAL NEWS, RELEVANT VIEWS, EVERYTHING YOU HAVE stands, but put the people from the stands on the ice, and nine out of ten A RIGHT TO KNOW. times the result wouldn’t be any different. Correspondence: P.O. Box 490, Snow Lake, MB., R0B 1M0 Thinking back, I can remember a novel way in which Al Saskowski Phone: (204)358-2887 handled abuse during a Snow Lake Jr. “A” Spartans game he was email: [email protected] refing. No one could ever accuse Al of being a “homer”. Much to the chagrin of many Snow Lake fans, he called ‘em, not in favour of his January, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 3

“ACCORDING TO by: Ted for the face-off. He looked over at me and said, ‘Can you believe it? Stabback Forty-nine years-old and they’ve got me playing a double shift.’ I just TED” about broke up right there as the puck was dropped,” Baird laughed. Well, it’s almost Christmas and front and center on the sports scene In comparison to Baird’s playing days, he feels it is a lot tougher are curling and hockey. coming up now. “There are so many good players. To make it The ladies’ plans for their 50th anniversary bonspiel are well under nowadays a kid has got to be dedicated,” he said. “Just because a way. The men are also holding their 50th bonspiel this year. Both player is the best on their team, that really doesn’t mean everything that spiels are open to 56 rinks and curlers are coming from all over you’d think it would mean. It’s not necessarily the best players who get Manitoba and beyond. to go. There are millions of great hockey players, but only a hundred of I think it was just last year some towns were having a debate over kids them are going to get anywhere. It’s not necessarily talent, it’s playing road hockey on the streets, the damage they caused, and how everything combined together.” they could be controlled. Well, once again Snow Lake is way ahead of Baird doesn’t play much hockey anymore. He says that he hasn’t these towns as they have found the perfect solution. We just let the played Rec. League for several years now, but has recently been snow pile up and up and up, soon you can’t walk, drive or play hockey. thinking about going back. A couple times a year he’ll lace ‘em up Problem solved. with the Flin Flon Bombers Old Timers, as he did a couple of weekends Our local boys playing on the Norman Northstars are doing extremely ago. He says that he doesn’t really miss the hockey that much, but it well this season. Lem Randall is the second leading scorer on the team does come and go. What he does miss is the camaraderie. “It’s and Joel Jackson, who has moved from defense to forward, is pouring in unbelievable and hard to explain,” he noted. “Like a big family, I the goals this year. guess. When you are on a team, you spend more time with them than It’s sure nice to see some hockey action in town for the older boys with anyone else. It’s like growing up with someone. You get to know who decided to stay home and play hockey in Snow Lake this year. Our what they like and dislike, all of their habits and vice versa. You can midgets have joined with Cranberry Portage and provide some very see how a team can really gel.” entertaining games for the hockey starved fans of Snow Lake. Although he played the pros, and both rubbed elbows with, as well as Although the numbers in our minor hockey system are down, it’s nice handed them out to, the stars of the big leagues, Baird never forgot to see some of the parents and coaches from teams with other towns to where he came from. When he’s handing out the credit for his good insure our boys get some hockey. The atoms of Snow Lake and fortune, his roots back in Snow Lake are at the forefront. “My greatest Wabowden formed a team this year . They hosted an eight team influence as a player was Frank Teneycke,” Baird said. “He coached tournament this past weekend and came out in top spot. me from midget until I was done with Minor Hockey. He was the guy This is also a good time of year to salute the volunteers who look after who got me headed towards Junior Hockey. At that time I didn’t figure our outdoor rinks in Brentwood and the trailer court. A big thank you to hockey would ever amount to anything for me. He talked me into Jesse James and Wade Borak (Ollie) and to anyone else that helps out at trying out.” these facilities. It’s not uncommon to drive by the rinks and see them full of kids of all ages and abilities playing and having a great time unaided by pushy adults. Snow Lake’s rec. department hosted the first ever glow volleyball tournament a few weeks ago and it went over very well. Six teams entered, with the old guys team winning and being given portable by: Clarence Fisher phones for their effort. Luckily, we held tryouts and Rick Leclair got Tech Talk cut, otherwise we may not have won. Hope everyone has a great holiday and all the best in ‘03! For the last few years, especially during the holidays, businesses have wondered about the magic of shopping online. The idea of being able to attract customers worldwide is a magical notion for businesses far and wide. Compared to years ago when location, location, location was (BAIRD from page 1) the mantra of business, things have changed. E-commerce has changed Second League in Germany and we won the league that year,” Baird the way business is done for many. Small, medium, or large, with the explained. “I then spent two years in the first league, and then played purchase of a good web design program all businesses look alike out my final year in the second league.” online. You could be buying from a multinational corporation or from Baird met and married his wife Uschi while there. They’ve been a business based out of someone’s garage; when your storefront is a married for twenty years this past fall and have one daughter, Amber. website, the business playing field has been leveled. Baird, 51, is presently employed as Group Leader in HBM&S’s Snow Shopping online is a concept that bothers me. I live in a small town Lake Concentrator. He has worked for the company for 19 years. 700 kms from a major city. I know that and I understand the reality. It A pro career has many high points, but Baird states winning the Avco means I can’t go to the mall to pick up the latest novel or to shop for a Cup with Winnipeg was the highlight of the entire period, also playing new shirt whenever the feeling arises. But with the Internet, I can now beside the likes of Bobby Hull, Anders Hedberg, Ulf Neilson, Barry comb through the latest stock of almost any retail outfit. This part Long, Ted Green, Norm Ullman, Jacque Plante, and Al Hamilton sits doesn’t bother me; I like the opportunity to do this. We shop online right up there. As does the fact that he got the chance to play 10 years quite a lot at our house. Christmas presents this year came in from at the professional level. “I did a lot of traveling and got to see a lot of Quebec, the east coast, Toronto (of course), and a few from stores in the world. The time I spent in Europe and the series I played in with the U.S. Shipping charges are minimal (much less than gas, hotel, and Winnipeg against the Russians in Tokyo come to mind,” he said. other costs the trip) and everything is delivered right to me, even There are also many humorous instances that materialize when the wrapped in many cases. winger recounts his time in the big show. “I can remember one time What bothers me is that a lot of people who live in the city shop while playing with Edmonton against the Houston Areos,” said Baird online as well. Friends of mine, who live in Toronto, shop online at with a smile. “Gordie Howe was playing for Houston then. He was in many of the same places I do. This bothers me. “Go,” I always tell his late 40’s. A pretty old guy to be playing hockey. Anyway, there them, “You can go to the mall. You can feel that shirt, try it on for size, was about 3 or 4 minutes left in the game and we were winning 5 – 2. and see what the colours actually look like. I can’t.” As much as I like He was a right winger and I was playing left wing, so we were lined up (SEE TECH on page 4) Page 4 THE Underground PRESS January, 2003

(TOLKO from page 1) amongst the end-of-worlders. Pesticides, herbicides, MSG, level,” he said. McDonalds, disposable diapers, television, Harry Potter, capitalism, Following Neufeld’s presentation, the facilitator again took control of communism, religion, lack-of-religion: all of these have once or twice the meeting. He asked that questions be posed in an orderly fashion so been pointed to as being the keystone to our downfall. There are even that they could be documented for follow up. Several questions were those who believe that gun-control laws will bring us to our knees. asked about sensitive areas in the Osborne/Wekusko Lake areas by Then there are those who are way out past left field. The ones who Mayor Zamzow and Resource Enhancement Group members, Ken believe that the next comet along is a chariot to heaven, and the only deGraff and Clair Pilgrim. They all wanted to know if precious fish way to get on it is to kill themselves. Or, scarier still, those who spawning habitant and traplines could be left out of plans. The response believe that, by flying a plane into a building, they will be rewarded in was, that since the last meeting they held in Snow Lake, the area around another life with a room full of willing virgins. one trapline and the Osborne Creek area had been removed from My own view is somewhat more cynical. I believe that our demise Tolko’s cutting maps. They added that Tolko would skirt all spawning will be caused by something completely innocuous. If it wasn’t, creeks and with the help of a biologist they would set buffers around someone would be out there lobbying against it and we would therefore other sensitive areas. be alerted and be on guard. Local trapper, Gordon Cann, whose line appears to encompass The end of civilization as we know it will be caused by something everything that Tolko plans to log in the Osborne area asked, like, say, Cheez Whiz. It’s one of those things that, whether you like it “Everything that you plan to cut in January is on my trapline, when do or not, you never really think about it that much. Certainly not enough you plan to talk to me about it?” He was asked to stay after the meeting to start a lobby group, or send a delegation to the United Nations, or and discuss this with Tolko reps. There were also several questions and cause a riot in Seattle. comments about the aesthetics of logging. Area resident Robert Stoupe No, Cheez Whiz is one of those things that is just there, like the stars asked if the same mess left in other cuts would be left at Osborne? or jack pines. If you don’t like it, you simply don’t buy it. If you like While Clair Pilgrim asked if unmarketable trees would be left standing? it, you don’t really think about it until the jar is empty, at which point The answer was that there is no way to make a cut over look pretty, you put it on the shopping list. Either way, no one that I know, whether however they would work with the local committee on the issue. Tolko they like Cheez Whiz or not, thinks about it as a threat to our future. reps also maintained that they could leave patches of trees and that And therein lies the danger. Cheez Whiz is so unobtrusive, so people wouldn’t be able to look 400 meters without visual boundaries. innocuous, that it is just the kind of thing that will jump up and strike at Other questions dealt with everything from replanting and herbicide us when we least expect it, which would be anytime. use to the apparent contradiction in the priorities the Provincial It might not necessarily be Cheez Whiz, but it is bound to be Government is displaying by allowing cutting in a tourism area. To something unforeseen. Otherwise we would foresee it, right? I mean, Tolko’s credit they didn’t shy away from any question, nor did they who predicted that some lunatic terrorists would hijack several planes slough them off. They answered most and promised more information and use them as flying bombs? It may have been in the plot of some on others that they couldn’t answer on the spot. now-canceled television series, but who really believed that something It appears the company will set up and staff a Woodlands Office in like that would happen? Or how about the Titanic? If anyone seriously the community shortly, and in consultation with a committee of locals, thought that a big piece of ice would send most of them to the bottom will begin the task of earmarking harvestable timber and setting out of the ocean, they probably would have slowed down or altered course. possible pathways which will be used to access three concentrations of History is full of things that either weren’t expected or weren’t timber to the north and north-west of Snow Lake. thought out very well. The Kyoto Accord is an attempt to prevent something which may not have been predicted at the beginning of the industrial revolution, but fortunately somebody has recognized the symptoms, and has determined the cure. The point is, don’t spend your time worrying about something irrational that might kill you unexpectedly. Instead, think of what to expect as a consequence of your actions. At least you will be prepared for the logical. Think of it by: Tom Hilliard as defensive driving for the soul. On the Outside As for Cheez Whiz, check out http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/ stuff/7806sci2.html. There is some interesting information about it One of the biggest news items around these days is the ratification of there. And, if you could never seem to get those recipes written down the Kyoto accord. The anti-ratifiers argue that the implementation of while watching The Wonderful World of Disney or Tommy Hunter on the protocols outlined in the accord would cause a severe downward CBC Sunday nights, try http://www.cheezwhiz.com for some instant effect on our economy and subsequently a huge loss of jobs. The pro- food relief. ratifiers argue that to not ratify would mean a continued drastic effect Have a great holiday season, and a happy new year. on the Earth’s climate, resulting in drought, rising ocean levels, and possibly the end of civilization as we know it. Everyone these days seems to have their own idea of what will cause the end of our current civilization. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, perhaps Romans had the same thoughts running through their heads. Maybe they had aqueduct opponents, or anti-road lobbyists, or (TECH from page 3) maybe anti-mad-emperor protesters, each group figuring that they were to shop online and get access to things I want, I would still rather try on working towards saving the Empire. They might not have given a a new shirt to see if I really like it before I drop my Visa on the counter. second thought to lead in the makeup, or those pesky Visigoths. Of I like to prowl around in the stores and see what I can find. I often run course, they may not have seen it coming at all, sort of like a spruce into things I hadn’t intended. Have you ever tried surfing through an hen in the middle of the highway. online store with the low-speed Internet service that we currently have? We have many parallels today. There are those who believe that Store sites are notorious for large graphics and animations to catch your nuclear power will be our undoing. There are those who think that attention. It’s not very often that I do much more than find what I want, vaccinations, milk products, and baby formula will cause untold (SEE TECH on page 7) devastation. Genetically modified foods are an extremely hot topic January, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 5

by: Marc 6:30 PM. All councilors (other than Fisher) and Administrator THE CHAMBERS Jackson Dunning were in attendance. In Business Arising From The Minutes, Mr. Dunning advised council Mayor Zamzow opened the December 3rd meeting of council at 6:30 that Mrs. Pronger was in to the office to tell him that a structural PM. All councilors (other than Walker) and Administrator Dunning engineer has deemed their building on Main St. structurally sound. She were in attendance. will bring a copy of his report into the office when she receives it. The District Health Council Chairperson (DHC) Alan Beilman appeared tractor from beside #4 Lift Station will be removed. Dunning was as a delegation to address council and bring them up-to-date on the asked to send an invitation to visit Snow Lake to the Governor General DHC’s quest for personal care beds. Beilman stated that architectural and if accepted, a celebration will be planned around it. Mr. Dunning plans for the addition that will house these beds have been drawn up reported that 5000 brochures promoting the Taylor Bay Subdivision and that a budget has been set. He stated that the estimated cost for the were secured at a cost of just under $500. They should be ready in the 640 sq. ft. addition is $278,680, of which only $250,000 will be funded New Year. by the Provincial Government. Beilman asked if council would secure The Town Foreman’s Report was received for filing. Mr. Lendvoy the further expenditure. Discussions centered around the possibility of asked why Lawrence Samborski was plowing the pipeline path. There fundraising. (Mayor Zamzow recently stated that the Regional Health was a discussion of the pros and cons of this with the question of Authority has negated the need for any more money. Costs will be liability coming to the forefront. Mr. Dunning was asked to explain handled by the RHA.) that although appreciated, this work should be discontinued for that Under Business Arising From the Minutes, Mr. Dunning reports that reason. Councilor Jackson stated that he’d had a number of comments Linda Pronger has contacted a structural engineer asking that they give about the practice of leaving 2 - 3 inches of snow on streets. People her an opinion on her building’s integrity. The Administrator also have said that this has never been the case and can’t understand why it informed council that Greenstone was unable to find any grants that must be now. were available to boost CFAR’s radio signal. Councilor Chrapun stated The Recreation Maintenance Report was received for filing. Mr. that she had several people tell her they thought it ludicrous council Cann asked that M. Rolles be allowed to attend a Level 1 Arena trying to bring in this station. It was explained that the intent was to use Operator’s course in Flin Flon at the end of the month. Mr. Cann grants not tax money to attain the station’s signal. thanked council for the opportunity to attend the playground inspection The Administrator’s Report was received for filing. Mr. Dunning course in Winnipeg. He feels that it will help him do his job better. reported that the winners of 3 months free garbage pickup in the initial Cann also reported that Shinny Hockey is averaging 11 people per ice recycling draws were Bernice Stoupe and Doug Simpson. Minutes time while Ladies Hockey only sees 2 - 3. The ladies will be informed from the Water Meter Installation Program Progress meeting were that if this doesn’t increase in the new year, the ice time will be discussed. It was noted that many people are unaware that they don’t canceled. have to wait for notification from Neptune before phoning the toll free The Recreation Committee Report was received for filing. Mr. number to make an installation appointment. Mr. Dunning was asked Dunning was directed to advise the community in his next mass mailing to make the public aware of this using ads, mailings, and the access that if numbers are not higher at the next movie the town shows, the channel. practice will be discontinued. Under Correspondence, a letter was received from Cst. Randy Wittig The Administrator’s Report was received for filing. Dunning of the Snow Lake Daycare Committee. He asked that council consider reported on the meeting on the Berry Bay bridge held with the giving the committee a grant of $5000 to cover the daycare’s rent until Highways Department that afternoon. Highways are concerned with their expected funding comes through in April of 2003. It was the difficulties they may encounter in building an ice bridge, and a Bailey unanimous opinion of the council that municipal government should not Bridge may have to be installed. The detour around the present Berry be involved financially with public or private daycare. The request was Bay bridge will be in effect from January 15 to March 31, 2003. A refused. A letter was received from Rec. Director Stephanie Foy. She meeting with Neptune was also discussed. They have installed advises that she will be back to work on February 10th. approximately 290 meters and 60 Aqua flos to date and have asked for In other matters, Councilor Cairns stated that Cam Booth will be an extension to Jan. 31st to finish up. As there will be no cost overruns giving her a tour of town facilities. Councilor Fisher said that he’d or holdups experienced by the town as a result of an extension, it will discussed indemnities with several council members while attending the be allowed. AMM Convention in Winnipeg. He advised that in relation to other In Other Matters, Councilor Cairns stated that she’d had people community’s of our size, Snow Lake’s indemnity’s are grossly question the priority snow routes (as did all other councilors) and inadequate. The Mayor asked that these be reviewed at budget time. whether the town had a policy to hire locally. She was informed that Councilor Jackson voiced his opposition to any council imposed the town does not have a hire local policy, however the last three increase. Council indemnities now sit at $270 per month for Councilors people hired (Booth, Southern, and Roberts) were locals. Councilor and $370 per month for the Mayor. Jackson also asked that the pop Chrapun asked to go in-camera to discuss staff. Councilor Walker machine that is being stored in the Community Hall bar be returned to advised council of the coming school break and of the pending second it’s owner. Apparently it isn’t used very often and it is continually in term and exams. Councilor Jackson asked why there hadn’t been the way of people running the bar. The Mayor suggested that the entire monthly financial statements for several months. Mr. Dunning replied council become members of a Human Resources and Policy that they would be updated shortly. He also asked that the 2003 budget Committee. A resolution was brought forward and carried in relation to be on time. Councilor Mayer said he’d had a compliant of a business this. flying a tattered flag. Mayor Zamzow asked if council felt that copies A resolution was passed, which stated in part, that before the Town of of The Pas and Flin Flon’s policy manuals would help when council Snow Lake would give their approval to logging in the Snow Lake area, begins meeting as a Human Resources and Policy Committee? The Tolko Manitoba be requested to submit written accurate plans on buffer reply was affirmative. areas, cutting areas, roads, and assurances that clear cutting will be Two resolutions were passed at meeting’s end. One to send M. Rolles restricted to small areas. In a recorded vote, those for were: Cairns, to the Arena Operator’s course, the other to hire Pete Roberts as an Fisher, Jackson, and Powell. Opposed were: Chrapun, Mayer, and equipment operator. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. Zamzow. The meeting adjourned at 9:38 P.M. ~**~ Mayor Zamzow opened the December 17th meeting of council at Page 6 THE Underground PRESS January, 2003

