Dawson Trail Dispatch August 2021

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Lemonade Fundraiser Supports Kid with Cancer Since 2018, Brooke Peters and Koda Reimer have been holding fundraisers for families dealing with cancer. This July the cousins held their fourth Iced Tea Stand and Bake Sale, breaking their previous record in the process.

This year the cousin’s raised $13,000 for the Hiebert family whose 6-year old son Marek has battled cancer for a year.

Provencher MP Ted Falk took a few minutes out of his schedule to pay a visit. “I had the privilege to stop by and support Brooke Peters and Koda Reimer’s fundraiser for Marek Hiebert who is fighting cancer,” said Falk. “These two girls were selling baked goods and juice again.”

Submitted photo

Teen Fiddler Performs for Residents

Photo by Marianne Curtis

On July 24, residents at the Vita Personal Care Home were treated to an afternoon of live music featuring fifteen year old fiddle player Zenon Horbec. The talented teenager along with the band Ukie Fusion dug out their Ukrainian instruments and got the crowd going with traditional Ukrainian polkas and the infamous Melanka.

August 2021

Local Community Organizations Get Grants to Increase Vaccination Rates Two local groups were among a list of sixteen recent recipients of funding for programming from the #ProtectMB Community Outreach and Incentive Grants bringing the total funding provided to community groups to nearly $600,000 to help reduce vaccine hesitancy and protect Manitobans.

In St. Pierre-Jolys, Manoir St. Pierre Inc will be holding an Outreach event with their funding grant. The second grant went to Providence University College and Theological Seminary (Providence). They used the funds to host an online meeting called Vaccines, Restrictions, and the Church: A Zoom Panel Conversation which was attended by 120 people.

The first round of grants took place last month, and in June, Steinbach Community Outreach made the first list of grant approvals when they received funding to host a vaccine promotional BBQ. The #ProtectMB Community Outreach and Incentive Grants offer funding of up to $20,000 to Manitoba organizations, businesses, churches and others who work in and with low vaccine-uptake communities to help increase their uptake. The second round of grants includes 16 awards that bring total funding to almost $600,000.

The program has seen success with more than 700 organizations expressing interest and more than 140 applications submitted to date. The province is actively encouraging new applications from rural and southern Manitoba, youth-serving agencies and organizations that serve people with disabilities.

Another initiative known as the Vax to Win Lottery, a creative incentive offering up to $2 million in prizes for people who choose to be vaccinated will soon make its first draws. The lottery is secure, confidential and open to everyone who is vaccinated with their first shot on or before August 2.

August 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Steinbach’s Event Centre Receives Funding Green Light

Supplied photo From left to right: MLA Kelvin Goertzen, Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk, MLA Reg Helwer, Deputy Mayor Michael Zwaagstra, and Grant Lazaruk, President of Southeast Event Centre Inc.

By Marianne Curtis The entertainment community is celebrating the announcement that the City of Steinbach will receive $17.5M in grant funding from the federal and provincial governments under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for the construction of the Southeast Event Centre. This is the final funding component required to move forward with the $42.5M project.

Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk said this is a historical moment for Steinbach. “This is a historic moment for Steinbach, made possible by the largest investment partnership between the public and private sector and resulting in recreation, arts, economy, and culture all together in one space benefiting everyone in the southeast region,” said Funk.

Back in October 2019, the City committed $10 million to the project before applying for funding under ICIP, and approved the use of land in and around the T.G. Smith Centre. The City also partnered with Southeast Event

Centre Inc. who has pledged to raise the remaining $15M in private funding confirmed Grant Lazaruk, President of Southeast Events Centre Inc. (SEC).

“Facilities like the Steinbach Event Centre we’re announcing today bring people together to learn, to connect, to grow. This Centre is an essential piece of Steinbach’s downtown renewal, and a vital part of the region’s culture and recreation infrastructure with a multi-generational approach to community programming,” said, MP Terry Duguid.

“Local leaders and residents have dreamed of a new event centre for many years,” said MLA Kelvin Goertzen. “As a place where we could cheer on our favourite team, hear local performers and hold special events.”

“Today is an exciting day for Steinbach and southeastern Manitoba,” said Lazaruk.

“We are grateful for our partnership with the City of Steinbach, and we are thrilled to see the provincial and federal governments join us to help create an event centre that is

accessible and inclusive for everyone in our region.”

Under an expected operating agreement, SEC Inc. will manage the facility while the city retains ownership ensuring the centre as a long-term community asset.

The proposed facility includes a main venue that can be used for concerts, events, ice sports, tradeshows, and ceremonies with 2,400 spectator seats as well as a 500 seat multi-use hall/gymnasium and atrium.

The Events Centre will be located downtown, replacing the current Centennial arena, and connecting to the existing community plaza, T.G. Smith arena, Steinbach Curling Club, and theatre.

The downtown location is in line with the City’s Official Community Plan, maintains downtown as a dynamic, public space, and realizes significant construction benefits from existing infrastructure and services. The facility design also provides for ample parking.

Construction on the new facility is expected to begin summer 2022 at the earliest.

Landmark Sees Expanded Child-Care Options Bob Lagassé, MLA for Dawson Trail recently highlighted the expansion of child-care options available to the community in Landmark with the completion of the Legacy Children’s Centre.

The new Legacy Children’s Centre was developed and constructed by the Heartland Community Church as an addition to

the existing church structure.

The total cost for this project was over $733,000, with more than $286,000 contributed by the province through the Early Learning Child Care (ELCC) Building Fund. The 1,192 square foot centre will create 32 new licensed pre-school spaces, and were approved for $14,000 in start-up grants and $133,000 in annual operating grant funding.

“Our PC government is committed to expanding child care options for families across the province,” said MLA Lagassé. “I am pleased to see this project come to completion. Congratulations to the Heartland Community Church for this tremendous achievement and thank you for your hard work and dedication to this project.”

Read the Dispatch online at www.dawsontrail.ca

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Tache Wants By-Law Enforcement

On July 21, the RM of Tache approved their new Rural Municipality of Taché By-law Enforcement Services Contract with a call for proposals to be received by the deadline of August 13.

Council noted that the RM of Taché is a growing community of approximately 12,000 people and requires dedicated part-time and on call by-law enforcement services. For the interest of fairness and consistency, the municipality has put forward a Request for Proposal to By-law Enforcement Services within the Municipality.

According to the contract, the RM of is looking for qualified service providers to enforce Municipal bylaws for a period of three years, to be re-evaluated after 12 months. The Agreement is anticipated to commence on October 1, 2021, or such other date as may be mutually agreed to in writing.

Not to be confused with policing, By-law Enforcement will include bylaws like unsightly property, derelict vehicles, zoning, noise plus provincial Offences

InterMunicipal Project Gets Funds An inter-municipal project between the RM of Stuartburn and the RM of Franklin received a green light thanks to both federal and provincial funding investments.

On July 26, the province announced more than $76.6 million in joint federal-provincial funding for 17 projects to improve municipal transportation infrastructure in Manitoba. The funding will go toward various projects such as road renewals and upgrades, bridge replacements, airport runway rehabilitation, and flood prevention infrastructure.

This means that joint federal and provincial funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program will support 17 municipal transportation infrastructure projects in Manitoba. These projects are expected to create jobs, improve road safety, and ensure long-term sustainable infrastructure while building strong and well-connected communities.

One of the seventeen projects approved was presented by the RM’s of Emerson-Franklin and Stuartburn for the Prawda School Road Inter-municipal Bridge.

In a three way partnership, they are getting $468,540 in federal funding and $260,274 from the province to add to their $52,086 portion to replace the Prawda School inter-municipal bridge.

The Government of Canada is investing over $48.9 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Manitoba is funding more than $27.7 million.

Project recipients, including municipalities and First Nations, are contributing over $15.4 million in total towards eligible project costs for their respective projects, which overall represent a combined infrastructure investment of $92 million.

Act By-law and any other by-law infraction that the municipality deems enforceable.

RM of Tache councillor Steven Stein said council is discussing policing issues but this bylaw gives the municipality a means to deal with bylaw infractions in a more expedient way.

“Presently it can take up to two months to get enforcement on something as simple as cutting the grass,” explained Stein.

The municipality has already been looking at the numbers for additional policing in Lorette and it would cost approximately $600 per year per resident on property taxes.

“We won’t be moving ahead with that price tag, however we are going to keep on the RCMP for more presence within the RM,” Stein added. “Know that the St. Pierre detachment only has 15 offi-

August 2021

cers which doesn’t equate to 24-hour service.”

Services provided by the bylaw enforcement officers would include the enforcement of the Municipality’s bylaws whether by voluntary action or enforcement procedures as outlined in the individual bylaws or ticketing under the Municipality’s Provincial Offenses Act By-law.

August 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Justin Trudeau’s Inflation Nation Many Canadians are too young to remember the high interest rates of the 1980s.

Others remember those days all too well. The days when the price of the average Canadian home was well under $100,000—a dream for many prospective homebuyers today—but interest rates topped 19%. In the early 1980s the mortgage payment for a $189,000 home was roughly $2,200 per month—half the price but double the payment from today.

There were numerous factors that contributed to the high inflation/interest rates of the 1980s but one of them was that during the 1970s Pierre Trudeau tripled government spending, running large deficits.

Fast forward forty years and we are on the brink of a “like father, like son” repeating of history.

While interest rates are unlikely to ever again rise to the levels of the 1980s, a simple trip to the grocery store is enough to tell us that inflation is alive and well in Justin

Trudeau’s Canada—inflation that will only get worse if Canada stays on its current financial track.

Anyone who has been to the grocery store lately, let alone bought a new home—or for that matter a sheet of plywood—will tell you the cost of living in Canada has shot up dramatically in the past year while the buying power of their dollar has shrunk.

This inflation is a direct result of the hundreds of billions of deficit dollars the Liberal Government is pumping into the economy, and their failure to target stimulus money to engines that drive economic growth.

Long before anyone had ever heard of COVID-19, Conservatives were sounding the alarm bell about the state of Canada’s finances under Justin Trudeau and the Liberals.

Our previous Conservative Government handled the worst financial crash since the Great Depression, came out the other side in better shape than any other G-7 country and, a mere six years later, left the incoming Trudeau Government a balanced budget.

Instead of building off our success, the Liberals raised taxes and

took on debt to pay for their out of control spending.

It took decades to clean up Trudeau senior’s fiscal mess.

Just in time for Trudeau Junior to come on the scene and wipe out that work with a debt mess of his own.

By 2019, nearly half of Canadians were already within $200 a month of not being able to pay their bills or service their debt.

Today, because of government COVID-19 emergency programs and benefits, many Canadians are—in a sense—doing better, financially, than ever before. But government programs cannot be sustained at the current level, and the levels of debt the Liberals have taken on to pay for them is serving to devalue the buying power of those dollars.

As a result, coming out of COVID, these new increases to the cost of living will be financially crippling for many families.

To make matters worse, the most obvious cure for inflation is for the Bank of Canada to raise interest rates—a move that some economists already see as long overdue.

There is a reason that Conservatives are forever harping about

debt and deficits.

Despite the governing philosophy of the new political left, you cannot borrow/print money and spend your way into prosperity.

That’s not how life works.

Canada’s Conservatives understand the kitchen table issues facing Canadian families in a way Justin Trudeau never could.

We have a plan to secure Canada’s economy, and to balance the budget within ten years.

We’ve done it before, and we can do it again.

We have to do it, before it’s too late.

For more information on this or any issue please feel free to contact my office toll free at 1-866333-1933 or at 204-326-9889.

Visit me on Facebook at Facebook. com/TedFalkMP. You may also write my office at 9A-90 Brandt St, Steinbach MB, R5G 0T3 or visit my website at tedfalk.ca.

Child Care Search Tool Expanded Dear Constituents, I was pleased to recently tour new Legacy Children’s Centre with Families Minister Rochelle Squires.

The new Legacy Children’s Centre was developed and constructed by the Heartland Community Church as an addition to the existing church structure. The total cost for this project was over $733,000, with more than $286,000 contributed by the province through the Early Learning Child Care (ELCC) Building Fund.

The 1,192 square foot centre will create 32 new licensed pre-school spaces, and were approved for $14,000 in startup grants and $133,000 in annual operating grant funding.

Congratulations to the Heartland Community Church for this tremendous achievement and thank you for your hard work and dedication to this project.

