In this week's column there are several things that I would like to report on. Firstly, a number of people gathered in front of the Snow Lake Motor Inn on the evening of July 26 to observe the presentation of a new trophy, which was cast and engraved in honour of Mark Gogal - a popular local pilot and father of two who was lost in a tragic plane crash last November. Mark's Children, Sarah and Ethan made the presentation to Rylee Galiz, who accepted on behalf of her team - "Team C."
The trophy replaces an interim award that was given out to the winners of the first annual Mark Gogal Memorial Road Hockey Tournament, which took place during last March's Winter Who-ot. The new trophy was purchased through Snow Lake's H.D. Central by the Wooley Family and The Underground Press and will be presented to the winners of this tournament each year in Mark Gogal's honour. Prior to the presentation of the award, a short overview of the cup's history was given, after which both of Mark's children and his mother Sandra spoke and relayed touching words of thanks. A special presentation of a hat and one other keepsake Mark owned was also made to Sarah and Ethan by Roxane Lamontagne.
Prior to wrapping up, sponsors of the road hockey tournament, Gerard and Roxane Lamontagne of the Snow Lake Motor Inn, advised that the trophy would have a permanent home in a place of honour behind the bar of their famed local watering hole.
Next, Hudbay was in the local news several weeks back. Having both an extensive and eminent history within the Flin Flon and Snow Lake mining camps, for over 80 years Hudbay's geologists and explorationists have been tramping area forests and studying what they've uncovered. Within that timeframe, their workforce has blasted, hauled, and processed the mineral bounty turned up by those forbearers. Resultantly, Hudbay is a company with a history that is interwoven with our own, so it makes sense that both we and they would strive to preserve and recount it.
Back in February of 2012, during Hudbay's rebranding ceremony, their CEO, David Garofalo announced that the company would be donating $150,000 to area museums. "We are very proud of our heritage and what we've built," Garofalo said during that event. "I'm pleased to announce that Hudbay is committing $150,000 to support the Flin Flon Station Museum and the Snow Lake Mining Museum." There wasn't much more than those words said about the money they earmarked for the two museums, but several weeks back, during what was described as a "low key" affair, Hudbay came through on their promise and presented the Snow Lake Mining Museum with a cheque in the amount of $50,000.
On July 17, after taking a tour of many of the museum's displays and interactive exhibits, Hudbay's Tony Shear, Brenda Niedermaier, and Cal Huntley presented the Snow Lake Mining Museum with a cheque for $50,000, money that will be used to help further develop exhibits and programming. "The funds were pledged in 2012 when the company consolidated its assets under the single Hudbay name," said Ms. Niedermaier. "Hudbay has also and will continue to support the museum with contributions of mining equipment and photographs that preserve the company's proud history in the region since 1958." The group posed for several pictures to commemorate the occasion, then discussed the museum's recent progress and plans.
Moving on to another item, those driving in or out of Snow Lake will notice that there is a new flag now flying proudly atop the beaver house near the corner of Highway 39 and Provincial Route 392? Mention of the need for a new flag was made in the local paper and apparently picked up on by many: Brian Brindley, Helen Henderson, Dave Mayer, and the community's Canada Day Committee all donated flags to the cause. A local man, Ted Stabback placed one of the four new flags on the beaver house several weeks back. With three more flags in the bank, the call for replacements likely won't have to go out again for a few more years. Stabback noted that he adjusted the beaver house's satellite dish, for better reception, while placing the flag!
Finally, word was received that one of the wealthiest people in the world spent a couple days fishing up at nearby Burntwood Lake Lodge a month or so back. David Thomson, 3rd Baron Thomson of Fleet (who is a Canadian media magnate and just happens to be a partner in True North Sports and Entertainment, owners of the National Hockey League's Winnipeg Jets and the MTS Centre in Winnipeg), flew into the camp in his own private plane and enjoyed a few days 'R and R' at the Gogal's lodge. With an estimated net worth of around $23 billion, as of 2010, Thomson and his family are the richest in Canada and 22nd richest in the world according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
