Ten questions with Emma Romans.
Getting to know Romans
Selkirk continuing to boom with commercial development
Selkirk mayor Larry Johannson has plenty to boast about these days when it comes to commercial growth for the local city located just north of Winnipeg, Man.,
Walker keeping wheels on her bike turning
Nicole Walker is not letting a global health pandemic interfere with her training routine.
The East St. Paul resident, who spends her summers up at Victoria Beach, continues to train in her chosen sport of triathlon.
New adventure underway for delivering news
Brook Jones – Keeping Up With Jones
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a passion for the newspaper industry, therefore, it would come as no surprise to my family and friends that I have started my own media platform. I am most proud to have recently launched the Selkirk Settler Times.
I started reading the Winnipeg Free Press when I was in Grade 5 and just two days shy of my 12th birthday I became a paperboy for the Free Press. It was a position I held for nearly six years.
It was an honour to have been able to work for Interlake Publishing for nearly 10 years. I started my career with Interlake Publishing as a multimedia journalist with The Selkirk Journal in 2010, then became the editor of The Journal in 2014 and finally group editor of Interlake Publishing in 2017. I appreciate all that I learned in my various roles during my time with Interlake Publishing (Sunmedia/Postmedia).
It is a thrill to be back covering news in the Tri-S area. It didn’t take me long to decide after Interlake Publishing closed its door in early May to embark on this new adventure. I have always said it was the people, who brought me the most joy while covering the news for Interlake Publishing, therefore, I am most excited to be able to carry on covering news, sports and entertainment, while continuing to connect with people in the local area.
My mom, dad and sister have always encouraged me to do my very best in life and I am blessed for their love and support. In order to chase your dreams in life, I believe you need the backing of your loved ones, therefore, I appreciate my family and friends.
I am appreciative to all those industry, who have given of their time to help me embark on this new adventure.
Brook Jones is the editor of the Selkirk Settler Times
Roxi’s keeps on serving up great meals
Despite the COVD-19 pandemic, customers continue to flock to Roxi’s Uptown Cafe for great meals at the local restaurant.
New boiler means smooth skating at ESRC
Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation
Among the many unsung heroes of the ice rink is the ice plant boiler – it resides out of sight and out of mind, doing its part to make skaters and pucks glide across the
ice surface with the greatest of ease.
And if the boiler breaks down, so too does the ice surface.
The East Selkirk Recreation Centre needed a boiler replacement this season and the
Selkirk and District Community Foundation came through with a $10,000 grant to
keep the 2020-21 season on ice.
“A boiler is very important. Without it, we could still make ice, but it would hinder
the quality of our ice,” says Blake Burnett, Facility Manager at the East Selkirk
Recreation Centre. “It’s essential to our business. Hockey players know that when they go on the ice and it’s rough, there’s a reason and the reason is you’re using cold water to flood.”
The boiler heats water that is applied to ice by the Zamboni and without that hot
water, the ice surface would be bumpy and uneven.
Burnett says when you shave the ice, you get ice crystals, and those crystals need to
be melted and that’s where the hot water comes in.
Aaron Martyniw, President of the SDCF, says helping groups like the ESRC is what
the Foundation is all about.
“These are the kinds of things we love to be a part of, knowing that kids are going to
have quality ice to skate on is what it’s all about,” Martyniw says. “When you hear how important a boiler is to the quality of ice, you realize how
important it is, so we’re happy to help out with things that really benefit the
community.”
What the 2020 season will look like is in large part dependent on COVID-19, but
right now, Burnett says Phase 2 of Hockey Manitoba’s three-phase-plan is in action
and the ESRC is preparing for an October opening when games will start.
The Lord Selkirk Hockey Association is currently holding tryouts at the Selkirk Rec
Complex.
The Foundation grant is much appreciated, Burnett says, as the cost to replace the
unit is substantial.
“It’s more than a $10,000 touch to a community club like ours so it would take a lot
of rentals to pay for something like that, so for that reason alone we appreciate the
grant so much,” he says. “It’s one of those costs that nobody thinks about, they think hot water, big deal. But you can’t replace the boiler for cheaper, the type of system that it is, with the heat recovery that’s required in such a short period of time and the amount of water that the Zamboni requires, it’s important. The cost to a non-profit club like ours is just out of our reach.”
The fall grant application deadline is just around the corner on Sept. 30. For more
details go to sdcf.ca; email selkirkfoundation@shaw.ca; or phone 204-785-9755.
Long moves into superintendent job
His first year as the superintendent of the Lord Selkirk School Division has been a lesson like no other for Jerret Long because of Covid-19.
Long oversees 15 schools with almost 4,000 students attending kindergarten to Grade 12 and readying each one for the back-to-school return has presented a challenge to everyone who works within the division.
