THE 11th ANNUAL GRAND MARAIS FAMILY FESTIVAL February 10th, 11th, 12th, 2012 At the Grand Marais Rec Hall, 90 Matilda Ave, Grand Marais
The Festival will be a fun filled weekend with activities for all family members.
Friday activities include the Grand Opening of the Festival, with local dignitaries, youth entertaining with music, and outdoor Bonfire with hot chocolate. Toboggan run and ice rink will be open for the entire event.
Saturday free activities open at 9:30 a.m. with crafts & face painting, fishpond, Ski to win, Family curling bonspiel, Crib tournament and Horse-drawn sleigh rides throughout the day. Special feature at 11:30 a.m. is Mr. Richards Magic Show with his puppets & balloon artistry.
Sunday activities include: a pancake breakfast starting at 9:00 a.m., Interdenominational church service with the “Bells of Praise” at Noon, Drawing for the silent auction and raffle prizes at 2:00 p.m.
SPECIAL SATURDAY NIGHT EVENT: 7:00 p.m.
Grand Marais Festival Presents “Hoedown Opry”, with live musical entertainment, and a Barn Dance following the entertainment. Tickets: $15. This is a licensed event.
Come help us celebrate our 11th year with winter fun!!
Thank you, Margaret Haddad, Advertising Chair For further information please call Margaret 204-756-2181 or Cliff Thomas at 204-754-3745.
Written by Sandi Faber Routley, Invasive Species Council of Manitoba
Don’t Rush Out to Buy This Plant!
Flowering Rush is an attractive water garden plant that is considered invasive in Manitoba, but still sold in garden centers and on the Internet.
Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus), a perennial aquatic plant native to Eurasia, was brought to North America in the late 1800’s for ornamental water gardens. The first observations of this plant in Canada are from Montreal (ca. 1897) along the banks of the St. Lawrence. Since that time it has quickly spread to naturalize wetlands, sedge meadows, streams, river banks, ditches, and lake shores from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. It can be found growing in wet soil, shallow water, or under water. In Manitoba, it has been observed at Patricia Beach, near Lockport, and along the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg. The Invasive Species Council of Manitoba would like to find out locations of this plant across Manitoba.
Biology: Flowering rush grows and spreads primarily from thick, creeping rhizomes, and lesser through seed production. Rhizomes also produce many small tubers (bulblets) that can break off to form new plants and follow water currents to infest new areas. This plant is easiest to identify when it produces characteristic umbrella-shaped clusters of upright flowers. Flowers are deep pink to white in color, 2 to 3 cm across, and on stalks. Stems are 0.5 to 1.5 m tall and resemble bulrushes. Leaves are on opposite sides of the stem, triangular with smooth edges and around 1 m long.
Impacts: Flowering rush tends to colonize areas where new land is exposed as a result of lower water levels. It grows aggressively, displaces native vegetation through its thick root system, and reduces biological diversity. In areas of dense infestation, it can clog irrigation canals and interfere with boating and other recreational activities
Control/Prevention: Flowering rush is still widely available for purchase in garden centers and on the internet as a water garden plant. The best method to control this invasive plant is to not buy it and plant it. Removing Flowering rush by the roots is almost impossible without breakage or leaving fragments behind that form new plants. Cutting below the water surface will not kill the plant, but will limit its abundance and nuisance. Repeated cutting may also weaken the plant over time. Removing all plant pieces is necessary to limit spread and should be dried and composted completely, away from water or wet areas. Discarded plants should be burned or double bagged in garbage bags.
Information: To report a sighting of this plant or to find out information on other aquatic invasive species, please visit www.invasivespeciesmanitoba.com. Sign up for a free quarterly newsletter “Unwanted Invaders” produced by the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba at
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or phone (204) 232-6021.
Photo credits: plant, C. Fisher; flower, Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
The Bibliotheque Allard Regional Library has opened a public Library in Victoria Beach. It is located in the Victoria Beach Senior Scene. hours of operation are Wednesday 11:00-4:00 and Fridays 9:00-2:00. phone # 756-2043 e-mail
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There is also another branch located in Walter Whyte School that is open tue.9-12 Thur. 4-8 and Sat. 10-2 754-4007
THE 11th ANNUAL GRAND MARAIS FAMILY FESTIVAL
Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus), a perennial aquatic plant native to Eurasia, was brought to North America in the late 1800’s for ornamental water gardens. The first observations of this plant in Canada are from Montreal (ca. 1897) along the banks of the St. Lawrence. Since that time it has quickly spread to naturalize wetlands, sedge meadows, streams, river banks, ditches, and lake shores from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. It can be found growing in wet soil, shallow water, or under water. In Manitoba, it has been observed at Patricia Beach, near Lockport, and along the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg. The Invasive Species Council of Manitoba would like to find out locations of this plant across Manitoba.
Impacts: Flowering rush tends to colonize areas where new land is exposed as a result of lower water levels. It grows aggressively, displaces native vegetation through its thick root system, and reduces biological diversity. In areas of dense infestation, it can clog irrigation canals and interfere with boating and other recreational activities 