FOR JANUARY 23, 2012
 Archives
earn AMA accreditation
By Angela Temple
It’s official.
As of Jan. 18, the Springfield Archives received provincial accreditation with the Association for Manitoba Archives (AMA).
Yvonne and Jack Mavins accepted the accreditation certificate, on behalf of the RM of Springfield, from Yvonne Snider-Nighswander of the AMA.
The Springfield Archives are located in the same building as the Springfield Public Library in Dugald.
Brokenhead Ag Conference set for Feb. 1
By Mark T. Buss
The 27th annual Brokenhead River Agriculture Conference will give the North Eastman farming community a chance to share its knowledge Feb. 1 at the Brokenhead River Community Hall.
Sponsored by the Brokenhead Ag Society, the conference has become an annual gathering where farmers and industry professionals from across the region discuss how to best sustain the local agriculture industry, new farming practices, resources and techniques.
“It really has become a highlight of our winter as an agricultural community because we’re trying to make it an event as opposed to just a farmer’s meeting,” said Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Farm Production Advisor Terry Buss. “It’s an important opportunity for those in the industry to get in touch with their clientèle for more than just a relay of information.”
The heartbeat of the conference involves the number of trade displays – involving machinery, chemicals and other topics – and speakers who offer timely information on a number of issues.
Buss said a key presentation will come from Peter Gredig, founding partner with Agnition Inc. from London, ON. Gredig will discuss computers and farming with Mobilize Your Farm: Harness the Power of Smart Phones, Tablets and Mobile Applications.
Dr. Don Flaten, chair of the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment, University of Manitoba, will tackle the misnomer that farmers carry the majority of the blame for pollution in Lake Winnipeg with Agricultural Phosphorus and Lake Winnipeg: Sorting Fact from Fiction.
The issues of debt positioning, enhanced efficiency fertilizer, soybean concerns for 2012, and farmer readiness for an open grain market will also be discussed.
“We really do have a good line-up of speakers this year,” Buss said.
The cost for the conference is $15, which includes a hot roast beef lunch
For more information call 268-6094.
 Further on down the trail
By Lory Mitton
Outdoor enthusiasts, including members of the Lac du Bonnet Trails Association believe the key to expanding the tourist industry in the Winnipeg River Region lies in the continued development of the Trans Canada Trail.
A public meeting, held on Jan. 12, brought together a healthy crowd of 30 individuals representing 12 different organizations, to discuss natural assets in the area. Together the group participated in brainstorming activities to collaborate on ideas about how the community can work together to increase tourism and economic development, as well as local participation in trail initiatives.
“It’s amazing the kind of information that was shared at this event,” Terry Welsh told The Clipper Weekly.
Welsh is the executive director of Manitoba’s Tourism Secretariat, and in his mind, the meeting proved to be “very enlightening”.
 5two5 Bistro a tasty experience
By Mark T. Buss
It’s been a long time coming but Beausejour’s newest restaurant appears to have been worth the wait.
A year in the planning stages, 5two5 Bistro opened before Christmas and business has been brisk and rewarding, owner Doug Bergman says.
“We wanted to create a comfortable, casual dining experience with good service and something to suit all tastes,” Bergman said. “So far the feedback has been positive, so that’s always promising.”
5two5 Bistro is found fittingly at 525 Park Avenue, the former home of the Bus Depot Lunch Counter, which was owned and operated for decades by the Zabrocki family.
With Bergman identifying a lack of variety in Beausejour’s dining choices, he renovated the establishment with the idea that he wanted to build a licensed restaurant serving gourmet food made with quality ingredients... and with some flair.
 Thrift store gets second chance
By Dianne Hamill
Just like its name implies, Another Time Around is getting another chance, thanks to a grant from the RM of Springfield.
As reported in The Clipper Weekly in November, volunteers feared the Oakbank thrift store would be forced to close its doors when its lease expired in March if a new no-cost retail space could not be found.
But thanks to a $5,000 grant from the RM of Springfield, the thrift store announced last week its doors will remain open.
“We’re thankful that the RM was able to do that,” said Ann Cooke, chair of the Springfield Regional Committee. “It’s really nice we don’t have to close.”
Lac du Bonnet PCH process begins
By Marlene Watson
An 80-bed personal care home could be constructed in Lac du Bonnet as early as 2014, North Eastman Health Association CEO Ron Van Denakker said last week.
NEHA received official approval from the Manitoba Treasury Board this past spring for the capital project that will add 50 new beds to Lac du Bonnet and replace the existing 30 beds at Bonny Vista Lodge.
Van Denakker was unable to guarantee the 2014 start date, but said due to the need for personal care beds they hope to begin contruction in a three to five year window.
He reports a steering committee representing all local government stakeholders in the NEHA region have been meeting every two weeks as part of the initial stage to develop a role statement and assist with functional planning for the personal care home (PCH).
 Kuzmack takes part in milestone marathon
By Dianne Hamill
It’s just three city blocks and will likely be over in the blink of an eye, but for BJ Kuzmack the memories will last a lifetime.
The Oakbank resident has been chosen as one of 7,000 Canadians to take part in the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay.
“It’s pretty special,” Kuzmack said about being selected to take part in the Winnipeg-leg of the event.
It was 1985 when Hansen, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident at the age of 15, first began his epic Man In Motion World Tour.
The ground breaking marathon to raise awareness for people with disabilities saw Hansen travel over 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries on four continents, raising $26 million for the Rick Hansen Foundation to improve the lives of those living with spinal cord injuries.
In August 2011, that remarkable journey began again retracing Hansen’s Canadian portion of the Man in Motion tour.
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