Tache Picks Up Tab for Residential Zoning Changes
Spring Fever Hits St. Malo
By Marianne Curtis The RM of Tache is following the recommendation of the LUD of Landmark and allowing residents living along Landmark’s Main Street to revert their zoning back to residential at the municipalities expense. Last month the RM of Tache council was confronted by over a dozen homeowners after it was discovered their properties had been rezoned allegedly without their knowledge. While the rezoning itself raised questions, residents are further outraged to discover the change may have compromised their homeowners insurance coverage. As a result the RM of Tache requested the LUD of Landmark revisit the issue. The LUD recommended that residents wishing to have their property’s zoning reverted back to residential could apply for the change on an individual basis. The RM of Tache accepted this recommendation and is allowing all residents along Landmark’s Main Street with property zoned commercial to change the zoning back to residential.
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Ste. Anne Residents Homeless After Fire By Marianne Curtis
An unusually warm March saw residents throughout the region participating in activities normally reserved for summer including spending a day at the beach. On March 18 it was hot enough for Marc Goulet, Lynne Goulet, Agnes Gosselin, JP Gosselin to work on their tans on the beach in St. Malo but swimming would have to wait – the lake was still frozen.
Book Sales will Help Sprague Seniors
Starting May 2 to May 5 the East Borderland and Community Housing Committee is hosting a used book sale at the Clearspring Centre in Steinbach to help raise money for the proposed senior’s housing project under construction in Sprague. Elsie Laing, chairperson for the East Borderland Community Housing project, said proceeds from the book sale will be added to the funds already raised by the group. Over the past few years the committee has been trying to raise $2.2 million towards a seniors’ housing project planned for Sprague, she explained. This is the fourth book sale the group has organized over the past four years. To ensure the success of the sale, gently used books can be donated by dropping them off at the East Borderland Community Healthcare Center during regular hours or by contacting Elsie at 437-2843. Volunteers are also needed for the event.
Careless smoking has been named the cause of a devastating apartment fire in the Town of Ste. Anne. It left two dozen residents homeless, some without contents insurance. On March 26 the Ste. Anne Fire Department was called to an apartment fire on St. Alphonse Ave in Ste. Anne around 11 pm. Residents from 12 suites were evacuated when the structure went up in flames. There were no injuries but two cats lost their lives. According to fire officials someone put a cigarette in a flower pot with peat moss where it smoldered for five hours before bursting into flames. Ste. Anne Fire Chief Ken Dayment confirmed that the fire started on a second floor balcony and went up from there. “If you are going to butt your cigarette out put it in a metal container and not in a plastic container,” Dayment stated.
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More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
April 2012
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Fire continued... Continued from page 1 Estimated loss to the structure and contents has been estimated at over $2 million. In the wake of the blaze the community of Ste. Anne and the surrounding area has pitched in to help the dozen families that were left homeless. Most of the tenants had contents insurance. Almost immediately the owners of the Ste. Anne Hotel offered displaced residents a free week at the hotel and started collecting donations of clothing for several families, including young children. Country Charm Resort is also providing accommodations. The reception of clothes donations has been so tremendous that there is no need for more clothes. The Community Development Corporation (CDC) Sainte-Anne has set up a “Fire victims fund at Caisse Financial Group. Caisse Financial Group has opened accounts in all of its 26 branches and will match donations up to $1000. People can donate locally at any Caisse Financial Group. The Red Cross has issued vouchers for emergency necessities. Nicole Magnan Bedient has been working hard spearheading many of the fundraising activities. “People from all over have been offering to help. Donations and furniture are being offered from Winnipeg, Beausejour and Ste. Anne,” stated Magna Bedient. “What are needed most is people willing to pick up donations of furniture from Winnipeg and surrounding areas and bring them to storage in Ste. Anne.” Other area residents have stepped up and offered storage space for belongings until the tenants find a new home or rooms for the displaced families. A fundraising evening is also being organized at the Ste. Anne Hotel on April 27th with live entertainment and a silent auction. All profits will be donated to help the victims. Anyone wishing to donate to the silent auction or help move larger furniture items or donate smaller furniture items, linens, and house wares can contact the Town of Ste. Anne office.
The fire commissioner speaks to a resident who was displaced by a March 26 fire in Ste. Anne.
A cigarette butt placed in a flower pot was determined to be the cause of this fire which forced over two dozen people out of their homes. Photos by Marianne Curtis
Zoning continued... Continued from page 1 Heddie Penner, who first discovered the zoning change and raised the red flag, is pleased that council is listening to the residents. “At least the people of Landmark got their houses back,” Penner stated. “If I hadn’t discovered what I did and went after this, no one would have known. It’s wonderful they got their homes back.” Tache Mayor Bill Danylchuk said his council listened to the people by allowing the change back to residential and all they have to do is apply for the change. It will be up to the individual homeowner to decide if they want their properties reverted back to residential. The RM of Tache has also waived all costs associated with the change.
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Selinger Picks Wrong Target It shouldn’t have come as any surprise. Only minutes after the new federal budget was unveiled in Ottawa on March 29th, NDP Premier Greg Selinger gathered up reporters at the Manitoba Legislature to complain that he wasn’t getting enough money. Never mind that there are currently record levels of support coming from Ottawa to Manitoba in the way of federal transfer payments. Before he was even able to read the budget, Mr. Selinger took aim and fired at the federal government demanding more. The problem is that Mr. Selinger has picked the wrong target. Over the past decade as federal transfer payments were increasing at record rates, Mr. Selinger and the NDP weren’t busy getting our province’s fiscal house in order. Unlike provinces like Saskatchewan, which reduced their debt during this time, the NDP were doing quite the opposite. The NDP took all of that extra money from Ottawa and they spent it, as fast as they could. Not only did they spend the extra transfer payments, but they spent even more than that, racking up record deficits and a record provincial debt. The NDP are convinced that we have so much money that they are prepared to waste it. For example, they think nothing of wasting hundreds of millions of dollars running a new Hydro transmission line down the longest imaginable route from northern Manitoba. Sadly, it has all become a little predictable. The morning of the federal budget, hours before it was read, Winnipeg reporters were tweeting about how, no matter what was in the budget, Premier Selinger would come out and say that it wasn’t enough. It has already become something of a joke for those who follow the political debates. And because the province now relies on Ottawa for 40 percent of its revenue, it isn’t likely to change until there is a change in attitude in the provincial government. An attitude that strives to make Manitoba a ‘have’ province rather than a perpetual recipient of Ottawa handouts. A province that strives to achieve balanced budgets and that ensures our natural resources, such as Hydro, are able to become the economic engine of our province. But for now, we are left with Premier Greg Selinger who is like a singer who can only sing one song. And the tune that the NDP always sing, the one that says it is never enough, is getting very stale. I appreciate your comments and concerns. If you have any comments on these or other issues, you can contact me by writing, #3 – 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by phone at (204) 326-5763, by fax at (204) 346-9913, by e-mail at kelvin.goertzen@leg.gov.mb.ca or by visiting my website at kelvingoertzen.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Serving the communities along the historic Dawson Trail and beyond.
The Dawson Trail Dispatch is a monthly newspaper distributed free of charge to 50 Southeastern Manitoba communities. Published by: One One Consultants Inc. Box 308, Richer, MB R0E 1S0 Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768 Dan Guetre, Managing Editor One One Consultants Inc., Publisher News Writers: Marianne Curtis, and Dan Guetre Columnists: Lee Guetre, Peter Friesen, Anni Markmann, Peter Martens, Herman Unrau, Raylene Snow, Lorena Mitchell, Eileen Lewis, Travis Olifirowich Production/Design: Dan Guetre, Myriam Dyck, Monica Guetre and Wilma Priebe Advertising: Karen Jorgenson and Dan Guetre
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More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Budget Date Set The 2012 budget will be presented on April 17 when the Manitoba legislature will resume sitting. Through the global downturn, we’ve worked to protect jobs and the services families count on, and our plan is working. But the past year was also challenging with record flooding at home and uncertainty in economies everywhere. Budget 2012 will tackle the challenges ahead of us with a balanced approach and by putting the priorities of families first. Our government’s plan has produced an unemployment rate that is among the lowest in Canada, with steady economic growth and a growing population. The costs of last year’s flood were higher than most Manitobans imagined, as was the demand on family services and public safety. In lean times, families look for ways to reduce their expenses and through our budget process, we will too. We have a strong foundation to build on today and we will continue to put the priorities of families first. Record number of future doctors attracted to rural, northern communities under expanded recruitment grant program A record number of medical students have signed up to serve in rural and northern communities that need them the most in exchange for free medical school thanks to a recently expanded doctor-recruitment initiative. This year, over 251 undergraduate medical students and residents signed up for grants through the revamped Medical Student/Resident Financial Assistance Program in exchange for providing medical services after graduation, in underserved rural and northern communities identified by the province. In total, this will result in nearly 250 years of medical services returned to Manitoba communities. Since 1999, rural and northern Manitoba has seen a net increase of 116 doctors. For more information about the programs, visit manitoba.ca/health/msrfap/index.html.
Quickcare Clinic Now Open at Clearspring Shopping Centre in Steinbach With the excellent news regarding more doctors practicing in rural locations, I am so pleased that Manitoba’s second QuickCare Clinic is now officially open and serving patients in the South Eastman Region. Health Minister Theresa Oswald was in Steinbach to make this happy announcement. This new and innovative clinic will help residents in the southeast access health care when they have unexpected health issues and their regular health provider may be closed or unavailable. By providing more options for dealing with minor health issues, QuickCare Clinics will reduce pressure on family doctors, allowing them to accept more patients into their practices as well as alleviate wait times in emergency rooms. This is an integral part of our plan to ensure that any Manitoban who wants a family doctor will have one by 2015. QuickCare Clinics are a unique concept, with diagnoses and treatment of minor health issues provided by nurse practitioners and registered nurses. Services are available on a walk-in basis or by appointment for a variety of health issues including: bumps, bruises or sprains; rashes, eczema, infected cuts or minor sores; sore throats, earaches, colds and flu, coughs, hay fever or nose bleeds; immunizations; sore eyes with redness or infection; stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting, urinary infections or indigestion; headaches, back or neck pain; birth control or breast feeding; and stress or anxiety. Initial hours at the Steinbach QuickCare Clinic will be 9 am to 5 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am to 9 pm on Tuesdays, and from 10 am to 6 pm every other Saturday. When staff recruitment is complete, the clinic will be open weekday evenings until 9 pm and every Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. At this time, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Easter! As always, I appreciate hearing your comments and thoughts on these and other provincial initiatives. I encourage you to contact me by e-mail (rlemieuxmla@mts.net), by phone (878-4644), or by mail at 101-1309 Dawson Road, Box 517, Lorette, MB R0A 0Y0 and together we can continue to move Dawson Trail and Manitoba forward.
RM of Stuartburn Seeks Help with Wildfires By Marianne Curtis On March 22 the RM of Stuartburn council met with representatives from the province and the office of the fire commissioner to discuss a matter of growing urgency. The meeting was held to discuss strategic planning for potential wildfires in 2012. Ironically, at the same time of the meeting the municipality was battling a wild fire that threatened several homes. At the meeting the delegates discussed the fact that current soil moisture content in most areas of concern is abnormally low for this time of year, creating a higher potential for serious wildfires in the coming season. John Rodgers, from Manitoba Conservation, presented a strategy to separate the areas of concern into two divisions; one which will be the sole responsibility of Manitoba Conservation, the other which will be the responsibility of the RM with the assistance of Manitoba Conservation when needed. Roles and responsibilities of those involved in a wildfire event similar to that of October 2011 were also discussed and clarified. However, the real issue is underground peat moss fires that are still occurring as a result of last fall‘s wildfire emergency. According to the RM of Stuartburn council, peat moss is continuing to burn underground and has the potential to ignite fires above ground. “Fires ignited peat moss that exists underground in a large portion of the municipality, which has been actively smoldering since the disaster and has already created fires above ground, which threatened the safety of people and caused the destruction of private and personal property,” confirmed council. While the majority of these underground fires are in the northeastern corner of the municipality exact locations of possible flare-ups are hard to predict. These unpredictable flare-ups could threaten property and public safety, council noted. It was also noted that preventing these fires would push the RM of Stuartburn’s fire department to the limit in both equipment and man-power. Jeff Erwin, from the Office of the Fire Commission (OFC), said they plan on having the peat moss extinguished in a 21-day period and that two crews of workers will be stationed from Vita. The R.M. of Stuartburn Fire Department has also began checking the severity of known hot spots and reporting them to the OFC and will continue to regularly monitor them. A thermal imaging scan will be conducted to determine the current status of the smoldering peat moss and accurately determine exactly what is needed and prioritize areas that are identified.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
A Nickel Worth of Thought Another budget came down and joins many others to form Canadian economic history. Good, bad or indifferent and sometimes ugly. History of course will tell but because history is always interpreted with the jaundiced eye of the beholder I’ll be the first to admit that subjective is the name of the game. With all due respect, I think I have a middle of the road approach. But I, along with everybody else, have a peculiar or particular point of view which is a bias. I am especially sensitive when weighing a balance of quality of life versus quantity of corporate dollars. Bay Street and the energy and commodities sectors will argue for quantity and I would agree insofar as it has no adverse effect on quality of life. I would argue that at this point, quantity trumps and warps quality of life by a substantial amount. That’s my bias. This budget is focused largely on a healthy assist to the tar sands and mining sector by speeding up environmental assessments which, along with their already favourable and preferential treatment on taxes in the selling of our non-renewable resources, can only be construed as a subsidy. This does not create much in a balanced trickle-down effect. If there was a Canadian legacy contingency price attached to diversify the economy or perhaps heaven forbid, to pay for future environmental damages brought on by this set of developers, I would have a tendency to be more sympathetic, but this has all the makings of grab the money and run. Native affairs got a mention for education to meet the necessities of today’s job requirements, $250 million. No matter which way you colour that statement, insultingly inadequate is the verdict on this item. We should at least treat them as well as immigrants, don’t you think? Pension reform created a stir and will continue to do so all the way to the next election. The seniors of Canada will see if they can use this as a vote changer according to their organization’s spokesperson. First the public sector pensions were slightly dickered along with MP pensions as a show of unanimity. Major surgery would have been helpful if fair play was sought before the end result. Secondly, seniors will be looking forward to the year 2023 at the increased age of 67 to retire and collect OAS and GIS, if necessary to distance themselves from the poverty line. Furthermore, the Feds will transfer the onus of this portfolio to the provincial governments to implement this assistance program. They promise cash transfers. The word adequate is not mentioned, but I am sure they will give it as much importance as the capped health care transfers. All indicators on the affordability of our pension status along with top-up supplements were deemed to be sustainable as is, by all professional organizations that track this data at this time and into the foreseeable future. So this seems to be strictly seen as an ideologically driven program. The cap on medical transfers and social programs will fall under the same bus. Are the Feds (Conservatives that is) trying to get out of social spending? If so will they lower our federal taxes so the provinces can draw more to pay this bill? I somehow think they would rather forget about the second half of this equation. I would venture to guess that re-engineering and redefining Canadian values is more complex than one political party’s ideology. One has to admire their arrogance if nothing else, they must be the only ones who think they are going to be around to manage this program in 2023 and going forward. Public service will lose approximately 2,900 jobs, 700 of which are retiring, but this leaves 2,200 jobs to cut. This is out of a total of 400,000 employed in the civil service. Even the military will lose some members. I am sure there will be some sad stories but I would like to see public service cuts through attrition where it can be warranted so that services are still delivered at a reasonable level. At first glance, a number of 400,000 with their rich pensions seem to be a high cost on the Canadian purse. Canadians may need more information on this portfolio to make a reasonable choice. Remember this number includes armed forces, health, scientific needs, food quality, safety, etc. CBC is losing 10 percent or so of their budget. That is an ongoing bone of contention for many Canadians. I am not in favour of cuts; I would prefer to sell this entity as a going concern. In other words don’t gut but sell it. Sell it as a going concern and let future business manage it. I’ll admit to a bias. I like news and hockey so CBC does it for me but a bit of surfing would probably do the trick. There was good news in this budget. You can now demand a nickel for your thoughts as the penny is being retired. Yes, we should all take notice; this could be the most dramatic and defining item of budget 2012. I can see it written in history defining this momentous time as “Canadian Conservative government slays the lowly penny”. This may be as generous as historians get.
