Through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, Selkirk was home to not only one of the most generous men, but one of the most unassuming as well. Robert Smith, most known for his position as General Manager at the Manitoba Rolling Mills would later be revealed as a silent giver and constant caretaker. Robert…
Chuck was born on November 10th, 1955. He was a genuine, outgoing, people-loving person, who had an infectious passion for fishing. This passion ultimately led him to singlehandedly secure the title, “Catfish Capital of North America” for his hometown, Selkirk, Manitoba. In his early teenage years, Chuck left his home to live with his best…
Humble Beginnings As with many early pioneer settlements, Selkirk’s fire protection was left to bucket brigades and whatever citizens were available to assist in battling the flames. After two very devastating fires in 1894 and 1896, where 20 buildings burned to the ground, Selkirk’s citizens established a volunteer fire brigade consisting of 12-15 men and…
The Grabowski Family were not unlike other families in Selkirk, Manitoba during the 1950s and beyond. They were kind, hardworking, and attended church every Sunday. However, the Grabowski Family had unique differences that made their Selkirk experience more distinctive than many Canadians. Piotr (Peter) and Wladyslawa (Gladys) and their three children, Anna, Bish, and John,…