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Fisher
River
 was treated to first-class entertainment as almost 1,000
people turned out on a beautiful sunny day to enjoy the August 19th.
2005 Community Celebration. Entertainment included the comedy of
NCI’s morning man Gerry “Big Bear” Barrett, the electric
Asham
Stompers, the high flying Fisher River Cloggers, the cool sounds of
Louella Cochrane’s Night Wind Karaoke and the hilarious antics of
comedian Don Burnstick. The crowd was very enthusiastic and
thoroughly entertained with the fancy footwork and rib busting
humor.
The
community hosted visitors from Split Lake, Thompson, Matheson
Island, Kinonjeoshtegon, Peguis, Fisher Branch, Riverton, Gimli,
Teulon, Winnipeg, Regina, Brandon and numerous other locations. An
evening concert by Winnipeg’s
 popular Free Bird band with lead
singer JJ Lavallee, had the crowd energized and
pumped up for the
final concert with headliner Charlie Major. Charlie a true
professional and entertainer had the crowd involved from the start
with his energy, lyrics and music. You could see and feel the
excitement build as he sang hit after hit. Charlie would later say
that he thought the crowd was wonderful and appreciative. He
stressed that the community was beautiful from what he was able to
see and that he would love to come back once this amazing
amphitheater/stage and boardwalk was complete. Later, as the
moonlight sparkled and danced on the river amid a slow drifting fog,
a “major” fireworks display by Powder Keg Pyrotechnics lit up the
night sky and mesmerized the already enchanted crowd. 
During
the afternoon session of the community celebration there was a
special dedication made. With the unveiling of a sign that hung from
the upper viewing balcony of the cabin, the Visitor Centre was
renamed the Leigh Cochrane Memorial Visitor Centre. Leigh Cochrane
was the administrative assistant for the Ochekwi-Sipi Economic
Development Corporation. Leigh started working at the development
corporation office at the end of 1999. One of the first projects was
she was a part of was the planning and construction of the visitor
centre.
 Leigh was behind the project from the start and she too
believed it was going to benefit the community in many ways and that
it would be a source of tremendous pride and inspiration. Leigh
passed away in 2003; shortly after phase two of the project was
complete.
A
newly constructed log frame memorial board walk links the visitor
centre to an impressive one of a kind log frame amphitheatre/stage.
The memorial board walk, along the banks of the Fisher River is
constructed with a log frame, log railings and 2”x 6”x 8’ planks.
For $150.00 each, the general public can purchase one or more of
these planks. In addition, purchasers will also receive a beautiful
2”x 6” bronze plaque made by Larson’s Memorial’s. The bronze plaque
will be engraved with your message and attached to the board walk in
memory of a loved one. The fundraising idea will assist in the
financing of future community gatherings, special events and
concerts.
This article is
continued here
A Major good time in
Fisher River
Interlake Spectator — The
Fisher River community was treated to first- class
entertainment as almost 1,000 people turned out to enjoy the day,
Aug. 19.
Celebrity guests such as NCI’s Gerry “Big Bear” Barrett, the
Asham
Stompers, Fisher River Cloggers and Don Burnstick entertained the
crowd with their footwork and humour.
Evening concerts by Winnipeg’s popular Free Bird band with lead
singer JJ Lavallee had the crowd pumped and ready for the final
concert with headliner Charlie Major.
“Charlie was two hours late as his flight was cancelled in Regina,”
says Fisher River economic development officer George Crate. “By the
way he performed, you’d never know he had just driven eight hours.”
A fireworks display by Powder Keg Pyrotech lit up the night sky to
end what Crate describes as a ‘perfect’ evening.
By Cindy McKay
Friday September 23, 2005 |
