Local News Archives for 2018-09

Our Member of Parliament Says There is Now Hope for Churchill.

 

Niki Ashton says relief is the only way to describe the reaction to the announcement that a new northern led consortium will be taking over the Hudson Bay rail line and the port of Churchill. Relief because it means that repairs will be made to the rail line, because it means the port can reopen and because Omnitrax will no longer be able to hold the community of Churchill and the government of Canada to ransom. She says what we saw with Churchill and the rail line was the result of a disastrous privatization by the Liberal government in 1997.

       

Ashton adds it makes no sense to privatize strategic assets like Churchill. At a time when the federal government is looking at doing much the same with airports and other transportation infrastructure we need to recognize the degree to which privatization has failed in the past. She concludes the true credit for what has happened does not go to the federal government it goes to Churchill and the Northern First Nations that worked to find a solution.

Its Time to Start Bidding on Local Art Work.

 

The One Square Foot art exhibition and auction is underway at the Norva Center.  People purchased a 12 by 12 inch canvas and returned it with their art work on it and the Center’s Karen Clark explains there’s two ways to bid on it.  She says the Square Foot has been installed and it’s spread over the one wall and on the tables in front of each piece is a paper that people can write their silent auction bid on and the silent auction bidding goes on until October 14th and then they have a live auction and Raphael Saray is their auctioneer once again.

              The auction is a fundraising event for Norva.  You can view and bid on the art at the Center at 177 Green Street Tuesday to Friday from 10 to 5 and Saturdays from 12:30 to 4:30.

 

You Can Learn More About Writing Proposals.

 

University College of the North is hosting a workshop on Writing Proposals That Win.  Northern Mining Academy Operations Manager Craig Cowper says the course is aimed at assisting public and private organizations with the proposal writing process which is often required when requesting funding.  He says it is certainly something that is very applicable to many of the organizations and communities here in the north.  He explains participants will learn to write clear precise executive summaries, understand the proposal writing process and this is a high quality course with highly recommended great facilitators and they’re willing to allow participants to bring some existing work in progress for help with those proposals and documents.

              The course is being held at the Hudbay Staff House Wednesday October 10th from 8 to 4:30 and you can register at a cost of 425 dollars by calling Cindy Best at 204-687-1560 or email cbest@ucn.ca.

 

 

Staff and Students at Creighton School will be Wearing Orange Monday.

 

Creighton Community School is recognizing Orange Shirt Day Monday.  School Coordinator Carol Sutherland explains Orange Shirt Day grew out of Phyllis’s story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the mission and this is an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of Residential Schools happening annually.  She explains they have various classroom project underway including sewing mini orange shirts as well as attachment hearts and to ensure that everyone is able to participate in Orange Shirt Day they will have mini orange shirts available for those who do not have one.

             

Sutherland adds the date was chosen for the time of year when children were taken from their homes to residential schools and is an opportunity to set anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the upcoming school year.  As we reported yesterday students and staff in Flin Flon School Division will be wearing Orange tomorrow in recognition of Orange Shirt Day.

 

You Can Nominate a Business for an Award.

 

The Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures Greenstone are sponsoring their annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award.  Chamber Past President Dianne Russell says they are looking for nominations from the communities of Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach and Cranberry Portage so if there’s anyone out there either a Chamber member or even anyone in the community who is interested in sending in a nomination for a local business who they can recognize this year.  She says they do this each year and they used to do it in the evening with a gala but this year it’s going to be on October 29th at lunch in the middle of the Infusion conference when they are going to be honoring some businesses and they’re looking for people to take the time to nominate someone they would like to possibly honor.

             

Nominations must be submitted by Tuesday at the latest by emailing flinflondistrictchamber@gmail.com or call the Chamber office at 204-687-4518.

The Radio Play Will Be Revived on Stage During Culture Days.

 

Local writer Raphael Saray is again presenting an old time live radio play as part of Culture Days this weekend.  He says it’s the world premiere of a play he wrote called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Whitney Forum and it’s a Roman farce, there’s some musical elements, there are cabbage rolls being made, there’s an ode to a dentist that’s no long with us, it’s very fun and very madcap and it’s coming to Johnny’s Social Club Friday night at 8:30 and Saturday afternoon at 3:30 and it’s all free.

             

Along with Saray the play features Susan Gunn, Vanessa Unrau, Brent Lethbridge, Natalie Milligan and Alain Lachapelle.

 

Special Events Were Noted at Last Nights School Board Meeting.

 

A light agenda meant for a brief meeting last night for the Flin Flon School Board.

             

Superintendent Constance McCleese reported the Leadership Training Group will be joined by members from the Kelsey Administration.  She also mentioned Orange Shirt Day is being recognized this Friday in the Division so expect to see a lot of Orange on staff and students.  She also extended many thanks to Katie Anderson and Natalie Milligan for their input and working with students for Culture Days events.  McCleese said it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to explore and expand their learning.

Terry Fox is Being Remembered at a Local School.

 

The Terry Fox National School Run is taking place tomorrow.  Millions of students across Canada take part in Terry Fox Runs every year making it one of the largest fundraising events in Canadian history.

                         

Creighton Community School is holding their Terry Fox Walk tomorrow morning starting at 10:30 at the School with a fundraising goal of 500 dollars.  If they reach that Mr. A. Cable will dye his beard Kodiak Green,

             

The Manitoba Terry Fox Foundation says educators are vital in ensuring Terry’s legacy remains vibrant and relevant. They note the difference our schools are making towards ridding the world of cancer and coming together to honor a Canadian hero.

