“I enjoy learning both the technical and artistic aspects of photography, some of which can be challenging. Seeing how light brings an object to life, the direction of its shadow and how one can be creative with the light and shadows.”
This is Eric Hildebrandt of Boissevain explaining what attracts him to photography. The winner of the photography class at the Boissevain Fair in June sponsored by The Recorder, he has a great love for capturing the image, with several favourite subjects, and that love is growing. His winning entry shows how his passion can inspire and be enjoyed by everyone.
Hildebrandt said he took the photo of a ruby throated hummingbird in May of this year. He was sitting on his front step with his camera waiting for the doves to return to their nest in the cedar tree. Something else grabbed his attention.
“Out of the corner of my eye I see this hummingbird flying around a couple of our bushes,” he stated. “So I went from watching for the doves to watching and photographing the hummingbird. For the next couple of hours I sat there watching and getting the odd shot off as it was flying blossom to blossom.”
For the next week, he kept an eye out, with the hummingbird returning to the area, chasing other males away and introducing his mate to the feeding area. On the night he took the fair photo, he was trying to get in position, as the bird would usually fly in and visit the feeder or blossoms. This time, he perched on one of the branches of the cherry bush.
With a sigh of relief and a determination to get the job done, Boissevain-Morton started moving earth just southwest of Boissevain.
It has been a long haul to get to this point, but the practical work on the new lagoon has begun. According to Head of Council Judy Swanson, the final approval of their project was received about a month ago, and the digging began. She said it was good to see.
“It is a positive thing to finally get started,” Swanson stated.
It has been a many year process to get a new lagoon, including many delays and a change of site. Most recently, they ran into a snag with their environmental license, which was cleared up in July. More importantly, they put the project out to tender and found it came in $2 million over budget. For something budgeted at nearly $10 million, this was not acceptable. In response, Boissevain-Morton decided they would in fact be the general contractor for the lagoon’s first phase and they moved from there.
The community of Deloraine came out in droves for the red carpet premiere of a short film made by a few of their own.
On July 23, “Whitetail” a film by Nick Dietrich and Laughlin McKinnon, made its debut at the Deloraine Theatre. The cast, crew and much of the town were out in full force to see a locally made movie. It was everything they were looking for, McKinnon said.
“It was awesome,” he stated. “We hoped to have a full house and we did. You couldn’t ask for more. That was the dream, to have a premiere of a movie in Deloraine, raise some money for the Ag Society, and we met those goals.”
As McKinnon explained, the venture started when Dietrich, a Deloraine native who is a filmmaker in BC, was on the cusp of a larger film project. He wanted a smaller one to practice putting all aspects of it together. He asked McKinnon if he would help with it, to write a short film.
“We were thinking maybe three to seven minutes. He has an impressive career in videography, but he was going to be looking after everything, editing, directing, cinematography. He wanted to try something short, low stress, before he moved on to something bigger.”
McKinnon said it caught him off guard, as he had not done anything like that. He got a skeleton of what Dietrich was looking for, and a story including a storm-stayed drug dealer, a deer hunter and more came into focus. There was an immediate desire to have a local feel with local place names used. There would be a hunting cabin, a gun, some tension and what McKinnon referred to as a “twisted re-telling of the Hansen Buck (world record typical whitetail shot) story.”
When the final out was made on July 30 at the Centennials diamond, the Boissevain squad completed not only a finals sweep, but also reached a major milestone.
The Cents shut out the Oak River Dodgers 6-0 in the third and deciding game for the South West Baseball League championship at home. This is their fifth consecutive title, which is incidentally what the New York Yankees did from 1949-53, the longest run in Major League Baseball history.
In game three, Connor Martin of the Centennials pitched a complete game (seven inning) shutout, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out 10. In contrast, the Dodgers used three hurlers, with starter Riley Shamray taking the loss, allowing nine hits and five earned runs in three and two thirds innings of work. Dylan Schroeder and Mitch Battersby finished up on the mound.
Tyler Robertson led Boissevain in hits with three, all singles, and drove in one run. Tanner Clyne and Jay Pringle chipped in a pair of singles apiece, with Jordan Foote showing speed with a triple and two stolen bases. Austin Clyne and Griffin Albrecht each had a hit with Foote, Pringle, Robertson, Zane Sawyer, Bryan Laing and Drew Hilhorst driving in single runs.
The series started in Boissevain on July 27, and set the tone for all three games. The Centennials won the opener 5-0, with Zane Sawyer getting the complete game shutout. He scattered five hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Oak River starter Kaden Rozdeba was hung with the loss, allowing five hits and four earned runs in two and two-thirds innings. In relief, Dylan Schroeder allowed the final run.
