Arrested Development

Still, what do you do about the withdrawal symptoms you’re feeling now? Maybe I can help by providing you with a few visuals to keep you company over the next 12 months.

Before I do that, however, I must confess that I wasn’t at the FF for the full 5-day love-in. Don’t condemn me as I had an excellent reason: I was on a different kind of an extravaganza, a “5-day Whirlwind” hiking tour of northern Manitoba (blog to follow).

Let’s pause for a minute and consider this: what is the significance of the number 5 this year??

Anyhow, I got back to Winnipeg late Friday and the FF had been in full swing since Wednesday evening. My house was silent as my partner was off representing the family out at the Bird’s Hill festival site. So I bathed – then slept. Saturday morning I was up early exchanging my hiking boots for flip-flops and the mosquito jacket and pants for a skimpy little number. Now I was seriously ready to engage in the 37^th Winnipeg Folk Festival.

My favourite thing about the fest (besides the tailgate party) is the daytime workshops. The stages: Big Blue, Snowberry, Green Ash, Little Stage, Shady Grove and Bur Oak, are on the hop from 11:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., offering up a bonanza of musical delights. The stages are tucked in amongst the trees (and poison ivy) and each band shell is strategically positioned so that the sound from one won’t filter over to another.

Workshops run concurrently, and this is where the $5.00 spent on a program separates the wheat from the chaff, the ‘A’ type personalities from the ‘B’ types – or the weenies from the sausages (huh?). A seasoned folkie will map out the day’s workshops as timing is paramount. It helps too if you happen to run with a pack of audiophiles because with so many choices and workshops (with titles like “Perfect Strangers” or “Stay Where You’re At And I’ll Come Where You’re Tu”), an ill-informed individual such as myself could get overwhelmed.

Bur Oak Stage

This year, thanks to Travel Manitoba and the Winnipeg Folk Festival, I was issued a very precious commodity: a media/press pass. The pass permitted me access to prime vantage points around the stages so I could get some decent photos. I tried to stay low, (here’s where my diminutive stature comes in handy), and I only got the stink-eye a few times.

As you can imagine, by adding a zoom lens to the equation I was right up there – witnessing first hand the intimate interaction between the performers on stage. I promise you that I am not a voyeur, but judging from the subtle looks and body language I saw on stage, musicians seem to really get off on the daytime workshops too.

Many of my friends are creative so over time I’ve noticed, (I did a survey), that artists thrive on friction, uncertainty, and the great unknown. How else do they keep their creative juices flowing? Workshops throw musicians together and kind of force them to sort it out for themselves – and we, the crowd, are the happy recipients of that union.

Sure, summer moves on, and so will you. Your attention will shift musically to the Neil Young solo acoustic concert, and artistically to the Fringe Fest. Then of course, we have our rural festivals to consider, like the World Lily Festival in Neepawa, the Austin Threshermen’s Reunion, the Sunflower Festival in Altona, Gimli’s Islendingadagurinn, and Morden’s Corn & Apple Festival. The list could go on and on, but I’ll resist the temptation.

Still, when a certain wind blows, or a tune drifts by on the radio, you’ll think longingly of this year’s Winnipeg Folk Festival – and that’s when the separation anxiety will rise to the surface. So come back to this site and wallow in the captured images. After all, you deserve to enjoy the photos; I may have been standing in front of you when I shot them!!

Hot Tuna

Gord Downie Pressure

Main Stage - Cat Empire

Alvin Youngblood Hart

Contemporary Dancers

Greg Brown

Folk Fest Tailgate party

Sonny Landreth

Gord Downie Sarah Harmer John K. Samson

Zero Gravity Circus - tall girl big beer

Bo Ramsey and Pieta Brown

Arrested Development

Delhi 2 Dublin

Pieta Brown

Folk Fan - cooked

Gord Downie smiles

Until Next Year

Please send me an email at jacquie.crone@gmail.com or, if you’re not shy, leave a comment for all of us to enjoy.

I did a quick headcount and just about everyone who was anyone was there. The parking area was a sea of cars, the sun glinting off their windshields. Transit Tom was shuttling busloads of Festival ‘goers’ from Winnipeg every hour, and this year there was even a chance to ride your bicycle from Winnipeg to the Folk Festival – with an escort no less.

And yet, there was still a bit of trampled grass here and there that wasn’t occupied. So where were you?

You have concerns, I know. Let’s see if I can guess what they are.

