by CASSIDY DANKOCHIK

While Steffan Reimer couldn’t defend his top Manitoban finish from last year’s Manitoba Marathon, the podium still had some Eastman flair, as La Broquerie’s Jalla Van Dongen earned a bronze medal in the women’s event.

Van Dongen finished with a final time of 3:15:28, only behind two-time champion Dawn Neal and Jessica Wylychenko, both from Winnipeg.

Reimer suffered an injury in the run-up to the event, and while he wasn’t able to keep up with the leaders after mile 15 this year, decided to drop back and run in pace with Wylychenko and help block the wind for his teammate. Despite the injury, Reimer still finished in a strong position, sneaking inside the top 10 with a time just over two hours 55 minutes.

Manitoba High School Rodeo Finals

The Manitoba High School Rodeo Association finals will be hosted in Richer this year, as the best an brightest up and coming cowboys and cowgirls aim to strut their stuff.

Action will be fast and furious at Dawson Trail Park from June 7 - June 9, with no charge for admission.

Hanover Kickers/MMSL

Life is like…

Years ago, I was in a group setting where we were having conversations about life. The question was posed, what analogy would we each make to life? I remember one person stating her perception that life is like a roller coaster. Then there’s the famous song, “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane in 1991 (could it really be 33 years ago already?).

I like to think of life as an amusement park. There are unlimited options to experience. Some you’re brave enough to try; some don’t interest you at all. Some people seem happy just to observe others like they have no idea how they even got there. Then there are those whose arms are filled with prizes and milewide smiles from hitting up everything that’s available to them. The interesting thing is they aren’t the same people every time.

I have recently been decently unwell and in bed while my husband stayed home and did all the household and parenting duties while I rested. So…much…resting.

On the occasion of Super Bowl 58 – an NFL championship game submersed with more culture wars and wild conspiracies than ever before – the history books will record the final score as Kansas City Chiefs/Pentagon/NATO/Taylor Swift/President Biden 25 – San Francisco 49ers/conspiracy lovers/MAGA cult members/anti-vaxxers/bloggers in pajamas living in their parent’s basement 22.

In an overtime thriller, the 49ers played valiantly but having to beat the Chiefs plus the White House and the Department of Defense was just too steep a hill to climb.

Big-time kudos to 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. The very last player chosen in the 2022 NFL draft (the 262nd player selected overall, earning him the name “Mr. Irrelevant”), Purdy played a whale of a game and almost defeated a dynasty (in the Chiefs) and a living legend (Patrick Mahomes). Purdy made the league minimum this year; look for him to get a massive and well-deserved raise this summer.

Funny thing. The half-time show wasn’t interrupted by Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce joining Taylor Swift at midfield to endorse President Biden as laughably predicted by many on the right.

We are having some of our normal winter weather these days, there’s lots of snow, and it’s cold outside. We can’t say it is unexpected, it just took a bit longer to get here this year, and I for one am not complaining. Once we get through this patch of colder weather, I hope we have some more pleasant winter weather again. I mean minus 10 or better. That’s pleasant winter weather. And please, no more snow.

Chase the Ace

The seven of clubs was picked last Saturday at Chase the Ace, so the game continues this Saturday, Jan. 20 with a jackpot of $8,401. Remember that tickets are only $1 each and are sold only from 5-7:45 p.m., with the draw at 8:15 p.m. So come on down to the Richer Inn and get your tickets.

Dinner & dance

Pat Porter Active Living Centre

Steinbach

10 Chrysler Gate

Phone: 204-320-4600

Good morning La Broquerie.

Community survey

If anyone is interested in doing a community survey for the vision and future of La Broquerie, we welcome your input for the Economic Growth Strategy. You can enter your ideas at www.surveymonkey.com/r/LK355YN.

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