More Than Just News!
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Economic Action Plan 2012 Our Conservative government is focused on what matters to Canadians – jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Since taking office in 2006, we’ve been lowering taxes (over 140 tax cuts all together), helping hard-working families get ahead (average family is paying $3,100 less in taxes under out Government), supporting entrepreneurs (lowering taxes on job-creating businesses), and creating an environment to help create long-term jobs (Forbes magazine ranks Canada as the best place in the world for businesses to grow and create jobs). Building on that record, our latest budget, Economic Action Plan 2012, takes important steps to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities of the global economy, while ensuring sustainable social programs and sound public finances. We’re looking ahead not only over the next few years, but also for the next generation. Our reforms are responsible and necessary. Manitoba will continue to receive significant support through major federal transfers. In fact, federal support to provinces and territories will reach an all-time high of $59 billion which is $3 billion more than last year. Manitoba’s major transfers will total almost $3.4 billion in 2012-13. This long-term, growing support helps ensure that Manitoba has the resources required to provide essential public services, including health care, post-secondary education and other key components of Canada’s social programs. Manitoba will also benefit from continued direct targeted support including $18 million for labour market training and $9 million for the Wait Times Reduction Fund. Our Plan also lays a strong foundation for continued job creation and economic growth with more support for training, extending the Hiring Credit for Small Business, and providing new opportunities for Canadians to gain access to the labour market. It keeps taxes low for small- and medium-sized business, and ensures the responsible development of Canada’s energy and natural resource sectors. We’re streamlining government operations, ending wasteful spending, and moving Canada to balanced budgets over the medium term. And we’re achieving all of this without raising taxes and without balancing the books on the backs of the provinces, like the previous Liberal government did. We have a solid plan to keep Canada strong. And our Conservative government speaks with one voice to all regions of Canada, unlike the new leader of the NDP, who issued two different budget messages – one to Quebec and one to the rest of Canada. We will oppose Mr. Mulcair’s attempts to play different regions of the country against each other. Did you know the NDP praised the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy in the provinces that are home to the successful bidders – Nova Scotia and British Columbia – but attacked the result in Quebec? What does Mr. Mulcair want to say to Quebec that he does not want the rest of Canada to hear? The NDP’s reckless dual messages and calls for tax hikes stand in stark contrast to our responsible, focused plan to protect and grow Canada’s economy. Please feel free to contact my office if you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss. You may contact my office toll free at 1-866-333-1933 or at 204-326-9889 or in Lac du Bonnet at 204-345-9762. You may write my office at 8 - 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by fax at 204-346-9874 or by e-mail at toewsv1@parl.gc.ca.
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Free Drop-in and Playgroup in Niverville
More Than Just News! Niverville Moms N’ Tots Playgroup would like to invite all moms with children up to age six to come and join them Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 in the lower level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62 4th Avenue S.). This is a free drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, along with a large open space for the kids to play while the moms visit. For more information contact Karen at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Trio Bembe Concert a Hit
On March 16 the Steinbach Regional Secondary theatre in Steinbach was packed for the final concert of the season organized by the Steinbach Art Council. Shannon Neufeld, with the Steinbach Arts Council, stated that it was “a great concert to end the year with.” Steinbach’s own Trio Bembe performed with Amber Epp on lead vocals along with her band, Rodrigo Munoz and Scott Senior. The trio delighted crowds with Latin jazz music in several languages.
Achieving Net Zero When one thinks about investing in a renewable energy system one has to consider what their objective is. Well, the objective for me is to “achieve net zero,” which means to generate more energy than I’m using. I was very surprised when I got net zero with my single 235 watt solar panel. Before I tell you how I did it, I have to tell you that seeing the energy monitor read a minus was a eureka moment for me. My eyes popped and I immediately jumped up and did the happy dance. I was not expecting to get anywhere close. No one was around to witness this moment except my trusted canine Willy who joined in my celebration. I felt like I had won a lottery. I was testing a new GPS tracker I had mounted on my panel. I wanted to see how much power I could generate with the tracker. So I undersized the batteries but still stayed with a 24 volt configuration. Then I used a 600 watt inverter and plugged in a few pumps, which was an easy way to put a load on the system. Now don’t get me wrong, the weather conditions were perfect. This March had a few weeks of May/June weather, so there was no heat demand and I did turn everything off that did not need to be on. The tricky part was figuring out how I could use my TEd 5000 energy monitor to read my consumption as well as generation. Once I got past that, which was really simple, I could start determining my loads and tweak the system. All I needed to do was add more battery storage and I could see “net zero” for longer hours in the day. As the days get longer and the sun gives more love each day, I get more of these eureka moments and, I must admit, it’s like an additional feeling of, “I love it and I want some more of it.” Since doing these tests and seeing what can be achieved with a small 24 volt system I have designed and sold a few of these packages. If you want to see detail pricing and components, just visit my blog at greening-myworld.blogspot.ca. I like a 24-volt system because I can get 240 volts out of it and all I need to do is add panels and batteries if I want to scale it up. There is no reason at all why any of us can’t get by with a system that maximizes its capabilities using the right components. The best part of a 24 volt system is the price. It starts around 7k and upscales to the 12k range. I can also increase the efficiency of my solar thermal system, which heats my hot water and home, which I will do this summer and then I am ready to install my dream system. Achieving net zero year round is the next step. Herman Unrau is with Evolve Green. For questions on these products or other “Green” technology feel free to visit www.evolvegreen.ca.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch Writer Publishes First Book
desperation and lack of other options,” Curtis noted. “If I had been taught to believe in myself and that my life meant something from the start, I am pretty sure my choices would have been very different but these are things I had to learn over the years, on my own, many times by falling flat on my face.” Curtis hopes that her story will help others. Readers will be moved to tears as they follow the writer’s many struggles and triumphs as she fights to overcome her abusive beginnings. “I want readers to read the book and realize that no matter how horrible life may be, you can survive, you just have to fight and believe things were not meant to be this way,” Curtis added. “I know people currently so depressed they can’t see themselves move forward – I was there at one point – I went from wanting to give up and die to discovering my life had a purpose.” Finding Gloria can be pre-ordered by contacting the Dawson Trail Dispatch or online at mariannecurtis.wordpress.com. It will also be available on Amazon.com towards the end of April. An official book launch is scheduled to take place at the Highway 206 Grill in Landmark at 7:30 PM on May 1.
After fifteen years as head writer for the Dawson Trail Dispatch, Marianne Curtis has expanded her horizons and penned her first book, a memoir called Finding Gloria. Set in southern Manitoba, Finding Gloria chronicles the author’s life from birth, when she is given up for adoption to finding her birth mother forty years later. Spanning four decades, the memoir retells how she escaped a childhood filled with physical and emotional abuse only to spend the next quarter century trying to find herself amid the rubbish. It was a painful, yet rewarding
project, stated Curtis. “This book is my healing process – a few years ago I hit rock bottom after years of hardship and failures; I was done with life,” says Curtis. “It is really hard to describe how messed up things were in my head after hearing for decades that I was a mistake and would never amount to anything.” It wasn’t until penning her first draft that Curtis was able to see the big picture. “Some people will say, you made your choices, get over it; I’d like to tell them yes, I made my choices but most of them were made out of pure
KISS (Keep it Simple Smarty) I had someone say to me, “Even you health ‘nuts’ will die sometime of something,” and “Who would want to live so long that they will end up in one of those lonely care homes, anyway?” Yes, I must admit that we all will die of something, and no one knows when the Grim Reaper will appear. But the goal of a health advocate is for today and hopefully a healthy tomorrow. My Mother will soon be 90 and is living a healthy, happy and full life. She dwells in an assisted living complex and goes out often (and at times, very late) just to watch the JETS games with her family. She has been blessed with longevity and a clear mind (There are times we wish her memory was not so sharp!!). So what makes her life so healthy? I guess the fact that she never smoked or drank to excess would definitely have been a good thing, but there is more to it. One thing that stands out to me is her simple attitude that the body will heal and she will NOT take medications for minor aches and pains. She only sees a doctor for serious concerns. The epsom salt soaks, for almost everything, and mustard plasters are her stand-bys. If anyone tries to get her to take an over the counter medication she says, “I’m allergic to that ‘stuff’.” (We aren’t sure we believe her, but we have learned years ago to never argue with her strong ideas and will). The other thing I’ve noticed about my Mom is that she has not and does not eat processed food and has never drunk pop. She eats a good simple diet, and does not take any supplements. Her exercise was hard work. She never went to a gym or walked a lot. Her life style and habits were simple. She is living a long life feeling great. OK then, what is it that keeps her so healthy? Well, here’s my take on this. My Mother has always eaten what I call a ‘clean’ and ‘simple’ diet. The basics of her diet are lots of fresh veggies and fruits combined with her protein. She mixes organic yogurt and fibre cereal in a bowl every morning for breakfast. She doesn’t like many sweets, and her favorite snack is nuts of any kind. In the past, her meat didn’t contain hormones, antibiotics, or preservatives. Her eggs were ‘free range’ from her own coop. Her produce came from the fruit trees, bushes and her own garden (eaten fresh or canned/frozen for the winter). Her cooking methods were also simple. No exotic recipes or packages of flavorings to spice up her food. Her macaroni and cheese did not come in a box. By now you must be thinking that her food was bland and boring, right? Oh, just the opposite! Mom was a fabulous cook and took those clean herbs and spices out of her garden to make the finest meals ever. Her stew was out of this world. Her roast dinners were fit for a king. And yeah, that macaroni and cheese baked in the oven (from what we would call organic pasta) with so much melted cheese made everyone moan from the yummies. Preservatives, pesticides and chemicals were not part of her diet. The simpler you keep the diet, the cleaner you keep your body. Start reading the labels on the back of everything, especially dressings, mixes and sauces. You will be shocked at all the unneeded chemicals that you are putting into your body. Part of the reason we have low energy, brain fog and feel so sluggish is that we are toxic. My mother has never felt this way. It is not the longevity of life, but the quality of each and every day that we health ‘nuts’ strive for. Eating simple foods and healthy snacks will give you the energy that helps you feel great, move with ease, and enjoy every moment of every day regardless of how long you are here on earth. There is something to be said for a simple, clean diet. So for your health just KISS! Raylene Snow is the owner/operator of Raylene’s Day & Night Spa located between Ste. Anne and Giroux on Hwy 210 S. raylenesspa.com. (204) 422-6234.
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Sawatsky Inducted into Hall of Fame By Marianne Curtis In the middle of April Steinbach native Michelle Sawatsky will join the ranks of the top athletes in the province when she is inducted into the Manitoba High School Sports Hall of Fame. On April 21 the Manitoba High School Athletic Association will be inducting Sawatsky, along with five other athletes, three builders and one team, into the Class of 2012. The inductees will be honoured during a special reception at the Holiday Inn South. Sawatsky grew up in Steinbach and was a member of Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres (SRSS). She led the SRSS Volleyball team to the 1987 Provincial AA Championship and was also setter on the 1989 Canada Summer Games Bronze Medalist team. She was also the starting setter at the University of Manitoba when they won the National Championships in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and was named CIAU/CIS Player of the Year in 1991, 1992, and in 1993 was named University of Manitoba Female Athlete of the Year. Sawatsky also participated on two World Student Volleyball Games teams in 1991 and 1992 and on the Senior National Team in 1995. She participated in the Bronze Medal Game in the Pan
Steinbach’s Michelle Sawatsky will be inducted into the Manitoba High School Athletic Hall of Fame on April 21.
