Dawson Trail Dispatch December 2011

2

Ste. Anne Named “Pinkest” Town

By Marianne Curtis It is official. The Town of Ste. Anne has been named the “Pinkest Little Town” in Manitoba. The naming comes after the community was recognized as the biggest fundraiser during this fall’s first Manitoba Wild Pink Yonder, Ride for the Cure.

Pam Glover, Manitoba’s organizer for the trail ride, explained that the Town of Ste. Anne was chosen as the ride’s pinkest community after they raised more than $6,000 for breast cancer research.

“They hosted a pancake breakfast, sold hats, bandanas and did other unique things which put them at the top,” explained Glover. “We appreciate everyone that worked so hard to raise all that money.”

Manitoba’s first Wild Pink Yonder, Ride for the Cure hit the trail for three weeks starting September 10. Their adventure took them through 28 communities throughout Manitoba raising money for breast cancer research along the way. While an exact total has yet to be announced, over $35,000 was raised for the cause.

As part of the event, the group hosted the Pinkest Little Town in Manitoba contest. The winner was chosen based on the most money (per capita) raised for Wild Pink Yonder and literally turning itself the pinkest.

Along with bragging rights, Ste. Anne will receive a free community concert along with two highway signs that proclaim the town to be

the Pinkest Little Town for 2011. A date for the concert featuring Two Dollar Pistol is yet to be announced.

Organizers are already setting their sights on next year’s event with hopes that it will be bigger and better than its inaugural year. To find out more information visit www.wildpinkyondermanitoba.com.

This little girl was one of hundreds that helped the Town of Ste. Anne earn the title of the Pinkest Little Town in Manitoba after the community raised over $6,000 in support of the Wild Pink Yonder, Ride for the Cure.

Three Train Crossings to Receive Upgrades Three railroad crossings in the region will see upgrades after a recent federal announcement.

On November 14, Provencher MP Vic Toews announced that six railroad crossings from throughout Provencher will get $735,655 for safety improvements. Three of these projects are within our area including two crossings in the RM of Piney and one in the RM of Ste. Anne.

“Our Government is increasing its commitment to rail safety,” said Toews.

“While Canada has one of the safest rail systems in the world, improvements can still be made. This additional funding will go a long way toward enhancing safety and helping to save lives.”

Projects in Provencher Riding include replacement of lights with LED lights at the Access Road and Beaudry Ave in the RM of Piney. In the RM of Ste. Anne, gates and warning time devices will be installed in Giroux along PR 311. The remaining funds are slated to improve two crossings in the RM of Springfield and Brereton Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park.

Protect Yourself During Holiday Shopping

By Marianne Curtis It is that time of year again when the streets are bustling with holiday shoppers.

Unfortunately it is also a good time for consumers to become victims of theft, credit card fraud and other crimes.

RCMP reminds shoppers to exercise caution when venturing out for holiday shopping. Shop before dark if possible. Possibly coordinate shopping trips with a friend and never park in an unlit lot or area, no matter how convenient it is.

Place all valuables, packages, gifts and recent purchases in your trunk. Do this before you reach your destination, especially if you are going somewhere other than your home. This ensures that your valuables are out of sight to pedestrians.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a debit card, credit card or check when possible. When doing so protect your codes from prying eyes and make sure to grab the credit slips. These are things that identity thieves look for.

To discourage purse-snatchers, do not carry more then you can handle. Carry your purse under your arm. Do not place a purse strap around your neck or wrist; forcible removal could cause serious personal injury. When in a restaurant, do not leave your purse draped over the back of your chair. Do not leave your purse unattended in the change room or shopping cart even for a second Teach children to go to a store clerk or security officer and ask for help if you become separated. They should never go into a parking lot alone.

Pickpockets like to take advantage of crowds in stores, on the street and on public transportation. Many work in teams with one distracting the victim while the other does the actual pick pocketing.

Beware of anyone who jostles you. It may not be accidental. People who carry wallets or a money clip should keep them in inner or side pockets rather than rear pant pockets.

Last but not least, take big ticket Christmas present boxes to a recycler instead of leaving them on the curb for the garbage man.

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Paving Project Downgraded – Community Feels Deceived

By Marianne Curtis The community of Landmark was shocked and disappointed to hear that a long awaited paving project repeatedly promised by Dawson Trail MLA Ron Lemieux has been significantly downgraded.

According to the Landmark Chamber of Commerce, Landmark businesses were shocked to hear that Hwy 210 will not be paved as promised by Lemieux prior to the election.

“On October 4, which is the same day that Ron Lemieux was re-elected in the riding of Dawson Trail, it became known to Landmark businesses that the promise he made last December was broken,” says a statement issued by the Chamber.

In December 2010, Lemieux promised, “We’re doing it right,” because the province found the money needed to upgrade Hwy 210 between Ste. Anne and Landmark to a Class A rating. This rating would have provided a paved surface road allowing trucks to load approximately 20 percent more payload than previously permitted.

“The upgrade to Hwy 210 is a move in that direction, allowing yearround, unrestricted access to the road,” Lemieux stated at the announcement. The $10 million project was tendered and construction crews moved in early in September with paving expected to take place in the spring. However,

paving is no longer part of the project.

According to Lemieux’s office the road can handle the same weights as a Class A however, instead of unrestricted traffic, costly permits will be required for heavy trucks to utilize the road, which is a direct link from Landmark to Hwy 12 and the Town of Ste. Anne.

“The Landmark Chamber of Commerce and local businesses

were really counting on ‘doing it right’ to help sustain and promote growth in our community,” continued the Chamber. “What is really disappointing is that a paved surface would have only cost $400,000 more – that 4 percent difference would make a world of difference to Landmark.”

This is not the first time Lemieux has disappointed the community in regards to this project. In 2005, he announced that $2.3 million was earmarked to upgrade and pave the same road with construction to commence in the spring. That project never got to the tender process.

Landmark area businesses are upset with the province’s inability to upgrade Hwy 210 to a Class A paved highway despite repeated promises from Dawson Trail MLA Ron Lemieux.

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Irresponsible Firearms Discharge Dear Editor: Open letter to Rural Municipality of Tache Council and Borland Industries Dear Sirs: I have been living on Monominto Road at NE 28-9-7 E, now referred to as 52154 Monominto Road, for the last 34 years. Over the course of the last 20 years there has been a definitive increase in the use of the Municipal Gravel Pit and the Borland Industries Gravel Pit for the recreational use of shotguns and long rifles for the purpose of target practicing and sighting in of these firearms for hunting.

During the last several months, I have been forced, repeatedly, to call the RCMP to report the ever-increasing use of these gravel pits as they seem to be used by more-than-ever irresponsible firearms owners.

On June 5, 2011, I called the RCMP to report a huge amount of gunfire.

While walking around my yard not only heard a large amount of yelling, but also heard one particular shot, then the ricochet of the bullet, and very soon thereafter the impact of that bullet on a tree within 100 yards to the south of my home. Needless to say that this upset me very much and I called “911” immediately.

Again, on October 24, 2011, I was in my yard along with my future sonin-law and one of my grandsons when several shots from a long rifle were heard. These reports were VERY close indeed and I was forced to call the RCMP again to report that the rounds and the noises from the bush came from within my property boundaries. This is unacceptable in the extreme and I shall no longer be willing to tolerate gunfire within range of my property.

I have been led to understand that there is absolutely NO SHOOTING allowed on Municipal Properties, and the private property of Borland Industries has a similar restriction, as permission must be attained in writing from the owners.

Since I am the resident of the property just adjacent to the east of these gravel pits, I consider myself to be in danger of grievous bodily harm should one of these irresponsible firearm owners send a bullet, even by accident, into my home, or worse still, into one of my children, grandchildren or anyone else who happens to be visiting me. I can assure you that should I be struck by a stray bullet; I shall be most upset, if not outright killed.

As of this date, I am informing you: the owners of Borland Industries and the Council of the Rural Municipality of Tache, that should there be any damage whatsoever to my property, or injury to any persons visiting me, or any injury to myself resulting from this activity, that the consequences of the ensuing lawsuit will be very damaging to all.

Sincerely, Larry Gillings

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.

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Aboriginal Affairs in the News Again This time around it started with a story on “The First Nations Financial Transparency Act”. In the past any attempt at much needed accountability has been rebuffed yet again by the Assembly of First Nations. In spite of the fact that the AFN had suggested voluntary disclosure nothing in the accountability column has improved. Now Aboriginal affairs Minister Duncan is pressing on so as to enforce real accountability rules. This bill will provide some compliance measures that would have the power to withhold funds till compliance is met. It is high time for a concept that the majority of tax payers feel is absolutely necessary. Except, perhaps, maybe it is two or three generations too late, but after waiting so long a little bit of a wait is better than never.

Then later in the week two stories unfolded which apparently have a commonality in tragedy. First, the pointless and preventable death of an infant in Gods Lake Narrows and second, the deplorable state of housing on reserve. These events join a litany of deplorable stories of suffering by reserve residents at the hands of a system that has been proven inadequate since forever. Child abuse, child murder, sexual abuse, a continuous stream of children in foster care, many saddled with FASD, overly represented in criminal gangs and prostitution, dramatically

represented in prisons, this is part of Canadian history.

On the other hand we have Prime Minister Harper decrying that $90 million were spent on that particular reserve (Attawapiskat) since his becoming Prime Minister. He goes on to point out that $272 million was spent on reserve housing every year for the last five years, plus the 2005 budget allocated $192 million extra and $400 million as a stimulus program. That should be enough money to show me at least one well painted home with a manicured lawn.

No! Nothing! Something is wrong!

Furthermore, in the news again this week Judge Murray Sinclair announces in a well publicized speech that the Native youth, in spite, or is it maybe because of, the Truth and Reconciliation forums, have reached a potential explosive stage. He made it clear we should be

very apprehensive. Now Judge Sinclair is a much respected jurist, but does the verbalizing of this prophesy become the catalyst for mayhem.

Canada is not just an aboriginal creation. It’s a state of mind to many.

It’s a culmination of hope by all people of good intentions and yes, occasional foul ups, sorry. A nation of individuals, hard workers who create a sustainable and better life and well earned pride to pass on. A nation of past strong minded individuals and endowed with collective bravery who did not shirk when called to help pull mankind from the abyss of despair.

My father was there. I was also proud to wear the uniform which informed the world I was a Canadian.

Yes, budgetary accountability is a much needed reality, but accountability in all aspects and in all facets, such as the lack education, of healthcare, culture and finally main stream economics are where to find the unaccounted for answers. The dismantling of an antiquated colonial dogma and starting over is a must, with one small difference in approach.

Ask the individual aboriginal what he or she can do for himself/herself. This should be a team venture, knowing full well history will demand an accounting and will get it despite our weaknesses, plus let us not forget that respect is always a two-way street.

Merry Christmas and inner peace to all.

NDP Misinformation Campaign The NDP has put together a misleading advertisement that claims our Government’s legislation to dismantle the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry would mean fewer safeguards on restricted weapons.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The ominous looking firearm in the ad is a “tactical” model that features not only a *20-round* magazine (forbidden by law in Canada), but a barrel well under the 18.5" minimum for unrestricted firearms. The firearm the NDP uses in the ad is therefore a restricted weapon, and the NDP should know that the Government is maintaining, and enforcing vigorously, all of the existing restrictions on such weapons.

This ad was clearly designed to confuse Canadians. And while the NDP chose to run this misleading ad in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, they’re not running it

in Northern Ontario, home to two NDP MPs that have been silenced

by NDP party leadership for voting to scrap the long-gun registry.

The NDP’s National Director is claiming there was some “confusion” surrounding which images to put into the ad. What else is the NDP confused about? This is no excuse for using misleading information to pit rural and urban Canadians against each other.

The NDP needs to face the real facts. We are moving forward with scrapping the wasteful registry. We are ending the burden on farmers, duck hunters, rural Canadians and taxpayers. We are ensuring that the information collected from lawabiding Canadians, information that is not useful in preventing gun crimes, will not be preserved or passed on to other parties.

And we will continue working to keep Canadians safe with measures that put the burden on real criminals.

We’ve done just that on serious gun crimes, with important measures such as longer sentences and tougher bail conditions.

We’ve enacted mandatory minimum sentences for drive-by shootings, and for using a gun in the commission of another crime. By keeping criminals locked up, we make sure they aren’t on our streets committing additional crimes.

By focusing their efforts on a shameful false advertising campaign, the NDP are proving once again that they are not fit to govern.

Please feel free to contact my office if you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss. You may contact my office toll free at 1-866333-1933 or at (204) 326-9889 or in Lac du Bonnet at (204) 345-9762. You may write my office at 8 - 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by fax at (204) 346-9874 or by e-mail at toewsv1@parl.gc.ca.

