M ARCH 2018
PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
MARCH 2018
Marv’s Marvelous Artwork
MARCH 2018 IN THIS ISSUE: Social Committee ......................................................... 3 PVRA News / Water Volleyball .................................... 4 Words from the Editor / Jokes ..................................... 5 PVRA Singles .............................................................. 6 Paint Day in Paradise .................................................. 7 Steinbach Route Study ............................................... 8 Breakfast Out of the Village ........................................ 9 Monthly Lunch Special ................................................ 10 Bush Trail History ........................................................ 11 Poems by M.C. Fair... .................................................. 12 Birthdays & Occasions................................................. 13 Word Search ............................................................... 14 Julian’s Joke of the Month ........................................... 15 Bush Trails ................................................................... 17 Daffodil Drive ............................................................... 18 Volunteer Drivers / Professional Service Providers ...... 20 Card Scores ................................................................ 21 Lunch Out of the Village .............................................. 22 Marv’s Art / Thank You / Snowbirds in BC ................... 23 Crossword Puzzle ....................................................... 25 Sudoku ........................................................................ 26 Valentine’s Day Dance ................................................ 27 Sunny Florida Calling .................................................. 29 Spring Book Faire ....................................................... 30 St. Patrick’s Day Irish Casino Night ............................ 31 RCMP / Police Files .............................................32 to 36 Puzzle Answers ........................................................... 37 PV Christian Fellowship Church ................................. 38 Newsletter Team ........................................................ 39 Calendar ..................................................................... 40
PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
Social Committee Once again a great time was had at the PVRA Valentine’s Dance on February 10th. Just over 50 Residents attended. Thank you to Gwen, Pat, Vida, Joy and Debra for your hard work decorating. Thank you to Kelly Simpson for donating the meat for the luncheon, and finally thank you to Ray Belisle for working the kinks out of the speaker system and getting the music going. It looks like new speakers with be needed in the future. See you all at the next events in March, check your calendar and reserve the dates. Linda Fulmore, PVRA Social Coordinator. The next Social Committee Meeting is on March 9th @ 1:00 pm. 11 Harmony Lane Posts are also put on the Paradise Village Ste Anne Facebook Page. All residents welcome.
THE PARADISE VILLAGE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL MEMBERS. IF YOU WISH A PRINTED COPY PLEASE ENSURE YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS CURRENT.
MARCH 2018
PVRA MEMBERSHIPS AND ANY CHANGES TO YOUR INFORMATION CAN BE COMPLETED BY CONTACTING: Joanne Kehler 32 Sunset Drive 204-422-6248 joken95@mymts.net Thanks so much!
2016-2018 Executive Members President: Ludwik Jarco 1st Vice-President: Barry Davenport 2nd Vice-President: Gord Macpherson Secretary: Edythe Pryor (2017-19) Membership: Joanne Kehler Editorial: Debbie Kokil Kitchen: Linda Fulmore (2017-19) Treasurer: Cheryl Porte Social: Linda Fulmore (2017-19) House: Jack Steinhoff (2017-19)
2017 PVRA Phonebook Additions, Changes & Corrections Please inform Joanne Kehler, Membership Committee Chair, when you make a change to your phone number or personal information so that records could be updated. Membership then contacts me, the editor, and I post it into the newsletter. Please transfer it to the lined part of your Phone List when you see one and keep yourselves updated too. Thank you!
Phone Book Changes: Cell phones for Frank Leys 299-4618 & Doreen Leys 204-422-8273 7 Nature Drive
Beginning February 27th Water Volleyball has returned. We hope that many residents who love the water and are not afraid of a little workout can join us again for weekly matches. If you are interested please come by and if you have any questions or concerns contact Sherran Ross 204422-5674. Hope to see you in the pool. It is a lot of fun!
PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
The Funny Bone Psychiatrist vs Bartender As a child, I always had a fear of someone under the bed at night. So I went to a shrink and told him: I’ve got problems. Every time I go to bed I think there’s somebody under it. I’m scared. I think I’m going crazy.” “Just put yourself in my hands for one year,” said the shrink…. “Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid of those fears.” “How much do you charge?” “One hundred fifty dollars per visit,” replied the doctor. “I’ll sleep on it,” I said. Six months later the doctor met me on the street. “Why didn’t you come to see me about those fears you were having?” he asked. “Well, $150 a visit, three times a week for a year, is $23,400.00. A bartender cured me for $10.00. I was so happy to have saved all that money that I went and bought a new pickup truck.” “Is that so?” With a bit of an attitude he said, “And how, may I ask, did a bartender cure you?” “He told me to cut the legs off the bed. Ain’t nobody under there now.” It’s always better to get a second opinion
Little Johnny Strikes Again At dinner, little Johnny was asked to lead the prayer. “But I don’t know how to pray,” he replied. “Just pray for your family, friends and neighbors, \the poor, etc.,” said his father. “Okay”, the boy said”. “Dear Lord, Thank you for our visitors and their children, who finished all my cookies and ice cream. Bless them so they won’t come again. “Forgive our neighbor’s son, who removed my sister’s clothes and wrestled with her on her bed. “This coming Christmas, please send clothes to all those poor naked ladies on my Daddy’s Blackberry. “And provide shelter for the homeless man who \uses Mom’s room when Daddy is at work. “AMEN” Dinner was cancelled.