American Games in Argentina in 1996 and also was a member of the team that finished 9th in the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Along with Sawatsky, athletes Ed Alexiuk, Nick Papadakis, Lynda (Kidd) Chorley, Chris Walby and Rick Watts are also being inducted. Builders Frank McKinnon, Gladwyn Scott and Audrey Jones are being inducted along with the Hapnot Collegiate (Flin Flon) Basketball Team from 1950 -56.
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Life Before a Holy God Psalm 39:1-7. 1) I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.” 2) But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. 3) My heart grew hot within me and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4) “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5) You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. 6) Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. 7) “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. (NIV 1984) What is the reason or purpose of living? What is it that makes life important? These are the kinds of questions that many people are asking today. It seems there was a time when these questions of existence and meaning were primarily found in the conversations of young people. However, today we have the older folks asking the same questions, especially those who understand that in the blink of an eye, life as we know it can change. Do you think it is possible that some Christian folk go about their daily activities as though there was no meaning in their life? Perhaps I need to ask the question … Is my life a living example that others will be drawn to Jesus Christ? Or are they being turned off by my less than Christ-like behaviour? I am well aware that others are watching, especially my non-Christian friends. That may just be the reason why the Psalmist cries out, “Lord, help me to know my end. Help me to understand the length of my life, so that I might have purpose and meaning all the days of my life.” Could we agree that it is important that we have the knowledge and wisdom that would enable us to understand the frailty and pride of human life? There are times when we give way and vent our feelings and thoughts concerning our own self-importance. I know I sometimes walk about in my own pride and self-importance until I realize that it is only distasteful vanity, making useless noise which turns people away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, it is during those times that we must seek help from the Holy Spirit so that we can be led back to a quiet confidence in Christ, which will put to flight these worthless thoughts. As you and I seek directions from our Heavenly Father our human thinking wrestles with the Holy Spirit within our own heart. There can and probably are moments of guilt. Is it not so, that guilt plays a significant role in bringing us closer to Christ? It should not hinder us; it should not make us terrified of our past. We must always remember and believe that God has completely, fully forgiven us, even for our unknown sins. We would do well to understand our sinful human nature. We would do well to remember that God has set up an open door for us so that we can bring all our thoughts, cares, concerns and emotions, good or bad, before Christ. God is able to hear all our pain, our frustrations with life, our doubts and our disappointments. But, we also cannot profess willful ignorance of God’s grace. I should never shut my mind to what I do not want to hear. People are usually aware that some lifestyles, some lack of control, some friendships or associations could have devastating results; we may simply refuse to look at the facts. To turn a blind eye may be in some cases an asset, but usually it is foolishness. The Psalmist reminds us that life is extremely short and filled with many short comings. Repentance is necessary and a true reflection on the shortness of life before a Holy God is a very good thing … “Teach me, Lord, to judge my days.” Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name. Amen.”
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
April 2012
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Tenant Seniors Wanted in Sprague Now that construction on the East Borderland Community Housing Senior Housing (EBCH) project is underway, the group is looking for occupants. Construction of the facility began in the fall and is expected to be complete this summer. The group is anticipating that it will be fully occupied by the fall. Fifteen elderly person housing units will be available in either a one bedroom suite for $615 a month or a two bedroom at $725. Rent includes all utilities (heat, electricity, water, taxes, sewer, building insurance and all building maintenance). Powered parking and on-site laundry will also be available. Tenants pay their own telephone, satellite TV and household contents insurance. Home care provided by the Regional Health Authority (RHA) will also be available. Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation (MHRC) has committed to funding and financing the bulk of construction cost. Land for the project has been provided by the RHA. EBCH has provided a community contribution of $275,000. Because the project is government funded affordable housing there are income maximums. The maximum household income is $45,166. Lower income seniors (under $26,500) may apply for some additional subsidies to assist with rents. Exemptions for medical needs apply if accompanied by a letter from a doctor recommending residence for medical reasons. Meanwhile, according to Elsa Laing, spokesperson for the group, the EBCH Directors and the RM of Piney Council continue to advocate for the 2nd part of Phase III, the proposed 20 unit Personal Care Home (PCH)/Supportive Housing (SH). Raising funds is an integral part of bringing this 2nd part of Phase III to reality with the community’s requirement of 10 percent of the capital costs for the PCH/SH, she added.
Run Planned in Support of Anna’s House By Marianne Curtis Those looking to spend mother’s day doing something special for mothers and children throughout the region are invited to participate in the 5th Annual Run for Mom. The Run for Mom is a 5 or 10 km run that is taking place in Steinbach on Mother’s Day, May 13. Hosted by the Stony Brook Striders, all proceeds from the event go towards Anna’s House, which is located in Steinbach. This year a new event will allow four people to participate together as a team. Five years ago, the first time that the run took place, over 320 runners participated and $5,000 was given to Anna’s House as a result of the event. Since then the event has raised over $16,000 for the organization. According to organizer Greg Penner, fundraising is not needed to participate in the Run for Mom because the registration fee is donated completely to the facility. “This is not an event that you need to fundraise for, though we do have a charity aspect,” explained Penner. “We are hoping to see over 500 runners this year, with even greater support from surrounding communities.” Anna’s House is a family resource centre that is located in Steinbach and dedicated to serving expectant mothers and families with children up to the age of five. Programs designed for children in each age group, along with resources, a library, car seat and breast pump lending program, clothing, and nutrition program are all offered at the facility to women from throughout the region. Pre-registration is encouraged and cost for participation ranges from $15 for youth to $30 for an adult, dependant on length of the run and date of registration. Family rates are available also. To register or find more information visit the event’s website at runformom.ca.
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More Than Just News!
April 2012
Upcoming Dog Adoption Fair in Niverville
Steinbach 55 Plus offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for older adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs.
By Marianne Curtis A truck driver from Niverville is proving that when it comes to four legged creatures he is a big softy. Barry Piasta is organizing a special event in May where he hopes rescued dogs from several organizations across southern Manitoba will find their forever homes instead of languishing in a rescue somewhere. On May 12, Piasta is coordinating the first ever Niverville Dog Adoption Fair. Located at the Niverville arena, the fair will bring together adoptable animals from ten rescue shelters throughout the region. “Last fall in the local buy and sell, I noticed about ten people getting rid of their dogs for various reasons; most had obedience issues,” explained Piasta. “So, I started offering to help people Barry Piasta is hosting the first ever Niverville Dog Adoption Fair train their dogs free of charge just to keep these animals from with hopes that others will experience the same joy he has since being given up through no fault of their own.” rescuing Taffy and Charlie. Piasta said nothing bothers him more than hearing that Photo by Marianne Curtis someone gave up on a dog instead of taking the time to train it properly. “People don’t seem to realize there is no such thing as a bad dogs. If a few dogs find their forever home then it will be dog but there are many dog owners who don’t take the time to worth it.” Not only is the purpose of the event to find homes for properly train their animals and the animals suffer for it,” Piasta continued. “Then I noticed all these shelters with pets dogs, it is also an opportunity to educate and have fun. available. I want people to be aware there are all sorts of dogs There will be a question and answer period with a vet, and puppies that need homes and you don’t need to go to a trainer and groomer, promotions for spaying and neutering, a pet photographer, and displays related to pet care and breeder.” While Piasta has no issues with breeders, he does have a products. Rescue shelters confirmed to be attending the event are problem with the belief dogs are worthless or hard to train Manitoba Mutts, Manitoba Underdogs, Safe Haven, Great because it isn’t a purebred. “If you call any breeder they will turn around and tell you Pyrenees, Manitoba Pug, Winnipeg Boxer Rescue, Hulls that their dogs are purebred and easier to train and are better Haven Border Collie, German Shepard Rescue, Winnipeg dogs. That isn’t true,” Piasta added. “I am doing this for the Animal Services and Winnipeg Humane Society.
Stranded Anglers Rescued On March 27 shortly after 8 pm, Steinbach RCMP received a call that about a dozen American ice fishermen were stranded on Lake of the Woods near Birch Point, Manitoba on an ice flow. Steinbach RCMP, in conjunction with RCMP Search and Rescue Team, The Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner, Lake of the Woods Search and Rescue and Piney Fire Department, responded and conducted the rescue operation. While the fishermen were not far away from shore, conditions were deemed unsafe as they were surrounded by water. In addition, a west wind was blowing the ice flow away from shore. By about 3 am, using a fan boat (aka airboat), making several trips to shore over water, slush and ice, all 13 stranded ice fishermen were safely taken off the ice flow. The ice fisherman had made their way out onto the lake to go fishing at around
Up and coming events for April Old Time Country Dance: April 27, live band The Fraizer River Band. Advanced tickets: $8 member, $10 non-member, $12 at the door for all. Lunch will be served. Baby Boomers in Action: Wednesday, April 11. 1:30 pm. Unemployed? Between 55- 64 years old? A resident of Southeastern Manitoba? Have a desire to learn new skills & become employed or self employed? If you said yes to these questions, this program may be for you! For more information call 320-4600. Presentation by Rene Sabourin coordinator for BBA. Mature Drivers Workshop: Safety Service Manitoba in partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance is offering a workshop to experienced drivers who wish to brush up on their skills to enhance their driving performance. This workshop is no cost to all mature drivers. Skills taught: defensive driving techniques enhance your driving skills, update your knowledge of current traffic laws, and how to compensate for changes that occur in hearing, vision, flexibility and reaction time. There is no testing involved and will not affect your drivers licence in any way. Call 320-4600 to register (15 people required for the workshop to run).
Monthly Programs Single Ladies’ Night Out: The first Friday of the month at 5 pm enjoy supper out at a local restaurant. Call the center for the place to meet. Foot Care: The first and third Tuesday of the month from 9 am - 3 pm. Run by Val Fry, a professional foot care nurse. Cost: $30. Bring your own towel. Call the center to book an appointment. Pot Luck Supper: The second Thursday of every month at 6 pm. Meat and beverages are provided. Cost: $5 per person. Bring along a casserole, salad or desert. Call the center to reserve your seat. Birthday Party: The first Wednesday of the month. All members with a birthday are invited for complimentary cake and coffee. Guests are asked to pay $2. Entertainment provided. Beltone Hearing: The third Friday of each month. Call 1-800-661-2653 for appointment. Brain Injury Support Group: Last Monday of the month at 7 pm. Parkinson Support Group: Third Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm. Commencing February 15. Noon meals - Monday to Friday. Cost $5. Call 320-4605 by 9 am to reserve your meal for that day. Purchase your meal ticket at the receptionist desk before noon. Monthly menus available at the office or in the newsletter. Bring a friend. Computer Lab - Monday to Friday. Cost $1 per lesson. From 9 am - 12 pm and 1- 4 pm. Lessons with Ron Siemens take place on Wednesdays from 9 am – 12 pm
Weekly Programs
noon that day with quads. However, ice conditions quickly deteriorated as the day went on. No injuries were reported and efforts will continue to recover the anglers’
Robber Flees Empty Handed On February 10 at about 6:30 pm, StPierre-Jolys RCMP was dispatched to a complaint of a robbery at the Ile-DesChênes Motor Inn in Ile-Des-Chênes. Investigation indicates that a lone male with his face covered entered the beer vendor and demanded cash from the clerk. He was refused and eventually fled empty handed. The suspect is described as around 5' 8" tall and about 180 lbs. He was wearing a blue hooded sweater and a dark grey jacket with black stripes down the
Dawson Trail Dispatch
sleeves. Anyone with information regarding this incident should call the St-PierreJolys RCMP at (204) 433-7433 or your local police agency. You can also call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or
Billiards - Monday to Friday 1 pm - 4 pm Monday Fitness Class with instructor 9:30 - 10:30 am Canasta 1 pm Tai Chi 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Tuesday Circle of Friends 8:30 am - 3 pm Wednesday Tai Chi 9 am – 11:30 am Choir practice 10:30 am equipment. Cribbage 1 pm – 4 pm RCMP would like to warn the public Floor Curling 1:30 pm to stay off all water bodies since Old Time Country Band Practice 7 pm unseasonable warm weather is creating Thursday Fitness Class with instructor 9:30 - 10:30 am very dangerous ice conditions. Bridge and Whist 1 - 4 pm Wii Bowling 1:30 pm Friday Circle of friends 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and setting tables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up, greeters and receptionists. Membership are due January of each year, at Steinbach 55 Plus is only $20 per year for those 55 years of age or older. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice in business meetings, voting rights, and eligibility to serve on the board or committees. For more information drop by the Centre, Monday to Friday, from 9 am 4 pm, or call 320-4600, or go to steinbach55plus.com.
SUBMIT a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or TEXT: TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Queen not a Fairy Tale to Pre-Schoolers The Arts for Tots program in Steinbach is thrilled to have received a response from the Queen of England, Elizabeth II after they sent her a letter to wish her a
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it was Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond surprise and pleasure, she actually The letter was read out loud to the Jubilee. replied. students, and then carefully framed to According to Shannon Neufeld, from “How do you open a letter from be hung in the Arts for Tots Preschool the Steinbach Arts Council, the students royalty?” Gosbee asked. Classroom. replied in disbelief, “Oh Miss Treena, that’s a fairy tale.” To prove the Queen was real, at the happy 60th anniversary as sovereign. In early March, Arts for Tots urging of Gosbee and Butler, the instructors Treena Gosbee and Miss preschoolers composed a congratulatory Butler told their pre-school students that letter to her Majesty. Much to their
Hit and Run Driver Caught
The Arts for Tots program in Steinbach was thrilled when they received a letter from the Queen of England.
