NEWSLETTER MAY 2011
This annual newsletter to the residents of Herb Lake Landing Manitoba Canada provides a reflection of the past year and looks ahead to the plans for 2011.
SECTION 1. REVIEW OF 2010
Diamond Willow Stick Making Workshop
This workshop was held on June 5-6, 2010 and was conducted by Brenda Gaudry of Wilderness Spirit, Barrows, MB and was funded by an In Motion grant. Participants learned to harvest diamond willow, work with Dremel tools, clean the diamonds in the wood, and finish by sanding and varnishing. Margaret, Margo, Jacqueline, Garfield, Linda, Freda, Jim and Hazel attended and each made a walking stick. These sticks will assist and encourage some of our older residents to walk and remain physically active longer. The grant for $1190 covered the cost of the workshop, Dremel tools and pedometers.
Wild Foods Gathering
Under Brenda Gaudry's direction, participants gathered wild plants for tea and for drying for later use. Brenda brought a number of ostrich ferns for us to plant in shady locations. In future years we will harvest fiddleheads from these plants.
Abuse of Older Persons Seminar
On June 15th, Freda, Margo, Jacqui and Hazel attended a luncheon at the Snow Lake Seniors which provided insight into the problem of elder abuse. Seniors should be held in high regard, treated with dignity, and not subjected to abuse.
Exercise Equipment
We purchased an osculating fan, weigh scale, dumbbells and resistance bands for the hall. The In Motion grant of $1800 funded this equipment plus the Dreamweaver workshop.
New Horizons for Seniors Grant
We received a grant of $7000 which allowed us to put new metal roofing on the community buildings, purchase window blinds and some equipment. Special thanks to the volunteers who put the roof on the buildings: Jim, Blaine, Davy, Danny and David.
Community Centre
A new stove for the kitchen was purchased.
Community Gathering Place
Two years ago we received a grant for the community gazebo and last year we received a grant for the walking path. A 3x5 outdoor stove/grill was donated by the Town of Snow Lake. Thanks to Ted Stabback and Brian Shapka who loaded this heavy grill and brought it to the community.
Canada Day Celebration
We celebrated Canada Day with the town of Snow Lake and won the best overall float for our entry of a 1920s steam engine pulling an open air coach called The Muskeg Special which is what the Hudson Bay Railway was jokingly called in the early days. Participants wore costumes from the 1920s. There was a school teacher, priest, magistrate, miner, hobo, photographer, two ladies, conductor, engineer, fireman and brakeman. A trapper walked ahead of the float, waving the Canadian flag. Volunteers spent a lot of hours constructing this float. The $100 prize went to our community fund. Thanks to Celebrate Canada who contributed to our expenses.
Shoreline Walking Path
We received a grant for $2000 to complete the pathway along the shoreline. The project involved creating a path to the west end of the beach so the public could access it without passing through residents' yards. It was constructed wide enough for a four-wheeler to access the beach for cleanup. Brush was cleared, a culvert installed and several loads of gravel dumped. We were fortunate to have access to the following equipment: the community loader, community tandem truck, Glenn Spencer's John Deere tractor, Al's Kabota and Jim's one-ton truck. The Walking Path from the gazebo at the Community Gathering Place to the south end of the beach involved substantial manual labor. Trees and brush were cut with chainsaws and hauled away; the path was levelled with grub hoes and gravel was spread by wheelbarrow. Four bridges were built across deep depressions along the route, and two benches installed at scenic spots for people to rest and gaze at the lake. This walking path is user friendly for seniors or people who have difficulty on rough terrain. Thanks to Hometown Manitoba for making it possible. As with all our grants, volunteer labor was used.
Roadside Rest Stop
An abandoned garden along the roadway was turned into a rest stop. There is a good view of the water and people or joggers along the roadway will use the bench. This rest stop is near the pathway that leads to the shoreline walking path.
Beach Cleanup
Our community is located at the south end of Wekusko Lake and the predominant wind is from the North, so our beach is often covered with driftwood and debris. Al and Margo volunteer their time to rake and haul away much of this debris. In addition, Dave Roberts and other volunteers who live along the shoreline assist with the cleanup as needed. Thanks everyone!
Cell Phone Service
Cell phone service by MTS has been extended to our area and on April 13, 2010, Blaine Spencer answered the first cell phone call at HLL.
Fitness Certification
On May 30th, Freda and Hazel attended a fitness certification course in Thompson. Freda, because of medical reasons, did not complete the second week of training, but will be able to finish at a later date. Hazel received her certificate on Jan 17, 2011. As part of this training, they attended a two-day First Aid/AED training and received certificates. Congratulations. It is important to have a certified fitness trainer in our community as residents participate in exercise programs.