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Province Announces Launch of 511 Just in time for the holiday season and our notorious Manitoba winter, I am pleased to introduce the new 511 service available in Manitoba.

Highway travelers, commercial truckers, visitors and families across the province will benefit from this new service. It provides drivers with the most up-to date information on driving conditions, helping families ensure they get to their end destinations safely and giving truckers the ability to plan their routes more efficiently.

The system is now up and running and people can access 511 from anywhere in the province to get current road information.

Similar to 911 for emergencies and 311 for municipal information, 511 is a number dedicated to traveller information. The new 511 system is an enhanced version of the former highway information system. Manitobans can now dial 511 to get one-stop access to traveler information including: - current provincial road conditions, - notifications on road or bridge closures, - updates on winter roads, - current weather information, - information on how to contact Travel Manitoba, and - contact information for trucking permits.

Manitobans will notice significant improvements to the online service, as enhancements to the 511 system will together provide an easy way for the commercial and traveling public to plan their routes and avoid delays. A new interactive Internet map featuring links to five areas of the province (southeast, southwest, central east, central west and north) will allow visitors to guide their mouse over a desired location to see current road conditions for that area. The new map also features current road information for neighboring provinces and states including Ontario, Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Minnesota.

Manitoba is the first province in Western Canada to adopt this type of system to provide motorists with the most current information about provincial roads. Similar 511 systems are provided by 30 states south of the international border including those along I-29. Manitoba and many jurisdictions along I-29 are part of the North America’s Corridor Coalition (NASCO), a forum that brings together public- and private-sector leaders to address critical trade, transportation, security and environmental issues along the international mid-continent route. Manitoba joins a growing list of North American jurisdictions providing the recognizable 511 service that is also available in Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Yukon in Canada.

The latest information on Manitoba’s road conditions is available any time toll-free at 511, at www.mb511.ca or by following the new Twitter account @MBGovRoads.

Winnipeg Jets Specialty Licence Plates will Soon be Available to Manitobans

I am also pleased to report that Winnipeg Jets specialty licence plates will soon be available for Manitobans.

This is an excellent way to support the return of our local team and comes just prior to the holiday season.

The Winnipeg Jets licence plate, to be administered by Manitoba Public Insurance, will be available to hockey fans on Monday, December 12. Cost of the plates will be $70 with $30 of that fee going toward the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation. This fee helps contribute to numerous initiatives run by local organizations which help our young people succeed.

Hockey fans will be able to visit any of Manitoba’s more than 300 Autopac agents to place their orders and receive their plates.

The Winnipeg Jets plate is the third specialty plate issued by the province. In 2004, Manitoba approved the issuing of a specialty licence plate to honour veterans. Earlier this year, fans of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were also able to purchase specialty plates.

Finally, I would like to extend a joyful Season’s Greetings to everyone in the Southeast from my family to yours. Whatever holiday you celebrate, it is such a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your family and friends. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments and thoughts on these and other provincial initiatives. I encourage you to contact me by e-mail (rlemieuxmla@mts.net), by phone (878-4644), or by mail at 101-1309 Dawson Road, Box 517, Lorette, MB R0A 0Y0 and together we can continue to move Dawson Trail and Manitoba forward.

Season of Gratitude and Renewal Christmas, the holiday season and the New Year is often the time for people to take stock of their own lives and to reflect and look forward. The combination of the closeness of family and friends at this time of the year and the ending of one year and the beginning of a new one makes it a natural time for these reflections.

As people take the measure of their own individual lives its worth taking a look at the state of our country and to be thankful for the opportunity we have to live in it. As this year draws to a close, it was again one that had tremendous uncertainty as the global economy rode an almost daily rollercoaster. Canada, while not immune to these ups and downs, did by most measures do as well or better than other developed countries in the world. That means that while some individual Canadians may have faced difficult economic times, collectively we fared better than many others and are better positioned to weather future challenges.

As an opposition member of the Manitoba Legislature, one of my roles is to work to keep the government held to account for the decisions that it makes that impact Manitobans. That means challenging decisions and offering alternatives. But even as I fulfill that role, I never lose sight of the fact that we live in a province of great promise and endless opportunity. It is something we can all be grateful for. More locally, the same can be said about the communities of southeastern Manitoba which continue to grow and be among the strongest in the province.

As each of you gather together with your friends and family this Christmas season, I hope that you are able to reflect on 2011 positively and that you are optimistic about what 2012 will bring.

And while I know that for most, this time of the year is enjoyable, there are others who may not be able to fully share in that joy because of the recent loss of a loved one or other challenges that are being faced. My hope is that you will find the peace that comes from the warmth of this season and that 2012 will provide you with renewal.

As Canadians we have much to be thankful for and much to be optimistic about. Together with my family, I hope that you and your family are able to reflect on 2011 positively and that the New Year will bring you happiness and success. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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 www.kelvingoertzen.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

6

Granny’s Gets Extension for Improvements

By Marianne Curtis Granny’s Poultry in Blumenort has been given until December 21 to comply with an improvement order issued by the Workplace Safety and Health Division after a midNovember inspection.

Last month the Dawson Trail Dispatch exclusively reported that WSHD had issued a “stop work warning” to Granny’s Poultry after an inspection disclosed several concerning issues pertaining to the ventilation system and the concentration of chlorine used in cleaning birds in the evisceration department.

The inspection was conducted after numerous complaints were received from UFCW Local 832

members working at the facility. The company was given until November 18 to improve the ventilation system because workers were experiencing symptoms indicative of chloramines exposure.

UFCW Local 832 President, Jeff Traeger said that for years workers have been complaining of respiratory issues and poor air quality at the poultry plant in the Turkey Evisceration Area. The health and safety committee regularly tried to investigate the problem, but according to the union, management refused to cooperate.

The union hired an Occupational Hygienist to investigate the issue and a complaint was made to the Provincial Health and Safety Division.

During their inspection, Workplace Health Safety inspectors observed workers suffering from symptoms including coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and sore and burning eyes. Inspectors also observed that many of the 50 people working in the turkey evisceration department were wearing half faced

Seine River Considers All-Day Kindergarten The Seine River School Division board of trustees is considering making a change to the division’s kindergarten programming.

At a recent meeting of the board, Trustee Robert Rivard requested that the board consider changing the kindergarten program to an allday session.

“We requested management to come back to us in December with a report on all-day kindergarten,” explained Rivard. “We want to know the benefits, how it would affect the division, what it would cost and the downside of it.”

The Seine River School Division is hoping to hear from the public on the matter.

“I brought it up so we could have an actual board discussion at a public meeting on whether we believe in all-day kindergarten or not,” Rivard added.

The Seine River School Division has never tried to hold all-day kindergarten classes.

respirator masks. Inspectors found only one air intake and one exhaust fan with three ducts in that department and only one in the chlorine bath room.

As a result of that inspection Workplace Health and Safety ordered Granny’s to hire a professional mechanical engineer “to ensure sufficient fresh air and air circulation and assist in diluting airborne contaminants,” stated the order.

The cause of the problem was a poor ventilation system in the

evisceration department which did not allow for proper disposal of chloramine fumes. Chloramine is created when cleaning water is chlorinated and the ammonia from the dead birds combine. Fumes can cause sneezing, sinus congestion, coughing, choking, wheezing, shortness of breath, and asthma.

Granny’s staff received a letter from the company with their recent pay stubs dispelling the unions concerns. The letter further assured staff the company is addressing the order.

Steinbach 55 Plus offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for older adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs. For more information call the center 320-4600.

Up and coming events for December Bus Trip: Christmas shopping & lights, Friday December 2nd leave 11 am. Return approximately 9 pm. Trip includes Christmas Shopping at St Vital Mall and The Forks. Dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory, bus tour through the winter wonderland at the Red River X and the Christmas lights at Linden Woods. Cost $55 member $60 non member.

Minimum of thirty passengers required for a definite departure.

Christmas Banquet: Thursday December 18th, punch 6 pm, dinner 6:30 pm. Join us for a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Christmas concert featuring The Filipino dancers & singers tickets $15 for members $18 for non-members. Deadline December 2.

Monthly Programs Single Ladies’ Night Out: The first Friday of the month at 5 pm.

Enjoy supper out at a local restaurant. Call the center for place to meet.

Foot Care: The first and third Tuesday of the month from 9 am - 3 pm.

Run by Val Fry, a professional foot care nurse. Cost: $25. Bring your own towel. Call the center to book an appointment.

Pot Luck Supper: The second Thursday of every month at 6 pm.

Meat and beverages are provided. Cost: $5 per person. Bring along a casserole, salad or desert. Call the center to reserve your seat.

Birthday Party: The first Wednesday of the month. All members with a birthday are invited for complimentary cake and coffee. Guests are asked to pay $2. Entertainment provided.

Beltone Hearing: The third Friday of each month. Call 1-800-6612653 for appointment.

Brain Injury Support Group: Last Monday of the month at 7 pm.

Parkinson Support Group: Third Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm.

Weekly Programs Monday

9:30 am - 10:30 am Fitness Class with instructor 1:00 pm Canasta 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Tai Chi Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Circle of friends Wednesday 9:00 am - 11:30 am Tai Chi 10:30 am Choir practice 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Cribbage 1:30 pm Floor curling 7:00 pm Old Time Country Band Practice Thursday 9:30 am - 10:30 am Fitness Class with instructor 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Bridge and Whist 1:30 pm Wii bowling Friday 8:30 - 3 pm Circle of friends Noon meals are available Monday through Friday. Cost $5. Call 3204605 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.

Billiards: Monday to Friday, 1 - 4 pm.

Center is closed December 26 & 27 Computer Lab: Monday to Friday, 9 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 4 pm. Cost $1. There are lessons with Alex Cupples on Wednesdays from 9 am 12 pm. Call the center for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and setting tables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up, greeters, receptionists.

Membership at Steinbach 55 Plus is only $20 per year. Memberships are due in January of each year. Membership is 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.

For more information on our programs, activities or volunteer opportunities, drop by the Center Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm or call 320-4600 or go to www.steinbach55plus.com.

7

Niverville Man Still Missing

By Marianne Curtis A 66-year old Niverville man is still missing and presumed drowned after a boating accident that occurred near Bloodvein on November 14.

According to Bloodvein RCMP, two boaters were on their way back to Bloodvein from Matheson Island when they hit

COMMUNITY EVENTS EMAIL YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT TO EDITOR@DAWSONTRAIL.CA OR FAX 204-422-8548

Richer You are invited, to our Yearly Christmas Open House on December 11, between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the EnfantJésus Church in Richer. A concert offering music and songs will take place from 1:30 to 2:30 followed by guided tours of the church and fellowship with hot beverages and dainties.

We look forward to seeing you there. For more information, please contact Yvonne at 422-9369 or ryretire@simplyconnected.ca or you can visit www.rc.net/ canada/stboniface/enfant-jesus/BULLETIN.html Ste. Anne The Ste-Anne Knights of Columbus invite you to attend a concert offered by the Parish’s choirs. This “Songs of Christmas” Concert will be held on Sunday, December 11th at 2:30 p.m. in the church. There is no charge, however we encourage you to bring non-perishable foods, or make a monetary donation which will help fill the Christmas hampers for the needy in our community. Reserve this date and bring a friend (or two!!)

Cyber Camp for Youth - This winter, the Ste Anne Library (Community Access Program), will be hosting a Cyber Camps for youth. It will be held on December 17th from 12:00 noon to1:30 p.m. for kids ages 6 to 9. The activities will include making Christmas cards on the computer, and decorating them. To register or if you have any questions, concerns, or require more information, please contact Nicole Starzec, CAP Site Administrator at (204) 380-2559 or nicole.starzec@hotmail.com.

Steinbach The Manitoba FASD Centre will be holding Building Circles of Support for parents of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) place in the Summit room at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. Tuesdays from 4:30- 6:30pm starting on January 10, 2012 and ending February 28, 2012. This is an excellent information series for parents, caregivers, other family members and professionals who support children recently seen or diagnosed at the Manitoba FASD centre.

We will be discussing a different topic each week. We encourage you to attend for the entire 8 weeks. Please register by phone by calling Jean at 346-7039.

General The Super Start Program , A Healthy Baby program run through South Eastman Health/Sante-Est Inc., will be holding a monthly group session in Grunthal every 1st Tuesday of the month. This is a program for pregnant women and families with infants up to one year of age. Each session includes song and rhyme time, discussions and games on topics related to healthy babies and healthy moms. We offer door prizes and nutritious snacks. We also have milk coupons for all expectant moms or mothers who have babies up to six months of age who participate in the program. Next month our session will be held on: Tuesday, Dec 13 from 10 am – 12 pm at the 4th Avenue Bible Church in Niverville.