1. Do you think folk music is a bit too “middle the road” for your taste?

Folk music is a term used rather loosely at the Festival. This year over 300 artists, from all over the world, were invited to Winnipeg to perform in 80 acts – so you can expect diversity with those kinds of numbers.

There are 9 outdoor stages running concurrently during the day at the festival site. As you make your way from one stage to another, don’t be surprised if you hear snippets of deep blues, hip-hop, achin’ breakin’ country folk, jazz, indie rock and maybe the squeal of bagpipes, the twang of a banjo and the harmonic complexities of electronica.

2. Maybe you stayed home because the thought of a daily merging with 14,000 scantily clad people seemed overwhelming.

The Winnipeg Folk Festival has been in operation for 37 years now and the well-trained and attentive volunteers are in evidence from the moment you hit the site until the last drive home on Sunday night. Their job is to ensure that the Festival runs like a finely tuned engine – and your happiness, comfort and safety are always at the top of their lists.

On the other hand, many of the 14,000 attendees are awfully good looking, so there’s always that.

3. Is it an age thing?

The demographic of the folkie  is hard to nail down, so let’s just say it runs the full gamut – from babies to octogenarians.

4. Nothing to wear?

I think fans are united in their desire to express themselves: tattoos abound, the goat people (i.e. the great unwashed) are content with a table cloth wrapped around their loins, the Peter Tosh wannabes struggle under the sheer weight of their dreadlocks, throwbacks to the 70’s strut about proudly in too-short cut-offs and bra-less tank tops. Then there’s the understated and ever stylish tie-dye muscle shirt, which has always been a hit in my books. As you can see, anything goes.

5. Maybe you’re worried about the weather because, after all, this is an outdoor event.

Haven’t you been reading my blogs? This is not an acceptable reason! Gear up or down, depending on what the skies look like. Hats, sunscreen, rain gear, bug spray, refillable water jugs – load up the car or your backpack with everything you need. If the weather becomes unacceptable – go to the beer tent. Duh.

6. Does the price of a ticket give you pause?

Okay, that’s a reasonable concern, but still totally reconcilable if you plan ahead: next year and take advantage of the Early Bird specials (pre May 31).

The 5-day pass is the best deal and this year it cost an adult $180.00, which works out to about $35.00/day. Seniors and youths (15 – 17 years) paid $100.00 for the 5-days, and children (5-14 years) were charged a mere $10.00. Babies and toddlers get in for free. Think about the costs incurred while taking your family to a movie. (And that’s only 2 hours of canned entertainment.)

If a 5 day commitment seem a bit intimidating to start with, then consider a day pass.

7. Speaking of kiddies, how would you hold their attention all day and night?

It’s never too soon to start training a “little folkie”. The Winnipeg Folk Festival has a dedicated Family Area with activities geared towards children. Transform your child into a tiger or an angel; let them muck about in the low-pressure sprinkler system or let them go nuts with paint and paper or modeling clay in the shade of the Chickadee Big Top tent. The Winnipeg Children’s Festival was on hand this year and the Zero Gravity Circus were there as well – clowning around.

8. Oh, I know, maybe you’re reluctant to go (pun intended) to the Festival because of the outdoor biffy-thing.

This too is a worthy concern, but I can tell you this: there are frequently-cleaned port-o-lets everywhere and the toilet paper is abundant. Furthermore, the creep-factor can be washed away at the many hand-washing stations – again, re-filled on a regular basis. PLUS, I’ve had many fine interactions with fellow folksters whilst holding my bladder in check in the line-up.

9. Shopping. I understand – I also experience withdrawal symptoms if I try to go too long without consuming, as we are, after all, products of our environment.

Thankfully, there is the Hand-Made Village – which features artful crafts, fashions, jewellery and all sorts of cool, high quality items made by 50 Canadian artists.

10. And finally, because surely you can’t have more than 10 concerns, you might be worried about satisfying your belly’s urges with nutritious food.

I think deep-fried Whales Tails are 100% nutritious, but maybe you think otherwise.

I noted that many people brought their own food and enjoyed on-the-spot picnics. My FF tribe has always taken a certain amount of pride in our ‘tail-gate’ parties, which are staged between the daytime workshops and the evening concert. Fresh fruit, bread, cheese, paté and plenty of appropriate tunes on the car stereo always make these events an important yearly ritual.

If you choose to travel light, however, take advantage of the Food Village. This year there were 20 stalls devoted to meeting all of your culinary cravings. The Winnipeg Folk Festival strives to make sustainable choices available to the masses. Most of the vendors offered items containing local ingredients, which were grown (or raised) organically, and many were produced using Fair Trade ingredients.