Workplace Training
Glenn Spencer and Jim Corman successfully completed courses in Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, Workplace Safety and Health Training and Personal Protective Equipment Training, and received their certificates. Al McDougal is also certified and received his training in Saskatchewan. Congratulations.
Dreamweaver Workshop
This workshop was conducted under the direction of Brenda Gaudry in October and was funded by an In Motion grant. Eight participants attended. The budget allowed for the purchase of supplies so we can continue doing the craft in the hall.
Gardening North of the 54th Parallel
Fresh vegetables are expensive in the North because of increased freight costs, however, a wide variety of food can be grown because the longer daylight hours make up for the shorter growing season. In the spring, Freda, Jacqui, Margo and Hazel visited the Mel Johnson School at Wabowden, and under the direction of Bonnie Monias and Eleanor Woitowicz, learned to grow vegetables in raised garden beds and to blend the soil.
In the past five years the Wabowden teachers have led a gardening revival in their classrooms. Gardening is therapeutic, helps to build character and reconnects students to the land. They become more caring towards the environment and the community, make healthier lifestyle choices and learn sustainable practices including the importance of composting. They also learn to cook and are encouraged to try new and different foods.
The success of this school project has inspired sustainable food gardening in other schools and communities. It has been recognized by the David Suzuki Foundation and by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. The teachers were invited to do a presentation to the UN Commission in New York in May 2010. In 2009, Katharina Steiffenhofer, a Winnipeg film-maker created a documentary about the project.
As a result of the training provided at the Wawbowden School, the gardeners at HLL constructed their own raised garden beds and grew successful gardens. Some of the summer residents also participated and planted salad vegetables. There was a garden competition to see who could grow the best celery at the end of the season and prizes from the Second Glance, the local thrift store, were awarded.
Pioneer Days
Another great Pioneer Days celebration was held this summer on the August long weekend. The weather was good and many people joined in the celebration. There were organized children's water events, canoe races and a horseshoe tournament. There was a family scavenger hunt which continued all weekend. There was a potluck supper and campfire gathering. Margaret and Blaine Spencer cooked a delicious pancake breakfast. A quiet Zen Garden on the beach allowed for relaxing, and a Herb Lake social for old-timers with Cann family pictures was held. The highlight was the Courage Trail where older teens and adults were led on a spooky pathway at night. Special thanks to Cathy and Greg Erickson for providing the 93rd anniversary cake. Brooke (Freda and Don's granddaughter), donated two hand-painted plaques which raised 64.75. Thanks Brooke.
Change of Personnel
Robert Barbeau, our Municipal Development Consultant, left Aboriginal and Northern Affairs for a new job at the Assiniboine Community College in Brandon as an instructor in the Aboriginal Community Development program. He will be greatly missed.
Highway Access
A new approach to the highway (#39), has been constructed which is not as close to a curve in the road as the old access had been. This access has been cleared of bush on both sides and is much safer.
Garbage Dump
Volunteers burn the community burning pile in the spring or fall, keep the garbage dump area clean, and pick up garbage along the roadway. We invoice ANA for these services and the funds are used for the Pioneer Days supplies as well as other needs. Special thanks to the McDougalls who drive along the roadway in their Kubota and pick up litter and to the walkers who carry plastic bags and pick up trash. Also, thanks to Greg Carswell who periodically pushes the garbage dump.
Recycling Revenue
Garfield sold recycled copper for $153.25. Part of this money was from recycled copper wiring which he stripped and part was copper donated by Glenn Spencer. Thanks Garfield and Glenn.
Hall Rental to Hydro
When Hydro comes to the community for updates on the Bipole 111, they pay us for hall rental and a luncheon. The money goes to the seniors community fund. A Tim Hortons coffee pot was purchased from this fund.
Volunteer Dreamweaver Award
On October 21, 2010 at a gala ceremony held in Hamilton, Ontario, Hazel Corman, who coordinates most of our activities on a volunteer basis, received one of five Dreamcatcher Awards presented annually by the Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation. The foundation is a registered Canadian charity with the goal of developing youth as future community leaders. It works toward its goal by providing support through grants to individuals and communities. Congratulations Hazel.
SECTION 2. ACTIVITIES IN 2011
Personnel Changes
In February 2011, we welcomed Bev Shlachetka as our new Municipal Development Consultant MDC with Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. (ANA). Bev brings a wealth of knowledge and history in community administration as she was the Chief Administrative Officer for the community of Cormorant for over 34 years.
