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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Trout Festival is once again in the planning stages as a few members of the community stepped up to the plate to keep the tradition alive. At a recent meeting, a few of the past executive members were looking to have their spots filled. To keep the festival alive, those spots needed to be filled. Tim Babcock agreed to remain as president, Hollee Babcock signed up as vice president and Annette Last volunteered for the secretary's job. A few days later, Lori Rogan stepped up to the plate to take the treasurer position. "I'm sorry to see that the rest of [last year's] executive have chosen to step down," said Tim Babcock. "Without them, last year's festival wouldn't have been as successful as it was." New group With a fresh group ready to take on the challenge, Tim says he's "thrilled that new people have stepped up." At the recent annual general meeting, only a handful of people attended Ð 12 to be exact. "I was a little disappointed in the turnout," said Tim, adding, however, that it was what he excepted to see. Over the course of the hour-long meeting, the president addressed the room with remarks from last year's festival and his hopes for this year. As well, the floor was opened up for discussion. Previous to the meeting, Tim says he heard a number of positive things about the 2010 festival. "It was mainly good," he said. As for the open-floor discussion, practically everyone in attendance had words to contribute. Thinking back to the meeting, held in the City Hall Council Chambers, Tim says there weren't any surprises. Discussion was brought up about past and future events, such as the Amazing Race and the Fish Fry socials. "I've got a pretty good idea in my head about what the festival will look like," said the president. "Now, it's...trying to fit all the pieces in. See 'Festival...' on pg. 15 Continued from pg. 4 "We only have so much time and money to work with." An idea that came to the table through the meeting was to host one socialÊÐ on the Saturday Ð and one family dance on the Friday. With a rather poor turnout for the Friday Fish Fry last year, the option of holding a family event on that night this year was seen as a positive. As well, ideas were floating around about the Amazing Race. "The Amazing Race will be back and we'll tweak it," Tim said, though he wasn't ready to give out ideas on how it would be tweaked. The Trout Festival can't run without the support of the community and the help of volunteers. Tim says there is already a core group of people willing to help out, though they are always willing to accept more volunteers. As well as himself, the president says the majority of the directors will be returning to help with the festival again. Events like the parade and canoe derby are a given to be a part of the festival. But at the same time, volunteers are needed to help keep things running smoothly. For those looking to help with the festival, contact Amanda James, the volunteer coordinator at 687-3646. "The biggest hole to fill is Main Street Days," said Tim. "The organizing is a big job that needs to be worked out." First on the list for volunteers, Tim is looking for volunteers to work security at the Nor-Man Winter Games being played in Flin Flon next weekend. Games organizers are paying the Trout Festival for security, opening up a new fundraising opportunity for the festival.