Words from the Editor March is here and Spring is right around the corner unless there is a major storm like that of 1966 or 1997. Here is hoping I haven’t jinxed us. We look forward to the Snowbirds slow return and the snow leaving. I am excited about the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Irish Casino Night. What a great opportunity to meet more residents and take all of your chips. LOL. I encourage you all to visit the bush trails and take up the offer to be guided through with either Frank Leys or any one of the seasoned walkers during the month of March on Thursdays at 1:00pm beginning March 8th. I myself only began walking these trails last year and walking them in winter is just the best. A lot of effort has gone into creating them and grooming them each year. The wind is practically non-existent and the sun beaming through the trees is a wonderful sight. You can see where the deer appreciate the trails as well by the many sized hoof prints along the way. Every day you can take a different trail and explore what others have put up along the way as well. I would like to see some chairs positioned at Gossip Gulch just to rest and enjoy the sun for a while. Hot chocolate or a hot toddy would go well with the resting too. Enjoy yourselves. Fresh air, tranquil scenery, and good friends with dog pals, is just the best way to enjoy any day not just a walking day. Happy March! Debbie Kokil, Newsletter Editor
MARCH 2018
Singles Potluck February Our attempt at holding a Happy Hour, finger food event was certainly successful. No dinner needed after for sure! There was food a plenty. Tasty, old fashioned devilled eggs by Carla (they disappeared quickly). Vida brought all the fixings for Tacos. Yum! Others brought several types of spring roll delicacies which were enjoyed. Thank you Steve for hosting this event. It was a party to recognize Naomi’s birthday of February 1st (year unknown?). She was shying away from the camera but two friends made sure it was her birthday that we were celebrating! Next Singles’ Pot Luck is on Monday March 5th, 2018 @ 5:00 pm Alice Letkeman’s - 45 Village Drive Please call 204-422-8627 if planning to attend. Just Bring a Dish to Share and Beverage of Choice All Paradise Singles are Welcome!
PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
MARCH 2018
Steinbach Route Study A discussion resulted in a challenge by the Tuesday/ Thursday Coffee Group, which by the way is at the Recreation Centre every week (All Welcome) at 9:00 am until about 10ish. The Question: “What is the shortest route to Steinbach from Paradise Village?” Several opinions weighed in resulting in a Challenge to find out. The task was accepted by Ken Shaw/John Foster/ Carol Bowes to find out which of the four possible routes is “quicker”? The results may surprise you. Based on this study you may change your route to Steinbach.
The Experiment: For consistency sake the test was completed on time and distance in a 2010 Grand Caravan (Silver) usually with three on board, Ken (Driver), John (Shotgun), and Carol (Backseat Driver). It was determined that the test be done from the stop sign on Paradise road by the Recreation Centre to the Stop Light by McDonalds in Steinbach. In all routes the speed limit was strictly adhered to, in all tests road conditions were equal and time of day was consistent. The Routes: 1. The (right) back road
through Ste. Anne making a left at the Co-op Gas Bar and right at the Rural Municipality Offices then left on Highway #12 towards Steinbach. 2. The (right) back road towards Ste. Anne left turn to LaBroquerie (Giroux) then right on 311 to Highway #12 left towards Steinbach. 3. The (right) back road through Ste. Anne going straight by the turn off to Winnipeg and on to Highway #12 towards Steinbach. 4. Left out of Paradise on to #1 Highway then taking the overpass to Highway #12 towards Steinbach. The Results:
1. 24.2 kms and took 20 minutes 2. 29.8 kms and took 29 minutes 3. 25.5 kms and took 21 minutes 4. 24.8 kms and took 17 minutes The Conclusion: Winner is Route #4 Left out of Paradise on to #1 then on to #12. The test was verified by the U of M Physics Team of Dr. Dryundrshorts as well as his partner Dr. Havuseenmy keys for quality assurance and accuracy. On behalf of John, Carol, and myself it has been a pleasure and we look forward to the next challenge. Submitted by Ken Shaw
PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
Breakfast Out of the Village 33 Residents enjoyed breakfast out at Inn TiBeauville in Richer on February 21st. A big thank you to Lynn (The owner) for accommodating us all. The breakfast was very good and we know we will be back again. Frank and Doreen Leys
MARCH 2018
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MONTHLY LUNCH SPECIAL Hosted by the PVRA Social Committee
Wednesday, March 7th, 2018 11:30 am - Open to All at the Paradise Village Recreation Centre
The feature this month is “Homemade Mushroom Soup and ½ Sandwich ” The cost is $5.00 (Be sure to sign up)
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The Bush Trail History In 2002 there were five of us - Frank Leys, Jean Henry, John Calder, Naomi Daignault and Tari Jones. We met on the pipeline and it became a daily event to meet during the afternoon to walk and let the dogs run off leash. This was great but it is very open and exposed to the northwest wind which we so often have. One particularly harsh day someone said “why don’t we make a trail through the bush and get some protection?” So the next day the five of us went stomping off into the bush. We had no idea where we were going but following deer trails, we came across natural arches, some lovely big spruce trees and started making something of a trail by tying the blue plastic doggie bags to the trees. Of course our canine friends thought this was just a great excursion and encouraged us to go every day. This started simply as one trail; however, when some of
