“It’s nice to get together,” Fingas said prior to the work. “You can do the social distancing in the ditches. Usually, we get together afterward for a hot dog and a drink, but we often have more than 10 people, so that won’t work.”
As for Chase the Ace, he said they usually wrap that up in early May, so they had about a month and a half off from it. There were discussions of trying to continue it online, but part of the game is having someone there to draw the cards, so without that it is nearly impossible. They want to keep the project going, so they might just start it up with the $2,500-3,000 they have already in the pot in the fall, or have something in the summer. They will need some information before that happens.
 “It all depends on what’s happening. Like everything else, we’re at a standstill.”
Chase the Ace and meat draws are big fundraisers for the Lions. Without events like this, they cannot get money for their community work. However, Fingas said, they do not have a lot of responsibilities right now. They were looking to do some work in the campground, but were turned down for a Manitoba 150 grant, so it will not go ahead. Apart from the Canada Day parade, which is cancelled, summer is a quiet time for the group.
 “We aren’t raising funds,” he explained, “but no one is wanting money right now either.”
Boissevain United Commercial Travellers are in a similar situation. Marj Coupland said they have not held a meeting since the coronavirus began, with the UCT head office telling them to shut their activities down. They have no income, but no money going out. They work the canteen at the demolition derby and the fair, and with this not happening, they too are at a loss.
 “For the time being it is wait and see,” Coupland said. “We, UCT Boissevain Council #940, still believe in our community and will continue to do what we can when we can.”
The Kin Clubs too have become dormant, although they had to make a difficult decision recently. Since 2015, when they took over from Brenda Nixon and Mitch Guenther, they have been running the Dunrea Flea Market in town. Planned for September 6, it has always been a huge attraction in town. Ironically, this might have been its undoing this year, as they are postponing it until 2021.
 “It brings such a large crowd,” explained Kinsman Brandt Bessant, “and we can’t see them loosening the numbers that much by then.”
Bessant added they usually work security at socials and events at the Legion Hall, but since that was closed, they have not been raising funds. He said for the short term they are okay. They continue to roll with the situation, and are keeping an eye on news from district and national offices regarding conventions.
Cancellations have also impacted Turtle Mountain Bible Camp, with their June 7 family day and commissioning service for their new building, June 8-12 Joy camp and all June rental groups cancelled.
The Lions, Kin and UCT are still committed to their grad bursaries this year. Fingas said it would be nice to get meetings going again, hopefully in the fall.

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff