Test Riding the Provencher Federal Hopefuls Square Off in Candidates Forum By Marianne Curtis It was a full house at the SRSS Theatre for the Provencher Votes Candidate Forum, which took place on October 1. This was the first time the four local candidates have squared off in a public forum in preparation for the October 19 federal election. Provencher residents have four federal candidates to choose from including incumbent Ted Falk (Conservative), Terry Hayward (Liberal), Les Lilley (NDP) and Doug Wheeldon (Green Party). All four candidates responded to a variety of questions ranging in how to engage youth in politics, how to improve cell service to abortion and seniors housing. For
the most part the group responded with answers echoing their party’s national platform, mixed with a dose of political cheap shots. When asked what the most important issue in Provencher, the answers begin to vary. “We want to make sure our family values are respected; that is important to people in Provencher and I think that is something I’ve been known for fighting hard for in Ottawa,” stated Falk. “We will continue to fight hard to make sure we get a fair share of infrastructure funding in our area. I want to make sure that we have dollars in this community to keep infrastructure up to date so we can develop and continue to grow.” Hayward, who has been knocking
on doors for over two years in preparation for this election, said voters are concerned about the state of the economy. “People are very concerned about the lack of buying power they have, seniors don’t have enough money at the end of the month to pay for food or medicine,” explained Hayward. “Jobs and the economy are number one. We’ve got to get our youth employed and looking into clean technology.” Lilley pointed out that the economy and jobs are important in Provencher but a key issue is the number of people living below the poverty line, especially First Nations people. “We have three First Nations in Provencher; Shoal Lake has been under a water advisory for seventeen
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Provencher’s Federal Candidates Ted Falk (Conservative) who is being challenged by Terry Hayward (Liberal), Les Lilley (NDP) and Doug Wheeldon (Green Party) participate in an all candidates forum in Steinbach.
Crow Wing Trail
Members of the Crow Wing Trail Association, along with several cadets hit the trail for three days to test the ability of holding a trail ride along the historic corridor.
By Marianne Curtis On September 25, a unique trail ride took place along the Crow Wing Trail, which may become a regular adventure tour. The weekend trail ride was considered a test run for a tour package through the region in the near future. According to George Beaudry, with the Crow Wing Trail Association the test ride was a success. “We had great weather for a trail ride this weekend. The Crow Wing Trail ride started in St. Malo on Friday and spent the first night at The Rapids Park around the campfire,” he said. “Next morning they left for Ridgeville, where they spent the second night and capped off the journey by following the US-Canada border to Emerson on Sunday.” “There were two wagons with four horses. No outriders or people riding horses for this go around,” added Murielle Bugera, President for the Crow Wing Trail Association. “We had four cadets with us starting Friday night and a representative from CDEM came Saturday night and Sunday.” The Metis Journey on the Crow Wing can become a regular tourist activity if there is enough demand for this unforgettable experience along the Trans Canada Trail. The Crow Wing Trail is a historic 192 km route stretching from the southern border of Winnipeg to Emerson. The trail was initially established in the 1800’s as a route to transport goods to and from the Red River Settlement on the Red River and the Crow Wing Settlement on the Mississippi River. Today the trail has been revived as a recreational trail that closely follows the original red river cart trading route between Winnipeg and St. Paul, Minnesota. The Metis Journey on the Crow Wing tour would provide participants an opportunity to experience what life was like for settlers and traders when the trail first opened.
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Election Forum continued...
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Grand Opening Celebrates Rich History in Sprague
Continued from page 1 years. It is atrocious and we should be ashamed of ourselves,” Lilley added. Wheeldon said a big issue is the future of supply management under negotiations on a Trans Pacific Partnership Trade (TPP) deal is concerning local dairy farmers. “The Trans Pacific Partnership is being negotiated behind closed doors and without parliamentary votes on the subject,” stated Wheeldon. “A big thing in Provencher is that I think we really have an opportunity for, is clean energy infrastructure. We have more sunshine than anywhere else in the country, we have a lot of wind, we have a lot of space to be setting up clean energy infrastructure.” Advanced elections polls take place on Friday, October 9, Saturday, October 10, Sunday, October 11 and Monday, October 12. 2015 Election day is October 19, and polls will be open from 8 am 8 pm. Voters, who have not registered yet, can still register at their polling station with proof of identity and address by showing one of either a driver’s licence, a provincial ID card or any other government card with your photo, name and current address. A second option is to show two pieces of ID and one must have your current address. This option includes health card, Canadian passport, birth certificate, certificate of Canadian citizenship, Canadian Forces identity card, bank statement or library card. A full list can be found at Elections Canada website. A reminder, Elections Canada never phones, texts or e-mails voters to tell them where to vote or to say that a polling place has moved. Voters are informed by mailing a voter information card to all registered voters. Cards should have arrived in the mail around 18 days before Election Day. Voters can also contact Elections Canada online to register or find out other ways to register at elections.ca or call 1800-463-6868.
The newly restored Full Gospel Mission Historic Church gives the Sprague Museum more space to display items from the area’s rich history.
By Marianne Curtis The community of Sprague gathered to celebrate the grand opening of their
newest piece of local history. After years of hard work, including planning, fundraising and renovations, the 1934 Full Gospel
Mission Historical Church was officially opened to the public on September 27. Doris Havorka, President of Sprague & District Historical Museum Inc. is thrilled that everyone can now enjoy the hard work that restoring the Full Gospel Mission Historical Church required. Restoring the historic church was a community project that was conducted in three stages. The first stage consisted of purchasing, preparing the site, and relocating the log structure to the current location in Sprague. Stage 2 encompassed redoing the floors, roof, windows and doors, and Stage 3 completed the finishing the interior. “It was a huge undertaking, but we got it together and now it is ready to be enjoyed by the public,” said Havorka. The Sprague and District Historical Museum highlights the rich history of the Sprague area including the RM of Piney. Some points of interest include a mock-up of a CN telegraph station from the 1940s, a pioneer kitchen and bedroom displays, exhibits featuring the early logging days and businesses of Sprague, as well as churches and military history. There are also five videos relating to the Canadian National Railway, sports, clubs, history of the RM of Piney and a book on all stores in the RM from 1890 on. The Sprague and District Historical Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, from early June until after the September long weekend, from 1 – 5 pm. Tours during the week are available by appointment.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
October 2015
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Randolph Celebrates Grand Opening of Unique Heritage Site Transitions to community centre... By Marianne Curtis On October 3, the community of Randolph gathered for the grand opening of the Randolph Sports Club Community Centre Inc. Formerly known as the Neufeld Garage, the building has been revamped and renewed to become a venue that preserves the history of Randolph/Chortitz businesses, sports and school activities. The newly opened Randolph Sports Club Community Centre Inc. offers a unique meeting place filled with nostalgia and educational opportunities for community members. “It was great success filled with many wonderful stories, laughs and beautiful memories!” exclaimed Karen Peters, on behalf of the facility’s Board of Directors. “We couldn’t have made the Neufeld Brothers’ dream come alive without the help of our faithful and dedicated community and surrounding area.” The history of the Neufeld Garage began in 1937, when Ed Neufeld began servicing vehicles and equipment in a small shed by the David Fast farm near the Chortitzer Church in Randolph (aka Chortitz). As business grew, he moved a shed
to the southeast corner of PTH206 and Randolph Road. An errant spark burned down the shed, so he built a new shop. Across the road, Ed also managed the Randolph Farmers Coop that later became his own general store and hauled freight. With business booming, Ed hired his younger brother Henry for the mechanical work. They dreamed of a larger garage where they could help their friends and neighbors. The brothers became partners in 1946. The finished masterpiece, ready in the fall of 1948 was a true multipurpose facility. Jacob Neufeld, another brother, helped finish the concrete floor work so that his wedding reception could be held in the new building, the first of many such celebrations in the garage. The Randolph Sports Club was organized in the 1960s, and many loads of water were hauled from the garage to the Randolph rink, managed for decades by Henry and Jessie Neufeld and family. Henry also became Post Master in 1969, followed by Jessie in 1991. Their son Ernie continued the garage, post office and rink operations until 2008. For over 70 years, Neufeld Garage was a special place, where the community gathered to meet and
Oliver and Cockshutt lines were introduced in the 1950s. Here is a 1955 “rail-car” order. Crawler tractors were popular, given the heavy soil in the area.
Henry Neufeld’s son Ernie continued the garage, post office and rink operations until 2008.
greet. In July 2014, the RM of Hanover approved the conversion of the building into the newest independent recreational facility
called the Randolph Sports Club Community Centre. Many friends and neighbors gathered during the 2014 summer and fall, to rebuild their “old friend”
into the warm, nostalgia-filled building that it now is. Numerous family gatherings, dances, and other events have now been held in the facility.
SAC Responds to the Plan of Dropping a Performing Arts Centre By Marianne Curtis Councillor Susan Penner stunned the Steinbach Arts Council with a newly hatched plan after she tried to convince council to drop its plans to build a new performing arts centre in the community. Cynthia Rempel Patrick, Steinbach Arts Council Director said the arts community was excited when the city announced the performing arts centre would be the first phase of the proposed Recreation and Cultural Multiplex that was proposed back in July. On September 15, Councilor Penner withdrew her support for the project by citing it as, “Too costly.” “We’re hearing numbers that would be in the range of $15-20 million and I think that’s too significant for our community,” Penner told council. “Maybe we should consider giving the Steinbach Arts Council itself a new day-to-day space as opposed to building a performing arts centre.” Penner suggested that other options should be considered, including moving the SAC into the now vacant Steinbach Credit Union building. She informed council that she plans to bring forward a motion
to reopen discussion on the project at the October 6 meeting. “This Centre remains our first priority. The investment and value of this project would be significant for our City and the surrounding region, attracting new business and families to our growing City,” stated Rempel Patrick. “The verbal and written support for this project received by our city councilors encouraged us to reinforce our ongoing fundraising efforts. Although this bombshell was shocking, we continue to be positive and applaud the councillors who remained loyal.” Rempel Patrick hopes the community will support the SAC’s continued vision of a performing arts centre. “We advocated previously to support this vision. The vision was realized, the work was done and we look forward to making this a reality,” Rempel Patrick continued. “We certainly appreciate councillor ’s responsibilities to accurately represent all voices of their constituents, which also includes supporters of the Performing Arts Centre. We expect those voices to be represented as well…not just one segment of constituents.”
Rempel Patrick suggests that residents in support of the project contact the City of Steinbach to show their support.
Drug Overdose Claims Steinbach Teen A seventeen year old foster child died from a suspected drug overdose on September 10. Sources say that the girl was 17-years-old and living in a foster home in Steinbach at the time of her death but was originally from Shamattawa First Nation. Steinbach RCMP confirms that officers are actively investigating the girl’s overdose. An arrest has been made, but the man was released and charges have yet to be laid. The RCMP also issued warnings on the danger of oxy, blue lightning or blue stamps, especially when mixed with fentanyl. “Parents, guardians and care providers, please speak to your children and tell them how dangerous this drug is. It will definitely make them ill and may cause death,” the RCMP said in a statement.
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Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Ooops! They Missed Again Late in September, the NDP conducted what has become an annual ritual. They released financial data that showed that, once again, they blew the provincial budget and as a result, the debt of the province, and what every Manitoban owes, has increased. In fact, the NDP overspent the budget by more than $100 million. And it’s not as though they were already planning to run a tight fiscal ship. The NDP had stated that they would be running a shortfall in the last budget year of about $330 million. Instead, the numbers show that they left Manitoba in the red last year by $452 million. By now, none of this comes as a surprise to Manitobans. Every year the NDP make a budget projection and every year they miss it by tens of millions of dollars. And as a result, the provincial debt has skyrocketed under Greg Selinger and the NDP. It has also caused the NDP to break their promise several times to balance the budget. It’s clear that under the NDP the provincial budget will never come back into balance. When announcing that they had overspent the budget by $100 million, the NDP finance minister gave the usual excuses including blaming the federal government. After years of being unable to control spending, none of these excuses are believable. And this financial mismanagement comes at a cost as Manitobans know all too well. Manitobans pay more for almost everything they buy because of the increase in the PST. They now pay PST on things like home insurance, which had previously been exempt from PST. These are the real costs of the NDP mismanagement and inability to manage the provincial budget. Over time it results in Manitobans having to dig deeper into their own pockets and that is exactly what is happening. Already the credit rating of Manitoba has been downgraded because of the massive annual deficits run by the NDP. It’s the first time in decades that has happened and it will mean that the province will have to pay higher interest rates on the money it borrows over time. Massive deficits, more debt, poorer credit and higher taxes all lead to Manitobans paying more. It’s clear that this mismanagement has to stop. Manitobans simply cannot afford it anymore. I appreciate your comments and concerns. If you have any comments on these or other issues, you can contact me by writing, #3 – 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB, R5G 1Y7, by phone at (204) 326-5763, by fax at (204) 346-9913, by e-mail at kelvin.goertzen@leg.gov.mb.ca or by visiting my website at kelvingoertzen.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Becoming an Important Number Dear Editor: On October 29 at the Trans-Canada Centre in Ile des Chenes the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba will be selecting their Dawson Trail candidate to run in the upcoming provincial election on April 19 2016. To eligible to vote, one must become a member of the party before October 14. You can do this online at PC Manitoba. And why would I want to do that you may ask? There are three people running for the right to represent the party; myself David Sutherland of Landmark, Bob Lagasse of Landmark and Doug Dobrowolski of Sanford. We are three very different people and bring to the table different ideas. This is why now is a good time to come forward; you are going to select between individuals not parties. During this current federal election, a lot of embarrassment has been caused to all parties by bad candidates. The one common thread is that all the embarrassing candidates went through the nomination process. This is where the public, who have become very cynical of elected officials, have the
opportunity to clean up the mess. If more of the public become engaged at this early stage of selecting their representative, they can have more of a choice and more of a say into the political affairs of their government. I have heard the complaints that politics is controlled by a select group of people. That is true that a diehard group of politically minded people can control the political scene, but that is only if you let them. Politics is a numbers game; those with the numbers control the scene. If this is unappealing to you, then there is a solution and that is to get involved. You don’t need to know about everything, just your passion about whatever interests you, is all you need. If your passion about a subject is strong, enough that you want changes to the system, then you need to bring them forth. A good politician is only as good as the people that they work with. Being involved doesn’t take a lot of your time. You have the opportunity to meet a lot of people and the satisfaction of helping to make our world a little bit better as you see it. It is far better to have a hand in government, than to be on the outside of it looking in. So join us before October 14 and again join us on October 29 to start the count down to a change for the better. David Sutherland Landmark, MB
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries ...Not For Sale The Manitoba Liberal party has called for the privatization of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, and they’ve taken a page from Pallister’s tired playbook of privatizing Crown Corporations rather than proposing substantive policy proposals. Between the two opposition parties, we have now seen plans to privatize health care, childcare, social services and now Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. Publicly run Liquor sales fund essential services for Manitobans. Those that call for privatization should come clean and admit that privatization means revenues would be diverted to private interests. As a result, the province would need to cut nurses, doctors, teachers and other front line workers that Manitoba families count on. The NDP Government is committed to modernizing our liquor industry, not privatizing it. We reject calls for privatization and cuts that will lead to less choice and higher prices for consumers. Instead, our NDP government brought in the first major updates to the Liquor legislation in 60 years. We made it more convenient to purchase alcohol in supermarkets, hair salons, and spas, made the liquor law more flexible for restaurants and hotels, and facilitated things like extended hours for special events like the Olympics gold medal match. We are supporting our growing craft beer industry with the introduction of growler bottles and brewery tasting rooms. The Manitoba model provides a good balance of private and public retailers, including hotel beer vendors, specialty wine stores, and rural liquor vendors, alongside Liquor Marts, while also ensuring uniform pricing throughout the province. We are supporting responsible consumption by legislating 2% of profits for social responsibility measures and have championed tough anti-drinking and driving laws. And there is more to come. A friendly reminder that pre-budget consultations are starting soon across the province. Updated times and dates for consultations can be found on the Manitoba Finance website at gov.mb.ca/finance/consult/ intro.html. Those unable to attend a meeting can make a submission in writing to the Minister of Finance by emailing minfin@leg.gov.mb.ca or by mail c/o Budget Consultations, Room 103, Legislative Building, 450 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8. As always, I appreciate hearing your comments and thoughts. I encourage you to contact me by e-mail ron.lemieux@yourmanitoba.ca, by phone 204-878-4644, or by mail at Box 517, Lorette, MB R0A 0Y0. I am now officially on Facebook (facebook.com/ronlemieuxNDP) and Twitter (@RonLemieux). I invite you to follow me! Together we can continue to move Dawson Trail and Manitoba forward.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
NDP Ignore Residents’ Concerns as Bipole III Costs Climb Just a few weeks ago, Manitoba Hydro unveiled its final preferred route for the 213 km ManitobaMinnesota transmission line. The line will travel from the Dorsey Station northwest of Winnipeg to the Manitoba-Minnesota border. It will pass through or come close to many communities in southeastern Manitoba such as Anola, Ste. Genevieve, Richer, La Broquerie, Sundown and Piney. Over the last two years, Hydro has held many consultation meetings in impacted communities for people to express their concerns about the line and its location. These concerns are being ignored. The route will be intrusive to residents of southeastern Manitoba. There will be transmission lines and equipment in backyards and community spaces. There are other options for this line, but the NDP is not listening. I have repeatedly asked for the analysis of the selected routing, to no avail. The whole process is being driven by politics. We know the NDP interfered with the routing of the Bipole III line and it seems the same thing is taking place with the ManitobaMinnesota line. At a recent committee of the legislature, Progressive Conservative MLAs asked pointed questions about how many properties would be taken from landowners, why must this line go through prime agricultural land, and why must the line be located close to communities, affecting future economic development. NDP representatives answered almost no questions. The location of this line will come at a great cost to residents and we know many do not approve of its location. The Manitoba-Minnesota transmission line is expected to be built between 2017 and 2020 at a total cost of around $850 million. Manitoba’s share will be about 67% or $596 million, this includes construction costs for the US portion of the line Manitoba residents are paying for, about $294 million of your dollars are flowing directly to the US under this NDP plan. During election 2011, the Selinger government promised Manitobans would not pay a red cent for Bipole III, yet today Manitobans are paying for 100 percent of the project. It begs the question: what are they hiding about the Manitoba- Minnesota transmission line? You will have an opportunity on April 19, 2016 to make a change for the better. I look forward to hearing from you with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at my constituency office at 204-424-5406, my legislative office at 204-945-4339 or at dennis.smook@leg.gov.mb.ca.
