Dawson Trail Dispatch May 2019

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

May 2019

Check Out the Lawn & Garden Spring Feature - pages 24 - 27

Cabane à Sucre Festival a Sweet Success

“Prêt, en joue, tirez!” [Ready, play, shoot!]

By Marianne Curtis Hundreds of people flocked to St. Pierre-Jolys during the first weekend of April to participate in the annual Cabane à Sucre Festival. Otherwise known as the Sugaring Off Party, the event took place on April 6 and 7 featuring a variety of displays for all ages. Nearly 500 visitors per day from all over the province attended the festival, which is designed to celebrate the tradition of tapping Maple sap to make syrup and maple butter. Visitors to the Cabane Sucre were shown how to properly tap a Maple tree for the sap, then the dehydrating process, and given the opportunity to sample the finished product. One of the highlights for the festival committee was firing up their new boiler. It was purchased last

Photos by Marianne Curtis

year, but not used after thieves broke into and destroyed the accumulated supply. Sap collected throughout the community this spring was being boiled and evaporated on site. Other festival events included freshly made and poured maple taffy on snow, an interpretive centre with demonstrations of the production of maple syrup, horse wagon rides, and museum tours. There was also a variety of traditional French-Canadian food and live local entertainment for all ages. During the week prior to the public event, over 800 students visited the grounds and participated in a variety of planned activities. The first Cabane a Sucre took place during the spring of 1986, when local resident Armand Desharnais decided to tap a few of the Manitoba Maple

trees on the museum grounds. Soon annual Sugaring-Off Festival with the annual event expanded into the the help of dedicated volunteers.

One of the highlights for the festival committee was using the new stainless steel evaporator shipped in from Quebec.


May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Niverville Multi-Plex Gets Funding Approval

An artist rendering of the new Niverville Community Resource Centre plays homage to the roots as a farming community.

Telestroke Expands into Southeast Residents living in Southern Health-Santé Sud have access to Telestroke, a program that provides specialized emergency care to stroke patients in rural communities. The Telestroke program expansion brings experts to the patients in this region for faster evaluation, ensuring they have access to high-quality care in a timely way so treatment can begin as soon as possible. Patients exhibiting stroke symptoms and transported by ambulance to a regional health centre will receive advanced emergency stroke services and treatment options. Telestroke enables local emergency physicians to work remotely with stroke neurologists and radiologists 24 hours a day. Jane Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Health-Santé Sud said the program facilitates new connections between rural patients, local physicians and stroke specialists in other parts of the province. “This innovative technology adds capacity to the region and complements our current standards of care,” explained Curtis. “Telestroke also provides patients that present with stroke symptoms the expert care they need for reducing the long-term risks associated with strokes.” The stroke neurologist and radiologist on call can receive CT scan results digitally. These specialists work together with the local team to determine if a patient can be treated with a clot-bursting drug, which can help patients make a partial or complete recovery if given within 4.5 hours after the first symptoms of stroke appear. Anyone suspecting that they are having a stroke or witnessing someone else having a stroke should call 911 immediately. This will mobilize the fastest response to ensure that emergency personnel can start assessing the patient. They will also make sure one of the three regional health centres is ready when the patient arrives. The Telestroke program is a partnership between the Manitoba government, the regional health authorities, local health authorities and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba. Allison Kesler, Chief Executive Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba believes the program will save lives. “Having Telestroke available in Southern Health-Santé Sud will help save lives,” Kesler added. “Helping people to understand the urgency of taking rapid action for early recognition and management of strokes, as well as putting into place improved systems for treatment and support, will decrease rates of disability and death from a stroke.” The Heart and Stroke Foundation has a quick way to remember the signs of a stroke and the importance of immediate action using the word FAST, which stands for “Face: Is it drooping?; Arms: Can both be raised?; Speech: Is it slurred or jumbled?; Time: To call 911 right away.”

The community of Niverville is celebrating after an announcement that a planned Community Resource Centre will see the construction of a $19.5 million multiplex. The project is expected to provide space for vital access to community resources, culture and recreation into a 9,200 square foot campus. “The Niverville Community Resource Centre will introduce an exciting new space for the community where residents of all ages can access cultural and recreational programming and essential community resources,” said Federal MP of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr. Representing the Provincial government, Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen was pleased to announce the first complex of its kind in the province. “This project represents Manitoba’s first community campus model and will leverage use of shared spaces to integrate culture, recreation, and community,” said Goertzen. The project has been estimated to cost up to $19.5 million with the Federal government contributing up to $7.8 million to this project through the Investing in Canada Plan. The province is providing up to $3.5 million and the Town of Niverville is contributing up to $8.2 million. Town of Niverville Mayor is excited about the funding announcement. “The Town of Niverville is excited for the announcement of this new facility as it will provide a place for all residents to come together within our community,” said Dyck. “Serving as a multi-purpose space, the Centre will have something for everyone. Moreover it will support future growth for Niverville and the surrounding region, which will in turn create a more vibrant and healthy community.” The project involves building a 9,200-square-metre multi-use facility that will provide recreational and cultural programming and services for the community and surrounding areas. It will feature a performing arts centre, not-for-profit community childcare centre, field house, leisure activity spaces, an indoor play area, arena, meeting rooms and community common areas. The Community Resource Centre will be built on Arena Road next to the new Niverville High School and the existing arena to create a ‘community campus’ where students and residents can access multiple amenities and social programs in one vibrant community-driven complex. “The Niverville Community Resource Center will allow us to strike a melodic chord that will include the sounds of teammates encouraging one another, residents and families interacting with one another, and the voices of children calling to one another as they play,” Dyck concluded.

Organ and Tissue Donation Simplified for Southern Health Manitobans are encouraged to have life-saving conversations with their families and to mark their intent to be organ tissue donors using the province’s registry, which is now entirely online. To support Manitobans in making their choice known, the province has simplified the donor registration process by eliminating paper donor cards and moving the registry online. Since signupforlife.ca launched in 2012, online registration has steadily increased, with a record 11,400 Manitobans having signed up on the secure site in 2018. In Manitoba, organ donation occurs at Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface Hospital. However, compassionate end-of-life care and the opportunity for organ donation is every family’s right, no matter where they live. Supporting the ability of all Manitobans to offer life-saving and life-enhancing gifts to those in need is also a focus for Tissue Bank Manitoba, which supports the vital role of tissue donation in spinal, orthopedic, neuro, sports medicine, plastics, and ear, nose and throat surgeries. As of this month, the tissue donation is now available in Southern Health-Santé Sud. Previously, this service was only available in Winnipeg and Interlake-Eastern regional health authorities.


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Fireplace Blamed for Vita House Fire

May 2019

Fatal Single Vehicle Accident On April 10 at approximately 4:12 pm, Steinbach RCMP responded to a single motor vehicle accident that occurred on PR#302 a few kilometers south of Richer. Police located a vehicle that appeared to have veered off the highway, driven through the ditch and come to rest against several trees. EMS and Fire Department were already on scene and administering CPR to a 64 year old male from La Broquerie. The lone occupant of the vehicle was eventually pronounced deceased at the scene. No visible trauma observed. Police are continuing their investigation.

On April 28, the Stuartburn Fire Department responded to this house fire located in Vita.

A Vita home was lost to a fire during the evening of April 28. The RM of Stuartburn fire department was called to the blaze about 8:48 pm and despite their efforts, the two-story home was destroyed. A family dog was found in the attached garage and taken to the local vet clinic, where fire crews report that he survived. According to Stuartburn fire Chief Bob Fosty, the fire originated in a wood-burning fireplace located in the basement of the home. The couple who lived in the home got out safely. There were no injuries reported. Damages are estimated at $200,000. Earlier in the day, the RM of Stuartburn Fire Department returned to the location of a large brush fire, six miles southeast of the community to battle a flare up, stemming from a blaze they battled at the end of the week. The fire initially started on Thursday, April 25, and with the help of the RM of La Broquerie and St. Malo Fire Departments it was finally extinguished the next evening.

According to Stuartburn Fire Chief Bob Fosty, that blaze narrowly missed destroying private property. “The fire rekindled and once it started to get a little bit of steam behind it, it actually jumped our fire line and got into some new areas and started burning pretty heavy,” Stuartburn Fire Chief Bob Fosty told media. The department was forced to re-

Photos by Daniel Catellier

turn to the scene Sunday morning, and had just returned to the hall from the brush fire, when they were called to the house fire. While many residents grumbled about waking up April 29 to snow on the ground, Fosty noted the added moisture is needed to lower the threat of grass and brush fires.

The next morning smoke still rises from what is left of the home as crews work to make sure the site is safe and there are no hotspots

Funding Helps Grow Immigrant Services Eastman Immigrant Services is grateful for funding that will allow for growth within their program. In mid April, the province announced $3.1 million for new immigrant support services in Manitoba; of which just over $200,000 will go into the region over the next three years. The province is reinvesting revenue generated by the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) application fees into 17 organizations across the province, including Eastman Immigrant Services. In November 2016, the province

announced enhancements to eliminate a backlog in processing times, fast-tracking nominations and reinvesting revenue generated by a new $500 application fee for skilled workers and existing $2,500 application fees for businesses. The reinvestment would help immigrants and refugees integrate and settle in the province at no additional cost to Manitobans. According to Michelle Bezditny, Executive Director, Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and Eastman Immigrant Services newcom-

Gathered for the immigration funding announcement are Michelle Bezditny, Executive Director of Steinbach Chamber of Commerce/Eastman Immigrant Services; Josie Fast, Program Director for Eastman Immigrant Services; Rommel Clamor, SEMFA President; Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Education and Training; Tim Schmitt, President of Steinbach Chamber of Commerce; City of Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk, and RM of Hanover Reeve Stan Toews.

ers play a very important role in the growth and development of the Eastman Region. “We are thankful for the support of the Immigration and Economic Opportunities Division of Manitoba Education and Training,” said Bezditny. “These new community members contribute to the stability in our region, which has a significant positive impact on our social and economic environment.” The Steinbach Chamber/ Eastman Immigration Services provides programming which serves to support newcomers and the community in which they are settled. Funding from Immigration and Economic Opportunities Division of Manitoba Education and Training allows the Settlement Program to service newcomers in ways the organization was not able to in the past. Funding will go into four key areas to build a continuum of service including settlement and integration hubs in Winnipeg, rural service hubs, supports for clients who are high risk or face multiple barriers, and access and community partnerships.


May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Limping Towards a Federal Election It seems that global warming and carbon tax will be the main topics that consumes most of our time if not all of our time till October voting day. Now the Liberals are being chastised for this new “onerous load of a new tax” on the middle class. According to the Conservatives I am being punished. Yes I feel cheated, but it is by increased flooding or droughts, by weather excesses across the country and a scarcity of political leadership. The Arctic is melting; BC and Alberta are and have experienced fires of horrendous proportions, eastern Canada has called in the army to help deal with flooding of Biblical proportions. Yes, we are being punished by our human excesses of producing too much carbon and we have been guilty of this for over 100 years. Now the time has come, the time to pay the piper. I might also add that urgency has crept up in this problem. Leadership is now required. Time for all good citizens of earth to fight this battle on two fronts. Yes reducing carbon is the objective but first convincing humanity and some political dinosaurs may be slightly problematic. It appears that pain may come first and it will cost a lot until such a time we learn to be nice to our cosmic home. What is the cost of a melting ice in the Arctic? Incalculable and much will be lost forever. Polar bears and caribou are in danger of being starved out of existence. The government of Quebec and New Brunswick will pay a heavy price to mitigate the cost of flooding. Fort McMurray burned down and the BC interior had two summers of out of control forest fires. The cost of these disasters far exceeds our new carbon tax. Yes, this conservative rhetoric is going to be accepted as verbatim by some of the people who believe in political fairy tales for a time but worsening climate disasters will bite us much sooner than later. Leading from behind the curve of reality on global warming is more than dishonest it insults scientific integrity and scientific intelligence. Yet five provincial Premiers are minimizing the cost of lowering the amount of carbon. They may win the battle but increase the cost of the war. What is going to be the human cost of providing sustainability for future generations? Going to Mars is not an option. We screwed up one planet no point in screwing up a second, now comes the tough part, fixing Earth.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Our Conservative Plan As we approach a federal election this fall, many Canadians have been asking what Canada’s Conservatives will do if elected? A Conservative Government will make balancing the budget a top priority. Under the Liberals our national debt has soared. We will get Canada’s finances under control, so we can lower your taxes. We recognize that Canadians are facing an affordability crisis. 90% of Canadian families are paying more taxes under the Liberals. According to a recent IPSOS poll, nearly 50% of Canadian families are within $200 of not being able to pay their bills and service their debt each month. Canada’s Conservatives want to put more of your money back in your pockets, where it belongs. That’s why we plan to eliminate the GST on home heating, lower taxes on families and businesses and cut red tape to help Canadians get ahead. On April 1, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Carbon Tax kicked in across Manitoba. The price of gas rose 4.6 cents per litre, with most stations now charging almost $1.30 per litre at the pump. Soon, his Carbon Tax will begin to hit consumers elsewhere, increasing the cost of groceries, home heating and many other products. In short, the Carbon Tax is a tax on everything. An extra $100 per month on a gas or electricity bill, or an increase in the price of food, is a big deal to families trying to live within their monthly budgets. It is a big deal to seniors

living on a fixed income and it is a big deal to small businesses trying to keep operations afloat. Moreover, despite paying lip service to the environment, Justin Trudeau’s Carbon Tax is not an environmental plan. If it was, he wouldn’t have negotiated massive exemptions for Canada’s largest emitters. Instead, the Liberals continue to target families and small business owners. The first act of a new Conservative government, under Prime Minister Andrew Scheer, will be to scrap the Liberal Carbon Tax. Canada’s Conservatives understand that the family unit is the backbone of our society. That’s why we will be introducing family friendly policies, like our plan to remove federal income tax from EI maternity and EI parental benefits by providing a nonrefundable tax credit for any income earned under these two programs. A Conservative Government will secure our borders. We will close the loophole in the Safe Third Country Agreement and have an asylum system that prioritizes the world’s most vulnerable. A Conservative government will champion our energy sector and support responsible resource development across the country. We will seek to build a new west to east pipeline and we will build the Trans-Mountain Pipeline expansion. On trade, we will prioritize the removal of damaging US tariffs on steel and aluminum. We will also prioritize a bilateral Canada-UK trade

deal. We will seek to undo the damage done by Justin Trudeau and work to rebuild positive relationships with countries like India. On National Defense, we will work to strengthen our international defense partnerships. We will prioritize the modernization and expansion of NORAD to include Canada in ballistic missile defense. We will work to ensure our troops have the equipment and resources they need. Andrew Scheer has previously laid out our three-pillar plan to crack down on crime: 1) Crack down on gangs. 2) Ensure our gun laws target criminals. 3) Provide new tools for police to solve gun crimes. In the coming days, Canada’s Conservatives will continue to put forward detailed, common-sense plans on important national issues. We will show ourselves to be the only viable alternative to Justin Trudeau’s Liberals this October. For more information on any issues please feel free to contact my office toll free at 1-866-333-1933 or at 204-326-9889. Visit me at Facebook. com/TedFalkMP. You may also write my office at 76 PTH 12N, Steinbach MB, R5G 1T4 or visit my website at TedFalk.ca.

Provincial Conservation Trust Implemented and Have Your Say on Education Our government wants to make sure Manitoba remains Canada’s cleanest and greenest province, so we have unveiled a first round of projects receiving funding under our new Conservation Trust to preserve and enhance the environment. The first 41 projects province-wide have been chosen by Manitoba Habit Heritage Corp. after their approval through our $102-million Conservation Trust, a fund endowed to support such important initiatives for decades to come. The fund, which our government announced last year, will generate about $5 million annually to support projects that improve and protect Manitoba’s natural infrastructure. The Conservation Trust invests in projects that enhance natural areas to reduce flooding, improve water quality, sequester carbon, protect habitat and safeguard soils. This first round involves total funding of more than $2.2 million on a two-to-one matching formula, and support for each project ranges from $4,000 to $125,000. The initiatives across Manitoba include

a restoration of wetlands damaged by flooding, a community pasture grassland enhancement and conservation and protection of wetlands for the benefit of waterfowl. Managed by 31 organizations, the initial projects will lead to work valued at more than $7.5 million. I am happy to report that the Seine-Rat River and Cooks Creek conservation districts have received more than $200,000 for projects as part of this program. I am also pleased that within the past month, three residents of St. Labre have been honoured for the work they do to improve their community. Joel Grenier was presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Make a Difference Community Award for his volunteer work with the St. Labre 200 and other volunteer organizations. As well, Joshua and Matthew Verhoog of Moonshadow Holsteins were in the top two for the Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmer Award. I would like to thank and congratulate all three of them for everything they do for their community and for our

region of Manitoba. Separately, the independent review of Manitoba’s entire kindergarten to Grade 12 education system is well underway. The commission undertaking the review wants to ensure that students, parents, teachers, school and division leaders, trustees and the public have a variety of ways to provide input and to share their views to shape the future of primary and secondary education in Manitoba. Information on public meetings is at edu.gov.mb.ca/educationreview/ consultation. To send a written submission, go to edu.gov.mb.ca/educationreview/submissions. As always, I look forward to hearing from you with your questions or concerns. I can be reached at my constituency office at 204-424-5406 or at dennis.smook@leg.gov.mb.ca.


