Dawson Trail Dispatch June 2022

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Pride Comes to Ste. Agathe for the Third Year

Community celebrates its third annual Pride Parade in Ste. Agathe.

By Angelique Forest Ste. Agathe hosted its annual Pride Parade on the last Sunday of May bringing together the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

Participants joined hands and walked together with decorated vehicles, bikes and floats to bring joy and awareness about diversity and inclusivity.

“I think it is important to remember that, while we may be a small town, we are a diverse community,” said Ember Klaassen. Klaassen is responsible for starting the parade in Ste. Agathe back in 2020, after the pandemic began. “We created this event to help everyone feel accepted,

even at this local level. We encourage and welcome anyone who wants to attend a pride event, and especially those who might feel intimidated by a larger event.”

After 2 years of pandemic parade, this year marks the first without restrictions in place.

“The biggest change this year is that people will not be confined to their vehicles. They are welcome to enter a float, or walk, or bike!” added Klaassen.

“For the first time since we started this event in 2020, we can hug our friends and chosen family!”

Ste. Agathe Bar & Grill opened its

Pictures courtesy of Ember Klaassen

doors for anyone who wanted to keep the celebration going after the parade was over.

“In the past two years, we have had a lot of people who might not feel comfortable in a larger setting but have come to our parade and appreciated the opportunity to celebrate pride this way.

It is especially good for the introverts who might feel overwhelmed by larger crowds,” said Klaassen.

“We have had participants and attendees as young as babies to people in their nineties! Pride is for everyone,” she added, encouraging newcomers who may be reluctant.

June 2022

Southeast Receives Funding to Repair Road Damage Through the Municipal Road Repair Fund, the RM of Ste. Anne will receive $65,938.37 and the RM of Tache will get $140,709 to aid in the repair of potholes and other road damage.

With a total capital commitment of $15 million, the per capita funding will be shared with all municipal governments across the province.

The Town of Ste. Anne will receive just over $34,000 through this program; RM of Reynolds gets almost $16,000 and the RM of Whitemouth at slightly over $19,000.

Above-average precipitation and colder-thanaverage temperatures have caused a substantial increase in the number and severity of potholes on Manitoban roads. This one-time grant program aims to provide municipalities across Manitoba with funding for road construction, rehabilitation and preservation projects.

“This funding will help our municipalities deal with the increased costs of road maintenance brought on by unexpected weather,” said Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko.

“These unexpected weather events have caused a significant increase in damage to our roads, and our government is committed to aiding municipalities in offsetting the associated costs,” added Dawson Trail MLA Bob Lagassé.

June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Southeast Manitoba Graduation Ceremonies Return to More Traditional Format With the removal of Public Health restrictions, secondary school students are excited for the return to more normal graduation ceremonies this June.

While some school divisions have hedged their bets by still renting screens and making backup plans for reduced contact ceremonies just in case, most schools are now going ahead with more traditional ceremony and celebration plans.

SRSS graduates will be celebrating at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg on June 23rd. The schedule includes a Graduation Ceremony, Banquet, Dinner and Safe Grad Prom.

Other high schools throughout the southeast will be announcing their graduation ceremony details shortly.

Congratulations to all the 2022 Graduates! Please celebrate safely.

Huge Student Job Availability in Southeast There are approximately 100 job positions through the Manitoba Green Team program that have been filled or are still accepting applications across southeast Manitoba. Many service groups and municipal governments are aggressively soliciting resumes from youth to fill the summer positions.

Additionally, under the Canada Summer Jobs program and the Métis Youth Summer Employment Program there are another 150 positions available.

Looking over the list, many of the jobs are centered on maintenance, tourism, recreation and community improvement.

If you are a student returning to school in the fall, you are encouraged to reach out to your local municipal government and service groups to see if the deadline for applications is still open.

Organizations that have been approved to offer employment through the Manitoba Green Team program include: RM of De Salaberry; LUD of St. Malo; RM of La Broquerie; RM of Piney; RM of Ritchot; RM of Ste. Anne; RM of Tache Emerson Golf Course; Hanover Ag Society – Grunthal; Seine River Minor Ball Association – IDC; Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Society – IDC; Seine River School Division – Lorette; Tache Community Daycare – Lorette; Niverville MCC; Town of Niverville; Town of Ste. Anne; Richer Dawson Trail Museum; Richer Arts & Heritage Tour; Catholic School of Evangelization – St. Malo; Chalet Malouin – St. Malo Epic-Smile – St. Malo; Ste. Agathe Community Development; City of Steinbach Eastman Employment Services – Steinbach; Hanover School Division – Steinbach; Jake Epp Library – Steinbach; Mennonite Heritage Village – Steinbach; Red Rock Bible Camp – Steinbach; Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District – Steinbach; Steinbach Arts Council; Steinbach Housing Inc.; Woodhaven Manor – Steinbach; Youth for Christ – Steinbach; Crow Wing Trail Association – St. Pierre-Jolys; Manoir St. PierreJolys; Parc Carillon Committee – St. Pierre-Jolys; Vassar Community Recreational Centre and Woodridge Community Club.

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

June 2022

Southeast Communities Benefit from BSC Grants for Various Projects

By Dan Guetre The Province of Manitoba just released the results from the most recent Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) program and communities in the southeast will benefit from just over $2.637 million in funding.

Organizations and municipalities in the southeast listed will begin their respective projects soon. ∙ Centre Sportif St. Adolphe Sports Centre Inc. Arena Dehumidifier $25,000 ∙ Centre TC Energy Centre Inc. Accessibility and Safety Upgrades $18,442 ∙ City of Steinbach New Outdoor Rink $75,000 ∙ City of Steinbach Highway Access Management Plan Update $27,500 ∙ City of Steinbach Official Community Plan Update $12,500 ∙ City of Steinbach Zoning By-Law Update $30,000 ∙ Club IDC Club Inc. Outdoor Rink and Sport Court Revitalization $71,750 ∙ Eastman ATV Association Inc. Trail Upgrades $4,000 ∙ Eastman Crisis Centre Inc. Strategic Plan $4,497 ∙ Grande Pointe Homeowners Association Inc. Outdoor Enhancement $26,750 ∙ Dawson Trail Museum – Dawson Trail Arts & Heritage Committee Dawson Trail Commemorative Wayfinding Trail and Exhibits $300,000 ∙ Dawson Trail Museum Outdoor Building Renovation $2,300 ∙ Landmark Recreation Association Arena Upgrades $8,678 ∙ Midwinter Heritage Association Inc. Grounds Upgrades $9,000 ∙ Municipality of Emerson-Franklin Dominion City Healthy Living Centre Improvements $4,503 ∙ Niverville Junior A Hockey Club Inc. Arena Event Seating Expansion $259,032 ∙ RM of La Broquerie Hylife Centre Upgrades $12,000 ∙ RM of La Broquerie La Broquerie Community Playground Development $75,000

∙ RM of Piney Recreation Master Plan $27,500 ∙ RM of Reynolds Hadashville Recreation Centre Enhancement $7,988 ∙ RM of Ritchot St. Adolphe Civic Site $75,000 ∙ RM of Ritchot Perron Park Revitalization - Phase 1 $40,000 ∙ RM of Taché Park and Green Space Improvement $68,000 ∙ RM of Taché Lorette Arena Equipment $6,400 ∙ RM of Taché Centre of Canada Master Site Plan $20,000 ∙ Rat River Recreation Commission Recreation Master Plan $35,000 ∙ Reynolds Community Club Facility Upgrades $6,350 ∙ RM of Hanover Mitchell Skate Park $159,450 ∙ RM of Hanover New Bothwell Outdoor Rink $75,000 ∙ RM of Hanover Blumenort Washroom and Canteen $75,000 ∙ RM of Hanover Grunthal Soccer Field $75,000 ∙ RM of Ste. Anne Giroux Park Rejuvenation $42,000 ∙ RM of Ste. Anne Zoning and ByLaw Review $35,000 ∙ RM of Stuartburn Vita Walking Paths $64,869 ∙ RM of Stuartburn Zoning Bylaw Review $3,070 ∙ RM of Stuartburn Investment At-

traction Strategic Plan $42,525 ∙ Sandilands Ski Club Sandilands Trail Improvement $5,750 ∙ Seine River Minor Ball Baseball Diamond Improvements $24,909 ∙ Snow Raiders Snowmobile Club Inc. Equipment Upgrades $75,000 ∙ South Whiteshell Trail Association Equipment Upgrades $25,000 ∙ St. Pierre/de Salaberry Handi Transit Service Handi Transit Bus Shelter $32,048 ∙ Ste. Agathe Arena Facility and Equipment Upgrades $9,500 ∙ Ste. Agathe Community Development Inc. Parc Cheyenne Park Revitalization - Phase 2 $75,000 ∙ Ste. Agathe Culture and Community Centre Air Efficiency Upgrades $11,250 ∙ Steinbach Chamber of Commerce Investment Attraction Strategy $75,000 ∙ Town of Niverville Opa’s Park – Phase 1 $30,000 ∙ Town of Niverville Niverville CPR Well Historical Park - Phase 1 $25,000 ∙ Village of St. Pierre-Jolys Campground Expansion $8,987 ∙ Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre Inc. Education Program Expansion $74,000

Smiling recipients came to pick up their cheques from MLA Bob Lagasse.

Funding was made available for playground upgrades.

Dawson Trail Museum Outdoor Building Renovation $2,300

Landmark Recreation Association Arena Upgrades $8,678.

Submitted photos

June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Municipal Board Agrees To Hearing Appeal on Lorette West Development

By Dan Guetre A group of residents opposed to a residential development in the RM of Taché are set to have their appeal heard by the Municipal Board after both the RM of Taché and the Province of Manitoba were set to approve the project.

On June 11, the “Schinkel Drainage Licence” in regards to the Lorette West Development will make its way through the long process letting both sides air their opinions.

“We are not surprised,” said Alan Klippenstein, Director of Real Estate Development for Schinkel Properties on the path this development project has taken.

Previously, Schinkel Properties had hosted a virtual meeting with concerned residents to answer questions and explain their side.

“We were hoping that by allowing the public to have a chance to meet with our engineers, their questions would be answered and that would alleviate their concerns,” added Klippenstein. “Unfortunately that was not the case and it is being moved to a Municipal Hearing.”

When asked if this could have been avoided in hindsight, Klippenstein believes there is nothing different they could have done to present it.

“We believe that we took the right approach from the start. We held an open house for the public on the subdivision itself, we met with the RM and council several times with our consultants to answer questions and again held an open house with the public,” explained Klippenstein. “We want to be a good neighbor so we went far beyond what is typical in these situations.”

While Klippenstein has resolved himself in the fact that there are still a few extra steps for this development to proceed, he is confident that the development will move forward.

“We feel confident in our engineers with the design and expect a favorable outcome in the hearing,” he said.

When reaching out to a few members of the resident group appealing the development, no one responded by press deadline.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Canada Unprepared to Deal with Global Threats Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally barred Huawei from Canada’s 5G network. It only took him three years to do it.

To ban Huawei is a no brainer.

Security experts, including our own intelligence agencies, have been warning about the dangers posed

by Huawei’s close ties to China’s communist government for years.

Our Five Eyes allies have all banned Huawei from their networks and have been begging Canada to do the same.

For years, China has hit Canada with cyber-attacks, engaged in espionage and intimidated citizens of Chinese origin. They have taken our citizens hostage and banned Canadian goods. Still Justin Trudeau dithered.

This Prime Minister needs to understand that China is not our friend.

Could it be that Justin Trudeau’s expressed admiration of China’s basic dictatorship renders him unable to see the obvious threat posed by Communist China?

Whatever the reason, Canada remains vulnerable. Banning Huawei is a good first step, but China is far from the only threat Canada is facing in a quickly changing security landscape.

Russian aggression and expansionism, culminating in the current war in Ukraine, poses a danger to Europe but also to the rest of the world— particularly those countries who rely on Ukraine as the “breadbasket” of Europe. Russia’s ability to weaponize food—one of the oldest military

strategies in the world—could see Russia’s influence in developing nations increase; as a benefactor to some and the cause of starvation for others.

Closer to home, for years, Russian forces have been revitalizing their bases in the far north, resulting in a significant military buildup in the Arctic region. The Trudeau Government has, once again, failed to take this threat seriously. Canada’s severely limited presence in the region renders us completely unable to deter Russian aggression or expansion and leaves our resource-rich territory, essentially, undefended.

The threat posed by Russia and China has been present for decades, there is no excuse to be in the position we are currently in. However, an alarming new threat is likely to exacerbate the dangers they pose.

Security officials (and other experts) are sounding the alarm at a new and quickly rising threat: the instability of our neighbor to the South.

Deep political divisions, largely driven by media propaganda and online misinformation and disinformation via social media—much of it originating in Russia—have led to an alarming rise in domestic extremist groups, both on the far left and far right.

While we are not, yet, experiencing this to the same level, Canada is not immune to this phenomenon. As I expressed in my column last week, Justin Trudeau’s efforts to import divisive issues from the US into Canada—to advance his own political and ideological agenda—only serves to further destabilize our own already

deeply divided nation.

This increase in domestic threats has seen intelligence agencies shift their focus from international targets and re-focus resources and personnel on internal concerns. Not only is the domestic terror threat heightened but, by pulling resources, intelligence agencies are allowing more room for international terror groups and criminal entities to operate.

A divided and weakened America, no longer willing—or able—to deal unilaterally or judiciously with global threats means nations must now be prepared to stand on their own two feet to defend their sovereignty.

Like other western nations, Canada’s severely depleted military and intelligence services means we are truly vulnerable.

Taking three years to respond to an obvious threat shows a government that is not serious about security and woefully unprepared to deal with global threats.

Canada’s Conservatives understand the threats facing our country and what it will take to meet them head on. We will continue to raise the alarm and call on this Liberal Government to act swiftly and responsibly when it comes to our national security.

United with Those Seeking Refuge I am incredibly pleased to announce that we have welcomed the first charter flight of Ukrainians who are seeking refuge in Manitoba. We will continue to work closely with the federal government to prioritize applications and process documents of Ukrainians wishing to come to Manitoba, so that we are able to help as many Ukrainian refugees as possible.

One in seven Manitobans is of Ukrainian descent, but during this terrible ordeal, we are all Ukrainians. We stand united with Ukraine and its courageous people, as they face the unimaginable loss and suffering caused by this appalling and brutal war of aggression.

Our provincial government will continue to work together with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), other Ukrainian-Canadian organizations, non-profit organizations and businesses, and all of

our communities, as we address this evolving humanitarian crisis.

The Ukrainian Refugee Response Task Force has been centrally organized to work with our various partners, businesses, and organizations, to provide immediate, strong and unwavering support to Ukrainian refugees seeking safe haven in Manitoba.

To date, our provincial government has provided more than $800,000 in direct humanitarian aid, including $650,000 to the UCC and the Canadian-Ukraine foundation, and $150,000 to the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation. We have also waived the $500 Provincial Nominee Program fee for all Ukrainians seeking to reside in Manitoba.

Our provincial government launched manitoba4ukraine.ca as a centralized portal that offers a wide range of information for those wanting to help in any way possible, including Manitobans of Ukrainian and non-Ukrai-

nian descent, any Manitoba-based employers, and Ukrainian Nationals abroad wanting to know how to arrive safely in Manitoba.

