I was lucky enough to get in on a trip up to one of the gems on our northern landscape, Burntwood Lake Lodge. My wife Leone, my mother-In law Violet Wood and I were guests of Larry, Sandra, Brad and Jackie Gogal for the afternoon of Sept. 8. The occasion was Leone’s retirement, after 11 years working as the office manager for Burntwood Lodge and Gogal Air.
With our pilot Larry Gogal, and wife Sandra, we flew up via the company’s Beaver and touched down on Burntwood about 20 minutes later. Brad followed in one of their choppers, slinging a rebuilt generator to be returned to its spot on the camp power grid. Once there, we departed the plane and watched as Brad maneuvered the genset mere feet from where it was to be placed, while Larry and camp manager Anthony Lavallee guided it to its perch. It took less than a minute … skill and expertise are a pleasure to behold.
We weren’t long off the plane and a boat had been readied by Anthony; we grabbed our rods and reels and headed out on Burntwood to catch supper. Larry and Anthony in one boat, me and Leone in the other, we anchored in a bay 500 metres, as the crow flies, from the main camp. After realizing I had mistakenly put our bait (minnows) in one of the other boats on the dock, I sheepishly begged a handful from Larry and Anthony and in less than an hour we had our 16 fish for supper and had caught and released a dozen or so more for good measure and the sport of it.
Back at the lodge, the fish were filleted; then Anthony put some oil on to cook them. Along with another table full of guests, we sat down to a fabulous spread about 30 minutes later. Chef Colinda Monger put out the pickerel, thin cut spuds with onions, beans, corn and fresh baked buns and we all dove in.
After dinner, the Gogals presented Leone with a dozen red roses and a Gogal Air wind suit. With platitudes and appreciation from both parties, a few photos were snapped, there were blueberries and cake for dessert and it was time to say goodbyes. We hopped back into the Beaver and were back in Snow Lake before dusk. A fine day, with wonderful people in a serene and breathtakingly beautiful setting! Oh, and did I mention the fishing was awesome!
On another matter, as with other cities, towns, and municipalities across Manitoba, citizens of Snow Lake will go to the polls Oct. 24. I attended the office of the community’s senior election official (SEO), Rowena Herana, on the morning of Sept. 12 and again on Sept. 17. Although nominations don’t close until Sept. 18, the following people have registered to run. For the office of mayor, Kim Stephen (incumbent mayor) and Jodi Wilson (incumbent councillor). For the position of councillor, the following people have registered Sherri Hill, Peter Roberts (incumbent), Shelly Stringer, Bill Pleasance, Jarid Madina, and Andrew Smith. At 9:30 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 17, the only folks who had filed papers were Penny Roberts (incumbent councilor), Bill Pleasance, Jodi Wilson and Peter Roberts …. the rest, and any others interested, had until 3 p.m. the next day to file.
Of note: Mr. Smith is the town foreman for the Town of Snow Lake. I queried Ms. Herana if it was in fact possible for Smith to run for a position on the council of the town that employs him. She assured me that it was, but only if he is able to obtain a leave of absence from the community’s acting CAO. Section 92 of the Manitoba Municipal Act allows any employee, except the chief administrative officer, or any employee of a regional municipal body (e.g., a planning district, conservation district, regional waste management board, weed control district) to apply for a leave of absence before the close of nominations in order to run in a municipal election.