further driving suspension. COP CORNER by: Cst. Don Arsenault The Snow Lake RCMP welcome all suggestions for topics in future articles. However, we will not address specific situations. We will only provide information on the law. If you have a comment or suggestion, With the holiday season upon us, I felt that this would be an feel free to contact the detachment or email us at: appropriate time to discuss what will happen if you are stopped for [email protected]. impaired driving. The following information deals with the law pertaining to the Criminal Code of Canada as well as the Highway Traffic Act of Manitoba. The provincial law may differ from province (LETTER from page 2) to province. Canada would bear the highest costs of all nations. This conclusion is It is a Saturday evening and you have decided to go out with a few substantiated by researchers in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and Oxford friends to celebrate the holiday season. After an enjoyable evening, it is University in Britain. Some studies imply the loss of 450,000 full time time to leave and it is also time to make the crucial decision on whether jobs in manufacturing alone by 2010. Whether or not this is true I don’t you are in any condition to drive home. The evening went by quickly believe it’s worth the risk. I know for sure investors from around the and you decide that you didn’t have very much to drink and that you world are not going to risk their money in this country until Canada's are okay to drive. You hop in your vehicle and begin your short drive position on implementing this accord is much clearer. We also have to home. As you turn the corner, the police have a check stop set up and understand that the Kyoto Protocol is about global warming and not they have turned on their lights signaling you to stop. “No problem,” about air quality, smog, or the ozone layer. Those problems will exist you think. “I haven’t had too much and I feel fine.” The police officer whether we adopt this plan or not. approaches your vehicle and asks you for your license and registration. In closing, I would wonder if people in the north would be willing As he is speaking to you, he notices an odour of alcohol and other tell to give up their boats and motors, 4x4's, quads, wood stoves, and more tale signs that you have been drinking. important yet, their jobs. All this so John Chretien can leave with a At this point, the police officer can ask you to accompany him to the legacy proclaiming he and Canada would be leading the industrial police vehicle to blow into a roadside screening device. Upon arriving world in saving the planet from global warming. Beware of a inside the police car, you will be read a demand requesting you provide government who would have us believe that gun control would cost us a sample of breath into the roadside device. Under the law, you are only $2 million and more importantly stop gun related crime. Yes, its all required to provide this sample. It is an offense under the Criminal about the children. Code to refuse to do so. Of course, if the police officer feels that you Just my opinion, Rick Hulse, Wpg., MB. are displaying obvious signs of impairment, blowing into the roadside device likely will not be required. Nevertheless, you comply with the Ed. Note: In relation to Northern jobs, Inco has already cut their demand and blow into the roadside device and you fail the test. At this GHG emissions by 9% of 1990 levels and HBM&S has cut theirs by a time you will be placed under arrest for impaired driving and you will whopping 40%. My point was, negotiations on this issue seem to breed be read several cautions (your rights) and a demand to accompany the more negotiations. Something has to be done by someone, and soon. police to the police station to blow into the breathalyzers. Your vehicle Canada should show leadership on the issue, doing so by example... just will be towed, at your expense. as these two companies have. Upon arrival at the police station, you will be given the opportunity Great to see someone is reading and better yet has an opinion. to contact legal counsel. You will then be taken to the breathalyzers Thanks for your letter Rick. room where the police will collect information about you as they prepare for the breathalyzers test. You will be required to provide two suitable samples of breath with each sample being fifteen minutes apart. Again, refusing to provide two suitable samples of breath is a crime under the Criminal Code and you are liable to the same penalty as you would be if you failed the test. As it turns out, you have failed Brian Doak... the test. It’s always been said that no one is irreplaceable. I’m sure most In Manitoba, failing a breathalyzers test brings almost immediate would agree, Brian will be a tough act to follow. Although it doesn’t penalties even before going to court. Depending on your reading, the happen till February... Happy retirement, buddy. vehicle you are driving will be seized for either thirty or sixty days. No Clair Pilgrim... matter who owns it. Your driver’s license will be suspended For the countless hours and earnest concern that he puts into immediately for a twenty-four hour period and it will be seized by Resources Enhancement issues such as forestry and fish. police. You will be issued a temporary driving permit which will allow Gwen Foord, Bev Erickson, Jacqueline Nogier, and David Hart... you to drive for seven days ( six if you take into account the first We have an abundance of musical ability in this town. Much of it the twenty-four hour suspension). After the expiration of the seven days, result of your collective talent and teaching expertise. your driver’s license will be suspended for ninety days. You will be Jack Forsyth... issued several documents, including a document requiring you to This tireless promoter of our town and area recently received a submit to fingerprinting and photographing and you will also be given portion of his due in the form of a Queen’s Jubilee medal. a court date. At this point, depending on your readings and other factors, you can be released to a sober person who is willing to take responsibility for you. If police feel that it is not in your best interest to (EDITORIAL from page 2) let you go, you will be lodged in cells and released when sober. As baggage carousels (even has the latest additions to this amazing field previously mentioned, the vehicle you were driving will remain at the of study) or wanted to buy a hot new book: A homage to the superfood storage yard for either thirty or sixty days and upon expiration of this - toast, this is the web site for you. period, a fee will be required to be paid before the vehicle will be released. But remember, you cannot pick it up as your driver’s license will be suspended. You will be required to deal with this charge in Provincial Court where a conviction leads to further penalties and a January, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 7

mind of God? I was presumptuous in being so sure I knew the timing. Inside - Out by: Joan Currie If all of this sounds gloomy, I’ll hasten to say that it is not. I have learned a few somethings. RESOLUTIONS I am still trying to learn, however, when to persist against obstacles Here we go folks. It’s RESOLUTION time again! The Oxford and when to see them as a stop sign from God. In early December both Dictionary definition of resolution is, “To make a firm decision.” Mr. A. and I came to the same conclusion that we were to say no to this January 1st seems to offer a fresh start. A time to rid myself of mission and this timing. We have experienced a great sense of peace imperfections and expand on the progress I have already made. My since making the decision. Obviously our preparation time needs to go exuberance is at the top of the chart, especially when I think of the new on longer, and we know that there is a plan not revealed to us yet. me that is about to emerge along with the new year. So anyway, I apologize for giving you that wrong information last By Ground Hog Day, February 2nd, my resolutions have dropped month. Becky Ainsworth is still a learner. along with the January thermometer. What happened? Where did I go Last month I also talked about daughter Lindsey and that grade nine wrong? I take another look at the definition, and would you believe that trip to Bamfield Marine Station, Vancouver Island. It’s kind of funny, I overlooked the word, “firm?” Drawing from my list of hang-ups I start really, all those warnings and preparations concerning rain, rain, rain, to rationalize my lapse of faith in myself. The guilt and remorse I feel and it actually never rained the whole time! Lindsey (and colleagues) about betraying my good intentions drives me to my secretly stashed had a great six days, topped off by one hotel night in Victoria. At least box of chocolates. “One can’t hurt, can it?” The vicious cycle has she bought a pretty postcard for her dear deprived (of Victoria in begun again. But hey, there is another January coming up again. winter) parents! If you have walked through the door of resolution failures enough Next day, the whole family got a complete report (including times you either stop making rash promises to yourself or you try Bamfield menu items, complete with ever-present vegetarian options another method. The yogis have a saying, “When the student is ready which definitely interested her mother; how Lindsey could pass them the teacher arrives.” up I do not know). And, speaking of learning something, (about marine The arrival of January 1st did not mean that I was ready for change. life this time), we certainly all did. Furthermore, now that we’re going Any day is a good day to “make a firm decision.” I was amazed at the to be around Edmonton awhile longer, little sister Carly can start to number of teachers that appeared. They came in the form of books, anticipate this great event herself. cassettes, TV programs, and people. The knowledge I received from Carly turned thirteen in December. I’ve finally come to acknowledge these sources was exactly what I needed, when I was ready. that I’m in the “older parent” category. This does come in handy at From my own observation, it is only adversity that motivates me to times, as when baby-lover Lindsey begs me to have another baby. I tell change my lifestyle and attitude, not the date on a calendar. Any day is her if God miraculously gives me one I’ll take it; but otherwise… And the right day to “make a firm decision”. no, I don’t want to adopt one from an orphanage either (which she just For the sake of tradition, I will make resolutions on January 1st. I read about in a letter from some missionary friends of ours). December “firmly” resolve to be grateful for what I have and to stop complaining does bring thoughts of one certain miraculous baby, just as January about what I don’t have. I will be kinder and more compassionate to brings longings (for me anyway) of fresh starts after lessons learned. myself first and then pass it on to others. I will not criticize, judge, or I’ve been reading lately in the New Testament book of First Peter, gossip about the faults in others; I will instead assess my own defects. I and came upon a gem of a blessing: “Grace and peace be yours in will be as concerned about what comes out of my mouth as I am about abundance.” For any who diligently seek God, this is indeed possible what goes into it. I “firmly” (there is that word again) believe that if we in this New Year. were all a little kinder to each other, we could achieve “Peace on Earth”. Happy New Year Everyone!!! Ed. Note: Last month in typing Joan’s column, I changed the word (TECH from page 4) Mote to Mite As Joan said, “It would be pretty tough for a dust mite buy, and log back out. to turn into a dust bunny.” However, as all too many of us know the Safety is a much smaller issue than it was several years ago. Security transformation from mote to bunny happens in no time at all. and encryption rates have been strengthened dramatically. The occasional case still rises in the news about hackers stealing a website’s credit card numbers, but mostly it’s just an attempt to prove to nay Sayers that shopping online is not safe. The number of online by: Becky transactions has risen dramatically over the last several years and the Life & Truth Ainsworth numbers of frauds and difficulties have fallen. Shopping online is safe and often cheaper than shopping in the stores because retailers don’t have to pay the wages of salespeople and store rental for you to make Well folks, it can be said that Mrs. A has learned a big lesson in the that purchase. Actually, the biggest rise in property values over the last past couple of weeks. The lesson is that she should never announce several years has not been in retail space, but in warehouse space as anything, family-decision wise, that Mr. A. is not quite in agreement online businesses scramble to find enough square footage to house a with. On the subject of “authority and submission” in marriage, Liberty shipping centre for their goods. Savard (in her book Producing the Promise points out the obvious fact Businesses are now experimenting with ways to enhance the online that “someone has to be the head of the line.” She goes on to rightly experience with websites that produce smells through a little appliance say, “God has said the woman is a helpmeet to the man. I don’t know which can plug in to the back of your computer and take little smell why God chose the structure of authority in the marriage as he did, but cartridges like your printer takes ink cartridges. Shopping at home it is not our place to question it. Sometimes important decisions need could smell like the leather store with a coat on your screen or you to be made… [granted] the helpmeet wife should be consulted and could sample a new type of soap before you buy. Retailers realize the involved in each step…” So, we work at it together, but I am not to get online shopping experience is second rate at best, but it will be ahead of my husband. Lesson learned? I hope so. interesting to see how it changes over the next few years now that it has For those wanting to hear about the Ainsworths and Nigeria, I must hit the mainstream. tell you that we will not be returning in 2003 as anticipated. We may not even be returning in 2004… or 2005. Who can know the (total) Page 8 THE Underground PRESS January, 2003

Looking Back through the eyes of... Kent Wood with: Cathy Stabback

Kent Wood is the eldest son of long-time Snow Lake residents, and the summer days flew by. Louise would often require my services at George and Violet Wood. He grew up in Snow Lake and received his the store to pump gas, ready a boat, or sell ice, and she seldom knew early education in the community. This is the fifth and final where I might be on the property. She had spent some years with girl installment of a look back through his eyes, to his youth in Snow guides and she carried her girl guide whistle on the lanyard around her Lake. neck. The whistle became my summons then for just about everything Mice were an ever-present problem at the lodge. I had a trapline of a including dinner time or coffee break. Louise was fond of tradition and dozen or so traps to check daily and we kept mousebaits in different we were always summoned to lunch or supper half an hour before the places around the buildings. There was no basement under the main meal was served. We would all relax together in the living room of the building so the mice had easy access under the skirting. One year the house and have a drink before the meal. Betty and I would have a pop mice were particularly bad and civilization was being threatened at the while Jim and Louise had their alcoholic beverage. Every effort was lodge. Jim obtained a few dozen empty gallon cans from the company made to maintain the sanctity of the meal hour. The store was closed cafeteria and presented them to me and told me to catch mice. I and interruptions from lodge guests were frowned upon but usually couldn't figure it out so Jim gave me a demonstration. I ended up going tolerated. around the property and burying the cans flush with the ground along I worked for four summers at Wekusko Falls, until I was eighteen and the fence and around the entire building about every ten or twelve feet. finished school. When Betty graduated in 1970, Rosie Mesic was hired The cans were then filled half full of water. The first night we caught to do the cleaning work and Tom Chell worked with me when things more than sixty mice and in a weeks time we had cut the population were busy. Jim began to have health problems in 1971 and he passed right back down to a civilized level. The poor critters would just fall away in July of '72. I bought my first suit that summer for Jim's funeral into the cans and drown. and I helped to carry him to his grave in the Brookside cemetery. On Jim was a forthright man, not one to mince words or take a lot of July 20th I started work with CN Rail at Chisel Lake on the section time with decisions. When the hesitancy of my raw teenage brain gang. Louise operated the lodge for a few summers after that before would test his patience, he would refer to me as "lad" in his best selling it to Roy and Helen Baird. Louise moved permanently to Scottish brogue. I soon learned that, in Jim's view, there was a way Winnipeg then and lived there until her passing in 1996. After her around, up, over, or through any problem, and I came to appreciate and service in Snow Lake, the following summer, Louise's daughter Helen learn from his rough sense of creativity and guidance. sent me the girl guide whistle, still on its lanyard. I moved around the relatively spacious lodge property a lot, doing whatever Jim or Louise bid me to do, cleaning and servicing boats and motors, gardening, cutting grass, painting, selling ice or gas, tending the water wheel, or catching mice. There was seldom a dull moment What Ever Happened to... Pat Cota (Burr)

My memories of Snow Lake are vivid and plentiful. Swimming and were born in Snow Lake. Brent, a graphic designer, and his wife live water-skiing in a backyard lake, catching pickerel at will, and skating here in Revelstoke. Erik, an electrician, lives in Edmonton and often on a giant “frozen pond” are some of the things we enjoyed endlessly. works in Fort McMurray. In 1958, when we first moved into our two bedroom house on Thanks to my basic training from Adam Bodnarchuk at the Snow Lakeshore Drive, I recall neighbours wondering how we’d “all fit in”. Lake Hotel (for all but a few years when I did custom picture framing), There were seven of us and this made for close quarters, also because I have always worked as a bookkeeper. I am presently employed by the my three brothers all looked so much alike and were called by several Canadian Avalanche Association, headquartered here in Revelstoke. different nicknames, many thought that there were actually more of us. This allows me summers off and since my husband, Arnold, works My family had more than a few chuckles over that. summers in the Shuswap, I am able to go there frequently and enjoy Having grown up and taking the majority of my schooling in Snow time at the lake. It isn’t the same, but it brings back memories of Snow Lake, I was also married there, to Ole Strand in April of ‘67, and we Lake and my great summers there. started our family in Snow Lake. In 1974, we set off for the Tarsands Snow Lake will always be my home as that’s where I spent some of of Alberta. Leaving for Fort McMurray was made easier by making the best years of my life. Since my brothers and sister are now quite the move with friends – Wayne and Pearl Galiz, Ed and Carol spread out – Fred (Rick) with most of his ever expanding family live in Yayechnick and Cecil and Gail Zilkie and our young families. We had Edmonton, Terry and her husband have a successful printing business our own little Snow Lake campground for the first few months we were in Fort McMurray, Richard (Dick) is semi-retired, living in Winnipeg there, due to a housing shortage at the time. This was in the spring of with his kids, James (Jim), still with MTS and his family are in the year, so it was not always ideal camping weather, but we had a Brandon. So it seems that family gatherings and reunions are the best great time. time to return to Snow Lake. It allows one the opportunity to renew Living through the boom times in Fort McMurray had its ups and many friendships as well as reminisce about “the good old days” downs, but we did well. Ole and I, along with another couple and our Thanks to the Underground Press, I can keep up with news of Snow families, moved to Revelstoke, BC in 1980 where we went into Lake. Keep up the great work Marc and thanks for the opportunity to business for eight years. While there, Ole and I decided to go our share my story in a nutshell. I’d love to hear from Snow Lakers – feel separate ways and he is now living in Tumbler Ridge and doing well. free to email me at [email protected]. Our sons, Brent and Erik consider Revelstoke home, even though they THE Underground PRESS

Volume 8, Issue 2 SNOW LAKE, MANITOBA February, 2003 SNOW LAKE Ramstead Discusses Choices

STAFF: Most decisions in life come down to a matter of making choices. Some are good, some are bad, but all have It’s been 57 years since Snow Lake’s Gordon Doak set foot STAFF: consequences. No one knows that better than Ernie Ramstead. on Dutch soil. When he left Holland, just shortly before the Ramstead, a former resident of both Snow Lake and Flin Flon, played end of World War II, his thoughts were upon the young family he left his minor hockey in the former and his Jr. hockey in the latter. Some back in Canada, and not the momentous accomplishment he and fellow might remember his exploits as a Bomber in the early to mid 1960’s. soldiers had been a part of. To Doak the end of the war and liberation He played with the team from 1962 to 1965, and in the last 2 years of of Holland from Nazi rule meant that he was going home to live and that stint he was considered good enough to have played in the raise his family in a free country. To the Dutch people, it apparently Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League All Star Game. He was also meant just as much. proficient enough to have signed with the Detroit Red Wings, and was In the latter part of November, Doak, 83, received a letter from the a week away from attending the Wing’s fall camp when, on September Royal Netherlands Embassy, stating that on the occasion of the 50th and 11, 1965, he made a choice he’d live with for the rest of his life. He 55th anniversary of the liberation of Holland, the Netherlands offered a chose to drink and drive and that choice had irrevocable consequences. “thank you Canada” anniversary medal to the veterans who came to “I was with a friend driving just outside of Porcupine Plain, Holland to celebrate the occasion. As there were others like Doak who Saskatchewan,” said Ramstead from his present home in Winnipeg. “I were unable to attend, the letter along with the “Medal of had been drinking and I fell asleep at the wheel of my car.” Remembrance in Relation to the Liberation of Holland” was being sent Unfortunately, the car the young hockey hopeful was driving hit an to similarly honour them. approach going into a farmer’s field and rolled. “I was thrown from the The writer, Lieutenant Colonel Leo van der Heuvel, a Defense car and landed on my back, on a large rock in the ditch,” explained Attaché for the Kingdom of the Netherlands stated, “I’m very pleased, Ramstead. “The friend that was with me said when he got out of the car, on behalf of my country, to offer you this commemorative medal as a he saw me laying there with blood coming out of my mouth. He said I token of the appreciation and gratitude of the Dutch people for your was choking, so he rolled me off the rock. This accident happened on a wartime efforts.” (SEE ERNIE on page 3) “I didn’t really expect it, not after all these years,” said Doak while relaxing unassumingly in his living room as his wife of 63 years, Pearl, hovers close by. “You would have thought it would have been forgotten long ago. It shows you that the Dutch people must still really Trails for tourism appreciate what was done there.” Doak was a Private in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. STAFF: For several months now, snowmobile enthusiasts from both Originally from Grandview, the then 23 year-old volunteered for Thompson and Snow Lake have been working on a trail to service in the Army at Portage La Prairie. He entered the service in link up the two communities and it appears that their mission may come February of 1942 and was honourably discharged in February of 1946. to fruition by the end of January. The trail from Thompson to Ponton He spent much of his service in Canada; however, he was attached to was pushed through a while back, however the connection from Snow the American Army for six months at Dutch Harbour in the Aleutian Lake has had to wait until repairs are done on the local snowmobile Islands, and he saw 4 months of front line service in Germany and club’s groomer. “We had planned to get out there sooner, but had Holland at the conclusion of his four years with the army. problems with the hydraulics on our groomer,” said Robert Stoupe, Thinking back to his active duty in Europe, Doak admits it was a Secretary Treasurer of the Snodrifters Snowmobile Club. “The existing worthy experience; however, he says it is one he is glad to be done trail system of a game branch road, the power line, and sled trails to with. “There were lots of guys who put their whole tour in on the front Ponton, will be cleared of willows and widened, but like I said, it’s just lines. I went in as reinforcements,” said Doak. “Going to the front line a matter of getting out and doing that and then the grooming.” was tough; you don’t know a soul. I got put with a guy by the name of This trail will add to the network that the club has worked into shape Dodds, ya know Doak - Dodds. We were partnered up in the over the past several years Stoupe says that the trails to local lakes Camerons, the same platoon, we went though it all together.” such as File, Squall, and McLeod are groomed and seeing quite a bit of The old soldier also remembers experiencing Dutch appreciation first traffic, but he says others, such as the trail to Cook Lake will have to hand, being a part of the initial patrol into Groningen – where Sail wait for some more snow. Tobacco is made. “We ran into a German patrol when we were going He also points out that there are other trails that bring people to Snow in,” said Doak. “After we took the patrol we continued in, and when Lake and allow locals to take a bit of a ride. “There are already trails we got there everyone was sleeping. We knocked on this one door and from Snow Lake to Fidler’s Corner on Number 10 Highway,” Stoupe a couple came out. They grabbed us all and hugged us and kissed us. explained. “From there, trails lead to The Pas and Flin Flon and, of All the time screaming ‘Canadians, Canadians!’ They wanted us all to course, on the other end, from Thompson to Ponton. We’d like to get come back for dinner, but how could we? We were fighting a war!” our portion done as soon as we can. Snow Lake is kind of in the middle As the result of his and fellow veterans sacrifice and valour, Doak has of everyone and they are all waiting on us to finish the remaining link.” lived peacefully in Snow Lake for the past 43 years. He has raised four Stoupe, who has been a member of the club for close to five years, children, eleven grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren. “I says that snowmobiling is as booming a sport in the area as it is in the (SEE DOAK on page 4) (SEE SNOW on page 4) Page 2 THE Underground PRESS February, 2003

