Matlock Recreation Club

Zumba is rocking the MRC

2011-12-23T15:44:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to all!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the annual Christmas Dinner & Dance at the club on December 17th. A good time was had by all, we were treated to a fabulous meal and fellowship and the music offered an eclectic mix to please us.

A bit of sad news to share with those who may have left the community for the winter months and may not have heard. The MRC lost a very dear friend on November 28th. Bev Stevens had been president of the MRC for several years and was active in many of our activities. She enjoyed bingo and planning our annual Canada Day and Breakfast with Santa celebrations over the years.

Bev is pictured above (front, left) with her husband, Rick and friends at the 2009 Christmas Dinner at the MRC.

Bev fought a hard battle with cancer and lost and we all lost a very good friend when she said goodbye and moved on to a better place. Our hearts go out to her husband, Rick, who supported Bev with love and devotion through her health difficulties over the past year.

On a brighter note, Zumba is gearing up to resume after the holidays on January 6th. If you've joined us in the past, but have not been for awhile, please come back! We have a terrific group, a lot of fun and the pleasure of shaking it under the direction of instructor, Ruth Burse, who keeps us hopping with all types of multi-cultural music.

If you haven't yet tried Zumba ... give it a whirl! It's loads of fun and is suitable for anyone. Those who can do more, do. Those who get tired take a seat for a moment to catch their breath. The cost is $6/class for MRC members and $7/class for non-members.

We wrapped up the season with a Christmas potluck with a Mexican theme. Ruth cooked us up a batch of fresh quesadillas and everyone brought something to share. We'll do it again after another six weeks of Zumba (under a different theme) so do join us at 11:15 am on January 6th and shape up your body with a little shaking and stretching. You'll be glad you did!

Here's wishing you all the best for 2012, whether you spend winters here with us, in the city or somewhere warm on a beach. Enjoy!

welcome to fall at the MRC

2011-10-20T16:30:00.001-05:00

We hope you all had a terrific summer. The weather couldn't have been better!

Have you got all your yardwork done? There are still a few colourful leaves left on the trees and a few geese and gulls hanging out at Matlock Beach. Too bad they'll soon all be gone!

As will many of you snowbirds who head south for the winters! We'll miss you.

But for those of staying behind, there are plenty of fun activities at the MRC to help pass the time, keep you fit and introduce you to new friends.

Zumba is rocking the MRC on Friday mornings from 11 am until noon. Please join us! Ruth Burse takes us through lots of tantalizing moves as we sway and shake it to Latin music. Don't worry! This is a 55+ version of Zumba, so it's not too difficult and still helps give your body and cardio a good workout. Cost is $6 for members and $7 for non-members each session. Call Donnie at 389-4604 for more info.

Mark your calendars for the October 29th Craft and Bake Sale. We have 22 tables confirmed. Come early for the best selection! And the ladies are preparing a fabulous lunch of perogies, kulbassa and coleslaw. A steal of a deal at $4.50! It will be served around noon.

If you attend Bingo regularly, you'll already know that we're collecting donations for the "Breakfast with Santa" fund. If you haven't attended Friday night Bingo lately, drop in! Doors open at 6:00 pm. There's always something exciting happening, and you may just get lucky!

Our last bit of news is that the date for the Christmas Dinner & Dance has been changed to December 17th. Be sure to spread the word. We look forward to seeing you there. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members and will be available from Darlene at 389-3593.

Enjoy what's left of the fall weather!
Your friends at the Matlock Rec Club

summer highlights at the MRC

2011-07-15T12:40:00.001-05:00

Well summer is finally into full swing and Matlock and area residents are enjoying it!

Here are a few recent highlights, and news about some upcoming area events.

We had a terrific turnout at the July 1st Canada Day celebrations. In the picture below, MRC vice-president, Kate Roed, welcomes residents and dignitaries to get things started.

Another highlight of the day was recognizing the efforts of Matlock resident, Vic Clayton, who won the Volunteer of the Year Award as selected by the R.M. of St. Andrews. Vic had been away, fishing on Vancouver Island when the award was presented at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in St. Andrews, so we were happy to present it to him on July 1st. Vic was awarded this honour for his tireless efforts on behalf of the community. He helps out at the MRC whenever he is asked, he participates in most community events, is an active volunteer and member of the Winnipeg Beach Legion, and is an inspiration to us all.

Doreen Pendgracs presents Vic with a lovely clock as thanks for the numerous hours he has volunteered for the community. At age 85, Vic continues to inspire us all. We need more volunteers like him! Do you know any?

Following the formal presentations and speeches, there were various activities inside and out for all ages.

A silent auction and bake sale, card games and a beer garden entertained the adults while various games outdoors entertained the kids.

MRC volunteer, Ann Kwiatek, shows off the new canteen at the MRC.

Thanks to Ruth Burse who is leading us every Tuesday morning at 11 for a hour's worth of smiles during the Zumba classes. If you haven't tried it yet, join us next Tuesday! Young and old, male or female, all are welcome!

A note to all: Betty Jackson of the Ponemah Arts Centre is looking for "artful accessories" as part of their annual fundraiser. Drop in & see what they've got so far at 300 Railway Street in Ponemah. You'll be amazed at the creativity in our local community!

Did you know that the Second Annual Matlock Music, Art & Nature Festival will be held August 27 & 28? Be there or be square. Information about the program, and a call for volunteers can be found on their
website at: http://www.matlockfestival.ca/. See you there!

looking ahead

2011-05-11T11:01:00.000-05:00

It was wonderful to see so many members come out to the Annual General Meeting on May 1st. It's amazing what a little food will do!

