Volume 5 issue 1- 2007 take one ree f

Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan’s Storyteller Saskatchewan’s • King Trapper • Mining • Island Falls • Falls Island • Mining • Trapper King • January – February 2007 Editor’sNote – Jillian Betke Bessette – ever. And speaking of ‘shows’, 1950s with Joan Edwards’ The Jim Parres gives us an overview Arrival of the Tractor Train. appy New Year 2007! of just what’s hot in We also tell the great stories of Goodbye to 2006 and mining/exploration right now today you’ve come to expect: For Hhello to the future; last (everything!) in Showtime. Whom the Bell Tolls, The Binds year was great, but we here in the As always, we take a look back of Mining, and Flin Flon Hosts the north have so much to look for- at the people and places which 2006 Golden Gals. ward to Metal prices are up, our have shaped our region with So join us here at Cottage economies and opportunities are Marc Jackson’s A Simple Yet North this issue, looking back, thriving, and that great northern Determined Life (the story of one looking at, and most definitely spirit is as vibrant as ever! man’s life spent living the north- looking forward! Why not take in some of that ern way), Phil King’s In the enthusiasm at The Pas’ Trappers’ Beginning There was Water (a Festival, which is celebrating its tale of a trip to Island Falls in the 60th anniversary this winter. The 1930s), and get a peek at life at a show is sure to be as exciting as remote nursing station in the Letter to the Editor write you this letter to ask if it is possible to get a Cottage North mag- Iazine? COTTAGE Why do I know your magazine? ™ My sister-in-law Pearl Anderson lives in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba. She came on holiday to Alberta for two months, and how sweet it was of her north to bring six Cottage magazines. I read three to four times and I will read it $36.00/year mailed again. How fulfilling this magazine is. I will share my reading with the Auger family in Edmonton; Raymond in Canada has worked with the railroad for 35 years and knows Manitoba by his (no email subscriptions) work. Send cheques payable to: I relax on my rocking chair and read and read this magazine. I con- Cottage North gratulate you on telling such good 10 North Ave. memories and giving happy feelings Flin Flon, MB about everything in your area, and in Visa, M R8A 0T2 Manitoba. astercard accepted Keep up the good work, it is 100% 204-687-4303 worth it. Have a nice day. Sincerely, Lucille Atkins Onoway, Alberta Page 2 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY publisher: Randy Daneliuk January - February/07 editor: Jillian Betke Bessette Volume 5 layout editor: Carl Hill production team: Issue 1 Gail Baker

Joan Edwards Bessette Jillian Betke

Marc Jackson by Phil King Cover photo courtesy of Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival Danielle Labine Dawne Labine Photo Wilf Lamontagne Jonathon Naylor Morley G. Naylor Jim Parres 8 A Simple Yet Determined Life Patricia Vickery Shannon Thompson Marc Jackson advertising sales: Karen MacKinnon Dawne Labine (204) 687-4303 12 Showtime how to reach us: 204-687-4303 Jim Parres general fax: 204-687-4473 email address: [email protected] 15 Arrival of the Tractor Train postal address: Joan Edwards Cottage North™ 10 North Avenue Flin Flon, Manitoba R8A 0T2 17 The Binds of Mining Printed in Canada 2006 Jillian Betke Bessette Cottage North magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction of pho- tos, illustrations or text in any form with- out written permission from the publisher 19 In the Beginning There was Water is prohibited. Phil King

24 The King Trapper Wilf Lamontagne

32 For Whom the Bell Tolls Morley G. Naylor in every issue… 38 Flin Flon Hosts 2006 4 Calendar of Events Golden Gals 6 Dandee’s Kids Page Gail Baker 44 The Ladies Room

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 3 COTTAGE Calendar north™ of Events

January 6-7 - Elk Ridge - Elk Gateway North Sled Dog Race tors. Some events include celebri- Ridge Snow Dog Romp - Sprint Association. $30,000 expected ty bannock bake-off, sponge and distance dog sled races. Also purse. Race dates February 15-18. hockey, children’s activities, a skijoring demonstration; skijor- The longest sled dog race in Friday family stage show, fire- ers may bring their dogs and join Canada. (306) 763-1539 works, talent show, kid zone play in a noncompetitive run on a land, sleigh rides and a pancake short course. (306) 960-1654 February 7-25 - Prince Albert - breakfast. (204) 778-8881 Prince Albert Winter Festival - January 12 - Thompson - Children’s carnival, art show, February 9-10 - The Pas - The Alexander Tselyakov - Alexander crafts, fireworks and snow bowl- Pas Music and Arts Festival Tselyakov combines virtuosity ing. Rising Stars youth talent Registration - Register for this with breathtaking musicality in show, harmonica and jigging prestigious event at the Uptown the Russian tradition of great events, old tyme fiddlers, king Mall from 4:00-6:00 on Friday and pianists. R.D. Parker Collegiate trapper and beard growing com- 12:00-4:00 on Saturday. (204) 623- Letkemann Theatre. (204) 677- petitions. Dog sled races, snow 1332/7699 7952 sculptures and more. (306) 764- 7595 February 12 - Thompson - January 20 - The Pas - A Wee Manitoba Theatre Centre presents Bit of Scotland - An evening of February 8-11 - Flin Educating Rita - Educating Rita is Scottish-flavoured song, dance Flon/Creighton - Bust the Winter a modern Pygmalion story about and food. Norlite Hall. (204) 623- Blues Festival - Activities include social class, self-realization, and 7699 card tournaments, bingo, snow- education. R.D. Parker Collegiate mobile poker rally, farmer’s mar- Letkemann Theatre. (204) 677- January 26-27 - The Pas - ket, pancake breakfast, family 7952 MBCI Coffee House - Transport dance, bonfire and wiener roast, yourself back to the ’60s at the family fishing derby, dog sled February 14 - Flin Flon - MBCI Cafeteria. (204) 623-7699 races, social, snowboard competi- Manitoba Theatre Centre presents tion. (204) 681-7542 Educating Rita. (204) 687-5974 February 1-5 - Prince Albert to La Ronge - Canadian Challenge February 9-10 - Thompson - February 14-18 - The Pas - 2007 - 10th Annual. 600 km sled Winterfest - A winter celebration Trappers’ Festival - 60th dog race from Prince Albert to La of events and competition for Anniversary of this infamous Ronge with return organized by trappers, dog sledders and specta- northern tradition. King, Queen, and junior trapper events, dog sled races, large arts and crafts show, fur queen competition, dances, talent show, baking con- We want to hear from you! test, and much more! (204) 623- Have an interesting story idea? 2912 Have a comment about past issues? February 16-17 - Flin Flon - Hapnot Collegiate Dinner Theatre Have an event you’d like to list? - A Pirate’s Life For Me. (204) 687- COTTAGE Well then drop us a line at 7506 ™ [email protected] north or give us a call at 204-687-4303. February 23-25 - Flin Flon - Cottage North reserves the right to review, edit and/or refuse submitted material. Norman Winter Games - Sports, entertainment, and fun for chil- dren and adults. (204) 681-7542 Page 4 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY TRAPPERS’ CELEBRATES 60 YEARS he upcoming Trappers’ deals, it was decided to organize celebration has retained popularity Festival in The Pas from the activities that generally throughout the years because of February 14-18, 2007 marks occurred into a competitive festi- the warmth of the welcome in the T val. The organized events gave community and the enjoyment of the 60th year of the incorporation of the Northern Manitoba them a sense of belonging in the the events and activities. Trappers’ Festival, and 60 years of community. continuous operation of all of the The major events of the events. Trappers’ Festival continue to be The Trappers’ Festival, annually the World Championship Dog held in The Pas during the third Race and the King Trapper events. weekend of February, retains the After a mass start in the mornings, flavour and celebrations of a the World Championship Dog diverse cultural heritage - the Race is run in 35 mile heats over Northern Pioneer. The skills and three days on farm land adjacent entertainment enjoyed by the pio- to a public highway which pro- neers are brought to life in a week vides excellent access for specta- of events designed to generate sin- tors. The King Trapper events con- cere and genuine hospitality and sist of contests based on the activ- friendship endemic to the North. ities required for the lifestyle, The atmosphere of excitement, livelihood and survival of the trap- thrills and enthusiasm is experi- per (see page 24). There are also enced by competitor, participant contests for youth and women and spectator alike. based on the same theme. The Trappers’ Festival had its Other notable activities are the start in 1916, and has continued annual Arts and Crafts Show since, with breaks in the war years (which highlights many northern and during the Depression. The artisans, and has over 10,000 items festival was formally constituted on display and sale), the amateur and incorporated in 1947 and has talent show, the children’s shows operated annually since that time. and activities, the seniors’ Trappers, prospectors and fur events, the mini-festivals at traders utilized dog teams as their the schools, the parade, major means of transportation. the pancake breakfasts, Because these pioneers gathered beard growing con- in The Pas during the winter for tests and the evening provisions, supplies, trading furs, rendezvous. and transacting annual business This annual

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHERN MANITOBA TRAPPERS’ FESTIVAL

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 5 Dandee’sKIDS PAGE Flower Fashion

Danielle Labine Cottage North ack in the July/August issue, I went to the Garden BSpot to see where they grow plants and flowers. So for this edition, I went to see if Leona at Northern Rainbow’s End Gifts and Flowers could teach me how to arrange the flowers. Mom and I met with Leona, Carrie and Amber. Leona took us straight into the back to get to work. The first thing I did was put on an apron so that I would- n’t get my clothes wet. It was a really cold day and I didn’t want to get cold on my way home. There were tons of vases, bas- kets and mugs to pick from, but because of the time of year, we picked out Christmas mugs to put the flowers in. All the flowers and green stuff (leaves and greenery) are kept in a really cold fridge. We had to go in and get all the stuff we planned on using (there were lots of different flowers to choose from). Before we began, we had to put some stuff called oasis (a kind of green foam that stays wet for quite a long time and helps feed the flowers) into the mug. Page 6 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Then we got to start the arrange- Then we tied a big bow on the Now I know how to grow ment - Leona said you always put front to finish it off. flowers, and also how to cut the greenery around the edge When it was all done, Leona them off and first; we used cedar and leather said it looked as good as her first arrange them leaf. Flowers go in next, starting flower arrangement! We wrapped to look nice with the tallest and going down it up in winter plastic (there’s inside the to the shortest - the more you use summer plastic too, but it’s thin- house! the fuller it looks. We used car- ner) so the flowers wouldn’t nations because they last so long. freeze - but you still can’t leave After all the flowers were in, them outside! we put in some fern and then A big thank you to Leona for filled all the holes with more showing me how to arrange greenery. Leona gave me some flowers. The flowers looked real- Christmas decorations and a pine ly nice in our living room for a cone to put in with the flowers. long time.

