A Boissevain native is preparing to head overseas to participate in the highest level of competitive shooting yet in his relatively short career.
Scott Kyle, 36, now of Roland, Manitoba, will be going to South Africa in March to compete in the South African Cup shooting competition as a part of the Gun Runners. It will be his first participation outside of North America, although he has been heavily involved and successful in target shooting since starting in 2019.
The sport he participates in is called F-Class shooting, an offshoot of prone target rifle shooting, which Kyle said goes back to 1872 in Manitoba and farther back in England. The “F” comes from its Canadian founder George Farquhrson, a shooter from Kamloops, BC. It started in the Canadian West Coast and moved out internationally. Kyle said he came to the sport through people he knew.
“Some friends I worked with had started and I came out to a practice and enjoyed the sport,” Kyle explained. “I have developed a network of friends that I travel with to the matches.”
His first formal competition was in Winnipeg in 2019 at the Manitoba Provincials.
Those in southwestern Manitoba who wanted snow for Christmas no longer have to worry after the mid-December storms.
A Colorado Low raged, hitting western Canada and the US Midwest Dec. 11-18, on its way to Ontario and points farther east. Although not as bad as some areas, the southwestern part of the province saw its share of snow, starting on December 13. Originally forecast as a few centimetres, Mother Nature had a mind of her own, and weather networks changed their predictions to go along with her.
In the end, different areas ended up with different amounts, but as much as nine to 12 inches (23 to 28 cms) of snow fell in our region. The storm was at its most vicious on Thursday, as this was when the second round of snow hit, and the wind began to pick up. Even a glance out of Boissevain at the highway showed a big, white wall. Northerly wind gusts were reported up to 60 kms an hour.
The International Peace Garden is hoping to build on the strength of their 90th anniversary and reopen a major part of their attraction in 2023.
Like many areas, and likely more than most, the spot on the Canada-US border suffered a hard couple of summers during the pandemic. By summer of 2022, much of the world had opened up at least a little, and the Peace Garden was finally able to welcome larger numbers of Canadian visitors, albeit with a sometimes cranky app they had to show when returning to their own country. At any rate, last summer was a major experience, said CEO Tim Chapman.
“Well, 2022 compared to the two years that preceded it was much closer to pre-COVID,” Chapman explained. “Overall, we had a pretty good year, we see it as a launching pad to 2023.”
Chapman added they were adversely impacted by the ArriveCan app, which could be complicated. He is happy it was dropped in the fall, wishing it could have happened sooner. This too, points to a good 2023.
One of the reasons 2022 felt a little more normal was the return of the International Music Camp. The camp, which invites young people from anywhere to come and take arts instruction, had not been able to hold an in-person camp at their Peace Garden site since 2019. Chapman said it was hard to explain how much their return added to the overall feel.
Michelle Wipf is the creator of the beautiful birch tree and cardinal window painting that adorns the windows of the Souris Medical Clinic and neighbouring Pharmasave.
She started painting the Pharmasave windows three years ago, which lead to painting the clinic windows and the Souris Chicken Chef. This year she has added more businesses and some resident windows to her list.
“What began with growth charts turned to canvases and the list just kept growing up to windows. I enjoyed challenging myself to learn something new,” shared Wipf.
With the pandemic seemingly behind us, Boissevain was able to fully celebrate the coming of the Yuletide season and welcome back an old visitor last weekend.
From November 25 to 27, the community held an expanded Christmas celebration, getting the season off and rolling. Beginning with a tree lighting and parade on Friday evening, continuing through Santa Day on Saturday and a new addition both weekend days, Boissevain was able to make it all work without restrictions for the first time since 2019.
Melissa Perkins, Executive Assistant for Boissevain-Morton said the whole weekend went well. It started off with the tree lighting ceremony at the new gazebo at the corner of Mill Road and South Railway Street. The gazebo, an accessible space added this summer with help from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, will be a great space for a number of community events, including the tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony included an address by Head of Council Judy Swanson, the lighting of the tree outside, and Christmas carols by the Community Choir.
A fun night in Boissevain on November 19 not only had a large crowd well entertained; it served as a key fundraiser for the daycare in Boissevain.