Armand Barbeau has been appointed Director, Northern Region, ANA is and we welcome him to this position.
We welcome Brad Bradziak as our Fire Commissioner. He will assist us to determine our fire safety needs.
Community Gathering Place
This year we applied for a 6x8 cook house shelter to be constructed by the gazebo to hold our 3x5 stove/grill. In addition to the shelter, we will demolish the existing fire pit, fill and level the area to make it more user friendly, and construct a new fire pit.
Recreational Programs
Special thanks to Charlene Waterman our Recreation and Wellness Consultant for her continual support and advice on our fitness and welfare programs. She also assist us when we apply for In motion Recreation and Wellness grants for programs and activities designed to keep members in our community active longer.
Memorial Cairn
The memorial cairn was erected for family and friends to remember their loved ones and is located by the lake in front of Freda and Don Hiebert's house. It contains brass plaques with the names of deceased residents from the community and from Herb Lake. Freda and Don, who maintain a small flower bed nearby have suggested that since we now have a Community Gathering Place, that the cairn be moved to that area. It is made of stones and there is concern that it may fall apart if we move it. It is suggested that if it collapses, that we transfer the small plaques onto the extra large limestone rock at the Community Gathering Place.
It has been some time since names have been added to the cairn, and if family members or friends wish to include the name of a loved one, please contact Freda or Hazel. The charge for an engraved name on a small brass plaques was $5.00, but costs may have increased. In some communities there are programs in place for people to provide community benches with a plaque in memory of a loved one. If anyone wishes to donate a bench, please let us know.
Historical Pictures
Linda Butler has accumulated a collection of copies of historical photos from family albums which she will give us when we have a place to store them. We hope to expand the community hall at a future time and can then build shelves to hold these photo albums. In the future, visitors, will be able to examine photos and reflect on Herb Lake when it was a thriving community. We work closely with the Snow Lake Mining Museum to preserve artefacts and records of the past.
Herb Lake Graveyard
The Herb Lake Graveyard is unmaintained and is accessible only by boat and a hike through the bush. Since the pathway is unmarked, and we do not have the GPS co-ordinates, it is practically inaccessible. It is also so overgrown, particularly with caraghana, that it would be difficult for anyone to locate it. There is also no map of the gravesites and wooden crosses have probably disintegrated, leaving only a few granite markers. By remembering the pioneers of the area through the cairn and the memorial erected at the Community Gathering Site, we provide a place for families to come and remember their loved ones. We will frame a list of the deceased Herb Lake residents buried in the Herb Lake graveyard, and hang it in the community hall.
Seniors Community Hall
Our building is very dark, and Don and Freda Heibert have donated two windows to be installed to replace the two large doors.
New Residents
We welcome Evelyn and Kirk Dutka and David Morrison and Vicki Sarkijarvi to our community. Their lots were cleared in 2010 and they will start construction soon. Also Peter Roberts cleared the derelict building from his lot and levelled the ground in preparation for rebuilding. Thanks Peter for the cleanup.
Canada Day Celebration
We will again join with the community of Snow Lake to celebrate Canada Day and enter a community float in the parade. The theme this year will be a traditional historical scene.
Pioneer Days - 94th Anniversary Celebration
We celebrate Pioneer Days on the long weekend in August as most of the residents are at the lake and there is ample opportunity to meet and socialize. The event will include water activities and games for children, a horseshoe tournament, a Herb Lake tea for old timers, a celebration cake, a scavenger hunt, the Courage Trail, a guided night walk for brave adults and older teens, plus lots to eat.
This year, we will commence the activities on Friday evening, July 29th and continue July 30th and 31st. McDougalls and Roberts have kindly agreed to allow us to use their yards again this year for the beach activities. Plans are underway for the event and your suggestions are welcome.
Website
Linda Butler, who spent most of her childhood in Snow Lake and recently her summers at HLL, created a web site for us with funding provided by the Northern Association of Community Councils. Please visit the site at http://www.herblake.ca. Your suggestions are welcome.
Security
There were incidents last summer of break-ins to unoccupied cabins. Cabin owners are encouraged to keep their grass cut and their yards tidy, to create the impression that premises are occupied. Residents can help by recording the licence plate numbers of vehicles observed by cabins that are usually unoccupied. A security camera has been installed in the community to provide details of vehicles on our roadway.
Snow Clearing and Grass Cutting
Glenn S. and Jim continue to clear snow from driveways and community buildings and along with Al, cut the grass along the road allowance in the summertime. Thanks also to Glenn Martel, heavy duty mechanic, who has kept our old loader running.
Gardening
Residents continue to plant in raised beds. This year there will be a contest to see who can grow the biggest pumpkin.