PHOTOS BY MOM

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 7 A Simple Yet Determined Life

George Allard, Nettie Johnson and her baby Carl, 1939. – Marc Jackson [based on the he moved to Herb Lake, before As a youth, George Allard had a writings of George Allard] – returning to Le Pas for his latter dog that pulled him on a small years, where he resided in St. sleigh throughout Le Pas. He eorge Allard grew up in Le Paul’s Nursing Home. laboured to walk, first with a cane, Pas, Manitoba. He was In the early 1980s Allard docu- and then without one. However, Gthought to have had polio mented his determination and with some difficulty, he was even- at a young age, and as a result, some accomplishments of his sim- tually able to walk to and from struggled to walk his entire life. In ple, yet very interesting life. He did school by himself. He noted that spite of his disability, Allard so in the form of a newsletter, his right leg and foot were weak worked at and accomplished many which was later found and made and he sometimes fell, but always things that most able-bodied indi- available by one of Herb Lake’s got up. In March of 1924, he said viduals would struggle with. last full-time residents, Walter that he was well enough to walk to Although his earliest years were Lunde. What follows is Allard’s life the bridge from Crossley Avenue spent in Le Pas, in the mid 1920s story based upon his writings. in order to watch the 100-mile dog

Page 8 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY team race. around their home, and noted how and most people didn’t expect It wasn’t long after this that he managed to catch a few them to be successful. However, Allard’s father heard about the dis- weasels and muskrat. The pro- both were determined and worked covery of gold and the mines it ceeds went to his mother, and they hard to do well. was spawning north of Le Pas at were able to survive and stock the The men trapped until mid- Herb Lake. In April of 1924, the pantry. At 13, Allard was getting May, catching 18 beaver, an otter, senior Allard moved the family stronger and that winter he again and over 300 muskrats. They were there; George turned 12 years of fished Wekusko Lake with the four pleased with their bounty, and age in May of that year. nets his father had left them. with the experience and success Herb Lake had two operating The summer of 1927 brought gained at their newfound trade, mines, the Rex and the Bingo. with it a new opportunity, when they made plans to return to the These mines were powered by young Allard began looking after line in the fall. steam, and resultantly there was an the dogs of a local trapper. Over Allard went back to his previ- overwhelming demand for wood. that summer, he fed ten dogs, and ous trade in the summer of 1929, Besides those who worked the for the labour and feed was paid only this time he worked for mines, scores of men worked cut- $3.00 per animal per month. By Henry Mackons. Mackons was ting and hauling wood. George’s saving a bit, he was able to buy a feeding 60 dogs and he paid the father drove horses, sleighing in 16-foot canoe for the princely sum young man $1.00 a day plus board freshly fallen wood for the mines’ of $15.09. He in turn used the for his help. Allard was set with a massive steam engines. Sadly, his canoe to fish for the dogs’ feed. job until September. dad was badly hurt in an accident In the spring of 1928, Allard In the fall of 1929, with their in the bush and passed away in began trapping with young Joe spring success still fresh in their December 1924. Dubois, 30 miles down the Grass minds, he and Dubois bought As there was now just George River. By this time the young fish- more traps and headed off for their and his mother, he was forced to erman had four dogs and a sleigh, trapline. However, when they leave school in order to help out. which the pair used to carry a arrived they found that a fire had His dad had commercial fished canoe and their supplies. On their gone through the area and razed and had four nets, so in the winter first foray out to the trapline, Allard their cabin. They lived like spar- of 1925, George continued with told of how he and Dubois broke tans in their tent until they finished that trade in his father’s stead. He trail for ten miles, making the trip a new log cabin that November. It sold the fish he caught to a local to their line a two-day event. They was small, only 10’ by 10’, but the storeowner, Louie Allard, and had a tent, which they set up on men were glad to be out of the bought groceries with the money. their first night, but were able to tent and to have the extra comfort To further supplement their exis- move into the more comfortable of a cabin. tence, George’s mother took in surroundings of an empty cabin In December of that year, they washing, baked and sold bread, when they arrived at their trapping left for Herb Lake to sell their fur. and tended to a garden. location. Allard said that both he After paying off their grubstake, George also took to trapping and Dubois were young and green they split $300.00 between them, THE Northern GRUB BOX Denture Clinic Ltd. GROCERIES/FRESH MEATS & PRODUCE 35 Selkirk Avenue 363 Crossley Avenue, The Pas (204) 623-6469 Thompson, MB 677-3743 Robert R. Osika L. D., D. D Serving the north since 1990 Featuring the Grub Club with Discount Pricing! Supermarket Shopping with Convenience Store Hours Mon to Sat 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sun Noon-5:00 p.m.

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 9 and once Christmas was over they and two otter. That December, was enlisted and went out on the headed back to the cabin to finish after they paid their grubstake trapline with Allard. The younger their winter and spring trapping. there was only $270.00 to split. Stoltz enjoyed trapping and was Approximately seven miles Rather than return to the trapline, very good at it. That May (1931), from their cabin, the men found a the partners decided to go winter when Allard turned 19, he and 7’ x 8’ cabin, which was large fishing with Stoltz’s brother, Edwin came home mid-month enough to serve as an overnight Albert. That foray into fishing was with three beaver and numerous cabin. Allard noted that the trap- much more successful than the lat- muskrats. Prices were low; the per who had used the line before est trapping had been. They man- muskrats were worth only 35 them had built the shel- cents each and the ter and it helped in price of beaver wasn’t extending his and even worth speaking Dubois’ line. The men about. headed home to Herb That summer, Lake in the spring of Allard went to Herb 1930, and this time after Lake’s July 1 dance, paying their grubstake, and later stated that split $800.00. At the out- that was the last time set of the Depression, he was ever to dance. that was a lot of money In August, he was for two young trappers. admitted to St. When the yearning to Anthony’s Hospital in be back on the trapline Le Pas. Later, in arose once again in the November, he was fall of 1930, Joe Dubois sent to the St. Vital made it known that he Sanatorium in had other plans. In Winnipeg, and then search of a partner, on to the St. Boniface Allard arranged for Louie Hospital. He was diag- Stoltz to come with him. nosed, and on Stoltz and Allard had December 7, they gone to school together operated on him for and were the same age. tuberculosis of the The two men set off for bones. He was in a his trapline. cast for seven months, That October it and in Winnipeg for snowed for three days an even longer period and nights, and by the of time. He said they time it had subsided gave him a pair of there was 2-1/2 feet of crutches and in March snow on the ground. of 1933, he went Possibly due to the poor home to Herb Lake. ice caused by the snow, Allard’s mother felt as well as the current sad for him, but by running under the ice, May of 1933, he was October of 1930 saw two able to tend to a few of the men’s friends, minor things around along with their four their yard. This was dogs, drown on short-lived, however,

Wekusko Lake. They had George Allard COURTESYPHOTOS OF LINDA BUTLER COLLECTION and the young man been told that someone again fell sick. That had heard the shouts of trappers aged to fill a rail car with what entire summer, he was unable to Charley Stayback and Fred Miller, they caught, but things such as do anything for himself. He’d lost but when they got there it was too they were, couldn’t sell the fish. the use of his arms and was to the late. Upon hearing this news, The men received only their board point where his mother had to Allard and Stoltz returned to Herb for working from January until feed him. Lake. March, and returned to their line Strong willed and ripe with After a period of time, the two for spring trapping. determination, Allard was able to men headed back to their trapline, The following spring, Stoltz sit up in a chair by the fall of 1933 but by then their luck had went to The Pas in hopes of get- and by the spring of 1934, he was changed. That fall they caught a ting a job at Churchill. Edwin able to get up from the chair and grand total of four mink, six fox, Stoltz, Louie’s younger brother, onto his crutches. Steadily gaining Page 10 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY strength, by the summer of 1935, In the fall of 1940, the Allards month. In the ensuing years, they he could walk a mile on his had enough wood hauled in to moved to another house on 7th crutches. last the winter. George was able Street, which was rented at $8.00 Throughout that period, Allard to cut their wood into stove a month. was travelling back and forth to Le length pieces, so he cut wood all Allard continued to knit after Pas for regular T.B. checkups. winter, while his mother would moving to Le Pas, and became However, in 1938 a nurse came to carry it into the house. quite well known for it. He knit see him in Herb Lake. In the spring of 1941, Allard diamond socks, mitts, and Surprisingly, she told him that he took up a new profession and scarves, and noted that the dia- was discharged from Le Pas’ T.B. started making snowshoes from mond socks he fabricated were so program because his condition birch. He’d work on these until popular he couldn’t keep up with was no longer considered to be May, and then go back to his gar- demand. Additionally, his knitting T.B. It was arthritis! Allard stated dening. He returned to snowshoe provided he and his mother with that although it was great to know making in the fall, and although it an income and a purpose, and that, she didn’t tell him what to do was difficult work, he made 18 through it Allard made scores of about the arthritis. pairs and sold them for $8.00 friends. In the spring of 1939, on each. Around this time, he also By 1956, Mrs. Allard needed crutches, and unable to do much attained and mastered a knitting hospital care and George was no of anything, Allard made plates machine and with it, knit mitts longer able to look after her. A for the bottoms of his crutches, so and socks for local fishermen. physician, Dr. Jacobs, suggested as not sink into the soil of their Allard turned 30 in the spring that they move into the basement large Herb Lake garden. Once the of 1942. With his mother in her at St. Anthony’s, so they did. garden was plowed, he took on seventies, her health began to fail. Mrs. Allard passed away on the job of looking after the pota- This made it difficult for them, as December 23. That spring, toes. He took a bushel of seed he was still on crutches. George temporarily moved into potatoes and cut each into four or Compounding their situation, the Mrs. Ted Sevenson’s home while five pieces, planting and caring Laguna Mine shut down and sev- she was away at her son’s place, for them until they were ready to eral stores closed. The one and then moved to the Rupert harvest. He then dug them, and remaining store was a mile away House where he lived for the next his mother picked them up. They from their Herb Lake home. eight years. It was there he met got close to 80 bushels of spuds In the fall of 1944 Allard and his love Rose Dion, and they were from Allard’s plot. This added his mother moved to Le Pas. married in 1966. nicely to the peas, beans, toma- Being wartime, things were diffi- He and Rose moved to St. toes, and the other produce his cult. But they managed to get a Paul’s in February of 1968, where mother tended to. Herb Lake is place at Central Rooms on LaRose Rose passed away December 7, known for its fertile soil and it Avenue and in March, moved to a 1972. At the time of this writing, certainly grew some good crops three-room house on 7th Street, February 1981, Allard had been at for the Allards. which they rented for $5.00 a St. Paul’s for 13 years. opperbelt MBC Network Radio C Hotel “Many Things to Many People” Northern News Request Shows 353 Main St., Creighton, SK Sports Contemporary & Traditional Country 688-7040 Weather Bingo Aboriginal Music Call-in Shows Live Entertainment Contests After-school Top 40 Music on Weekends. Cree Programming Retro Programs Meat draws every Dene Programming Saturday Night House Party Friday & Saturday. Creighton/Flin Flon 91.9 FM Hours: Prince Albert 88.1 FM Monday - Saturday 9:30 am - 2:00 am Saskatoon 104.1 FM Sunday 12:00 noon - 12:00 midnight www.mbcradio.com

