Opening Ceremonies
Congratulations once again to Ab Doyle who was presented with Citizen of the Year 2008! Here is the article which the Chronicle ran Sunday about the opening ceremonies (if you’re looking for it, it ran Sunday, Feb 22 under the title, Fun had at Frosty Days:
Manitouwadge Celebrates Frosty Days
Mild weather at the Kiwissa Ski Centre Friday evening had Manitouwadge residents out en masse for the opening ceremonies of Frosty Days, the community’s annual winter carnival. Attendees warmed themselves around a huge campfire while Master of Ceremonies Ed Hedderson took the stage to give a brief overview of some of the events planned for the weekend including ski & snowboard races organized by the Kiwissa Ski Club; snowmobile drag races hosted by the Sno-Drifters Snowmobile Club on the lake; a cross-country ski poker run hosted by Northern Trails Ski Club at the Community Club House; skating parties at the arena hosted by leisure services on Saturday and Bethany Pentecostal Church on Sunday; a “No Tap Bowling Tournament at Nelson’s Enterprises; Cardboard Box Races at the Ski Centre on Sunday and many more.
Mayor John MacEachern and Director of Leisure Services, Randy Mattson presented Ab Doyle with a plaque honouring him as Manitouwadge’s Citizen of the Year 2008. Since moving to Manitouwadge 30 years ago, Mr. Doyle has volunteered for many causes including the local curling club, hospital charities and as an umpire for Ladies’ Softball. He has represented the community participating in triathlons in Ontario and the United States and Mayor John MacEachern describe him as “a true ambassador to Manitouwadge who exemplifies the kind and generous spirit of our community”. Mr. Doyle was quite surprised and honored by the recognition.
The highlight of the evening came at the end of the ceremony when the hill’s floodlights were extinguished to emphasize fireworks set off from the summit to launch the Kiwissa Ski Club’s traditional Frosty Days’ inaugural torch run. The run was performed by a group of child and adult skiers and snowboarders who flashlights in hand, slalomed down the hill in single file to the cheers and applause of the crowd below. Participants and spectators were then invited to stay and ski, toboggan (on of the ski runs was partially fenced off to allow safe sliding for the evening) or warm up in the chalet.
