It's a highlight for many of us here in southeastern Manitoba -- the musical/operetta at the SRSS!! Tonight is OPENING NIGHT for "Footloose!" Three of the main characters stopped by the AM1250 studio this morning -- Zach Grienke, Isaac Loewen and Jessica Kis!! They were great and seemed a little surprised that opening night is already tonight! There will be a full band for this production and plenty of amazing choreography!! Do your best to see it! Tickets are available at the SRSS Library or at the door -- but I'm not sure I'd wait till then. All the best to music teacher and director Kristel Peters and all of the 45 cast members -- oh, and the show runs from tonight through till Saturday night!! See you there!

I'm hoping these are just the mitts.

After all of that snow fell yesterday, I was wondering what kind of a driveway would be waiting for me at home -- and what a nice surprise that the 2 boys that didn't have school yesterday, spent some of their morning shovelling!! It was great! Then, they did a little more shovelling last night -- and got a little sidetracked as you can see... hey, if you can't have fun doing it -- you won't do it for long will you? Of course, this would NOT be my idea of fun!!

Thank goodness for snowsuits!

***Uh oh -- just received an email from a dedicated blog follower -- apparently there were THREE boys shovelling and the oldest one did most of the work... that would explain the 2 little ones IN the snow - not shovelling it.***

What it looked like outside the AM1250 studios when I got to work at 4:30 this morning!!

Oh my goodness!! By the time we were half way through The Morning Show we had already recieved over 10 cm or 4 inches of snow! And it just keeps falling! Never mind, it's heavy and sticky too. Keep that in mind when you're shovelling today. Of course, for all the kids that are off of school today -- there will be plenty of snow man making and snow ball throwing I'm sure. It couldn't be a more perfect day for it!! Just to review -- the school cancellations went like this:

The Hanover and Seine River School Divisions have cancelled classes today.

Red River Valley School division closed.

Steinbach Christian High School closed.

Providence University/College closed

Kinder Korner Daycare closed

Treasure Keepers Daycare closed

Richer Daycare closed

Happy Feet Early Learning Centre closed

Arts for Tots closed.

Of course, most of us have to be out on the roads today -- so, keep in mind, that roads are snow packed, slushy and slippery. Extra caution is advised -- have a safe day and enjoy the beauty of the snow!!

Always nice to get a visit from Mayor Chris Goertzen. Just like it's nice if you take the time to visit him on Open Door Day!! Open Door Day comes around every 3rd Friday of the month and this morning we chatted about the tax increase, the growth of our city and more!! All topics I'm sure he heard about for the rest of the morning. Remember, you don't only have to bring concerns -- if you want to pass on some encouragement, I'm sure that would be very well received. Thank you Mayor Goertzen for stopping by this morning!!

Children enjoying the "arts" of the "2011 Summer in the City Festival".

Very nice of Cindi Rempel-Patrick to be our special guest on the AM1250 Morning Show -- the Steinbach Arts Council is busy making sure the focus of  "Summer in the City" is on the "Arts and Culture" theme. We have so many new cultures here in Steinbach and they're hoping to make that obvious to everyone who attends. Of course, I asked her if she could reveal who the Saturday headliner was going to be -- and she just kept saying "bigger and better than ever"! Don't worry -- when they're ready to tell everyone -- we'll let you know!! As for now, the Arts Centre is still a very busy place and we're so thankful to have in -- right here in the southeast!! Thanks Cindi!

So, what do you do when you want to email something with an attachment or without and it just isn't working? Do you yell? Do you hit the side of the computer, hoping that something will fall into place inside to make it work? Do you shut it off and give up entirely? I have a better idea than all of those. Just call Kevin Wieler at Wieler's Computer Solutions. His number is 371.2969, his email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can head to their website: www.techtoc.ca. If you'd like to hear what he had to say about emails and more this morning -- head to the podcast and good luck!

Yesterday morning, on the AM1250 Morning Show, we heard some thoughts from people on the street as to what they think about the gifts, flowers and plans, mostly falling to the MEN on Valentine's Day. What about the women? Shouldn't they give too? If you'd like to hear all of the responses -- just look to the right of the screen and enjoy. Some great thoughts there. And then, THIS morning -- SO many calls, so many wonderful love song requests and so many wonderful reasons why. Many called because they've been married for so many years, some called because a certain song brings back special memories and we just loved it!! You really were an essential part of the show being as special as it was. If you have a sweetheart -- we wish you a wonderful Valentine's Day celebration!! With love from, AM1250.

Me, Michelle Sawatzky, Marge, our winner, Maria and Kevin Geisheimer sharing a great moment as Maria "pays it forward" at Canadian Tire.

So, this morning I got to call Maria and Marge. Maria called to nominate her friend Marge for the $200 Gift Card at Canadian Tire. Her reason for the nomination is that Marge just gives and gives and gives. Then, I got to call Marge and TELL her that she was the winner of a $200 gift card from Canadian Tire!!  Now, that is ALWAYS fun!! Hearing about the wonderful people in southeastern Manitoba warms the heart and encourages the rest of us to do the same. Thank you so much to Canadian Tire for making this possible and for recognizing our local charities every month. Congratulations Marge -- a well deserved winner!!

I think I woke him up a little -- but he was very gracious -- Clayton Dreger joined us on The AM1250 Morning Show all the way from Dauphin this morning -- and we had a great chat. Sounds like the condition of the ice is top notch, they're in a beautiful building and even though Stoughton and McEwen are the favorites -- all the curlers there are so good -- you never know who could have the championship of their lives. That's what will keep us watching. Thanks for all the updates Clayton -- it was fun to chat this morning!!

She hasn't joined us on the Morning Show for a long time but she's obviously kept up with her solutions and substitutions! What a treat to have Reena Nerbas on the show. Of course, she left us with some great tips - first a great window cleaning solution: Take a spray bottle, put in: 1 teaspoon shampoo, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, and fill the rest with vinegar and you're set! Streak free -- clean windows. She also talked about keeping strawberries good and fresh in the fridge. Here's what you do: Take a baking sheet, wet a tea towel and place it on the baking sheet. Place your new strawberries on the tea towel. Wet another tea towel and lay it on top of the strawberries, just like you're putting them to bed, as Reena put it, and put them in the fridge. Your strawberries will be good to go for days!! And finally -- if you get some Valentine chocolate on your shirt, couch or floor -- best idea -- take a bag of ice -- put on chocolate to harden it and then simply scrape it off. If you find the stain has already set in -- pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stained area and lay it out in a sunny spot -- the stain should simply fade away. Reena always says to try it in an inconspicuous spot first though. Reena -- thank you for your time this morning -- always fun to have you around. Here's hoping she can join us again sometime!!