I’d highly recommend budgeting for at least one snack or meal, as the quality, freshness and wonderful aromas of the food choices capture your attention as soon as you arrive. The satisfaction comes along seconds later.

Have I missed anything? I hope I’ve addressed your reluctances and maybe even piqued your interest in the Winnipeg Festival. Go. I mean it! This is one of the premiere events of a Manitoba summer.

I’ll be posting another story shortly, sharing my own experiences from this year’s Winnipeg Folk Festival. As Travel Manitoba supplied me with a media pass, I was able to get up close and personal with some of the artists: imagine standing 4 feet from Gord Downie as he jammed at a workshop with Sarah Harmer and John K. Sampson. Exhilarating!

So stay tuned – my mom taught me to share and I’m still good that way.

Please send me an email at jacquie.crone@gmail.com or, if you’re not shy, leave a comment for all of us to enjoy.

Children find it funny to stick their fingers in their noses, and funnier still if they can get their finger into your nose. And they ride teeny bicycles. Clowns tend to be the same. They both give me the shivers – and for most of my life I’ve made an art out of avoiding them. Some might say it was fate, then, that Travel Manitoba suggested I check out Kidsfest 2010.

Every June, for the past 28 years, the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival (WICF) has made it their mandate to push the boundaries as to how much fun children (or those of us who struggle with maturity) are entitled to. The 4-day festival, dubbed Kidsfest, keeps growing, and this year the Executive Director, Neal Rempel, proudly trotted out 30 acts, which translated into over 120 performances, all aimed at wowing the younger set.

The WICF was the brainchild of Mitch Podolak and “Red River” Bill Merritt, of Winnipeg Folk Festival and local music scene fame, and Colin Jackson from the Prairie Theatre Exchange. 28 years is noteworthy. I suspect some of the guardians in attendance had originally been kiddies at those early-days shows. Perhaps they sat in strollers at Assiniboine Park, the Festival’s original location, or later on at Kildonan Park. The WICF moved to its current site at the Forks National Historic Park in 1990.

On the day I set out for my inaugural WICF experience the thunderclouds were boiling on the horizon and it was already drizzling (this is starting to become a familiar and most unwelcome trend this year). I had enlisted my nephew’s photogenic family, Bennie (3), Liam (1) and their wrangler/mother Ange, to join me so that I could attempt to see the show through a ‘child’s eyes’.

I had no idea what to expect, so when I arrived at The Forks to find the ample parking lots packed, I decided this was a formidable gathering of mothers that really wanted to get out of the house. I had a couple of hours to do some photography before my model family arrived. My ticket allowed me onto the site and from there I could take in as many shows as I could manage. I’d circled a selection of performances listed in my program, (which Liam eventually ate), that sounded as though they’d be interesting.

The WICF is set up very much like the Winnipeg Folk Festival in that there are many stages, most under big tops, to protect its precious inhabitants from the glare of sun, or in this case – rain. My first stop was Tent 3 to see Hilby, The Skinny German Juggle Boy. I had arrived a few minutes late so I struggled to keep a low profile in the now crowded tent. The noise was astounding: peals of laughter, squeals, and collective screaming. Obviously, Hilby was a hit with the kids and as I snaked my way to center front, as unobtrusively as I could, I started to listen.

Hilby is a gangly goof and visually, he vibrates. Verbally, he’s positively irreverent, and on every other level – totally engaging. He has the innate ability to make the kids crazy with joy and at the same time slide on that slippery slope that Monty Python perfected and adults revere.

Having said that, I have a bone to pick with Hilby. So he’d best beware.

You see, while he was performing, I had the audacity to pop up, quickly turn and take a picture of the laughing crowd. Hilby was busy juggling knives while balancing on a unicycle, and yet he noticed me. Teasingly he asked: “vhy aren’t you vatching me!!” (I’m sorry; my fake German accent doesn’t translate well into the written word). Off the stage he bounced, while I tried to blend in with the 5-year olds. Unbelievably, the lederhosen-clad “skinny German”, wrestled my very precious camera out of my hands.

Quick as a bunny he was back on stage again, juggling knives and – umm, my camera. The crowd was so enjoying this – I was somewhat less than amused. Hilby assured me he hadn’t dropped anything lately. He then took a toilet plunger “vitch has hardly ever been used” plunked my camera on the plunger bit, and balanced the whole business on the end of his nose. The crowd went wild. My teeth were grinding and yet my brain told me “this guy juggles chain saws, what are the odds he’ll drop my camera?” The story ended happily, I got my camera back, but not before he snapped a pic of me with the most unappealing look on my face (and no, I’m not including it in the blog). Quickly, the crowd turned its attention to some other zany antic. That’s when I started to get a tiny headache.

