1973: Viscount girls win consolation trophy

By Casper Wehrhahn Neepawa Banner & Press

125 years ago, Thursday, March 24, 1898

Oakleaf: After many enquiries, your correspondent concludes that the majority of settlers in this district desire the postoffice at Alex. Chandler’s; also that a bi-weekly mail be established. H. Bowes’ is too far for all of us, especially when the roads are bad in summer time. Many would have to wade for eight or ten miles.

Lawrence Robertson, of Selden, returned on Saturday from a trip to Scotland. While in the old land, Mr. Robertson did some effective work for the immigration department, persuading several families to try their fortunes in Western Canada. A brother and sister of Mr. Robertson accompanied him on the return journey and will probably remain in this district.

There is every indication that the Neepawa district will receive a fair share of the immigrants arriving in the province this year. Many residents report the arrival or prospective coming. Robt. Campbell, of Bridge Creek, is advised that three families will arrive from Bracebridge this week. This is positive proof that successful settlers are the best immigration agents; and prosperous settlers are concomitants of good government.

Neepawa is to enjoy several additional advantages from the Dominion Express Company. Mr. F. E. White is to open this week in the Ludlow block an office for the transaction of a money order business and reception of goods for shipment so that it will not be necessary for up-town people to go with the express company. A reduction of rates and a free delivery has also been instituted and it now costs only $1.25 per hundred from any residence in Neepawa to any address in

Winnipeg and vice versa. Heretofore the rate was $1.50 for delivery at the station here. Corresponding rates are made to other points besides the city. These are advantages that will no doubt be highly appreciated by Neepawa people as they are enjoyed in this province by only Winnipeg, Brandon and Portage la Prairie besides this place.

100 years ago, Friday, March 23, 1923

C. L. Thring has been appointed general agent of the Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. for Neepawa and district. Mr. Thring has had 27 years western experience in insurance, banking and farming and offers prompt attention to the company’s business. This has been a favourable winter for curling, skating, the ice man and fuel dealers. Dances and other forms of amusement and entertainment have been nightly occurrences. But the profit “taker” has come short, while the profit “earner” is laying the foundation for perpetual prosperity. Fairly good conditions– don’t you think?

75 years ago, Thursday, March 24, 1948

Sinclairville: The children of Sinclairville school canvassed the district, obtaining the sum of $54.25 for the Children Relief Fund.

50 years ago, Thursday, March 22, 1973

A large number of Masons from the Second Masonic District of Manitoba turned out Tuesday night, Mar. 13 at Neepawa Masonic Temple to witness the presentation of a 70-year bar to William Whitelock by F. Hyde of Portage la Prairie, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge

The Viscount girls hockey team were winners of the consolation trophy in a sixteam junior girls tournament held in Neepawa in 1973. They lost a hard-fought game to Glenella (the eventual tournament champions), but had defeated the Brandon Central Community Club and the Erickson teams. Those pictured are, front row: Carol Pasiechnik. Second row: Yvonne Bremner, Lynn Reid, Cheryl Brydges and Lauri McGillvray. Third row: of Manitoba, assisted by D. W. Anderson, Past Master of Neepawa Lodge. This was quite an occasion for Mr. Whitelock and the Neepawa Lodge because it is only the second time in the history of Freemasonry in Manitoba that a 70-year bar has been presented to one of its members.

20 years ago, Monday, March 24, 2003

A proposal to reopen emergency services at Gladstone’s Seven Regions Health Centre has been put on hold.

Central Manitoba Regional Health Authority spokesman Helmuth Klassen said Seven Regions had planned to bring in two new doctors from South Africa. However, he said problems in obtaining visas have scuttled the plan…

Meanwhile, a third South African doctor is going through with the immigration process, Klassen said. But that’s expected to take at least six months.

Gladstone mayor Catherine Smith said she’s still hoping the doctor shortage will be resolved, but Westbourne reeve Ed Stroeder, who’s been lobbying for more doctors, is less optimistic…

Emergency services were supposed to be restored in February, after the province agreed to provide temporary funding.

Eileen Clarke of Gladstone is one of four Westman women to be named a Woman of Distinction by the Brandon YWCA. Clarke operates one of the province’s largest gift stores, Clarke’s of Gladstone, in what is arguably one of its smaller towns.

Disclaimer: The information gathered and used each week in the Looking Back feature is directly taken from the original print copy of the Neepawa Press and Neepawa Banner newspapers. Any errors or omissions from stories (Factually or otherwise) are the result of the original print and not the responsibility of the archivist for the current version of the Neepawa Banner & Press.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

(New International Version)

By Chad Carpenter