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 11 SUBMITTED PHOTO

– Jim Parres – freeze followed by very little snow followed by more intense cold very year in late November, a makes for great thick blue ice. Peachy tribe gathers in Southern Many of this wide roaming fra- EManitoba near the Forks ternity, including trappers, truck- where the Assiniboine meets the ers, and trippers, will be travelling Keen Red River. Prospectors, a dying the ice surfaces of a myriad of breed, and explorationists armed Manitoba lakes, waving at the ice 135 Main St. 687-4605 with BreX backlash NI-43-101 cer- fishermen, commercial and sport, Mall on Main tificates, bunch up similar to the in the wintery months of 2006-07. We now have gathering phenomenon of two- Their very lives as well as their Naturalizer Dress Shoes! year-old male juvenile loons on livelihoods depend on good, thick Lake Athapap every summer. ice. If the swamps freeze that is an • Women sizes 10-24 At midnight on the second day additional bonus, although they • Brand names such as: Simon of this mineralized convening, hardly ever do. Even slush can kill everyone at the Annual Freeze-Up you. Chang Denim, Dagoli, Tribal & Glitzaballia gets down on bended At the end of this wheezy many more designers knee, holds their neighbour’s hand prayer, the assembled multitudes (be it friend or foe) and mutters a continue the tradition of washing • Fashionable purses, unique traditional chant to the ice gods. the black flies from summer jewellery, Storm watches & Although ‘Almost Johnny Cash’ is throats and once ‘Almost Johnny’ the headline entertainer for the takes his final bow, they can turn Dawgs Clogs festivities, this is not a frivolous their full attention to this daunting Beautiful Clothing for Curvaceous Women moment because a good hard task. Page 12 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Mining exploration is the blood sport of feast or famine, and this year the industry is awash with dollars, flow thru and hard. But try to get a dia- mond drill to your property. They go to the highest bidder. Every little one-and-two-horse outfit in Canada has sprung to life, as cash is king once again. Stocks are booming. Callinan has gone from $0.30 to $1.70. One good drill hole, assays or not, is enough to tease the investor’s penchant to roll the dice. But diamond drills, bulldoz- ers, and skidders are heavy. They need good thick ice. If you “can’t drill, you get no thrill,” as they say. The truth machine can make you an instant winner. NQ or IQ, you’ve got to have ice unless your prospect is on a hill, November 2006 (l-r) Mitch Beriault, Driller, Dig-it; Ernie Gaboche, Snow but most of the ore-bodies-in- Lake; Bob Nylen, Foran Mining. waiting are under swamps or gold will give you sustainability and Granges, has Callinan Mines lakes, my friend. There are few and maybe even the P.D.A.’s Limited poised for a new discov- things as frustrating as having to Prospector of the Year Award (A. ery. A lot of the shareholders pull the drill off the ice in April L. Parres – 1988). have already discovered happi- before your program is finished. Halo Resources, with Tom ness. Sometimes an intersection of Healy at the helm, have staked The Dunlop brothers, Peter 60 feet (of buy orders) can make their claim to a large prospective and Bruce, remain active in your stock rocket, but in the area (copper and zinc) near Manitoba exploration as always final analysis, a juicy drill hole Sherridon. There’s a town that (they don’t have to stake all of orangey copper, chocolate needs a lift! night with flashlights anymore!). brown zinc, perhaps pentlandif- Mike Muzylowski, a prolific Black Pearl is continuing work erous nickel or even glittering mine finder with Hudson Bay on Dan Ziehlke’s gold property

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COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 13 on the east side of Wekusko Lake, with some high-grade results. Ziehlke, they say, is in the ‘black’ at Assean Lake (Hunt Gold Deposit). From South to North, we have nickel properties being scruti- nized by Mustang Minerals (nice hats!); Nuinsco (Minago); W. A. Bowden is sitting on nickel on the Crow’s Flight; and Independent Nickel at Lynn Lake (Farley). HudBay Minerals may be booth- less (but certainly not toothless) as their stock is flying at $21.00. Yes, 2006-07 is looking to be a spectacular winter for mineral exploration in Manitoba if the boom continues. China and India are demanding more zinc, copper, and nickel than the Big Boys can produce, so base metal prices are very buoyant. When will the bub- ble burst? Takeovers are as big as BYPHOTOS JIM PARRES makeovers these days with November, 2006 (l-r) Pat Deveaux, Callinan Mines; Bruce Dunlop, Stornoway Diamond Corp. giving Winnipeg; Peter Dunlop,The Pas. Ashton a face-lift. Gold, silver, Ginn and Hugh Wynne. The San the hunt with cousin Puma. and platinum-palladium still Antonio and Nor-Acme Gold Western Warrior fights on with sparkle in many eyes. There could Mines are the two biggest in DeBeers over diamonds. My fur be new discoveries around old Manitoba. trading ancestors, mines. Mining is extremely impor- Garson and Swain and Smith, tant to the towns and cities of Piper would roll over Northern Manitoba, especially Resources in their graves if Winnipeg. intend to deep the precious The Bissett area is hot and San drill the old stones are found Gold is pouring heavy, heavy bars Nor-Acme at York Factory thanks to the huge efforts of Dale Gold property near Churchill! where there Inco and are still good HudBay Minerals ounces under- still hold huge ground, so tracts of the most says geologist prospective Bill Lewis. ground. Murgor Carlyle is flexing some Goldfields Ltd. big Manitoba is a mouthful, muscles and I’ve but Steve Mlot heard that Rolling has TV’s Ken Rock Resources 135 Main St. 687-6072 Kostick feed- uncovered a Flin Flon ing everyone’s huge Gossan on needs, and a Copper Reef (I Great Selection hopefully their gotta quit!). efforts at the Even though of Wine Kits at a former November indi- MacLellanMike Muzylowski, President, Callinan. cations are new lower price Mine (Blackhawk) at Lynn Lake ‘nasty-slushy’, all Manitobans will be appetizing. should chant to the ice gods for Come check Harvest Gold hopes to reap ‘thick blue’ and also an early end rich rewards and Wildcat to the hostilities in Afghanistan. them out Explorations is like a predator on Toodle-oo for now. Page 14 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Arrival of the Tractor Train – Joan Edwards –

he late Joan Edwards, former- ly of Flin Flon (and of many Tother places, including remote Northern Manitoba and Newcastle Upon Tyne, England) lived a full life in a cheeky, characteristic style. Her experiences were many and her escapades almost as numerous. As a result, her later years found her recording the many things she was a part of in two books, Please Don’t Shoot the Buffalo and Bullets, Booze and Blazes. In an excerpt from the latter, we learn that even the sup- posedly-serene life at a remote northern 1950s nursing station can be eventful! This is an excerpt from a letter written to my sister, Freda, from a nursing station in Northern Manitoba in February of 1950. Joan Edwards’s depiction of a winter ride on the tractor. What a hectic weekend! Friday afternoon a tractor train arrived next door to the school and Keep your money brought in part of the new school building (prefab), which is to be in your hands. built next summer. You should have seen the mobs aboard as it Box 600, 314 Edwards Avenue pulled into the yard! As you can The Pas, MB R9A 1K6 imagine, it was the big event of the Phone: 623-5411 • Fax: 623-3845 year, next to Treaty Time! The schools, both Father Daniels’ and Mrs. Gosley’s, were immediately dismissed for the rest of the day. When the tractor left to go back to the Hudson’s Bay visit us at www.cookandcooke.com Company to get whatever they had A wide variety of RRSP to send out (probably furs to the options are available from railroad), we all (me too) rode back • Commercial and Residential Insurance your Flin Flon Credit Union on it. It was sure a cold ride, stand- • “The Standard” Lodge & Outfitters Insurance program including RRSP Loans at Prime ing up there in the open trailer! • Stand Alone seasonal homeowner policies Wow! No wonder so many political • Auto Insurance 687-6620 prisoners froze to death on their • Commercial Truckers Insurance way to Siberia! • Liability Insurance www.flinfloncu.mb.ca After dinner I sat down and • Logging Contractors Insurance Discover the value of membership.

