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.
Well, it seems that I was just growing tired of cutting my lawn a month ago and here I am, already sick of shoveling snow. But then I've got to admit, my lawn didn't grow half as fast as all this white stuff has been falling. Nevertheless, as fast as it falls in Snow Lake, the Town's Public Works Crew has been cleaning it up. So impressed was one person, that they posted a sign on the community billboard in front of the Town Office complimenting the staff on their quick response to several recent snowfalls. Unlike me, there are hordes of people who are happy with the groundcover. Snowmobilers have nary a worry about stumps on the trails and this will likely be the first year in nearly a decade that skiers are able to use the cross-country trails before Christmas. However, ice conditions leave quite a bit to be desired. Most people traveling area lakes are being advised to stick to the beaten path, as with all the snow, slush and even open water are common on most lakes, streams, and swamps. The winter season certainly brings snow, but also at this time of the year it brings Christmas parties. After a one-year hiatus, the New Britannia Mine held their party this past Saturday and the J.H. Kerr School's and Cornerview Enterprises parties will be hosted this coming weekend. New Britannia's general manager, Mike Kelly, welcomed everyone to a somewhat smaller version of their annual Christmas Supper, Social, and Dance, stating, "I'd have never thought that we'd be here like this again." Kelly of course was referring to the near closure of the mine during the third quarter of 2004 due to dwindling and diluted ore grades at the gold producer. However, the GM was upbeat this year advising that the recent (continuing) drill program is proving up more ounces (of gold). "It's there, it's deep, and it will be difficult to mine," said Kelly. "But I believe we're up to the challenge. With some luck, we're going to be around for a while yet." Kelly capped his address with a customary collection of jokes and humourous stories, leaving both employees and spouses laughing aloud as the music began to start the dance. I mentioned some time back that the J.H. Kerr School Yearbook Committee was experiencing difficulty producing and pre-selling the school's yearbook. The committee didn't have enough members, nor were they able to pre-sell enough copies of the school-year keepsake to keep production on schedule and in the black. It appears that the membership problem has righted itself and the money situation has garnered a little wiggle room after hosting a very successful late November book sale. The committee sold over $2,500 worth of books, posters and such at the sale and this in turn has helped to alleviate the previous problems. It appears that there will be a yearbook in 2005. It is with sadness that I acknowledge the passing of a legend. I understand that Lew Parres passed away on December 10 in Flin Flon. If not for Lew, his family, and their deliberate and determined ways, I doubt Snow Lake would be here as we know it today. I'm of the opinion that the community owes a debt to the man and that it would undoubtedly take a lifetime to settle. Personally, I was proud to live for many years on a Snow Lake street named in his and his family's honour (Parres Avenue).
