February
As Canada pledged to work on border security and drug issues, President Donald Trump announced a freeze on all tariffs for 30 days.
Turtle Mountain MLA Doyle Piwniuk said that part of the problem in regards to the trade situation with the US was Prime Minister Trudeau stepping down and Parliament being prorogued, leaving the country rudderless. He also felt the agricultural sector would be the worst hit by tariffs.
Southwest Recreation received $20,000 from Kingston Midstream and $20,000 from Tundra for upgrades to their ice plants at Enns Place in Melita.
Two candidates were running for reeve of Brenda-Waskada – Maurice Saltel and Ken Austin.
Ruth Townsend celebrated her 105th birthday.
An electrical issue shut down the water plant in Souris for a few hours. Hard work by staff meant it was up and running fully by the next day. In Boissevain, frozen water pipes meant repairs.
Association of Manitoba Municipalities board and staff visited Boissevain-Morton to discuss municipal concerns.
Dimitri’s Tavena opened in Souris.
Locals were honoured for their contributions to Manitoba Recreation.
March
Maurice Saltel elected reeve in Brenda-Waskada.
Grace Glover of Boissevain named goaltender of the year by Canada West Conference while playing for the University of Alberta Pandas.
With the retirement of CAO Pam Hainsworth, Breigh Crepeele took over the top position in Deloraine-Winchester. Hainsworth had started in the Town of Deloraine in 1987 after the RCMP station had closed. Crepeele had once worked in Deloraine, and was leaving the CAO position in Melita.
Souris-Glenwood was moving forward on a new development plan.
A grand opening was held in the upper level of the Prairie Skills building in Deloraine with an art show.
Boundary Consumers Co-op was doing its best to navigate the many tariffs and counter tariffs and provide shoppers with Canadian goods.
Big Town Buds opened a pot shop in Deloraine.
With the election campaign announced, longtime MP Larry Maguire dropped out of the race in Brandon-Souris due to health concerns. The Conservative Party wished him well and quickly found a replacement. Spruce Woods MLA Grant Jackson took on the challenge, being nominated for the party to run in the April 28 election.
Laurie Dalziel was the new CAO for Melita.
After a one-year absence, Loretta Turner returned as president of the Souris-Glenwood Chamber of Commerce.
Forty-year veteran of Drings/Western Archrib in Boissevain Sid Braybrook retired.
April
Melita area residents gathered to hear solutions to the ongoing primary health care problems in the community. This was a long time issue in Melita and other communities in the region.
The Boissevain School middle school playground project was named in the Top 3 for the province for the BASF competition.
Souris Survivor celebrated its 25th anniversary, becoming the longest running curling bonspiel under one roof in Canada. There were over 400 curlers and a 1980’s theme.
Boissevain-Morton received $750,000 in GRO funding for street upgrades.
Sunrise Credit Union reached $2 billion in total assets.
Turtle Mountain Appliances, owned by Ken Hole, celebrated 40 years of business in Boissevain.
Souris Cooperative Daycare was raising funds for expansion to add 130 new spots with a new building.
Kirkwood Ag and Auto in Deloraine was acquired by Tyrel and Lindsay Hogg from Cliff Kirkwood.
In the federal election, the Liberals maintained their minority government. Grant Jackson continued the Conservative dominance in Brandon-Souris, winning with 62% of votes.
May
The Boissevain playground project won first place in Manitoba, taking the $25,000 BASF prize.
Canupawakpa First Nation sued for ownership of Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
EMS veteran Kelly McMechan retired in Deloraine.
A local landmark, the Waskada elevator, was destroyed by fire. Due to dry conditions, many local fire departments placed no burn orders.
Boissevain School opened its year 2000 time capsule.
Danette Vancauwenberghe retired after more than 30 years in health care in Deloraine.
A case of bird flu was confirmed at a commercial poultry operation in the Whitewater Lake area.
Medical students from the University of Manitoba visited Deloraine Health Centre.
June
Local school divisions warned of possible cyber security issues from the PowerSchool leak.
Local firefighters began leaving for northern Manitoba to help with the devastating wildfires. This would continue all summer.
