Interlake Spectator — Members of the Kiwanis Club of Gimli and District hosted the convention of the Western Canada District of Kiwanis International Aug. 12-14. Fully 104 delegates -- from as far west as Dawson Creek, B.C. to Thunder Bay in the east -- along with 53 spouses and five children converged on Gimli for the weekend gathering.

Also in attendance were Dave Curry, a representative from Kiwanis International, and his wife Eva from Butte, Montana.

Gimli Kiwanis co-chairs Norm Black and Gordon Anderson brought together a committee of volunteers to pull off the event. Committee members included Cindy Anderson, Harry Robinson, Paul Stanicky, Phil Laing, Peter Froese, Jack McQuade and Mike Timgren.

The Family Night Friday featured the traditional fish fry prepared and served by more than 40 members and spouses of the local Kiwanis club. This was followed by a terrific evening of entertainment by the St. Laurent Fiddlers called the “Back Forty” and a number of energetic dances by the Asham Stompers as well as several songs by our own talented Missy Collins which included Danny Boy and several beautiful Icelandic selections.

While the delegates were busy with Kiwanis matters, their companions enjoyed some of the unique forms of art available in our town -- ranging from a cooking demonstration by Ken Arnason, chocolate making by Jackie Krahn, jewellery making by Linda Vermeulen, rug hooking by Nancy Hall, as well as a Mary Kay demonstration by Barbara Berven, wife of Kiwanis District Governor Bruce Berven. The ladies were treated to lunch at Amma’s Tea Room and Gift Shop followed by a tour of the Gimli Art Gallery.

Meanwhile the children were well cared for by Harry and Brenda Robinson, Mike and Eunice Timgren who took them to a tour of the beach and dock, tour of the ultra modern Narfason dairy farm, a model airplane demonstration, a game of mini golf, fun with remote control boats, a pizza party and bowling.
The Governor’s Banquet Saturday evening featured the local musical talent of Kate Ferris and her husband, Fred Casey.

The convention ended on a positive note with a presentation by Hannah Taylor, a nine-year-old girl who has done a great deal to motivate others into action to educate individuals about homeless people. Hannah is the founder of “The Ladybug Foundation” which supports her efforts to spread awareness and raise funds to meet the needs of the homeless in Canada.

“This was just one more successful effort by our local club,” Black concluded.

Spectator staff