Tiny Turtle Playroom hosted an evening with comedian Big Daddy Tazz at the Boissevain Legion. Dinner, drinks, auctions and a high-energy show kept everyone in attendance happy. It also raised funds for important projects in the daycare. Tiny Turtle Board President Kaylee Oliver was thrilled with the event.
“It was a great evening and saying thank you doesn’t even come close to showing our appreciation for everyone who attended our event, sponsored our event or donated a prize,” Oliver stated.
She said they did not have the final numbers in yet, but they were looking at a tally of between $6,000-$7,000, very close to their goal of $8,000.
Although created as a reaction to one horrific event, the Boissevain Resettlement Committee has shown how a group can continue to tap into the compassion of an entire community.
The committee has now been in existence for seven years, helping bring refugee families to town to the benefit of them and the entire community. The work continues. Organization Co-Chair Heather Goertzen remembers its beginnings in 2015, with the picture of Aylan washed on to the Turkish shore.
“That Associated Press picture of the Syrian boy on the beach, it captured the world’s attention,“Goertzen explained. “At about that time, my husband Wes (Whitewater Mennonite Church pastor) had a couple of people approach him in church. It was bothering people.”
As of November 8, single use plastic bags are no longer available in Boundary Co-op locations.
Long a staple of retail, the plastic bag has slowly been working its way out of the system in favour of reusable large satchels owned by customers themselves. The single use bags are costly, and difficult to recycle, and end up overwhelming landfill sites. The Canadian government announced last June it would be banning the sale of the bags in the country this December, although stores can use the ones in stock until December 2023.
The Boundary decision was prompted by the government announcement, said Boundary Marketing Manager Cheryl Rushing.
“The discussion about eliminating single-use bags really began in June when the Government of Canada introduced legislation to ban the sale of them this December,” Rushing explained, “and, since the ban affects other Co-op retails as well, we decided as a group to follow the same timeline so we could amplify our messaging. This includes Heritage Co-op, Valleyview Co-op, Twin Valley Co-op and Boundary Co-op.”
This policy has been happening in different stores around the country. Wal-Mart, as an example, decided to stop offering plastic bags earlier in 2022. Rushing said the Co-ops felt pulling the bags from the stores prior to the deadline was a positive move for them as well.
Experienced hands will be involved in opening the cannabis shop in Boissevain in the near future.
Border Town Buds will be located in the former Red Coat Inn on Mill Road. The store is a 50/50 partnership between Leanne Smith of Carnduff, Saskatchewan and Ryan Lawrence of Coulter. It is the first shop of its kind in Boissevain.
Smith has been involved in the cannabis business for nearly two years, starting with Small Town Buds in Carnduff, before moving on to Big Town Buds in Melita earlier this year. Smith said she had always been a business owner and although she is not a cannabis user, she saw it as a business opportunity.
“I felt if the government can make money from this, so can I,” Smith explained.
Nearly 20 years after its opening, a restaurant in Minto is now a daycare. The situation is changed but the building so many have put work into is still serving the community.
On October 21, Mini Mustang Corral held an open house in its new home. It has been a long journey to transition the former Silver Saddle into a functioning daycare, and Stephanie Robertson, President of the Mini Mustang Board, is thrilled to have the task completed.
“It is a really good feeling,” Robertson stated. “It is a big, big project for volunteer board members who were doing it in their spare time.”
Robertson said there were likely 100 people that came through the refurbished building on South Railway Street during the open house. For those who chose to make a donation, they could decorate a tile, which will permanently be on display in the daycare.
“I found people wanted to go out again, and go shopping after COVID. They wanted to try on the dresses and see what they were buying.”
What was started as an online store has moved to “bricks and mortar” in Boissevain. Inge Carey opened Paisley Pockets Emporium on South Railway Street on October 20. It is a unique space with unique product lines, with Carey hoping she can focus on her storefront in the future.
She said she started Paisley Pockets online back in May 2022. Carey, who wears wigs herself saw there was not a lot of selection of them in the area, and wanted to get involved in selling them, in particular to people who were going through chemotherapy.