The website is centrally coordinated through the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization. Please visit manitoba4ukraine.ca to find more information and discover ways that you can help. Slava Ukraini!

For more updates and information, visit my website at boblagasse.com. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my constituency office at ca.lagasse@outlook.com or 204807-4663.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

La Verendrye Receives Funds from the Building Sustainable Communities Program One of the great pleasures I have as an elected official is announcing funding that is near and dear to my heart. Last month I was pleased to announce $724,784 to a variety of projects across my constituency.

The largest of these projects is in the RM of De Salaberry where the St. Malo Arena is undergoing major renovations. Alongside my PC Government colleagues we are dedicating $271,105 to the project that will see major upgrades, including the replacement of the ice plant and dehumidifiers.

The RM of Hanover’s $75,000 funding is going towards upgrades at the New Bothwell Outdoor Rink.

This will include upgrades and repairs as well as renovations, such as new lighting, a brand new overhead zamboni door, and the installation of an asphalt surface to help protect the longevity of the rink.

The RM of Hanover will also receive an additional $75,000 for upgrades to current Grunthal Soccer Field and construction of a second full size soccer field.

We are also dedicating $12,000 towards the RM of La Broquerie to help upgrade the Hylife Centre, including the installation of a new ice level system.

The RM of La Broquerie will also receive an additional $75,000 for the construction of the La Broquerie Community Playground, which will see a safe and assessable playground built to address identified needs within the community. $64,869 is going to the RM of Stuartburn for the construction of the Vita Walking Paths, an 1,800metre path located at the Vita Rest Area.

As well, the RM of Stuartburn is receiving $42,525 to develop an investment attraction strategy which will include logistics planning, literature review, asset education and so forth. This funding will help the community grow its economy by helping create plans and guidelines.

The RM of Stuartburn will work hand-in-hand with the RM of Piney on the plan, who also received $27,500 for the project.

I am also pleased to announce $5,750 towards upgrades to the Sandilands Ski Club’s trail improvements. This adds upgrades to existing trails including widening and rerouting portions of the trail as well as the purchase of additional signage. $35,000 is being given to the Rat River Recreation Commission to

conduct a joint recreation master plan study between the Village of St. Pierre-Jolys and the RM of De Salaberry.

The Village of St. Pierre-Jolys will also receive $8,987 for the expansion and renovation of the community campground. These upgrades will include the addition of new campsites so more people can enjoy the beautiful summer outdoors.

And last but not least, the St. Pierre/de Salaberry Hani Transit Service will receive $32,048 for the construction of a new handi transit shelter building.

These projects are just a handful of the dozens being funded through the Building Sustainable Communities grant across Manitoba. I am honoured and pleased to be a part of such fantastic work and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.

Budget 2022 is About Recovery The theme of Budget 2022, released and announced on April 12, is about recovering, strengthening, investing and building together. It makes investments in five priority areas that will strengthen our healthcare, make life more affordable, build our economy, invest in our communities and protect our environment.

With Budget 2022, I am proud of our government’s commitment to small businesses, landowners, municipalities, children, students, and families to name but a few. No doubt, the pandemic has upended post-secondary education and job opportunities for university and college students looking for new jobs and careers. We will advance students through their learning and into good jobs with new and measurable actions to grow our economy, boost skills and attract newcomers to our province.

Budget 2022 addresses affordability as well. We know the cost of living is increasing, and Manitobans need a break. Under our government, Manitobans now pay $2,400 per year LESS taxes than they did under the NDP. We’re continuing to keep our promise to eliminate education property tax on residential and farm properties with the rebate increasing to 37.5 per cent, and 50 per cent next year. We have also introduced a new Renters’ Tax Credit of up to $525

per year. As well, we’re expanding eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program to support an average of $10 per day child care spaces by 2023.

Manitoba continues with significant investments to modernize early learning and child care, building a stronger and more responsive system to ensure high-quality, affordable and accessible services for all families and to advance Manitoba’s economic growth by supporting parents to participate in the workforce. Under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement, Budget 2022/23 includes a $20 million investment to support operating funding increased salaries to retain and attract early learning child care staff.

Our government’s 2016 commitment to build 20 new schools over 10 years is ahead of schedule. By 2027, 22 new schools will be open for Manitoba’s children and youth.

That means new classrooms, new gymnasiums, and new playgrounds for thousands of Manitobans. The commitment of 22 new schools will provide a nearly 14,000 new classroom spaces along with 1,600 child care spaces.

Extensive engagements have taken place since the March 2021 release of the 75 recommendations from the Commission on Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education report, Our

Children’s Success: Manitoba’s Future. Manitoba’s kindergarten to Grade 12 education roadmap will guide the path forward, along with a new Manitoba Inter-Sectoral Education Council, to inform provincial, local and school-level planning.

While the government looks forward to advancing its work toward equitable outcomes for all students, it remains focused on keeping schools safe and open for continued in-person learning as part of the COVID19 response. In 2021/22, Manitoba made available $63 million in the Safe Schools Fund to ensure continued learning for students and worked closely with public health officials and the kindergarten to Grade 12 education system to implement preventive measures and contingency plans to keep students and staff safe.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me at wayne@wayneewasko.com, or call me at 204-268-3282. Also, you can follow me on Twitter @wayneewaskomla and friend me on Facebook.

June 2022

The Big Picture to An Alternate Energy Grid

By Monica Guetre The saying that they’re not making new land is true.

When it comes to building and creating an affordable and sustainable National, Provincial and Municipal energy grid we should not be doing this piece meal.

Let’s look at how we power our homes and businesses and our energy grid differently. In other words, look at the big picture from coast to coast to coast.

Many government programs that incentivize upgrading to renewable energy are designed as a program for individuals to go-it alone. This is very costly to the individual and doesn’t fix the need for a comprehensive energy grid.

Also, our provincial energy Crown Corporations desire full control on where we get our electricity, what equipment we use and how we consume it. When these Crown Corporations build infrastructure to expand power grids, south, north, east or west, the cost for us climbs higher and higher. In a cold winter or a hot summer high heating and cooling costs for every home and business limits our ability to pay a monthly mortgage, expand our business, hire more employees, put food on the table, stay warm or cool, pay for a month of prescriptions, save for a family vacation, help our children attend a post-secondary education program, afford our retirement, and on and on.

I’m not saying we scrap our energy Crown Corporations that we’ve built over decades with our very own money. No the opposite. We need it to work for us at a reduced cost, be flexible and recognize it’s time to repay what we paid. The energy generated from our Crown Corporation will always be needed.

Instead of relying on tunnel vision energy Crown Corporation, I’m leaning into an alternative option that lessens our reliance on the status quo because we are going to need much, much more sources of electricity and energy as we move away from fossil fuels. And it needs to happen fast.

We should be using what we have rather than taking away our nonrenewable resources – land and clean water.

Land and clean water is needed for agriculture, housing, businesses, and most importantly, an eco-system that should not be destroyed since we are better off when it is protected.

What infrastructure do we already have that can be used to provide cheap energy for us all? It’s our roof tops, under our buildings, our vertical building walls, over and under our paved parking lots, wherever you can place a solar panel or a roof top wind turbine, or underground geo-thermal source, the infrastructure is already built. Possibly exploring the capture of the kinetic energy we produce every day in our daily lives. The individual infrastructure available is in the millions and a lot cheaper than building another hydro dam.

Here’s the ask. Let’s eliminate the national and provincial roadblocks and change the mandate of our energy Crown Corporation where our needs come first.

Let’s change our building regulations so that we can create our own energy and then feed it back into the grid rather than bypassing our own needs. The technology is there. Let us be the reliable partner in creating renewable energy. Let us save our money.

Let’s start an energy co-operative that has purchasing and labour power that makes this affordable for us. Whether that co-op is administered by an existing or new co-op or a new or existing Crown Corporation or by the association of municipalities across Canada, that’s up for discussion. Whatever is decided, no one business or Crown Corporation should hold us hostage to their way only, it has to be flexible and ready to implement changes quickly and benefit us.

Let’s really kick start this with federal and provincial tax refunds (not credits) with a decade long program. Let’s ask our politicians to think long term.

Let’s speak with insurance companies about how and what is needed to insure the new infrastructure that we create.

Let’s talk about who owns the infrastructure that we build. For me that’s the owner of the home, building parking lot and businesses.

With that thought, then what about repairs, and maintenance how does this get covered?

Let’s really fund and develop a mandate for our researchers and engineers to come up with less expensive equipment, that is not throwaway after a few years, that can be repaired easily and continues to create affordable renewable energy for many decades and has storage capability that doesn’t need replacing after a decade.

Let’s build education programs and our work force now because the need is not tomorrow, it’s today. Let’s create a manufacturing sector in the province that will use our skilled people.

Let’s change our future together by starting the discussion today.

June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Dawson Trail Museum Unveils History and Heritage During Open House

By Dan Guetre About 100 visitors took in a recent open house hosted by the Dawson Trail Museum in Richer to kick off a busy summer season.

The museum packed in a lot of activities and events during the day and tested the waters with some new ideas.

“It was joyful to hear The Country Star Band,

Market 4 The Kids to Raise Funds for School Meal Program in St. Malo

By Angelique Forest The Ecole St. Malo School Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is excited to announce that, pending permit approval, they will be hosting “Market 4 The Kids” this summer on Saturdays at the St. Malo Arena.

The intention of the new market which would replace the St. Malo Farmers Market is to raise funds needed to launch a breakfast program at the local school.

The PAC formed a sub-committee to coordinate this venture and local residents Ashley Hamonic, Jodi La France and Michelle Catellier agreed to take the challenge on.

“Right now we are waiting on the permit from the public health inspector,” said La France, who is hopeful the go ahead will be given shortly.

Additionally, the sub-committee is now in the process of finding community sponsors that would help cover the cost of the arena rental. This sponsorship would effectively allow the committee to raise more funds for the breakfast program.

Anyone willing to volunteer time on one or more Saturdays to help PAC members run the market is encouraged to reach out to them. To donate, volunteer or to become a vendor, you can contact the PAC market sub-committee at market4thekids.stmalo@hotmail. com for more information.

Dates and further information will be shared when they are available and approved.

which filled the museum as people came in,” said Yvonne Fontaine Godard, president of the Museum. “Métis cultural food was available along [and] cake and popcorn were served to visitors as they strolled around viewing the exhibits and listening to music.”

“Visitors were pleased to see that the renovations kept on going inside even though the museum was closed to the public for the past two years during the Covid-19 pandemic,” added Fontaine Godard.

“The membership drive went well, very happy as we now have interac, makes it easier for everyone, [and] they were given an information bag to take home,” continued Fontaine Godard. “The gift shop was a plus as well as we are now promoting the Dawson Trail. Everyone was pleased to see t-shirts with the logo I travelled the Dawson Trail.”

Getting responses and ideas from the visitors was also important to Fontaine Godard.

“It was a pleasure to discuss the exhibits with the visitors,” said Fontaine Godard. “Some have ideas on programming in the future such as a meeting place for seniors to watch movies in the afternoon, quilting, tearoom, and storytelling.”

An emotional element to the day occurred when Julie Carver was introduced as the great, great, grand-daughter of Cashawa, a first nation’s guide who had rescued a local family during a raging forest fire. Cashawa, who was leading two Belgians through the area, fearlessly tucked a baby under his arm and led the mother and other children to safety to a nearby lake. The Godard family survived and prospered in the area due to this heroic feat. Julie Carver was able to meet with an emotional descendant, Roger Godard.

The rescue was documented.

“Closer to Thibaultville, Mrs. Godard saw the fire approaching. She rushed to the fields to herd the cattle into the barn. Sparks carried by the wind landed on the house, and set their haystacks on fire. The frantic mother hid her children in the cellar and they all would have perished, but at the time, fortunately, three men were traveling along the Dawson Trail nearby.

It was two Belgians with a First Nation guide named Kashawa. When they saw Mrs. Godard emerging from the cellar with her children, Kashawa tucked the baby under his arm and led the mother and the other children to safety

at Lac Bossé. Mr. Godard met Kashawa when he was walking home from St-Boniface. Kashawa told him “Your family is safe but all your buildings and animals are gone.” By Anonymous in the Godard family history book.

Another key feature at the museum’s open house was the official launch of the Dawson Trail Art Exhibit organized by the Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Committee.

“Our partnership with the Museum is growing stronger every year,” said Pierrette Sherwood, a spokesperson for the committee. “The Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Tour enjoys a very synergistic relationship with the Dawson Trail Museum and we are extremely grateful for their ongoing collaboration and support.”

“We were welcomed into the ‘inner sanctum’ of the Museum building this year with dedicated space within the Museum’s exhibit walls to showcase the talent of our Art Tour,” added Sherwood.

“We have several artist-members featuring a sample of their work here now and it allows us to promote the art tour event to visitors. It also complements the Museum’s role as the home of all Dawson Trail related ‘treasures’ and hub for community programming.”

“Most of the artists participating in the exhibit made an appearance and I think they are very pleased with the results,” Sherwood said. “Again, it’s a first for us in terms of having an official art showcase within the Museum so this is kind of a big deal. We are all hoping we can continue on this momentum and that arts and history programming, including the Dawson Trail Art Tour exhibit, will become regular features of their annual programming.”

Sherwood is not shy expressing her feelings about the museum.

“The Museum is an asset to this community and the region as a whole,” she said. “Their leadership is strong and they work tirelessly to keep the Museum maintained and relevant as a home for the Dawson Trail history and culture to come alive for the benefit of the whole community.”

Julie Carver is the great, great, grand-daughter of Cashawa, who was credited with saving the Godard family during a raging brush fire in 1897. She made a point of visiting the museum during their open house and had a chance meeting with Roger Godard, a descendant of those who were rescued by her ancestor.

Photo by Dan Guetre

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Double Podium Finish for Niverville’s Richert in Italy

Richert on track at Imola, Italy during Friday’s rain.

After torrential rains made Friday’s practice sessions and qualifying a serious challenge, David Richert was able to navigate the circumstances and come away with a 3rd place finish on Saturday, May 7 and a hard fought 2nd place in Sunday, May 8 at the Drexler Automotive Formel Cup race in Imola, Italy.

Richert 2nd on the podium after Sunday’s Race 2.

Richert 3rd on the podium after Saturday’s Race 1.

Submitted photos

Friday was an action packed and extremely wet day with rain falling from morning until night. The critical moment of the weekend came with the start of qualifying as Richert elected to leave the paddock early and take a position second in line to enter the pitlane for the beginning of the session. Being at the front of a 37 car train gave Richert the chance to be one of the few drivers to set a reasonable lap time prior to the start of heavy rain and helped secure excellent starting positions for both of the weekend’s races.

In Race 1 on Saturday, Richert managed to fight his way back up to 3rd after an off-track excursion while avoiding a spinning car ahead. Race 2 presented one better as Richert grabbed a 2nd place result after a hard-fought wheel-to-wheel battle with Swiss driver Marcel Tobler.

“It’s been a really eventful weekend so I am very content to come away with a couple of podium finishes,” said Richert. “For sure there is still a lot we can improve on but this was the type of weekend that big mistakes could also have been made, so I’m happy for this result.”