All Residents Deserve Answers on Dike Expansion Dear Editor: The residents affected by the realignment plan of the St. Adolphe dike expansion want answers. We have been trying to get information about the effects of the dike realignment on our properties existing flood protection. Were there no studies done? We have been subjected to changes in the plan we were presented.
Where the affected residents have not been notified, we have tried to get information from our municipality who is responsible for these changes and they will not provide the information to us. We want the municipality to have the affected residents of the dike realignments flood protection evaluated and reinforced by the municipality as necessary. This realignment is going to cause us tremendous issues with our road caused by the narrowing and the current that will ensue and the availability of us being able to adequately get supplies in a flood situation. Who does this burden fall on? We deserve flood protection in advance. We want to fight this with
preparedness not aftermath. We have seen what flood displacement does to communities and how financially devastating it is to our government. Is there not better ways to spend money in our province? We do not deserve to be left out high and dry as the residents of St. Adolphe experience a few weeks of less traffic during flood time when there are other options. We understand that we are just small fish on a big pond but we deserve protection as well. Is the municipality plan that we will just become the problem of the Province of Manitoba afterward? Jackie Henry St. Adolphe, MB
Highway 59 Twinning Pushed Back By Marianne Curtis Construction of a new set of traffic lights at the corner of Highway 311 and Highway 59, east of Niverville is being met with excitement by local residents concerned about the safety of drivers travelling this route. While the busy intersection is expected to become safer, there is still the question about twinning highway #59. According to Dawson Trail MLA Ron Lemiuex, the province has decided that some twinning will take place, but not to the extent originally promised about a decade ago. After repeated closures of Highway 75 due to spring flooding, the province considered upgrading Highway 59 to the US border so an alternative route was available. “The province decided to raise Highway 75; the rationale that was used initially for twinning Highway 59 is just not there anymore,” said Lemieux noting that the US government is re-routing heavy truck traffic to I29 which connects to Highway 75 in Emerson. “There is no sense in twinning the highway to the border if there is a cow trail on the other side.” Lemiuex said that over seventy-five percent of the traffic traveling year round through the area is from Highway 52, which runs to Steinbach, along Highway 59 to Winnipeg and a solution is in the works. “We are looking at the project now in two phases - phase 1 is twinning the highway from Ile des Chenes to the 311; phase 2 is twinning it from the 311 to Highway 52,” Lemiuex confirmed. “Will it be twinned? Yes! When? I do not know.” Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck hopes that the province will address these projects with some sense of urgency. “Please do it sooner than later,” Dyck commented. “This is a safety concern, and it is a main thoroughfare for this area.” Since Highway 59 was twinned from Winnipeg to just south of Ile des Chenes, the area has seen a significant decrease in highway traffic accidents. The highway south of the 210 junction remains on of the province’s most dangerous stretches. Erecting traffic lights at the corner of 311 and Highway 59 is expected to alleviate some issues. Traffic lights are expected to be in operation before the end of the year.
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Finish Line in Sight I don’t think any of us can remember such a long campaign and yet after countless nonsensical and silly ads it seems we are in for a minority government. The only question is, are we going to have a Government of Canada or are we going to suffer again a “Conservative” Government of Canada. If it’s the latter, the campaigning will continue ad nauseam. Our only saving grace will be that it doesn’t last the full term. I keep getting this reoccurring sinking feeling that history will view this era as the time of the “Ugly Canadian”, a reference to the 1958 book called the “Ugly American” which came to symbolize a pejorative expression referring generally to the offensive behaviour of Americans abroad. The only difference is our government continuously displays offensive behaviour at home and abroad. This has been demonstrated time and time again, where the Conservative government has lost the argument on legislation at the Supreme Court. Another two apparently are pending, first it’s the lady with the niqab, yes, she does appear cowardly, ignorant and should be more considerate of not offending our open society, and no, we do not wish to change it thank you. But in the last 10 years or so thousands of new Canadians have materialized and she is only the second niqab lady that offer us and herself the insult as seeing herself as a second class citizen. One would think that friendly persuasion would probably be more effective instead of going to court. The second offense behaviour that is pending is the announcement that a convicted felon will be deported on the completion of his jail sentence. The problem with this instance, this person was born in Canada! These two instances are nothing but infantile political tricks. When the time comes the Supreme Court will turn both of those requests down as they bloody well should, but long after the election is over. Harper will in the mean time have fed red meat to his base that will lap it up thereby increase the crimson hue from their necks to well below their belt line. I and I hope most Canadians would feel that attacking others way of thinking and their Canadian citizenship diminishes our own. Maybe the old stock Canadian comment is pervasive throughout red neck land, if so it unfortunately reinforces this “Ugly Canadian” idea. Harper has been using this tough on everybody line for so long that the result is a decrease in tolerance to one another and the level of negativity appears to be multiplying. Democracy is about building bridges, not fences. At the local level, we’ve had a debate, again “déjà vu” with the local Conservative candidate having nothing more of substance to add, than accusing the Liberal Candidate of being pro abortion. This blatant lie was gleefully lapped up by those who momentarily forgot freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom of sexual equality without discrimination are part of the Canadian way of life, which allowed and encouraged their ancestry to settle and flourish here. After many generations of peace and prosperity, is it possible that a wee bit of Christian charity went missing? I suppose I have been around too long, for I remember past governments presenting expressions of solidarity, universal hope and a vision that unified us. Politics of fear and division has me searching nostalgically for substance.
Serving the communities along the historic Dawson Trail and beyond.
The Dawson Trail Dispatch is a monthly newspaper distributed free of charge to 50 Southeastern Manitoba communities. Published by: One One Consultants Inc. Box 308, Richer, MB R0E 1S0 Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768 Dan Guetre, Managing Editor One One Consultants Inc., Publisher News Writers: Marianne Curtis and Dan Guetre Columnists: Lee Guetre, Peter Friesen, Anni Markmann, Peter Martens, Dave Millar Production/Design: Dan Guetre, Myriam Dyck, Monica Guetre and Wilma Priebe Advertising: Karen Jorgenson and Dan Guetre
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Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Fall Book Fair Needs Books and Volunteers The Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary is hosting its 19th annual book fair on October 15-17 at the Clearspring Centre in Steinbach. Bethesda Auxiliary member Verna Thiessen said there would be a good quantity of used books available for people during the three-day event. “We hope to see many people come out and pick up some good books,” said Thiessen. “All money raised is used to purchase items for our local hospital.” Thiessen reported that the last book sale put the organization almost halfway to their goal of raising $40,000 towards the purchase of three separate items for the Bethesda facility. Funds are being raised for a hospital charting system that will allow standardization of charts and easier reading and moving forward in treatment of the patient at a cost of $15,000. The second item on the list is a surgery and obstetrics Specialty mattress, which is used for the comfort and better treatment of the patients on both the Surgery and Obstetric Wards at a cost of $9,000. The third item is a portable phototherapy device for the treatment of neonatal jaundice. This medical device is designed to allow positioning, swaddling, and other direct contact with the baby. Enabling the continuation of developmental care was an important consideration in the design of the BiliSoft. It will cost $16,000 for two. Over the years, the Bethesda Hospital Auxiliary has hosted several successful sales, which have raised over $500,000 for medical equipment deemed necessary for patient comfort or safety but not funding through Manitoba Health programs. To ensure the success of the annual fundraising event, donations of books, records, tapes, magazines, puzzles, and games will be accepted until the week of the sale. Donations of gently used reading material can be brought to the drop-off location near Sobey’s in the Clearspring Centre on Tuesday’s from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. During this time, a large number of books will be sold for .50 cents. Volunteers are also still required and anyone wishing to help with the book sale is invited to contact Verna Thiessen at 204-326-3028 for more information.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
October 2015
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St. Malo to Recognize Community Volunteers At the end of October, the community of St. Malo will gather for one spectacular evening to specifically honour a group of dedicated volunteers in the community. The 5th Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards hosted by St. Malo & District Chamber of Commerce evening takes place October 24 in St. Malo. St. Malo Chamber of Commerce President Lorraine Jones-Racine said that the volunteer evening is an important event in the community. “Even though a small group was recognized at our Annual Volunteer Award Night we
recognize that there are so many more people who give time, skills and dedication to make things happen for this area,” said Jones-Racine. “We like to recognize the community’s dedicated volunteers who give generously of their time to make our community a better place to live. It is appreciated!”
At the gala event, the St. Malo and District Chamber of Commerce will honour one organization with an award, 11 adults and 2 youths. The event will be held at the Iberville Hall (church basement) starting at 7 pm. Part of the evening will include a performance by Corny Rempel as Elvis and Johnny Cash.
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around 7:30 am after two northbound vehicles engaging in a case of road rage along the East Perimeter Highway near the RM of Springfield. Police say that both vehicles A twenty-five year old man from Oakbank turned ugly. w e r e Lorette has been charged after a According to Oakbank RCMP, the travelling at road rage incident near incident occurred September 29 e x c e s s i v e speeds, each trying to pass the other and one driver cut the other off. When both vehicles came to a stop at a red light at Highway 15, two men exited one vehicle and approached the driver in the other vehicle. After a brief verbal
Pistol Used in Road Rage Incident
Pat Porter Active Living Centre offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for older adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs. For more information drop by the Centre, Monday to Friday 9 am - 4 pm, call 204320-4600 or online patporteralc.com. Membership is only $25 per year due by January 15 of each year for those 55 years of age and older. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice in business meetings, voting rights and eligibility to serve on the board or committees. The fee after January 15 is $30. Join early and avoid the $5 late fee!
Up and Coming Events and Monthly Programs: Thanksgiving Potluck: On Thursday October 8 at 6 pm. Please call to confirm if you can make it. As usual needed are Casseroles, Salad, Dessert and Buns. We will be serving Ham for our Thanksgiving Potluck. Cost is $6 per person. Flu Clinic: On Friday, October 30 from 9:30 - 11:30 am. Please remember to bring your Manitoba Health Card. No appointment necessary. BBQ Rib Fall Supper: Join us on Sunday, October 18 at 5 pm for our 2nd Annual BBQ Rib Fall Supper at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre – 10 Chrysler Gate. Doors will open at 5 pm sharp and there is no reserved or pre-seating. Tickets are $15 each and children under 5 are free. On the menu: BBQ Ribs, Baked Beans, Corn Bread, Perogies, Meatballs, Coleslaw, Vegetables, and Pie. Tickets are available at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre Visa and MasterCard are accepted to purchase advanced tickets. Please call 204-320-4600 or 204-320-4604 for more information or to purchase tickets. Mall Walking Kick-Off Breakfast: On Tuesday, October 27. Meet at centre court in Clearspring Centre. Registration at 8 am and breakfast at Uncle Jake’s to follow at 8:30 am. Old Time Country Dance: On Friday, October 30 with live band, Small Town Limits from 8 pm to Midnight. Lunch served at 10 pm. Tickets available at the Centre. All ages welcome. Call 204-320-4600. Advanced Tickets are: $11 for members; $13 for non-members; and $16 at the door for all. Computer Lab: Need help with your computer skills? Call the centre and make an appointment. Labs are 1 hour long and available every Wednesday morning from 9 am – Noon. Please call the centre at 204-320-4600. Birthday Celebrations: First Wednesdays of the month, October 7, November 4 and December 2 at 2 pm. Celebrate with us! Bring your friends! Guests pay $2 for coffee and cake. Foot Care: On the first Tuesday, first Wednesday and third Tuesday of the month from 9 am - 2 pm. Run by a professional foot care nurse. Cost $30. Bring your own towel. Contact the centre to book an appointment. Beltone Hearing: On the third Friday of the month. Contact 1-800-6612653 for appointment. Monday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball 12 – 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Pickleball 1 - 4:30 pm Model Trains 1 pm Canasta 7 pm Tai Chi 7 - 9 pm Drop in Pool Tuesday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball 9:30 am – 3 pm Circle of Friends 12 – 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1:30 - 4 pm Floor Shuffle Wednesday 10 - 11:30 am Tai Chi 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Cribbage 7 - 10 pm Old Time Band Practice 7 - 10 pm Drop in Pool Thursday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Whist 6 - 9 pm Pickleball 6 - 9 pm Drop in Pool Friday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball 9:30 am - 3 pm Circle of Friends 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Pickleball Noon meals are available Monday through Friday. Cost $6. Contact 204320-4605 by 9 am to reserve your meal for that day. Purchase your meal ticket at the receptionist desk before noon. Monthly menus available at the office or in the newsletter. Bring a friend. Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and setting tables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up, greeters and receptionists.
exchange, the driver who was approached waved what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol and uttered threats to the two men, who immediately left the scene and called t h e police. Members of the Oakbank RCMP later located and arrested the man who allegedly waved the pistol and seized a Colt Defender .177 calibre air pistol.