E D IT O R IA L water’s quality. So much so that they had it tested at a ($200) cost to themselves. Some tests came back with high levels of aluminum, thought that seeing as we’ve embarked on a new year and this is manganese, and iron, while others had extreme levels of total coliform. also the eighth year that The Underground Press has been in The cabin owners voted to continue their independent testing and these circulation, I would do something different for February’s editorial. will be compared to future “official” tests. That “something different” is a review of the stories that made the “Tax relief on horizon?” Could any headline draw more interest than paper’s front page over the span of 2002. Actually, it has more to do July’s? This story told of a complicated formula that would have seen with the fact that I left it too late and I am stumped for a subject for this money that is derived from the two local mining companies (in lieu of month’s rant, but then a review is not a bad idea so I’ll go with it. taxes) applied entirely towards offsetting municipal taxes instead of January arrived at the beginning of the year as it normally does. No applying a portion of it to educational requirements, as had happened in surprises there, but a story that graced our front page that month was a the past. The idea was eventually quashed by the provincial bit of a surprise due to the fact that it was about something that was still government, who felt they couldn’t allow it to happen without financial in the “process” years after first being proposed. Actually, it’s still in repercussions for the town further down the road. In essence, a novel the process. The story was called “Bed Plan Revamped”. It was about idea that just wouldn’t work. the District Health Council’s (DHC) seemingly endless quest for The annual Canada Day fireworks display was on the front page for funding for the two-phase plan, which was to put six more personal care our September edition (due to holidays, we don’t publish an August beds in the Snow Lake Health Centre over a multi-year span. It appears edition). “The background of the big bang” was the story and Ivan that the first phase of the DHC’s plan will likely proceed – perhaps Ward’s creativity and staging of the event was the topic. He discussed even this year. That group deserves a “hats off” for their persistence in the process he goes through in setting them up, then setting them off, walking this project through a long and frustrating bureaucratic process. and he also told of some of the other pyrotechnical shows that he has It’s not built yet, but you can almost hear the joints creak as the helped out with in Brandon and Regina. During one such show in provincial bureaucracy inches into motion. Regina, his name was pulled in a draw for $2000 worth of fireworks. “Embarking on a new Frontier”, was the February headline that He brought them home to Snow Lake and donated both the display and preceded a story on the two public meetings that were held to explain his skills in a one of a kind winter show that Snow Lakers enjoyed this the many services and benefits that the Frontier School Division would past New Year’s Eve. bring to the school and community. Up until the time that these Stories about the demise of the New Britannia Mine proved meetings took place, most of the rhetoric had been of a negative nature. unfounded and the October story “Rumours put to rest” helped to do During these presentations, a detailed explanation of some of the just that. The mine’s General Manager Mike Kelly moved quickly to division’s programs was put forward and at the close of the gatherings restore worker confidence in the mine while reiterating the faith that he Frontier’s Board Members and Administrators were welcomed with a and the Toronto office have in the workforce. Although there will be round of applause. Things locally don’t seem to have changed much several tough years ahead, the GM felt confident that with an ambitious since the amalgamation, other than there have been several new hires in exploration plan in place and a new owner slated to take over in the the Educational Assistant’s field and bussing has increased; however, first quarter of 2003, everyone would be up to the task. their homework and healthy foods policies have caused some It’s not often that changing a tire makes the headlines, but Ernie controversy. Mainly positive change thus far. Shwaykowski an Industrial Mechanic with New Britannia Mine did it The news headline in March’s issue, “Games deemed success”, gave with an industrial tire changer he invented. “Invention saves time and credence to all the hard work and organizing that went into bringing the touts safety” told of the device’s evolution from idea to development Norman Winter Games to Snow Lake. Hundreds of athletes in eight and future plans for full scale production and sales. different sports converged on the community during the weekends of Our last headline story of the year was “Snow Lake citizens go with January 25 – 27 and February 1 – 3, 2002. “The games were a the flo”. It explained the concept of and reasoning behind the resounding success, with no major glitches and lots of fun for all community wide installation of water meters and the water recycling attending and participating,” was how the games committee systems called Aqua-flo units. By the time this issue is out, the process chairperson, Larry Fisher, summed up both weekends. should be completed and further upgrades to the town’s water system In our April issue, a call went out for an influx of funds and new will no doubt grab UG Press headlines during the next two years. members for the Snow Lake Emergency Fund (SLEF). The story, If you’d care to read any of these articles in their entirety, they can be “Fund hits its own emergency”, called attention to the low funds accessed online by link through our web page at http://www.mts.net/ ($2500) and lack of volunteers that the SLEF was experiencing. As a ~mjackson or by going directly to the archives page at http:// result of the committee’s call for help, both money and members ugarc.topcities.com/ increased in number. In the time since the story ran, the administrators ~**~ of the fund have held several fundraising initiatives, doing well on them Weird web site of the month is http://www.flatulence-filter.com/. A all. site devoted to the sale and promotion of a super-activated carbon/foam A story in May’s edition talked about a big project that was only filter concealed in a simple chair cushion. The site says that it absorbs going to get bigger. “Recycling revs up” was the headline and the the “odors” immediately -- Guaranteed! It also touts the fact that this subject was – you guessed it – recycling. The story explored the (SEE EDITORIAL on page 4) inception of the Lions Club’s recycling program and how it has increased in size and scope over time. With the recent award of a grant THE Underground PRESS from a Provincial waste reduction agency and funds of their own as is a monthly, independent newspaper, published in well as from the town, the club purchased a baler that will bale everything they recycle other than glass. This will greatly reduce the Snow Lake, Manitoba. space required for storage of materials as well as increase the payload EDITOR: Marc W. Jackson of items being shipped to markets. Correspondence: P.O. Box 490, Snow Lake, MB., R0B 1M0 Concern over the potable water at Berry and Anderson Bay was the Phone: (204)358-2887 basis for June’s headline “Wekusko’s water worries”. Noting that email: [email protected] during the previous year that the water from both bays looked very http://www.mts.net/~mjackson murky and that the weeds were covered with a slimy material, Berry Bay residents Henry and Lydia Friesen became concerned about the February, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 3

(ERNIE from page 1) “ACCORDING TO by: Rick Friday night, and I woke up the following Monday afternoon in the Leclair intensive care unit of a Saskatoon Hospital. I had a severed spinal cord RICK” and remained on the critical list for two weeks.” Hello! Well, this one’s got to rank up there with one of my greatest Ramstead says that he made the choice to drink and drive because he sport disappointments. Not making the glow volleyball team and thought that he was invincible in those days; he thought that nothing getting to put on that florescent vest. It hurts to be even writing this. 1, bad would ever happen to him. At the time of his accident he was at 2, 3, . . . oh wait. I'm over it! the top of his Jr. game. His dreams were all coming true. The peak of Nice to see the arena opening up on Saturdays for shinny hockey. which appeared to be stepping onto the same ice with his idol Gordie The turn out hasn't been that high so far, which could be because you Howe. It all came to a devastating halt on that lonely stretch of need to have almost full gear and can only use a sponge puck! The Saskatchewan highway that cool September night. reason of course, those two words we hear so much now-a-days - Since then, Ramstead, 58, has faced an enormous amount of liability and insurance. I hope these people don't ever happen upon our adversity. Going from being a star hockey player to learning how to do community hall when Stabback's glow volleyball team is playing! everything over again definitely wasn’t how he had it all planned. The Over at the curling rink, the 50th men's and women's bonspiels are fact that he was only twenty when his world fell apart made it seem fast approaching. Dave Stiff has the ice in great shape! even more daunting. But he persevered. More than persevere, he We’ve had a few of the Cranberry Portage Winter Hawks games in turned his world around. If he couldn’t fulfill his dream in the hockey town lately. Half the kids on this midget team are from Snow Lake. arena, he would help others to fulfill theirs and perhaps adjust his own They're in about 4th or 5th place. Coach Cam Cairns has them playing dreams to incorporate his limitations. very well despite losing one of their top players. Riley Eastman is off After his accident, Ramstead returned home to Snow Lake where he to Thompson, joining Lem Randal and Joel Jackson with the Norman coached minor hockey, senior hockey, and fastball. He states with AAA Northstar in their playoff run. pride that one of the young hopefuls he coached was Ken Baird. “In Figure skating is also in high gear, with skaters heading to Thompson my opinion, he is the best hockey player to ever come out of Snow on January 25th for a Regional Star Skate Competition. Coach Dori Lake… so far,” said Ramstead. Forsyth will accompany Ashton Leif, Kaylee Phillips, Ara Stoupe, Coaching was enjoyable to Ramstead and it gave him an avenue to Michelle Steeves, Caitlyn Wagner, and Toni Butt. persue his interests. However, it appeared that there were more In Gymnastics, Shanna Turnbull, fresh from her level II course, is opportunities for him in the city, so he left for school in Winnipeg in busy preparing her athletes for a couple of meets. One’s in Flin Flon the mid-seventies. He was enrolled in a watch repair course, but when and the Provincials are in Winnipeg in April. You can check out a job working with Kent Welding, owned by former Snow Laker Ross Gymnastics and a few other recreational activities at a demo night on Kennedy came up, he took it. It was around this time that Ramstead’s January 29th. love of sport and competitive nature got him involved with Wheelchair Cross country ski season has totaled out at about 3 days of the winter Athletics. so far! Too icy. Too windy. Take your pick. But as soon as we get “I became very involved in Wheelchair Sports and participated in snow, you can bet track setter Maurice Nogier will give us perfect four Canadian Paraplegic games,” he explained. “I played Basketball, trails. Volleyball, Table Tennis, and several Field events.” He actually won Well, I'm in a couple of hockey drafts, and I find that people who medals in all but the field events. know nothing about hockey are the front runners. That explains Ernie Although excelling as a wheelchair athlete, Ramstead tired of the Ramstead being, oh, 100 or so points ahead of me! Rick bustle of city life and yearned to move home to Snow Lake. In 1986 he did just that. Over the ensuing years he ran several different businesses in the community and even successfully ran for a position on the local Town Council. But it was back in Snow Lake that adversity struck again. Ramstead Ivan Ward... developed diabetes and as a result began to experience extreme Another spectacular display of your skill and artistry Ivan. I’m sure difficulties with his kidneys. The problems were so grim that he spent all of Snow Lake would agree that you should be given a massive much of his time in bed and this not only effected his health but also THANK YOU for donating both the display and your time, for our gave him a dark outlook on life. Eventually he was required to move enjoyment. back to Winnipeg in order to be close to dialysis. “Since going on Lisa Cousins... dialysis in June, my health has really improved and I feel great,” he Man, is the Legion ever a happening place since this lady has put her said. “I have way more energy and I’m a much happier person now that work ethic and excellent ideas into effect at the local clubroom. Right I’m not in pain most of the day. Actually, I enjoy living again, and it on, Lisa! It’s tough to get a seat in there sometimes as a result of your has been awhile since I felt like that.” initiatives! From a young age, both good and bad choices have been a part of Ernie Ramstead’s life. He has enjoyed the results of the good ones and passed on the lessons he learned from the bad, and like everything else that has come his way over the years, he has faced them all, accepted them, and moved on with the job of living. Dear Editor: After reading this paper for the last several months, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy having access to it and how it helps me stay informed of what is going on in Snow Lake. Keep up the good work, and a happy and prosperous New Year Show me someone who has done something to you, all of the paper’s contributors, and everyone else living worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who in Snow Lake. has overcome adversity. --Lou Holtz Regards, Betty Mayner Page 4 THE Underground PRESS February, 2003

(DOAK from page 1) don’t know whether I’m glad I did it or not, I’m lucky I’m here,” said a by: Joan Currie reflective Doak. “When I look back, it was quite an experience, but I Inside - Out signed up for it.” Wife Pearl adds, “I was so darned mad at him when Cabin Fever he signed up, but he said, ‘Well, I’ve got as much to fight for as anyone Remember that New Year’s resolution that we made about, “never else,’ and I guess when you think about it, he was right.” complaining about anything ever again?” Well, we can kiss that one The medal Mr. Doak received from Holland is mounted along with goodbye. Everywhere I go, I hear negative comments about the his service medals under a frame that holds the letter that accompanied weather. The remarks always sound as if Mother Nature is playing the recent honour. Not one to blow his own horn, it won’t be displayed some terrible trick on us. “Geez, it’s minus thirty out there!” And then out in plain view, but for those who are interested in seeing it or hearing to add a little more drama to the situation, we include, “and with that the recollections of a solider who did his country proud, it will likely be WIND CHILL it brings it down to minus sixty.” That WIND CHILL, brought out for display. as elusive as it is can drive us into our cabins and cause cabin fever, which is the subject of this article. The symptoms of cabin fever are claustrophobia, restlessness, and an obsession with the weatherman. “Kill the messenger”, is the wail from the north. To sum it up, it’s called the winter “blahs”. Humans being (EDITORIAL from page 2) humans, we need something to blame for our discomfort and in this same filtration technology purified the air breathed by the astronauts in case it is the weather. Well, I for one am not going to be controlled by the Space Shuttle program and was used in the soldiers gas masks anything as erratic as the weather, even though I have to admit it makes during the Gulf War. Wow, that’s reassuring! a pretty good punching bag. The Serenity Prayer comes to mind. ~**~ Accept the things I cannot change and find the courage to change the Congratulations to Darren and Rylee Galiz on the arrival of their things I can. I can’t change the weather, but I can change my attitude baby girl Ryanne Dean Galiz. Ryanne is a little sister for Evan and was about it. also the NEW YEAR’S BABY. (Sorry for spelling your name wrong I decided that I’d find a cure for cabin fever. I called several people in the Reminder, Rylee.) and asked, “How do you cope with the blahs?” The following list is ~**~ only a few good ideas: 1) Phone a friend, get a different outlook by Well, it looks as if the Winter Whoot will not fall by the wayside. mixing with people; 2) Try a new recipe… oriental, French, etc.; 3) Even though they were left with an extremely small window of Learn a new craft. Knitting, sewing, folk art, or painting; 4) Read a opportunity in which to organize the festival, six people stepped good book; 5) Paint your bathroom red (just kidding); 6) Look at forward to take on the challenge. Personally, it strikes me as strange holiday photographs from previous years; 7) Try a fitness program, why the former organizers left it so late before informing townsfolk that aerobics, yoga, skating, etc.; 8) List all the positive things about your they were giving up on the festival, but judging by the group that has life and yourself. You just might be surprised at how rich in talent you taken it on, I have the feeling it will be better than ever this year. are. You can heal yourself by taking a dose of optimism two or three times a day. My favorite healing method is “creative visualization”. In a fraction of a second, I can change a snow bank into a beautiful bed of flowers. The mind is a creative tool and these exercises really do work, if you work at them. There are no therapy or drugs required. If you are feeling sad, it only takes a fraction of a second to have a mind shift from negative to positive. If you are unable to lift your depression with any of the above ideas, it might be wise to see a therapist. The problem could be something other than cabin fever. CHEER UP FOLKS, the (SNOW from page 1) 2003 seed catalogues are in the mail! rest of the country. “Last year we had 50 members in the Snodrifters,” he said. “This year, we have been pushing membership in Snoman (Snoman Inc. or Snowmobilers of Manitoba Inc.). What we have done is honour the Snoman pass as a membership to our club. This year they sent us 40 passes and I sold them in two days. We have sixty members in the club this year and a lot more people inquiring about membership Betty Smith (Budolowski)... and the passes.” Betty Smith Budolowski - step daughter of the deceased Bill and Moreover, with the trail system growing as it is and being groomed Annie Maruszczuk - passed away at the age of 64 years on December on a regular basis, it is beginning to be recognized for more than just 13/2002 in Ramsgate, Kent, England. it’s recreational purposes. Stoupe says that Snowmobiling is A memorial service was held on December 23, 2002 at her home in establishing itself as a major player in the community’s bid for tourism Ramsgate. dollars. “Actually, it contributes quite a bit,” he said. “You’ve got Anyone wishing to, may make a donation to the Diabetes Society in people buying fuel, belts, plugs, pop and groceries for the trail and for Betty’s memory. fishing. We presently get a lot of people from Flin Flon, Cranberry, George Brown... and The Pas coming into Snow Lake and using our trails. They eat George Brown passed away Saturday, January 18, 2003 at the age of while they are here, some stay overnight.” He says that they even have 75 years. a group of RCMP members from Calgary who come up through A Funeral service was held at the Elks’ Hall in Snow Lake on Saskatoon and stay about a week. “We also get guys from Morden, Tuesday, January 21st. Interment followed at Snow Lake’s Brookside Winkler and that way,” Stoupe adds. “With this new trail, I’m certain Cemetery. we’ll get a whole lot more.” Anyone wishing to, may make a donation in George’s memory to the charity of their choice. February, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 5

by: Marc PM. All councilor members and Administrator Dunning were in THE CHAMBERS Jackson attendance. Under Business Arising from the Minutes, Mr. Dunning reported that Deputy Mayor Cairns opened the January 7th meeting of council at the “elevation” and 911 signage for #39 Highway will be installed as 6:30 PM. All councilor members (other than Mayor Zamzow) and soon as the Highways Department can free up a bucket truck to come Assistant Administrator Erickson were in attendance. up and do the work. Dunning advised council that the Federation of Under Business Arising From The Minutes, Mrs. Erickson was asked Canadian Municipalities has no insurance program available; however, to contact the Highways Department in regard to a date when they will our present insurer states that this year’s increase should be the last be installing signage on #39 Highway. The town’s signs denoting significant one that the town will realize. The Administrator also “elevation” and 911 will be installed at the same time. informed council that the Provincial Environmental Department will be Under The Town Foreman’s Report, council reviewed a map forwarding water sample results from the Anderson, Berry, and Taylor detailing snow removal and time frames involved to clear the whole Bay area. Dunning further advised that the DNR would meet with town with a full compliment of trained staff. The entire town is council in March in regard to their plans for the summer bear season. normally cleared, within a 1 1/2 to 2 day period. The Foreman reports The Town Foreman’s Report was received for filing. The problem of that the crew is doing the best they can in the face of the turnovers in items and vehicles parked on town lots/property will be addressed each the past months. Council thanked them for their efforts. Monday after a tour of the town by the Administrator and Town The Recreation Maintenance Report was received for filing. Mr. Foreman. Cann advised council that the arena concession was closed throughout The Utility Maintenance Report was received for filing. Councilor the Christmas break. He felt it should have been open to provide for Mayer noted that the readings at both plants have been consistently those who used the rink. Cann also advised that the Community Hall is within the parameters of the license since Mr. Booth began work with missing close to 100 chairs. He will check with the Lions to see if they the town. The Town Foreman was asked to advise him that council have them. was very pleased with that fact. The Animal Control Officer’s Report was received for filing. Due to The Recreation Maintenance Report was received for filing. Mr. the amount of use that the Town’s live cat trap has been getting, the Cann informed council that he had passed the Playground Inspector’s town approved the purchase of one more. exam and was now qualified. He was congratulated. Council agreed to The November 2002 Financial Statement was received for filing. The hold Shinny Hockey for two more weekends in the hope that the general operating fund is on track; however, a large deficit is expected turnout will increase. However, if it doesn’t, due to the costs of having on the utility side of the budget. the employee there, it will be canceled. Under correspondence, a letter was received from the town’s insurer The Fire Chief's Report was received for filing. Council asked that advising of a 25% increase. Council asked that another provider be the town’s appreciation be expressed to Mr. Ward for his donation of sought out through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. A letter the fireworks for “First Night” and also for his and the department’s was received from the Winter Who-ot Committee turning the event over time in setting them off. to the town. It was agreed that the the town shouldn’t get involved in The Workplace Safety and Health meeting and inspection reports running such things; however, they will spearhead organizing others to were received for filing. Mr. Cann and Mr. Lendvoy will prioritize the do so. If no one steps forward, the celebration will fold. Assistant list of items needing attention and have it available for the next council Administrator Erickson reported on the increased service that meeting. Greyhound Bus Service will be providing Snow Lake (a no wait The Library Report was received for filing. Mayor Zamzow asked connection at Ponton for Winnipeg). Council thanked her for her work that a copy of the letter the board will send to the Province (looking for on the issue. an increase in funding) be sent the to Association of Manitoba In Other Matters, Councilor Mayer reported on the liaison meeting Municipalities. that he and the Mayor attended with Town Staff. He stated that they The Administrator’s Report was received for filing. Council agreed discussed everything from the Berry Creek Bridge to snow removal. It that several members would sit down with the Prongers to discuss their was mentioned that there are several streets in town - Jasper being one plan for dealing with the repair recommendations made in a structural of them - where snow removal is near impossible because of the engineer’s report on their Elm St. property. number of vehicles parked on the street. The town will begin to post In Other Matters, Councilor Cairns asked who had keys to the town streets and tow offending vehicles after the next snow. Councilor lock at the dump. She noted several instances where the gates had been Jackson advised that he’d had a suggestion made to him in relation to left open on weekends. The council will look at a more restrictive opening up the center of the community to recreation. The suggestion policy on keys. Councilor Chrapun asked what could be done about was to cull the forest between Brentwood, the downtown area, and the someone shoveling snow into a backlane on Jasper Ave. Mr. Dunning area behind the hospital; opening it up to skiers in the winter and stated that they could be fined under the applicable by-law. Chrapun walkers/runners in the summer. Council was interested and will discuss will give Dunning the name and the offender will be sent a letter further in the future. Councilor Walker informed council of some of the advising of this. Councilor Walker advised council of Frontier’s new school Climate Committee’s initiatives and told of a conference four healthy foods policy and how it would effect the student council’s local students will attend in February. Councilor Fisher asked that fundraising ability. Councilor Jackson asked that a list of community something be done about the number of snowmobiles driving up, down, events for 2004 be sent to MTS before their new phone books are and around Honker’s Hill. He fears someone may get hurt, if they printed. Administrator Dunning advised that Fred Pronger had won the aren’t deterred from using the area. Mrs. Erickson was asked to contact recycling draw at Cornerview and Pat Holunga won the one from the Lions about posting the site and contact the RCMP about patrols. Northern. Mayor Zamzow asked that council consider the amount of Councilor Powell expressed his concern about the number of bears in time that the Animal Control Officer spends answering calls, and the town last summer. He asked that council try to get the jump on the Foreman noted that he spends time looking after impounded animals as situation by contacting the DNR about having plans in place for dealing well. Council went incamera to discuss contracts, before adjourning. with this ongoing problem. The Council went incamera to discuss staffing at 8:10 P.M. The meting adjourned at 8:20 P.M. ~**~ Mayor Zamzow opened the January 21st meeting of council at 6:30 Page 6 THE Underground PRESS February, 2003

