Bergland raises $4,000 for cancer research

Ruth Brett
Correspondent

The sun did not shine on Sunday, August 8th, but the people in Bergland sure did. Through a tremendous community effort, they raised more than $4,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society at their Family Fun Day.
A large part of the money was raised by Gameland resident, Lee Johnson, who has been planning his “ride for cancer” for about one year. He rode his bike to Steinbach in 12 hours on Friday and returned on Sat. night, after 17 hours of travelling through the rain and wind. Shirley Larsen and Jean Lofstrom travelled with him by car.
At the school on Sunday, a large number of children enjoyed a program of competitive, fun games and face painting. They especially enjoyed pelting Shane White with Jello, who was taped to a chair. The children’s program was organized by Jennifer White and Glenda Bogart with others assisting in the activities.
Hair dresser Amanda Olson had a great time doing cuts for cancer under the canopy at the Bergland Café. Fred Gate, Mary Withers, Ann Bartlett, Shane White and Karen Sepers had their hair cut to less than 1/4 of an inch. No one would sponsor Fred Brett for a head shave so his moustache was taken off instead. Young Tyler Fisk and Kaden Baird got into the act and had buzz cuts as well. Many people had regular hair cuts and donated to cancer. The community thanks Amanda for her part in making the day so special.
About 25 enthusiastic adults and children participated in the walk-run-ride for cancer around the four mile Bergland block. The youngest walker (and sometime rider) was Sierra White, not yet two years old and the oldest was Asta Westberg.
The chili cooking contest was hosted by the Lake of the Woods (Bergland) Women’s Institute. Judges were Barbara Gilmore, co-ordinator for Travelogue Dinners for Nature Centres, from Grafton, Wisconsin; Leonard Rencher, local food lover and chili connoisseur; Adrian Versluis, who was looking for a chili that would cure his cold; Les Toutant, who was looking for chili period; and Bob Bergschultz, chili champion from Fredonia, Wisconsin. More than a few of the judges were observed wiping the perspiration from their brow as they sampled the 10 pots of home made chili.
Mary Withers, Ron Lemmon, Shane White, Nancy Gate, Fred Brett, Wanda Lundgren, Janet Fisk, Ken Pentney, Shirley Larsen, and Mike Stenger were the cooks. Nancy Gate was unanimously chosen the Bergland Chili Champ of 2004. Shane White’s chili was the runner-up. They said that the chilis were all very good but there was something special in the winning entry. Chili Champ Nancy refused to give out her recipe. At 6pm, everyone enjoyed a supper of........chili, of course.
An added bonus during the afternoon was the entertainment of Leonard Larsen, Fred Brett, and Jerry Fisk of the Hwy. 621 Old Time Band. Always a favourite in the community, they played music and sang songs that kept feet tapping and voices raised as they sang along with the band.
It was altogether a great afternoon and the organizers were happy to see so many friends and neighbours of the community there. It seems that this “Fun Day” will turn out to be an annual event.