Vol. 131 No.

13 Friday, June 7, 2013

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Local winners at Westman Tourism Awards

By DARRYL HOLYK
T
he Minnedosa 100th
Grey Cup Tour Train
Committee, Tilson Place
Bed and Breakfast and
Strathclair Drama Club
were each recognized for
their ef orts in boosting
local tourism ealier this
week. Te three were win-
ners in their respective
categories at the Tourism
Westman Tribute to Tour-
ism Awards Gala held at
Brandons Royal Oak Inn.
Te local Grey Cup
Tour Train Committee
captured the Partnership
Award for their eforts in
pulling together a success-
ful day which attracted
1,400 visitors to Minnedo-
sa to witness this once in a
lifetime opportunity. With
only a small budget to
work with, the committee
formed more than 21 part-
nerships to make the day
happen. Minnedosa was
one of only three stops for
the train in Manitoba and
the only stop in Westman.
In the Service Ex-
cellence Category, two
Minnedosa accomoda-
tions were nominated; Te
Gateway Motel and Til-
son Place Bed and Break-
fast. As there can only be
one winner per category,
Tilson Place was recog-
nized. Since purchasing
Minnedosas historic cas-
tle in 1999, Darrell and Pat
Graham have gone the ex-
tra mile to provide guests
with a most enjoyable ex-
perience while staying at
their Bed and Breakfast
and visiting local busi-
nesses and attractions. Ac-
comodating their guests,
the Grahams ofer pick-up
and drop-of service to and
from the local bus depot.
One of Westmans
most popular events is the
annual musical production
put on by the Strathclair
Drama Club. Te popular-
ity of these productions re-
sulted in a Tribute to Tour-
ism Award in the Event of
the Year category.
Starting with its f rst
production back in 1982,
the Strathclair Drama
Club has performed 31
musical productions. Over
900 individuals have been
involved with the Drama
Club in one way or anoth-
er and there have been a
total of 166 performances
with ticket sales over the
years totalling 54,250 seats.
Tis is an amazing feat for
a drama club located in a
small rural community.
Each year, the production
draws an audience from
near and far with some
travelling from neighbour-
ing Saskatchewan to enjoy
the amazing talents of ac-
tors, singers, musicians
and dancers involved in
the drama club.
Tis year marks the
tenth anniversary of
the Tribute to Tourism
Awards. Awards are pre-
sented annually in seven
categories. Tis year, 20
nominations were re-
ceived.
Local winners at the 2013 Tribute to Tourism Awards included Te Minnedosa
100th Grey Cup Tour Train Committee (main top), Tilson Place Bed and Breakfast (bottom left)
and Strathclair Drama Club (bottom right).
Photos by Darryl Holyk