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2023 CMT Visitor Guide

With July 1st quickly approaching, it’s time to decide how you’re going to celebrate Canada Day! Our region has many activities planned for folks of all ages!

 

Cypress River-Holland (RM of Victoria)

Canada Day Celebration featuring live music, Belgian Bowling, Car Show, Quilt Show, Free Mini-Golf, Food, and Fireworks at 11:00 p.m!

When: July 1st, 2023

Where: Holland, MB

Winkler

Winkler Celebrates Canada Day & Culture Fest July 1st at the Parkland Hill!
Join us in celebrating the many cultures that call Winkler home!

Activities begin at Noon with Culture Fest performances and activities, a Car Show, and Petting Zoo.
Enjoy a $5.00 supper sponsored by Winkler Co-op.
Festivities will close with a dance performance by Notas de 4, and music by Silas Presley, and the Stanley County Cutups.

When: July 1st, 2023

Where: 1045 Grandeur Avenue, Winkler, MB

 

Morden

Join us for an exciting Canada Day celebration at Lake Minnewasta in Morden, Manitoba! This event is free and will feature a variety of activities and entertainment for all ages.

When: July 1st, 2023

Where: 100 Colert Rd, Morden, MB

Carman

Please join Carman Dufferin Recreation on July 1st for some free swimming, a cookie and a drink. Free Public Swim from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at the Carman Dufferin Pool.

When: July 1st, 2023

Where: King’s Park 20 Kings Park Road Carman, MB

 

Roseisle

Activities all day including waffle breakfast (8-10am), parade (10:30am), flea market, petting zoo, entertainment, baseball, kids activities, lawn tractor races, tractor pull, fireworks (11pm) and more. Call 204-828-3479, 204-828-3661 or 204-750-1497 for more info.

When: July 1st, 2023

Where: Roseisle, MB

 

 

Rendezvous Brewery & Taproom

Rendezvous Brewery & Taproom is a small batch craft brewery located in historic downtown Morden, Manitoba. They provide the community with a constantly changing variety of brews. Their beer ranges from light-easy drinking ales to sours, to dark stouts and everything in between. They provide approachable, adventurous beers to keep their customers coming back. Check out their pALEontologist brew, a special edition pale ale sponsored by the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre for their 50^th Anniversary.

Portage Junkyard Dogs

The Portage Junkyard Dogs is a volunteer committee that creates and maintains a large multi-trail recreation system just south of Portage la Prairie along the Assiniboine River. Each year, the committee maintains the popular trails and creates cycling obstacles, ramps, and bridges with little to no external funding.

The Junkyard Dogs Trails are open to all, with a minimal membership fee to cover some of the costs of maintenance. The trails are multifaceted and are enjoyed by all ages, year-round. Thousands of hikers, cyclists, cross-country skiers, and nature enthusiasts visit the trails each year, highlighting our region as an optimal place to visit for outdoor recreation.

In 2020, communities throughout our region saw a greater need for safe outdoor recreation opportunities. As a response, the Portage Junkyard Dogs expanded their already popular hiking, cycling, and cross-country ski trails to accommodate more visitors. New ramps and cycling obstacles were built to encourage repeat visitation.

In addition, the Portage Junkyard Dogs regularly participate in the community-wide “Bike Week”, and offer free cycling tours and free access to the cycling trails along the river. The committee is hardly ever recognized for their great contribution to tourism and recreation, and I believe it is time that they receive some much-deserved praise.

Fort la Reine Museum

Despite COVID 19, the Museum accommodated 8412 visitors in 2020 (in comparison to 4847 visitors in 2019) and experimented with new innovative community activities such as Vintage Car Day, Featurette Days, Corn Maze, Craft Beer Night. Fort La Reine Museum received approximately 6000 who came to experience the Corn Maze.

https://www.todocanada.ca/city/winnipeg/event/corn-maze-at-the-museum/

Carly Boklaschuk – Carman Florist

Carly Boklaschuk, owner of Carman Florists, has taken an established business in the community and has given it a fresh new look and life. Her big smile, positive energy, creativity and eagerness to WOW her customers, is noticeable the minute you walk through the door of the shop. She and her staff strive for excellence in customer service, support and creating an experience for every visitor, hoping to make them a returning customer.

Her social media presence is at a new level in today’s marketplace and she seems to always deliver the right products at the right time. Please be sure to check out her Instagram and Facebook page.

Insta: @carmanflorists Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmanflorists/ Website: www.carmaflorists.ca

Covid restrictions only slowed Carly down for a moment, while she uploaded her ENTIRE shop onto her website. Shopping local was a breeze, as curbside pickup was always ready and waiting for you at your convenience.