In all seriousness, we did have a terrific meal following our meeting. Thanks to everyone who brought desserts and to everyone who helped put it all together.

Here are the highlights from the AGM:

1) A new board was elected as follows:
Bev Stevens continuing on as President & Darlene Muron continuing on as Treasurer. These 2 positions are in the second year of a two-year term and will be up for election in 2012.

Kate Roed has agreed to serve as Vice-President. Georgeanne Schau has agreed to continue serving as Secretary.

Donnie Alexander and Jean Picklyk were re-elected as directors and Doris Yanchishyn has joined the board as a new director. The board may appoint one or two additional directors as the need arises.

Marilyn Roy and Doreen Pendgracs retired from the board and were thanked for their years of service.

2) Renovations to the canteen will begin on May 16th. Here's a pic of the existing canteen. We'll post a pic of the new and improved version after the renovations have been completed.

3) Zumba classes begin on Tuesday May 24th and will run for 6 weeks. This will be a senior-friendly version of Zumba and will accommodate all ages and abilities. Join us for some fun and fitness beginning at 11 am on May 24th. Cost is $5 for members; $6 for non-members. Drop-ins welcome.

4) We have discontinued Crib until further notice.

5) Our Christmas Craft Sale will be held on Saturday, October 29th. Call Darlene at 389-3593 if you would like to book a table.

Stay tuned to this blog for further activity updates. We'll be looking for volunteers to help with the July 1st celebrations. Contact Kate at 389-4305 if you'd like to help out.

Here's hoping the water recedes, the sun shines and your spring is filled with optimism and joy.

spring has finally sprung in Matlock

2011-04-18T08:33:00.003-05:00

The snow on the weekend was a bit of a setback, but nothing compared to the dozens of tornadoes felt in the southern US! We are indeed fortunate to live in this beautiful and relatively safe part of the continent.

With spring finally showing its smiling face (I've noticed some green grass showing up in dry, sunny spots!) we're pleased to provide you with a few updates.

1) the RSVP date for the May 1st Annual General Meeting and dinner has been extended to April 27th. Please join us to share ideas and a tasty cold buffet meal, free to members. (Nominal cost of $5 for non-members.)

2) We are going ahead with the Zumba classes at the MRC beginning next month. Please call Darlene at 389-3593 ASAP if you'd like to participate. The charge for members will be only $5 for a one-hour class. The program will run for 6 weeks beginning Tuesday, May 24th from 11 am until noon. Tell your friends! Zumba is great fun and exercise for anyone.

3) We've booked the date of December 17th for our annual Christmas Dinner. Please mark you calendars, and stay tuned to this blog for updates.

See you May 1st, and keep smiling!

spring is here!

2011-04-04T17:26:00.000-05:00

That was quite the winter! We're envious of those of you who escaped it and headed south for the bulk of the winter. Looks like most of our snowbirds have now flown north and are back with us in Matlock and Dunnottar. Welcome home!

Your board of directors have been busy making plans for the upcoming Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Sunday, May 1st at 3 pm. Our constitution and by-laws have recently been amended to state that our AGM will hereby be held annually on the first Sunday of May, so please mark your calendars accordingly.

We hope you'll join us. Following the meeting, there will be a complimentary cold plate meal for all members in good standing. Guests are welcome, and guests can purchase a meal for $5.

As we'll be preparing the meal ourselves, we'll require an RSVP by April 21st. Please e-mail our secretary, Georgeanne Schau at georgeanneschau9@gmail.com or our president, Bev Stevens at 389-4340 or e-mail stevensb@mts.net to let them know you'll be joining us.

At the meeting, we'll be giving a full report of the club's happenings over the past year. We will also be looking for volunteers to help with various activities and members to step forward and take on board positions. It's fun and rewarding to serve your community. Please help us keep the MRC a dynamic and active place to be. We can only do it with YOUR help.

Other news:

* The MRC received a Poppy Appreciation Award from the Winnipeg Beach Legion for our 2010 poppy campaign.

* There will be no bingo on Friday, April 22nd as it is Good Friday.

* Our traditional Canada Day dinner will be moved up to 4:30 pm to facilitate bingo, as July 1st is on a Friday this year.

That's all the news for now. Stay tuned to the blog (and please subscribe) to ensure you hear all the updates and don't miss any fun events.

See you on Sunday, May 1st for the Annual General Meeting & election of the 2011-2012 Board of Directors.

friends old and new meet at the Matlock Rec Club

2010-12-29T11:08:00.000-06:00

Welcome to all our new members! It's wonderful to see our membership growing.

And for anyone who hasn't paid their membership dues for 2011, please note that they are now due. It's a steal at $10 per person. Membership at the MRC gets you reduced prices on our activities, and a lovely free cold plate at our July 1st celebrations.

Festivities during our annual Christmas Dinner and Dance were enjoyed by all. Here are some pictures of the event.

You can be sure that there are many more fun activities planned for 2011. We'll be flying at half-mast over the next few months as so many of our members fly (and drive!) to warmer climes. Stay tuned for updates come March, and be sure to mark Sunday, May 1st as the date for the Annual General Meeting of the MRC. The meeting will begin at 2 pm. Please plan to be there, as the club can only be as strong as the members that help build and maintain it.

As this year comes to a close, best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year from the Board of the Matlock Rec Club. See you in 2011!

Less than 3 weeks to the Christmas party!

