Staff
With the weather on its side for another year, the 34th-annual Nestor Fall Winter Carnival held over the weekend once again was deemed a success.
“I think everything went well,” said Nestor Falls recreation committee member Howard Dodd.
“The weather was very good, which really helps,” he noted, adding many of the weekend activities saw a good turnout.
For instance, Sunday’s all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast, sponsored by the Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Fire Department, drew more than 100 people.
“That’s more than we’ve ever had,” Dodd enthused.
He added both the fish derby and Saturday night’s dance, featuring Kenora-based band “Fat City,” also saw solid attendance.
After the success of last year’s inaugural “Wacky Winter Wipe Out,” Sunset Cove Resort organized the event once again.
“I think everyone had a lot of fun,” Dodd said.
There also was a contest in which people could vote for their favourite winter photo, a cribbage tournament, free games for children, and a visit from “Ralphie the Clown.”
And, of course, there were plenty of prizes.
One of the big wins of the weekend went to Jan Beazley of Fort Frances, who took home the all-participants’ draw prize—a $500 Visa gift card.
The winners of the “Wacky Winter Wipe Out” were Brooklyn Duke and Paige McFadden of Nestor Falls, with the duo of Braden Beazley and Parker Nastiuk of Fort Frances coming in second.
Caila Pope and Alexia Gate of Nestor Falls took third.
First place in the cribbage tournament went to the team of Randy Hanson and Jerry O’Leary (Nestor Falls), with the duo of Debbie Moate (Nestor Falls) and Suzie Kelly (Onigaming) taking second.
Third place was captured by Edmond Indian and Anita Shebagegit (Onigaming) while Miranda Shebagegit and Mike Cobiness (Onigaming) took fourth.
Meanwhile, Carly Carmody (Nestor Falls) took first place in the photo contest while Gilbert Heyens of Emo won the 50/50 draw.
When it came to Saturday’s fishing derby, it was Connor Dutka of Nestor Falls capturing top spot in the northern category.
Shirley Brown (Nestor Falls) was second while third place went to Dennis Hagen (Nestor Falls).
Chicago Ched (Chicago, Ill.) reeled up the biggest walleye, followed by Terry Cranston (Sioux Narrows) and Terry Brennan (Nestor Falls).
In the crappie division, it was Dave Bonke (Nestor Falls) in first place, followed by D.J. Darra (Fort Frances) and Tyler Tom (Whitefish Bay).
And Lauren Hanson (Nestor Falls) took top honours in the trout division, followed by Jim Shavor (Iron, Mn.)
When it came to the big prizes for the participants’ draw for the fishing derby, Kaity Nummikoski (Thunder Bay) won the three-man Fat Shack Ice Shelter sponsored by Helliar’s Resort.
A second prize of a snowmobile jacket (sponsored by Mel’s Marine) was won by Steve Lougheed (Nestor Falls) while third prize—an EzCam Post—was won by Ben Olson (Nestor Falls).
“It was great that we were able to give out more than one fish derby prize this year,” said Dodd, noting they always have excellent support from the district.
“We had over 40 sponsors for the winter carnival from Sioux Narrows, Nestor Falls, Emo, [and] Fort Frances, and some other individuals who helped us out,” he remarked.
Dodd added at the end of the day Saturday, when all the prizes are being doled out, the community hall is packed.
“It’s so nice to see the hall completely full,” he remarked.
“The whole community comes together.”
Dodd hopes the winter carnival is a community tradition they will be able to continue.
“We have a good group of people,” he said about the rec committee, though adding it is a very small group.
“We could really use some more people to help us,” he stressed.
“We try to do the best we can.
“If we could get some more people, then we’d possibly be able to run more events,” Dodd added.