From this, it grew into offering foreign made women’s fashion. She has always been interested in fashion, and particularly wanted to offer higher end clothing from Europe. The store moved into other products, and became a true “emporium”. Always a fan of the iconic paisley design, a business name came to be.
It might take a little longer, but Desiree Devloo is determined to add to Boissevain’s Outdoor Art Gallery this fall.
The Somerset, MB native, and current Calgary, AB artist has been working on the telephone office mural on the west wall of the Boissevain Dental Clinic this past week. It has not been the friendliest weather for such a project, but she is working when she can to complete.
“It was the way it worked out, I was so busy all summer,” Devloo stated. “I booked a one way ticket out here to give myself a window. I told them hopefully, it would take seven to 10 days of actual painting. With the one-way ticket, I can get as much as I can done. But if it’s raining or snowing, I will probably take a break.”
Devloo applied for the project under the name Kerzeka, with her partner Tiziano Lombardo. She herself is working under the artist name of Zeka. She chose it because she liked the letters, but later found out it was a Hebrew girls’ name meaning “remembered by God”.
Devloo said she has loved art her whole life.
The move of Eddie Stackhouse and family to Boissevain might have an element of the unexpected to it, but it should be serendipitous for them and the community.
The new manager of FitStop, the fitness centre located in the Junction on South Railway Street, and part of the Copperman Electrical team of the same building, is happy to be in Boissevain. He will soon be fully into his new position, and has a lot of experience in helping people get fit and meet their goals. It is just his arrival that is a little different.
Stackhouse grew up in Hastings, Ontario, a small town 30 minutes from Peterborough. Coming from a big hockey family – his father Eddie was drafted by Boston and his uncle Ron had a long NHL career - he was definitely into Canada’s winter sport. In his 20’s, he moved up to Thompson, Manitoba where he ran his own electrical business for 12 years. As it was cold in the winter and there was not too much to do, he started into fitness.
“I thought my athletic journey was over because I didn’t make it to the NHL,” Stackhouse explained, “but after meeting some individuals who motivated me, I started competing in bodybuilding competitions.”
His first competition was in Winnipeg, placing fourth in his first show, but he was named most inspirational athlete. Once he gained the knowledge about athleticism and training, he converted it into hockey. He started training hockey teams, and noticed how much fun kids had working out. Stackhouse felt he could develop a system to help people.
The return of live performances helps spotlight an important music organization in the area.
On Thursday, September 22, Jerry Hu of Saskatoon performed an evening of classical piano in the Whitewater Mennonite Church as a part of the Western 2022 Young Artist Concert Tour. According to Dianna Neufeld, president of the Brandon & Westman Registered Music Teachers’ Association, which helped organize the event, it was a special performance.
“It went very well - Jerry Hu is a very well prepared performer,” Neufeld stated. “He played major works by Marjan Mozetich, Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin.”
She said about 80 people attended the show, including young musicians who were inspired by his performance. Neufeld said the concert series comes from the winner of the Young Artist Series, organized by the Canadian Federation of Registered Teachers Association. An audition is held and the winner is chosen by a panel of jurors. He or she is awarded the opportunity to perform in the winner’s tour across Western Canada.
“The Brandon & Westman RMTA has hosted this concert series for many years. The last concert in this series, due to COVID, was held in Killarney, the fall of 2018.”
Although September 17 was cooler and damper than many might have wanted, the second Street Fest in Boissevain was a success.
The event drew strong crowds for the many activities, mostly held on South Railway Street. Several enthusiastic entries kept the pie eating contest exciting, with outdoor vendors, bingo, a magician, live entertainment, kids carnival everyone hopping throughout. One of the organizers, Melissa Perkins, said there were last minute challenges, but overall everything worked well.
“There were many happy faces roving up and down the street and people were grateful for the opportunity to have this special event as an attraction here at home in downtown Boissevain,” Perkins stated. “The cooler, misty weather did keep some people away, but overall there were good crowds of people.”
Despite September 11, 2001 being two decades past, the impact can still be felt, and the results can still be seen at the International Peace Garden for those who wish to remember.