the rest of the community found out what we were up to we had more and more helpers. We checked with the local municipal office and were informed that it was Crown land and we received permission to make trails and post “No Hunting” signs. This has now grown to approximately 10 kms of meandering paths that are all marked and named. Wilderness Lodge, the meeting place, a map, a sign-up sheet for visitors and bird feeders all of which we used to decorate at Christmas. We built a crazy teepee out of downed poplars, a marvelous bonfire site with seating and tables, a confusion corner where we erected a signpost with mileage to places like Tuktoyaktuk, Antigonish, Thesslon and Baja. Some of you may wonder how the names for the trails came about. The first trail that I remember was the Bear Trail which
is off Paradise Lane and is close to the new fire pit and gets you out onto the pipeline. Every one said they thought it was made when the bears came into the village. To get to the fire pit you may have come along Canine Lane which is self explanatory as we were never without our dogs. The main trail in the bush is going south to Baja but was really named tongue in cheek for Tari’s 2 great Goldies, “Basil & Jake”. The trail going east from the end of Baja was named for John Calder’s Border Collie “Buddy” and Joy Morrison’s Cairn “Holly” - “Buddy Holly Blvd” of course. Recently there are new names like “Molmarch” &”Macamarch” combining Molly, Marley, Charley, Carmel, etc. I have a list of at least 50 dogs that have been on the trails with us. The trails were randomly created and follow no set pattern but it is now pos-
sible to take a short circle walk, or wander for a few hours in wonderful woodland scenery. One trail goes through some lovely large spruce trees, another mostly poplar and oak, and another is meadow-like with many wild grasses. There are so many wild flowers in the spring it’s a game to be the first to see the wild iris, bog marigolds, lady slippers and milkweed, to gather mushrooms in season, or pick high bush cranberries and wild plums in the fall. There are also deer, partridge, owls, and once we saw a pine marten. Winter when the snow is deep and there is hoarfrost on everything – it is breathtaking. Every season has nature’s surprises and it sure beats sitting on the couch and complaining about the weather! Stay Healthy - Come Walking by Frank Leys and Naomi Daignault
MARCH 2018
Poems by M.C. Fair
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PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
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CELEBRATIONS!
March Birthdays 2 Joyce Spewak 2 Jake Wall 3 Eldora Manshanden 4 Chris Gatien 5 Rick Mushrow 5 Jim Hickey 6 John Calder 6 Ralph Brooke 7 John Zappe 7 Collette Zastre 8 Glen Coutts 9 Ron Gordon 9 Robin Grabowski 11 Heather Bencharski 11 Martti Pirinen 12 Maurice Zastre 14 Gordon Beaudin
15 Herb Inch 15 Linda Pirinen 15 Keith Richards 15 Ursula Schlichter 16 Lorraine Slater 18 Garry Steinhilber 19 Richard Price 20 Jack Steinhoff 22 Leo Klinkhammer 22 Rod Lindsay 23 Hazel Werner 25 Jan Van Aertselaer 26 Pat Belisle 26 Lynda Gagnon 26 Shelly McEachern 27 Murray McDonald
Unfortunately there was an omission of three birthdays last month. The birthday/card committee overlooked Linda L’Esperance and Kathy Lounsbury for Feb 11, Ron Leonard for Feb 26 and Cheryle Richards for Feb 10, 2018. Apologies! There is a need to co-ordinate with membership and update all birthdays/anniversary dates. If you do not want to be included in these announcements please be sure to contact Joanne Kehler (Membership) and Doreen Leys (Birthday List) and Shirlee Christensen (Birthday/Anniversary/ Card sender when illness or worse has come about). Nothing is ever done on purpose it was simply an oversight. Please contact Doreen Leys 204-422-8273 or Shirlee Christensen 204-422-9501 to let us know about any birthday mistakes, anniversaries, illnesses or loss of a loved one. We apologize if you have been forgotten... it probably was because we were unaware. Sincerely Doreen and Shirlee
March Milestone Birthdays 2 – Jake Wall 5 – Rick Mushrow 15 – Ursula Schlichter 16 – Lorraine Slater 22 – Rod Lindsay
March 2nd Jim & Kathy Lounsbury
Thinking of you... Jim L’Esperance Jacob Hes Mel Holmes Louis LaBerge Debra Hallett
Efie & Lilly Lowing – Loss of Efie’s Mother Jim & Linda L’Esperance – Loss of Jim’s Sister Jim & Kathy Lounsbury – Loss of Kathy’s Sister Ed & Sylvia Remple – Loss of former long-term resident and Ed’s brother John Remple
WORD SEARCH
MARCH 2018
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Julian’s Joke of the month Honk if you love peace and quiet. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of cheques. Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with. No one listens until you make a mistake. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends. Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, then it doesn’t really matter. Employ teenagers while they know everything. Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Just when you learn to take things with a grain of salt, the Dr. puts you on a salt free diet. If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen. My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely. If you write in the dust, please don’t date it. Everyone has a photographic memory, some just done have film. He who laughs last thinks slowest. I just got lost in thought; it was unfamiliar territory. When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty. Seen it all, done it all, can’t remember most of it. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and used against you. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. Never slap a man who is chewing tobacco. Always drink upstream from the herd. If carrots are so good for the eyes, how come I see so many dead rabbits on the highways?
PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
MARCH 2018
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FOOT CARE SERVICES OFFERED INÂ PARADISE VILLAGE! Seine River Services for Seniors
Lynda Seewald, a Certified (Diabetic) Foot Care Nurse is ready to come to your home if you are in need of this service. Offered every 2 months. For more information please contact the Resource Coordinator, Juliette Rowan @ 204-4245285 to register and become a client.
PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
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Bush Trails and the Interpretive Centre Our two year old, 16 foot, TEEPEE (Pole Tent) has recently been named “WIG WAM INN” and to give it a little colour we commemorated “Chief All Mighty Voice” on the signage. Our very own Paradise Village Resident Artist Marv Zubrin did an excellent job. The photo below is of myself and Carla Perzel’s dog “Axel”. One of the originators of our bush trails is long time resident Frank Leys. He has included in this newsletter the history and beginnings of these trails. A map can be found in the phone directory or most recently updated in the January 2018 Newsletter. I considered having a guest book at the “WIG WAM INN” but Frank suggested that might start a lot of rumours so we now have the motto of “What happens at the “WIG WAM INN” stays at the “WIG WAM INN” LOL. Hope you go out and enjoy the trails during the month of March. Submitted by Leo Langlois
SUPERVISED BUSH TRAIL WALKS THURSDAYS @ 1:00PM Commencing Thursday, March 8, 2018 and each Thursday there-after in March (weather permitting), a number of volunteers, seasoned to the trails, headed by Frank Leys will take novice walkers for a 15 or 30 or 45 minute walk. We will leave from the Recreation Centre and visit the Fire Pit on the K-9 Trail; the Wilderness Lodge @ Baja North (Our Bird Feeding Station); and the “WIG WAM INN” @ the Interpretive Centre. 6 trails meet at this location. Approx. 10 km of trails, groomed each fall, now exists. Dogs big and small are the reason these trails were initially groomed. A leash and a doggy poop bag are required for these walks. “Come Investigate Nature…. and its Tranquility”
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact Frank Leys @ 204-422-8273 or 204-299-4618 or Leo Langlois @ 204-422-9496.
MARCH 2018
Volunteers needed on March 23rd & 24th, 2018
for 2-3 hour shifts to sell “Daffodils� at either Walmart, Superstore, or Clearspring Mall. Proceeds go to the Canadian Cancer Society Please contact Doreen Leys at 204-422-8273 Flowers are also available at the house after the 20th.
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MARCH 2018
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For Sale New Highlift Chair made by Best Home Furnishing. Paid $1450 Selling $1000 Never used. Please call Ed @ 204-422-9586
RESIDENTS LIST PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS Residents who wish to provide other residents with professional business support. Contact the newsletter email pvra20@yahoo.ca to pass along your information if you want to be on this list. Thank you. Jo-Ann Lee Provincial Marriage Commissioner 40 Harmony Lane 204-990-2624 Wayne Pierce Commissioner for Oaths Free to Paradise Residents 204-422-9116
Volunteer Drivers DRIVERS WHO WILL USE EITHER THEIR OWN OR THE RESIDENT’S VEHICLE: Ragnar Erlendson 204-422-5844 Syd Henderson 204-422-6290 Herb Inch 204-422-5849 Doreen Leys 204-422-8273 Leo Langlois 204-422-9496 DRIVERS WHO PREFER TO USE THEIR OWN VEHICLE: Al Wastle 204-422-5275 John Sluis 204-422-4111 (Summer Only) Bob & Hazel Hicks 204-422-5790
Ward 6 Councillor, RM of Ste. Anne Randy Eros 204-371-2959
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MARCH 2018
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Lunch out of the village will be at Rocco’s Pizzeria in Steinbach, MB
March 14, 2018 at 11:30 am 23 Brandt St. at the corner of 12 & 52 2 piece chicken dinner with beverage Tax included $9.00 Please contact Doreen Leys 204-290-0857 by March 12, 2018
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PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
Thank you to Debbie Kokil from Linda Fulmore and the PVRA/PV Residents You know how I always say it takes a village to have any success in our events well it also takes the hard dedicated work of our Editor, Debbie Kokil and the monthly newsletter. She has helped me many times writing messages out to you and her way of expressing with words is absolutely phenomenal. Thank you, Debbie, for all your help and dedication with the newsletter and the success it is on behalf of the PVRA and all residents of Paradise Village. Submitted by Linda Fulmore
Snowbirding on Vancouver Island
Submitted by Larry Trush
MARCH 2018
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Crossword Puzzle
PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
MARCH 2018
Sudoku PET SITTING Services
No Overnights At My Home Call Marilyn 204-422-6290
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PARADISE VILLAGE NEWS
Valentine’s Dance
MARCH 2018
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Sunny Florida Calling Florida has skipped Spring and gone quickly to summer, temps already topping in the 90 degree range...and it’s HOT. It’s always fun to water the lush grass here in the early morning and watch the colorful flowers blooming. We’ve had plenty of time to slowly cruise the Caribbean, take in the exotic dinner theatres, amble through the frantic activity of the State Fair and meander the always changing flea markets. No thought of home yet, only our friends there. Up ahead the annual Strawberry Festival gets into gear...right now we’re headed to a Daytona Beach hotel resort to splash about in the Atlantic ocean, maybe a rollercoaster ride...then north along the coastal drive to alluring Old Town Ste. Augustine to soak up the history of America’s first city, then on to smell the smoke of cannon fire from the Castillo San Marcos Fort and linger at local area wineries. There’s just so much to get involved with in Florida...and so little time. Best wishes to readers for an early Spring in Paradise. Ila and Brian
MARCH 2018
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Spring Book Faire The 25th Book Faire featuring used books, sponsored by “The Bethesda Regional Health Care Auxiliary”
Will take place on March 21, 22, 23 and 24, 2018 In the Clearspring Centre North #12 Highway, Steinbach, MB Hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Wednesday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday Featuring lower prices this spring…. For further information please call 204-326-3028, or 204-346-1640. Submitted by Robbert Hilhorst Publicity Co-ordinator
