Driving home to Winnipeg from a family event in Saskatchewan, CBC journalist Josh Crabb stopped in at a Virden destination – Eternal Springs – which was new to him. Now, he’s looking forward to spending the week in Virden from Sept. 11 to 15, to gather the stories of Westman.
It’s part of Communities in Focus, a community news bureau project that aims to hear Manitobans' stories and share them with the rest of the province.
People from Virden and the area are invited to pay a visit to CBC Manitoba’s Westman bureau next week. Crabb and community connection producer Nadia Kidwai will be in Virden at MJ's Coffee Bar & Bistro on Nelson Street most days.
Crabb has rural roots, having grown up in the community of Roblin, a community on Highway 83 about 30 minutes north of Russell, Manitoba. He’s acquainted with Virden and rural Westman for several reasons.
“I’ve worked in Brandon for quite a few years before coming to Winnipeg, so I’ve been to Virden for news stories many times.”
And what else builds knowledge of the area and the people? Why sports, of course.
Crabb says, “I played hockey for a year in Hamiota, senior hockey. I’m pretty familiar with the area, but there’s still lots to learn.”
While the CBC crew have some story ideas in mind, they really want to hear from folks in the area. “We just hope people come by and say hello and have a chat. That’s usually how stories appear. We have a conversation with folks in the area and we take it from there.”
The setting of a coffee shop within the heart of the community has drawn the CBC team to set up at MJ’s Coffee Bar.
“It’s a locally run business, central in the community. And there is coffee there.”
And starting Monday morning, that’s right where Crabb and Kidwai want to be to find the flavour of Virden.
The coffee bar will be informal visiting.
On in the week, the team will grow with a videographer on hand to gather stories for television. Mid-week, the host of Information Radio in Winnipeg, Marcy Markusa, will be in Virden. “So, there will be a team of my radio colleagues out there on Wednesday for the live broadcast.”
Stories will be generated for website, print, radio and television. Crabb says they have stories in mind that they want to pursue. “We want to learn more about the oil sector….” He also expresses interest in the municipal airport, having heard that there’s a need for expansion there.
But he’s looking forward to meeting people. “Everyone’s welcome to come by, including members of outlying communities.
“Just come by and say ‘hello’ and share what’s on your mind. Maybe some of the challenges and issues, things you want to highlight in Virden.”
Josh Crabb says the goal is mainly to meet people and share those stories with the rest of the province. “Having grown up in the parkland, it’s an area that’s important to me and one that I really enjoy getting back to. Just looking to get refamiliarized with the area and go from there.”
Check here for details: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/community
