History of Happy Days on Henderson

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2002

It all started with the germ of an idea in 2002. Jan Stuyck,owner of Petal Purr-Fect Florals and Crafts thought it would be great to include the many businesses on Henderson Hwy in a one-day celebration. With Jan’s friend, Audrey German Owner of Limited Editions Collectibles, an event was held in July involving the businesses around the store located at 218 Henderson Hwy. Some of the activities of the Day included a barbecue, Children’s games, a dunk tank and Silent Auction. There was also a coupon book offering specials and promotions from participating businesses. The event was a success and was attended by residents from the community and people passing by as the barbecue and games and dunk tank were in Cameron auto’s Parking Lot located right on Henderson Hwy.

2003

The next year the event was held in October 2003. It expanded to include Kelvin Community Centre and Elvis! After all, it was Happy Days on Henderson, looking back to the 50s when everything seemed a happier time, when families were connected and so was the community. The organizing committee was still a committee of two, Jan Stuyck and Wanda Randell, but they managed to draw a full house in Kelvin’s main hall for Elvis, the silent auction and the main draw. The main draw ballots were obtained by visiting the many businesses along Henderson Hwy who participated.

2004

The third year brought new people to the organizing committee in addition to Jan and Wanda. Bronx Park Community Centre was on board. Bronx organized a huge garage sale by table rental, 1950s car display courtesy of the 567 Club of Manitoba, BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers with delicious fried onions, a climbing mountain provided by Rod Giesbrecht, School Trustee and a silent auction. Elvis and the main prize draw were still at Kelvin. Businesses still had the ballots that had people racing around Henderson Hwy to collect and deposit in the big drum.

We had a logo contest to come up with a new logo for Happy Days on Henderson. We invited the local high schools to participate. Many thanks to Miles Macdonell Collegiate, Kildonan East Collegiate and Elmwood High School for participating. First prize went to Michael Johnson of Miles Mac. His winning entry is the logo you see on our letterhead and website All entries were professionally framed and displayed at First Impressions Framing & Art.

The organizing committee included Jan Stuyck, Wanda Randell, Ingrid Jarowec (Bronx Park Community Centre), Cory Gray (Mail Boxes Etc.) Gail Mager (Wrapped in Romance), Val Bennison, Debie Rothenberger (First Impressions Framing & Art), Don Howard (Kelvin Community Centre), Ingrid Labossiere and Debbie (Poplar Ave Kid’s Care Inc), Vince Sansregret (Community Facilitator Access River East) and Don Ewonchuk, photographer. The month after the event on August 28, 2004, the committee started working on plans for August 27, 2005.

2005

Wasn't That a Party!!! The Happy Days on Henderson Event for 2005 had lots of entertainers and activities for participants. Unfortunately, there was a little bit of rain throughout the day that was unsettling. There were smaller crowds than last year and the walk was cancelled but the rest of the day was great. The kids had fun with the games of Frisbee toss and several of Beanbag toss. There was face painting, a Puppet show and a magic show. We had a firetruck, a firehouse and two Police officers on horseback. The old cars from the 567 Car Club of Manitoba were a big hit, especially when one drove Elvis to and from the Entertainment Stage for a Grand Entrance and Exit.

We enjoyed the performances of Cheryl Goings, puppet show; Saturday Night Cruise Band; Hank Horton, country singer; Krista Rey, country singer; Brian Cox, magic show; Highland dancers; and Elvis and we hope they come back next year. A big thank you to all of our volunteers helping with the Silent Auction, BBQ, Canteen, Garage Sale, Photography, Decorating and Childrens' Games. We appreciate your time and enthusiasm. We hope you'll be back next year. Look for the footprints painted on sidewalks along Henderson from Hespeler to Gilmore and follow the signs. There is a 'km' sign every kilometer starting at Hespeler going all the way to Gilmore and back again. Measure your distance every time you are out walking.

2006

It was a great event again. Our volunteers make it all possible. We had lots of entertainers and activities for participants. There was a "Garage" sale and numerous Community organizations were represented. The kids had fun with the games of Frisbee toss and several of Beanbag toss. We had one firetruck, two Police officers on horseback and three Police Officers on bicycle. The old cars from the 567 Car Club of Manitoba were a big hit.

We enjoyed the performance of country singer; Krista Rey and the band competition.

A big thank you to all of our volunteers helping with the Silent Auction, BBQ, Canteen, Garage Sale, Photography, Decorating and Childrens' Games. We appreciate your time and enthusiasm. We hope you'll be back next year.

Look for the footprints painted on sidewalks along Henderson from Hespeler to Gilmore and follow the signs. There is a 'km' sign every kilometer starting at Hespeler going all the way to Gilmore and back again. Measure your distance every time you are out walking

2007

This is the last year for Bronx Park Community Centre to host Happy Days on Henderson prior to demolition. There were posters showing what the new building will be like. We had many of the old favourites with some new favourites. Returning were the entertainment stage, silent auction, face painting and kids’ games. The 5 6 7 Car Club of Manitoba, emergency vehicles and garage sale tables also returned.

New this year was an Under Seven Soccer Tournament and a inflatable bouncer for the children. A highlight was Ryan Leech, a bike trials cyclist who performed for us. With his bike, he jumped over a bar starting from a standstill. It was amazing to watch. The last bar he leaped over was at 42”. He then stunned the crowd when he jumped over 3 volunteers. His performance was sponsored by local bike shop, Bikes and Beyond.

2008

We’re at 81 Henderson Hwy this year, at the Christian Life Centre and MBCI. We’ll be highly visible at the foot of the Disraeli Freeway off Talbot. Come and join us. And quite a few of you did. We had lots of volunteers this year all dressed in a distinctive Happy Days blue T-shirt. The pony rides were a hit as was the entertainment on the stage. Even the “Open Mike” sessions were enjoyed. We’ll be watching Canadian Idol in a few years for these singers. The surprise rain, hail and thunderstorm was well … quite a surprise. None was forecasted, only a bright blue sky! It didn’t dampen our spirits though as the show went on, inside the Centre.