Long first had to study the lengthy guidelines established by the government and relay them to staff. The division had to hire 14 new teachers so that most of the schools would have an extra instructor on hand if needed in the event of a teacher missing school due to illness. It also hired extra educational assistants and more custodial staff to ensure the enhanced Covid cleaning could be done efficiently each night, Long said.
“To be honest, this has been a step-by-step type of journey,” Long said on Friday of the first week of students returning to school. “We established the school board plans with the cooperation of the parents, then we deal with any issues that may come up.”
Those issues included new rules for those students taking buses to the schools, which includes either only siblings sitting with each other or with them sitting with in-school cohorts, Long said. Because not all high school students attend each day, there aren’t as many kids on the buses as in the past. Those alternate days the students do not attend, they either learn online or their teachers give them assignments to complete at home.
“We’re off to a good start,” Long said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better start with our parents and seeing the kids so excited to come back. And our staff and teachers on the front lines have been good.
“It’s managing what’s doable and we have some of the best teachers around as well.”
Long was well aware that a Churchill High School student in Winnipeg was sent home after testing positive for Covid-19 the first week back.
“That was unfortunate, and I hope for the best for that student and that the family are all good,” he said. “Public Health has a process to do what is necessary in those situations with contact tracing. We recognize that things can happen, and we do have contingency plans for that.”
But, so far, so good.
“All of our schools are in a low-risk zone,” said Long, who was the assistant superintendent for three years before taking on a type of responsibility that no other education overseer has ever had to handle before.
“If we can get through this, we can get through anything.”
Annual tournament in memory of Bobby J postponed to 2021
Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation
There would be no one more disappointed that the Bob Jefferson Memorial Golf Tournament presented by IG Wealth Management was missing from the 2020 calendar, than the tourney’s namesake himself. Bobby J was a man who enjoyed a good party and, more importantly, he was steadfast in his commitment to fundraising for the Selkirk and District Community Foundation through his annual tournament.
Annual tournament in memory of Bobby J postponed to 2021Michael Buhr, Senior Financial Consultant with Buhr Blaylock and Associates, IG Private Wealth Management, said as much as Bob would have been disappointed he would have agreed that postponing was the right move. “Obviously Bob’s commitment to the community is legendary and his commitment to the Foundation is indisputable,” Buhr said. “Certainly, if Bob was still around and the tournament wasn’t on, he would still personally write his cheque which he did every year and I believe everybody would agree with that.”
Jefferson, a lifelong Selkirk resident and one of the city’s biggest cheerleaders, passed away in December 2013. His annual golf tournament had been raising funds for the Selkirk and District Community Foundation since 1998 and had topped more than $90,000 at the time of his passing.As of last year,it had raised just over $135,000. Jefferson ran the tournament through his Century 21 Real Estate company, and after his death, IG Wealth took over and continued it in Jefferson’s memory.The tournament was postponed this year until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Buhr said it wasn’t a tough decision to put the tournament off, for a couple of reasons –concern for everyone’s safety, and concern for supporters who’ve already been hit hard by the pandemic.
“The reason why it wasn’t (a tough decision) was we didn’t know what social distancing rules would be in place, I mean you can’t decide two weeks in advance you’re going to go ahead with it; we had to make this decision a few months ago,” Buhr said. “And, there are some of our sponsors and supporters who had to close their businesses or were off work for weeks or months, and to go to them and ask them if they could help us out I just didn’t feel was fair. So actually,it was an easy decision to take a rest for the year.”
Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson, a close friend of Bobby J’s, said he knows Bob would be thrilled if those who are able could make a donation in his name even though there isn’t a tournament this year.“That would put a big smile on Bob’s face,” Johannson said. “Everyone knows that Bobby J loved Selkirk and he loved this tournament. Postponing until next year was the right thing to do, and Bob would agree with that, but he’d be very grateful if people would make a donation in his memory this year.”
Buhr agreed. “Just because we’re not able to have the tournament this year and recognizing that there’s been many economic challenges to people in our community, for those that are able, any contribution in Bob’s memory would be celebrated and appreciated.
”If you’d like to donate to the SDCF in Bob’s honour you can do so by making an online donation at endowmanitoba.ca and clicking on ‘Make a Gift to My Foundation’. Or you can call the SDCF (204-785-9755) and someone will assist you with your donation.
Emergency funding brings Betel residents and families together during pandemic
Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation
strong winds blew away shelters set up at Betel Home in Selkirk to accommodate visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, they also whisked away precious family time for residents. But all the huffing and puffing Mother Nature can muster won’t be able toblow down the new shelter erected thanks to a grant from the Selkirk and District Community Foundation through the Emergency Community Support Fund, funded by the Government of Canada.