I am also pleased to highlight that our provincial government is formally launching a new tool with enhanced features to help families more

easily access early learning and childcare services. After launching the Manitoba Child Care Search (MCCS) in August of last year, as a response to the needs of families during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has proven to be an effective and easy-to-use tool for parents.

As such, we have decided to expand the MCCS and retire the Online Child Care Registry that is currently in place. The MCCS is a user-friendly online tool that connects families with licensed childcare facilities to meet their immediate or future needs. The MCCS lists up-to-date information on licensed childcare centre vacancies, hours of operation, and locations. For more information on the Manitoba Child Care Search, visit manitoba.ca/fs/ childcare/occr/child-care.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Manitobans for coming together and doing what was needed to help stop the spread of COVID-19. It has been a difficult year for us all, but we are beginning to recover from the effects of it, as we continue to ease public health restrictions and regain a sense of normalcy. I

look forward to getting back out in the community, attending local events, such as fall suppers and festivals, and just chatting with constituents.

I would also like to encourage all Manitobans to get vaccinated against COVID-19. All Manitobans aged 12 and up are eligible to book an appointment to be vaccinated for first and second doses. For more information and to book an appointment, please visit protectmb.ca/ or call 1-844626-8222. For more updates and information, visit my website at boblagasse.com.

For more updates and information, visit my website at boblagasse.com. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out and contact my constituency office at ca.lagasse@ outlook.com or 204-807-4663.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

All Options Examined to Help Those Impacted by Drought Dry weather and lack of precipitation is affecting many parts of our province. Manitobans in southern and central Manitoba are seeing below normal to wellbelow normal precipitation levels causing extremely dry conditions.

These dry conditions are causing many concerns for Manitobans; the lack of water in our lakes, rivers, streams, wells and community reservoirs has led to hardships for many Manitobans.

Especially hard hit has been our agricultural community. Drought conditions are having a detrimental impact on both the crop and livestock sectors. Agriculture plays an important role in Manitoba’s economy, and when farmers are hurting, it impacts all of us.

Our PC government has been working with other provinces and the federal government to help farm families coping with these extreme weather conditions. Last

week the Agriculture and AgriFood Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler announced the first of the initiatives available through Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s (MASC), the Hay Disaster Benefit Program.

Due to the extremely dry conditions and low levels of precipitation and dugout levels, another program available to livestock producers is the Funding for Management of Surface and Ground Water Sources for Livestock on Pasture.

Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding is provided through the Managing Livestock to Riparian Areas beneficial management practice (BMP) under Ag Action Manitoba-Assurance.

Eligible items include water source development, constructing new or rehabilitating existing wells or dugouts, solar, wind or grid-powered

alternative watering systems, permanent fencing to restrict livestock access to surface water and dugouts and permanent pipeline development.

Applications for the next intake will be received until September 1. Details for this program are available at gov. mb.ca/agriculture/canadian-agricultural-partnership/pubs/guidebook/ag-action-mb-programguide-for-farmers.

Our government is working with industry partners including MBP, KAP, AMM, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Associations and others to look at all options to support producers.

For information on this and other government programs, please contact your nearest MASC office.

On another topic, I would like to congratulate Manitobans for doing their part in the ‘4-3-2-One Great Summer’ Reopening Path. Due to

the increased vaccination rates across the province, Manitoba implemented the second phase of the plan on July 17, two weeks early.

I would encourage those that have not been vaccinated to get the shot so Manitobans will be able to enjoy less restrictions when the current health orders expire on August 7.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you with your questions or concerns. I can be reached at my constituency office at 204-424-5406 or at dennis.smook@leg.gov.mb.ca.

The Petri Dish of the Unvaccinated More than ever our war with COVID-19 is proving to be a very difficult endeavor.

The variants have proven to be formidable against populations that sometimes appear to be indifferent to the mayhem caused by this very adaptable virus.

Each successful variant we’ve seen so far has caused a growing urgent need for more of us to roll up the sleeve, but collectively we appear all too often cavalier and detached from reality.

Our neighbours to the south of us have even managed to introduce politics and masks and injections into the mix. Whether we like it or not the border may not be enough to keep them at bay; it won’t keep a virus at bay.

I feel that from the word go we should have introduced the “war measures act”. With the casualties we have sustained it certainly feels like a war.

The rules needed in another or, our next pandemic situation should be hammered out now. The objective would be that the virus must be isolated.

The lesson we will have learnt

from this pandemic is that politics cannot mix with managing a war.

The mRNA vaccines have been around for decades and can now be produced very quickly. Vaccinations, testing and isolation are the tools to stop a pandemic. These tools have been around for a long time and haven proven to be very effective. It’s “people’ that are the factor in this equation who need management or convincing. The unvaccinated are the science experiment in a Petridish for this virus.

Smallpox, polio, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, rubella, measles, whooping cough, mumps, diphtheria are defeated when populations became vaccinated in a singular effort to starve a virus. If enough get vaccinated it is possible to eliminate the virus in those region. If enough don’t, then this virus is endemic and will keep changing. If endemic we will continue to live with the daily repercussions for a long time.

As a young teenager during that time I considered it our duty to roll up our sleeves. Now everybody has an excuse not to get vaccinated. The main reason, if honesty prevailed is being in fear of the needle.

But saying you don’t want to put this foreign substance in your body is laughable. Have you considered how much you have ingested in one form or another over the years that is considered a drug but it never saw the inside of a drug store?

Take it from me I ran a bar for 30 years I know BS when I hear it. How many chemicals do we continue to ingest, breathe or slather over our bodies on a daily basis?

This virus can only be defeated by vaccines and isolation. Our province still has areas where immunization is too low. You’re procrastination is allowing the virus to flourish and mutant into something bigger.

Others roll out the excuse the vaccines are too new, After approximately a billion shots around the globe “too new” is worn off.

Then there are the religious excuses that make the circuit. The bible has many quotes about loving thy neighbour and religions are about love thy neighbor. Certainly if we all did unto others as we do unto ourselves, it wouldn’t

St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP Respond to Fatal Collision On July 16 at 5:25 am, St. PierreJolys RCMP received a report of a vehicle travelling the wrong way on the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately eight kilometres east of Deacon’s Corner in the RM of Tache, Manitoba. Officers in the area immediately headed toward that location.

At 5:32 am, RCMP received a report of a head-on collision

at that same location. Initial investigation has determined a 70year-old male from Winnipeg was travelling eastbound in the westbound lane on the highway when his vehicle struck a westbound car head-on. The 70-year-old male was the only occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced deceased on scene. The 30-year-old male driver of the westbound car,

from Mitchell, was transported to Winnipeg hospital with serious injuries.

The westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada were closed for several hours and traffic was detoured while officers conducted investigation at the scene. A RCMP Forensic Collision Reconstructionist attended to assist with the investigation.

hinder fighting any pandemic. If you break a bone, need stitches, your appendix bursts or get something big like cancer, would you not go to a medical professional for help?

Have you done your share? Save lives including yours.

August 2021

Vaccines Are Like Seatbelts Dear Editor: Seatbelts don’t prevent you from being in an accident.

Vaccines may not prevent you from getting COVID. Seatbelts can prevent serious injury and death.

Vaccines can prevent serious illness and death.

You don’t need a seatbelt if you are never in a car.

You don’t need a vaccine if you are never close to another human being ever again.

Get educated.

Get vaccinated.

Anni Markmann Ste. Anne

August 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Tache and Grande Pointe Projects Receive Infrastructure Funds An organization in Grande Pointe, and one in Lorette are both recipients of funds thanks to a recent investment of over $23 million into 15 cultural and recreational projects.

The $23 million investments in local infrastructure by the governments of Canada and Manitoba is expected to help stimulate the economy and address the needs of all communities, including rural and remote communities, as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Grande Pointe Homeowners Association / Ritchot was excited to receive $108,560 to complete the interior of the newly constructed Grande Pointe Community Clubhouse. The entire project is estimated to cost $162,840.

In Lorette, Les Blés d’Or de Lorette Inc. / Taché is getting $233,000 to construct a multi-purpose room and patio in a seniors’ housing building. The project has been estimated to cost $349,500.

The funding targets new building projects and upgrades to cultural and recreational infrastructure to help ensure that Manitobans have access to the services and networks they need to stay connected, share experiences, and build healthy, inclusive and vibrant communities. A portion of the funding is part of the Government of Canada’s investment of more than $13.6 million in the 15 projects announced in the 2021 Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure Program.

Sharing Our Stories…

Southern HealthSanté Sud Summer Walk-In Counselling Counselling is a process of helping someone to make the changes they would like to make in their lives.

If you’re struggling with your mental health or with a particularly difficult problem you just haven’t been able to overcome, are presently on a mental health waitlist, or need a refresher session, consider utilizing this service. Individuals 16+ are eligible for this service.

In a one-time walk-in session, you can discuss your struggles, explore coping, and get information about other resources that might help. Anything that is on your mind is a good reason to schedule a drop-in counselling session.

You can talk about: - A life change or transition - Grief; loss - Relationships - Mental Health/Wellness - Quality of life struggles - Alcohol and drug use All are welcome aged 16 plus, all ethnicities, all genders, all orientations and all abilities.

Steinbach: 450 Main St. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 1–4 pm.

Portage la Prairie: 159 5th St SE. On Wednesdays, 9 am–3 pm.

Winkler: Pathways Office at 351 Main St. Mondays, 9 am–3 pm.

Sessions offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are experiencing an acute mental health crisis please access crisis services at 888-617-7715. COVID-19 health measures will be in effect.

Read the Dawson Trail Dispatch online at dawsontrail.ca

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Your Community, Your Tax Dollars, Your Priorities

As summer continues to fly by, we are reminded to make the most of all that Manitoba has to offer during these beautiful warm months. I encourage all my fellow Manitobans to get out in their community and safely enjoy the countless activities and hobbies that our province has to offer. While the past year and a half has been uncertain and incredibly challenging, your government has not stopped building and enhancing our vibrant towns, cities, and villages here in Manitoba.

This year, the Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) grant program has been expanded with up to $13 million available to support 305 community development projects across the province. Funding for the 2021 program has been increased by over $5 million to include support for larger-scale capital projects with a maximum grant contribution of 50 percent of eligible capi-

tal project costs. I am proud that the constituency of Springfield-Ritchot is receiving over $500,000 through the Building Sustainable Communities grant program this year.

The Rural Municipality of Ritchot is receiving funding for eight different projects, including $117,195 for the construction of a dock and boat launch on the Red River in Ste. Agathe. This money will also go towards bank stabilization and the installation of lighting and signage.

Other exciting projects in the RM of Ritchot this year include $34,584 for mould remediation at the St. Adolphe Community Centre, $43,585 for arena and equipment upgrades at the Ste. Agathe Arena and $10,155 for baseball facility upgrades for the Seine River Minor Ball Park in Île des Chênes.

Thanks to this BSC grant program, the Town of Niverville also received over $65,000 for multiple important projects. I am excited that the Niverville Dog Park will see an expansion, with $35,000 going towards repairing and resurfacing the park to improve drainage, plant grass seed, install fencing and plant trees.

Furthermore, the RM of Springfield is receiving nearly $160,000 through the BSC grant program

this year, including $143,070 for a brand-new playground in Oakbank.

I am pleased for the health and recreational benefits this project will bring to the young and the youngat-heart of our community for years to come!

On top of the BSC grant program, your government has also rolled out other grant programs this year including both the Green Team and the Heritage grant programs. Niverville Communities in Bloom received $517 to develop and produce two interpretive signs expanding on the history of Niverville. Also, the constituency of Springfield-Ritchot received over $173,000 in Green Team funding allocated to various organizations in Niverville, Ritchot, and Springfield.

Each one of these grants exists because applications were made by our local community groups and organizations looking for support for their priority projects. These are your tax dollars working towards your local priorities.

The work I value most is serving you and your family as your MLA for Springfield-Ritchot. I welcome any questions or comments by email at Ron@RonSchuler.com or by mail to Box 150, Oakbank, MB R0E 1J0.

Manitobans Invited to Hit the Road and Earn Travel Rebates Now that Manitoba has met a second vaccination milestone under the province’s 4-3-2-One Great Summer Reopening Path and more tourism attractions have been able to re-open, Travel Manitoba has launched its summer marketing campaign to promote tourism within the province.

