Town & Country

C M Y K Page 1 Town MANITOBA Editor: Pat St. Germain pdstgermain@gmail.com T he CFDC owns over 100 acres of land that's abundant in fossils and it houses the largest collection of marine vertebrates in Canada. Through Fossil Dig Adventure Tours, visitors can join in on the excitement and help add to the collection. "Fossil dig tours are incredibly rare in Can- ada and most of them tend to be structured like adult day camps. Ours are a little differ- ent," says executive director Peter Cantelon. "We go with the philosophy that people are interested in being paleontologists, even for a limited period of time, which is why they are interested in fossil digs. So when some- one signs up for a fossil dig and they come here, they're going to get the same experi- ence as our field technicians and paleontolo- gists. When they go out into the field, they'll be working alongside our staff on projects that we're currently working on." Aimed at adults and children ages 10 and over, the tours are offered over half-day, one day, two-day or five-day periods. Each tour begins with an introduction and VIP tour of the centre's museum in Morden, where vis- itors will learn the backstory of each fossil and the species they represent. Naturally, that includes an introduction to famous resi- dent Bruce — a 43-foot Mosasaur who was the terror of an ocean that spanned from the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico 80 million years ago. After seeing the centre's lab, where discov- ered fossils are cleaned and prepared before being added to the collection, visitors travel to one of over 30 sites identified for excavat- ing fossils. "They may go to a site where there will al- ready be some exposed fossils and there's an opportunity for further exposing depending on if it's a skeleton. They can also opt for more of a discovery style of excavating, choosing a newer area where we need to ex- cavate new ground," explains Cantelon. "Once an area has been selected, we teach our guests the dos and don'ts of the site, such as where to go and where not to go. We also teach them how to use the tools of the trade. They learn very quickly that we're not out there with sledge hammers and pick- axes. We use paint brushes and dental tools — very small objects that reflect the fragile nature of what we're working with." He adds that a visitor basically becomes a paleontologist while on a fossil dig tour. Last year a doctor from Boston came for a five- day tour. He had done digs all around the world and declared the Morden experience was by far the best. Another busy time at the CFDC is Shark Week, which coincides with the Discovery Channel's week of shark programming (July 5-12, 2016). The centre uses this opportun- ity to educate people on Manitoba's rich, and surprising, shark history. During Shark Week, the CFDC transforms its exhibits to show people fossil collections from a shark perspective. The centre is home to the fossilized remains of a 9.8-foot crow shark. Visitors can watch sharked-themed movies in the museum's theatre and the fos- sil expeditions have a shark theme. "At one point, sharks were the most domin- ant predator in Manitoba when the province was under water 80 to 90 million years ago," Cantelon says. "If someone were to go out in the field and knew what they were look- ing for, they could find a shark tooth pretty much anywhere in Manitoba." Leading up to the summer, the centre will be celebrating its 45th anniversary in April by unveiling a new exhibit that looks back at its history. The CFDC was originally incorporated as the Morden and District Museum in 1971, focusing on the area's history as a whole. In 1979, the museum moved to its present day location. Early in the 21st century, staff decided that since the fossil collection was truly the most unique aspect of the CFDC, it would focus solely on paleontology. They do- nated their historical artifacts to other mu- seums in the area. It's a decision that has clearly paid dividends. "In 2005, Morden had 7,000 residents. For a community this size to have a popular tour- ist destination for people outside the region is incredible," Cantelon says. "We're at that point now where our exposure is significant and we need to make sure we can continue to bring our message to a broader public." Learn about volunteer opportunities and keep tabs on centre events year-round at discoverfossils.com. If you're a paleontologist at heart, or simply crave a little adventure, then the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) is a local tourism destination you'll truly dig this summer. The construction industries first choice for top quality trailers Clam Cross-Dump Wagon End Dump Side Dump Pony Pup Sold by: Fort Garry Industries 204-632-8261 www.midlandtrailers.com NOTRE DAME CREAMERY LTD IT'S BETTER WITH • BUTTER • ORGANIC MEADOW MILK • ORGANIC KEFIR P.O. BOX 158, 35 PROVENCHER STREET NOTRE DAME DE LOURDES, MANITOBA R0G 1M0 PHONE: (204) 248-2212 GUY ROCH FAX: (204) 248-2532 President EMAIL: ndcream@mts.net Breakaway Family Restaurant & Lounge Corner Hwys. #3 & #13, Carman, MB 204-745-6785 C • All Day Breakfast Specials • Lunch & Dinner Specials • VLT Lounge Open to 2 a.m. Mon-Wed 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thurs-Fri-Sat 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. HOURS: Carman, MB Join a senior centre in your area. Check out our website at www.manitobaseniorcentres.com or call 204-792-5838 for more information Be active: e in your area e in your area Senior Centres are places where adults 55 and over, come together for services and programs that maintain and improve health and quality of life, support personal independence and encourage involvement in community life. Grocery, Deli, Fuel, Organics, Hardware & Seasonal Ph. 204-828-3479 email:roseisle@mymts.net Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Sat. Noon-5 p.m. Sun. Daily Lunch Specials SHARKS OF MANITOBA Mosasaur Bruce is the centre's most famous resident, but executive director Peter Cantelon (below) says sharks were once the most dominant predator in Manitoba. Photos by Darcy Finley DIG INTO LOCAL SEA MONSTER HISTORY By Pat Rediger INSIDE COUNTRY CHARM OLE' FARMHOUSE CAFE´ /3 HOUSEBARNS AND HOSTELRIES NEUBERGTHAL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE /6 HOT OFF THE PRESS FRIESENS /4 Country & Saturday, March 26, 2016

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