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

May 2019

Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project Gets Environmental Approval The Manitoba government has approved the environmental licence necessary for the development of the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project (MMTP). “Our government recognizes the advantage of harnessing our renewable resources as we collectively work to reduce our environmental footprint,” Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires said. “Manitoba has always punched above its weight as

a clean, green energy provider. This project will not only create jobs and generate revenue here at home; it will also have a significant impact on reducing global emissions.” Construction of the 500-kilovolt power line is already underway in Minnesota and construction of the Manitoba portion is set to begin as soon as possible, with a target of June 2020 for completion, Squires noted.

A New Building Sustainable Communities Program Our Manitoba government is now providing non-profit groups and charitable organizations with a modern and efficient grant support program for community development projects. The new Building Sustainable Communities Program will streamline support province-wide while ensuring strong funding for the needs of neighbourhoods and for vulnerable Manitobans. The $7.9-million program will transform funding by focusing on increasing capacity and the sustainability of non-profit organizations. Replacing seven provincial grant programs that had top-heavy administrations and rigid requirements, the Building Sustainable Communities Program will be more responsive to the needs of communities while reducing red tape for applicants. The previous community grant programs were layered on top of each other, causing duplication and confusion with different application processes, rules and timelines. Our Building Sustainable Communities Program will allow non-profit organizations to focus on their work without navigating bureaucracy. The total funding available is the same as it was under the seven previous programs. As well, with funding to support a broader range of projects, the new program will better accommodate neighbourhood, municipal and regional priorities. Another exciting change for Manitobans in April was the reduction of the fee for ambulance service to $250. This latest decrease has

brought the fee to less than 50 per cent of the $522 that it was before. Manitobans used to pay the highest ambulance fee in the country, but not anymore. We have kept the promise we made in 2016 when we were elected, and by doing so, we have ensured that Manitobans are able to receive emergency medical service without having to wonder whether they can afford to call an ambulance. Separately, there’s good news in St. Adolphe as construction of the planned child-care centre there is soon to get underway. The facility will have more than 110 spaces, through funding of $560,000 from our government and $140,000 from a Manitoba Hydro community development initiative. The Municipality of Ritchot is also contributing funds to the project. At the end of April, I had the pleasure of hosting another one of my Coffee with Bob events. This time it was held in Ste. Anne at the Old No. 1 Café. I enjoyed chatting with Dawson Trail constituents and hearing their ideas and concerns. Thank you to all who were able to come. I’m looking forward to hosting another one soon.

Police Search for La Broquerie Arsonist On Tuesday March 26 at approximately 4:15 pm, the RCMP were called out to a fire of an abandoned house located at 33132 Road 39E in La Broquerie. The fire has been determined to be arson. Through neighbourhood inquiries, RCMP learned that an hour prior to the fire, a Grey Mazda 3 was seen parked at the end of the driveway and the front door to the house was seen open. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Once operational, the clean energy exported to Minnesota will displace 1.5 megatonnes of emissions per year, equivalent to about seven per cent of Manitoba’s total annual emissions. The power line will also double Manitoba Hydro’s import capability, improving reliability in power emergencies and lowering costs of purchased electricity during drought periods. Currently Manitoba Hydro reports that 2,300 mega watts of surplus energy are exported to the US. After construction of the new transmission line an additional 885 mega watts will be available for export, bringing the export capability to 3,185 mega watts. The project’s power line will extend for 213 km, with approximately 92 km of the proposed route located within existing transmission line corridors and the remaining 121 km requiring a new right of way. It also requires upgrades to three existing electrical stations in southern Manitoba.

The approval of the line followed a rigorous environmental assessment process that focused on the mitigation of significant impact along the transmission line. Prior to Manitoba approving the project, the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission held public hearings regarding the MMTP and recommended the project be licensed under The Environment Act with specific conditions to address public concerns. The National Energy Board has also reviewed the project and provided recommendations to the Federal government that a certificate be issued for MMTP under The National Energy Board Act. Manitoba’s Environment Act licence reflects the recommendations of the Clean Environment Commission and contains conditions requiring environmental protection during construction, preservation of cultural sites and protections for

private lands, and environmental monitoring and reporting once construction is completed. Manitoba also completed a detailed Crown-Indigenous consultation process as part of the overall project review. The consultation process provided Indigenous communities with additional opportunity to become engaged and informed about the project and to share any comments, concerns and recommendations to protect Indigenous rights and environmental interests, the minister noted. Squires also called on the Federal government to issue the required federal certificate, needed for construction to begin. “We call on Canada to issue this certificate immediately so as to avoid construction delays, which could cost Manitoba ratepayers millions of dollars in lost revenue and construction delay penalties.”


May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

New Monthly Event Empowers Teen Girls By Marianne Curtis The Steinbach Arts Council, along with professional makeup artist Cas Klassen and certified nutritionist Tami Klassen are excited to announce the launch of an event to inspire and encourage teen girls from 14 to 18 years of age. Shine is a free monthly event that kicked off April 25, at the Steinbach Arts Council. The evenings are aimed to inspire confidence and help empower teen girls to make a difference in their lives and their community. “The evenings will be free so that everyone can be included. I am going to be presenting at the first event and sharing the fundamentals of makeup,” Klassen explained. “Over the course of the year, I will be sharing all of my tips and tricks and fun airbrushing, contour, and smoky eye handson tutorials. During the evening, I will also be sharing personal stories of growth and overcoming challenges in my life and my journey to being where I am today.” According to Klassen, the first evening was attended by ten girls ranging from 14-18 from Grunthal, Ste Anne and Steinbach. “We are all about empowering teen girls, sparking confidence and self-love. The talents we bring are fun and a big draw, but

at its heart, Shine is all about getting real about our struggles and challenges and sharing how we have worked to overcome them and that there is hope for every girl who comes to our event. We want to be supportive of each and every girl who comes to one of our evenings,” Klassen concluded. Klassen, who grew up in Steinbach, attended makeup school in Toronto, and has been in the makeup industry since. The married, mother of one is currently studying education at the University of Winnipeg. “It’s afforded me lots of unique opportunities and this is a wonderful way to give back to the community,” said Klassen. Throughout the year, Klassen will be joined by several local and inspiring women, including Tami Tyson, Bailey Bram and Mandy Atiyolil. These professional women will be sharing their tricks and tips of their trade, and provide hands on tutorials and activities for attendees. “Each woman will bring their own unique life experiences and knowledge in their fields, as well as hands-on activities,” Klassen added. “They will be sharing their empowering journey in an interactive environment.” Registration for SHINE is done through facebook.com/ShineSteinbach/ or Instagram @shinesteinbach.

On April 25, the first monthly SHINE event for girls aged 14-18 drew ten participants from Steinbach, Grunthal and Ste. Anne. Submitted by Cas Klassen

Local Projects Get Conservation Trust Funding Three projects in the region are among the first round of projects approved under the provincial governments’ $102 million Conservation Trust. The program is a long lasting partnership to fund local projects that will conserve and enhance natural infrastructure and support the in-Canada climate and green plan. The first round of initiatives includes 41 projects, with funding totalling over $2.2 million across four distinct program areas that include watersheds, habitat and wildlife, connecting people to nature, and innovation and conservation planning. Funding is based on a two-to-one matching formula, with the first group of projects receiving support ranging from $4,000 to $125,000. Under the watershed program, two projects will get funding, including $84,150 to the Cooks Creek Conservation District, for

the Ste. Genevieve Water Retention area in the RM of Tache. The Seine-Rat River Conservation District will receive $125,000 for improving watershed health by engaging farmers and ranchers on the working landscape. In Connecting People to Nature programming, Wildlife Haven and Rehabilitation Centre in Ile des Chenes is to receive $50,000 for their interactive youth program that teaches wildlife stewardship and environmental responsibility. The Conservation Trust was announced in Budget 2018 and is now permanently endowed so it can support and inspire important conservation projects for generations. The fund is expected to generate about $5 million a year and will be managed by The Winnipeg Foundation, with projects administered, tracked and evaluated by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation.


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Falk Lobbies in Washington for Border Hours Agreement

Meeting with US Customs and Border Protection.

Ted Falk, MP for Provencher, recently met with American officials in Washington D.C. to discuss the hours of operation at border crossings in Minnesota. In late 2017, several US ports of entry along the Manitoba-Minnesota border adjusted their hours of operation and as a result of these changes, the US border crossings now close earlier than their Canadian counterparts. The changes made to the US side of the border negatively impact a large number of Canadian residents. Many Manitobans use these crossings to shop, visit family and to travel to their places of employment in the US.

Residents in the southeast corner of the province also rely on medical services provided in Roseau, Minnesota in both emergency and non-emergency situations. The early closing at the Port of Roseau impacts the unique long-standing agreement on the provision of health care services between Canada and the US. “Last fall, along with my provincial and municipal counterparts, we were successful in lobbying to keep border crossings open longer on the Canadian side of the border,” said Falk. “I am hopeful that [these] discussions will lead to adjustments to the hours of operation on the American side of the border as well.”

Baskets Welcome New Residents to Lorette By Marianne Curtis A group of volunteers from Lorette have been busy revitalizing a long forgotten program with the creation of community welcome baskets for new residents. With funding from the RM of Tache, the volunteer committee of Maryanne Rumancik, Marilyn van Drongelen and Jessie Hildebrand recently put together fourteen baskets for local distribution. The volunteers aim to welcome new residents moving into the community. “Since our community is growing I have put togeth-

Each basket offers new residents a variety of information and gifts from businesses located within Lorette. Photo supplied by Maryanne Rumancik

er a small team to take up the idea again,” Rumancik explained. “The committee is all volunteers and the local businesses are donating things for the baskets.” She noted that there is a similar program already running within the LUD of Landmark. “The RM of Tache is funding the cost of the baskets,” Rumancik confirmed. The Welcome Baskets feature businesses and organizations located in Lorette. Each basket is full of coupons, small gifts, samples, brochures and business cards collected from the community. “Thank you to the businesses who have generously contributed to the baskets,” Rumancik added. Anyone who has purchased a home or condo in the community within the last year, are encouraged to contact the committee, no strings attached. To arrange a visit, please e-mail lorettewelcomebasket@gmail.com.

The baskets are lovingly put together by dedicated volunteers Maryanne Rumancik, Marilyn van Drongelen, Jessie Hildebrand.

May 2019

RCMP Warn Residents After Theft Incidents By Marianne Curtis With the arrival of spring, comes a rash of reported criminal incidents around the Niverville, Lorette and Grunthal areas. Officers from the St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP detachment are reminding residents to practice proactive crime prevention strategies. There have been a number of reported incidents involving items removed from vehicles; vehicle thefts, along with items and materials stolen from construction sites. Residents are asked to be on alert for people checking for unlocked vehicles and removing personal items. According to RCMP, meth users will not steal $1,000 tools, but will target glasses, coin purses, duffle bags, cell phones, charge cords, and other small but resalable items. Leaving keys in unlocked vehicles is also highly discouraged. Other reminders include not leaving bikes unsecured, especially at the end of one’s rural driveway. Always lock bikes when not in use, even if quickly running

On April 21, a truck was set on fire outside the Bergthaler Church Parking lot in Grunthal. Investigators determined the fire was suspicious. Photo by Gundi Manteufel-Grajciar.

into a store or business. Lock your bike on a bike rack or a sturdy metal object that is secured in the ground. Write down the bike’s serial number and keep any documentation and bills of sale. If a bike is stolen, these can help identify it if the police recover it. Even if your plan is to go for a quick walk around the block, lock the doors on your home and garage, and close any open windows. It only takes a minute for a thief to grab valuables left in an unsecured home. While gardening or land-

scaping your yard, remember to close your garage door and lock sheds while not in sight. Need to run inside your home quickly? Think twice about leaving tools or a lawnmower unsecured and unattended. Everyone has a role to play in neighborhood and community safety. Anyone who sees a crime in progress should call 911. Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour is asked to contact St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP at 204-433-7433, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.


May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Upcoming Tourney Honours Former Marchand Resident

Previous winners of the Ricky Cup with the friends and family of Ricky Lamontagne. Row (l-r) Dan Chabot, Moe Ouellet and Dave Gagnon. Middle (l-r): Angel Ouellet, Brittany Lamontagne, Randy Lamontagne, Doreen Lamontagne and Krystal Lamontagne. Bottom (l-r) Roxanne Chabot, Mason Lamontagne and Denise Gagnon. Supplied photo.

By Marianne Curtis For the past five years, a group of family and friends have been running a 4-on-4 ball hockey tournament in memory of Rick Lamontagne. The Ricky Cup is held annually to support local community initiatives such as building a new play structure in the local park, and helping replace the roof at the Marchand Church. According to Angel Ouellet, Lamontagne passed away in a tragic car accident while on his way home from work, out in Alberta. Devastated by his loss, family decided to carry through with his dream of organizing a sporting event that would benefit the community. “His family and friends were devastated to lose such a great and loved individual in their lives far too soon,” Ouellet explained. “Ricky had always talked about wanting to organize an event where he could bring the community together, while raising funds that he could put back into the community, with hopes to make it a better place for everyone.” The Ricky Cup was created and has become an annual event that is run at the outdoor rink. “We have

teams join together from all over southeastern Manitoba to support this great cause,” Oullete continued. “All the proceeds raised are put right back into the community of Marchand where Ricky was born and raised.” Money raised by the event is used for local initiatives and this year’s event is raising money for renovations to the boards and upkeep of the outdoor rink. In the past, the Ricky Cup has donated to the Breakfast for Learning Club at the Abrogate school, the new play structure at the Marchand Park and helped with the costs of replacing the roof at the Marchand Community Church. “We are overwhelmed with all the support, hard work and dedication that everyone puts in year after year to make this fundraising event a success, that allows us to make even a small amount of difference within the community in Ricks Honour,” stated the family. This year’s Ricky Cup is taking place on May 25, at the Marchand Community Club. A dance will be held in the evening. To donate or support this event contact Angel Ouellet for more information at rickycup@yahoo.com or call/text 204-392-4456.


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

May 2019

HyLife Signs Share Purchase Agreement with Thai Company By Harry Siemens

HyLife has signed a Share Purchase Agreement with Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) of Thailand to purchase 50.1 percent of the company’s shares. ITOCHU, a Japanese partnership, will continue to own 49.9 percent, the remaining shares. According to Hylife management, CPF will propel HyLife’s growth into the fast-growing Asian and international markets while proudly showcasing Manitoba’s locally grown and produced high-quality pork. “This is a win-win for HyLife, CPF and Manitoba’s agricultural industry. Together, our globally established companies will significantly strengthen our market position. Not only do we share similar values, but our strategies also correspond with one another,” said Grant Lazaruk, Chief Executive Officer of HyLife. “Through this agreement, we will build on the success of our growing pork business and brands to our customers globally, including our fresh, chilled pork products to Japan which we proudly grow and process right here in Manitoba.” He believes HyLife with CPF will be able to leverage their shared corporate values of environmental friendliness and social responsibility while investing in their employees, customers, and communities. Combining forces will propel the growing demand for HyLife’s highquality pork and enable the company to expand its current 2,500 plus employee workforce. Even though the Canadian ownership component will be gone, Claude Vielfaure, President of HyLife, said he’s confident about the direction of the company moving forward. “We have assurances by CFP that they looked at the current management of our company, our employees, our leadership, to continue to

grow the company as in the past. They’re investing in what we’ve done, but also with the future in mind, and they want to grow quickly, and fast in Manitoba and North America. And so for them, the structure of HyLife, the day-to-day operations, our culture, our philosophies will stay all the same, and essentially, all we have to do is report to our shareholders what we’re going to be doing.” Vielfaure said HyLife would continue to with the existing management, staff, and production people to have the ability and the money to make those decisions while running it by the new shareholders. “We did that before, also. We had ITOCHU as a shareholder in our company so nothing will change. Our executive senior management group in the company, and, if our shareholders approve, will continue to move forward,” said Vielfaure. The HyLife president said there are government regulatory approvals that the company needs, both in Canada and from different countries around the world, because it’s a Thailand company that does business in many different countries. So, that’s what the three to six months will do, is give time to get all the approvals. Vielfaure outlined where he sees this new company going, reflecting how this small Manitoba company started with a 300 sow farrow-tofinish way back in the ‘80s. “That’s right it’s quite the story. I know for the three brothers, the three Vielfaure brothers and my dad, we bought his farm in 1980, and then got together with Don Janzen in 1994, which really was the start of HyLife, and had 20 employees in ‘94, and grew the company to where it is today with 2,500 employees, and exporting meat all over the world,” said Claude. “So, it’s quite exciting, and I think this investment… there’s tremendous backing

This new agreement will ensure continued job creation across the province and beyond as well as promote increased demand for our value-added pork.