The campaign targets Manitobans, encouraging both Winnipeggers to travel outside the city as well as rural Manitobans to visit Winnipeg.

Although not yet promoted, by the province visitors from neighbouring provinces are now able to enter Manitoba if they are fully vaccinated and have received both doses at least two weeks prior to arrival, without having to self isolate.

To make it easy Travel Manitoba’s campaign has supplied the tools with a new Road Trip Guide containing 18 itineraries including the “Call of the North” to “Vive les Prairies” to “Whispers of the Whiteshell” and everything in between. Along with the printed guide, it is also available online at travelmanitoba.com.

“Manitoba’s experiences, whether they are parks, campgrounds, restaurants or other attractions, remind us that home is where the heart is,” said Travel Manitoba President and CEO, Colin Ferguson. “We are encouraging Manitobans to pack up

the car and hit the road, to their favorite place or to somewhere in the province they’ve never been.”

“It’s time for Manitobans to begin to return to their normal lives after more than a year and a half of COVID-19 restrictions,” said Jon Reyes, Minister of Economic Development and Jobs. “Manitobans are doing their part to get vaccination levels up and keep new COVID-19 cases down, and now Manitobans can start to enjoy the summer we all want and deserve.”

The tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, bringing a once thriving industry to a standstill.

Recovery is expected to take time, with international travel not expected to fully recover until 2024.

The announcement included a road map to rebuild tourism by focusing on recovering and rebuilding this economic contributor with a partnership between the provincial government, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Travel Manitoba by helping to grow visitor spending by 50% to reach $2.5 billion and recoup job losses estimated to be between 6,800 and 11,000.

“The bold vision of the Manitoba Tourism Strategy lays out a plan to build public awareness of the province-wide value of tourism and Manitobans role and connection to tourism, and its role as a key employer

and dynamic career,” said Stuart Murray, Co-Chair of the Manitoba Tourism Strategy Steering Committee. “Manitobans are key to supporting the recovery of the tourism sector, and it will start with their response to the appeal to travel here at home.”

In addition to the Travel Manitoba campaign, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce announced its own incentive program to jump start the tourism industry. “TRIP” or Tourism Rebate Incentive Program, is designed to encourage Manitoba residents to take a staycation between July 31 and August 16.

Under the program travellers can submit their receipts to receive up to $100 rebate on a one-night stay at an accommodation of their choice and travel packages that include an accommodation are eligible for a $150 rebate. Entry to any of Manitoba’s “Star Attractions” is also included, with 50% off admission. For further details on the program, visit TRIPmb.ca “For the Chamber, our interest is in ensuring that Manitoba’s tourism industry fully recovers, for the sake of Manitoba businesses, but also for the benefit of our residents,” said Chuck Davidson, President and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.

“This is a way to help the industry, and at the same time, reward Manitobans for their support.”

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

August 2021

Local Churches Head Outdoors

By Marianne Curtis With restrictions lifting on worship with the preference being that outdoor services can host higher numbers, local churches are taking advantage of the summer weather and hosting outdoor services. This is proving to be an advantage to churches wanting to reach out to the community.

In Niverville, Maranatha Church recently hosted several mid-week worship events that were live, but actually ended up being the pre-recorded portion of their online services.

“We were expecting to have an awesome outdoor worship evening in the Maranatha Parking in Niverville,” said Roger Armbruster who helped plan the event. He explained that most of the churches in Niverville were hosting outdoor services and there was a conflict with sound systems.

“We picked a different night so the music won’t go against each

other,” Armbruster confirmed.

Using a donated flat deck trailer, Elaine Isaak along with Island Breeze Manitoba and Jason and Jackie Heistad feed the flock with a unique indigenous sound. “They released new songs, new sounds and new dances, God is doing a new thing in Niverville,” Armbruster continued.

Jason and Jackie Heistad are well known Christian musicians. The couple and their son recently relocated from Saskatchewan to Manitoba.

They are currently living in Ile des Chenes while sharing their music ministry wherever they are lead.

Under the latest health restriction easements, the province limits church services permitting indoor gatherings in public spaces to a maximum of 25 people and opened the door to increasing public outdoor gathering sizes to a maximum of 150 people.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

Island Breeze was part of a recent worship service held in the Maranatha Church in Niverville’s parking lot.

Student Advisory Council Includes Hanover Students A diverse group of students from all corners of the province including two from Hanover School Division will join in critical discussions on the future of education as members of the Student Advisory Council.

According to Education Minister Cliff Cullen the Student Advisory Council is one of the priority actions in the Better Education Starts Today: Putting Students First strategy released in March.

“The government is looking forward to ideas from youth on what is needed to improve student outcomes and well-being,” said Cullen. “Council members will provide insights and advice on issues and topics that are current and emerging for Manitoba kindergarten to Grade 12 students.”

The province received close to 200 applications for consideration, and as a whole, represent the diversity of the people in Manitoba, the minister said.

Twenty-nine students on the committee from high schools across the province including two students from Hanover

School Division, Katherine Dueck, Grade 12 at Green Valley School and Lenea Perrin, Grade 9 at Steinbach Regional Secondary School were named to the committee. Both are representatives for Hanover School Division.

The council members will share their experiences and insights on education to ensure a vibrant education system. During the 12-month term, council members will meet with the minister of education, government staff and education stakeholders and COVID-19 safety precautions will be taken as required, which may mean virtual meetings.

Cullen noted that students on the committee come with diverse interests, identities, backgrounds and perspectives from across the province and include Indigenous, French language, LGBTQ, visible-minority students and students with a disability. Council members will serve a 12-month term starting in August 2021 and ending in August 2022.

August 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Attention Newcomers to Lorette Welcome to the growing community of Lorette! Have you purchased a home or condo in the LUD of Lorette, in the last year?

Do you have questions about your new community?

The Welcome Basket Committee of the LUD of Lorette would be happy to answer some of those questions. We have a free basket of Gift Certificates, coupons, gifts, and information which have been generously provided by the businesses and organizations in the LUD of Lorette.

To arrange a short visit please e-mail lorettewelcomebasket@ gmail.com, no strings attached.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Panel Discusses Vaccines and the Vocation of Truth Telling On July 13, Providence College in Otterburne held a public panel discussion on the topic of “Vaccines, Restrictions, and the Church.” Planned by the school’s COVID-19 Response Team, the event was funding through a grant from the provincial government for the sole purpose of promotion and advertising.

More than 120 people attended the online event which was moderated by Dr. Nicholas Greco with panelists including Rev. Dr. Robert Dean (theologian), Rev. Terry Kaufman (pastor), Dr. Chris Burnett (medical doctor) and Dr. Rebecca Dielschneider (immunologist).

Rev. Dr. Robert Dean, Providence’s Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics provided a theological framing for the role of the Church during the pandemic.

He spoke about how, “A recovery of the vocation of the pastor as truthteller” is needed to combat conspiracy thinking that people often acquire by travelling down the rabbit hole of social media.

Dean noted that the discourse of personal rights is not the best way for Christians to approach the issue of pandemic restrictions. The theme that one shouldn’t look at vaccination, or even mask wearing, as a violation of personal rights and freedom but more as a sacrificial act of love for the sake of families, neighbours and the most vulnerable in communities.

“An emphasis upon one’s own personal safety or upon one’s personal freedoms sounds much more like the rhetoric of secular modernity than that of the Christian tradition,” Dean noted. “The freedom that the Bible speaks of is not simply the freedom from constraint or limitation, rather it is the freedom to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul,

Submitted photo Dr. Chris Burnett, a physician from Niverville, spoke about the fear that still surrounds COVID during an online panel discussion.

mind, and strength, and to love our neighbours as ourselves.”

Rev. Terry Kaufman, from the Evangelical Free Church of Canada (EFCC) national office and a member of Providence’s Board of Governors, spoke about refocusing on aligning with the values of the kingdom of God, rather than being consumed with pandemic limitations.

Local church initiatives such as buying and delivering groceries for those who are in isolation or in need of help go a long way in expressing love and concern for others.

Dr. Chris Burnett, a physician from Niverville spoke about the fear that still surrounds COVID. Information is changing constantly and it’s difficult to gain the confidence of people when they’re hearing conflicting messages. Scientists and politicians are basically learn-

ing as they go, he noted.

As a physician, he admits to being, “caught up in emotion at times” and that it has been hard for him to remain dispassionate when he has lost twelve patients to COVID in these last eighteen months. He has also been treating people who will never be the same again because they are battling serious issues with their lungs and respiratory systems.

“That’s the reality of what we’ve all faced with COVID,” confided Burnett.

The entire evening concluded with a reflection on what is God saying to the Church? Burnett stepped up by saying, “It’s all about humility and love. We are learning that we can have different views and still express love for each other. I think we can show that to a world that is equally divided.”

Design for Mitchell Intersection Released The Manitoba government will present the final design of PTH 52 for improved safety through the community of Mitchell on EngageMB. According to Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler the government gathered public feedback through EngageMB and noted design improvements based on feedback.

“The province is now ready to present the final design for enhanced safety for both drivers and pedestrians along PTH 52 through the community,” said Schuler.

“Over the next decade, Manitoba will be recognized as a national transportation hub,

linking east to west, north to south and enabling strong economic activity within and across our borders.”

He noted that the design fully addresses existing safety concerns at the Broesky Road intersection and separates heavy commercial traffic from residential traffic, allowing for trade routes and residential road users to access Manitoba’s highways in a safe and efficient manner.

The proposed safety improvements based on the responses of about 370 participants include reopening Ash Street and extending the four-lane

divided highway section to the west side of Broesky Road.

The recommended design takes into consideration speed concerns, traffic patterns on local streets, pedestrian crossings and the future growth in Mitchell, noted Schuler.

A second round of public engagement on PTH 52 through Mitchell will be held until August 10 through EngageMB. Manitobans who would like to participate in future engagements about this and other infrastructure projects can register at engagemb.ca.

Submitted photo Residents can now have their say on this final design map presented by the province of Manitoba.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Lorette Women Honoured with Leadership Award

Submitted photo The Lorette Women’s League was recently recognized for their hard work with a Community Leadership Award.

By Marianne Curtis The Notre Dame de Lorette Catholic Women’s League (CWL) are being recognized for decades of behind the scenes work after being named as a recipient of the Premiers Volunteer Service Award.

The Premier’s Volunteer Service Awards were established by the Premier’s office, in partnership with Volunteer Manitoba, to honour the efforts and dedication of outstanding volunteers in Manitoba; and recognize and encourage the valuable services performed by volunteers throughout the province.

For the past thirty-two years, the CWL have been active volunteers, service and advocates for social justice in the community. Some of their lists of accomplishments are raising $40,000 to help pay for a van and home renovations for a 14year old paralyzed following back surgery. They raised $50,000 so a man could go to Germany for back

surgery, and raised another $40,000 for a teen injured in a snowmobile accident. They can also be seen along the highway cleaning up garbage after adopting Highway 207, through the adopt-a-highway program.

Andrea Adams was part of a group of residents that nominated the CWL and was excited about the announcement. “We’ve been very excited about the fact that they aren’t just getting any old award. They’re getting the Premier’s award and this is just long overdue and very, very, very well deserved.”

Adams has seen firsthand the good that the women’s group does in the community and they deserve the recognition she said. “They just do it for the good and for helping others, and that’s I think what is most important.”

“If somebody needed a wheelchair or if somebody needed to take a trip to Germany to get back surgery or

a new van for a young woman in town who required a special van for her wheelchair, it’s been countless things like this and they get little to no recognition for the job that they do within our community and within our province.”

Lucy Bernardin, president of the CWL was surprised by the nomination followed by receiving the award. She said the group is fairly young compared to other women’s leagues in the province and she said they have an experienced group.

“A little bit of bragging, but I would say some of the most experienced and well thought out, and intelligent ladies that I’ve ever seen.

And they are passionate about what they are involved in and that really comes through in how we show ourselves.” Bernardin added that, “We got this award because we are about action. We don’t just sit there and talk a lot. We walk the walk as well as the talk.”

Free Libraries Crop Up Around Lorette

By Marianne Curtis Thanks to a partnership between the local high school and community library, residents living throughout Lorette can enjoy several Little Free Libraries.

In July, eight Little Free Libraries were installed at various locations in Lorette and in Prairie Grove with the help of volunteers and the community.