Wednesday, Dec 14 from 10 am – 12 pm in Ste. Anne.

Thursday, Dec 8 from 10 am - 12 pm in Village Oaks in Kleefeld.

Tuesday, Dec 20 from 10 am – 12 pm in the East Borderland Primary Health Care Centre.

Thursday, Dec 15 from 10 am – 12 pm in the St. Pierre Health Corner, 354 Prefontaine Av. For more information please call Super Start at 346-7021.

Free monthly bus trips to the casinos of Winnipeg. Call your friends and neighbours and join us for a fun day at the Casinos. Pick up in Steinbach will be at 8:30 am and at Paradise Village at approximately 9 am. Must be 18 years of age or older. Prizes and $10.00 cash for everyone. There will be bingo on the bus. Please call Marilyn at 326-4939 for date information and to reserve your seat on the bus. The next scheduled trips are December 13th, January 10th, 2012 and February 14th, 2012. Everyone on the December bus will have their name entered for the Christmas Draw.

a reef on Lake Winnipeg and the boat flipped. Both occupants were ejected from the craft. Neither boater was wearing a life jacket.

One man was able to swim to the reef and the other, a 66-year-old man was last seen floating in the water. The survivor was spotted on the reef by a local fisherman checking his nets about an hour after the incident and brought to the Bloodvein Nursing Station. He suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Sixty-six year old Ray Manegre could not be found at that time.

Soon afterward, the RCMP launched a search party consisting of local volunteers and the Canadian Forces Base Trenton Search and Rescue who dispatched a CC130 - Hercules aircraft to assist with the search. Assistance was also obtained from an auxiliary Search and Rescue Team from Matheson Island.

An extensive search was conducted but Manegre was not found. However, the boat and a number of items believed to belong to the missing man Sixty-six year old Ray Manegre is still missing after a boating accident that were located. Weather conditions and took place on November 14. visibility was reported as being poor.

Searchers were forced to abort the search for the missing man due to poor weather and lack of visibility but picked it up again the next day.

Students and staff at Misskooseepi School in Bloodvein were shock as the search continued for Manegre, who was a popular teacher at the school.

Misskooseepi principal Irene Rupp said she was told by the rescued man that Manegre was wearing heavy clothes and struggled in the water.

She said the incident hit everyone in the community hard.

“Staff [are] crying, and some students were crying. We even canceled school for a day,” she said. “My grandson is in his class and he misses his teacher.”

Manegre, who was from Niverville, has taught in various places and had just started teaching in Bloodvein in September.

Man Charged with 42 Criminal Code Offences On November 18 at approximately 3:30 pm, Steinbach RCMP responded to a motor vehicle collision on Park Road involving three vehicles. As a result of the collision officers recognized one of the involved vehicles as a suspect vehicle in a previously reported theft of gas. The driver, a 19year-old male, was arrested and transported to the RCMP Detachment.

Further investigation by members of the Steinbach RCMP and the GIS unit revealed that the male subject was a suspect in several unsolved criminal code offences ranging from Break, Enter and Steal firearms, Uttering Forged Documents, Theft Over $5,000 and many more.

As a result, Bradley William Voth is facing 42 Criminal Code offences as well as 4 Highway Traffic Offences.

He was remanded in custody at the Winnipeg Remand Centre and is awaiting a court appearance.

8

Villa Youville Upset About Crosswalk Placement

By Marianne Curtis Construction of a new $7.8 million affordable housing facility in Ste. Anne could get delayed if the Town of Ste. Anne and the Villa Youville board of directors can not agree to the placement of a crosswalk.

In June, construction of a new twenty-four unit housing facility by the Villa Youville got underway as per plans presented to the Town of Ste. Anne over a year ago. The plans included placement of the building, driveways and entrances to the facility.

Now, the Villa Youville is afraid the project will come to a screeching halt over placement of a crosswalk that would give direct access to Villa residents to the north side of the busy Centrale Ave. There is a current crosswalk in place, which was built adjacent to the front door of the old facility. The front door of the new facility is located further west so the Villa Youville board applied to relocate the current crosswalk to the more convenient location. However, the Town of Ste. Anne is opposing the plan.

“We don’t like the location of the proposed crosswalk for the safety of everyone – leaving it alone is safer for traffic and pedestrians,” stated Ste. Anne Mayor Bernie Vermette.

“This location is the safest for everyone concerned – they say it’s going to cost a lot of money but you can not put a cost on someone’s life.”

However, the Villa Board maintains that the new location would be the safer option considering the location of the entrance and exit of the new facility. Armand Poirier, Board chair for the Villa Youville says that the town is being stubborn on the issue.

“The traffic analyst stated there was advantages to moving the crosswalk in front of the building instead of at an intersection,” Poirier stated. When the board presented the Town with a letter from their analyst supporting this claim, the town countered with a letter of their own from the safe analyst who is an employee of the Town.

“We met with the analyst and he has changed his plan. This new letter states that council’s proposal has increased benefits,” countered Vermette.

This crosswalk across Centrale Ave. in Ste. Anne is causing some problems between the Town of Ste. Anne council and the Villa Youville board of directors.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

Poirier accused council of influencing the analyst in the favour of town council, but Vermette denied the accusation.

“This should have been ironed out a year ago, but the board asked us to jump and we did,” Vermette continued. “We agreed to go along with the plan because there was a risk of losing the project.”

As it stands, if the Villa proceeded with moving the crosswalk where the Town of Ste. Anne wants it, it will cost the board an additional $90,000.

The project is funded with federal

and provincial funding and Poirier is worried the entire project could be halted over a simple crosswalk.

“This is money that we don’t have and I don’t think we can get more from the government,” Poirier stated.

If the Villa Youville does not comply to the Town’s request, the Town of Ste. Anne council could issue a stop work order which would put the entire project in jeopardy, but Vermette maintains that at this point, he doesn’t know how council could change their minds on the matter.

Ste. Anne, Richer Individuals Recognized A man from the Ste. Anne area man was recently among five individuals recognized by the Manitoba Council on Aging for his extraordinary dedication and commitment to his community.

Ralph Vincent was honoured for his dedication in ensuring that seniors in the area can continue to kick up their heels and dance. The veteran clogger is a member of the Dawson Trail Cloggers and Young at Heart Community Club in Richer. Vincent has spent a good part of his life dancing for seniors and continues to provide opportunities for seniors to dance.

The Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition Awards are handed out yearly to individuals that give their time, skills, creativity and experience to help build stronger and safer communities for seniors.

In addition to the awards honourable mention certificates were presented to nine individuals in programs from across the province including Julienne Godard and Juliette Rowan, who are both from Richer.

Veterinarian reveals hidden dangers to avoid in order to prevent potentially disastrous pet problems

How Can We Keep Our Pets Safe During the Holidays?

As the pages of the calendar flip and we move closer to the holiday season, pet owners should be aware of common but hidden dangers to their pets as we transform our homes for the celebrations to come.

“The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy for our families, but in preparing for the season, many pet owners run the risk of exposing their pets to household dangers that could present potential life-threatening hazards to their pets,” said veterinarian Lori Pasternak. “These latent hazards could derail a family’s holiday season if their pets become ill as a result of these hidden perils.”

Pasternak’s list of prospective risks include: - Decorations- While holiday decorations can make a home feel more festive, they can be tantalizing traps for pets. Pet owners should keep decorations and ornaments higher up on trees so they are not consumed by pets. If a pet decides the colorful garland or tree trim might make a tasty snack, they can and will get stuck in your pet’s intestines, necessitating immediate surgical removal.

Moreover, exposed cords from electric lights can cause electrocution or oral burns if chewed.

- Gift Wrap- When it’s time to pull all the gifts out of hiding to be wrapped, take care that your pet isn’t in the room as you spread out all the wrapping paper, bows and ribbons. If a cat should starting gnawing on the ribbon, it will literally “stitch” the cat’s intestines together as it is being passed through the gut. Surgery is one holiday gift you don’t want to give your family pet.

- Holiday Feast- While turkey and ham make up the majority of traditional holiday meals, turkey and ham bones can become lodged in the intestines if swallowed in large pieces. Be careful that your guests don’t give in to the holiday spirit too much and choose this time to offer table scraps to your pets. Your pet could become seriously ill or even choke to death.

- Flowers- The poinsettias many choose to use as holiday centerpieces are also toxic to most household pets if they are chewed and swallowed in large enough quantities. The level of toxicity is completely proportionate to the size and weight of your pet, but instead of doing the math on that equation, it’s better to choose other types of floral arrangements that don’t endanger your pets.

“The holidays should be a time for fun, not an unscheduled trip to the animal hospital,” Pasternak added. “If something does happen, don’t hesitate to take your pet to the nearest animal hospital, and know that if you come to ours, we work with our pet owners on affordable payment structures in emergency cases. But we’d rather not see you this season. The best holiday gift you could give your pet is a hazard-free household so they can enjoy the warmth and joy of your celebrations safely and soundly.”

Job Opportunity - Public Works & Facilities Operator Niverville is looking for a Public Works & Facilities Operator.

As a member of the Public Works & Facilities department, depending on the season, the successful applicant will be either be participating in the operation and maintenance of the Niverville Centennial Arena and Curling Rink or alternatively assisting the Public Works in general duties, including utilities, equipment operation and maintenance of sport facilities/ fields.

The seasonal work at the arena/curling rink will involve shift work and working weekends. The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and experience: prepared to work both independently and as a member of a team, mechanical aptitude, general building janitorial and maintenance, valid Manitoba class 5 driver’s license. The successful applicant may be expected to obtain training in Ice Making/Maintenance and Manitoba Water and Waste Water courses.

The Town offers an excellent remuneration and benefits package commensurate with qualifications and experience. You are invited to submit your cover letter and resume together with salary expectation, references and other pertinent data to: Public Works & Facilities Manager, Town of Niverville, Box 267 Niverville, MB R0A 1E0, Fax (204) 388-6110, Email: Ryan.Dyck@whereyoubelong.ca.

9

Second Annual Cyclocross Huge Success

Despite the frigid temperatures, 75 people participated in the second annual St. Malo Cyclocross, which took place November 6.

By Marianne Curtis The Friends of St. Malo Provincial Park and the Economic Development Office in the RM of de Salaberry are pleased with the response to the community’s second Cyclocross.

On November 6, the 2011 St. Malo Cyclocross Race took place at the St. Malo Provincial Park. This year St. Malo hosted the Manitoba Cycling Associations provincial championships with the help of the Olympia Cycle Club.

Seventy-five people participated in the Cyclocross, which consisted of four races including a Kids Race, a Citizen and Corporate Ride, the B Race (Novice) and the A Race (professional).

Lesley Gaudry, co organizer of the event was pleased with the response to the event. “Despite the winds racers and their families spent the day at St. Malo Provincial Park – cycling, playing, roasting smores and making bannock,” stated Gaudry. “Interestingly, the majority of the intermediate and advanced racers are in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s!”

The annual event drew participants to the community from Altona, Winnipeg, St. Pierre Jolys, St. Malo and Portage la Prairie. “The end of the day brought over 50 cyclists to the St. Malo Fall Supper for awards,” added Gaudry. “Awards and desserts were the finishing touches to what was a fantastic day despite the colder temperatures.”

Community support for the event came from the Economic Development Office, the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry, Friends of St. Malo Park, the Rat River Recreation Commission, le CDEM, Rivers West Corporation, Manitoba Conservation, and Olympia Bike Club.

Cyclocross is a bike race for all ages and abilities that includes a loop of approximately 2-3 kms and includes riding over grass, gravel, sand, and sometimes mud, up and down elevations, and in and around trees and manmade obstacles. Riders see how many times they can sprint the set course in an established time.

Even the younger riders braved the cold winds to participate in the provincially sanctioned race.

Ritchot Moves Pound Pet owners in the RM of Ritchot should know that the municipality has changed the location of the municipality’s dog pound.

As of the beginning of November owners of animals picked up by the municipal dog catcher will be able to pick up their animals from Lorette. Animals found wandering unattended throughout the municipality usually get picked up by Prairie Bylaw Enforcement.

Under their direction the municipality is allowing the dog catcher to take animals to the Husky Rescue Service just north of Lorette.

It will cost pet owners $18 per day for their animal to stay at the facility. Before an animal can be claimed pet owners will be required to pay for a current municipal dog license.

For the past number of years the RM of Ritchot operated a dog pound on the east side of St. Adolphe.

10

City Completes Landfill Expansion

By Marianne Curtis On November 17, the City of Steinbach celebrated the completion of a major construction project that see’s their local dump upgraded to a Class 1 Landfill Facility.