The next race of the Drexler Automotive Formel 3 Cup will take place at the Red Bull Ring in Austria from June 3 -5.

Eden Foundation Appoints New Director of Development The Eden Foundation has announced the appointment of Jayme Giesbrecht to the position of its Director of Development.

Giesbrecht is well known in southern Manitoba, both through her work as a co-host of The Morning Show on several Golden West radio stations, as well as her extensive in-

Jayme Giesbrecht

Submitted photo

volvement as an artist in the southern Manitoba music community. In those capacities she has learned to know countless numbers of people in the region and beyond, and has become a household name to many. According to the Eden Foundation, she will bring positive energy, enthusiasm and creativity to the role.

This appointment follows on the heels of the retirement of Earl Reimer from that position. Reimer had served the communities of southern Manitoba in this capacity for the last ten years. He worked hard to develop various funding sources for The Eden Foundation and has successfully enhanced Eden’s profile in its constituency.

“We appreciate his contributions to The Eden Foundation and wish him well,” said Bill Elias, Eden Foundation Board Chair.

“I greatly look forward to further serving our communities in this role, advocating for mental health, and ensuring we have continued programs, counselling, and housing through Eden Health Care Services for years to come,” added Giesbrecht about her new role in the organization.

June 2022

After Three Decades of Leading, Arts Council Visionary Steps Down What started as kitchen table discussions thirty years ago, Cindi Patrick Rempel has worked with the community to create an organization synonymous with arts in the southeast region of the province. At the end of May according to the Steinbach Arts Council (SAC), Patrick Rempel will no longer be the Director of Development.

“Through her dreams and vision, and the hard work, skills, and dedication of successive boards, administration, staff, corporate sponsors, teachers, artists and community volunteers, the Steinbach Arts Council has become one of the largest and busiest community arts organizations in Canada,” After 30 years helping build the Steinbach said Audrey Barkman Hill, Chair of SAC in a re- Arts Council, Cindi Patrick Rempel has left the building.

Submitted photo cent statement. “Offering concerts, developmental arts classes to children and adults, a school of music instruction and community-wide arts adventures, SAC is well-positioned to take up the opportunities of the future.”

“The Arts Council Board of Directors is deeply thankful for the creativity, dedication, energy and drive with which Ms. Rempel Patrick pursued the vision of an arts council that would enhance the quality of life for Steinbach and area residents,” she added.

The care of the organization will be turned over to co-director David Klassen, who has worked with SAC as an artist, educator and administrator for over 25 years.

According to SAC, Rempel Patrick leaves behind a spectacular legacy.

“Her contributions to the development and success of the Steinbach Arts Council cannot be over-stated and her work to promote the arts is highly regarded within the organization, community and the province,” wrote SAC in a release. “Her passion for the arts, charismatic smile and energetic drive will be greatly missed. It is with gratitude and profound appreciation that the Board of Directors, management and staff of the Arts Council wish Ms. Rempel Patrick all the best in the opportunities she chooses to pursue in the future.”

June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Taché Councillor Reappointed to Solid Waste Management Board

By Dan Guetre Councillor Jacques Trudeau has again been appointed to the Northern Lights SWANA board as one of three Manitoba representatives. SWANA is an organization that is on the cutting edge of solid waste management procedures as it provides training programs, technical assistance, and educational opportunities for those responsible for the management and operation of municipal solid waste management systems. The Northern Lights chapter is made up of members from Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.

While some peers on his council debated the merits of having a councillor sit on the board or attend the conferences, ultimately council voted in favour of Trudeau taking the board seat. In a recorded vote, a couple of the councillors voted against the decision. The two councillors opposed to the resolution, and while George McGregor did not respond to his reason when reaching out, the Mayor and councilor Lapiere did.

“Councillor Trudeau has sat on the board of directors for SWANA for a number of years,” said Taché Mayor Justin Bohemier. “Recently SWANA held a conference in Banff National Park and Trudeau attended it. The RM of Taché has had to pay all the costs associated with this trip and all the past trips.”

“The request from councillor Trudeau to pay for his conference started our debated on this subject, [with] some councillors and myself wondering why our taxpayers have to pay all the costs associated with this trip to Banff to represent Manitoba,” explained Bohemier

who believes SWANA should be covering the cost of travel, room and food. “In this discussion we all seem to be fine with paying the cost associated with attending virtually or covering his indemnity cost for the day.”

Lapiere was also concerned with the costs associated with the membership but also took issue with the organization placing Trudeau back on the board before Taché council had the opportunity to discuss their involvement.

“The primary reason I objected to the resolution was due to the fact that Councilor Trudeau had already joined the SWANA Board and got the resolution after from council,” said Lapiere. “Transparency should be part of democracy and policies and procedures need to be adhered to. In this case, prior approvals were not obtained from Council, and I voted accordingly.”

Ultimately, the majority of Taché council believed there was value in Trudeau maintaining his board seat.

“I was acclaimed to SWANA, Northern Lights Chapter as one of 3 Manitoba reps for a 2 year term,” Trudeau confirmed.

“Municipal Council approved it after the fact. Unfortunately it was not unanimous.” “[SWANA] is a source or wealth of fantastic information, knowledge, sharing, training and education on operating a solid waste facility and/or transfer station.

It also promotes circular economy,” said Trudeau. “SWANA has access to professionals who can provide guidance on designing, operating a solid waste facility and transfer station, maximizing site area, waste diversion, maximizing air space

Celebrating 20 Years of Public Management Service

By Angelique Forest

with equipment and technology plus the safety of employees and clients.”

At the recent SWANA Northern Lights conference, Trudeau was able to gather information on new technology and techniques in solid waste management.

Trudeau was able to take in a presentation from keynote speaker Spencer Beach who survived after he received burns to 90 percent of his body due to a workplace accident.

“After years of therapy and multiple surgeries, Spencer has become a health and safety officer, who speaks to groups and organizations on the importance of job training and safety,” explained Trudeau.

“He is totally disfigured. Like he says ‘I’ve been to and through hell.’ Beach’s presentation focused on “Turning Demons into Diamonds” and finding positive ways of moving forward in life.

Some of the sessions Trudeau focused on was efficient usage of ‘air space’ in a landfills limited in space, potential use of GPS and drone technology when compacting waste, and even coming up with waste reduction target plans in coordination with multiple jurisdictions.

Climate change and setting emission goals was a key portion of the conference.

The Clean Farms program, which Taché is now a participant encourages farmers to return their input containers back to the retailer they, purchased it from in order to create safer landfills and reduce waste. Trudeau believes associating with the Clean Farms program is just one more example of a positive step his municipality has taken to be more responsible in waste collection.

In the recent minutes of the RM of Stuartburn council, a personal milestone was recognized as their CAO celebrated two decades of Municipal Service, in a management capacity.

Current Stuartburn CAO Lucie Maynard started off her career as Administrative Assistant in RM of Ritchot back in 2000. She then moved on to become an Assistant CAO for the RM of De Salaberry from 2003 to 2013.

Lastly she landed her current role at the RM of Stuartburn in May of 2013 where she has remained to this day.

She is being recognized by CAMA (Canadian Association Municipal Administrators) for her career which includes her 9 years as CAO for the RM of Stuartburn.

“I don’t generally like to talk about myself, feeling at a loss for words,” said Maynard when asked about her achievements. “I just come in everyday and enjoy the variety in a day. You never know how that first phone call, email or visit is going to drive your day. It is what I said when I started here 9 years ago when asked why [I chose] Municipal Government.”

Maynard has a list of projects she helped council with that have really stood out for her in her years of service. Some of those projects were developing the Vita Rest Area/Park with new playground equipment set to begin construction on Monday, May 30. Being part of some great partnerships with the neighboring municipality, the RM of Piney for the creation of the Piney Stuartburn Economic Development Board where they share an Economic Development and Tourism Manager. In addition, there is the creation of the Buffalo Point Piney Stuartburn Recycling & Waste Management Board and the Piney Stuartburn Weed Control & Building Board where they share a Building & Weed Inspector.

“Speaking of a building inspector, when I first got hired, I initiated the switch from relying on the Office of the Fire Commissioner to having our own building inspector to better service our residents,” added Maynard. “I, along with the assistance of my staff, have helped the RM of Stuartburn successfully obtain over $2 Million in grants for various projects over the 9 years that I have been here.”

When Maynard first started with the RM of Stuartburn it was a one and a half person office team. Shortly after she was hired, council hired a full time assistant, increasing it to a two person office. Today, there are three in the office plus a Public Works Manager.

“We’ve had to grow to meet the demands of growth within our municipality,” concluded Maynard, who remains humble but proud of the accomplishments of the region.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Richer Fire Hall Getting Much-Needed Renovations

By Angelique Forest The RM of Ste. Anne is looking into funding renovations at the Richer Fire Hall that could help the growing fire department become more efficient and possibly handle larger or more equipment.

“The Richer Fire Department has been growing and to help improve efficiency and make room for bigger/additional vehicles at the hall, we are adding a third overhead door,” said Chris Wilkins, Richer Fire Chief.

The proposed plan is to add the door, a concrete skirting in front of the door, bollards on each side of the overhead doors including the existing doors and then add to the existing asphalt pad.

Currently there are two trucks that

park beside each other inside the hall that must use the same overhead door to leave the station.

“We’ve made it work, but it’s been a tight squeeze for one of the vehicles to get in and out,” explained Wilkins. “The new overhead door will help make better use of the space in the hall for parking vehicles and make leaving and returning to the hall a lot more efficient.”

While some aspects of the project have already been thrown a bit of a curve ball, the Fire Chief and the RM of Ste. Anne are working together to ensure the much needed renovations take place although some phases of the project will be postponed a bit.

“The original budget for the project was $22,500,” said Wilkins.

“An updated quote for the asphalt ended up exceeding the original budget so the asphalt is being moved to next year’s budget.”

“We will get the door, concrete and bollards done this year and will have some gravel temporarily in front of the door until next year when the asphalt can be added,” explained Wilkins.

The project is already in motion and mid-July will likely see the beginning of the renovations.

“We are currently waiting for the door itself to arrive, which will be around the beginning of July. I’m expecting the renovations to start not long after that,” said Wilkins. “I’m not sure yet how long the renovations will take to complete.”

Warrants Result in Negotiable Jail Time for Community Leaders In mid-May, the Steinbach RCMP issued “warrants” for a number of prominent local community leaders resulting in $41,000 in donations in a comical fundraising initiative of the Rotary Club of South Eastman.

“Offenders” were held in a special holding cell at Clearspring Centre until they could raise their bail.

Each of the accused were called to a special summons where they defended their charges. In front of the

“Honourable Judge Klassen” who presided over this special conference and is the past president of the Rotary Club of South Eastman.

“Offenders” included politicians such as current Mayor of Steinbach Earl Funk, past Mayor Chris Goertzen and Hanover Reeve Stan Toews.

Even service groups and entertainers were not immune to the warrants as David Klassen from the Steinbach Arts Council, founder of

the Relay for life, Cyndy Friesen were hauled in and local “Elvis” impersonator Corny Rempel.

Other detainees were an eclectic bunch of well known business leaders who were more than enthusiastic to go along with the unique fundraiser.

Donations raised will support Soup’s On Steinbach and The Relief Efforts in Ukraine through the Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine.

In mid-May, the Steinbach RCMP issued “warrants” for a number of prominent local community leaders resulting in $41,000 in donations in a comical fundraising initiative of the Rotary Club of South Eastman.

Submitted photos

June 2022

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June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Summer Fun in the Sun Dawson Trail to Sport New Features Along Route

By Dan Guetre While the historic Dawson Trail road system is not experiencing major construction such as gravel or paving, there is another project unfolding that will add culture, history, tourism and a sense of treasure hunting.

The Dawson Trail Arts and Heritage Committee have put together a regional concept aimed at re-discovering what and who the Dawson Trail represents.

“The Dawson Trail Commemorative Trail and Exhibits project is the last phase of a multi-phased initiative launched in 2019 and inter-regional in scope, serving the RM of Reynolds, RM of Ste. Anne, Town of Sainte-Anne, RM of Taché, RM of Springfield and St. Boniface,” ex-

plained Pierrette Sherwood, one of the founders of the organization. “It will see to the building or enhancement of key assets that celebrate traditional place names and the history of the old Dawson Trail.”

This part of the project will result in erecting fifteen new way finding markers which will highlight traditional place names and stories of the Dawson Trail.

Additionally, the group is partnering with service groups, municipalities and others along the route to development of ten interpretive/artistic exhibits at strategic locations along the historic trail.

“These permanent landmarks will complement the rich historical inventory and tourism itineraries already promoted via our website at dawsontrailtreasures. ca,” explained Sherwood. “They are intended as pillars to tourism development and a permanent recognition of this region’s historical legacy, to serve our communities for generations to come.”

Tapping into the rich tourism market, Sherwood believes it is reasonable that within the next 3-5 years, the developed project could have a positive impact of $3-7 million is value for the region.

In the short term, she believes that additional investments leveraged by this project, beyond what they have committed and are supporting, is estimated at between $300-500,000.

“These would include investments beyond the actual project, into peripheral infrastructures, parks, site development and promotional efforts undertaken by regional and provincial tourism groups, media, local purchases and job creation,” said Sherwood.

“We estimate that there will be approximately 40 businesses created, maintained or expanded due to this project. This includes the 13 small artist-run businesses of the Dawson Trail Art Tour and another 25-30 small business directly affected by the opportunities associated with the implementation of the project.”

This includes writers, designarchitects, coordinators, graphic designers, printers, webmaster, illustrators, artists, editors, contractors, excavators, landscapers, manufacturers, and more.

“Our communities have experienced considerable growth in recent years and with this comes a growing need for cultural, heritage and recreational programs and assets to enrich our residents’ quality of life,” Sherwood explained.

“Our project effectively responds to this need, and becomes the common thread and opportunity through which we can stimulate our regional economic and tourism growth for many generations to come.”

The group has received considerable support from both Canadian Heritage and the Province of Manitoba Building Sustainable Communities program.

Pierrette Sherwood leads a committee dedicated to bringing the history and culture of the Dawson Trail region into the mainstream, ready for discovery.

“The support we received from both is a testament to the value that this project brings to our communities in creating an awareness and appreciation for heritage, culture and the arts within the region,” said Sherwood. “We are commemorating a history that forever changed Canada as a Nation, and reclaiming narratives to apply a more respectful and inclusive lens to the sharing of that history.”

Sherwood hopes that the creation of this regional attraction will nurture a deeper understanding and respect for those who came before us and build towards a better future.

The committee is working feverishly to complete the entire project by the end of 2022 but do realize the traditionally short Manitoba construction season may push some finer elements to the spring of 2023.

One of the “elements” to be unveiled is scheduled for the Town of Ste. Anne on Sunday, June 5 starting at 2 pm. The newly constructed “Pioneer” site will recognize the original habitants of the area, part of a larger re-discovery by community members to research and feature their roots, a growing local element that Sherwood predicted would happen.

Sherwood and her group have not only brought together various municipal governments to support an idea, but have also received provincial and federal approval. This is difficult enough for anyone presenting their plan. Now add to that the various cultures they have also brought to the table, this additional layer of success in itself proves the project timing was just what the region needed.