Claude Vielfaure, President of HyLife, said he’s confident about the direction of the company moving forward, and that HyLife would continue to with the existing management, staff, and production people to have the ability and the money to make those decisions while running it by the new shareholders.

by the two shareholders… that the company will have [opportunities], and they want us to grow faster than we ever have before.” He said the next expansion and purchase could be anywhere. It can be buying production and processing plants in North America; it could be growing their live production sites, it could be increasing their value added processed food sites… all

kinds of different opportunities. “This new agreement will ensure continued job creation across the province and beyond as well as promote increased demand for our value-added pork,” Vielfaure added. “The Province of Manitoba has been open for business and has empowered our company to attract foreign investment and to enable us to grow our integrated pork compa-

ny domestically and internationally. We are proud to put Manitoba on the world map and look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with suppliers, partners and communities across Manitoba.” The transaction is subject to customary conditions and Canadian and international regulatory approvals and could close during the third quarter of 2019.


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

A Century of History Encompasses Community’s Edifice

Site Historique Enfant-Jésus is also the home of the Dawson Trail Museum now.

The Église de l’Enfant-Jésus is a fine example of French-Canadian religious architecture. Designed by J. A. Hudon of St. Boniface, with plans revised by A. Gauthier of Lorette, the church played a significant role in the religious, educational and social life in the Richer area, especially among the Métis. The church was constructed by volunteers using local materials and was officially blessed on December 14, 1913. Closed as a parish in September 1995, the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface nevertheless permits mass to be celebrated on special occasions, such as the centennial celebrations held on June 23, 2013. On September 26, 2007 the building was designated a historic building by the R M of Ste. Anne. The Église de l’Enfant-Jésus is the second church built on the site. In 1903, Fr. Alexandre Defoy built a small chapel in what was then known as Thibaultville, in honour of Jean- Baptiste Thibault, the first missionary priest in the area. The following year, the Archbishop of St. Boniface, Louis-Philippe-Adélard Langevin, had the little EnfantJésus chapel designated as a Catholic Mission, with Fr. Defoy as the first parish priest. In 1905 the town, now booming with a vibrant logging industry, got its first Post Office. However, Canada Post refused to name the town Thibaultville, as there apparently were already many towns with that name. Thibaultville became Richer, in honour of a generous parishioner and former postmaster of Ste. Anne, Isaïe Richer. By 1910, it was apparent that the little chapel did not meet the needs of a growing parish. The new priest, Fr. Joseph-Albert Beaudry, initiated the construction of a new church, which has now been sold to the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Richer’s Signal Landmark Sold to Historical Society The Archdiocese of Saint Boniface is pleased to announce that the landmark Église de l’EnfantJésus in Richer has been sold to the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus for one dollar. The signing of the transfer of property took place on April 17. For Bishop LeGatt, the signing marks the beginning of a new phase for the historic church. “The Archdiocese is very much aware of the pride Richer residents have in their history and cultural heritage. We are happy to collaborate with the community of Richer so that the building continues to have a life of its own, not only as the Dawson Trail Museum but as a meeting place for community events as well as occasional religious celebrations.” Yvonne Fontaine Godard is president of the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus, which runs the Dawson Trail Museum. “The transfer of property represents the final step in a process begun in 1995,” said Godard. “With it, the dreams of the community of Richer have been realized. Our residents want to preserve their heritage, which is a part of their francophone and Métis roots and identities. There’s a real feeling of belonging tied up to this build-

ing. Our ancestors were baptized and married in this church and are buried in the graveyard. It’s no wonder that over the years, our volunteers have given so much of their time and energy to restore the building. When restoration began, the building really needed lots of tender loving care. Our volunteers gave us the wings we needed for the church to become a beautiful museum. We’re very grateful for their dedication.” Built in 1913, the Église de l’Enfant-Jésus served the Catholic community in Richer until September 17, 1995. A group of volunteers, initially named Les Amis de la prière, strove over the years to restore the historic building to its original state. The group incorporated in February 2000 as the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus. Restoration began in earnest after the church was designated a historic building on September 26, 2007 by the RM of Ste. Anne. The church now serves as a museum, the Musée Dawson Trail Museum, founded in 2013. The transfer of property contains two conditions. Should the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus dissolve, the Archdiocese will buy the property back for the same sum of one dollar. As well, the Corporation du Site Historique Enfant-Jésus

will use the site for purposes that reflect the values of the Catholic Church. The Archdiocese of St. Boniface has kept the cemetery but has sold the remaining property associated with the former parish. In May 2017 the lot on which stands a former convent, now a residential building was sold. In January 2018, the remaining property was subdivided. Three lots were then sold to the RM of Ste. Anne in March 2018. Profits from the sales, totalling $ 255,757.87, have been put in trust to ensure the perpetual maintenance of the cemetery, managed by the Parish of SainteAnne-des- Chênes, in Ste. Anne. In recognition of the tireless efforts of its roughly 40 volunteers, $25,000 was given on July 17, 2018 to the Corporation du Site Historique de l’Enfant-Jésus. The Musée Dawson Trail Museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as Saturday and Sunday from the May long weekend to Labour Day in September. The church has plans to host other events during the year including a Spring Artisan Craft Sale Fundraiser on May 4, the Rummage Sale Fundraiser from May 24 26, the Canada Day Open House on July 1 and the Richer Rough Stock Rodeo weekend Open House from August 10 -11.

From left to right: Rachelle Laurin, member of the Dawson Trail Museum board; Yvonne Fontaine Godard, President of the Dawson Trail Museum board; Susan McEwen, member of the Dawson Trail Museum board; Lynne Bruneteau-Robson, member of the Dawson Trail Museum board; Albert LeGatt, Archbishop of Saint Boniface; Fr. Gérard Dionne, witness to the transfer of property, Mathieu Lafrenière, lawyer and witness; and bishop Albert Fréchette, witness.

Angel Dresses Program is Thriving in Manitoba One year after reorganization, a Manitoba based organization that provides bereavement gowns to families who recently lost an infant is acknowledging that they have now stocked 95% of funeral homes and hospitals in rural Manitoba. The Manitoba Angel Dresses was founded in 2014 in the Brandon area as a non-profit organization under the direction of Diane Monkman and Joan Demetrioff. More recently, the organization opened a new chapter in Steinbach. The Manitoba Angel Dresses mission is to ease the stress on

a grieving family, by providing the family a beautiful item lovingly created in which to clothe their precious Angel. According to Monkman, to achieve this goal, compassionate volunteers from Manitoba Angel Dresses create beautiful items from donated bridal and bridesmaid gowns. Volunteers put together Angel Packages which include a bonnet for girls or a hat for boys, an outfit, and a blanket. A neutral package is also available. Infants that are too delicate to be dressed have soft wraps for these precious little ones. The sizes of the Angel items

are up to 3 months. All Angel items are gifted to grieving families, with any charges incurred covered by Manitoba Angel Dresses and its volunteers. To ensure the continued success of the program volunteers are needed to fill the roles of seamstresses, transportation, collectors and crafters. Volunteers are seeking donations of items such as lace, thread, elastic, ribbon (in pastel, white, off white), lining in white or off white and 6 mm beads in pastel colours. Donations of dresses are not being accepted at this time. To donate or volunteer, contact Sheryl Harder at 204-346-4580.


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Sports Manitoba Celebrates Night of Champions

Three local athletes were among this group recognized during Sport Manitoba’s Night of Champions.

On April 13, Sport Manitoba’s annual Night of Champions celebrated sports excellence in Manitoba. There was plenty to celebrate as athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers were recognized for their remarkable achievements in amateur sport in the province. Raygan Kirk, a hockey player from Ste. Anne was named the Manitoba Chicken Female Junior Athlete of the Year. In 2018, Kirk spent a lot of time with gold around her neck after the Eastman Selects took home

the 2017-2018 City Midget AAA Championship, her team winning gold at the 2018 Manitoba Winter Games, and also topping the podium for Team Canada at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships. From Grunthal, Bonita Martens was named the Club Regent Casino & Event Centre Female Coach of the Year. The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council also recognized their athletes and volunteers of the year at the event. Represent-

ers and coaches at the high school basketball level over the past year that had outstanding seasons. The day featured the boys and girls A - AAA and AAAA Graduating AllStar games and a banquet to announce and present the Players of

11

Piney Chamber Career Symposium Exceeds Expectations

Submitted photo

ing Saskatchewan’s Key First Nation from Kleefeld, was Trey Friesen who excels in both soccer and track and field, received the Male Aboriginal Athlete Award. Each year, Sport Manitoba’s annual Night of Champions presented by Manitoba Chicken Producers celebrates sports excellence in Manitoba. Sport Manitoba is a notfor-profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba.

Niverville Athletes Named to All-Star Team On April 13, Basketball Manitoba was pleased to announce the details for the annual Basketball Manitoba Awards held on Saturday, April 13 at the Victoria Inn Hotel and at St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg. The event recognized feature play-

May 2019

the Year, All-Manitoba Teams, and Coaches of the Year and other special recognition awards. Earning spots on the A, AA, AAA Boys Manitoba Graduating All-Star Teams were Joel Dueck and Kress Schmidt from Niverville Collegiate.

Ross L. Gray Team Named to Hall of Fame

Grade 7 and 8 students from Arborgate School listen intently to Keynote speaker Kevin Chief, from the Business Council of Manitoba talk about investing in their communities. Submitted photos

By Marianne Curtis On April 11, the Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual career symposium, which showcased a variety of opportunities for students and area residents. The one day event took place at the Sprague Community Hall on April 11, gave both students and local residents an opportunity to view firsthand what career or business opportunities were available in the area. According to Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jonathon Prevost, this year’s event surpassed expectations. “One of our goals for this year was to see more community in attendance and the amount of community acceptance was incredible! Just to put it in perspective, we had less than 20 community members come through our symposium last year and this year we had nearly 100 community members registered!” Prevost stated in a release. Over 150 students from Ross L. Gray and Arborgate School also attended the event. Prevost commended the ex-

hibitors, who also helped grow the event. “Last year we had 18 tables of exhibitors and this year we grew that to 30 with many new exhibits. The opportunities showcased, gave the community an incredible sense of how much potential our area really has!” Prevost added. Exhibitors included businesses, entrepreneur and education programs, recruiters and presenters from the Canadian Forces, RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency. Keynote speaker Kevin Chief, of the Business Council of Manitoba shared his talk called, “We are all leaders: How a bus driver showed us anything was possible.” “The messages [Chief] delivered have inspired our community members, both young and not so young, to invest those extra efforts into the community and to not forget where we came from,” Prevost added. “There were so many great takeaways from the knowledge [he] shared but the ability of our community to make newcomers say it #feelslikehome is one that we will take great pride in.” The Piney Chamber of Commerce area already looking forward to planning next year’s event.

Free Registration Helps to Return Stolen Bikes

Members of the Ross L. Gray School Raiders team will be inducted to the Hall of Fame this September.

The Ross L. Gray School Raiders from Sprague have been named among the list of esteemed athletes who will be inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame this year. Earlier this month, the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame an-

nounced this year’s inductees at a special event at the Manitoba Basketball Hall Fame and Museum. This year’s honourees include the Ross L. Gray School Raiders Varsity Girls team who were named the 1973-74, 1974-75,

Supplied photo.

1977-78, 1980-81,1981-82, 198283, 1985-86 & 1988-89, MHSAA Provincial Champions. The official induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg.

In partnership with a few local bicycle shops Steinbach RCMP has started a bicycle initiative. Bicycle owners can now register their bicycles at the Steinbach RCMP Detachment so that more stolen bicycles are returned to their owners. With registration, if your stolen bicycle is located, you will be notified and arrangements can be made for you to get your bicycle back. In 2016, up to 80 bicycles were reported stolen in Steinbach and

surrounding area. Steinbach RCMP recovers up to 50 bicycles each year, with less than 10% returned to their owners. At the time of purchase from a local shop, record your bike’s serial number, bring it by the Steinbach RCMP station and fill out a free registration form. To locate the serial number look closely at the frame for the imprinted number. You can also fax the registration to 204-326-3926. If your bicycle is stolen, please notify the Steinbach RCMP Detachment.


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Carrick Park Plans Unveiled By Marianne Curtis At a special meeting in Carrick on April 20, the community is excitedly looking forward to the construction of a brand new playground area at the local community centre. Through a program called Campaign for Kids”, Rosalie Stelmack, Office Manager and Bertha Shastid, Sales Production Associate/Assistant Property Caretaker at Heavenly Pines have been working with the community to build a new playground area. The new playground will be built on the grounds of the historical Carrick School. “The playground design has been picked out by members of the community of Carrick,” Stelmack confirmed. “We would like to have it in place in time for Carrick Days this summer.” This year’s Carrick Days is taking place August 10 and 11. Proposed by Shastid, who lives in Carrick, the project will provide a much needed play space for children in and visiting the community. “Providing a play

space for the children of Carrick has been important to me since we moved in,” Shastid explained. “The grounds house the historic Carrick School so it would be wonderful to build a playground on the old school grounds.” To complete this project, fundraising has kicked off, and will continue until the middle of July. The Heavenly Pines Campaign for Kids hopes to raise over $5,000 for the playground. The program is part of the Heavenly Pines Pay-It-Forward which is designed to get communities and businesses within them to be more involved by focusing on the individual people located within their towns and helping to fulfill their immediate needs. After the successful completion of several projects, the business launched Campaign for Kids. Their first campaign was to sell tickets and raffle off a custom table. The students sold the tickets and 90% of the money raised from the raffle was used to pay for the school’s band trip.

New Community Hub for Students Planned in Niverville Investing in social infrastructure where people can come together, share ideas and access vital resources helps build dynamic inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed is the foundation for a funding announcement by all three levels of government. Funding for the new Niverville Community Resource Centre project involves building a 9,200-square-metre multi-use facility that will provide recreational and cultural programming and services for the community and surrounding areas. The new multiplex will feature a performing arts centre, not-for-profit community childcare centre, field house, leisure activity spaces, an indoor play area, arena, meeting rooms and community common areas. The Community Resource Centre will be built on Arena Road next to the new Niverville High School and existing arena to create a ‘community campus’ where students and residents can access multiple amenities and social programs in one vibrant community-driven complex. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $7.8 million to this project through the Investing in Canada Plan. The government of Manitoba is providing up to $3.5 million and the Town of Niverville is contributing up to $8.2 million. Second Floor

Main Floor

After a community meeting, these are the elements that will be constructed in the Carrick Park playground thanks to a community led fundraising program. It is expected to be complete by August.

Dawson Trail Dispatch


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Steinbach Chamber Hosts Spring Banquet

Submitted photos

On April 23, the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Chamber Spring Banquet. Taking place at the Friedensfeld Hall, the annual event brought together the local business community for an evening networking opportunity with Corny Rempel as master of ceremonies. This year’s keynote speaker was entrepreneur and philanthropist, Art DeFehr as well as a difficult, yet inspiring message from one of his international scholarship recipients, Zina Salim. DeFehr spoke on how immigration is not a random event, but rather subject to the actions people take. He noted that Steinbach was an inclusive community that has grown Chamber President, Tim Schmitt challenges Art DeFehr to a game of crokinole. well, and is on the path to absorbing a lot of change. “Steinbach is in for this change!” Consumers Coop and Rocco’s a wild cultural ride,” said DeFehr. The Steinbach Chamber of Com- Pizza with 25-year member “Congratulations on being open to merce also presented Clearview awards.

Mischief on Quail Ridge Drive

On April 24 Steinbach RCMP received a report of individuals going through vehicles on Quail Ridge Drive in Steinbach. Individuals took items from the vehicle and left on foot. A home security camera caught two individuals leaving the area. The investigation is on-going and Steinbach RCMP would like to remind residents to lock their vehicles and keep important belongings out of sight or in their residence over night. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at (204) 326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

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Regional Walk for Alzheimer’s Takes Place End of May By Marianne Curtis

It was a full house at this year’s Steinbach Chamber of Commerce Spring Banquet.

May 2019

Walkers throughout the region are invited to support the Alzheimer Society by walking to raise funds for valuable programs and services for people with dementia. The Steinbach Walk for Alzheimer’s takes place May 30 at A.D. Penner Park, from 5 to 8 pm. Registration will take place under the picnic shelter and includes a BBQ. Wendy Schettler, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is hoping to see a similar or better response than last year’s successful event. Last year, more than 3,000 Manitobans participated in the Making Memories Walk, while raising over $330,000 for the organization. “It’s fantastic to witness the growth of the Walk and the generosity of the participants and of our supporters,” said Schettler. “Great things happen when people unite for a good cause, and that’s what we hope to see again this year.” For one Steinbach family, the walk is the perfect place to make memories while showing love and support for Susan Broesky. According to Stacy Thiessen, her mother Susan was diagnosed in 2017, with early onset, atypical dysexecutive, a very fast-progressing form of the disease. The mother and daughter team planned on doing the walk together in 2018, but were joined

by at least 52 people, more than doubling the number of people who participated in the Steinbach walk. “It was wild!” she said. What was touching and sort of funny, she added, was that her mom thought the “parade” was in honour of her birthday, which took place the same day. “She couldn’t believe how many people came out for her birthday… so we just went with it!” The team raised a whopping $4,400 for the Society; and celebrated with cake afterwards. These days, Susan is cared for by her family and friends. Stacy says it’s hard to believe what’s happening to her mom, but the family has found ways to come together to help her and each other. Funds raised help meet the growing demand for the Alzheimer Society’s services that are a lifeline for many as they face a diagnosis of dementia. The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba connects people with dementia and their care partners to support services, education and information at any stage of the disease. Participants can register online individually or make an even bigger impact by joining a corporate team or creating a team with family and friends. To participate in this year’s Walk, register online at alzheimer.mb.ca/ wfa2019.