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 15 started to make new slacks out of unload at once! Tons and tons of and asked him to contact God’s the dark green material you sent fuel oil, groceries, drugs, medical Lake and let her know that her me. Worked until supper time. I supplies ad infinitum! It was weird! things were safe and sound here. had all the pieces of material The tractor unhitched and Twice during the afternoon Gordie spread around, ready to start up pulled each sleigh separately in contacted God’s Lake, but they again after we ate, when a bom- front of the back door. Of course hadn’t arrived yet. This morning bardier drove up! It was Mr. some natives were still up, so we God’s Lake reported that Mr. Staunton, the Indian agent and a got them to come over and help Staunton’s party still hadn’t arrived! police magistrate bringing in a Mrs. unload. By the time all the crates What a miraculous thing radio Orville, a social worker for the and boxes were in we couldn’t is! Within minutes the R.C.A.F. had Province of Manitoba, to stay at even turn around. Woodie (the been notified, and a search party the nursing station for a day or so Hudson’s Bay Company manager) was organized. They wired Ilford, to observe my methods and visit had come over with the tractor Mr. Staunton’s home, to see if they the more destitute and neglected train to help. He was calling out had gone there instead. No soap! Indians on the reserve. the numbers on each crate, which Suddenly God’s Lake came on the Oy! Oy! Oy! Me with slacks cut I’d then verify and write down. We air and reported that the party had out all over the show and pieces of didn’t get through until 4 a.m., been sighted coming in. Everyone material strewn around. However, after which we had coffee in the heaved sighs of relief! Mr. Staunton with my usual sang-froid, I wel- caboose. reported his bombardier had been comed her and made some coffee. Jack and I passed right out as giving trouble, and they’d had to While we were sipping our coffee, soon as they had gone. But we stop overnight. No wonder! Thirty Mr. Staunton casually mentioned had to be up again at 7 a.m. as the minutes after they had pulled that he had overtaken another social worker wanted to get an away from our nursing station an tractor train on its way in with our early start visiting the people on unbelievably wicked blizzard blew yearly supplies! We nearly col- her list. We called on those in the up, and it raged for two days. The lapsed! The tractor was expected immediate neighbourhood in the weather has been really wild. I to arrive at 11:00 p.m. morning. In the afternoon Mr. started to go down the hill to look So we jawed until 11:00 p.m., Staunton took us to the distant at one of our dogs who is sick and and our lady visitor went off to ones by bombardier. We had sup- had to let Jack do it. The snow was bed. Jack and I waited for the trac- per at Woodie’s, but I was almost up to my armpits! tor train. We assumed they would too tired to eat. In between all the excitement pull into our yard, stop overnight On Monday the visitors took off we have been unpacking, check- and unload in the morning. We for God’s Lake. The social worker ing and storing freight. It is a job could hear the motor from more forgot her city coat and her pyja- that drives me crazy. But tonight than five miles away. Tractor trains mas, so I got on the radio and con- we are pretty well straightened travel very slowly. It finally arrived tacted Gordie (the radio operator away. at 1 a.m. Horrors! They said they at Norway House - the lifeline to There seems to be always were not stopping; they wanted to all the nursing stations in the area) something happening! SUPER Handicraft THRIFTY Outlet WE CARE...Your Family Drug Store “the unique little store www.superthrifty.com with gifts galore” Pharmacist - Warren Hicks Compliance Pill Paks upon request Moccasins - Aviator Style Fur Hats Caribou Hair Art by Theresa Wride Restaurant Prescription Delivery available Bfofo & Dagoli Clothing Fashions Open Monday to Friday Prescription Orders - 623-5150 Gauntlets - Walking Sticks Birch Bark Bitings 8:30 am to 5:00 pm After hours EMERGENCY NO. 623-6588 Soapstone Carvings by Irvin Head Daily Breakfast Otineka Mall, Opaskwayak, The Pas, MB & Lunch Specials Fax: 623-2812 Cinnamon Bun Thursdays • Full Lotto Service • Cosmetics Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm • Photo Finishing • Home Health Aids 687-3900 687-4525 • Hallmark Greeting Cards Flin Flon 57 Church Street Flin Flon Store Hours: Friendship Centre Mon-Tues-Wed-Sat 10-6 Thurs-Fri 10-9 Pharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6

Page 16 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY – Jillian Betke Bessette – ber two colliery because it bumped constantly, right around the clock.” anada is one huge place, where, even if some “Now there was two types of bumps. One type of us don’t know Joe from Toronto, there’s was what the contractors liked because it came from Cbound to be something which binds us to oth- the side and bumped the coal out so you didn’t have ers in what could be a completely different world. to pick it; we could just shovel and we’d make more Take Manitoba and Nova Scotia, for example. Nova money. The other type come up from the bottom, Scotia’s on the sea, Manitoba is almost landlocked; and that’s the dangerous one because it would bring Manitobans speak French and English, Nova Scotians the roof down. Never mind the usual coal mine speak ten different dialects of anything but French and English; Nova Scotia is an old place filled with Confederation-era buildings, Manitobans venerate 50- year-old soddies; but yet, there is one thing that con- nects these two polar opposites, and that’s mining. More specifically, mining connects - in these two provinces - the communities of Flin Flon and Springhill. For over 50 years, there has been a small but enthusiastic contingency of Springhillers inhabiting Flin Flon, and that may just be on account of mining. Ron Atkinson and Tom Barrow were the first two of a group which went on to number over two dozen. Arriving in 1952, how they ended up here, “... is a story in and of itself,” according to Atkinson. Both working underground in the coal mines of Springhill, he and Barrow longed for something more stable, and less dangerous. And coal mining at Springhill in 1952 was danger- ous. “There were bumps, you see; they were peculiar to that particular mine, and no one could figure out why these things were happening. They were just like minor earthquakes; that’s what it felt like. But it Photos of Springhill coal mining, circa 1959; deserted was common to everybody that worked in that num- following the devastating ‘bump’ of 1958. COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 17 problems - gas, dust.” “So these bumps were occurring, oh, once in awhile somebody would get killed in it. But they were; well, one was beneficial and the other wasn’t.” “They had what they call the long wall system (which, when it was put in 20 years before, the men knew it was gonna bring disaster). There were 22 miners, and we all pooled all the coal together. So Tom Barrow and I were side by side in the long wall system and he said, ‘Someday, there’s gonna be a big one. And it’s gonna end coal mining in Springhill.’ That was his prediction in 1952. He said, ‘Let’s get the hell out of here.’” So after a brief stint building wharves for ships to haul iron ore out of Sept Iles, Quebec (“We couldn’t get along with the French because of the language problem and the job problem - they thought we were getting treated better or something.”), Atkinson and Barrow returned to Springhill. They’d heard (through a Mr. McCormick’s wife’s sister’s marrying a Colin Willoughby from Flin Flon) that things looked pretty good for employment up in northern Manitoba.

“So we got a ticket - 95 bucks it cost us from ALL SUBMITTED PHOTOS Springhill Junction right to Flin Flon!” After finding Springhill coal mine, today. some work - together - in construction and 88 rescued. and destruction, both men were soon “And the bump happened in ’58. hired on at HBM&S, Atkinson in the That ended mining in Springhill. powerhouse and Barrow underground. Completely. None since.” The bump “Then we had lots of people phon- spread like three shock waves, actual- ing us and asking us what it’s like here. ly alerting residents on the surface of Everything was positive as far as we the disaster. Any miners who weren’t were concerned. So then they started sheltered were immediately crushed coming; they were all from Springhill during the bump, as the coal faces and all involved with mining. Once were completely destroyed. In the they heard about the location and sys- end, after days of terrible suspense tem here and conditions, they all and intense worldwide media cover- wanted to get out of the coal mining age, 74 miners were declared killed, business then.” while 100 had been rescued. Their timing couldn’t have been bet- For those Springhillers who could ter. Within four years of Atkinson’s and only watch from Flin Flon, it was a Barrow’s move to Flin Flon, Springhill Ron Atkinson sad time indeed. According to was rocked with the first of two coal mine disasters. Atkinson, “When all these names were being called, “One was an explosion in 1956, and that was heck, we knew them. Pretty near all, and some of because some empty coal cars jumped the track, hit them we even worked with. We didn’t really do any- this big power station and the arc from the electrical thing in Flin Flon as a group, to memorialize. We just ignited the gas pockets. The fire followed the oxygen accepted it. Done a lot of talking about it and read- all through the mine.” In total, 39 miners were killed ing about it, and watching television, but that’s it.” But even in addition to the fact that their lives might have been spared moving to Flin Flon, this community also provided them with good lives. “We all hung out, got together in social events, for sever- al years, dances and so on. You see, Flin Flon was a paradise compared to coal mining. And no one ever forgot it. And the town, too, people are excellent. Here, my goodness. Especially those years - we did- n’t have to lock our doors, there was all sorts of things going on. It was easy to like and very easy to stay.” So it might’ve been mining that brought Atkinson and the other Springhillers to Flin Flon, but it was the great sense of community that made them stay. And that’s something which binds us all.

Page 18 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY PHOTO COURTESYPHOTO ARCHIVES OF SASK S-B_13,375.140 DINKY#D2F4B

– Phil King – future be setting foot upon or near was such that it was easy to feel www.islandfalls.ca this designated spot, it remained that one was, in fact, totally and insignificant for quite some time. thoroughly separated from civiliza- n the beginning there was the It was here, centuries later, in tion as we had known it. We were water, the rivers flowing from 1929 and 1930, where a great connected to the outside world ICentral and Northern Canada to hydro electric power plant was only by 75 miles of high tension form one immense waterway built, in order to harness this 110,000 volt transmission line; and draining this vast land, as it neared immense eastward outflow, which one single, rickety telephone line its destination to empty into the would ultimately generate enough carried on trees and flimsy tripods great waters of the east. Over these energy to supply the demands of made of forest-hewn poles. waters came the Cree of the the burgeoning mines of Flin Flon, It was 5:00 a.m. on May 29, Algonquin Tribe, who found a 70 miles to the southeast. This 1936, my 19th birthday, when the land of plenty upon which to set- insignificant spot then became clerk at the Flin Flon Hotel banged tle. It was a good life, and a mil- Island Falls. on my door. I was already awake lennium of seasons came, and For the less than 200 of us liv- and dressed, so that I’d have were gone, each bitterly cold win- ing at Island Falls by the shores of ample time to catch one of ter giving way to the long, warm, the Churchill River, the power HBM&S’s electric engines, normal- sunny days of summer. plant operators, electricians, ly used for carrying tons of ore When the great navigators and cooks, linesmen and many others from the mine head to the rolling map makers of centuries ago representing the skills and profes- mill, but on this day was to carry a began drawing their imaginary sions required to maintain this small group on the first leg of a lines across the breadths of our community, it became, especially journey which would eventually planet, there was one single, over the years, not so much a deposit us at Island Falls. Upon insignificant dot that came into place where one lived, but as well arriving, I discovered my travelling being, to be identified as 55 a “state of mind”. Although scarce- companions were to be four adult degrees - 31 minutes North ly 75 miles from Flin Flon with its gentlemen, accompanied by two Latitude, 102 degrees - 22 minutes population of 10,000, we might gentlemen and two ladies approx- West Longitude. The Cree didn’t have been, to all intents and pur- imately my own age, all of whom know this had happened, and poses living in Shangri-La, deep appeared to be familiar with each wouldn’t know for a few hundred within the Himalayas of Tibet. The other. The morning was crystal years to come, and as no other experience of travelling the dis- clear and cool, and of the five human had or would in the near tance from Flin Flon to Island Falls youngsters, three of us, one being COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 19 myself, were about to enjoy the flatcar, was ready and waiting, and time we were lacking the sensa- experience of our first trip to I was to learn that it was the tion of being carried safely by a Island Falls. A sense of excitement expected duty of all present to vehicle of substance, rumbling prevailed. assist in loading the array of boxes, along smoothly as only an engine I was soon to learn of my com- bags, and ordinary luggage piled weighing a dozen tons could be panions. The four adults were Mr. alongside the rails. When finished, expected to on heavy steel rails. Davis, superintendent of the we each selected as comfortable a Instead, this contraption rattled Churchill River Power Co., accom- perch as we could find upon the along at what seemed to be a panied by another engineer whose flatcar and were off, rumbling magnificent speed, rattling and name might have been Menzies, along the steel track enjoying the banging to and fro as it went, its and the pair of Stew Russell and feel of the fresh morning air in our gasoline engine rendering such a Bill Grayson, who were to see that faces and enjoying the scenery. It racket. It was absolutely marvel- we arrived at our destination safe- seemed that we had hardly gotten lous, and if one looked down and ly (a considerable undertaking as I underway, however, when the observed the slim rails upon which was to find out as the day wore engine began to slow down, and this contraption was careening, the on). The youngsters in the group upon coming to a halt everyone twisting and bending upon its were Dick and Helen Davis, home jumped off and began to unload almost nonexistent ties, one might for the summer after the winter what only 15 minutes earlier we consider that the degree of living semester at college. The other had loaded, and transferred the lot dangerously was considerably ele- young chap, an Elliot Rich from to a smaller flatcar situated nearby vated. This ride was soon over, Salt Lake City, was along as Dick’s on much lighter, narrow gauge however, but it had been great fun companion for the summer vaca- rails. This car was coupled to what and we now found ourselves “at tion, as was Hallie McCulloch, a we used to call a “speeder” which the end of steel”, and once again college pal of Helen’s and likewise was simply a four wheeled plat- proceeded to unload all our cargo. along to enjoy the summer, and form capable of carrying two or Stretching northward for about whose name, as it turned out, was three persons along a railroad 15 miles, running mostly parallel to remain in my memory forever. I track at an alarming rate of speed, to the Manitoba-Saskatchewan was “the odd man out”, so to usually propelled by some sort of border, is beautiful Mari Lake, speak, also on summer break from engine. With the confusion of rarely, if ever more than three technical college in Calgary, travel- unloading and reloading quickly miles wide, sometimes narrowing ling to Island Falls to join my over, we were once again on our to as little as a few hundred yards. brother Eric, who was an engineer way, each of us ensconced as It was at the southern end of Mari and plant operator and had before within the most comfort- Lake that my travelling compan- arranged summer employment for able, and in some cases the most ions and I found ourselves at “the me. precarious piece of space obtain- end of steel”. It was still very early The locomotive, with its trailing able on the trailing flat car. But this in the morning, and with the sun PHOTO COURTESYPHOTO OF IRENE OLSON