Spearheaded by Biblitheque Tache Library, the wooden structures were built by grade 11 and 12 students from Lorette Collegiate with funding assistance from the RM of Tache and several local businesses. These little libraries also owe a deep debt to councillor Allison Fox and her family and to Michelle and Gerry DeRocquigny for their hard work and effort in finishing and installing the actual structures.

The eight little libraries installed are located at Spirit Park, Thrifty Treasures, Greg Smith Memorial Park (between St. Michaels and Harpin) and in Prairie Grove.

These Little Free Libraries were provided, by the community, for the community with the idea that everyone will help to keep them well stocked and maintained. The premise is to “take a book, leave a book.”

Little Free Library are created with a mission to promote a sense of community, reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world. Users are encouraged to take a book and leave a book so that reading material stays fresh and keeps recirculating. No library cards are needed or Little Free Library at Prairie Grove ready to be membership is needed, and they are enjoyed. Feel free to take a book, leave one if you wish and enjoy. never closed.

August 2021

New Bothwell School Project Recieves STEAM Funding The Manitoba government has announced 27 successful innovative projects as the first set of proposals from the inaugural intake of applications for the 2021 Teachers’ Idea Fund.

Education Minister Cliff Cullen said the new five-year, $25-million Teachers’ Idea Fund in received over 100 applications.

“The fund will support innovative ideas from teachers, staff and school leaders to enhance classroom supports and improve student outcomes and well-being,” said Cullen.

Over 100 applications were received from 89 schools from twentynine school divisions. The first round of funding will provide just over $425,000 to launch innovation in the education sector.

One of the approved projects was the “The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics” (STEAM) room at Bothwell School in Hanover School Division. STEAM represents a multi-disciplinary initiative that promotes creativity and high levels of student engagement, as they perform a series of group projects that not only involve five school subject domains, but also makes them more relevant, creative, discovery-based and interesting for students.

Manitoba educators brought forward diverse ideas over the five themes that targeted learning supports, models of teaching and learning, mental health and well-being, transitions in kindergarten to Grade 12 Education, and engaging families and parents. The proposed projects focused on meeting a need within the local school community and demonstrated creativity in their approaches to supporting student success.

Southeast Chamber Announces 2020 Business Awards The Board of Directors and team at the Manitoba Southeast Commerce Group recently announced the winners of the 2020 Manitoba Southeast Commerce Group Business Awards. With newly expanded boundaries, businesses from Ste. Anne, Lorette, Grande Pointe and Ste. Agathe were among the winners.

“While 2020 was not the year that most had anticipated it to be, our local members, businesses and entrepreneurs have continued to push through the global pandemic and succeed in such substantial ways,” stated the Board.

The coveted Business of the Year Award went to Keystone Western, one of the largest trucking firms in the province. For the past thirty years, the company has provided employment opportunities to local residents and contributing to strengthening the local economy.

From Lorette, Madame Sucré Bakery was named New Business of the Year. Madame Sucré Bakery has become well known for their locally made sweets and treats. Owner Rubia Lima strives to offer quality taste in all of her creations as well as bring new opportunities to other local makers through her Brazilian Farmers Market.

BSI Insurance Brokers was named the winner of the Charitable Business of the Year award. Located in Ste. Agathe, they have continuously seeks to give back to the communities in which they serve. Over the course of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, BSI Insurance focused on helping those who needed it most through their 12 K’s of Christmas giveaway supporting community causes.

The Resilient Business of the Year award was presented to Ste. Anne Physiotherapy & Sport Injury Centre for valuing their customers first. Throughout the difficult year of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Ste. Anne Physiotherapy & Sport Injury Centre made significant pivots to remain available to serve the needs of their community.

A special plaque was presented to Keystone Western for celebrating 30 years in business. The Boarded stated that Keystone Western continues to be a model business with their growth, community orientation and local support. The Manitoba Southeast Commerce Group was proud to collaborate with the RM of Ritchot to present them with a congratulatory plaque.

The Manitoba Southeast Commerce Group Inc. was officially formed a year ago in collaboration with the Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce, the RM of Ritchot, the RM of Ste. Anne, the Town of Ste. Anne, and the RM of Taché.

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August 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Go-Cart Racing Returns to St. Labre

File photo by Marianne Curtis This year’s St. Labre 200 will look different.

By Marianne Curtis It is official! After a year and a half of craziness, the 2021 edition of St-Labre 200 will take place on August 28. While the race will go on, there are some notable changes to the format with the main one being that spectators will not be allowed.

Normally, St. Labre 200 is a 2-day go-kart build off competition where fourteen teams are challenged to build their own go-karts within 24 hours. Teams build go-karts from scratch on the first day and race their new creations the next day in a fast paced 200-lap race on a quarter mile dirt track. The winner earns the right to hoist the coveted Sparkplug Cup. This year, due to the everchanging health restrictions,

teams will have eight weeks to build their kart.

“While some will work on their kart little by little over the eight weeks, others have insisted that they will only take 24 hours before race day to build theirs,” organizers said. “This could be a year for teams to experiment with concepts they’ve been dreaming up over the years, or it could also be the year where breakdowns are non-existent due to the karts being so well constructed.”

To stay within the health restrictions, the race day format has changed as well. There will now be four heats of races followed by A side, B side, and C side finals. All teams will be able to race twice.

Event day programming such as the Old Farts race, Powder Puff race, Political race, bouncy castles,

excavator rodeo, rubber boot toss and wood carving demo are cancelled.

There will also be no camping.

Spectators will not be allowed on site but there are plans to live stream the event so that people who normally cannot see the races will have an opportunity to watch.

The only way to get on site is to volunteer.

If you would like to volunteer, the organizing committee is looking for help on August 21 for track set up, August 27 for grounds and sanitation set up, August 28 for sanitation and grounds crew and August 29 for grounds clean up. Volunteers will be allowed to watch the races pending their schedule at the time. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Huguette at media@stlabre200. ca or call/text at 204-899-6964.

Steinbach Chamber Hosts Backyard Challenge With the challenges faced by local business community and tourism sector in the past year, the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce is always looking for ways to make things better.

Recently, the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce created another opportunity for residents to support local and be entered to win some incredible local tourism prize packs with the Backyard Tourist contest.

From July 19-30, the Steinbach Chamber held daily draws weekdays with photo entries submitted before July 30.

Participants were asked to support a local business, and then take a photo of themselves or the business with a purchase/receipt. Like and follow the Steinbach Chamber on Facebook/Instagram and post the photo on Facebook or Instagram with either the tag @ SteinbachChamber and #BackyardTourist. For those not on

Tracey was the first #BackyardTourist contest winner.

social media, they were asked to There were ten incredible prize support a local business by making packages to be won valued at $150 a purchase. each.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

August 2021

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Every Drop Counts – Southern Health Gets Special Designation Southern Health-Santé Sud has been named the first health region in Canada to receive the national “Using Blood Wisely” Designation. This means that every transfusion facility within Southern Health-Santé Sud has met or exceeded the national benchmark of appropriate red blood cell use in Canada.

Hôpital Ste-Anne Hospital frontline staff member.

Vita & District Health Centre frontline staff member.

As a vital and lifesaving resource, protecting Canada’s blood supply has never been more important due to the urgent care needs and constraints related to COVID-19. That is why over 120 hospitals are participating in the Using Blood Wisely campaign, a national initiative to reduce inappropriate red blood cell transfusions.

This campaign challenges hospitals to audit their inpatient red blood cell transfusions to see how they compare to national appropriateness benchmarks.

According to the Population Statistics 2020 report and the Annual Report 2019-2020, Southern HealthSanté Sud, a designated bilingual Regional Health Authority covers an area over 27,025 sq km that includes a diverse population in its 20 rural municipalities, 8 municipalities, 4 cities, 6 towns/villages and 7 First Nation communities. The Health Authority serves 211,896 residents, the fastest growing population in Manitoba.

“These designations are an exciting achievement for all levels of health care, from leadership to front line staff,” said Dr. Charles Musuka, Medical Director, Transfusion Medicine, Shared Health. “We are so grateful for the hard work and dedication of all clinical and laboratory staff in Manitoba. This is a testament to their commitment to providing the best possible care for patients and best practices in Manitoba.”

With support from the Shared Health Transfusion Medicine Program, Best Blood Manitoba, and Choosing Wisely Manitoba, the hospitals and facilities within Southern HealthSanté Sud teamed up to implement the transfusion stewardship project, Appropriate Inpatient Red Blood Cell Utilization in Manitoba. Nurse and

Submitted photos Bethesda Regional Health Centre frontline staff member.

clinical educators, physicians, leaders and other staff from across Southern Health-Santé Sud also took part in a key step of the Appropriate Red Blood Cell Utilization project.

Prior to the provincial roll out of the project, these individuals granted the Transfusion Stewardship team their time and expertise by joining in on a workshop to provide feedback on the guidelines. This additional support provided by the region was an influential aspect in the success of this important change for our province.

“The Southern Health-Santé Sud region has been an important partner in this project,” said Petr Kresta, Chief Operating Officer, Diagnostic Services, Shared Health. “Staff and clinicians from the region came together to provide important assistance to our Transfusion Medicine department by reviewing and testing changes to optimize this process for all of Manitoba. Being named the first region in Canada to receive the Using Blood Wisely designation is an exciting testament to their commitment to transfusion stewardship.”

Pop-Up Vaccine Clinic Coming to Richer

“Let’s Get Back to What Matters” A pop-up vaccine clinic has been organized that includes an afternoon with a free BBQ, entertainment, draws and local doctors and pharmacists to be hosted in Richer’s Dawson Trail Park from 2 pm to 8 pm on Friday, August 13.

A joint effort by the Richer Community Club (RCC) and Premier Horticulture to bring together this event is supported by the Province, Southern Health and local medical practitioners.

“We are known as a community that has always come together and this was another way we CAN come together and ensure that we can get back to what matters… our community, caring for our neighbours, and of course, gathering in the park,” explained Dan Guetre,

a member of the RCC board of directors. “We are planning a largescale event for September and we want to ensure we can host it for our community and guests from other areas of the province.”

“We are inviting everyone from the Richer, Ste. Anne, Ross, Ste. Genevieve and Giroux areas to come out and get their first vaccine shot or their second shot if needed,” said Guetre. “If you have had both shots, you are also welcome to come and grab a burger, drink and watch the entertainment. Of course, we are definitely not going to refuse anyone from outside the area to obtain a vaccine shot either. We are known as a community that always shows great hospitality to all guests.”

According to Guetre, live music will be on the busking stage in the park along with a “wandering” magician. They are also planning free draws for those that attend. They just ask people to respect the Provincial Health orders in place.

Local doctors and pharmacists will be on hand to answer any questions or concerns with the vaccine. Currently, plans are to have 300 doses of the Pfizer vaccine made available for the event.

Guetre is asking everyone to start talking about this event and reach out to their family and friends who may be hesitant or just have delayed their shot, to come out to the park.

Centre médico-social De Salaberry District Health Centre frontline staff member.

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Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Falk Optimistic Over New Gov. Gen. Provencher MP Ted Falk admits that he is “cautiously optimistic” regarding the swearing in of Mary Simon (Ningiukudluk) as Canada’s 30th Governor General.

The role of Canada’s Governor General is to represents the Queen, Canada’s Head of State by giving Royal assent for bills to become law and serving as honorary Commander in Chief of our armed forces.

“Mrs. Simon replaces disgraced former Governor General Julie Payette. It is my sincere hope that in Mary Simon, the Prime Minister has done his homework (this time) and recommended a Governor General whose focus will be on serving Canadians and not her own private agenda,” Falk stated.

“Whatever one thinks of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mrs. Simon brings an impressive resume to the job and her appointment is historic.”

Simon’s appointment makes her Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General. An Inuk from Kuujjuaq in northeastern Quebec, she was one of the Inuit representatives during the negotiations that led to the patriation of the Constitution in 1982 which included an acknowledgement of Indigenous treaty rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In 1986 she was chosen to lead the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and in 1994 she was appointed by former Prime Minister Jean Chretien as Canada’s first Ambassador of Circumpolar Affairs. These roles allowed her to help negotiate the creation of the Arctic Council: the group of eight countries, Canada, the United States, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Russia with sovereignty over lands and seas within the Arctic Circle. Later, she was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador to Denmark.

She has also worked as a TV producer and served two terms as President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a non-profit organization that represents the interests of Canada’s Inuit peoples.