Stacy Thiessen, her sister Jenelle with her parents Susan and Jeff Broesky will be walking in support of Susan, who was diagnosed with early onset, atypical dysexecutive, a fast progressing form of the disease, back in 2017. Photo submitted by Alzheimer Society.


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Providence College Graduates 117 Students Lorette Family Makes Taekwondo History

These graduates crossed the stage to collect their Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees.

Three generations of black belts.

Photo by Jay de Luna

Taekwondo history was likely made at the Winnipeg dojang of the Spirit 1 Taekwondo Academy on April 13. Lionel and Aaron, Gaiden and Rya Bernier all tested for different degrees of black belt at the academy’s fifth black belt promotion test. After a rigorous test presided over by Taekwondo Masters Bill, Kristy and Michael Tam who hold 7th, 6th, and 5th Dan black belts respectively, Lionel and Aaron were promoted to 3rd Dan, Gaiden was promoted to 1st Poom, and Rya was promoted to 2nd Poom. Lionel’s black belt degree makes him the oldest at 70 years to achieve that rank in the academy and Rya is the academy’s youngest holder of a second poom degree at 8 years old. The half black and half red poom belt is the junior black belt for children under the age of 15 years. The masters, the Bernier family, and all other black belts at the test are registered with the Kukkiwon, the headquarters of World Taekwondo in Seoul, South Korea. Three generations of one family testing for black belts at the same time with two grandchildren has not been done anywhere in the world before. A previous record of three generations testing at the black belt level at the same time belongs to the Moore family from Eugene, Oregon, USA but that family had only one grandchild, a girl of 15 years in its test. Three generations of black belts active in Taekwondo at the same time is very rare in the world. The Park family of Winnipeg is likely the first in the world to achieve this in 2007 when Skylar Park, Canada’s Taekwondo medal hopeful at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Toyko, Japan, achieved her 1st Poom Degree at the age of seven years. The Fraser family of Halifax became the second family from Canada in 2016 to acquire their third generation black belt member, the grandmother of 72 years who achieved her 1st Dan Degree. Now the Bernier family of Lorette becomes the third Canadian family to achieve that three generation distinction. The wait for that third Bernier generation was 28 years as Aaron had achieved 1st Poom in 1990 and Lionel earned 1st Dan in 1992. With Gaiden Bernier now joining this black belt family, a world record is likely set. Time, perseverance, dedication, commitment and love of Taekwondo are key ingredients to reaching the milestone.

Black belts.

Photo by Lionel Bernier

Twenty-seven students graduated with their Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity, and Master of Arts degrees.

Over the weekend of April 13 and 14, the Providence College Campus in Otterburne was visited by over 900 people during the 2019 graduation activities. A total of 117 students graduated during two separate convocation ceremonies. On Saturday morning, April 13, 27 students graduated with a Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity, and Master of Arts degrees. As part of the event, the Distinguished Christian Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Janet Clark, Se-

nior Vice President Academic and Dean of Tyndale Seminary, Providence’s sister-school. On Sunday, April 14, another 44 graduates crossed the stage to collect their Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. The Valedictorian Address was delivered by Savannah Brandt, who encouraged her fellow graduates to use the “potential energy” which they have accumulated in their studies at Providence. Karen Stiller was presented with an Honorary Doctorate by Dr. John-

son. Stiller who is currently the senior editor of Faith Today magazine and Senior Publications Editor and Communications Strategist for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. In addition to the degree graduates, Providence also awarded 56 certificates and diplomas in Counselling, Church Ministry, TESOL, Aviation, Bible and Theology and the Mile Two Discipleship School. Providence is a Christian academic community that teaches people to grow in knowledge and character for leadership and service.

Ride for Mom Set for First Day of June On June 1, the annual Eastman ATV Ride for Mom will hit the trails for the fourth year in a row to raise funds for CancerCare Manitoba. The annual event is hosted by the members of the Eastman ATV Inc. along with family and volunteers. Participants of the ATV Ride for Mom, can expect it to last four to six hours, with a lunch spot where sponsors will be set up to promote or sell their products. The trail covers a distance of about 95 km starting in Marchand, traveling to the TransCana-

da Highway and back. Riders will be collecting sponsorships from friends and family, with 100% of the collected proceeds donated to CancerCare Manitoba. Organizers note that Eastman ATV takes a portion of the funds, collected from each registered machine in the ride, to cover the cost of putting on the event and to repair the trail after. This meets the permit requirements of the Provincial Government of Manitoba, and enables Eastman ATV to have a sustainable event for years to come.

The staging area is located east of Marchand at Suicide Hill and riders can start anytime between 8:30 and 11 am. Riders are expected to arrive and leave the staging area at their leisure, to enjoy a day of riding on the forest trail with family and friends. Eastman ATV Inc. is a non-profit organization based out of Lorette, with a membership of eighty plus members, including people from Winnipeg and the surrounding area. To register for this year’s ride, visit atvrideformom.com.


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Local Coaches Recognized

Winners of this year’s coaching awards included (L-R, front row): Sheldon Reynolds, Bonita Martens, June Mosiondz and Keith Mason (MASRC recipient). (L-R, back row) Andrew Tough, Darryl Ludwig, and Stephen Rebizant. Submitted photo

On April 13, the 2019 Coaching Manitoba Impact Awards were presented to honour the contribution and achievement of the very best in Manitoba’s coaching community. The annual event celebrates Manitoba’s best coaches and acknowledges the outstanding contributions

they have made to their athletes and sport over a number of years. This year’s award winners included a Trampoline gymnastics coach from Grunthal, and a soccer coach from Steinbach. The Konica Minolta Dr. Jack Hunt Memorial Award - Learn to

Train/Train to Train was awarded to Bonita Martens from Grunthal for Artistic Gymnastics in Trampoline. The Peter Dick Award - School System Award was presented to Stephen Rebizant from Steinbach for coaching soccer.

Steinbach Community Cleanup Takes Place May 4! The City of Steinbach’s annual Pick up and Walk community clean up event is set to take place on Saturday, May 4. The event is a collaborative effort between Steinbach churches and the City as a great community building event that families look forward to participating in each year. Since 2004, Steinbach churches

have been organizing hundreds of volunteers every spring to help beautify the City by picking up garbage along the streets and in the ditches and parks. Pick Up ‘n Walk has become a great tradition and is recognized by many other communities as a progressive way to build pride through personal action. Anyone wanting to participate

is asked to meet at the TG Smith Arena in Steinbach at 9 am. From there volunteers will be dispatched in groups and supplied with maps, routes, and garbage bags. People are encouraged to wear rubber boots, gloves and to dress for the weather. A thank you lunch will be provided. Rain date is May 11.

Shop Lifters Target Sport Chek On March 27 Steinbach RCMP received a report of a theft at the Clearspring Centre mall, Sport Chek in Steinbach. It was reported that two unknown females, aboriginal in appearance, walked in the store together and spent approximately 20 minutes in the clothing section. The females were later seen walking out with a handful of unpaid clothing inside a large white bag. The females were last seen getting into a Blue GMC Sierra. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

May 2019

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Children’s Backyard Gardening - The Magic of Little Seeds Calling young gardeners and wanna-be gardeners in the Emerson-Franklin RM. The Woodmore Women’s Institute Food Security Initiative, together with teachers from Roseau Valley School in Dominion City and Shevchenko School in Vita, are launching their fifth year of inviting students of all ages to plant edible seeds and plants in their back yards. Students in private schools or home schooled children are also invited to participate. Families that have been a part of our previous four seasons are seeing the benefits. Young people are naturally A young gardener proudly showing her garden curious. To nurture and care in last year’s back yard garden project. for a small plant or seed, and watch it flourish into something that you can eat, is an ordinary occurrence and yet magical when you see it happen in front of your eyes. Parents and grandparents have found that it is an antidote to screen time and becomes a bonding time between them and the children. Learning to be responsible for keeping something alive and thriving, and learning a skill that you can engage in for the rest of your life, are further advantages. It is a chance to make book learning real by using all your senses to discover the scientific world of biology, botany and chemistry first hand. The nutritional and taste benefits of eating something fresh from the garden are also evident. This last point is brought home every year when at the end of the growing season, garden growers and their families and interested community members come together to have a cooking class and see the children’s garden produce on display while enjoying a bountiful and delicious harvest feast. To sign up; if your child attends RVS or Shevchenko school, ask for a sign-up sheet at the school office. If your children attend a private school, or are home school contact Jamie Felsch FelschJ@blsd.ca or call 204-918-2575. When you sign up your youngster or teen, they will be entitled to a fun kick-off session either in Dominion City on May 21 or Vita, May 22. Gardeners will be given a variety of plants and seeds to choose from. The best thing is that you will have a teacher mentor come to your home to see what your child is growing, answer any questions and keep your child on track with encouragement for them to have a successful garden project. On the east side, our garden mentor will be Pam Storoschuk, middle school teacher at the Shevchenko School and organizer of this year’s school district wide Earth Day. An enthusiastic gardener, she recently acquired a green house at her school for educational purposes. Jamie Felsch, the west side garden mentor, is a primary school teacher at RVS and also teaches outdoor education, which includes guiding students in growing a small school garden. He is currently working on a masters degree in Sustainability, Creativity and Innovation researching designing of garden spaces and programs with input from students, parents, community and staff members as well as local gardening experts.

Last year’s gardening participants at our wind-up cooking class and harvest feast.


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Local Volunteers Honoured with Volunteer Awards

Lieutenant Governor’s Make a Difference Community Award winner, Joel Grenier from St. Labre 200 with Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba Janice Filmon and her husband Gary Filmon.

By Marianne Curtis On April 11, volunteers from St. Malo, St. Labre and Steinbach were among thirty-one people and organizations recognized during the 36th annual Volunteer Appreciation evening, hosted by Volunteer Manitoba. The winner of the Make a Difference Award and Lieutenant Governor’s Vice-Regal Volunteer award was Nick Paulet from Steinbach. In recognition of his volunteer role as founder, race director and volunteer

committee chair for the Winnipeg Police Half Marathon, a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. Over the past 15 years, Paulet, and the dedicated volunteer team, have engaged with over 40,000 runners, harnessed the power of hundreds of volunteers, and in 2019 will have surpassed the $2 million fundraising mark in support of cancer research. Joel Grenier, founder of the St. Labre 200 was presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Make a Difference Community Award in

recognition of his dedication to the community, including his volunteer work with St-Labre 200. He is also an avid community volunteer, donating his time to facilitate workshops for the Franco-Manitoban School Division’s 3-day camp, fundraising for STARS, collecting monies and items for various organizations. His selflessness, vision and determination offer an incredible example to others in the community. The St. Malo Quilters received the Community Premier’s Volun-

May 2019

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Distracted Drivers Targeted On April 3, 4, and 5 Steinbach Detachment and Traffic Services members combined their efforts in an MPI funded campaign related to Distracted Driving. Unfortunately, officers charged 30 drivers with driving while distracted using a cellphone. In addition to a $672 fine, drivers were given a 3 day suspension for a first time offender and a 7 day suspension for any offender caught for a second time within the last ten years. Drivers will also receive 5 demerits. Steinbach RCMP are committed to eliminating distracted driving and will continue to work towards this goal. The solution is simple. Do not use your cellphones while driving. RCMP plan to conduct ongoing dedicated patrols related to distracted driving.

teer Service Award for their work in making Alzheimer Touch Quilts to persons living in long term care facilities. The project began in 2010 with a special focus on those who have dementia. The special quilts provide sensory stimulation that can increase happiness, enjoyment and relaxation. Collectively, 3,000 Touch Quilts have been quilted in the last three years. Each quilt created is gifted to a resident as a way to say thank-you and that they are not forgotten.

For the past forty years, Volunteer Manitoba has proudly promoted, supported and celebrated community engagement in Manitoba. Every year, thousands of volunteers across the province dedicate their time to the many non-profit and charitable organizations in Manitoba. Without the help of these tireless individuals and groups, many non-profits, community groups and charities would no longer be able to provide support and services to thousands of people across the province.


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Pat Porter Active Living Centre offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for mature adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come out (all ages are welcomed) and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs and events. Visit our website at patporteralc.com

Memberships: 2019 memberships available for $30 per person. Join now to enjoy our member’s benefits! Other Programs and Services: Noon Meals - Monday to Friday. Cost $6. Soup, dessert and a biscuit $3. Call kitchen at 204-320-4605 the day before or before 9 am to reserve your meal. Foot Care Clinic - Call reception at 204-320-4600 to book your appointment. Belltone Hearing - Call 1-800-661-2653 to book an appointment. Community Financial Counselling Services – Monday, May 13 and Monday, June 10. All services are free and confidential. Call to reserve your appointment at 1-888-573-2383. Alzheimer Awareness - I Live With Dementia, Let Me Help You Understand. Call front desk to register at 204-320-4600. Presentation is free of charge. Transportation – Need a ride to an appointment and you are a senior or in need of some help with cleaning or yard work? Call Carrie to help arrange this for you 204-320-4604. For a small fee she can help you arrange this. Equipment Loan Program – Wheelchairs and walkers for temporary use available, contact Carrie at 204-320-4604 for more information. Volunteer Opportunities: All ages welcome to volunteer. Please call Sonja at 204-320-4603 for more information. We are looking for Friendly Visitors, Maintenance, Meal Delivery, and Office Support. Regular Programs and Activities: Check out the Newsletter on our website for more information. Activities may be cancelled due to other events on short notice. Please check with the Centre. Please note that all programs, activities and events are open to any age. Our programs are aimed for seniors but we welcome and encourage all to be a part of what we have to offer. All programs and activities are $2 for Members and $4 for NonMembers unless otherwise stated. Drop-in: Tai Chi; Mondays at 10:30 - 11:30 am Perogy Bee; Monday, May 6, call if you want to help make perogies. Exercise Classes; Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 pm and Thursdays 1–2 pm. Choir; Wednesdays 10 - 11:30 am. Computer Classes; Wednesdays 9 am–2 pm one on one 1 hour appointments. HO Model Railway Project; Wednesdays & Fridays 10 am-3:30 pm. Movie Time Potluck - ‘Instant Family’ on Monday, May 27 at 12 pm. Floor Curling/Floor Shuffle - Wednesdays 1:30 – 4 pm. Advanced Pickle Ball - Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 11:30 am and Tuesdays 9 -10:30 am. Beginners Pickleball - Mondays 1 – 3 pm. Billiards – Monday – Friday from 9 am - 3:30 pm. Cards - All card games run from 1 – 4 pm. Monday - Canasta, Tuesday - Euchre, Wednesday - Cribbage, Thursday - Whist. Crokinole - Friday 1:30 – 4 pm. Book Club – Tuesdays at 11 am – 12 pm. Featured book: ‘The 100 Year Old Man’. Old Time Country Jam – Wednesdays from 7 – 9 pm. Register and/or Purchase Tickets: Old Time Country Dance Featuring - ‘Steve Ambrose Band’ Friday, May 24 from 7 – 11 pm. $12 for members, $15 for non-members or $20 at the door. Potluck – Thursday, May 9 at 6 pm. $6 per person. Call reception desk at 204-320-4600 on what dish to bring to share. Pick Up & Walk- Saturday, May 4 at 9 am at the TG Smith Arena. Call to register. Pancake Breakfast- Tuesday, May 14 at 9 am – 12 pm. $5 per person. Goldeyes Game Day – Tuesday, June 4. Registration ends Monday, May 20. $35 per person. Out With Friends – Friday, May 17, 7 – 9 pm. Playing Games. Free Programs: Walking Program; 8:30– 9 am and Noon–1 pm. Monday to Friday. Crafty Corner; Every Friday 2 - 3:30pm. Cozy Corner Coffee; Every day 10:30 am. Enjoy a complimentary coffee an occasional treat and some great conversation. Rentals: We accommodate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, showers, meetings, family gatherings and much more. For more information on our programs, activities or volunteer opportunities, please drop by the Centre Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Call Sonja at 204-320-4603 or the reception desk at 204-320-4600, Fax 204-320-9098.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Nominations Open for Business Excellence Awards

On your mark, get set, nominate! The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce is now accepting public nominations for the 2019 Business Excellence Awards. Have you experienced amazing customer service? Do you know of a business that is always supporting fundraising efforts or community events? Is there a young entrepreneur that you think will be a future leader in our community? “Our Business Excellence Awards have been a significant opportunity to celebrate business success and community involvement in Steinbach,” said Michelle Bezditny, Executive Director of the Steinbach

Chamber. “We have a diverse and vibrant business community, and we want the help of the public to nominate and acknowledge the role business plays in making our city unique.” The public is encouraged to submit nominations in five categories, Business of the Year, Customer Service, Community Involvement, Future Leader, and Non-Profit Excellence. Nominations are accepted online at the Chamber website, steinbachchamber.com/business-awards starting April 26 until May 10. An independent selection committee, consisting of community members, carefully reviews and evaluates submissions and selects recipients in the Business of the

Year, Community Involvement, Future Leader, and Non-Profit Excellence categories. The Customer Service Award is awarded by way of public vote. The public will be asked to go to the Chamber’s website between June 19 and July 17 to select the business they feel is most deserving of the Customer Service Award. The nominee with the highest number of unique public votes receives the award. The winners will be announced and awards presented at the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting held on September 24, 2019. For additional information contact Communications & Membership Coordinator, Steinbach Chamber of Commerce at 204-326-9566 or amber@steinbachchamber.com.

