News from the Regions or LPM pulls for literacy

The LPM team struggles gamely against the reluctant fire engine

From the West by Allanna Hillis

Greeting from the West Region. Well where has the summer gone? I would like to take the opportunity to thank the practitioners of the West Region who so diligently donated their time this summer to the planning and implementation of the Margaret Laurence Awards and the celebration of International Literacy Day.

International Literacy Day 2000 was marked with a very successful event in the West Region of Manitoba on September 8th, 9th, and 10th. It consisted of a provincial literacy meeting on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. September 9th brought the presentation of the Margaret Laurence Awards of Excellence for Volunteer Tutors and the 2000 Canada Post Literacy Awards.

On Friday and Saturday, the Literacy Partners Board of Directors and staff held meetings at Samaritan House Training Centre, with the members of the retreat joining the celebration on Saturday Afternoon.

Saturday’s program consisted of the Margaret Laurence Awards and the 2000 Canada Post Literacy Awards held at “The Country Fair”. Over 1500 people attended the fair throughout the day from Brandon and environs.

Margaret Laurence Awards
The winners for this year Margaret Laurence Awards are Bill Taylor, Samaritan House Training Centre, Brandon, Manitoba; Beda Drury, Journeys Adult Education Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Rosella Aylward, Transcona Literacy Centre, Winnipeg

Congratulation to all the tutors who were nominated for the Margaret Laurence Awards. It is because of people such as you that our programs are the success that they are. We could not do it without you.

Greetings were given by Sylvia Provenski, President, Literacy Partners of Manitoba, Errol Black, Brandon City Councillor, Lise Labonte, National Literacy Secretariat, and the Honorable Drew Caldwell, Minister of Education and Training.

Prior to the awards ceremony, learners, practitioners, and members of the general public enjoyed a day of family fun-orientated activities. A festival atmosphere was present throughout the day. Celebrity Readers, clowns, dunk tank, book giveaway, cookie decorating, face painting and the fire truck pulls, to list a few, were some of the activities available at the “Fair”. Local and out-of-town visitors spent time at the displays which showcased various Literacy Groups from around the province: Samaritan House Training Centre, the Brandon Friendship Centre, Beat the Street, Shilo Family Literacy Program, Brandon Adult Learning Centre, Art Gallery of South West Manitoba, the Arthritis Society of Western Manitoba, and the Sunrise Rotary Club.

The Canadian Cancer Society offered their annual “Fire Truck Pull”. Two teams consisting of practitioners, board members and learners entered the contest. Although the Literacy Partners of Manitoba team gave it their best shot, the other literacy team consisting of all women (the youngest being 14) was able to outpull them. Oh well, this was all done for a good cause, (anyone else still sore?) with all proceeds going to the annual Run for Cancer.

Canada Post Awards
The 2000 Canada Post Awards for Literacy honoured four Manitoba winners: Palliser Furniture, Business Leadership, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Transcona Literacy Centre, Community Leadership, Winnipeg Manitoba; Raymond Roy, Individual Achievement Award (French), Tourand Manitoba; and Diane Doyle, Individual Achievement Award (English), Brandon Manitoba The celebration came to a close with a dinner and entertainment hosted by the Family Literacy Events Committee. The entertainment was phenomenal and showcased local talent. A great day all round!