Snow Lake’s 70th anniversary committee recently sat down to its first meeting since May of this year and although things are progressing, the group appears to be struggling.
Not so much on the planning side of things, but the committee is lacking in respect to the people making those decisions and the bodies needed to carry them out.
There were only three people in attendance: chairperson Penny Roberts, Wilma Pockett, and Peter Roberts.
At this session there were no minutes from the previous meeting, as the secretary was not there, and no treasurer’s report, as the group is still looking for a person to take on the position. The chairperson noted that Councillor Richard Jones had offered to take on the task at the May meeting.
Ms. Roberts moved on to registration and apprised attendees of developments being made by Flin Flon in relation to the city’s Homecoming celebration, slated for the same weekend (July Long, 2017). They are charging $60 to register, but entry to a number of events goes with it.
She foresaw problems doing things this way in Snow Lake, as the Canada Day committee is the lead group on many of the activities associated with the celebration.
Nonetheless, members felt a registration was in order to firm up numbers. The chairperson proposed that a cost of $10 might be more in line, and could perhaps include a commemorative T-shirt or hat.
Registration will have a deadline of March 1 and people can do so by contacting Box 69, Snow Lake, MB, or messaging the 70th anniversary Facebook page. Preliminary plans have money garnered from the committee’s activities, as well as from a possible Canada 150 grant going towards next year’s and future fireworks displays, closing in the structure on the beach known as Henry’s Hut, a storage shed for tables, and perhaps upgrading the electrical service in the area.
Chairperson Roberts then pivoted to unfinished business. She spoke of a letter that was to go out to area industries and businesses querying their interest in taking a sponsorship role in the event. As the secretary was not in attendance, she was unsure if the letters had gone out, but they were to offer advertising prospects in return for support. Another item discussed was the metal Welcome to Snow Lake sign on Highway #392. Prior to the last anniversary, someone welded 60th and 2007 on the sign. The committee would like to replace this with 70th and 2017, but first need some background on the sign and someone able to fashion the letters and do the welding.
Still on unfinished business the group moved on to the festivities and venues. Tentative plans call for registration to begin at 6 pm (till 10 pm) on Main (Elm) Street, in addition to a street dance on Thursday, June 29, which will begin around 9 pm.
At 8 am of Friday, June 30 registration will once again take place on Main Street and a pancake breakfast will kick things off. From 10 am to 4 pm Friday is something called Main Street Daze, which is an open-door event for all Snow Lake’s Main Street and home-based businesses. They would offer specials to customers and there would be hot dogs and lemonade served on the street. A Memory Lane will be set up in J.H. Kerr on Friday from 1 to 4 pm and it is hoped that people will move from there over to tours of the Snow Lake Mining Museum.
At 8 pm on Friday, the Canada Day Social will take place in the Wilfred T. Lipton Arena. While the social is on, teen volleyball and basketball is planned for Sunset Bay Beach.
Saturday, July 1 will again begin with a pancake breakfast. The parade, (as well as a pontoon boat parade), beach activities, food booths, and beer gardens will follow. Plans also include a Kids Glow Social (up to 12 years old) at 6 pm in the Lawrie Marsh Community Hall. The fireworks display will follow at dusk.
Sunday, July 2 will kick off with – you guessed it – a pancake breakfast. At 10 am there will be a golf tournament. From 11 am till
3 pm the group hopes to offer pontoon boat tours on Snow Lake. Senior games of crib, darts, etc. are being considered in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 241 from 3 pm till 5 pm, and a downtown spaghetti supper at 5 pm. There was also talk of the Kate Rice play being scheduled for 6:30 pm and a talent contest that would follow.
Members discussed setting tables up in the Lawrie Marsh Hall over the weekend (during times it is not in use) and putting the coffee on, so that those who want to sit and visit can come and go.
There was also quite a bit of discussion on Cathy Stabback’s idea of every home in Snow Lake placing a sign on their front lawn denoting who had lived in the home since it was built. This will be a big job for several people to take on and research. Although those in attendance felt it was an exceptional idea, no one has stepped forward to bring it about.
As well, there was talk around the table of holding block parties for current and past residents in various areas of town; however, organizers are needed for each area.
One thing that was abundantly clear during this meeting was that if more people don’t start stepping up to be a part of the committee and take on some of the ever-growing responsibilities, the event itself is in jeopardy.
My Take on Snow Lake is published on Fridays.