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MARCH 2018
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The Virden – Oak Lake Incident Murder-Auto Theft-Kidnapping-Hostage Taking By S/Sgt G. E. Ferguson, Brandon Sub-Division NCO
Our crime stories continue this month, this one is shared by Gerry from 1981. Gerry personally took part in this incident as a negotiator. Debbie Kokil, Newsletter Editor
On December 12, 1977, a couple entered the offices of a U-Drive rental agency in Surrey, BC and contracted to rent a vehicle for two days to move some articles from their home. The truck supplied to them was a white 1976 GMC van, bearing BC licence 78-89-AK. Unknown to the rental agent, the couple then drove to their home, loaded all their worldly belongings into the van and headed east in a leisurely fashion. Sometime after the twoday rental had elapsed, the rental agency reported to the police that the vehicle was overdue and they therefore considered
it stolen. A description of the van was entered on the Canadian Police Information Centre computer system and it was cross-referenced to a suspect by the name of Donald Archer, who was also wanted in BC for a number of fraud offences. On January 21, 1978, the body of a real estate agent was located in his office in Calgary, AB, the cause of death listed as suffocation. The partially-clad body had its hands tied behind its back and the office in which the body was located had been left in an impeccably clean condition. Some personal items and credit cards appeared to be the only items missing. The next day, at 10:50 pm, a couple driving a white GMC Van, BC licence 78-89-AK, checked into the Countryside Inn at Virden, MB, and the room was paid for with a credit card in the name of the real estate agent from Calgary, AB. The evening shift at Virden Detachment had experienced a quiet, rather normal Sunday evening, but as usual a member on duty made his routine rounds of the local motels, noting licence numbers of vehicles parked there which he would subse-
quently check through our CPIC system. Among the licence numbers noted by Cst. Dennis Onofrey was BC licence 78-89-AK on a white GMC van. Onofrey requested other members of Virden detachment to verify the stolen vehicle with our Surrey Detachment while he returned to the Countryside Inn to conduct further inquiries. He also advised Cpl. R.D. Hornseth, the NCO on duty that evening, of his whereabouts and the reason he was going back to the motel. Hornseth replied that he would return to Virden as quickly as he could to act as backup. Onofrey talked to the motel owners and determined that the people registered in room 20, in front of which was parked the stolen vehicle, were registered as Mr. and Mrs. R. Crystal. At the same time he obtained the spare key for room 20 in the event that it might be needed for entry. When Hornseth arrived, both members parked their police vehicles in the lane adjacent to the motel, in the vicinity of room 20. Just then Cst. John O’Ray and Cst. Candace Smith arrived to supply further backup if it was needed. Cst. Hornseth knocked
loudly on the door to room 20. The light which had been on went our momentarily, then came back on. Having had o response to his knock, Hornseth rapped again; hethen tried the pass key but the door wouldn’t open. He identified himself as a member of the RCMP and was invited to come in.Cpl. Hornseth declined and in turn asked the occupants to open the door. The door was opened slightly by a man who remained partially concealed by it; a woman was also inside behind a screen, probably getting dressed. Cpl. Hornseth told the two that he was there to talk to them about their van. He asked if it belonged to them and the occupant replied that it did. Hornseth again said he would like to talk to them about the van. The occupants replied that he would certainly talk to them all right and began to raise a shotgun. Cpl. Hornseth noticed the action and shouted a warning to the other members. The shotgun was fired and, it was later learned, the blast struck Cst. Onofrey in the chest, killing him instantly. The other members scrambled for cover. Running to one of the police cars, Hornseth
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33 turned to look back and was struck in the head with another shotgun blast. He managed to make it to the cover of the police car though, and grab the radio microphone. The car was immediately assailed with a number of shotgun blasts by Hornseth was able to close the door and use the microphone through the window. At exactly 5 seconds after 1:00 am on January 23, 1978, Hornseth radioed a 10-33 (emergency) to the Brandon Telecoms Section. Cst. O’Ray had lost his glasses when he turned to run but managed to secure himself beside a house immediately west of the motel. Cst. Smith sought cover alongside the motel just north of the room, her total protection being a 6-inch brick abutment on the face of the motel wall. At this point, Smith and Hornseth were exchanging shots with a person in room 20, but Hornseth was beginning to feel faint from his wounds and he called to Cst. O’Ray to meet him at the northwest side of the motel. Meanwhile, Cst. Smith had fired a shot at the assailant each time he tried to step out of the room. The man finally poked the shotgun out the door, pointing it down the wall in Smith’s direction. The blast struck Cst. Smith in the upper right thigh and groin area, knocking her to the sidewalk away from
the wall. Seconds later a .308 rifle was pointed in the same general direction and discharged. The bullet hit the semi-prone Cst. Smith in the right thigh, the bullet travelling up her leg into her abdomen. After a few minutes of quiet, the assailant went outside and removed the revolvers from both Onofrey and Smith, returning immediately to the room. He then went out to the police carparked in front the room and got in the driver’s seat. Cst. O’Ray who had returned to the northwest corner of the motel, saw the man with the rifle get into the police car and shortly thereafter saw a woman dart from the motel. Cst. O’Ray’s observation point only afforded fleeting glimpses of the man and woman as they headed for the police car, but he still fired six shots. One bullet struck the female in the abdomen but it did not stop her. The police car was driven south around the motel and out onto the Trans-Canada Highway heading east. Cst. O’Ray checked both Smith and Onofrey but received no response from either of them. Thinking he could do no more for them he ran for the other police vehicle and gave chase, advising Brandon Telecomns of the events as he drove. The time was now 1:10 am. Everything had happened in just a