A Bad Choice? Have you ever made a choice and realized that it might not have been that good of a decision? I’m sure that we’ve all done that at some point in our lives. A while back I made a choice and I’m still feeling the results of that action. The funny thing is I’m not quite sure if it was a terrible choice or just a not-so-great choice. Let me explain. First off I have to let you know that I love to read. It doesn’t matter whether its fiction or non-fiction, from cereal boxes to instruction manuals, I love to read. Now, one day last month, I needed to bring a book to work for me to read during my breaks… did I mention that I love to read? Anyways, in our house we have lots of books to choose from and since I will read almost anything, I grabbed a book off the shelf and off to work I went. Sadly, I didn’t scrutinize the title well enough and was mislead by my own error. The book I grabbed was titled, “Introduction to the Study of Human Behavior” and was published around 1968. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for reading about human behaviour and what makes us do what we do, but if you read the title more carefully than I did you’ll notice that it is the introduction to the study of. . . This means that the book deals with what methods scientists use in performing experiments and the recording of their findings of human behaviours. I’m not saying that the book is boring, but I can’t help but notice that I find myself taking every opportunity to do things other than read this book. “Oh look, an unfinished sudoku puzzle!” “Oh look, reruns on TV!” “Oh look, there’s a spot on the wall, let’s just stare blankly at that for awhile!” I kind of wonder if this book is, or was, one of those books that college kids were forced to read in order to get their much needed credits. Since I’ve started reading it though, I feel compelled to finish it. After all, there are some little nuggets of information that I’ve found to be interesting. Thankfully, it’s only a small book, both in overall size and thickness. I should be finishing it soon. If only that spot on the wall wasn’t quite so mesmerizing. . . Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.
As of March 15, Steinbach RCMP, with the assistance of the general public, has charged an 18-year-old male driver in regards to a hit and run collision that occurred in Steinbach on March 8. The male has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act for running a red light and for failing to remain at the scene of a collision. Steinbach RCMP received report of a hit and run collision at the intersection of Main Street and Brandt Street in Steinbach. While entering the intersection a west bound vehicle was struck by a northbound gold Pontiac Grand Am that ran a red right. The name of the driver is not being released.
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April 2012
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Quickcare Comes to South East By Marianne Curtis Early bird prices till April 6 for an extravagant evening fundraising gala, ‘Celebrate the Arts’ in Diamonds and Denim. We have a new theme and a new location: Friedensfeld Community Centre. This year’s gala will feature a jewelry tom bola, a fine art auction and western wear auction. Dance to the Music by MK Sound and ‘homegrown quintessential Texan’ entertainment. Intrigued? Call now to reserve your table. New for spring! The first week is a free trial for Creative Wellness Classes! Instructor Christel Flaming has combined favorite exercise tools, movements and music in the ultimate workout series. Try Sculpt & Tone April 10-May 23 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for seven weeks, 5:306:30 pm. Then try Power Pilates/Pilates Bootcamp May 7-June 25 on Mondays and Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 pm. The best part for both classes is the first week is absolutely free. Call now to register. Mulitcultural Cooking starts on April 9. Learn six recipes from countries around the world. This is the only class where you go home with a plate of exotic food! Classes run six weeks on Monday nights, 6:00-8:00 pm. Call now to register. Arts for Tots on Global News: our Arts for Tots pre-schoolers have been entertaining a lot of guests lately. Thursday, March 22 they were featured on Global National after being interviewed by Global’s Crystal Goomansingh. Their AFT teacher, Miss Treena, had been telling the children about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, to which they replied, “Miss Treena, that’s a fairy tale!” The class then wrote to the Queen, and she wrote back! In celebration of the Queen’s 60th year as Queen Sovereign, the Tots have made crowns for themselves and had several tea parties, entertaining guests like Crystal, Corny Rempel from Mix 96.7FM/Golden West Radio and the Winnipeg Free Press. The Arts for Tots Preschool Program is now taking registrations for the 2012-13 year. The Arts for Tots program for ages 3-5 is the most creative way to learn! Early childhood development is the focus within our classroom. Learning stations, such as science, geography, math and fine motor skills to name a few, are set up to enhance this development. Creative learning is extended into our professional studios where music, theatre and dance are instructed by our professional clinicians. Choose from Monday through Thursday mornings or afternoons. We can make a preschool schedule suitable to you. Call now to register. Starting April 9 there is 15% off Summer Arts Day Camps registration. We have themed camps for ages 5-12 weekly from 9 am to 4 pm, July 9 to August 24. This year’s themes are Amazing Race, Islands of Imagination, Barnyard Bash, A Bug’s Life, Let’s Play Ball, All Ball and Hollywood! See more information online. Call now to register. Robin Hood recital for Southeast School of Dance; chose between the two performances on Saturday, April 21, show times are 2 pm and 7 pm at the SRSS Theatre, 190 McKenzie Ave, Steinbach. Call for tickets. An Adventure in Neverland recital for the Backyard Theatre Company on Friday, April 27 at 7 pm at the SRSS Theatre. Call for tickets. Sacred Classics Series concert at Grace Mennonite Church, Sunday, April 29 at 7:30 pm Together with Robert Neufeld on piano and Steinbach’s Vespers Choir directed by Millie Hildebrand, David Klassen brings his versatility to the Steinbach’s stage once again with an evening of uplifting choral works and favorite songs and spirituals. Calling artists to the Human Artist painting workshop – beginners and more advanced are welcome. Sign up now to learn to build your own frame and stretch your own canvas. Then create a piece of living art! Instructed by celebrated local artist Daylon Brown. Workshop runs two Saturdays, May 5 and 12 from 1:30-3:30 pm. Call now to register. On now, in our Hall Gallery: nearly 100 works by artists from all over the Hanover district, juvenile and adult, will be on display until May 4th in our Hall Gallery located at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre. This year features our largest number of entries in the juvenile category, with several schools participating. Coming up! SRSS Pixels IX is a digital exhibit featuring works by students from the Steinbach Regional Secondary School. Exhibit runs May 9 to June 1. Don’t miss the Exhibit Opening on May 9. Join us for refreshments and a celebration of art!
Patients requiring medical attention for minor injuries and illnesses have another alternative to an emergency room visit after the recent opening of a new QuickCare Clinic in Steinbach. On March 15, the province and South Eastman Health officially opened the second of eight QuickCare Clinics to be established across the province. Located in the Clearspring Mall, the new QuickCare Clinic is an alternative access to primary care managed and coordinated by nurse practitioners and primary care nurses where patients can go for less urgent issues. John Stinson, CEO for South Eastman Health, is very excited about the announcement. “It’s very much an in and out process,” Stinsen said. “There will be nurse practitioners and primary care nurses and an opportunity for existing staff who are interested in doing this kind of work to get involved.” He added that the Clinic is especially expected to benefit residents that do not have a family doctor. Patients attending the QuickCare Clinic will be seen by either nurse practitioners or primary care nurses. Necessary medication can be prescribed and referrals will be made as needed to a doctor or specialist. The opening is expected to have a huge impact on health care delivery in the region.
Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen addresses the crowd during the grand opening of a QuickCare Clinic located in Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre while Health Minister Teresa Oswald and Dawson Trail MLA Ron Lemieux look on.
“The biggest impact will be on our emergency room departments especially in Steinbach,” Stinsen continued. He added that Ste. Anne Hospital will also be affected because currently patients unwilling to wait at Bethesda travel to the next nearest facility. Services are available on a walk-in basis or by appointment for a variety of health issues including: bumps, bruises or sprains; rashes, eczema, infected cuts or minor sores; sore throats, earaches, colds and flu, coughs, hay fever or nose bleeds; immunizations; sore eyes with
redness or infection; stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting, urinary infections or indigestion; headaches, back or neck pain; birth control or breast feeding; and stress or anxiety. Initial hours at the Steinbach QuickCare Clinic will be 9 am to 5 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am to 9 pm on Tuesdays, and from 10 am to 6 pm every other Saturday. When staff recruitment is complete the clinic will be open weekday evenings until 9 pm and every Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Condo Construction Begins At the end of March crews moved into Ile des Chênes to begin construction of a new condo unit along the community’s Main Street. Construction of The Oaks officially began when heavy equipment moved onto the site where a new, 23 unit multi-family housing complex is being built in Ile des Chênes. The $5 million project will see twenty-three 1,200 square foot 2story condominiums constructed along Main Street in Ile des Chênes. Each condo will feature 1,200 square feet of floor space and include a 600 square foot covered patio and a parking space. Each until is expected to sell for about $200,000. The new complex is being built on the site formerly occupied by the old Construction of a new 23-unit condo complex is officially underway in Ile des Chênes. community hall. Photo by Marianne Curtis
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
St. Malo Couple Rescues Injured Bear Cub By Marianne Curtis A family from St. Malo is finding themselves the centre of attention after they found and rescued a 4-weekold bear club. Rene Dubois was on his way to run an errand when he discovered the newborn black bear cub struggling in a ditch. “I was going on Highway 218 about three miles south of here and I saw him in the ditch,” Dubois recalled. “He was very weak. I couldn’t just leave him there.” Packing up the little back bundle, Dubois took him home where he and his wife have been nursing the baby back to health. “I went on the internet and did some research and we’ve been feeding him baby milk, high in protein,” Dubois explained. This little guy has a new chance at life after he was found weak and dying in a ditch The couple named the south of St. Malo by Rene Dubois. baby Makoon, which means “Little Bear” in Ojibwe. “It will be sad to see him go,” added Dubois, who admits he’s fallen in love with their tiny charge. But they realize that he will grow bigger and needs to go to a more appropriate home. The Dubois’ contacted the Department of Natural Resources and are waiting for them to take the baby, possibly to the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre located in Ile des Chênes. Meanwhile, the Department of Conservation does not recommend people take in lost or orphaned wildlife. Each year the department receives thousands of phone calls from people who have found infant wild animals that they believe are orphans. On average 500 injured or orphaned baby animals were admitted to the centre, of which 80 percent were “unnecessary orphans.”
Newcomers Included in Niverville Recycling
The Town of Niverville council is expanding their curb side recycling program to include all new residents. According to council the Niverville recycling program has been successful in diverting a significant amount of waste tonnage through recycling. In an effort to continue that successful rate the Town of Niverville has partnered with the Niverville Credit Union to co-sponsor the cost of providing free recycling bins to new residents to the community. This is expected to encourage participation in the recycling program. As a result of this agreement the Town of Niverville purchased 400 recycling bins at a cost $3,696. The bins will be available free of charge to new residents.
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Steinbach Judo Club Contenders
Members of the Steinbach Judo Club did very well during their last competition in Stonewall. The team consisted of Wyatt Lajoie, Kadin Christ-Bonnell, Logan Friesen, Zachary Wareham; Back row: Sensei William McKenzie, Lauren Thompson, Maxime Morier-Roy, Vincent Blais-Shiokawa and referee Donald Hiebert.
After an amazing performance at the recent Balmoral Open in Stonewall, the Steinbach Judo Club is gearing up to compete locally. On March 24 nine members from the Steinbach Judo Club came home with medals after a tough day of judo competition. The one day event hosted 85 judo competitors. Jacinthe Blais said she is very proud of her students. “We are a smaller club but our students are enthusiastic and work really hard,” stated Blais. “William Mckenzie did an excellent job coaching and we had excellent help with the younger fighters.” Now that the Balmoral Open is over, the club is preparing for one of the last events of the year. On April 14, the Eastern Manitoba Open Judo competition is taking place at the St. Joachim High School in La Broquerie. The event is open to all classes yellow belt and up. For the beginners this is the final tournament of the season. Blais hopes that local parents and possibly students will take in the event and consider joining the club. “There are still a lot of misconceptions about judo and sometimes watching changes that,” Blais noted. “We would like to see more students participating in this amazing sport.” This year’s Judo season will end May 5 with a tournament in Brandon, however new students are welcome to join in the fall.
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More Than Just News!
April 2012
Dawson Trail Student Wins Citizenship Award
Dawson Trail Dispatch
West Hawk Fire Hall Expands By Marianne Curtis
Dawson Trail School student Megan Gauthier (centre) recently received a Student Citizenship Award from the Manitoba School Board Association.
By Marianne Curtis A grade eight student from Dawson Trail School in Lorette was recently named as one of six outstanding students from across the province. At the Manitoba School Board Association’s 48th annual convention on March 15, six students, including Megan Gauthier from Lorette, was recognized during the organizations “Celebration of Success.” Gauthier was one of six individual students from across the province presented with Student Citizenship Awards. The awards recognized students who demonstrated leadership and citizenship in both their schools and the broader community. Gauthier was nominated for the citizenship award as a student at Dawson Trail School where she was described as the “Go-To Girl” when something needed to be done. “Being a good citizen just comes naturally and that it is something that everyone can and should be,” Gauthier said. She added that she loves to be involved in her school and community, and that it’s important to help others, not for recognition, but “just because.” Gauthier has served on the student council’s fundraising and dance committees, raised funds for the Humane Society and AIDS Awareness. She helps students with special needs as a Special Olympics volunteer and served as a school office volunteer at special events and report card time. A dedicated dancer herself, Megan also made time to volunteer as a Hip Hop instructor over her lunch hour. She also participates in the Tache Food Drive, fosters for the Winnipeg Humane Society and volunteers for the Lorette Optimist Club and community barbeque. In 2004 the Manitoba School Boards Association established a Student Citizenship Award program for public school students in Manitoba. The Awards recognize students who demonstrate their commitment to the values of citizenship through volunteer service to their community, involvement in citizenship or character building organizations, participation in student government programs or activities, or motivating others to actions which benefit the community.
Cyclist Dies from Fatal Truck Collision On Monday, March 19 at about 10 am, Steinbach RCMP as well as local emergency services, were dispatched to the scene of a fatal motor vehicle versus bicycle collision on Highway 12 about a half mile south of the Trans Canada Highway. Initial investigation indicates that an adult male was cycling southbound on Highway 12 when he was struck by a south bound 2000 GMC heavy truck.
The cyclist, a 70-year-old man from Lorette, was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased. His name will not be released. The driver of the truck was not injured. An RCMP Traffic Collision Analyst attended to assist with the investigation. Road conditions and visibility were reported to be good at the time of the collision. Alcohol and speed are not considered factors in the collision at this time.