Dawson Trail Dispatch James Groening, 25 years old of Lorette has been charged with pointing a firearm, uttering threats, and using a firearm while committing an indictable offence. “Engaging in a road rage incident not only puts you at risk, but also the other drivers sharing the same road,” said Sgt. Bert Paquet, RCMP. “Serious driving offences should be reported to the police instead of having drivers getting involved in unpredictable situations.” Groening was released from police custody and will make his first court appearance in Beausejour on November 17.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
October 2015
9
Women Killed at Ste. Anne Intersection
The NEW! Performing Arts Centre The Arts Community was certainly excited when the City officially announced that the Performing Arts Centre would be the first phase of the Recreation and Cultural Multiplex in July. Then last Tuesday, at the end of the City council meeting, Councillor Susan Penner suggested the City drop its plans for this same new Performing Arts Centre. This Centre remains our first priority. The investment and value of this project would be significant for our City and surrounding region, attracting new business and families to our growing City. The amount of time, energy, money, research, debate, planning, consultation, more planning, and public forums that were invested into this project – by community members, Arts community members/boards/ staff, City Council and staff, professional staff, specialists and consultants - has been phenomenal. The decision by City Council was based on all of that – to their credibility and respect, due diligence was more than demonstrated in this process. The verbal and written support for this project received by our City’s Councillors encouraged us to reinforce our ongoing fundraising efforts. Although this bombshell was shocking, we continue to be positive and applaud the Councillors who remained loyal. We certainly appreciate Councillors’ responsibilities to accurately represent all voices of their constituents, which also includes supporters of the Performing Arts Centre. We expect those voices to be represented as well… not just one segment of constituents. We advocated previously supporting this vision. Please email/phone Steinbach Mayor and Councillors. Thanks for your support. The vision was realized, the work was done and we look forward to making this a reality! New FUSION Musical Theatre Program Join this format of monthly, Saturday morning musical theatre development workshops. We welcome David Klassen, Artistic Director, along with our industry’s finest instructors. Ages 9-14 and 15-19 in dance, voice and theatre instruction welcomed. Designer Home Tour & Tea NEW! “Love the Home you Have!” is the title of this fundraiser on Sunday, October 18. Visit 5 homes, hosted by their designers, and enjoy the tea at The Rustic Barn. Tickets available at SAC – limited numbers – call now! Try Any Class….No Cost! Creative Wellness - Pilates with Kim Koop, Yoga & Zumba with Eddie Miller! Belly Dance. Cooking- Kids in the Kitchen & Creative Cooking. Languages - Spanish & French. Kids - Cartoon Illustration, Hand Building with Clay, Art Adventure & Art X-Travaganza. Teens - NEW! Mixed Art, Pottery Passion & Digital Photography. Adults - NEW! Acrylics, Oils, Watercolours, Mixed Art, Pottery & Photography. Backbeat School of Music – Monthly sessions, play with other artists in bands. The Backyard Theatre Company - For ages 5-15 - Acting Out, Dramatic Discovery, The Actor’s Studio and The Audition to build your confidence! Arts4Tots Preschool Program - The most creative way to learn! Ages 3-5 will love learning early childhood development through the Arts – Music, Dance, Drama, Crafts…and Culture. Dance classes….No costume fees, competitions or fundraising! Just pure fun! No cost to try it out. From Hip Hop to Jazz and Musical Theatre by Xcompany. Call 204-371-8007 or visit xcompany.net for more details. Attention Local Authors and Writers! Manitoba authors and writers are invited to join the new Authors of Manitoba Writers Group! The group’s launch will be held at Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre, Sunday, November 1, which includes a celebratory “Faspa”. Contact Marianne 204-794-1207. Season Tickets Make the Best Gift! Starting with Marie-Josée Lord Trio; Head-scratching magic of Chris Funk, The Wonderist, The festive sounds of WSO’s traditional Holiday Pops concert with special guests Roy and Rosemary, MTC’s The Hound of the Baskervilles and Sierra Noble; Munsch Family show & more! Expressions Exhibit Opening Expressions 2015: Exploring Recovery Through Art will open Friday, October 2, 7 pm at the SAC Hall Gallery. Public is invited. Artists for mental health recovery… with entertainment, delicious food and great art. Listening for Grace Tickets are going fast – so fast, that another show has been added for October 17 at 3 pm. Tix at the SAC office. Calling all musicians! SAC is a partner with the Steinbach Pistons Artists – looking for singers, instrumentalists, groups and performers to perform the National Anthem at games. Call 204-346-1077 or view all our events on steinbachartscouncil.ca.
Two women aged 83 and 84 have been killed as a result of a traffic accident at the corner of Highway #12 and Seine Road in Ste. Anne. On September 28, Steinbach RCMP confirmed that both women were killed in a crash in the construction zone. Emergency crews had rushed to the area around noon after reports of a serious crash between a semi transport truck and another vehicle. The two people in the vehicle were pronounced dead on scene. The driver of the truck remained at the scene and was not injured. A STARS air ambulance was initially been dispatched to the area, but called off shortly after. RCMP Forensic Collision Resconstructionists are helping with the investigation to figure out
Ste. Anne fire crews cover up what is left of a vehicle after a collision in a construction zone outside of Ste. Anne. Photo by Marianne Curtis
what caused it. Last year, the RM of Ste. Anne demanded that the Provincial government install traffic lights at the busy intersection during construction. They also requested that Manitoba Infrastructure and
Transportation leave the lights in place after highway work is completed. Once the project was complete, the lights were removed. This summer, the traffic flow at the site was managed by human sign bearers.
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Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
October 2015
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Niverville Unveils Multiplex By Marianne Curtis Following months of consultation and an independent research survey, a group of volunteers known as the ‘Friends of the Plex’, together with the Town of Niverville have announced a multi-phase, Recreational Facilities Master Plan that fully and accurately addresses the needs and wants of Niverville and area residents. Kerry Church, spokesperson for Friends of the Plex said they are excited to unveil the group’s $16 million master plan for the community. “We’ve listened extensively to the community and have put together a Master Plan that will feature a trio of year-round, recreation facilities,” said Kerry Church, spokesperson for Friends of the Plex. “Once completed, these public spaces will offer residents of all ages access to a blend of recreation, sport, cultural and community amenities, to meet the needs of our growing community.” The recreation complex will feature three facilities including a new, yearround sport and recreation multiplex, an adjoining new arena and
refurbishing the existing arena. In total, the community needs to raise approximately $16 million through individual, corporate and government contributions to build the multiplex and new arena. Mayor Myron Dyck confirmed that the Town of Niverville would contribute $5 million, which will be donated without raising taxes. “The Town is pleased to be donating toward such a terrific project that truly meets the needs of our community,” said Dyck. “This donation will be drawn from the existing Recreation Infrastructure Reserve Fund, which Council has been building for a few years, and from new monies that will need to be borrowed to top up the difference.” Council will be required to pass a borrowing motion, which residents will have the opportunity to speak to as part of the public consultation process, he added. The refurbishment of the existing arena will be further studied and budgeted for separately. With the $5 million seed money from the Town of Niverville, Church said the Friends of the Plex are hopeful that the entire
community and other levels of government will embrace the fundraising goal of raising $11 million. The construction schedule for the multiplex and new arena will be determined once funding is in place. With an impressive 36,000 square feet of floor space, the Multiplex will
be able to accommodate a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball and badminton. It will also offer an indoor walking/running track, playground for children as well as meeting rooms and a multipurpose area for fitness, educational and cultural programming. A study earlier this year revealed
that Niverville residents put construction of a new multi-use facility in the top spot, followed by a new splash pad and new arena, tied for second place. The Town previously announced its plans to construct a splash pad in Hespeler Park, which is scheduled to open next summer.
Steinbach RCMP Investigate ATV Theft On September 25, Steinbach RCMP received a report that two quads had been stolen from a residence located on Keating Road in the RM of Hanover. Police say that the theft occurred over night between September 24 and 25. The quads are described as a white 2007 Suzuki R450 and a yellow 2006 Suzuki R450. If you have any information in regards to this incident you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-2228477. You can also submit a tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Traffic Enforced in School Zones On September 23 between 9 am and 3 pm, Steinbach RCMP conducted traffic enforcement at the Woodlawn, Southwood and Stoneybrook Middle Schools. RCMP report that 18 offence notices were issued for speeding in the designated schools zones, while another two were issued to drivers with no licences. Drivers who were issued offences notices for speeding were between 40 and 75% over the posted 30 km speed limit. RCMP found that the area around Southwood School was where the majority of offences occurred. Over 50% of the targeted vehicles were exceeding the speed limit and were issued offence notices. This number is very concerning stated the RCMP and motorists are reminded to slow down in school zones. The minimum penalty is approximately $200 and the loss of merits on your drivers licence.
Members of the Town of Niverville Council kicked off construction of a new splash pad in Niverville on September 16.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
End of Life Treatment and Natural Death This article is part book excerpt and part encouragement for families to start the conversation and not a discussion on doctor-assisted death. The past 18 months have caused me to think about how we die when we become elderly. My mother died July 2014 (age 90) and my father November 2014 (age 94). I’ve written about them and their funerals in previous articles (archived at AnniMarkmann.ca). Since my parents have both passed away, I have been reading more about how well (or not so well) our elderly family members die or how we extend their dying and not allow them to have a natural death. The book that I have been reading and want to share is called, “A Better Way of Dying” written by two sisters Jeanne Fitzpatrick and Eileen Fitzpatrick. One is a doctor and the other is a lawyer. I have acquired a few copies, so drop by if you would like to borrow one. The front cover of the book quickly got my attention with, “Why your Living Will is not enough”. I often encourage my clients to have all their estate planning documents in order, which includes their Will, Power of Attorney (for finances), Health Care Directive, and a Living Will. So why wouldn’t these documents be enough? The authors speak about their decades working in emergency medical care, how they have watched people die and that the modern death has become more of a chronic illness that can last up to ten years. During those ten years dying, mobility, enjoyment and independence fade and are replaced. Let’s read a bit of an excerpt from the book “A Better Way of Dying”. “Today, the act of letting nature take its course at the end of life - of allowing a natural death - is mostly unobtainable. When someone at the end of life takes a turn for the worse, their loved ones and caretakers will reflexively call 9-1-1 and seek medical care. Off to the emergency room they go, where I will once again treat their acute illness - their possible exit event - and prevent their natural death. While most people would prefer to die at home, 80 percent of the deaths in this North America occur in hospitals or nursing homes, as the technology that keeps us alive grows ever more complex.” According to the authors natural death changed after antibiotics became available in 1933. Before 1933, the book goes on to say that, “Elderly people tended to take to their beds, contract pneumonia or another infection within a year or two, and quietly pass away. The book also lists a number of options for people who are looking for a natural death in that antibiotics can be refused, the discontinuation of medications, skipping the trips to the emergency room for life-sustaining procedures, saying no to artificial nutrition or hydration. Keeping your independence and control on how you die rather than being force fed or faced constantly with on going life saving measures has dignity. The Fitzpatrick’s argue that these independent choices are more in line with the peaceful and natural death that we hope for. They go on poignantly to say, “At the end of life, the body and mind naturally lose interest in food and fluids. When I reach the end of life, I want food and drink to be set by my bedside to take if I want it. My caretakers will know that I don’t want to be reminded to eat or drink, and certainly not forced to - this may be my most powerful way to find a painless, peaceful natural death, particularly in the case of Alzheimer’s Dementia. When that patient reaches his personally-defined milestones, his Healthcare DecisionMaker, doctor, and family can stop forcing food and liquids and allow him to die a natural, relatively painless death—without raising all the serious ethical concerns of physician-assisted death. The natural death movement has much to offer the current healthcare debate. There can be fates worse than death, and many of us know exactly how we do not want our lives to end—drooling on for years in a nursing home, lost to ourselves and our families.” [Jeanne Fitzpatrick and Eileen Fitzpatrick; A Better Way of Dying, Penguin Books Canada, ON; 2010 Print] I hope this brief excerpt of the book will get you thinking about your own end of life choices. If you are interested in reading the book, I have a few copies that you can borrow. If you want the form “Contract for Compassionate Care”, you can search for it on the Internet, or drop by my office, I have copies. If you want to have a chat about it, I’m very open to discussing it. When you are ready to have a family conference, I can help your family with the discussion. On a personal note, there were a few incidences with my 94 year old father where I had to stop the health professionals from extending his dying. He was placed in a personal care home April 2014; he had been diagnosed with dementia and later on with bone cancer so we knew the end would not be good (could be painful). In October 2014, he was given “a nutritional beverage” with his meal, when I inquired what it was from the nurse, I was told, “Because he is not eating much.” I’m thinking it’s OK that he is not eating much! And I asked them stop giving it to him. He continued to eat and drink on his own (not much, but he normally ate something at every meal). In late November, he had become unresponsive and the health care aid and nurse wanted to call an ambulance. I said, “No, we are not calling an ambulance; we want to ensure he is comfortable.” So with the doctor’s approval, they started the morphine under the skin (he had been taking orally). He did die naturally within about 18 hours. I didn’t know much at that time about “natural death”, but I know now that is how my father died and that is what he wanted. I am comforted knowing he lived a good long life and had a “good death”. And that is what I want too, hopefully in my 90s! Anni Markmann is a financial advisor who specializes in personal income taxes and estate planning. She works, lives, and volunteers in our community. Contact Anni at 204-422-6631 or Anni@SteAnneTaxService.ca or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne (near the Co-op).
October 2015
11
Funds Raised for Niverville Dog Park
Barry Piasta shows off one of the many new structures to be installed in Niverville’s Dog Park thanks to a recent successful fundraiser. Photo by Marianne Curtis
Dog lovers from Niverville will soon have access to new improvements at the community’s dog park. On September 20, Barry Piasta, founder of dogadoptionmb.com hosted a BBQ fundraiser, and car rally to raise funds to add improvements to the dog park in Hespler Park. “We raised $985 to go towards bringing agility equipment in the Niverville dog park,” Piasta said. “We will be installing several figures and structures that will enhance the park.” Piasta added that he was grateful for Mayor Myron Dyck, who won the 50/50 draw. “He donated the winnings back to us,” Piasta noted. “Every dollar counts.” The community of Niverville’s off leash dog park is the only one of its kind in the region. Located adjacent to the local arena, the park offers dogs a safe place to run and play within a fenced in area. It will cost about $1,300 to build and install the new agility structures.
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Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
October 2015
Watching Winter Recently, at the request of my wife and daughter, we bought the movie, “Dolphin Tale”. Not knowing anything about the movie other than there’s a dolphin in it, I figured that out by reading the title and looking at the picture on the cover, I went into watching this movie with a fairly open mind. After all, who doesn’t love dolphins? I have to say that this movie blew me away. It’s an awesome film that is based on a true story of a dolphin, named Winter that is accidentally injured, then recovers and of how this brave little dolphin has the ability to inspire others. While I’ll try not to give away any spoilers, I would like to point out that this movie is very family friendly. I watched it with my children and they were all good. There wasn’t any bad language or the common innuendos so often found in today’s films. There was one scene that did seem to startle my youngest child but with a bit of humour from myself, he was quickly reassured that all would be well. While some films that are based on true stories are so greatly changed that the truth is no longer in sight, I’d have to say, based on what I’ve since read and from the actual video footage shown during the credits, that this story has been made quite close to the actual truth. One really awesome thing about this tale is that after the movie you can go to the website, seewinter.com and watch a webcam of Winter swimming around in her tank at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. Since we can’t all just pack up and head on down to Florida to swim with the dolphins, I think that watching one, or two, via webcam is still pretty cool. It’s with thanks to some very dedicated and loving people that this little dolphin and others like her have been saved and nursed back to health. While I’m not going to go the way of saying “two thumbs up” for this movie, I will highly recommend that you watch this movie and be charmed by its graces. Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.