Police Report by: Cprl. Bob MacKight Tech Talk by: Clarence Fisher

Regardless of personal opinions regarding the "Firearms Act", and How do you like to spend your evenings? Slogging through the mud, the validity or effectiveness of the Canadian Firearms Registry, the hunting down Germans in World War II? Building an empire to last relevant legislation, under both the Firearms Act and the Criminal the ages? Maybe working together with the rest of your team to defeat Code, is now in full force and effect. As Canada's national police the monster that lurks in the woods behind your castle? However you service, it is not only expected of the RCMP, but they are obligated to want to spend your time, you can be sure there is a video game out enforce the provisions of this legislation, in as far as it relates to lawful there to meet your desires. licensing, possession, acquisition and registration of firearms. Gaming has grown over the last several years and become As of January 1, 2003, in order to lawfully possess firearms, owners mainstream. Almost everyone with a home computer owns at least a must possess a valid and current FAC or firearms license. As well, any couple of games, and not many teenagers can function without a daily firearms, in particular non-restricted firearms(rifles and shotguns), must fix of Play Station 2 or Xbox. Gaming’s North American sales last be properly registered or in the process by June 2003. Accordingly, year totaled over nine billion dollars U.S. With its line of sports games notice of an owner’s intention to do so must be submitted to the registry leading the way, EA Game is the undisputed leader. This is an no later than December 31, 2002. important market because sports games are a hook. People new to Moreover, owners of restricted firearms (e.g.: handguns), which had video games will often start off with reality based sports games before been previously registered under the old process, were required to be graduating to outer space and destroying evil alien civilizations. reregistered by December 31, 2002. EA releases hockey, football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and now As appropriate, the Canadian Firearms Registry computer system, Nascar games yearly to coincide with each season. Using this formula, which contains information on firearms owners and their firearms, can you can draft your hockey line-up and play your team throughout the and will be accessed by local RCMP to enhance public safety and year, following along with your real team in the sports pages. Play ensure compliance with the law. your favourite center too often and he slows down and eventually gets Firearms owners are further reminded that for a number of years there hurt just as he would in reality. Upcoming technology will find your has been a legal requirement to both store, display, and transport game hooked closer to reality with players being out of the line-up in firearms in a secure manner, with a variety of options having been life and on your video game at the same time. Programmers will designated. update the status of your team just as it is in reality. As is always the case, the RCMP will exercise discretion in regard to A huge and growing trend this year is in MMPOG (Massive, Multi – the enforcement of the provisions of the Firearms Act. However, at the Player Online Games). Games such as Everquest, the Sims, Asheron’s very least, persons who possess or own firearms and are non-compliant Call, and Ultima are the hit of the season. Although games of this type with the provisions of the act should expect that their firearm(s), have been around for several years, they finally hit the big time this pending investigation, will be seized and possibly (upon the order of a year with some games reporting over 450,000 players registered. These court) destroyed. games are monsters of virtual reality; huge fantasy continents crawling Questions regarding the Firearms Act may be addressed to Snow with wizards, orcs, dwarves, and craftsmen, all competing for their Lake RCMP personnel at 358-7723; or email: share of the resources around them. Thousands of people spend much [email protected]; or by contacting the Canadian Firearms of their free time in these virtual worlds building up their wallets, their Centre at: 1(800) 731-4000, their web site: www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca, email: power, and their homes. [email protected] These diversions are beginning to blur the lines between fantasy and In other police news, a recent complaint of threats being made reality. Log onto Ebay any night and search for one of these games, towards several local people resulted in the Snow Lake RCMP initiating you’ll be surprised by what you can find. Instead of putting in the an investigation which determined there were grounds to believe that hundreds of hours involved in getting to the highest levels of the game, the alleged threats had occurred, and that their content qualified as some people just buy their way in using real cash. On the night I offences under the Criminal Code of Canada. logged into Ebay, I found almost anything I could want to outfit a Consequently, and without incident, an adult male resident of Snow character in the virtual game. Weapons, armour, gold, and even a Lake was arrested and taken into custody on January 6th, for having virtual house; ranging in size from a small place in the mountains to a uttered threats. Firearms were requested from and voluntarily palace by the sea. It was all there if I wanted it. But just because its surrendered by the accused. After being provided the opportunity to virtual, doesn’t mean its cheap. The palace by the sea for sale in the contact legal counsel, the accused was transported to The Pas and game could be yours, for $1100 U.S.! remanded into custody pending an appearance in Provincial Court. People make a living doing this. Cruise the gaming bulletin boards On January 7th, he was released under a variety of conditions online and you will find people looking to sell their online gaming including: A notice to appear in Court on March 25th; he must keep the accounts. They may have been playing for awhile and are tired of the peace and be of good behaviour; he must have no contact or game, or need to give up their accounts for another reason. Right communication with certain persons; he must not attend any behind these people, you will find others willing to pay real cash to establishment where liquor is sold or made available; he must abstain scoop up their online possessions. Buyers then sell the accounts off absolutely from alcohol and non-medical drugs; he is to provide a piece-by-piece to other gamers who may want a house in a specific breath, blood or urine sample(s) upon the demand of a peace officer; he location, or a certain weapon for an upcoming battle, etc. Of course, is not to possess firearms, weapons, etc.; he is to surrender possession the prices go up in the resale and many of these people are rumoured to of firearms license and/or registration certificate; he must observe an make hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some of them even employ absolute curfew, other than for employment or medical emergencies other people just to run around the online continent delivering weapons and present himself at his door for any curfew check by a peace officer. and deeds to purchasers. So as gaming hits the mainstream and becomes a force in many lives, it will be interesting to see how reality and the virtual world connect.

"If you run, you'll only go to jail tired." February, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 7

times to see if this helps you get a more restful sleep. A QUESTION OF HEALTH by: Lola Leclair

Are you a coffee addict? by: Becky How many cups of coffee have you had today? Odds are you have Life & Truth Ainsworth had three or more. In fact, each day, one and a half billion cups of it are consumed around the globe. For true coffee connoisseurs the day doesn't get started until that first cup of Joe, and when the afternoon So here we are getting into February and I figure we’re on the slump occurs, there's no better pick-me-up. However, the real news is downward slide side of the winter hill. Since I am not a winter-loving that after years of hand-wringing, scientists are admitting that coffee person (unlike daughter Lindsey who turns fifteen in this particular poses very little risk for most people and may keep us sharp. That's no month of this particular year), I play these mental games which make surprise to java junkies. "If it weren't for the coffee," David Letterman the cold darkness seem not quite so difficult to bear. once quipped, "I'd have no identifiable personality whatsoever." But, Currently we are having fresh snow, which is of course a winter treat. treasured as it is, coffee has been blamed for a range of ills, from heart Lindsey hotly declares that she gets to do the shovelling; “Well okay, disease and cancer to osteoporosis. Are health dangers really lurking in if you insist”, the rest of us say. She even loves to do this right after a our lattes? shower when her hair is wet and she can enjoy that nice icy feeling. I recently read an article in the Free Press describing the pros and People sometimes mention Lindsey’s resemblance to her mother, but I cons of drinking coffee. The Pros: (1) it's a stimulant, and increases often think she takes after her weird father. Also, we have had some mental alertness; (2) it acts as a vasodilator, increasing blood flow to days of ice and/or frost covering trees, all of which is beautiful, even in the brain; (3) it stimulates gastric acid secretions in the stomach which the midst of a dirty city. I still believe that if anyone genuinely opens can help with digestion; (4) it acts as a diuretic which can help people their eyes, they will realize that none of this could happen by “chance”. who retain too much water in their system. The Cons: (1) when It’s kind of like with my housework. No matter how long I leave the abused, it can wear down the adrenal glands; (2) can cause the body to dust, laundry, and dishes on their own, they are not about to form go into an over-stimulated state which, in turn, will cause the body to themselves into a clean and well-kept house. Order, design, and beauty compensate by going into an under-stimulated state. In short "what do not just happen. God is definitely the head guy in this universe. goes up must come down"; (3) increases gastric acid, which can wear On that note, I move into some new things (some call them down the protective mucousy lining of the stomach and cause irritation “revelations”) I’ve been learning recently. You may recall me (decaf does this as well); (4) too much coffee can be an ongoing burden mentioning Guy Duininck here before. I now have a fine collection of to the liver's ability to get rid of toxins; (5) because caffeine is a his teaching tapes (also some of his music; very worshipful stuff), along diuretic, it's said to "flush a lot of minerals out of the body - especially with a couple of books. Recently I listened to him on the subject of calcium and magnesium." Christians loving other Christians which in our natural selves can be After reading this, I decided to do more research and find out if difficult, and that according to the New Testament epistle of 1 John drinking coffee really was harmful to my health. I was surprised to find (chapter 4, verses 7 and 8), “Whoever does not love does not know that most articles I read stated the opposite. Many wonder that if God, for God is love.” We as a family had just read this recently and products like cola and tea contain caffeine, why haven't they been puzzled over it. How can a Christian be born of God and not know removed if cancer causing properties have been proven? The fact of the him? A clue is that “we are coming progressively to know and matter is that there has been no totally verifiable link between caffeine understand God” (Amplified Bible, vs 7). Guy pointed out (“by the and any type of cancer. It's easy to see why researchers take coffee inspiration of the Holy Spirit”, which is the only way anyone can seriously. One cup contains about 100 mg of caffeine. Half an hour genuinely teach spiritual truths) that when we truly have a revelation of after a good strong cup, a coffee drinker's resting metabolic rate the love of God (including his grace and forgiveness freely offered to increases by as much as 10%. Blood pressure climbs, heart rate me, not to mention other people), it will be impossible for us or me not accelerates, breathing speeds up. Researchers used to worry that all that to love other people, even those who “rub us the wrong way.” What it commotion was harming our hearts, but researchers say that habitual comes down to, for me anyway, is asking for this revelation and coffee drinkers are no more likely to suffer from hypertension than believing that God will give it. people who never pour a cup. Even patient's with irregular heartbeats, As well, Guy points out that true love is not mere emotion (and we all or arrhythmia, don't seem to be troubled by caffeine. In regards to know how fleeting that can be), nor is it mere “action”. True love has osteoporosis, the other worry, results of a recent study in the American both emotion and action, (look at John 3:16, for instance: “God so Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that bone thinning wasn't more loved that he gave.”), and I am indeed beginning to see more of this as I likely in women who drank coffee. draw closer to God. I never used to shed tears, for instance, in my quiet The bottom line: Coffee seems to be harmless for most people, and times alone with him. My natural personality is more bent toward studies suggest that a cup may actually offer some impressive benefits. being “practical”. I have been asking him to “even me out”, and of So why has coffee been given such a bad rap? One study at the U. of course that is what he wants, too, and therefore can be trusted to do it. California found that coffee drinkers were more likely to smoke, drink Next time, I will share “a new thing” that has opened up for me to do alcohol, and eat high-fat diets than those who did not drink coffee. in Edmonton, an exciting opportunity to serve others besides my There are, however, several precautions that coffee drinkers should take family. to heart. Moderation should be the rule. Pregnant women, those who are breast feeding, and people with high blood pressure should have no more than two cups of coffee per day. More than 163 grams of caffeine (one cup) per day can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. Perked coffee has been shown to elevate the cholesterol level by up to 10%. Increased levels of caffeine has also been linked to breast tenderness in some women. And finally, too much caffeine can make some people A smile is the light in the window of the soul, nervous, irritable and unable to sleep. If this is the case for you, try indicating that the heart is home . ~ unknown eliminating your afternoon/evening brew or substituting decaf. at those Page 8 THE Underground PRESS February, 2003

were taken to the Pool Hall where we sold them, for a period of five or Looking Back through the eyes of... so years. A fire destroyed that building and its contents in the early eighties, with: Cathy Stabback Helen Vinkle however, it was rebuilt. Once the new building was erected, we moved the “pool hall” to the basement and used the upstairs as our living Who would have thought that I would end up in Snow Lake after all quarters. We then bought the new building from the Gorowski’s and the places I have lived? I was born in Winnipeg and lived there for 21 later when we decided to get out of business, we sold it to Sophie years. I married my first husband in Winnipeg. While there, I worked Fisher. The building has changed hands several times and currently it at Eaton’s in the mail order department. After 3 years of marriage we is Angilina’s Pizza. divorced and I moved to Atikokan, Ont. with my young son Barry. I A few years after selling that business, I took a flower arranging found employment at Lee’s Restaurant. course and soon owned and operated Helen’s Flowers. I enjoyed this One day, while at work, I met Frank Vinkle. A few years later we type of work and did it for seven years. married, and eleven years later our baby girl, Shelly, was born. Frank Frank continued to move around with his work, but I decided to stay worked as a mining contractor and that meant moving often. We lived put in Snow Lake. I have a small apartment that I rent from Manitoba in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. In Manitoba we started out in Housing. It doesn’t have a lot of room, but I have kept some craft Thompson, moved to Flin Flon, and then Snow Lake. supplies and flowers with me. I enjoyed these hobbies up until my by- Snow Lake offered new opportunities for us. One of our first business pass surgery in May 2001. ventures here was the Mr. and Miss Miner store that we operated out of I think back to how active I once was; I curled, bowled, carpet the Northern Store’s now vacant second building. I also worked for bowled, and played baseball. At one time, I was the team captain of McIntyre from this place of business. I answered phones for them and our baseball team in Atikokan. It has taken me some time to recover handed out paycheques on paydays. The Mr. and Miss Miner store also and I have also injured my leg. I have been using a cane which I hope dealt in snowmachines. After several years, my brother joined our to be rid of by this spring. After all, I still have four grandchildren and business. He bought a half interest in the business and took over the five great-grandchildren to try and keep up with! snowmobile sales. Then we rented the Pool Hall on Main St. from Annie and Ignace Gorowski. The clothes from Mr. and Miss Miner

What Ever Happened to... Grand Old Dame of Winnipeg hotels especially in the midst of her Paul being restored to former glory. New Year’s Eve at the Fort Garry was probably the most memorable of any. The hotel hosted the 125th anniversary dinner for the RCMP. Afterwards, I was presented with one I can still remember that September afternoon, sitting in The Bay’s of their anniversary gold watches as a thank you from the Mounties for coffee room, flipping through the Winnipeg Sun. I had come across an all our hard work. article that was about changing your career. It ended with what looked In 1998, Beryl told me she was expecting again and I was floored. like a Letterman’s Top 10 List of Reasons for Quitting Your Job. Samantha Morgan was born on September 26th. When I held her, she Number one on the list asked, ‘Do you feel like running over your boss stole my heart. in the parking lot?’ Don’t get me wrong, I got along fine with Kirk October of 2000 - just after Sammi’s second birthday - again brought Coates (he’s managing the Giant Tiger here in the city), but after about change. Wanting to go in a different direction, I was let go by the reading the article, I knew it was time for me to leave Snow Lake. Fort Garry, and you know, it didn’t really bother me. Things were a I picked up some papers for Red River Community College and sent little tight, especially since it was Christmas, but I started thinking that in an application for their Hotel/Restaurant Administration course. As this was what I needed anyway. A break. A leave. For the next four I had applied late, I didn’t start until the following September, but I still months I became Mr. Mom (without the gas mask). I did work around left Snow Lake in December of 1987. the house, had more time for my kids, I even got back into cooking. When I got to Winnipeg, I figured I would try and get some By the end of February, I was working evenings as an assistant experience in the service industry and ended up working as busser at manager at the Sheraton Hotel. It was one of the few hotel positions I Boomer’s Sports Bar and Grill. In a few month’s time, I ended up had never worked. It was also while I was at the Sheraton that I ran working as a cook and part time bartender when needed. into Marc Jackson and he told me about the Underground Press. I told The Admin. course at RRCC was intense. Twenty months straight my mom and we check it out whenever we can. My Uncle Dale lives in through. My first term, I ended up in the banquet department at the Snow Lake now, but the Press is what keeps us up to date. Holiday Inn Downtown. For my second placement, I chose the Fork & In closing I’d just like to say: Do I miss Snow Lake? Hell yeah! I Cork Bistro Bar on Sherbrook Street, where I worked as a cook and haven’t been back since the homecoming and those memories are a assistant manager. little fuzzy. Thank God for cameras! I really regret not getting up there It was July or August of 1989 that I again ran into Beryl Pascoe. I last summer for the 20th anniversary reunion of our high school class. had liked Beryl from the first time I met her, but at that time she was The timing was bad, as I had just started as the new accountant for the engaged and I was such a jerk! When I saw her again, I remembered NorVilla Hotel. I’ve seen Ron Stoltz and Terry Fey a bit, and I even how attractive and honest she was and now that she was single, I knew bump in to Rod Chrapun the odd time when he’s in town, but I haven’t I wanted to see more of her. We dated for a while and eventually I seen a lot of my other friends since I left in 1987. moved in with her. At Christmas that year, I proposed; she said yes Well, I think I’ve rambled on long enough. Marc likely only expected and on March 30th 1991 we were married. a page or so, but I tend to get longwinded. Anyway, stay well everyone I was working full time in the accounting office at the Holiday Inn and maybe next summer I’ll surprise you! Downtown when Beryl told me she was pregnant. I was ecstatic, and Anyone who would like to get hold of me or my mother via e-mail, on Thursday, February 02, 1995, at 4:50A.M., Shelby Emma Nicole here are our addresses: Me; [email protected] and Mom; was born. [email protected]. By August of 1995, I was restless again and moved over to the Hotel Fort Garry to do their payroll. It was such a thrill for me to be at the THE Underground PRESS

Volume 8, Issue 3 SNOW LAKE, MANITOBA March, 2003 Amazing growth Water supply tested witnessed in local arts scene STAFF: The Environmental Operations Division (EOD) of STAFF: Four large tables in the heart of the Snow Lake Arts Center Conservation Manitoba just recently released their 2002 bustle with activity as Cindy Roy is called from one to annual Report on the status of the Snow Lake drinking water supply, another giving assistance to the children who paint and prep their prized and aside from perennial and serious concerns about high creations. She offers encouragement and tips as she moves freely Trihalomethanes (THM’s) and turbidity counts, it appears all else is in among the youngsters, and has time for only a word or so before she is order. off to tickle a smile out of one disheartened little waif and then help EOD reports that 100% of the town’s treated water samples were another pick out her next project. negative for coliform bacteria. “This is consistent with a ‘Guidelines Roy, who has been involved with art in one form or another for close for Canadian Drinking Water Quality’ recommendation that at least to 20 years, is the instructor and the main trust behind this booming 90% of treated samples are negative for coliform bacteria,” the report little center and she boasts membership numbers that other groups in said. (Coliform bacteria are used as an indicator for the presence of the community haven’t seen in years. On this night, there is a school disease causing bacteria.) dance in town, kids are away for several school related field trips, and The department also noted that they received all twelve 2002 monthly still there are thirty children and two adult helpers at the project tables. chlorination reports and that those reports indicate that the levels of free The Arts Center is home to a number of activities, which include, available chlorine in the town’s water supply were maintained at a level ceramics, pencil drawing, scrapbooking, pottery, and music (jam equal to or greater than the requirement of 0.5 mg/l, during the year. sessions); however ceramics is what brings most of the people in. “We However, the department noted that in the yearly sample that they have approximately 75 members, and counting, that use the facility,” themselves collected at the water treatment plant on June 26, 2002, the said Roy. “The ceramics is right now the main draw.” level of THM’s was 197.1 ug/l (ug = billionth of litre). The maximum All the same, it seems there are new activities popping up in the allowable limit for the chemical byproduct is 100 ug/l. center weekly and it appears that they all bring in their share of Trihalomethanes are a byproduct of the water chlorinating process. enthusiasts. “We are now just starting with some pencil drawing,” They tend to occur in unfiltered water which is treated with chlorine, explains Roy. “This starts at the end of February and I have children as and studies have linked them to bladder cancer and miscarriages, with well as adults signed up for it. We also have fifteen adults who will long term exposure. (SEE ARTS on page 4) (SEE WATER on page 8) Anniversary spiel surpasses expectations STAFF: It took fifty years to come about and After remarks from club president, Lisa Marathon Ontario; Brown from Saskatoon, it seemed that it was over in a flash; Partheney, and the introduction of the event Saskatchewan; Donna Hiebert from Winnipeg, however, from every indication this event sponsors, Cockle called on Rupert Klyne from Manitoba, and Pat Smith from Edmonton surpassed all expectations. Approximately 224 the Local BPO Elks Lodge. Klyne was Alberta. Another team of note was the Lil lady curlers converged on the community of presented with a certificate of appreciation for Evans rink. This foursome’s claim to fame was Snow Lake, during the weekend of January 31 the close to 35 years that his fellowship has their assertion that with a total of 282 years – February 2, in order to help celebrate the 50th supported the ladies spiel, specifically by between Evans, Jackie Brew, Mary Brown, and Anniversary Ladies Bonspiel. Some traveled staging the social evening that accompanies the Irene Schellenburg, they were the oldest team from as far away as the west coast in order to annual event. in attendance. participate and a number of teams were made Following this presentation, the Mayor of With a slate of 56 teams, the curling went up of members from several different Snow Lake, Garry Zamzow, spoke to the round the clock. A number of the draws that provinces. gathering before presenting the key to the town were held earlier in the day saw those teams The curling got under way at 3:00 p.m. on to former resident Laury Miller of Logan Lake play their second game during the early hours Friday, but everything ground to a halt after the B.C It was noted just before Zamzow handed of Saturday morning. If one couldn’t 5:00 p.m. draw, in order to kick off the bonspiel over the key, that Miller not only traveled a differentiate between regular and periodic in a fashion befitting the occasion. great distance to participate, she helped out the curlers on the ice, it was simple to spot them The Flin Flon/The Pas Drum and Pipe Band committee with their preparations beforehand away from that surface. They were the ones led the curlers onto the ice in a spectacle that and was also celebrating her own 50th year. walking everywhere bent over, and rubbing tingled the senses. After the hoots, hollers, and Applause and cheers greeted the presentation. their sore shoulders and legs. laughter settled down, the opening took place. The bonspiel was officially kicked off with Teams who weren’t on the ice, were able to Bonspiel committee members, Margie Cockle the throwing of the first rock. Called upon to sit and visit as well as reminisce about past and Leone Jackson shared emcee duties and in do the honours was Kathy Mahaney of the Snow Lake ‘spiels and former teammates. The doing so welcomed curlers, thanked them for Diane Brown rink. Along with several former Rifle Range adjoining the curling rink was set traveling in order to be with the local club, and Snow Lake curlers, this team – that traveled the up as a “Memory Lane”, with pictures and made them all aware of the momentous farthest to participate - also boasted members memorabilia dating back to the bonspiel’s occasion that they were all to become a part of. from four different provinces: Mahaney from (SEE SPIEL on page 4) Page 2 THE Underground PRESS March, 2003