From there I made my way to the main tent. Fred Penner is a slick and flawless performer and, as always, a crowd pleaser. Again the huge tent was packed to the rafters. I was impressed and a little touched that Fred – the star, invited a little 3’ high guy, sporting a mini acoustic guitar, on stage to share the limelight. Apparently this was a come-back performance as the little rocker played with Fred when he was only 2’ high.

Next I’m off to meet up with my model family, whom I hope to hurry along so as to see Ache Brasil, a troupe of dancers and musicians that incorporates acrobatics, self-defence tactics and: “breath-taking kicks” into their program. Unquote.

I guess anyone who has children just had a little guffaw at my expense after reading that. One does not hurry along 1 and 3-year old children. Apparently, gum stuck on the sidewalk has more appeal than death-defying kicks. Then, of course there’s the busker who has a whistle and a corrugated washboard vest that he can strum with his fingers. That can pretty much kill an afternoon when you have children in tow. Jeez.

Eventually Ange and I herded the kids towards the tent where Ache Brasil was playing. I was instantly absorbed into the crowd, intent on finding a good spot to get a photo. I hunkered down mid-crowd with the smell of candyfloss and loaded diapers confusing my senses. I enjoyed following Ache Brasil through my lens as they were colourfully attired, athletic and, well, pretty buff. The crowd was energized and I liked that too. The tiny girl next to me chose to watch me instead though, and rested her elbow possessively on my shoulder the whole time. That added an element to a photo shoot that I’m not used to – and only once did she put her little, sticky pink finger on my viewfinder.

Only later did I find out that my charges for the day got immediately distracted and toddled off with their ever-attentive mom to see the police car with the shiny lights. Then, seconds later, when that got boring, they went off to play in the sand at the Parks Canada tent: “Kids Dig History At The Forks!” The little boys were oblivious to the big acts, but the WICF already knew that and had set aside huge areas just for them. There was face painting, clowns on stilts twisting balloons into poodle and giraffe shapes, kite flying, squishy clay to mould and muck about in, hoops laden with colourful cloth just for crawling through – and on and on.

It’s pretty clear that after 28 years the WICF have it all figured out. Everyone from tots to teens to thoughtful moms and dads, to those of us who still have a hankering to laugh out loud might want to circle their calendars NOW for next June’s Winnipeg International Children’s Festival. See you there.

You can send me an email at jacquie.crone@gmail.com or, if you’re not shy, leave a comment for all of us to share.

I was up before the birds Friday and my ride would be arriving soon. I didn’t have to wait for my alarm to sound, a wicked thunderstorm was right on top of me and the ka-boom could have woken the dead. One strike was so close I peeked between the venetian blinds just to make sure my massive elm tree was still in an upright position. A rather ominous way to start the day.

I looked at the weather channel before leaving. The forecasters were tracking the cold front, that was meeting the warm front, doing that thing they do and making predictions as best they could. Bottom line: the storm was tracking slowly east towards my destination, near the Manitoba/Ontario border. We could expect a mere 1  mm of rain with the temperature warm at around +25. All systems go.

2 hours later I’m standing on the Canadian Shield, along with 30 other people, the rain pelting down, knees knockin’ from the cold, watching our day’s plan go down the drain. We had been invited to the Whiteshell Provincial Park by the Three Fires Society to participate in a special First Nations ceremony at a remote, sacred site.

ATV Damage

Record amounts of rainfall that morning, on top of an access trail already compromised by all-terrain vehicles effectively put the kibosh on the proceedings. Aboriginal Elder Charlie Nelson, from Roseau River, shared some teachings with us at an alternate site, but when the wind started to blow and the lightning joined in, we agreed to reconvene in September.

Foiled by an inaccurate weather forecast. I know, hard to believe.

Back in the comfort of a dry, warm car we decided to take the scenic route back to Winnipeg. After all, we’d come all this way and there really was no reason to tuck our tails and run for cover.

Our first stop was Beausejour where we stopped for milkshakes and, since there was a lull in the rain, a short hike through the Manitoba Glass Works heritage site. You can pretty much forget about a quiet walk at a heritage site when your two travelling companions work for Manitoba Historic Resources.