2010-11-30T17:48:00.000-06:00

We're getting excited about the upcoming Christmas Dinner & Dance! Have you got your tickets?

The menu is looking fantastic. Take a look:

CEASAR SALAD

BROCCOLI SALAD

BABY CARROTS

MASHED POTATOES

ROAST BEEF & GRAVY

HORSERADISH

SWEET& SOUR MEATBALLS

CABBAGE ROLLS

HEAD CHEESE

PEROGIES

PICKLES

DINNER ROLLS & BUTTER

COFFEE /TEA

DESSERT

VARIETY OF CHEESECAKES

Any of you who have had a meal by Jane's Catering (and yes, they catered our Christmas Dinner last year) know that we're in for a great meal and a terrific evening of fun and friendship with members of the Matlock (and area) community.

And Operation Red Nose is standing by to drive you to the party and pick you up for a reasonable donation. Just call 642-9000 to arrange your ride.

See you on December 18th! Call Darlene at 389-3593 for tickets. They're going fast!

What's on tap at the MRC?

2010-11-14T11:03:00.002-06:00

We're gearing up for Christmas and the festive season at the Matlock Rec Club. Here are a few updates to note and mention to your friends:

* We'll be decorating the hall at 7 pm on November 16th. If you have some time and would like to help out, please drop by and share your creativity!

* We'll be hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec 4th from 9-11 am (silver collection.) In addition to a tasty breakfast of sausages and pancakes, there will be crafts and goodies for the kids, a draw for a gingerbread house made by one of our favourite local gals and more! Please bring your camera if you'd like to have a pic of your little one with Santa as we will not have an official photographer on hand this year.

* We have to place the order with the caterer one week prior to the event, so please get your tickets for the Christmas Dinner and Dance by December 10th from any board member. (Our contact info is in the previous blog post.) Please join us Saturday, December 18th for a great meal and some smiles with your friends and neighbours. Cocktails at 5:00 pm; dinner served at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for members; $25 for non-members.

* Please note that crib will not be offered during the winter months at the MRC. It seems that most of the members who play crib will be taking their talent south to warmer locales after Christmas. Last crib games here will be on Dec 13th. Stay tuned for details on activities for the new year.

* Speaking of activities for the new year, we have a certified Zumba instructor who has offered to hold classes at the MRC beginning in April. Her approach is for a 55+ rhythm, so everyone (regardless of age or fitness level) will be welcome to join in, have some fun and improve your fitness level. We are looking for a show of hands as to who might be interested in taking part. If you'd like to sign up for Thursday evening Zumba at the MRC beginning in April, reply with a comment to this blog or call Darlene at 389-3593.

* And please remember that your annual dues as a member of the MRC are due on January 1st. Dues are just $10 per person, and get you a number of member benefits including reduced prices to our list of activities.

Mark Your Calendars!

2010-10-14T14:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Fall to everyone in the area!

We've got plenty of fun activities planned for your fall and early winter.

First up is the Matlock Trade & Craft Show, to be held at the MRC on Saturday, November 13th. If you are interested in having a table at the show to sell your handcrafted or baked goods, or if you would like to promote a homebased business like Epicure, Norwex, Avon, etc., please call Darlene before October 23rd to reserve yourself a table. Cost for tables is $20. Darlene can be reached at 389-3593.

Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 4th. Our regular Santa has moved back to the North Pole. We need a replacement! If you know where we can find Santa, please call Doreen at 389-4177 asap!

Our annual Christmas Dinner & Dance will be held on Saturday, December 18th. Every board member has been given 10 tickets to sell, so contact any one of us for tickets. Don't wait as they go fast every year. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Cocktails at 5 pm. Dinner at 6:30 pm. The dinner will be catered by Joan's catering, who did last year's Christmas dinner for us and this year's volunteer dinner. We can always count on Joan and crew to provide us with an excellent meal, so come join us for fun and fellowship.

Best of the season to you from all of us on the board:

Bev Stevens, President 389-4340.
Marilyn Roy, Vice-President 389-2904.
Georgeanne Schau, Secretary 389-5375.
Darlene Muron, Treasurer 389-3593.
Doreen Pendgracs, Blog 389-4177.
Kate Roed 389-4305.
Jean Picklyk 389-4284.
Donnie Alexander 389-4604.
Cathy Whitehead, Bingo Chairperson 389-4423.

notice of special meeting

2010-09-06T13:32:00.001-05:00

Congrats to Cheryl Cohan and her team for pulling off the first annual Matlock Festival of Music, Arts & Nature. Despite terrible weather on the Saturday, turnout was good over the weekend and Cheryl has plans to do it again next year. What a terrific way to promote local talent in our community, and to show people just how great Matlock is! Stay tuned to this blog for news about future events.

If you are a member of the Matlock Rec Club, you will have rec'd a letter by regular mail advising you of the "Special Meeting" being held on Sunday, September 12th. At 1:30 pm, we will review MRC's new policy manual. At 2:00 pm, the special meeting will commence.

If you did not receive this letter it means that either your membership for 2010 is not paid up, or we have your incorrect mailing address. Please contact Georgeanne at (204) 389-5375 to rectify.

If you have questions about the new policy manual or the special meeting, please call Darlene at (204) 389-3593.

This club is run for your benefit. Please come out and have your say.