The West Hawk Fire Department has more room to move around now that construction on a new addition to the community fire hall is nearly complete. Over the winter construction crews have been working on a 2,800 square foot addition at the West Hawk Fire Hall in West Hawk Lake, Manitoba. The $250,000 two-story addition includes an extra deep bay so the department can house rescue equipment such as all terrain vehicles, a chase truck complete with jaws of life and water rescue equipment. On the second floor the fire fighters will have a larger training area, which also doubles as an evacuation centre if needed. An additional tower will provide a place to dry fire hoses and give fire fighters a spot to train high angle rescues, explained West Hawk Fire Chief Bruce Morrison. “We are really excited about this project,” Morrison said. “We are quite proud of our department.” What makes this project significant is that it is funded mostly through private donations. Unlike most fire departments that receive tax dollar funding, the West Hawk fire department maintains charity status. Located within the Whiteshell Provincial Park, funding for the department is raised through private donations and more recently, service fees collected by Parks Canada, which limits the departments operating budget. “We’ve operated this way since the beginning; we would sooner spend our money on equipment to ensure service,” Morrison continued. He added that his
After months of winter construction, the new addition to the West Hawk Fire Hall is almost complete. Photo by Marianne Curtis
crew does not receive any stipend when responding to an emergency. Morrison said he is grateful for the hard work and dedication of his crew. “We are lucky. There are 350 year-round residents and we have 23 dedicated volunteers. They don’t do it for the money, they do it for the public safety of everyone that lives here or visits,” affirmed Morrison. “We owe big kudos to our volunteer members – the board members and the fire fighters. They are a very dedicated bunch.” The West Hawk fire department services an area which runs from the Ontario border to the RM of Reynolds boundary along the Trans Canada Hwy and part of the Whiteshell Provincial Park including Falcon Lake, Star Lake, Caddy Lake and West Hawk Lake. The West Hawk fire station also has a satellite location in Falcon Lake. Anyone interested in helping the West Hawk Fire Department can submit a donation to Box 88, West Hawk ROE 2H0 and tax receipts are available.
Grunthal Students Raise Money for Kenyan Water Students at Green Valley School in Grunthal found a unique way to raise money in support of a global humanitarian project. One hundred and twenty-five students plus 20 teachers participated in a 24-hour Walk for Water fundraising relay. The students took the initiative by creating a facebook page where each “like” equalled a one dollar and a ‘penny race’ was set up. Over a 24-hour period students, from Grades 5 to 12 carried water all night in an effort to raise money and awareness for the campaign. A fundraising waffle breakfast took place in the morning. Grunthal students raised $18,000 to support a well building project in Kenya.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
Looking for Hidden Treasure I enjoy the challenges of finding tax savings for my clients. When I meet new clients each year, I look forward to reviewing their past taxes looking for missed tax savings, or letting them know about ways to save taxes in the future. You may think you are “saving” money by having a non-professional filing your taxes (and that could include yourself), you might be missing out! I recently had a woman make an appointment to have her and her husband’s taxes completed. She always files them herself: they are pretty straight forward: some employment tax slips, some RRSP contributions; that’s about it. I was ready to tell her she could have filed them herself and then I spotted something: some un-deducted RRSP contributions: $1300. I pointed them out to her and she admitted she never would have known about them. So I found about $500 tax savings for her. I told her she could continue to file her own taxes and maybe come and see me every four to five years to make sure we weren’t missing anything. Another new client, a young man, attended trade school and worked part of the year. I was reviewing his T4 from his employer and noted he seemed to have a very high amount in box 40 – taxable benefits. I inquired and he explained a bit about what he does. I said that the taxable benefit seems very high. We talked some more, he called his employer who referred the query to the company accountant. I spoke to the accountant the next morning and we determined the “taxable benefit” was for an entire year, not for the six months he actually worked there. I found him about $3,000 in tax savings. Another new client: mother of one of my clients. I saw her Notice of Assessment from 2010 and although it was all in French, I could determine that she had some Manitoba taxes payable. Seemed odd to me based on her zero taxes payable for 2011. Can I get a copy of her 2010 taxes? She had some unused charitable donations that could have reduced her taxes. Found her $180! There may be more when I get to look at the last 10 years! (We can adjust taxes back 10 years!) Another new couple: I’m filing their taxes and asked some questions. Can I get your taxes going back to 2007 when the Pension Income Splitting came in to effect? Wow, found about $1500 from 2007 to 2010! Just from moving $2000 pension income from one spouse to the other (she is still working and they had been filing their taxes separately). The most often missed tax savings is medical expenses. New clients often comment that their previous tax preparer (father, mother, cousin, brother-in-law, another tax company or accountant) never asked them these questions: any travel into Winnipeg for special medical appointments? Are you paying for some or all of your health care premiums through work? When you travelled last year did you pay for travel health insurance? Why were you off work? Would it qualify for the disability tax credit? I see you have no employment income, but lots of medical expenses; would you be able to have a part time job and earn $3200 for the year and claim the medical expense tax rebate? Your child graduated? Congratulations! They may be able to claim the Manitoba Tuition Tax Rebate! Most tax returns for repeat customers I do a comparison to the previous year to see what we may be missing. It helps reduce some surprises from a notice of reassessment. I think you now understand I ask lots of questions; especially new clients. You walk in with a limp or a cane; you just recently had or will soon have hip or knee replacement surgery or I see you are receiving disability income. I give you the disability tax credit form. Most of the doctors in Ste Anne are used to my cover letter asking them to complete the disability tax credit for my client, their patient. Are you receiving disability income that is taxable? Did you pay for some of the premiums yourself? We can claim that as a deduction. (This is one of the most unknown deductions available). A year ago one of my new clients fortunately had all her pay stubs for the past 15+ years. We found lots of money for her by deducting the disability premiums she had paid since starting almost 20 years ago. And I also recommend saving taxes in the future. I see you have a T5 from your savings account... do you have up to $20,000 now in the Tax Free Savings Account? I see your spouse is 65+ and you are under 65, we should reduce your income if we can and maximize the Guaranteed Income Supplement. How much do you have left in your Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)? Maybe we should get more of it out now before you turn 65 and become eligible for: Guaranteed Income Supplement or full Age Amount Credit or full Old Age Security. Oh, that’s it for your RRIF? You have no more to withdraw? Then let’s use all your charitable donations in 2011 to reduce your Manitoba taxes payable now since you won’t have as much income next year. We cannot seem to use your medical expenses this year (needs to exceed 3% of your net income). Oh, you had large medical expenses last fall and January and February this year? Let’s save them for 2012: we can use any 12 month period so we can maximize your medical expenses. So don’t just get your taxes done: Get them done right! If you have already had your taxes filed; no worries: we can always do some adjustments to get some tax savings! Remember: the deadline if you owe some taxes is April 30. If you are selfemployed, the deadline is June 15. If you are expecting a refund, you have three years to file! If you owe but cannot pay, make sure you file on time to avoid the high penalties. Make arrangements with Canada Revenue Agency to get it paid in a reasonable time. Anni Markmann is a professional tax preparer and financial advisor working, living, and volunteering in our community. Contact her at 422-6631 or annimarkmann@mts.net or at her new location at 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne.
April 2012
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April 2012
Steinbach Digital Pirate Gets Sentenced
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
St-Pierre-Jolys Katamavik Program Cut By Marianne Curtis
Jonathon Donais was handed a $20,000 fine and 18 months of jail (conditional sentence) for copyright infringement, the toughest penalty yet in Canada. RCMP photos show some of the DVD-copying equipment seized from his home in Steinbach on May 13, 2010.
A Steinbach man has been handed what justice officials say is one of the harshest copyright-infringement sentences ever in the country, after RCMP busted him for running an elaborate digital bootlegging business from his basement. On March 28 Jonathon Donais, aged 30, was handed an 18-month sentence of strict house arrest and a $20,000 fine after pleading guilty in provincial court to two federal charges of copyright infringement. The maximum penalty on the books is a $1-million fine and five years in prison. From March 2006 until the May 13, 2010 RCMP raid at his home, Donais used the online alias of ‘joncrytom’ to advertise cut-rate sales of bootlegged movies, popular TV shows, music and software on a classifieds website, court heard. In their search RCMP seized computers, 11,000 CDs and DVDs and a DVD burner capable of duplicating 56 discs an hour. The court heard how Donais had customers as far away as Australia willing to skirt the law and save huge by buying his unauthorized digital copies of shows like CSI, Law & Order and The Office, court documents state. By tracing PayPal receipts, RCMP learned that Donais had pocketed in the range of $76,500 over the years, including shipping fees. Donais apparently had no clue he was under suspicion for years, ever since the RCMP caught wind of counterfeit software being sold under his online alias in 2008. The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association conducted a separate anti-piracy investigation in 2009. They set up an undercover buy of a bootlegged TV series that linked back to Donais. A few months later RCMP conducted an undercover sting in a similar fashion, a tactic leading to the raid. Prior to that, police had sifted through his trash and found evidence of his dealings.
A number of St-Pierre-Jolys organizations could feel the loss of a local Katamavik Group after the recent federal budget axed funding for the program. The 35-year old program Katamavik (Inuktitut for “meeting place); a youth volunteer-service program has been cut. The St-Pierre-Jolys participants have been active in volunteering throughout the community including at the St-Pierre Manor, Heritage Immersion School, and Real Berard School, Centre de petite enfance et de la famille (CPEF), Repos Jolys, SMILE of St-Pierre-Jolys, St-Pierre in Bloom, Youth for Christ and Precision Produce. Across Canada 500 community non-profit organizations are assisted by Katimavik volunteers doing full-time work for them and included farms and natural parks to senior’s homes. ng in The move came as a surprise to the Katimavik organization, participati g people n ely u v which says it has been kept in the dark about any upcoming o ti y c f a o roup lys to Pierre-Jo r a new g cuts. It’s National Director of Marketing and Communications, Every yea perated out of Sto Victoria Salvador has said, that the group is trying to diversify Katamavik its funding in order to stay afloat. Canada’s 2012 federal budget is eliminating the Trudeau-era youth program Katimavik, a move which is heartbreaking for at least one former participant. Katamavik was a nine-month long cross-Canada youth program established by Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s government. The Tories officially announced the end of Katimavik’s funding March 30. “Our government is committed to giving our young people the opportunities they deserve, and we will achieve that by funding programs that benefit large numbers of young people at a reasonable cost rather than concentrating available funding on a very small number of participants at an excessive per-person cost,” the federal budget states. Liberal MP Justin Trudeau called the news “terrible,” in a tweet this week. “Katimavik empowers young Canadians. So CPC hates it,” he wrote. While the federal government has cut funding to Katamavik, they have increased funding for Cadet programming. The cadet programs are the largest federally-sponsored youth organizations in Canada. Last year the Department of National Defence contributed $197.6 million to the Canadian Cadet Program and some 50,000 young Canadians took part. This includes increased support for the 307 (Stoneybrook) Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Steinbach and the 330 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Dawson in Lorette.
Snipers Named Provincial Champs
The Seine River Snipers Bantom AA team includes Jeremy Allan, Riley Beauchemin, Javon Chomini, Jonah Cook, Zachary Cumming, Justin Engel, Bradly Goethals, Alex Joyal, Matthew LeBlanc, Kai Meilleur, Alex Naske, Tyler Payjack, Mario Petit, Colin Simard, Kaynen Vaeth, Boedey Vaeth, Cole Watts with head Coach Chris Mackinnon and Assistant Coaches Colin Popham, and Allie LeBlanc.
At the beginning of March, the Seine River Snipers Bantam AA team won the Gold Medal at the Rural Bantam AA Provincials in Portage. During the tournament the team won their two games in pool play, finishing 1st overall. The Snipers then defeated league rivals Northern Knights in the semifinals 6-2 and overpowered the Southwest Jets 9-3 to capture gold. The Snipers were led offensively by forwards Riley Beauchamin, Javon Chomini and Jonah Cook who all had multi-point games in the playoff round. In net, goaltender Kaynen Vaeth shut down the high powered offences of the Knights and Jets in the semis and finals, while going undefeated for the tournament.
Tache Library now has access to eLibraries! What is eLibraries? eLibraries stands for electronic library. eLibraries Manitoba (eLM) allows patrons to download popular audio books and eBooks at any time to their personal
computers, laptops, iPhones, Kindles, Kobos, iPads or any other electronic devices. These files are accessible from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. To access the digital materials you need:A valid library card, Internet access (available at Tache Library), a computer or electronic device that meets the system requirements for the eBooks you wish to check out. If you would like more information please contact the head librarian Brandi Schmitz at btl@srsd.ca or 878-9488.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Toews Signage Vandalized
April 2012
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Dry Spring Sparks Fires in Stuartburn An unusually dry spring made perfect conditions to spark a wildfire in the RM of Stuartburn.
Vandals altered this sign located along the Trans Canada Hwy just west of the Hwy 12 interchange.
The office of Provencher MP Vic Toews is refusing comment on a recently vandalized sign of the Public Safety Minister. Sometime during the last week of March the sign located along the TransCanada Highway just west of the Hwy 12 overpass was painted with graffiti to read “Vic Toews is a bad person”. His photograph was also altered with spray on devil horns. The sign has since been covered up and is expected to be taken down immediately according to Toew’s office staff. While Toew’s staff is remaining mute on the matter, the MP has come under extreme public scrutiny after last month’s cyber attacks saw groups, like the infamous hacker activist group “Anonymous”, step up and call him out over a proposed online surveillance bill. An interim Liberal staffer was named as the culprit behind a Vikileaks30 Twitter account that surged into public prominence in the wake of the tabling of new legislation last month that would have allowed increased police surveillance of the internet and those who use it. While Toews has remained quiet about his personal life in the past, the Twitter world was exposed to details of his divorce, including many alleged affairs. “I have never responded publicly to the specific allegations made in these affidavits nor will I ever do so,” Toews stated. “I will be fully accountable for any responsibility that I bear for the breakdown of my previous marriage but that accountability is not something I owe to the public generally or to my political opponents in particular.” Despite the many personal attacks, Toews maintains he will continue to carry out his duties as Provencher MP and as the Minister of Public Safety for Canada.