Thieves Target Walmart On March 25 Steinbach RCMP received a report of theft from Walmart. Three females entered the store, loaded up three carts with various items and proceeded to run out the back door into a black Ford F150. The three females took approximately $1,000 worth of items.

A few days later on Friday March 29 at approximately 5:48 pm, the Steinbach RCMP received a report of another theft from Walmart. An adult male was seen walking out of the store carrying a large box containing a power washer without paying. Surveillance showed the suspect to be an aboriginal male, approximately 6 ft. tall wearing a black and camo jacket and a black hat with jeans. Photos attached are not of great quality but perhaps someone is familiar with these individuals and able to identify them. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

May 2019

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Double the Country for Saturday Night at Summer in the City 2019 Spring was in the air along with much excitement in front of Steinbach Credit Union the morning of May 1 when Steinbach’s Summer in the City team announced that Canadian country artists Washboard Union and Aaron Goodvin will be hitting the SCU Mainstage on Saturday June 15th. 24X Award winners and current JUNO Breakthrough Group of the Year and CCMA Group/Duo of the Year, The Washboard Union have defied classification and continue to be one of the most talked about bands in Country music. Led by step-brothers Aaron Grain and Chris Duncombe and their best friend David John Roberts, The Washboard Union share an innate love for the art of songwriting and storytelling that has resonated with audiences from North America to Europe. Certified Gold in Canada, the band has several Top 10 hits and numerous top 20 hits in Canada, and was the first country band to ever win the JUNO Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year; a multi-genre category. One of the busiest bands touring in Canada, The Washboard Union have played nearly every stage between Vancouver Island and Newfoundland, and have shared the stage with Old Dominion, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett, Lonestar, and more. Country artist Aaron Goodvin

has a natural ability to light up a stage, connect with his audience and deliver show stopping performance, whether it’s an intimate gathering or a crowd of thousands. He was named one of Billboards “7 Country Acts to Watch in 2019” and was the winner of the 2018 CCMA Song of the year with JUNO award winners Washboard Union add to the high caliber performers for the SCU main stage at the 2019 SITC. “Lonely Drum” with additional nominations for Single of the Year and the Sirius XM Rising Star Award. “Lonely Drum” has been certified Platinum, the only Canadian country single in 2017 or 2018 to achieve Platinum status. He has performed at shows across Canada including Nashville North at the Calgary Stampede, the Big Valley Jamboree and Dauphin’s Countryfest to name a few. Organizers are looking forward to hosting these talented artists on the SCU Mainstage on Saturday night as they celebrate arts and culture in the southeast! Details and announcements available at Country artist Aaron Goodvin will be hitting summerinthecity.ca for further de- the main stage at the 2019 Summer in the velopments. City.

May is Spring Cleaning Time in Niverville Niverville’s Spring Clean Up days are scheduled for May 10 and 11. Residents will have the opportunity to dispose of larger items normally not picked up during regular weekly waste collection by bringing them to the Bristal Hauling yard located at 405 Kuzenko St., Niverville Business Park located approx. 3/4

mile north on 6th Ave. The items which may be disposed are garbage, recycling, yard waste including branches, scrap metal, wood, concrete, e-waste, tires, propane tanks, paint, CFL’s and fluorescent light bulbs, used oil and filters, appliances $20/per fridge or freezers, all other appliances no charge.

Items need to be separated for drop off into the appropriate area. Bristal Hauling will be monitoring all movement and use while residents are on or near their property. The hours that items may be dropped off are on Friday, May 10 from 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday, May 11 from 8 am to 8 pm.

Alleged Thief Caught on Camera On April 21 Steinbach RCMP received a report of a residential break-in in the RM of La Broquerie. An unknown individual(s) kicked in the front door and stole a 65” Samsung Television. A female is seen on door bell video ringing the front door moments before the alarm went off. She is described as Caucasian, long reddish hair, wearing glasses, a purple camouflaged hooded jacket, a ring on right hand, dark pants and dark sneakers. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-3264452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com

Pre-Registration for Fall Programs from May 22 – 31. Ten days to get 10% off! Save your spot for fall. Register online steinbachartscouncil.ca, call 204-346-1077 or came down to the centre. Classes have limited spaces for optimum learning. Arts4tots Preschool Program $25 off, Backyard Theatre, Summer Arts Day Camps, visual arts, painting, cartooning, pottery, creative wellness, languages, creative cooking, dance and more! 2019 Summer in the City Headliners! Tickets on sale May 1. Be part of the community festival June 14 - 16, downtown Steinbach. The SCU Mainstage is exploding with talent. Two amazing headliners featured on Saturday, June 15. The announcement is coming on May 1. And then it’s the Festival’s Friday Night Social featuring two tribute bands. Another surprise to be revealed soon. Tickets will go on sale mid-May for that huge Festival party. Summer Camps – Early Bird Discounts on now. Sign up before May 10 – receive 10% off. Summer Arts Day Camps - lowest priced camps in the region. Join the fun and creativity this summer. We offer 7 camps infused with music, dance, drama, visual arts, field trips, community outings, recreation, swimming, splash parks and more. Two separate age groups. Ages 5 - 8 and Ages 9 - 12. 7 Exciting Themes: Disney (July 8 - 12). Marvel Superheroes (July 15 - 19). Bricks and Kicks (July 22 - 26). Science and Slime (July 9 - August 2). Animal Planet (August 6 - 9). Hollywood (August 12 - 16). Around the World (August 19 - 23). KR Park Concerts in the Park - Fresh air, green grass, and hometown entertainment coming soon! Free concerts scheduled for May and June. Visit steinbachartscouncil.ca for schedule. Calling all Volunteers - Summer in the City is just around the corner. We are looking for creative volunteers in the Artist Tents. Help the artists, meet the public and have fun! Call 204-346-1077. Canvas & Colas for kids and adults – Paint Parties at SAC. A creative event for children and adults to join in on a creative adventure together. Do some acrylic abstract pouring with artist Arlene Enns. Enjoy food and a fun new art form. Only $25 for supplies, snacks, and beverage. Canvas & Cabernet - Paint pouring nights, only $35 for supplies, appies, and beverages. A free flowing fun technique that is friendly for all ages and abilities. Once you’ve tried it you learn just how addictive it can become. Southeast Centre for Music - A Centre of Excellence. Call us if you want to study with some of the premiere teachers in the southeast. Piano – Jordan Martens; Piano/Theory - Candace Hamm; Voice - Laurelle Froese, David Klassen; Brandon Post - Guitar; Violin Peter Jo; Cello - Natalie Dawe; Musical Theatre - Gabriela Gallo; Curriculum based Home school music classes with Gabi Gallo. For teacher details email David Klassen, Coordinator at scm@steinbachartscouncil.ca. Kreative Kids provides financial assistance. Check out our Kreative Kidz Sponsorship Program. Call us for details. Program provides funding so that access to any program is possible for anyone and everyone. Arts4Tots Preschool Program - Why are we unique? The most creative way to learn for ages 3 - 5 with specialists in dance, music, drama, visual arts, culinary and more. Following our creative calendar each month, we have weeks full of fun, creativity, learning, field trips and guests. Call us now to get registered for this September. The Backyard Theatre Company - We want you! Experience scripts, improv, character building, perform on stage and build your confidence. Take the stage in a Christmas Showcase, local festival and final production at the SRSS theatre. Ages 5 - 16. Get signed up for September. Young Company – Performance Troupe - For Ages 17 +. Get involved in the community in a creative way. Workshops: Stained Glass - June 8; Calligraphy, Resin Art Cheese Boards, and more! Register online or call 204-346-1077. Limited spaces available.


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May 2019

Mischief on Hanover

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Baby Season Arrives in Ile des Chenes

On April 27 just after midnight, Steinbach RCMP received two reports of mischief on Hanover. Two homeowners reported that someone had thrown a rock through their window and fled. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at (204) 326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.manitobacrimestoppers.com. These baby Red Foxes arrived at the centre at the beginning of April after their mother was killed by a car near Beausejour.

With spring, comes the influx of babies that come into the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre. The first batch arrived on April 6 with the arrival of six orphaned Red Fox kits, found in the Beausejour area. According to Wildlife Haven representatives, the finder noticed a female fox found de-

ceased after being struck by a car close to where the den was in his shed. He set up a security camera for almost 2 days to be sure it was her, unfortunately it was. The kits were about a week old, and required formula feedings, many times throughout the day. “We will now take care of them until fall when they will be released,” added

the representative. In this case, the babies were orphaned, not all babies are orphaned, as many are left unsupervised by their parents, who may still be watching from nearby. Donations are being accepted to help these babies; along with the hundreds more orphaned animals the facility expects to receive.

Each year wildlife rehabilitation centres receive thousands of phone calls from well meaning people who have found infant wild animals that they believe are orphans. Last year, of all the baby animals admitted to the centre, about 80% are “unnecessary orphans”. Visit wildlifehaven.ca and click the Donate button.

RCMP Project Defunct Yields Results In July 2018, Steinbach RCMP Detachment began a multiple month project, dubbed Project Defunct, to target individuals trafficking controlled substances from licensed premises. As a direct result of this project, Andrew Liam McGuirk aged 23 was arrested in Steinbach on December 6, 2018. He was charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine. The RCMP seized over 5 grams of cocaine from him as part of the investigation. In addition, Daniel Hert, 21-years old was arrested on November 9, 2018 in Steinbach and subsequently charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine and two counts of possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The RCMP also executed a search warrant at Hert’s residence which resulted in a total of over 31 grams of cocaine, three firearms and a variety of drug related materials being seized. Both McGuirk and Hert have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear in court.

The warming weather welcomes spring with many farmers busy preparing their fields. For a few growing project groups this is also the time for special events to “kick-off’ their community projects. On April 6, the HELP growing project in St. Pierre-Jolys teamed up with the Grunthal Livestock Auction Mart for an auction. Ron Tone, chair of the HELP project, said the event was a “great success”. Eleven cows were donated by several local dairy farms, in addition to a variety of agricultural services and products and other merchandise. In Manitoba over 4,200 acres are used to produce crops that will provide food for people in need through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The organization is a partnership of Canadian church-based agencies and the Government of Canada that provides a core grant of over $26 million to help end hunger in developing countries by increasing and deepening the involvement of Canadians, in an effort to end A cattle auction in Grunthal kicks off fundraising for the St. Pierre-Jolys HELP growing project. hunger.

Spring Kicks off Growing Projects


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

May 2019

Book Sale Supports Sprague Supportive Housing

Volunteers with the East Borderland Community Housing sort through thousands of used books during their recent spring book sale. Photo by Marianne Curtis

For four days in April, volunteers from Sprague were in Steinbach hosting the annual book sale in support of a proposed personal care home in Sprague. The event was planned by the East Borderland Community Housing Committee to help the group raise money for East Borderland Personal

Care Home/Seniors Housing Phase III. From April 24 – 27 in the Clearspring Centre mall hundreds of books found new homes as a result of the fundraiser. In a previous interview, Elsie Laing, Chairperson for the East Borderland Community Housing confirmed that funds raised from

the book sale will be added to the funds already raised by the group. The committee, along with the RM of Piney council remains committed to advocating and raising money for the construction of a 20-bed personal care home/supportive housing unit.

Cadets Remember Vimy Ridge in St. Pierre-Jolys On April 9, the 3234 MB Horse Royal Canadian Cadet Corps (St-PierreJolys) organized a special ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge and to honour the men who served and died during this battle. On the 102 anniversary of the battle, which was a major turning point for Allies during WW1, the Cadet Corps and members of the community gathered at the St. Pierre-Jolys Community Hall, then paraded to the cenotaph located outside the RM of De Salaberry office. William McVicar Grant from the RM of de Salaberry on April 9, 1917 and Sévère Gaffray and Joseph Arthur Gaffray from the Village de St-Pierre on April 29, 1917 lost their lives during the confrontation. Canada suffered a great loss of men during this battle, including three local soldiers. Over 61,000 Manitobans served overseas in the First World War and nearly 8,000 of them died. Their sacrifice is memorialized at the

Canadian National Vimy Memorial. As part of this year’s commemoration, the province of Manitoba announced they are providing $25,000 to sponsor a centennial bench located

at the centre of the Vimy Foundation Central Park in France where visitors can stop and reflect of the sacrifices made while touring battlefields in France and Belgium.

Did you know that you can advertise your business card in the Local Business Directory for only $49/month??! Contact us today to submit your ad for next month’s issue! In April the 3234 MB Horse Royal Canadian Cadet Corps held a commemorative ceremony to honour the fallen during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

The Impossible is Made Possible Have you ever felt the responsibilities in life are too great and the tasks before you impossible? You are not alone in your dilemma; many others are, or have been there. But there is hope for you today. The God of Heaven tells us nothing is impossible with His help. Someone said, “You cannot only do what you can do, but you can do what you can’t do, if God tells you that you can.” In the Bible, in Philippians 4:13, it says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” If we look at this verse closely, there are three parts to it. 1. “I can do all things.” This is not an exercise in positive thinking. It’s a fact given to us from Almighty God. At first, the task may look impossible but nothing is impossible with God. If it is God’s will for you to accomplish a task, then there is a way to get the job done. This leads us to the second phrase. 2. “…through Christ.” In the King James Bible, any time you see the word “through,” then the next word tells you who is doing all the work in this instance. Therefore “I can do all things through Christ” if I let Him do the work, instead of me sticking my fingers in and messing it up. 3. Then the last phrase says, “…which strengtheneth me.” In other words, I need to ask myself if the task I’m trying to do will strengthen my walk with God? Will it draw me closer to Him? If it will, then Christ will give the wisdom, power and stamina to get the job done. In Matthew 14:29, the disciple Peter walked on water to go to Jesus. This is a humanly impossible task, but in this instance Christ gave Peter the ability to do it and it strengthened Peter’s faith in God. In John 5:8 & 9, Christ told the paralyzed man to rise, take up his bed and walk. Again this was impossible, but was accomplished “through Christ” and the man went on his way rejoicing. Now, what is it God wants in your life? If you do not know Him as your Lord and Saviour, the first thing He desires is that you come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ paid for all your sins to make this step possible. When you become God’s child, His desire is that you follow Him. He will lead you step by step as you read His Book, the Bible. God’s will for you may seem impossible at first. But remember, the impossible is possible to those who believe the impossible to be possible. So, when your way seems impossible, turn to the Almighty God of Heaven for direction and strength and trust Him to make the impossible possible in your life.

Sign Up for Life In Nova Scotia they recently passed legislation in the form of the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act. Under the new legislation – the first of its’ kind in North America - everyone is a potential donor unless they opt out and will be automatically referred to donation programs to determine if they are a good candidate. I believe this is a good decision and encourage Manitoba and the rest of Canada to do the same. It still allows those who do not want to donate their organs to opt out for any reason. But it presumes everyone else would want to donate their organs. Your family still has the last say. Even if you have signed up to be an organ donor, your family can reverse that decision and that would be the same under presumed consent; if the deceased has not opted out, if your family thinks you were not in favour, they can override the donation. In Manitoba, since we do not yet have presumed consent, I encourage you to visit SignUpForLife.ca and sign up to

be an organ donor. The paper copy that is beside my driver’s licence is being replaced by the on line version. So while you are reading this article, go to the website SignUpForLife. ca and sign up now. And tell all your family members and friends to do the same thing. Encourage others by social media like your facebook page. Registering your donation decision online at signupforlife.ca is the best way to indicate your wish to be an organ and tissue donor. Once recorded, your decision is available to the medical team and your family – should it ever be needed. Talk to your family. If organ and tissue donation is important to you, it is important for them to know what you want to do. So they know what your wishes are when they have to make that decision. I found it interesting that you are six times more likely to need a new organ than you will be eligible to provide one. That explains why there are so many people on the waiting list for a new organ.

As our medical science continues to evolve, I hope there may be new and better ways to create new organs or allow more organs to be used. Until then, please go to the website and sign up. Someone you love or care about may need an organ donation soon. And the more of us that sign up, the shorter the wait time may be to wait for a suitable organ donor. The above article has nothing to do with taxes or financial planning. Although it is a topic that sometimes comes up in our Death Cafés that we host from July to November each year. If you are interested in attending an upcoming event, please contact our office. If you still need to get your taxes done, contact us in May. If you are expecting a refund, no problems. If you owe Canada Revenue Agency, you are now late, and subject to the five percent penalty, but get it done before May 31 so you are not sub-

ject to the one percent per month penalty. If you or your spouse is self employed, you have until June 15 to file without any penalty, but don’t wait until the last minute. Us tax preparers won’t be happy to see you if you come in our office after June 10! 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.