little over 10 minutes. Cst. O’Ray had to abandon his pursuit of the culprits as shotgun blasts destroyed his headlights, a tire and his radiator. He returned to the motel where he found Cst. Smith painfully dragging herself along the sidewalk. He immediately placed her in his own car and drove her to the local hospital. By this time, the other members of Virden Detachment who had been alerted by the Telecomns operator from Brandon, arrived and discovered Cst. Onofrey’s inert body. At 1:40 am a medical examiner confirmed that Cst. Dennis Onofrey was dead. In only 10 minutes, amember had been killed and two were seriously wounded, a suspect had been wounded, one police car had been destroyed by gunfire, another had been stolen, and a total of 29 shots had been fired from various weapons. One of the longest dramas in Canadian history had begun. During the gun battle and following the “1033” emergency call from Cpl. Hornseth, the Brandon Telecomns operator, Miss Runa Dalik, began a series of telephone calls to deploy manpower and equipment to the area. Roadblocks were set up on all main highways, a thorough investigation was begun at the motel, and the net began to close on the culprits.
It was later determined that the stolen police car had been driven east on the Trans-Canada for about 8 miles; it then turned into the David Penny farm. The suspects forced their way into the farmhouse, warned the occupants they had shot two RCMP members and, taking Dave Penny as hostage, they left the farm in Penny’s truck. While leaving the laneway to turn onto the highway again, the truck went into a snow-filled ditch. The three returned to the farmhouse where the woman who had been wounded was left to guard the Penny family, while the man took Mr. Penny in the police car to the Norman Graham farm about a mile to the northwest. Again the suspect forced his ways into the farmhouse, and he tied up the occupants with electrical cord. He tore the phone off the wall, took Mr. Grahams 1971 Renault car after parking the police vehicle in the garage, and returned to the Penny farm. The wounded female was loaded into the Renault and, with Mr. Penny still as hostage, they headed south to the Trans-Canada, keeping to municipal roads in order to by-pass the roadblocks obviously expected on the Trans-Canada Highway. They eventually arrived at the Lloyd Hatch farm and forced their way into the house, again emphasizing they had nothing to
MARCH 2018 lose as they had already shot two policemen. They wanted medical assistance and, when told that no doctor would come out to the farm, they decided instead to go to the doctor’s residence. They tied up Mr. and Mrs. Hatch, took some money, two guns and ammunition, then left in Hatch’s 1975 Pontiac, heading for the residence of Dr. Marcus Scherz in Oak Lake. When the suspects had left each of the three houses they had pulled the telephones off the wall. In spite of this, each victim had subsequently contacted Virden detachment, and the RCMP roadblocks were continually being advised of the progress of the culprits and their hostage. When Mr. Hatch’s son contacted Brandon Telecomns at 4:15 am, he was able to name Dr. Scherz’s residence in Oak Lake as their probable destination. Patrols in the area were immediately dispatched to the Oak Lake District but when they arrived they found the stolen Hatch vehicle already parked in the driveway. At Dr. Scherz’s house, the man awoke the doctor to explain that his wife had been hurt in an accident and required medical attention. The doctor allowed the group into his home and, when he examined the woman, he realized she had been shot. The man showed a
34 gun to the doctor and Dr. Scherz told him that his wife needed a surgeon since her wounds were very serious. Oak Lake did not have the proper facilities; she would have to go to the Brandon General Hospital for treatment. Some discussion ensued and the man finally agreed that the woman should be taken away for treatment. However, he cautioned Dr. Scherz that he would stay in the doctor’s house and hold him, his wife and Mr. Penny hostage until the wounded suspectreturned and they could leave together. By now the RCMP has surrounded the Village of Oak Lake and had isolated the Scherz’s residence, although they still didn’t know what was happening inside the house. At 5:25 am a phone call was received at Virden Detachment from a man who identified himself as Donald Archer. He demanded to talk to the top man in the police force in Manitoba, reminding the listener he had numerous guns and ammunition, three hostages, had already shot two policemen and implied he really didn’t have much to lose. He said his wife was bleeding badly and needed a surgeon. The member receiving the call advised him he would be contacted at the doctor’s residence. I was among the many police personnel from
surrounding detachments called into assist; luckily, only a month and a half earlier I had completed a hostage negotiators course in Ottawa. It was now obvious that while we had been dealing originally with a murder and wounding, we were now faced with a hostage situation. The first telephone call was made to Archer at 5:50 am and we were able to establish some rapport. That his wife needed medical attention was his primary concern during the first telephone call and he was willing to have her taken to Brandon General Hospital. He repeated again that he would wait at Oak Lake, keeping his hostages under scrutiny until his wife was able to travel. He intended to leave the country with his wife and one hostage and travel to some country where extradition proceedings could not be instituted against them. He demanded that one hundred thousand dollars in cash be provided before they left. Numerous calls were made to Archer concerning the possibility of having his wife transported to Brandon General Hospital. There was an ambulance on standby awaiting instruction. Between telephone calls, Archer, on his own, contacted outside agencies, including radio stations in the Winnipeg vicinity, but it became obvious they were takin no