Northern Chambers and Upcoming Events Were Highlighted at the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce Meeting Yesterday.

 

Community Futures Greenstone Manager Becky Cianflone reminded Chamber members of the annual Infusion Entrepreneurship Conference October 29th.  She noted it’s to grow innovation and entrepreneurship in the north under the theme Dare to Do and is open to businesses, people in leadership roles and anyone else interested.  Greenstone also has their annual Cardboard Challenge coming up October 13th for all ages where teams of 3 to 5 people are challenged to build cardboard creations. We’ll have more on these events on upcoming newscasts.

             

Past President Dianne Russell reported on the recent Northern Chambers meeting held recently in Flin Flon with presentations from the Manitoba Chambers on Look North and support for northern Chambers and UCN on what they can offer businesses in the north.  She added the biggest focus of the afternoon roundtable was uniting the voices of northern Chambers from Churchill to Swan River to get the attention of the provincial government.

             

The Chamber will be writing to the provincial Boundaries Commission asking that the boundaries of Flin Flon constituency remain where they are instead of combining it with The Pas riding.

Moms and Babies Will Get Together Saturday as Part of a Challenge.

 

Moms and their babies are invited to join the World Breastfeeding Challenge being held Saturday morning to support moms and promote breastfeeding.  The Northern Health Region’s Ruth Unrau says it’s a fun event in response to a challenge for which geographic area has the most breastfeeding babies as a percent of the birth rate.  She explains it’s basically like a celebration of breastfeeding and it’s to demonstrate promotion, protection and support for breast feeding women and their families and it’s a chance for peer support done in a fun social way.

             

The breastfeeding challenge takes place at the Flin Flon Primary Health Care Center Saturday morning at 11 with the doors open at 10:45.  Unrau adds there’s no cost and there will be snacks, door prizes and fun social time for everyone.

Saskatchewans Lieutenant Governor was in Creighton Yesterday.

 

Lieutenant Governor W. Thomas Malloy visited Creighton Community School to present student awards for last years achievements.

             

His Lieutenant Governor’s Award was presented to grade twelve student Victoria Pedwell.  Northern Saskatchewan Student Achievement Awards were presented to Myles Patterson for grade eight, for grade nine Victoria Watkins and Abbey Cowper, for grade ten Bree Patterson and Lauren Fox, for grade eleven Hunter Brasch and for grade twelve Victoria Pedwell and Aline Nasselquist.

             

The Northern Student Achievement Awards were established in 1989 by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education.  The Lieutenant Governor’ Award of excellence recognizes one student from across the province at each grade level from 7 to 12.  The award criteria include academic standing, school attendance and involvement in cultural activities.

 

You Can Talk With 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.  Administrator Courtney Campbell explains they have five Human Books this year including Karen Clark a local artist, Noe Ishaka who is a local teacher and a father who will be talking about his immigrant experience to Canada, Brad Bellegarde who is an Indigenous hip hop artist who’s worked with local students  making music, Marlowe Cochrane who is a former police officer who’s a magician who works with youth to make positive life choices and Val Meiner also known as Puff the Clown who’s had a long time involvement with Culture Days in Flin Flon.

             

The Human Books will be available at the Library from 7:30 to 9:30 Friday night with the doors open at 7.  Along with wine and cheese they will have apple cider, coffee, tea and a 50-50 draw.

             

The Library is also holding a Seniors Brunch Friday morning from 10 to 12 for seniors to get together over brunch and help identify photos for the Flin Flon Heritage Project.

 

Which is Your Choice of Pink Day Shirt?

 

Canadian Red Cross Pink Day is coming up February 27th.  The day is held to show support for bullying prevention and their Program Rep for Respect Education Carolyn Labossiere says you can help select the pink day t-shirt from three designs and individuals can do that by going online to www.redcross.ca/pink and they can vote up to one time per day up until October 4th and everyone who casts a vote will be showing their support for bullying prevention and by standing up to bullying you can really be someone’s hero.

             

The chosen design will be worn on Red Cross Pink Day across Canada with the winning design announced in November.

 

You Can Shop and Be Entertained at the Village.

 

Culture Days will feature a Wild Things Outdoor Village in Creekside Park Saturday.  One of the organizers Danielle Yungwurth says they have over 20 vendors this year, they have a few organizations in Hudbay Women’s Network, Pottery Club, Girl Guides and the Pride Committee.  She adds they’re also going to have the Village Stage which is going to be running at the same time, the Wild Things Tavern, beer, cider, some seasonal stuff, Tarot Card readings, mini massages, the Miner’s Tent, Yoga in The Park from 10:30 to 11:30, they’re hoping to have some food, coffee, hot chocolate, a 50-50 and you can follow their Facebook page for more information.

             

The Wild Things Outdoor Village is open Saturday from 10 to 4 at Creekside Park.

Three Organizations Will Benefit From Your Generosity.

 

The Flin Flon Fire Department held their annual Boot Drive on Third Avenue earlier this month. Fire Chief Chad Cooper says this year’s Firefighter’s Charity Boot Drive in partnership with Flin Flon Scotia Bank held Friday, September 7th raised a total of 13,844 dollars.  He notes every year it amazes him how generous and caring the community is when raising money for charities so on behalf of the Flin Flon Fire Department he extends their heartfelt thank you to the community.

             

The money raised will support the Manitoba Firefighters Burn Fund, Flin Flon Community Adult Learning Center and the Flin Flon Northern Lights Regional Training Center.

