MAY 31, 2010
On Saturday, May 29, 2010, Dave and Debbie Thiessen attended their son, Justin’s graduation for his Bachelor of Education (A.D.). Also attending was Justin’s grandmother, Louise McCullough. The ceremonies were held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, followed by supper and speeches at the Victoria Inn. Congratulations, Justin.
The community sends condolences to the family and friends of Janet Jones, who died several weeks ago. Also to the Klassen family on the death of Mary Klassen, who died last week.
On Saturday, June 5th, the “town wide” garage sale will be taking place. Everyone will be out looking for treasures to add to their houses. The day begins with a pancake breakfast. Hope to see lots of shopping and eating being done!
MAY 10, 2010
The Austin Cemetery Clean Up has been set for Monday morning, May 17, at 10.30 A .M.
Those who come to help are asked to please bring their rakes, wheelbarrows, trimming shears, etc. Your help helps the committee keep our cemetery looking good. The board wants to thank-you to all who come to help with the work. Look for posters for more particulars on this event.
T Ball will be starting on Monday, May 17th, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Austin Ball Diamonds. There is a fee of $10 for each child to take part for the season.
Jeff Early took part in the 29th Annual Central Region Juried Art Exhibit in Holland on Friday night, May7, 2010. Jeff had 3 pieces entered. The piece entitled “Tiny Dancer” was chosen to go on tour until October. Then at the end of the evening they have what they call the People's Choice Award. The crowd that was there chose “Tiny Dancer” again. So Jeff got two awards that night. What an honor for him. Congratulations, Jeff!
The North Norfolk MacGregor Foundation’s Annual meeting will be held on May 25th, at the MacGregor Drop In Centre at 5:30 P.M. Anyone from the Austin area who would be interested in being part of the board of directors, please contact Danny Rintoul or Arlene Jarema..
MAY 3, 2010
Austin/Sidney Nursery School is having their Open House & Registration on Thursday, May 13th @ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. in the Nursery School Room, which is Room 13 in the Austin Elementary School. This is open to all children, ages 3 - 4 and their parents who are considering enrolling their children in Nursery School for the 2010 - 2011 school year.
The Austin Athletics Club would like to thank the community for supporting Special Olympics through buying the cash calendars. Our club went to the Kinsmen Games in Winnipeg on April 24. Lori Buchannan got a second in the 200 meters and a third in the 60 meters. Scott Beggs got third in the 200 meters, second in high jump and third in shot-put. Louella McLeod got a third in shot-put. Nathan Beaulieu got third in shot-put and third in the 60 meters. They all enjoyed themselves at the track meet. The next meet will be May 29 at Carman.
APRIL 26, 2010
People in and around the Austin area were quite pleased when they were able to attend the first function to be held in the new hall on April 17, 2010. That night the Lion’s Club and the Hall Committee together held a joint fundraiser in the new hall. What a wonderful building. Lots of good comments were heard about the new structure. During the evening, Katherine Penfold provided the entertainment, and her singing was great, as was the sound. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new building is being planned for June 11th, 2010.
Austin Grade 6 students are hosting a Soup & Pie night, an art display, entertainment and a speaker, which will be held at the new Austin Hall on May 11, from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. The speaker is Mr. Bosco from Uganda, who is here representing “Brush –Out Poverty” for the Great Valley Children’s Centre in Uganda. The community is invited to take part in this event.
On May 12th, which is Manitoba Day, the North Norfolk MacGregor Archives will be putting up a display highlighting the 125th anniversary of the North Norfolk and District Agricultural Society. The Archives is looking for pictures or any other materials pertaining to the Agricultural Society programs, as well as the fairs, including 4 H, which has been an important part of the fairs over the years. All of these items would make a great addition to their display. If anyone has something to contribute, contact Mary Kalberg at 685-2270.
MARCH 29, 2010
Fred, Loreen and Catherine Amann recently visited Rick Amann, Ellen Hannah and David McIntosh, in Vancouver. They attended the Paralympics opening ceremonies, the sledge hockey and wheel chair curling events. They found this a wonderful experience.
They also visited Mervin Cronk in Coquitlam, Dave and Andrea Morris in Chilliwack, and Grace Wahl and Dorothy Wilson (Payne) in Surrey. While there they also attended a Vancouver Canuck vs New York Islander’s hockey game.
Kim Young, who is one of the Austin Elementary School teachers was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement Awards, that is part of the “ Yes I Can Awards” for the province. She has been informed that she has won this award. The lady who presents the awards hopes to come out to the school sometime soon to present her with the award. Congratulations, Kim.
