Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Historic Mural Unveiled at East Braintree Celebration On June 27, a sense of pride and nostalgia swept through the community of East Braintree as residents gathered at the Reynolds Community Potluck and Multiculturalism Celebration to witness the unveiling of a new mural by local historian, author, and artist Lorna Feilberg Annell. The mural, which depicts old East Braintree as it looked in the early 20th century, was unveiled at the Midwinter Heritage Site, home to the historic Midwinter School. The detailed and vibrant work is a tribute to the people, industries, and Indigenous roots that shaped the region. Annell, who is also the Secretary of the Midwinter Heritage Association, shared that the mural was inspired by a request from her sister Margaret, President of the Association.
Newlyweds Bob and Marlene Krysik dance to music provided by STARSHINE. The Krystiks interrupted their honeymoon to come and help out longtime friends Bill and Margaret for 2 days at the Midwinter Heritage Site in East Braintree (Musicians Don Swerdinski and Lois Taylor in background). Photos by Margaret Feilberg
The new backdrop for the stage, painted by Lorna Feilberg Annell of Ste. Genevieve, formerly of East Braintree.
“At an AGM in 2023, Margaret asked me to sketch some of the former businesses and to eventually paint a mural showing what East Braintree once looked like,” Annell explained. With funding secured through a Manitoba Heritage grant, she spent two winters creating numerous sketches and painting the final piece. The mural brings to life scenes of the community’s past - from the once-thriving stores, hotel, and forestry station, to the train station and Red Cross Nursing Station. It also highlights the role of the Greater Winnipeg Water District (GWWD) railway and aqueduct, which brought settlers and industry to the area between 1914 and 1919. Annell’s mother, Esther Anderson Feilberg, played a key role in preserving the Midwinter School, originally built in 1917. “She started a campaign to raise $20,000 in
1989 to purchase the school and its seven-acre grounds,” Annell recalled. Today, the schoolhouse remains one of Manitoba’s best-preserved one-room schools, still standing on its original site by the Boggy River. The mural also pays homage to the Indigenous peoples - the Ojibwa and Swampy Cree - who lived in the region for millennia before East Braintree’s settlement. Wildlife, local industries like Brooks Quarry and the Prison Farm, and memorable community figures such as postmistress Mrs. Slussar and Mr. and Mrs. Wier with Sunday School children all feature prominently. During the celebration, live music was provided by the four-member group Starshine, made up of longtime friends Lois Taylor, Chris Gillis, Don Swerdinski, and local artist Mitsu Suabi
of Elma. The band delighted the crowd with classics from the 1950s to the 1990s. Annell also shared plans for a second mural - this time of the nearby community of McMunn. Her late brother Lawrence had encouraged her to continue the project to complete the backdrop behind the new covered stage at the Heritage Site. She’s now seeking old photos and community support to bring that vision to life. Donations and volunteers are welcome to help maintain the Heritage Site and the East Braintree Community Cemetery. Contributions can be sent to the Midwinter Heritage Association at Box 73, East Braintree, MB R0E 0L0. “This mural is not just about buildings or history - it’s about preserving the stories and spirit of the people who made this place what it was,” said Annell. “I think my parents would be proud.”
July 2025
RM of Ritchot Provides Update Following Cyber Security Incident The Rural Municipality of Ritchot has provided a public update following a cyber security incident that disrupted municipal billing systems late last year. On December 15, 2024, unauthorized individuals illegally accessed the RM’s network and IT systems, impacting the municipality’s ability to issue water and property tax bills. In response, the RM immediately engaged cyber security experts to secure its systems and conduct a thorough investigation. “We are pleased to report that our systems are now back up and functioning,” stated the RM in an official notice to residents. As services resume, the RM announced that 4th quarter water bills for 2024 will be issued this week, with 1st and 2nd quarter water bills for 2025 expected by July 15. To ease any inconvenience caused by the delay, the RM has extended the payment deadline for each of these bills from 30 to 90 days. Residents who already made payments toward their 2025 water bills will see those reflected on the upcoming statements. While property tax bills are expected to be mailed slightly later than usual this year, the payment deadline for taxes will remain unchanged. The municipality extended its thanks to residents for their understanding and cooperation during the disruption. “We thank all residents for their patience while we attended to this incident,” the statement concluded. Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the RM directly at communications@ritchot.com.