The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor 'Don't you know your manners?' is a question fewer residents will now face. The Flin Flon Arts Council co-sponsored Shaken Not Stirred, an adult etiquette class held April 28 at Bakers Narrows Lodge. 'I think that people came away with ideas of new rules of etiquette that perhaps they had never thought of before,' says Sonia Goodman, chair of the council's workshop committee. Attended by 51 people, including Mayor George Fontaine, the evening class covered the gamut of proper manners. Guests learned the difference between a salad knife and a fish knife and the proper way to place your dinner napkin down when getting up to use the washroom. They also filled out a survey on topics such as polite handshaking, declining offers of food and the importance of never being late. Formal decor Adding to a very formal decor was a fancy meal that included Duchess potatoes, pork loin and red pepper soup. Goodman, who also participated in the evening, said she was pleased with the turnout. The next day, April 29, children got in on the etiquette act with the Little Princess and Knights of the Round Table Tea Party. Dressed as princesses and knights, the kids _ ranging from ages four to 11 _ learned manners and gobbled on cupcakes in the Green Room of the Flin Flon Community Hall. 'I think they learnt respect by cleaning up after themselves and they learnt proper behaviours in different settings,' says Nora Fontaine, a co-organizer. More than 40 kids were at the event, which received help from a pair of young local women, Katrina Windjack and Mackenzie Grove, who also dressed as princesses. The lessons were delivered in a fun way. At one point, kids drew pictures of 'table monsters' _ with names such as 'Crankypants' and 'Toyasaurous' _ who exhibit poor table manners. They also circled illustrations of proper dining tools from a selection that included a spatula, a fork, an egg beater and even a hammer. Tara Crawford, a professional etiquette instructor from Winnipeg, taught both the adults' and children's courses.
