COLUMN: Carillon Flashback March 1995-2011 – St Patrick’s Day musings

For decades I have had the opportunity to share St Patrick’s Day musings with readers of The Carillon in the form of whimsical, and sometimes serious, short verses, touching on a range of subjects. St Patrick’s Day, March 17, is just around the corner, so it is impossible for me to resist the urge to share a few of my favorite limericks.

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Watching the fabulous Southeast Event Centre go up, I am reminded of 1995, when a long-awaited second Steinbach arena was showing promise of becoming a valuable multi-purpose facility with an early request to host a major dairy show.

Stars on ice

A second arena will be nice

A bargain at twice the price,

And in summer most handy

For cow shows will be dandy,

But if you slip, it may not be on ice.

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When the Town of Steinbach in 1995 offered a $700 property tax rebate for new residents, it was surprising just who was quick to take them up on the offer.

Moving Day

In Hanover a ratepayer named Aron

For country life was no longer carin’,

The reeve said with a grin

To Steinbach I’ll move in,

Where tax dollars I hear they are sharin’.

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In 2008, Provencher MP Vic Toews was an outspoken proponent of a ‘get tough on crime’ strategy for governments at all levels, no matter what it cost. Throw them in jail and throw away the key was his idea.

 

Clamp down on crime

Show them that crime never pays

That’s the message of MP Vic Toews,

More prisons we’ll need

With more criminals to feed,

But money well spent Toews says.

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Steinbach residents are sometimes accused of taking a ‘not-in-my-backyard’ approach to the issues of liquor and gambling. In 2008, thirsty gamblers had to take a trip out of town. But not that far out of town, it would appear.

Thinking of drinking?

No drinking or gambling, what a joke

Try telling that to Steinbach folk,

For beer, whiskey and wine

They cross the Hirschfeld line,

And for poker they drive to La Broke’.

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A downswing in the economy never has had any effect on Steinbach’s largest home-grown financial institution, and in 2011, assets at the Steinbach Credit Union topped $3 billion.

Counting the cash

If you have cash, here’s what to do

Just put your dollars in the SCU,

With three billion they will connect,

And at year’s end you will collect,

A bonus of a million or two.

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In 2011, when Free Press Publications took over The Carillon, I put in my pitch for a part-time, retirement job, writing flashbacks and working with the photo archives.

How about a job?

It’s a job I sure would like to keep

Creating flashbacks week after week,

Perhaps I should enquire

If the new owners will hire,

For I’d love to work for the “Freep”.

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Happy St Patrick’s Day!