The Manitoba Glass Works factory was built in 1904 to take advantage of some of finest silica sand in western Canada. The first employees were of Polish descent and they produced glass using European methods – liquefying the sand over heat in a pot and then blowing the molten lava into the desired shape. It wasn’t long before the factory grew to employ over 300 people and a form of semi-automation was introduced. Tank furnaces, made from clay brick, were continually stoked, supplying the glass blowers with good quality glass 24/7. The glass factory’s main clients were Winnipeg’s breweries and soft drink bottlers. Unfortunately, even with these modern advances, the Manitoba Glass Works Factory couldn’t hold their own against eastern manufacturers and the factory was sold in 1913.

The walk is a pleasant amble and you can still see the footings of some of the buildings here and there. I also appreciated a little exercise – to allow our milkshakes to “settle in”.

For what ever reason (divine intervention?) the weather was holding. And so, from Beausejour, we veered south and a wee bit west to visit a most unique place: the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception at Cook’s Creek, Manitoba. Quite a mouthful, but there you have it.

As you cruise along Highway 212, the first thing you see of the Church, commonly called the Cathedral of the Prairies, are its 9 “onion” domes rising out of the ground. The domes represent the 9 ranks (or spheres) of angels. What is startling about this building, besides its remote location, is its opulence. From afar you can see intricate tile work and architectural detail abundantly laden with gold and copper; statues at every turn and masonry that harkens back to the masters. But get up close to the “castle” and you realize all of this perceived affluence is just that – perceived. What you see has been achieved by the clever use of brightly coloured paint, painstakingly applied over plaster. In my opinion, this enhances the charm of the place.

Construction of the church started in the 1930’s, right around the time of the great depression. Money was scarce, but the parishioner’s devotion was not. Construction took over 20 years and the labour and fine artistry was provided by the nearby farming community.

In the 60’s a Grotto was added to the mix. The Grotto is also a study in mimicry: a representation in concrete of the Grotto at Lourdes, France. A walk around the beautiful grounds takes you back to medieval times.

Apparently I’m not the first to make this astute observation. A congregation of about 200 people supports the Church of the Immaculate Conception and every year volunteers host a medieval festival – a fundraising event for the upkeep of the Church and Grotto. I recall several years ago driving down Zora Road and coming upon this spectacle. I had to stop and get out of the car to fully comprehend what I was seeing. The courtyard was a congestion of lords and ladies, bards, jesters and peasant-folk. Minstrels were playing their flutes, while out on the “Field of Valour”, knights clad in armour, lances at the ready, charged their opponents at full gallop on high-strung steeds. It sounded kind of painful when those lances connected.

This year’s festival is planned for July 24, 2010. The evening feast includes wild boar and turkey drumsticks – and you shouldn’t expect any utensils, licking your fingers and wiping them on your ‘tunic’ is the norm.

We spent a good hour poking around the grounds and taking in the view from the top rampart of the Grotto. The Church doors were open to the public on this particular day as there was a bus tour visiting the site – and I was able, for the first time, to experience the beauty of that inner sanctum.

And that is where we ended our day’s adventures. Not bad, considering how the day started: doom, gloom and ka-boom. Manitoba is full of surprises and finding them is all part of the fun. However, I don’t mind giving you a hint once and a while and a gentle shove in the right direction.

You can find the Manitoba Glass Works Factory Heritage Trail by driving down the main street in Beausejour, Park Avenue, until you reach 1^st Street. Head south to James Avenue and stop at number ˙340.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Cook’s Creek, Manitoba is located at the junction of Highway 212 & Sapton Road.

Email me at jacquie.crone@gmail.com or, if you’re not shy, leave a comment for us all to share.

Lilac Street in Winnipeg

I’ve been writing this blog since January and if you’ve been following the stories, you’ll know that my passion is being active in the great outdoors. I’ve tried to introduce you to all kinds of interesting corners of Manitoba where you can hike, ski, cycle, whatever. I’m happy to tell you that Travel Manitoba has now given me the nod to write about other aspects of this province that I think may appeal to Manitobans and visitors. So occasionally, like today, I’m going to throw you a curve ball. I’ll step out of my comfort zone and maybe we’ll have some fun. Here we go.

Women like shopping. More to the point, women like to look good. Shopping is a necessary step in acquiring the stuff to make them look good. To make this part of the process as painless as possible I start by identifying the need, then I locate the target, deploy, get in and get out. Take no prisoners. A military manoeuvre, as effective as it is sterile.

I have an analytical mind, a bit plodding, but analytical. So finally, after decades of drudgery, I dared to ask myself, “Why is shopping such a drag?” I can sum up my conclusion in four words – malls and big box stores. I mean, what can possibly be engaging about traipsing from one faceless bunker to another? The lights alone in a mall make you want to run for cover.