Jordan Foote had a pair of hits, including a double and drove in a team leading three runs. Tyler Robertson also had a pair of hits and Tanner Clyne had a double. Skylar Canada had one hit but made it count, taking a pitch deep. Drew Hilhorst also had a hit and an RBI.
Anyone wanting to appear on screen while enjoying the beauty of the International Peace Garden will have their opportunity on July 30.
An international video crew will be out at the Garden creating footage of the local attraction. According to Peace Garden CEO Tim Chapman, they are looking to promote the area now and into the future.
“This is a different type of promotion this year,” Chapman explained. “We want to get some footage made up, some deeper footage we can use for 10 years down the road.”
Chapman said the Garden receives a lot of outreach from video production companies who want to be hired to film promotional material. This year, a company made a positive impression and they are moving forward.
“They can do these films that can go on US and Canadian cable TV and web versions. They make a five minute piece that can be picked up by stations.”
As well as the film itself, the company will be shooting the whole day of July 30, with footage going to the Peace Garden. As they hired them, the Garden will decide where the shooting will take place, who they will talk to – staff and supporters – and this will be used by the Garden for their own promotions. Chapman said it could be for something as simple as a small feature on their website.
“The way the internet has changed, if you have good footage, you can cut it up for 15 second clips, or still pictures. It will make a nice library of film to access.”
With the great response from the community, admirers of a local rugby phenom were able to honour her twice in Souris.
Emily Tuttosi has been a great source of pride in her home community, bringing Souris positive attention on the national and international stage. As she moved on further in her rugby career, the time was right for a pair of signs in town honouring her. Barb Murphy, who spearheaded the project, said it started last year. Tuttosi graduated with Murphy’s daughter and they played together on the Souris rugby team.
“When Emily played in the latest World Cup (2025), we were excited as a whole town,” Murphy said. “It was amazing to have someone from Souris in the World Cup. When Canada won silver, it was extremely exciting.”
Murphy said it was simple to set up. They partnered with the Souris rugby program and coach Brian Yon, and began appealing for funds for a sign honouring Tuttosi. Starting last summer/fall, they were hoping to raise about $3,000 for one sign. The first donation came in October 2025, and they just kept coming. With local individuals and businesses chipping in, they eventually raised around $5,470.
A private collection is bringing fascinating light history to the Beckoning Hills Museum in Boissevain.
The 200-plus kerosene lamps of Brandt Bessant are currently the featured display at the museum. According to Beckoning Hills Board Co-Chair Sandra Pearce, although not a member of their board, Bessant has been a key person in helping with identifying items. They discussed a possible display from the antique collector, but put it aside initially as they were doing their veterans showcase last year due to the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
“After that was over, we decided this would be Brandt’s year to do his display,” Pearce explained.
Bessant said the museum had talked of bringing in “guest exhibitors” as a new way to bring new people in. Something new grabs their attention, then they see the rest.
He said he became interested in lamps when he was young through his association with auctioneer Bob Wright. Working with the family on live auctions, he remembered the annual antique sale in Souris. He went to help and there the antiques grabbed his attention. He asked Wright how to figure out what to collect?
Round one of Mother Nature’s wrath upon the area left the area soggy, disheartened but strangely resilient.
In the early evening of Monday, June 29, Boissevain was shaken by a sudden and explosive rainstorm. In around an hour and a half to two hours, the community and surrounding area received a whopping six plus inches of water. Coming at that speed, there was nowhere for that amount of moisture to go except everywhere. Within minutes, basements were flooding and in some cases, sewers were backing up. Results varied around Boissevain, but the majority of homes had a least some water, and for many, the results were catastrophic.
“It was huge,” said Boissevain-Morton Head of Council Judy Swanson. “It had a huge impact on all of us. I don’t know how many people had problems, but it sounds like everyone.”
Streets were awash shortly after the storm began, with some being under enough water that people could swim or in at least one case, kayak. Swanson said the town has a good system of storm sewers, but they cannot handle this level of water.
“The system is built for regular rain. I have never seen rain like this, so much in so short a time.”
A break in the weather and a few changes made for a successful Boissevain Fair in 2026.
The annual running was held on June 20-21. According to Turtle Mountain Agricultural Society President Chris Walker, all went well.
“We couldn’t ask for better weather,” Walker stated. “It looks like our gate numbers were up from last year, and we added some events that worked well.”
The two days were marvelous ones, with plus 20-degree temperatures and plenty of sunshine. This was a great benefit as the days preceding and following saw cooler temps, darker skies and some rain.
“Everybody was in a good mood this year. The sun was shining and everyone was feeling good. It was just perfect.”
Should he secure the nomination, Mark Custance will be running in the next provincial election to try to secure a great future for Turtle Mountain.
The entrepreneur from the Pierson area threw his hat in the ring for the Progressive Conservative nomination in the riding this spring. Longtime MLA Doyle Piwniuk announced he would not be seeking another term in the Legislature, opening up the spot for a new Tory candidate. Custance said it is all about serving the area.
