Local News Archives for 2016-09

Students at Creighton School are Wearing Orange Today.

 

Creighton Community School is taking part in Orange Shirt Day today.  Their School Coordinator Carol Sutherland explains Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School commemoration event held in William’s Lake in the spring of 2013. She says it grew out of a survivors story of having her shirt taken away on her first day of school and it has become an opportunity to discuss all aspects of Residential Schools annually so Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

             

Staff and students were encouraged to join in on the national event in which every Canadian is encouraged to wear an orange shirt in the spirit of healing and reconciliation.

 

Support Has Been Coming in For Breast Cancer Research.

 

The annual CIBC Run For the Cure is taking place in Flin Flon to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.  The CIBC’s Michelle Rothlander says they changed plans from the walk usually held on Sunday.  She says this year they decided to go ahead with a barbeque and bake sale as their team has depleted to a small number of people and so they went ahead and did that last Friday and did very well.  She adds they are still accepting donations at the branch if anybody would like to come in and donate to the run.

             

You can also drop in to the branch and see if they have any Run For the Cure socks left which can be purchased for ten dollars.

Now is the Time to Submit Local Projects for Funding.

 

The Aviva Fund again has one million dollars to give away to several projects that support community development.  There are three categories including community resilience, community health and community development as well as two funding levels small ideas for under 50 thousand dollars and large ideas for 50 to 100 thousand dollars. Idea submissions close on October 6th, voting begins October 11th, finalists are revealed November 7th and the winners are announced December 6th.

             

You can get more information on their website www.avivacommunityfund.org as well as downloading their Idea Submission Guide.  Anyone can enter their idea to make a real impact in your community.

 

Technology and Hockey Were Part of the School Board Meeting.

Daniel Dillon

 

Hapnot teacher Daniel Dillon presented his findings before the Flin Flon School Board of Trustees Tuesday night from the International Society for Technology In Education Conference he attended earlier this year.  Dillon took in some twenty workshops gathering information that will benefit the Division.  He also said the event was an excellent opportunity for networking with other teachers.  You can find the link to his presentation in this story at www.flinflononline.com.           ( Link https://goo.gl/j5yopb).

             

Secretary Treasurer Heather Fleming reported the Flin Flon School Division Hockey Academy has received hockey equipment to gear up thirteen students at a cost of four to five hundred dollars per child.   A huge thanks goes to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program. 

             

Superintendent Constance McLeese reported the hiring of mentors at Ruth Betts School Monique Wall, Kaitlyn Kirk and Brett Wenger.  Mentoring at McIsaac are Alaura Adams, Taylor Oliynyk and William Eikel.

 

The Food Bank Has Received a lot of Support.

Alison and Jane   Food Winnpeg Harvest

 

The Lord’s Bounty Food Bank is operating out of their new temporary location behind Burkees Sports Lounge and Restaurant at 79 Main Street following a fire in a suite above their previous location.  Yesterday their Vice-Chair Alison Dallas received a cheque for 12,900 dollars from the Chair of the Northern Neighbors Foundation Jane Robillard towards their future permanent location which she hopes happens soon.  Dallas says they also received a shipment of food from Winnipeg Harvest.  She says it’s a little overwhelming that the whole community and Harvest have really stepped up at a time of need for them as it allowed them to be up and running within two weeks and they’re definitely fortunate to have the support.

             

Saturday will be the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Food Bank and they would like to have a larger permanent location so they can offer more services to their clients such as a teaching kitchen and a room for people to come in and do information sessions.  They are now open Tuesdays from 10 to 1 and Wednesdays from 9 to 11:30.

 

A Dedicated Flin Flonner Has Received Provincial Recognition.

 

Long time owner of the Arctic Radio Network in Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson the late Doug O’Brien was honored yesterday by the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba.  Their President Cam Clark says Doug was entered into their Hall of Fame in the Builders Category.  He says everyone in northern Manitoba knows that Doug was a big part of not only the community but certainly the radio community and unfortunately we lost Doug this past year and it’s unfortunate they didn’t have a chance to recognize him in the Hall of Fame Builder Category before this, however this year they did want to make sure they recognized the value Doug provided to all broadcasters as well as to the citizens in northern Manitoba.             

             

Doug came to CFAR in Flin Flon in 1972 and went on to take ownership of the station as well as CHTM in Thompson and CJAR in The Pas.  He was involved in many organizations in the community some of which were the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Greenstone, Trout Festival and Knights of Columbus.

             

The award was announced at the annual fall general meeting of the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

The Films Up North Series Will be Part of Culture Days.

 

The Central Canada Film Group will present a Toronto International Film Festival movie Sunday.  The group’s Colin Davis says they will be showing the film The Man Who New Infinity which is a 2015 British biographical drama.  He says it’s about groundbreaking mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.  He had grown up uneducated and poor in Madras, India and the film is about how he went from there to earning admittance to Cambridge University during World War One where against all odds became a pioneer in mathematical theories.

             

The movie is free and will be shown at 3:30 Sunday in the Dorothy Ash Theatre at Hapnot Collegiate.

You Can Join Students in Walking for Cancer Research.

 

Creighton Community School is holding a Terry Fox Walk at the school tomorrow morning.  Their School Coordinator Carol Sutherland says parents and caregivers are welcome to join them in their annual walk.  She says they will meet in the school parking lot at 11:30 to start the walk and as well they are collecting toonies for Terry to help support Terry’s dream of a cancer free world and there will be a hot dog fund raiser.

             

The community is invited to join the students in the Walk and you’re encouraged to bring a toonie for Terry. A Terry Fox Walk was held for McIsaac and Ruth Betts School students last Friday at Creekside Park.

The Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce Heard More About Plans for Regional Economic Development.