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

May 2019

23

A Positive or Negative Attitude

Fundraiser for Local School Lunch Program The Steinbach Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary #190 completed their successful cash calendar fundraiser and recently donated $1,222 to the School Lunch Program organized by Soup’s On. Always looking for ways to contribute in the community, the Ladies’ Auxiliary heard about this great program and felt it was something they wanted to focus their efforts on late last year. Calendars were sold up to December 31 then draws were made weekly in January to select daily prize winners. All purchased tickets were eligible for all 31 random draws with one very lucky winner whose ticket was selected three times. When the Ladies’ Auxiliary pre-

sented Joy Neufeld, Soups On founder, with the cheque, she explained how Soups On started and how the School Lunch Program developed and has grown over the years. What many Auxiliary members found interesting was that each fall, school representatives meet with Joy to discuss how best to reach students in need and to find ways to improve the program. The program provides sandwiches, fresh vegetables and fruit or other snacks. It was most moving to learn of the positive changes in the students when they could have lunch or a snack. One example was that having lunch improved their attendance. All 31 cash calendar winners were contacted and cheques delivered or

mailed to the following J. Penner; M. Letkeman; A. Penner; B. Ford; V. Levesque; J. Moore; J. Borkowsky; M. Friesen; C. Freund; A. Young; C. Parks; L. Penner; L. Hagyard; G. Cougnon; L & S Hadden; W. Moeckel; G. Cougnon; L. Reeves; M. Klassen; M. Perron; I. Schmidtke; C. Borkowsky; D. Penner; M. Hornan; K. Wintoniw; S. McDougall; B. Janzen; J. Wasne; A. Goertzen; S. Klassen and, G. Cougnon. Thank you to Clearspring Centre Mall, Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire and the Steinbach Pistons for allowing the Steinbach Ladies’ Auxiliary to set up a table and sell tickets to the public. The Ladies’ Auxiliary was able to sell 500 of the 600 tickets printed and are very appreciative to all those who purchased a ticket, or several, to help out a great community program.

Philippians 4:8… 8) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. 9 (NIV) Two people walking in the woods. One with a negative attitude and the other with a positive attitude. As they walk under some trees, a little bird decides it is time for some high flying dive bombing and splat, the one with a negative attitude receives a rather moist one in the eye, and so he shouts at the bird, “Birdie, birdie in the sky, why did you do that in my eye?” The one with the positive attitude says to the bird, “Birdie, birdie in the sky, I am just glad that cows do not fly.” This is a bit funny but, in a sense many things and many times in life we can deal with life’s problems in the same fashion as these two hikers. One says it is terrible the other says it could be worse, much worse. Our minds do strange things at times. If I start thinking about something often enough, I will come to the stage when I cannot stop thinking about it. My thoughts will get stuck in a groove, out of which, I just cannot seem to get unstuck. That is why it is so very important that you and I think about such things that are right, things that will honour God and other people. Clear thinking will cause people to like being around you and a positive attitude will make them feel good. In Philippians 4:8 the apostle Paul has listed a few of things that we should set our minds on, such as, things that are true. Many things in this world are misleading and not real; promising what they can never deliver, offering a false peace and happiness. We should try always to set our thoughts on things which will not let us down because our thoughts shape our lives. What we believe determines how we behave. How I look at the world and think about the world, determines how I respond to circumstances and other people. Our thoughts also determine what we will become. In the book of Proverbs (23:7) there is a verse that says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” In other words, what we focus on determines how we live. In verse eight, the apostle Paul is really talking about the power of positive Christian thinking. It is not enough simply to reject non-constructive thinking and focus on the positive. I must go a step further and retrain my mind to focus on those things that God wants me to understand. He is asking me to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. He is asking us to reject thinking that is impure, unrighteous and ungodly. And he is asking us to embrace a new kind of thinking; that which is righteous and holy. You and I must put into practice what we believe. When Jesus called his disciples, he called them to follow him. And the call to be a Christian is still a call to follow Christ today. If you and I live right, it will encourage others to live and think right. What say you? Should we be different? Would you agree it is better to have a positive Christian attitude; thinking and doing this Christian stuff, which the apostle Paul says we should do in verse eight? Or should we live like those who do not pay attention to Christian values? Did you know that our families and friends are watching us? You and I must live above this world’s standard and we must never forget that God has left us in the world to be a testimony to his grace. We are here to show the world what it is like to be a Christian. Therefore, our challenge is to live our lives in such a way that people, when they see us, desire what we have. The choice is really ours. If we begin to think and do the things that God wants us to do, we will become optimistic and hopeful, filled with faith. We will become a blessing to others, and we will find that life is filled with God’s goodness… 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 want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name. Amen.”


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Fresh Trends and Tips for Spring Gardening

Different plants are poisonous for different pets, so be sure to do your research before planting.

Read the Dawsont Trail Dispatch online at www.dawsontrail.ca Archives of issues from 2011 through 2018 are available!

Rising temperatures mean your garden is ready to be replenished and renewed for the season ahead. Here are four essential gardening tips to get your greenery looking fresh and ready: 1) Organize and clean out your garden: Get rid of any dead plants that will not rebloom in order to make space for new ones to grow. 2) Replace the soil: It’s important to replace the soil in your garden before planting new plants, especially after long and harsh winters. Replacing old soil

with new soil provides your plants with all the nutrients they need to grow. 3) Choose pet-friendly plants: You can still have a beautiful garden even if you have a pet, just be sure to include ones that are safe. According to PetSmart veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Freeman, specific plants can be toxic and very dangerous for pets. Some of these include daffodils, mistletoe, poinsettia, tulips and lilies. Different

plants are poisonous for different pets, so be sure to do your research. 4) Apply mulch: An easy and functional way to make your garden look great is to apply a fresh layer of mulch, which can include wood chips, straw and finished compost. Applying mulch helps your garden retain moisture in the soil; it slowly breaks down over time, contributing to soil health. Article courtesy of www.newscanada.com


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Are Your Trees Making You Vulnerable to Hazard? Trees add beauty, shade and value to our homes but it’s important for homeowners to keep their trees from growing too close to power lines and other electrical equipment. Here’s why: - Tree limbs that come down during storms or high winds can bring power lines down with them. Not only does this cause a power outage, it creates a severe safety hazard by bringing live power lines to the ground.

- Tree branches that touch power lines can also cause a fire and could electrocute anyone who touches the tree. Before Trimming or Removing a Tree: - Check the area for power lines. Keep yourself, your equipment and all parts of the tree at least three metres away from the power line. - If you have a tree growing into the power lines, don’t attempt to prune or remove it yourself. Trees are con-

ductors of electricity and a shock could be fatal. - Only qualified tree trimmers are permitted to trim trees that are near power lines. They use special tools and bucket trucks that do not conduct electricity. - If any part of the tree or hedge is within three metres of a power line, call Manitoba Hydro. Before Planting a Tree or Shrub: Tree trimming safety should actually begin during the planning stages

of your landscaping. Before you plant, look up. If it appears that your tree will eventually hit an overhead power line, find a location that will not cause problems in the future. See Right Tree - Right Place at hydro. mb.ca for help to plan your yard and make good long-term landscaping decisions. If you see a tree that is too close to a power line, report it to Manitoba Hydro at 204-480-5900 or toll-free 1-888-624-9376.

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Outdoor Safety for Do-It-Yourself Projects The weather is warm, the birds are out and it’s a great time to take on some outdoor projects. Before you build that new deck, shed, tree house or gazebo this summer, consider the location and be sure it doesn’t restrict access to the gas meter or emergency gas valve. The utilities should not be located under decks, gazebos or inside garages. Don’t forget to look up as well, and note the location of any overhead power lines in the work area. Always assume that power lines are energized, even if they are new installations that are in the process of being hooked up. If excavation reduces the stability of a utility pole, report it immediately as temporary bracing may be necessary. Before the shovel hits the dirt, call ClickBeforeYouDigMB at 1-800-940-3447 to locate the underground natural gas line and electrical service or use your computer to send a locate request to ClickBeforeYouDigMB.com at least three full work days before you begin any project. This will help to prevent damage while working near these utilities. Be sure your work crew is aware of any ground markings indicating underground services. Once you have mapped out the appropriate areas, inspect your power tools and accessories thoroughly. Check for wear, breakage and loose connections. Make necessary repairs and invest in any new tools you may need. Ensure your tools are properly grounded with a three-prong plug. Never break off the third prong so the plug will fit an outlet; have an electrician install a new outlet instead. Always use an appropriate heavy duty extension cord with your tools. Check cords for damage and loose plugs. If a cord feels warm while in use, discard it or have it checked by an electrician. Remember that an extension cord is never a replacement for permanent wiring. Don’t plug more than one high-powered tool into a circuit. When you finish using your power tool, never pull the cord from the outlet; pull it by the plug – this will prevent wear and possible shock. Test your GFCIs regularly to ensure they are providing the protection you require.


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

How to Reseed Bare Spots in Your Lawn Click Before You Dig, Drill or Excavate At this time of year many Manitoba homeowners are itching to get outside to begin working in their yards. If you’re among this group and if you’re planning any project that involves excavation – like digging postholes for a fence, planting shrubs, installing a sprinkler system, or even putting in a new garden or flower bed – find out the location of underground natural gas and electrical lines before you dig. This could save your life and the lives of those around you. Every year, homeowners and contractors in Manitoba damage buried utility lines on their property or job sites resulting in costly repairs, injuries, lawsuits and tragically, even fatalities. These accidents can be easily prevented with a free line location. Manitoba Hydro is part of the ClickBeforeYouDigMB.com service provided by the Manitoba Common Ground Alliance. A landowner can request natural gas and electrical line locates, along with many other utility locates, with one online request or phone call. ClickBeforeYouDigMB.com is free, simple to use and available 24/7. Once an online request is submitted and the locate is scheduled, Manitoba Hydro will mark underground natural gas and electrical lines free of charge, so work can proceed safely. Plan Ahead You must send a locate request to ClickBeforeYouDigMB. com at least three full work days before you intend to begin any project that involves excavation or disturbing the ground deeper than 15 cm. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can call ClickBeforeYouDigMB at 1-800-940-3447. Dangers of Hitting Underground Lines The depth of buried gas lines and electrical cables can change over time, depending on the type of soil covering them, erosion and other activities above ground, such as street-widening, landscaping or the installation of a new flower bed. If you dig into the ground and hit an electrical line, you may: - Cause a power outage; - Suffer a serious injury from a shock or be electrocuted. If you dig into the ground and hit a natural gas line, you may: - Release natural gas which, if ignited, can cause injury or even death; - Damage or destroy your excavation equipment; - Cause a local or widespread natural gas disruption, including evacuation; - Be liable for the cost of repairs. Dig safe. Know what’s below.

Bare spots happen on almost every lawn. They can be caused by heavy foot traffic or rough winter weather. Whatever the reason, if the spot is larger than a foot wide, it’s important to patch it. Otherwise, weeds will quickly fill the space, or a deep rut can develop if the soil erodes without grass to hold it in place. Fortunately, fixing bare spots is easy. Here are some tips from The Home Depot Canada to help you get started. 1) Choose your seeds. A good rule of thumb is to try to use the same mix of seeds planted in the surrounding area so the new growth will match what’s already there. If your bare spot is from high traffic, it might be a good idea to patch it with a seed blend meant for hightraffic areas. Also, if the bare spot is in a shady spot under a tree, use a shade mix. 2) Spread the seeds. Spread out the grass seeds according to package directions, evenly covering the entire area at the thickness stated.

Bare spots in your lawn are unsightly and can reduce the health of the rest of your lawn.

Cover the grass seed very lightly with soil, no deeper than about one-quarter inch thick. Very lightly tamp down the soil on top of the grass seed. 3) Use a fertilizer. Apply a light fertilizer, such as Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer, all over the patch. You can cover the patch with straw to keep the seeds in place. 4) Hydrate the area. Water lightly early in the morning and keep it

damp until you see the new grass sprouting, which should happen within about two weeks. Make sure the area stays damp and moist. 5) Maintain your new grass. Once the new grass gets growing, water it less often but for longer periods of time to encourage deep root growth. Don’t mow the new grass until it’s about three inches tall – about three weeks’ worth of growth. Article courtesy of www.newscanada.com

Tips to Maintain Your Wooden Fence Whether you’ve just had a new wooden fence installed or are planning for one, it is important to learn how to take care of it, as a well-maintained fence can last 10 to 15 years. The experts at HomeStars, a free service that helps people search, read reviews and connect with reputable home service pros for their renovations and repairs, are sharing their tips to keep your fence looking great for years to come. 1) Seal your fence. Wood is very absorbent, making it vulnerable to weather, especially rain and snow. Moisture can cause it to warp or rot, so it’s important to protect your fence against these elements by sealing it with an oil-based stain. You will want to do this once every few years to keep your fence looking sharp.

2) Keep it clean. Dirt and debris build-up can make a new fence look old and tired quickly. You can use a scrub brush, soap and water to lightly clean a wooden fence or consider hiring a professional to power-wash it, which is a faster and more thorough option. 3) Looks for cracks and rot. It’s important to inspect your fence and look for cracks or rotting spots on an ongoing basis. These spots will only get worse as time goes on, so you’ll want to repair them before inclement weather leads to further damage. 4) General maintenance. There are several small things to keep on top of to ensure your fence lasts for a long time. These include: Sprinkler placement — as water can cause wood to rot, try not to place your sprinkler in an area that

soaks your fence every time you water your grass. Treat for bugs — termites love wooden fences, especially those made from fir, pine, redwood and cedar. To ensure your fence doesn’t become a termite buffet, be sure to treat your fence to keep bugs away. Caulk where necessary — if your fence is built upon concrete, water can sometimes seep in between the fence and the base and cause the post to rot. To stop this, simply put a bit of caulking where the two meet and you won’t have to worry about water pooling. Remove snow — in the winter months, snow can build up on fences so it’s a good idea to clear it off, including around the bottom, to avoid water damage. Article courtesy of www.newscanada.com


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Getting Your Lawn Mower Out of the Garage This Spring: Nine Tune-Up Tips Good maintenance in the spring will ensure your mower runs strong, help you operate safely, and protect your investment in your outdoor power equipment. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute offers nine tips to help you get your mower tuned up. - Work in a well-ventilated area. Work outdoors or in an area with good ventilation that is away from sparks and flame. - Remove the spark plug. If you did not remove the spark plug when you put away your mower in the fall, you should take it out now. Install a new one when you finish tuning up your mower. Start the season with a clean air filter. Clean the air filter if your mower has the foam type, or replace the filter if you have a paper one. - Change the oil. Remove the oil drain plug and let the dirty oil run out into a container. When it has completely drained, replace the plug and refill the crankcase. Use the type and quantity of oil recommended in your owner’s manual. - Lubricate any other moving parts. Oil the wheel bearings and other moving parts, following the instructions in your owner’s manual. Wipe off excess oil. - Drain your gas tank. Most fuels today contain ethanol which can phase separate into alcohol and water and cause damage to your mower’s engine. If you did not empty your gas tank in the fall, drain it now. Follow safe handling procedures and dispose of old fuel properly. - Protect your power by adding the right fuel. Always use E10 or less fuel. It is illegal to use any fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol in any outdoor power equipment, including your lawn mower.

Proper maintenance before you start cutting your grass protects your investment in your lawn mower and mows more effectively.

For more information about safe fueling, go to LookBeforeYouPump.com. - Sharpen your mower’s blade. A dull mower blade can shred the tips of your grass. Always remove the blade from the mower for sharpening. If the blade has large nicks in the cutting edge from hitting debris, it should be replaced. - Clean your mower. Use a rag or brush to get grass clippings, leaves, and other debris off the deck and out of crevices. After you clean it, you may want to wax the deck. The wax will keep grass and dirt from sticking to it.

How to Grow an Organic Vegetable Garden Growing your own vegetables is a fun and rewarding experience that can improve your health and save you money – but it does take time and care. Mike Wylie, merchant for live goods at The Home Depot Canada, has some tips to help you find the right spot to plant your veggies and protect your plants throughout the season. 1) Plan it out. If you don’t have an existing garden space, mark the shape with string and remove your sod to expose the soil. Start off with a small space; one of the biggest mistakes first-time gardeners make is planning an area that’s too large to maintain. When you have success in your first attempt with a small garden, it’s easy to expand. 2) Pick a spot that gets as much sun as possible – you need at least six hours each day. You’ll have to water your vegetable and herb garden regularly, so close proximity to a water spigot is ideal, whether you use a garden hose or watering can. 3) Remove rocks from the soil. Remove any rocks or debris from your soil and enrich it with at least two inches of Nature’s Care Organic Garden Soil. This will help stimulate root growth and ensure that you get the

very best produce in your garden. 4) Plant your vegetable or herb seedlings. Keep in mind how big your plants will grow, and make sure to space out your garden accordingly. 4) Feed and water. To maximize growth, feed your garden with an organic and natural vegetable food every two months and water as needed. Water in the early morning until the soil is moist but not soggy. Remember to keep watering as needed and remove weeds when necessary. Article courtesy of www.newscanada.com

Growing your own vegetables naturally is a fun and rewarding summer project.