concrete action to solve his immediate problem. At 7:42 am, the ambulance which had been placed on standby suddenly drove to the doctor’s residence. Mrs. Archer, the wounded female, was placed on a stretcher and put in the ambulance; it left immediately for Brandon. It was later learned that the doctor had ordered the ambulance and it had gone to his house without police knowledge. This obviously took the police by surprise and arrangements were made to stop the ambulance at it left Oak Lake, so that member could ride with it to Brandon. It was suggested that news of the injuries sustained by members of the Force and Archer’s wife should no be made public, as it might have some detrimental effect on the negotiations we were attempting with Archer. The commander of police members in the immediate vicinity had sealed the area off completely, and we attempted to isolate the telephone into the Scherz’s residence as well. Negotiations with Arch continued on an irregular basis. He maintained his demands and unsuccessfully continued to try to contact various government officials. He did manage, however, to contact a radio station in Winnipeg and make arrangements for a lawyer
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35 to act on his behalf. This information, unknown at first to police at the scene, was eventually relayed to them from headquarters in Winnipeg. By 10:00 am it was becoming even more obvious that the Oak Lake situation could have quite serious consequences. Follow-up interviews conducted with the various hostage victims throughout the night revealed that the man they were dealing with could, at any time, kill a number of people should the situation warrant. Conversations with Archer over the phone strongly suggested that hostages’ lives were always in grave danger during the incident’s initial stages; indeed we felt that under no circumstances could we afford to gamble at any time with their lives. Arrangements made through RCMP headquarters in Winnipeg and subdivision offices in Brandon soon ensured the presence of sufficient personnel and specialists who could, if necessary, control the situation. Members were also soon enroute from Winnipeg as as far away as Regina to assist. Initially I conducted negotiations from the living room of a farmhouse on the eastern fringes of Oak Lake but we soon realized we would have to find larger quarters if the drama continued for any length of time. Accord-
ingly, we made arrangements with the principal of the Oak Lake School. At 5:00 pm, with our command headquarters now established at the school, the negotiators again contacted Archer. Assisted by S/Sgt. Don McDonald of Brandon, negotiators continued to press for the hostages’ release in exchange for a safe escort from the area and a fair trial. By this time Archer had gone without sleep for some 30 hours, having left Calgary in the early morning of January 22nd. A third negotiator, along with a psychologist, were dispatched from Winnipeg and joined the negotiating team at approximately 10:00 pm. Contact with Archer continued throughout the night; he had not changed his earlier demands and, at various times, threatened he would harm his hostages if a communication link was not established with his wife, forthwith. Mr. Hersch Wolsch, the lawyer contacted by the Winnipeg radio station, had arrived by this time and was allowed to talk to his client over the phone after consulting with the authorities. On Tuesday, January 24th, Wolsch again talked to Archer and answered questions about his predicament. Archer was still primarily concerned about his wife’s condition. She was lying in the Brandon
General Hospital 30 miles away and we felt that any news about a worsening condition would probably trigger him into doing something even more drastic. We agreed that in the best interests of everyone concerned, especially the hostages, no news should be released to him about his wife’s condition unless it was through one of the negotiators. Negotiations continued throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday. Eventually a land-line telephone was set up between Dr. Scherz’s residence and the RCMP command post so that constant communication could be maintained between the two points. At 10:40 pm Archer told S/Sgt. McDonald he was prepared to release one hostage, and at 11:20 pm Dr. Scherz walked unaided from his house. He was immediately taken to Virden Hospital for a checkup and reunion with his son and daughter. By January 26th at 5:00 am, bothArcher and the negotiating team had had very little sleep during the twenty-seven hours since the drama had begun. Members of the Force on perimeter duty at Oak Lake were working 12-hour shifts, with approximately 30 members per shift. They carried out varied duties but most of them were involved with maintaining roadblocks, which must have strained
their emotions to the breaking point. They had lost a comrade in the line of duty and some pent-up emotions were undoubtedly released in the initial stages of trying to locate the culprits. But they were suddenly pulled away to perform duties not conducive to releasing their feelings. Furthermore, members on site were being assisted by personnel from Brandon Sub-Division headquarters and Winnipeg headquarters, and manpower shortages in those areas were beginning to show. At about 9:30 pm of January 26th, after consulting his lawyer, Archer began bargaining with me over his method of surrender. He wanted to see his wife at the hospital and, among the conditions of his surrender, was the proposal that all outstanding charges in Ontario and BC be dropped, and also that he and his wife be given competent legal counsel for any ensuing trials. A one-hour visit with his wife at the Brandon General Hospital immediately following his surrender was also agreed to, as well as a guarantee of personal safety when he came out of the house. These agreements between Mr. Archer’s lawyer and the commander of the negotiating team were then relayed to the Attorney-General of Manitoba, Mr. G. Mercier. He was requested also to