 

Denare Beach Mayor Carl Lentowicz, Flin Flon Mayor Cal Huntley and Creighton Administrator Paula Muench spoke to the Chamber yesterday.  Mayor Huntley said the idea of putting something together on a regional basis started about a year ago so it is still in the preliminary stages with the hiring of a Regional Economic Development Officer with 18 applications to review.  He says they are looking for opportunities and they’re looking to develop a resume for the region so we can market ourselves internationally and they don’t know what they can attract here but they’re sure going to work hard to find something a little bit different so they’ll diversify the economy in the transition from a mining community to more of a service center.

             

 Mayor Huntley there is progress in making us attractive as a service center with the new Co-op store planned, the upgrade at the hospital, interest in an arts center and our under utilized Mining academy all of which serve northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

 

The Radio Play Will be Revived On Stage During Culture Days.

 

Local Writer Raphael Saray is bringing back the old time radio play as part of Culture Days.  He says he will present The Good Ginger Ale Friday and Saturday.  He explains it’s a story about a Ukrainian village that is ransacked by Nazis during World War Two and the leads are tailors so instead of becoming soldiers they become Nazi sewers of uniforms away from the front and they end up being in what is World War Two’s only co-ed POW camp and there’s adventure, romance, comedy and suspense done in the style of an old timey radio program.

             

The play will be seen Friday at 8:30 and Saturday at 2:30 with free entry at Johnny’s Social Club on Green Street.

Seniors Are Encouraged to Continue Traveling in Saskatchewan Next Month.

 

 

The Saskatchewan Transportation Company is extending its September Senior Seat Sale until October 31st.  Seniors aged 60 and over will now get to ride with STC for 15 dollars one way or 30 dollars return plus tax for the entire month of October. STC Minister Joe Hargrave says by extending the sale for another month seniors will be able to spend more time with family and friends including around the Thanksgiving holiday.

             

You can find out more about the sale on STC’s website www.stcbus.com/seniorsale or on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/STCbus.  Seniors can purchase tickets from any STC agency and must use their tickets by October 31st.

 

You Can Learn More About Residential Schools.

 

Hudbay, the Flin Flon Friendship Center and Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a workshop tomorrow.  The Intergenerational Effects From Indian Residential School Informational Workshop will be presented by Janet Head from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation who is a second generation intergenerational Residential survivor. She says it’s a passion for her to get to educate people and tell her story as part of her healing.  She explains for them residential schools were programming and it was all negative programming so the people that went to residential schools carry those programs and they pass it on to their children so her part is to wake up the people to let them know what happened to them.  Head says it was a sad story but also a positive story because it tells how resilient they all are and they survived all the abuses and trauma throughout their lives and can say they’re still here and they are survivors.              

             

You’re invited to attend the workshop tomorrow from 9 to 12 at the Friendship Center or from 5:30 to

7:30 in the Flin Flon City Council Chambers.

The Food Bank Will Be Available Starting Tomorrow.

 

The Lord’s Bounty Food Bank was closed following a fire in the upstairs suite in their building earlier this month.  Food Distribution Chair Dennis Hydamaka says they have been offered room in the back of Burkee’s Sports Lounge and Restaurant at 79 Main Street and are moving over today.  He says the health inspector has approved this temporary move and he doesn’t know how long they’ll be there but things are looking good.  He adds on Wednesday they have a half ton and a five ton reefer coming in from Winnipeg Harvest and they will replenish some of the supplies that they need.

             

Hydamaka says it’s unfortunate they were unable to serve people over the past two weeks but they will be open their regular hours tomorrow from 10 to 1. You enter from the back alley and they will have volunteers there to direct you.  He adds their phone has not been hooked up yet so its walk ins only.

A Special Art Display opens Tomorrow.

 

One hundred people have contributed art work to the Norva Center’s Square Foot fundraiser.  The Center’s Karen Clark says a variety of people from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and one from B.C. have paid 25 dollar for a square foot of canvas, painted on it and returned it to Norva for display and sale.  She says they have a number of first time entries which is even more cool because it’s not just about being a fund raiser it’s about giving people a gateway into showing their art and having it for sale in sort of a warm friendly kind of way of entering into that.

             

The display will be open for viewing and bidding starting tomorrow at the Norva Center at 177 Green Street.  They are open Tuesday to Friday from 10 to 5 and Saturday from 1 to 5. An opening reception is being held Thursday night at 7:30 with guest speaker Winnipeg artist Karen Cornelius.  The remaining art works will be auctioned off October 16th starting at 2 with auctioneer Raphael Saray.

 

 

You Can Enjoy Walking on the Boardwalk Even More.

 

The Community in Motion Committee is sponsoring Geocaching on the Boardwalk Wednesday.  The Committee’s Colleen Tower explains it is designed for everyone including families, youth, adults and seniors and no geocaching experience is required.  She says they’re going to have some caches hidden along the Boardwalk and they have ten GPS units available for people to borrow and just learn about geocaching, get out, get some exercise and all the kids who come will leave with a small prize and they also will have a long route for people who want to walk a longer distance and a short route for people who just want to do a shorter version of it.

             

The Geocaching event gets underway at 6 o’clock Wednesday starting at the Boardwalk entrance near Stittco.

 

The ReStore is All in One Place.

 

After the successful move of the first half of the Habitat 53° Restore Wednesday the second half joined it at its new location yesterday afternoon.  It had to be cut in half in order to move it.  The ReStore was moved from the armories lot to a lot on the Cliff Lake Road to allow the North of 53 Co-op to begin preparations for construction of their new store on the armories lot.  Plans for re-opening the ReStore will be announced once it has been re-assembled. 

             

For the past five summers the ReStore has been accepting donations of building material, furniture, appliances and other gently used or discontinued items that they sell to help build a home that provides a family of low income with access to affordable housing ownership.

 

There is a Celebration of Businesses Coming Up in October.