See you next Sunday.

more summer fun in Matlock

2010-08-08T16:36:00.002-05:00

Canada Day was a blast! We had a super turnout and served 108 dinners to Matlock & area residents. Thanks to everyone for coming out. It sure would be nice if we could combine our efforts with the folks in Ponemah next year. They still have their parade in the morning, but end up in Matlock & we all celebrate the rest of the day together. What do you think? We have terrific activities for the kids and families during the afternoon followed by a great dinner that is free for members & volunteers. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all celebrate Canada Day together? Please make your thoughts known by commenting on this blog.

The Car Rally on July 11th was also a success. We served up 325 pancake breakfasts at the MRC. That just might be a record! Thanks to everyone who attended. There were many positive comments as to the beauty and functionality of our facility. If you or anyone you know is interested in renting out the hall, please call Jackie or Derek Lechman at 389-5663 or 641-2313. The Lechmans are the fine couple who have been keeping our hall so spotless this year. Hats off to them for their top notch cleaning abilities.

Please note that MRC president Bev Stevens now has a new contact number. If you'd like to get ahold of Bev for community business, please call 389-4340. Bev retired from the real estate business last month, and now just has this number as her contact number.

The next big summer event in Matlock will be the first ever Matlock Festival of Music, Art & Nature (with hope to be an annual event.) This event is not an event of the MRC, but rather is being organized by Matlock residents, Noah Erenberg and Cheryl Cohan. Full information about the festival is available at this link: http://www.mts.net/~flatout/. Volunteers are needed. Call Cheryl at (204) 642-2452 or e-mail diggerwoman@hotmail.com to offer your assistance, teach a workshop or rent a table in the artisans' site.

So much is happening in the area this summer. If you feel like dressing up in early 20th century garb, you might like to attend the Gala Evening in Celebration of St. Andrews Lock & Dam 100th Anniversary to be held at Lower Fort Gary on Sunday, August 15th. Tickets are $200 each. See www.lockportmanitoba.ca for more information about this event and the big 100th anniversary celebrations in Lockport taking place during the August 20th weekend.

And please be advised that the Matlock Rec Club is holding a special meeting of its members on Sunday, September 12th at 2 pm. A formal notice will be mailed to members. Please attend, as we will be presenting the revised constitution for the club.

Enjoy the rest of the summer while it lasts!

Canada Day is coming

2010-06-23T13:54:00.000-05:00

Hello from the board at the MRC!

We're gearing up for the Canada Day celebrations at the hall. Opening ceremonies will take place at noon, with free cake and a smile for everyone. The Beer Garden will also open at noon.

The Bake Sale will begin at 12:15, followed by whist at 1:00 and crib games after that.

Kids Races will take place at 2 pm. followed by a grocery scramble at 3 pm.

We'll have a silent auction, 50/50 draw, and lots of fun for all.

The MRC Cookbooks will be on sale for $10 (they make great gifts!)

If you haven't already paid your membership for 2010-2011, please do so. It's a steal at $10, as your membership will get you a free dinner at 5 pm.

Non-members can pay $5 (adults) and $3 (for children 12 and under) for the dinner. Stay and have some fun with your fellow area residents.

If you'd like to lend a hand and volunteer on Canada Day, please contact Bev Stevens at 389-4340 or Kate Roed at 389-4305.

See you on July 1st at noon!

Exciting News and Events for 2011

2010-05-10T14:55:00.001-05:00

The good news is that almost everyone on the Matlock Rec Club board for the 2009-2010 term has agreed to stay on for the 2010-2011 term. Thanks to Frank Ursel who is busy with other commitments this year and therefore unable to remain a director, and to everyone who has agreed to stay on the board for another year in serving our community.

Your board members are:

Bev Stevens, president, 389-4340

Marilyn Roy, vice-president, 389-2904

Georgeanne Schau, secretary, 389-5375

Darlene Muron, treasurer, 389-3593

Doreen Pendgracs, webmaster, 389-4177

Don Alexander, 389-4604

Jean Picklyk, 389-4284

Kate Roed, 389-4305

Please feel free to give any of us a call if you have a question, idea or would like to volunteer and help the club. We are always looking for volunteers to help with upcoming events. Here are some dates to keep in mind:

June 10 RM of St. Andrews Meet & Greet at the Matlock Rec Club 7-8:30 pm.
July 1 Canada Day Celebrations begin at noon.
November 20 Christmas Craft & Baking Sale
December 4 Breakfast with Santa
December 11 Christmas Dinner 6 pm

Those are just some of the events we have planned for 2011.

You will notice that we have added the R.M. of St. Andrews site to our list of interesting area sites to the right. There is much information on the site, but if you are looking for upcoming events, check out this link: http://www.rmofstandrews.com/residents/events.asp.

We are attempting to gauge interest in holding Zumba classes in the Matlock Hall beginning in September. Zumba provides a great workout and is suitable for anyone (male, female, fit, not-so-fit.) As long as you like music and are prepared to have fun! If you are interested, please call Doreen at 389-4177. We are thinking of having the class on Tuesday nights if there is sufficient interest.

That's all the news for now. Our next board meeting is May 11th, so there will be an update following that. Happy Spring!

Dale Hadfield will be sadly missed

2010-04-06T14:56:00.000-05:00

It is with deep sadness that the MRC says good-bye to one of its friends and members. Dale Hadfield passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 with family at his side after a battle with cancer.

Dale was a member of the walking club at the MRC and attended many of the special functions held at the hall with his wife, Susan.

Dale had been a member of the Sisters of the Holy Rock for the past 15 years and entertained us last fall as Sister Elvis. He loved singing and playing the guitar, riding his motorcycle, travelling and nature. And he loved all his friends in Matlock. He always had time to chat or listen to a friend.