Aerial shot of Island Falls, circa 1930s.

Page 20 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY bright in a cloudless sky, there was southern end of Golden Lake. new adventure, with the element promise of a perfect day. Again An abundance of early wild- of excitement provided by what was the process of loading, this flowers was visible among the appeared to be an impossible bur- time onto a fine looking cabin trees and bushes, and there were den carried by the canoes seem- cruiser of about ten metres. Cargo many birds, including Northern ingly bent on defying Archimedes was quickly stowed, passengers Ptarmigan - some of which were in principle (or whoever it was seated comfortably within the spa- the process of shedding their win- invented buoyancy), and thereby ciousness of the cabin, and we ter white plumage to the summer allowing a freeboard which was were almost immediately under- mottled dun. Again, we were com- positively frightening, added to way, moving gently through the pletely alone with nature, and as which a light chop caused by water, quietly propelled by the the trail widened upon the shore vagrant winds once again provid- inboard engine, in ed that exhila- contrast to the rau- rating sense of cous clatter of that living danger- which we had just ously. left behind. The However, we coffee pot was arrived at the soon percolating. beginning of Only as the second portage morning pro- filled with gressed did we start exhilaration, to appreciate the and starving. pristine beauty and So, another scope of this true portage to wilderness, and to cross, but this experience the time there was sense of adventure no visible and enthusiasm means of trans- which was to be porting the ours throughout the considerable entire day. It was cargo, and quite unlikely that Messrs. Russell such thoughts were and Grayson on the minds of any introduced us of the passengers to the as we made our “tumpline”, way northward, but defined by as the hours passed Webster as “a I have no doubt in strap placed my mind that my across the fore- companions were head to assist a experiencing the Along the way. man carrying a same sense of COURTESYPHOTO ARCHIVES OF SASK S-B_13,375.427 TRAVEL#D2F4C pack on his change as indeed I was; that of of the lake, we encountered two back”. Equipped thusly, the two leaving the old and established large freight canoes, complete with gentlemen proceeded to load each behind, and entering a new and outboard engines, just sitting there of us with the largest backpacks I different kind of world untouched awaiting our arrival. Once again, have ever seen, before or since, by modern civilization. We were with our load aboard the two attaching additional smaller ones the sole spectators of this paradise canoes we were headed north- to each side and upon the top. At for the few hours it took to navi- ward, Bill Grayson in charge of this point the tumpline was gate the 13 miles to a point where one canoe, Stew Russell the other, attached to the load, the strap over the lake narrowed so that progress with people and freight equally my forehead, and I was told to was impossible, and once again divided between the two. By this now pick up my personal baggage the unloading procedure began. time it was well past noon, and and proceed walking in the appro- This time to be reloaded onto a this leg of our journey was to be priate direction along the well small four wheeled flat car riding about eight miles to the northern worn path. And so it was at this on light rails; there was no “speed- end of Golden Lake, at which time I was first to learn the mean- er”, and the pushing by all “hands” point we would again disembark, ing of the word “portage”, and commenced so the small flatcar unload our canoes and commence once again set off on foot with the with its considerable burden our second portage. knowledge that the other end was moved briskly along the three mile The 90 minute trip across not too far off. Forty minutes later, route which would bring us to the Golden Lake was a completely we arrived at the third lake, called

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 21 Harper Lake, well bitten by black performed by money was to be recipe of the day was converted flies and mosquitoes, and enjoying observed at the seemingly never- either into gin, rum, scotch or rye, every minute. As before, two ending poker game that went on at four bottles of any to one bottle of freight canoes were close by, our the staff house, and I suppose that O.P. Whether or not this process backpacks and baggage carefully would change hands so frequently made the stuff more palatable loaded and once again we were that it rarely had to be refurbished. raised considerable doubt, but it on our way heading northward Acquisition of liquor was a per- all added to the enchantment of and westward, towards our ulti- petual challenge. Commercial avia- Island Falls. mate destination,. tion was rudimentary and expen- Today as the result of modern And so it was, from Harper sive, there was no local liquor technology Island Falls is no more, Lake another portage to Ouellette store, and the freighter canoe serv- and the power plant continues to Lake, from Ouellette Lake to ice was Company operated and churn out millions of kilowatts of Kipahigan, at the end of which a did not provide for individual electrical energy under the watch- long portage to Chekuhikun Lake pickups and deliveries. So it was, ful eye of what is known as and finally as our canoes swiftly then, that one had to rely upon “remote control”. The houses are passed a point of land, the lights of friends coming in from the “out- gone, as is the bowling alley, the Island Falls became visi- rec. hall where we ble. Soon the canoes danced and watched 16 were safely tied and we mm movies, the store were all welcomed and the ice house. enthusiastically by the The Indian village of many people who were Sandy Bay remains, and there to meet us. It was the Cree remain; in this nearly midnight, and all remote outpost perhaps, sorts of chatter and hopefully, will not laughter prevailed as we change much. The trails unloaded the canoes for and portages have disap- the last time, then hik- peared, as have the ing up the narrow path- freighter canoes which way through the trees provided a vital link and bushes to Island between “Camp” and the Falls, and to our respec- “Outside”. All that tive homes or lodgings. remain are the memo- The end of an adventur- ries. ous and exciting day. All who ever lived in The community of Island Falls for long Island Falls was unique agree that this period in all ways. Many of the represented a part of employees were there their life so completely because they possessed different from any other a musical talent. The that it has become a “Company” was aware source of wonder to that we were cut off many that it should be from the types of recre- so. Was it a period of ation and entertainment life which established found in most other an insight to human communities, and so nature, a first time “one there was always music on one” involvement and dancing. Money COURTESYPHOTO ARCHIVES OF SASK S-B_13,375.314 with a small isolated was an unknown com- The author, Phil King (on the right) with Stew Russell. community of people, modity because there socially interdependent was absolutely nothing to spend it side”, and from what has previous- upon each other, each often of a on. All the day-to-day needs were ly been written about the rigors of different culture or background? met by utilizing the Company transportation, it becomes obvious Or was it knowing that we occu- store, and as all people were that there comes a time when one pied a piece of this earth which Company people, the amounts must choose between friendship remained almost in its natural were simply charged to one’s and common sense. Sixty five per- state, as it had been for over tens account. Salary cheques were cent O.P. alcohol was available in of thousands years untrammelled never seen, and each month the those days and because of its by none other than the amount of one’s pay was deposit- potency was a favourite. However, Aboriginal, whose lifestyle ed to one’s account in Flin Flon. it was unpleasant to the taste and remained the same over the mil- About the only useful function was diluted, and using the best lenniums of time, unchanged and Page 22 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Phil King was there somewhere... festivities on July 1st, 1936. BYPHOTO NEIL RUTHERFORD untrodden by others. Perhaps too, tion. Soon there will be no one left from the ground, Now he has been the stillness of the forest, the tran- to remember. But the story shall gone a long time, and nothing of quility of the lakes and the still clar- remain as long as mankind inhab- his remains but the ruins of steel ity of the northern night sky in its its this northland, and perhaps a and concrete, and the land and the auroral splendour cast a never to thousand years from now the Cree waters are ours once again ....” be forgotten spell upon the souls elder will begin his story... “Many, Editor’s Note: Phil King lived in who watched and remembered. many moons have passed since the Island Falls for the summer of 1936 This “Shangri-La” is gone now, white man came and built his and then again during the winter of and so have most of those who power house so that he might fire 1938-39. He then joined the air experienced its spiritual fascina- the machines to dig our minerals force, and only returned to Island Falls approximately five years ago - actually driving the entire way! (His brother, Eric King, also joined the army, but never did return to Island Falls.) Hallie McCulloch, referred to in the story, and Phil actually fell in love during their time in Island Falls, and wrote ‘pie in the sky letters’ until the war, at which time they lost contact with each other, going on to marry oth- ers, raise families, and live good lives. However, in 1994, through none other than Helen Davis Evans, they tracked each other down, and correspond to this day. Phil King now lives in Lethbridge, Alberta, and still looks back on Island Falls with fondness. For more information on island Falls, go to www.islandfalls.ca, an independently provided site which compiles, archives, and showcases the life and people of this unique More fun on Dominion Day, 1936. PHOTO BYPHOTO NEIL RUTHERFORD community.