Manitoba RCMP have launched a Moose Hide Campaign.

 

 The RCMP in Manitoba have partnered with the Moose Hide Campaign and launched a month long, province-wide effort to help reduce, and one day end violence towards women and children.

Until October 17th RCMP detachments across the province will be holding community events to raise awareness about gender-based violence and while the campaign targets men and boys, everyone is encouraged to participate.

Support for the Moose Hide Campaign is demonstrated by wearing a moose hide square which signifies ones commitment to honour, respect and protect the women and children in their life and to work together to end violence against women and children.

More information about the Moose Hide Campaign can be found online at www.moosehidecampaign.ca.

 

It Has Been a Successful Drill Season West of Flin Flon.

 

Foran Mining Corporation has reported initial results from four holes of the ongoing summer resource definition drill program at their McIlvenna Bay zinc copper deposit 65 kilometers west of Flin Flon.  Their President and CEO Patrick Soares says several high grade intersections were encountered in these first four holes confirming the consistency of the grade of the mineralization in this area of the McIlvenna Bay deposit.  He says they currently have three drills on site and plan to complete over 12 thousand meters of drilling during this field season which is expected to last until the end of September.

             

These first four holes are a continuation of the drilling from the 2018 winter program and target the central part of the deposit. They report drilling continues to intersect significant high grade zones of mineralization including intersecting 9.4 percent zinc over 6.1 meters.

 

A Workshop Will Help You Communicate With Your Children.

 

The Women’s Resource Center is holding a workshop on How to Talk so Your Kids Will Listen and Listen so Your Kids Will Talk.  The Center’s Barb Hopkinson says the free eight week program will teach parents proven skills.  She explains some examples are how to set boundaries, communication, coping with a child’s negative behavior, engaging co-operation plus other skills to develop a child into a responsible person.  She adds the skills will help to add peace and harmony while creating a positive family atmosphere of love and respect.

             

The workshop will be held Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 starting October 3rd.  To register call the Center at 204-681-3105.

 

 

Students Will Be Kept Busy as Culture Days Get Underway Next Friday.

 

Organizer of the school events for Culture Days Katie Anderson says students go to school next Friday and take part in events.  For example she says K to 2 will have music presentations and grade 3 and 4 will go to the Denare Beach Museum, the grad fives are doing soap stone carving, the grade sixes are bused to the Community Hall for half a day where they are in an hour and a half workshop where they learn some new skills or make or build something, the grade twelves were organized by Natalie Milligan and they are having 19 different workshops from guitar to improve, silk screening, knitting, hoop dancing, medicine wheel, virtual reality, photography in a wonderful half day in the afternoon at Hapnot School.

             

Culture Days continue through the following Saturday and Sunday with over 130 events listed on the link at www.flinflononline.com.

 

Diversification is the Goal of Our Re-elected Mayor.

 

Flin Flon Mayor Cal Huntley was re-elected by acclamation when he was the only candidate to file nomination papers Tuesday.  He says he wants to keep moving forward with Council. He says it’s a tough environment right now but they’re trying to take a positive tack adding they’ve built a lot of good relationships with our neighboring communities as well as with the province that start to show some signs of fruition and he likes the road they’re travelling down right now and he just wants to continue with that.  He notes he is very pleased that the community of Flin Flon, his home, has acclaimed him and he’s very proud of that and humbled as well.

             

 Huntley says they have set the ground work and diversification is the key by moving from a mining community to a service community with mining still a big part of that but we want to be less dependent on where that mine is.

 

An Awareness Walk is Being Held tomorrow.

 

The Flin Flon and Area Against Sexual Exploitation Committee invites you to their seventh annual Grandmother’s Walk tomorrow.  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 and youth and we walk in solidarity to bring awareness to sexual exploitation and to help to deliver the message that violence against our children must stop.

             

The event begins at 11:30 tomorrow morning with a pipe ceremony at the Neighbors of the North Park near Super K.  At 12 noon the Awareness Walk will go down Main Street to Pioneer Square where there will be free entertainment, food and refreshments.

 

You Can View the Talents of Local Quilters This Weekend.

 

The North Star Quilters Guild is holding its Quilt Show at the Flin Flon Community Hall tomorrow and Saturday.  The Guild’s Audrey Neufeld says there’s going to be about 130 quilted items with quilters from Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach, Cranberry Portage and they have two members from southern Saskatchewan displaying items for the first time.  She adds there’s also a Merchant’s Mall for quilters and other sewers with Road 17 North from Winkler and Mami’s Country Quilts from Duck Lake, Saskatchewan and both venders will be doing a demonstration of some new products.

             

 There will also be raffles, a door prize, toonie parade, you can sign up for a beginners quilt class and enjoy coffee, tea and cookies.  The show is open tomorrow from noon to 9 and Saturday from ten to four in the Community Hall with admission five dollars each day.

 

447 Homeowners Will See the Effects of a Provincial Tax Change.

 

At the Flin Flon City Council meeting last night Mayor Cal Huntley reported the province has made changes to the Manitoba Education Property Tax Credit effective January 1st.  It changes how the education property tax credit will be applied to residential homeowner’s property taxes as it will no longer be applied to municipal property taxes but will be applied to school taxes only.

             

Huntley added 1472 resident currently take part in the tax credit but 447 of those will no longer be able to apply the difference between their Tax Credit and their School Taxes to their Municipal Taxes and the minimum of 250 dollars has been removed. He notes residents assessed between 15 thousand and 72 thousand five hundred dollars will feel the impact of this change the most and any homeowners paying at least 7 hundred dollars in School Taxes will not seen a difference.