Bilingual Service Centre Opens in Ste. Anne By Marianne Curtis
Provincial fire crews were called in to help local firefighters battle a couple wildfires in the RM of Stuartburn on March 22. The provincial fire commissioner’s office and Manitoba Conservation were asked by municipal officials to help out with the fire, which had started overnight and had grown to about 240 hectares (600 acres) in size. Fire commissioner David Schafer told the media that provincial crews were called in after flames started getting close to some properties. “There were various values threatened, various farm sites, etc.,” Schafer confirmed. “From what I’ve been told so far if there were any losses, they were just small out-buildings at this time; no significant losses.” Fire departments from La Broquerie, Vita, Piney and Dominion City were working with Manitoba Conservation fire crews on the ground and a single-engine air tanker was called in to drop fire retardant in the area, according to officials. The latest fire is being blamed on unseasonably warm and dry conditions in the region. Similar conditions last fall sparked grass and peat moss fires throughout the same area. Up to 160 people were temporarily evacuated from the Stuartburn area, mainly from the community of Sandilands, as fire crews battled the wildfires over the Thanksgiving weekend. The warm weather lately has prompted Schafer’s office to warn people to be cautious about fires and respect burning bans. The Rural Municipality of Stuartburn imposed a complete burn ban on March 6.
Lorette Chiropractor Appeals Sentence A chiropractor from Lorette sentenced to six months jail time and ordered to pay Canada Revenue Agency five years of back taxes is appealing her sentence. Two months ago, a judge sentenced fifty-three year old Rosalie Chobatar, also known as Rosalie Pellessier, to six months jail time and ordered her to pay Canada Revenue Agency $162,000 in back taxes. In appeal documents filed the last week of March, Chabator accuses the federal prosecutor of misconduct, saying there was a “lack of disclosure” of Crown evidence. She also claims she wasn’t given a chance to rebut the prosecutor’s allegations. Chobator is seeking a new trial and the Crown to hand over all
documentation pertaining to her “alleged crimes”. Canada Revenue Agency took Chobatar to court after her returns from 2002 to 2007 were red flagged because she was reporting “nil” as her income and signed her returns with “to the best of my knowledge without understanding. The CRA investigation determined that her actual income for that period was $802,280 and that the Federal income tax being evaded totalled $162,513. While Chobator’s case is unique because she is the first Manitoban in recent history to receive jail time for not paying her taxes, it was her court behaviour that brought the most attention to her trial. During her trial,
Tin Cup Champs 2012
authority and provides a single-window access and referrals to a wide array of business and employment information and services. Users have access to provincial staff from Francophone Affairs Secretariat, Manitoba Family Services and Consumer Affairs, Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Water Stewardship and Employment Manitoba. The bilingual service centre can provide access to permits and licences; birth, marriage and death certificate applications; financial programs and employment opportunities. Other services include employee recruitment and training tools; health and child-care options; public access to computers; and provincial park information. There are currently five bilingual service centers established in the province, including one in St-Pierre- On March 4, the best of 5 series was stretched to its limit as the Manitoba St. Jolys. The Red River Region Bilingual Malo Alouettes defeated the St. Malo Pirates to become repeat champs of the St. Service Centre has been open since Malo Tin Cup. Photo by Christine Collette 2002.
The Town of Ste. Anne, along with South Eastman Health, recently celebrated the grand opening of a new bilingual centre located within the community. The event, which took place on March 22, celebrated the completion of the Town of Ste. Anne’s office and a bilingual service center. The business center, which will provide information on provincial and community services in the Town of Ste. Anne, was made possible with a partnership between the Town of Ste. Anne and South Eastman Health. Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger was on hand for the opening. “Whether it’s an urban or a rural setting, we want people to have easy access to government information in French and English,” stated Selinger. South Eastman Health Chairperson Guy Levesque said the local health authority is pleased to have successfully partnered with the community to see this project come to fruition. “This is a well designed, practical centre that gives the community access to a wide range of important services including health services in French and English,” Levesque added. During the month of April the annual The new bilingual access site is located sugar festival will take place, held in Stwithin the new town office in Pierre-Jolys at the Cabane à Sucre (Sugar partnership with the regional health Shack).
Celebrate in the Cabane à Sucre
court heard how Chobatar allegedly had links to anti-tax crusaders claiming they don’t have to pay income tax or recognize the authority of the courts. At her sentencing on February 28, she protested the judge’s decision and authority as she was being taken into custody. “With all due respect, I do not accept this offer,” Chobotar told the judge as sheriffs detained her. “This offer is not accepted.” As part of her appeal, Chobator submitted a letter to the court, demanding $10 million in pay for serving any sentence of the court. An appeal hearing is scheduled to take place April 12.
The annual Sugaring-Off Festival is being held on April 14 and 15 from 10 am to 4 pm in the Cabane à Sucre at the Musée de Saint-Pierre-Jolys Muséum in St-Pierre-Jolys to celebrate the arrival of spring and the production of Manitoba maple syrup. Each year visitors from all over come to the festival, which is designed to
celebrate the tradition of tapping Maple tree sap to make syrup and maple butter. As part of the celebrations visitors to the Cabane à Sucre are shown how to properly tap a Manitoba Maple tree for the sweetness inside. They see the dehydrating process and are then given the opportunity to sample the finished product.
Front row: Jason Remillard, Andre Mellor, Rich Pilotte, Real Lambert, Russ Beaudette, Andre Lavack, Ralph Collette and Dave Collette. Back row: Coach Jean Maynard, Jean-Guy Gosselin, Marcel Beaudoin, Pat Gosselin, Russ Hebert, Justin Maynard, Chris Gunnerson, Darrel Dubois, and Dave Gentes.
This admission free weekend event, promises to be full of activities, including taffy on snow, an interpretive centre demonstrating the production of maple syrup, horse wagon rides, museum tours, traditional French-Canadian dining and local entertainment.
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April 2012
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Call Hydro Before Landscaping Electric power lines, natural gas within a few feet of the ground’s pipelines, communications lines, surface. If you plan on digging and other utility services could be into and/or moving any soil on your property, a simple phone call can prevent damage. Digging into an underground electric line can cause power outages and personal injury from shock or electrocution. A damaged gas pipeline or service to a house can create an explosion hazard that potentially endangers people and property. - Farmers grading ditches should be aware that over time the soil covering pipelines and cables can Stubble burning and grass fires wash away, and that the underground equipment will are often used as a means to become more vulnerable to clean up overgrown areas in the damage. spring. Before you start any - Landscapers, professional outdoor fire, be sure that all the excavators, and homeowners are safety precautions are in place. Clear the area around the base of reminded that digging holes for trees and plants is a form of any hydro poles and build fire excavating. guards to prevent damage to - If you or your contractors are poles in your burn area. Check using a machine to remove your with your municipality for driveway or sidewalk, you are regulations before you start to
Careless Grass Fires Can be Costly
burn. Burning may be effective, but it can also be costly. Every year, utility poles are burned and fires that burn out of control can potentially interrupt electrical service, not only on your own property, but to your neighbours and the entire area as well. Consider how a moment of carelessness may interrupt power to people depending on electricity for life support or critical services. Remember, as a landowner, you’re responsible for the damage caused by a grass fire and liable for the repair and replacement costs of utility poles. Prior to beginning any cleanup work outdoors, point out the location of power lines to your work crew. Bonfires should never be located directly under a power line. If flames are high enough they may damage a power line and cause a power outage. Keep safety in mind as you begin the spring maintenance chores on your property.
changing the existing soil level and should call before you dig. - Even small jobs like installing sprinklers or building fences and decks usually involves digging holes for posts. Please call Manitoba Hydro to make sure that it is safe to dig. One call for our free service can prevent service outages, equipment damage and costly repairs, as well as environmental pollution, and serious personal injury. Please call at least 48 business hours before you plan to dig, and if possible, a week in advance during the busy construction season. Remember to also call other utilities like your local telephone and cable companies. Call 480-1212 in Winnipeg, or 1888-MB HYDRO (1-888-6249376) elsewhere in Manitoba. For contact information for the other utilities in your area, visit callb4udig.mb.ca
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
April 2012
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Spring is Here!
Save Money on Energy Bills Home is where the heart is, where families grow, and generally where the most of our leisure time is spent. Working with green technology for the best insulation will keep your house warm, welcoming, comfortable and cozy -- and will save you money, all at the same time. Insulation advancements are on the horizon at all times, experts say. Expanding spray foam insulation and air barrier material protects homeowners from the harmful outdoor environment and from energyrobbing air leakage. Why are homeowners turning to spray foam insulation? Experts tell us that older insulation types, such as fibreglass, will settle, compact and sag over time, decreasing their insulation properties. Spray foam insulation is energy efficient and it has a high R-value due to its ability to seal and insulate at the same time. The spray foam solutions are created with water blowing agents and renewable and recycled content, which help reduce greenhouse gas emissions to support a healthier environment. Spray foam insulation can be used in new home construction or additions and insulation upgrades to existing homes (attics, crawlspaces) during remodeling projects. With spray foam insulation you can maintain healthy indoor air while reducing your HVAC equipment needs and saving on energy bills. In addition, homeowners can conserve construction materials without the need for excess sealing and still achieve optimal airtightness. Spray foam insulation doesn't pass off gas over time, performs at peak levels for the lifetime of your home, and, because airborne moisture is controlled, the durability of the building remains unthreatened by the growth of mold and mildew.
What does that mean for real estate? Spring is a great time to do maintenance on your home. Maintenance includes cleaning the eaves trough of debris (leaves, dirt, small plants that have started growing in that dirt), raking the lawn, painting the wood exterior (around the window trim, wood siding, deck, fence), and repairing anything that looks less than pristine. Before you invest money on upgrades it is great to get an opinion on how that will affect the resale value of your home. Travis and Eileen are able to give seasoned advice on what should be done to have peak impact on the sale ability of your property. There may be something you want in your home that may not add value. In that case you need to think about how long you will own your home and if it is still worth doing the work to put that upgrade or feature in your existing home. Maybe you expect to stay in your existing home for 10 years, you like the location and the lay out is perfect for your family, but perhaps you require another bathroom for your growing family. Weigh the pros and cons. Investing in a new bathroom often yields positive results in the long term. Plus it is helping the comfort of your family. Check with your local real estate professional for advice. We’re here to help. Until next time hope this helps and if you have any questions or you would like more information contact Travis 371-7223 or Eileen 371-0255.
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April 2012
More Than Just News!