E D IT O R IA L statement such as, “Work together” and “continuous improvement”. My question would be: “What happens when you don’t see a dentist very once in a while I have to clear this up, and now seems as good for months or even years?” My guess would be that your teeth would a time as any. rot, become abscessed, and your health would eventually deteriorate. I The Underground Press is an independent monthly newspaper, wonder if the results of not seeing a dentist fall within the NRHA which means that it has no affiliation with other newspapers in or mandate? If so, that seems to be a little more reactive than proactive… outside of Snow Lake or companies, here, there, or basically anywhere. doesn’t it? The opinions expressed in the paper are those of the editor, writers, and ~**~ contributors. Hey, when you put money in the bank, aren’t you in essence doing The paper is FREE in both its hard copy form and on the Internet, them a favour? You know, lending it to them, and they pay you interest which means that it is your choice whether you want to pick up a copy on it in return. or browse the site. I’m speaking about a story in the Winnipeg Free Press, back in the The Underground Press accepts NO PAID advertising from anyone. latter part of January. It featured a young girl who had the RBC Royal The time put in by the editor/news writer, proofreader, monthly Bank refusing to return $15 it took from her $25 savings account, contributors, quarterly contributors, and singular contributors, is because they were charging her a service fee for having an inactive donated to you the readers. account. The account had been inactive since August of 2001 and the Being both a FREE publication and not accepting any PAID girl was notified in advance of the charge, so that’s not the issue here. advertising means that there is absolutely NO MONEY generated by What is at issue is all of the creative ways banks have to get more and the endeavor. It is actually subsidized from the pocket of the editor for more of our money, while cutting staff, closing branches, and basically items such as phone calls, web space and some picture processing. This taking personal service out of the equation. doesn’t include the twenty to thirty hours of work each month that Do you remember when you could phone the bank and get someone contributors donate towards putting the paper in the reader’s hands. you knew, rather than the complete ‘run around’ from a person at a call Also, without New Britannia Mine’s generous donation of paper and centre in, I don’t know, Tobago, Toronto, wherever? I admit, Internet photo copying, the UG Press would not exist. banking is nice, and banking machines are convenient; however with The Underground Press does not make donations of any sort to any the types of profits that banks pull down year after year, personal cause. Having said that, if the event stands to generate news for our service should be back in the mix and chintzy service fees should be readership and there are no costs to us in covering it, we’d be more than out. happy to consider it for a story. ~**~ The Underground Press web site prints all of the news that is in the Neither rain, nor snow, nor gloom of night will keep them from Hard Copy (printed edition); however, the web edition includes full making their appointed rounds, but at least one “Postie” is saying, versions of all stories (many are edited down to fit the space limitations “Why do we have to carry those bloody heavy bags?” It seems a postal of the hard copy), numerous pictures, as well as additional columns and worker in Winnipeg just couldn’t handle having to lug that big bag full additional news items. The web site also has an archives section that of mail around, so she’d just drop it off at her own home. That is until includes every edition since February of 2000. Apparently there are a people started to notice all their bills and cheques had gone missing. number of people who read the hard copy that didn’t know that we have Apparently they make you take an aptitude test before getting a job as a a FREE web version as well. If those people are interested, the web mail carrier. I wonder if this girl should have been given an IQ test? address is: http://www.mts.net/~mjackson. The web edition also ~**~ includes a notification system, whereby sending an email via a link at Telemarketing is being taken to newer, higher, and more arrogant the bottom of the index page activates a posting notice. Once your e- levels. I got a phone call from a lady the other day. Before I could address has been placed on the posting notice, each time a new edition even say “hello”, she cuts me off saying, “Columbia House Canada is uploaded to the web site, you will receive a notice advising you the phoning for Marc Jackson; please hold.” I’m sitting there with a dumb moment it happens. look on my face thinking: “You phoned me! Took me away from ~**~ something I was doing to answer the phone, and now you want me to My mistake… apparently it wasn’t Darren and Rylee Galiz who had hold, so that you can try to sell me something?” Not likely. I hung up. the NEW YEARS baby, it was George and Christine Sokal. Their son I was still shaking my head at the nerve of this woman when about a Joseph George Micheal was born on January 5th in the St. Boniface half an hour later, she phoned again. As soon as I heard her say her Hospital, the day before baby Ryanne Galiz. Pretty tough to keep tabs name and that she was phoning for Columbia House, I interrupted her on this situation, when Snow Lake babies aren’t born in Snow Lake. saying, “Please hold,” and promptly hung up. ~**~ Do you consider dentistry or more accurately the lack of a dentist in Snow Lake a health issue? I know that I do. I was always under the impression that the Norman Regional Health Authority (NRHA) was an entity created to look after the health concerns of the people of the Nor- man region, and as such, I felt sure that once approached with Snow Lake’s need for a dentist, they’d happily go about finding one to replace Dr. Crozier. Well, I guess I was wrong. I’m told that, “Dentistry is not THE Underground PRESS part of the NRHA’s mandate,” even though they rent space to a dentist. is a monthly, independent newspaper, published in Space that was designed with a dentist’s chair, drill, etc. in mind. Even though their mission statement reads in part, “Offer local core health Snow Lake, Manitoba. services approved by the Minister of Health and ensure access to other EDITOR: Marc W. Jackson insured programs and services necessary but not otherwise available in Correspondence: P.O. Box 490, Snow Lake, MB., R0B 1M0 the NOR-MAN region.” Even though their vision statement begins Phone: (204)358-2887 with, “Our central focus or business is "HEALTH" in the broadest email: [email protected] context, i.e.: a holistic definition of health.” (Holistic meaning: http://www.mts.net/~mjackson Concerned with wholes rather than analysis or separation into parts.) Even though there are other highlighted words in their mission March, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 3

reduction. by: Joan Currie If the above methods are not for you, that is your choice, but life is Inside - Out too precious not to do anything at all. (Aye Randy B. in Germany) It may appear from previous articles that I have a one-track mind regarding the subject of stress, but I believe it is worth looking at again, considering the global issues before us and the home grown ones we experience each day. We don’t need to wait for A.B.C. (atomic, “ACCORDING TO by: Darryl biological, and chemical) weapons to drop on us, stress is going to get Wooley us if we don’t learn how to cope and reduce it. Darryl” As children, we were never taught what stress was, the long range I can’t believe what the ageing process has done to my colleges. Rick problems it causes or how to release it in a positive way. Many of us Leclair a curler? Ted Stabback a glow volleyball player? Those two grew up in very stressful home situations and beginning in early life we revelations alone are enough to make my head hang in shame; however, chose negative, harmful ways of coping. We started using alcohol, it is my good buddy Sam Guspodarchuck’s endorsement of no-contact drugs, food, sex, gambling, etc. to find relief from the more crushing recreational hockey that has alarmed me the most. I cannot for the life aspects of life. As we grew older, what we used as a casual relief from of me even remotely imagine what life would have been like without anxiety, grew into full blown addictions as mentioned above. The body contact in hockey back when I was a mere child, playing my addictions created more stress and we found ourselves in the clutches of minor hockey in Snow Lake. I’m sure if Sam’s son Jared was to ask a vicious circle, not knowing how to escape. old uncle Phil; he’d recall several instances when he and I had a Stress can be defined as a “REACTION” to any stimulus, or reaction discussion over who was right or wrong on the ice and a fist or two that interferes with normal functioning and disturbs mental and physical were thrown. If I recall correctly, other than pride and ego, there was health. Some of us are addicted to stress itself. We create “crisis” to little damage done. Ah, yes, I know what you are all thinking: “Here he get an adrenaline rush. This behaviour relieves boredom, but more goes with the good old days stories again.” And you are correct. important for the addict, it is an attention getter. We crave what we I‘d be the first to admit that there are too many problems with the way didn’t get as children, “attention”. kids play hockey, and as a result more are choosing other activities and If stress is prolonged, it causes many physical and emotional forms of entertainment. However, I don’t think taking hitting out of the illnesses. It is estimated that more than 80% of doctors’ visits are for game is the answer. I know you are dying to hear what my answer is, so stress related disorders. Stress creates illness, which in turn creates here I go. stress that aggravates the illness. Are we addicted to stress? First and foremost, we have to remove the armor that they are forced Are the remedies listed above; alcohol, drugs, food, sex, gambling, to wear! I mean come on, we send kids to the toboggan hill with a snow what we use to relieve our dis-ease? If so, then it isn’t working. We suit, a toque, and a three foot by two foot piece of plastic. Down the hill are on a path of self destruction. We will have “one” drink after work they go, reaching speeds of close to fifty miles per hour, dodging trees “just to relax”, and by midnight we are blitzed? One “oreo” will feed and rocks, and we think nothing of it. Then we haul them to the rink for the hungry heart till the bag is empty and we are ten pounds heavier. a hockey practice. Dress them in eight hundred dollars worth of The drug addict has found that “more is better”. It’s hard to feel stress protective equipment, which includes a twenty pound helmet with when your brain is dead. More is better for the sex addict as well, but mask, neck guard and the, ever so important, mouth guard and watch this too is only a fleeting reprieve. What about gamblers who wear them motor around the rink at speeds in excess of five and six miles per diapers, so they don’t have to leave their chosen machine because it hour. might pay off while they are away? The next thing we have to do is start teaching the young aspiring The definition of “addiction insanity” is when we do the same thing hockey stars to hit the same time we teach them to skate, shoot, and over and over again, hoping for a different result. I have not been pass. It has always amazed me why a decision would be made to wait immune from this kind of insanity. My remedy of choice was alcohol. until children are twelve years old before we allow them to body check! How many times did I say to myself, “this time it’s going to be The difference in size between twelve year olds is incredible. Add to different”? Yes, I had stress related illnesses such as arthritis, ulcers, that the fact that they have been watching the older kids and N.H.L. headaches and many other unidentified aches and pains that were players hit for ten years, in addition to the fact that they don’t have time aggravated by alcohol. It was only when the fear of dying became to learn how to hit properly, it’s no wonder they are just itching to hit worse than the fear of living that I became sane enough to check out my anything that moves. insane behaviour, and the rest is history. My final recommendation has to deal with Parents. First we have to The first thing we have to do is admit that stress might be the major hypnotize them and somehow remove that dream that their child is underlying cause of our discomfort, then we search for ways to someday going to the N.H.L. Then we have to lock them in a counteract it. Thousand of experiments have been conducted on soundproof room, so the kids can play hockey and the Referee can call relaxation therapy, meditation, and the power of prayer to heal (my the game. favorite is the “Serenity Prayer”). The results have been positive and Whew, that was a lot of rambling, so here it is in a nutshell: Take are strongly recommended. away the mask, neck and mouth guards. Remove the game misconducts Qigong and Ti Chi (Chinese breathing exercises) have been found to for fighting. Keep the parents quiet and let the kids play. If it is too be equally helpful. There is creative visualization and positive rough for them, send them to the gym for some glow volleyball with thinking, where you let go of your past and honour today only. Live in Stabback, or to the curling rink with Leclair; because as Don Cherry the moment whenever possible. Nature is therapy, so go for solo walks, says, “That’s Hockey!” or listen to soothing music. Yoga, the ancient form of body, mind and Now before I get any rebuttal from Rick I might just add all this spirit therapy is a three fold health program. Today it has a following advice is coming from a guy who plays goal for a woman’s hockey unheard of in North America. A committed practitioner will expound team and has yet to share the shower with a single teammate! on the benefits of doing the postures required. They claim benefits Well that is it for now, so keep your head up and “Hurry, Hurry such as more vitality, weight loss, aches and pains which disappear, and Hard” or whatever you curlers say! Darryl undisturbed sleep. They are more relaxed and at peace. The yoga postures are designed to release stress and create a feeling of well being. Any kind of exercise is good provided the emphasis is on stress Page 4 THE Underground PRESS March, 2003

(SPIEL from page 1) th (ARTS from page 1) inception. This element of the 50 drew numerous comments and begin scrapbooking at the end of the month. Once we get them started compliments throughout the weekend, and was not only a tremendous at it, then we’ll introduce it to the kids.” hit with the curlers, but also with visitors and locals alike. Ceramics has always been available to youth in Snow Lake, but Roy The time period between five and nine on Saturday was set aside for doesn’t know why it has taken off now as opposed to at any other time the evening’s banquet, with the social to follow. After the supper, in the past. “I did this last year and had about 15 kids,” she said. “I several presentations were made. Prizes were given for the then opened the age group up to allow kids from 10 – 12 years old, and aforementioned farthest traveled and the oldest teams, in addition to I don’t know whether I made it more interesting or if the timing was awards for the youngest team (the 94 year-old Lisa Partheney rink), and just better, but from our registration in the fall till now it has just several for costumes. Also, twenty-one long and meritorious service continued to grow, to the point where we had to move.” Up until the certificates were handed out to past club executive who had served for fall, classes were held in the basement of the Lawrie Marsh Community five or more years in the last fifty. Hall. The town owned kiln that is used to fire the children’s artwork is The banquet concluded with some top notch entertainment, which still housed there; however the group itself has grown beyond that included a hilarious rerun from a past bonspiel, as well as a few new venue’s proportions items. These spoofs had people rolling in the aisles, and the repeat The new location is in a building across from the Sunset Bay Beach. comedic sketch was deemed to be just as funny this time around as it In itself, the structure has seen many incarnations since Dave and was the last. Shirley Chell first opened it as a convenience store back in the Throughout Saturday evening and into Sunday, many of the teams seventies. Most recently it was a youth center known as “Sam’s Place”, were eventually eliminated from play and by the time Sunday evening but since opening as an arts center back in the fall it appears to be rolled around, three teams rose above all others to take the top honours th drawing more youth than that entity ever did. “It is a lot more relaxed in this 50 Anniversary event. atmosphere, a lot more space,” said Roy. “This is allowing the kids to The HBM&S first event winners, who received plaques and 19” TV/ congregate in groups, so they do have a lot of social time as well. It VCR Combos, were,: Bev Lantz, Patti Evans, Bev Dutchwick, and allows me to sit with the kids and listen to their troubles or their stories Darlene Quinn from Flin Flon. Second in this event went to: Sue and have some fun with them.” Murray, Jill Spiller, Patti Korchinski, and Denise Davis from Flin Flon. Paradoxically, more room and added activities, brought more Third went to: Kelly Schuman, Janna Hanks, Jennifer Montieth, and decisions and added concerns. Although the Arts Center is broadening Janine Gogal; all Snow Lake girls, some of who live in Saskatoon. its appeal almost weekly, Roy says that the building is up for sale. If Forth went to: Dawn Huckerby (Basano, AB.), Jano Robinson they don’t purchase it and someone else does, they will have to move (Brockville, ON.), Janet East (Barrie, ON.), and Cauline Armsworthy again. If that happens, Roy feels that they will be in the impossible (Snow Lake). position of trying to find a place big enough to handle all the added The Northern Stores second event winners, who received plaques and interest and activities. “We keep going right now purely by prayer, in park benches, were: Lynn Smith (Snow Lake), Wanda Hawman (Rocky addition to a small canteen and the money kids bring in to buy Mountain House, AB.), Candy Skyhar (Brandon, MB.), and Esther greenware (Greenware is unfired, unfinished ceramic),” she said. Roy Ward (Snow Lake). Second in the event went to: Dori Forsyth (Snow says that she uses that money for rent, supplies, and new greenware. Lake), Erin Hedman (Slave Lake, AB.), Jodi Kowalchuk, and Vanessa “We have also set a user fee for the other groups that are using the James, both of Snow Lake. Third was taken by: Robbie Lemoges, building,” said Roy. “But it’s not nearly to the level that it needs to be Peggy Hrysak, Kim Hominick, and Lynda Fletcher of Thompson, MB. in order to take care of the building. We are doing some fund raising Forth went to: Leone Jackson (Snow Lake), Michelle Simpson (Flin and looking for grants, but we are going to need $25,000 to purchase Flon), Cathy Stabback, and Gail Eastman, both of Snow Lake. this building,” she added. And finally the Snow Lake Home Building Supplies third event With that statement, Roy is off to help another child pick out a new winners, who received plaques and Cappuccino makers, were: Diane project. She offers encouragement to two others as she makes her way Brown (Saskatoon, SK.), Pat Smith (Edmonton AB.), Kathy Mahaney over to the wall of saleable greenware. Her mind off of the problems (Marathon ON.), and Donna Hiebert (Winnipeg, MB.). Second in the that our discussion had raised and back on the task at hand. third went to: Ila Doak, Joanne Schuman, Melba VanLinden from Snow Lake and Arlene Nelson of Grandview, MB. Third in the third was taken by: Lyn McDougall, Lynore Spruyt, Jody Young, and Laurel McQuiston of Snow Lake. Forth went to: Sandy Davie, Donna Giest, Brenda Gibney, and Lorna Quinn of Flin Flon. In addition to these event winners, the winner of the, in town, largest end ( six ender) prize was Snow Lake’s Darla Martinson rink. The The 50th Snow Lake Ladies Bonspiel Committee... winner of the same award for out-of-town rinks was the Kelly Schuman foursome with a five ender. The prize for the first out-of-town rink out This event was even a whole lot of fun for people who didn’t of the bonspiel went to the Lil Evans Rink, and the same prize for in take part in it. Hell of a shaker ladies and definitely a party that town rinks went to Shelly McCartney’s rink. everyone young, old and in-between came out for and enjoyed All in all, this was an extremely well organized and enjoyable event. immensely. Actually, I even heard a few say that the curling The club and its membership rolled fifty years of memories and part of it was OK too! ~ MJ merriment into a weekend most participants won’t soon forget. The Rick and Lola Leclair... occasion also left many wondering if they could somehow do this all For all their hard work and donation of countless hours to again… without having to wait another half a century. local organizations ~ Ernie Ramstead & MJ Dori Forsyth (and all who will be helping out with the Winter Whoot)... Extremely short notice to be taking on something of this scope. No matter how it evolves, these people are all heroes for keeping this festival afloat in the face of such adversity ~ MJ Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. March, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 5