Imagine Run Brings Families Together
The family of Abe Krahn family gathered during this year’s Imagine Run in his memory. The twenty-five year old from Mitchell took his own life earlier this year.
By Marianne Curtis For the past eight years, the Imagine Run in Niverville has drawn hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators. This year was no exception. The one-day event, which took place on September 26, drew hundreds of spectators and participants. Founded by Mona Stott of Niverville, the Imagine Run is organized annually by a committee of volunteers who care about suicide prevention and mental health. Stott founded the run after her own son Joey committed suicide in 2007. “Many people have lost loved ones to mental illness and suicide,” said Stott. “We want to erase the stigma of mental health and to break the silence and make it okay to get help.” Susie Krahn, from Steinbach was one of many people drawn to this year’s event. Earlier this year, her twenty-five year old brother Abe took his life. ‘We decided to run for my brother Abe and the depression, he was going through and just to do something in memory of him,” Krahn explained. “Events like this can make it more visible for the ones who are struggling with depression that it is okay to reach out and talk about it, and that you don’t have to hide the hurt you are going through.” Krahn said these events matter to the community and to families who have experienced mental illness or suicide. “These events matter because it helps show that you are not alone and that everyone does matter, and that we can open up a new perspective on depression and suicide that it is real,” Krahn continued. “No One is alone.” Since Joey’s death, Stott and her family have become strong advocates to remove the stigma of mental illness and save lives by organizing the run each year. Proceeds from the race will benefit Manitobans by creating awareness of mental health issues and services available and provide funding for Eden Health Care Services. Last year’s event saw 800 participants and drew over 1,200 people spectators. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at imaginementalhealth.com.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Gardenton Ukrainian Museum Wins Bulava Award
The Bulava Award for 2015 was presented to this year’s honorees that included (first row from left) Sophia Kachor, formerly from Gardenton and (second row, third from left) is Kelvin Chubaty for Ukrainian Museum and Village Society Inc.
By Marianne Curtis The Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Manitoba Provincial Council at its recent Annual Bulava Award ceremony recognized the dedication of the Ukrainian Museum and Village Society Inc in Gardenton. The Bulava Award was launched last year as an annual event dedicated to the celebration and acknowledgement of Manitobans who have volunteered their time, energy and expertise to enhance Ukrainian Canadian community in Manitoba ensuring it remains strong, vibrant and active for future generations. The current board of directors of UMVS Inc is chaired by President Kelvin Chubaty, Gardenton, with directors from the community and from Winnipeg serving on the board. The Bulava Awards were presented at a luncheon hosted by the UCC-MPC on September 27 at Bergmann’s in Winnipeg. Some of the other recipients of the Bulava Award this year are Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival (Dauphin), Olena Shewchuk-Garrity (originally from Gardenton), Sophia Kachor, Executive Director of the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre in Winnipeg and Dr. Roman Yereniuk, Acting Director of the Centre for Ukrainian Studies at the University of Manitoba and Committee Member for the preservation of the historic St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Gardenton.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
October 2015
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A Young Coyote’s Major Donations Support Wildlife Haven Dash to Freedom
A young coyote found near Polo Park was recently released back into the wild after spending two months maturing at the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre.
By Marianne Curtis
Dale Gregory Summit Pipelines, and Craig Kashak from Summit Pipelines present Judy Robertson and Shauna Hewson from the Wildlife Haven Rehabiliation Centre with a cheque for $100,000 towards the facility’s capital fund.
By Marianne Curtis The fundraising campaign for the new Wildlife Haven Rehabiliation Centre, near Ile des Chene received another major contribution after APi Group, Inc. announced they would contribute $100,000 towards the project. Judy Robertson, Vice-President of Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre expressed that the organization is grateful for the support. “Our staff, volunteers and donors have worked hard to deliver the best care possible for Canada’s injured and orphaned wildlife, often in temporary locations,” said Robertson. “With construction on our new hospital already underway, the additional funding will further support the animals we care for in a state of the art facility.” “API Group understands the value of investing in the communities in which we live and work. We give to organizations,
such as the Wildlife Haven, because it is the core of who we are,” said Craig Kashak, Vice-President of APi Group’s subsidiary Summit Pipeline Services. Earlier this summer, the sod turning for Wildlife Haven’s new hospital took place at the location of their new home on 18 acres of land just north of Ile des Chênes. With the new donation from APi Group, Wildlife Haven has raised $1.4 million towards the goal of $2.5 million for the complete capital campaign. “We are over our halfway point, which is extremely exciting,” Robertson said. “The dream of a new hospital is now very real, and this funding will help us move forward with the completion of our very first permanent home.” Earlier in the month, the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre also received a welcomed $5,000 capital campaign contribution from Evraz North America a leading producer of engineered steel products for rail,
Dawson Trail PC Nomination Meeting Scheduled Not even two weeks after electing a Federal MP for Provencher, Dawson Trail Constituency Progressive Conservative supporters will gather to choose who they think will be their best candidate to take on the provincial NDP. There are three prospective candidates vying for party member votes including former AMM president Doug Dobrowolski and Sandford resident, Landmark resident Bob Lagasse and David Sutherland. One of these these candidates will, take on current NDP MLA Ron Lemieux who has served as the provincial representative since 1999. The nomination meeting is taking place October 29, at the TransCanada Centre in Ile des Chenes. Only card-carrying members of the Progressive Conservative can vote during the meeting. Memberships will be available to purchase prior to the meeting. Registration takes place from 5-7 pm. The next provincial election is scheduled to take place April 19, 2016.
energy and industrial end markets with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, US. Additional funds raised by the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre will go toward building the education centre, waterfowl habitat, flyways and recovery enclosures. More information is on the capital campaign page at wildlifehaven.ca.
A young coyote has a new lease on life after it was recently returned to the wild thanks to the efforts of the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in Ile des Chenes. On August 5, Manitoba Conservation was called to the west end near Polo Park Shopping Centre after reports came in that an injured coyote was found in the area. The animal was tranquillized and rescued then transported to the Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre in Ile des Chenes. “When we did our examination, we didn’t see any signs of injury and it looked pretty healthy,” a spokesperson with Wildlife Haven said. “We just kept it for a little bit until it was old enough to be on its own again.” The pup was allowed to mature over the last two months at the centre. “It is healthy and all grown up enough to survive on its own,” stated a spokesperson from Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre. “It was released in a remote location today for its second chance in nature!” For over 30 years, Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre has been caring for injured and orphaned wildlife from all over Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. Its mandate is to receive and care for injured and orphaned wildlife for release back to the wild.
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October 2015
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Alert System Launched for Steinbach
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Mayor Raises Funds for STARS
By Marianne Curtis Residents of the City of Steinbach are now able to receive critical emergency notifications by phone, text and email message thanks to the City’s new emergency notification system, Steinbach Alert Now at steinbach.ca. Denis Vassart, the City’s Emergency Coordinator explains that the Steinbach Alert Now allows residents to sign up and provide the contact information that will be most effective reaching them in the event of an emergency. “We are very excited about offering a service that has the ability to reach people in the City of Steinbach with information quickly, using the method that suits them best,” said Vassart. However, he cautioned it is only effective with public participation, “This tool will help us keep residents informed, but it only works if people sign up to ensure they receive the notifications.” While the City has access to some resident and business contact information through publicly available sources, such as the White Pages, this represents only a small portion of contact numbers for citizens. Residents are encouraged to sign up for notifications for their home, work and other addresses important to them and to tell friends and family to do the same. Voice, text and email messages will be sent to all registered contacts in an impacted area during an emergency. Evacuation notices, emergency instructions, direction to emergency reception centres as well as information on family reunification will be among the messages that could be sent out during an emergency. Vassart said the system will only be used if there is an emergency that threatens people or property within the City of Steinbach. “Other than that, we will test the system twice a year and encourage people to keep their contact information current,” Vassart added. City of Steinbach residents can sign up at steinbach.ca/steinbach_alert_now. Residents without internet access can sign up from computers at the Jake Epp Library or visit City Hall in person.
Ile des Chenes Native Wins Pure Stock Trophy
Ethan Friesen and his father John Friesen, from Ile des Chenes celebrate his big win after he took home the trophy during the Red River Coop Speedway’s Prairie Classic Finale. Photo by Ashley Friesen
By Marianne Curtis Red River Co-op Speedway wrapped up their 2015 season on September 16, the second part of the 2-day Prairie Classic Finale before a crowd of several hundred race fans. Once the dust was settled, eight top drivers went home with trophies, including Ile des Chenes native Ethan Friesen. Friesen took home the trophy in the Pure Stock series after competing in a race that saw him racing against his own father John Friesen. “I wasn’t too happy with my performance in the heat (the start), but figured out that I made a change to the car I shouldn’t have,” Friesen explained. “The feature race was much better after we made a slight change and we had the fastest car out there. I still had a lot of fun pushing my dad around the track for a couple laps.” Taking the final win for the season was not an easy feat for Friesen. With eighteen cars on the track, the battle for first was fierce. At the start, Rob Reese beat Trevor Rambow off the front row to take the early lead. Reese continued to dominate while Friesen got by Rambow for second spot. Reese lost his footing and slid up into the leader, spinning them both out while third place Rambow snuck by. A caution was thrown and Reese was sent to the back for a single file restart. On lap 11, Friesen was able to outdrive Reese exiting turn 4 to move into the lead. Reese battled back and with 5 laps remaining attempted to pass low entering turn 1 that ended up with him spinning back into third place. With 2 laps remaining, Pollock outdrove Rambow exiting turn 2 and moved into second. Friesen used the battle for second to open a lead and easily collected his fourth win of the season. Friesen added that despite some hard luck at the start of the season he managed to have a great year, winning 4 out of 10 races and coming back strong to finish 3rd in points. “None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for my dad believing in me, coaching me and pushing me to keep going and not let anything get me down,” said Friesen. “I am really proud of my son,” stated John Friesen, Ethan’s father. “It has always been my dream that we would race together and now we are doing it.”
Jessica Dumas and Mayor Chris Goertzen attempting an intubation as part of the medical challenge while they participated in a fundraiser for STARS Air Ambulance.
By Marianne Curtis On September 15, Steinbach’s mayor Chris Goertzen was one of seven Manitoba community leaders who changed their business attire for flight suits and climb on board the STARS air ambulance helicopter for a unique mission. Goertzen said he participated in the fundraiser because it is important to have the best care for citizens and to give them the best chance of survival. “Time and time again we see the news, listen to the stories and recognize the importance of time,” said Goertzen. “STARS is a great facilitator of time. There is almost not a week that goes by that we don’t see STARS overhead, coming here to help someone. For me it’s that simple.” Each CEO competed to raise as much money as possible to earn a flight back to civilization, using the only tool they’ll have, their cell phones. Goertzen raised $18,798.73 for STARS out of the combined total of $196,098 this year. Other businesspersons and leaders stranded on the island were Gene Fraser, Vice President Macdon, Colin Penner, Farm Management Instructor, Jason Dubois, President Len Dubois Trucking Inc., Rod Hill, former Winnipeg Blue Bomber, Jessica Dumas, Chair, Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and Nicole Chabot, Vice President of L. Chabot Enterprises Ltd. The participants also undertook a variety of challenges on the island to help secure their escape. More than $555,000 has been raised during the past two Rescues on the Island fundraisers. STARS is a charitable organization that cares for and transports critically ill and injured patients.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Ritchot Volunteer Fire Department Hosts Open House By Marianne Curtis On September 20, the RM of Ritchot Fire Department hosted their annual open house. Taking place at the St. Adolphe Firehall, the event provided residents an opportunity to check out the department’s fleet of vehicles, various pieces of life saving equipment and meet the local volunteers. It also provided the Fire Department with an opportunity to show their support to 3-year-old Teagan Stefaniuk, who is the daughter of Angela Stefaniuk and Brian Dueck. The toddler’s uncle Jeff is a member of the Ritchot Fire Department, and her grandfather is the former RM of Ritchot Mayor Bob Stefaniuk. At five months old, Teagan was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumor. This type of tumor is a rare and aggressive type of cancer. Her right kidney was removed followed by
Nearly two hundred people came through the doors during the RM of Ritchot’s Fire Department Open House in St. Adolphe.
radiation and months of chemotherapy. The toddler was in remission for close to two years before scans showed metastatic lesions on her kidney early this spring. “We were told there is no treatment available that will help. She was given only months to live,” said Nadine Huberdeau, who is fundraising for the family. “Our goal will be to make what time she has left as wonderful and comfortable as possible. We know there are a lot of things she won’t be able to grow up and do. What we are going to focus on are the things she can do.” A go-fund-me page has been set up called Prayers for Teagan and to date more than $5,330 has been raised for the family. “Our goal with this page is to raise enough money to help the family through this difficult time, so they can focus on spending what little time is left enjoying every precious minute with their daughter. No family should have to think about work or money at a time like this,” Huberdeau added. This is not the first time that the RM of Ritchot Fire Department has offered to help the family. Two years ago, the department gathered to build her a dream playhouse.
The Ritchot Fire Department’s wives and families created bracelets to raise funds in support of the family of 3-year-old Teagan Stefaniuk from St. Adolphe.
October 2015
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Piney Council Responds to Petition By Marianne Curtis The RM of Piney Council has officially informed local residents that after careful consideration they would not be asking the municipal administrator to tender his resignation. This decision comes after a petition containing over one hundred signatures and delegations of residents requesting that council look into a number of issues surrounding municipal administrator Martin Van Osch. Sprague resident and business owner Sheera York brought the matter to council’s attention back in July on behalf of the newly formed Concerned Citizens of the RM of Piney. In the RM of Piney’s official response, council stated that it was a, “Unanimous decision that petitioners did not submit evidence of any wrong doing that would warrant the dismissal of Mr. Van Osch.” “Most of the problems seem to centre around volunteer firefighters and the RM of Piney Fire Department. Please note that RM of Piney compensates the volunteers for time and expenses only when called out. Their conduct at other times is not the responsibility of the RM,” continued the statement from the council. Council further stated that the points brought up in the presentation, such as RM expenditures, loss of the water plan, the purchase of the recycling sheds, tourism dollars, Sprague dump, fire department trucks are, “All decisions made by the council as a whole, not by the administrator.” “A lot of the arguments presented are political in nature and yes, political decisions are debatable. We ask that any further discussions be kept in the political arena, and all personal attacks on Mr. Van Osch be stopped. In council’s view, the personal attacks are inappropriate and amount to harassment,” the statement continued. The statement was signed by all five Councillors from the RM of Piney.
IDC Man Dies in Kenora Diving Accident An Ile des Chenes man is dead after a diving incident that took place in Ontario. Ontario Provincial Police in Kenora say that 48-year-old Brian Allarie died after jumping from the Keewatin Bridge into Lake of the Woods in Kenora on August 30. Police said Allarie was immediately located in the water, but suffered life threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital, but died shortly because of the injuries sustained in the fall, police said. Foul play is not suspected. He was reportedly on the bridge with friends. “It was determined through investigation that the death was accidental,” said Const. Laurie Harkof with the Kenora detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. “We would like to remind people that, as well as being extremely dangerous, it is also an offence to jump off any bridge into navigable waterways.”