 

Plans Are Quickly Falling Into Place for Culture Days.

 

Flin Flon’s Culture Days are just over a week away.  The Flin Flon Arts Council’s Crystal Kolt says the number of events keeps on growing.  She explains they have another fabulous set of over 130 events happening in Culture Days recognized on the national site.  She mentioned the market which is on Creekside called The Wild Things Outdoor Village and that is going to be just filled to the rafters plus a lot of other events so just check online on CFAR as well as the Reminder and go to www.culturedays.ca to see all the events.

             

Culture Days run from September 28th to 30th with all three days full of events with one of the popular participation events Dancing Down Main Street Sunday afternoon starting at 12:30.

 

 

Mayor Cal Huntley Will Serve Another Term as Flin Flon Mayor.

 

When nominations closed at 4:30 this afternoon current Mayor Cal Huntley was the only candidate to file papers to run for Mayor.  He will be declared elected by acclamation.

             

Twelve candidates are running to fill the six seats on Council.  They include current Councilors Tim Babcock, Karen MacKinnon, Colleen McKee, Ken Pawlachuk and Guy Rideout along with Colleen Arnold, Joe Buie, Alan French, Thomas Heine, Dave King, Jordanna Oulette, and Patricia Sattelberger.

19 year Councilor Bill Hanson announced last week he would not be seeking re-election.

             

Eight candidates are running for the seven seats on the Flin Flon School Board including current Trustees Tim Davis, Leslie Fernandes, Amy Supergia Green, Angela Simpson and Murray Skeavington along with Jill Akkerman, Leslie Power and Ebony Trubiak.

             

All are for four year terms running until November 2022. Candidates have 24 hours to withdraw their name if they choose.  Election Day will be October 24th.

 

A Faith Program For Young People is Underway.

 

Impact Youth is being held Thursday nights at the Alliance Church.  One of the organizers Kayla Kemp explains it’s a program for youth 11 to 18 to explore their faith.  She says they usually play games, have a time of worship, a snack, watch a video or listen to a talk and then depending on the size they’ll break into groups and discuss the topic for the night and then usually end in prayer, but also have nights where they’ll visit the senior’s residences or prepare freezer meals to give to people in need as well as occasional movie nights.  She adds their main vision behind it is to provide a safe place for youth to come, open up and be real with each other and they want to see them transformed though the Gospel of Jesus that the youth would see how loved and valued they are by God and in turn show that love to those around them that they would each know they have a purpose and incredible power to make an impact on the world around them simply by living out their faith.

             

Impact Youth is free and runs from 7 to 9 Thursday nights at the Alliance Church at 237 Green Street.  For information you can call Kayla at 204-271-5357 or Lia at 204-271-3738.

 

Women Can Get Together at the Womens Resource Center Thursday Afternoons.

 

The Womens Resource Center is holding Crafts and Coffee Thursday afternoons.  The Center’s Lori Sealey says it offers crafting and conversation for women to have an afternoon out starting this Thursday from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Womens Resource Center. She explains they would like the ladies to come out for coffee and crafting and they provide the snacks, beverages, all the supplies and they’ll be doing things like painting canvasses, Christmas cards, Christmas ornaments, scrapbooking, wreaths, themed holiday crafts which means Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines and there’s no cost to register, the crafts are yours to keep and if you have a pre-schooler bring them along.

             

To register for Crafts and Coffee you can call the Womens Resource Center at 204-681-3105.

The North is an Important Part of the Manitoba Economy.

 

The President of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce attended the Northern Chambers meeting held in Flin Flon Saturday.  Chuck Davidson says it’s important for them to get a sense of what some of the issues Chambers are dealing with in Northern Manitoba and what the provincial body can do to see that they’re addressed.  He says there was a lot of discussion Saturday about economic development which obviously is a key pillar and a key challenge in northern Manitoba so a lot of those discussion took place in terms of we need to press the government to make sure that northern economic development continues to be a priority for them and that they understand the importance of northern Manitoba on the Manitoba economy.

             

Davidson adds regional meetings are held to make sure the provincial body remains connected to the seventy Chambers across the province and their concerns and to find some common goals as well.

 

Northern Chambers Can Speak With a Unified Voice.

 

The Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Northern Chambers meeting Saturday.  It was attended by Chamber members from Flin Flon, The Pas, Thompson and Swan Valley as well as representatives from the provincial Chamber offices in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Organizer local Chamber Past President Dianne Russell said it was a broad conversation highlighting some items including federal funding announced for the Churchill rail line.  She explained they discussed how tourism connects to economic development, how they can combine their voices to have one voice so they’re more easily heard by their southern counterparts and how they’re trying to progress here in the north.  She added there was a lot of focus on the big news Friday about the rail line and how they can continue to progress forward and the other line that came up is how can our municipalities be open for business.

             

The first meeting of northern Chambers was held in Thompson last year with a decision still to be made on who will host next year’s meeting.

You Can Walk to Support Freedom Outreach Programs at Denare Beach.

 

The Freedom Outreach Program is holding its sixth annual Walk For Freedom Saturday. The group’s Kandie Lagore  says walkers will meet at Jason’s Kal Tire in Creighton at 9:30 with the walk starting at 10 and ending at the Alliance Church with a barbeque.  She explains the Walk is a fund raiser that Freedom Outreach runs and that’s to help raise funds for their Center and their Center is all about helping men struggling with addictions who want help to live a life of freedom.