Matt Falk

 

Community Futures Greenstone invites businesses to an Infusion Entrepreneurship Conference on October 19th.  Their General Manager Becky Cianflone says the conference will feature professional corporate comedian Matt Falk as well as several information sessions.  She says they’re looking to offer an opportunity for business owners, community leaders, people who are interested in getting into business to get some information and learn about what resources are available for them and also to help give them some motivation and an opportunity to invest in themselves.

             

The conference runs from 8 to 3 Wednesday, October 19th in the Flin Flon Community Hall.  Matt Falk will also be part of the awards night that follows at 6 to honor local businesses and volunteers.  You can register by emailing admin@cfgreenstone.com, call 687-6967 or visit their office above Pharmasave.  The cost is 40 dollars for the conference, 25 for the awards night and 60 dollars for both.

 

Seniors Can Celebrate Culture Days at the Library.

 

The Flin Flon Public Library will hold Especially For Seniors on Friday, September 30th as part of Culture Days.  Administrator Cindy McLean says there will be a continental breakfast as well as a book reading with local author Betty Dzioba who used to be Betty Hart and spent 14 years growing up in Flin Flon and she’s written a book called Not Ready to Go Yet which is a heartwarming and fun way to look at aging.  She says the book is really encouraging and she has a lot of humor in it.

             

Especially For Seniors takes place from 10 to 11:30 Friday September 30th at the Flin Flon Public Library.

 

Residents of Denare Beach and Creighton Will go to the Polls Next Month.

 

There will be an election in Denare Beach for Mayor and Council.  Two people have filed papers to run for Mayor, current Mayor Carl Lentowicz and a current Councilor Paul Trottier. The are eight candidates for the six Council seats, current Councilors Jean Champagne, Greg McBratney,  Karen Thomson, Frank Wiegers and Scott McCullum and newcomers Doug Schaff, Dale Holmgrem and Bev Wheeler.

             

In Creighton Bruce Fidler was elected by acclamation to another term as Mayor.  Eight people are seeking six seats on Council including current Councilors Neil Andrusiak, Jeff Lane, Darren Grant and Shirley Owen along with newcomers Kory Eastman, Colleen Stallard, Dan Hlady and Barbara Johnstone.

             

Election Day is October 26th.

 

Local Businesses Will Help You Support Your Hospital.

 

 

The Reminder newspaper is sponsoring an ER balloon fund raising event Saturday to support the redevelopment project at the Flin Flon General Hospital emergency room.  Publisher Valerie Durnin explains they have six businesses that are participating in helping them gather donations and so people can look for the balloons around town and they are also publishing a section on Friday that has a lot of information about the redevelopment of the ER and some of the really good things that are going to come and the really positive changes that are going to come from this new building so they’re hoping people will read the section, go visit the businesses and help make this project happen.

             

At the official sod turning to start the construction project last week the Northern Health Foundation reported of the 2.2 million dollar community contribution to the 25.2 million dollar project there’s only 668 thousand dollars left to raise.

 

You Can Celebrate With the Dogs Saturday.

 

The Flin Flon Creighton and Area SPCA is celebrating the fourth anniversary of their shelter opening on Saturday.  Shelter Manager Carmen Ward invites you to bring your family out for some great events.  She says it’s going to start off with their pooch parade at 12:30 and they’re hoping to get the kids out dressing up their dogs in silly fun costumes and they’re going to do a contest for the best dressed dog, best dog and owner duo and they’re hoping some kids will decorate their bikes or wagons.  She says they’ll take a walk around the creek and when they come back they’ll celebrate with a barbeque.

             

Ward adds they will also be holding a clear the shelter adoption sale so all cats and dogs over the age of six months are going to be half price with an approved adoption application.  The celebration runs from 12 to 3 Saturday at their shelter at the corner of the Perimeter Highway and the Cliff Lake Road.

 

The ReStore was on The Move.

 

The first half of the Habitat 53° ReStore was moved to its new location this afternoon.  The building had to be cut in half in order to be moved.  It was moved from its location on the Armories lot down the Perimeter Highway to its new location on the Cliff Lake Road.  The second half will follow shortly.

 

 

There are Changes to the Library Board.

Green Street construction

 

At last night’s Flin Flon City Council meeting Mayor Cal Huntley reported Buzz Trevor and Blaine Veitch have retired from the Library Board.  He thanked them for their years of service with Trevor spending several years as chair.  He also congratulated Councilor Bill Hanson on becoming the new chair of the Library Board.

             

Mayor Huntley added with the fall season upon us people need to be aware of road conditions especially with preparations underway for the paving of number ten highway and they should also be aware of the detour caused by road work underway on Green Street from Spruce to Balsam Avenues until September 28th.  He says that will clear up one of the bumpier areas in the community.

             

Councilors Karen MacKinnon and Colleen McKee urged businesses and others interested to take part in the Infusion Entrepreneurship Conference taking place in Flin Flon October 19th for the first time.  Council passed a motion to support the Conference and the following awards night by offsetting the expense involved in renting the Community Hall.

 

Blaine and Buzz

Nominations Close Friday for a Business Award.

 

The Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures Greenstone are asking for nominations for the Business of the Year Awards.  Chamber President Dianne Russell explains they really want to recognize people making an effort to run a great business to add to our community and to our area.  She says it’s basically about the fact these people reached into their pockets, took money out, put it on the line, opened a business and they are here for us and they want to recognize those people through each other so you go out and say I want to recognize this business and they’ll recognize them for you.

             

You can send your nominations for Business of the Year to flinflondistrictchamber@gmail.com or admin@cfgreenstone.com or at the Chamber or Greenstone offices above Pharmasave.  The deadline is Friday and the awards will be presented at an awards night October 19th.

 

You Can Talk to Books During Culture Days.