There are, however, places in Winnipeg where shopping rises above the mundane. Lilac Street is one of them. This is a small area, maybe a block or two long, running perpendicular to Corydon Avenue. It is a concentrated effort – everything you could possibly want and yet, unsurprisingly, you won’t find at Wal-Mart.

The street is lined with 125-year-old American Elm trees, the storefronts are quaint and the skyline is an irregular surprise of angles. Intermingled with the shops are lovely, old, nicely-appointed apartments and condominiums. This is why the area is so vital. Residential intermingled with commerce, all cohabiting, all complimenting and supporting one another.

My pal Terry Lacosse, owner and boss-artist at Gallery Lacosse, set up shop on Lilac Street, a few years ago, giving me an excellent reason to frequent the area. Terry is a fine artist with the astute mind of a Wall Street broker. Most of us function efficiently using the left OR right side of the brain; Terry works both sides with scary efficiency.

"Lilac Storm" painting by Terry Lacosse

His shop will set the tone for anyone’s day of shopping. Gallery Lacosse’s walls are lined with paintings and photographs by the over 30 local artists he represents, and his showcases offer up tasty jewellery, pottery and glasswork.

As much as I love Gallery Lacosse though, I have to admit to an even stronger craving: Cha-Cha’s. The TV series and movie “Sex in the City” is mostly inane, but I agree with one aspect – a good shoe now and again makes up for life’s inadequacies – and Cha-Cha’s is my first choice for a good shoe. Luckily, if they don’t have just what I’m after, a few stores down the street is the boutique Soul. More shoes!

I think the trick to shopping – now pay attention – is mixing up the occasion with lunch or supper, a coffee, or, depending on the position of the sun’s yardarm, a martini. Lilac Street has all of the above.

Bread and Circuses Bakery & Cafe is a popular stop and the coffee is dark and rich tasting. Owner Roy Friesen confirms that their kitchen produces fresh baking 6 days a week. In fact each day has its own specialty bread: Balkan rye, Harvest Home and cinnamon raisin to name a few. As for shopping fatigue, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a Pear Feta Walnut Salad gives you a kick-start should you start to lag.

Bread and Circuses

Occasionally, my girlfriends and I have also been seen at Café Carlos. The menu has been tweaked recently and I can lose myself in the choices. Oh, and their martinis are invigorating.

Back on the street, you’ll find a number of stores carrying clothing that appeals to individuals from “16 years of age to 60 plus”, to quote Francesca, the owner of CHIC clothing. That’s a pretty optimistic range, but hey, 60 is the new 45, Right? Go ahead – try something on. It is fun and you may just feel inspired by the new look.

And finally, as your thoughts turn towards home and the couch that beckons, stop for a bouquet of fresh cut flowers from Beyond Flowers or the Green Scene and a final stop at Whodunit? book store for a take-away mystery.

Beyond Flowers

Now that’s how a day of shopping should always go.

Email me at jacquie.crone@gmail.com or leave a comment for all of us to enjoy.

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of trekking to wonderful destinations all over Manitoba with a group of walkers called the Prairie Pathfinders. Usually these sojourns focus on hiking: many, many kilometres of hiking. It figures then, that just when you think you know the formula, the co-founders of the Prairie Pathfinders mix it up. In this case, a weekend at the Whiteshell Provincial Park with an emphasis on rest and relaxation – and sure, a couple of easy hikes, just to keep our blood circulating.

The laid-back mood was apparent when I walked into our accommodations for the weekend – the Pinewood Lodge at Dorothy Lake. There, lounging by the indoor saltwater pool, were a dozen or so familiar faces intent on their card game, while others percolated away in the whirlpool. Not a hiking boot in sight.

Pinewood Lodge is owned and operated by Raquel and Jeff Lincoln – and more to the point, they built the darn place. Raquel has been a force in my life for years; from a time when I was in the business of building recreational trails. In her spare time (as if!) she’s the president of the North Whiteshell Trail Association, which is a group of volunteers who are busy building their portion of the Trans Canada Trail. If you hooked Raquel up to a generator, you could illuminate a large city with her excess energy.

The sign-in desk at the Pinewood Lodge is dwarfed by its surroundings. The “great room” soars 30 feet high, the stone fireplace is big enough to stand in, and the floor to ceiling windows bring the whole outdoor vista inside: granite rock ridges, black spruce and a twinkling lake. My room, once I get there, is no less impressive – a private Jacuzzi – oh boy!