The historic Dawson Trail passes through many communities were established as settlers moved west. The new exhibits and markers throughout this region will dig deeper into the culture and history; sometimes even correcting the perceived narrative we were taught.

Submitted photos

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

June 2022

11

Summer Fun in the Sun Manitoba RCMP Remind Off-Road Vehicle Operators to be Safe

The Manitoba RCMP wants to remind operators of the laws of ORVs to ensure a safe ride.

With the warmer weather upon us, many Manitobans are eager to get outside and enjoy the outdoors which may include riding off-road vehicles (ORVs). The Manitoba RCMP wants to remind operators of the laws of ORVs to ensure a safe ride.

Most of the laws around ORVs fall under the Off Road Vehicles Act. For details, please refer to the Act, but here are some general rules to keep in mind when riding an ORV: - Anyone under the age of 14 must have direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is a minimum of 18 years of age. Youth over the age of 14 can ride without parental supervision, but cannot cross a roadway until they obtain a valid driver’s licence.

- All ORV operators and riders must wear properly fastened safety helmets unless the vehicle is equipped with rollover protection and the oc-

cupants are wearing securely fastened seat belts.

- ORVs are not to be operated on roadways, shoulders, medians of divided roadways, or sidewalks.

- ORVs are permitted to be in the ditch, provided travel is in the same direction as vehicle traffic, the ORV is to the right of the roadway and the shoulder, and the ORV is being operated in an area where ORV use is permitted. Always remember to be on the lookout for hazards in the ditch, such as culverts, driveway approaches, and road signs.

No riding: - On privately owned or leased land without permission.

- Or within 30 metres of a dwelling that is not yours between midnight and 7 am.

- Within 30 metres of a playground or area set aside for recreation that is not fully fenced.

- In a careless manner.

Submitted photo

- Without reasonable consideration for other persons and property.

- When conditions are dry, use caution as sparks from an ORV can ignite grass and branches, starting a fire - Be aware of local bylaws in the area you are riding.

- Impaired driving laws apply to all motorized vehicles. Only operate an ORV when sober and alert.

In 2021, RCMP in Manitoba responded to 8 fatal collisions involving ORVs and 58 collisions where serious injury occurred.

Contributing factors in these collisions included speed, no helmet and impaired driving.

Knowledge and safety are key, so make sure you are aware of the rules in place in the area where you are riding.

Be safe and enjoy the ride!

Opening the Cottage Safely After our long, cold winter, many Manitobans are looking forward to opening their seasonal “home away from home”. But winter may have brought some unexpected hazards.

Follow these tips to make sure your electrical system operates safely when you open your cottage: When you arrive: - Look for damage to power lines leading to your cottage. If you see a downed or sagging line, stay clear and contact us immediately.

- Do the trees appear to be too close to the power lines? For your safety, contact a qualified arborist to trim them.

Before turning on the power at the main switch: - Check all wiring that runs exterior equipment (such as water pumps) to be sure it’s intact. If it’s damaged, remove the associated fuse or turn off the circuit breaker and contact a licensed electrical contractor.

- Ensure all appliances and electrical devices are unplugged or switched off. Clear any debris from the stovetop elements and baseboard heaters.

- Fill the hot water tank.

- Check all appliance and other electrical cords for signs of wear, cracking, or rodent damage.

- Check the chimney and clear any debris such as bird’s nests or

leaves.

- Ensure all branch circuits are in the “off” position in your electrical panel. After you turn on the main switch, turn them on one at a time to avoid surges that can damage your appliances or electronics. If you have a fuse box, plug in or switch on appliances and electrical devices one at a time.

- If using an extension cord to bring power to your deck, dock, or backyard, make sure it is designed specifically for outdoor use. Remember that extension cords are for temporary use only.

Visit hydro.mb.ca/safety for more information.

Take Precautions to Minimize Tick Exposure Public health officials with Manitoba Health are reminding Manitobans that tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease are preventable.

Lyme disease is becoming more common in southern Manitoba. To help prevent infection, Manitoba Health recommends people visit their health-care provider within 72 hours to receive antibiotics if they have had a high-risk tick bite, which is defined as reliably identified as a blacklegged tick; attached for a minimum of 36 hours or the tick was engorged; and from southern Manitoba (south of the 53rd parallel) or another known risk area outside of Manitoba for Lyme disease.

Typical symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings such as a rash and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. For more information on signs and symptoms visit canada.ca, public-health services lyme-disease.

Blacklegged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis are most commonly found in and along the edge of forests and in areas with thick, woody shrubs or other vegetation. However, they can also be found in urban areas including household yards. These ticks are typically found from snowmelt to snowfall, with peaks in activity in the spring and fall.

Manitobans can protect themselves and minimize their risk of exposure by applying an appropriate tick repellent on exposed skin and clothing, following label directions; wearing long pants and longsleeved shirts; staying to the centre of walking trails; inspecting themselves, children and pets after spending time outdoors; removing ticks as soon as possible from people and pets; and keeping grass and shrubs around homes cut short to create drier environments that are less suitable for blacklegged tick survival.

It is also important for people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases. A list of symptoms can be found at gov.mb.ca, public health.

People should contact their health-care provider if they think they may have anaplasmosis, babesiosis or Lyme disease. For more information, individuals can also contact Health Links Info at 204-788-8200 or toll-free at1-888 315-9257.

Manitoba’s partnership with the eTick program, which is developed and operated by Bishop’s University, helps monitor and assess the continued expansion of blacklegged tick populations.

Manitobans, who find ticks on animals, humans or in various habitats, can submit a picture to have it identified by experts, which will confirm if the tick belongs to a species capable of transmitting diseases.

For more information or to submit a picture of a tick, visit etick.ca.

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June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Summer Fun in the Sun Increased Bird Population or Increased Bird Watchers, Which is it?

Colourful Bird Sightings Have People Debating the Cause

By Angelique Forest Bird watchers and experts are interested in a recent debate whether there has been an increase in the number and variety of birds in the region or if this just a result of more people with time on their hands to take notice of what has always been outside their windows.

Kathryn Gibb of Wildlife Haven in Ile des Chenes is a member of unique wildlife rehabilitation team and has her own thoughts on the subject. “…there is no definitive evidence that this year has seen more birds than usual. There are natural ebbs and flows of populations which may be why people are seeing more

of one species than others or more this year than last,” explained Gibb.

“There has also been evidence suggesting there has simply been an increase in the number of bird watching observers since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which could make it seem like there are more birds when really there are simply more observations being made.”

According to statistics, even though people feel like they are seeing more songbirds this spring, grassland songbirds are the fastest disappearing species in North America, with an estimated 74% loss since 1970.

It is suggested that if you would like to add facts to this debate one

way or another, you can help by becoming a “citizen scientist” by reporting the birds you observe by using an online app like eBird. The app is used to help scientists track trends and migration data.

Additionally, reporting and sharing information amongst the local bird watching Facebook groups is a great way for people to learn how to ID birds. There are also many virtual workshops to be found such at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds.

Nicole Koper is a Professor and Associate Head of the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Manitoba and weighed in with her knowledge.

“There does seem to be a particularly high number of unusual sightings of birds this year,” said Koper.

“I think the most likely explanation is that we had those series of significant Colorado lows, a bunch of weeks in a row, right during the migration period, and it seems like they blew a number of unusual species here from much further west and/or south-west.”

Some examples include Bullock’s Oriole and MacGillivray’s Warbler,

both seen in southern Manitoba in the last few weeks and which are really unusual for this region she added.

“It’s also possible that some species are more dependent on feeders than they would be in most years, because the spring has been so cold and late this year, so that means there isn’t as much food as many migrant [birds] would expect to encounter in a normal spring,” she suggested. “As a result, they seem to be particularly dependent on feeders, which might make folks more likely to see them than in years when birds can depend on foods from forests or prairies.”

“Flooding and the lack of food drives them to feeders,” agreed Brent Brentnall, a member of the Manitoba bird watching group.

“Also we had a nice south wind that brought a lot of them great distances.”

He suggested that with the unpleasant weather we have experienced, many that would normally carry on with their normal migratory route chose instead to hunker down.

“Visits to our feeders have dropped considerably since the weather

Local birds captured by bird-watcher, Bonnie Lee in Landmark.

turned nicer,” added Dan Souka, an avid bird watcher. “We are also noticing the resident birds using the feeders less now they have natural food available.”

Souka also agreed that many birds and other animals have been pushed out of their favourite natural habitats, and were showing up in places they normally are not frequently seen.

Bonnie Lee of Landmark, a member of the same bird-watching community has been happy to post pictures since early May of all the “visitors” coming to her town.

“I use a Canon SL2 with a Sigma 150-500 mm lens,” said Lee who is happy to upload pictures of colourful birds she managed to capture this May alone.

With the influx of the increased bird sightings, whether a higher population and just more observation, it also means potentially increased sightings of injured, orphaned or sick animals that need your help.

You can do your part by donating to the Wildlife Haven (wildlifehaven. ca) and also keeping an eye out for injured or distressed wildlife. The Wildlife Haven Hotline is 204 878 3740 ext 1.

Pictures courtesy of Bonnie Lee

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Eating Local on a Budget:

An Excellent Resource for Gardeners

By Janet Kroeker This column is all about local and it doesn’t get more local than eating many of your own home-grown garden vegetables and fruits.

My partner Tim and I have attempted to grow more and more of our own produce since moving to the country twelve years ago. As we get older, we look to less labour-intensive ways to produce more food.

When we do get a plentiful harvest, the challenge is to find the best ways to preserve and store it.

This is a review of a resource we give very high marks to. If you are serious about growing your own food, please read on.

The end of last winter we were intrigued to find an on-line class called Vegetable Academy, billing itself as the place to find tools, methods and resources you need to grow your own food. We had weekly live lessons for 5 months which took a detailed, scientific, well researched and practical in-depth approach to producing garden food.

The instructor, Jared Regier, lives in an urban prairie environment. He grows and stores about 70% of the fruits and vegetables his family of four eats year-round.

On the Vegetable Academy website, vegetableacademy.com you can take a quick quiz to identify what kind of gardener you are – Hobby (you like playing with novel varieties), Kitchen (grow for fresh eating), Pantry and Homestead (grow and store for year-round use).

There is also a free two-week online workshop to help you clarify your growing objectives and leave you with a collection of strategies you can use to make progress in your garden at any time of the year.

We are not being paid to promote this resource. My husband and I come

When we do get a plentiful harvest, the challenge is to find the best ways to preserve and store it.

away every time with a deeper appreciation for the helpful online ways the instructor makes new and older gardening techniques understandable and very practical with many helpful charts and how-to videos. Even after many years of gardening we have gained numerous/countless helpful techniques and tools to take the guesswork out of growing food and move us closer to homestead gardening for year-round eating.

Brought to you by the Stuartburn Everbearing raspberries.

Emerson-Franklin Local Food Initiative, initiativelocalfood@gmail. com or find us on Facebook.

Tomatoes on drying racks.

It doesn’t get more local than eating many of your own home-grown garden vegetables and fruits.

Submitted photos

June 2022

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June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

June 2022

15

Free Concert Series are Back in KR Barkman Park The Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) has announced that the free outdoor concert series is back this summer.

KR Barkman Concerts in the Park is a free series of outdoor concerts for the whole family, featuring local performers in indie rock, world music, pop, folk, blues, classic rock, dance, youth choir, and more.

SAC is delighted to continue this summer tradition of bringing our community together in celebration of music and arts.

Everyone is encouraged to bring your lawn chairs or a blanket to the KR Barkman Park.

To find KR Barkman Park, head southeast down Main Street, just past the Steinbach Fire Hall, and look for the gazebo.

The 2022 KR Barkman Concerts start at 6:30 pm featuring local performers. The month of June line up begins Thursday, June 2 with Beneath the Surface and Island Breeze following

by Tuesday, June 7 with LMNK and Scott and Adrielle Jodoin; Wednesday, June 8 with Darryl Marsch Band; Thursday, June 9 with JakeBrakes, Blues Edition and Sweet Water Creek; Tuesday, June 14 with Caity Rose and David Graham and Thursday, June 16 with Banned & Outlawed and P-Noise.

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June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

The Calm Before the Summer

Hello readers! I hope that you’ve had a great month.

Usually, spring time is the time where a lot of outdoor activities really ramp up for me.

Yard work and home renovations are just two of them. Sports for the kids and their outdoor events also begin again after the long winter months have passed by. This spring seems to be a little bit different.

One thing is that my children have gotten older and it seems like they don’t have as many events or sports games to attend. It also helps that my oldest son now has his driver’s license and is taking on the role of chauffeur more often.

Another thing would be that this spring seems to be taking its sweet time kicking into full swing. With all the rain that we’ve had and the cold, windy days we’ve experienced, it just seems like spring is dragging its feet.

Despite this lethargic arrival of spring time, I have managed to get myself outside and begin with a few of the spring tasks that have been on my mind. The driveway, which has needed attention for quite some time, is getting worked on and is becoming smoother. The grass has already been mowed, all except for where the standing water has become a temporary lake. I even used one of the few warm days to change the oil on my wife’s car and swap out the winter tires for the summer ones.

As the weather becomes more comfortable and the spring shifts into summer, I too plan on shifting out of this springtime calm state that I am in and into full-motion, work outside until the sun is down, state of summer. After all, the summer season is a short one that we all know won’t last as long as we’d like. We should all be getting out and about and getting to the things we want to do and to be getting out to be seeing all the wonderful people that we’ve been wanting to see.

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

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Preserving Our Species at Risk

By Norm Gregoire I am excited to introduce myself and the work I am involved in, in this newest monthly column for The Dawson Trail Dispatch.

My name is Norm Gregoire and I am the Community Liaison for Species at Risk in the tall-grass prairie natural area. What a job title! Let me explain.

I was hired to this position in the summer of 2020, by the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn. My primary goal is to raise awareness for species at risk and the ecosystem that they (and we) call home: the tall-grass prairie. I work towards informing our community of all the benefits and programming available to us, by living in this shared ecosystem. This project is funded through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Community Nominated Priority Places grant.

What is a species at risk? A species at risk is considered a species that needs special care and management to keep the population from disappearing. In Manitoba, there are 59 species listed as at risk. In southeastern Manitoba’s tall-grass prairie, we are in the range of 28 listed species at risk. This list includes rare flora and fauna, some of which are found nowhere else in Canada, such as the western prairie fringed orchid and the Poweshiek skipperling butterfly.

Much of why these species are in decline is due to the loss of the tall-grass prairie ecosystem. Reasons for decline include the alteration and disruption of natural fire and hydrological cycles, cultivation of natural areas, gravel extraction, the spread of invasive species and woody encroachment.

It is estimated that Manitoba may have as little as 1% of its tall-grass prairie remain-

ing, making it one of the rarest ecosystems globally. The best bits of what is left can be found in the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn and the surrounding area.

In Manitoba there are many organizations, programs and people who are working hard to ensure that species at risk and tall-grass prairie get the fighting chance they deserve.