Mayor Chris Goertzen was joined

by Ash Raichura and John Ewing from Dillon Consulting, Chris Wiebe of Wiebe Investments, and Eldon Wallman, the City’s Solid Waste Department Head, in marking the completion of Steinbach’s Class 1 Solid Waste Disposal Ground Development project.

“The Landfill expansion project meets one of Council’s objectives which is to provide the city with infrastructure solutions for the longterm,” stated Goertzen. “Projects like this are integral to keeping our city progressive and operating efficiently,” The $3.5 million Solid Waste Disposal Ground Development project was done in two phases. The first phase will be constructing a new landfill and the second phase included the decommissioning of the existing facility.

“The facility has been designed using local features as well as

RCMP Seize Firearms and Other Weapons On December 4 at approximately 2 am, Steinbach RCMP responded to a domestic dispute on Oakenwald Crescent in Mitchell. One adult male and adult female were subsequently arrested for obstructing a peace officer and while they remained in custody, police obtained information regarding the existence of illegal firearms and other weapons in the residence.

Steinbach RCMP executed a search warrant on the residence and discovered the air quality in the residence to pose a serious health risk to police officers conducting the search. The Steinbach Fire Department was called to assist and they were able to provide appropriate breathing apparatuses for police to continue the search. As a result of the completed search, police located and seized one handgun, along with two other rifles and several other weapons such as brass knuckles, pepper spray, nunchuks, knives and swords. The male adult male has been charged for resisting arrest along with eight weapons related offences. He has been remanded into custody and will make his first court appearance at the Winnipeg Provincial Court. The adult female is facing charges of resist arrest and obstructing a peace officer. She has been released on conditions and is to appear in Steinbach Provincial Court at a later date.

No names are being released at this time in order to protect the identity of the children in the residence.

engineered systems to provide sustainable waste management services for the region,” noted Raischura.

A number of programs designed to lower the amount of garage into the landfill are expected to also benefit from the expansion. These programs include wood chipping, composting, and metal, tires, used oil, and white goods diversion and recycling programs.

“Our new Landfill gives us a facility that operates much more efficiently and ‘environmentally correct’,” said Wallman. “In general, the public will see an updated, cleaned up transfer station with more options for waste diversion.”

The Steinbach landfill currently accepts solid waste from four municipalities including the RM of Ste. Anne, Hanover, and La Broquerie, which results in the collection of 27,500 tonnes of waste annually. The site services a population base of 35,000 people in south eastern Manitoba and is one of only 13 Class 1 solid waste disposal sites in the entire province.

The new facility is expected to service the City of Steinbach and area for at least the next 20 years.

Mayor Chris Goertzen drops the first garbage bale into the new solid waste disposal cell, part of the new Class 1 Landfill Facility’s expansion.

11

New Bothwell Cheese Celebrates 75 Years

By Marianne Curtis On November 4, New Bothwell Cheese celebrated 75 years of perfection with a mix and mingle event which celebrated decades of excellence and the opening of a new 8,000 square foot aging facility.

The Manitoba-based company started operating in 1936 as a co-op in a plant built by local volunteers. From these humble beginnings grew the award-winning company that Canadians know and love today. Bothwell Cheese now operates out of a 35,000 square-foot complex, where its staff of 60 remains dedicated to the timehonoured tradition of artisan craftsmanship.

Bothwell Cheese President and CEO Ivan Balenovic is One of New Bothwell’s early cheese makers, Cornelius Peters. very pleased with the success the company which he purchased nine years ago.

“Our secret is a rich heritage of artisan craftsmanship passed down through generations,” explained Balenovic. “We continue to buy our milk fresh from local dairy farmers but it’s the quality of our cheese that we’re most proud of and that remains our trademark.”

Bothwell Cheese is known for producing premium-quality cheese made with all-natural ingredients, pure milk, and no modified milk ingredients.

“What happens in New Bothwell goes everywhere,” added Balenovic. This was evidenced recently when CKY’s show “Marilyn”, which is hosted by Marilyn Dennis out of Toronto, featured a cooking episode along with a prominent chef from Toronto who toted New Bothwell Cheese as the “best cheese in the country”.

The company produces and distributes more than 25 varieties of cheese throughout Canada.

These cheeses include exotic flavors such as Madagascar green pepper corn, black summer truffle, and aged red wine cheese, which has elevated the sale of cheddars and mozzarellas.

Another major accomplishment for the company has been its success in winning awards at the British Empire Cheese Competition.

“We have won the award for our marble cheddar 5 years in a row,” Balenovic added. “This is important because we are judged by cheese makers. We are judged by our peers and they are the best in Canada.”

Along with the mix-andmingle the company christened its new 8,000 square-foot cheese-aging Vic Toews, MP for Provencher, addresses the crowd at the 75th facility capable of holding Anniversary Celebration of Bothwell Cheese held on November 4.

700,000 kg of cheese.

Be “The Difference” Christmas… what a special time of year! For many people this is a time when an extravagant amount of money is spent to purchase things for people who don’t need it or, sometimes, don’t even appreciate it. For many others it can be a sad time, when they are again reminded how lonely it can be.

Let’s remember to take care of each other throughout this season and the whole year. At Christmas we often go a little further to touch and reach out to people who are in our lives. Mostly, we are involved with people who already have a circle of friends and family around them. We give time and things to them knowing that they will give time and things back to us.

There are many people in our community who don’t have family to invite them for Christmas.

Let’s make a special effort to include people in our celebrations who would otherwise be at home by themselves.

Just like World Vision says in their recent commercial on TV “This Christmas… Be the difference.”

May God richly bless each and every one throughout this season and always!

Til next time let’s all make some time to make a difference in someone’s life this Christmas. We’d love to hear how it transpired.

Merry Christmas from Travis and Eileen.

If you have any questions call Travis Olifirowich at 371-7223 or Eileen Lewis at 371-0255 at Prudential Riverbend Realty.

12

Hampers Students Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Spread Holiday Cheer

By Marianne Curtis

By Marianne Curtis Almost every town or rural municipality is doing what they can to help provide less fortunate families with the basic needs so children will not go hungry or without gifts this holiday season.

In response to the growing need, several organizations throughout the region are devoting their efforts to make Christmas special for everyone. Donations of all kinds are still needed by all these organizations along with the need for volunteers to help with deliveries so please, give generously.

We have compiled a list of organizations that are providing Christmas Hampers this year in various areas. Anyone needing a hamper or knowing someone in need are encouraged to contact any of these organizations.

Vita: For the Vita area you can contact the RM of Stuartburn office for information at 425-3218.

Grunthal: The Grunthal Churches, Credit Union, gas stations and Grunthal Grocery are accepting donations of foodstuffs and toys to provide residents from their community and area with hampers.

Call 434-6793 for more information.

Lorette and Landmark: The Tache Hamper Committee is collecting goods for Tache residents. You can contact 878-3329 for information on how to give or provide her with the names of someone in need.

Niverville: Offers assistance to those in need from communities including Niverville, New Bothwell, Otterburne, St. Adolphe, Ste. Agathe, St. Pierre-Jolys and St. Malo. Call 388-4166 for more information.

Ste. Anne: The Knights of Columbus in Ste. Anne provides hampers for families within the RM of Ste. Anne. You can contact the parish at 422-8823 for more information.

St. Adolphe and Iles des Chênes: The RM of Ritchot collects the names for people wanting a hamper while the food bank in Illes Des Chênes and the Salvation Army take care of the collections and delivery.

Contact the RM office at 883-2293.

Steinbach and Area: SouthEast Helping Hands in Steinbach delivers the most hampers in the region. You can call 326-2599 for more information or pick up a registration paper from the Clearspring Mall Info Center, Helping Hands or AM 1250.

Calling all CURLERS! Interested in curling in Niverville?

Open-league CURLING starts in January and runs until mid-March (weather depending) and is a lot of FUN! Your team will curl once per week at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Call your friends and register your team with Heather or Joel at 388-9039!

On November 9, the high school students from St. Pierre Collegiate proved that they have what it takes when it comes to fundraising when they doubled what they raised last year during the 4th annual “Best for the Breast” hockey game.

For one hour, students took over the school gym and set up a makeshift rink for the hockey game where they took on themselves and teams from local businesses. The annual event which was organized by students and teachers alike, raised $2,517 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Sandra Gratton, vice principal of St. Pierre Collegiate, is very proud of her students and staff. “About six years ago our school and community had a devastating blow when we learned that one of our teachers was diagnosed with breast cancer,” explained Gratton. “Fortunately, she is healthy and strong today, which allows us to celebrate her triumph as a survivor.”

Since then the school has taken pride in something the students like to call the “Best for the Breast Hockey Bowl,” a very special hockey game in the school. What started off five years ago as a small idea has become an extremely successful story. “This year we are approaching $2,000 and not all the donations have been counted yet,” Gratton added. “Not bad for a school with only 68 students.”

The hockey game is open to all students, staff and community members that are interested, however, the team roster is decided by fundraising.

St. Pierre Collegiate teacher Mr. Thorvaldson agreed to have his head shaved by students to help raise money for breast cancer.

The top 14 players who raise the most funds will make up the teams.

There was also a “Brave the Shave” to raise additional funds. Mr. Thorvaldson, Braden Wiens and Sheldon Mitchell agreed to shave their heads.

13

Feds Invest in Niverville, St. Adolphe Businesses

Driver Tries to Flee from RCMP

By Marianne Curtis Provencher MP Vic Toews recently spent a day touring three local businesses in separate communities who each recently received federal investments from the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.

On November 28, Toews travelled to Niverville to meet with the owners and tour Puratone Corporation and Southern Comfort Mechanical Inc. Then he visited Innovaat.com International Inc, near St. Adolphe. Each company recently received $50,000 through the federally funded research program for a total of a $150,000 investment.

“We are committed to investing in science and technology to create good jobs, strengthen the economy and improve Canadians’ quality of life,” said Toews. “We are helping companies successfully develop innovative technologies and bring those new ideas into the marketplace.”

In Niverville Puratone Corporation will use the funding to develop research capacity for the assessment of dietary, environmental and financial examination at the hog nursery stage. They also plan to develop a commercial scale nursery research barn and undertake research trials that will be shared with other programs and the general public.

Southern Comfort Mechanical, also in Niverville, plans to use their funding to integrate mechanical design and information technology which is expected to increase the company’s internal operations including efficiency, productivity, accountability and customer satisfaction.

St. Adolphe’s Innovaat.com International will be improving the design and operating efficiencies relation to the components of a biomass heating system.

The Industrial Research Assistance Program provides a range of both technical and business-oriented advisory services along with necessary financial support to qualified innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada.

Owners of Southern Comfort Mechanical in Niverville Mike Millard, Melvin Buhler and Paul Neufeld meet with Provencher MP Vic Toews.

Dr. Peter Provis, Lyle Loewen, Provencher MP Vic Toews, Ray Hildebrand and Larry Johnson at Purotone.

Piney Joins Conservation District The RM of Piney was recently successful in their bid to join the Seine/Rat River Conservation District.

The municipality made the application to join the district earlier this summer. After reviewing the proposal the district welcomed the RM of Piney to the table.

The municipality hopes that by joining the district that their concerns with the Seine River and Rat River watersheds will be addressed.

By joining a conservation district the RM of Piney will have access to a variety of programs.

The Seine/Rat River Conservation

District consists of the RM’s of Ste. Anne, Hanover, La Broquerie, Tache, De Salaberry, Ritchot, Franklin, Town of Niverville and the City of Steinbach.

Town of Niverville Grant Requests All Niverville community organizations are invited to submit grant requests for the 2012 operating year by February 28. Requests can be dropped off at the Town Office, 86 Main Street, or mailed to Box 267, Niverville MB R0A 1E0.

Innovaat.com near St. Adolphe owners Grant Dunwoody, Russ Isaac, Eric Penner, show Provencher MP Vic Toews part of their biomass heating system.

On November 25 Steinbach RCMP and the Steinbach General Investigative Unit (GIS), while attending to a report of a breach of recognizance, observed a male driver, known to police as a disqualified driver, driving his vehicle. The driver attempted to evade police and in doing so failed to stop for a red light where two other vehicles had to take evasive action in order to avoid a collision. The vehicle and driver were located moments later in one of the school parking lots attempting to hide from police.

The driver was identified as Gerald Allen Blair (31) of the Rural Municipality of Hanover. He was arrested without incident. He has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, driving while disqualified and failing to comply with conditions of a recognizance.

He was taken into custody and appeared in Winnipeg court on November 28.

14

Chamber Names New President

By Marianne Curtis The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a new president and vice-president to the table after their predecessors reached the end of their terms.

At a recent meeting the chamber voted in Sjoerd Huese as the new Chamber of Commerce president. He replaces outgoing president Keith Unger who recently completed a twoyear term in the position.