A visit to her shop is more than beautiful flowers and great coffee…it is an experience with a great amount of Joy. She has made Carman Florists and Gift Boutique a “must stop” to visitors and community members alike.

Prairie City Cinema

During the COVID pandemic, the Prairie City Cinema was forced to close due to Public Health Orders. Prairie City Cinema showed a lot of creativity in developing a project that would allow them to stay open and keep business. They moved forward with a drive-in theatre in the parking lot that not only supported their business during these difficult times but also provided a fun activity for the public.

Following the guidelines, the Prairie City Cinema was able to create an online store for curbside pickup during the week and on movie nights. They offered all of the movie theatre favourites such as popcorn, nachos, candy and much more for everyone’s enjoyment!

Schott Ranch

Picture this, you pull into a gravel driveway and stop short because the farm ducks are crossing the driveway. Instantly you are submerged into a true farm experience. Troy Schott and his sister Rheagan Stewart have combined their talents and energy to launch Schott Ranch. The physical doors just opened on May 5 but the planning and organizing and social media marketing have been happening for a while. The brother-sister duo purchased greenhouses from local businessman Doug Pogson. They moved the greenhouses out to the “Ranch” and began combining their talents. Troy runs a successful landscape business, farms with his family and has livestock such as llama’s, chickens, ducks and pigs. All of which are sold directly to families in the area. Regan is a red seal chef and has a passion for locally made products. She has perfected her craft in cooking and will be offering various delicious meals at Schott Ranch.

This local business has really made a name for itself online and has been drawing a large number of people to the area based on their market reach online.

By purchasing a business that had existed in the area already, stacking other trending products from other local creators, moving it to the country and incorporating farm animals into the experience, cooking classes, meal programs, garden plants and so much more. Schott Ranch is truly an experience in shopping with a perfect farm/ rural feel to it. Ag tourism and shopping all rolled into one!

Adrienne Hofer, Styled with Meraki – Portage la Prairie Sign Wars

Southport is pleased to nominate Adrienne Hofer, Styled with Meraki, for the Marketing Excellence Award. During the last two years most businesses and people have been dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has left an opportunity for businesses and people to think creatively to boost the morale in the community.

Adrienne loved the idea and thought of other businesses that would participate and started the fun with Tornado’s. Over 25 businesses, including Southport, started making fun signs and responses, following in Adrienne’s steps. This idea proved to have great community involvement and gave businesses an opportunity for great advertising. With the success of sign wars it is likely that this initiative will reoccur.

 

Zack Zaharia & Mika Cavers – Clearwater Junction Restaurant

Clearwater Junction Restaurant is located in a small village of only 80 people but don’t kid yourself it has made a name for itself with milkshakes! Yes you heard right, milkshakes. This little restaurant draws people from all over Manitoba because their milkshakes are so darn good. The pictures, the social media, the taste! Zack Zaharia and Mika Cavers have been running this restaurant for just over 2 years and put this restaurant on the map.

Milkshakes are not the only thing that brings people to this sweet spot. In 2020 Clearwater Junction Restaurant won Louise Burger week with their “Cluck Norris” an incredible hand-breaded, homemade sauced, piled high and messy chicken burger.

Their social media presence gets paid attention too and locals are beyond proud of this jumping joint.

One walk on the Clearwater Skyway or hike on the lesson from the land trail and you will see people from all over, milkshake in hand. The draw from all over the province comes from their incredible social marketing and flair for taking a simple milkshake and burger and making it famous by using quality ingredients, skill in recipe development and their genuine love of what they do.

 

Explore Morden Winkler – Poutine Week/Pizza Week/Appetizer Week

These events organized and promoted by Explore Morden Winkler showcased local restaurants and put their chefs to the test, coming up with their version of the most intriguing, mouth-watering morsels to rally the community in support of food, small business, and creativity.

Syl’s Drive Inn

Travis and Stacie Enns, current owner/operators of Syl’s Drive Inn in Carman, need to be commended for their outstanding efforts in operating and expanding a top-notch facility within the community.

Since 1960, Syl’s has been serving up great burgers and thick shakes to the residents and visitors of Carman, Manitoba. Syl’s has maintained the authentic look, feel and service of a traditional drive-in, while serving up classic favourites like burgers, subs and seriously thick shakes. Their addition of a mini-golf course past summer was a welcome addition to our community and was a summer attraction for many visitors to the area.

Located on Highway #3, across from Carman Collegiate, Syl’s is a “must stop” when travelling through, or visiting Carman. Travis and Stacy have preserved the authenticity of the business while adding a modern touch, and have made the name Syl’s, one that is immediately associated with Carman.