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October 2015
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
A Balance Between Racing and Charities By Marianne Curtis Niverville race car driver David Richert spent the first weekend in October in Hockenheimring in Germany for the final race weekend of the 2015 Formula Renault NEC championship. Richert was Canada’s lone representative as drivers from 14 different countries challenged the famous German circuit. The Hockenheimring is an FIA Formula One racing circuit located in the Rhine valley and originally built in 1932 using roads situated in a forest near the town of Hockenheim in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. It hosted its first German Grand Prix Formula 1 race in 1970. In a weekend that featured three races, Richert ended the season in a positive fashion. “Being able to do my first full season in the Renault NEC championship has been excellent and I have really learned a lot,” stated Richert. “Hockenheim is one of the race circuits that I have been able to gain a lot of experience at, so it was an exciting weekend.” At the end of his final race weekend of the season, Richert finished 17, 15 and then 16. When Richert is not been racing overseas, he has been at home
David Richert along with his extremely proud parents at a recent KidSport event where he took Winnipeg Jets player Mark Scheifele for a ride in a 2016 Audi TT. Photo by Marianne Curtis
supporting local charities. During a recent break, Richert spent time at home, where he took Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele and Mitch Hutchinson for a ride around Gimli Motorsport Park in support of KidSport Winnipeg. “It was crazy,” said a smiling Mark Scheifele after his ride with Richert. “I was just holding on and I was hoping I wouldn’t throw up, that was my main focus.” “It is important to give back to the
community; KidSport is such a great organization and I am glad to be a part of it,” Richert added. Richert was born and raised on a farm close to Niverville. He was then selected by Volkswagen as one of the top young racecar drivers in North America and competed in the VW Jetta TDI Cup. After building the business side of his racing career, and bringing on board several prominent Canadian business leaders as investors, Richert is set to tackle the highest levels of racing.
Ritchot Celebrates Volunteers By Marianne Curtis For the second year in a row, the RM of Ritchot has shown appreciation towards the many community volunteers by hosting a special evening in their honour. On September 24, the Municipality of Ritchot hosted their second Volunteer Appreciation Celebration at the Grande Pointe Community Park. It was a fun filled evening designed to honour all the Volunteers in the Ritchot Region for their service and dedication. According to RM of Ritchot Mayor Jackie Hunt, there were around 44 non-profit and community organizations represented during the evening. These included volunteer fire fighters, daycare boards, senior’s clubs, recreation groups, Community Economic Development representatives and youth programming to name a few. “It’s a small way for us to thank all of the many residents and community groups who have taken the time to give back,” said Hunt. “We thank each and every volunteer in the RM of Ritchot for his or her contribution to making this a wonderful place to live.” “Whether it’s the fire department responding to a call in the middle of the night, a youth cutting the grass for a neighbour or a group of residents giving their time to create a green space for their families and neighbours to enjoy. It doesn’t matter the extent to which you have been able to give back, but rather that you have chosen to do it at all,” Hunt added. Hunt encourages local residents to volunteer in their communities, no matter where they live. “If you are new to a municipality or just have a little extra time on your hands, there are always opportunities to immerse yourself in the
The RM of Ritchot Council thanked the many volunteers within the municipality by hosting a special evening in their honour in the Grande Pointe Community Park. Photo by Marianne Curtis
communities,” she continued. “It is also an awesome way to meet your neighbours.” Residents interested in volunteering for various activities or
groups in their respective communities are encouraged to contact their local municipal or town office where staff can help you connect with a group of your choice.
Calves Perish in St. Pierre Fire
A barn fire near the Village of St-Pierre-Jolys claimed 11 calves and about one hundred bales of hay. The blaze began around 10 pm on October 3 at the Optimist Dairy Farm and witnesses say it burned all night. According to RCMP, a driver who was able to see the fire from Highway 59 called it in. Nobody was injured in the fire and the cause is still under investigation.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Ritchot to Offer First Ever Business Awards As the Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce prepares for their upcoming general meeting, a new addition has been added to the agenda. For the first time since the organization was founded, businesses can be nominated for a business award. According to the Chamber, the three award catagories are open to all businesses located within the RM of Ritchot but nominees do not have to be Chamber members. The criterion for the awards and classifications is still in the finalization stages. The first award will be Entrepreneur of the Year, which will recognize an entrepreneur who takes a vision and turns it into reality. The business should be no more than five years old, or be one that has undergone a significant shift in focus within that period of time. There will also be a Business of the Year Award, which will recognize a business that services the Municipality of Ritchot and has demonstrated excellence through the past year of operation. Finally, there will be a Corportate Volunteerism Award that will recognize a business that champions volunteerism in the community. The first Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce business awards will be given out at a general meeting, which is taking place December 4 at the TransCanada Centre in Ile des Chenes. Contact Claire Hense at info@ritchotchamber.ca or for more information or nomination forms. Deadline for nominations is October 31.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Richer Named “Pinkest” Town By Marianne Curtis It is official, the Town of Richer has been named the “Pinkest Little Town” in the southeast. The naming comes after the community was recognized at the biggest fundraiser during this fall’s Helping Hooves Steppin Up for Manitoba ride. Pam Glover, organizer for Helping Hooves Steppin Up for Manitoba explained, Richer was chosen as the ride’s pinkest community after they raised $2,448.20 for the organization. “I am so very proud of this little community and everything they do for us and everyone else,” said a thankful Glover. “Honourable mention here to Dawson Trail Dispatch editor, Dan Guetre for losing his hair for Manitoba’s Breast Cancer Patients.” To win the prize, the breakdown of the money raised within Richer includes $1,150 from the ride; $680 from the shaving of Dan’s head; Pink Angel Sales $171.20, Richer Rouchstock Rodeo Silent Auction $107 and pledges from residents of $340. The final total raised on this year’s ride which took place in the middle of August, is $8, 672.59 bringing the group’s total for the year to $10,653.50 for Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer. Helping Hands for Manitobans with Breast Cancer was founded in 2005 by a group of Manitobans who provide assistance to women and men in Manitoba who are experiencing financial difficulties while undergoing treatment and
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Dispatch Writer Named Favourite
Carillon Publisher Glenn Buffie presents Dawson Trail Dispatch writer Marianne Curtis with a plaque after she was named “Favourite Journalist/Columnist” in the Best of the South East survey hosted by their paper. Photo by Dan Guetre Dawson Trail Dispatch Editor Dan Guetre donated his hair and raised over $680 for Helping Hooves. Photo by Marianne Curtis
follow up for breast cancer. Expenses covered include uninsured medications and treatments, transportation, room and board, childcare, wigs, lymphedema garments and treatments. Helping Hooves raises funds for these items by hosting horse friendly events that will bring out people in all walks of life.
Province Hosts Pre-Budget Hearing in IDC In September, Manitobans were invited to share their views about what they want to see in the next provincial budget at community meetings throughout the province. A total of nine pre-budget consultation meetings took place throughout the province, including one on October 4, in Ile des Chenes. “We wanted to hear from Manitobans about their ideas so we can build a strong budget that focuses on what matters most to Manitoba families,” said Finance Minister Greg Dewar. “I’m looking forward to meeting with people from across the province to talk about the issues that mean the most to them.” About a dozen people attended the meeting where Dewar presented the province’s upcoming budget plan. “Our plan includes balanced delivery of service and supporting the economy with improved infrastructure,” Dewar told the crowd. “Deep spending would lead to layoffs, unemployment and reduced retail and housing.” Dewar admitted that while the budget consultation meetings are taking place, the province might not even put a budget on the table in the spring of 2016. “Saskatchewan has decided that they will not be bringing a budget to the table in the spring due to a provincial election,” said Dewar. “A change in government could impact so there is a great deal of uncertainty because of the recession. We are committed to
October 2015
Finance Minister Greg Dewar was on hand in Ile Des Chenes to discuss the upcoming provincial budget. Photo by Marianne Curtis
bringing in a budget, but that could change and we could just do a fiscal update.” Those unable to attend a meeting can still make a submission in writing to the minister by emailing minfin@leg.gov.mb.ca or by mail c/o Budget Consultations, Room 103, Legislative Building, 450 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8. A telephone town hall will be held for urban residents on Thursday, October 22 and for rural residents on Friday, October 23 at 7 - 8 pm. Registration deadlines are October 19 for the urban town hall and October 20 for the rural town hall, and those planning to attend are asked to register at gov.mb.ca/finance/consult.
Marianne Curtis, the head writer for the Dawson Trail Dispatch, was named the “South East’s Favourite Journalist/Columnist” as a result of readers filling out a lengthy survey. The Carillon, a competing weekly newspaper from Steinbach, hosted the survey. The survey asked approximately fifty fill-in-the-blank questions such as, “‘Where to get the best coffee?’, ‘Who’s your favourite politician?’ and ‘Who is your favourite journalist/columnist’.” Readers had to complete at least 26 categories before their submission was valid. In a surprising twist, Curtis came in first place, beating out The Carillon’s Editor Grant Burr. Curtis began her career with the Dawson Trail Dispatch almost 20 years ago and has expanded into book publishing for herself and a multitude of clients. “She is an integral part of the Dispatch,” says Dan Guetre, Managing Editor. “Watching her grow into the writer she is and her winning this category, especially when the survey ran in a competing newspaper, well… it just shows you what type of person she is. She cares about our communities and tries to write stories from all over the southeast, giving a balanced account of our lives.” “It was really funny to see their editor stumble on choosing his words on how to announce this,” chuckles Guetre, referring to the written comments Burr made after the results were revealed. “He really tripped over his tongue on that. I had visions of him moaning and rocking in the corner of his office with a stream of co-workers having to come over and reassure him that everything would be okay while patting his head.”
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Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
October 2015
Gardenton Author Releases Guide to Useful Plants By Marianne Curtis A botanist from Gardenton has released a new book designed to increase knowledge and respect of the many wild plants available throughout the region. Laura Reeves, botanist and founder of Prairie Shore Botanicals, is excited to announce her newly released book, Laura Reeves’ Guide to Useful Plants – From Acorns to Zoom Sticks. “The plants we see every day are extremely fascinating and have so much to offer. My hope is that this book will help people gain a deeper appreciation for the plants and natural habitats that exist right under their feet,” said Reeves. “When I walk across a landscape, I am constantly updating my mental map of medicine areas, so that when someone needs something, I’ll know where to find it.” For over two decades, Reeves has been striving to incorporate as many wild plants into her daily life as possible. The new book is a collection of personal experiences with over 65 wild plants and mushrooms. Laura Reeves’ Guide to Useful Plants – From Acorns to Zoom Sticks, will help readers identify, sustainably harvest and skilfully prepare some of the most intriguing wild plants that grow right here in Manitoba. It is packed full of stories of her experiments (some successful and
some not), accidental discoveries, recipes, and directions for using plants for food, medicine, wilderness survival, and just plain fun. Prairie Shore Botanicals is located near Gardenton on the edge of the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve. It is dedicated to increasing public knowledge of, and respect for, the beauty, diversity and usefulness of wild plants through specialized skills classes, presentations, consulting services, and sustainably harvested products. For more information, contact Laura Reeves info@psbotanicals.com 204-425-3520.
School Listed for Sale
The province has given Sunrise School Division the go ahead to sell the Reynolds School. Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis As students return to classes for another school year, the halls of Reynolds School in Prawda remain empty and silent a year after the Minister of Education officially approved the closure of school despite a mandate to not close any more rural schools. Now a year later, the Sunrise School Division has put the school on the market. In accordance with Public School Finance Board’s policy statements governing the disposition of surplus public school properties, the Sunrise School Division (SD) has officially provided notice that the building and property of Reynolds School in the RM of Reynolds is available for sale. When the board closed the school a year ago, Sunrise SD stated that the division has committed to working with the community on optimizing the community use of the Reynolds School facility. After the school closure, Sunrise School Division provided bus services to Whitemouth School and Frontier School Division continued to transport children to Falcon Beach School. The Reynolds School closure was the first in the province since 2008, when Frontier School Division was allowed to close Pine Dock School after only three students enrolled for classes. Parties interested in purchasing the school and property can submit sealed bids until 4 pm, December 21, 2015. Submit bids to Secretary-Treasurer Sunrise Business Centre 75 – 5 Street South, Box 1206, Beausejour, Manitoba R0E 0C0. For more information, contact Ms. E. Downey, Sunrise School Division, Secretary at 204-2686514 or edowney@sunrisesd.ca.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Ste. Anne Sisters Hopeful for Team Canada Hockey Spots By Marianne Curtis Ste. Anne sisters, Bailey and Shelby Bram were among 47 players summoned to the Canadian women’s hockey team camp in Calgary this past month. Twenty-five year old Bailey played in the last three world championships for Canada and was among the last players released from the 2014 Olympic team. Her twenty-two year old sister Shelby is trying to make the national team for the first time. The only time they have worn the Maple Leaf as teammates was in 2012 when they were both named to Canada’s under-22 women’s team for the annual Meco Cup in Germany. “It would be a dream come true getting to play with her again,” Shelby said. “I’ve had a taste of it at the under-22s. Every year I miss playing with her and we only get the chance to play in the summers together.” The Brams were college teammates and linemates for a single season at Pennsylvania’s Mercyhurst University in Bailey’s senior and Shelby’s freshman years in 2011-12. The siblings are not teammates this season by their own choices. Bailey is returning to the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL), while Shelby has committed to play for the Buffalo Beauts of the new National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). Each tried to convince the other to change their choice of league, unsuccessfully. Uncertainty of the NWHL’s longterm sustainability and whether she could easily transfer back to
“It would be a dream come true getting to play with her again.”
the CWHL, prodded Bailey back to Calgary where she has spent the last two seasons. “I’ll see what happens next year if the NWHL is successful. I was kind of hesitant about, what happens if it folds? I think after the first year we’ll have more an idea what’s going to happen,” Bailey explained. Bailey’s progress from rookie to veteran on the Canadian team accelerated the winter she was centralized in Calgary in 2013-14. The Canadian women play more games and practice more together
in the seven months leading into the Olympic Games than they do in the three years in between Olympics. “My confidence went up, my strength went up, my skating went up,” Bailey said. “Every little detail of my game I think improved.” Canada will attempt to defend their Four Nations Cup title in Sundsvall, Sweden, in November. They will also attempt to reclaim the world championship on home ice in Kamloops, BC, from March 28 to April 4.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
COMMUNITY EVENTS EMAIL YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT TO EDITOR@DAWSONTRAIL.CA OR FAX 204-422-8548
Friedensfeld Harvest Dance - On Saturday, October 24. Happy Hour at 6:30 pm. Supper 7 pm – 8:30 pm. Dance to follow with music from Small Town Limits. Advance tickets only. Contact Irene at 204326-1624 or Char at 204-326-6903.
Sponge Puck Hockey – On Wednesdays at 8 pm at the arena. participate in NaNoWriMo. The second is an interactive Come out and play for fun. Contact Gilles 204-347-5079. segment where we will play games and become better acquainted with other writers. Refreshments served and both St. Pierre-Jolys authors’ books available for sale. Sign up at the Circ Desk to Fall Supper - On Sunday, October 25 from 3:30 - 6:30 pm. Cost receive a goody bag at the kick-off. $14 adults, $6 12 and under, free under 5 yrs. At the Recreational Centre & Arena. Contact Roland 204-792-6149. Authors of Manitoba Book Fair – On Sunday, November 1 from 1 – 4:30 pm at the Steinbach Arts Council, 304 2nd Street Step Aerobics with Weights - On Tuesday and Thursday at 7 West. Over twenty authors, a book sale, signings, readings, pm, at the ICSP School Gym. Contact Stephanie 204-320- door prizes, and faspa. Admission is free, and everyone is 2667, Louise 204-433-3839 or The Health Corner 204-433- invited. Attendees are encouraged to bring a Tin for the Bin, in 3891. support of Southeast Helping Hands.