THE CHAMBERS by: Marc p.m. All council members (other than Fisher and Jackson) and Jackson Assistant Administrator Erickson were in attendance. The Snow Lake Art Center’s Cindy Roy and Linda Gregor made a Mayor Zamzow opened the February 4th meeting of council at 6:30 presentation to council on behalf of the volunteer group who operate p.m. All council members and Administrator Dunning were in the center. The Art Center presently houses the Ceramics Club, Aurora attendance. Borealis Council, and a Scrap Booking Club. They have plans to offer A delegation of Robert Stoupe and Kevin Mihalicz, representing the a number of other arts related activities within the community, in Snodrifters Snowmobile Club, addressed council at the outset of the addition to summer art classes and weekend retreats. The ladies meeting. They explained the club’s influence on local tourism, and explained that the facility they are currently in (Sam’s Place) will cease asked that council issue a letter of support backing their intention to put to be available for rent to them after March, but is for sale. They have a bridge over the Grass River, which would finish a trail linking Snow applied for various grants; however, due to time constraints they need Lake with trails converging at Fidler’s corner. The two men also financial support immediately. They asked that the town consider apprised council on work being done to link Snow Lake with helping them out. Thompson and asked that the town consider a one time grant to help Under Business Arising From The Minutes, council was advised that them to realize their goals in 2003/04. The Dept. of Labour interprets the engineer's comments in regard to the Under Business Arising From The Minutes, Mr. Dunning advised that P & P Building to mean that a qualified (i.e. engineer) person is to he was unable to upload the town’s new web page. He was asked to see inspect it every two weeks. The Prongers will meet with Mayor if Mr. Beilman’s class would be willing to do this. Dunning also Zamzow and Mr. Dunning in the near future. informed council that Greenstone is considering the Town of Snow The Town Foreman’s Report was received for filing. Mr. Lendvoy Lake’s idea of inviting the Governor General to the north. They are asked council to consider taking the box off of the three ton truck and studying a number of ideas, one of which is HBM&S’s 75th replacing it with the vacuum tank from the Hino truck. Council was in Anniversary. The Winter Whoot was discussed and due to time agreement with doing this as soon as possible. The old hoist from constraints and a lack of people able to commit to putting on the Little Stall Mine is sitting in front of the Heritage North Museum in festival, it was decided to allow it to fold. Council again asked that the Thompson and can be picked up by the town at any time. The festival’s books be handed in to the town. availability of a flat deck to transport it to a (possible) new home in the Under correspondence, council discussed a copy of an August 2002 Snow Lake Mining Museum will be arranged. It was noted in the letter from the Environment Department to Lydia Friesen, outlining Foreman’s report that the town crew pulled the school bus out of the some testing done on Anderson Creek, Bay, and Lake in June of 2002. ditch by Snow Creek several Fridays back. Council was unclear on what the detection limits were on any of the The Recreation Committee Report was received for filing. The tests and they asked that the results of more recent testing be sent to Committee went over summer staffing, work on getting the beach dock them. A letter was received from Industry Canada, advising that even slide in place, removal and replacement of play structures and the need though the quality and scope of the proposal submitted by the Town of for a five year plan on parks as well as other recreation related Snow Lake was impressive, it was not one of those chosen for funding purchases. under the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot The Administrator’s Report was received for filing. Mr. Dunning’s Program. The committee will meet at 4:00 p.m. on February 10th to go report advised council that there is a meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. on over further options in securing high speed Internet service for Snow February 27th in order to discuss revision of the current planning Lake. A copy of a letter sent from The USWA Local # 7106 to The scheme. Mr. Dunning also reported on a recent meeting between the Norman Regional Health Authority (NRHA) was discussed. The Union town, Neptune and the Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB) in asks that the NRHA secure a dentist for the community of Snow Lake. regard to meter and Aqua-flo installations. Dunning informed council Mayor Zamzow explained that dentistry is not part of the RHA’s that approximately 50 meters and 30 Aqua-flos will have to wait for a mandate. Council asked that the Flin Flon Dental Clinic be contacted summer installation date. There are several reasons for this; however, and asked what their plans are in regard to servicing Snow Lake. most involve inoperable shutoff valves and major plumbing and In Other Matters, Councilor Cairns asked Mr. Dunning to determine carpentry work that needs to be done before the installation can take who has keys to the dump. It has been left open several more times place. Dunning added that Neptune has provided a list of material that since she brought it up last meeting. Mr. Dunning was directed to will be required to complete the jobs, and they will be providing that change the locks. Councilor Powell stated that he would like to see a material. The MWSB will be figuring out the labour costs, and those permanent solution to the bear problem in Snow Lake as opposed to costs will be deducted from Neptune's bill, so installation costs will be stop gap measures. He proposed that Snow Lake go to communal as tendered. The Town will then have to hire someone to finish up the garbage bins such as Wasagaming in the south and others in the far work that remains. Dunning further added that Neptune was also north. Powell also updated council on several initiatives that the required to go back to all the aqua flos that they had installed to date, Communities in Bloom Committee are contemplating. The committee and ensure the overflow drains met code by having an air gap between hope to fabricate and sell rain barrels - complete with spigots - in the the overflow and the top of the drain. Mr. Lendvoy will be checking spring. They are also looking at offering compost bins for sale. out some of these to ensure adherence to the code. Also in his report Councilor Jackson asked for council’s opinion on renaming the portion Mr. Dunning informed council that Dori Forsyth has taken on the job of Poplar Ave. that runs from the yield sign on Lakeshore to the corner of keeping the Winter Whoot operating. The Recreation Director (Mrs. of Balsam (by Home Hardware). As it won’t effect a change in the Foy) will be providing help for the event. In regard to council’s queries address of any residence, council agreed. The road will be known as about financial and other documents inherent with the Winter Whoot, Memorial Drive and a ceremony marking it could possibly be held Mrs. Pronger advised the office that all the group's documents, etc. when/if the Governor General accepts an invitation to attend Snow were shredded. Lake in the summer. Councilor Chrapun stated that she’d had someone The meeting adjourned after going in-camera to discuss staffing. from Thompson offer $710 for the old ambulance. Council decided that it would be advertised for sale before considering any offers. Council went in-camera to discuss agreements at 9:12 p.m., the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. ~**~ Mayor Zamzow opened the February 18th meeting of council at 6:30 Page 6 THE Underground PRESS March, 2003

by: Clarence Fisher vehicle on the left must yield the right of way to the vehicle on the Tech Talk right.. When entering a street, Provincial Road or a Provincial Highway from a private road, lane, driveway or building you must stop and yield I’m thinking of doing something I’ve never thought of before; buying to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic and only proceed when it is safe. an Apple computer. I’m shopping for a new laptop and I’ve found Also, one other area to mention regarding the right of way, is that of myself cruising the Apple website a lot lately. If you’ve never been dealing with an emergency vehicle. When an ambulance, fire or police there before and don’t know anything about Macs (like me), its worth vehicle is approaching from any direction and is using the emergency spending a few minutes checking it out. This company makes beautiful equipment including the lights and siren, you must yield the right of machines, but they don’t come cheap. A high end Apple laptop will way. To do this, you must pull over to the right as near as possible to run you $3500, whereas you can buy a similarly equipped Windows the curb, stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has machine for around $1000 less. passed. On a one way street, you may either pull over to the left or right I’ve never spent much time with Macs in the past. A friend of mine side, but you must move to the curb closest to the lane in which you are who edits music and video, and creates websites for a living, swears traveling. that Apple is the only game in town for this kind of work. I checked The second area I will cover is that dealing with parking a motor into this and found it to be pretty much true. Most web design, graphic vehicle. The Highway Traffic Act prohibits parking a motor vehicle in art, audio and video editing, and creative design work is done on Apple certain areas. For instance, it is illegal to park on a sidewalk, across the computers. The same is true for the educational market. Over 50% of entrance to any driveway, back lane or intersection and on a roadway schools are equipped with Apples. They have done a fabulous job beside another vehicle which is already parked. It is also a supporting schools and teachers in their work to include technology in contravention of section 122(1) of the Highway traffic Act to park their classrooms, by offering a full range of classes, conferences, and within nine metres from a stop sign or other traffic control device. software. Another area that needs to be addressed, is the requirement to park a Considering these things, its funny that Windows based computers vehicle on the right hand side of the road, with the passenger side tires control over 90% of the business and home computer market. Bill as close as possible to the curb. If you are parking your vehicle with the Gates and Steve Jobs originally founded Microsoft together, before driver’s side tires against the curb, you are breaking two laws. The first Jobs became frustrated and started up his own company, Apple being that you have driven left of the centre line. After parking your computers. For a time, the market between the two operating systems vehicle in a legal manner, it is also important, for safety reasons and in was closely split down the middle, but the coming of Windows 95 for order to obey the law, to look for traffic before opening the door or the PC ended all debate. PC sales shot through the roof, as normal doors on the driver’s side. Opening your door or leaving it open for an people discovered they were smart enough to run a computer that just extended period of time is against the law. Doing so, may subject you to required them to point and click to run it. The funny thing is, Windows a fine of $45.00. These are just a few of the basic rules when operating 95 was based on Apple interfaces in use some ten years earlier. and parking your vehicle. As a licensed driver you are required to be I spent a week in Toronto in the fall at a national school technology familiar with all laws in this regard. conference, and being sponsored by Apple, anytime we wanted to The Snow Lake RCMP welcome all suggestions for topics in future check our email, the news, or a site talked about during a meeting, it all articles. However, we will not address specific situations. We will only had to be done on an Apple machine. It worked for me. At this provide information on the law. If you have a comment or suggestion, conference, I hunted down a guy I had met on a trip to the The feel free to contact the detachment or E-mail us at: Netherlands the year before with Industry Canada and he showed me [email protected]. the ins and outs of the Apple world. Apple includes software like iMovie for editing video, and iTunes for free with almost every machine they sell, and most of it is better then the products available for Windows, that cost hundreds of dollars. On top of this, Apple machines are beautifully designed. Some thought has actually gone into making them something other then a beige or black box. And one REC. REVIEW by: Stephanie Foy other big thing, they never crash. I spent a very busy week in a room filled with these machines, and the famous Windows blue screen of Winter Can be fun!!! death was nowhere in sight. Well, my year off went by quite quickly. Now that I am back to So in the end. I don’t know what to do. The Apples are great work, I have some new and exciting activities planned. To start off, we machines. They run smoothly, they are well designed, and they come will be showing Harry Potter the Chamber of Secrets on Saturday with a lot of cool toys. I think Bill Gates is lucky that word of this March 8, 2003 at 7:00 in the Hall. The admission is $3.00 per person doesn’t get out to more people. I also think it’s a good thing I still have and YAK will have a full concession open, offering popcorn, pop a few more months to make up my mind before I’m handing over my chips, and bars. Any food sold in the concession helps to raise money Visa. for YAK. It’s official, the 13th Annual Winter Whoot Festival will run on the weekend of March 7, 8, and 9. A fun filled weekend for the whole family has been planned and events confirmed are: Family Social, by: Cst. Don Arsenault Snowman contest, Colouring contest, Ice worm hunt, National day of Cop Corner Prayer service, Side by side snowmobile drag races, radar runs, public skating, Human Curling, cake walk, penny parade, 50/50 draw, face This month I thought that I would discuss the law in regards to the painting, cupcake decorating, pudding eating contest, spaghetti supper, flow of traffic on the roadway; including the stopping and parking of pancake breakfast and many more events are still being organized. A motor vehicles. finalized schedule will be available March 5, 2003. There are many sections of the Highway Traffic Act which deal with The Sled smart program is slotted to be in Snow Lake during the first the safe and legal movement of traffic on the roadway. To begin with, I week of March, 2003. The program providers will be giving a will cover the area dealing with right of way. At an uncontrolled presentation on safety procedures and proper hand signals to use, intersection when two vehicles approach with no traffic control device, (SEE RECREATION on page 8) such as a stop or yield sign, both vehicles must slow down and the March, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 7

"Press Release - Snow Lake RCMP January/February 2003" by: Becky ************************************************ Life & Truth Ainsworth The following is a summary of the delivery of various policing services, since the beginning of the new year: As the result of a complaint of harassing telephone calls, MTS This is the time of year when I tell myself, “We are marching into Security was contacted to provide assistance in identifying the origin of March,” which means, as you know, that nice warm colorful stuff is these and future calls. coming. I’ve figured, with my great math brain, that this is my fortieth Police recently received a complaint of an intoxicated adult male snow and ice winter, seeing’s how I’ve spent six years overseas. I passenger on the Flin Flon to Thompson bus who was causing a should be thankful to have had that many Nov-Dec-Jan-Febs in warmer disturbance. Police responded to the Jct PR 392 and PTH 39 and places. I am, thankful. arrested the subject, lodging him for the night. The bus driver and other The exciting new opportunity in Edmonton for me, mentioned last passengers expressed their appreciation to the RCMP member who month, is in the form of a snack program, coordinated by my friend responded. Cheryl. I hadn’t realized that one in every five school children here Police recently received a complaint of a domestic disturbance. lives below the “poverty level”. Anyway, we are working with one Officers attended and discovered that the parties involved were particular elementary school, now serving substantial daily snacks to intoxicated. One of the subjects was removed, to ensure their personal 255 people. Teachers are included so they can be the example in trying safety and was provided with transport to secure accommodation. new things. These children are of diverse ethnic backgrounds. God has Police and Child and Family Services (CFS) responded to a also supplied an abundance of volunteers. This means I don’t get quite complaint of child abuse. As a result, the preliminary investigation as many turns in the staff kitchen as anticipated, but he certainly knows determined that the temporary apprehension of the child, by CFS, was what I can handle. As well, we live far across the city. However, necessary. Subsequent to further police investigation, the child was having been asked by Cheryl to be her “nutritional consultant,” I get to returned, to their parents, and CFS continues to monitor and provide be her one assistant for planning menus. This has been interesting. assistance. We’re sort of at opposite ends of the eating scale – therefore balancing Police received a number of complaints regarding vehicle accidents, each other out, though she has started changing her ways (first step which had occurred both locally and in other communities. being, giving up diet soda) and so have I (as in being a little less A Complaint of damage to a vehicle, while it was parked at a local opinionated…) She did have the nerve to tell the other volunteers I had business was received. Damage resulted from the front grill having “forced” her to try some soymilk! But lo and behold, she agreed to put been kicked or struck with an object. that item on the menu. The investigation regarding the destruction of the railway trestle, And then there was an event, the first weekend in February, which across the Grass River, which occurred in the Fall of 2001 continues. was definitely a thrill for we Ainsworths. Graham Kendrick, a British Anyone having any information regarding this matter is encouraged to songwriter/musician/worship-leader, actually came to Canada. (And call Crime Stoppers 1 800 222-8477. no, I never did get to writing and telling him he should make his music The RCMP has agreed to sponsor a student, in support of the more available here, though I’ve long thought it.) And, wonder of "Student Initiated Program." Sara Ladouceur will be volunteering 110 wonders, the venue for this event was Edmonton. The name of the hours, working with local RCMP members, gaining work experience whole thing was “Breakforth Canada 2003”. There were many “big and demonstrating community commitment. names” on the poster, including Henry Blackaby and Tommy Tenny The RCMP participated in the annual “Health Fair” by arranging for (authors I have read, though neither have impacted me like Liberty a visit by “Safety Bear”, having the Drug Kit on display, and making a Savard has… I still recommend her far and wide, and recently finally variety of safety and awareness literature available. got a copy of Shattering Your Strongholds, the first in her “trilogy”, all An RCMP member attended the monthly Seniors Centre meeting, to of which still causes me to say “Wow!”), and, of course, Graham. discuss and provide information regarding personal safety. As the result This whole Breakforth thing was scheduled for three days, and it cost of a draw, for those in attendance, Ernie McLaughlin won an RCMP T- what we thought was quite a bit of money. After some deliberation, we shirt. concluded that attending was not feasible. Some weeks beforehand, The RCMP is responsible for the local administration of the "Block however, the thought simmered in my mind that “they” might be Parent" program. For the past two years, Lynn MacKnight has been allowing some people, like me and my family, for instance, to attend an responsible for the program, including the duty of organizing the annual individual meeting or two for a smaller fee. And so, believing that “it "Children's Valentine's Day Dance". This year’s dance again involved never hurts to ask,” I phoned a few days before the weekend began and a number of volunteers as well as garnering the support of various local asked about the possibility. Well, I was told that there was just one businesses and contributors. The RCMP would like to thank Lynn, and meeting in this category and that it was the last one, the Sunday evening all others who volunteered their time or contributed to the continuing worship/teaching session, and yes, there were still some tickets success of this event. Over 100 children attended this year's Dance. available (How much? “They’re free.”), and all I needed to do was hop Thanks Lynn! on down to the Shaw Convention Centre and ask for them. Guess who While the majority of calls that are received, via 911 are legitimate, was leading worship (and teaching new songs) at this meeting. And on occasion calls are made in error. However, intentionally false or also Henry Blackaby was speaking. abandoned 911 calls constitute an offence and anyone identified as The main point of it all (and I will write more embellishments next being responsible for such calls will be charged. month) is that God has been showing the Ainsworths, in no uncertain Traffic enforcement will continue to be a police priority. Of late, terms, that he indeed has good things for them in Edmonton. vehicles on PTH 39 continue to be detected traveling at speeds in excess of 140 kms/hr. As well, we will placing an increased emphasis on seatbelt usage and enforcement, with the issuance of warning and if appropriate, actual tickets. Those persons receiving warning tickets will Alcoholics Anonymous is a group of men be subject to a police records entry, which will enable future access for reference purposes. and women who share their strength and hope with each other that they may solve Page 8 THE Underground PRESS March, 2003

of workers for the summer only; one of those employees was Cecil Looking Back through the eyes of... Smith. The job was offered to him at $180 per month. He wanted $200, and we settled at $190, providing he worked for five months and did with: Cathy Stabback John Salahub some badly needed repair work on the building. Today the rate of $190 per month appears very low, but the hourly rate for a miner at that time The Snow Lake Ladies Curling Club recently celebrated its 50th was $1.29. The price of gold was pegged at $35 U.S., less 10%, due to Anniversary. The weekend of January 31st - February 2nd was the Canadian dollar being valued at $1.10. enjoyed by many. One highlight of the weekend was Memory Lane, Snow Lakes original three sheet rink was constructed from some which consisted of curling pictures and memorabilia from the past 50 surplus mining construction materials, some salvaged from construction years. The following memory was exhibited at Memory Lane. storage sheds, and some lumber donated by Stan Major, who operated a Thank you to Mr. Salahub for allowing us to print this information in small sawmill in the area. the Underground Press. Please check the website if you wish to see The membership of the Men's Curling Club during the 1952-53 the team picture that accompanies the story. The original picture has curling season was in the range of 100 members. I've listed the names been framed and is displayed in the Snow Lake Curling Rink of some members that I can recall curling at that time. Clubroom. ~ C.S. Lloyd Gilman, Russ Stewart, Hank Cherry, Stu Crocker, Nick Holunga, Dick Scott, Charlie Vance, Bill Heese, George Durham, Bob Wishing you a very successful 50th Bonspiel. Based mostly on my Lang, Tom Kitchur, Orval Ducker, Nels Hogg, Hugh Hanriedu, Mac own experience, and to the best of my recollection, I will attempt to McDermond, Mel Berg, Bob Thompson, Jack Roper, Dacey Munroe, present to you an overview of curling in Snow Lake some 50-51 years Norm Leslie, Lorne Cochrane, Bill Bilash, Ted Shanks, Bob Williams, ago. ~ JOHN SALAHUB - FLIN FLON, MANITOBA Jerry Benoit, Dave Loucks, Armand Picard, Cliff Casselman, Gordon Baird, Stan Milan, and I can't remember if Don Burnett curled or not. 1951-52 Curling Season The idea of holding the World's Smallest Bonspiel was conceived by I arrived in Snow Lake on January 8th, 1952. Shortly after my Jim Gowans with Ted Early carrying out the planning and promotion. arrival, I started curling as a spare, until Lloyd Gilman needed a full- I wish to mention a few people that I recall who were always ready to time curler. I curled one game as a lead, one game as a second, and assist in any type of Community venture; George Lipsey, Harry then became a regular third. At that time, the curling club did not have Borbridge, Dick Jordan, Bill Kennedy and Frank Green. I can't a regular iceman. One person did it on a casual basis and was paid remember if some curled or not. $3.00 per day to be certain that the ice was maintained and to locate One of the most ardent spectators at the rink was Don McKillop, not and schedule volunteers to assist with flooding, cleaning, etc. Since I only was he a curling enthusiast, but at times he carried a flask with a was single at that time and resided in the staff-house, I spent most of fluid that tasted like Johnny Walker's Black Label Scotch. my spare time at the rink, and helped with cleaning the ice, sweeping During the 1953-54 season, I started skipping my own rink with three the waiting room, etc. One of our major problems at the time was snow young enthusiastic curlers, Keith Bell, Gene Wiwchar and Bill Heese. blowing in through the cracks in the walls. Any further remarks on this subject would fall under the category of During the summer of 1952, I was elected to the curling club "Oh, Lord its Hard to be Humble". executive and assigned the responsibility of hiring a full time iceman for the coming curling season. The Forestry Dept. employed a number

(WATER from page 1) thorough water quality assessment will be performed on Wekusko Turbidity levels in the sample were 1.10 NTU (a NTU, or Lake. Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, is a unit of measure used specifically with turbidity), which exceeds the maximum allowable concentration of 1.0 NTU. Turbidity is caused by the presence of suspended matter (RECREATION from page 6) in the water; such as clay, silt, organic and inorganic matter, plankton, especially if someone is following right behind you. More information and other microscopic organisms. Controlling the turbidity of water is will be released on this event as it becomes available. important for several reasons. Turbidity in drinking water detracts Recycling? Is it a new trend in trash or a worthwhile project? There from its appearance and can impart an unpleasant taste. Also, will be a presenter from The Pas’ recycling centre in to show exactly excessive turbidity can interfere with the disinfecting process by what is and is not recyclable in our area. Did you know that there is a reducing chlorine in the water, and shielding harmful microorganisms way to compost in your home over the winter with no smell!! Come out from that disinfectant. High turbidity levels may also factor into the to the Community Hall Reading Room at 7:00 on Tuesday March 4, formation of THMs. 2002 for the complete details. The report concluded that drinking water quality and plant operations Other upcoming events include a May, 2003 Millennium Magic in Snow Lake are considered satisfactory aside from the high THM Show, featuring John Kaplan, and an April, 2003 ice-fishing and turbidity levels. It noted that the anticipated upgrades to the tournament (Conservation MB. has assured me there will still be existing water treatment plant – scheduled for completion in 2004 – enough ice!!). will significantly reduce current THM and turbidity levels. If you have seen a program elsewhere that interests you, or think of The EOD also acknowledged Cameron Booth’s efforts in ensuring something you personally are interested in, please call Stephanie at 358- that samples were regularly submitted and proper chlorine levels were 7353. Also, my answering machine is available for those ideas that maintained. They hoped that the council would continue to provide seem to pop into your head in the middle of the night. Booth with the training and support necessary to effectively carry out his responsibilities. It was also announced that Rajan Niraula had been hired as What do baby diapers and politicians have in Conservation Manitoba’s Northwest Regional Drinking Water Officer. His responsibilities will include working with the council and operator common? They both need to be changed to <— ensure a safe quality drinking water supply for Snow Lake. regularly... and for the same reason. The department also announced that during the summer of 2003, a THE Underground PRESS

Volume 8, Issue 4 SNOW LAKE, MANITOBA April, 2003 Gerard Jennissen - Our man at the Ledge