Crystal City Lions Club

Crystal City Lions Club is a service group that is a strong addition to the Municipality of Louise.

The Crystal City Lions Club upgraded the campground in Crystal City to 30 amp electrical and built a new accessible washroom/ shower facility on the campground site. Now the campground is getting used by all sorts of RV’s and campers that love having the upgrades readily available.

The Crystal City Lions Club has demonstrated leadership by taking on this project and getting it completed in time for a camping season, which in turn has a huge economic impact on the community as each camper or RV spends money in each town they stay in, groceries and fuel and entertainment. The Crystal City Lions Club was able to foresee the value of this project in a small town.

The Crystal City Lions club also plans a community auction every other year where they donate all the proceeds back to the community. A Christmas Dinner that is set up for older adults is free for those over a certain age.

With 21 members they are a strong organization that pulls together and covers the important areas in our community. Focusing on the older adults in our area, working on local infrastructure, donating funds back into the community like money for a concession construction and the new gym in Crystal City. They cover such a great area and we are truly lucky to have Crystal City Lions Club in the Municipality of Louise. They are an example of a stellar organization and one that will stand the test of time.

Carman Library & Golden Prairie Arts Council

“The Library” Artist Opportunity is a fundraiser for two local non-profit organizations; Golden Prairie Arts Council and the Boyne Regional Library.

With a newly renovated library, and the desire to have original art on the walls, the partnership emerged. Golden Prairie Arts Council purchased the title piece, “The Library”, from artist, and former ArtKids instructor, Heida Ruf, to donate to the library as a title piece for the project.

6 eligible artists have been selected by random draw, and through sponsorship, will be compensated $500 each, to create a new and original, family-friendly, wall-hung piece of artwork.

The artwork was on display at the Boyne Regional Library from March – December 2021 where tickets are sold for a chance to win the artwork, with ticket sale proceeds to be split between the two organizations.

Artists must live in GPAC’s catchment area, which includes the Town of Carman, and RM Municipalities of Dufferin, Thompson, Roland & Grey.

Justin Pryor, Ski Louise, Louise Recreation, & Louise Community Development Corporation

The combined efforts of Ski Louise, Louise Rec and Louise CDC were able to take Ski Louise from 8 average users to over 30 in a few short months! This last year was not exactly filled with snow but nonetheless, with all three organizations working together Ski Louise has made a name for itself. Let alone did we bring more cross-country skiers to the area, we inspired locals to ski, and even inspired the operator of the groomer! Justin Prior has built the groomer and grooms the trails on his own and has for many years. This last year both Louise Recreation and Louise CDC offered to team up and help with some of the marketing and apply for a grant to get signs and drop boxes in place. Together we were able to start another trail in Clearwater so now all three communities in the municipality of Louise have a trail for cross country skiers to use.

Many locals have even asked for warming shelters and possibly more trails! Now that Ski Louise (Justin Prior) has the help of the recreation and the CDC you can look forward to seeing Ski Louise as a tourism destination for our long winters.

Congratulations to all of our nominees!

Tracey Enns

Tracy Enns is an active member of the Boyne River Keepers, a newly formed, not-for-profit organization in Carman, Manitoba. The Boyne River Keepers is a local grassroots committee, dedicated to the well being and sustainability of the Boyne River that runs through the heart of Carman, Manitoba.

Tracy and a small committee have worked to clear and maintain a large section of the Boyne River that runs through the Town of Carman. Her and the committee have removed fallen trees, branches and debris from the water pathway, which makes way for kayaks, boats, paddleboards and canoes in the summer months, and skaters, walkers, snowshoers and runners in the winter months.

The Boyne River has become a hub of activity during the Covid pandemic. The Town of Carman played an active part in keeping approximately 5kms of cleared pathway on the frozen river, to allow for skating, walking, running and many other activities on the beautiful Boyne River.

Tracy has worked to secure grants, which will be utilized to launch two separate boat docks, at separate locations on the river. One will be placed at Ryall Park and the other at the Trestle Bridge. Tracy and the Boyne River Keepers committee, plans to host paddle events this summer, restrictions permitting.

Bringing life to the Boyne River has brought tremendous attention to this hidden gem within our community. The upkeep of the river will be an ongoing effort, but with the community behind Tracy and her committee, the future of the Boyne River Keepers is looking very bright.