“To me, it was never about being a politician, it was more about stepping up and representing our region,” Custance explained during a visit to Boissevain. “My wife and I raised our family here, started businesses here. This is home for us.”
Custance is just finishing his first term as a councillor for the Municipality of Two Borders. He said he wanted to bring his life experience to another level of service. He wanted to have an election for the party in the constituency. Custance said he came from a different background from the other person running, former PC leadership candidate Wally Daudrich. He wanted to represent a new generation of conservative coming up in the region. Daudrich was later disqualified.
Custance said his family has always been involved in communities, and he wants to carry this on. He learned from his grandparents and parents that it is not about the title, but how you treat people and what you do.
Less than a year after the completion of their successful first phase, the Boissevain School Playground Committee is nearly ready to start phase two.
Plans are afoot and funds are being raised to transform the old tennis court area at the north end of the school into something special for high school kids, in a project called “Create the Court”. Although the term “playground” might be a bit juvenile to use for maturing students, there is certainly a need for something for them as well as the community as a whole said committee co-chair Heather Janssens.
“We’re looking at a multi-sport court, a community court,” Janssens explained. “It’s a space for the high school kids, but also the whole community. It’s right beside the campground, so it could be used all summer by people visiting as well as local people and students.”
The committee was originally created several years ago to replace the aging equipment for middle years students on the south side of the school. This was completed in the summer of 2025 with a grand opening celebration in the fall. While working on the project, the group committed to also helping revitalize other areas of the school. The second phase is the high school area, which has been in less than stellar shape for a long time.
Janssens said high school students could get overlooked when it comes to the need for outdoor activity. This should not happen.
This year’s adult ed graduation in Boissevain was not only a farewell for the students, but also for their longtime mentor.
There were 40 students who graduated with their high school diplomas from the Adult Learning Centres in Boissevain, Killarney and Swan Lake in 2026, with a strong number attending their ceremony at the Living Hope Community Church in Boissevain on June 11. This was one of the biggest graduating classes in the centre’s history. It was a big moment for them, as their hard work was rewarded with their passport to a better future.
“I never wanted to coach. I never wanted to do that.”
A pretty interesting statement from a man who was best known in the area for standing behind a bench wearing a cowboy hat, while sending hockey players out shift after shift in any number of rinks. Bob Clyne might be best remembered by many as the coach of the Boissevain Border Kings during a time in the 1980’s, but he got his start in that capacity about a decade before, on the other side of the 49th parallel, as the first coach of the Bottineau Lumberjacks. When the college in that North Dakota town decided to get into hockey, Clyne was there at the ground level, helping start and guide a program that is now celebrating 50 years.
The team had its beginnings in 1974. Clyne had already had a significant time in hockey. He was a member of the now legendary junior squad, the Flin Flon Bombers, playing with NHL greats like Bobby Clarke, Reg Leach and Gerry Hart. He then played professionally, including time with the Flint Generals. He was back in his hometown of Boissevain when the college approached him. He said they had already secured a coach from Souris, but it fell through.
“He backed out and moved to Alaska,” Clyne remembered. “So they came up to see me. It was through Henry Morningstar, a guy he had gone to college with. A guy in Bottineau was getting the team going through the college. They came up to see me and we were combining. It was that late in the year.”
A longstanding community fundraising project will be contributing to a major local initiative that will impact the entire area.
The 1/4 section used to raise money for many projects in Deloraine was seeded on June 1. According to Deloraine-Winchester Recreation Manager Kirsty Mann, it was a successful day.
“The seeding went well and conditions were excellent,” Mann stated. “The seeding was completed by volunteers, along with the spraying and land preparation required for seeding. We are grateful for the continued support of the volunteers who help make this fundraiser possible each year.”
Canola was chosen this year, as wheat was planted in 2025. Located a mile west of Deloraine on Highway 21, the 1/4 section is the same they have rented since 2017. It is the first time the Community Fundraiser has only used a 1/4 section as the second was given up and not replaced.
Delwynda Court hosted a successful Alzheimer’s walk Wednesday, May 27 in Deloraine, with many members of the community coming out to support the walk.
Dr. McKinnon gave a presentation about Alzheimer’s. He spoke about the importance of community.
The best treatment for Alzheimer’s is familiarity, regularly coming and being a friendly face, said McKinnon. Comfort is infinitely more important than any medication such as giving a hug, holding their hand and just being present.
“Events like this bring awareness to an invisible disease that effects so many in the community,” said event organizers Caryn Cassan and Sarah Kliever. “This event will be a highlight for our residents, especially with our youth. It means more to them than you realize.”
Snazzy Seconds was not only able to participate in a fundraiser for an important church project, they were able to show their wares off on the catwalk and celebrate their success on May 28.