“We got the new shelters built and they’re perfect,” said Betel Recreation Director Matt Mutcheson.“We have them all set up now, the residents love them, and thefamilies love them. Even if it’s raining we can continue to have our visits outside, if it’s 30 degrees and the sun beating down, wecan have visits outside because they’re well protected now.”The home was on lock down for about two months dueto COVID-19 and Mutcheson said the outdoor space was really the only chance people had to visit.
“We had originally purchased some shelters and with all the big winds that we had those didn’t last long, they got torn up and battered and blew away,” hesaid.“After that happened we were without shelters for quite a while.”
After two months of absolutely no visitors it was important that family members could connect with their loved ones again. When the original shelters were ruined, Mutcheson said they tried to have outside visits without shelter and asked visitors to bring umbrellas and hats to help shield residents from the hot sun. But now, the new shelter is in place and it’s a hit. Immediate Release August 21, 2020–When strong winds blew away shelters set up at Betel Home in Selkirk to accommodate visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, they also whisked away precious family time for residents. But all the huffing and puffing Mother Nature can muster won’t be able to blow down the new shelter erected thanks to a grant from the Selkirk and District Community Foundation through the Emergency Community Support Fund, funded by the Government of Canada.Betel Home residents are able to visit with family members again under new shelters erected outside the building.
“It’s secure, it’s anchored to the cement, it’s a good size so it’s been perfect for us. ”No longer on lock down, Betel is allowing some visitors, but Mutcheson said only those providing care to their loved ones, such as meal assistance or emotional support, are allowed inside. “There’s very few that are coming in, most are continuing to visit outside,” he said.“Most of them respect that COVID is still around and it’s best if they stay outside of the building, it’s the safest for everybody.”
Aaron Martyniw said being able to help provide grant dollars through the Canada Emergency Community Support Fund has proven crucial to many charities and non-profits serving vulnerable populations.
“The shelter at Betel Home is a perfect example of the good this funding does,” Martyniw said. “With the Emergency Community Support Fund and the Community Foundations of Canada we were able to bring families together during the pandemic and that’s a real feel good story that everyone at the Foundation is proud to be part of.”
In total, six projects shared in $40,000 in funding, including$3,950 for Betel’s shelter and $1,000 for a portable oxygen generator;$10,000 for Nova House for an outdoor play and learn space; $10,000 for tablets for Inclusion Selkirk;$750 for communication support for Canadian National Institute for the Blind; $10,000 to help the Selkirk Food Bank, who was supported in its application by the City of Selkirk, to provide safe and continued food distribution during and beyond COVID 19 pandemic; and $4,300 for Growing Years Family Resource Centre, supported in its application by Selkirk Friendship Centre, to provide food security and personal health/hygiene items for vulnerable families with children between ages zero to six.
Incredible journey for willed gift leads to online auction for SDCF
Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation
Lifelong Selkirk resident Brian Gilhuly died in September 2017 and made the kindest of gestures when he left the Selkirk and District Community Foundation one of the largest willed donations it had ever received.
Part of that donation was a set of gemstones and those very stones were up for auction. The online auction, hosted by Kaye’s Auction House, ran from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, and while that in itself is not unique, the items for sale and the journey they’ve taken to get there certainly are.
“It’s an incredible story when you think about it,” said Bev Clegg, Executive Director of the SDCF. “Mr. Gilhuly was a private man who cared deeply about his community and made the decision to make an amazing gift which included these gemstones. People often think that money is the only gift you can make to the Foundation, but this shows there are many ways you can contribute.”Long-time friend and neighbour Jean Oliver said Brian was a dedicated sports fan –golf was his favourite along with his cherished Winnipeg Blue Bombers –and he cared deeply about his community. His grandfather owned and operated Gilhuly’s Drug Store on Eveline Street for years; his father became a pharmacist as well and took over the family business.
The store is still there today as Super Thrifty. Mr. Gilhuly became an accountant.“The stones were of obvious sentiment to Brianand it’s heartwarming that he would entrust them to the Foundation with the knowledge that they would one day contribute to the betterment of his home town,” Oliver said.The SDCF held an auction for an extensive collection of sports memorabilia willed to it by the late Bob Jefferson. Bobby J –as he was known far and wide –had a collection of sports jerseys, photos and everything and anything that was adorned by a team logo from the Winnipeg Jets to the Detroit Red Wings.
“We have an incredible community and there’s so many people who consider us in their day to day lives and those who make a gift as part of their estate,” Clegg said.“These stones that will be up for auction tell a story, that there’s so many different ways to give and to support your community. All of us at the Foundation are honoured to be a part of this journey and to ensure that Mr. Gilhuly’s wish to support his home community in perpetuity is granted. We appreciate his gift and his enduring desire for a better community.”
For more information or to participate in the online auction, visit kayesauctions.com
