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Home of Fisher River's
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The board would also like to acknowledge the following for their
contributions and services. They are Darryl Crate, Darren Williams,
Brendan Alexander, Stanley Crate, Barry and Nancy Sinclair, Keith
and Emily Sinclair, Loretta Lynn’s Catering, FRCN Chief and Council,
Archie Cochrane, Carl Cochrane, Carlson Murdock, William Murdock,
Lloyd Cochrane, Harold Cochrane Sr., FRCN Gas and Convenience, Cory
Murdock, Ivan Hart, Shelley Longbottom, Manitoba Hydro, MTS, NCI-FM,
Beatoes Productions and most of all the people of Fisher River.
The Leigh Cochrane Memorial Visitor Centre is an impressive
testimony to the community’s determination and a celebration of its
history and heritage. The 950-sq.-ft. log cabin was constructed by
Darryl Crate, Dean Murdock, Len Kirkness, Brian Amos and Roland
Kirkness. The wrap around 16-ft decking and upper level viewing
balcony was constructed by Trent’s Custom Log Work, a business owned
by Darryl Crate. The memorial boardwalk and breath-taking
amphitheatre/stage was also constructed by Trent’s Custom Log Work,
which will add great flexibility to the centre. The Leigh Cochrane
Memorial Visitor Center concept was conceived and designed by the
Ochekwi-Sipi Economic Development Corporation Board and Staff with
the intention of showcasing the community’s unique history and
relationship with the land. The center shall also focus on:
a) Bridging the historical knowledge gap that exists between the
youth and the elders.
b) Providing a place for the community to gather and celebrate.
c) Providing a means for the research, understanding, preserving and
the sharing of our history, language and stories.
d) Welcoming tourists and visitors from all parts the province,
country and the world.
e) Providing an opportunity for local crafts production and sales.
f) Providing economic spin off benefits for the community.
g) Be an integral component of a major tourism development project
for the community within the Fisher Bay Park Reserve.
This free script provided by
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1st Annual - Charlie Major
Sunday,
August 19, 2005
Click here to listen to the
NCI FM Radio Ad
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.
Due to the overwhelming success of the first community
celebration, the OSEDC Board of Directors has decided to make it an
annual event. The OSEDC Directors wish to give a special thanks to
George Crate, Rob Selkirk and Rhonda Williams for their hard work
and commitment to the success of the community celebration. |
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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
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