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 23 – Wilf Lamontagne –

he King Trapper contest of the Northern Manitoba TTrappers’ Festival was inau- gurated in 1955. Up until that time there had always been a (fur) Queen of the Festival, so why not a King? King Trapper means com- petition, skill and endurance, and the title is awarded to the fellow securing the most points in all of the various contests and sporting events. (There are also queen and junior trapper events for those not falling under the king title.) These events have hardy north- erners competing one against the other in contests which are indica- tive of the art and skill required by the early inhabitants to gain their livelihood and, in some cases, their very survival. The events are: Pole Climbing, Pulp Cutting, Wood Sawing and Splitting, Log Throwing, Canoe Packing, Rat Skinning, Trap Setting, Pack Race, Page 24 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Tea Boiling, Bannock Baking, Ice flour packing is still held by Henry Fishing, Moose Calling, Goose Sayese; in the 1920s he packed Calling, Leg Wrestling, Marathon 1200 pounds! The winner gets to The Queen Snowshoe Race, Flour Packing, keep the flour and also receives a Wild Fur Competition, Fish cash prize. Trapper Filleting, Axe Throwing, Buckskin The Ice Hole Chop is done in – Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Parade, Portage, and Sleigh Pull. all types of weather, from -15 to - Festival – The Flour Packing contest has 40ºC, to open the lake or river for its roots in the early days, when water and ice fishing for their he Queen Trapper competi- supplies were brought in birch meals. In the King Trapper com- tion is the counterpart of the bark canoes and packed over petition, the hole must be large King Trapper competition. It numerous portages. The contest- enough to fit a nine inch shovel, T reminds us of the important role ant carries anywhere from 700 to and will be used by each contest- women had in pioneering the 1000 pounds on their back for a ant for the ice fishing contest. north. This event was introduced distance of 20 feet. The record for Pole Climbing is a test of in 1977. The contestants compete in the great outdoors in a number of events, each of which require skill, endurance, and strategy. There are 14 events in total, which not only earn these trap- pers points but also a shot at becoming Queen Trapper of the Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival. Spectators have an opportunity to watch the women put their speed and accuracy to work at events such as Log Sawing, Trap Setting, Nail Driving and the Portage. Skill only comes to mind as the women compete for top points in the Moose and Goose Calling competitions, and their skills are definitely needed for the Bannock Baking, Tea Boiling, Fish Frying and Fish Filleting. Strength is key for events such as Log Throwing and Leg Wrestling. Let’s not forget the strength and endurance needed for that 3- Mile Snowshoe Race, which is a great crowd pleaser, as each con- testant battles through the snow to finish in first place! Last but not least on the agen- da for events is the Ice Fishing competition. Is it luck or is it skill? Cash prizes are awarded in each event and the Queen Trapper title (with trophy) will be awarded to the contestant compiling the high- est total points. Hearty competition is the name of the game for all the Queen Trapper competitions. The reigning women have proven to be a special breed - ones adept at handling the rigorous life of the northern outdoors!

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 25 the Canoe Packing event tests contestants in their ability to hoist and carry a canoe for a distance of 150 feet (75 feet return) in the fastest time possible. An event that has evolved pure- ly out of the trappers’ strength and swagger, Leg Wrestling puts con- testants on the floor in an attempt to ‘flip’ their opponent in a straight elimination round to the win. The Trap Set, the most funda- mental of a trappers’ skill, is also included in the competition for King Trapper title. Each contestant attempts to set a mixed array of six or eight traps in the shortest possible time. In the Pack Race, which is sim- ilar to the flour packing event, albeit with considerably less weight to bear, trappers must carry a 100 pound bag of grain speed based on the practice of spectators will be served trappers’ 100 feet and hope simply to be the shimmying up a tree to survey the bannock straight out of the frying fastest across the finish line. land or escape from animals. In pan. The Marathon Snowshoe this competition, the fastest con- Muskrat Skinning is another Race pits contestants against each tender to climb, remove a ribbon interesting and intrinsically north- other in the war on snow - run- from the top, and return it to the ern event. The contestants are ning (or whatever they can man- judges wins. judged on the quality of their age) for a distance of nine miles The contestants’ culinary skills workmanship, the condition of the (14.4 km) in their own snowshoes. are also tested, with competitions pelt and their time (this event is In the Ice Fishing component, in Tea Boiling and Bannock dependent upon winter condi- competitors use their hole from Baking. The food is produced tions). the ice chop, attempting to catch over an open fire and the quality Mimicking the constant move- as many fish as possible - of any is judged by a knowledgeable and ment and portaging of a trapper, species - in one hour. In the event appreciative audience. In the tea boiling, the contest- ants line up, race to their individ- ual piles of wood, split kindling, start their fire, melt snow in their tea pail to make it about half full of water, and when it comes to a boil, put in the tea. Speed is the main requisite of this contest, but the tea must also be of good qual- ity. In case of a tie or near tie, the quality would win. The record for tea boiling is just over four min- utes from start to finish. The bannock baking takes a lit- tle longer (from 30 to 45 minutes) using the same fire, as the coals are already available. Each con- testant is given a supply of flour, baking powder, lard, and salt. These contests take place out- doors, often in 20-30 below weather. This year, in honour of the festival’s 60th anniversary, Page 26 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY of a tie, those who caught fish first, second, etc., take top hon- ours. Competitors also vie for the King Trapper title in a Fish Filleting contest, where the - usu- ally jackfish - is filleted into two fillets, deboned, and judged for appearance. As with the bannock, one is judged and the other is panfried and served to spectators; this event will also honour the fes- tival’s 60th anniversary by hope- fully replacing pike with crowd- pleasing pickerel. In the Buckskin Parade, one of the more creative aspects of the King Trapper competition, con- testants model their buckskin out- fits, and are judged on overall quality, general appearance, intri- cacy of beadwork, etc. Imitating the sure-footedness and skill of an experienced trap- per, the Portage event requires contestants to pack a specified amount of packages from one place to another in the least amount of time. For authenticity,

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COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 27 logs are even set to mimic cross- ing a creek. The first competitor to neatly pile all packages ‘on the other side’ wins. Drawing on the skills devel- oped over years of practice, con- testants also showcase their skill at Goose and Moose Calling. With a required three calls per animal (goose: feeding, alert, and spring arrival; and moose: calf, cow, and bull), this competition is judged purely on quality. In the Sleigh Pull event, the contender must pull a sleigh, with a set amount of weight, for a dis- tance of 100 feet, the fastest com- petitor being declared winner. In the Pulp Cutting event, con- testants are tested on their skill, accuracy, neatness and speed working with the trappers’ num- ber one resource - wood. Poles are cut (with a saw or axe) and must be dropped on a three foot marked area to control the fall. They are then cut into three equal pieces and piled - all on the clock. Wood Sawing and Splitting also pits competitors against the clock. The middle of the three logs is cut into three pieces of equal length; each piece is then chopped (cleanly) into four pieces. The first King Trapper- hopeful to have 11 pieces piled neatly, with one delivered to the judge, is the winner.

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Page 28 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Log Throwing originated on the trapline as a means to move logs across obstacles and through the oftentimes challenging terrain, and has also since evolved into a test of pure strength. In the event, contestants must throw a vertical eight-to-ten foot log, ensuring that it flips, as far as possible. In the Wild Fur Competition, trappers submit six of their wild furs (two short hair, two long hair, two beaver) for judgement; place- ment is based on the overall appearance and quality of the skin and hide. A trapper ‘event’ for over a hundred years, the Axe Throw is another facet of the King Trapper competition which developed as much out of narcissism as necessi- ty. Competitors attempt to throw an axe at a target 18-20 feet away, and points are awarded for accu- racy. All of the King Trapper events are combinations of a battle of wit, skill, speed, strength, and even adaptability, and each competitor

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COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 29 PHOTOS COURTESYPHOTOS TRAPPERS’ OF NORTHERN MANITOBA’S FESTIVAL valiantly fights for the title and a gory. This is to encourage first time World Champion King Trapper year’s worth of bragging rights. competitors to enter into the event. They compete for separate Each competitor must prize money and trophy, enter at least 19 events, but any money they may have in order to compete for the earned during each of the title, must be in contention competitions, and gain for every one, as the field valuable experience... for is experienced and deep. perhaps future endeav- The contest is based on a ours into the world of point system, and the con- trapping? testant who gains the most The competitors all points bears the title “King work together and Trapper”, receives the tro- encourage each other as if phy, and takes home a they were one family, cash prize. The winner of even though they are each individual category competing against each also secures a cash prize. other for points and the In recent years, the King title. They share a bond Trapper changed to World and are some of the Champion King Trapper, ‘superstars’ of the leg- as it brings out competitors endary Trappers’ Festival. from the north, south, east, Hearty competition is and west to compete for the name of the King the honours. (Not only Trapper game every year, does the competition bring in every one of the indi- in contestants from all vidual competitions. The over, but so too, does the King Trapper has proven festival itself. Spectators to be a special breed of arrive from all over the man - a man adept at han- world for this genuine slice dling the rigorous life of of work and play in the the northern outdoors, north.) and a man who fully A recent addition to the deserves his well-earned King Trapper competition title of World Champion has been the rookie cate- King Trapper! Page 30 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY CustomCustom DoorsDoors

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COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 31 For Whom the Bell Tolls

– Morley G. Naylor –

his is an unusual and happy story about a bell - a train locomotive bell - that began life in the United States, Tprobably with the St. Louis Coal Company, around 1915, and now resides at the entrance to the council cham- bers of City Hall in Flin Flon, Manitoba. The bell is estimat- ed to be at least 90 years old. With the much appreciated help of local residents, here is the history of the bell. As with many stories about Flin Flon, this saga originates at the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting complex in Flin Flon. As the story goes, this particular train bell was mount- ed on HBM&S Dinkey #96 (a Dinkey being described by rail- roaders as a small electric locomotive used mainly in railway yards for shunting loads or short trips). At the time, in the The Bell in location - outside the entrance to Flin 1930s, HBM&S operated an electric railroad system which Flon City Hall Council Chambers. Stittco Energy Limited 78 Third Avenue • 687-3493 STITTCO Thinking of updating your heating system? Come and see us for a quote on a high efficient Trane Furnace.

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Page 32 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY had begun with the development of the open pit mining operation, as well as in and around the metallur- gical plant. Spur lines were built to the flux pit to provide silica sand for the smelter, and Camp #3 on Mari Lake for freight hauls to the Island Falls electrical generating sta- tion. The operation had overhead wires situated above the railroad track from feeder stations at regular intervals. A “pantograph” or arm on top of the locomotive picked up the electric current (600 volts direct current) which powered the General Electric or Westinghouse motors in the locomotive. As with all railway locomotives, a signaling system was employed to provide audible warnings of train move- ments, primarily at railway cross- ings, with ringing bells. The large brass bells were mounted on the front of the cab, or on some mod- els under the engine hood on the chassis. A rope from the cab was utilized to ring the bell, although The electric locomotive on display at Flin Flon Station Musuem; it is of some locomotive versions had an the type that the bell came from. Note the structure on the top of the air system to activate the bell. engine (pantograph) which connects to the overhead electrical line to Now, back to Dinkey #96. power the engine.