The Shared Legacy Partnership is a cooperative working group led by the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn and The Nature Conservancy of Canada, partnered with Sunrise Corner Economic Development and Province of Manitoba. Working under the banner “Shared Legacy: Nature, Culture & Economy” our group is creating and delivering a strategy for sharing our unique nature with future generations.

We are pursuing “win-win” solutions that work for the ecosystem, landowners, residents, our economy, and communities.

One of our first programs launched is the Stewardship Credit Pilot Program, an initiative to provide a financial incentive

Norm Gregoire amongst western prairie fringed orchid.

and other supports to acknowledge the important role that locals continue to play in maintaining and protecting the rare habitats and species within the region.

This program will pilot an approach in which participants will receive annual payments that are directly tied to positive outcomes for the habitat on their property. By focusing on results, participants will be encouraged to use their expertise and experience, supported by myself as the advisor to the program, to create management plans which work best for both their own goals and the habitats and species on their property. If this program has piqued an interest, please get in contact with me.

I look forward to hearing from anyone that has an interest in the offered programming or if you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding species at risk and tall-grass prairie. Stay tuned for upcoming issues where I will introduce you to our neighbors, the species at risk. Feel free to reach out to me at sarcommunityliaison@ gmail.com.

Submitted photo

New Ice Plant for St. Malo Arena The RM of De Salaberry has set aside up to $600,000 for the replacement of the ice plant and dehumidifiers in the St. Malo Arena.

“It is important for our communities to have access to recreational facilities such as the St. Malo arena to provide a space for various activities” said Reeve Darrel Cure.

“St. Malo is the hometown of a number of professional hockey players and we hope others will follow in their footsteps.”

“The replacement of the ice plant and the addition of dehumidifiers will help to expand the ice season and provide a better experience for all,” added Cure.

In a written statement, the Rural Municipality is grateful to the Manitoba Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) Program for their funding approval of up to $271,105.

In addition, the Municipality recognizes the generous contributions made by many other organizations and individuals towards the project including The Mani- (LtoR) Reeve Darrel Curé, Art Coulombe, Henri Hamonic, Joël Fouasse, Richmond Gosselin, Angèle Fouasse Submitted photo and Caleb Fouasse. toba Métis Federation ($21,500): Caisse Groupe Financier ($12,000); St. Malo According to the RM of De Salaberry, phase of many to modernize the arena and Chamber of Commerce ($10,000); Hylife these community donations were instru- to advance climate priorities by improving ($10,000); Village Connection ($5,000) mental to the success of the BSC applica- energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions and individual donations of $1,526 for a tion. and enhance the climate resilience of our total of $60,026.

The ice plant replacement is the first building.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

June 2022

17

Plant a Row Now for Annual Vegetable Drive The municipalities of Whitemouth and Reynolds are getting a head start on promoting the fall Vegetable Drive in support of local food banks this year.

“Last fall was our first year and we learned a lot,” said Shannon Malkoske from the Whitemouth & District Lions Club. “Mainly that we needed to get the word out sooner so people know about it! Also, getting the word out now means that if people chose to, they can plant an extra row in anticipation of the annual drive in fall.”

Penny Samec, volunteer with the Hadashville Community Club, added “It’s kind of funny. Last year, we worried that we would be overwhelmed with zucchinis, but we didn’t even receive one!”

In fact, at the end of the day, the drive had accepted half a truckload of potatoes, numerous cucumbers, beets, beans, and other vegetables, as well as non-perishables.

“A really nice surprise was a case of honey from one local bee-

keeper!” noted Samec. “It was great to bring such variety to the local food banks.”

The Reynolds Garden Club, a brand-new club in the RM of Reynolds, is participating in the project this year by encouraging their members to “Grow a Row” for the drive. In a municipality without a grocery store, the club connects gardeners and helps them share their knowledge of growing produce and being selfsufficient.

“Gardeners are generous people,” said Janine Bergamot. “It’s easy to dedicate a small part of a garden to help the community; there’s no size requirement.”

Also supporting the endeavor are the Whitemouth & District Lions Club, the Hadashville Recreation Centre, the Two Rivers Seniors Resource Council, and the Community Wellness Program (IERHA).

With rising food costs, the need to hold such a drive this year has

become even more apparent. In a recent interview with CTV News, Vince Barletta from Manitoba Harvest reported that they are seeing an increase of 42% in food bank use in one year (from last March to this March).

“We are seeing at Harvest Manitoba, all across our province, a need for food banks, such as we have never seen it before,” said Barletta.

The date set for the fall vegetable drop off is Saturday, September 10, 10 am – 12 noon, at two drop-off locations, The Hadashville Rec Centre in Hadashville, and the Lions Park in Whitemouth. They will also be accepting cash, cheques, and nonperishable food items. All donations will be delivered directly to local food banks.

For more information, call Marilyn Sitar at 204-348-7191 ext. 4240. For a list of food banks in our region, go to ierha.ca/programs-services/life-style/foodnutrition.

Catalytic Converter Theft Noticed and On the Rise

By Angelique Forest A woman is learning firsthand how the black market value of catalytic converters can financially harm a small business when she discovered thieves had cut out and stolen four from two trucks her husband had coming over the border.

Cheryl Zealand is in shock and turned to social media with her plea to help identify thieves in the midMay theft.

“We have been told they get $600 per converter at the scrap yard. As far as we know nothing has come about from any of the info,” explained Zealand. “Our insurance deductible of $5,000 will eventually be paid to recover the $20,000 cost stolen.”

Lee Shaylene Hawthorn, another resident of Ile des Chenes (IDC), responded to the post confirming the

Catalytic converter.

Photo source: Facebook Marketplace

increased criminal activity.

“There were 2 trucks stolen last night in IDC. Larger full size trucks.

It’s getting bad here,” said Hawthorn.

Hawthorn added that she personally didn’t have her car targeted, assuming the thieves target larger vehicles. “My car has not been subject to it, but a few of my staff have had it cut out, such a pain! Can’t drive their car home.”

Money is the main reason catalytic converters are often stolen.

“They contain three metals that aid in the chemical reaction that makes exhaust pollutants less harmful: platinum, palladium and rhodium.

The prices of these metals have risen dramatically during the early 21st century,” said Zealand, after doing her own research and speaking with officers when reporting the theft.

With no clear solution, Cheryl Zealand thinks there are improvements that can be made to do a better job preventing this from happening.

“Car manufacturers need to etch a VIN number on them then they are traceable,” said Zealand. “That’s my only suggestion to make the thief’s work not valuable. Maybe more eyes on it for sure, it’s happening to everyone. Based on the comments this is a very common theft right now.”

There has been a rise in reports of this kind in RCMP archives, with an increase of over 2,000 percent since 2017. Cpl Julie Courchaine with

the RCMP reported that while there were only 9 reported thefts of catalytic converters in 2017, last year, the figure jumped to 191.

“We are seeing a rise in these types of thefts. We believe a couple of factors are the current price of precious metals as well as the ease in which a criminal can remove a catalytic converter,” added Courchaine.

Courchaine suggests you park your vehicle in a garage if possible.

If a garage is not available she says to ensure you park your vehicles in a well-lit area.

“I would also recommend frequently checking vehicles that have been parked for an extended period of time, such as recreational vehicles or farm equipment,” she added.

The RCMP would also like to remind people to report thefts or any suspicious activity to their local detachment. The more reports that are recorded the more it can help with showing trends in a community and can lead to identifying a possible suspect or suspects.

Also of note, there is proposed legislation that would require scrap metal dealers to record identifying information to help protect property.

According to the province, thieves often sell stolen scrap metal quickly for cash, which makes tracing and investigating thefts difficult.

The new legislation could also prohibit cash transactions for highly vulnerable items regardless of their value.

Vegetable Drive - 2022.

Submitted photo

Eat Local On a Budget

By Leah Bouchard We all love the idea of eating local. After all, who can argue with less dependence on erratic supply chains, access to super fresh food, and the ability to support neighboring farmers.

Unfortunately, often the price tag inhibits our zeal for local.

Sometimes it seems our regional producers just can’t beat the prices of our favourite imported food produced far away.

Eating local requires a different approach to grocery shopping and menu planning, especially on a budget. You may consider some initial investments, such as plenty of canning jars, an extra freezer or fridge, and equipment such as a grain mill, canner and/ or dehydrator. You also may choose to switch to a seasonal menu plan, buying in bulk and preserving what you can in every season.

Practice some of your own DIY projects such as gardening, baking bread, foraging, or even keeping your own laying hens. When you consider the big picture, you may find that you save money and find value in other areas, such as health, entertainment, and even education. Eating local has many rewards and benefits that are not strictly related to delicious food.

We believe local food on a budget may be challenging to navigate at first, but it can be done. Over the next several months, we will delve into various topics that relate to eating local economically. Stay tuned.

This article written by Leah Bouchard for the Stuartburn Emerson/Franklin Local Food Initiative. Leah and her husband Guy and their three young sons live on a second-generation family farm in southeastern Manitoba. Based on 160 acres, the farm nestles in an old growth oak forest on the banks of the Roseau River. With a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship they operate Green Pastures Farm and raise turkeys, sheep, crops, and wool. They love connecting people to their food (and fiber), the land, and sharing all the lessons and perspectives the farm has to offer. Based on values of hard-work, responsibility, and integrity, they desire to leave the land (and their community) a better place for future generations.

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June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Spiritual Freedom

Have you ever felt bound, tied down or trapped? Some are bound by addictions, some are tied down in a job or other responsibility, and some feel trapped in a relationship that’s not working well.

In the Bible, the Israelites had spent 400 years in Egypt and were in slavery. They were burdened and discouraged. They turned to God for help. God used Moses to lead Israel out of bondage and brought them to their promised land. God said in Leviticus 26:13, “I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.”

Today God promises this type of freedom for every person on earth. It is a spiritual freedom that will affect every area of your physical life, if you let it. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth 2,000 years ago to die and pay the penalty for all our sin, which has kept us in spiritual bondage. If we accept Christ as our Saviour, He will cancel the sin-debt before God and free us from our bondage to sin. Romans 8:21 calls that a “glorious liberty.”

Galatians 5:1 encourages Christians to “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Christ not only removes the penalty for sin, but also gives us His power to get victory over whatever is holding us in its grasp.

So whatever is troubling you today, why not come to Jesus Christ and let Him give you that spiritual freedom that will help you deal with any physical problem you may be struggling with.

I Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God bless you as you turn to Him with all your cares because He does care for you!

RM Private Well Water Testing Days Well Water Testing Days are back and the Seine-Rat-Roseau Water District will be assisting residents with private well water testing for the presence of E. coli and coliform bacteria. Make sure to get your sample and drop it off on May 19 or June 16 at one of the locations listed.

The provincially subsidized cost of private well water testing is $25 including tax (regular rate is $30). Each legal location is eligible for one sample per well at the subsidized rate.

Payment may be submitted by cash or cheque only. Cheques must be made payable to Horizon Lab Ltd. Horizon Lab is also offering a new expedited service. Customers can pay an extra $10 to have their bacteria water test report sent by the following business day.

Water sample bottles and application forms can be picked up in advance at your participating RM office. Water samples must be taken on the same day as the drop-off. Drop your water sample off at your participating RM office prior to 10 am, along with your completed Chain of Custody and SRRWD Application forms.

Only those samples that are accompanied by correct payment and completed forms will be accepted. Call 204-326-1030 or email info@ srrwd.ca for more information.

Drop-off Locations: City of Steinbach, 154 Friesen Ave., Steinbach RM of La Broquerie, 123 Simard St., La Broquerie RM of Ste. Anne, 395 Traverse Rd., Ste. Anne RM of Hanover, 28 Westland Dr., Mitchell RM of De Salaberry, 466 Sabourin St., St. Pierre-Jolys Town of Niverville, 329 Bronson Dr., Niverville RM of Taché, 28007 MUN 52N (Corner of Hwy 206 and PTH #1) RM of Ritchot, 352 Main St., St. Adolphe RM of Stuartburn, 108 Main St. N, Vita RM of Emerson-Franklin, 115 Waddell Ave. E., Dominion City RM of Piney, 6092 Boundary St., Vassar

Free Concerts in the Park in Steinbach The Steinbach Arts Council is thrilled to launch its free outdoor 2022 KR Barkman “Concerts in the Park” series. Outdoor gathering restrictions have been lifted, and we are eager to share live music with the community at the beautiful KR Barkman Park.

The KR Barkman Park on Main Street is a centralized location that brings new and existing fans together. The Steinbach Arts Council is delighted to continue this summer tradition of featuring local and guest artists and bringing our community together in celebration of music and arts. Bring your own chairs or utilize the picnic tables situated at the park. For the full concert schedule, visit steinbacharts.ca.

Arts4Tots Pre-school Program Registration is Open Are you looking for a creative preschool program for your tots? Then look no further.

Arts4Tots is a Montessori-inspired preschool program that offers a creative environment to learn, make new friends and have fun.

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. Visit our website for more information or call us at 204-346-1077.

Registration Opens for Summer Arts Day Camps The ever-popular Summer Arts Day Camps are back. Gain access to the most sought-after creative summer camps in Steinbach, and experience music, drama, dance, crafts, games, sports, field trips, swimming, and, new friends.

The Summer Arts Day Camps run weekly from July 4 to August 19 and feature a variety of themes for age groups 5-8 and 9-12 to choose from.

Camps for summer 2022 include: Once Upon a Time (July 4-8) - Once upon a time there was a princess, but also a unicorn, but also a knight, but also a dragon? Come and join us for a week of fairy tale adventures as we indulge in the lands of fantasy and arts!

Animal Planet (July 11-15) - Come along a safari journey with us as we look at the many animals of the planet and how we can learn from them. This week will focus on all the animals across the world, ranging from dogs and cats to animals in the wild, such as lions and elephants. Join us for a full week of animal fun.

To Infinity & Beyond (July 18-22) - Are you ready for a week under the stars? Come and join us as we explore the depths of space, arts, and science. This week will be jam packed full of art activities, as well as conducting many fun and inter-

esting science experiments.

Going Digital (July 25-29) - If video games are your passion, this is the week for you. We will indulge in the world of video games of the past and the present. Join us for this week of camp as we look at the digital world throughout the years.

Lost at Sea (Aug 2-5 – short week) Come aboard the Summer Arts Day Camp ship and join us as we navigate the great seas of planet Earth and maybe find some special treasures along the way.

Super-Superheroes (Aug 8-12) - Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, its Summer Arts day Camp and we’re looking for some superheroes to join us for a week of fighting crimes. Come and join us for a week full of superpowers, superheroes and arts.

Sports (Aug 15-19) - Calling all athletes and teammates. Do you love sports? Are you a team player?

Do you want to have a fun week of sports and sports-themed activities?

If that is you, come join us for this week of camp as we indulge in a variety of different sports through the arts.

Each camp offers a limited number of spaces on a first come, first served basis. Register soon as these popular camps fill up fast! Register online at steinbacharts.ca or call 204-346-1077.

Local Artists Invited to Exhibit Their Work The Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) is seeking local artists to apply to exhibit their artwork in their Hall Art Gallery in their 2022-2023 season.

Every year, local artists emerging and established are given the platform to showcase their artwork to the public in the hall gallery and online through the Virtual Gallery which was newly implemented during the pandemic to give the community a new way to experience art.