STAFF: Snow Lake’s Member of the when Jerry Storie stepped down, the incisive this may effect the decision The amiable MLA Legislative Assembly (MLA), Gerard political veteran stepped up, took a year off admits that they are wrestling a little with Jennissen was in the community at the work and spent the time knocking on doors, health issues at this point but also insists that beginning of March, and had a few things to trying to become better known. health is an issue that dogs all governments. say in regard to his past, present, and future in Jennissen, 61, gives a lot of the credit for He says that recent waiting list revelations are politics. In addition to this, he shared his getting elected, and then re-elected, to the extremely upsetting; however, he credits his thoughts on the date of the next election and party workers in his riding. In the last election, government with releasing figures on these some of his party’s accomplishments at both he says it was their hard work and commitment when past governments wouldn’t. “I think that the local and Provincial level. that won every community for him. In we have a high credibility on health and we are For most of his adult life, our MLA has been preparation for the next election, he was fixing it. I know we’re not perfect, but, boy, I employed as a teacher of English and unopposed in the party’s October 26th, 2002 think we’ve made some great strides,” he Literature, either at the University or High nomination to represent the riding. maintains School level. He has been the area MLA since The NDP’s present mandate is currently The Flin Flon riding is massive in size and as 1995; however, he has been a fixture within the winding down, and it is expected that an such takes a lot of the MLA’s time. However, riding and the party for much longer than that. election could be called at any time. “I have an at various periods some communities require As a youth, Jennissen was involved with the inkling of when it will be, but it’s only my gut more servicing than others. Of late, Leaf CCF/NDP. He knew the father of Medicare, feeling,” said the bespectacled and bearded Rapids has required a lot of the MLA’s Tommy Douglas, and states he was personally Jennissen. “I can’t honestly tell you, because attention. He says that he has managed to get touched by him. “He was a very powerful the Premier alone knows. But there are three them $2 million out of the Mining Reserves orator,” said Jennissen. “And once I realized windows. There is a spring or early summer Fund, which is a bit of a precedent, because the dreams that he was painting for working window – which I think is highly possible. other mining communities with serious class people, it was hard not to be captured There could be a fall window, or next spring. I problems may follow suit. He also says that the under his spell.” By the mid 60’s he was very think it’s more likely to be sooner than later.” government was instrumental in bringing a involved in the background with the NDP and It is certain before any election is called, polls Shopping Center to Flin Flon and repairing that in 1981 was asked to run in the Flin Flon will be consulted. Those polls appear to be community’s road. “We haven’t had the riding, but turned it down. Twelve years later, very good for Jennissen’s party right now, and (SEE JENNISSEN on page 4)

the addition on the dock.) Foy pleased to be back A vivacious Foy states that she had her eyes open the whole time that she was on leave, with her focus firmly on coming up with some new STAFF: Back from her maternity leave, feeling fully recharged, and and exciting activities for the community. “I made a point of ready to recreate, the Town of Snow Lake’s Recreation concentrating on commercials, newspapers from other communities, Director, Stephanie Foy, explained that she not only spent her leave and getting input from kids,” said Foy. “They sometimes have great nurturing newborn son Cameron, she spent time thinking about the ideas for new projects,” she added. ways and means by which she could make recreation more enticing to One of the ideas that the Rec. Director will be trying to facilitate this the clientele she so capably serves. year is Human Curling (took place during the Winter Whoot). This After a year at home with son’s Kelsey, 5, Bryson, 3, and Cameron activity basically involves a participant running up to a truck tire inner 13 months, Foy returned to work on February 10th. She said that she tube, jumping onto it, then riding it down to the far end of the ice, genuinely enjoyed her year off, spending time with her children and trying to position it in the rings. Another idea she wants to try and get husband Neil and concentrating solely on her family. However, with off of the ground is a “Kindergym” program, for kids in preschool. taking leave from her position and many of the groups she was This program would give them some time, when it's not that nice involved with, she admits to missing the interaction and involvement outside, to come to the hall and run off some energy. Foy states, “Kids they provided. love games, balls and being with other kids.” “The first couple of weeks were very hard to get used to,” she said. She also has some fairly elaborate plans, one of which involves trying “I had been so incredibly busy with the Norman Games right up until to get a miniature golf course (a project which has been discussed on the time that I left. So with all that information fresh in my head, I several occasions) up and running. “It would be nice to have a place managed to keep myself occupied for the first while by writing a final where you could go and have fun with the whole family,” said Foy. report for the games.” The Rec. Director says that the Winter Games “The project would likely draw tourism dollars into the community as was in fact the most rewarding project she had attempted during her well,” she added. time in the Recreation Department. Noting that the community’s All in all, Snow Lake’s Recreation Director says she’s glad to be children will enjoy its success for some time to come. “The committee back at work, almost surprised at how much she missed it. “It's funny did such an incredible job, we ended up with a surplus of money,” Foy how sometimes the job that you least expect to be the best for you, ends explained. “We decided that the whole town should benefit from this, up being the one you really enjoy,” said Foy. so we purchased a new slide for the beach and it will be installed in the next month or so.” ( It arrived too late last year to get the footings in for Page 2 THE Underground PRESS April, 2003

E D IT O R IA L its top executives to a major cigarette smuggling ring that operated out of New York State and the Akwesasne reserve near Cornwall, Ontario. ’m getting all preachy about smoking again, so if you don’t want to Really shows what these people will do in their efforts to peddle death. hear it, stop reading right now. It is for these reasons that I feel that No Smoking in public places will “NO SMOKING!” I’m convinced that this will be the rallying soon be a “fact of life.” Politicians of every stripe can no longer cry of the next Provincial election, and after that, the next Federal justifiably sit back and ignore the death, illness, and sleaze that tobacco election. companies have rained down on the people that all politicians profess to Why do I think this? Well, a groundswell of support for a ban on represent. smoking has been building for several years now, and I think it will ~**~ finally culminate in these upcoming elections. I think that we all got an Weird Web Site of the Month goes to, “Mooning Amtrak inkling of this when, after their recent annual general meeting, Stuart Trains” (http://www.moonamtrak.org/). Man, you just gotta take your Murray (Leader of the Official Opposition in Manitoba) and his hat off (or drop your pants) to the Americans. Who else could actually Conservative party threw their overwhelming support behind a province make something like mooning a train a tourist attraction. Butt yes, -wide ban on smoking in public buildings, and in doing so, presented a there they all are in Laguna Niguel, (Orange County) California, during private member’s bill calling for the ban. the month of July, bent over in all their splendor showing off their ass The Tories know that the NDP government is vulnerable on this sets. issue, because when they were in power, they were vulnerable on it as ~**~ well. There are a number of businesses in Manitoba that half-assed Barrie Taylor pitched a new column to me at the beginning of the depend on the patronage of smokers, and the province’s own casinos month. I thought it was a good idea. It will consist of a monthly topic would likely lose clientele to neighbouring gambling Mecca’s (in the and his viewpoint on it. If you have any comments on his column, or states and Saskatchewan) if a ban goes through. So it basically amounts on anything that you read in The Underground Press, by all means, to the Tories doing the right thing for the wrong reason. drop us a line. Regardless of how or why it was done, it will get a very important ~**~ piece of legislation in front of the people who have the power to make A big thank you to John Salahub for his kind words in regard to how the RIGHT decision on it. And make no mistake, they WILL make the we presented his write-up in Cathy Stabback’s column last month. John right decision. They cannot help but make the right decision. also attached a cheque for $100 to his letter. As The Underground Press The Manitoba Legislature will have the decision and subsequent by- is a free, non-profit publication, we gratefully declined. law that the City of Winnipeg recently passed, to mull over during their consideration of their province wide ban. They will have some 300 similar bylaws from cities, small and large, across the nation to look at. They’ll hopefully even have a bylaw from little Snow Lake which bans smoking from its recreational and social hub – the Community Hall – to reflect on when they sit down to make their decision. Nonetheless, A Lakeside by: Barrie there is one other linking dynamic that casts a massive shadow on all of Taylor these bylaws, and that is the many lives that have been lost or ruined as a result of tobacco use. Actually, there have been a couple of very high ARE OUR DRUNK DRIVING LAWS FAIR? profile cases in the news of late. Right off the bat, I would like it fully understood that I totally Who could help but be touched by the testimonials of 41 year old agree with the penalties for drunk driving. If you drive drunk, you smoker Barb Tarbox, who although riddled with cancer, spent her final will lose your license, you will lose your vehicle, you will pay a days on this earth trying to turn others from the addiction that killed her. heavy fine, and you will have a criminal record. Fighting off the pain of her affliction, she told classrooms full of kids Having a criminal record means: You cannot get a passport, what it’s like to literally die for a smoke, sadly her own nine-year-old therefore you cannot leave the country. You cannot be bonded daughter was among them. (this will restrict the jobs you will qualify for). You cannot work for And how about Heather Crowe’s story. Crowe – a non smoker - has the government (this will restrict your job availability). You will been a waitress for 40 years, but she had to stop working last summer carry the stigma that society places on you. Is this fair? Of after she was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. With treatment, course it is. she may live six months to three years. A woman who never smoked… What is not fair is how they determine whether or not a person dying because others did. Would that not be enough right there to is drunk. Anybody who has ever done any drinking at all, will secure the passage of any legislation outlawing this silent killer? In realize that alcohol affects people differently. With the Crowe’s words, “Shouldn’t we all be entitled to clean air in our work technology that is available today, I have no doubt that it would environment?” be possible to come up with a simple test to determine weather Then there are also the black eyes that the companies pushing or not a person is competent to drive without blowing up a packaged death have received in recent years. There is the $206 billion balloon. Master Settlement Agreement four tobacco companies signed in 1998 to compensate 46 states in America for medical costs attributable to smoking. Hopefully, this is the start of something that will eventually THE Underground PRESS bankrupt them. And then there is the sleaze they are actively involved is a monthly, independent newspaper, published in in. Anyone remember back in 1999, when the Chretien government released a plethora of internal tobacco industry documents showing that Snow Lake, Manitoba. Canadian cigarette companies, like their U.S. counterparts, had EDITOR: Marc W. Jackson manipulated nicotine levels and spent enormous sums of money Correspondence: P.O. Box 490, Snow Lake, MB., R0B 1M0 researching how to sell their products to "new" and "youthful" Phone: (204)358-2887 smokers? This evidence, and testimony from industry whistleblowers, email: [email protected] has discredited company contentions that they don't play with nicotine http://www.mts.net/~mjackson levels or market to youth. Worst of all, an investigation by the CBC's, The Fifth Estate has linked tobacco giant RJR-MacDonald and one of April, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 3

Inside - Out by: Joan Currie Cop Corner by: Cst. Don Arsenault “The first step in the art of friendship is to be a friend, and making This month’s topic is the Liquor Control Act and the laws governing friends will take care of itself. it. Rather than writing about the various laws, I thought I would provide ~ W. A. Peterson a short quiz, so that you could test your knowledge on this Act. People that know me are aware that I don’t take things at face value. Questions I have a need to research subjects that interest me and so it was with the 1) It is okay for a person under the age of 18 years to be in a beverage word “friend”, I asked myself two questions. What qualities would I room as long as they are not drinking (True or False)? 2) A bar owner look for if I wanted a friend? And, what qualities would I need to be a can give permission to a minor (under 18) to be inside a beverage room friend? The answer was the same for both. The word friend is a verb, (T or F)? 3) A case of beer, which is open, is considered as “open and as such requires me to take action; to be and do certain things to liquor” even if the bottles are sealed (T or F)? 4) It is okay for a minor qualify myself as a true friend. 1) To be a friend, I must be a source of to consume liquor in a licensed restaurant as long as they are with a strength and a refuge in times of need. 2) To be a friend, I must lift parent and are consuming a meal (T or F)? 5) It is unlawful to possess a people up, not drag them down. I must encourage, not discourage. 3) pocketknife while in a licensed premise (T or F)? 6) It is legal to To be a friend, I must be an example that will inspire those who have consume alcohol in a motor home if the vehicle is not moving and lost hope. 4) To be a friend, I must be sensitive to the mistakes others parked on the highway (T or F)? 7) It is okay for a minor to possess have made and remind them that I too have made them. 5) To be a liquor if they are not consuming it (T or F)? 8) It is legal for a minor to friend, I must be patient, kind, and aware of the words that I speak; consume liquor at a friend’s home, if they have permission from their directing them to build self-worth, not destroy it. 6) To be a friend, I parents (T or F)? 9) It is an offense not to leave a licensed premise must close my eyes to the faults of others and open them to my own. 7) when requested to leave by staff of the licensed premise (T or F)? 10) To be a friend, I must be tolerant and show empathy. To understand It is not an offense to allow a person or persons to get intoxicated at them, I should mentally walk in their shoe. 8) To be a friend, I should your residence (T or F)? not be judgmental or critical. 9) To be a friend, my friend must know Answers that they can trust me and that their secrets are safe in my care. I must 1) False. Under section 72 (6) of the Liquor Control Act (LCA) it is be their silent partner. 10) To be a friend, I must see each person as a not allowed. 2) False. Even with permission, a minor cannot be in a unique individual and though their ways may not be my ways, they are licensed premise. It is an offense by the owner to permit this. 3) True. special. What a boring world it would be if everyone were the same. According to the LCA, if the seal of the box is broken, the case is 11) To be a friend, I must first be a friend to myself. deemed “open liquor.” 4) True. Section 93 (2) allows a minor to I want a friendship to feel as comfortable as an old pair of shoes - as consume alcohol in a licensed dining room when with a parent and safe as a sheltered harbour and as trustworthy as the sun that rises each when it is consumed with a meal. 5) True. The possession of a knife or morning. Is this a tall order? Well, then just start with the little things. weapon of any kind in a beverage room is illegal. 6) False. This is a Did you give him a lift? trick question. It is legal to consume liquor in a motor home if the He’s a brother of man, motor home is being used as a residence, is stationary and is NOT and bearing all the burden he can. parked on a highway. 7) False. Section 121(5) prohibits a minor from Did you give him a smile? consuming or possessing liquor. 8) False. A minor may only consume He was downcast and blue, liquor at a friend’s place, when with a parent or legal guardian. 9) True. and a smile would have helped him Section 120 (5) states that when asked to leave, a person must leave to battle it through. immediately and may not re-enter the premise on the same day. 10) Did you give him a hand? False. The Liquor Control Act does not allow any person to permit He was slipping downhill, drunkenness to take place in any house, building or premises of which and the whole world I thought he is the owner, tenant or occupant. was treating him ill. These are just a few of the many laws outlined in the Liquor Control Did you give him a word? Act. How well did you do? Did you show him the road? Or did you just let him go on with his load? by: S.B. Conway Dear Editor: I recently received the February, 2003 issue of The Underground “ACCORDING TO by: Sam Press, from Ruth Bell of Swan River. Guspodarchuk The front page article on the honour received by local veteran, SAM” Gordon Doak, prompted me to call Gladys Doak, a senior lady here in Birch River. As it turns out, her husband was Gordon’s first cousin. With the end of the hockey season fast approaching, many of the She is going to send the article to another family member out in leagues here in Saskatoon are well into playoffs. As you all know, with Kelowna, BC. I believe it is being sent there to a brother of Gordon’s, playoffs comes a whole new level of hockey, desire, parents, and but I’m not sure. referees. This leads me to this month’s topic of discussion. I just wanted you to know that God is using you as an information This year, Jared (my #1 son) decided to get involved with refereeing highway in helping people out of touch to again begin to communicate. minor hockey. He’s only 12 and when he started, I was a little I appreciate your newspaper efforts, and hope that you keep on, concerned that he would be thrown to the wolves (parents/coaches). keeping on. But since starting and being involved with the Saskatoon Referee’s Sincerely Association, I have to say that I’m impressed with how that Marilynn Shimkus (SEE SPORTS on page 6) Birch River, MB. Page 4 THE Underground PRESS April, 2003

(JENNISSEN from page 1) massive investment in the riding I would have liked to have had, but I by: Cprl. Bob think we’ve presented a very positive influence in the various February Police Report MacKnight communities,” said Jennissen. “Then again, driving into Flin Flon, I’ve certainly noticed things that I didn’t notice when the Tories were in During a recent patrol on PTH #39, a member came upon a location, power.” off of the highway, which raised his suspicion. Keeping this matter in In regard to Snow Lake accomplishments, the member for Flin Flon mind, department members returned to this area the following day. says there have been some general items. Several grants were secured They located several individuals, who were in the process of removing through Community Places for the Museum and Family Resource a moose, from the area. Investigation resulted in members locating an Centre. In addition to the $10,000 WRAPP grant for a bailer for the expended rifle shell on the shoulder of the highway. This confirmed recycling program. The larger initiatives include the bridge over Berry that the moose had not only been unlawfully shot from the roadway, but Creek, and cost share funding for the filtration component at the Water that the shot had been fired across the highway. The members contacted Treatment Plant. Jennissen says that he is concerned about the delays local Resources Officers who attended the scene, seized the moose, the experienced in the funding of geriatric beds for the local Health Unit. suspect firearm and issued a fine in excess of $500.00. Our members “It was all set to go, then there was some snag and they had to did some good investigative work by being attentive and aware. As resubmit,” he protested. “That, in turn, put it over the quarter million well, response by Conservation’s Greg Shaw was immediate and dollar limit, which meant it had to go to Treasury Board then be okayed thorough. by cabinet. I thought that it was a done deal several times, but During the past month, members have continued to spend a apparently it wasn’t. So about two weeks ago, I phoned the Treasury considerable amount of time on the highway. This is due to the number Board and bugged several more people. I’ve been assured it is a go, but of drivers who have been detected traveling at excessive (130 km and like many, I just wish it had come about sooner.” Jennissen also says higher) rates of speed. As well, other offences have been identified, that he is aware of the Art Center’s predicament and will begin an including operating a vehicle without a valid drivers license. In regard active search for funding for them. to traffic enforcement, the RCMP are in the process of developing a The MLA says that there have been many high, as well as low, points plan, that will increase seat belt compliance. in his political career. The Mall in Flin Flon, the $13 million South During the past month, police provided assistance regarding Indian Lake Road, and equalizing Hydro rates are included amongst the numerous routine matters, such as criminal record checks, pardon former and on the negative side, he says politics wreaks havoc on applications, etc. family life. “With the size of the riding, when the house isn’t sitting, The detachment continues to receive complaints regarding prank you’re always traveling,” he said. “Losing the provincial election in telephone calls. These calls may qualify as an offence, depending upon ’95 was another low point,” Jennissen added. “I felt that we’d actually the nature, content, and frequency. Citizens who receive such calls, win it.” should document the call’s date and time, what was said, and report it Jennissen says that there are a number of pieces of legislation that he to MTS, or if appropriate, the RCMP. Residents should be aware, that is proud of. He mentions several specifically. The recently released although we don’t have the luxury of Call Management Service (*57, WS&H legislation and the legislation that his government passed 69, etc.), MTS Security has the ability to trace all prank calls. While stating that a government can’t ever sell another crown corporation, top the RCMP has enquired, MTS has not stated when CMS will, if ever, the list. “I think the sale of MTS was a disaster,” said Jennissen. “The be available in Snow Lake and area. Tories have complained about us using $288 million out of Hydro RCMP continue to receive complaints via the "911" emergency profits, but we own Hydro. These are profits made from selling power service, which appears to be working quite well. Residents are again to the Americans, of course we can use it for Manitoban’s health and reminded that all "911" calls, including false or abandoned calls are education.” reported and responded to by the police. Calls determined as being Overall, Jennissen feels his government has done very well, and he intentionally false are an offence. Further to this, please ensure that feels the majority of Manitobans, including those in his riding, concur. children are familiar with the "911" process and that it is to be used “This is a moderate government, not a really left leaning government,” only in the event of an emergency. he said. “I think a lot of the Tories and the Liberals are happy with the Police recently responded to a domestic disturbance complaint. Prior economic direction we’ve taken. But I think we still remain a working class government. We have to work hard to create jobs for young people in the north and to get the economy in these ridings to become a little more buoyant.” Dear Editor RE: Response to March 2003 Editorial Although the NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority is responsible for the provision of health care services for the residents of the region, under Manitoba Health guidelines, those health care services do not include dental services. We have spoken to the dentist who bought the practice from the previous dentist in regards to provision of dental services to the community of Snow Lake. He indicated to us that he still intended to come to Snow Lake as soon as he was able to recruit an additional dentist for the practice. Perhaps this is an issue that you need to discuss directly with Dr. Ashraf as we do not have the authority to intervene in one’s private practice. The Town Crew... If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Great job on the rash of water breaks! Sincerely yours, Lynore Spruyt, Lyn McDougall, Cathy Stabback, Keira Drew Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer McQuiston, Melissa Walker, Jodie Kowalchuk, and Twila NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority Korchinski... April, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 5