             

Lagore adds the walk is open to all ages with sponsor sheets available at the Alliance, Baptist, Pentecostal, Salvation Army and Cornerstone churches or call the Center at 306-362-2117. The prize for the participant who raises the most money is a weekend stay for two at the Victoria Inn of your choice.

 

 

Six Local Artists are Part of a Provincial Show.

 

The 16th annual Manitoba Arts Networks Rural and Northern Juried Art Show is underway in Winnipeg. It features selected works submitted to the Regional Juried Art Shows held across Manitoba each year.  This year’s show features sixty artists including Flin Flon Artists Karen Clark, Rosimeire Anjos, Matthew Enns and Kim Smedegaard as well as Elaine Angelski and Brandy Bloxom from Denare Beach.  Brandy picked up second prize at the Manitoba show for her photo titled A Century Lost.

             

The Network states the show provides an opportunity for artists in the north and rural regions to present their work to an urban audience and gives Winnipeg audiences an idea of the scope of work being created outside the perimeter. The show is free and is being held at the Buhler Gallery at St. Boniface Hospital and is open Monday to Friday from 10 to 8 and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 until September 30th.

 

The federal government is putting up $117 million to restore rail service to the town of Churchill in northern Manitoba.

 

The rail line is the only land link to the subarctic town of 900 people, and was washed out by heavy flooding in the spring of 2017.

Since then, goods and people have had to be flown in and prices for groceries and fuel have skyrocketed.

A consortium of northern communities reached a deal recently to take over the rail line and port from Denver-based Omnitrax.

The federal funding consists of $74 million to help with the ownership transfer and necessary repairs.

Another $43 million will subsidize operations of the rail line and port for the next 10 years.

Adult Classes are Underway for Another Year.

 

The Community Adult Learning Center has started their new season.  The Center’s Heather Jobes explains the Community Adult Learning Center is a certified adult learning and literacy facility that provides and supports the development and delivery of adult focused programming for adults 18 years and over.  She says their program offers help with literacy in areas such as reading, writing and communications as well as help with high school math and language arts credits.  Jobes notes scheduling is flexible to meet your needs and their program is free of charge.  She adds they also help prepare you for your GED test offered at their Center in November and registration for the GED test should be completed by mid October.

             

The programs at the Center 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 former Co-op store on Main Street.

 

Rockcliff Metals is Now the Largest Landholder in Snow Lake.

 

Rockcliff Metals Corporation has announced that it has acquired through map staking a one hundred percent interest in two separate land packages. They report they now control approximately 169 thousand hectares making it the largest landholder in the Snow Lake portion of the Flin Flon Snow Lake greenstone belt.

             

President Ken Lapierre says the belt has been home to over 30 base metal mines and 8 gold mines adding having worked there for over 13 years they felt the time was right to acquire key land position in a new mining camp south-southeast of Snow Lake. They Acquired the VMS number one and number two properties for their potential to host significant new high grade mineral discoveries. They are now beginning the compilation of all available data and are planning to complete an airborne geophysical survey with the ultimate goal of identifying drill targets.

 

It Was a Successful Year for the Arts in Flin Flon.

 

The Fin Flon Arts Council held their annual meeting last night.  President Sheri Pearson reported it has been a very busy year with lots of wonderful performances, opportunities and new talents emerging which is a trend that is exciting to watch as they seem to continually build on past performance seasons..

             

Highlights were reported from their eleven standing committees and the 12 organizations that fall under their umbrella.

             

Pearson mentioned several events for the upcoming season including continuing to evaluate the feasibility of the North Central Canada Center for the Arts and Environment.  In upcoming performances she mentioned Ham Sandwich’s Treasure Island, Ballet Jorgen and the Community Choirs major performance of Mamma Mia adding the Marketing Committee is dedicated to creating a value added theme to all their performances which could include cabaret style performances with a bar or raffle tickets with themed gift baskets and prizes.

             

The Arts Council included in their constitution their mission statement to support art in the north and northern artists.

 

Future Partnerships Were Part of an Annual Meeting.

 

The Flin Flon Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation held their annual meeting Tuesday night.  Their Executive Director Laurence Gillespie says the meeting was highlighted by programs and community engagement.  H explains they talked about the Neighborhood Renewal Fund, the current move underway to make sure that program is retained in Manitoba because we know it’s a very important one for Flin Flon.  He adds they also talked about doing more to engage with the community like they want to do a lot more through community partnerships and integrating with the community and do things together with other organizations so they want to work on community outreach, they want to get more involved in the community so they got really good marching orders handed down by those who attended the meeting.

             

Gillespie says they also elected members to their Board but they still need three more members.  Anyone interested can contact them at 204-687-6972 or drop into their office above Pharmasave.

 

Its Felt Locally Our Constituency Boundaries Should Not Change.

 

The Manitoba Electoral Boundaries Commission held a hearing in Flin Flon yesterday on the proposed electoral division boundaries.  One proposed change sees Flin Flon and The Pas riding becoming one due to low population in Flin Flon riding to get closer to their average of just over 22 thousand.

             

Greg Bauman questioned the population numbers used by the commission and also noted The Pas and Flin Flon have different economies and issues.  He suggested keeping the two ridings separate with Flin Flon expanding further north as well as east to include Waboden adding current boundaries have worked well for 50 years.  MLA Tom Lindsey said if the population of Flin Flon is the problem then he agrees with the changes proposed by Bauman noting its more about representation than numbers supported by Leslie Beck who questioned how do you get people in isolated communities to have fair representation in the Legislature.  Mayor Cal Huntley added since there is no solution to these issues raised why change the boundaries unless they can show there are huge improvements to come beyond just numbers.