New Homes are Getting Smaller From the early 1990s to the beginning of this century, "bigger is better" certainly was the mantra of the home-building industry. All across North America buyers could
browse among home developments boasting homes of 3,000 square feet or larger and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. But according to new data, home buyers are seeking less space today but more in green amenities. Research by the Canadian Home Builders' Association has found that many people now desire smaller homes with multipurpose rooms and energy saving features. They're not ready to trade in their two- and three-car garages just yet, though. Plus, a survey of International Furnishings and Design Association members forecasts that McMansions will become a thing of the past and more emphasis will be placed on smaller, more eco-friendly homes. Family rooms will grow larger, as will kitchens. Other rooms in the home will disappear, including the living room. Many homeowners and potential home buyers realize that with girth comes a cost. In today's fragile economy, the ability to cash in on the dream of homeownership may come at the compromise of a smaller, better-planned home. According to Tim Bailey, the manager of Avid Canada, a research and consulting firm for the building industry, "While many consumers are willing to forgo space, they are not equating this with having to forfeit functionality. Design creativity is requisite to adapt to this changing preference." Here are some things that you will and will not find in newer homes moving forward. * The dining room is becoming extinct, with larger, eat-in-kitchen/entertaining spaces the norm. The kitchen will be the main room of the home and be renamed the "kitchen lounge." * Separate rooms are evolving into spaces that serve many different purposes. * Although the sizes of bathrooms may be scaled back, the amenities will not. Spa-style bathrooms with luxurious products, high-tech features and televisions will be on the rise. * The master bedroom suite may not shrink in size, but it could be combined to form a home office and exercise space. * Expect to see more high-tech offerings, such as voice- or motion-activation devices in the home. Lighting, entertainment gear, heating/cooling systems, and even blinds could be hooked up to a master control system. * Thanks to an increasing number of people working from home, the presence of a dedicated home office is a given in newer homes. Nearly 40 percent of industry forecasters say that they expect one in every home. * Home storage solutions will also be a vital component of new homes. Builders will create clever solutions for mixing storage into more compact spaces. * With aging Baby Boomers comprising a larger segment of home buyers, expect to see more onelevel homes, or at least homes where there is a master suite and the majority of the living space on the first level. Part of what is driving this trend is the cost of homes in relation to space and the increased interest in environmental conservation. Smaller, more efficient homes require less in terms of heating and cooling energy. They need less furniture, and new materials made from sustainable products help further fuel green initiatives in the building industry. Energy efficient homes are a main priority for buyers. Although the homes may be smaller, they will not be miniscule. And home buyers can expect a host of amenities that will make the smaller size of homes barely perceptible.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
April 2012
Steinbach Prepares to do Battle with the Mosquito Mosquito season may still be a couple of months away but the City of Steinbach, Manitoba is already well on the way with planning the upcoming larviciding program this year. According to the public works department, the city will be using an environmentally friendly product called VectoBac which is a granular substance distributed by hand or with a backpack blower. The product is safe for humans, pets, fish, and most other insects, including dragonflies, which play an important role in keeping the mosquito population lower. The City will be conducting larviciding within a 3 km buffer zone of the city throughout the summer as needed,
depending on stagnant water and rain. Steinbach also plans to conduct adult mosquito control (ground-based ultra low volume spraying) if the number of mosquitoes counted in the area reaches a high level. Spraying would occur from streets and road allowances and in parks and green spaces within city limits. Ground spraying with Malathion will take place, weather permitting, during the late evening or night up to twice a week. Residents can help out by taking action to help keep the mosquito population down by eliminating standing water, keeping yards trimmed, clearing anything that may collect standing water including bird baths, eaves troughs, pool
covers, rain barrels and tires. Residents can voice their concerns or object to the City’s mosquito program in person or by mail: City of Steinbach, 225 Reimer Ave, Steinbach R5G 2J1 or email info@steinbach.ca. Homeowners that objected last year are required to register again this year. Any objections received less than two days before a scheduled fogging will take effect for the next fogging.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
East Borderland Community Housing Senior Housing Book Lorette – Wednesday, April 25 from 10 am – 12 pm at the older. Prizes and $10.00 cash for everyone. There will be bingo on the bus. Call Marilyn at 326-4939 for date information and Fair - Fundraising for Seniors complex in Sprague starting Community Services Building when Clearspring Centre opens. Starts Thursday, May 3 to Contact: Terry from Super Start at 346-7021 or just drop in. to reserve your bus seat. The next scheduled trips are April 17, May 15 and June 12. Plans are also being made for overnight Saturday, May 5. Contact email suezque@mts.net EMAIL YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT TO EDITOR@DAWSONTRAIL.CA Free monthly bus trips to the casinos of Winnipeg for a fun day trips. Rates $35 (double occupancy) $70 (single) staying at Spring Craft Fair and Gift Show Hosted by Agape House- at the Casinos. Pick up in Steinbach at 8:30 am and at Paradise the Canad Inn Club Regent Hotel and enjoy giveaways and OR FAX 204-422-8548 Saturday, May 5 from 10 am – 4 pm at the Steinbach 55 Plus Village at approximately 9 am. Must be 18 years of age or bingo on the bus trip. Call for further details. East Braintree new library books. For further information call Mona at 422- Centre. Handmade and unique gift items and products, live Easter Sunday Celebration Sunday, April 8 at 11 am. Luncheon 9958 or drop in at the library at 16 Rue de l’Église. Cost of music, a tea and dessert canteen, tons of free door prizes. to follow service. Located at East Braintree Community Church books $1-$5. Vendor registration open for artisans, crafters and giftware on the Provincial Highway 308 short distance south of #1 carriers. Contact email agapehouse@hotmail.com or call Hwy. Contact Pastor Lowell Ethier 667-0191. Southeast Manitoba Family Support Network - meets with 392-4650. other families/caregivers supporting individuals living with Kleefeld children with special needs. Focus on caregiver health and Green Drinks South Eastman - South Eastman Transition Community Playgroup - for parents, caregivers and children wellness. Free instruction to relaxation and gentle exercise Initiative presents Green Drinks South Eastman. Drop in on the ages 0-5. Activities include time for playing, stories, songs and through Pilates with instructor, Kim Koop. Invite your respite 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at the Lecoka 5-275 Main snacks. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Kleefeld worker or extended family members who share the St to grab a coffee and discuss sustainable living. Contact By Marianne Curtis Rec Centre. Contact Irene Ascough at 377-5013. responsibility. Refreshments available. Monday, April 30 starts email rebecca_hiebert@yahoo.com. at 7 pm at 32057 Greenland Road, Ste. Anne. La Broquerie Seniors (60 +) Shinny Drop-in Hockey - every Monday from The goal of the program is to provide 20 elementary classroom teachers with the PESAI Annual General Meeting – Tuesday, April 24 from 5 – Monday Night Bingos to raise funds for Stacey Pchajek 10 -11 am at Centennial Arena. Contact Bob Barrow at 392- opportunity to learn how to integrate an effective and creative visual art program 8 pm at the La Broquerie Hotel. To support innovation, Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides 3596 or email bob.r.barrow@gmail.com. in their classroom while studying the impact of an integrated workshop and diversification and value-added opportunities in Eastman/ scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating mentoring model of professional development on classroom teachers’ Interlake areas. Supper at 6:30 pm. Speaker Gerry Dube, grades 8 and 12. Children Under 14 must be accompanied by The Steinbach Rotary Club - meets every Monday at noon at Compo-Stages MB Services Co-op. Contact Paula Halabicki at an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open the Smitty’s Family Restaurant, 145 Park Road West. Contact implementation of Kindergarten to Grade 8 visual arts education. Priority for the Seine River School Division Board of Trustees in the 2011-2012 204-376-3300 or prairies.east@gmail.com. at 5:30 pm at the Seine River Banquet Centre 80 Arena Rd. Cornie at 326-3155. school year is to enhance the Arts in the division. Senior administration initiated a MGCC License # BI/BO4164. Contact: Doreen Pchajek at 204Seine River Services for Seniors- Health Centre from Monday 422-5243 or email doreen@spmf.ca. Mental health information and support sessions - for family professional development project to help elementary teachers infuse an effective to Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. Offers services and programs for and friends of people with mental health issues are held the and creative Visual Arts program into their classrooms. seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility equipment, foot Sisters of the Holy Rock fundraising concert - for Ste. Anne’s 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Eden East In September 2011, twenty classroom teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 8, care, hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yard Water and Skateboard Park Sunday, April 22 from 6 - 7 pm at building, 21 Loewen Blvd. Contact Kim at 371-0824 or email across 12 schools, were identified to participate in the program. Under the maintenance, Telecheck, the E.R.I.K. program, hair care, puzzles the Ste. Anne Catholic Church 162 Central Ave. Bake sale, 50/ eastmanmss@mts.net mentorship of a well known art educator, Mrs. Andrea Bell- Stuart, the teachers and games and Mobility equipment. Contact Community 50 draw and concert tickets: advance $15 (at Old #12 Cafe Resource Coordinator Juliette Rowan at 424-5285 or & Lounge or call 204-371-6093) or $17 at the door. MS Monthly Self-Help group meeting - for people living with will be participating in three professional learning days at The Art Junktion labseinerss@gmail.com. multiple sclerosis. The group meets on the second Thursday throughout the year. Shopping Trips: evening of each month from 6 - 7:00 pm at Fernwood Place Steinbach Each professional day is followed up by a visit for a half-day in each teacher To Winnipeg’s St-Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month, Beginner Tai Chi Classes – Registration starts Tuesday, April 3 apartments. Contact Nadine Konyk, Rural Client Services classroom by the art educator. The goal of these visits is to help teachers develop leaving at 10 am, return at 3 pm. Cost $15. Coordinator at 1-800-268-7582 or email an art friendly environment. Bell- Stuart was also maintaining a WIKI to keep in Classes from 9 – 10 am. Location TBA. Contact 326-1713. To Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of the nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. touch with the teachers and help them with their projects. Each teacher also month, leaving at 10 am return at 1 pm. Cost $10. Word Art Workshop for Women – Wednesday, April 4 from 1 – 4 pm. Collaging with words contributes to personal growth MS Lunch Group- on fourth Thursday of every month, from 12 received a copy of the book Teaching Art by Rhian Brynjolson to help them Lorette and healing. Join in for an afternoon of cutting, gluing and – 1 pm at the Village Green Restaurant. Contact Nadine Konyk, develop and further their knowledge. The first Professional Development day took place on November 4th 2011. Spring Luncheon Concert Seine Singers and Arts Exhibit - on creating. Located at Eden East building, 21 Loewen Blvd. Contact Rural Client Services Coordinator 326-1434 or email Sunday, April 22 at free Art exhibit at 12 – 4 pm and Luncheon Kim at 371-0824 or email eastmanmss@mts.net. nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. Throughout the day they talked about art as a language and how some students Concert starts at 5 pm located at the Notre Dame de Lorette work best within this discipline. Bell- Stuart gave examples of children becoming Parish Hall. Contact Arlene at 878-2016 or Iris at 878-3314. Steinbach Legion Cribbage - whether you are pro or just learning, Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba individual and support stronger writers when they have had a chance to draw and think about their Luncheon cost $20. come out for an evening of fun on Friday, April 13. Registration groups - for persons experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, stories. The teachers discussed how important it is to create classrooms that begins at 7 pm at the Steinbach Legion. Cost is $5.00/person bi-polar disorder and other mental health/emotional concerns. April is Earth Month at Bibliothèque Taché Library! Come join and includes a snack, a light lunch and prizes. Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Jake Epp support art for all of the students. They were provided examples of classroom organization around an art centre. They also looked at the importance of us April.14th for story time, snacks and crafts from 11:00amLibrary from 7 – 9 pm. Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228. organization, space and time, people and materials to give art the full attention it 12:00pm. Please register in advance to btl@srsd.ca or call Bake Sale - Steinbach CMC Bolivia Mission Team Fundraiser 878-9488. What will you do to help the earth? Plant a tree? on Thursday, April 5 from 9:30 am- 8 pm. Located at the The Bethesda Regional Healthcare Auxiliary - meets on the deserves. Recycle? Walk or ride your bike to school? We will be having Clearspring Centre. first Tuesday of every month except for the months of July and Part two of the session was the creation of portrait. When this session began, a contest for children ages 0-13, Create an original painting, August at the Bethesda Hospital. We welcome anyone teachers were taught sketching techniques such as sketching of the eyes, nose, drawing, collage or any other two-dimensional work of art that Zaac Pick and Joshua Hyslop in Concert - two acclaimed young interested in auxiliary work. Contact Verna Thiessen at 326mouth and ears, the math of the face, grayscale lesson, mixing paints, using different shows what you will do to help the earth for the year. Entry Vancouver singer-songwriters to perform folk tunes on 3028. kinds of brushes for creating line and brush strokes to create texture, color wheelDeadline will be April. 28th, Prizes! Thursday, April 5 at the Oak Ridge Cafe. Cost $10 Contact the Carillon Toastmasters - meetings are open to adults who want complimentary colors, analogous colours, warm and cool colors, shadow, light, Cafe at 326-1015 for tickets. Mitchell to improve their leadership and communication skills. Meetings painting techniques and contrast. Much of the day spent was painting their selfBreakfast and Social - every Tuesday morning, 7:30 - 9:00 am 2012 Spring Camp for the Steinbach Pistons - from April 13 to are held on Thursday evenings starting at 7 pm at the Jake Epp portraits by looking in mirrors. At the end of the day the teachers defined effective except the last Tuesday of the month when the social is held 15. Cost of the camp is $110 and includes a Pistons practice Library, 255 Elmdale Street. Guests are welcome without ways to talk to children about their art. instead. Lunch starts at noon at the Mitchell and Area Seniors jersey. Each player will be assessed over a minimum of 4 advance notice. Measuring the effectiveness of this professional development model is critical. Centre. Contact 326-6944. games. Located at the TG Smith Centre. Contact email A research-action component was added to the project to collect evidence. Under The Steinbach and Area Lions Club meets on the second and paul.dyck@steinbachpistons.ca or call 346-1604. Soup and Pie Fundraiser -New Hope Christian School on Friday, fourth Wednesdays every month starts at 6:30 pm at the the direction of Francine Morin, Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba the program is monitored by post graduate students. The teachers have to fill surveys April 13 from 6 – 7 am at the Mitchell Senior Centre. Contact Family and Local History Day – on Saturday, April 14 from 9:30 Magnolia Restaurant. Contact 326-2313. Jenneth Hildebrand 377- 9556 before and after each professional development day. Evidence is also collected am – 4 pm. Genealogical records and family history displays and demonstrations. Trace your family history! Presentations Canadian Blood Services - is asking Steinbach and area through observations at the Art Junktion and in the teachers’ classrooms. Niverville by Glen Klassen, Henry Fast, and MHV Curator Roland Sawatzky. residents to support patients in need by donating at the Thursday The last component of this project is for the participants to meet and engage in Niverville Coop Preschool registration 2012-13 – Tuesday, Lunch available. Located at the Mennonite Heritage Village blood donor clinic from 12:30 – 3:30 pm and 5 -8 pm. To a dialogue with an artist. Research in art education indicates that this is one of the April 10 from 7 - 8 pm in the nursery school classroom. Use #12 Hwy. schedule an appointment or for further information contact 1 most effective ways to give teachers a sense of what a creative art program can west entrance by the swings. Contact email Irene at 888 DONATE (1 888 236 6283). Located at Steinbach ncpreschool@gmail.com or call 392- 2257. Miss Universe Canada - Bake Sale Fundraiser on Friday, April Evangelical Mennonite Church Gymnasium, 422 Main Street. look like in the classroom. On November 4th our