“Now, as Governor General, her job will be to represent all Canadians,” Falk continued. “I am cautiously optimistic about Mary Simon.”

He noted that Simon and her husband have already moved into Rideau Hall, something her predecessor refused to do.

“She also appears to have a better temperament for the job than her predecessor,” Falk added. She joked during her investiture speech: “My Inuk name is Nigiukudluk, and Prime Minister, it means “bossy little old lady”.

“Hopefully, in Mary Simon, it would appear Justin Trudeau has chosen a wise servant over another ego and ideology driven mirror-image of himself,” said Falk.

Falk added that he wishes Simon and her family all the best, and “will pray for wisdom, as she fulfills this important function in our democracy.”

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Heritage Grants Include Three Local Sites Heritage renovation projects in Ste. Anne, St. Pierre-Jolys and Gardenton were among a list of fifty-one heritage projects across the province to share $683,740 in funding through the Heritage Resources Conservation Grant program.

Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox said Heritage Resources Conservation Grant is one of the ways the province continues to work with community groups, local governments and property owners to protect links to the province and country’s past while at the same time showcasing the historic connection in communities across the province.

The Heritage Resources Conservation Grant provides support to projects that demonstrate a commitment toward the conservation and long-term sustainability of heritage resources that are legally protected under the Heritage Resources Act. Categories for grant application include capital projects, research, conservation planning, education or training, and endowments.

Three local projects were among the list of approved grants. In St. Pierre-Jolys, the Convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names, known as the St-Pierre-Jolys Museum is getting a $25,000 grant for masonry repairs. The St. Michael’s Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Gardenton will receive $10,500 to help with restoration

Photo by Marianne Curtis St. Michael’s Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Gardenton recently received a Heritage Resources Conservation Grant.

and painting, and the Ste. Anne Roman Catholic Church in Ste. Anne has been approved for $25,000 to conduct window and masonry repairs.

The Heritage Resources Conservation Grant program is designed to encourage new partnerships with community

organizations and the private sector to support the long-term sustainability of Manitoba’s heritage infrastructure. This initiative supports the province’s mandate to engage Manitobans in sharing and exploring Manitoba’s heritage sites and buildings.

Rare Patient Admitted at Wildlife Haven

By Marianne Curtis This July, a rare patient was admitted to the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in Ile des Chenes.

According to Wildlife Haven, an orphaned juvenile North American River Otter was found near Gimli in May, but was only recently brought into the centre for care.

“Upon its initial medical examination, the otter was lethargic and was showing signs of gastrointestinal complications which will often lead to death in wildlife,” explained a Haven representative.

The little otter only weighed 973 grams, and required immediate intensive care to survive.

“He had also started showing signs of pneumonia. We had a vet do X-rays immediately to ensure proper treatment,” they continued.

Further veterinary examination revealed that it appeared the otter had a bolus of casein (a protein build-up in the stomach). A build-up like this is often found in animals being fed incorrect diets, in this case by the well meaning initial rescuers.

“Though the rescuers were very wellintentioned, in trying to care for the otter themselves, this did more harm than good,” they explained. “It is very important to call us as soon as possible if you find sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife.

Our trained team will guide you through the next steps to ensure these helpless

Volunteers bottle fed this little orphaned River Otter as part of its rehabilitation.

animals get the best possible care.”

In this particular case, the medical team at Wildlife Haven treated the build-up by administering medication regularly for 48 hours post-diagnosis.

Since then, the baby otter is being

hand raised with specialized otter milk formula and getting top-notch care from the rehabilitation team.

The little River Otter will receive ongoing care as he fully recovers until he can be released back into the wild.

Read the Dispatch online at dawsontrail.ca

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

August 2021

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Hunting Land Leases Available in Piney As of August 15, hunters looking to harvest wildlife on RM of Piney property will be able to purchase a permit allowing them to hunt on specified municipal property.

Piney Transit Plan Re-launches ... Again COVID has made it difficult to initiate new programs, but that has not hindered projects such as the RM of Piney transit plan from moving forward.

In September 2020, the municipality along with independent consultant Connie Gamble conducted an official transportation survey.

With the province expecting the senior population to increase by 43 percent over the next twenty years, the municipality is looking at options to improve the quality of life for residents in the region.

Gamble said that transportation is a quality of life issue and the ability to live in a rural, remote community. Options can foster independent living to allow residents to age in their community rather than moving away for services and social engagement, Gamble explained.

“Safety is an issue for those who are compelled for their independence to drive but should no longer drive or are not comfortable driving,” Gambled said in a previous interview. “Lack of transportation is a top concern for seniors in rural areas, as Manitoba seniors expected to grow by 43%.”

The plan was to launch a pilot shopping trip which was cancelled after the region went into Code Red. Now that restrictions have lifted, the municipality is giving the plan another try.

Residents living in the RM of Piney can sign up for a door-todoor shopping trip on August 17 to Steinbach Clearspring Centre with the Vita Handi Transit van for $30.

A second trip for mid September 2021 with a date to be determined is being planned to Winnipeg’s St Vital Centre using a charter bus.

“Trips may be cancelled due to lack of sufficient bookings or COVID-19 health directives,” Gamble noted. “These rides are separate and distinct from the current funding of essential trips for seniors and thus fares will be charged but are subsidized.”

Current health directives must be followed including stay home if you are sick, masks are required, and passengers are expected to handle their own bags.

Trips are expected to leave approximately 9 am and return by 2 pm for August 17 and return by 5 pm in September, however times may change depending on passenger requests.

Organizers are requesting that if you are unable to go shopping after booking a ride, cancel ASAP, as others may be on a wait list. To book, call Mel Parent at 204 4372604.

According to By-Law No. 123 /2017 otherwise known as the Fall Hunting Lease by-law, anyone wanting to hunt on municipal property requires a permit. At a cost of $500 each permit allows

access to one parcel of municipal property during a regular season for up to five people from September 1 to November 30, 2021.

Leases are for hunting purposes only, recreational use will

not be allowed. There are some conditions to the permit, including that no permanent structures can be built, and all temporary structures must be removed at the end of the lease. No trails can

be made, and no trees can be removed. Vehicles are only permitted on land during the retrieval of harvested game.

Contact the RM of Piney for more information.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

OAS $500 One-Time Payment & GIS Review The Old Age Security (OAS) pension provides retirement income security for seniors because it maintains its value over

time, even as prices increase.

In July, Service Canada confirmed it will deliver the $500 one-time payment to older

seniors (75+), during the week of August 16, 2021.

This summer’s one-time payment of $500 will support older seniors’ higher expenses.

It will apply to 3.3 million seniors who are eligible for the OAS pension in June 2021 and were born on or before June 30, 1947.

No action is required by seniors, who will automatically receive the payment if they are eligible.

This lump sum payment will be issued to you in the same manner as your OAS monthly benefit. It will be sent as a separate deposit or cheque during the week of August 16, 2021. If you receive your OAS pension by direct deposit, this payment will be deposited to the bank account that is on your file; if you receive your OAS by cheque, this payment will be mailed to you.

This payment is a taxable benefit and will be included on the T4A (OAS) tax slip issued next February 2022.

In July 2021, OAS benefits did automatically increase 1.3%, bringing the maximum monthly OAS pension amount to $626.49, up from $618.45. The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the Allowances were also adjusted for inflation.

Budget 2021 also included a permanent increase of 10% to the OAS pension, to be implemented in July 2022 for seniors aged 75 and over. This will provide an additional $766 to full pensioners over the first year (about $63 per month) starting July 2022.

Guaranteed Income Supplement The Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is available to low-income seniors living in Canada who are receiving the OAS. An application must be filed to receive this supplement; it is not done automatically when you file a tax return.

About 35% of OAS recipients also receive GIS. Once you have applied for the GIS, you do not need to apply again. Each July, Service Canada reviews your income and sends you a letter indicating your combined OAS and GIS income; or advises if you are not eligible for the GIS for the next 12 months.

I assist many clients each year with the GIS application. Once we complete their tax returns, often we notice their income has been reduced because of retirement or less employment income or their RRIF (registered retirement income fund) is depleted.

This may result in lower income and may be low enough to qualify for the GIS. For single, widowed, or separated/divorced seniors 65+, your income excluding the OAS needs to be less than $19,000 to receive the GIS. If you have no income other than OAS, the maximum GIS is about $935/month.

For every additional dollar of income from pension, RRIF, interest or other taxable income, the GIS is reduced by 50%. If you

earn $100/month of other income, the GIS is reduced by $50/month.

For couples (both 65+), the combined income excluding OAS needs to be lower than $25,000 to qualify for GIS. There are other GIS qualifying situations for seniors when one spouse is 65+ and the other is 60-65; that level of income to qualify is quite a bit higher: $45,000. There is also a GIS available to widowed seniors age 60-65 with low income.

The GIS is not taxable, but it does affect other income tested benefits including Manitoba Pharmacare, nursing home fees, and other provincial credits calculated on your income tax each year.

To minimize or avoid any GIS reduction, you can reduce interest income by using TFSA (tax free savings account) instead.

Can you work and receive GIS? Yes, if you earn less than $5,000, your GIS is not affected at all. If you earn $5,000 to $15,000, the GIS is reduced only by 25%; once your employment income exceeds $15,000, the GIS may be eliminated.

If your income is reduced because you stop working or work less, or your pension income or other retirement income is reduced or stopped, you can request Service Canada to set your benefit payment by estimating your income for the current year instead of using last year’s income.

Your GIS may be affected if you marry or enter into a common-law relationship or if you separate or if your spouse dies. All these situations will affect your GIS and you need to let Service Canada know.

If you and your spouse have to live apart because one of you moves to a long term care facility (or in hospital, and panelled for long term care), you should let GIS know so they can recalculate the GIS based on your individual incomes instead of combined income.

We help many clients in various situations apply for the GIS or to request an adjustment when their situation change. The forms can seem complicated, so please ask for help!

Anni Markmann is a Personal Income Tax Professional and Certified Financial Planner; living, working, and volunteering in our community. Contact Ste Anne Tax Service at 204-422-6631 or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne (near Co-op) or info@sataxes.ca.

The RCMP Wants to Hear From Youth from Across Canada Open to all Canadian residents’ ages 13 to 21 applications are now being accepted to become a part of the RCMP’s National Youth Advisory Committee (NYAC).

Applications must be received by September 10, 2021. Those who apply by July 30 will be a part of the first selection round and get a better chance of being selected.

This is an online opportunity for youth to connect, have their say and make a difference. NYAC members interact with participants from all over the country and discuss

important issues they face in their respective communities. They share their thoughts about youth crime and victimization topics, and help shape RCMP programs and initiatives. NYAC members can also receive reference letters and volunteer hours.

Youth voices matter! For all the details regarding this opportunity, visit the RCMP website.

To request an application form, send an email to RCMP.Youth-Jeunesse.GRC@ rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Historic Parking Meters Removed Loose change is no longer required on your next visit to Steinbach’s City Hall.

As of July 8, the circa 1976 parking metres located on the north side of the building have now been removed. New “1 Hour Parking” signs have been installed instead.

One of the reasons for their removal was that parts for the approximately 45 year old fixtures are no

longer available. The biggest reason encourage people to use the more for the removal is to provide good accessible front doors located just free parking for City Hall visitors to off Reimer Avenue.

The City of Steinbach found an original ad for the old parking metres recently removed from behind City Hall.

Looking for Senior’s Housing in Piney?

The RM of Piney is looking for people willing to participate in a phone interview that is part of research into prospective tenants interested in the next phase of community housing proposed for the region.

According to a notice put out by RM of Piney CAO Martin Van Osch, a group of dedicated volunteers conducted a housing survey back in September 2019 to kick off a renewed effort to provide housing options for seniors in the region.

The survey showed significant interest in a local housing community with day-to-day assistance.

He noted that the volunteers incorporated the South East Community

Services Co-operative (SECSC) to continue their work towards establishing housing and related services from a slightly different angle, with a grassroots co-operative structure.

The SECSC housing community is aiming for completion in 2024. The plan is to offer twenty 500-sqft units, provide meals, laundry service, light housekeeping and 24/7 supervision in an affordable, and secure group setting.

The facility will cater to residents who can no longer (or choose not to) live independently but are not ready to move to a personal care home.

To fund the project, SECSC is seeking funding from Canada Mort-

gage and Housing Corporation.