Paradise Village Paradise Squares Dance Club – Start-up Dance and new season on Tuesdays, beginning September 15 at 7 – 9:30 pm at the Paradise Village Rec. Hall. Modern Square Dancing is fun and a great social activity. The Start-Up Dance is free and all are welcome. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. Contact Laura Grunthal Diabetes Educational Resource Centre – On 2nd Thursday of Fire Hall Open House – On Thursday, October 8 from 7 – 9 204-422-5873 or Larry 204-422-5424. the month from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at the DeSalaberry District pm. Fire truck rides and other activities, free snacks and coffee. Health Centre. Contact 204-346-6254. Prawda Circuit 30 - Alternate aerobic and weight exercises, with cool Hadashville Tae Kwon Do - Every Wednesday at 6 pm at the Hadashville down and stretch exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, clean Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba – Depression, bipolar, Community Club (Reynolds Recreational Centre) from 6 years runners, and bring a bottle of water. Cost $2/class, Mondays post partum mood disorders support group meetings held on old to adults. Pursue a black belt or learn new skills, great and Thursdays at 7 pm, in the Reynolds School Gym. Contact the last Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Chalet Malouin boardroom. Located at the Health Corner DeSalaberry Hospital. stress release and have an excellent workout at the same Wendy 204-348-2433. Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228. time. Cost after registration fee is $40/month per person. Ask about 2 week free trial. Contact Shelly at 204-426-5266 or Busy Bodies Playgroup – Every Wednesday from 9 - 11 am at the Reynolds School Gym. Free to parents and children. Snacks Ste. Anne KSTA.academy@gmail.com. Wii Bowling Games – Every Monday afternoon at 1:30 pm at provided. Contact Cassie 204-793-8290. the Club Jovial. Great time to join even if you have never Ile-des-Chênes played. Contact Juliette Rowan at 204-424-5285. Fall Supper – On Sunday, October 18 from 3 – 7:30 pm at the Richer Centre TransCanada Centre. Contact Claire Hince at 204-878- Fundraiser for Seine River Services for Seniors – On Saturday International Cooking Classes - On the third Wednesday of the October 10 from 5 – 11 pm at the Young at Heart Community month from 6 - 8:30 pm. Learn to cook authentic and original 4765 or idcfallsupper@hotmail.com. Centre. Spaghetti supper at 6 pm, music by Small Town Inc. foods from Columbia, India, Iraq, Philippines and Bolivia. PreOur Lady of the Roses Prayer Group – Meets on the first Saturday Cost $20. Contact for tickets Laura 204-424-5006 or Juliette register with the Town of Ste. Anne at 204-422-5293 or email town@steannemb.ca. of every month, at 6:30 pm to recite the Rosary and learn about 204-424-5285. Our Lady of the Roses, Mary Help of Mothers and receive Blessed Rose Petals and other Sacramentals from Blessed Mother’s Richer Recovery AA - Group meets Monday from 7:30 - 8:30 pm Computer Courses - Free at the bibliothèque Ste. Anne Library. For appointment, contact Harlee at 204-392-0568. place of miracles. Contact Corinna 204-878-4908 or email her at LUD Hall in Richer. Contact Paul at 204-422-7673. at corinnaswetz@hotmail.com for more info and register. Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for Stacey Pchajek Ste. Anne Cultural Committee - Invites artists of all kinds to Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides their weekly open houses at 112 Centrale Ave. on Tuesdays Kleefeld Community Playgroup - For parents, caregivers and children scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating from 9 - 11:30 am and Wednesdays from 7 - 8:30 pm. These up to age 5. Activities include time for playing, stories, songs grades 8 and 12. Children under 14 must be accompanied by gatherings are to bring artists together to work on and discuss and snacks. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open their craft and there is no cost to attend. Contact Diane at 204Kleefeld Rec Centre. Contact Irene Ascough 204-377-5013. at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club, 22 Dawson Rd. MGCC 422-9599 or email cccsa@mymts.net. License # BI/BO4164. Contact Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 Seine River Services for Seniors – Invite to all seniors interested or doreen@spmf.ca. La Broquerie in the Wii Bowling game to come, try it out and have fun. On Seine River Services for Seniors- Health Centre/Centre de Santé Monday at 1 pm, at Le Club Jovial. Contact Juliette Rowan at from Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. Services and programs Rosa for seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility equipment, Shevchenko Ukrainian Centre Inc 25th Anniversary Gala – On 204-424-5285 Community Resource Coordinator for local foot care, hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yard Saturday, November 7. Cocktail hour 5 pm, supper 6 pm. Cash services or e-mail labseinerss@gmail.com. maintenance, Telecheck, E.R.I.K. program, puzzles and games. bar, entertainment program, presentations and music by The Contact Community Resource Coordinator Juliette Rowan, 204- Heartbreakers. Cost $50/single, $475/reserve table of 10; Ste. Geneviève 424-5285 or labseinerss@gmail.com. Shopping Trips to advance tickets; formal attire. Contact Lillian 204-427-3102, Library Night - Bibliothèque Taché Library at the Community Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month, Ron 204-427-2243, Robert 204-427-2944, Audrey 204-347- Centre on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, from 6:30 - 8 pm. Come for a visit and see what we are all about. Over leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s Clearspring 5031 or Lawrence 204-253-4844. 21,000 books including audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, large print Centre every last Thursday of the month, from 10 am - 1 pm. books and magazines plus they can import books from any Sarto Cost $10. St. Michael’s Parish of Sarto Fall Supper – On Sunday, October library in Manitoba. Special requests can be made to the 18 from 2 - 5:30 pm. Delicious buffet with Ukrainian dishes, librarian, Brandi Schmitz at 204-878 - 9488, Lorette Fall Supper - Notre Dame de Lorette Parish – On Sunday, a 50/50 draw, and a silent auction. Adults are $14, Children bibliotachelibrary.com or in person. October 11 from noon – 6 pm. Tickets at the door. Contact 7 – 12, $8, children 6 and under free. Bring your friends and family! Everyone welcome. Contact Olga Bezditny at 204-434- Steinbach Notre Dame de Lorette Parish 204-878-2221. Celtic Revival – On Tuesday, October 13 at 7 pm, St. Paul’s 6660 or Leonard Petryk at 204-434-6078. Lutheran Church, 465 Henry St. ECMA nominees The SKY Family Club Les D’Or de Lorette Annual Fundraising – On Friday, to perform their high energy Celtic/pop-rock music, dance and October 16 from 5 – 8:30 pm at the Dawson Trail Inn a Suds St. Adolphe Spuds Steak or Chicken. Cost $20. Contact Michelle 204-878- Old Tyme Dance – On Saturday, October 10 from 7:30 – 11:30 Gospel production Celtic Revival. Delighting audiences from pm at the Community Club with Northern Reflections. Dancing, coast to coast across the US and Canada, the SKY Family is 2315 or Eveline 204-878-2405. live band and a late lunch. Come down to the Pioneer Hall in eastern Canada’s premier Irish Dance production. Fast-paced Becoming a Dementia-Friendly Community – On Saturday, the Community Club to groove the night away at the Old Tyme music and high-energy dance combined with humor and inspiration makes a toe-tapping time for the whole family. No October 24 from 2 – 4 pm at the Lorette Parish Hall. Coffee and Dance for only $13. admission charge. A Love offering will be taken. Coffee/ Refreshments. Guest speakers Leona Doersken, Coordinator, South Eastman Region Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Cecile Fall Supper – On Sunday October 18, from 4 – 7 pm at the dainties following the concert. Dumesnil, Pharmacist, Lorette Pharmacy Dufresne. Spread the Pioneer Hall. Turkey supper with all the trimmings, homemade word invite your co-workers, friends and family. Sponsored by salads, desserts and beverages. Cost adults $13, children (6- Drive Away Hunger Campaign Food Drive – Weeks of October 12 years old) $6 and free for children under 5 yrs. No 12 and 19. In partnership with Southeast area youth groups, Lorette Catholic Women’s League. reservations. Tickets sold only at the door. Contact Reginald at local schools, businesses and food banks we run a food collection drive. Contact Hank Klassen 204-392-6787. Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) – Volunteer opportunities. 204-883-2563 If you go for walks, bike rides, jogs or even just drive around the community, please put on a COPP vest and show your Ritchot Seniors Services Active Living Centre - A variety of fitness The Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary Book Faire - On October support or help with administrative duties. Can you donate an classes and programs from September 2015 – June 2016 15 – 17 at the Clearspring Centre. There will be a large hour per month? Contact Trevor, 204-955-3434 starts Monday, September 14 at the Ritchot Senior Services assortment of good used books available. Proceeds go toward Active Living Center, 457 Main Street. Mondays and Fridays at the purchase of equipment for the Bethesda Health Care Lorettecopp@gmail.com. 9 am and 10:15 am classes to improve heart health, muscle facilities. Hours are 9 am – 9 pm Thursday and Friday and 9 New Horizons Seniors - Play cards, Scrabble, Wii and more. strength and endurance, balance and body awareness. On am – 4 pm on Saturday. Contact Phyllis at 204-346-1640. Drop in Tuesdays 1-5 pm at Foyer Notre Dame Lorette 12 Wednesdays at 1 pm a fusion of yoga, Pilates and strength to increase muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, body ‘Love the Home You Have’ Designer Home Tour & Tea St.Amant Ave. Contact Iris 204-878-3552. awareness & relaxation techniques. All classes are designed Fundraiser – On Sunday, October 18. 2 Tours from 1 pm & 3:30 for the 50+ age group and taught by certified fitness leader, pm. Tea served, 2:30 – 6:30 pm at The Rustic Wedding Barn Niverville Dog Obedience Class– From Wednesday, October 21 – Janice Burnett, MFC certified since 1991. Class packages may Highway 52, 4.5 miles east of Steinbach - 39056 Laurencelle December 2 (No class November 11) at 7:45 – 8:45 pm, south be pre purchased and used anytime during the session. 10- Lane. Tickets $15 for SAC members, $20 for non-members, end of Arena. In this class, you and your dog will learn the basic class pack for $40 or a drop in fee of $5 per class. Contact 204- available at SAC office. skills that are needed to start working together as a team. 883-2820. Page to Film Nights – With ‘Night at the Museum’ on Friday, Great fun for both the dog and the handler! For dogs 5 months Tai Chi - On Tuesdays and Thursdays in October from 4:30 – October 23 at 7 pm, Jake Epp Public Library. Come with your and older. Cost $100 plus GST. 5:30 pm at the Ritchot Senior Services Active Living Center, 457 family and friends. Free admission, free popcorn. Contact 204programs@jakeepplibrary.com, Winterfest & Market - On Saturday, November 21. More details Main St. 6 classes $30. Register by Monday, September 28. No 326-6841, equipment required. Please wear comfortable clothes for librarian@jakeepplibrary.com. to be announced working out and clean workout shoes. Can also be done in Trade Show, Craft & Bake Show – On Sunday, October 25 from The Crow Wing Toastmasters Club – Meets every Monday at bare feet. Contact 204-883-2820. 9 am - 3:30 pm at the Legion Community Hall. Unique hand 7:30 pm at the Niverville Heritage Centre. If you want to become a better speaker, run meetings that are more effective or St. Adolphe Curling Club Leagues - Men’s, Mixed and Junior crafted items, favourite products from home based businesses develop leadership skills, a Toastmasters Club is the place to starting the week of October 12. Contact and delicious freshly baked cookies, cakes and other treats. Table rentals $25 contact Shirley at 204-204-326-3220. Send curlstadolphe@gmail.com or stadolphecurls.ci-site.net. start. Contact Sheryl Berglund, Sberglund4@shaw.ca. payment to hold your spot Steinbach Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary GriefShare - If you or someone you know has experienced the Weekly Bingo – On Tuesday nights at the St. Adolphe #190 at PO Box 3519, Steinbach MB R5G 1P7. loss of a loved one we wish to help, you get support and learn Community Club. Doors open at 6 pm, 6:55 pm - Speedo about the grieving process. Contact 204-381-1155 to register Game, 7 pm - Early Bird Games, 7:30 pm - Regular Games. We NaNoWriMo Kick-Off – On Tuesday, October 27 from 7 - 9 pm hope to see you there! Proceeds will support the Community at the Jake Epp Library. Interested in literature? Are you a or go to Nivervillegriefshare.com. writer? Or maybe you want to write a book but haven’t got Club. around to it yet. Join us for National Novel Writing Month, the Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with children up to age six. craziest month of your life. The challenge is to write 50,000 Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am located in the St. Malo lower level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62-4th Avenue S.) Fall Supper - On Sunday, November 1 from 4:30- 6:30 pm at words in just 30 days with the help and support of our library Free drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, along the Chalet Malouin. Cost $13 for adults, $6 for ages 6-12, free and other writers. In two parts, the first is a book launch by Violet Moore (a local Steinbach author) with special guest with a large open space for the kids to play while the moms for 5 yrs & under. Contact Sherisse/Louise Geralyn Wichers (local Steinbach author), both of which 204-347-5753. visit. Contact Karen at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com.
Games Night – On the 1st Saturday from 12 – 5 pm and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6 – 8:30 pm, every month 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. Contact 204-326-6841, programs@jakeepplibrary.com, librarian@jakeepplibrary.com. Royal Canadian Legion - On 1st Tuesday every month 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.
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12. Contact Gordon 204-425-3457 or Jeff 204-371-5352. General Free Monthly Bus Trips to the Casinos of Winnipeg- On Tuesdays, October 13 and November 10 from 8:30 am - 7:15 pm. Join us for a great day of fun and friendship. Visit McPhillips Street Station in the morning and Club Regent in the afternoon. Starting at 8:30 am pick-ups in Steinbach, Ste. Anne and Paradise Village. Must be 18 years of age or older. Prizes and cash giveaways every trip. Bingo played on the bus to and from the casinos for those wishing to play. Contact Marilyn at 204326-4939 for more information and to reserve your seat.
Food Handling Violations Closes Steinbach Restaurant for a Day
Adult Book Club - Tuesdays from 7 – 9 pm. Bring book suggestions or peruse our book lists. Meet some other book Manitoba Health recently lovers too and bring a friend. At the Jake Epp Library 255 Elmdale St. Contact Tracey Pankratz 204-326-6841 published its latest round of programming@jakeepplibrary.com. restaurant closures and it shows that 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 decisionmaking skills; give service to the community; value the natural environment. Green Drinks South Eastman - South Eastman Transition Initiative presents Green Drinks South Eastman. On the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at Lecoka, 8B - Brandt Street. Drop in and discuss sustainable living. Contact rebecca_hiebert@yahoo.com. 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 MS Monthly Self-Help group meeting - for people living with multiple sclerosis. The group meets on the second Thursday evening of each month from 6 - 7 pm at Fernwood Place apartments. Contact Nadine Konyk, Rural Client Services Coordinator at 1-800-268-7582 or email nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. MS Lunch Group- On 4th Thursday of every month, from 12 – 1 pm at All D’s Restaurant 320 Main Street. Contact Stephanie Bevacqua 204-988-0904, Stephanie.Bevacqua@mssociety.ca. Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba individual and support groups - for persons experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, bi-polar disorder and other mental health/emotional concerns. Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Jake Epp Library from 7 – 9 pm. Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228. The Bethesda Regional Healthcare Auxiliary - meets on the first Tuesday of every month except for the months of July and August at the Bethesda Hospital. We welcome anyone interested in auxiliary work. Contact Verna Thiessen at 3263028. Steinbach and Area Lions Club - Meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at the Magnolia Restaurant. Contact 204-326-2313.
a dozen food service establishments in the province, ranging from well-known establishments to smaller bistros were ordered to be temporarily closed between June 1 and the end of August. The list of closures includes Chicken Chef in Steinbach, which was closed July 23 by Manitoba Health. According to the report, the restaurant was closed for twentyfour hours. The report stated that Chicken Chef, “Fail to maintain safe internal temperature of potentially hazardous food. Handle food under insanitary conditions. Store food in improper manner. Operate food handling establishment using unsafely maintained utensils. Fail to ensure that a mechanical dishwasher is capable of sanitizing dishes.” The restaurant reopened July 24. Also in Steinbach, Smitty’s Restaurant was convicted and fined for Improper Storage of Food, and Maintaining Potentially hazardous foods at a safe internal temperature. On March 10, they were fined $288.50 and $487.15 for these offences.
Community Places Celebrates 30 Years The Community Places program is
Carillon Toastmasters - meetings are open to adults who want celebrating its 30th year supporting to improve their leadership and communication skills. Thursdays recreational and cultural sites with at 7 pm at the Jake Epp Public Library 255 Elmdale Street, $3.5 million in grants available to nonContact Sheryl at 204-326-7628 or Irene at 204-424-5737.
profit and community organizations.
Community Places provides Al-Anon Program – Meets on Mondays at 7:30 pm at the Cultural Arts Centre back door, downstairs. Contact Lloyd 204- funding and planning assistance to 326-4365. non-profit community organizations to build, upgrade, expand or acquire
Al-Anon 12 Step Recovery Group - Meets on Wednesdays at facilities focused on recreation and 7:30 pm at United Church, 541 Main St, front door, ring doorbell. wellness. All are welcome.
Since it was established in 1986,
Young moms to be - Bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pm the Community Places program has at Steinbach Family Resource Centre B-11, Hwy 12N. Contact provided more than $115 million to 204-346-0413. support more than 7,500 community-
lead projects across Manitoba.
Woodridge T.O.P.S -Taking Off Pounds Sensibly - On the second Wednesday Applicants contribute to project of every month at the Community Club. For club hours of costs through local fundraising operation, contact Stan 204-429-2253. efforts, grants from other sources or
donated labour and materials.
The Mobile Clinic – Is onsite on the third Thursday of every The deadline to apply is December month from 9 am – 4 pm at the Community Club. Contact for 15. Grant information, eligibility appointments 1-855-644-3515 or southernhealth.ca.
requirements, previous funding
recipients and applications are Zhoda Fall Supper – On Sunday, October 25 from 4 – 6 pm at the available online at gov.mb.ca/ Community Hall. Cost $15 for adults, $7 for children ages 7 – housing/cpp.
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October 2015
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Local Residents Appreciate Open Farm Day On September 20, the public was invited to tour a large number of farms in the region as part of the sixth annual Open Farm Day. For one day, consumers could discover the mystery behind their food in the fridge and the ingredients in the pantry. Forty farms across the province welcomed visitors in the one-day event, including nine within the southeast. From alpacas to pumpkins, horses to produce, and everything in between, the day is designed for local purchases, learning experiences and fun. This year’s host farms included Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre, Glenlea, Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers also in, Glenlea; Newest Poultry Farms Inc., New Bothwell; Scarecrow Forest/ Penner Pumpkins, Steinbach; Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach; God’s Acres, Steinbach; Wildfire Farm located near, Tolstoi; Friesen Sheep Farm/‘Baa’ Farm Lamb Track in Zhoda and Moonshadow Holsteins Inc. in St. Labre. The day ended with a Harvest Banquet at Mennonite Heritage Village.
A new sheep farm in southeastern Manitoba, Friesen Sheep Farm in Zhoda ran out of lamb products to sell during Open Farm Day.
Drug Trafficker Nabbed by Steinbach RCMP Steinbach RCMP Detachment are currently conducting an investigation into the trafficking of a dangerous drug within Steinbach that was sold or given to youth in the local community. RCMP report that a male suspect is currently in custody in relation to this drug trafficking incident. The suspect was calling the drug “Oxy”, “Blue Lightening” or “Blue Stamps.” RCMP are advising parents, guardians and care providers to please speak to your children and tell them how dangerous this drug is. It will definitely make them ill and may cause death. Police say that at this point, it is not believed that all pills have been accounted for, so please be vigilant and continue to communicate with your youth.
Wildfire Farm, near Tolstoi welcomed hundreds of visitors to their farm.
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Lorette’s Family Fun Days Huge Success
Street Racers Charged RCMP reported that an off-duty Officer observed two vehicles racing on Highway 52 on October 2 around 5 pm. The vehicles were traveling westbound onto main street in Steinbach. The off-duty RCMP Officer contacted on-duty members and the two vehicles were later located in
Getting one’s face painted at the Lorette Family Fun Days.
For three days in the beginning of September, the community of Lorette was bustling with activity. This year’s Lorette Family Fun Days took place from September 11 - 13. “It was an amazing weekend,” reported event organizers. “We’d really like to thank our volunteers. It’s not easy giving up your weekend but we hope people had fun and we greatly appreciate the help, couldn’t do it without you. It was very nice to have so many community groups, volunteer as well.” Weekend events included Adult Slo-Pitch Tournament, Home Run Competition, Adult Co-ed Soccer Game, Battle of the Bands, Fireworks, Kids Tent, local Talent (Courtney Wray & Taylor Perrault) in Curling Rink, Cinema Under the Stars, Ball Hockey Tournament, Family Fun Day Parade, Spray Park Party, Petting Zoo, Cheer Squad and Dance Presentation, Farmer’s Market/Vendors/Garage Sale, Foam Pit, Laser Tag, and Kub Kar Races in the outdoor arena.
The foam pool was a huge hit among the kids during Lorette Family Fun Days.
Dirt Bikes Targeted by Brazen Robbers Steinbach RCMP are asking the public for any information connected to a number of dirt bike thefts that occurred over the last number of weeks. On September 1, 2015 during the early morning hours, a red 2004 Honda CRF 100 dirt bike was stolen from a residence in the RM of La Broquerie. The suspects entered a shed on the property and made off with the dirt bike. In another incident, sometime between September 14 and 16, a blue 2011 Yamaha dirt bike was stolen from a residence in the City of Steinbach. Later in the week, on September 18 during the early morning hours, a red 2008 Honda CRF dirt bike was also stolen from a
Steinbach residence. If you have any information in regards to these incidents you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
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Steinbach. Police say that the two male drivers from the vehicles were charged for street racing and both vehicles were impounded for 7 days. Both drivers were from Steinbach. Steinbach RCMP want to remind the public of the dangers of street racing and risks it can pose to the public and pedestrians in our communities.
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October 2015
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Coming to Terms with Temptations Matthew 4:1-11... 1) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2) After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3) The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. “ 5) Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6) “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. “ 7) Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. “ 8) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9) “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10) Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” 11) Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (NIV) When you and I have a vision, a mental picture or a revelation our immediate problem is how to turn that vision into fact. We might even feel driven to find some way to turn the dream into reality. I believe this is precisely the issue, which faced Jesus. He had come to lead people back to God. How was He to do it? What method was He to adopt? Was He to adopt the method of a mighty conqueror, or was He to adopt the method of patient, sacrificial love? That was the issue, which faced Jesus in his temptations. The task had been committed into his hands. What method was He to choose to work out the task, which God had given him to do? The apostle Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion, prowling about for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). And at this particular time, that someone is Christ. But notice that the devil does not attack Jesus immediately after his baptism. He waits until the Son of God is alone, in a wilderness, weakened from more than a month of fasting. Then the stalking lion pounces. Satan’s attack on Christ however, is not like the savage and bloody ones made by lions in nature. Rather, he makes a more subtle attack, attempting to bring his prey down with three temptations; each ruthlessly designed to lure the Savior away from his Father and his mission. It sounds so very sensible and interesting; just imagine what a breathtaking way to introduce a public ministry! The jump would be spectacular, a real crowd pleaser. One that would surely establish Jesus as the Messiah the Jews expected to suddenly come down from the sky to his temple. But Jesus is not interested in pleasing Satan or crowds with death - defying feats. The devil was saying. “Compromise! Come to terms with me! Do not pitch your demands so high! Wink just a little at evil and questionable things ... and then people will follow you in their hordes”. This was the temptation to come to terms with the world instead of uncompromisingly presenting God’s demand to it. It was the temptation to try to advance by retreating, to try to change the world by becoming like the world. We must always remember that again and again we are tempted through our gifts. The person who is gifted with charm will be tempted to use those charms ... to get away with anything. The person who is gifted with the power of words will be tempted to use his command of words to produce slick excuses to justify his own conduct. The person with a vivid and sensitive imagination will undergo agonies of temptation that a more unemotional person will never experience. The person with great gifts of the mind will be tempted to use these gifts for themselves and not for others, to become the master and not the servant of people. It is the grim fact of temptation that it is just where we are the strongest that we must be forever on watch … To God be the glory. 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 don’t have peace in my heart, I really want that peace, joy and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name.” Amen
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Tasting the Truth in the Word of God In reading and studying the Bible there are many study tools and principles available to help you understand what you are reading and get a blessing from it. One of these principles is called ‘The Principle of First Mention.’ What does all this mean? I realize there are multiple versions of Scripture but the principle of first mention only works with the King James Version. When you come across a word in your Bible that you want to know more about, look the work up in a Bible concordance and check out where that word occurs first in Scripture. Inevitably, as you read the verses around the word you are studying, you will find many words and phrases that will help you understand that word. By using this principle for the last 25 years, the Lord has shown me amazing truths from Scripture. In fact, if you look up the word you are studying in a dictionary, you will often find the exact same words and phrases used to define your word that you found in the Bible at that word’s first mention. Recently I was studying the word ‘taste’. This word occurs first in Exodus 16:31 in the Bible. The passage has to do with God supplying manna every morning for the Israelites while they were in their wilderness travels. Several words are used that relate to the word ‘taste’. These include eat, bread, melted, seethe (cook by boiling food in a liquid), wafers, honey, fed and pot. These words give you the idea that ‘taste’ has something to do with the preparation and eating of food and ‘honey’ indicates there can be different flavours in the taste. So tasting is the process of taking something inside of you. In most cases ‘tasting’ refers to food and eating but in a broader sense, ‘tasting’ can be anything you take in and experience. For example, your town has a fall fair all weekend, but you only have two hours to visit. You just ‘tasted’ or took in (experienced) a little bit of the whole fall fair. Exodus 16 deals with Israel eating manna (bread from heaven). God has given us manna or bread from heaven and we have access to it every day. It is called the Bible. Jesus Christ said in Luke 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” So the Psalmist says in Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” I Peter 2:3 says, “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” Dear friend are you tasting the Word of God on a regular basis? If you do, the Bible says you will find God to be good and gracious. May God bless you and guide you into all truth as you seek Him.
Tetrault Wins La Broquerie By-election Larry Tetrault was elected to the RM of La Broquerie council when residents went to the polls on September 2 for a by-election. The by-election was called after Ken Taillaire resigned back in June. “I am very excited; we have some big projects,” Tetrault told media. “In a growing municipality there is always new projects because it never ends.” Tetrault is no stranger to politics in the RM of La Broquerie. He worked for the municipality as administrator for thirty-two years. Tetrault won with 424 votes, 206 more than his opponent Eric Wiens.
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October 2015
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
4 simple ways to Winterize Your Home
Winterizing tasks range from small to big, but each can protect a home and its inhabitants and some can even save homeowners a substantial amount of money. The following are four simple ways to winterize your home. 1. Plug leaks Leaky windows and doorways can cost homeowners money yearround, allowing cold air to escape on hot summer afternoons and letting cold air in on brisk winter nights. When such leaks aren’t fixed, homeowners are more liable to turn up their air conditioners or heaters, unnecessarily padding their energy bills along the way. Before winter arrives, check areas around windows and door frames for leaks, as well as any additional openings, such as chimneys, that may allow cold air in. Use caulk or weather strips to plug these leaks, and enjoy your warmer home and lower energy bills as winter weather gets colder and colder. 2. Inspect your chimney If your home has a chimney, chances are you have not used it since last winter. During that time, the chimney has likely accumulated some dirt and grime, and may even have served as home to some uninvited critters. As the season for fireside chats approaches, have your chimney serviced by a professional so it’s ready for use and you are not greeted by some unwanted guests upon lighting your first fire. 3. Clear the yard Autumn days, particularly late autumn days, can be gusty, and strong winds can cause branches to fall off trees. Branches big and small can cause damage to cars, siding and roofs, and smaller branches can get clogged in gutters, potentially causing gutters to back up and leading to leaky roofs that damage a home’s interior. Take a walk around your property at least once per week during the fall, clearing any fallen limbs and trimming branches that appear one strong gust away from falling off of trees. Remove any branches that are hanging over your home and driveway so they don’t pose a threat to your house or vehicles. 4. Turn off outdoor water supplies When temperatures get especially low, pipes with water still in them can freeze and burst, potentially leading to significant water damage. When you no longer need to water the lawn and when temperatures get too cold to wash your car in the driveway, be sure to shut off the water supply to outdoor spigots and sprinkler systems. Once you do that, drain them so no water is sitting in the pipes when temperatures dip. There are many ways to winterize a home, and homeowners should take every precaution necessary to ensure their homes are safe and warm as the cold weather season approaches.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
October 2015
Earth-friendly tips for autumn Autumn is upon us, and with the change of seasons comes the fall to-do list that must be completed before the arrival of winter weather. Many outdoor jobs are best completed before temperatures drop, while others can be tackled indoors to help save energy and prepare for increased time spent inside the home. Outdoor cleanup Autumn means leaves are falling from trees and littering landscapes. Cleaning up leaves can be a time-consuming task, but it’s necessary to promote the health of lawns and other plants. Grass that is completely matted down with leaves can become starved for light and moisture, and lawns may even rot when forced to spend winter beneath fallen leaves. One eco-friendly timesaver is to shred leaves with a mower (a manual mower is preferable) and leave them as topdressing for the lawn. As long as the grass blades
can be seen within the leaves, the lawn should be fine. Shredded leaves will decompose and add necessary nutrients and organic matter to the soil naturally. Leaves also can be used in annual flower and vegetable gardens to improve the soil. Mulch made from shredded leaves can be placed on the soil around trees and shrubs. This helps to reduce weed problems and protects root systems from harsh temperature fluctuations. Clothing donations It’s time to pack away summer clothing and once again fill closets and drawers with sweaters and jeans. Before packing away your summer wardrobe, conduct an inventory to determine if there are any items you no longer use. Donate these items or use them as rags when cleaning. Keep some short-sleeved shirts accessible so you can layer them under sweatshirts and sweaters. The heat from layering will be trapped against your body and
keep you cozier, reducing your reliance on HVAC systems to stay warm. Home repairs Check the roof for any missing shingles. In addition, look for spots where animals or insects may be able to gain entry into your home. Seal these areas and repair any leaks. This will make your home more efficient later on when winter hits its stride. Remove window air conditioners for the winter. If they can’t be removed, seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket. If you have forced-air systems, move furniture away from the vents so that air can flow better around the home and keep it comfortable. Check weatherstripping around windows and doors and make the necessary adjustments. Installing additional insulation also can help reduce energy consumption. A few tips can help homeowners prepare for autumn in eco-friendly ways.
Get your home fall and winter ready with 5 simple projects If boots, a warm hat and a tuned-up snow blower are the only items on your winter preparation list, your home maintenance plan may need a makeover. These simple home maintenance projects can help lower your energy bills, prevent more costly repairs and/or increase the lifespan of your home. 1. Heating & Ventilation — Examine your fireplace and chimney system to ensure that no soot or creosote has collected. Any cracks or voids could potentially cause a fire. Before you turn the furnace or boiler on, replace the air filter and hire a professional to inspect the unit more thoroughly. These steps will improve the efficiency and life of your furnace and will ensure stable indoor air quality.