MARCH 22, 2010
Welcome home to Fred Smith who has just spent 2 and a half months in Madera, California, U.S.A. visiting his daughter, Sheila and her family. This central agricultural area produces grapes, oranges and grapefruit as well as vegetables. Fred helped Sheila plant tomatoes and flowers while he was there. The weather was foggy and cloudy – the wettest in the last 12 years, but a warm 60 degrees F.
He enjoyed a hockey game in Fresno. Sheila’s husband, Curtis and their sons, Christian and Cameron, play hockey with friends.
They took a trip to the mountains to visit Curtis’ brother, Gerry, and there was still a lot of snow.
Fred toured the countryside with a young man “Bob”, who will be 90 this spring. Sheila went with them and they visited a winery. They also visited museums and learned about the history of this area.
His Grandson, Richard Smith enjoyed a short trip and a few hockey games in California and returned home with Fred.
MARCH 15, 2010
The Annual General Meeting of the Manitoba Agricultural museum will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010, in the Austin Community Hall at 1:30 PM. At this meeting a Notice of Motion pertaining to the review of BY-Law No. 5 will be presented. All members are welcome to attend.
MARCH 9, 2010
The Manitoba Agricultural Museum is having their Annual General Meeting of the members on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in the Austin Community Hall at 1:30 p.m.
Also, the Manitoba Agricultural Museum is developing plans for a Farmers Market during the Threshermen's Reunion, July 29-August 1. If anyone is interested, maybe consider planting one more row of vegetables.
MARCH 1, 2010
This is a reminder that the Austin Cemetery Annual Meeting is being held on Wednesday, March 10 at 7.30.p.m. in the Austin Leisure Centre. Committee reports etc. will be given. All interested persons are welcome to attend. There will be a discussion on a donation that the committee has received. There will be refreshments served after the meeting.
The community sends condolences to Harvey and Tena Doerksen and family on the death of Harvey’s father, who was a resident of The MacGregor Care Home. Our thoughts are with you. .
FEBRUARY 15, 2010
First I would like to make a correction that appeared in last week’s Austin news. I had printed that Martha Martens had a birthday party, when it should have read Martha Dyck. Sorry Martha.
During the weekend of February 12 – 14, there were 18 rinks entered in the Austin Bonspiel. The winner of the First Event was Alan Manns over Laurie Stewart. Curling on the Manns rink were Dennis Manns, Dean Young and Devon Manns. On the Stewart rink were Mark Borgfyord, Gary Single and Dennis Orton. Third place went to the Mark Anderson rink and Fourth place to the Ken Early rink.
The Second Event winner was Greg Lewis over Bryce Stewart. Playing with Lewis were Brent Sharp, Bryce Neufeld and Brad Crammond, and with Stewart were Dennis Wieler, Gordon Nelson and Danny Rintoul. Third place went to the Daryl Hanna rink and fourth to the Gary Bueckert rink.
The Third event winner was Mike Mitchell over John Klassen. Playing with Mitchell were Austin Mustard, Braden Calvert and Trevor Calvert, and with Klassen were Dave Klassen, Brian Peill and Derek Penner. Third place went to Chris Duncan’s rink and fourth went to Steven Manns rink.
For anyone interested in taking part in an exercise class that is not too strenuous, we will meet at the Leisure Centre on February 23, at 10:30 a.m. At that time we will decide on the time and day that suits most people, and then begin a program on which everyone agrees. Maybe now that the days are a bit warmer, and there are longer hours of daylight, more people will be interested in venturing out, getting a bit of exercise and enjoying coffee and conversation. Hope to see you there.
There are also Games taking place at the Austin Leisure Centre on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. There is always room for more interested players. At 2:00 p.m. Crafty Hands continues with their sewing, knitting, etc. After each is finished with what they are doing, there is coffee, tea and usually a snack to follow. Let’s try and keep that building in use! It’s a good place to build community spirit, and to visit with those that we do not see too often.
FEBRUARY 8, 2010
On Saturday, February 6th, Martha Martens celebrated her 80th birthday with a tea in the Austin Hall. Instead of gifts, Martha requested that donations be made to Gospel for Asia, and were designated towards the purchase of a Jesus Well. Gospel for Asia drills wells in many countries in Asia, which are a huge blessing to the local people, many who have no access to safe drinking water. The goal of $1000 dollars was reached, and she was very thankful for the support. Martha wants to thank everyone who came out to celebrate with her, and also for their very generous donations.