teachers had the opportunity to meet Frank Mikuska, a 20 from 5 -9 pm and Saturday, April 21 from 9 am – 4 pm at Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with children up to age six the Clearspring Centre. Funds raise support Amanda-Lee Bordun Meetup Group for Women Solo-Entreprenuer group helps you prolific visual artist who started producing abstract paintings as part of the Modern Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 am located in the lower a competitor in the Miss Universe Canada competition. Contact connect with other women who are passionate about growing movement in the 1950s. This meeting proved challenging to the teachers since level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62 4th Avenue S.). Free email amandalee.missuniversecanada@hotmail.com their business, lead by Doreen Penner and meets monthly for they had limited experience with abstract art. drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, along with 1 hour. Free, except for food and beverage. Contact and to The cost of this program for 20 teacher substitutes is comprised of $200 for 3 a large open space for the kids to play while the moms visit. The Birdcage – on Friday and Saturday, April 20 - 21, starts at register Doreen at 392-2698. days, in-service days at $500 per day, classroom support for 60 days at $200 per Contact Karen at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com. 7:30 pm at the Mennonite Heritage Village Auditorium. The day, materials (including donations to Arts Junktion) $1,000, text books at $1,000, play is about Armand and Albert who have built the perfect life Steinbach AA 12 Step Recovery Program - Meetings are held Community Garage Sale- Two day event starts Saturday, April for themselves tending to their gaudy Miami drag-club. Tickets on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Steinbach United Church, 541 Main travel by artists and honorarium $1,000 and action-research at $3,000 for a total 28. cost of $31,500 or $1,575 per teacher. $15 available at the Mennonite Heritage Village Auditorium St. Ring the front door bell. in person or by phone at 326-9661. This program is innovative and is part of an action-research project to document Richer Young moms to be - bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pm its effectiveness. The design is based on the research of effective ways to teach art Supper and Old-time Dance - Saturday, April 21 from 5 -11 pm Robin Hood - The Southeast School of Dance recital - on at Anna’s House B-11, Hwy 12N. For more information contact and is directed by a respected art educator. Since the project is part of school board at the Richer Young at Heart Community Centre. Entertainment Saturday, April 21, two show times at 2 pm and 7 pm at the 346-0413. priorities it has the ongoing potential to impact more than the current 450 students, Buckskin & Satin, supper starts at 6 pm. Tickets $17.50. Contact SRSS Theatre 190 McKenzie Ave. Contact SAC for tickets 346in 20 classrooms and 12 schools across the division. The Seine River School Ralph or Irene at 422-5932, Julienne at 422-5662 or Pauline 1077. General at 422-6422 for tickets. Everyone is welcome. The Super Start Program, A Healthy Baby program run through Division Board of Trustees maintains that this is a very sustainable project and Steinbach Healthy Living Show – on Tuesday, April 24 from 10 South Eastman Health/Sante-Est Inc., will be holding a could, in just few years introduce most of their division’s elementary teachers and St. Pierre-Jolys am – 5 pm at Mennonite Heritage Village Museum. monthly group session. This is a program for pregnant women students to a quality art program delivery. Weigh To Go – a weight loss support group that meets every Showcasing local businesses that offer health and fitness- and families with infants up to one year of age. Each session Monday to end of June at 6:15 pm, at the Health Corner related services. Noted speakers like clinical herbalist Dr. Terry includes song and rhyme time, discussions and games on DeSalaberry Hospital. Willard and nutritional expert Brad King will also be on hand topics related to healthy babies and healthy moms. Included are door prizes, nutritious snacks and milk coupons for all to talk about timely health topics. Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba – Support group participating expectant moms or mothers who have babies up meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7 pm. Happy Feet Day Care Fundraiser – Starts Friday, April 27 to to six months of age. Next month our session will be held at: Located at the Health Corner DeSalaberry Hospital. Contact Saturday April 28 starting at 9 am at the Clearspring Centre. Grunthal – Tuesday, April 3 from 10 am - 12 pm at the Family Judy Dunn 444-5228. Hundreds of gently used clothing and children’s items. Contact Hut in South Oaks School Blumenort – every 1st Thursday, April 5 from 10 am - 12 pm at Angela at 392-2288. Crow Wing Arts Council - Spring Art Exhibit - The first annual the Blumenort EMC Church On March 22nd at approximately 11 pm, the Steinbach RCMP detachment, Spring Art Exhibit will take place at the St. Pierre Museum from An Adventure in Neverland - Theatre Recital on Friday, April 27 Niverville – Tuesday, April 10 from 10 am – 12 pm at the 4th along with Steinbach RCMP Traffic Services and Sprague RCMP Detachment, Saturday, April 14 – Sunday, April 15, during the Sugaring Off starts at 7 pm at the SRSS Theatre. Presented by the Backyard Avenue Bible Church responded to a Sexual Assault complaint in the City of Steinbach. Festival. Free Admission. Contact email crowwing@live.ca. Theatre Company at the SRSS Theatre. Contact SAC for tickets Ste. Anne – Every 2nd Wednesday, April 11 from 10 am – 12 Two 17-year-old females were walking on Barkman Avenue near Main Street pm at the Ste. Anne Dayspring Fellowship Church 346-1077. Ste. Anne Kleefeld – Every 2nd Thursday, April 12 from 10 am - 12 pm at when an unknown male riding a bicycle grabbed one of the females on the breast and then rode off. The suspect is described as a Caucasian male with a thin build Ste-Anne Hospital Fund Online Auction- Starts Tuesday, April Pick up and Walk community clean up event - on Saturday, the Kleefeld Recreation Centre and short black hair. The suspect was wearing a green shirt and black dress pants. 3 to 13. To help fund construction projects of a new operating April 28th. Volunteers are to sign up at their local church and Sprague – Discontinued room and patient’s lounge. Contact 422-8837. then meet at the TG Smith Arena at 9 am. Free B’que lunch is St. Pierre-Jolys – Thursday, April 19 from 10 am - 12 pm in the The bicycle is described as a “10-speed” style bicycle with curved handlebars. provided at noon following the clean up. In case of rain, the St. Pierre Health Corner, 354 Prefontaine Ave. Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying this person. Police Bibliothèque Ste Anne Library Used Book Fundraiser – Sale event will take place on May 12th. Contact Grace Hiebert at Ste. Agathe- Every 4th Tuesday, April 24 from 10 am - 12 pm believe this is an isolated incident and is continuing to investigate. of huge selection of used book proceeds will be used towards 326-9020, ext 229. at the Ste. Agathe Hall
Seine River Educators Aim to Teach Art
Sexual Assault Suspect Sought
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Bethesda Auxiliary Hosts Successful Sale
Carriere to Conquer Carstensz Summit By Marianne Curtis
Nine-year-old Byrson Hiebert of Blumenort had a lot to choose from when he searched for the perfect book during this year’s annual Bethesda Hospital Auxiliary book sale. Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis Thousands of used books found new homes during the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary’s annual spring sale which took place in the middle of March. Hundreds of book lovers from throughout the region came out in droves to support the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary. This year’s event, which took place from March 21 to 24 at the Clearspring Mall in Steinbach raised over $14,000. Prior to the sale the ladies from the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary collected thousands of books and other reading materials for resale. Money raised during the resulting four day book sale is earmarked for the purchase of a resuscitation unit that will be used in Bethesda Hospital’s recovery unit. The resuscitation unit is expected to cost about $40,000. Verna Thiessen, from the Bethesda Auxiliary, is pleased with this year’s event. “This year it seemed harder than other years as we did not have as many volunteers but it was still very good,” explained Thiessen. “We appreciate the many people that volunteer to sort or sell, donate books to the event and those who come and buy. We are very grateful.” Over the years the Bethesda Hospital Auxiliary has hosted several successful sales which have risen over $200,000 for medical equipment deemed necessary for patient comfort or safety but not funded through Manitoba Health programs.
Help Needed with Canadian Food Grains Bank The local Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB) project H.E.L.P. (Helping Everyone Live Properly) will be holding an open house on Sunday, April 22 at 2 pm at the Cabane à Sucre in St-Pierre-Jolys. According to Gerald Lahaie, with H.E.L.P., the meeting will consist of a question and answer period about the program. A presentation will also be made by Roberta Gramlich who will explain the how the partnership works with Development and Peace. “We believe that positive results have been achieved in needy countries as a result of these contributions,” stated Lahaie. Development and Peace (The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace) is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church. Development and Peace has supported 15,200 local initiatives in fields such as agriculture, education, community action as well as the consolidation of peace and advocacy for human rights in 70 countries. In 2011, the local H.E.L.P. group designated 50 percent of its profits in the amount of $20,000 to Development and Peace. These funds were matched 4 to 1 by The Canadian International Development Agency for a total of $100,000.
Spray Paint Vandalism On March 23 at approximately 9 am, Steinbach RCMP received a report of vandalism that occurred overnight inside the stairwell of an apartment complex off of Loewen Boulevard in Steinbach. Culprit(s) spray painted the walls and damage is estimated at being in the hundreds of dollars. Steinbach RCMP advises that this is the third complaint of a similar nature received over the last week. One of the other incidents involved the spray painting of two fences, however the responsible youths were apprehended by the owner and the matter was dealt with accordingly. The other incident involved the spray painting of the Backstage building. No suspect(s) have been apprehended in these matters. RCMP continues to investigate these complaints and is following up on all leads available. RCMP would like to remind the public to make a strong effort to clean up any graffiti in a timely fashion after notifying police as leaving the graffiti visible may lead to more spray painting vandalism. If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at (204) 326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or manitobacrmestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).
After spending the winter preparing, an Ile Des Chênes man is on his way to conquering his fourth highest mountain in the world. On April 2 Dean Carriere will be on his way to Papau, Indonesia to take on the 16,023 foot high Carstensz Pyramid. The Carstensz Expedition is part the mountaineer’s dream to climb all seven of the world’s highest mountains. “This will definitely be an Indiana Jones style of climb and experience,” stated Carriere a few days before he left. “I will be back near the end of April.” The Carstensz Pyramid located in Papua New Guinea is a large limestone escarpment jutting out above the rainforest. It is considered to be one of the most remote of the seven summits. According to Carriere, the journey consists of a trek through the wet rainforest jungle for five days to get to the base and five days to return. The level of rock climbing difficulty on Carstensz is up to 5.8 for short steps but most of the climbing is scrambling. “It is important that you have basic rock climbing skills and are comfortable with rappelling and jumaring,” Carriere continued. “In the past climbers have been faced with many obstacles. They include the impassable jungle, the confrontation with tribes and problems with the guerilla freedom movement.” The presence of the world’s largest goldmine (Grasberg), the unwillingness of Freeport of Indonesia, the never ending bureaucracy and insistence of having the number of necessary permits make climbing the mountain a daunting task, Carriere noted. Carriere has already proved to be up to the challenge. To date he has reached the summits of Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Denali. In July he plans to conquer Elbrus in Russia, in December Vinson Massif in the Antarctica and Everest next year. Anyone wanting to be part of this excited adventure can check out Dean’s progress and plan at deancarriere.com.
Niverville Recruiting for Summer Workers The Town of Niverville, Manitoba announced its 2012 Summer Recruitment Initiative for the Public Works Department. The town is seeking qualified candidates to fill the seasonal summer positions of Parks Maintenance and Public Works Maintenance. In order to be eligible for all summer employment opportunities with the town, you must be legally entitled to work in Canada, registered as a full-time post secondary student returning to school on a full-time basis in the next academic year, able to work weekends and must have a valid driver’s license. Interested applicants are invited to forward their resume to the Town of Niverville, Box 267, Niverville, Manitoba, R0A 1E0 or e-mail reception@whereyoubelong.ca.
April 2012
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Gala Arts Fundraiser Planned On April 27 the Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) is organizing their annual fundraising gala. The event called “Celebrate the Arts” in Diamonds and Denim is taking place at the Friedensfeld Community Centre. According to Shannon Neufeld, this year’s gala boasts a new theme and location. “This is the primary fundraiser for the Steinbach Arts Council,” explained Neufeld. “By supporting the local community arts centre people can help us enhance the quality of life in our community through the arts.” This year’s theme is diamonds and denim so those in attendance can wear glitz and glitter, denim, or both. Those in attendance can expect an evening filled with delicious food , wonderful friends, great entertainment and dancing. Cocktails start at 5:30 followed by a full course meal and dessert. Entertainment will be provided by surprise celebrity guests who are expected to provide ‘homegrown quintessential Texan’ entertainment. There will also be a jewelry tom bola and a fine art auction. Call 346-1077 to reserve a seat, or book a table of 8. Early bird specials are available until April 6th.
Province Opens Door for Bus Service Expansion The province will amend the rules governing scheduled intercity bus service that could help sustain the service for Manitobans on key routes and offer greater flexibility for carriers. For the past couple of years the province has partnered with Greyhound Canada to maintain service on non-profitable routes until a long-term solution could be developed. The expired agreement had provided up to $3.9 million to Greyhound until March 31. The province has extended this agreement until July 1 when the new rules take effect and new carriers can enter the market. The proposed changes would allow intercity bus companies to go where the service is needed, provide new business operators easier access to the market and include opportunities for community-led, non-profit companies that want to serve passengers. Under the reformed regulatory framework, the role of the Board will focus on ensuring that scheduled carriers provide adequate public notice of changes in schedules and fares and service discontinuances. Carriers will determine their routes, schedules, and service levels. Currently there are two Greyhound routes servicing eastern Manitoba starting in either Sprague or West Hawk Lake going to and from Winnipeg.
Construction Season Begins in Steinbach The City of Steinbach is getting ready for the summer construction season by awarding $1.9 million in capital projects to Darco Enterprises of Winnipeg. The projects, totaling $1,929,760, include sidewalk construction on the south side of McKenzie Avenue, sidewalk construction on the east side of Giesbrecht Street, asphalt overlay on Pine Crescent, and parts of Reimer Avenue, Penner Street, Chapel Drive, and Chrysler Gate. Also included in the tender was the wastewater sewer, water main, and road reconstruction on Spruce Crescent and water main renewal on Reimer Avenue. In addition, the Industrial Road East construction project was awarded to Maple Leaf Construction for the tendered amount of $2,569,558.70. This project involves the extension of the roadway from Acres Drive to Park Road West to accommodate further business development in Steinbach’s Industrial Park.
Lorette Student Named Tri-Star Athlete A Lorette student recently became the second athlete from the region to be named as one of this month’s Tri-Star athletes. Kevin Holden of the Lorette Scorpions Hockey team was named as the Tri-Star Rural High School Athlete of the Week in March by the Manitoba High School Athletic Association. The grade 12 centre helped the Lorette Collegiate’s Scorpion hockey team capture the Winnipeg Free Press Division hockey championship at the beginning of March. In six play-off games he had nine points, including two game winning goals and a shoot-out goal in the championship game. Lorette Scorpions coach, Laird Laluk had high praise for the star athlete. “Kevin is a role model for the younger players in our hockey program,” stated Laluk. “He has the Kevin Holden of the Lorette attitude that not only wins a hockey championship, Scorpions. but makes for success in life.” Holden is also an active player in the school’s basketball program while maintaining a 95 percent academic average. The Manitoba High School Athletic Association names two students per week as their Tri-Star Rural Athlete and Athlete of the Week. Students are chosen from all of the province’s high schools and competition is fierce.
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April 2012
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch