Looking back - 1978 : We’re off to the (slow) races!

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Photo courtesy of the Neepawa Banner & Press Archives

Turtles “Freeway Fredy” and “Reo Speedwagon” show off their stuff for The Press photographer in 1978.

By Cassandra Wehrhahn

Neepawa Banner & Press

80 years ago,

Tuesday,

August 9, 1938

A 10-year-old Winnipeg girl, Donna Grsecoe, talented violinist, won a $5,000 scholarship at the American Conservatory of Music, Chicago, last week.

70 years ago,

August, 1948

Battle for the Progressive Conservative party leadership next month may be more than a fight between Premier Drew of Ontario and John Diefenbaker, member of the Commons for Lake Centre in Saskatchewan. A source in close touch with party affairs said there are several men who will be nominated.

With a memory that can span over the reigns of at least five sovereigns and back to the days in Canada when peril lurked from every shadowy ambush, James H. Monnington, Tuesday, became a nonagenarian and has now started his 10th decade.

60 years ago,

Tuesday,

August 5, 1958

William A. (Bill) Yuel, Mentmore district farmer, had an unusual experience Friday morning, when he shot a bear in a field near his farm home. The black bear was estimated to be about two years old and weighing 350-400 pounds. It is assumed that it wandered down from Riding Mountain National Park although there have been no reports of it being sighted prior to the morning it was shot.

Mr. Yuel told The Press that he learned of the presence of the bear in a phone call from a neighbor shortly before 6 a.m., Friday morning. When told that there was a bear in his oats, he said his first inclination was to think his leg was being pulled.

Taking down his rifle, however, he went to discover that the report was only too true. He shot the bear within a few hundred yards of his home.

Brought back to the yard, and suspended from a pulley, the animal was on display that day as numerous neighbors and friends called to see the unusual sight.

50 years ago,

Friday,

August 9, 1968

Registrations at the Neepawa Public Library reached 275 in the first three days of operation and it is anticipated that more than 300 members will be on the books before the end of the first week.

The Library opened its doors to the public at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday and a total of 153 registrations were taken during the first day.

Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening saw the number climb to 275.

Mrs. Henry Martin, the librarian reports books for teenagers are getting the most early attention, with a number of children’s books and some adult activity as well.

40 years ago,

Thursday,

August 10, 1978

Friends and relatives numbering 125 met at the Chalet in Red Deer, Sunday, July 9, to honor John and Leolla Haggerty of Armstrong, B.C. on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

The bridal couple of fifty years arrived in an Oakland car of 1925 vintage, driven by the bride’s brother, Bert Thomson, accompanied by his wife, Pat, in whose home they were guests. A nephew, Piper Fred Thomson, piped the honored couple into the hall and to the places of honor.

A corsage and boutonniere were presented by grandchildren. Kelly and Lana Haggerty, were in charge of the guest book. Son Wayne, of Red Deer, acted as M.C. for the occasion!

Two Neepawa Turtles have been training for the Boissevain Turtle derby which takes place this weekend and they are bound and determined to make a good showing. Urging them on are Stablemaster Bob Bates, trainer Ross Bates, Kevin Dagg, and Timer Glen VanHove. The trainers say that the reason Freeway Fredy has one “d” in his name is that they are working on a tight budget and it costs an extra five cents a letter on their t-shirts. They needed those few extra nickels to buy hamburger to keep their racing duo in shape for the big race on Saturday.

30 years ago,

Tuesday,

August 9, 1988

Stella and Roy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary July 9, 1988. They enjoyed a dinner at the Westlander joined by the family: Bonar, Cole, Renee, Clearbrook, B.C.; Bob, Nina, Neepawa; Laura Lee, Tana, Winnipeg; John, Mary Jo, Sheldon, Alisa, Ian, Victoria, B.C.;  Jean, Winnipeg; and Alice, Winnipeg.

The following day everyone was hosted by Bob and Nina.

Stella and Roy are grateful to all who sent cards and best wishes.

20 years ago,

Monday,

August 10, 1998

Manitoba’s rural municipalities will share $27.3-million in provincial-municipal tax sharing payments for 1998-99, a four per cent increase over last year.

Provincial-municipal tax sharing payments represent 2.2 per cent of personal income tax and one per cent of corporate tax income collected by the Manitoba government in 1997.

10 years ago,

Monday,

August 11, 2008

The federal government has announced changes to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) that will provide for an additional $2.6 million in payments to about 4,000 working seniors in Manitoba.

The GIS earnings exemption has been increased to $3,500 from $500. That would mean a single pensioner earning $3,500 or more would be able to keep up to an additional $1,500 in annual GIS benefits.

The GIS is a monthly benefit provided to low-income seniors who receive the Old Age Security benefit, and who have little or no other income.

Previously, the GIS had been increased by $18 a month for single recipients and $29 a month for couples in January, 2006 and again in January 2007.

Those increases represent hikes of seven per cent over two years.