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COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 33 According to Sid P. Hudson, a the boardroom - donated for place- ceremony at the Flin Flon Armoury, member of the 1927 Club, the ment at the Flin Flon Armoury. the bell was unveiled and present- Dinkey and bell had been in serv- The Commanding Officer of the ed to the President of the Mess ice for about fifteen years prior to Armoury at the time, Major Ed Committee - Sergeant Major (MWO) coming to Flin Flon in the early Martel, had requested such. It was Peter Popp CD. A special mounting 1930s. Around 1941-42 the Dinkey so agreed, and the bell was duly bracket and machined brass top for was busy at work when it suffered the bell had been designed by an apparent mechanical malfunc- (then) Captain Frank Gira, a tion and careened downhill into mechanical engineer, who went the open pit. The “Hogger” and on to command the Armoury and the “Brakey” managed to jump off achieve Honourary Lieutenant before the locomotive dropped in Colonel status. Subsequently, the to the pit (a “Hogger” being rail- bell was further embellished with road slang for a railroad engineer a beautiful braided lanyard cour- and a “Brakey” being a person tesy of Major Arthur Fenwick, a who performs rail and track man- former Commander of the agement and switching). It is said Armoury and 21 Field Engineer that only the bell and one wheel Squadron. The bell was to be rung remained intact after the crash. on special occasions such as the The bell then sat under a bench in presence of distinguished visitors, the open pit switch shack until the promotions in rank, birthdays, fall of 1971. local soldiers returning safely from As the story unfolds, we find a training exercises, births in fami- Mr. John Siryj establishing an lies, call to mess meetings, passing active wine cellar to produce vin- training courses, or simply in a tage repasts. The cellar was celebration of goodwill and com- named “The Boardroom” and the radeship. initial members were (now late) The bell rang merrily at the Flin John Siryj, Chairman, local per- Flon Armoury for 23 years, and sonalities Mickey Perepeluk, Sid P. modified, polished, and a bracket even escaped attempted thefts by Hudson, and R.W. Davies, along fabricated to hang the treasured scoundrels to abscond with it. On with a very active remaining origi- item in the Officer’s and Senior armoury closure, the bell was taken nal board member, H.M. Lamont. NCO’s mess. The bell interior was to Winnipeg by military authorities Over the years many people inscribed: with no regard to value or owner- enjoyed the “good cheer and “Retired after twenty-five years ship. Thankfully, the visit to the friendship” and were deemed of faithful and efficient service” “Big City” was brief (about six “members of the board”. In the late “1972 - Flin Flon Armoury” months). The locally formed 21 fall of 1971 the bell made its way to On January 17, 1972, at a special Field Engineer Squadron Historical

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Mayor Dennis Ballard had to accomplish a goal to ring it.” have the bell (and numerous other rang the bell as he and his council I personally recall a very con- armoury artifacts) returned to Flin filed in to their meeting. On hand cerned Mr. John Siryj calling me at Flon, with the much appreciated were three important personalities: home imploring that the bell be help of Mayor Graham Craig. A Mr. John Siryj, Board Chairman; returned to Flin Flon after the grateful board chairman, John Siryj, Honourary Lieutenant Colonel Peter removal of artifacts and mess equip- received the bell back for safekeep- Popp who was president of the ment to Winnipeg during the local ing. To avoid any further disputes as Officer’s and Sergeant’s Mess when armoury closure in 1995. I was truly to ownership of the bell, the interior the bell was placed in the Flin Flon impressed with his sincerity at the was further inscribed: Armoury; and an Honour Guard time. Later, when the bell was “From HBM&S Dinkey #96 from the local 2328 Royal Canadian turned back to him, I recall Mr. Siryj For the display and enjoyment in Army Cadet Corps. An article saying, “This bell is Flin Flon.” I did- the Flin Flon area. appearing in The Reminder newspa- n’t quite know what he meant then, This bell is vested with the vin- per at the time (November 2002) but I do now. tagers gourmets, and friends of the sums up the significance of placing Finally, it was Mayor Dennis boardroom” the bell in City Hall in that “it is only Ballard who provided the final rest- On return of the bell to Flin Flon, fitting that the bell be hung in a ing place of honour for the bell in with its home at the Flin Flon place where important decisions are 2002 in City Hall. In a brief conver- Armoury now gone, it was the sin- made.” Very true, and after all, the sation and photo opportunity with cere desire of the boardroom that bell has been around Flin Flon for him just prior to stepping down as the bell be displayed in a suitable most of those decisions. Mayor in the fall of 2006, he - in his public location and rung ceremoni- As former Master Warrant Officer usual off-the-cuff demeanour, said, ously, only. What better place than Peter Popp, President of the Flin “It (the bell) probably should have City Hall in Flin Flon? Flon Armoury Mess Committee in come to City Hall in the first place. On November 20, 2002, the bell 1972, recalls, “This was a significant It certainly has a distinct history - was placed in its (hopefully) final event. The army operates on history part of the mining operations in Flin resting place at Flin Flon City Hall. - pride and incentive to do better - Flon - and later a symbol in the At a special ceremony the bell was and the bell helped instill pride and community and area - now it’s here. officially unveiled outside the coun- encourage higher achievement - you I still often ring it on the way in to GHMABG@ MH EHL> M:MMHH Portraits, Custom Wildlife Professional tattooing by Jason Feuerstein Creighton, SK 306-688-3033 Page 36 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY council meetings.” Sometimes, symbolic items or artifacts instill pride and encourage people to do better. Such is the case with hat badges that display a military unit’s battle honours and courage in the past. In the case of the bell, I believe that it symbolizes the tenacity of people of the north and properly reminds us of our past. This particular artifact packs a lot of history for an item measuring approximately 12 inches in diame- ter, 15 inches high, and weighing in at about 50 pounds. It represents the early open pit mining era in Flin Flon, the HBM&S electric rail- road system, Flin Flon’s business district and its many personalities, the spirit of cooperation and com- radeship that makes small commu- nities a success, the Flin Flon Armoury and military history, and now the future of Flin Flon, as it rests in City Hall. Where will the bell be 50 or 100 years from now, PHOTOS BY MORLEY G. NAYLOR and what stories will it have to tell? Flin Flon Mayor Dennis Ballard and the bell, just prior to him stepping Only the bell knows for sure. down as Mayor. Residential and Commercial Snow Removal

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COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 37 Flin Flon Hosts 2006 Provincial Golden Gals – Gail Baker – The curlers hit the ice bright McKean from Miniota; and Juanita and early on Monday morning Stewart of Selkirk over Flin Flon’s he Uptown Curling Club was with the first draw being at 8:30 Geri Kostuchuk. the scene of the Provincial a.m. with Flin Flon’s Ann Wiebe At 1:30 p.m. on Monday after- TGolden Gals bonspiel held in team defeating the Hazel Miller noon, the opening ceremonies Flin Flon from Monday, February foursome from Russell; Hamiota’s were held, led by piper Rod 13 through Thursday, February 16, Shirley Bell over Argyle’s Darlene Walker, and followed by RCMP 2006. Grandmont; Marian Whalen from member Chuck Gareau, the Legion A chartered bus and several cars Assiniboine over Pat Pink’s Colour Party, the teams, and offi- arrived at the Victoria Inn (which Riverview (Brandon) team; and cial guests. was to be everyone’s home for the Morden’s Sharon Tetreault winning Ann Wiebe, Chairwoman of next several days) on the evening over Stonewall’s Della Campbell the local Golden Gals, acted as of February 12. Later that same foursome. the host and introduced Brad evening the teams met to register In the 11:00 a.m. draw, Wheat McDougall (who sang O’Canada), and were treated to a wine and City’s (Brandon) Mary Adams and then followed with an intro- cheese meet-and-greet reception defeated June Reece of duction of all who brought greet- hosted by the Uptown Ladies Charleswood (Winnipeg); Sheila ings and wished participants Curling Club. There were 16 teams Smith of Minnedosa over Jean Ross good curling. Those people in the competition, with 14 coming of Ft. Rouge (Winnipeg); Evelyn included Dennis Ballard, Mayor from the south. Sanders of Manitou over Jean of City of Flin Flon; Colleen

Page 38 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Stallard representing the Town of everyone met at R.J.’s Motel and Secretary; Velma Snitka, Treasurer; Creighton; Carl Lentowicz, Mayor Restaurant in Creighton for a love- and Mona Nelson, 2nd Vice of Denare Beach; Diane Antilla ly roast beef dinner courtesy of the President. representing HBMS; Lorna Rice, Provincial Golden Gals Eva Tetzlaff then asked every- President of the Uptown Ladies Association. After supper the one to rise as there was a Curling Club; Bev moment’s silence Dutcawich presi- and a toast to the dent of the memory of a very Willow Park special lady who Curling Club; and had just passed Eva Tetzlaff, the away, Ruth Toal. Provincial This avid Golden President of the Gal had planned Golden Gals, on attending this who introduced event right up each team and until a few days declared the before she died, Provincial and had even Golden Gals offi- asked her daugh- cially begun. ter to tell every- Ann Henry one that she threw the official remembered us first rock with and wanted so much to be there Evelyn Meyers with us. She had holding the received many broom and Ruth prestigious Roncin and Terry awards for her Jaszan doing the curling work, brushing. including a life Draw three membership with went on at 3:00 the Golden Gals. p.m. with Bell Ruth curled in defeating Wiebe, Rod Walker piping everyone onto the ice surface. Winnipeg for Tetreault over Provincial Executive was officially over 60 years, and was a skip for Whalen, Adams over Smith and introduced by Ann Wiebe: Fletch many of those years. Ann Wiebe Stewart over Sanders. Manning, Past President; Eva stated that she was looking for- The teams took a break and Tetzlaff, President; Mary Fenske, ward to coming to Flin Flon Faktor’s Fashions & Sewing Sales 100 Spruce St., Denare Beach, SK 362-2388 or 362-2555 49 Main St., Flin Flon Phone (204) 687-4363 Authorized Janome Dealer We have a variety of deboned: Pickerel, Pike, - In Store Demos Whitefish - Free Lessons Fillets packaged individually in: 10 lb. Boxes Fresh Over 30 Models in stock or Frozen Janome Starting at Fish makes a great for all your sewing Year Round Gift! and quilting needs $229.00 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 39 2006 Golden Gals Champions. PHOTOS BY GAIL BAKER because she had such a great time taught her well, as she has been a ing in Flin Flon, a gift was present- the last time she was here. She competitive curler ever since (over ed by the local Golden Gals, along lived life to the fullest and she 60 years). She has been an active, with everyone’s very best wishes never let on how sick she was. supportive member of the Golden for good health, good luck and to Obviously she will be missed! Gals since its inception, as well as keep curling. Then Fern Kozak was asked to being a very community-minded And then the fun began, as Rob come up and make a presentation lady. She is an honourary life mem- and Randy, the Name That Tune to Ann Henry. Ann started curling ber of the Uptown Curling Club. In Guys, had the ladies doing the while attending high school, curl- recognition and appreciation for all twist, mate calling and the locomo- ing with her mother. Her mother she has done for the game of curl- tion down the hallway of the