             

Commission Chair Richard Chartier said they will do their due diligence in looking at population adding they also look at putting communities of interest together. Their final report is due December 31st.

 

The Flin Flon School Board Heard About Training Programs Tuesday Night.

 

Superintendent Constance McCleese reported teaching staff from all schools in the Division will be attending ELA training this month in The Pas.  The courses are conveniently held in The Pas to avoid flying to Winnipeg as staff from Kelsey and Swan Valley School Divisions will also be taking part in the ongoing training sessions hosted by members from the Ministry of Education.  Teaching staff from Flin Flon Division will also be participating in early literacy assessment training here in October, part of ongoing training from the Ministry of Education.  Staff have also been reviewing accessibility training this month provided by the Rick Hanson Foundation.

             

The French Immersion video conferencing system is up and working.  The Division has received a letter from the Ministry of Education proclaiming the week of September 17 to 21 as School Support Staff Week in Manitoba.  McCleese stated the Division is fortunate to have hard working EAs and Maintenance staff that continue to do an excellent job.

 

Creighton Voters Will Have Several Choices in an Upcoming Byelection.

 

Nominations closed at 4 yesterday afternoon for a byelection for one Councilor for the Town Of Creighton.  Six people filed papers by the deadline including Steele Higgins, Richard Masson, Max Owen, Anita Rainville, Heather Strom and Matt Winterton. The candidates have 24 hours to withdraw their name if they choose.

             

An advance poll will be held October 3rd with election day October 17th.

 

You Can Rock While Supporting the Animals.

 

The Flin Flon Creighton and Area SPCA is holding a Bark-A-Billy event Saturday night.  Board member Carmen Ward says they need your support. She explains they are hosting a Rockabilly band from Saskatoon called Hot Rod Hullaballoo which is something new they’re bringing to Flin Flon so they’re pretty excited and encouraging the public to dress up in their poodle skirts and for the guys to grease back their hair and have fun and there’re also going to have a 50-50 draw at the concert.  She adds it’s a really important fund raiser for the SPCA as they are currently full of cats and dogs and they really need support from the public.

             

The event takes place Saturday night at 9 at the Unwinder in the Victoria Inn with tickets 30 dollars at the door.

 

Final Approval Has Been Given For a Cannabis Sales Area.

 

Flin Flon City Council passed on final reading last night a bylaw to establish the uptown commercial district as a zone for the permitted sale and distribution of recreational cannabis.  This bylaw will apply when sales become legal across the country in October and if a retail outlet is approved for Flin Flon.

             

Mayor Cal Huntley reported that Councilor Bill Hanson who could not attend last night’s meeting has advised them that he will not be seeking re-election this fall.  He has served 19 years on Council.

             

Councilor Ken Pawlachuk commented it is exciting news that the Churchill rail line and Port have been purchased by a consortium in which they have a share with repairs coming up for the rail line.  Mayor Huntley noted there is a federal government announcement coming up on Friday related to Churchill.

             

Mayor Huntley also commented he is impressed with the brand unveiled for Flin Flon by Travel Manitoba. He says Flin Flon The Water and The Wild really captures Flin Flon as when we do anything here especially with recreation we head for the water and we certainly have the wilderness.  He says they are excited with the tools they have been given and a group will be formed to see where to go with the brand in promoting the community.

 

 

Theres a Need to Expand Skills Programs in the North.

 

The President and Vice Chancellor for University College of the North Doug Lauvstad spoke to the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce yesterday.  He reported they have campuses in The Pas and Thompson and 12 regional campuses including Flin Flon and 9 of them in First Nations.  He explained in 2016-17 they enrolled 23 hundred students in adult learning, certificate, diploma and undergraduate degree programs speaking of their success.  He said most of their graduates get jobs and that’s consistent with other community colleges and universities particularly in the north where they’ve heard over and over again the skill shortages particularly in trades, technologies, professional classifications.

             

Lauvstad added we need to develop skills so we can grow and diversify our industries so UCN is undertaking a comprehensive strategy including connecting with the labor market and their needs, focusing on the skills needed, strengthening their internal systems and sharing their story and their success.

 

A Regional Organization Continues to Support Business Ideas.

 

Community Futures Greenstone includes Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage, Snow Lake and Sherridon.  They have an eleven member Board made up of representatives from these communities and offer business support and business financing to the communities. 

             

Manager Becky Cianflone reported their 2017-18 year went well. She said they are dedicated to helping communities, local governments and volunteer groups in obtaining what they need to be successful in their projects.  She added for the year the Board identified three strategic goal areas including development and promotion of tourism, entrepreneurial culture and youth that includes programs to expose children to business concepts at an early age and effective loan management.

             

During the year they distributed four loans totaling just over 369 thousand dollars, 101 in depth services were provided for individuals requiring technical and advisory services, they had 325 training session participants and in a typical month provided services to 8 to 9 business clients.

             

Tom Therien will continue as Board Chair, Cathy Fidierchuk Vice Chair and Cal Huntley Secretary Treasurer.

 

Parents and the Community Can Meet Teachers This Evening.

 

Creighton Community School is holding its annual open house this evening.  School Coordinator Carol Sutherland invites you to the school to meet their staff and tour their school as well as enjoy a complimentary light supper.  She notes transportation will be provided with pick up at the Band Hall at 5:30 and the Alpine at 5:40 and retuning to Denare Beach at 7:30.  She says all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and they hope to see everyone there.

