Dawson Trail Dispatch
Community Garden Planted in Sprague
More Than Just News!
June 2015
3
La Broquerie, Tache Municipalities Hire Administrators Two of the region’s largest municipalities recently welcomed new chief administrators to the table. The RM of La Broquerie looked internally to replace retiring CAO Roger Bouvier by hiring Rachel Fournier. Fournier has been working with the municipality since 2009 when she was first hired as an office clerk. Over the years, she has been promoted to receptionist, finance, then to assistant administrator. “When Roger went on holidays in January I filled in for him. I guess it went well,” Fournier said. “I enjoy working with the RM of La Broquerie. My favourite part is working with the people in the community.” While one municipality promoted one of their current staff, the RM of Tache looked outside of the office. For the past month, Christine Hutlet has been training under Dan Poersch, who is officially leaving June 4. Before coming to Tache, Hutlet worked for the Red River Basin Commission. Prior to that, she was the CAO in the RM of Brokenhead.
Ruth Christofferson, Mary Stewart, Adina Meek and Sian Barrow tend the newly planted plots in the first East Borderland Community Housing community garden.
By Marianne Curtis Seniors living at the East Borderland Community Housing (EBCH) complex in Sprague can continue to enjoy gardening and fresh produce thanks to the hard work of a number of volunteers. Sian Barrow was one of several people who planted a variety of vegetables outside of the East Borderland Community Housing for the enjoyment of the residents living in the complex. “This is great for the people living in the complex,” Barrow said. “There are so many benefits of gardening, including socialization, exercise, and mental wellness and fresh produce.” Barrow said that any senior in the area can ask for a plot, but so far, no one outside the complex has asked for one. “Presumably because they all have room at home, and most probably have gardened for years.” Everyone is responsible for neatly maintaining their own piece, harvesting and cleanup. “I have also taken a responsibility for a plot to grow fruit for everyone to enjoy, at the moment just raspberries and rhubarb,” Barrow continued. “I am hoping that things like cucumbers can be used at community cooking sessions so that everyone at EBCH can benefit from a bountiful harvest, regardless of whether they are able to participate in the actual gardening.” Barrow said the project became a reality thanks to A New Horizons grant, and several volunteers who assembled a number of boxes for the garden. “We are also grateful to the students from the Ross L. Gray School for making the flower box in front and the compost bins,” Barrow added. “It’s nice to see the community working together.”
Lt. Gov. Award continued... Continued from page 1 housed at East Braintree in the former Midwinter one-room schoolhouse, and prepared an historical booklet for its 100th birthday celebration last August. As a member of the East Braintree Cemetery Board, she has also mapped the graves of the pioneers in this area of the province. RM of Reynolds Councillor Allan Kelly was one of the people who nominated Annell. “I was asked to submit a letter of support for her nomination and I was more than happy to,” Kelly said. “Lorna has done an amazing job documenting the history and many stories that are unique to this area. I could not think of a more deserving recipient.” The Lieutenant Governor’s Historical Preservation and Promotion Award is handed out annually to people who have rendered prolonged, meritorious service in the preservation and promotion of Manitoba’s history and heritage. It was established by the Honourable Philip S. Lee in 2011.
Pet Adoption continued... Continued from page 1 Piasta added that it was also a great event for awareness. Over $140 was raised to place signs at various malls and stores warning people to not leave their pets in a vehicle while they run errands. “Thank you to all the rescues who, on what looked like a cold, windy day for coming out and making this event the great time it was,” said Piasta. “I think it was those great rescues and their volunteers who made the sun come out and the wind calm down.” On top of a variety of pets looking for new homes, there was activities for the entire family, including bouncers, face painting, horse and pony rides, dog demonstrations, tours, music, and vendors offering great products such as feeders, beds and nutritious treats.