The Hall Art Gallery, which is located at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre can hang 15-30 pieces of artwork in an exhibit, and is changed every 2 months.

They accept hung displays in all kinds of mediums including painting, drawing, and mixed media.

Exhibitors are encouraged to invite their patrons to an opening ceremony as well. The hall gallery is open to the public and select artworks by the local artist are available for purchase during the exhibit.

To apply and learn more about art exhibits with the Steinbach Arts Council, visit steinbacharts.ca or call Roxie at 204-346-1077. Deadline to apply is June 13.

Little Mermaid to Hit the Stage in Live Musical Performance The Steinbach Arts Council’s FUSION Musical Theatre Group is proud to present to the community their final live musical performance of the year, Disney’s “The Little

Mermaid Jr.” Directed by Gabriella Gallo, her trained and talented students will perform two showings in the SRSS Theatre at Steinbach Regional Secondary School on Sunday, June 12 at 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm.

“Our FUSION Musical theatre students have been working on this project for a long time, and the satisfaction of finally bringing this musical to life is incredible,” said Gallo. “There’s nothing quite like the magic of musical theatre, and this performance is certainly no exception! After waiting for 2 years of pandemic restriction to end, this is going to be a show to remember.”

Cast in this much anticipated performance are Doerksen as Ariel; Rylee Masterson as Flounder; Liam Driedger as Prince Eric and all of the other talented members of the Steinbach Arts Council’s Fusion Musical Theatre class.

The Steinbach Arts Council invites all families and friends to gather, and experience a magical world under the sea through song and choreography, featuring classic Disney titles such as Part of Your World, Under The Sea, and Poor Unfortunate Souls.

Tickets are priced at $8 for ages 13 and over and $5 for ages 12 and under. Tickets will be available at the door for rush seating.

It’s Time to Renew Your SAC Membership and Receive Great Benefits Are you a previous SAC Member?

Don’t forget to renew your membership today.

Anyone can be a SAC Member.

We’ve lined up amazing benefits for you in appreciation of your support and you can use these benefits when you purchase a membership with us! How? It’s easy. Buy your membership online at steinbacharts. ca or call 204-346-1077.

Membership cost is $15 for individual residents, $20 for individual non-residents, $30 for family resident and $35 for family non-resident.

2021-22 SAC Member Perks: - 10% off at Santa Lucia Pizza (Steinbach location) - 10% off at Coffee Culture (Steinbach location) - 10% off at Za Pizza (Steinbach location) - 10% off at Chicken Chef (Steinbach location) - 10% off at Old Church Bakery - 15% off at Janzen’s Paint & Decorating (all art supplies) - $2 off a 10lb box of farmer sausage from Country Meat Deli - Discounts on SAC Concert Series Package - 10% discount on SAC additional attractions, concerts, and events as stated - Reduced rental fees at SAC - Voting privileges at AGM

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Eating Local on a Budget by Foraging

By Laura Reeves Step outside and look around you. Is there a corner of your yard that’s overgrown and unruly? Are you excited to get back into the garden, while at the same time dreading all the weeding you’ll need to do? Perhaps you’re looking at your neighbour’s lawn and wishing you had lush green grass like theirs, instead of the mess of clover, plantain and dandelions at your feet.

Expand your vision and you may see a slough or woodland that’s thick with burdock, cattails or hawthorn. All of these places offer huge potential for backyard foraging.

There’s an incredible array of food all around us, growing of its own accord from roots and shoots, to mushrooms and fruits; from flowers and greens to spices and teas. These are not “poverty” foods, but rich sources of flavour, nutrition and gratification. Roasted dandelion roots, plantain seeds, milkweed flowers and wild bergamot (aka pizza plant) are just a few of my favourites.

So where to start? The easiest foraging occurs in our gardens where many volunteer plants, otherwise known as weeds, take advantage of loose soil and low competition, growing in profusion.

These plants are easy to identify and harvest. Once you’ve discovered these food sources, you’ll likely find some of your regular garden crops redundant.

Why put effort into growing spinach

Cattail and pollen mac ‘n cheese.

when lamb’s quarters are by far superior in both flavour and nutrient content?

By eliminating redundancy, we can focus our energy on the things that nature doesn’t provide, like potatoes or beans.

Red-root pigweed, dandelions, portulaca, dock closely related to the delicious herb, wild sorrel and chickweed are just a few examples of delectable garden weeds.

Of course, wild spaces also offer copious amounts of food. Take cattails, for example, which produce crispy cucumber-flavoured shoots, as well as roots, flowers, and pollen that taste like corn.

The painful patch of stinging nettle residing beside your barn is probably the most nutrient dense plant around.

Harvested with care, the leaves make a wonderful addition to soups, breads and desserts.

Though it may be hard to believe, that blasted burdock that gets tangled in your pets’ hair is held in high regard in Japan, and even exported to Canada under the name “gobo”, for good reason, the roots are absolutely delicious when peeled and cooked in a sweet and sour broth.

As the summer progresses, we can enjoy a wide variety of berries, cherries and nuts, from saskatoons and chokecherries to acorns and hazelnuts.

When is the best time for harvesting?

Simply put, follow the energy of the plants. Wherever a plant is putting its energy is the part to focus our harvesting on.

Before plants go dormant for the winter, the energy and nutrients in their leaves and stems are transferred to their roots in order to fuel next year’s growth. This means the best time to harvest roots is in the fall or early spring while the leaves are still small or, in the case of dandelions, before they flower. As the plants develop, it’s time to focus our attention on above-ground parts, like leaves and shoots. As the plants flower and set seed, older leaves often become tough or bit-

ter and it’s time to shift our attention to flower and seed harvesting.

Remember, it’s never too early to start putting things away for the winter. Our wild bounty can be preserved in the same ways our garden produce can, by drying, freezing, canning and pickling.

Laura Reeves is a botanist and wild food aficionado who loves sharing her knowledge of local plant uses. For an in-depth guide to wild foraging in Manitoba, be sure to check out her bestselling book, Laura Reeves’ Guide to Useful Plants – From Acorns to Zoom Sticks, available at local retailers. Laura also offers backyard plant walks to help you get acquainted with the tasty treasures in your own backyard. Contact Laura at info@psbotanicals. com or call 425-3520.

Brought to you by the Stuartburn Emerson-Franklin Local Food Initiative. Reach out to them at initiativelocalfood@gmail. com or find them on Facebook.

Laura Reeves’ Guide to Useful Plants – From Acorns to Zoom Sticks,

Church in Ste. Anne to Be Commemorated in Book

Funding has been awarded to Paroisse Sainte-Anne-des-Chênes Parish in the amount of $3,700 to research and produce a book commemorating the SainteAnne-des-Chênes church in honour

of its 125th anniversary. The funding came from the Province of Manitoba’s Heritage Grant Program.

“This funding allows community groups and not-for-profit organizations

The Sainte-Anne-des-Chênes church has reached its 125th Anniversary.

to complete these important initiatives, which honour and preserve Manitoba’s history for future generations,” said Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Andrew Smith.

Photo by Myriam Dyck

June 2022

19

The Foal of a Donkey Zechariah 9:9… 9) Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (NIV) Life is full of surprises. We meet people we have heard about, and we find them to be different than we thought they would be. Meetings at church – work – gatherings with friends do not unfold as we had envisioned it beforehand. Sometimes God surprises us as well. At times, we may have desired a lightning bolt or at least handwriting on a wall. But while we might have expected God to come to us through a dramatic event, He may come in a quiet way, almost unnoticed and without fanfare.

No incident so shows the sheer courage of Jesus as this Scripture lesson does. One might expect Jesus to enter Jerusalem secretly and to keep hidden from the authorities who were out to destroy him. Instead, Christ enters in such a way that the attention of every person fixated on him.

One of the most precarious things a person can do is to go to people and tell them that all their accepted ideas are wrong. Any person who tries to tear up by the roots a people’s nationalistic dream is in for trouble. But that is what Jesus deliberately was doing. Here Jesus is making the last appeal of love and making it with a courage that is heroic.

Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on an unused colt. Was it merely to fulfill prophecy that Jesus did this, though that would have been sufficient? Jesus rode in on a colt, the foal of a donkey, to reveal that character of His coming and of His Kingdom. This we must remember was an unusual way for a king to approach a city. The king had to maintain his image of a mighty warrior. Mighty warriors of that day rode on mighty stallions. But there was no war horse here.

Jesus had come proclaiming the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of man. He had come, not for war, but for peace.

So, we see Jesus coming in humility and gentleness. And this is also a symbol of that fact that Jesus comes now in humility and gentleness. We may want God to speak in thunderous tones, but God chooses to speak to us often in the still, small voice. It is strange that amid the clamour of the world God comes to us in a still, small voice. The world shouts, “Listen to me!” But to hear God, we must really listen. We must quiet all other voices, and in stillness and seclusion hear the Master speak.

Should you and I suffer for our Christian faith; that is always a crucial moment; it is the great occasion; it is the clash between the world and Christ. It is the calm before the storm. To have a share in such a moment is not a penalty but a glory. “Rejoice at such a moment,” says Jesus, “and be glad in it.”

This is the message that Jesus brought to Jerusalem that day. It is the same message He brings to us today. He does not come with strong-arm tactics. It is not time for that.

One day He will come as a mighty warrior. He will trade the submissive colt for a mighty war horse, the great white steed we see Him upon the pages of the book of Revelation. One day, He will lead the armies of Heaven to make war. One day, He will come to judge all humanity. But until that day, we live in the age of grace. Jesus comes to us, not with bullying, but with conviction. He speaks to our heart to woo us to Himself. But we must hear and respond.

Are we able to hear Christ’s voice today? As He whispers to our heart, “Follow Me.” Follow Me to the Cross where our sins can be forgiven.” “Follow me in sharing the Good News with those for whom He died.” “Follow me in sacrifice.” “Follow me in surrender.” To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done.

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart? Forgive my sins. I want my life to change.

My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that Peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire.

Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen.

20

June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

C ommunity E vents Friedensfeld Community Garage Sale – Saturday, June 4 at 9 am.

Gardenton Community Yard Sale – Saturday, June 18, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Park. Hot lunch available at the take-out window. $15 to rent a spot, bring your own table. If needed tables are available at $10 each. Contact Karen 204-434-6754.

Grand Pointe Annual Slo-Pitch & Social at the Park – Friday, June 3, SloPitch at 5 pm, BBQ, beer garden and fireworks at 10 pm.

Social with live music with the Dog House Band from 8 pm to 1 am. Cost $5. Saturday, June 4 Slo-Pitch tournament continues, breakfast from 9 to 11 am, beer gardens and BBQ. Contact for social tickets Doreen 204-256-3793 or Angie 204-292-2218 or email gpha1994@gmail.com.

Grunthal Spring Twist Off - Bull-riding - Friday, June 3 at 5 pm, Hanover Ag Exhibition Park, 153 Southwood Dr. It’s an evening of bull riding action! Come cheer on daring riders at the Hanover Ag Exhibition Park as they take on the 8-second challenge in the Trouw Nutrition Livestock Arena. With the beer gardens and food services open all evening, you can enjoy your tasty snack throughout the show and after. Contact office@hanoverag.com.

Show and Shine Car Show- Saturday, June 4 at 2 pm.

Show and Shine Car Show, licensed patio, food services on site. All welcome! Admission by Donation. Contact office@ hanoverag.com.

Hadashville Grow a Row & Vegetable Drop off - Plant a row now, grow a row this summer, and drop off extra veggies in fall. Fall drop off will be Saturday, September 10, 10 am – 12 noon, two locations at Whitemouth Lions Park and Hadashville Rec Centre. Proceeds will be taken to local food banks to help residents in your area. For more info call Marilyn 204-348-7191 ext. 4240.

Hike the Whitemouth River Ski Trail - south of Hadashville.

Check trail mapping.

Ile des Chenes Online Auction Fundraiser - Wildlife Haven invites you to join in making a difference in the lives of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in our beautiful province. Join virtually from June 20-26 for the Summer Fun for Wildlife Online Auction.

Bidding opens at 9 am June 20. A great variety of summer themed items will be available for bidding! All proceeds from this fundraiser will help over a thousand wild animals at the Wildlife Haven Hospital this summer. Visit wildlifehaven.ca for more information.

Foot care clinic - With certified foot care nurse. Contact Janice 204-883-2880 Ritchot Senior Services.

Lorette Family Fun Days – Friday, June 3- Sunday, June 5 at the Arena beginning Friday at 5 pm. Weekend pass $10. Children 2 and under free. Family with a petting zoo for the kids, baseball tournament for adults, flea market, movie night under the stars and fireworks to top it all off. The funds generated by the yearly event help finance community activities all year long.

Highway Cleanup Time – Saturday, June 11. Rain date Saturday, June 18.Meet at 9 am at Lorette Parish Hall parking lot to clean Hwy 207 from McDougall Road to Junction Hwy 206.

Come joins us. Bags and rides provided.

Niverville Adult Dodgeball Drop In – Wednesdays until June 29 from 7 - 8 pm at the AMF Fieldhouse, Court 1, 501 Center Street.

Grab some friends come and play. Cost $5 Drop-In Fee or $42.85 for 9 weeks.

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball Drop In – Thursdays until June 30 from 8 -10 pm. Cost: $80/9 weeks or $10 drop-in. Pay on website recreation@whereyoubelong.ca. Contact 204-388-4600.

Pansy Walkathon – Rescheduled to Saturday, July 9 at 9:54 am.

Join us at a walkathon and an outdoor concert, near the Hall.

Contact Mel Kachur, 204-434-9397 or melvinkachur2@ gmail.com.

Richer Dinner & Dance Richer Young at Heart Club – Saturday, June 18 at 6 pm for dinner and music by The Mosaics. Cost $25.

With no blizzard in the forecast and flood waters receding join us for this fundraiser. Contact Ron at 431-275-0874 for tickets.

Canada Day – Friday, July 1 come and celebrate Canada Day. Start off the day from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Dawson Trail Museum for Canada Day Cake, drinks and popcorn. Then head over to the Dawson Trail Park after 4 pm for kids train rides, activity bags for kids, hotdogs, drinks, cake, balloon creations and face painting. Richer will cap off the night with lots of fireworks at dusk.

RM of Stuartburn Services to Seniors - Access Credit Union sponsored Free Shuttle for residents of the RM of Stuartburn, the first Friday of each month. Call to book a ride and do your banking and shopping locally or book your doctor’s appointment and we will get you to your appointment. Next Access Free Shuttle is June 3. Call 204-425-3701.

Services to Seniors Steinbach Shuttle - Subsidized cost $15/ person. The next shuttle is Tuesday, June 7. Minimum of 8 participants required for the trip to take place. Departure from Shady Oaks at 9:30 am. Call 204-425-3701 to book a seat.

Services to Seniors - Wednesday, June 8 fun trip of a greenhouse tour for all the gardeners. Cost is $20/person. Minimum of 10 participants required for the trip to take place. Departure from Shady Oaks at 9:30 am. Call 204-425-3701 to book a seat.