Alex Moody of Boissevain Bakeshop won Small Business of the Year from Tourism Westman.
Boissevain Lions announced they would be helping to enhance Canada Day with a parade and car show.
Colleen Robbins was acclaimed as the PC candidate for the Spruce Woods by-election.
Warren Wright retired after 45 years at Killarney Auction Mart.
Ashton Bell of Deloraine was the number one pick by Vancouver in the Professional Women’s Hockey League expansion draft.
Rose Bachan celebrated her 100th birthday.
July
Waskada Legion Auxiliary celebrated 100 years.
The Boissevain Lions Show and Shine car show had 80 vehicles on Canada Day, and the parade was well attended.
Boissevain Centennials ball team celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Souris Pride painted their rainbow crosswalk and held a barbecue. Unfortunately, that crosswalk would be vandalized later in the year.
Smoke from wildfires did not hamper Peacock Days in Souris,
Judy Wells retired from the rural news business after 32 years reporting on Melita and Deloraine.
Napinka Drop In celebrated 125 years.
Over 1,200 spectators enjoyed Deloraine Fair.
August
The by-election for Spruce Woods was announced for August 26. PC candidate Colleen Robbins squeezed in in a close vote.
Boissevain Centennials won their fourth straight SWBL title, defeating the Oak Lake. They later added gold at provincials.
Work was complete on the middle school playground.
September
About 1,800 treasure hunters visited the Dunrea Flea Market in Boissevain.
Due to harassment of staff, Souris-Glenwood Council added cameras and other equipment in their municipal office to record events.
A new physician, Dr. Rilwan Azeez was added to the medical staff in Souris.
Emily Tuttosi, originally of Souris, represented Canada at the Rugby World Cup.
Father Christopher Pugh began serving Catholics in Westman.
Work was ongoing on both the Turtlehead Creek Dam at Deloraine and Caranton Road in Boissevain.
Plans began for the next phase of Cherry Creek Place in Boissevain.
Street Fest in Boissevain was again considered a success.
Deloraine-Winchester Airport was looking for more funding to help repave their runway.
Boissevain-Morton purchased a gravel pit in the southwest corner of the municipality to help supply important gravel into the future.
Claude Martin was acclaimed as head of council in Grassland.
October
Questions arose over Municipality of Two Borders proposed changes to their wards. Despite some opposition, the changes would later pass.
Gymnastics returned to Boissevain after an absence with the hiring of Aylssa Bos as instructor.
Souris-Glenwood Council discussed a potential wind farm with a company.
The Middle School Playground was officially opened at Boissevain School.
Deloraine-Winchester Historical Society officially opened The Studio.
Turtle Mountain Metis harvested food from their greenhouse.
Dickson family returned sacred objects collected at their family farm to First Nations.
Two Borders and Pipestone named as potential sites for carbon capture facility.
Former NHL great Theo Fleury headlined fundraising dinner for new arena in Boissevain.
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Deloraine closing.
Former Deloraine Development Officer Liza Park plead guilty to $53,000 fraud charges.
Letter of intent for Turtle Mountain Ag Society to sell some of its land to Boissevain-Morton for future development signed.
November
Parking changes implemented at Boissevain School for greater safety.
Deloraine honoured World War II vets with banners.
Turtle Mountain Metis unveil veteran monument at Lake Dromore.
Turtle Mountain MLA Doyle Piwniuk announced he will not run in next provincial election.
LT’s Corner Store in Souris was the victim of an armed robbery. The suspect was later arrested in Brandon.
A meeting in Pipestone questioned the value of a possible carbon capture plant.
Boissevain-Morton received $6.5 million in federal-provincial funding for a new lagoon.
The old Hartney Town Hall was demolished.
First overall pick Ashton Bell was named the first captain of the Vancouver team.
Boissevain’s Zoe Hicks goes to Boston in the first professional women’s baseball league draft.
December
Olson’s Liquor and Water in Deloraine sold to Boundary Co-op.
Boundary Co-op rings in the season with lighting parades in both Boissevain and Deloraine.
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff