Are You Dreaming What I'm Dreaming????? Yep tee times!

This month we can at least start cleaning our golf clubs. For those looking at a career change or those just graduating a career in golf maybe a viable option. Check this out..

This is my highschool bud Deb who is an AWESOME golf pro. She loves what she does, and encourages others to look into becoming a pro or assistant in Manitoba.

http://www.discoverwestman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13274&Itemid=33

Kidsport can help....you?

Last year there were more applications for Kidsport assistance in the central region than ever before.... read all about it!

http://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21438&Itemid=33

Jon Is Coming To Winkler!!!!

Ok this is really great news! Jon Montgomery is coming to Winkler and we will be ready for our Manitoban Olympian. The famous Russel native will be among some super fans when he visits this September. 

Why is he coming to southern Manitoba? Check out our local news story......

http://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21399&Itemid=33

Gonna Miss Watching My Former Team-mate

This week it was announced that Jennifer Botterill is retiring from hockey. I will forever remember Jenn as the 16 year old who picked me up each week in her parents Jimmy for our games and practices in Transcona. Living in Winnipeg without a vehicle at 18 was an issue, but being the goaltender for the Storm I was able to get a ride without too much begging. Jenn was a great player and I appreciated our time in the vehicle almost as much as on the ice. She chatted on practice days and allowed us both to focus on game days. Her smile always greeted me and on the way home we often dissected the game. Jenn, Nicki Beare, Cindy Klassen and I were invited to the Calgary Oval Extreme in 1996. The other three girls made the treck out west and I stayed in Manitoba. It was shortly after that when I realized Jenn would make it big. Soon I was watching her in red and white playing for our country's national team. What a treat! Same great stride - same great smile. I will miss watching number 17 in all those big games. All the best Jenn. Perhaps I'll be able to interview you again sometime down the road. That's always fun too.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/jennifer-botterill-retires-from-team-canada/article1941163/

The Time To Get Moving Is Now

Check out my interview with former highschool friend and team-mate Kate Petrie!

http://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20916

What A Series Of "Dream" Events?!?!?

I would give my eye-teeth to attend a week like this..... with my camera and recorder in hand of course!

Moncton, N.B., March 16, 2011

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is set to land in Atlantic Canada next month for its signature annual event and celebration, as the Olympic family gathers once again for the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner & Induction Ceremony in the lively city of Moncton, N.B., on April 16.
At the centre of the festivities are 2011 Hall of Fame inductees Melody Davidson (hockey), Marc Lemay (cycling), David MacEachern (bobsleigh), Curtis Myden (swimming) and Elvis Stojko (figure skating).


The COC announced today a series of events that will roll across the Atlantic provinces leading into the Hall of Fame Gala, as well as a star-studded line-up of Olympians and performing artists who will light up the night in Moncton.


"We will wrap Atlantic Canada in the Olympic Movement," said COC CEO and Secretary General Jean R. Dupré. "Passion for athletes has never been so high in this country, and the COC will harness this momentum with its Hall of Fame celebration. This year’s events during the Hall of Fame Week are like none ever before, and will be a real delight for Canadians on the East Coast."


Canadian Olympic Heroes Tour - Atlantic Canada
April 11-14
The COC will embark on a first-ever "Olympic Heroes Tour" that will feature seven Olympic medallists and two Paralympians spreading Olympic spirit and inspiring personal excellence through Atlantic Canada. The group of Olympians include speed skater Denny Morrison (gold, silver), rower Adam Kreek (gold), short track speed skater Tania Vicent (two silver, two bronze), bobsledders Kaillie Humphries (gold), Heather Moyse (gold), David Bissett (bronze) and Chris Le Bihan (bronze).
"I'm very excited to be involved in this amazing adventure through four provinces with my fellow Olympians," said Vicent. "It's important for Olympians to give back to the communities that support us. I can't wait to bring energy and excitement from Vancouver 2010 to the East Coast and share it with Canadians who cheered so passionately a year ago."
The Tour will rekindle the spirit felt in these communities during the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, and will reach Halifax, St. John's, Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I. A series of community events along the way will celebrate not only the Canadian Olympic Movement, but also national heroes, local heroes and the unspoken heroes within us.