THE CHAMBERS by: Marc p.m. All council members and Administrator Dunning were in Jackson attendance. Under Business Arising From The Minutes, Mr. Dunning will contact Mayor Zamzow opened the March 4th meeting of council at 6:30 the Environment Department in regard to test results from the outlet p.m. All council members and Administrator Dunning were in and inlet of Anderson Creek. He was also asked to discuss the shared attendance. use agreement with Frontier School Division. Under Business Arising from the Minutes, council reviewed a brief The Town Foreman’s Report was received for filing. Mr. Lendvoy history of the involvement of W. Bruce Dunlop in the development of stated that Mr. Yates’ old septic truck has been offered to the town at a ore deposits in the Snow Lake area. Council instructed the very good price ($2500). As the town’s present septic truck has been Administrator to begin the process of renaming a portion of Cedar scrapped, the council gave him permission to purchase this truck and Avenue as Dunlop Drive. This will mimic council's decision to rename outfit it with the town’s septic tank. Discussions took place around the a portion of Poplar Ave. as Memorial Dr. The town has received word recent rash of water breaks and the need for an alternate water feed for that IBEW Local 2034 has agreed to the town’s negotiations proposals. the south end of town. This will be reviewed when engineering is done They will be forwarding the agreement to the town for ratification. The on the water plant addition. Lendvoy explained that the majority of town will be contacting a structural engineer to review some problems people were understanding of the momentous task that the crew was up being experienced with structural supports at the sewage treatment against in the repair of the 8” water line on Lipsey. Council was made plant. It is hoped that this will provide some ideas on how to repair aware of several instances of unpleasant behaviour from citizens and it these supports. was duly noted. Council thanked the crew for their long hours and The Town Foreman’s Report was received for filing. It was noted dedication in keeping the town supplied with water and basements in that there have been several frozen water and sewer lines with the latest the subdivision dry. spell of cold weather. None of these water lines had Aqua-flo units The Animal Control Officer’s Report was received for filing. Mr. installed. Whitmore reports that he spends several hours per day patrolling and The Administrator’s Report was received for filing. Mr. Dunning looking after impounded animals. The Protection Committee was to noted that a resolution would be brought forward later in the meeting meet and discuss his report. approving the sale ($5500) of lot 16 at Taylor Bay to Jerrold and The report from the Snow Lake Resources Enhancement Group Sharon Neil of Star Prairie, Wisconsin. It was noted at the last meeting meeting was received for filing. Council agreed that alternate members that the Neils had heard of the Taylor Bay subdivision via word of should be available to attend meetings with Tolko when regular mouth. Dunning also informed council that after 29 years of service, members are not available. Councilor Fisher will be the town’s Brian Doak handed in his notice of retirement, effective April 30, 2003. alternate and Ken Sul was suggested as the Citizen at Large alternate. The administrator advised council of concerns and letters from both He will be contacted in regard to his interest. Later in the meeting, a Betty Rudd and Ella Nogier in relation to “No Soliciting” signs that resolution to support the policies of the Manitoba Resource have been placed at both the Curling Rink and Seniors Center. Both Management Group passed unanimously. A letter and resolution of ladies feel that this prohibition will result in a negative impact on the support will be forwarded to them. ability of many groups to fundraise. Council was in agreement and told The Administrator’s Report was received for filing. Council’s only Mrs. Nogier, who was in attendance, that a letter would be sent to both requirement for the dock that Mr. Walker wants to build on Snow Lake groups outlining the council’s concern. Council was advised of a letter is that reflective materials be placed on it, so it can be seen at night. It sent to Intergovernmental Affairs and complaints lodged with the was noted that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will set Ombudsman by a local Hotelier. There were a number of concerns construction specifications. Council will look at any new dock requests cited and Mr. Dunning provided both parties with the information that on a case by case basis. It was also noted that as Snow Lake is the they were requesting. The problem of sewer gas backup, whenever the town’s water supply, it is just a matter of time before government sewage truck is dumping, was discussed. It is an accepted position that restrictions will be placed on gas engines, etc. on and around the lake. the cause of this is faulty or outdated plumbing. Those experiencing the Mr. Dunning advised that Wilma Pockett has expressed interest in fumes are aware that running water helps the gas dissipate. An organizing the annual town cleanup. She has stated that any money engineering firm is to be contacted about a possible solution. raised would be put towards a community project. Under Finance on the agenda, Mr. Dunning explained that of the First reading was given for by-laws renaming portions of Cedar and $65,000 that was moved from the nominal surplus to offset a major Poplar to Dunlop Drive and Memorial Drive, respectively and increase in taxes in 2002, only about $19,000 was required. Dunning designating the Community Hall as a non-smoking building. added that for the first time in recent memory the utility side of the In Other Matters, Councilor Walker reported on a pending TADD budget has realized a surplus. The utilities staff has been congratulated. conference in Regina, and the Girls Basketball Provincials in Hamiota. In other matters, Councilor Cairns asked that a letter be sent to the Art Councilor Jackson asked that the rock slips witnessed several weeks Center acknowledging their appearance at the last council meeting. back be investigated. He also asked that the town continue to lobby for Councilor Powell asked that another letter be sent to the former Winter a dentist in Snow Lake, and asked that the Community Hall be made Whoot Committee asking for copies of bank receipts. Councilor available for use in conjunction with the National Day of Mourning. Walker advised council of several career symposiums that would be Councilor Chrapun asked that Gogal Air be contacted in regard to an taking place and updated them on the latest basketball tournament. agreement on their building. Councilor Jackson asked that a by-law prohibiting smoking in the Mr. Lendvoy advised that the Little Stall hoist could be brought back Community Hall be drawn up. Council agreed. Councilor Chrapun from Thompson by Denis Stoltz, if loading could be arranged. This asked that council consider a boardwalk of some sort that would allow will be attempted. wheelchairs and strollers to be easily pushed on the beach. Councilor The council went in-camera to discuss staffing and adjourned ten Mayer asked that citizens be informed that the towns responsibility for minutes later. water and sewer lines ends at their property line. Mayor Zamzow mentioned that it appears that before any docks are allowed on Snow Lake there will have to be some work done on the approval process. Council went in camera at 8:35 p.m. and adjourned at 8:45 p.m. ~**~ Mayor Zamzow opened the March 18th meeting of council at 6:30 Page 6 THE Underground PRESS April, 2003

by: Clarence Fisher presenters also discuss specific problems that refs should watch for Tech Talk when officiating a given team. Usually the kids officiate two or three games during the week and Have you crawled in behind your computer desk lately? The mass of others on the weekend, as well as tournaments. The kids have input into cables coming from one single machine is amazing and people are tired which games they ref. Once they agree to do a game, they are of it. This explains why, over the last year, the concept of wireless responsible for that game. If they cannot make it, they must find their computing has caught on in such a big way. Wireless computing is own replacement. If they go A.W.O.L., they don’t get paid for the basically just that; the idea that computers can be set up so that the game and are fined the costs incurred in having someone else look after cables are reduced to a minimum. This is why, when you walk into any it. computer store these days, you’ll find wireless keyboards and mice The refs are paid from $12 - $20 per game, depending on the age manufactured by a growing number of companies. Sit how you want, group. In order to get paid, they submit a timesheet at the next where you want and you can still type or surf. Over the last 12 months, meeting. Should a ref get a suspension while playing hockey, they are the cost of a wireless keyboard/mouse package has fallen from over also suspended from the Ref’s Association. Also, the association backs $200 to around $100 or less. their referees when controversial calls are made, and ensure that the ref In cities, wireless computing has been taken further with the building fully understands his role in a game. of true wireless networks. Businesses set up wireless networks for use I suppose the main reason I‘m so impressed with refereeing, is by employees inside of their buildings, but anybody in the area can because it teaches kids responsibility, respect for authority, and they piggyback onto the network and access the Internet. The technology learn much more about the game by observing it up close. has become so prevalent, that wireless users in any major city can I have also noticed an improvement in Jared’s attitude towards the search out a map of (wireless) networks in their area and as a result refs of his games now that the shoe is on the other foot. gain free access to the Internet. As well, over the past year, Starbucks coffee shops have actively been installing Macintosh Airport networks in many of their locations. You can take your laptop with a wireless network card into any Starbucks and get high-speed Internet access without ever plugging in. REC. REVIEW by: Stephanie Foy In mid-March, McDonalds restaurants announced that they would also be installing wireless networks in their worldwide locations over the Spring is here! Well, at least according to the calendar. This spring next several years. When you think of all the places you can buy a Big the Recreation Department will be running a number of programs for Mac, this will be a huge boon for mobile computing. the community. With the help of the school, we will be sending out Wireless makes sense, especially with laptop computers. The whole forms to children in grades K-6 so they can indicate if they’d like to idea with a laptop is that you can take them anywhere to do whatever play soccer and softball ( T-ball for grades K-3). There will be a charge you want. With more and more information and a greater number of of $2.00 per child per season. This money goes towards the purchase of applications migrating to the Internet, it is increasingly important that new equipment. people have access no matter where they are. This means wires need to All those athletes playing soccer will be required to wear shin pads as go. But the biggest knock against the technology was the lack of a part of their uniform. If you don’t have shin pads, they can be ordered security. Just as radio waves can be picked up anywhere with a through the Recreation Department. portable radio, the same was true with wireless data transfer. If your Adult co-ed softball league will once again be running. I am currently email was flying through the air to connect to a wireless network inside looking for someone to help out with organizing this league. of a building you happened to be nearby, it was possible for others to An Ice Fishing Derby will be held on Sunday April 6, from 1 –3 p.m., grab it and read it. However, new wireless standards have been just off of the beach. There will be separate events for children and released and they take care of this problem. Still some people are adults. So, come on out and try to win an Ice Auger! The registration uncomfortable. fee is only $5.00 and this may be your last chance to ice fish for the Wireless home networks are also becoming increasingly common. season! Apple led the way several years ago when they released Air Ports. Are you interested in Recycling? If you missed the presentation that These small plastic cones sit anywhere in your house and you can gain was given early in March at the hall, you will be happy to know that connectivity from up to 150 feet away, allowing you to get online, or there will be information distributed to all residents of Snow Lake hook all of the computers in your home together without wires. outlining what you can recycle. Red wiggler worms will be available Microsoft has recently released a similar product and now most for in house composting in a couple of months time. To sign up for a machines you buy from Dell, the world’s largest supplier of home free quantity of them, call and get your name on the waiting list. computers, are equipped with a wireless card. Now you can sit on your Basically you need to have a fairly big container with air vents cut in it deck, or in your backyard and surf without any problems. Not much to allow air exchange. You throw in some damp newspaper strips, a magic to setting them up either, as the systems need to be easy enough hand full of dirt, a handful of worms, and all the things you would for the average home user to figure out. Approximately $150 is all that normally compost in your outdoor garden. This includes vegetable it’ll cost you. Now if we only had high-speed Internet service in waste, egg shells, tea bags, coffee grounds, etc. You don’t have to do town… anything else for 5 months or so depending on the amount of composting material you are feeding them. After five months you give them a month break to finish their food, and then you clean out your container and give a bunch of worms away to someone else who would (SPORTS from page 3) like to have a composter. These are special worms, that eat twice their organization operates. body weight every day, and they reproduce almost as quickly. At this After the kids complete their daylong training course, they must point I have the only container of worms in my house. If you would like attend the next monthly meeting before they ref any games. At the to have your own inside composter, please call and leave your name. meetings they discuss various interpretations of the rulebook and If you have any questions or comments on upcoming programs include a quiz on specific code rules. The kids are also encouraged to please feel free to email: [email protected] or call me at 204-358-7353. ask questions pertaining to situations they have encountered. The April, 2003 THE Underground PRESS Page 7

by: Becky Socially Speaking by: Wanda Life & Truth Ainsworth

My new role performing "Real Social Work" So, yes, we had quite a lot of fun back in February when Graham Working within the Child Welfare system is an exhilarating Kendrick was in Edmonton. Turns out he has a good sense of humour experience, and Alberta Child Welfare is presently going through some and also he was clearly tickled to be here. In fact, he panned the crowd exciting changes. Our Minister of Children's Services, Iris Evans, has with some sort of special camera, “to prove I was here,” and also asked that Child Welfare be delivered to communities in two separate extended a microphone into which we obligingly roared, “Hi, ways. Before this two-track system, a family in need had only one Kendricks!” With his comment about wanting to go skiing, we option. That was to be placed on the Child Welfare Information System strongly suspected he had never been to our beautiful country before. I (CWIS) as having a child in need of services and (most often) stating still wonder at his coming to Edmonton, of all places. that the parents had somehow put their child at risk. With the two track As well, this man in his humility impressed me. His face did not system, families may now also receive services through what is called appear on any screen, he and his back-up people were exceedingly non- the Family Enhancement Program (FEP). descript, and there were worship songs besides Graham’s own which he The FEP provides services to low risk families. Some of these led us in. This being a school night, the girls had to get home to bed, services include: mediation, anger management, parenting skills, but I was certainly reluctant to leave that joyous place. The melody of a referrals to addiction/medical/counselling programs, and a solution new song of his, “Go do something beautiful. In the name of Jesus, do focused base of attending to their own needs. All this is being done something beautiful…” remains with me, last heard as we exited. with consent of the family. The goal being to work with the family to Just a few weeks later was Edmonton’s annual Missions Fest, held in assess their needs as they see them, to set goals, to empower them to the same facility. This event was culturally colourful, challenging in work at and attain their own goals in order for their family to move on its messages (and George Verwer, we discovered, is quite the in a lifestyle they are agreeable to. This is done without placing the character), and again there was some moving worship. On the last child "at risk" to eliminate the need for more intrusive interventions, night heading home, daughter Lindsey was heard to say with some and it keeps the family off of the Child Welfare System. degree of frustration: “Oh why can’t this orthodontic stuff (which What this means for Social Workers in Alberta is that those who we’ve barely begun) be finished now, so we can go back to Nigeria!” become Family Enhancement Social Workers work intensely with Her mother “explains” this by pointing out that only God can see the families for 6 - 8 weeks; longer if necessary. The worker is actually whole picture. Our job is to be obedient where we are right now. doing the "real social work" that they were originally trained to This obedience sometimes entails simply putting one foot in front of do. There will always be a need for the more intrusive side of Child the other, and doing “the next thing.” But hey, we do have a Welfare, as families, for whatever reason, still put their children at guidebook for making life on earth easier! God’s Word is what I need risk. Those children can not provide for their own safety and care every day to make sense of it all. Lately, my Old Testament reading without intervention. But what the Family Enhancement Program does, has been in Proverbs, and just today I read chapter 14, verse 32, in the is provide families with a time-limited chance to change what is Amplified Bible: “The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing happening to them because they want to. It is meant for them to be and calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope and confidence empowered and taught to meet as a family, form their own goals even in death.” That about covers everything, I’d say. In my New regarding their own issues, and finally work at attaining those goals as a Testament reading, I’m just finishing John chapter seventeen, and have family. been struck by the incredible love of Jesus towards each one of us. He The Child Welfare Act is in the process of revision and will likely wanted, and still wants, so badly (see end of verse 21) for every person become legislated by the spring of 2004. This Act will include the in the world to believe. And even though he knew he was soon to be interventions of Family Enhancement. It will also include the need for nailed on a cross for us, his love continued on (as we glimpse in verse parents and families to take more responsibility in meeting the 26). Incredible or what! If you are still holding out on believing appropriate needs of their children. This will be done by setting down (which is really just the beginning point as far as life with your Creator provisions in the Act, which will state that a family will have much is concerned), now would be a good time to stop and consider, or shorter time-lines to meet goals in order to keep and raise their children reconsider. I speak from experience in saying that trying to run one’s within their own families. If they do not meet these goals to the courts own life “works” for a limited time only. Sooner or later, we have all satisfaction the children will be placed permanently within foster care, realized, or will realize (but by then it could be too late), that getting on with an aim at having them adopted as soon as possible. This process is track with our Creator is the best option. As has been mentioned here to allow for the children to take their lives off “hold" while their parents before, there are some, maybe many, Christians who are “a bad decide whether or not they want to become more suitable and raise their advertisement” for Christianity. This is unfortunate, but it would be children safely. The law believes that children have the right to a safe, even more unfortunate if you were to base your eternal destiny on secure family that helps them develop to adulthood without being in the another human being’s unwise behaviour. Put your eyes on him who justice system or the child welfare system for a number of years. has never sinned. Consider his words. Fall at his feet. Believe, One of the biggest problems workers encounter in this field of work receive, obey and your joy will be full. As well, your destiny will be is the lack of appropriate foster homes to meet these children's sure. needs. There are a number of children waiting for homes. Imagine how they must feel knowing there is no family for them to grow up in. If anyone has it in their heart to watch a child blossom into adulthood and reap the rewards of knowing you have made a difference in someone's life, call your nearest Child Welfare office. People have so much to Alcoholics Anonymous is a group of men offer and children have a right to a family that loves and cares for them unconditionally. Go ahead, call today! and women who share their strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem. For meeting times Page 8 THE Underground PRESS April, 2003

showings on the first night. The hall was full, with most kids just happy Looking Back through the eyes of... to be seated on the floor. Admission was $.50 (children), $.75 (students), and $1.00 (adults). Snow Lakers were watching the movie with: Cathy Stabback Garry Zamzow on 35mm projectors (twice the size as before) and the light was supplied by burning carbon arc (welding rods). Above all, the sound quality was The story of the Snow Lake Theater began April 11, 1966, the day I good enough that even the miners could hear what was going on. arrived in town. It wasn’t long before I was taking in my first movie at The movies were very well received with showings of a given movie the Community Hall. I found this to be an interesting experience as on Monday and Tuesday and showing of another on Friday and Sunday during the movie it came to a sudden stop. Mr. Laurie Marsh was (and often on Sunday afternoons for the kids). Staffing soon became a struggling to keep the little 16mm projector running and being I was a family affair, as requirements called for up to seven girls, two projectionist, I offered to help. We installed a new bulb, changed the projectionists, and a couple of cleaners. The Mesic, Evans, Bill, Dahle, drive belt, and we were able to complete the movie. Before long I was Wooley and Chlan girls all became part of the movies in addition to our sharing, with the Community Club directors, a plan to set up regular main projectionist, John Humeniuk. movie projectors and rent the hall to provide first run movies. Thanks The first run movies didn’t come without costs, as most were paid for to Covert Armsworthy and Frank Highfield for listening to my story at by a percentage of the gate, 50%, 75%, and once 90%. This was just for work and getting things going. The next challenge was obtaining the the film. It soon became clear that to pay rent and make bank loans, we projectors. would need concession revenue. It was soon apparent that popcorn was The Avalon Theater in Birch River had recently burned down, so we a requirement for a night out at the movies! In the beginning my wife, were able to purchase their projectors. As with many ventures in Snow Evelyn, made popcorn by hand. She would make it in the afternoon for Lake this became a community work-bee. The moving, hauling, and that evening’s show, so the arrival of a popcorn machine was very much setting up of the theater was all done by a host of enthusiastic welcomed by the girls. volunteers. Snow Lake would have movies long before they had TV It was so much fun watching as the young guys would bring a girl to a reception. movie for the first time, finding the courage to actually pay her way in After the special fire proof projector room was done, the big screen and then waiting for the lights to go out to see if she would hold his put in place, two hundred new chairs ordered, and the electrical system hand. We had many, many good movies, but one that I often talk about tested; we were ready to roll, or so it was thought. We soon learned was called Cheech and Chong. This was a flat rate cost that I had not that movies could not be rented without the costs of a booking agency wanted, but was told by the agency not to pass it by. To my and someone in the city to deliver films. An Ad Agency in Calgary amazement, it was very well received and it had to be run two extra was also required and freight had to be paid on the films both ways. times. We even made money on that one. The Snow Lake Theater was This required a trip to the bank to set up a loan. in operation for about twelve years. We closed it down when a contract Our first showing was an Elvis Presley movie, complete with the agreement could not be reached for the use of the hall. latest wide screen viewing. Wide screen viewing meant that another set It was a great experience that my family enjoyed and hopefully so did of lenses had to be purchased for the projectors and as a result the loan that period’s movie patrons. at the bank had to be extended by another $1000. The lenses ended up being worth more than the projectors. This first movie had two

What Ever Happened to... HAM AND EGGS - A day's work for a chicken; A lifetime Marsha commitment for a pig. ~ unknown

What ever happened to me?... Well.. Lots! Some of the people IGA as Meat Manager. What a bold move for us. We had never been reading this probably won't remember me. I am Ab and Irene's there before, let alone heard of the place. We sold our house in Calgary daughter, and my two older brothers are Bryce and Ross. and bought one in Sundre and slowly settled into small town life. I was born in 1967 in Snow Lake and lived there for most of my life. Moving from the city to the mountains was quite a change. Road rage At the age of 15, I moved to Outlook, SK. where I took my grade 11. had to disappear and instead of traffic, we have to wait while the deer During that time, my parents divorced and Mom moved to Melfort, and moose walk down the street. SK., where she still resides today. She is enjoying her retirement by In Feb. 2002, we had a new addition to our family. My niece Jessica, keeping busy playing in her band "Irene & the Goodnighters". Ross's daughter, moved from BC and in with us. I have no kids of my Unfortunately we lost dad in 1997. own, but do have two teenagers. YIKES!!! Joey is now nearly 16 and is After living in Saskatchewan for more than a year, the call "home" currently in grade 9, and Jess is 17 and graduates this year. She will be came and I headed back to Snow Lake to finish Grade 12 (a year late). attending college in the fall, working towards becoming a teacher. After graduating in 1986, I moved to Saskatoon where I became a Disc I enjoyed working last summer at the golf course here in town. I was Jockey for Garry Robertson Music. In 1988, I moved to Edmonton and employed as the waitress and cook. It was fun and I got to meet alot of continued employment with that same company as well as several new people. Unfortunately, I never did learn how to golf. Last fall when other jobs. During my eight years in Edmonton, I worked at a meat the season ended, I started working at Granny's Kitchen, where I do the shop and that is where I met my husband Kevin (he was my boss at the same work and also part time at Race Trac Gas. I am still employed time). In 1994, we decided on a change and moved south to Calgary, there, so if you are ever in town, stop in for breakfast or a fill up. where we ran a grocery store from 1994-2001. I continued with my job This year is promising to be a busy one with Jess volunteering me for as a DJ, becoming the first female with the company in both Edmonton grad committee. Anyway, that is about all I have been up to "lately". and Calgary. In 1999, we married and settled into family life, having Time sure has flown by. If you are ever in Sundre, give me a call or Kevin's son Joey move in with us. In 2001, I retired from DJ’ing after email me at [email protected]. “Hi” to everyone, and hope to doing that for 16 years. see you this summer. In 2001, we were getting tired of the city life and Kevin started looking for work elsewhere. He was offered a job in Sundre, AB., with