             

The open house runs from 6 to 7:30 this evening at Creighton Community School.

A Colorful Event is Coming Up On Sunday.

 

The Community In Motion Committee, Flin Flon Parks and Recreation and the Town of Creighton are holding a Color Fun Run.  You’ll be covered in colors as you travel the trail in Creekside Park Sunday afternoon.  The committee’s Christa McIntyre explains everyone can take part in this free event.  She says what’s important for people to understand about the Color Fun Run is it’s exactly that a fun run so it’s designed for adults, seniors, youth, children.  She notes if individuals want to really run the race they are welcome to but others are welcome to walk it as it’s just an event to get people out and get them active.

             

The committee prefers that you pre-register with forms at the Rec Office at the Community Hall, the Primary Health Care Center or the Creighton Recreation Office.  If you haven’t pre-registered show up at Creekside Park at 1 Sunday afternoon for registration with the run starting at 2. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 

A Lithium Project Has Taken Another Step Forward.

 

Far Resources Limited has filed the first ever Technical Report for Dyke One on its Zoro Lithium Property near Snow Lake.  The report provides detailed information on Fars maiden mineral resource as part of Dyke One which covers one of many under explored lithium bearing dykes on the property and supports its ongoing exploration and development initiatives.

             

Far President Toby Mayo says this inferred resource is a required step in derisking the project, exploration at Zoro has continued throughout the summer and they look forward to drills returning later this year.

 

You Can Learn More About a Local Service.

 

The Flin Flon Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation is holding their annual meeting tomorrow night.  Executive Director Laurence Gillespie invites you to come out and learn about their programs.  He says they will be focusing on grant programs they’ve been offering, the previous small grants program and looking at the Neighborhood Renewal Fund.  He adds they’ll be talking about the events they’ve done in the past and discuss plans for future events and also look into electing new members to the Board.

             

The meeting is being held tomorrow night at 7 in the City Hall Board Room.

 

Ray Has Passed His Fund Raising Goal.

 

Flin Flons Ray Berg spent the summer collecting pledges for the Journey of Hope Walk.  He had set a goal of five thousand dollars to support the free programs and services provided by the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society through their annual Walk and says he passed that.  He explains he’s been able to collect approximately 44 hundred dollars in cash and 900 dollars in personal cheques and he’s also been able to send out about 150 index cards explaining to people how they can donate online but he has no idea how much was donated online.

             

The Walk takes place Saturday in Winnipeg and Ray will be represented by the Society’s Special Events Supervisor Katrina Tinman.  If you still want to pledge you can email Katrina@mss.mb.ca. For information you can call Ray at 204-687-8105.

 

You Can Share Your Views on Combining Flin Flon and The Pas Constituencies.

 

 

 

The Manitoba Electoral Boundaries Commission is encouraging you to attend a hearing on the proposed electoral division boundaries.  One proposed change sees Flin Flon and The Pas constituencies becoming one.  Communications Manager Alison Mitchell says it has to do with population and Flin Flon was the electoral division with the lowest population in the province.  She explains the average is around 22 thousand and they were just over 15 thousand so it was clear that some change had to be made in Flin Flon so in terms of combining Flin Flon and The Pas even though The Pas did have close to the average the decision was made to bring those two together.

             

A hearing will be held in Flin Flon Wednesday morning from 10 to 12 in the Northern Room at the Victoria Inn.  Everyone can attend but if you want to make a presentation register at their website www.boundariescommission.mb.ca.

 

 

Theres a way to Safely Get Rid of Your Hazardous Waste.

 

The Flin Flon and District Environment Council is holding a Hazardous Waste Collection Day tomorrow afternoon.  Recycling Center Administrator Deb Odegaard explains hazardous waste is any of those things that have danger symbols on them whether it’s corrosive, explosive, poisonous or flammable and it would include all of the aerosol cans, paints, pesticides, gasoline, those types of things noting gasoline containers have to be left at the Landfill. Odegaard adds this day is a special day for hazardous waste but the Hazardous Waste Depot is actually open year round so if people don’t make it on Saturday they can bring it any time to the Flin Flon Landfill.

             

The hazardous waste Collection Day runs from 2 to 4 tomorrow afternoon at the Flin Flon Landfill.

Alpha Invites You to Join Them Next Week.

 

The Alpha Course is starting a new session at the Flin Flon Alliance Church Tuesday evening.  Pastor Reg Friesen says Alpha has a lot to offer noting if you’ve ever wondered is there more to life than just the day to day the Alpha Course is a great way to discover there’s so much life to be experienced. He says he knows for many people who’ve taken the time to explore life and faith in this way it has been an incredible season in their lives so you can join them on Tuesday at 6 pm for their celebration dinner.  He says it’s just a fun relaxing evening with some music and a video so it’s a great way to learn what the course is about so if you want to connect with some really friendly and welcoming people they’ll set a place for you at one of the dinner tables so come out with a friend or come and meet some new friends.

             

To register or for more information you can call the Church at 204-687-8498.

Funding Applications Are Now Being Accepted For Local Projects.

 

Re Uz It accepts donations of gently used items they sell to support local groups and organizations. Manager Kathy McCormick says funding is now available.  She explains Re Uz It invites non-profit groups and organizations in Flin Flon and surrounding area who may require a bit of financial assistance with a project to apply with them for up to one thousand dollars.  She says applications will be accepted from September 10th to the 21st in writing to Re Uz It, 359 Queen Street, Flin Flon, Manitoba, R8A 0M8 and those chosen will be contacted.