Community Enhancement
We are a recreational area and we respect the pristine nature of the surrounding wilderness. Over the past few years, we have done much to enhance the appearance of our community. We have a Community Gathering Place for people to meet and socialize. The shoreline pathway provides access to the water and the benches provide resting spots. We planted gardens and cleaned up rubbish. Some of the derelict buildings have been removed or burned. We take pride in our community and ask that all residents do their part to create an attractive place to live.
Volunteers
Our community could not function without the many volunteers who donate their time and expertise to the workbees and projects. Your help is appreciated. Thank You!!!!
"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together."
Centennial Celebration
Our centennial is in 2017 and it is not too early to plan the celebration. What will our community be like when we reach 100 years? How do you wish to celebrate this occasion? Please share your ideas.
SECTION 3. FINANCIAL 2011/12
Our community is under the direction of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs and we appreciate the guidance and the administrative work they do on our behalf. The operating budget is available to residents by contacting Jim or Hazel Corman.
Hydro Wuskwatim Transmission Line Annual Funding.
Our community is eligible for this funding.
Capital Projects - Five Year Plan
The Capital Board meets in September each year to review capital projects. Our list includes: a backhoe/loader, internal road upgrade, mini sewer pumper, community lot reservation, community dock and garage/maintenance building.
Back Hoe/Loader
The purchase of a back hoe/loader was identified as our most important need on our five-year capital plan.
Internal Road Upgrade
There are areas where the road along the lakeshore needs improvement.
Mini Sewer Pumper
The community needs a mini pumper for residents to use to empty their holding tanks.
Community Dock
There is no community dock, and in the event of an evacuation because of a forest fire, or other emergency, a dock would be an important facility.
Garage/Maintenance Building
We need a maintenance bldg approx 30 x 60 for the repairs and storage of community equipment. We need a warm place to work on equipment, especially in the winter months.
Community Lot Reservation
We need a suitable location to construct the garage/maintenance building once it is approved, since the present community area by the fire hall is not large enough to hold such a building. Much of the land in our community is bog and requires fill, also we do not wish to place a large steel building along the lakeshore, which would detract from the scenic surroundings and could be objectionable to residents. We are considering applying for the property adjacent to the Russells' property where the ground is high and minimal fill would be needed. Community input is welcome as to the location of this building.
GRANTS
Our community applies for grants for special projects. When a grant is approved the funds are held in a trust fund in Thompson under the direction of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. When we are approved for a project, usually the project is completed first and then a report sent in with all receipts before we are reimbursed. Project resources include a portion of donated and volunteer resources. For every project, labor is volunteer. We are fortunate that Jim is experienced in drawing up plans and calculating material needs. Dave Mayer, of the Home Building Centre in Snow Lake works with us in providing material estimates for our projects.
Community Places Program 2011
A small building to be used as a warm-up shelter for winter skating and for summer activities plus a floating dock have been approved at a cost of $4,617. Carswells, who have young children, expressed a need for a shelter for skaters. Greg Carswell clears the snow from the ice on the lake for skating. It is hoped that this shelter will encourage residents of all ages to participate in this winter activity. Manitoba Hydro will supply funding for a hydro pole with a light in the amount of $2000 through their KSPF program. Wayne Huculuk, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors, is the Regional Consultant on this project.
Community Places Program 2012
We will make an application for an upgrade to our community hall to include siding and lighting and possibly an extension. The deadline for the application is December 15th.
Hometown Manitoba 2011
This year we applied for a 6x8 cook house shelter to be constructed by the gazebo to hold the 3x5 stove/grill. In addition to the shelter, we will demolish the existing fire pit, fill and level the area to make it more user friendly, and construct a new fire pit.
Northern Association of Community Councils (N.A.C.C.) Web Page Grant
We received a grant of $4000 to create and to maintain a community web site which will last us a number of years. Linda Butler submitted a bill of $482.05 to cover the domain names herblake.ca, herblakelanding.ca, and herblakelanding.com, hosting, and half the cost of a web design program. The balance of the fund is $3517.95. The site will require periodic updating and there will be domain and hosting expenses in future years, which this account will cover. Please visit our site at herblake.ca.
CONTACT INFO
Community: Contact Jim or Hazel Corman, phone: (204) 358-2314
email: hazelcorman "at" hotmail.com (with the usual symbol for "at")
Distribution List: If you wish to have your email address added or removed from our distribution list, please contact Linda at butlerg30 "at" hotmail.com with the usual symbol for "at"
Mailing Address: Herb Lake Landing Community
c/o Snow Lake MB ROB 1MO |
