Mr. Gerry McAlpine (Sturgeon Creek): On the 24th of April, I had the privilege of attending an annual Deer Lodge men's curling wind-up. By all accounts, this past year has been a successful year for the club, and I am confident that their success will continue into 1998 and beyond. As we joined together in friendship and good times, many a story was told about the rock that would not spin and the game won in the last end, along with many other pleasant memories. Last Friday was not just a chance to visit and socialize but was a chance for all of us to formally recognize the club champions, the winners of the individual nights throughout the season and present a couple of honorary life memberships to some very deserving curlers.
We were also honoured to welcome some representatives of the senior men's provincial champions, the Clare De Blonde rink, who took the time to join and celebrate with us. Curling has come a long way since the humble beginning on frozen ponds using straw brooms and jam pails. Today curling has made its way to becoming the Olympic medal event, and the competition, both locally and internationally has become increasingly challenging.
However, despite curling's growing following, its true home will also be in community rinks where friends get together and play for the love of the game. On behalf of all honourable members, I congratulate Mr. Guy McLachlin and the board of directors of the entire Deer Lodge Curling Club for a successful evening and an even more successful year. Thank you.
Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, last week, members on both sides of the House rose to congratulate Manitoba writers, publishers and booksellers on Manitoba Book Week and, as well, to recognize Canada Book Day. We noted the contribution these people make to our province. They help us to know ourselves and to define ourselves as people. They contribute enormously to the quality of our lives and to our pleasure, and, of course, they contribute to the economic development of our province.
Manitoba Book Week's grand finale was on Saturday night, the evening of the Manitoba Literary Awards. I know all members of the House will join me in congratulating Catherine Hunter, winner of the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award for Latent Heat; Sheldon Oberman, the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award for By the Hanukkah Light; Diana Wieler for RanVan: Magic Nation, another winner of the McNally Robinson Book for Young People; Todd Bruce, the John Hirsch Award for the most promising writer, a poet whose most recent book is Rhapsody in D; James Sherrett, winner of the Heaven Chapbook Prize for Up in Ontario; the Manitoba Association of Book Publishers for the best designed adult book, Bread, Wine & Angels and Taylor George Design for the best-designed children's book, Juliana and the Medicine Fish.
We recognize and honour all those who have made these awards possible, especially the John Hirsch memorial award trust, Heaven Art & Book Cafe and McNally Robinson Booksellers. Finally, we congratulate the two dozen or so book publishers who contributed to Brave New Words, the Manitoba Literary Awards.
Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Madam Speaker, last evening the Minister of Government Services (Mr. Pitura), the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Mr. Downey) and I had the honour of attending the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church. The evening was an appreciation night sponsored by the Mennonite Disaster Service for flood survivors and volunteers in the Red River Valley. It was one year ago that Pastor John Klassen was able to canoe down the church aisle to his pulpit, but now the church and its congregation have repaired the damages and one would be hard-pressed to find any lasting signs of last year's flood of the century.
In the course of a very positive evening, appreciation was given to the Canadian Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Manitoba Mercy Mission and the CRWRC. As well, the Minister of Government Services presented Mr. Sid Reimer, Chair of Mennonite Disaster Service, and Mr. Paul Friesen, also with MDS, with plaques noting their outstanding services and assistance.
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The flood was a challenging time for all Manitobans, and it was especially heart-warming to be at an event that allowed people to express their appreciation for all the untold effort completed on their behalf by countless individuals. The Mennonite Disaster Service, which is coming up to its 50th anniversary celebration, played a vital role last spring. In fact, it was 48 years ago that the MDS began work in Manitoba helping out in the Rosenort area during the 1950 flood. MDS has provided over 13,500 volunteer days of work with the Red River response, and they still continue in the process of rebuilding people's homes and lives.
So, on behalf of all honourable members, I extend my appreciation to the Mennonite Disaster Service and the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church for yesterday's appreciation night. Thank you.
Mr. Daryl Reid (Transcona): Madam Speaker, on Friday, April 24, my family and I had the opportunity to attend the Transcona Collegiate drama production of Anne of Green Gables. This two-act play was performed in front of a packed theatre over a period of some two hours. The students, teachers and volunteers worked together long hours over some five months in preparation for these 10 performances in five days.
Judging by the audience's response, the tears, the laughter and the standing ovation, I would say that this play was a huge success. Congratulations to the 34 performers, the 13 musicians in the pit band, the sound, lighting and recording crew and, of course, to the band director, Jackie Krowell, the musical director, Judy Ruchkall and the artistic director, Gary Matwichuk. Well done.
Together, all of these people did an amazing job with little resources. In fact, the Transcona-Springfield School Division has requested financial support for their drama program facilities from the provincial Department of Education, but the provincial Education department has rebuffed these requests over a number of years.
Nevertheless, this Anne of Green Gables production was a huge success and, to all of those young people who performed and participated in this program that added greatly to our quality of life, I say well done.