Here is a brief overview of the four-day Tour:
• Halifax, April 11 – The Tour reaches Canadian Forces Base Halifax to share inspiring stories and to shine the spotlight on our country’s everyday heroes: the men and women of the Navy, Army and Air Force. Later, the athletes will offer insights to members of Team Nova Scotia from the recent Canada Games, in conjunction with the Canadian Sport Centre as part of a Performance Excellence Series. It concludes with a trip to Ronald McDonald House at the IWK Health Centre.
• St. John's, April 12 – On the 31st anniversary of Terry Fox’s quest across Canada, the Olympians and Paralympians will participate in a ceremony at Terry Fox Mile Zero, a celebration of Olympic heroes at City Hall and a visit to Janeway Children's Hospital.
• Charlottetown, April 13 – The Tour will bring Olympic-sized inspiration to the QE Children's Hospital followed by a special event at City Hall.
• Summerside, April 13 – Summerside will be inspired by hometown hero Heather Moyse and other Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they visit Moyse’s alma matter, Summerside Intermediate School.
As part of its community outreach initiative in the Moncton area, the COC will host the second part of the Performance Excellence Series at the University of Moncton on Friday, April 15. Olympians will also attend a meet and greet at the Moncton Market on Saturday, April 16.


Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Kick-Off Concert
Moncton, April 14
The evening of April 14, an all-Canadian concert will kick off the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame festivities in Moncton. It features Sam Roberts Band as the headlining act, one of Canada's biggest modern musicians. The concert will also feature the Arkells as the opening act.
It is set for the Moncton Coliseum and tickets are on sale as of March 17. All tickets are priced at $29.95 (plus applicable taxes), and seats will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Tickets are available through the following outlets: http://www.tickets.moncton.ca/, Moncton Coliseum Box Office (377 Killam Drive), charge by phone 1-888-720-5600 and all Greater Moncton/Shediac Sobeys locations.


Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremony
Moncton, April 16
The COC's sparkling Gala will be held the evening of Saturday, April 16 at Casino New Brunswick. Hall of Fame inductees Davidson, Lemay, MacEachern, Myden and Stojko will be honoured at the event that will include a full artistic program. Musicians on the bill include Canadian legend Jann Arden, pianist and composer Stephan Moccio, the Arkells and Maritime fiddler and folk star Samantha Robichaud.
As well, more than 40 Olympians will attend the spectacular event, which serves as one of the Canadian Olympic Team's most important fundraisers. Proceeds go directly to the Canadian Olympic Team in support of Canada's high performance athletes. Tables are still available, and can be purchased at http://www.formstack.com/forms/COT-HOF (An official tax receipt may be issued upon request for the amount allowable under Canada Revenue Agency guidelines.)


COC Board and Session Meetings
Moncton, April 15-17
The COC will hold its Board and Session meetings in Moncton, bringing together the leaders of Canada's high performance sport community. The COC has graciously accepted an offer from the City of Moncton to hold a closed Board of Directors meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers on Friday, April 15.
On Saturday, the winter and summer National Sport Federations (NSF) will hold their caucus meetings at the Moncton Coliseum. This will be followed by the COC's Session Meetings, an important arena within which the sport community will discuss Canada's goal of striving for success on the Olympic stage. There, the COC will also hold its quadrennial elections to determine six "B" Session and six Board of Directors positions which are up for re-election.
On Sunday, the Hall of Fame weekend will conclude at the Moncton Coliseum with the second Session meeting, followed by workshops focused on Canadian sport policy review.

2011 International Olympic Academy Here I Come!!!

photo with the torch when it came through Southern Manitoba 

I used to dream of becoming the starting goaltender for our National Women's Hockey team. I worked towards that goal until the age of 20, playing in 3 national championships, and when I felt my goal was just out of reach I shifted my focus to officiating and coaching the game I loved. I became a level 3 referee and couldn't quite see myself reaching the Olympics on the ice. My passion for amateur sport has not faded over time even though my dreams of wearing number 39 between the pipes, or dropping the puck at centre ice, have.


I have found new ways of making a difference such as volunteering behind the scenes, and on the front line, always enjoying the challenge. By working with young people I may inspire a future Olympian or even more likely another local leader such as myself. If my efforts also inspire former athletes and other various community members to get involved I would feel I have made a difference. I have a passion for story telling and see that Canadians connect with athletes of all ages and abilities once they hear their story.


I work every week to do just that and have discovered amazing people right here in Manitoba. I capture their story, share it on the radio and online. I introduce people to new sports, athletes with unique challenges, some with success stories, others who just love to be active and are promoting active living. These stories make a difference and I am the one who can amplify their voice.

 photo on my way to first volunteer shift during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver

 Group shot from 2008 Olympic Academy where my own flame was lit