Congratulations to Jayd Smith who has been 1 of the 17 who were chosen from among 60 kids, to play on Team Central, for the Manitoba Winter Games, which will be held in Portage La Prairie from March 10th – 13th. This hockey team is made up of players from Central Plains and Pembina Valley. Good going, Jayd!
Just a reminder to the people of Austin and MacGregor that the Annual Meeting of MASSP will be held on March 4th at Rest Haven in MacGregor, with the storm date on March 11. Hope to see you there.
Also hope to see lots of people out to the Pancake Supper on February 16th, at the Austin Leisure Centre.
Sympathy of the community go out to the family and friends of Ada Williams, who has passed away, and also to the family and friends of Netti Leoppky, a former resident of Austin. She died on February 1st in Abbotsford, B.C.
Saturday night the annual Quiz Night was held. It was another successful night and a very enjoyable time was had by all.
Sunday, was much different. Fire ravaged the downtown area, destroying Kathy’s Hair Salon, and Ernie’s Warehouse. The great work of the volunteer firefighters successfully saved Phil’s Corner Store and The Austin Bakeshop. There were no casualties, although there was an apartment in the back part Kathy’s Hair Salon. Thankfully the tenants were not at home when the fire broke out. It’s pretty sad to drive down the street now, and see the mess, but we have to be thankful that it wasn’t any worse. Sunday was a stormy, windy day, and the end result could have been much different. Many thanks go out to the firefighters of Austin, MacGregor, Carberry and Gladstone. Your hard work and knowledge of your job is very much appreciated by all.
JANUARY 25, 2010
As February is proclaimed as Heart and Stroke Month, donations pamphlets will be in your P.O. Box soon. Donations can be given to Loreen Amann, and she will give you the Tax Receipt for the donation and bank the money for the Heart and Stroke Association, the same as she has done in previous years
Alzheimer's Month Recognized by Local Group, written by Tena Doerksen
When the Crafty Hands Get-together started up in Nov.2009 at the Austin Leisure Centre, the organizer, Tena Doerksen, was looking for activities for some local ladies to do, since they had said, "they were bored !" Little did she know that by Jan.19,2010 , they would all experience a most rewarding afternoon, when they officially donated 21 Touch Lap Quilts to the residents at the MacGregor Care Home to commemorate January Alzheimer's Month. Six ladies from the Austin group ; Gerry Gascoigne , North Central Regional Co-ordinator for the Alzheimer's Society ; Sue Bomak , Activities Co-ordinator for the MacGregor Care Home ; Anne Thiessen , Resource Co-ordinator for the MacGregor/Austin Senior Support Program ; some resident's family members ; and staff took part in the presentation.
Anne Thiessen suggested contacting Gerry Gascoigne since she had seen a presentation last fall in regards to the lap quilts. He came to speak to the Austin group at the beginning of Nov. to introduce them to the Touch & Feel Good lap quilts that the Alzheimer's Society was encouraging Manitoban's to make and donate. He suggested to the group that it would be great if they could make about 10 quilts by Alzheimer's Month [January] to donate to the local Care Home in January, 2010.
Enthusiastic sewers spread the word and got busy sewing assorted textured 6 inch fabric squares together and completed 30 lap quilts by Jan.19, 2010 .The Hidden Valley Quilters made and donated 11 of these quilts to assist with this project. More quilts will be made as an ongoing project of the group. Some will be donated to former local residents now living in other Care Homes as well.
What a tremendous appreciated response was felt from the Residents in MacGregor as each one received their lap quilt! A few more will be donated shortly, so that every resident there will have received a lap quilt, even if dementia is not the reason for them living there. The smiles & "thank yous" expressed their gratitude!
One resident seemed extra pleased when she received her lap quilt . She proudly walked amongst her friend saying " It's so nice to receive something unexpected, for no particular reason, such as a Birthday or Christmas!" The effort going into the quilt-making was truly worthwhile for all those involved.
Everyone enjoyed coffee and cookies after the presentation & the taking of many pictures.
Other local organizations have benefitted from the Crafty Hands Group as well. Last week 6 baby quilts were donated to Families First in MacGregor, and 64 hats were made and donated just before Christmas to Daisy Dowhy at Central Plains Cancer Care in Portage , for anyone who has lost their hair to cancer treatments . More items are being made to contribute to these and other charities.
It has truly been a successful experience so far. Thank you to all the participants!