Huese and his wife Edna immigrated to Canada in 1989 from the Netherlands. As Commercial Account Manager of the Steinbach Credit Union he brings to the table extensive experience from the financial sector.

He has served on many boards in the past including time as President of the Manitoba Feed Industry Association, a Delegate on the Manitoba Pork Council, Chair of the Eastman Immigrant Services Advisory Board and local sports associations. He joined the Chamber board in 2004 and looks forward to Sjoerd Huese was recently named as the new Steinbach taking on the new role as president. Chamber of Commerce president.

“First, it is nice to be recognized by Photo by Marlene Fast my peers and the staff at the Chamber.

I have worked closely with them over This refocus has led to $86 million in building the years and I look forward to helping move the Chamber forward,” permits for commercial and residential construction stated Huese. He noted the Chamber being issued in the past year.

“We’ve been highly successful in attracting new has changed their focus over the past growth in the area and want to continue doing that,” few years.

“We have gone through some Huese stressed. “We’ve established a good changes. Our mission and vision has working relationship with the City of Steinbach and changed, which requires some feel that we will continue to be highly successful in refocusing and I feel I can take on promoting growth in the community.”

The Chamber also elected Cameron Bergen to fill these challenges,” Huese noted. “We are now looking at economic the role of Vice President after former VP Crystal development differently; we used to Hildebrandt stepped down. Bergen has been with seek political influence to get things HyLife Foods for 11 years and brings to the board done but now we focus more on a background in agriculture. He has been a member immigration and other ways to grow.” of the Board since 2009.

A Jedi in My Home!

Recently I have discovered that my house is home to a young Jedi. Startling, but true. It all began because of Lego. Also hard to believe? Allow me to explain.

It all started when my 6-year old and I were playing Lego Star Wars on the Playstation and he became enthralled with the lightsabers that some of the characters used. While he’d seen pictures of the light sabers before it seems that by playing the Lego game and controlling the characters as they used them, a bigger impression was made in him. After some talks with me on the subjects of light sabers and the Jedi, he now seems to think that whenever he wants he can draw his imaginary saber and do battle. While many of his battles are with invisible opponents it seems that his favorite real-life opponent is Daddy.

It’s not uncommon for me to walk into the living room and find this young Jedi of mine leaping about and swinging his imaginary light saber. Using his mouth, he hums the sound of the light saber as he swings. For some reason the sight of me is cause for him to focus all his attention upon me and to start swinging wildly in my direction.

While I smile at the attention I also know that the young Jedi must learn respect for his elders.

If time allows I will often draw my own imaginary light saber (It’s green, by the way.) and commence to do battle. While I try to fight as honorably as a true Jedi, I often find that my best attack is to tackle my son to the ground and unleash a torrent of tickles upon him. Master Jedi I may not be but winner I often am.

Maybe if Darth Vader would’ve been tickled a few more times he might not have joined the dark side in the first place.

Now I worry what will happen if my son figures out how to use the force. . . just imagine all the things that he’ll have flying through the air!

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

15

Bus Driver Charged After Accident

By Marianne Curtis A school bus driver has been charged after a three vehicle accident that took place on along TransCanada Highway near Dufresne.

On November 24, RCMP responded to a collision between a school bus and two half ton trucks. According to police, the school bus was hit by both eastbound vehicles while it was attempting to crossing TransCanada Highway southbound. There were no children on the school bus.

The RM of Tache Fire Department and Ste. Anne Ambulance responded to the crash and the drivers of both trucks were transported to Ste. Anne Hospital with unknown injuries.

The bus is owned and the driver is employed by First Student Canada, formerly known as King Transportation, but under contract by the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) confirmed Superintendent Denis Ferré.

He would not comment on what will happen to the bus driver from the school division’s standpoint.

“Because we contract all of our transportation through First Student Canada all investigations are handled by their people,” explained Ferré.

“Following their investigations we receive a briefing and if pertinent, police findings are also shared with us.”

This is the third accident involving a First Student Canada school bus driver while working for the Division The driver of this school bus has been charged after it was involved in a 3-vehicle collision scolaire franco-manitobaine in the along the TransCanada Highway. past two years. On October 15, 2010 a school bus rear ended a passenger car while traveling northbound along Hwy 59 near Grand Pointe.

Five children were transported to hospital as a precaution.

In April 2009, Nicole Marie towards the many fundraising Wilgosh, from Lorette, was charged

By Marianne Curtis proceeding across projects undertaken by the group. with The long awaited renovation of the Over the past year the shop grossed TransCanada Highway before it was Bethesda Hospital Emergency $19,000 with $6,500 going directly safe to do so after an accident took Department is about to begin and towards the organization’s fund. place near Dufresne. There were along with it comes a few changes The group is currently raising funds three children on board at the time within the facility including the to purchase a $40,000 resuscitation of the accident, and they were all temporary closure of the hospital’s unit for Bethesda Hospital’s transported to hospital with minor injuries. only gift shop. recovery unit.

For the past eleven years the ladies of the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary have been operating the little gift shop which has played a significant role in raising funding for the organization. The non-profit organization uses the money raised through sales at the gift shop to supplement fundraising for medical equipment and health care bursaries.

Auxiliary spokesperson Verna Thiessen said that while the actual shop will be closed for about a year, fundraising will continue with the focus being on the fall craft sale and twice yearly book sales.

“We have been doing very well over the past few years. The public has responded very well to the gift shop,” stated Thiessen.

“Unfortunately, we will be closed for about a year but when we reopen we will have a new, larger shop.”

In preparation of the closure the shop is liquidating all merchandise.

From December 1 to December 16, everything except handcrafted items and confectionary will be on sale at 50 percent off. Doors will officially close at the end of the day on December 16 and will be reopened once hospital renovations are complete.

While the shop will not be in operation, the ladies will continue to work behind the scenes in preparation for reopening.

Handcrafted items available in the shop are created by local volunteers, many who live in Fernwood Place.

“We buy the yarn and the ladies take it back to their apartments and then the next week, trade finished items for more wool,” explained Thiessen. “It gives the ladies a purpose and their crafts go someplace other than sitting in a box in their apartments.”

Money raised in the shop goes

Bethesda Gift Shop Closes Its Doors

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Christmas 2011 Birth of a New Tradition

By Anni Markmann

Immigrants Interested in Developing Businesses Twenty-one newcomers to the Steinbach area proved that entrepreneurship was alive and well in the area when they attended a recent information session on how to start their own business.

The information session, which took place November 10, was hosted

by Eastman Immigrant Services, a program of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce.

Dayna Lalchun, from Community Futures Triple R, covered topics including skills needed to be an entrepreneur, business structures like corporations and partnerships, risk assessment and marketing.

Linda Peters, Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce and Eastman Immigrant Services, was pleased with the session’s attendance. “It’s positive to see this much interest from newcomers to our region,” stated Peters. “It shows that they’ve settled in and like the area. It also speaks of the confidence they have in our local economy.”

Nearly two dozen newcomers participated in a session led by Dayna Lalchun from Community Futures on how to start a business in the area.

Based on the response to this session Eastman Immigrant Services expects to host similar sessions in the future.

Thieves Target No Parking Signs It would seem that someone in St. Pierre does not like the town’s new twelve hour parking ban after several of the new signs posted throughout the community have gone missing.

Last month, the Village of St. Pierre implemented a new parking bylaw which bans parking of vehicles over 4,500 kgs including RV’s or semi-trailers of any size on all streets within the community. The community wide ban goes into effect from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week with the only exception being if a semi-truck is loading or unloading.

Along with passing the parking ban, the Village of St. Pierre placed no parking signs on every street in the community. In the past month three of these signs have gone missing.

The “No Parking signs” along Croteau Street and, for a second time, those along Belengar Street have been stolen, confirmed the Village.

“Because this is an added expense to the Village, we appreciate any information in regards to who might be responsible or involved in removing these signs,” stated council. “We would also like to advise residents that while the signs have been removed the bylaw remains in effect.”

Vehicles found parked in the no parking zones will be subjected to fines and other costs.

Anyone knowing information about the missing signs is encouraged to contact the St. Pierre RCMP or CRIMESTOPPERS.

As the holidays approach the giant Asian factories have been kicking into high gear to provide Canadians with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods, merchandise that has been produced at the expense of Canadian labor.

This year will be different.

This year Canadians will give the gift of genuine concern for other Canadians. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Canadian hands. Yes there is!

It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone, yes everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, Canadian owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the credit card on a Chinese made flat-screen?

Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants, all offering gift certificates.

And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.

Remember folks, this isn’t about big national chains. This is about supporting your home town Canadians with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the Canadian working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I know I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal.

Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.

How about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you really need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a $5.00 string of lights, about 50 cents stays in the community.

If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the newspaper or letter carrier, trash guy or babysitter a nice big tip.

You see, Christmas doesn’t have to be about draining Canadian pockets so that China can build another glittering city.

Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging Canadian small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams.

And when we care about other Canadians, we care about our communities and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.

This is the new Canadian Christmas tradition. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

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Health Care Bursaries Awarded to Southeast Students

By Marianne Friesen

Eleven nursing students and one social work student were this year’s recipients of a total of $8,500 in healthcare bursaries presented at the South Eastman Health’s 16th annual general meeting on November 7.

A dozen health care students from throughout the region were recently award with bursaries from various foundations within South Eastman Health.

The group was presented with their awards during the sixteenth annual South Eastman Health general meeting, which took place in Vita on November 7.

Five regional foundations and auxiliaries, as well as the Regional Health Authority, distributed 14 bursaries totaling $8,500 to 12 residents of South Eastman who are pursuing their studies in a discipline related to health care.

South Eastman Health board chairperson Guy Levesque congratulated all the recipients. “We are short of nurses and doctors and if we can get anybody to look and go into nursing or go into anything in the medical field, even mental health and all that, it’s a bonus for us,” stated Levesque.

“If we can get them interested in our area, and the bursaries will usually do that, then it’s double bonus that we may have a chance at retaining some of them.”

Out of the dozen students receiving bursaries, 11 are participating in nursing programs either at the University of Manitoba, Assiniboine Community College, St. Boniface University or Red River College The two bursaries from South Eastman Health in the amount of $750 each went to Gitane Ouellet and Nicole Nissen, who are working on their Bachelor of Nursing degrees. The Bethesda Foundation Bursary in the amount of $1000 went to Bachelor of Nursing student Nia Rogers.

Bethesda Regional Health Care Auxiliary Bursaries in the amount of $750 each went to Chantelle Caron who is enrolled in Practical Nursing Program (LPN), and Rachel Wiebe for her Masters of Nursing program.

Four $500 bursaries on behalf of the Niverville Health & Community Foundation Bursaries were presented to Rachel Wiebe, Jennifer Lagassé, Stephanie Gosselin and Ivan Desharnais. The De Salaberry Health Centre foundation also gave out four cheques in the amount of $500 each to Ivan Desharnais, Eleanor Naylor, Maxine Laroche and Mélanie Therrien-Hébert, who is studying for her Bachelor of Social Work.

Cheyenne Legal was named the recipient of the Anne Hospital Fund Inc. Bursary in the amount of $500.

Christmas During a Recession

By Marianne Curtis The state of today’s economy is weighing heavy on many minds and hearts this holiday season. Well, you can still have a beautiful and joyous Christmas, even during these difficult times.

Instead of focusing on gifts and luxuries, take the time to focus on family and what makes Christmas special. For some families it may be decorating the Christmas tree and that first time you turn on the Christmas lights. Or a drive in the family car to see neighbors’ homes decorated for the season. Gather ideas from your family to help discover exactly what would create the best Christmas for all of you.

Realize that your Christmas may have to scale down from original plans. If your family was planning on celebrating Christmas in Hawaii, this may not be the year if Mom and Dad haven’t received end of the year bonuses or someone has lost their job. Even less lofty goals, like getting a new giant screen television, may be on the chopping block in many households. Try coming up with an alternative for your family celebration or gift and know that there will always be another time.

Children are pretty smart when it comes to understanding when a family is in trouble. They can often read the signs if there is financial trouble. Mom or Dad is a little short tempered. Or there are less trips to

the movies or other “usual” activities.

Parents should understand that children are often less concerned about what gifts they receive, but simply want to know that their family is going to be okay.

Everything you can do to reassure them and make their Christmas as regular and typical as possible is best. This means serving a nice holiday meal and giving them a gift or two to open. Most families, even during tough times, can manage to reach this goal.

Be on the lookout for inexpensive and free Christmas activities.

Churches and local community centers should have family Christmas activities where you can bring your children to celebrate the season.