 

As part of Culture Days the Flin Flon Public Library is holding a wine and cheese evening featuring Human Books Friday, September 30th.  Administrator Cindy McLean explains they have five exciting Human Books this year including Fire Chief Chad Cooper, Heather Chrupalo, Theresa Wride, Jerry Hamm and visiting herbalist Khelti Anderson. She says people become books and they’re borrowed for conversation and it’s a very casual evening with no formal presentation as people just wander around and check out the interesting books, enjoy a glass of wine with 26 different types to try and there’s free coffee, tea, bannock and numerous types of cheese.  McLean adds also new this year is they’re going to have babysitting downstairs.

             

The Human Books will be available at the library from 7:30 to 9:30 Friday night September 30th.

The Deadline is Approaching to Provide Input on Saskatchewan Health Services.

 

Residents of Creighton and Denare Beach as well as other Saskatchewan residents are invited to provide input on the restructuring of the province’s health care system. A three person advisory panel is reviewing the current Regional Health Authority structure and will provide advice on a system with fewer RHAs.  The panel is also looking at services that could be delivered more efficiently and effectively on a provincial scale, examining RHA board governance and accountability and identifying ways to enhance measurement of health system performance with the goal of ensuring the patient is the center of a redefined system.

             

The panel is accepting written submissions from all interested individuals and groups with forms accessed at www.saskatchewan.ca.  The deadline for submissions is Monday, September 26th.

 

 

An Awareness Walk is Being Held Tomorrow.

 

The Flin Flon and Area Against Sexual Exploitation Committee invites you to their fifth annual Grandmother’s Walk tomorrow afternoon. The Committee’s Christa McIntyre explains it was originally started by a Grandmother who wanted us to stand together and let it be known that children’s voices need to be heard, that they’re not alone and that they’re loved so we join together men, women, children, youth and we walk in solidarity to bring awareness to sexual exploitation and to help deliver the message that violations against our children must stop.

             

The event begins at 4 tomorrow afternoon at the Neighbors of the North Park near Super K where there will be a pipe ceremony.  At 5 o’clock the awareness walk will go down Main Street to Pioneer Square where there will be free entertainment, food and refreshments.  If there is heavy rain the event will move to the Friendship Center Hall.

 

 

Fashions Will be Highlighted as Part of Culture Days.

 

A fashion show will help wind up the over 100 events being held during Culture Days September 30th and October 1st and 2nd.  One of the organizers Valerie Durnin says they are putting on a Wild Soul Fashion Show.  She says they are showcasing some designers, some local and they’re focusing on Central Canada and they have six designers involved including a line called Dex from the Newest Wrinkle and they have the Urban Tot involved so they are excited to have local people and local designer Lori Lawrence.  She adds they’re really excited and there’s lots of fun stuff being planned and they’re trying to make it spectacular for the audience so they have lots of fun things to see.

             

The Fashion Show will take place Sunday October 2nd at 7 pm in the R. H. Channing Auditorium.

Now is the Time to Register for a Big Summer Event.

 

Flin Flon will be holding a big homecoming and celebration for Canada’s 150th birthday June 30th to July 2nd.  Committee Co-Chair Colleen McKee says you, you friends and relatives should register now for the events. She says tickets will offer you entrance into the Homecoming social as well as the neighborhood parties that are going to be offered on the Sunday.  She adds they’re also throwing in a Fish Fry working together with the Trout Festival so when you buy your wrist band it will get you into those events as well as for the younger people a teen dance and there is a senior event as well and the beer garden so for 60 dollars that’s a pretty good array of events.

             

McKee adds they want you to register by February 15th online at www.picatic.com and search Flin Flon and pay with your credit card or write to the City of Flin Flon.  The cost is 60 dollars per person with under 18 free.

The Friendship Center will be Part of Culture Days.

 

Culture Days are coming up September 30th and October 1st and 2nd.  The Flin Flon Friendship Center’s Katie Kawerski says they’re going to have the same as they did last year The Seven Sacred Teachings and they’ll be doing it on Saturday, October 1st from noon to 4 at the Rotary Wheel.  She says The Seven Sacred Teachings are based on the seven traditional animals the turtle, the eagle, the buffalo, bear, the Sabe which is like Big Foot, wolf and beaver and they are meant as guidelines for us to follow in order to live in harmony with each other and Mother Earth.

             

Kawerski adds each teaching will have an activity attached to it that people can do and they will also have a community project that will be a surprise.

 

 

The Lions Handivan Will Be Back on the Road.

 

Some class four drivers have come forward and volunteered to drive the Lions Handivan.  It will be back on the road starting Monday for at least two weeks.  Anyone needing the Handivan can call 204-271-1360.

             

There is still a need for more class four drivers or drivers interested in obtaining a class four licence to ensure the service continues.  If you can help call Monica at 204-687-4925 or John at 204-687-4298.

 

The Cause of a Fire Earlier This Week Has Been Determined.

 

The fire damage was in an apartment above the Lords Bounty Food Bank at 86 Hapnot Street on Tuesday morning.  The adult male occupant of the apartment died in the fire.  Fire Chief Chad Cooper says it looks like the fire was started by smoking and there were no smoke detectors in the apartment.

             

Cooper urges all residents of the community to make sure they have working smoke detectors in their home and if they don’t contact the Flin Flon Fire Department.

 

Construction of the redeveloped 25.2 million dollar emergency department at Flin Flon General Hospital officially got underway yesterday afternoon.

Rick Wowchuk

 

An official sod turning ceremony was held with Health Region CEO Helga Bryant and Mayor Cal Huntley stating the new facility will be a great addition to the community and for residents of surrounding areas that use the service.  This was echoed by Swan River MLA Rick Wowchuk on behalf of the Health Minister who said overall there’s a lot of facilities coming here and lots of things that have been lacking in the past here at the hospital and for the community it’s going to open the doorway for recruitment, the opportunity to draw health care providers into the community and retain them.

             

The Northern Health Foundation’s Doug Lauvstad reported of the 2.2 million dollar community contribution to the project only 668 thousand dollars is left to be raised.  He noted they received 20 thousand dollars from the Village of Denare Beach yesterday on top of 100 thousand received earlier from the Town of Creighton and 97 thousand in kind from the City of Flin Flon.  Work is expected to be completed by December of next year.