The local thrift shop held their fashion show in the upstairs of the Community Centre, in the building they now call their home. According to Snazzy Seconds organizers, it was definitely a worthwhile event. Wanda Cameron and Judy McRuer said there were about 100 people show up.
“They were hoping for around 75, so 100 was exceptional,” said McRuer. “It far exceeded anything they thought.”
The St. Paul’s United Church GIFT group found models, who then went to Snazzy Seconds to pick out outfits they were to wear. A description was written up of what they were wearing, and then they were announced. After their parade through the crowd, they went back down and changed, with some wearing several outfits.
A structure fire burned a hole in the roof and did other serious damage to a home in the Boissevain new development.
The Boissevain Morton Fire Department was called to a fire at 84 North Railway at the home of Brad Campbell and Jill Hunter at 1:30pm on Friday, May 22. According to Fire Chief Martin Paradis, the situation was already serious by the time they got to the address.
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The children of Cindy and Darwyn Minary are keeping their family legacy alive in an important part of their community.
Minary Homestyle Bakery in Souris reopened on May 14. This is a joint venture by the Minary children Kendra, Cody and Adam. They grew up in the establishment and are honouring their parents, who both tragically passed away this spring. Kendra said they opened up briefly at the end of March after the passing of their mother on March 1, but then had to close again when their father passed on April 10. She said they were overwhelmed by the response of their return.
“We are so grateful that the community (and beyond) has been so unbelievably supportive,” Kendra stated. “They were very patient and understanding during our time off, and very welcoming when we came back. Our weekends are back to the usual lineup through the door and down the street for the first hour. We have been greeted by so many familiar faces, and many new customers as well.”
Kendra said the bakery had been a part of their lives from the beginning. Their father Darwyn worked there for many years prior to buying it, and she said she and her brothers spent a lot of time visiting him as kids, playing with toy cars and dolls in the extra dough balls and picking out their favourite treats. She added they always had the best birthday cakes with special characters growing up.
The Minary’s purchased the bakery in 2006, with Darwyn becoming the full-time baker and Cindy balancing the bakery with the library for a while before also moving to full-time.
Since then, they have all been a part of Minary Homestyle Bakery. They worked part-time until they graduated – Adam in 2007, Cody in 2011 and Kendra in 2014 – and then it became their full-time jobs. This is part of what made it important to keep it going despite their trials and heartbreak.
If all goes to plan, residents at Cherry Creek Place in Boissevain will have the originally planned indoor parking option by the time winter begins this year.
The seniors’ active living home has put out a call for proposals to build a parking garage. According to Southwest Senior Housing Board Chair George Heide, this development had been in the organization’s mind for a long time.
“It is an idea that has been in place for ages,” Heide stated. “When we originally built, we couldn’t afford it. Residents have been asking for it. The need is there, the requests are there and we thought it was time to step up and build it.”
There is presently outdoor parking for residents at the back of the building to the west. However, there is an obvious need for something indoors, particularly when dealing with seniors.
“There are difficulties for some people to get around. They can still drive, but their mobility makes it difficult for them to clean the snow off their vehicles, to get around outside. There are people who are willing to rent space in a parking garage and we want to accommodate them.”
Locals could be forgiven for thinking we are in the middle of March instead of May.
Although spring made a few tentative forays into our schedule, the season of optimism has been mostly missing in action. Temperatures have been well below normal, with only occasional pleasant days. The sun has been absent much of the time as well, with dark clouds keeping everything fairly gloomy.
That was before the hurricane that preceded May Long.
On Thursday, May 14, the winds Manitoba is known for went for broke. The high winds started in the morning, and by afternoon, the gusts were gaining in intensity. It did not help that the relatively dry weather had made for very dusty conditions. Something akin to a cool sandstorm hit the area, making driving highly hazardous. Some areas lost power and fires were started when poles or wires came down.
With a major fundraising event just around the corner, those involved in the Souris School playground project are hoping to keep momentum going for the sought after development.
A committee of staff members at the school is working to replace the early years playground. According to Grade 1/2 teacher Adrienne Cannons, they began work in 2023 when they started noticing growing problems with the current edifice.
“A few things we have noticed with the current play structure are issues of safety, accessibility, and engagement,” Cannons explained. “This structure was put in about 25 years ago and it is starting to show its age. There are broken pieces and areas that are falling apart, as well as a fairly diminishing base layer of protection from falls. This structure also lacks the accessibility for kids with mobility issues in terms of both the structure itself and the surface area in getting to the structure.”
She said the play structure is located behind the school, fairly hidden from Highway 2. It is primarily used by K-4, but grades 5-8 also enjoy it as does the after school program. It is an older style structure that incorporates climbing, sliding and a tic tac toe game.