As part of the application, SECSC is conducting a second phase of research with prospective tenants to participate in a 15 to 20-minute phone interview with Frank Scap of Outlook Market Research.

All responses will be held in strict confidence. From all participants there will be drawing in October for prizes from local businesses.

Anyone interested in participating can contact Martin Van Osch at martin@rmofpiney.mb.ca or call 204-437-2284 by Friday, August 13, 2021

Annual School Supply Drive Launched By SFRC The Steinbach Family Resource Centre (SFRC) in support of education is asking the community to join in the annual back to school Supply Drive by supporting families and teachers with a donation of basic supplies.

The School Supply Drive volun-

teers will be at 4 locations on August 6 at the Clearspring Centre; August 13 at Walmart; August 20 at Canadian Tire and at Staples on September 7 from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm.

While you Shop school supplies or monetary donations can be dropped off at any of the pop up booths. All gifts of $20 or more will receive a charitable tax receipt or top up at the register at Staples.

The Centre will also be accepting monetary donations or new school supply gifts from Monday to Friday, 9 am - 4:30 pm, located at 101 North Front Drive (on Hwy 52 between MPI and MB Hydro).

If residents are unable to attend the Centre or one of the pop up booths donations can be made online at stein-

bachfrc.ca on the donate tab.

To support a student or a whole family the supply list can be picked up in person or found online at the SFRC and return the backpack of supplies by August 27.

However you choose to support the School Supply Drive, each person is eligible to win a “Family Camping Package” courtesy of Steinbach Canadian Tire. All in-kind (with store receipt) and monetary donations of $20 or more can be entered to win, with one entry per person. By giving back to the community it could be your ticket to a family camping adventure.

Families in need of school supplies are asked to stop by the centre to fill out an application, call 204-346-0413 or visit steinbachfrc.ca for more information.

August 2021

Vacay at Falcon

Last month, my family and I did something that we haven’t done in years. We went on a vacation! No, it was not to Italy, Spain or Germany. We did not fly out to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro nor jet off to Las Vegas to play some poker.

All fun things to be sure but instead, we booked a cabin at Falcon Lake, right here in wonderful Manitoba.

With our car loaded up with our vacationing essentials and my son, learner’s permit in hand behind the wheel, we set off on our adventure.

Arriving just after lunch (but closer to two) we explored the beautiful cabin, the children quickly picking out their rooms; then we hauled all the items from the car into the cabin. I have found that it is always more fun, and quicker, to pull things out of a car than it is to try and fit them in there.

Since the day we arrived coincided with two of my children’s birthdays, my wife and I treated the family to a delicious meal at the Falcon Nest. A great restaurant that serves some of the best food in the area.

With it being so hot throughout the week and with our cabin having a ton of fans but no air conditioning, we took advantage of the nearby lake and went swimming every day except for the last day, there was too much packing and cleaning up to do before our morning departure.

We had planned on doing a lot of hiking of the wonderful trails that wind through the area but, due to the extreme heat and dry conditions, most of the trails were closed.

Between swimming and eating we even found some quiet moments where everyone just sat around and chilled. My children would either be curled up reading or sitting at the table playing a card game of Go Fish while my wife could be found happily reading quietly (a rarity when you have three children). As for myself, during the quiet moments, found myself reading as well or filling page after page with notes on an upcoming novel that I’ve been working on.

While we did attempt to catch some fish from the shore/dock, sadly, it was not meant to be. My daughter did manage to hook a fish and reeled it to the side of the dock but it flipped into the air and tossed out the hook before we could net it. Personally, I think the fish just wanted to have some fun and give us all a little thrill. My wife did see a large pike following her hook but when it came close to the dock it turned and swam away. I guess it was just browsing.

One morning my daughter and I woke up early and headed to the beach to do some metal detecting. It was a fun time spending this quiet time with her as we combed the beach and dug in the sand. We did manage to clean up the beach a bit by pulling out a beer can, numerous wrappers, a broken toy car, a couple of nails and the greatest of all... a 1978 penny.

All too soon, our time of vacation was up and we had to load our car once again and head out onto the highway for home. I will admit that I’m getting quite used to my son driving us everywhere and I am glad that he is getting very good at it.

I do often feel sadness at the end of a vacation due to having to go back to the “real world.” I often wonder, is there a way for me to work less and play more? If there is (and I’m sure there is) I just need to keep looking and I’m sure I’ll find it.

Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.

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August 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Make a Change and Get Off That Treadmill Have you ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels in life and going nowhere? This feeling may even be more prominent in the last year or so with the pandemic, shutdowns and restrictions.

You can go to a fitness centre and get on a treadmill and walk for five miles. When you get off you think you’ve accomplished something great. But you got off the treadmill at exactly the same place you got onto it. You actually went nowhere.

Life tends to be like that for many people. They are running here and there, busy with activities through the whole day; but at the end of the day, they feel like they’re on a treadmill going nowhere.

Ecclesiastes 1:9, in the Bible, says, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

King Solomon was trying to find purpose and meaning in his physical life on earth. He had the ability and means to try many different things. But his conclusion is penned in Ecclesiastes 12:8, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” In other words, if you leave God out of your life and try to find meaning and purpose apart from God, your life will be lived in vain (hollow, shallow, meaningless).

The Apostle Paul tried to live his life this way in his early years, but then he met Jesus Christ and it changed his whole life. With Christ as his Lord, he found his purpose in life.

In Philippians 1:21 he said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

When Christ became part of Paul’s life He became part of every aspect of his life. Then Paul knew that when this life was over, he would go and spent eternity with God in heaven. Paul got off the treadmill of life and found his purpose in Jesus Christ.

What about you today? If your life seems like a treadmill, then turn to Jesus Christ. Give your heart and life to Him and watch how He changes your life for the better. He can change vanity to joy and peace.

God bless you as you seek God’s will in your life.

SAC Early Bird Registration Opens with New Programs The Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) is excited to announce it’s of fall classes, beginning in September with 10% discount offered until August 13.

There is not only new programming being offered, the SAC classes have been spruced up for the new season.

New for the fall is “Everything Art Series” for age 5 to 12 that offers a chance for kids to explore as many disciplines in visual arts as possible. With skill building projects for every term, the fall begins with level 1 for age 5-8 and level 3 for age 9-12.

For Teens a program called “Inspired by the “Greats” over 6 weeks will tour some of history’s greatest visual artists. Participants will learn to create art that is influenced by some of the world s masters, like Van Gough, Monet and more. Artist and instructor Abigail Martens will guide young artists through a creative fall session.

The new Creative Wellness program, “Barre inspired Pilates” and “On the Ball Wellness”, with personal trainer, Nicole Friesen and beginner and intermediate Yoga with Alisa Harder are both 4 week classes that will keep you busy this fall.

SAC is rolling out some exciting changes to its existing programming in pottery, visual Arts for adults, Backyard theatre Company, Arts for Tots, Boss Dance Academy, Language, Steinbach Youth Chorus and Fusion Musical Theatre.

For more information on programs and registration call 204-3461077, or visit their website steinbacharts.ca.

SAC Memberships Get Yours Now The new Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) memberships are coming up this fall, and we will have new benefits from local merchants for our members to enjoy. Purchasing an SAC membership is a great way to support the Arts Council and also benefit from great business discounts. Purchase your membership by visiting SteinbachArts.ca or by calling 204346-1077.

Arts4Tots Preschool Program It’s one of our most popular classes at the SAC. Our Arts4Tots Preschool Program is now open to children ages 3-5. We presently offer Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday sessions in the mornings from 9 – 11:30 am and in the afternoons from 1 – 3:30 pm. Daily Activities include Montessori-inspired programming like drama, art discovery, music and movement, dramatic play, dance, science, math, and snack time, and the use of educational materi-

als such as sand and water tables, crafts, and storytelling. Learning stations, such as science, geography, math, reading, and fine motor skills, are set up and explored to enhance this development. Our calendar features new themes each week like Fairy Tales, Science, My Community, and All About Me! Preschool - Runs from September 20, 2021 – June 9, 2022. Spaces are limited, and some sessions are already full. Don’t wait – Register today by phone at 204-346-1077 to secure your spot.

Come to our Annual General Meeting This year’s outdoor event will take place from 6 - 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 26 with the formal Annual General Meeting scheduled from 6:30 - 6:45 pm.

The evening will include a free hot dog BBQ, activities for the whole family, and door prizes. Visit Steinbacharts.ca for more details and be sure to RSVP by August 23 to SAC office by calling (204) 346-1077 or emailing office@steinbacharts.ca.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Music Lessons Planning for music lessons this fall? The Southeast Centre for Music has highly qualified instructors in piano, voice, violin, cello, guitar, musical theatre, music theory, and music therapy. As part of the Steinbach Arts Council’s educational offerings, SCM strives to meet the teaching needs of our community, reaching the high level of musical education that has become an expectation in the Southeast.

Whether you are a child or adult, beginner or advanced student, SCM works to find the teacher that is right for you and provides learning and performing opportunities for all musicians who study here.

Welcome to our newest piano teacher, Julie Sidorchuk! She’s accepting new students – Don’t delay. Call today!

Interested in other music lessons? Visit our website and read all about our amazing lineup of teachers. Let us help find the right music instructor for you.

Feminine Hygiene Products Needed!

By Marianne Curtis Ile des Chenes’ Janessa Roy is sharing her love for jigging and Métis heritage while using her talents to both raise awareness and collect feminine hygiene products that will be re-distributed into first nation communities.

Most women take it for granted, but in northern communities and reserves, hygiene products are either inaccessible or priced beyond the range of most users.

“In some communities, a box of tampons can cost up to $40 while in the lower Mainland, the costs are more reasonable at $9 per box,” explained Roy. “Our mission is to ensure Indigenous menstruators across Manitoba have access to these products at affordable prices.”

Seeing a need in Manitoba, Roy volunteered to spearhead a Moon Time Sisters chapter in Manitoba.

Moon Time Sisters is a collective who want to support young menstruators in northern and remote communities in Manitoba. The organization’s first drive, in the spring of 2017 over 96K in tampons, pads, and hygiene products to share with 15 different communities was collected. Originating from Saskatchewan, chapters have since opened in Ontario, BC and now, Manitoba.

Roy is raising money and collecting donations of various types of product, for re-donation where needed by hosting a unique event.

“Right here in Manitoba, strange taboos and a lack of resources can make managing menstruation difficult, even dangerous. This is af-

fecting the health and safety of Manitoba’s menstruators and this needs to change,” Roy stressed.

On August 22 from 10 am to 3 pm, Roy will be at the Ritchot Bridge in Ile des Chenes, along with several other talented guests including a fiddler, belly dancer and Zumba teacher.

“The event will be filled with more jigging, spoon playing, live fiddle music and dance from some of Man-

itoba’s finest,” said Roy. “This will be a great opportunity to have some fun, while meeting others in the community who want to make a positive difference.”

COVID guidelines will be practiced and the event will be recorded live on EastmanTV (Facebook) so all can participate from the comfort and safety of home. Bins will be set up for donations at the site.

Tune in to EastmanTV on Facebook to watch Janessa Roy jig and play the spoon, along with special guests.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

August 2021

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Our Physical World Memberships Available for $25 per person. Join now to enjoy our member’s benefits!

Current Programming All indoor programming requires preregistration (204-320-4600), Immunization Card and masks going forward indoors.

Coffee Corner Outside - Monday – Friday, from, 10 am – 12 pm.

Coffee Corner Inside - Monday – Friday, from, 10 am – 12 pm. Immunization Card required.

Cared/Games: Monday – Thursday, from 1 – 3 pm, preregister, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

Floor Curling - Wednesday, 1:30 -3:30 pm, preregister, Member $2/ Non-Member $4.

Trains - Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 am – 3 pm. Preregister, Member $2/ NonMember $4.

Pickle Ball - Monday – Friday, 9 am 12:30 pm. Register at patporteralc.com to sign up.

Beginner Pickle Ball – Tuesday & Thursday, 2 - 4:15 pm. Register at patporteralc.com to sign up. Remember to follow the fundamentals!

Golf Tournament Registration open. Join us for the first annual Pat Porter Active Living Centre Golf Tournament on August 31 at 9 am at the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Course with the support of community sponsors Features a 9-hole Texas Scramble game, lots of prizes to be won, 50/50 Draw, Lunch from Santa Lucia Pizza. Tickets are $110 each with a $50 tax receipt.

Spots are limited, so stop by the Centre or call 204-320-4600 to register as soon as possible.