Trust that the retail stores are looking for you to buy – the bargains will be there. Every parent wants to be able to provide for their child, and this includes the “hot” toy they say they want this Christmastime. While you may not be able to give them as many toys this year, know that every retail store is even more concerned about the Recession than you are.

With a little planning and some creative thinking, despite the economic turmoil our country is facing, the Christmas holiday season can still remain as special and spectacular as always, without breaking the bank.

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Tourney Raises Over $3,600 Keep Creative, Keep Well Steinbach Arts Council would like to help you make a New Year’s Resolution that you can keep! Register now for any of our wellness classes and get 15 percent off (Offer valid until December 21). Check out our Winter Class Line-up: (Monday) Cardio Kickboxing, Pilates—beginning and continuing, Zumba, (Tuesday) Body Pump, Yoga, Belly Dance with Jessica, (Saturday) Belly Dance with Ildiko. Discount also applies to cooking and language classes: (Monday) Multicultural Cooking, (Tuesday) French Beginner 1, (Thursday) Spanish—Level 1 & 2.

Also... Fifteen percent off Visual Arts Classes. Register before December 21 for any of our art classes: Adults 17 & Up: (Wednesday) Pottery, Digital Photography, monthly Writers’ Group, (Thursday) Exploring Acrylics, (Friday). Teens: (Tuesday) Graffiti Fantasy, (Friday) Clay Works. Kids: (Monday) Art X-Travaganza, (Tuesday) Clay Creations.

Give the Gift of Creativity Priceless! Not only are all our arts classes 15 percent off, our gift cards are too! For grandchildren, spouses, or kids, purchase something they can enjoy all winter long. Gift cards can be used for art from our Buy or Lease program, concert tickets, classes and programs. Offer valid until December 21.

Social Dance Social Dance is back in full swing this February. It’s a great way to stay active, learn new steps and meet new friends. Classes will be held at Friedensfeld Community Centre on Thursday nights. Register now by calling 346-1077.

Christmas Gift of Art With Christmas fast approaching, make this year’s extravagant gift a gift of art—with SAC’s Buy or Lease program. It’s flexible and affordable.

Come view our array of galleries and choose to purchase a gift certificate or simply lease that perfect piece. What a joy to open original, handpainted art this coming Christmas. And if you fall in love with a particular piece, we’ll let you take that home too, and try it out three months for free for first time leasers!

Call for Entry Enter the 14th Annual Southeast Open Judged Art Exhibit. There are two exhibits – one for Adults and one for Juveniles. There is no charge for juvenile entries, and $10/adult entry. Deadline for registration is Friday, January 13. Artwork submission deadline is February 10. All ages and all art mediums are welcome. Pick up a registration form at the Steinbach Arts Council, 304 Second Street or online www.steinbachartscouncil.ca. All artwork will be displayed in our hall gallery April 2-May 4, 2012.

Hall Gallery Exhibit Steinbach Arts Council’s hall gallery exhibit is entitled Out and About

by Kevin Friesen. View stunning photographs of prairies, fields and woods on until January 6th. Make sure to check out the AM 1250 blog on steinbachonline.com for live video footage of Kevin’s exhibit opening.

Stay tuned for January 9th when Revita Kroeker and Edmund Raguindin will host their artworks.

SAC’s Upcoming Events Coming up in January - Our annual pyjama party! And students can enter their stories in our annual writing contest. Prairie Theatre Exchange brings the indelible and charismatic characters of Robert Munsch to vibrant life on the stage. The Three Munschketeers Family Show is coming up on Saturday, January 21. All tickets are $10—SAC members receive a 10 percent discount. Sponsored by Kelvin and Kim Goertzen.

Businesses Show your support of how the arts enhance our lives by becoming an Arts Council sponsor. We have a big goal, $50,000, and without you we’ll never get there. Attach your name to a studio, a class, an event, or an exhibit—anything your imagination can come up with.

An Excellent Opportunity for Ages 16-30 If you love the arts and want to make a difference, Steinbach Arts Council would like to invite you to be a part of our Youth Arts Council. It’s a great opportunity to build your resume and learn great skills, participate in local events and advise our Board on what kind of arts and cultural activities you would like to see. This council meets about 3-4 times per year –if you are interested email events@steinbachartscouncil.ca.

Marc and Gisele Maynard, Patrick and family and staff of Marc Maynard’s Backhoe Service hosted the 4th annual Laval Cloutier Fund fundraising golf tournament.

Over the past four years, the Maynard family has raised over $10,600 for the emergency fund which was established in the 1980s

by Father Laval Cloutier of the St. Viateur Parish in Otterburne.

The fund is held in trust by the RM of De Salaberry and overseen by a board of appointed members from the Knights of Columbus of St. Pierre, St. Malo and Otterburne along with municipal delegates from the RM of De Salaberry and the Village of St. Pierre-Jolys.

The fund is made available to residents of the RM and the Village of St. Pierre-Jolys to assist with the costs associated with emergency medical care that would otherwise cause undue financial hardship to a Marc and Patrick Maynard presented a cheque in the amount of $3,609.17 to Rural Municipality of De Salaberry Reeve Ron Musick. family.

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Breakfast with Santa Are you looking for a chance to meet with Santa?

Well, the elves let us know that he coming down from the North Pole to make some special appearances throughout the region.

Come have Breakfast with Santa in St. Malo on December 10. This annual event for children and their families is in a new location, the St. Malo church basement. Hosted by the St. Malo Chamber of Commerce, the event includes a pancake breakfast, face painting, children’s crafts, visit with Santa and many more activities.

Don’t forget your lists!

Toastmasters – Give the Gift of Communication Have you ever wanted to surprise your boss, supervisor, co-worker, pastor or best friend with an unusual but special gift? Have you ever wanted to give yourself something exceptional that would make you a better person while having a whole lot of fun doing it? A Toastmasters membership may be the perfect gift!

The Toastmasters program builds self-confidence while teaching communication skills. What makes Toastmasters stand out from other public speaking courses is that there is ongoing opportunity to practice public speaking and receive immediate feedback that instills the skills needed to have a lasting benefit.

Sylvia Nilsson-Barkman, with District 64 Toastmasters, said that anyone who joins will benefit, no matter their profession.

“It is a great way to grow as an individual, meeting new friends and have an evening out for yourself,” Nilsson-Barkman explained. “Toastmasters follow manuals that walk a person through a set of speeches and meeting roles with each building on the expertise of the last to finally create a polished and confident speaker.”

Toastmasters International recently celebrated its 87th anniversary and membership is at an alltime high, with more than 270,000 members in over 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. Manitoba currently has 109 clubs and two of them are close-by in Steinbach and Niverville.

Guests are welcome to drop by at any meeting without prior notice. Meetings are held in Steinbach at the Jake Epp Library at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays and in Niverville at the Heritage Centre Family Room (rear east entrance) at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays.

To encourage you even more, the Carillon Toastmasters Club is offering free new member Kits to anyone purchasing a membership in November or December. A one-year membership in September is $90 but is prorated to decrease by $7.50 each month. For more information, contact Sylvia Nilsson-Barkman at 326-3893 or snilssonb@gmail.com

Construction Begins on Sprague Seniors Housing

Construction on the long awaited East Borderland elderly person’s housing units is officially begun.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

Exactly a year from when the sod was first turned, the machines have moved in and work has officially begun on the construction of a new seniors housing complex in Sprague.

At the end of October construction crews moved in behind the East Borderland Primary Health Care Centre to being building the long awaited elderly person’s housing units.

East Borderland Community Housing Inc. took responsibility for funding, constructing, and operating the Elderly Person’s Housing (EPH). The personal care home part of the project is estimated to cost approximately $2.2 million.

The entire project is composed of 12 personal care beds, 8 supportive units and 15 elderly person’s housing units and is expected to cost over $5 million. Manitoba Health will cover 90 percent of the cost of the Personal Care Home. Community contributions of 10 percent are required for the Personal Care Home.

Once complete the facility is expected to bring two dozen new jobs into the RM of Piney. The facility is expected to be open for occupancy in August 2012.

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Ile Des Chênes Couple Wins Hospital Lotto –

Twice!

By Marianne Curtis They say lightening doesn’t strike the same place twice and the odds of winning a lottery two times is just as rare, however an Ile Des Chênes couple can argue that fact after winning the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation’s MegaMillion Lotto for the second year in a row.

On November 10, Diane and Gerald Hebert won the $75,000 grand prize in the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation 2011 Fall Cash Lotto. This was the second big win for the couple who took home a cool million when their ticket was drawn last March in the 2010 version of the same lotto.

“It was such a surprise for everyone at St. Boniface Hospital Foundation to see the Hebert’s ticket,” said Louis St-Cyr, Vice President of Development, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, who drew the winning ticket from the prize drum. “Many of our ticket purchasers are repeat buyers and we have had repeat winners, but never anything like this.”

Upon learning he had won big in a St. Boniface Hospital Lottery for the second time, Gerald Hebert was in shock.”The only way to explain it is that the Lord is good. He must be picking the tickets. We work hard and try to do what’s right,” said Hebert, whose family had supported St. Boniface Hospital Lotteries for years before their first win, and have continued to buy Lottery tickets since. “We never imagined that we would Diane and Gerald Hebert stand beside the drum that contained their winning $75,000 ticket in the the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation win the first time, let alone a second time. This just goes to show that 2011 Fall Cash Lotto. anybody can win, and anybody can win twice.”

The Heberts have been married for 24 years and have three children and one grandchild, all of which were born at St. Boniface Hospital. Diane once worked as a receptionist in the hospital’s ultrasound and X-ray department. The couple now runs a family business, Line Side Electric, in Iles des Chenes.

The St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation Lotteries has been running for 12 years and has contributed significant revenues to support medical research and advances in patient care at the St. Boniface Campus.

Reynolds Approves Bible Camp

By Marianne Curtis The community of Hadashville will be alive with the sound of happy children now that the municipality has given the green light to an organization planning to build a Bible camp.

After much consideration the RM of Reynolds has granted approval to Living Bible Explorers so they can create a permanent year round bible camp for children on River Lot 14-8-12E near Hadashville.

George Hill, General Manager of Living Bible Explorers, was pleased with council’s decision.

“I was feeling positive that once the correct information was given to the community attitudes would change,” stated Hill. When the project was first presented it received some negative feedback from area residents, mostly because they did not understand what kind of children would be attending.

Living Bible Explorers is a ministry for children and has over 15 years of successful camping programs. The camp proposed would bring children, ages 6-16, to a camp facility in Hadashville where they can develop long term relationships and learn an appreciation for the area, facility and environment.

Walter Loewen, applicant and owner of the property, confirmed that the group plans to lease the land to the Living Bible Explorers for ten years before transferring the land to the organization. If approved, the camp will be established on 110 acres of land. Only ten acres will be used for the actual camp site.

Plans include a large 5,000-8,000 square foot lodge that will be the center of all camp activity approximately 300 to 400 meters from the Whitemouth River. Six cabins will eventually be located in a semicircle close to, but some distance, from the Lodge. Several other buildings to be used for teaching will be added, as well, several homes for staff members will be built.

SteinBucks Comes to an End At the end of the year the popular Steinbucks program is coming to an end.

After reviewing the program Steinbach Chamber of Commerce has decided to call it quits on the SteinBucks program.

“This has been done in an effort

to maximize efficiencies while continuing to provide value-added programs,” stated the Chamber.

“After much consideration a decision has been made to discontinue the program.

Steinbucks in current circulation will expire December 31.

While the SteinBucks program is being cancelled, the Chamber of Commerce is preparing to launch a more user friendly “shop local” campaign in the new year.

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Lump of Coal for CRA Did the headline catch your eye? Don’t get me wrong, I like Canada Revenue Agency! As they keep making taxes more complex by adding more tax credits, it ensures I stay in business as a professional tax preparer!

My goal every year with each client it to make sure you pay the least amount of income taxes possible. I’m not encouraging tax evasion (that’s not paying taxes you are legally required to pay). I’m talking about tax avoidance: the perfectly legal way of arranging your tax affairs to pay the least amount of taxes possible or deferring taxes into the future.

There are a few things you need to do before you hoist that glass of bubbly on New Year’s Eve if you want to minimize your taxes for the 2011 tax year or minimize taxes in the future.

Let’s start with one tax credit that can lower your taxes payable that affects many of us living outside Winnipeg that often gets missed.

Medical Expenses can include medical travel if you need to travel more than 40km (one way) to get a medical service you cannot get locally. Often this is a specialist in Winnipeg.

Take a look at your 2011 calendar or any other place you keep track of your medical appointments. Make sure you don’t throw it out before you get your taxes done before April 30 2012. Or make a list of the appointments including date, distance travelled, name of professional and reason for appointment. Remember how much you paid for parking too!