When it comes to preventative maintenance, a little time and effort can save thousands in energy costs and repair bills over the lifetime of your home.
from thrashing against electrical wires and your home’s exterior. Drain/shut off any exterior faucets 2. Seal Windows and Doors — If not properly sealed, windows and and sprinkler systems to prevent freezing. Ensure doors can be a major culprit for heat loss. To keep the warm air inside, rain or snow drains away from the house to avoid inspect the weather-stripping around your home’s windows and doors foundation problems. for leaks, rot or decay. Repair or replace structural framing, and caulk 5. Roof and Gutters — Inspect your roof for inside and out, if necessary. shingles that are warped, damaged or even missing to prevent a future leak. Use roofing cement and a 3. Insulate well — One of the easiest and most effective defenses against heat loss is proper insulation. Prevent cold drafts from entering caulking gun to seal joints where water could and the loss of heated air through basement headers, which, when left penetrate, such as around the chimney, skylights or vent pipes. Make sure that your gutters and exposed, can make your furnace work harder. Look for a moisturedownspouts are securely fastened. Downspouts resistant product offering high thermal performance. All that’s needed should extend at least five feet away from the home is a serrated blade or bread knife. Cut the batt to fit the cavity and to prevent flooding. press into place. The insulation will help improve energy efficiency as soon as it’s in place and provide savings over the lifetime of your home. 4. Backyard Care — Save your property from potential damage by trimming overgrown trees and shrubs to prevent ice-laden branches
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October 2015
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Steinbach Police Seek Clearsping Thief and Fraudster Steinbach RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a male who is believed to be involved in multiple thefts and frauds that occurred in Steinbach. RCMP report that the male suspect is believed to have attended numerous stores at Clearspring Centre in Steinbach on August 22, 2015. During this time, the suspect stole a variety of items and committed fraud. If you have any information in regards to this incident you are asked
WS Steel Expansion Creates 200 Jobs to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Ste. Anne Police Investigate Hotel Break-In
The Ste. Anne Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a recent break-in that occurred in Ste. Anne. Police say that at approximately 3 am on September 16, an individual broke into the Ste. Anne Hotel. If you have any information about this individual or were in the crime area between 3 am – 4 am on September 16, please contact the Ste. Anne Police Department at 204-422-8209.
Young Cyclist Hit Near Grunthal Around 8:45 pm on September 23 St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP received a report of a cyclist struck by a vehicle travelling south on Highway 216 outside of Grunthal. A 10-year-old female with serious injuries was transported by STARS to emergency. The cyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. The 44-year-old driver of the van remained on scene cooperating with police. It was determined by a RCMP Traffic Analyst who attended the scene that alcohol does not appear to be a factor. RCMP are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the St. Pierre-Jolys detachment at 204-433-7908 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Trans Canada Collision Sends Four to Hospital On September 5 at approximately 5 pm, a westbound black Honda Civic was struck from behind by a GMC Terrain while traveling in the passing lane on the Trans Canada Highway. Police investigation determined that the GMC was speeding when it struck the Honda. The collision caused the driver of the Civic to lose control of the vehicle and roll multiple times before landing in the ditch. Police say that two adult females were taken to Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre in stable condition. Their two small children were in the back seat and were taken to Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach for examination and were later released. RCMP report that the driver of the GMC, who is currently residing in Colorado, has been charged with driving carelessly.
At the beginning of September, WS Steel, a leader in complete steel services and solutions, announced that it would be expanding operations in the region after winning several manufacturing contracts. Joe Waldner, President and CEO for WS Steel said plans include a 20,000 square foot plant expansion with several new 5-50 ton overhead cranes. Waldner said WS Steel’s investments have paid off with the acquisition of new multi-million dollar manufacturing agreements. One of these new customers is Clean Seed Capital Group which has recently placed their first manufacturing orders for the revolutionary Clean Seed CX-6 SMART Seeder. “The Clean Seed partnership represents a monumental shift in our company as we will be manufacturing a complete product right from design and engineering through manufacturing, final assembly and shipping,” stated Waldner. “For the first time in our history, we will not only be a supplier, but a true fully integrated partner with greater control over our destiny.” The company will also be installing a new smoke extraction and cleaning system for industry leading air quality and installing new pieces of equipment including CNC Machining Centres, CNC Roller, and a fully automated Fibre Laser with auto loading/unloading. Walder said the expansion will also impact the local job market. “We strive to provide meaningful work to over 200 employees and are looking to the local economy to help support our continued growth in positions ranging from engineering and administration to welders and assembly personnel,” Waldner continued. “We constantly invest in the latest technology and work hard to be recognized as an employer of choice, offering competitive wages, and a healthy work environment.” Established in 1989, WS Steel is a highly automated Tier 1 OEM fabricator with the ability to manufacture high volume and large scale products across a wide range of industries.
Passports and Cash Stolen During Break-In Steinbach RCMP received a report of a residential break and enter that occurred in the RM of Hanover on September 20 between the hours of 9:45 am and 10:30 am. The residence is located on Road 38 North. Police say that several important documents were stolen from the residence including citizenship documents, passports, approximately $500 in US currency, and $100 in Canadian currency. If you have any information in regards to this incident you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1800-222-8477. You can also submit a tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Steinbach has a “Silver Lining” By Marianne Curtis Residents living in the southeast now have access to a new health organization. Providing private, non-medical home care for Steinbach and Southeast Manitoba, Silver Lining Care utilizes a positive and compassionate approach to bring hope, life and joy to homes in Southeast Manitoba. According to Carolyn Peters, President and CEO of Silver Lining Care the organization offers essential services as well as a wide scope of wellliving and companionship care options. “The aim of Silver Lining Care is to be the premier health care provider for families in our community and a significant part of the solution to ease the burden on the public health care system,” said Carolyn Peters, President and CEO of Silver Lining Care. Peters went on to explain that it can be challenging for family members to provide adequate and timely care for elderly or disabled relatives, which is where the service can come in. “Our caregivers are relationshipbuilders and truly serve as an extension of the client’s family,” Peters continued. “Our solutions are diverse, with the intention to care for all generations in our community, whether supporting the independence of an elderly client in their home, caring for a young mom as she brings home a newborn baby, supporting a patient returning home from surgery, or assisting a disabled child to enjoy a full adult life.” Silver Linings consists of a team of caregivers who administer medications and take care of housekeeping, grocery shopping, blood work appointments, meal prep, and outings. In 2006, 14% of all Manitobans were over the age of 65. In Steinbach alone, the senior population increased by 19% from 2006 to 2011. That number is expected to increase as baby boomers age. Population aging is gathering momentum, with the year 2011 heralding entry of Canada’s baby boom generation into the senior years. Southern Health’s 2011-2016 Regional Health Strategic Plan anticipates that in the coming first decade of the “baby boom effect” an aging population will put pressure on the medical system. The Manitoba Bureau of Statistics forecasts 60% increase in the province’s population of younger seniors aged 65 –74 years and in the following years anticipate major increases among older seniors aged 75+, who are by far the biggest users of long-term care services.
Local Authors Host First Regional Book Fair By Marianne Curtis Just in time for National Novel Writing Month, readers from southern Manitoba are invited to connect with real local authors during the first Authors of Manitoba Book Fair. “We are bringing as many of the local authors together in one place and at one time, to show the readers in the area that authors are not always out of reach,” stated Authors of Manitoba founder Marianne Curtis. “Writing is an important art form. Without writers, you wouldn’t have lyrics or theatre. we want to celebrate that, and encourage others thinking about writing, to become that person who wrote a book, not just say they want to write a book.” Participating authors include Heather Radford, Celesta Thiessen, Barbara Ann Derksen, Susan Rocan, Ruth Morris, Casia Schreyer, Jana Richards, Doreen Pchajek, Alyssa Thiessen, Kristy Pantin, Kelley Post, CJ Bolyne, Marianne Curtis, Crystal Bantel, Laura Reeves, Arthur Adams, Rev. Henry Idonije, Doreen Millichamp, Les Kletke, Chantelle Storm and Geralyn Wichers. The one afternoon event is taking place November 1, from 1- 4:30 pm at the Steinbach Arts Council, 304 2nd Street West, Steinbach. To date, over twenty authors have signed up to participate, which includes a book sale, signings, readings, door prizes, and faspa. Admission is free, and everyone is invited. Attendees are encouraged to bring a Tin for the Bin, in support of Southeast Helping Hands. Authors of Manitoba was founded at the beginning of 2015 by a locally driven group of authors and not affiliated with any other writer’s organizations. Most books published by these authors are available at the Jake Epp Library in Steinbach. Authors of Manitoba joined the Steinbach Arts Council in May of this year. New members are welcomed and encouraged. The group consists of fifty Independent Authors from various communities throughout the region including Steinbach, Ste. Anne, Ste. Genevieve, Landmark, Vita, St. Pierre-Jolys, Ile des Chenes, Lorette, St. Labre and Winnipeg. They have a catalogue of over 100 titles in several genres from children’s, young adults, romance, memoir, devotions, religious studies, romance and fantasy. Visit authorsofmanitoba.ca to see the catalogue, or follow them on Facebook at authorsofmanitoba.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Vita Parents Continue Fight for Ukrainian Classes By Marianne Curtis Students attending grades 4-8 at Shevecheko School in Vita are thrilled that a new Ukrainian language program has been added to the curriculum this school year. While Borderland School Division has approved a pilot project which offers a class to students, parents are upset with the terms of the program. Dan Bodz, Chairperson of the Ukrainian Language Parents Advisory Council (TULPAC) says a Ukrainian language class is being offered every second day, during the noon hour to students from grades 4-8. However, the program is only 35 minutes long, voluntary and students do not get credit for attending. “We did a survey, approximately 70 students from grade 4-12 were interested in the program,” Bodz confirmed. “We had nineteen students sign up at the beginning of the year, even though they are not getting getting credit hours for it.” By changing the upper grade limit for the “optional course” from grade 12 to grade 8, about half of the students who wanted to take the program were unable to sign up, he added. Angie Chubaty, also with TULPAC says that while they are grateful that a Ukrainian program is now being offered at the school, there are some problems. “Students are learning the alphabet, learning to read, learning colours; they are all starting in the same place so it doesn’t matter how old the kids are in the class,” Chubaty explained. “The problem we have is that kids have to give up their lunch hours to take a class they aren’t getting a credit for. Why are they punishing kids who want to learn their native language?” The Shevchenko School offers a 40 minute French class and Transitional Math to grade 9 students as an option. Ten students are required to keep a class viable. When only seven students signed up for French, three were asked to transfer from math to French to ‘fill the class’, she alleges. “They tell us that it is about funding, yet this is an obvious example - the kids don’t want to take French, but they can’t take Ukrainian because it is only offered up to grade 8.” Chubaty noted. “They are calling this a pilot program, yet they are setting us up to fail. We also want the program to be offered to students during the regular school day, just like any other class.” Having a Ukrainian program at Shevchenko School is not a new initiative. Until 1991, certain classes were offered to students in both English and Ukrainian similar to how other school divisions in the area offer French or German. A public meeting is taking place on October 18 at the Vita Hall starting at 1 pm to discuss this issue further. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
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Lorette Tree Named in Amazing Tree Quest Rivers West Red River Corridor in partnership with the Manitoba Forestry Association (MFA) hosted the Amazing Tree Quest from May 30 to September 7. The Amazing Tree Quest is a contest that encourages the public to find trees along the Red River Corridor that are big, old, striking, or a community favourite and then to nominate them. Judges who categorize and rank the trees then review the trees. This year, four winners received gift certificates to a garden centre of their choice. Coming in fourth place, the “Splitting Tree” in Lorette was submitted by Krystèle Collette. “This is a beautiful tree. I love this tree because it splits off; it’s like two trees in one!” Collette said when she nominated the interesting oak tree. The goal of the Amazing Tree Quest is to address and preserve trees as an integral part of our nature’s ecosystem, to increase awareness and educate people on the role trees play in Manitoba’s natural and cultural history, to
Krystèle Collette won fourth place in this year’s Amazing Tree Quest after submitting the “Splitting Tree” in Lorette.
encourage people in an initiative that promotes physical activity, and to promote the Red River Corridor as a destination.
Construction of Shoal Lake Freedom Road
The Manitoba government is confirming its support for the Shoal Lake ‘Freedom Road’ and reaffirming its $10million commitment to the project, said Premier Greg Selinger. “The provincial government remains steadfast in its commitment to share in building this road. I recently spoke with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, who also expressed our shared concern with the people from Shoal Lake 40. They deserve to see this project move forward as quickly as possible.” “We share in the frustration of the residents of Shoal Lake 40, and the people of Winnipeg who have benefited from a clean, reliable source of drinking water for decades, while the people of Shoal Lake 40 have struggled with dangerous ice conditions and one of the longest boil water advisories in Canada,” Municipal Government Minister Drew Caldwell said. “We have allocated specific funds for this project and we expect the Canadian government to contribute equally to ‘Freedom Road’ and to cost-share the timely construction of the project with Manitoba and Winnipeg. Our government remains steadfast in its commitment to stand with the very community that has been providing Winnipeggers with their drinking water for almost half a century.” In 1989, Manitoba, Winnipeg and Shoal Lake First Nation 40 signed a 60-year, tri-partite agreement that established a $6-million trust fund for the First Nation, co-funded equally by Manitoba and Winnipeg. The agreement committed the parties to maintain high-quality drinking water for Winnipeg and promote sustainable economic development opportunities for the First Nation. The lack of road access has long been identified as a key barrier to economic opportunity and causing high costs, which have prevented the construction of key community infrastructure, including a water treatment plant. In April 2014, Manitoba, Winnipeg and Canada cost-shared $3 million toward the detailed design of the allManitoba Schizophrenia Society and the Steinbach Arts Council are weather road. While both Manitoba and Winnipeg have committed in principle to the construction of the allpresenting a new exhibit featuring artists from various communities in the weather road on completion of the design, the federal government has still not made a firm commitment to the Eastman, Interlake and Southern regions of Manitoba who express sharing of the cost, Minister Caldwell noted. themselves through a variety of media including paint, photography, and pottery. The purpose of the exhibit is to highlight and celebrate individuals who use art in the journey of recovery from a mental health problem and to promote better understanding of mental illness in our region. In addition, the exhibit will feature artists who sing, play guitar and Steinbach RCMP are asking the public for any dance their way to recovery. information connected to a recent copper wire theft Steinbach RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance “The 12th Annual Expressions: Exploring Recovery through Art” runs incident that occurred at a local business in to help locate a bicycle that was recently stolen in until November 2 at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre Hall Gallery, 304 Steinbach. Steinbach. Second Street in Steinbach. Police say that sometime during the spring and Expressions, is a free community event held annually in conjunction Police say that sometime after 8 pm on September 14 a summer months of 2015, a large amount of copper suspect stole an unlocked bicycle that was located at with Mental Illness Awareness Week. Backstage skate park. The bicycle is described as black wiring was stolen from the Valeant Pharmaceuticals site, located in Steinbach. with the lime-green word “Superstunter” on it. If you have any information in regards to this If you have any information in regards to this incident incident you are asked to contact the Steinbach you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP As students head to the classroom, trustees were also heading into the Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800- RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers boardroom to prepare for the upcoming school year. One of the first orders 222-8477. You can also submit a tip online at at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus of business was to name the chairperson for the next year. your message to CRIMES (274637). In the Seine River School Division, Wendy Bloomfield was once again message to CRIMES (274637). declared Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the 2015-2016 school year by acclamation. By secret ballot, Theresa Bergson was declared ViceChairperson, after defeating Gary Nelson, who was also nominated. Hanover School Division Board of Trustees has elected Ron Falk as Chairperson and Rick Peters as Vice-Chair for the upcoming school year. The appointments were made official at the first Board of Trustees public meeting of the year.
New Exhibit Focuses on Recovery
Steinbach RCMP Looking for Stolen Bicycle
School Boards Name Chairpersons
RCMP Look for Battery Thief On September 21, Steinbach RCMP received a report that several batteries had been stolen. Police say that the batteries had been attached to a Highway Traffic Construction Sign, which was located in the RM of Ste. Anne. The theft occurred sometime during the weekend of September 18, and 20. If you have any information in regards to this incident you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Copper Thefts Investigated
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October 2015
Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Dawson Trail Dispatch