Roseau River Grand Opening Cyprus Lodge – Sunday, June 5 at the Roseau River Bible Camp. From 2 – 4:30 pm. Free activities and tour, followed by a program and free BBQ chicken dinner at 5:45 pm. Bouncy castle, swimming, horseback riding, rafting, kayaking, BMX biking, archery and more.

South Junction Southeast Farmers’ Market – On Saturday, June 11 from 10 am - 2 pm. If you can’t make it, bake it or grow it, you can buy it at the Farmer’s Market! Our vendors will be comfy cozy inside the Pine Grove Seniors facility for the winter and spring markets. Contact Jen at 204-423-2223 or Shawny 204-437-2600.

Canada Day at South Junction Community Club. An evening of family fun on July 1! 8:30 pm. Local entertainment and farmers market. Free coffee, juise, Canada Day Cookies, mini flags and pins. Hotdogs for sale in canteen. 50/50 draw. Fireworks at dusk (approx 10:30 pm).

Sprague Annual Yearly Picnic at the Sprague & District Historical Museum on Sunday, June 12 starting at 2 pm. Bring your own lawn chair. Free admission. Hotdogs, coffee, juice and dainties served.

St. Adolphe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – Thursday, June 16, 10 – 11:30 am. Join us for coffee, wear purple and have your name entered into a draw to win a prize. Pre-register by contacting Janice 204-883-2880, email ritchotseniors@ mymts.net.

Foot care clinic – Mondays and Tuesdays with certified foot care nurse. Contact Janice 204-883-2880 Ritchot Senior Services.

Heart to Home Meal Service -Available to all areas of the Ritchot Community including St. Adolphe, Ste Agathe, Ile des Chenes, Grande Pointe, Howden and Glen Lea. To place your order call 1-204-816-8659. Menus are also available to pick up at Ritchot Senior Services or by calling Heart to Home. We ask you to please contact Ritchot Senior Services after placing your orders and let us know you have placed an order. This will assist us in organizing volunteers for delivery of meals to you.

St. Labre St-Labre 200 – Friday, July 1 come and set up your tent, camper or blanket. We will have kids’ activities all day. In the evening, take in the live band, Canada Day fireworks, and have a look at what teams are building. Saturday will be filled with races and more activities for everyone.

Begins with go-cart heat races followed by A and B side finals.

Races start Saturday July 2 at 11:30 am with the final race starting at 5:30 pm. Bring the kids’ bikes this year to try out our new bike track and have races of their own. Remember that this is a free event, though we encourage you to try our canteen, place a bet in the Calcutta, or simply donate. Be a Fan and Bring a Can - Bring a donation of dry goods and we will donate everything to a local food bank.

St. Malo Intro to 3D Archery – June 12 -26 from 2 - 4 pm at the Grotto. For all ages. Safe. Foam tipped arrows. Play as a family. To reserve your email spot info@sayzoons.ca.

Intro to Archery – June 12 -26 from 2 - 4 pm at the Grotto.

For ages 15 and up. To reserve your spot email info@sayzoons.ca.

Ste. Agathe Foot care clinic – Wednesday, June 22 with certified foot care nurse. Contact Janice 204-883-2880 Ritchot Senior Services.

Ste. Anne Club Jovial Birthday Party – Saturday, June 18 from 1 – 5 pm at the Club Jovial a celebration of 50 years with birthday party fun games, photo booth, music, food, reunion of friends, activities, a bazaar atmosphere for free We invite all to come and celebrate, no long speeches and stuffy presentations, just good old fashioned francophone fun!

125th Anniversary – July 10, 10 am at the Sainte-Anne-desChênes parish. Celebrate the 125th anniversary of its historical church. Join in the activities with a liturgical celebration followed by a procession to Redemptorist Park where there will be a picnic atmosphere, including musical entertainment by local groups and other entertainment until around 4 pm.

You can bring your picnic lunch or purchase food at the park.

Please bring your lawn chairs.

Ste. Genevieve Tache Game & Fish Association – Saturday, June 11 starting at 3 pm, dinner at 6 pm. Silent Auction, Gun Raffle, Minnow races, Chicken Schitt Bingo and Pig/Chicken Roast Dinner Fundrasier at the Community Centre. Cost $20 each, 11 and under free. Bring your family and friends.

Steinbach Steinbach & Area Garden Club – Monday, June 20, 6 – 8 pm at the Mennonite Heritage pavilion. Time to celebrate who we are as gardeners and volunteers. Members and 1 guest are invited to attend our June BBQ. Members are free of charge, non-members $5. This will be a potluck. If your last name begins with A-P please bring a salad. If your last name begins with Q-Z please bring a dessert. We also request that you bring your own utensils. Please register. Deadline for registration is June 12.

Tractor Trek - Saturday, June 11 at 7 am, Mennonite Heritage Village, 231 PTH 12 N. Join us for a day of exploration, stories, food, and more! Register online mhv.ca or call 204-326-9661. All proceeds for this fundraiser support both the Mennonite Heritage Village and the Eden Foundation to raise awareness of mental health and well-being. We hope to see you there.

Heritage Classic Car Show - Saturday, July 9 at 11 am, Mennonite Heritage Village, 231 PTH 12 N. Pre-register or register day of from 8 am - 11 am. Big Daddy Tazz will emcee the event.

There will be activities, muffler rapping, face painting/airbrush tattoos and of course awards to follow. Look forward to seeing you there. Contact Patricia West, 204-333-7190, or heritageclassiccarshow@gmail.com.

Creative Writers Club - Second Wednesday every month at 7 pm. next one April 13 at the Jake Epp Library, 255 Elmdale St. This is not a class but rather a writing share group where we hope to foster and encourage our participants’ love of writing. Feel free to bring 5 pages of writing (single sided, double spaced) to share with the group. Our evening will begin with an ice breaker and then move into share time. Coffee and tea will be served. Contact Madison Redekopp email mredekopp@jakeepplibrary.com.

Steinbach Professional Development Toastmasters Club – On Thursdays at 9:46 am, Eastman Education Centre, 385 Loewen Blvd. How can a person get the message across well, keep meeting participants engaged, and fully use the capabilities of videoconferencing platforms? What works? What doesn’t? What is the etiquette expected? Join us in person or by zoom on 12 pm every Wednesday. All guests are welcome!

Contact Mark Hiebert 204-371-5197, email mhiebert@ barkmanconcrete.com.

Craft Night - Wednesdays at 7 pm, Jake Epp Library, 255 Elmdale St. Ages 16 years and up join us for a free event, with coffee and crafting. Our craft for the evening will be a beaded spring wreath. There is limited space available. To sign up, email mredekopp@jakeepplibrary.com.

Book Club - Meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7 - 8:30 pm Jake Epp Library, 255 Elmdale St. Books are available at the circ desk as well as on our Libby App (free with your library card). Please sign up by email mredekopp@jakeepplibrary.com. Limited space available.

Vita Community Child Care Centre Annual General Meeting – Wednesday, June 15 at 6 pm at the Daycare. The following positions are open for election this year: President (1-year term), Vice-President (2-year term), Secretary (2-year term), and Community Representative (1-year term). RSVP to Bev Capra 204-425-3580.

Community Garage Sale – Saturday, June 18 from 9 am – 4 pm. Register with the RM Stuartburn office, contact 204-4253218 or Crystal 204-371-6039.

Summer Day Camp – Open to ages 5 to 14. Activities, crafts, games and much more. 10 spots per session available. Cost $50. Session 1 on July 11 – 15 and Session 2 on August 15

– 19, hosted at the Arena. To Register contact RM office 204425-3218 or rmstuartburn.rec@gmail.com.

Canada Day Weekend - Friday, July 1 – Sunday, July 3. Slow Pitch Tournament, Pancake Breakfast, Parade, Food Trucks, Bouncers, Beer Gardens, Rodeo, Face Painting, Balloon Artist, Perogy Supper, Social, Live Music, Chainsaw Carving, Strongman Competition, Mounted Shooting Event, Mechanical Bull, Gymkhana, Monster Bingo, 50/50 Draw, Fireworks and much more! Advanced wristbands are $12 each for adults, $10 for ages 6-17 and 5 and under are free. Adults are $15 at the gate. For more information, visit our Facebook Page or email vitacanadaday@hotmail.com.

Register for Summer Day Camps –Session 1, July 11 – 15 and Session 2 August 15 -19. Hosted at the Arena. Open to ages 5 to 14. Space limited. Cost $15 each. Contact RM office 204-425-3218, rmstuartburn.rec@gmail.com.

West Hawk Lake Meteor Fest – Beginning Friday, July 8 to Sunday July 10.

Family event live music, bands on the beach, BBQ on the Beach, Street Hockey, Pony Rides, Face Painting, Meteor Market, Bingo, Kid’s parade and races, Sand Sculpture contest, Air Mattress Races, Pancake Breakfast, Church Service, Horseshoe Tourney, Poker Derby.

Meteor Market – Saturday, July 9 from 9 am – 2 pm. Book your table now. Call Eunice 204-330-4414.

Please submit your events each month by emailing editor@dawsontrail.ca

Attention Newcomers to Lorette Welcome to the growing community of Lorette. Have you purchased a home, townhome, duplex, 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 curbside visit please e-mail lorettewelcomebasket@gmail.com.

No strings attached.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

New 4-Way Stop Sign in Ile des Chenes Cause for Mixed Reactions

By Angelique Forest A new 4-way stop intersection in Ile des Chenes is eliciting a debate among residents and the municipal government.

“I personally think it’s a mistake,” said Corey Denslow, a long-time Ile des Chenes resident who grew up directly facing the corner of Dumaine road and Old PTH 59, where the new 4-way stop has been installed. “I don’t believe it’s an extremely dangerous intersection. We already have to deal with the stop signs when crossing 59 here when it’s a yield down at Grande Pointe.”

Denslow believes there were other options that may have been more efficient.

“I think the overall best move would have been to either just keep the two stop signs and put lights on top of them or build a round-about,” he argued.

“Pedestrian safety was a big factor in installing a 4-way stop intersection,” explained Mayor Chris Ewan. “The traffic in the area has dramatically increased. Between the intersection and highway 59, there is 250 metres, which allows for up to 60 vehicles. Studies show plenty of room, and a controlled intersection will improve traffic flow, opposite of what a 2-way does when a vehicle is waiting to turn.”

“There will be upgrades in pedestrian safety, including sidewalk improvements, as well as

crosswalks,” added Ewan.

Denslow doesn’t believe the best solution has been found yet and that it was possibly some overreaction.

“No matter what the possible best solution is, there will always be bad drivers, which showed up from time to time at this intersection, making it appear like it was a dangerous intersection” he explained. “It was never a dangerous intersection; people just need to learn how to drive. Even now with these two additional signs, we see people barely slowing down and blowing the stops.”

Denslow conceded that while the decision to create a 4-way stop may be what the majority of people in Ile des Chenes want, there is no way to know for sure as this never came down to a vote.

“I’ve also heard that the additional two stops make it safer for pedestrians,” said Denslow. However, Denslow is critical of previous decisions made by the municipal council. “That’s a whole other can of worms, however, making Ile des Chenes pedestrian friendly never seemed to be a thought for those voting through all the condos without having proper infrastructure.”

Denslow wants to remind residents of the municipal plans to allow for new condo developments along Old PTH 59.

Motorists Urged to Respect Construction Zone The Town of Niverville is warning motorists that with the upgrade to the intersection of Mulberry Avenue and PR311 delays, slower speeds and detours can be expected.

Road construction is expected to be completed by mid-July this summer with new traffic signal lights only added in the summer of 2023.

PR311 will be a designated construction zone, and speeds will be reduced to 50 km/hr through

the area. One eastbound and one westbound lane of PR 311 will be maintained during construction. Delays and detours are to be expected.

Additionally, pedestrians are asked to avoid the construction zone and use Arena Road to cross PR 311 to Drover’s, while the area is under construction.

The Town urges everyone to use caution in the area and follow road signs.

Construction Underway at Deacon’s Corner Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) reports the intersection reconstruction of the Trans-Canada Highway (Provincial Trunk Highway 1) at Provincial Road (PR) 207, commonly known as Deacon’s Corner, is now underway.

MTI advises the motoring public there will be temporary traffic controls in the eastbound

and westbound directions, and motorists should heed the construction signage and use caution when travelling through the intersection.

Residents and businesses located in Lorette should consider using PR 405 as an alternate route to avoid delays at Deacon’s Corner.

MTI advises construction on this project will continue through October 2022.

June 2022

21

Pharmacare Deductible for Manitobans Pharmacare is the drug benefit program for eligible Manitobans, regardless of disease or age, whose income is seriously affected by high prescription drug costs.

Did you know you can request your Pharmacare Deductible be adjusted if your income has decreased?

Pharmacare coverage is based on both your total family income and the amount you pay for eligible prescription drugs. The total family income is adjusted to include a spouse and the number of dependents.

Each year you are required to pay a portion of the cost of your eligible prescription drugs. This amount is your annual Pharmacare deductible. Pharmacare sets your deductible based on your adjusted family income.

The deductible ranges from three to seven percent of your total family income. The lower your total family income the lower the percentage.

The Manitoba Health Pharmacare letters should have arrived in the past month or two, giving you information about what your Pharmacare deductible is for the 2022/2023 year; it’s based on your 2020 personal income taxes.

The Pharmacare year is from April 1 to March 31. So you begin to pay for your own prescriptions every April 1 and then when you reach your deductible, Pharmacare pays for the eligible prescriptions until March 31 the following year.

If you do not receive a letter, you may not have applied. I recommend every family apply now. You will need to at some point in your life (we normally buy more prescription drugs as we get older). You can find the application form on the Manitoba Pharmacare website; it is easy to complete.

Reduce Your Deductible If your 2022 family income will be reduced by greater than 10% from your 2020 total family income, you can request the deductible be reduced. There is an application form to be completed and proof of your reduced income may be needed.

I help individuals and couples throughout the year complete this form and get it in to Pharmacare. If your income in 2022 will be much lower than it was in 2021 or 2020, I recommend you complete the form and get it into Pharmacare as soon as possible.

The most common reason for a reduction in income is retirement, but it can also be semi-retirement (reduction in employment income) or other reduced income. Even in retirement, your income may drop if you no longer have RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) or RRIFs (Registered Retirement Income Fund); or other sources of taxable income may have dropped.

You can send in the request to reduce your Pharmacare deductible at any time, but the sooner the better.

Deductible Instalment Payment Program Another little known fact about Pharmacare is the Deductible Installment Payment Program. In some cases, a single prescription can be as much and sometimes more than a family’s annual deductible amount.

The Deductible Installment Payment Program for Pharmacare helps reduce financial hardship for individuals and families whose eligible drug costs are a significant portion of their monthly family income.

The Payment Program is an option for eligible Manitobans to pay their annual Pharmacare deductible in monthly instalments. This option will give those who have high monthly drug costs compared to their monthly income a way to pay their Pharmacare deductible in interest-free monthly instalments as part of their monthly Manitoba Hydro energy bill.

The financing program is administered by Manitoba Health. The role of Manitoba Hydro is to withdraw monthly payments from your bank account.

To be considered for the program, applicants and/or their families must have eligible Pharmacare specified drug costs over a 30-day period that are equal to or above 20 per cent of their average monthly adjusted family income.

