Maybe Spring is Finally Coming ...

How Long Till Spring???

... the golf carts are getting lonely!!

Skating ON the Lake ...

St John's Hill ... waiting for the kids:

Lake Minnedosa

Waiting for Spring ...

Today with Sunday's wicked winds

and yesterday's bone numbing cold,

we may be waiting a while.

A scene I NEVER tire of ...

A Home away from Home ...

Tilson Place Bed and Breakfast, formerly known as The Castle Bed and Breakfast has a long and storied history ... thankfully the old gal has been restored to her former glory and now offers quality accomodations, gourmet meals and even a spa tucked in the back for friends near and far ... stop in sometime and check it out !!

Open water ...

They say when it's time: 'follow the light'

The Gate to "Eternity" ...

Two things are common to cemeteries on the Prairies:

spruce trees and wind!!

Minnedosa's hill top cemetery is no exception

on either count, but the view for the top is stunning.

Like Childrens' Toys

On and On and On

A walk in the sunshine

Sunny Saturday on the Lake ...

Ice Huts (way off in the distance to the left),

Hockey rinks (behind the hut to the right),

and snowmobiles (they were up in the park)

made the lake a buzy place.

FULL Lights AND Sirens ...

Okay in BIG urban centres folks become immune to THESE moments, but in a small town when one of the three Police Cars at the local detachment tears down the Main Street with full lights and sirens - YOU NOTICE and PAY ATTENTION.

It happens THAT seldom.

No idea where they were off to, or what happened. I hope things turned out okay.

But, this morning for a moment there was a little bit of excitement for folks in town.

Coffee's Always On ...

What better way to pass a cold winter's afternoon than relaxing with a cup of hot coffee??

It's all in the details ...

All in a Row ...

A Winter Interlude ...

While some braved the bitter cold out on the Lake for the 2nd Annual Skate the Lake Pond Hockey tournament, a smaller group gathered around the skating oval in Tanners' Crossing Park just off Main St for the Minnedosa version for the Festival D'Voyager!!!

This week in Winnipeg the world's biggest outdoor Kitchen Party is being held to celebrate the Metis-Voyager culture that gave birth to this faire province, while on Sunday afternoon in Minnedosa a mini-version of the outdoor party was held down town ...

Between the Festival and Skate the Lake, it was a good weekend to be outside enjoying the activities and fun!!

On Duty ...

A Slippery Sunday Afternoon ...

One Month Challenge ...

For the next 30 days,

Chipperfield Coffee Company

is engaging in

Fair Trade Manitoba's

ONE MONTH CHALLENGE.

Customers are encouraged to select

Fair Trade items

over the next 30 days to show thier support

of the Fair Trade movement and its goal of

bettering the lives of coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar and

other producers in the countries of origins around the world.

Sales have been brisk, and customers will

over the next 30 days,

be treated to a wide range of quality Fair Trade products.

Thanks to the commitment of Bonnie and Ross and thier crew,

along with the help of our former United Church minister,

Minnedosa and area is offering EVERYONE

an opportunity to help change the world,

one fresh cup of coffee at a time !!!

Saturday Morning in Minnedosa ...

There's loads of Free parking ...

... unfortunately that only means most of the residents

of Minnedosa are off shopping in Brandon.

When will our Town Fathers realize that the

ONLY WAY TO SAVE THIS TOWN

is by promoting the wonderful businesses

WE ALREADY HAVE

rather than foolishly courting multi-national chains.

Chipperfield Coffee Company,

Sun Sun Chinese Restaurant,
Garden Thyme,

Main Street Cafe,

the Ski Hill,

even The Minnedosa Dollar Store,

are ALL businesses worth hyping beyond our faire town.

-

Yet, the Chamber and the Economic Development Officer

seem hell bent on seeking out competition for

established businesses that are already struggling to survive.

Can ANYONE tell me how THAT makes sense???

-

Shop local is a start ...

promoting LOCAL is essential.

Maybe one day our Town Fathers will stay in town long enough

to finally listen to the voices of those who actually support

the town of Minnedosa and want to see it survive.

Courthouse

Two Years Later ... Still waiting ...

" The New Church Building

will rise only when the Spirit wills it to be ..."

So said an observant and faithful friend two years ago.

Too bad the egos of some have tried to

direct the works of the spirit ...

... the vacant lot serves as a reminder of that folly.

Two Years ago today it looked like this:

It's a hard anniversary to mark,

but it was two years ago today that we awoke to the realization

that one of Minnedosa's Oldest Buildings was nothing more

than a basement filled with scorched and shattered debris.

And now, two years later the woundedness that tore at the heart

of our community has only deepened.

The vacant lot on Main St sits today like many hearts:

cold and empty !!

(thanks to Rev. Shawn's Blog for the pictures

and for having tried to lead a hardhearted people

back to wholeness ... guess we know what THEY want instead)

Take Your Pick ... Pleasure in every cup

Too Cold To Sled

Blizzard Gifts

Snow Drifts,

light and shadow,

around every corner is a lingering work of art.

Bundled up in the cold

Light and Shadows at Play ...

Cloud Makers

Waiting to be filled

No place like home ...

Crossing the River

Steps and Drifts

Under a Winter Sky ...

A village within a village ...
The Heritage Village brings together a collection of
buildings that reflects the history and heritage
of the Minnedosa area.
Lovingly restored and maintained by
volunteers, in the winter they lie quietly waiting
for the coming of spring, and this year
for the Homecoming Celebrations.

Winter Vista

Long shadows and drifting snow ...

The wind might be hard to bear with the bitter and extreme windchills, but there is simply no denying that the patterns and sculptures created by the wind playing in the snow are beautiful.

Whether it is the drift between the house and the car, a drift across the path or sidewalk, or the majestic drifts that line the ditches along our highways - the creations of nature are beautiful and worth pondering ...

The up side of recent weather has been unrelenting sunshine, vivid blue skies and unique one of a king art works under foot and around every corner ... It helps make the cold worthwhile!!

It's THAT Cold ...

The water that

USUALLY

pours over the spill way

is FROZEN!!

What MINUS 47 looks like:

Standing Temp: - 28C (-18.5F)

Wind steady NW 41Km/hr (25 M/hr)

Meaning:

a wind chill of -47 C (-53F) !!!

IT'S COLD !!!!

Little Tin "Soldiers" ALL in a Row

Thankfully Chipperfield Coffee Company is more than just coffee ...

Their selection of loose teas is simply exceptional,

and if the guest book is any indication

people from ALL over the world have

stopped by to enjoy the setting, the ambience,

the staff and the fine selection of

coffee, tea, specialty beverages and fresh baking.

Icy and Pristine

Created Clouds

Sometimes it is worth looking UP

Old Heritage Buildings have their appeal,

often though, the high ceilings and the ornate ceiling finish

just add to the charm of their story.

Cold Day along the river

Sunny and UNBELIEVABLY Cold

Today the temp is around minus 30 C,

with extreme wind chill warnings for much of the Province.

The minus 40C threshold for windchill makes

the minus teens of Ontario seem absolutely tropical !!

Afternoon Moon