Painting Class Tuesday, August 24 at 1:30 pm. Join local artist Doug Enns for a paint class.

Bring a photo you’d like to paint and our instructor will help you. All skill levels are welcome and supplies are provided.

Cost $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Call 204-320-4600 to register.

The Dog Days of Summer - Special Lunchtime Meal on August 27!

Fully loaded Smokie Dog, salad and fruit dessert from our Meals on Wheels Program delivered straight to your door for only $10! Available for delivery within Steinbach or pickup at the Centre. Order must be placed by 4 pm on Wednesday, August 25. Please call 204-320-4600 to order.

PPALC Raffle Support our Centre by buying tickets for our Raffle running until August 31.

Hundreds of dollars’ worth of prizes from GNM Fine Jewelers, Earls Meat Market, Country Meat & Deli, Canadian Tire and Unger Meats. 10 tickets for $10. Stop by the Centre to grab yours for a chance to win!

Walking & Biking BINGO Keep active this summer. Get out your bike or walking shoes and take part in our fun Bingo challenge. Participants will be provided with a Bingo card every two weeks featuring items they must find on their walks or bike rides and take photos of. Once you reach a Bingo on your card, simply send in photo proof to programs@patporteralc.com to win prizes. Prizes include Centre memberships, prepaid program cards and more!

This program is a wonderful way to remain active this summer while having fun and earning rewards at the same time!

Free of charge. Please call 204-320-4600 with any questions or to sign up.

Foot and Calf Massage By appointment only. We are excited to be able to offer foot and calf massages at the Centre again. Treat your feet and calves to a relaxing massage. Our massage machines emulate the same techniques used by massage professionals and are a wonderful treat to incorporate into your day.

Appointments last 30 minutes and are $2 for members and $4 for non-members.

Call 204-320-4600 and treat your feet today!

PPALC Cookbook Share your recipes with us!

We’re making a cookbook and we need your help! Do you have a recipe with a special story? We are looking to put together a cookbook featuring recipes (and their associated stories) submitted by you!

Share your favourite recipe and include a story. For example, tell us where it came from, the first time you made it or anything else you’d like to say! Types of recipes are not limited. You may submit main dishes, snacks, baked goods or desserts.

To submit a recipe you may drop it off at the Centre or email communications@ patporteralc.com. It would be great if you included a photo of the finished product also! We look forward to seeing your delicious recipes!

Potato-Cheddar and Cottage Cheese Perogies - Freshly made and for sale!

Handmade by staff at the Centre, these perogies are delicious and ready to be enjoyed. $6 per dozen. Please call 204-3204600 to order.

Pen Pals - Letter writing fun!

Pat Porter Active Living Centre in collaboration with the Shine Homeschool group is looking for people interested in participating in a pen pal program. Those interested would exchange letters with students from the group on a regular basis. This group of young and bright students frequently volunteers at the Centre and would love to chat with you. Sign up and make a new friend. Please call 204-320-4600 or email communications@patporteralc.com if you would like to be added to the mailing list.

Clinics Our Footcare and Hearing Clinics - operate out of the Centre every month. Licensed Footcare Nurses will take care of your feet and make sure they stay healthy. Call 204320-4600 to make an appointment.

Our Hearing Clinic - is at the Centre the first Wednesday of the month, please call 1-800-661-2653 to make an appointment.

Rentals Our large building can be rented out for a variety of functions such as weddings, meetings, luncheons, birthday parties and more! We have rooms of a variety of sizes and prices, so you are sure to find something that suits your needs. From our Event Centre (featuring a stage) to our cozy Fireside Room (featuring a fireplace), we can host your function here. For pricing and room availability visit our website www. patporteralc.com, email programs@patporteralc.com or call 204-320-4600.

Meals on Wheels A healthy, warm and delicious meal cooked fresh daily and delivered to your door. Meals are cooked at the Centre,

Monday to Friday. Whether it has become harder for you to cook for yourself or you want to add some variety to your life, this program is perfect for you! Purchase meals whenever you’d like or sign up for weekly or monthly delivery. We have two Meals on Wheels programs running out of Steinbach and Grunthal. Meals may be purchased for $7 for delivery (residents of Steinbach & Grunthal) or pickup. A meal includes soup, a main dish, sides and dessert. Please call 204-320-4600 with any questions or to order a meal.

To receive a same day meal, you must call before 9 am.

Community Resources Our Community Resource program offers a Transportation Program to help you get to and from appointments or run errands in Steinbach and Winnipeg.

A fee is associated with this program and rides are dependent on availability of volunteer drivers. Our Equipment Loan program provides you with a wheelchair, walker or cane with the referral of a health care professional.

Equipment can only be loaned to a client living in a private residence for up to 3 months. Our Friendly Visitor program connects you with a volunteer that visits with you on a regular basis. We also provide ERIK kits which help you keep important medical information in one place in the event of an emergency.

Please call 204-320-4600 if you require access to any of these resources.

Circle of Friends Adult Day Program Our Circle of Friends program is designed to strengthen an individual’s ability to continue to function in their homes as well as remain active in the community. The program runs twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Transportation can be arranged through Steinbach Handi Van. What are some of the things we do? We have lots of coffee and snacks; participate in light exercise and arts and crafts or games. We often have special guests who perform live music and go out for lunch in the community. For more information, please call 204-3204600.

Volunteering Interested in volunteering with us?

Whatever your skill set or age, we’ve got a place for you! Volunteers help out with a variety of areas at the Centre including Reception Desk, Event Set Up or Clean Up, Kitchen Help, Meal Delivery, Transportation and more! Volunteer commitments are flexible, ranging from a few hours every week or month.

All volunteer positions require a Criminal Record Check. To find out how you can help, call 204-320-4600 or email programs@patporteralc.com.

COVID Vaccine Clinics Appointments can be made by calling the vaccine call centre at 1-844-6268222 (1-844-MAN-VACC) from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Have your health card ready. Go to gov.mb.ca/covid19/vaccine.

Contact Us Staff will be at the Centre from 9 am-4 pm if you need support or assistance.

We are here for you! Stay safe, stay healthy!

Colossians 3:1-4… 1) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3) For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4) When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (NIV) Have you ever noticed how earthly minded we are?

Most of the time, my attention is centred on things right around me. Perhaps that should not surprise us.

After all, we are earth dwellers. I sometimes wish I could go to another Universe and if you would come with me, then I might just want to stay there. But earth is our home for now.

We are also physical beings in a physical world. It is natural for us to think about our surroundings, our finances, our health, and the people who are important to us. But we must be careful, even as Christians, we can lose our ability to see beyond the natural and into that which is still waiting for us. As Christians, I think we have been giving a certain insight into that which Christ has prepared for us… our heavenly home.

Now, for us to understand who we are in Christ must come from Scripture. The Bible says we are God’s Children. His word is the determining factor, not our feeling, or what someone else has said about us. We can now confidently say that our names are listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The text tells us that two important things happened to us… we died and rose from the dead. What does it exactly mean when he said that we died and are now raised with Christ? Exactly how did we die and precisely how are we raised?

Well according to the Scripture, when Christ died on the Cross for our sin, we died there with him in spiritual consciousness. Christ died as our substitute, in our place. But we entered that death… sharing in that experience on the cross. By faith, we believe that Christ died for our sins, by faith we too died to sin.

We no longer need to fear the penalty or the power of sin.

Many times, I need to do a spiritual reality test. I need to have my eyes opened so that I can see. Even though I have the Holy Spirit in me, I still only seethrough natural eyes most of the time. My heart’s desire is to see beyond this natural world and into that supernatural realm of the spirit and behold the wonderful powerful activity of God. Some Christian folks live their entire life without ever understanding who they are in Christ and what is the provision Christ has made for them.

When Christ rose from the dead, we rose with Him in a spiritual sense. Because of Christ’s resurrection, we by faith have been raised to a new Spiritual life.

The Bible calls this born again. We have been born above by the power of the Spirit to live an abundant life in a new spiritual dimension. According to our text, we dwell spiritually with Christ in a heavenly kingdom.

This is a kind of loftier or higher devotion which we can only dimly understand and imperfectly express.

We somehow cannot express that true inner feeling and assurance that comes from our newfound fellowship with Christ. Sometimes we say, “Music, sports, studying, our work that’s our life’s work.” And we live for the moment we can get back to our work. Our whole life is wrapped around our work. Our work gives meaning to our life for the Christian all this is important, but now Christ is what gives meaning to our life. To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done.

Will 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 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 honour Your Name. Amen.”

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August 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

RCMP FILES If you have any information in regards to any item here you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Thieves Snag Tractor from Farm Steinbach RCMP received a report of a theft of a tractor from a farm on Rd 33E in the Rural Municipality of Hanover. The tractor is described as a 1997 John Deere 5500. It does not have a cab; it did have a front loader attached. The loader bucket also had a mesh piece welded to the back of it as well. The theft occurred between July 17 and 18. The tractor is valued at $20,000.

If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-2228477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Watercraft Stolen Off Trans Canada Hwy On July 20 Steinbach RCMP received a report of a theft of a boat near Richer on the Trans Canada Highway. The theft occurred July 19-20.

The boat is described as a 2006 Mirrocraft 1845 Dual Impact Aluminum 18 Foot boat, black with white trim and was on Heritage boat trailer.

It is equipped with an Evinrude 150 HP outboard motor and a smaller Evinrude outboard motor. In all it is valued at $23,000.

Steinbach RCMP is requesting the help of the public in locating the boat. If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-2228477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Steinbach RCMP Asking for Help with Missing Person Investigation

Multiple Vehicles Damaged Overnight

Christopher Peter Hawkins (who went by Peter), 48, took a taxi from the RM of Ste Anne to Betula Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park on May 29, 2020. He was last seen walking towards a path that leads to the provincial campground. He was wearing a red t-shirt and grey pants.

At the time Peter went missing, RCMP searched the area, but he has not been seen or heard from in over a year.

“We miss him; his humour, honesty, and caring; his love of music and sharing his detailed knowledge of NHL hockey,” said his mother Julie Hawkins. “His cat Wendy still sleeps on his bed, missing him and hoping he’ll come home. We are all praying for his safety and while we keep searching, we need the help of people who may know something to come forward to police.”

Peter is described as approximately 5’11”, 180 pounds, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

The RCMP are asking anyone with information to call the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-1234, Lac Du Bonnet RCMP at 204-345-8685, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

The Steinbach RCMP received several reports of vandalism to vehicles that occurred sometime overnight between July 29 and 30. Unknown suspect(s) damaged multiple vehicles that were parked in different areas.

The vehicles were parked along Cottonwood Bend, Cedar Crescent and Parkhill Crescent in Steinbach and on Norwood Bay in Mitchell.

The RCMP is asking the public assistance in trying to identify the suspect(s). If anyone has surveillance footage, police would be interested in viewing same.

If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Fuel Thief Targets Rural Store On July 21 the Steinbach RCMP received a report of a theft of fuel from the Ste. Genevieve General store. At approximately 12 noon, a grey Dodge pickup truck with one male driver left without paying for $156 in fuel.

The male is described as Caucasian with a shaved head and wearing a sleeveless black shirt with writing “wknd” on the back.

Steinbach RCMP are requesting the assistance in identifying the male suspect. If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Public Asked for Leads to Find Stolen Motorcycle RCMP Search for “Leap Frog” Motorcycle Thief On July 24 the Steinbach RCMP received a report of a theft of motorcycle from Steinbach Source for Sports.

At approximately 2 pm a male suspect wearing all black with a grey helmet showed up with a white and green Kawasaki and parked it in the back of the property behind Source for Sports and Steinbach Mazda.

The suspect then hotwired and stole a black 2008 Honda CBR1000RR from the side parking lot of Source for sports. The suspect left the scene with the Honda motorcycle, leaving behind the white and green Kawasaki motorcycle, which was confirmed stolen out of Winnipeg.

Steinbach RCMP are requesting the assistance from the public to help assist in the investigation. If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Photo of the recovered stolen motorcycle.

Photo of the stolen motorcycle.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Steinbach RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a stolen Harley Davidson motorcycle. The motorcycle had been parked on the Trans Canada Highway near the town of Richer after it had broken down and required a tow. By the time the owner returned it had been stolen. The motorcycle is described as a 2006 Harley-Davidson Hard Tail Chopper, with custom flame paint work. As well as custom build saddle seat, handle bars, fuel tank and exhaust and has a Manitoba plate 5FG63.