A memorial service will be held for Dale on Friday, April 9th in Winnipeg at St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church, 881 Autumnwood Drive. Arrangements being handled by Neil Bardal Inc. Phone (204) 949-2200 or web: nbardal.mb.ca.

Upcoming Events

2010-03-04T16:39:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone:
This is a gentle reminder that our Annual General Meeting will take place at 2 pm on Sunday, March 14th. We will have refreshments for all who attend, and the board will give a full report on the club's activities of the past year. Come prepared with comments and questions.

We will also be looking for volunteers to join the board for the new term. The board has monthly meetings and is responsible for the activities of the MRC. Without your help as volunteers, we will not be able to continue all the great programming we have in place. If you are unable to volunteer as a director, we will still appreciate your ongoing help throughout the year in supporting each event we have scheduled -- through your participation and support.

If you haven't paid your membership to the club for 2010, it is now due and is payable on March 14th. There is a spiffy new membership card waiting with your name on it!

As an incentive to get volunteers for new directors on the board, each new director's name will be put into a draw to win a copy of Doreen Pendgracs's new book, "Before You Say Yes ..." a guide to being an effective director on a non-profit board. You can read more about the book here:
http://doreenisthewizardofwords.blogspot.com/2010/01/before-you-say-yes.html.

The book will be launched in Winnipeg at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Grant Park on March 22nd at 7:30 (in the restaurant) and in Gimli, at the A-Spire Theatre on March 23rd at 7:30 pm at a multi-author event sponsored by Tergesen's.

Roy Yerex of Matlock was one of 20 individuals from across Canada who was interviewed for the book and shares his thoughts on succession planning. Come and chat with Roy and Doreen at the A-Spire and get an autographed copy of the book for yourself or anyone you know who does volunteer work on a non-profit or community board.

Good and Bad News

2010-02-15T10:15:00.000-06:00

On Friday, February, 5, 2010, the Matlock Rec Club lost a very good friend. Jack Whitehead passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Our sincere condolences to his entire family, but particularly to his daughter, Cathy, who is MRC's Bingo Chair. Jack will be sadly missed. You will see a pic of Jack in the Nov 11, 2009 post on this blog, flagged by daughter, Cathy, on his left and good friend, Vic Clayton on his right. Jack was active in the community and proudly assisted with Remembrance Day events every year at the Winnipeg Beach Legion. We'll miss you, Jack.

On the brighter side, several members of the MRC board are off to warmer climes enjoying a much needed break from winter and other responsibilities. But they'll be back in time for our Annual General Meeting, to be held Sunday, March 14th at 2 pm. Refreshments will be served and your attendance is requested. Bring a friend or your spouse along. The more the merrier.

Your annual dues as a member of the MRC are now due and can be paid at the meeting.

We will discuss upcoming programming at the MRC, changes in policies and practices, and plans for the future. We will also provide a report on what we have done over the past year.

We need volunteers to help serve on the board and on committees for our various activities during the upcoming year. Please remember that without the help of volunteers, activities at the MRC will have to be cut. We're only as strong and as vibrant as the volunteers who serve us.

Having served on the board for a year now, I can say with all sincerity that it has been a pleasurable experience and I am willing to stand for re-election as are several other members of the board. But we need more people to fill all the positions and we need your help.

So please pass the word around, attend the March 14th meeting, and step forward to help support your community. We'll look forward to seeing you then.

Congrats to Ron & Betty Ann Skaritko

2010-01-27T08:06:00.002-06:00

Happy 2010 to Everyone!

We started the new year in fine fashion with a fantastic Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on January 9th. The event was sponsored by the R.M. of St. Andrews and held at the Croatian Community Centre at 22 Skazyk Road in the Lockport area.

10 of us from the Matlock Rec Club attended the event and enjoyed the camaraderie and the delicious meal prepared by Diane Bostrom Catering of Manigotagan. The quality of Diane's food is remarkable and the desserts are exquisite.

The highlight of the evening was the handing out of the awards as our own Betty Ann & Ron Skaritko (pictured at left) were awarded with a Volunteer of the Year Award from our area. Anyone who attends functions or events at the MRC is familiar with the smiling faces of Ron & Betty Ann as they are super volunteers and happy to help out without any arm pulling. They have worked on the board of the MRC and have worked as perpetual volunteers. We need more people like Ron & Betty Ann!

Congrats to them, and thanks to Brady Clark, Recreation Director for the R.M. of St. Andrews for organizing this marvellous opportunity to recognize our deserving volunteers.

Pictured below are Ron & Betty Ann with their "Certificate of Appreciation" award.

Enjoying the Festive Season with Friends

2009-12-22T16:51:00.002-06:00

December 12, 2009 was the date of this year's Christmas Dinner & Dance. We had a terrific turnout of around 90 Matlock and area residents to enjoy fellowship, assorted libations, some amazing food and dancing to wear it all off. Hats off to Darlene Muron, the MRC's multi-talented treasurer, who chaired our planning committee for this event and even made the table centres. Everything looked marvellous, and the event went off without a hitch. And thanks again to the gals at Joan's Catering of Fraserwood for the terrific turkey dinner. Everything was delicious!

If you missed the event this year, plan to attend next year. The tickets go quickly because it is an amazing deal (tickets were $20 each this year) and is loads of fun. Here are some faces you might recognize, and from all of us at the Matlock Recreation Club, have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Santa comes to Matlock

2009-12-06T18:12:00.000-06:00

Saturday, December 5th was an exciting day at the Matlock Rec Centre when Mr. & Mrs. Claus appeared with two of their elves to reward good Donnottar children with some pre-Christmas treats and hopes for delivery of much-wanted gifts on Christmas Eve.

Local dignitaries were on hand to help serve up a terrific pancake and sausage breakfast. A craft table was available to amuse the kids and a draw was made for a handmade gingerbread house. Large and small children alike were entertained by Santa's antics! Fun was had by all!

Tell your friends about this blog and share the joy!

Coming Events Keep Things Hopping at the MRC

2009-11-11T13:33:00.008-06:00

The Volunteer Appreciation Dinner held on Nov 7th was amazing. We had a total of 49 people come out and enjoy fellowship and a terrific meal catered by Joan's Catering of Fraserwood. Didn't get invited? Don't worry. You'll have plenty of upcoming events to volunteer for. Only members who volunteer a significant amount of their time over the course of the year get invited to this highly coveted event.

Love Joan's food? Then be sure to get your tickets for the Christmas Dinner & Dance to be held at the MRC on Saturday, December 12th from 5:30 p.m. until 1 am. Joan will be providing turkey and all the trimmings for a magnificent meal. Tickets are just $20 each (this barely covers the cost of catering) and are available from any board member. Cocktails at 5:30; dinner at 6:30. Get your tickets early as we will only have 150 available for this fabulous festive event. Final numbers will be provided to the caterer one week before the event, so no tickets will be available at the door. Questions? Call Darlene at 389-3593 or Marilyn at 389-2904.

Have some young ones in the family who can't wait for Christmas? Then be sure to drop by the MRC on Saturday, December 5th between 9 and 11 a.m. for "Breakfast With Santa." Mr. & Mrs. Santa will be on hand to take orders from all the young ones. A pancake breakfast will be served. Questions? Call Bev at 389-2357 or Georgeanne at 389-5375.

Do you enjoy decorating for Christmas? If so, drop by the hall on Wednesday, November 25th anytime after 9:30 a.m. and lend a hand. We'll be sprucing up the hall with lights, the Christmas tree and lots of decorations in anticipation of Santa's arrival.

If you enjoy cleaning and want to earn some extra cash, we are looking for a strong individual or team to keep the hall clean beginning January, 2010. Duties include garbage removal, keeping the washrooms spick and span, washing the tables, dusting throughout and cleaning the floors after every event (Bingo every Friday night and other special events as required.) We are offering a fee of $100 per cleaning for this service. If you are interested, please send notification by mail to Box 329, Matlock, MB R0C 2B0. If you have questions about the duties, please call Bev at 389-2357.

The next special event at the MRC is the annual Craft & Bake Sale. All our crafter's tables have been sold and we are anticipating a good turnout. Drop by on November 21st from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., but come early for he best selection. Call Darlene at 389-3593 if you have any questions.

That's all the news for now. We welcome your comments. We encourage your involvement.

Please tell your friends about the blog and encourage them to subscribe. We are only as strong and effective as our collective voices.

Enjoy the festive season and we hope to see you at the Christmas Dinner on December 12th.

pics from the Sisters of the Holy Rock Event

2009-11-07T10:00:00.009-06:00

If you were at the Matlock Rec Centre on Sept 19th, you will have enjoyed a terrific show put on by the Sisters of the Holy Rock. Don't let the name fool you. The "Sisters" are big on fun and small on religion. A good time was had by all. A few pics to remind us until next time ...

Craft and Bake Sale comes to Matlock Rec Club

2009-09-17T20:33:00.004-05:00

We'd like to remind you that November 21st is our 3rd Annual Craft & Bake Sale from 10 am until 3 pm. Arrive early to avoid disappointment, as the most coveted offerings always go fast!

We still have room for a few more crafters, so if you or someone you know produces hand-crafted goods, we'd love to have you take a table. Cost is $20 per table plus a donation of goods for our silent auction.

We only have a limited number of electrical outlets and wall spots, so please register asap if you need an electrical hook-up or desire a location against the wall.

Come to Matlock on Nov 21st and do your Christmas shopping. You're bound to find something for everyone on your gift list.

Call Darlene at 389-3593 for more information. See you there!

Come See What Goes on Behind the Green Door(s)

2009-08-15T16:15:00.011-05:00

The terrible weather today couldn't dampen our spirits and all who faced the rains enjoyed fellowship, coffee and donuts at the MRC for our First Annual "Hi Neighbour Day." Thanks to Frank Ursel for organizing the event and congrats to Debra Leitch who won the lovely fire-pit.

Pictured above: Left, Frank Ursel looks on as quilter-extraordinaire, Sharon Litzenberger, draws the winner of the fire-pit.

Centre photo: Card-making experts, Peggy & Darlene discuss card styles. Card-making takes place at the MRC every second Monday at 7 pm. Call Darlene at 389-3593 for details.

Top Right photo: The 2009 board of the MRC: Front L to R: VP Marilyn Roy, Secretary Georgeanne Schau, President Bev Stevens, Jean Picklyk. Behind L to R: Frank Ursel, Treasurer Darlene Muron, Helen Gouzecky, Don Alexander, Doreen Pendgracs, Kate Roed.

Our next big event is the Sisters of the Holy Rock (SOTHR) on Sept 19th. Call Darlene at 389-3593 for tickets. It's almost sold out, so don't wait. Call Darlene today.

The walking/fitness club will resume doing its thing on Monday, Sept. 28th. Come get fit and have some fun while you're at it.

Just a reminder that the flu clinic will be held at the MRC from 9-11:30 am on October 22nd.

And for those who are curious, the winner of the bursary was Abreana Torchia of Matlock. Abreana was presented with her award at the Gimli High School Grad. Congrats, Abreana!

That's it for now. Don't be afraid. Come see what else is new ... behind the green doors.

Reminder about "Hi Neighbour Day"

2009-08-13T19:40:00.002-05:00

Don't forget we are having our 1st Annual Hi Neighbour Day in Matlock on Saturday, August 15th from 1-3 pm in the Matlock Rec Centre.

This is an indoor event, so it will happen -- rain or shine.

We will have 8 tables highlighting all the different events and activities that we have at the Matlock Rec Club.

Are you interested in walking and fitness, crib, whist, card making, quilting, or bingo? Are you interested in talking out a membership to the Matlock Rec Club, purchasing one of our great new cookbooks or buying tickets to the Sisters of the Holy Rock event on Sept 19th? How about getting in on the draw for the fab fire pit that we'll be drawing for? Tickets are just $2.

Regardless of your interests, please drop in and say Hi. All our board members will be on hand to welcome you, listen to your suggestions and ideas, and treat you to a coffee and donut.

See you on Saturday. Rain or shine.

Come Vote for the Most Artful Bra!

2009-07-29T20:26:00.013-05:00

If you live in Manitoba, I strongly urge you to drop by the Ponemah Arts Centre at 300 Railway Street in Ponemah before the end of August. You'll not only have the chance to meet the lovely Betty Jackson, you'll have the chance to donate to Palliative Care in the NE Interlake, and vote for your choice in the Most Artful Bra fundraising event.

There are 5 categories to vote for: Best in show, most creative, most amusing, most outlandish and prettiest. My friend, Margaret and I had a blast looking at the amazing creations. Be sure to go around the entire display at least three times as you'll be surprised at what you've missed each time around.

These are a just a few pics to show you what's in store ...

Hi Neighbour Day Comes to Matlock

2009-07-16T16:09:00.004-05:00

We had a super Canada Day in Matlock. The turnout was great -- as was the camaraderie, food and activities.

Welcome to all our new (and renewed) members who joined up on July 1st. It's terrific to have you onboard, and we welcome your help, your comments and suggestions.

In addition to a super Silent Auction with original wood carvings by our own, Frank Ursel, there was also some terrific baking available in the bake sale. I bought the "Eatmore Slice" which was a steal at $4. Plan to get there early next year in order to get the best picks.

We're now gearing up for the Hi Neighbour Day on August 15th. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. It's a great way to find out about everything that happens at the Matlock Rec Club. It's also a great way to meet more people in the community.

We still have a few tickets available for the Sisters of the Holy Rock Performance on September 19th. Contact any member of the board for tickets.

See you soon and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Canada Day at the Matlock Rec Club

2009-06-19T06:47:00.006-05:00

Do you have a membership in the Matlock Recreation Club (MRC)? An active/current membership? If not, have we got a deal for you!

On July 1st, we will be having our annual Canada Day celebrations. A day full of fun activities for the whole family. And if you are a paid-up member of the MRC, you will receive your dinner on Canada Day for free! That's our way to encourage membership and to thank our members for their support.

Memberships will be sold for $10 each at the hall on Canada Day, and membership cards will be issued. We're looking forward to welcoming you onboard. Membership dues are important to our bottom line and being able to providing you and the community with great programming all year.

There are lots of terrific activities on Canada Day to entertain you. Here's the line-up:

Opening Ceremonies with free cake and coffee: NOON

Bake Sale opens at 12:15 pm.

Hot dogs ($1.50) and canned drinks ($1) available for purchase at 12:15 pm.

Taped music staring at 1 pm.

Crib from 1 -3 pm.

Horseshoes at 2 pm.

Races for the kids at 2 pm.

Whist from 3 - 5 pm.

Grocery Scramble at 3:30 pm.

Silent Auction Draw at 4:15 pm.

Cold Plate Dinner at 5 pm. - free for Members & Volunteers; $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and under.

The Beer Garden (operated in the firehall by the firefighters) will be open from noon until 8 pm.

We will also be selling the new, "hot-off-the-presses" Matlock Cookbook at $10 each (they make great gifts) and tickets for the firebowl draw to be made at our August 15th Hi Neighbour Day. Tickets for the firebowl are only $2 and it will make a great addition to any patio or backyard.

If you are interested in paying for your membership prior to July 1st, we welcome your calls at

389-3593. Treasurer, Darlene Muron is looking forward to hearing from you.

If you would like to make a donation of baked goods for the bake sale, please contact Georgeanne Schau at 389-5375.

Other questions about Canada Day can be directed to Bev Stevens at 389-2357 or Doreen Pendgracs at 389-4177.

See you on Canada Day at the Matlock Hall, 77 Matlock Road.

volunteer cooks wanted

2009-05-26T09:53:00.006-05:00

Summer has finally arrived in Matlock! Hallelujah! Which reminds me. The tickets for the Sisters of the Holy Rock are almost all gone. If you want to go and still don't have tickets, call Darlene at 389-3593. She may still be able to get you in. It's a steal at $12 per person.

For more info, see: http://www.sistersoftheholyrock.org/

We're looking for volunteer cooks to help with the car rally on July 11th. If you'd like to help, call Adam or Ann at 389-5611.