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Page 40 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY motel. These ladies had a great The Flin Flon Credit Union along a whole end had been played with time; there was lots of laughter and with the Parkland Credit Union both teams throwing the wrong good fellowship. Group are happy to be able to pro- coloured rocks and no one on Tuesday morning and back to vide the financial support for this either team had noticed! Adams the business at hand. The first draw evening’s banquet.” went on to defeat Sanders, and started at 9:00 a.m. with Tetreault The evening included its own Reece defeated Stewart. defeating Bell, and Adams defeat- entertainment: the team from Thursday morning, Adams and ing Stewart. At 11:30, Miller defeat- Minnedosa wrote a song and sang Reece came out to play and the ed Grandmont; Pink over it to the tune of “It’s a Long Way to Adams team struggled with their Campbell; Reece over Ross; and Tipperary”. The words went: weight, while Reece was able to Kostuchuk over McKean. At 2:00, It’s a long way up here to Flin steal on a few ends, and was lead- Adams defeated Tetreault to win Flon, It’s a long way to go, It’s a ing handily. Adams cut the deficit the A side; Wiebe defeated long way up here to Flin Flon, to to three in the ninth, but ran out of Kostuchuk; Reece over Whalen; the Golden Gals Big Show. rocks in the tenth end, thus forcing Pink over Smith; and Sanders over Thank you to all the sponsors, another game. Miller. Thank you Flin Flon gals, It’s a In the final game the Adams Then everyone travelled out to long way up here to Flin Flon, team found their weight as the Denare Beach to Rocky View OTA Where we came to curl. tables seemed to turn and the and enjoyed another delicious It’s a long way up here to Flin Reece team struggled, and in the meal, this time courtesy of the Flin Flon, It’s a long way to go, It’s a end the Mary Adams team of Carol Flon and Parkland Credit Unions. long way up here to Flin Flon to Wilson, Adele McLauchlin and Fran Diane Harris, Executive Director of the Golden Gals Big Show. Dagg successfully defended their the Flin Flon Credit Union, spoke, We’ve had such a good time, 2005 title. “On behalf of the directors of the And we all love the game, It’s a The curlers from the south just Flin Flon Credit Union and our long way up here to Flin Flon, But couldn’t say enough about how Parkland Credit Union partners we’re glad we came! well they were treated and how (that include Dauphin, Ethelbert, (Thanks to Sheila Smith, Ellen great the banquets, the entertain- Grandview, Roblin, Rorketon, Bramley, Olga Wityshyn, Olive ment, the courteous drivers, the Vanguard, Swan Valley and Ste. Cameron and Marie Burgess!) meals at the rink and even the Rose) we would like to congratu- Back on the ice Wednesday flowers in their rooms were! Once late District 1 Golden Gals for tak- morning saw Stewart defeat Wiebe, again, Flin Flon showed the ing on the challenge of hosting the Reece over Tetreault, Adams over province that the Friendly Provincial Playdowns in our com- Pink and Sanders over Bell. Manitoba on our license plate isn’t munity. Countless hours of time Then in the afternoon, while just empty words. If you want to and toil go into staging an event Sanders and Adams were playing, feel like you are welcome, come like this and we are very proud of a ‘senior moment’ took place, to Flin Flon, the Golden Gals cer- the job done by our local curlers. when they realized that practically tainly did! R. M. of Kelsey Creighton Furniture 434 Main St. Creighton, SK A True Northern Experience Phone 688-7587 & Appliance Centre Fishing Derbies, Camping Facilities, Buy Snowmobile Trails and so much more! Now Wanless Jamboree - Third Weekend in July and Don’t Pay Trout Challenge - August Long Weekend Ralls Island Annual Ski-doo Poker Derby Commercial/Residential$1.00 Lots for Sale till June 2007 Rural Municipality of Kelsey 264 Fischer Ave., P.O. Box 578 The Pas, MB, R9A 1K6 E-mail: [email protected] 6 month NO Interest financing available O.A.C. Website: www.thepasarea.com LUD of Cranberry Portage Office All Appliances, Electronics, Furniture & Bedding 105 Portage Road, P.O. Box 209 Cranberry Portage, MB, R0B 0H0 E-mail: [email protected] Competitive Pricing Great Local Service

COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 41 Inner Garden – Patricia Vickery – Only a little confused by beautiful things I water my window plants. The spears of green light Stab the air. Flat, veined, fleshy scoops float And spend a brilliant bloom Falling when it is loosened, Onto the sill, spilled richness. And I don’t count, I don’t measure, I fill the pots till the top soil floats And I drift away… Amazingly content To trust Inaccuracy To trust the plants, the sun, the soil And my own Nourishments.

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COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 43 The Ladies Room ‘Tis the Season - for Home Remedies

Take lemon - It’s beneficial in all types of cold with fever. Vitamin C-rich lemon juice increases body resist- ance, decreases toxicity and reduces duration of the illness. Once or twice daily, add one Load up on liquids - Drink six to lemon to a glass of eight glasses of water, juice, tea, warm water, and add a and other mostly clear liquids teaspoon of honey to daily. This will replace impor- taste. tant fluids lost during a cold and help flush out impurities that may be preying on your system. Sip chicken soup - A long- time folk remedy is now a proven fact. A cup of hot chick- en soup can help unclog your nasal passages. Researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Center found that hot chicken soup “appears to possess an addition- al substance for increasing the flow of nasal mucus.” These secretions serve as a first line of defense against germs in your system, the researchers say.

Use garlic - Garlic soup is an old remedy to reduce the severity of a cold, and should be taken once a day. The soup can be pre- pared by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. Garlic contains antispas- modic and antiseptic properties, besides other medicinal virtues. It flushes toxins from the system and thus helps bring down fever.

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COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Page 45 Maintain Caution on Income Trusts – Lenna Gowenlock – rate structure and most will reduce we expect these changes will be Edward Jones their distributions in 2011 when enacted into law, some provisions they must pay taxes. The proposal could be altered along the way. As he proposed tax changes for reduces expected returns signifi- we’ve recently seen, surprises hap- income trusts eliminate their cantly for foreign investors, pen- pen. Tpreferential tax treatment, sion funds and investors holding Still Say No to Income Trusts making them potentially less income trusts in tax deferred Most companies that currently attractive to investors. Based on accounts such as RRSPs in 2011. operate as income trusts are small, this, income trust prices dropped However, taxable investors will be risky, cyclical businesses. As a sharply in early November. We able to deduct any corporate taxes result, we believe they may not be continue to recommend caution paid, similar to the current treat- able to sustain their distributions when it comes to investing in ment of dividends. over time. In addition, those distri- income trusts. Two other provisions in the butions could decrease in 2011 What Happened? proposed tax changes were when they would begin paying The proposed changes in the favourable for seniors. These taxes under the proposed changes. tax law will treat income trusts like include raising the income-tested For these reasons, we continue corporations, eliminating their tax age credit by $1,000 and permit- to believe that most income trust advantage. Beginning in 2007, new ting income splitting from pen- investments are not suitable for trusts will be taxed as corpora- sions and other registered retire- conservative long-term investors. tions. Existing trusts will be taxed ment income. If passed into law, We generally recommend you allo- as corporations beginning in 2011. these changes would reduce taxes cate less than 5% of your portfolio We expect some income trusts will for many seniors, providing them to aggressive investments, and consider converting to the corpo- with additional income. Although most income trusts are aggressive. Review Your Portfolio If you own income trusts, ask WHEN IT COMES your investment representative for a free investment review to deter- TO YOUR TO-DO LIST, mine whether these investments still make sense for you. Since PUT YOUR FUTURE FIRST. existing trusts are expected to Decisions made in the past may no longer be what’s best for the future. So, to keep begin paying corporate taxes in everything up to date, we offer a financial review. A complimentary service to all 2011, their prices could decline our clients, the financial review is a great opportunity to sit face -face with your over time, and distributions could investment representative and develop strategies to keep your finances in line with be cut at any time if the underlying your short- and long-term goals. business falters. We believe most investors who To find out how to get your financial goals on track, call or visit today. need income would benefit from a Lenna Gowenlock mix of investments that provide #1 - 53 Main Street both current and rising income. To Flin Flon, MB R8A 1J7 achieve this, we recommend com- Bus:(204) 687-5390 bining bonds, mutual funds and/or Fax: (204) 687-3874 stocks that have a history of Res: (204) 687-7702 increasing their dividends. www.edwardjones.com Speak to a financial advisor ® Insurance and annuities are offered by Edward about what’s best for your situa- Jones Insurance Agency (except in Quebec). In Quebec, insurance and annuities are offered by tion. EdwardJones Edward Jones Insurance Agency (Quebec) Inc. Edward Jones, Member CIPF. Page 46 COTTAGE NORTH JANUARY - FEBRUARY Laird2007 Peace Hills Trust Goulet Art Contest Winner n October of this year, at a wonderful setting and the gallery contribution to our company’s grand ceremony at the rooms full of beautiful art. In the support of native culture.” Wanuskewin Heritage Park in competition there were over 100 With the heart pounding beat of I national contestants from across a drum in the forefront, the event Saskatoon, it was announced that Laird Goulet was the first place Canada, and the works that were began with a grand entrance of winner of the 2007 Peace Hills displayed showed the magnifi- elders and important native digni- Trust 24th Annual National Native cence and colourful, holistic world taries. On display was the impor- Art Contest. This ceremony of cel- of native art. Peace Hills Trust tance of “art” in the minds of the ebration honoured Goulet, from established this annual native art native community. It was stated the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (The contest in 1982 in support of during the elder’s opening prayer Pas), for his master work he sub- native culture and native artists that art transcends one’s ability to mitted to the competition. This throughout Canada. A spokesman think, but in addition art works to event was attended by several from PHT stated, “The native art capture the essence of one’s inner hundred dignitaries from across contest has proved to be an inte- feelings and vision. It was easy to Canada. They were treated to an gral part of shaping our proud his- understand the elder’s words awe-inspiring experience by the tory and will remain an ongoing when gazing upon all the captivat- ing pieces on display. In honour of Laird Goulet’s artistic victory, Peace Hills Trust has put a picture of the winning piece on their 2007 calendar. His magnificent artwork was titled “The Indian Days Race”. Laird stat- ed that his inspiration was his father Irvin Constant, who had been a champion marathon canoeist in the 1970s. Calendars can be found at IndianHeart Creations in Creighton.

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