On the 9/11 anniversary, the Peace Garden welcomed visitors back for their commemoration ceremony. This event has been held off and on since 2002, beside the twisted wreckage of the World Trade Centre located by the formal garden. A full slate of speakers were introduced by Peace Garden CEO Tim Chapman, all remembering the fateful day, the aftermath and the lessons learned.
There were also remembrances of someone very special, particularly on the northern side of the 49th parallel. Queen Elizabeth II, who passed at the age of 96 on September 8, was mentioned early in the ceremony, with Chapman holding a moment of silence. The memory of the queen breaking protocol on September 12 and playing the Star Spangled Banner during the changing of the Buckingham Guards was very prevalent in thoughts.
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said they were there to honour not only the nearly 3,000 lives lost on the attacks on the WTC, Pentagon and United Flight 93, but also those who sacrificed all to save lives on that day. The bonds between Canada and the US, forged over more than a century, were strengthened during that time of trouble, and continue today.
The newest additions to Boissevain’s outdoor art gallery have the distinction of being the highest yet.
This past week, artist Kent Ness painted not one, but two murals, one on each of the town’s iconic water towers. The Saskatoon native started on Saturday, September 3 and was finished in time for the official unveiling on the morning of September 7.
Ness said he first heard about the project on social media and is always looking for unique projects. He said he applied on a whim and was fortunate enough to be chosen. When he first came to town and took a look way, way up, he did wonder.
“I thought ‘how am I going to do this?’ to be honest,” Ness explained. “It was little nerve wracking to be sure.”
Lisa Heide, president of the Boissevain-Morton Arts Council, said there were about 10 who applied for the water tower murals. The group narrowed it down to three options with the final decision made by the Boissevain-Morton Municipal Council. She added as soon as they met the artist in town on Saturday, he got up in the lift and started painting.
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Westman is full of furry friends looking for forever homes, or even foster homes. Westman Animal Rescue (WAR) has a program based in Boissevain where they currently have eight puppies in their care.
Along with many cats looking for homes, there are two litters of puppies born in June that are ready for adoption. A batch of three dark brown and black pups is ready for a life full of playtime and naps.
The second litter has five little siblings, four taking the white and cream color of the mother, and one darker like the father. The puppies mother is also looking for a place to call home; she has a wonderful welcoming smile; she would be fantastic at greeting guests.
The goal for these little pups is a loving home, but in the meantime a foster home is greatly appreciated. Westman Animal Rescue is completely volunteer run and always looking for extra help. If you wish to foster or adopt you can reach out to the group via their Facebook page.
The Boissevain Centennials completed a near perfect season at home on Thursday evening, August 18 as they defeated the Deloraine Royals 6-0 to wrap up the best of five series, three games straight to capture the SWBL Championship.
The Cents dropped just two games during the regular season before sweeping both Oak River in the semi-finals and Deloraine in the finals.
The Royals followed close behind the Cents with a 11-3 record in regular season, which earned them and the Cents 1st round byes in league playoffs, along with provincial berths played in Rivers earlier this month.
In the first round of league semi-finals the Royals went the distance and defeated the Hamiota Red Sox 8-1 in the 5th and deciding game. However they were not able to out play the Cent’s fielders or their winning pitcher Zach Sawyer and conceded the series in three straight.
Two Centennials were also honoured on Thursday evening. Ben Cains was awarded top batter of the league with an average .517, 33 plate apperances, 15 hits and 3 walks.
Zane Sawyer was awarded top pitcher, 4 wins, 31 innings pitched, 26 strike outs, ERA 1.35.
Boissevain Centennials, 2022 South West Baseball League Champions
Back row left to right: Coach Corey Billaney, Tyler Wood, Josh Wood, Jordan Foote, Skylar Canada, Zane Sawyer, Dallas Foote and Coach Jr. Brake.
Front Row: Matt McCorrister, Jay Pringle, Tanner Clyne, Ty Pringle, Dason Hole and Ben Cairns.
Missing: Jared McCorrister and Austin Clyne
STORY AND PHOTO BY LORRAINE HOUSTON
From July 29-31, the Peace Garden hosted a celebratory event in honour of 90 years.