 

Northern Health Foundations Doug Lauvstad, MLA Rick Wowchuk, Mayor Cal Huntley, CEO Helga Bryant, Exec. Director of Clinical Serivces Lois Moberly, General Contractor Sean Fehr.

You Can Update Your Work Skills Starting Monday.

 

 

The Employment Links Development Center is beginning a new session of EWIN or Entry to Work in the North program Monday morning.  The Center’s Barb Link explains they offer for Manitoba residents life skills, upgrading your essential skills such as numeracy, reading, oral communications, some computer skills, thinking skills, working with others and they will do certificate programs such as first aid, CPR, WHMS, Safe Food and others.

             

Links says you can come to their office at 51 Main Street at 9 o’clock Monday morning for the start of the session that runs until November 25th.  For information you can call them at 204-687-8791.

Recycling Support is Requested from Denare Beach and Lake Area Residents.

 

The Recycling Center is once again asking everyone living outside of Flin Flon and Creighton to contribute to the cost of processing recyclables in our community.  Administrator Deb Odegaard says the Center is dependent on these fees to support the operation of the Center.  She explains people living in Flin Flon and Creighton help cover the cost of recycling through grants that the City of Flin Flon and Town of Creighton pay to them but people living in Denare Beach and the Lakes have equal access to the recycling service and they don’t receive any money on their behalf to cover their recycling costs so for the past three years they’ve asked individuals to contribute to help cover the cost and quite a few people have done that.  She adds the rate is based in the same way the grants from the City of Flin Flon and Town of Creighton are calculated at $11.40 per person.

             

Fees can be dropped off at the Center at 9 Timber Lane or mailed to Box 392 in Flin Flon.  Denare Beach residents will be voting on whether to join the recycling program in this fall’s election.

 

A Summer Drill Program Continues Near Flin Flon.

 

Callinex Mines reports two drill holes have been completed at their Pine Bay Project located near Hudbay’s Triple Seven Mine in Flin Flon.  One hole was to test a high priority borehole electromagnetic target located immediately north of the previously known Sourdough VMS deposit and deepening of a hole previously drilled by Placer Dome just northeast of Callinan’s new Pine Bay East VMS discovery.  Drill core from both holes are being logged and will be cut and shipped to a laboratory for analysis.

             

Callinan has also modified plans to include deepening of two other Placer Dome drill holes. They state it is now understood that the Lower VMS Horizon previously drilled which hosts the Pine Bay East discovery along strike to the south is approximately 60 meters further to the northwest than previously interpreted by Placer Dome geologists and was not properly drill tested.  Placer Dome explored the Project from 1991 to 93.

Programs Are Again Available for Pre-Schoolers.

 

The Flin Flon Friendship Center Aboriginal Headstart Program has started and is taking registrations for their fall programs.  The Program’s Katie Kawerski says it’s a pre-school program for First Nations, Metis and Inuit children three to five years old.  She says their focus is language and culture, education, parental involvement and community partnerships as well as health and nutrition but during the day the children get to interact with one another, they prepare them for school and they learn valuable skills in a very relaxed semi-structured environment.

             

Kawerski adds there are still some spots open so you can register by calling Katie at 204-687-1311.

 

A Special Workshop for Women is Taking Registrations.

 

The Women’s Safe Haven is sponsoring a Women Rising workshop next week.  Organizer Courtney Gieg says it’s an all day workshop open to all women. She explains it’s aimed at empowering women with learning new skills or refreshing ones they already have so they can gain or regain the confidence they need to live life to the fullest.  She adds the workshop is very interactive and it’s aimed at keeping participants engaged and the focus is on women’s physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

             

The workshop runs Saturday September 24th from 9:30 to 4 at the Flin Flon Friendship Center. It’s a free event but registration is required by calling 204-681-3105 by Wednesday.

It Was Down to Business for the School Board.

 

The Flin Flon School Board held their election for Chair and Vice-Chair last night with current Chair Murray Skeavington staying on for the year ahead and Leslie Fernandes fulfilling the Vice-Chair duties.  The newly appointed Superintendent of Schools Dr. Constance McLeese thanked the Rotary Club for the welcome back breakfast provided for Division staff.  The welcome back barbeque that was previously postponed for Ruth Betts School will now take place tomorrow at the School between 5 and 8 pm.  Grade one to three students will enjoy a welcome back sock hop between 1 and 3 this afternoon.  At Hapnot Collegiate golf, soccer, volleyball, choir and jazz programs have all started and the Travel Club had their first meeting planning the trip to the Netherlands.  The McIsaac Parent Advisory Committee back to school barbeque is scheduled for 5 pm today and their next meeting is Septmeber 19th.

             

The School Division will also be recognizing Peace Days from September 11th through the 21st.  A proclamation was issued last year by former Minister of Education and Advanced Learning James Allum.

 

Changes Are Taking Place in The Province.

 

Manitoba’s Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade Cliff Cullen told the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce yesterday the PC government has reduced the number of Ministers from 18 to 12 giving Ministers more responsibilities.  He says among the things his department is looking at is reducing red tape and regulation burdens including cross border regulations to make it easier to do business and looking at duty to consult and other issues related to investment in the mining industry.  He says they want to make sure they have a province that is open to investment and he thinks they have to provide certainty for the people especially in First Nations as well that they understand what the framework is, what the rules are and what the land use is going to be about, so those are the three key issues that they think have to be addressed and if they can get the framework right we’ll get the money back in Manitoba for exploration.             

             

Cullen adds there is more money available to promote tourism and they are looking at putting all economic development programs under one roof.  

             

Cullen was in The Pas Monday and also met yesterday with Hudbay and City Council in Flin Flon to see how they can assist communities.

The Quarter is Off to a Good Start.