Occasionally, we tear ourselves away from the lodge and all its amenities. One of the hikes we take is an old favourite of mine – Pine Point Rapids. The trailhead is a short drive east of the Whiteshell Museum (Nutimik) on PR 307. I’m curious about the condition of the trail as last time I walked here the place looked like a moonscape with trees flattened and foliage decimated by a tornado and high winds in June of 2007.

Pine Point Rapids Trail is just over 8 kms long and there’s a bit of rock scrambling involved, so I’d say it is a moderate to intermediate type of trail. Reasonable footwear is a must and you should plan on taking a few hours.

The clearly defined trail loops off to your right where you’ll experience first-hand the granite magnificence of the Canadian Shield. The ultimate reward of this hike is the Whiteshell River and it’s 3 attractions – Pine Point Rapids, Acorn Falls and Viburnum Falls.

We stop for tea at the falls. This is more an act of homage rather than a “pause that refreshes”. Aboriginal people, fur traders and trappers have followed this very river for thousands of years and it is only respectful to stop and to consider your surroundings. It is interesting that the name Whiteshell refers to the cowrie shells that were traded amongst the various first nation groups in North America and were used by the Anishinabe in the region.

On the way out, closing the loop, the Trail passes through what was once (pre 2007) a black spruce, jack pine and aspen forest. The tornado’s damage is still evident, but I’m less disheartened than when I last visited. Manitoba Conservation has removed most of the deadfall to lessen the danger of a forest fire, and here and there are signs of new life.

Before returning to “poolside” we stop at another trailhead and walk out to view the Bannock Point Petroforms. The petroforms are thought to date back to A.D. 500. Lichen covered stones stretch across the bedrock – and what appears at first to be just a bunch geometric shapes soon morphs into turtles, snakes, humans and other thought-provoking figures. There is something here, a feeling of being watched, a sense of something bigger than me.

Petroform - turtle

I am aware of other petroform sites within the Whiteshell Provincial Park that have been fenced off from the public. When I was an Interpreter in the park you could still access these places, but believe it or not, some seriously confused individual(s) decided to realign history, by moving the rocks. Lucky for them the spirits of ancients are benevolent.

The Anishinabe and other First Nations people attach significant importance to petroforms. These ancient patterns are physical reminders of instructions given to Native people by the spirits. As you walk amongst the figures, quiet yourself and remember this is a sacred place: a place for teaching, a place for healing.

Gifts of tobacco and cloth offered to the ancient spirits

The Whiteshell Provincial Park is only 2 hrs east of Winnipeg, on PR 307, so you could make a lunch and have a pleasant day trip. If you want to linger, there are several campgrounds to choose from, as well as rental accommodations. The attractions and activities in the area are endless.

We left the snowy highlands of Riding Mountain and descended into a scene from another movie. Dauphin appeared to be in the middle of spring – no snow to be seen, green leaves on trees, and brilliant sunshine. We headed to the Catholic Ukrainian church hall where we experienced all of the richness of an outstanding Dauphin Ukrainian cultural experience called “Savour The Flavour of Dauphin“.

After a formal welcome with bread and salt, we rolled up our sleeves and made Ukrainian breads in the traditional manner, under the expert guidance of the babas – as another of our guests said, “I loved being with these wonderful women…”. With the melodies of live Ukrainian music rolling around us, a fine Ukrainian meal was served with borscht soup, perogies, cabbage rolls, chicken breast, salad and cheese-cake dessert.

Surprise after surprise began to roll in after this. Not content focusing simply on cuisine experiences, we were then engaged in activities that were new for many of our participants. We learned what Ukrainian dance looks like from a demonstration dance with two instructors from Zirka Dance Ensemble. After which, the entire group paired up and learned three different dance steps…laughter, delight and great dancing took place.

The final surprise was set up for us by Carla Wolfenden, Dauphin’s Tourism & Events Coordinator. And, what a surprise it was. We had the opportunity to meet some the Dauphin Kings and their assistant coach – The Kings are in first place in the RBC cup – they are in the playoffs, and hockey fever has hit Dauphin big-time. The Kings set up a net close to the boards and our group had the opportunity take shots at the Dauphin Kings net-minder….For real!

This will be something that is a true memory-keeper. Thanks Carla for a great day – I’m really appreciating the great partners in our area who have been investing in, and helping to develop some amazing experiences that are truly Manitoban, and one-of-a-kind, including sitting in the driver’s seat of the Zamboni – how Canadian is that?