MARCH 2018 make arrangements with the Attorneys General of Ontario and BC to drop the charges if they agreed with the proposal. At 12:30 am, January 27th, C/Supt. Buchanan, the CIB Officer in Winnipeg, advised the site commander, Supt. J.R. Corley, that the Attorneys General of Manitoba, Ontario and BC had accepted the terms. I contacted Archer and advised him that his terms of surrender had been accepted by all concerned, and the mechanics of his surrender were worked out. Archer was instructed in explicit terms on how he and his hostages were to leave the house. He readily agreed. A short time later, Sgt Howard Comba, Mr. Wolsch and I walked down the street from the command post to a position immediately opposite the side door of Dr. Scherz’s residence. At 3:00 am, Stephanie Scherz emerged, followed by Archer and Dave Penny. The trio made their way from the house out onto the street where, at 3:02 am, Archer was taken into custody. The ninety-four hour ordeal for the hostages, the policemen and residents of Oak Lake and surrounding districts, was over. As set out in the terms of surrender, Archer was immediately transported to Brandon General Hospital allowed a supervised one-hour visit
36 with his wife. No doubt the members of the Force involved in this drama will find it difficult to forget the whole distressing event and their involvement in it. However, they will also not easily forget the esprit de corps that existed between all the members working at the scene. A close rapport existed between the numerous special units that arrived to help, including Insp. Greba and the Regina Emergency Response Team, some members from Ottawa and, of course, the members from surrounding detachments who gave their support no matter what the task. All made the successful conclusion truly a joint effort. The suspect in question was positively identified as Herbert Bruce Archer and he was formally charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cst. Dennis Onofrey. He was also charged with 51 related charges resulting form the events at Virden and Oak Lake. His common-law wife, Dorothy Lillian Archer, alias Mallette, was also charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cst. Onofrey, along
with 40 related charges. After numerous remands, the preliminary hearing began in Brandon, MB on June 18, 1978. Judge Rodney Mykle of the Provincial Judges Court committed Archer on 35 of the 52 charges and his wife on 26 of the 41 charges. The trial in this case was set over to the Fall Assize in Brandon. The lengthy legal proceedings began on November 6, 1978, and lasted until December 8, when Chief Justice John Hunt directed the jury to retire and reach a verdict. At noon the next day the jury returned and rendered a verdict of guilty of firstdegree murder against both subjects. Both were sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole for at least 25 years. The other charges which had been laid were processed though the courts, resulting in concurrent sentences which, in effect, will not increase the length of the sentences. Following the court proceedings, both defence lawyers launched appeals against the convictions of their respective clients. They appeared before the
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Office of Dr. Markus Scherz in Oak Lake, MB
ManitobaAppeal Court of Winnipeg, following the presentation of their case to the panel of judges, in a matter of 60 seconds the appeal was unanimously denied. The defence lawyers next applied to the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal. On November 20, 1979, the Supreme Court also rejected their appeal. The case, one of the longest and most traumatic hostage taking incidents in this country, was finally over. Note: As a result of investigation by the Calgary City Police and the RCMP, murder charges were formally laid against Herbert Archer and Dorothy Lillian Archer, alias Mallette, in connection with the death of the Calgary real estate agent, Mr. Maurice Crystal. However, in May 1980, the charges against both accused were “stayed.” WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Archer was 42 and Mallette was 28 at the time of the shooting. Archer died of natural causes in prison and Mallette’s info is unknown.
RON KALINCHUK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Countryside Inn Motel at Virden, MB. Unit 20, centre, is where the fatal shootout took place.
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FEBRUARY PUZZLE ANSWERS
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The Paradise Village Church will be “STARTING UP” again on: SUNDAY, MARCH 25 (“Palm Sunday”)!!! ((10 AM in the Recreation Centre)) We will be having a “SPECIAL EVENT SERVICE”: Featuring…. The GOSPEL SINGING & MUSIC DUET – Irwin & Elizabeth TOPNIK ((“EVERYONE is WELCOME” to Come & Enjoy!!!)) Smile a smile! While you smile, another smiles! And soon there are miles of smiles!!! And life’s worthwhile” If you but smile! ((Nehemiah 8:10b: “…the joy of the Lord is your strength”)) PLEASE NOTE: Although the Paradise Village Church is taking a 3 month “sabbatical” (with no services in the Recreation Centre until “Palm Sunday” – March 25, 2018) the congregation “keeps in touch” and prayer for one another and all the Village still carries on. If you or others you know have need for prayer, please feel free to contact Dennis Hall (204-422-9870) or Pastor Stan Kehler (204-326-1748) anytime. Monthly Church fellowship breakfasts (usually the second Monday every month) at 10:00 am at various area restaurants will continue. One and all are welcome!!! For details give Dennis a call (204-422-9870)
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2016-2018 NEWSLETTER TEAM Editor: Debbie Kokil 5 Parkview Drive R5H 1J6 - 204-422-8714 Advertising: Les Hooper 12 Harmony Lane R5H 0A2 - 204-422-8583 Distribution (Sum): Brian Fulmore 9 Harmony Lane R5H 0A2 - 204-422-9190 Distribution (Win): Frank Leys 7 Nature Drive R5H 1H2 - 204-422-8273 You can contact us via e-mail: pvra20@yahoo.ca and drop off any submissions to 5 Parkview Drive by the 15th of each month for the following issue. We are always looking for advertisers in our monthly newsletter! Please contact Les Hooper at 204-422-8583 for prices and quotes
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