Fun filled Frosty Weekend

Written by admin on 15 February 2010

Frosty fun filled weekend

by Karina Hunter

M anitouwadge Frosty Days winter festival becomes bigger and better each year and this year’s winter festival was no exception. At the opening ceremonies, at the Kiwissa Ski Centre Friday February 10^th Kiwissa Ski Club President, Ed Hedderson, spoke as Master of Ceremonies accompanied by Mayor John MacEachern and Tammy Turner, Leisure Services Department; taking their place on the 20ft tall sculpture which doubled as an ice stage the three addressed the large gathering of residents in turn, welcoming them, briefing everyone in regards to recent upgrades to the ski centre including snow making equipment, a groomer and a new run. Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown and Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes were then invited to take the stage as Mayor John MacEachern pronounced Priscilla Gray Manitouwadge’s 2010 Citizen of the Year. Gray was presented with scrolls from the provincial and federal governments and a plaque from Mayor MacEachern each in recognition of her years of devotion to Manitouwadge as a teacher and volunteer with many service groups and organizations. Hedderson then presented Brown with a framed print of Manitouwadge skiers, snowboarders and residents posed at the base of the ski hill, next to the groomer holding a large banner reading ‘Thank you’, this in recognition of the 750, 000 dollars which Brown assisted them in accessing for the ski centre upgrades through the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII). Brown was clearly moved by the gift reminding those gathered that “Money is just one part of the equation, it is the hard work and devotion of people like Priscilla Gray and so many others in Manitouwadge who give their time and efforts without any interest in plaques or scrolls, which transforms dollars into a first class ski centre like Kiwissa”. The ceremonies were finalized and Frosty Days kicked off with the Kiwissa Torch Run Skiers descending the Main, a spectacular sight which has become tradition.

Lt-Rt: Tammy Turner, Leisure Services Department; Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown; Manitouwadge 2010 Citizen of the Year Priscilla Gray; Manitouwadge Mayor John MacEachern; Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes.

Ed Hedderson, MC for the evening, announces the name of the new run.

After the official opening, dignitaries joined everyone in the chalet for hot chocolate. Everyone, including MP Mike Brown, had plenty of questions for Olympic Torch Run participant Judy Kett.

Many more Frosty Days events took place at Kiwissa during the weekend including tobogganing and a Night Ski on Friday, Ski and Snowboard races on Saturday and Box Races on Sunday. Elsewhere in town events included a Snow Sculpture Competition, St.Paul’s Church Annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction, Pee Wee Hockey Tournament, Manitou Sno-Drifters Drag Races, Indoor ‘Kiddie Carnival’, Nite on the Town Cabaret with Live Local Entertainment, Manitouwadge Conservation Club’s Snowshoe Basics, and a Cross-Country Ski Poker Run hosted by the Northern Trails Ski Club. Overall events were very well attended, and as one woman put it Sunday night “Tonight everyone in Manitouwadge is exhausted; either they’ve stayed up late having fun all weekend or stayed up late working at making the fun all weekend”.

Submitted to the Chonicle Journal, 02.14.10

The Kiwissa Torch Runners come through the crowd.

: After the official opening, dignitaries joined everyone in the chalet for hot chocolate. Everyone, including MP Mike Brown, had plenty of questions for Olympic Torch Run participant Judy Kett.

: The Kiwissa Torch Runners come through the crowd.

: Ed Hedderson, MC for the evening.

: Lt-Rt: Tammy Turner, Leisure Services Department; Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown; Manitouwadge 2010 Citizen of the Year Priscilla Gray; Manitouwadge Mayor John MacEachern; Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes.