The Schools Building Schools students are moving towards their goal of $15,000 raised to help build a school in Guatemala.
The group of DHS students has been raising money in various fundraisers and is about to launch their third major fundraiser of the year.
The group is hosting a bottle drive on Feb. 20 to help raise money for the much needed school in Guatemala. Residents in the Dryden area are asked to save up their empty liquor bottles until Feb. 20, then have them ready to be picked up by the SBS students.
The students will return them to the liquor stores in exchange for the money for each bottle. Anyone interested in having their bottles picked up can contact Sandra Boyko at 223-4335.
The team has also organized two other successful fundraisers since the beginning of the school year. A few months ago, the group launched Access Denied, blocking off a number of washrooms and staff rooms off in the school and asking for donations for students and staff to use them.
It was a reminder of what students in Guatemala have to go through every day in their current school and overall, the students were willing to participate. They bought tickets and gave donations in order to use the washrooms and in turn, the SBS group raised $284.56 in just one school day.
Christmas caroling was also on the fundraising list over the Christmas holidays, which saw the generous residents of Dryden donate $474.50.
The SBS students will be hosting more fundraisers as the school year goes on and hopes to achieve their goal by June. Students involved in the campaign around the region will be chosen to visit Guatemala and observe their hard earned dollars being used to build a brand new school.

Sharon Anne Fuerst

In loving memory of Sharon Anne Fuerst, age 65 of Dryden, who passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre.
Sharon’s hobbies were trying different recipes, reading and enjoying her grandchildren.
A big part of her life was operating Polar Star Lodge and spending time with American friends.
Sharon is survived by her friend Lloyd; daughters Laurie, Patti, Kim and husband Tom; numerous grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; her sister Laurie and her husband Norman, and brother Grant and his wife Adele.
She was predeceased by her parents Ross and Nora Finch, a sister-in-law and a nephew.
There was no Visitation as cremation has taken place.
A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, January 16, at 2:00 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home Chapel, with Father Al Campeau officiating.
Interment to follow at a later date.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Heart & Lung Association or a charity of choice through the Dryden Community Funeral Home 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.

Peacefully on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at the Lion’s Prairie Manor, Portage la Prairie, Celina Hatfield passed away at the age of 94 years.
Celina was born at Sluce Point, NS, on February 24, 1916, the sixth of seven children born to the late Henry and Magdaline Bourque. She grew up and received her education there.
In 1937 she married Kenneth Victor Hatfield and they lived in Halifax where their first two children were born.
In 1940 the family moved to Ontario where they lived at Camp Robinson. On retirement they moved to Vermilion Bay. Later while living in Ear Falls, Celina’s husband passed away in 1989. She remained in Ear Falls until 1999 when she moved to Portage la Prairie to be near her daughter, Ellen Parker. For the past two years she has made her home at The Lion’s Manor where she received excellent care.
In her early days Celina was active in curling, dancing and singing. She also enjoyed her family, and when able attended Redeemer Lutheran Church in Portage la Prairie.
Predeceased by her husband in 1989, one son Paul in 1983 and son-in-law Dennis Scott in 1994, she is survived by two daughters Alice Kennedy (John) of Elliott Lake, and Ellen Parker (Alex) of Portage la Prairie, and two sons Ken (Glenda) of Vermilion Bay, ON, and Wayne of Winnipeg, MB. Also nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, one sister Elsie Muis of Yarmouth, NS and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service conducted by Pastor John Blum was held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 18 in the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 20 Twelfth Street N.W., Portage la Prairie with a reception following.
If friends so desire, contributions to the Lion’s Prairie Manor Foundation, 24 – Ninth Street S.E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3B4 would be appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Ronald Moffit Memorial Services, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Lynn Boss

In loving memory of Lynn Boss, age 59 years, who died unexpectedly at her residence on Saturday, January 9, 2010.
Lynn Boss is survived by her husband Lyonne, stepchildren Peter and Samantha Boss, three stepgrandchildren and brothers Craig and Joseph Sharp.
Born in Nipigon to John and Norval Sharp, Lynn was educated there and in Winnipeg.  She was employed with Courter Motors in St. Boniface for 24 years as an accountant before moving to Dryden in 1994 following her marriage to Lyonne Boss. Besides her work she loved children and cats and expressed her artistic side especially with plastic canvas.
Funeral Services for Lynn Boss were held Thursday, January 14th at 2:00 p.m. in Emmanuel Baptist Church in Dryden with Pastor Jake Letkeman officiating.  Interment followed in the Dryden Cemetery.
Visitation was held Wednesday from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the “Moffat Chapel” of Stevens Funeral Homes.
Should friends desire, donations to the DRHC CT Scan Fund may be made through the Stevens Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 412, Dryden, ON  P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be emailed to sympathycard@shaw.ca Subject: Boss.

Edith Fread

It is with sadness in our hearts we announce the passing of Edith Fread in Princess Court on January 8, 2010 at the age of 91 years.
Edith was predeceased by her parents Rudolph and Juliana Beyer, her husband Peter, brothers Sid and Sam Beyer and sisters Martha Jewell and Elsie Kelberg.
She is survived by three sons, Douglas (Janis), St. Marys, ON; Bruce (Shirley), Minnitaki and Raymond (Jane), Dryden; her daughter Marlene (Roland) Walther, Virgil, ON; by eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; brother Leo Beyer, Vermilion Bay; sister Lil Fijal, Winnipeg, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Born in Waldhof, August 12, 1918, Edith moved to Dryden in 1965.  Always ready to volunteer, Edith was involved over the years with the Legion Auxiliary, Women of the Moose, Dryden Go-Getters, Club 330 Van Horne, the Horticultural Society, DECO, Friends of the Museum and the Singles Club.  Over the years, she knitted many hundreds of pairs of mittens and toques to help children stay warm.  She was a designated Ambassador of Dryden on a visit to Germany and wrote about social events in the Dryden Observer.  She took an interest in skating in her 70s and was part of the Figure Skating Ice Show in her first year.  She enjoyed bowling, blueberry picking, travelling, knitting, crocheting, swimming and helping young children learn to swim.
Cremation has taken place and a graveside memorial service will be held in the Waldhof Cemetery.
Should friends desire, donations to Princess Court or a charity of their choice may be made through the Stevens Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 412, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1.
Condolences may be
e-mailed to sympathy
card@shaw.ca subject: Fread.
Edith’s family would like to extend a warm thank you to the Princess Court Staff for their loving care during her time with you.

Patti Skillen

With acceptance and curious about what lies ahead, I left this earth on January 12, 2010 “to boldly go where so many have gone before”!  I leave behind my parents, Pat Skillen (Ann Wieler) and Velma Walton (Mark), my sister Pam Matatall (Brent), brother Martin Skillen (Pam), much loved nieces and nephew:  Melissa, Paige, Morgan and Liam, and numerous aunts and uncles and cousins.
I was one of those very fortunate people who got to do the work I loved.  Although many days had a little too much work and not enough play, the fact that I was able to help many people along the way was a source of great and lasting joy.  This includes my time as the Township of Pickle Lake’s Clerk-Treasurer, assistant to Bob Nault, MP and Minister of Indian Affairs and finally fighting for the human rights of Canada’s Aboriginal People while supporting the National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.  I never planned this career – it came to me as a blessing – and I am truly grateful to all those people who gave me the opportunity to make a difference.
I feel no sadness or regret for the life I lived well, however short it may have been.  To be freed from illness is a gift. I accept it with gratitude and peace.
Funeral Mass was held Monday, January 18th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Alan Campeau officiating. Interment of ashes will take place at a later date. Wake followed in the Riverview Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dryden Regional Health Centre (oncology or CT Scan Fund), Villa Rosa in Winnipeg, or the Trillium Gift of Life Network through the Stevens Funeral Homes “Moffat Chapel”, P.O. Box 412, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1.
Condolences may be
e-mailed to sympathy
card@shaw.ca subject: Skillen.
Van Morrison said it best in “Sense of Wonder” and so I will borrow my last words from him:
“Didn’t I come to bring you a sense of wonder?
Didn’t I come to lift your fiery vision bright?
Didn’t I come to bring you a sense of wonder in the flame?”
Love to All, and Blessed Be.