At about 50 cents per kilometre, it can add up. If you live farther away and had to drive at least 80 km one way, you can also claim a meal ($17) and accommodations.

If you already know you will be claiming the medical expense credit for 2011, maybe incur more expenses before the end of the year instead of early 2012 so you increase the credit.

You can claim the entire family’s medical expenses on one tax return (normally the spouse with the lower taxable income). And it includes many items including health care premiums you pay yourself (deducted on your pay stub or your pension), travel health insurance premiums, all dental, prescriptions, massage therapy, chiropractor, and more. Every medical expense that you have to pay out of pocket is normally included in the medical expense credit.

Children’s Fitness and Arts Credits. Make sure you have your receipts for any sports or dance programs your children were in for 2011. And new for 2011 is the Arts credit. So if you children were involved in music, arts, scouts or cadets keep those receipts too!

Registered Education Savings Plans need to be contributed to before December 31. Now this isn’t an immediate tax savings, but if you are planning to save some money for your children to pay for some future education, it’s a great way to get some Education Grants and Bonds (free money!) and the grant/bond and income earned likely won’t be taxed in the future by the student because they are normally offset by the tuition credits.

Donations to Charity need to be made before December 31 to count on the 2011 taxes.

Once the total contributed exceeds $200, then you get a credit of 46%! So whatever you plan to give to your favourite charity, it’s like forcing CRA to pay for almost half of it!

How about a family charitable foundation? This is my plan for next year (considered it too late for this year). My parents pay very little tax because of the credits that reduce their taxes payable to zero, but they like to donate to some favourite charities.

Here’s my plan for them. They create a foundation (minimum $25,000) that will make annual donations forever (a way of ensuring donations are made even after they are gone).

Because they pay no taxes, they will not benefit from the donation credits, but their children will! So they could give each of us five children $5,000 and we donate it to the Markmann Family Foundation (via Mackenzie Investments). Each of us will receive a tax reduction of almost $2500 on our 2012 taxes. And my parents know that a percentage of the Foundation is given every year indefinitely to the organization of their choice. Looks like a win-win for all of us; all thanks to Canada Revenue Agency.

Spousal RRSPs can be purchased by the end of February 2012, but if you are getting close to retirement, you may want to do it by December 31. That’s because the contribution has to stay for two full calendar years before it is withdrawn by your spouse. So if you do it by December 31 2011, then you wait 2012 and 2013 and your spouse can withdraw it in 2014 if you make no further contributions.

Did you receive disability income this year or recently? Did you pay for any of the premiums yourself over the years (deducted on your pay stub)? If so you can deduct those premiums from the taxable disability income. This is a little knows deduction that often gets missed by many tax preparers and accountants. Remember we can adjust your taxes for the past 10 years if it was missed in the past. It can be difficult to get this info from employers.

I had one client that fortunately kept all her pay stubs from the past 20 plus years so we were able to get the adjustments done and get her some tax refunds for the years she received disability income.

The disability tax credit is not necessarily due December 31st, but I always meet people that don’t know about it. If you or someone you know had knee or hip surgery in the past 10 years, make sure you get the disability tax credit form competed! If you needed to have replacements, it was likely that your mobility was affected for more than 12 months, then you can likely claim the credit for one or more years. Also, if someone passed away due to an illness, the disability tax credit can normally be claimed on the final tax return (or transferred to their spouse’s tax return). I know it’s a difficult subject at times, but I do try to find a way to get it into a conversation.

The Registered Disability Saving Plan is fairly new. If you or someone you know qualifies for the disability tax credit and is 40 to 49, they really need to get this plan started now to take advantage of the credits and bonds available.

Business expenses are based on the calendar year, so if you have a business that you claim on your personal income tax (solo business or partnership or rental income) maybe incur some additional expenses before December 31. While on the subject of the self employed, remember to read your odometer at the end of the year so you can properly claim your vehicle expenses.

If any of these items triggered some questions, please feel free to call me or stop by my new office!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year! Thank you for the privilege of helping you with some of the financial parts of your busy life in the past year.

Anni Markmann, is a certified financial planner and professional tax preparer working, living, volunteering and supporting our community. Contact Anni at annimarkmann@mts.net or 422-6631 or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne.

La Broquerie Pleased with Bylaw Enforcement Two months after signing a temporary contract with a privately owned bylaw enforcement company the RM of La Broquerie is reporting positive results.

As of the beginning of September, the RM of La Broquerie had assistance with bylaw enforcement after they entered into a four month agreement with Prairie Bylaw Enforcement. The municipality decided to give the company a trial run before deciding to hire them on a more permanent basis.

According to reeve Claude Lussier the municipality has been receiving positive comments regarding the program.

“The contract is on a trial basis. A bylaw officer is with us for two days per week,” stated Lussier. “We will evaluate the program more at the end of December.”

Part of the evaluation process will be figuring out the impact versus the cost of enforcing the bylaws. Meanwhile, the visibility of having a bylaw officer in the community has already had a positive impact. “There is a corrective element to having a bylaw officer present,” Lussier explained. “It makes people more aware of their actions.”

One of the biggest issues that has been addressed during the last two months has been dog complaints. “A lot of these issues have been nipped in the bud by the bylaw officer before we have to call the dog catcher or police to handle the situation,” he added. “This has reduced the amount of frustration between neighbours knowing there is someone around to take care of it.”

Currently, Prairie Bylaw Enforcement patrols the area any two days of the week and ensures that residents are

Sale of Backyard Composting Bins in the RM of De Salaberry In St. Pierre, 100 backyard composting bins were made available for $20 at the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry office, located at 466 Sabourin Street on a first-come-firstserve basis while quantities last.

The municipality is also offering commercial compost bins to local businesses and educational institutions throughout the community. There are 24 bins available, one of which will soon be installed at Providence College.

“These types of green projects help our community reduce greenhouse gas emissions and may also lead to better overall health for residents who use their compost for gardening and for growing their own food,” explains Reeve Ron Musick.

Another green project recently undertaken by the municipality is reinsulating the municipal office. This project as well as backyard composting were identified by the community and the municipality as priority projects after having collected data on their greenhouse gas emissions in 2008 and holding public consultations. These projects were financed by the Province’s Community Led Emissions Reduction program (CLER).

The project also received support from CDEM (Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities), a valuable economic driving force in Manitoba bilingual municipalities.

For more information about this project, please contact Lesley Gaudry, Economic Development Officer for the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry at (204) 4337406 or by email at les@rmdesalaberry.mb.ca.

complying with municipal regulations during construction, enforce the municipality’s unsightly premise bylaw and issue cleanup orders.

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Big Freight President Honored

By Marianne Curtis On November 17, Earl Coleman, president of Big Freight in Steinbach, was recognized for his dedication to the trucking industry in the province.

At the Manitoba Truck Association’s 7th annual banquet Coleman was presented with the MTA/RBC

All I Want for Christmas is for My Parents to Get Along....

By Gary Direnfeld Time for the annual holiday debacle and I’m not talking bad Christmas gifts, I’m talking high conflict separated parents duking it out over when to exchange the kids come Christmas Day. Every year, the same old fight with their kids caught in the middle.

As other kids are dreaming and scheming about their Christmas booty, kids of high conflict separated parents are embroiled as emissaries taking contentious emotionally laden messages back and forth between their parents to sort out the exchange time.

They are exposed to the toxic animosity and bad mouthing of one parent against the other.

These same kids have to reconcile their own worth, knowing they are half of each parent and given each parent portrays the other as bad, they extract the meaning that they are therefore entirely bad, being composed of both parents. This view of self carries them to adolescence where they give up on a reasonable life in favor of early onset sexual behavior, drugs and crime as they assuage their poor feelings of self-worth.

Further, if the parents cannot reach a consensus on how to divvy up Christmas Day, then by default the one with the kids from Christmas Eve has control of their release or until the police arrive thus turning Christmas into a criminal activity and total embarrassment for the children.

What a despicable tradition. And what of these children come adulthood?

Firstly, these children often seek to have nothing to do with either parent on Christmas when they are of an age to control their destiny. Secondly, with their parents as role models, as much as they may try to do things differently, they all too often find themselves in the very predicament they swore they would never be a party to.

Misery begets misery.

If you are a separated parent in a high conflict situation, there are other solutions to duking it out with your ex.

Rather than running to Court, each advising of the shortcomings of the other, consider alternate strategies for conflict resolution such as mediation or collaborative law.

Regardless of mediation or collaborative law or negotiating on your own, consider how rigid you truly need to be with respect to holding out for your preferred outcome. Did you know, low conflict separated parents have figured out that kids don’t really need to see both parents on Christmas Day! Indeed, some parents switch off on Boxing Day on an alternate year basis and some even elect to have the kids every Boxing Day. From the child’s perspective, those parents who settle their dispute typically with one being very flexible gets to enjoy a conflict free Christmas with traditions special to their circumstance. Given they no longer have to worry about the parental conflict they are then free to dream and scheme about their Christmas booty just like the other kids. As these kids age, and they will, they come to see the differences between their parents. They come to understand who the instigator was and who was reasonable. Come their adulthood, they are more apt to choose the reasonable parent over the one observed to make life miserable. The parent who was flexible has a greater chance of a life-long relationship with their children over the parent who was seen to create conflict.

This year, if you are a separated parent in a high conflict situation give your child the gift they truly deserve, peace on earth and goodwill towards all. Settle your dispute in the favor of your kids versus your preferred outcome. Freedom from conflict will last a lifetime, the electronics, maybe a year.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW is a private practice Social Worker.

Royal Bank “Service to Industry Award”.

Coleman has been a member of the trucking industry since 1985 and held a series of positions at Big Freight. After graduation, he hit the open road working as a driver. Soon afterwards, he began learning the ins and outs of accounting in the industry under the guidance of a mentor. This went so well that he ended up being responsible for all accounting functions in the company.

Over the years Coleman’s portfolio expanded to include finance, risk management and safety, maintenance and fleet assets. In 2006, he was appointed company president, a position he continues to hold.

As a member of the Manitoba Trucking Association Coleman was elected to the Executive Committee of the MTA and served a decade in that capacity holding the positions of 2nd Vice-President, Big Freight President Earl Coleman was recognized for his dedication to the industry with 1st Vice-President and President.

The Manitoba Trucking Association is an Industry this award presented by Manitoba Trucking Association President Tom Payne and Brad VandeMosselaer of RBC Royal Bank while his wife Lori looks on.

Association that represents the interests of the Trucking Industry in Manitoba.

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Chamber Recognizes Year’s Top Businesses

By Marianne Curtis Four outstanding businesses in the area were recently honoured by the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce. The awards were presented before a sold out crowd at the 54th Annual Spring Banquet.

This is the eighth year the Steinbach Chamber has recognized businesses and their owners for their contribution to the community. Awards are presented in four categories including the Young Entrepreneur Award, the Customer Service Award, the Community Involvement Award, and the coveted Business of the Year Award.

United Transport Driver Training, owned by Fred Hiebert, was named

I Saw the Light…

And It Is an LED If you’re like everyone else you have seen your November energy bill double from October, and October was double from September, not to mention the extra gas the car uses when the temperatures drop. When mid-November hit we knew the bills would be high well into spring. Now throw Christmas shopping in the middle of all that and one needs to ask, “Where can I save some money?”

Well, my answer was to buy some LED lights for an early Christmas present. I replaced 24 light bulbs in my home, 14 were the hated compact florescent, which should be banned as far as I’m concerned, and 6 of them were the incandescent type. I replaced them with 7-watt G60 dimmable LEDs. Further, I replaced 4 halogen under counter lights in my kitchen. I noticed the fruits that we like to leave under the counter would go bad in a day if I had those on and the energy guzzling hard light they provided was something that I knew the day of reckoning would come.

I had to replace some of the light fixtures, which required wife approval and, of course, to accommodate some of the new bulbs.

The track light had to take a GU10 and the under counter lights had to be a GX53 type. All these lights are dimmable so I installed dimmer switches, which not only give added savings, but the light experience is amazing.

These lights are also CUL approved and offer 3 types of light, warm white, neutral white, and day white. The day white throw more lumes (or candle power) than the warm white and are great for reading or counter lights. I choose to go with neutral white, which is very pleasing and provides much better lighting that anything I have ever had. I estimate that 15 percent of your annual hydro bill is just lighting your home. A fact is we use more lights from November thru February so your annual light bill comes in the next 4 months so the savings that LEDs will give us are during the most timely months.

In all, I replaced 768 watts with 170 watts of LEDs which translates into a 78 percent savings in energy (and even more when I use the dimmers, which is often).