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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

C ommunity E vents Dugald Mixed Doubles Curling League - On Tuesday nights at 9:15 pm or Sundays at 1 pm at the Springfield Curling Club. Format will be regular Canadian Guidelines. Cost $130 per person for a minimum 20 eight end games. Contact Cam Magura at 204-771-0029, ckmagura@gmail.com.

puzzles and games. Contact Community Resource Coordinator Juliette Rowan, 204-424-5285 or labseinerss@gmail.com. Shopping Trips to Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month, leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of the month, from 10 am - 1 pm. Cost $10.

Prairie Voices Toastmasters – On Tuesdays at 6:30 pm in the Springfield Library.

Lorette Chase the Ace Lottery at Dawson Trail Motor Inn Bar, 113 Lagimodiere Ave., Lorette, MB. Every Thursday and tickets are sold from 7 - 9 pm, draw of winning ticket at 9:15 pm. Jackpot is over $29,000. Everyone welcome.

Falcon Lake Alcoholics Anonymous - Whiteshell group meets every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 pm in All People’s Church, Falcon Lake. Come and meet with us or call 204-349-2374. We can help. Friedensfeld SAC Fundraising Gala – Celebrate the Arts – On Friday, May 3 at the Community Centre. Cocktails 5:30 pm, dinner 6:30 pm Featuring: ‘Jurassic Pork’ dinner theatre, fine art auction, jewelry tombola, live artist on site, silent auction, dancing. Tickets $120 or $850/table; call 204-346-1077. Hadashville Reynolds Moms & Tots Playgroup – On Wednesdays until June 26, from 10 am – 5 pm. Crafts, Gym Use, Playroom, Snack, Outdoor Play. Contact Angie Hood 204-295-4010 Ile-des-Chênes Bicycle Tune-up’s & Kids Hair Cuts Fundraiser – On Saturday, May 4 from 10 am - 3 pm at 421 Main St. All Proceeds will go to SwimAbility Manitoba a Swim Program for Special Needs Children. Bike tune-up provided by LDN Auto Service and Kids cuts provided by Salon 421. Bring your bike and get a free kid’s ticket to Red River Co-op Speedway. Sit in a race car and feel what it’s like, enjoy a free hotdog, drink, and get a free small Slushie kids coupon courtesy of Ile des Chenes Country Store. Ritchot Senior Services at the TransCanada Centre. Call 204339-6141 for more information. Foot care - On Tuesday, May 14. Contact for an appointment Janice 204-883-2880. Indoor walking - Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 9–10 am. Yoga - Mondays from 10 – 11 am and Thursdays from 11 am – 12 pm. Pickleball - Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and Wednesdays from 1 – 3 pm. Water Colours Class - Thursdays from 9 – 11 am. Seniors Zumba - Tuesdays from 10 – 11 am. Story Time in Pyjamas - Every Thursday evening at the Ritchot Library Ecole Regional Gabrielle-Roy at 6:30 pm. Ages 2-8 however all ages are welcome. Kleefeld Fire Department Pancake Breakfast - On Saturday, May 18 from 7 – 9 am. Come out for a free fundraiser. Enjoy a pancake breakfast with pork sausage or ham, juice and coffee. Accepting donations to equip the new quad used at grass fires throughout the RM. Community Garage Sale – On Saturday, May 18. Also we are opening up the park for all rural community members who would like to participate in town. For only $5 (money going to the park), we will give you a designated spot in our parking lot where you can set up and reap the benefits of town crowds. If interested in a spot, please send us an email at info@ kleefeldpark.ca. Touch-A-Truck at the Park - On May 25 from 10 am – 2 pm. Enjoy lunch from the canteen while exploring, climbing, and taking pictures in our parking lot full of massive vehicles. A dream comes true for so many kids (and adults)! Cost $5/ person or only $10/family. Join us while we raise money for our park. Community Playgroup - For parents, caregivers and children up to age 5. Activities include time for playing, stories, songs and snacks. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Rec Centre. Contact Irene Ascough 204-377-5013. La Broquerie Spring Market Sale in the Barn – On Sunday, May 5 from 10 am - 4 pm at the Rustic Wedding Barn, 39056 Laurencell Lane. Many crafts and vendors. Free admission. Silent auction and door prize. Contact Natalie 204-392-2716 or Bobbie-lee 204-381-2278. Fun with Flowers for Mother’s Day – On Thursday, May 9 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Frantz Motor Inn in support of Agape House. Create your own floral arrangement, for you, your mom or someone special. Our first floral event! Cost $30. Hope to see you there. Contact Christy 204-392-2969 for tickets or email admin@agapehouse.ca. Chase The Ace – On Wednesdays at 6 pm at The Frantz Inn, Hwy 52. Tickets $1 each, from 6 - 8 pm. Draw takes place at 8:10 pm. If the Ace is not pulled, the winner will take home 10% of that night’s ticket sales and 45% will be added to the next week’s Jackpot. Every week that the Ace of Spades in not pulled, the pot grows larger! Funds raised to support Agape House. Contact 204-326-6062. Seine River Services for Seniors- Health Centre/Centre de Santé from Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. Services and programs for seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility equipment, foot care, hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yard maintenance, Telecheck, E.R.I.K. program,

12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care Invitation - On Friday, May 3 at the Notre Dame de Lorette Church, beginning with a Mass at 9 am for the intentions of quality Palliative Care and the Sanctity of Human Life. Contact the NDL parish office at 204-878-2221 or Mae at 204-878-3265. Please join us in person. Those unable to attend are encouraged to join in prayerful support. Lego Club – On Tuesdays, May 28 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at the Bibliothèque Taché Library. Join us to build, create and explore! Drop-in, no registration required. Rendez-Vous Estates Information Meeting – On Wednesday, June 5 at 7 pm Club des Blés d’Or Hall, 1254 Dawson Rd. Open to the public; all are Welcome. Learn about affordable country living in a beautiful community setting along the Seine River. For more information, visit our website RendezvousEstates.ca or contact Leo @ 204 961-1442. Attention Newcomers - Have you purchased a home or condo in the area, over the last year? The Welcome Basket Committee of the LUD of Lorette would be happy to answer questions. We have a free basket of coupons, small gifts, samples, brochures, and business cards which have been generously provided by the businesses and organizations. To arrange a visit please e-mail lorettewelcomebasket@gmail.com. No strings attached. Adult Craft Club - Every 2nd Wednesday per month from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Tache Library. Do you like to knit, crochet, cross-stitch, color or do paper crafts? Join us at the library for our Craft Club. Bring along your preferred craft activity and enjoy tea, coffee, and good company. Adults only. Coffee and tea will be provided. PTSD Support Group – Every 2nd Thursday of the month starting April 11 at 7 pm at the RM of Tache office, Hwy 206. Volunteer support group meeting for posttraumatic stress disorder support group. Chase the Ace Lottery – On Thursdays from 7 - 9 pm with the draw at 9:15 pm at Dawson Trail Motor Inn Bar. Come, support this very much needed complex, at the same time have the chance to chose the Ace of Spade, and win the grand prize jackpot. Hosted by the Community Complex Fundraising Committee. Ritchot Senior Services Foot Care Clinic – On Wednesday, May 22 at the Clinic at Le Club des Bles D’or with a certified foot care nurse. By appointment only. Call Janice 204-883-2880. Supper - Every Tuesday and Friday at Le Club des Bles D’. Please reserve your meal one day prior, before 6 pm by calling 204-878-2682 and leave a message. Game Night – First Wednesday, of the month from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Tache Library, 1082 Dawson Rd for ages 13 and up. Join us for monthly board game nights, cards, chess, Crib, Settlers of Catan and many more! Feel free to bring your own. Junior Youth – Every Wednesday from 7 - 8:45 pm at Seine River Church, 1464 Dawson Rd (east of rink) for ages 9 - 12. Free. No registration required. Non-denominational. Contact lorettejryouth@gmail.com, 204-260-9304.

Free drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, along with a large open space for the kids to play while the moms visit. Contact Karen at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com. Paradise Village Paradise Squares Dance Club - On Tuesdays from 7 – 9:30 pm at the Paradise Village Rec. Hall. Modern Square Dancing is fun and a great social activity. Couples and singles are welcome. Contact Larry 204-422-5424. Pinawa Whiteshell Toastmasters – On Tuesdays at 11:30 am at Whiteshell Laboratories, 1 Ara Mooradian Way. Sign-in required. Piney Mother’s Day Tea – On Saturday, May 11. 4-H Achievement Night – On Monday, May 13. Prawda Circuit 30 - Alternate aerobic and weight exercises, with cool down and stretch exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, clean runners, and bring a bottle of water. Cost $2/class, Mondays and Thursdays at 7 pm, in the Reynolds School Gym. Contact Wendy 204-348-2433. Busy Bodies Playgroup – Every Wednesday from 9 - 11 am at the Reynolds School Gym. Free to parents and children. Snacks provided. Contact Cassie 204-793-8290. Richer Métis Local – On Saturday, May 4 from 11 am - 3 pm, the Richer Métis Local walk-in to process citizenship and harvester card applications at the Richer Young at Heart Hall. Cash or money orders only. Get answers concerning health, youth programs, first-time home program and scholarship program; new info on individual sponsorship applications for arts, culture, sports and rec. Visit mmf.mb.ca.doc for applications. Community Club Chase the Ace! - Every Saturday at the Richer Inn from 5:30 - 7:45 pm. Tickets only $1 each. Jackpot is growing! Door prizes on random Saturdays ranging from glassware to Jets tickets and jerseys! Bud, Spud and Steak Special and more! Check out the Richer Community Club Facebook page for updates. LGA License #1392RF. Adult & Teen Challenge Concerned Persons Support Group Join us Thursday evenings at 7 pm, in the Richer Fellowship Church, 50 Southeast Drive. If you have a relationship with someone who has a life-controlling problem, join us for this nine-week Living Free course. Receive encouragement and support in a safe setting, and learn practical ways to best help your loved one. Contact Pastor Ben Funk at 204-326-2254 or phone the church at 204-422-5308. Richer Recovery AA - Group meets Monday from 7:30 - 8:30 pm at LUD Hall in Richer. Contact Paul at 204-422-7673. Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for Stacey Pchajek Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating grades 8 and 12. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club, 22 Dawson Rd. MGCC License # BI/BO4164. Contact Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 or doreen@spmf.ca. Sarto Ukrainian Dance Club – On Mondays from 7 - 8 pm at the Sarto Hall. Join the Sarto Polevnyi Ukrainian Dance Club for the season! You do not need to be Ukrainian to dance! Boys & girls, ages 3 to adult, no prior experience required! Cost starts at $150/year.

Middlebro Breakfast Resource Council – On Saturday, May 4.

Sirko Spring Supper – On Saturday, May 4 from 5 – 7 pm at the Hall. (6 miles south of Sundown on Sirko Road and 1 mile east on Rd 1N.) Perogies, sausage, salads and desserts. Adults $12, Children 6 - 12 years $6, 5 and under free. 50/50 Draw. Sponsored by the Sirko Women’s Association.

Mitchell Seniors’ Breakfasts – Every Tuesday, from 8 - 9:30 am at the Seniors’ Centre, 130 Ash St. Open to all. Cost from $3 to $6. Bring a friend and enjoy the fellowship. Contact Jane Penner, 204-346-2469, jpenner@jantre.com.

South Junction Southeast Farmer’s Market – On Saturday, June 1, Friday, July 26, and every Friday in August from 10 am – 3 pm at the Pine Grove Seniors Club. Contact Jen 204-423-2223 for table rentals or information. Lunch available.

Niverville Dog Obedience – On Wednesdays until May 8, from 7:45 - 8:45 pm at the South End. Beginner to Intermediate. Cost $110. Register Online

Sprague Annual Quilt Show and Sale – On Tuesday, May 7.

Spring Community Garage Sale – On Friday May 3, Saturday, May 4 and Free Give-Away Day Sunday, May 5. Contact recreation@whereyoubelong.ca for a map. Olde Tyme Country Fair – On Friday, June 7, at 5:30 pm and Saturday, June. 8 until at 12 am, 114 Main St. James Barker Band will be performing. GriefShare - If you or someone you know has experienced the loss of a loved one we wish to help, you get support and learn about the grieving process. Contact 204-381-1155 to register or go to Nivervillegriefshare.com. Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with children up to age six. Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am located in the lower level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62-4th Avenue S.)

Sprague & District Historical Museum - Open by appointment from June – September 30. Explore life as it was in the early days. Free Admission. Donations Accepted. Contact 204-4372210, 204-437-2209 or 204-437-4686. St. Adolphe Ritchot Senior Services Essential Oils 101 – On Tuesday May 7 at 10 am, Ritchot Senior Services, 457 Main St. Cost $20 if staying for the make and take (4 products for $20). One lucky Door Prize. A light lunch served following the event. Pre-register with Janice, before Sunday, May 5. Call 204-883-2880 or ritchotseniors@mymts.net. AGM Ritchot Senior Services – On Wednesday, May 15 at 7 pm, 457 Main St. Everyone is welcome and those in attendance will have their name entered to win a great prize. Refreshments will be served.

Old Tyme Dance – On Saturday, May 11 with Mark Morisseau and Saturday, June 8 with Mark Morisseau. Dance is from 7 – 11 pm at the Pioneer Hall, 345 Hebert Rd. Admission $15 lunch included. Call to reserve tickets Rae 204-883-2440 or Denise 204-883-2429. Spring Hobbies – On Wednesdays, May 1, 8 and 15 from 9:30 - 11:30 am at 457 Main St. Quilters, knitters, people that like to lend a helping hand, join us this spring as we work on two different projects. We continue to create touch quilts that will be donated to the Alzheimer Society and knit wear for various projects. Quilting and knitting will resume this fall. Lunch Program & Bingo – On Thursdays, at Le Club Amical, 344 Main St., for only $8. Eat in or call ahead for takeout. Contact 204-883-2491. Pickleball – Every Thursday from 6 – 8 pm at the school, 444 La Seine St. Bingo – On Tuesday, May 21 from 1 – 2:30 pm at the Bible Fellowship Church. Cost $2 and there will be fresh homemade cinnamon buns coffee and tea. All games played for fun prizes. Contact Janice 204-883-2880 to reserve a seat. 50+ Fitness – Last class Thursday, May 7 until September. Held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Ritchot Senior Services, 457 Main St. Drop-in fee $5 drop in fee. Chair Fit – Last class on Monday May 6 until September. Held on Mondays at 11 am at 457 Main St. Join us for a quick 30minute workout with our chair fit program. Cost is Free. Foot Care Clinic – On Tuesday, June 11 at 457 Main St. with Ursula Giesbrecht certified foot care nurse. By appointment only. Call Janice 204-883-2880. Mood Disorders Meeting – On Thursdays at 2:30 pm, 457 Main St. with Tara Brousseau, Executive Director for a support group, with topics on depression, bipolar, recovery, shame, resilience, mindfulness, meditation, coping and self soothing skills, interrelationship skills, seniors’ issues, distress tolerance and peer to peer support. All ages are welcome. C.H.I.L.D program – On Wednesdays from 9:30 - 10:30 am at Ecole St. Adolphe School. Children’s introduction to learning and development. Contact sas@srsd.ca or 204-883-2182. St. Labre St. Labre 200 – On Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6. To register contact register@stlabre200.ca or contact Joel Grenier 204-429-3241. St. Malo Triathlon 2019 - On Saturday June 22 at the Provincial Park. Event part of the Triathlon Manitoba Grand Prix Series. A great race for first time triathletes, veterans and teams. Organized by the Tribalistic Triathlon Team and Pure Lifestyle. The Standard (Olympic) Distance triathlon will be a qualifier for the 2020 ITU World Championships being held in Edmonton. One spot per gender and 5-year Age-groups will be up for grabs. Over 100 volunteers needed. To register visit stmalotri.ca. Kids of Steel – On Sunday June 23 the Kids of Steel Triathlon at the main beach with registration opens at 6:45 am and the first races starting at 8:30 am Online registration is available as well as race-day registration. Cost Triathlon or Duathlon early bird until June 1, $25 after $30 until June 20. Tykes and Trikes registration $10. Over 100 volunteers needed. To register visit stmalotri.ca. Chase the Ace – Every Thursday from 8 - 10 pm at the St Malo Hotel. Starting pot is $3,000. All profits to the Fire Hall and Arena. St. Pierre-Jolys Army Cadets – Every Thursday until June 2019 from 6:30 - 9 pm at the community hall, 555 Hebert Ave. Join now the 3234-Manitoba Horse RCACC Army Cadets. Leadership, citizenship, community service, sports, orienteering, canoeing, marksmanship, drill, band and more. For all youth aged 12 - 19. Enrollment is Free, No deadline to register. Contact Capt Roxanne Maynard, Commanding Officer 204-324-4034, roxanne.maynard@cadets.gc.ca. Stay and Play Group – Every Monday from 9:30 – 11:30 am at YFC Cinema. Snacks, coffee served, and childcare available. The Knights of Columbus - The St-Pierre Carillon Council – On the first Thursday of the month at 482 Jolys Ave. W. Contact 204-433-7633. Ste. Agathe Seniors Group Card Games – On Tuesdays from 1:30 - 4:30 pm at the Community Centre, 183 Pembina Trail. Cost Membership $10 a year. Bring a friend Day. Contact 204-8822180. Taekwondo - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:15 - 7:30 pm at Ecole Sainte Agathe hosted by Kang’s Taekwondo Academy. Cost $40/month. Family rates available. Contact Jason Barnabe, jason.barnabe@gmail.com or 204-802-3458. Ste. Anne Piano Lesson - With Josue Beaudoin, on Monday nights at 112 Central Ave. Cost $200/10 lessons payable to the Cultural Committee of Ste. Anne. Contact 201-422-9599, cccsa@mymts.net.