Our guests spoke about how much they are appreciating these experiences with Minnedosa Tribune reporter Amanda Boyd, who promises to send a copy of the article she writes. She visited with the group tonight at the Elkhorn Resort, taking notes for her upcoming article about this Riding Mountain RVC itinerary.

We finished off the day with another outstanding culinary treat from Elkhorn Sous-Chef Vaughn Barkman – bison and elk shavings with a skewer of rosemary on which we had roasted baby tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms. Dessert was simple – a crepe package with ricotta and chevre and a slightly sweetened creme on the side. The Elkhorn Resort is striking it hot with great cuisine!  We are on to Day 3 tomorrow – life is good on the mountain, the Riding Mountain, that is!

Spring Blue-winged teal arrive in Riding Mountain Nat’l Park

Welcome to the Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) 2010 pre and post marketplace Manitoba experiences!

Up in the highlands of Manitoba, at Riding Mountain National Park, a number of local community partners look forward to welcoming the world to several unique experiences in which wild nature, spring birding, Ukrainian culture, a national park’s treasures, cuisine, and spa adventures have been wrapped into a new Manitoba quilt of adventures.

Riding Mountain Wild Nature Wonders & Prairie Roots is a new three-day Adventure itinerary that offers many new activities that exemplify the best of “experiential travel” – developed specially for Rendez-vous (RVC) 2010. Participants will be invited to learn-by-doing, encounter new people, taste Manitoba regional cuisine, and meet local chefs. It’s spring – we’ll look for returning migrant birds in the company of expert guides. We’ll be checking out the national park bison herd to see if there are any new calves. We will also be listening and learning from local story-tellers, interpreters, babas, and from the coordinator of this itinerary, Celes Davar, president of Earth Rhythms, an award-winning learning adventure company located at Riding Mountain National Park. Keep up to date about new experiences, people, and Riding Mountain events at Experience Riding Mountain.

Celes is Travel Manitoba’s Outdoor Ambassador.”…I have been delighted to assist Travel Manitoba over the last several months to craft a number of new Manitoba signature experiences with industry partners throughout Manitoba, as we prepared for RVC 2010 and Manitoba’s Homecoming Year… ”

Over the last few years, Earth Rhythms has been developing a number of new experiences in partnership with the city of Dauphin; the Elkhorn Resort & Solstice Spa;  Riding Mountain National Park, and with several other unique experience providers who live, work and play within the Riding Mountain international biosphere reserve. Look for more unique outdoor adventures and Manitoba experiences on Travel Manitoba’s website.

It’s also one of the best bars in Canada.

Times Change(d) is a great venue to go to if you’re in the mood to hear local bands rock the house. On Friday, I went down to listen to soul/funk band The Solutions. The eight-piece band has played at venues all over the city, and is slowly gaining attention for their high-energy performances and charisma. For my money, they are some of the best performers in Winnipeg today. Oh yeah, and the lead singer is my cousin.  (Even so, the band is still awesome.)

So what happens when you cram an eight-piece soul band into a tiny venue with a cut off corner stage? Well, you get a few squished elbows, one or two toes stepped on, and the best dancing of your life.

I’m not usually a dancer. Actually, that’s a lie. I’m never a dancer. I bring shame to the art of dance. And yet, you can’t be at the Times Change(d) without grooving to the beat a little. And you can’t listen to The Solutions without getting down and funky. When you put the two together…you let loose. Or at least, I did. As the band tore through their fun set, I forgot that I couldn’t dance and that I have no natural ability to move to music.

It was a great time, with nice friends and wonderful music. And to those who watched me on the dance floor, I promise I’ll never dance in public again.

But there are some things I never hesitate to attend. Swan Lake at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet is one of them.

The story of Swan Lake is a classic. Odette, the queen of the swans, is under the spell of an evil magician, and only her love Prince Siegfried, can save her. Even though I don’t know much about ballet, I love this classic story. I think maybe it’s because the dancers wear the quintessential ballet garb, a white tutu. Nothing says classy ballet dancer like a white tutu, right?

I’m kidding. I love it because when it’s danced beautifully, the story comes to life. Odette’s pain, and love between the two dancers, the triumph of Seigfried and Odette, it’s all portrayed so wonderfully.

The principal dancers at the performance I saw (Vanessa Lawson (Odette), Gael Lambiotte (Prince Siegfried), and Jaime Vargas (Baron Von Rothbart)) gave the classic tale their all. It was truly moving to watch.

If you’re interested in dance with a lot less style and flair, head down to Times Change(d) this Friday to see yours truly rockin’ out…On second thought, I’ll try to keep the dancing to the pros.