Havin’ a hoe down

Article appeared in the Sept 22, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…

There may not have been a harvest moon in the sky for the Harvest Moon Western Hoe Down Gala, but there was plenty of shine at the Gimli Rec Centre nonetheless—moonshine, gold nuggets, and the gleam of a Sheriff’s badge at every dinner table. The Evergreen Basic Needs Committee surely did round ‘em up for a fabulous fundraiser on Sept. 17.
The evening began with the chairman of the EBN board, Rob Jantz, taking the microphone, to speak about the birth of Evergreen Basic Needs, its goals and its progress.
“We’re hoping that in time poverty can be eliminated,” said Jantz.
He thanked the volunteers, and made special mention of EBN staff member, Whitney Zelenitsky, who was the primary organizer of the gala event, who will be moving on to study Nursing.
Four board members who also recently stepped down, Marcel Cherlet, Frances Petrowski, Kevin St. Martin, and Olivia Arneson, were each presented with certificates of appreciation for their years of service with EBN.
The dozens of sponsors, which either supported the event or who support EBN throughout the year, were duly noted, as were the efforts of the Fraserwood Fire Department, who manned the gaming table for the night, and the Kiwanis Club, who manned the saloon.
Grace was then said by Father Wayne Morrisey, and, table by table, the crowd was served a buffet-style dinner of roast beef, potatoes, perogies, cabbage rolls, and meatballs. Wine, donated by Diagio’s, awaited them back at their tables, and dessert called to them from a long side table.
The atmosphere was relaxed and at times boisterous, especially when the designated Sheriffs saw fit to deal with ‘lawbreakers’.
Gimli MLA, Peter Bjornson was the first to find himself on the ‘wrong side of the law’ when he failed to ask the sheriff’s permission to leave the table, having the nerve to get up of his own accord. The punishment, a visit to the jail, was swift and sure. Entertainer,

Bjornson was soon followed by Gimli’s Poet Laureate, Dr. David Arnason, who, himself, had a very guilty look on his face.
After dinner, there was dancing to the Tracey Martin Band. Later in the evening , best dressed winners were chosen, and other activities, like modified barrel racing, panning for gold, and the opening of a treasure chest with West Jet keys, took place. There were dozens of silent and rainbow auction prizes, and several large prizes that included a return trip for two anywhere West Jet flies, and a return trip for two to B.C. on Via Rail.
Tickets for the well-attended event sold for $35 each.