Seine River Services for seniors – Services and programs for seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility equipment, foot care, hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yard maintenance, Telecheck, E.R.I.K. program, puzzles and games. Shopping Trips to Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month, leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of the month, from 10 am - 1 pm. Cost $10. Contact Juliette Rowan at 204-424-5285 Community Resource Coordinator for local services or e-mail labseinerss@gmail.com. Ste. Geneviève Library Night – On 2nd Tuesday every month, at the Community Centre from 6:30 - 8 pm. Large selection of books in both French and English, for children and adults. Special requests can be made to the librarian, e-mail btl@srsd.ca or 204-878-9488 or in person. Come for a visit and see what we are all about. Steinbach There’s a Dad for That - Parenting Program - On Tuesdays May 7 and 14, at 6 pm in the family resource centre. An interactive, support group focusing on the joys and challenges of fatherhood. For Dad’s with kids’ age 0 – 6 yrs. Registration required, childcare provided. Call 204-346-0413 or maggie@steinbachfrc.ca. Shred-it Day – On Saturday, May 11 from 9 - 11 am in the Bausch Health parking lot, 100 Life Sciences Pkwy. Bring your personal confidential documents and they will be shredded at no cost. Free coffee and donuts will also be provided. Contact Emily Gigolyk emily.gigolyk@bauschhealth.com. Craft, Bake and Vendor Sale Fundraiser – On Saturday, May 11 from 10 am – 3 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion, 294 Lumber Ave. Come and join us for this sale packed full of something for everyone! With 25 awesome vendors, hosted by SouthEast Flower Beds in support of Opening Doors to Success / Tailored for Success. 50/50 draw and Door Prize! Contact 204-346-9840. Let’s Run - On Saturday, May 11 at the Soccer Park. We invite you and your family to participate in our annual 5 km, 2 km and Mini Kid’s running event. Register now at LetsRunSteinbach.ca. Write or Wrong: Creative Writers Group – On Monday, May 13 at 7 pm at the Jake Epp Library, 255 Elmdale St. Writers, join us for our Creative Writers’ Group that meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 pm. Enjoy the company of fellow writers and if you would like, bring a selection of writing to share (max. 5 pages). For ages 16 and up. Contact Madison Redekopp, 204-326-6841, programs@jakeepplibrary.com. Steinbach & Area Garden Club - On Monday, May 13, at 6 pm volunteer orientation Session. Seasoned volunteers review all you need to know to tend the gardens this summer. at the Mennonite Heritage Village. Our Annual Perennial Exchange “New and Forgotten Greats to Please the Senses and Pollinators” with Dorinda Penner, Sunshine Nursery owner and progressive gardener. Door prizes. $5 non members. Contact Anne Peters 204-326-2396, agpeters@mymts.net. Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi – On Wednesdays, at 7 pm at the United Church, 541 Main St. Ancient Taoist Tai Chi art develops a strong body, balanced and energetic mind that is calm and clear, creative and dynamic. Join us to learn 108 moves of Taoist Tai Chi and feel the benefits. All of our classes are led by qualified instructors. Contact Veronica Klassen 204392-6565, Winnipeg@taoist.org. PTSD Support Group- On the last Thursday of each month, at 7 pm at the Steinbach Legion. Volunteer support group meeting for posttraumatic stress disorder. Movie Night at the Library – Every 4th Friday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Jake Epp Library. We alternate between a family movie and a classic movie. Free admission and popcorn are included. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Madison Redekopp 204-326-6841, programs@jakeepplibrary.com. Breast Feeding Group – On Fridays at 10:30 am at the Steinbach Family Resource Centre for a support group, current information and a variety of presentations. Contact 204-3460413. Toddler & Me Story Hour - Classes offered three times a year for a 10-week session in Fall and Winter and a 5-week session in Spring. Classes are free. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, literacy and parenting tips, crafts and snack for parents and their children ages 1-3. Advanced In-person registration is required. Limited space available. Drop In Book Club – 2nd Tuesday every month at 7 pm in the Jake Epp Library. We’ll post the book for discussion that month and if you’d like to join us please stop by. If you want to start your own book club instead, you can always take advantage of our Book Club collections. No sign up required. Just read the book and come hang out. Knit-Wits Drop-In Club for Adults - Every 4th Monday of the month, from 6 – 9 pm at the Jake Epp Library. This is for anyone interested in fibre handcrafts such as knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, needlepoint etc. This is not a class but a casual knitting circle for all skill levels. Please bring your own items/supplies.


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

May 2019

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My Night at the Museum TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) – On Wednesdays, from 8:45 10:30 am at the Royal Canadian Legion. Cost $2/week. A weight control support group that helps take off pounds sensibly and keep off pounds sensibly. Contact Betty-Lou Toews at 326-6397. Eastman Immigrant Services - Many events and activities to support and help you make new friends. Volunteer to help at our community events. Every Day English All Levels - Every Wednesday 1 – 3 pm. Reading & Writing – All Levels on Monday and Wednesday from 10 am – 12 pm. Pronunciation All Levels - On Monday and Wednesday from 7 – 9 pm at D4-284 Reimer Ave. Classes are free. Southeast Entry Program Online: Learn about Health Care, Employment and Laws. To register for this 4-week online program, contact Josie@eastmanis.com, 204-346-6609 or email lois@ eastmanis.com. Eastman Safety Upcoming Programs - Located at 385 Loewen Blvd. Register online at eastmansafety.ca or contact 1-204-3711595. Creativi-Tea Time Adult Colouring Group - Twice monthly on the 2nd Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and on the 2nd Friday from 1 - 3 pm at the Jake Epp Library. Cost Free. Join us for a time of relaxation, tea and colouring. Tea and supplies are provided but you are welcome to bring your own! Games Day & Games Night – Every 1st Saturday of the month from 12 – 5 pm and the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6 – 8:30 pm, at the Jake Epp Library. Come down to play strategy games. Bring a friend, your strategies and games. Test your skills and have fun. Ages 14 and up unless accompanied by an adult. Contact 204-326-6841, programs@jakeepplibrary.com. Royal Canadian Legion - On 1st Tuesday every month until June at 8 pm and Ladies Auxiliary meets 1st Monday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Steinbach Legion Community Hall, 294 Lumber Ave. Steinbach Girl Guides - Every Tuesday at the United Church of Steinbach, 541 Main St. Registration for girls 5 - 17. Develop personal values and well-being, self-respect and respect for others; promote fun, friendship, adventure and challenges through new experiences; develop leadership and decision-making skills; give service to the community; value the natural environment. The Steinbach Rotary Club - meets every Monday at noon except when Monday falls on a long weekend at the Chicken Chef, 365 Main Street, visitors are welcome. Contact Cornie at 326-3155. Mental Health Information and Support sessions - for family and friends of people with mental health issues are held the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Eden East building, 21 Loewen Blvd. Contact Kim at 371-0824 or email eastmanmss@mts.net Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba individual and support groups - Meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 1:30 – 3 pm at The Eden East Office, 21 Loewen Blvd For persons experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, bi-polar disorder and other mental health/emotional concerns. Contact Judy Dunn 204444-5228. Steinbach and Area Lions Club - Meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Helping Hands. Contact Henry 204-392-7750 if you are interested in attending or joining. Carillon Toastmasters - Every Thursday at 7 pm at the Jake Epp Public Library, 255 Elmdale St. Meetings open to adults who want to improve their leadership and communication skills. Contact Irene at 204-424-5737. Al-Anon Program – Meets on Mondays at 7:30 pm at the Cultural Arts Centre back door, downstairs. Contact Lloyd 204-326-4365. Al-Anon 12 Step Recovery Group - Meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm at United Church, 541 Main St, front door, ring doorbell. All are welcome. Young moms to be - Bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pm at Steinbach Family Resource Centre B-11, Hwy 12N. Contact 204-346-0413. Vita Stay and Play – On Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 11:30 am, at the Shevchenko School for children ages 0 - 5 along with their parents/caregivers are welcome to join us for a fun, free, educational learning program. Crafts, snacks, songs, games and story time! Facilitator: Andrea Smith. Contact Penny HorvorkaAlcock 204-425-3535. Woodridge Community Auction – On Saturday, May 11 from 11 am – 2 pm at the community Centre. Auctioneering services provided by Jack Kowalchuk. Earn dollars with spring cleaning or donate your treasures to the Community Club. Contact Stan 204-429-2253. The Mobile Clinic – Is onsite on the third Thursday of every month from 9 am – 4 pm at the Community Club. Contact for appointments 1-855-644-3515 or southernhealth.ca. Zhoda Wing Night – On Saturday, May 4 from 8 pm - 1 am at the Hall. Wings $6, Homemade Fries $4. Raffle for a Fishing Gift Certificate. Tickets $10, presale or at door. Contact Denise 204392-3714.

Recently, I had the opportunity to go to the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg with my daughter for a school field trip. This was to be an all night experience and it was awesome! After the bus ride (I didn’t have to drive, yeah!) we arrived and unloaded our sleeping stuff and then we were given free time to wander about the museum exhibits. It is quite the collection that they have. Next, we went to the Planetarium and explored outer space. From planets to stars we zipped

about and we even learned about the constellations that can be seen in our night sky from planet Earth. I did not realize that the night sky was such a busy place. We then went on a tour of the Urban Gallery where we stepped back in time to 1919 and toured the town. There was a bank, a dentist, a drugstore, a movie theatre and other cool locations. There was an interesting display of the weaponry that was used during the 1919 strike, from billy clubs to machine guns for the police and bricks and bottles for the strikers. After a quick juice break we were off to the Auditorium to hear a storyteller regale us with a lovely story about a girl and a dragon and it was all done from the memory of the woman telling us this story. We moved on to the exhibit called Animal Inside Out. This was not for the squeamish because you were able

to see the inner workings of exhibits; some examples are like a giraffe with no skin, a bull’s heart and the circulatory system of several creatures. The dissected snake was quite fascinating. The Science Gallery was amazing with soooo many things to do and touch and learn! There was a mirror room, three pulley chairs to try out; the sound dish was cool because you could talk to someone across the room and in the space exploration area there were many different types of meteorites to look at and even a space rock which we could pick up! After a night snack of some delicious pizza we were treated to a demo of science in action. We saw how a thin, wooden pin could be pushed into a balloon without popping it, we saw static electricity raise the hair on a girl’s head, we saw a plastic bottle fly across the desk with a flame shooting out the back of it and we saw what happens when a

flame touches a balloon filled with hydrogen. BOOM!! These were some of the great demos that we witnessed. We explored the Nonsuch (ship) and were surprised by the size of the beds and living area below deck. It was then time for the flashlight tour where we wandered throughout most of the museum with many a boo being shouted, many a scream erupting and quickly followed by laughter. Later that night, we sat down to watch the movie Night at the Museum on a big screen. By this time many of our eyelids were getting heavy and as the movie progressed, little ones, and some big ones too, would slip away to climb into the beds for the night. This field trip was an amazing experience and provided my daughter and me a lot of one-on-one time. This memory will be cherished for years to come. Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch


Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

RCMP FILES Mischief at Multiple Locations Steinbach RCMP received reports of Mischief just after 8pm on Sunday April 29. It was reported that the window at Pet value and a patio glass pane at Boston Pizza were smashed. A female with a pipe, wearing a pink sweater is shown on camera smashing the glass. Witnesses say that the female also vandalized a sign and attempted to go through vehicles. Police are asking for assistance and are wanting to speak to any witnesses of the incidents. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at (204) 326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Thieves Grab Depth Finders from RCMP Boats On Monday April 15 Steinbach RCMP received a report of 3 stolen depth finders out of 3 marked RCMP vessels located in the compound of a repair shop near Dufresne. The depth finders are identified as the Hummingbird Helix 10 Chirp MSI GPS model. Police currently have one unnamed suspect. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com

On April 18 at 5:45 pm Clearview Co-op reported theft of $60 of gas. The vehicle is an older model Toyota Rav 4. The male driver remained in his vehicle and then drove off after the fill without any attempt to pay for the fuel. Police are wondering if anyone recognizes the vehicle involved thereby possibly identifying a suspect. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at (204) 326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

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Bicycle Stolen from Yard Steinbach RCMP recived a report of a stolen bicycle from a residence on 39N in the RM of La Broquerie. The bicycle is described as a Blue Kona Blast. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at (204) 326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

RCMP Search for Stolen Side by Side

Report of Stolen Bicycle Fuel Theft at Steinbach Co-op

May 2019

Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen bicycle from a residence on Southwood St. in Steinbach. The bicycle is described as a red and black Superspeed Nitrus 27.5. It was last seen in the owners locked shed on March 30. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 manitobacrimestoppers.com.

On Monday April 15 Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen side-by-side near the Sarto area. The side-by-side had been left on the owner’s farm property and was taken sometime between April 11 to 13. The side-by-side is a custom built Black Canam Maverick XMR. There are currently no suspects. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-3264452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Household Valuables and Truck Stolen Steinbach RCMP are investigating a break and enter and theft which occurred on 30 Rd N in the RM of La Broquerie on April 21 between the hours of 10 am and 1:43 pm. Stolen from the residence were two televisions, a laptop, jewellery and a pellet gun. Also stolen is a 2011 Black Dodge Ram pick-up truck with Manitoba plate HFR775. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers. com.

Parked Vehicle Heavily Vandalized On April 14 Steinbach RCMP received a complaint of a heavily damaged vehicle parked on the Highway 311. Police arrived and observed that all the windows as well as the interior suffered extensive damage. If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers. com.


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May 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Kenya’s Women Farmers Show Strength and Perseverance By Les Kletke Colleen Dyck admits that spending 10 days with a farmer in Kenya was just a bit overwhelming. Dyck, who farms with her husband Grant at Niverville and operates an energy bar business that has grown to more than a hobby, said the trip left her with a range of emotions. “The first thing that comes to mind is the sacrifices that this lady makes in her life to raise her family,” said Dyck. “It is amazing to think of how hard she has to work just to get clean safe water for her family. It is a task that takes most of the day.” Dyck said that hearing about the lack of clean water is one thing but experiencing it first hand is another. “When you spend time walking to the bore hole with this lady and carrying it back to the home you really get an understanding of what she deals with on a daily basis,” said Dyck. Not only did the trip make her aware of what people in this part of Kenya go through to get clean water, she also spent time thinking about a secondary source. “What happens if the well is contaminated, or if it does not rain?” she asked. “There is no secondary supply and there is no infrastructure to help these people if the water fails. There is no safety net.” Dyck also experienced the extension work of the Foodgrains Bank by attending some of the meetings that Lucy Anengo and other women were attending. “Those meeting

were a basic education, they were not limited to agricultural practices but dealt with how to calculate gross margins, micro financing and other issues of business,” she said. “I also learned how complicated these things can be for an NGO (non-governmental agency), what it goes through.” The program is called Partners on the Ground and deals with many issues Canadians would consider basic to agriculture such cover crops and conservation tillage. “I also learned that Lucy had to ask the men in her family for some land to try the new practices on,” said Dyck. “She was given a 1/4 of the poorest land and expected to prove her new practices on that. It also seemed strange that the people making the decision to allocate the land to her were not aware of the practices she was willing to try. They had not attended the classes and did not know what she was hoping to do.” Not only were the men of the village in charge of land allocation there were certain crops deemed male and other female. “Men would not work with certain crops, those were for women,” said Dyck. “Women are not allowed to plant trees, that is a man’s crop and the women can be punished if they work with planting trees.” Dyck said that the irony of the situation was brought home when a woman told her how she had snuck away and planted trees in the past and now her family was able to cut

those trees and use the lumber to build their home,” said Dyck. “But yet they do not understand that there is value in working together in something like that.” While Dyck was struck by the poverty and the day-to-day existence of the agricultural village she did find a feature she sees missing in Canadian communities. “They would all come together to work in someone’s field to either plant the crop or to harvest it,” she said. “It was almost reminiscent of the threshing crews on the prairies. We don’t have that community anymore but they are very rich in it.” The documentary of Dyck’s trip When you spend time walking to the water hole and carrying it back to the home you really get is in production and scheduled for an understanding of what she deals with on a daily basis October release in Winnipeg.

Lucy Anengo and Colleen Dyck

The community would all come together to work in someone’s field to either plant the crop or to harvest it.


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