Nicholas Donaldson
Nestor Falls recreation committee member Howard Dodd said he was a bit exhausted come Monday, but that just meant the weekend was a success.
Dodd said the turnout was good–and the weather beautiful–for the 35th-annual Nestor Falls Winter Carnival, which ran Friday to Sunday in and around the community.
On Friday, Scott Chalupsky of Nestor Falls won the fish cook-off, earning a $250 Visa gift card.
Dodd said he was very happy with the success of this event, especially because it was the first year organizers tried it.
Pat and Mel Borgen of Baudette, Mn. took top honours in Saturday’s Cribbage tournament, receiving two $75 Dalseg’s gift certificates and $40 in cash.
Joe Brucciant and Pat Olson of Baudette claimed second place while Jerry O’Leary and Randy Hanson of Nestor Falls took third.
Caleb Lougheed, Brook Duke, Jocelyn Duke, and Page McFayden won the “blind curling” competition.
The winter-themed photo contest winner was Chris Edwards of Nestor Falls.
The always well-attended fish derby also took place Saturday, with prizes being awarded that afternoon.
First place in the crappie division went to Carter Fish of Bemidji, Mn., followed by Doug Johnson of Nestor Falls and Thatcher Haggberg of Nestor Falls.
Chris Frennette of Sioux Narrows nabbed first place in the walleye division, followed by Jodie Hoskins of Nestor Falls and “Chicago Ched” of Chicago, Ill.
The trout division saw Jordan Wilson of Emo finish in first place, with David Schug of Paragould, AK in second and Shawn Mackinson of Nestor Falls with third.
And Lauren Penney of Fort Frances topped the northern division, with Carter Fish of Bemidji in second and Kevin Penney of Fort Frances in third.
Dodd pointed out Carter Fish was a double winner, remarking it was a good name for the contest.
Three fish derby participation prizes also were awarded:
•Lee Shrumm of Nestor Falls received an ice auger sponsored by Helliar’s Resort;
•Emily Jerry of Devlin won the ice shack donated by Frank Ward and the Nestor Falls recreation committee; and
•Scott Chalupsky took home the $200 Nestor Falls Bait and Tackle gift certificate and GT kids’ sled sponsored by Clarke and Crombie Camp.
The pancake and sausage breakfast took place Sunday morning and Dodd said it was well-attended once again.
Also that morning, the All-Participants prize of a $1,000 Visa gift card was awarded to Rick Poupard of Britt, Mn.
The 50/50 draw prize ($802.50) went to April Tait of MacGregor, Man.
Dodd said he was very pleased there were local winners, as well as some from distant places.
He noted this means the carnival is drawing in a bigger crowd every year from a wider area.
Another positive sign of growth for the winter carnival is the number of sponsors.
This year saw 107 total sponsors, up from the 43 last year.
“That is a pretty big jump,” Dodd noted.