The garden was constructed in 1932 from horticulturalist Dr. Henry Moore’s idea for a tribute for American and Canadian friendship. The National Association of Gardeners approved the plan and selected the Manitoba and North Dakota border as the location.
Not long after the garden’s dedication, Civilian Conservation Corps started clearing brush and the first buildings were constructed. The project came to a halt during World War II, but continued when funding became available in 1948. Today the Peace Garden spreads over 3.65 square miles, and serves as a fabulous common ground for Americans and Canadians.
The garden’s newest edition, the Children’s Nature Play Area, shared its grand opening with the 90th birthday celebrations. With 90 years of memories the International Peace Garden plans to make many more; this means they have embarked on a road to a sustainable future, the children’s play area being one of the first steps.
CEO Tim Chapman gave a few words at the opening, as well as HTFC Planning and Design representative Andrea Linney. Everyone involved expressed their thanks for the support from both Manitoba and North Dakota businesses that made the play area possible.
Dorothy Dobbie, IPG board president, shared her excitement about the children’s area.
“It is a way to show peace starts at a young age,” said Dobbie.
Not only is this sustainable park a great space to play, but it is also a wonderful place to learn. The area is divided into different zones inspired by various animals. The plan is to add information to the zones describing the animals and their importance to local Indigenous peoples.
Tim Chapman had the present children climb the turtle zone for the ribbon cutting. With the help of Madison Marion and Liam Brown-Veselack, the ribbon was snipped signifying the official opening of the Nature Play Area. For the kids who wanted to remember their part in the ceremony, a section of the ribbon was allotted.
After the ribbon cutting, kids were invited to gather in a circle to listen to elders share their stories. Both kids and adults alike had smiles on their faces as they listened and explored the innovative playground.
If one play area was not enough, a bouncy castle joined the multiple vendors on the lawn. Tents lined either side of the green space in front of the Promise of Peace sculpture. There was something for everyone, young and old, or even a furry four-legged friend.
Vendors were selling many items including dog accessories, jewelry, hand made art, and even cricket treats. Prairie Cricket Farms booth was a real attention grabber with their wide array of cricket products.
Ryan and Lesley Steppler gladly chatted with customers about the benefits of trying insects as a new form of protein. These Manitobans were certainly turning heads with their tent; but in case crickets were not your desired treat, there were also many food trucks to choose from.
The birthday celebration was packed with many fun events, but also ensured a ceremony was held in honour of fallen officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting our natural resources.
At the Game Warden Museum a service was held to commemorate the lost lives of wildlife enforcement members in the recent years. Sheriffs from both Canada and the United States were present to show their appreciation for their fellow peers who passed. Ten new names were announced and added to the memorial outside the museum over looking the gardens.
A description for each officer was read aloud, acknowledging how he or she passed while serving in their line of duty. The memorial is the only institution in the world dedicated to educating the public about natural resource protection and honouring the profession’s heroes.
The International Peace Garden is a very special place that values peace and those who keep it. The garden is also a space to make lifelong memories. Sarha Veselack just a week earlier held her wedding ceremony on the international grounds. She shared her husband had proposed to her there, creating a sentimental air to the garden for the pair. Now they return with their son to share the positive experiences with him.
The International Peace Garden finished off the festivities with daily live music and performances, as well as fireworks on Saturday, July 30. The weekend celebration was a huge success with amazing weather that served as an enjoyable time for all who attended.
by ERIKA NEUFELD, Recorder staff
There will be plenty of artwork decorating walls in Boissevain this summer.
The Boissevain-Morton Arts Council has a very ambitious season planned. They are presently working on one mural, with two or three more, depending on how you count, planned for next month. This is on top of art camp, work on their hall and a new initiative at the tourist centre. The group is definitely back after the pandemic.
Arts Council President Lisa Heide said they are currently working on a mural on the inside of the golf club sunroom. Fellow council member Erica Holloway is working with students on an outdoor scene to help spruce up the space. Heide said that one should not take too long, maybe even being finished by the end of the week.
“It really is to brighten up the room,” Heide explained. “Whenever we can bring more artwork to town, we are happy to bring a little colour and joy.”