Rusty Rutherford

Rusty Rutherford and his wife Elaine were leading volunteers at the Fort la Reine Museum in the 1990s before taking a leave of absence. Rusty returned as a regular volunteer at the Museum in 2019 and has been instrumental in making the Museum an exceptional place to visit. Rusty has an incredible history of volunteering for arts and heritage organizations in Portage la Prairie. His previous work includes facilitating events for the Vintage Cruisers classic car club, managing the facilities and leading school programs at the Fort la Reine Museum, leading groups through Boy Scouts Canada, and assisting with programming at Prairie Fusion (previously the Portage Arts Centre). Rusty’s continuous dedication to our tourism and our collective heritage and history is astounding.

Carol Smith

Carol Smith is a dedicated volunteer for multiple boards in the Municipality of Louise. Rock Lake Camp, Parklane Theatre, Rock Lake Pastoral Charge and Crystal City Fellowship Club to name a few.  She dedicates her time to grant writing and research on projects that bring local people together but also assist the organizations with having a regional and provincial voice.

Grant writing is not for everyone, Carol is the first to step up and has contributed to bringing 100’s of thousands of dollars to the various organizations that she volunteers with. She even goes the extra mile and searches grant databases, approaches the organization and applies for the grant for them, truly incredible.

Projects that Carol has had a hand in are community courtyards, theatre upgrades and accessibility, fire truck purchases, upgrades to senior centres, camp renovations.

Carol is an inspiration to others but also one in a million. There are not many people that take on grant writing and the ones that do often sit in the background or shadow and watch the projects unfold after they have secured the funding.

Carol loves her rural life and shows great pride in the work she does for each and every organization. The projects that have been lucky enough to have Carol write these successful grants have brought 1000’s of visitors to our area. Carol Smith is a ”behind the scenes” true community champion.

Volunteer of the Year

Tracey Enns

Rusty Rutherford

Carol Smith

Aspiring Youth Award

Jace Guildford

Gwen Freeheart

Partnership Award

Carman Library & Golden Prairie Arts

Justin Pryor, Ski Louise, Louise Recreation, & Louise Community Development Corporation

Marketing Excellence

Adrienne Hofer, Styled with Meraki – Portage la Prairie Sign Wars

Zack Zaharia & Mika Cavers – Clearwater Junction Restaurant

Explore Morden Winkler – Poutine Week/Pizza Week/Appetizer Week

Innovation Award

Rendezvous Brewery & Taproom

Portage Junkyard Dogs

Fort la Reine Museum

Carly Boklaschuk – Carman Florist

Prairie City Cinema

Schott Ranch

Event of the Year (With a budget under $5K)

Pembina Valley Local Immigration Partnership – Connecting Cultures and Communities

Big Brothers Big Sisters – Big Night In

Portage Regional Tourism Committee

Louise Recreation – Go Louise Challenge

Event of the Year (With a Budget over $5K)

Rural Municipality of Victoria – New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Award of Distinction (Individual)

Madison Connolly – Fort la Reine Museum

Tyler King – Carman & Dufferin Economic Development

Award of Distinction (Business)

Syl’s Drive Inn

Crystal City Lions Club

Take a journey to the past at one of the many museums in Central Manitoba!

Darlingford Heritage Museum – 197 Bradburn St., Darlingford, MB – (204) 823-0626

Built-in 1910, the Darlingford School Heritage Museum still has one original classroom complete with uniforms, books, photos, and desks. The building was converted into a museum in 1992 and now displays many exhibits featuring facts and photos about old Darlingford, past inhabitants, homesteaders, the South African war, Darlingford grain elevators, and much more. The Darlingford War Memorial Park, across from the museum, features a beautiful, well-manicured garden and walkway up to the chapel.

Pembina Threshermen’s Museum – threshermensmuseum.com

The Pembina Threshermen’s museum is an exciting visit if you’re looking to experience many different aspects of Manitoba’s history. With artifacts dating back as early as 1878, the museum has over 15 different buildings to explore, each one highlighting a different time in Manitoba.

Crystal City Community Printing Museum – 218 Broadway St., Crystal City, MB – (204) 873-2591

If you’re looking for an interactive experience in southern Manitoba, the Crystal City Community Printing Museum is the destination for you! The museum has many different kinds of historic machinery, all used to print newspapers, posters, flyers, and more. The museum’s tour guides are incredibly informative and excited to show you the history of Crystal City’s printing press!

Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre – discoverfossils.com

Home to a catalogue of over 1100 specimens, the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre prides itself on showing off the vast history of Manitoba’s dinosaurs. This impressive museum has many exhibits for you to explore as well as programs to take part in. Whether you’re an adult following a guided museum tour, or a youth joining a dino day camp, you’re guaranteed to gain a large amount of knowledge about local fossils.

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