If your prescription costs are fairly high and you reach your Pharmacare Deductible fairly quickly, I recommend you check out the option of the Deductible Installment Payment Program. If you already have a Hydro account (pay hydro monthly) it will be added to your current bill. If you do not have a Hydro account (you rent and do not pay hydro yourself), you will need to apply.

If you need more information, you can contact Pharmacare directly, or drop into our office and see me.

Get your taxes filed!

A quick reminder that if you have not yet filed your taxes, get them completed as soon as possible. The deadline for most taxpayers was May 2. Those that are self-employed and their spouses have a deadline of June 15.

Don’t be late filing your taxes if you owe. The penalty is 5% of the amount owing plus 1% for each month you are late. And if it’s not the first time you are late, the penalties are even worse!

Even if you do not have all your info to file by the deadline, file it with estimated amounts. You can always adjust later.

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 Clearview Co-op) or Info@SteAnneTaxService.ca.

22

June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP Respond to Serious Motorcycle-Vehicle Collision

Missing 72-Year Old Found Deceased

If you have any information in regards to any item here you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

On May 4 around 2:40 pm, St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP received a report of a motorcycle-semi collision which occurred on Highway 52 near the intersection with Highway 59 in the RM of De Salaberry.

Officers believe that strong winds may have caused the westbound motorcycle to drift into the oncoming lane where it collided with the eastbound trailer of the semi. The motorcycle driver, a 64-year-old male from Morris, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the semi was not injured.

RCMP Service Calls Decrease in Eastern District

Steinbach RCMP Respond to Fatal Structure Fire

According to a report released by the RCMP, the eastern district saw a decrease in calls for service of 21% compared to the same period the previous year. In April 2021 the RCMP responded to 6,961 as compared to only 5,525 incidents in April 2022.

The Manitoba East District statistics reveal there were overall decreases in all categories.

When it comes to “Common Police Activities” there was an overall decrease of 6% (780 to 737) in this category. While wellbeing checks increased by 34% (97 to 130), missing persons decreased by 23% (69 to 53).

Crimes against Person saw an overall decrease of 10% (435 to 390); specifically, Robbery /Extortion/ Harassment /Threats decreased 40% (142 to 85), and Assaults decreased by 8% (from 275 to 253).

Overall, Crimes against Property decreased by 20% (866 to 690). The largest decrease was in the Mischief category, down 29% (407 to 289); both Theft over $5,000 and Theft under $5,000 decreased by 15%, (85 to 72) and (183 to 155), respectively, while Break and Enters decreased by 17%. The only notable increase was in the Arson category, up 29% (7 to 9 occurrences).

Drug Enforcement decreased overall by 48%, (56 to 29); specifically, Possession was down 53% (17 to 8) and Trafficking went down 43% (30 to 17).

On, May 12 at 8:05 pm, Steinbach RCMP responded to a report of a structure fire at a residence located on Aspen Four Drive in the city of Steinbach.

Once the fire was brought under control and extinguished, firefighters entered the home and removed a 41-year-old male who was pronounced deceased. No other injuries were reported.

Steinbach RCMP along with the Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continue to investigate. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

On May 20, at approximately 8 am, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a missing 72-year-old male, Leo Cyr, from Giroux after his family, who were checking up on him, discovered both Cyr and his vehicle was not at his home.

Just a bit earlier in the morning, the St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP received a report of a vehicle stuck in a water filled field, near Highway 75, between St. Adolphe and Ste. Agathe and soon identified it as Cyr’s.

At approximately 1:30 pm, RCMP Search and Rescue sadly located Leo Cyr deceased.

While the initial scene leads the RCMP to believe the death does not appear to be suspicious, both the Steinbach and St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP detachments continue to investigate.

RCMP FILES

Karma Catches Up to Young Driver On May 13, at approximately 11:14 pm, Steinbach RCMP Municipal Traffic Services was stationed on Main Street monitoring the traffic when the ALPR “Automatic Licence plate reader” alerted on a vehicle with an “inactive” registration travelling westbound on Main Street.

Subsequent checks completed on the license plates showed that the plates were not the proper vehicle and were not associated to the red Mustang being driven. The officer then followed the vehicle and attempted to pull it over by activating the emergency lights. The vehicle then sped off at high rate of speed, not stopping at stop signs. The officer did not pursue for public safety reasons.

At around 2:30 am, the same vehicle and driver fled from another police vehicle in La Broquerie. Again the police did not pursue the vehicle for public safety reasons.

A few days after, on May 20, an officer located the red Mustang while it was stopped in the drive through at a local restaurant. The youth was arrested for numerous charges under the Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code Charges. The youth also had an outstanding warrant.

The driver, a 16-year-old youth from Tolstoi was released and is to appear at Steinbach Provincial Court.

Steinbach RCMP would like to remind all drivers, as well as registered owners, that fleeing from the police is a Criminal Code offence and it is being taken seriously. Police are equipped with cameras as well as the ALPR which assist them in capturing pictures of the vehicles including their licence plates and drivers.

Falcon Beach RCMP Respond to Fatal Rollover On May 25 at approximately 12:05 pm, Falcon Beach RCMP responded to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 1 near the Birch River bridge in the RM of Reynolds.

The vehicle was travelling west on Highway 1, when it went into the ditch and rolled.

The driver, a 39-year-old male from Winnipeg was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The passenger, a 32-year-old male from Scanterbury, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Young Driver Pays Serious Fine, Faces License Review On May 22, Steinbach RCMP members charged a 17-year-old male from Grunthal with speeding when his 2012 Ford Fusion was observed travelling 124 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Main Street in Steinbach.

The youth received a $1,019 fine and a Serious Offence Notice which includes a licence review.

RCMP Warn Motorists to Respect Road Barricades Following Recue At 8:15 am on May 19, the Manitoba RCMP received an urgent call from a motorist requesting assistance as he was stranded in his vehicle on Provincial Road 200 just north of St. Adolphe in the RM of Ritchot.

The caller indicated that water was coming into his vehicle, that it had reached his steering wheel, and that he couldn’t get out through the doors or windows.

Officers from the St-Pierre-Jolys Detachment and the local fire department immediately responded. Firefighters were able to safely rescue the 21-year-old male from Winnipeg.

The investigation has determined that the male had driven past the barricades on Provincial Road 200 and quickly became stranded.

“We all know that there is overland flooding throughout areas of our province and that this flooding has resulted in a number of road closures,” said Corporal Julie Courchaine of the Manitoba RCMP. “The barricades are in place to keep everyone safe. No one should ever try to bypass them under any circumstance.”

The 21-year-old male was issued a $237 fine under the Highway Traffic Act for disobeying a prohibition or restriction imposed on the use of a highway.

Street Racers Charged On Sunday, May 15, Steinbach Municipal Traffic charged 2 males with racing.

Both drivers were charged with race a motor vehicle which carries a $672 fine, received a “Serious Offence Notice” which mandates a licence review with MPI, and both their vehicles were towed and impounded for 7 days.

One of the drivers, an 18-year-old male from Vassar, had been charged an hour previously for making unnecessary noise and warned regarding street racing. Additionally, he had also been charged for a traffic offence on May 13.

The other male is an 18-year-old resident of Steinbach.

In addition, there were 19 other traffic offence charges levied over the weekend.

Be aware of happenings in your neighbourhood and report suspicious activity to the authorities.

Check on your neighbours.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

June 2022

23

Marketing Your Business Includes Knowing How to Pivot

By Dan Guetre A cheese board and serving tray can vary from simplicity to unique, and one Steinbach based business has not only expressed itself with a durable and artistic product, but taken marketing to the global level.

Melissa Funk, CEO of Lynn & Liana Designs, started her business in 2018 out of a garage and have grown, to a point where they initially expanded to a 2,700 square foot space on Main Street, and now call home a 6,500 square foot facility in Steinbach. They design and handcraft resin accented cheese boards and serving trays.

At only 27 years old, Funk has the credentials of an experienced entrepreneur.

Marketing is always a balance act when it comes to budget, production and supply and risks are always involved. Finding the correct formula is an entrepreneur’s dream.

“We started our company in Mike and Candice’s garage in May of 2018,” explained Funk, referring to borrowed space at her parents’ home. “We started by doing retail tradeshows through one partner that Mike and Candice had a previous business relationship with.”

Soon she added Social Media to her marketing strategy.

“Once we started an Instagram account, we attracted the attention of a few Jewish tabletop shops based in New York,” said Funk. “[Now] our 13,000 followers on Instagram also give us credibility and we only hope to increase this!”

Funk looks for opportunities beyond the obvious and while this may involve some luck, a potential chain reaction of possibilities is always there.

“We originally partnered with Johnson & Johnson on a Women’s Empowerment event back in early 2021 and they had someone reach out to us by the name of Lash Fary,” said Funk. “He is the owner of Distinctive Assets based out of Los Angeles. We noticed his company focused on connecting businesses with celebrities and we were instantly curious. We asked him if he had any upcoming opportunities that would be a good fit for us and that’s how we landed our first opportunity to send 25 cheeseboards to celebrity moms for Mothers Day last year.”

The circumstances allowed Funk to get her product into the hands of new moms like Mandy Moore, Meghan Trainor, Hilary Duff, Emma Roberts, and others.

“We knew that this opportunity was too good to pass up; even if we didn’t generate direct revenue from it,” she explained. “We knew that the free publicity and attention drawn to our products would be very beneficial to the business in the long run. We ended up being featured in many great articles, but on top of that we noticed Meghan Trainor started ordering from us on our website. That was super exciting to see!”

“One day we received a message

Melissa Funk, CEO of Lynn & Liana Designs, started her business in 2018 out of a garage and have grown, to a point where they initially expanded to a 2,700 square foot space on Main Street, and now call home a 6,500 square foot facility in Steinbach. They design and handcraft resin accented cheese boards and serving trays. At only 27 years old, Funk has the credentials of an experienced entrepreneur.

From left to right: Mike Cancade, Candice Cancade, Melissa Funk and Evan Funk.

Submitted file photo

in our Instagram Inbox from someone based in LA. He requested a quote for 70 boards to be shipped ASAP to Hollywood,” added Funk. “We found out this fellow was Meghan Trainor’s agent and he mentioned to us that Meghan fell in love with our pieces when she first received them and would like to purchase our boards for all her cast and crew of the new show she was hosting, Top Chef Family Style.”

“We were completely flabbergasted and incredibly excited. We fulfilled her order and she’s been a fan of our pieces ever since!” said Funk. “Those were results we could never have dreamed to see, and we hope for more cool stories like this to come!”

to see measurable results,” she cautioned. “Thankfully the first time we marketed with celebrities it paid off in a huge way and we’re hoping to continue seeing exciting results like that.”

Up until March of 2020, Funk’s team was also making appearances at tradeshows to continue their growth.

Unfortunately, when March of 2020 hit, orders from their wholesalers immediately stopped.

The pandemic pullback from their buyers was on their doorstep.

Funk and her team could have thrown up their hands in defeat, but this was not the case.

“Thankfully, we had secured a contract to have our products showcased on Good Morning

summer of 2021 and we increased our presence at these shows and the results where amazing.”

Pivoting and customizing their marketing strategy seems to be a vital part of their business.

“We have continued to grow the wholesale side of our business to over 2,000 stores across North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Japan,” she added.

During their relatively short existence, they have signed up for a wholesale platform called Faire. com. After various tradeshows they grew their store count to about 60 stores.

Additionally for retail, they focus heavily on email and SMS subscribers.

Really dive deep to figure out what value your “ product brings to the world and capitalize on that,”

Melissa Funk added. “Learn who your customers are. Even if it’s a very niche customer, the more you build out your ideal customer profile the more you can tailor your marketing strategy towards them.

With Distinctive Assets, they also recently partnered to be part of this year’s Official GRAMMY® Gift Bag which was given to the show’s performers and presenters in early April.

Additionally, over the past two years they have also been selected to participate in celebrity gift bags for the Golden Globe Awards.

“Every time we market in this way it’s a test and a bit of a risk,” said Funk. “It’s a calculated risk we’re willing to make because we know the PR we receive from these opportunities is great for our SEO, and the free publicity we receive around North America is very helpful to our marketing efforts in general.”

“However, there is no way to 100% make sure we’re going

America. This carried us through the pandemic and helped us pivot and diversify our business to eCommerce,” explained Funk. “We revamped our website and started advertising on various media buying platforms. Christmas of 2020 was like nothing we had ever done before and we were on fire shipping out hundreds of cheeseboards a day.”

According to Funk, another challenge they faced around this time was when Apple iOS changes happened.

“Our ad spend started to get less and less effective. We spent the remainder of the year beating our heads against the wall trying to get the same returns we used too,” she elaborated. “We started going back to wholesale tradeshows in the

”

“This is our most profitable form of marketing. Keeping our subscribers in the loop on new sales and new products and keeping them engaged in our business. Our story goes a long way for us,” said Funk. “We also market through Paid Per Click advertising on both Facebook and Google. This was a very strong way of marketing for us during the pandemic as everyone was online shopping. Lastly, we leverage ourselves on social media very intentionally. The sole purpose for us posting on social media via stories or our feeds or utilizing Tik Tok is just to build our brand and our name in hopes of becoming recognized worldwide one day.”

To date their products are available in retail stores across five

continents and they now employ approximately 30 people.

“We just need to break into Australia and Antarctica,” added Funk.

“Although one of those will be a little bit tougher than the other,” she readily admitted.

“We believe that the desire to stay innovative will be the key to success moving forward,” said Funk and this is not only relevant to the product line, but the marketing plan also.

With this in mind, Funk and her team are always developing new marketing opportunities.

“We just launched a new brand ambassador program that we’re really excited about,” said Funk.

“This helps us partner with our customers who already love and use our products and gives them the opportunity to represent our company and make commissions from us. It’s been a great way to gain exposure and reach without having to pay a high cost on paid per click advertising.”

“We are just starting to build out a marketing plan for our wholesale portion of this business,” she added. “We’re really excited about that as wholesale has been exploding for us now that our wholesale customers are fully opening their shops up again.”

Funk has some sage advice for others trying to build their brand.

“First, believe in yourself and your product or service,” she stressed. “Take your passion and turn it into measurable goals that will help you build out a roadmap for your business.”

“Really dive deep to figure out what value your product brings to the world and capitalize on that,” she added. “Learn who your customers are. Even if it’s a very niche customer, the more you build out your ideal customer profile the more you can tailor your marketing strategy towards them.”

Additionally she suggested that you should never set your sites and your goals too low.

“Don’t discount the opportunity to go global,” she advised. “Figure out where your product can go and reach for the stars. Borders and foreign transactions have never scared us and this mindset has helped us land deals with companies in locations like the Middle East, Africa and even Japan!”

“Lastly, be gracious to yourself,” concluded Funk. “The marketing world is very volatile right now and constantly changing.

The pandemic we all just went though did not make marketing easy on anyone, not to mention all the iOS privacy changes that happened this last year. Many of the marketing strategies we started out with originally do not work anymore and we’ve had to pivot. Pivoting, being agile and willing to change your marketing strategy is basically the only way you can succeed in this market.

Testing out new ideas and trying new things is the best way to stay on top of the changes and putting yourself in the position of power.”

24

June 2022

Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch