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.
Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen delivered the following member's statement in the Manitoba legislature on Tuesday: Mr. Speaker, this past weekend Flin Flon celebrated Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. Local schools took part in the celebration, by decorating hats and making fascinators from recycled materials, writing letters to the Queen, holding classes in etiquette and having tea parties. Our Premier attended the opening of our Royal Weekend, which was opened by a town crier and motorcycle parade. After lunch at city hall, the Flin Flon Community Choir sang O Canada at the Main Street stage while the flag was raised, followed by God Save the Queen sung by Katrina Windjack. We enjoyed a drumming ceremony, a smudging ceremony and an opening prayer. A caribou tufting by local artist Theresa Wride was presented to the Premier as a gift for the Queen. The Flin Flon Community Choir closed with a piece written by Andrew Lloyd Webber for the Diamond Jubilee and performed for the first time in Flin Flon. The Honourable Ed Schreyer and his wife Lily joined us for the performance by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The house was packed, with five hundred people in attendance. On Sunday afternoon, we were treated to High Tea at the Community Hall. The room was beautifully decorated and every table bore the actual China used the last time the Royal family was in Winnipeg. Local cadets lined the doorways, ready to escort guests to their seats. The Rotarians served the tea, while the Knights of Columbus, in full regalia, escorted dignitaries to their tea stations. Former Governor General Schreyer entertained the crowd with personal stories about the Queen and her family. I'd like to thank Crystal Kolt and her wonderful team for organizing all the events that were enjoyed by our community. Their hard work, creativity and sense of fun were an inspiration to everyone. Crystal and Bob Putko were presented with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for their volunteerism and dedication to Flin Flon. The people of Flin Flon are blessed to have a community that is so enthusiastic about celebrating the arts, and the art of having fun. God Save the Queen; she sure inspires a good party. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