 

 

 

RNC Minerals, formerly Royal Nickel Corporation, reports the third quarter of the year is off to a strong start at the Reed Mine in the Flin Flon Snow Lake region.  Their President Mark Selby reports in July the Reed Mine hoisted just over 40 thousand tonnes of ore at a grade of 4.1 percent copper and .5 grams per tonne gold.  For the month RNCs 30 percent share of metal contained in concentrate production from the Reed Mine was 515 tonnes of copper and 131 ounces of gold. He added RNCs share of cash flow from the Reed Mine reduced the effective contribution and bridge loan balance owed to Hudbay by an estimated 1.4 million dollars during the month to an estimated 8.6 million dollars.

A Local Organization is Benefiting From Your Generosity.

 

The Flin Flon Fire Department held their annual Boot Drive on Third Avenue Friday.  Fire Chief Chad Cooper says it went great.  He says this year saw an excellent turnout, one of their best years yet.  He thanks the citizens of the City of Flin Flon for their support noting this year they raised 15,300 dollars for the SPCA.

             

This is the 20th year for the Boot Drive.

 

Books and Music are at the Library Thursday.

Wendy McGrath

 

The Flin Flon Public Library is hosting the third in their Ore Samples Writers Series Thursday night.  Administrator Cindy McLean says this one will feature four people with the first one being Wendy McGrath who is their visiting author and she has written three novels and two books of poetry so it will be exciting to listen to her.  She says they also have Sarah Trevor who is a talented artist and has been writing as well and they will be having Ann Ross and Doug McGregor and everyone knows Ann and Doug as they have been playing together for twelve years and they will be playing some country blues songs so everyone can come and enjoy the evening.

             

The Ore Samples Writers Series begins at 7 Thursday night at the Library with cake and coffee served.

 

Alpha Invites You to Join Them Next Week.

 

The Alpha Course is starting new session at the Flin Flon Alliance Church next Tuesday evening.  One of the organizers Myrna Melien says Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the basics of Christianity.  She says it is being released in an all new version this month and they are excited about it.  She adds besides Nicky Gumbel they have Toby Flint who is a young Pastor and Gemma Hunt who is an award winning television presenter and Bear Gryls the world renowned adventurer and he’s joining up with Alpha this year to speak about his faith.

             

Alpha begins next Tuesday evening at six at the Alliance Church and runs for ten weeks.  To register or for more information you can call Linda Hinzman at 306-688-3249 or the church at 204-687-8498.

There Was a Fatal Fire Early This Morning.

 

A fire was reported at the Lords Bounty Food Bank at 86 Hapnot Street at 3 o’clock this morning.  The fire was mainly in the apartment above the Food Bank where an adult male was found deceased.  There was some smoke and water damage to the Food Bank and it will be closed indefinitely.

             

The Fire Commissioners Office will investigate the cause of the fire.

Economic Development Has Become a Regional Issue.

 

The Town of Creighton, Village of Denare Beach and City of Flin Flon are asking for applications for a Regional Economic Development Officer.  Creighton Mayor Bruce Fidler says reps from the three communities and their Mayors got together and decided this was a good way for the region to move forward. He explains any economic development that happens whether its in Denare Beach or Flin Flon or Creighton is going to affect the entire region so it just seemed the most common sense way to approach it is to have a Regional Economic Development Officer that works for the region for the three communities and hopefully they can build a bit of a sustainable future or improve the future of the area.

             

Resumes can be submitted to Town Administrator Paula Muench at the Creighton Town Office, call 306-688-8253 or email townofcreighton@sasktel.net.

 

Culture Days Continues to Grow.

 

Culture Days are coming up September 30th and October 1st and 2nd.  The Flin Flon Arts Council’s Coordinator Crystal Kolt says they already have over one hundred events with something for everyone.  She says they start off with all the school events that are going to be happening for every child in Flin Flon and Creighton and they finish off on the Sunday with Dancing Down Main Street with Fast Romantic’s song Julia and at the very end of the evening they’re going to have their second Couture Fashion Show called Wild Soul and in between all of that there’s going to be Where the Wild Things Are outdoor market, Human Books, Ham Sandwich, choirs and at the Rotary Wheel they’re going to have a lot of things from the Friendship Center as well as recycled art.

             

For information on all the other events for Culture Days you can go to www.culturedays.ca or www.flinflononline.com.

 

Flin Flon Army Cadets are Accepting Applications for Another Year of Training.

 

The Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp starts a new training year tonight.  Captain Daryl Wilkinson says there’s a three way responsibility with cadets and that is to create good citizens, physical fitness and interest in the armed forces.  He explains army cadets is a youth organization that offers adventure, some outdoor camping, navigation skills and physical fitness activities and is open for all youth from the age of 12 to 18 years of age.

             

Wilkinson adds they also offer summer camp opportunities.

             

Any young people interested can drop in on their training Monday nights at 7 at the Flin Flon Community Hall or every second Thursday at the Legion Hall.  If you have any questions you can call 306-688-7420 or 204-687-5878.

 

 

There is a Plan for a Focus Point for the Arts.

 

At their meeting this week Flin Flon City Council received a letter and presentation from local artist Katie Kozak.  She is asking for support for an art project to gain a Canada Council New Chapter Grant.  She says the grant would be used to develop an official place in the Flin Flon area to explore forms of historical narrative and for the site to function as a viewable public artwork and will allow for individuals from afar to engage with related artwork and programming.  She asked for a letter of support from Council pledging to assist them in identifying an appropriate building site for this project which would be an artwork in itself and would provide a location for existing arts programs to operate out of.  The letter was referred to Committee of the Whole Council.

             

Also at the meeting Council accepted the Fire Chiefs report for August indicating six fire calls during the month and reported Northern Bus Lines will continue to operate the city bus service under contract with the city.

 

Northern Tourism Was The Focus of a Summit in Flin Flon.

