by PAUL RAYNER

As bad as it was, it could have been worse after the top story of 2007.

On June 23, a storm system passed from Pipestone to Pilot Mound, with at least one if not more tornadoes touching down. According to reports, the tornado was an F3, which means winds were between 253 and 330 kms an hour. The storm hit on the Saturday night of the Boissevain Fair, with participants able to see the effects from the fairgrounds as it passed north of town. Within Boissevain, funnel clouds were sighted, as well as at least one swirling vortex. There were no touchdowns within the town, but north of the community was not as lucky.

For example, Kevin and Myrna Houston who live about three miles south and three miles east of Minto in the RM of Whitewater had extensive damage. Home at the time, the Houston’s saw the full force of the storm, which Kevin said hit for about five or ten minutes and was a terrifying sight.

“It was this big wall of water,” Houston said, “hitting the windows sideways. It was like a white out in winter. The branches were hitting the windows. It lit up for a while and you could see the hydro lines were down. Then it hit again and more intense. It was just black to the northwest.”

Their losses included one machine shed, steel bins and trees uprooted, with Houston commenting “it is easier to say what was not damaged.”

Other damage in the area included house, bins and shelterbelt at Muriel McCallum’s, a barn and harm to other buildings, lost shed bins and serious tree damage at Les and Lorraine Houston’s, and yard and machinery damage at the Hildebrandt brothers and Richard and Brenda Peters farms.

Blaine and Neta Mains were camping at the time of the storm, but got a call the next morning. On returning home, they found part of their roof was taken, as well as a great number of shingles. One window was blown out with scattered glass, twelve metal grain bins were harmed and two gone and three wooden ones taken. Blaine’s recently completed deck was also taken.

Neta Mains said the fortunate aspect was no one got hurt. As well, like other victims of the storm, she was thankful for the support of the community. For example, in their case as well as brother Garry’s, the Mennonite Disaster Service, organized through the local Mennonite Brethren Church, was on hand to help take care of some of the mess.

“It was quite a day,” Mains said. “All of the people in the community have been great. People bring food, have been volunteering for hours for cleanup. You hear it from everyone else too. There is lots of help.”

Manitoba Hydro did their best to get power back up as soon as possible, getting it going in Boissevain the next day, with some rural portions taking longer. Provincial Government members toured affected areas and Manitoba EMO officials worked with the municipalities to assess damages. Insurance reps were also on hand immediately, trying to get details from clients for insurance claims. At the time, Brian Clark of Clark & Son Agencies said they were dedicated to doing the job for their clients as quickly as possible.

“This is a time as insurance brokers when you can help someone,” he stated. “Some things take longer but we still work at it.”

 

Wildlife Museum stays

Despite a dispute, a spirit of cooperation between two sides allowed a major tourist attraction in Boissevain to remain open and in the community.

The Irvin Goodon International Wildlife Museum, located on the south end of Boissevain by Tommy Turtle has become a big reason for people to stop in Boissevain, with a huge collection of taxidermied wildlife, carved bears and other major attractions. However, in the spring of 2007, Irvin Goodon became concerned about a reversed decision by the Town of Boissevain Council regarding a pathway in the area. An entranceway from #10 Highway which led to the area the museum was located was considered a safety concern due to the high level of public traffic in the area. Town Council originally voted to close it, but shortly after voted to re-open. Irvin Goodon protested the move at the time, saying he would rather close his attraction than have an accident in the site. The Town placed speed limits in the area, but Goodon felt it was not sufficient.

Despite an announced closure and sale of gift shop items, work progressed through the summer and fall to come to an agreement. In the end, one was found. The Turtle Mountain Community Development Corporation would take over the museum, with the staff and most of the contents of the nearby Visitor Centre moving in. Irvin and Marge were happy with the agreement.

“We worked together to come up with something everyone can live with,” Goodon stated. “I think the museum can be made bigger and better. We’ll stay involved, but in the background. They want to keep us involved and we want that.”

The details included the TMCDC, funded by Boissevain and Morton, paying $300,000 for the building over seven years, including a forgivable loan of $50,000 from the province. Impressively, there was also a huge donation by the Goodons, including the taxidermied animals, contents of the bear den, all of the signage, log house and mountain mural, amounting to around $350,000.

With plans to make the old Visitor Centre into a model train location and other upgrades to the museum planned, both Mayor Ed Anderson and Reeve Bob McCallum were happy with the results.

“We had people on the outside of the community watching what was going on,” McCallum said. “Outside people were concerned that it would leave the community and were encouraging us to keep it. This museum is an opportunity that comes up once a lifetime and you don’t want to lose it.”

“There are a lot of benefits to the museum,” Anderson said. “I think this is exciting really, and it has gone really well."

 

X-ray updates

Santa Claus came early for the Boissevain Health Recruitment Committee. Originally looking to raise $111,000 for updates to the x-ray digital imaging system at the Boissevain Health Centre, they found that relevant agencies were willing to put up the money.

The system, which would allow digital images to replace traditional film, includes three parts. One is changing the film processor to Computed Radiology (CR) costing $61,000. The second part links Boissevain to the provincial client registry computer system, helping to track an individual's images between health centres, costing $35,000. The third is a connection to the provincial Radiology Information System/Picture Archiving and Communication System (RIS/PACS) allowing images to be viewed instantly by a radiologist elsewhere at a cost of $15,000. No more would x-rays have to be sent by courier with the hope the image is useable.

Originally, the committee was feeling they must fund-raise for the entire amount. However, shortly after launching the official campaign, word came from Assiniboine RHA CEO Penny Gilson that this would not be the case. Boissevain, as well as Melita, were put on Phase 1 of funding. The Province would pay for the CR part and the RIS/PACS, while the ARHA would pay for the connection to the client registry. Anderson was obviously pleased with the outcome and the relationship with the authority.

“I really want to thank CEO Penny Gilson and the ARHA for announcing Boissevain is prioritized into the Phase I Category,” Anderson stated. “The ARHA administration are excellent, congenial people and working with them is a good fit.”

 

Major anniversaries

Several groups and locations in the area celebrated big anniversaries in 2007.

Ninga celebrated 120 years on the weekend of July 7-8. Part of the larger Killarney/Turtle Mountain celebrations, the small community hosted town tours to visit areas standing and part of history, a reunion inside the rink, a community bonfire and family ball tournament as a part of their weekend.

The International Peace Garden marked 75 years of history on July 14. Over 6,000 people attended the event, which included an antique & classic car show, heritage market, balloon rides and concerts in the Burdick Centre, as well as the Tug of Peace between Canadians and Americans, similar to that held on the inauguration of the symbol of peace between two neighbours in 1932.

The Boissevain Lions Club celebrated 50 years in the community on April 13. The service club was organized in October 1956 and chartered on January 15, 1957, with charter member Miles Phillips still active. Many community projects have benefited from their hard work, including the Boissevain Arena, curling club, Tiny Turtle Playroom and the Association for the Handicapped.

The last of these also celebrated 50 years. Started to help educate mentally challenged children, the Association, under many names, grew to include schools, workshops and residences. Although times change, the need for the Association continues, and they continue to look at newer ways to serve the individuals who use their services.