The boys from the lake competed Thursday night in the “Concours du Meilleur”. The winner of the tournament is bestowed the title of “The best Voyageur”. The meet is part of Winnipeg’s “Festival du Voyageur”. It pits contestants in traditional events necessitating a mix of balance, wit, speed and brawn. Not only did Aikens’ two man team participate, but many alumni members of Aikens squared off as well in the hopes of taking home the prestigious title.

The preliminary choosing of Aikens’ contingent was done at the lake last August. Guides Ashton Beaupré and Patrick Trudel won first and second place respectively. The two however did not compete in the games in Winnipeg (Ashton- away on travel / Patrick- deffered the challenge). André Fontaine and Bruno Maynard (both in their second games) worked valiantly to bring a win back to the lake. Also present, sponsored by other local teams, were Aikens vets Pascal “Turbo” Breton and Daniel “D.G.” Garand. Needless to say, the Aikens fans formed a large contingent of supporters.

All the guys managed to win a few bouts, but in the end, we finished just out of the finals cut. There were numerous thrilling match-ups where we had a hard time deciding who to cheer for. Bruno’s leg-wrestling skills proved quite strong. André’s tug-of war savvy was impressive. D.G.’s balance in the pillow fight was solid. But, Turbo wowed everyone in the hall by completing the log-sawing event with a blazing time (3.42 secs.)!

Congrats to all the guys who competed and thank you to the Aikens family for coming out and cheering on their team! The Festival du Voyageur is a great time to soften the winter blues and to revel in the “Joie de Vivre”. If ever you’re in Winnipeg in mid February, be sure to check it out. You’ll surely run into some Aikens folks who will be glad to share their cheer and their Caribou with you!

If you like to go through the different pages of the website, you’ve undoubtedly noticed a few updates recently.  We have redone all of the pages in the “Services” section.  We have updated the information (and most of all the pictures) in all of the pages in that section… from the guides to the kitchen to the dock.  Go and check it out for a cool new look at “life at Aikens Lake”!

We have also added two brand new pages to the website that we are very excited about.  Each page is dedicated to a large-scale event that we have held at Aikens.  The first is a page for the PWT Aikens Lake Celebrity Shootout.  Held in the fall of 2006, this event brought us instant credibility as a first-class lodge.  The event was held to raise money for the Boomer Esiason Foundation.  The page is full of information, official press releases, and pictures (the video will be posted shortly as well!).

The 2nd new page is about last summer’s “Toyota’s Call of the Tundra”.  This was a large contest held in Western Canada’s Toyota dealerships.  Five winners were drawn to come up and fish for a brand new Toyota Tundra truck!  All of the action was captured on video which can now be seen online.  Both of the new pages are listed under our “Community” section.  We hope you enjoy them!

Last Monday morning, Pit and Terry Hopkinson talked to thousands of viewers about a great charity event that both parties are very proud to be a part of.  Aired on Citytv in Manitoba, the “Breakfast Television” show greeted these two and had them explain their unique offer. Special Olympics Manitoba have a huge line-up of great prizes to be won in an on-line auction. This fundraiser is designed to amass funds for athletes to participate in an host of Special Olympics meets. Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge donated a three day, three night trip to the charity drive.  It is the first time that Aikens Lake and Special Olympics Manitoba have teamed up.  Many other prizes, such as a chance to watch a live Vancouver Canucks game or an evening in the TSN  commentators box with host Rod Black during a Winnipeg Blue Bombers game are sure to fetch a great price.  The “Go for the Gold” auction which runs from Feb.9th to 13th, can be found online at www.specialolympics.mb.ca  Bids are accepted up until 10PM CST on Friday night.  We are proud to be part of such a unique opportunity and to help these atheletes along their quest for the Gold!

Also of note is the Children’s Wish Foundation’s Annual Gala this Friday in Winnipeg.  This is our 3rd year of partnership with the CWF.  We will also be auctioning off a trip for two that evening.  The twist is that the winning bidder will have the opportunity to come up and fish with NHL captain and young star Jonathan Toews.  We have had a great time hosting this trip in 2007 and 2008, and 2009 will be no different.  Both of these charity trips are expected to raise many thousands of dollars for their respective charities.  We look forward to giving the auction winners the utmost in the “Aikens Experience”. Thank you to all those involved and to the highest bidders : See you at the lake!

For those of you that have had the pleasure of meeting Gerry & Lorraine’s daughter (and Pit’s sister) Andrina at the lodge, you know that she is uncannily energetic and charismatic.  She is also graced with a smoky-blues voice that can shake the foundation of a building.  This “joie-de-vivre” and talent carries over onto the stage.  Her bandmates all share similar talent and charisma, and their successes are really piling up.  Andrina has been an entertainer by trade since she graduated high school in 1999.  However, her latest band is realizing the success we always knew she could achieve.