 

A tourism summit hosted by Tourism Manitoba was held at Camp Whitney on Lake Athapap earlier this week.  Their President Colin Ferguson says it was set up to further expand Manitoba’s northern tourism industry by bringing together people with interests in the industry including Tourism North, Chambers of Commerce and tourism operators to find ways to increase tourism revenue. He explains the opportunity is to get together and try to identify future tourism opportunities for growth in the north.  He says they already market the north which is a jewel from an international tourism perspective but what are ways that they can collaborate together, working together, aligning their messages to make sure that they can maximize on the opportunities that exist in the north and that everybody can benefit from it.

             

The summit was attended by people involved and interested in tourism from Flin Flon, The Pas, Thompson, Churchill and Winnipeg.

Adult Classes are Getting Underway for Another Season.

 

The Community Adult Learning Center has started their new season.  Coordinator Barry Hanrahan says they have opened for another school year for adults 18 years and older who wish to upgrade their skills in literacy, math and computer use.  He says they offer continuous entry, year round adult focused programming adding you choose what skills you’d like to improve and start at the level that is best for you and GED help is offered as well.  He invites you to drop in and says he and Heather are there to help you.

             

The programs at the Center are free and they run from September to June from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday.  For information you can call 204-687-3223 or visit them on the lower level of the Co-op store.

 

 

A Lot of Home Businesses Will Be in One Place.

 

The annual Creighton Fall Home Business Show is being held tomorrow and Saturday.  Recreation Director Channa Senyk says they have had a good response from businesses including Scentsy, Steeped Tea, Epicure, Poppa Ron’s Kettle Corn will be there, they have Tupperware, Skincerity, Color by Amber and Yvonne Soshycki will be there with plants and honey, they have preserves, pickles, hemp hearts, garlic, sewing, Sunset Gourmet, leggings, the OMG Food Truck, Younique, wood working, Highlands Honey, Essential Oils, Hot Meals with Vi and Beach Glass by Vicki and a few more.

             

The Home Business Show will be open in the Sportex Arena tomorrow from 4 to 9 and Saturday from 10 to 4.

There Are Some Great Volunteers in Our Community.

 

At Tuesday night’s Flin Flon city council meeting Mayor Cal Huntley reviewed a report from the Chair of the Citizens on Patrol Program Sinclair James. He reported in August members of COPPS spent 217 hours patrolling the community and logged 1270 kilometers on these patrols.  Mayor Huntley says they are making a difference in ensuring a safe community and the community is glad to have them around.

             

Mayor Huntley also read a letter of resignation from Ron Dodds who is leaving the Museum Board after 27 years 15 of which were as chair of the Board.  He says Dodds gave his heart and soul to this project and will be missed.  Mayor Huntley added he believes Dodds will remain involved in some way but still accepted his resignation with regret.

             

Administrator Mark Kolt added praise for another volunteer Tom Heine who volunteers over the summer to keep the flowers watered on Main Street.

A Valuable Community Service is Being Put on Hold.

 

 

The Lions Handivan is not available due to a change in licensing regulations.  Flin Flon Lions Club Treasurer Monica Lone says they thought their Handivan was a ten seater but MPI has changed the definition of the size of Handivans and related licensing.  She says they now says that each wheel chair slot is the same as four seats so that would be an additional eight seats and they also count in the driver’s seat so that makes it seventeen seats and since it’s now over ten seats the drivers must have a class four license.

             

Lone says almost all of their drivers have class five licenses and only one or two are interested in upgrading.  She says they need people with class four licenses to volunteer to drive to keep this valuable service running in the community.  Those interested can call Monica at 204-687-4925.

The Town of The Pas Has Offered Tolko a Tax Holiday.

 

Trying to keep Tolko operations running in The Pas is the primary focus of The Pas Town Council right now.  Mayor Jim Scott says they have presented an option to Tolko.  He explains that as a community they have offered up effective January 1st, 2017 three years of a property tax holiday which is over two and a half million dollars. He says the point behind that is its better to invest two and a half million dollars in their future than it is to say goodbye to a 37 million dollar annual payroll.

             

Scott adds they’ve also reached out to Tolko and have invited the Executive Chairman of Tolko Industries Allan Thorenstein to visit and talk with Council.  The tax holiday would mean Tolko would not pay taxes from January 1st 2017 until December 31st, 2019.

The Proposed Dog Park Will Not Be Located on Riverside.

 

At last night’s Flin Flon City Council meeting Mayor Cal Huntley announced that after much discussion Council has decided not to proceed with a dog park in the ball diamond on Riverside Drive.  He says they were looking for a fiscally responsible solution in an area which wouldn’t cause a lot of issues. He says there were a lot of issues about this area and they have taken the concerns of the residents in the neighborhood seriously and will not proceed.  He says they will continue to look at the need for a dog park.

             

Council also gave final reading to a bylaw to regulate the use of fire pits in the community.  The bylaw was brought in to ensure that fire pits are built and used safely meeting certain requirements and must be inspected by the Fire Chief before use.  Mayor Huntley says they believe people in the community want to use fire pits and Council wants to make sure it’s done safely with a proper procedure in place.  People building fire pits must make application and pay a 50 dollar fee.  The fine for a first offence in not having a permit is five hundred dollars.

Parents Can Meet Teachers Tomorrow Evening.

 

 

Creighton Community School is holding an open house tomorrow evening.  School Coordinator Carol Sutherland says they are hosting their annual open house tomorrow evening from 6 until 7:30 and there will be a complimentary light supper provided.  She asks you to join them to meet the staff and to tour their school to find out about the different academics, athletics, art and culture opportunities that they offer.

             

Transportation will be provided for Denare Beach with pick ups at the Band Hall at 5:30 and the Alpine at 5:40 returning at 7:30.

 

You Can Toss Your Change Into a Boot.