We have a fabulous patio fire bowl that we are selling tickets for as a fundraiser. The draw will be held at our "Hi Neighbour" Day on August 15th -- just in time for those cooler fall nights that will eventually find us. The fire bowl is on display at the hall and tickets can be purchased on Friday nights during bingo and other hall events. Good luck!

Matlock Cookbooks and Artful Bras. What more could you want?

2009-05-20T13:24:00.012-05:00

Things are moving along nicely with the new season and plans are well underway for all this year's exciting events.

Our new cookbook will be ready for purchase at the July 1st celebrations at Matlock Community Hall. The price will be $10 each and they will make great gifts -- for yourself, your friends and your loved ones.

Tickets are going fast for the Sisters of the Holy Rock. If you don't already have your tickets, call Darlene at 389-3593 or Ann at 389-5611 now to avoid disappointment.

Are you utterly creative? If so, contact Betty Jackson at 389-5682 or click on the link for the Dunnottar Station to learn more about the local "Artful Bra 2009" promotion that she is coordinating in order to raise funds for NE Palliative Care in Gimli.

We are so fortunate in this community to have so many creative people working together to make this a better place. Hats off to Betty for leading the Artful Bra event in our area. It's going to be a hoot. Viewing and voting for your favourite dolled-up bra will take place at the Ponemah Beach Central Art Centre at 27 Central Avenue in Ponemah, August 1st through September 12th.

Check out this link to see an example of some of the bras that have been made for "Artfull Bras" shows elsewhere. http://www.quiltersofsc.org/artfullbras/artfullbras.htm

What's new at the Matlock Rec Centre?

2009-05-09T17:45:00.006-05:00

The new brochures will be out by May long weekend. You can pick them up at Chambers Store and other local hot spots.

We are working on lots of great events for the upcoming season. See an update of the full listing in the April 19th post.

Here is the latest news:

* We have a large safe (black Teller's Desk style) for sale. $100. Call Bev at 389-4340 for more info.

* We received 7 entries for our bursary fund. The winner will be announced on June 25th.

* We are seeking advertisers for our Matlock & Area cookbook. If you would like your business listed, please contact Helen at 389-3217. The price of a listing is $10. Deadline May 21st.

* Hall rentals are being handled by Frank Ursel at 641-1660. Cost for up to 250 people with 2 bartenders included is $650. Cost for up to 150 people and one bartender is $550. If you'd like to rent the hall for an event with no alcohol, a reduced rate of $200 is available (clean-up included.) If you clean the hall yourself, rental is $100. Call Frank for more details.

subscribe by e-mail or feeder

2009-04-21T17:45:00.006-05:00

Thanks for all the positive comments we have been receiving about the blog.

We have now added a "links" department in which we will link the Matlock Rec Club's blog to other informative or relevant sites about the area. You'll now find links to:

- a government site giving extensive factual info about Donnottar;

- the old Dunnottar Station Museum;

- the Artists' Wave Tour and

- the Whytewold Emporium, a local favourite place to go for wood-fired pizza, freshly made crepes, gardening supplies, jewellery and fresh garden produce during the summer.

We have also added the ability to subscribe to our blog posts either by your choice of feeder or e-mail. Just click on the "subscribe in a reader" icon at the top and it will let you choose your preferred option.

Stay tuned for more updates, and please continue to spread the word around about our blog.

Welcome to the new blog of the Matlock Recreation Club

2009-04-19T15:14:00.013-05:00

Greetings Everyone and Happy Spring! The board of directors of the Matlock Recreation Club are happy to welcome you to our new blog serving the communities of the Village of Dunnottar (Matlock, Whytewold, Ponemah) and northern portion of the R.M. of St. Andrews.

Dunnottar is located along Highway 9 approximately 63 km (42 minutes) north of Winnipeg. We have a beautiful swimming beach at Matlock, several stores and restaurants and plenty of smiling faces to welcome you.

We also have a variety of recreational events at the Matlock Community Hall (located at 77 Matlock Road at Grant Street) the base for our activities. The schedule of special events for 2009 is as follows:

July 1st- Canada Day celebrations

July 12- Car Rally

August 15 - First Annual "Hi Neighbour Day"

September 19 - Sisters of the Holy Rock

November 21 - Craft & Bake Sale

December 5 - Breakfast with Santa

December 12 - Christmas Dinner

More information on each event will be posted on the blog as we near the date.

Tickets for the Sisters of the Holy Rock event are now available. Get yours from any member of the board. Don't wait! This event will sell out very soon.

Members of the Board for 2009-2010 are:

Bev Stevens, president, 389-4340

Marilyn Roy, vice-president, 389-2904

Georgeanne Schau, secretary, 389-5375

Darlene Muron, treasurer, 389-3593

Doreen Pendgracs, webmaster, 389-4177

Don Alexander, 389-4604

Helen Gouzecky, 389-3217

Frank Ursel, 641-1660

Jean Picklyk, 389-4284 and Kate Roed, 389-4305.

Feel free to approach any of us with comments or ideas about how we can make things better. And please volunteer to help us. Community programming can only continue if we work together to get things done.

We also hold bingos every Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. throughout the year. Cathy Whitehead (389-4755) is the bingo chairperson. The Matlock Rec Club also operates a walking/fitness club on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10-11 a.m. September through May. In addition, there is crib Monday nights at 7 pm from October through May and whist on Thursday afternoons at 1:30 pm from October through May. We also have a quilting club on Mondays from 11 am until 4 pm and card-making every second Monday at 7 pm year round.

Come join the fun!

Until next time ...