Presentation of funds will take place at 2 pm September 29th at Re Uz It at 5 Cliff Lake Road.

You Can Toss Your Change Into a Boot.

 

The Flin Flon Fire Departments annual Charity Boot Drive is taking place tomorrow.  Fire Chief Chad Cooper says they again will be supporting three organizations.  He explains in partnership with the local Scotia Bank branch they will be holding the Boot Drive from 9 to 4:30 across from the KFC on Third Avenue.  He says this year the funds raised will be going to the Flin Flon Community Adult Learning Center, the Flin Flon Northern Lights Regional Training Center and the Manitoba Firefighters Burn Fund so they invite everyone to come down and support your local Firefighters and any donation will be appreciated.

             

This is the 22nd year for the Fire Departments Boot Drive.  Last year they raised 14,500 dollars for the Firefighters Burn Fund, the Flin Flon Ski Club and the Friendship Center.

 

A New Brand Will Promote the Flin Flon Region.

 

Branding involves developing an image to promote what a community has to offer to attract people and economic development to the community.  Tourism Manitoba began the process by meeting with stakeholders from Flin Flon , Creighton and Denare Beach and then retained McKim Communications to develop a place brand. The CEO of Tourism Manitoba Colin Ferguson says people should be coming here as it’s a gorgeous community, it has some great assets, it’s got incredible nature but there’s a lot of people in Winnipeg or other parts of Manitoba or the world who have no idea what Flin Flon is, what it stands for or what it’s got.

             

 The brand is Flin Flon The Water and The Wild with the color and flow of the graphic emphasizing the water and natural surroundings supporting the tag line The Water and The Wild.  Tourism Manitoba will continue to work with a group of local volunteers in developing a marketing strategy around the new brand.

             

You can find pictures at www.flinflononline.com.

 

A Special Ceremony Was Held Near Snow Lake Friday Afternoon.

 

 

 

Frank Gira, Father Paul Bringleson, Morley Naylor

 

The 21 Field Engineer Squadron Historical Committee Recognition Ceremony was held Friday at the Wekusko Falls suspension bridge site. Part of the ceremony involved a tribute to those who participated in the suspension bridge project in 1965 and have since passed on conducted by committee member Frank Gira and Father Paul Bringleson.

             

The Committee’s Morley Naylor reports representatives of the Sustainable Development Parks and Regional Services out of The Pas were on hand and Gira presented District Park Supervisor Rodney Forbes with an appreciation plaque consisting of a Canadian Military Engineers Badge with other details. Forbes thanked retired 21 Field Engineer Squadron personnel on hand for the original commitment the Squadron undertook in the construction project and repair missions over the years.  The new signage at the site supplied by Sustainable Development includes a Canadian Military Engineer Badge, Engineer Prayer and an historical update regarding the suspension bridges.

 

Your Kids Can Attend a Fun Retreat This Weekend.

 

Simon House Bible Camp is holding a fall retreat Friday to Sunday. Executive Director Darrell Janzen says it will be a fun weekend for ages 11 to 17. He explains their retreats are a lot of fun and they’re kind of a quick version of summer camp but what’s special about this weekend is they have a guest, he’s a Christian hiphop artist coming in to do some speaking as well as a concert for them on the Saturday night.  He says his name is Ezekiel McMurtry and they’re really looking forward to having him come up.

             

You can register or find more information by calling 204-687-3340 or visit their website at www.simonhouse.ca.  The cost is 84 dollars.

 

As Children Head Back to school a New Report Released Today Sounds the Alarm About the State of Canadas Children.

 

Entitled Raising Canada the report has been released by Children First Canada and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health.

             

 Some highlights show the leading cause for childhood deaths in Canada are preventable accidents and injuries and suicide.  Manitoba’s infant mortality rate is 5.4 deaths per one thousand with BC the lowest at 3.5.

1.2 million children live in low income housing with Manitoba ranked third out of all provinces for the highest number of children in this housing. Regarding children 12 to 17 being overweight or obese Manitoba is the fourth healthiest province at 26.8 percent.

             

Today’s report is a call to action for the federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as all Canadians to do more to invest in the health and wellbeing of Canada’s children.

 

A Lot of Home Businesses Will Be Available This Weekend.

 

The Creighton Annual Home Business Show is being held Friday and Saturday. Recreation Director Channa Senyk says they have had a good response from businesses.  She says you’re going to see over 50 tables set up in the Sportex including produce, knitting, honey, jewelry, all kinds of home businesses, solar power and canned goods, something for everybody.

              The Home Business Show will be open in the Sportex Arena Friday from 6 to 9 and Saturday from 10 to 5.

 

Numerous Organizations Will be Taking Registrations Thursday at the Community Hall.

 

Flin Flon Parks and Recreation is again holding an event called Registration Under One Roof Thursday.  Recreation Director Caitlin Bailey says people interested in registering for upcoming events will be able to do so in one place.  She says they have everything from dance to judo, Minor Hockey, skating club, Army Cadets, Guides, Flin Flon Parks and Rec will be there as well as Creighton Rec so you’ll be able to see everything they have going on for fall and get your kids registered for everything they want to take part in. She adds also there are opportunities for adults with volunteer opportunities, groups like Kinettes and things like that so there’s something for everybody.

             

Organization booth set up will be held Wednesday from 4 to 10 and it will be open to the public for registrations Thursday from 5 to 9 in the Flin Flon Community Hall.

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