 

An annual Boot Drive is again taking place on Friday.  Fire Chief Chad Cooper says they will again be supporting a local organization.  He says the Flin Flon Fire Department in partnership with Scotia Bank will be holding their annual Fire Fighters Boot Drive Friday between 9 and 5 on highway 10-A by KFC and this year one hundred percent of the proceeds will be going to the SPCA.

             

This is the 20th year for the Flin Flon Fire Department’s Boot Drive.  You are reminded you don’t have to give but drive through carefully.

It Has Been a Record Summer for the Food Bank.

 

 

Food Distribution Chair for the Lord’s Bounty Food Bank Dennis Hydamaka reports it was an abnormally busy summer for the Food Bank.  He says they set a record in August feeding 281 people versus 147 for last August.  He adds for the two months they fed 454 people, handed out 240 hampers and year on year that gives them a 9 percent increase in the number of people they fed and 3 percent in the number of hampers they handed out.  He says that indicates to him that the family sizes are much larger this year than they were last year.

             

Hydamaka adds the have received a good sized donation of food, food has been coming in all summer from local people and they are doing okay financially.

 

Registrations Are Being Taken for a Variety of Courses.

 

The Many Faces Education Centre is preparing for the start of classes.  Vice-Principal Patty Korchinski invites those interested out for registrations tomorrow morning from 9 to noon.  She says students can come in and register for courses for the year and classes will start that afternoon and the morning classes will start the next day.  She adds they can take grade 10, 11 and 12 english and math as well as some phys ed, possibly some cosmo and they are also offering s few independent courses.

             

You are asked to bring your health card number when you register.

             

Many Faces is located at 115 Green Street behind Hapnot Collegiate.  For information you can call the school at 204-687-6354.

Northern Issues Will Be Raised as Parliament Resumes.

 

With the recent announcement of Tolko Industries closing in The Pas Churchill Keewatinook Aski Member of Parliament Niki Ashton says she will be looking for solutions.  Ashton says she will be calling on the federal government for help.  She says she’ll be back in Parliament September 19th and this is going to be top of mind.  She explains sitting in Parliament they’re all in the same room so you can head straight over and there’s no where for anybody to go so she’ll be heading directly to key ministers in person to say we reached out to you but this is now the time to act.

             

Ashton says we have a valuable resource with some of the best harvesting territory in the country.  She adds she has spoken with employees of Tolko, The Pas town council and the Opaskwayak Cree Nation about continuing to find solutions for our area.

 

You Can Celebrate Labor Day.

 

The United Steelworkers Local 7106 will hold a Labor Day Celebration Monday.  Their Health and Safety Rep Ken Bateman says everyone is welcome.  He says there’s going to be hot dogs and pop for the kids and on behalf of United Steelworkers 7106 they welcome everybody to come with families included.  He adds they’re going to have two door prizes which are two gift certificates from Eddies Foods with a 200 dollar value so come on down and see if you can win.

             

The Labor Day Celebration runs from 11:30 to 1:30 Monday at Rotary Park.

The Search is on For Local Acting Talent.

 

The Ham Sandwich Theatre Group is holding auditions for an upcoming play.  One of the Directors Leslie Fernandes says they will be performing The Almost Totally True Story of Hansel and Gretel. She explains it’s a great play about Hansel and Gretel but the story may not be exactly as you remember and there may be some other fairy tale characters that make an appearance.  She says they’re always looking for new members for Ham Sandwich so if you have any interest whatsoever in community theatre please come out to auditions next week.  Fernandes adds they have about 7 to 8 roles for kids ages 8 to 13, 7 to 8 roles for teenagers and 9 to 10 roles for adults.

             

Auditions are taking place Tuesday and Wednesday of next week at 7 PM in the Flin Flon Community Hall.  The play will be performed November 18th and 19th.

 

Workers In Churchill Need Support.

 

The union representing Port of Churchill Workers says they are frustrated by inaction from the Federal and Provincial governments. The Regional Executive Vice-President for the Public Service Alliance of Canada Marianne Hladun says their priority is their workers and the community.  She says the big concern is some of the workers that returned don’t have enough hours for EI benefits for the rest of the year and all of the workers that didn’t get called back have no access to hours to qualify for EI and that has a significant impact on the community.

             

Hladun adds they are calling on the government to take some action such as setting up an Employment Insurance Zone for Churchill to benefit the workers.  She says so far they have only had a chance to meet with Member of Parliament Niki Ashton and the Provincial NDP Labor Critic Tom Lindsey the MLA for Flin Flon.

There Was a Lot of Interest in Our Area History.

 

The Museum in Creighton is wrapping up its summer season tomorrow.  Recreation Director Channa Senyk says they had a really great summer at the museum.  She says they had a lot of visitors coming in to their Tourism Office and visiting the Royal Northwest Museum including visitors from B.C. this year and a lot of Europeans as well.  She says they really enjoyed the unique rock formations and really enjoyed everything that they had to offer.

             

Senyk adds if you still have a group interested in visiting the museum you can make arrangements by calling the Creighton Recreation Office at 306-688-3538.

One of Flin Flons First Main Street Businesses is Closing.

   

 

Dembinsky’s store on Main Street is closing with its last day of business tomorrow.  The Flin Flon History Book says the store was already on Main Street in 1930 operated by Ben Dembinsky.

 

In a story in North Roots Magazine Frank Fieber reported Ben Dembinsky and his 20 year old son Sonny opened a store on the muskeg of Main Street in Flin Flon in 1928 after opening stores earlier in The Pas and Herb Lake. Another son Frank came to Flin Flon in 1945 and he and Sonny ran the store until 1983.

             

Ken Dowding who has worked at the store for 46 years says he and Ken Rusk took over operating the business for the Dembinsky family in 1983 and he bought out Rusk and became the sole operator in 2000. He says the Dembinsky family has sold the building so the doors will close at the end of the business day tomorrow with everything packed up on Saturday.

 

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