Since Chic Gamine was formed in the summer of 2007, the 5 members have been constantly traveling all over the US and Canada playing in different music festivals and headlining their own shows.   They play all original pieces from their own imaginations.  One of the highlights of their tours was playing for Smokey Robinson last August in Idaho.  Chic Gamine’s music is really upbeat and fun (as well as otherworldly harmonious!) and they are now getting the National recognition they deserve in the form of a Juno nomination!  The Juno’s are Canada’s highest honor in the music business.  Their album is up for best Roots & Traditional Album of the Year.

We had the pleasure of hosting the girls from the band at Aikens last fall.  Their energy swept through camp the second they disembarked from the plane!  Maybe some of the music on their next album will be in some way influenced by their time at the lodge?!?  Below, you will find the official press release.

Official Press Release:

Toronto, ON (February 3, 2009) –
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) today announced nominations for The 2009 JUNO Awards, including first-time nominees, Winnipeg/Montreal-based vocal/roots/pop ensemble, Chic Gamine.

With just a year and a half under their stylishly coordinated belts, Chic Gamine is nominated in the Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Group category. Nominated in the same category are Elliot Brood and NQ Arbuckle, as well as fellow-Winnipeggers, The Duhks and Twilight Hotel.  Winners will be declared at the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards on Saturday, March 28, and The 2009 JUNO Awards broadcast on CTV on Sunday, March 29 at General Motors Place in Vancouver, BC.

About Chic Gamine
By complete coincidence, the group is composed of the 5 “A’s”: singers Ariane Jean, Andrina Turenne, Alexa Dirks, Annick Brémault and drummer and percussionist Alexandre Sacha Daoud. Over the years, its members have been integral parts of a multitude of projects having garnered critical success.

With a solo percussionist as their main musical support, Chic Gamine use their voices as instruments, effortlessly launching into intricate string arrangements, bass-heavy rhythm sections and lush harmonies. These multifariously talented songwriters create a sound that resonates with soul, passion and an unabashedly random and sometimes downright peculiar brand of humour that reels audiences in and leaves them begging for more. Performance highlights include The Winnipeg Folk Festival, The California Strawberry Festival, The California World Fest and opening for the legendary Smokey Robinson at The Festival at Sandpoint, Idaho.

Chic Gamine’s debut self-titled album, comprised of twelve original tracks, was released independently in June of 2008 and is available through www.cdbaby.com and other select retail locations, to be found through the group’s website, www.chicgamine.com.

Currently, Chic Gamine is in Montreal, preparing for a series of performances and media appearances, followed by a return to Winnipeg for further performances. For more information, please visit www.chicgamine.com.

www.myspace.com/chicgamine

*************************************
Andre Bourgeois
INSTINCT
Artist Management
P: 902-632-2149
E: andre@instinctartistmanagement.com

We’re sorry it took so long to update our newsletter with some baby news. I am sure a lot of you are wondering what has been going on; especially since the due date was back on Jan 21st.  Apparently our new daughter was much too warm and comfy that she had to be strong-armed into braving the Manitoba winter!

On Saturday morning, Julie and I headed to the hospital in Ste-Anne so that Julie could be induced. We spent the day watching movies and playing on the laptop as the induced contractions were not of any real significance. At 8:30 p.m. we were in limbo.  Julie was already in mild labour, but was not progressing very quickly.

However, the hospital was at a larger crossroad - they only had one nurse on staff because they could not replace those that called in sick! It was decided to shut everything down in obstetrics, and that Julie would be transferred to the St-B in an ambulance (not because of her health, only because they were short-staffed in Ste-Anne).  In fact, the doctor was in mid-sentence telling us about that when Julie had a major contraction!  They just kept coming quicker and more intense right in front of everyone’s eyes!  I guess all it takes is a little threat to get things moving!  From that point, it took less than 90 minutes for Julie to quickly become the proud mother of little Natasha!  One of the EMT’s from the ambulance was even in attendance in the birthing room to help out as well (she figured she might as well help out since they wouldn’t bedriving Julie anywhere that night!)

Stats:
Name = Natasha Rachelle Turenne
Weight = 8 lbs, 15 oz
Length = 20″ (note: is this stat all that important?)
DOB = Jan 31, 2009
# of extremely proud parents = 2
# of extermely proud grandparents = 4
# of super excited sisters about future “make-over parties” = 1
# of super excited brothers about beating up future brother-in-laws = 1
# of dogs that probably won’t realize there’s an extra person in the house = 1

There you have it!  Baby #3 is safe and sound at home.  Mom is a champ as always.  She’s out and about already and looking to shake the “house arrest” of the past month.  If you are wondering about her middle name, she is named after Rachelle Soriano.  Rachelle (ex-employee of Aikens) and her husband Hayster are Natasha’s godparents.  For those concerned men out there, don’t worry… we did make it back to watch the last 3 quarters of the Super Bowl yesterday!

Pit & Julie
Annika (5), Martin (2), Natasha (1 day)