If you have any information in regards to the above matter, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at (204) 326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Thieves Cut Copper Wire from Tower On July 19 Steinbach RCMP received a call about stolen copper off a gravel pit located between Road 46E and 50N in the RM of Tache.

Sometimes over the weekend, unknown suspects cut 2 large cables of a tower.

Steinbach RCMP is asking the public assistance in locating the suspects responsible of the theft. If you have any information regarding this matter, please contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Suspect Sought in Company Truck Theft Between July 8 and 9 a 2003 GMC Sierra Truck bearing license plate number CFR 622 was stolen from Image Sod and Sprinkler in Blumenort. The truck has a company logo on the body that reads “Image Sod and Sprinkler”.

If you have any information regarding this matter, please contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-3264452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com

Company logo on truck body.

RCMP Get Report on Stolen Truck On July 15 at approximately 8 pm, a grey 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck was reported stolen from a residence on Road 43 N in the RM of Ste. Anne in the 33000 area. The truck was stolen from a shop located on the property between the hours of 7 am and 8 pm on the same date.

If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Mountain Bike Stolen from Outside of SCU The Steinbach RCMP received a report of a theft of bicycle on July 21 at approximately 2:30 pm.

The bicycle valued at approximately $600 was described as a black Trek Navigator 2.0 mountain bike and was parked outside of the Steinbach Credit Union.

If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-3264452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

The photo is a female version of the bike that was stolen outside the Steinbach Credit Union.

Police Look for Stolen Quad Steinbach RCMP are currently investigating a theft of quad that occurred July 17-18. The quad is a black and orange 2019 Polaris Sportsman XP that was stolen from a residence in the 22,000 of 31 Road E in the RM of Hanover. It has a lift kit, snorkel and aftermarket tires.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of this quad please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452.

Front Window Smashed at Steinbach Business

Street Racing Results in Injuries and Charges On July 2 around 10:28 pm Steinbach RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle collision on Main Street and Reimer in the city of Steinbach.

The collision involved a motorcycle and resulted in serious but non-life threatening injuries. As a result of the investigation two males, aged 19 and 22 were charged under the highway traffic act for street racing. The investigation remains ongoing.

Street racing under the Highway Traffic Act is a fine of $672 with 10 demerit points. This would result in total licence fees of approximately $1925 over three years. Additional impound fees and charges under the Highway Traffic Act could increase fines significantly. In addition, street racing receives an administrative licence suspension of 7 days, and a serious offence notice. The serious offence notice initiates a complete licence review in which Manitoba Public Insurance can choose to increase the length of the suspension.

Street racing is an on-going issue in the City of Steinbach. Multiple street racing tickets have already been issued this year as well as warnings in certain circumstances. Monitoring of the situation will continue.

Steinbach RCMP want to remind all drivers to follow rules of the road to ensure the safety of the public and drive responsibly. Street racing can lead to serious injuries or death.

At approximately 4:30 am on July 19, Steinbach RCMP responded to the sound of breaking glass. When police arrived at the business, Earl’s Meat Market, police noticed one of the front windows smashed as well as damage to a flower pot.

After clearing the buildings it appeared that nothing was stolen. Police further observed the planters situated in front of the Steinbach Credit Union were smashed and the Sun Paper Box thrown onto Main Street and the Canada Post mailbox at Shoppers was located tipped over. A few other businesses had planters tipped over.

Police also received a report that the front entrance window to Coffee Culture had been shattered overnight. A vehicle located in the 200 block of Barkman Avenue was damaged as well.

If you have information regarding this matter, please call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-2228477, or secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Southeast Manitoba Visit in Homeless Man’s New Book

By Marianne Curtis For the last few days of June 2019, James Caughill and his dog Muck spent a few days in Steinbach, enjoying a welcome pit stop along a journey that has so far brought the duo from Ste. Catherines to eventually walk into Vancouver.

Known as Homeless James, Caughill was not always homeless. “In 2016, I ended up needing a homeless shelter, but they didn’t take animals; I was not going to get rid of Muckwah,” Caughill recalled. “At the time, there was not a single shelter in the entire country that accepted animals.”

Caughill decided that he’d sooner live in a tent, than give up his beloved companion, Muckwah. The need was really driven home during a stay in Toronto’s tent city along with about 5,000 other homeless men and women; all of whom had either a cat or dog.

The idea to hit the road to raise awareness of this plight came after reading a book called “My Adventure with Bruce” which gave him the idea to start keeping a journal of his adventures.

“Since we started walking our story has inspired four homeless shelters across Canada that now take in pets,” said Caughill adding that he lost Muckwah to cancer in April. “I am going to publish eight books and the money will go towards Muckwah memorial shelters. That will be Muckwah’s legacy.”

True to his word, with the help of Oak Island Publications in Ile des Chenes, Caughill has already published three books which are available on Amazon.

This July, the fourth book in the series was released and it is all about his

journey through Manitoba, including why he ventured cross country to avoid the “murder capital of Canada”.

Walking to the Rockies with Muckwah – Vermillion Bay Ontario to Moosomin, Saskatchewan was just released onto Amazon.

Caughill and Muck had walked as far as Moosomin, Saskatchewan in the fall of 2019, when he was forced to turn back and winter in Cypress River, Manitoba. The plan to continue in the spring of 2020 was curtailed when COVID forced him to stay put until spring of 2021. This gave him time to finish the four volumes of his book and prepare to leave.

The duo hit the road at the end of April, and at the time of newspaper publication Caughill and Muck were on their way to Medicine Hat, Alberta To follow their journey, look for Homeless James and Muckwah on Facebook.

This edition of the series is all about the author’s journey throughout southern Manitoba.

Photo by Marianne Curtis James Caughill, otherwise known as Homeless James and Muck are walking across Canada to raise awareness and inspire change because many times homeless people are forced to give up the only family they know, their dogs, to find a safe place to sleep.

August 2021

19

In Living Colour It was black and white. It was a 16 inch Zenith black and white television set. It seemed larger than life compared to no teleBy Arlene vision at all. Tall Derksen very thin wiry, metal, stoic rabbit ears graced the top of the small set, seemingly dwarfing it, making the picture somewhat clear if moved just right. It was exciting. It was new. It was our window to the world, or at least three channels worth, and one other very snowy Channel 6.

It was 1969 and I was four. The photos held in place by vintage triangle corners in the vinyl covered photo albums that lived on our 1960s coffee table, lived in black and white also. For all I knew, in my young mind, the people that had existed before me lived in a black and white world.

Nonetheless, it always thrilled my heart to sit through the pages of the albums and now the black and white shows on our new TV set. It seemed to come alive right there in our tiny little living room.

It was a new day in our home, at least in my little mind.

Three years later in 1972, our world inside our little living room changed again. The 16 inch Zenith black and white TV was replaced by one of the first new seemingly monstrous coloured floor models. The colours were yet to be perfected but in my eyes the world streaming into our living room had come to life.

By now the photographs being added to our photo albums had turned into colour due to the introduction of the coloured instant Kodak cameras. Our home seemed to come alive with all the colours that surrounded us through the new television set and the addition of the coloured photos in albums on the coffee table.

There was no turning back. We had tasted a new world in colour.

Sometimes in life we think we are living, yet we haven’t transitioned from that black and white Zenith picture box.

The world around us and the world we create seem to live only in black and white. two dimensional, living in our comfort zone hoping to live out our lives in the safety of no regrets, with fear reigning in our hearts, taking no chances to experience the incredible lives we were meant to live.

We were all created for Greatness. Greatness not by the world’s standards but from the world beyond ourselves.

We are all made in His image. That in itself means we are all destined for greatness. We are all born with a gift or many gifts for that matter so unique that not one person since the dawn of time can be duplicated exactly. What a masterpiece we are. How incredible.

Not everyone will recognize your unique contribution to the world. For that reason our hearts become timid and we fear rejection and such is the reason we choose to live our lives in the safety of black and white. It’s never too late though. Don’t look back… There is no room for that.

Just as the transition occurred in a short moment in our tiny living room on that day in 1972 when the larger-thanlife coloured television set replaced the 16 inch Zenith black and white set, so too can we start living larger than life.

Once you do… there will be no turning back.

Don’t underestimate the reason you were put on this planet. Don’t let your own mind get in the way with black and white two dimensional thinking. Open your heart and your mind to the impossible.

Why the impossible? Because it is there where the Creator of the impossible lives. The ONE who will walk beside you…in front of you…and behind you… as is promised in his Word.

That which has always seemed out of reach…DO. Teach.. teach what has been put on your heart to teach.

Sing.. sing songs that reflect your life.

Learn…learn how to step into each other’s lives so as to enrich each other and encourage each other to step out of their black and white box.

Run…run far away from a life that is less than you were created to live. Run from a life that is black and white.

Walk…walk a new path that takes you out of your comfort zone.

Soar…soar to new heights that lead you to a whole new way of living; and then again maybe not so new, a life that you were always meant to live. It’s always been there.

Come to life. Now live it. It’s a new day. Live It…In living colour.

In The Moment

20

August 2021

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Producer Spotlight: Prairie Shore Botanicals Native Prairie and Woodland Plant Nursery

By Laura Reeves I’m excited to announce that Prairie Shore Botanicals has expanded to include a native prairie and woodland plant nursery.

When I landed the position of field technician for the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve back in 1994, I was ecstatic! The Preserve was only a few years old at the time, so my primary task was to inventory and make an official collection of all of the plant species that occurred within its boundaries.

Laden with numerous field guides and botanical texts, binoculars and notebook, I wandered through pristine fields of blue-eyed grass, yellow stargrass and hoary puccoon, instantly falling in love. In my challenge to distinguish one spe-

cies from another I was awed by the subtle, and not so subtle, differences between each one.

Over the years, I continued to discover new plants and add to the list that now includes 476 species. In subsequent years, my job description expanded to include monitoring the effects of various weather cycles and management activities on both native and non-native species.

In the last 20 - 30 years, native prairie plants have become increasingly in demand as ecologists seek to restore endangered grasslands and backyard gardeners strive to add something new and bold to their flower beds.

Native prairie plants can be tricky to propagate and slow to grow and suppliers have responded by devel-

oping cultivars that are not only easier to mass produce, but have bolder colours, larger flowers and longer bloom times, among other modified traits.

Since historic Lake Agassiz dried up 9,000 years ago, local plants have been co-evolving with the surrounding insects, animals and fungi. As a result, various interrelationships and dependencies have formed within and between life forms.

Take the western prairie fringed orchid, for example, which has flowers that only 5 species of moth are capable of pollinating.

Perhaps not surprisingly then, researchers have found that when naSubmitted photos tive species and their modern cultivars are grown side by side, in the Laura decided to bring her love, knowledge and observations of local prairie and woodland majority of cases, pollinating insects plants together to provide an alternate source of native-to-Manitoba plants (bees, butterflies, beetles and others) prefer the native species over the cultivar - sometimes overwhelmingly. It turns out that larger flowers and more numerous petals often come at the expense of nectar or pollen production, and changes in flower colour may make a flower less attractive to the insect(s) it depends on for pollination.

With this weighing heavily on my mind, along with the realization that prairie restorations often omit the less common, but equally important, species found in pristine prairies, I decided to bring my love, knowledge and observations of local prairie and woodland plants together to provide an alternate source of native-to-Manitoba plants. My goal is to grow species that are less common and, as yet, not currently available at our other native plant nurseries in Manitoba, such as plants with a hemiparasitic nature.

So far, 30 species, adapted to a variety of habitat types from dry prairie to wetland, are available with more on the way as the nursery continues to expand.

Anyone with an interest in backyard wildflower, pollinator and rain gardens, or prairie restoration, can find detailed descriptions of the plants in my online catalogue at psbotanicals.com/nursery.

I’m happy to say that I’ve developed a soil mix that is peat-free. I’m also striving to reduce plastic waste, so many of my plants are in unconventional pots. It’s taken some time and lots of patience, but I’m excited that the plants are healthy and ready to be planted in their new forever homes! To place an order, please email info@psbotanicals.com or call 204-425-3520.

The Producer Spotlight is brought to you by the Stuartburn Emerson-Franklin Local Food Initiative.

Reach them at initiativelocalfood@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

Laura gathering seeds.

Butterfly on Gaillardia