I cannot describe the experience we get from this soft lighting and the need for good lighting to prepare dinner. Once you “see the light” and how it enhances your home lighting experience you will want to switch all your lights to LED and the savings are immediate on your hydro bill.

The only downside of LED is price. The bulb has a lot of aluminum, which is a key component to dissipating the heat. You can have this light on all day and touch it while lit. It will just feel warm to the touch. Prices may drop in the future but as long as the raw material costs remain high, there is only so much it can come down.

But if you’re like me, once you see the hydro savings, you will not want to go back.

Above: Fred Hiebert, owner of United Transport Driver Training, accepts the Business of the Year Award.

Top Right: Justin Schinkel, from Schinkel Properties, was named Future Leader.

Right: Stella Unrau, from Super Splash Auto Cleaning, accepts the award for Customer Service.

2011’s Business of the Year. “I am speechless,” Hiebert stated when his business was named. “This means the world to me. It tells me what kind of team I have because this business is not built on one person only.”

The Future Leader Award was given to Justin Schinkel of Schinkel Properties for being a young entrepreneur under 35 years of age who has established or expanded a business in the past two years.

This year’s Customer Service Award recipient was Super Splash Auto Cleaning, owned by Wes and Stella Unrau, for consistently demonstrating excellence in service or hospitality.

The Community Involvement Award is presented to the business that demonstrates exceptional performance in its support of recreation, amateur sports, arts and culture and charitable or non-profit volunteer groups. This year’s winner was Funk’s Toyota, owned by Rick Funk.

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Eastman Fall KidSport Disbursements The Eastman KidSport Committee has completed the 2011 Fall KidSport review in which 184 applications were submitted requesting approximately $42,250.00 in assistance. Based on eligibility of the applicants and funds available for disbursement 161 of the applications were approved and $32,294.00 in funding was disbursed. Overall the Eastman KidSport program assisted 214 children in 2011 for a total of $37,994.00.

Sport provides kids with a sense of belonging, self-esteem and confidence, while teaching them valuable life skills. Since not every child has the chance to experience sport because of a family’s financial limitations, it is KidSport’s goal to enable as many of Manitoba’s lessfortunate children as possible to participate in sport, realize its benefits and improve their future.

Starting in January, 2012 the Eastman KidSport Committee will be accepting applications on a quarterly basis. Deadlines will be; January 15th, April 15th, July 15th and October 15th. For a copy of the 2012 application or more information on eligibility please contact the Eastman office.

The Eastman KidSport Committee would like to thank the following business’s that have helped us assist over 200 children this year; Canadian Tire, Loblaws. Tim Hortons and Sunova Credit Union. In addition, a big thank you to our Eastman municipalities, community groups, schools and individual donors for their continued support of our program. As the need for funding assistance steadily increases, so does the need for support of this program. If you are interested in making a donation or have an event that you are looking for a charity of choice please contact the Sport Manitoba – Eastman Region office at 268-2172. Tax receipts are available for your donations.

Sport Manitoba is a not for profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in our province and is responsible for programs including the Power Smart Manitoba Games, Coaching Manitoba, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and KidSport.

Accident Claims Two Women

Two elderly women from Niverville died because of this collision at the corner of Hwy 12 and Clearspring Road, north of Steinbach.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

A two-vehicle accident along Hwy 12 north of Steinbach claimed the lives of two elderly women from Niverville on November 11.

According to Steinbach RCMP, the collision occurred around 3 p.m. when a northbound vehicle driven by an elderly woman hit an eastbound gravel truck. The collision took place at the corner of Hwy 12 and Clearspring Road. Both the 95-year-old driver and her 83-year-old passenger died at the scene. The 18year-old driver of the gravel truck was uninjured in the incident.

Police say evidence suggests the driver of the vehicle failed to stop at a red light. Alcohol was not a contributor to the accident.

Have a Safe Snowmobile Season The weather’s great and snow conditions are excellent but one more element is necessary to make your snowmobile ride perfect: safety. It’s important to make safety your number one priority in order to protect yourself and your passenger.

Snowmobiles are one of the leading causes of winter sports and recreation related injuries.

Keep safety in mind this winter: Keep your speed down and your eyes on the trail ahead to watch for hazards on the trail.

Watch for hidden obstacles such as guy wires that are attached to hydro poles, particularly when traveling through ditches.

Sometimes a guy wire can be difficult to see if it is covered by snow or if the reflective markers

attached to it have been damaged or removed.

Stay on the trail; do not trespass.

Private property and unmarked terrain can contain unexpected and deadly hazards.

Stay off rivers and lakes whenever possible, particularly if there is a generating station or dam in the area. Fluctuating water levels and currents may result in unstable ice conditions.

Take a first aid kit as well as a knife, area map, compass, lighter, matches, flashlight, whistle and food. These items will come in

handy if you or your passenger get hurt, run out of gas, or get lost.

For more information on snowmobile safety, check the on line safety tips at www.hydro.mb.ca.

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“12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety”

The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) has released its list of top tips for holiday fire and carbon monoxide safety.

The “12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety” campaign is a compilation of what the CAFC says, based on its unique insights, the things homeowners need to be extra vigilant about this time of year.

According to the CAFC it’s the small things that can make a big difference in saving lives. “Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, never tamper with them, change batteries, replace smoke alarms every 10 years and CO alarms every seven years… all these messages and others can never be stated too often,” says Fire Chief Rob Simonds, President of the CAFC. The 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety provides tips against seasonal risks as well as year round precautions.

The web site www.safeathome.ca offers complete descriptions of the “12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety.”

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Richert Tests Formula 3 in Italy

Gamma Probe Arrives at Bethesda Hospital

Niverville’s home grown racer, David Richert takes to the track at Imola in Team Ghinzani’s Formula 3 (F3) race car.

After a promising 2011 season, David Richert was invited by an Italian race team to test their Formula 3 car at the world famous Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy.

Richert, a native of Niverville, was thrilled with the opportunity to participate in the Formula 3. Formula 3 is one of the final stages in a driver’s development before the pinnacle levels of motorsport such as Formula 1 and Indy Car. “Eight years ago I was racing gokarts in Gimli and it was only in my wildest dreams that I would find myself driving a Formula 3 car in Italy,” Richert stated excitedly. “I need to give a huge thanks to Team Ghinzani and Silver Jeans Co. for this amazing opportunity to advance my career.”

Richert’s test took place midNovember with Team Ghinzani, a team started by ex-Formula 1 Italian race car driver Piercarlo Ghinzani.

“We are very happy to have a young talented Canadian driver test our Formula 3 race car and I’m excited to see how David will do at Imola,” stated Piercarlo Ghinzani.

The winner of the Italian Formula 3 Championship is given a test with the Ferrari F1 team, one of the

world’s most renowned sporting Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen franchises. Legendary drivers such have all made a name for themselves as Ayrton Senna, Michael in Formula 3.

Remembering the Fallen

The operating room nurses at Bethesda Hospital have a new tool in their arsenal now that the facilities new gamma probe has arrived. The specialized equipment is used primarily for sentinel lymph node mapping and parathyroid surgery.

The $45,000 purchase was made possible thanks to a variety of fundraising efforts by the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary. Since 1980, the Students from St. Pierre’s ICSP and Heritage School had several special organization has presented nearly $400,000 worth of equipment to Bethesda guests during this year’s school Remembrance Day Ceremony.

On November 10, members of the Morris Branch of the Royal Canadian Hospital.

Legion #111 joined the student body during the school’s annual program.

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Recycling Restarts in RM of Ste. Anne program will come out of the general mil rate and is available to all ratepayers.

“We are going to commit to this for about a year with the idea that it will grow and to see what kind of reception it will get in the community,” Bergmann continued. “If the reception is great, who knows where this program will end up.”

The RM of Ste. Anne cancelled its recycling program at the beginning of July after it realized that it could not continue to offer the service without some financial planning. The municipality was forced to come up with a better solution after residents demanded that a system be re-established.

The municipality expects to see a small cash incentive from the province as a result of setting up As of December 6, anyone wishing to remember a lost loved one is the program. While the municipality has received welcome to participate to place a card of this year’s memory tree. some funding in the past it was difficult to gauge The South Eastman Health Palliative Care Team is setting up their 11th based on tonnage because there was no accurate Annual Memory Tree at the Clearspring Centre in Steinbach. way to measure volumes of recycling actually Memory cards will be available throughout December for those wishing collected in the municipality. to celebrate the lives of lost loved ones.

RM of Ste. Anne residents once again have access to a municipal wide recycling program.

Two months ago the RM of Ste. Anne council signed an agreement with Eastman Recycling Services in Steinbach. Under the agreement the company will provide recycling

services every second Saturday.

Recycling depots have also been set up in Giroux, Richer, La Coulee and near Paradise Village.

Reeve Art Bergmann said that the municipality has committed to the program for a year at a cost of about $1,000 per month. Funding for the

Memory Tree in Steinbach

St. Pierre Impaired Offers Toilet Driver Charged after Incentive Accident On November 11 just after 9 am, RCMP Steinbach and EMS were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Reimer Avenue West and Giesbrecht Street in Steinbach.

The investigation indicated that a Chevrolet Cavalier with three occupants was traveling south on Giesbrecht. The driver lost control while turning east and collided with a light standard on Reimer Avenue West.

A 17-year-old passenger of the car was transported to hospital with minor injuries and has since been released.

As a result of the incident an 18year-old male was arrested at the scene and faces charges of impaired driving causing bodily harm.

Driver Charged in Collision On November 14 at 3:50 pm, Steinbach RCMP and EMS were dispatched to a two vehicle collision on Highway 12, two miles South of Steinbach.

The investigation indicates that a northbound Ford F-150 struck a southbound Ford Ranger. The driver of the Ranger was transported to hospital for treatment and has since been released.

The driver of the F-150 was taken into custody at the scene. A 51-year old Steinbach resident has since been charged under the Criminal Code with driving while prohibited, criminal negligence causing bodily harm and dangerous driving causing bodily harm. He has since been released on bail.

Alcohol was not considered a factor in this collision.

Residents in St. Pierre have a little more incentive to switch their outdated commodes and replace them with new high efficiency toilets.

Residents can apply to receive a $50 rebate from the Town when they replace their less efficient toilets with high efficiency toilets.

Residents can pick up more information in the program at the Town of St. Pierre office.

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Sod Turned on Niverville PCH

By Marianne Curtis On November 5, the community of Niverville celebrated the official kick-off construction on a new personal care home.

About 400 people turned out to help celebrate the start of construction of a new 85-bed personal care home. The community-owned Niverville Heritage Holdings, which owns the personal-care home in St. Adolphe, has been working hard to replace the existing 42-bed facility with a new 80-bed facility in Niverville. When the project was initialized several years ago by Niverville Holdings, it was estimated to cost $11.5 million.

Gord Daman, Board Chair for Niverville Heritage Holdings, said it was an emotional day to finally announce this project is moving forward.

“Some of the construction has already been done and we hope to have the whole personal care home complete by the fall of 2013,” stated Damon.

Niverville Mayor Greg Fehr is grateful for all the support the project has received.

“The turnout for the sod turning is amazing. It is so encouraging to see so many people out,” stated Fehr. “The success of the community is about coming together. It’s about partnerships.”

The new facility will be built next to the Niverville Heritage Centre, an 80,000-square-foot complex that is home to a primary health-care center, a medical clinic, physiotherapy and dental clinics, a daycare and an event center. It will also be next to the Niverville Credit Union Manor, an assisted-living and supportive-care residence for seniors and people with disabilities.

Construction on the new facility in Niverville is expected to begin in the fall with an expected completion date in 2013.

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End the Year with Praise Psalm 145:1-7 … 1) I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. 2) Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. 3) Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4) One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. 5) They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6) They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7) They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. (NIV 1984) Notice something different about these verses? I will exalt; I will praise, I will commend, I will tell, I will meditate, I will proclaim; and I will celebrate. The Psalmist (David) is really energized, he is trying very hard to make a point and I do not think he is happy with just a silent acknowledgment that God is great. I kind of suspect that he wants us to shout it out! The Psalmist challenges us to speak publicly, maybe even going so far as declaring with a loud voice openly. How about proclaiming it in song? There is nothing as beautiful as some good old wholesome singing. One sort of gets the idea that the Holy Spirit moved the Psalmist when he calls all creation to praise the mighty works of God. When we read the Psalms, we often feel the need to pause and calmly think about that which is happening around us in the world so that we can store the information in our thinking development. If we want to remember something, we will have to observe that which we want to remember. Strange, I do not remember what I have never known. These Scripture verses speak to us this way. If something important happens, and we see how it happens, we shall remember that event. If we hear a sermon, the thing that we remember afterward is the point that most forcibly strikes us while we are listening to the sermon. Whether we use a pencil or not memory obeys our wish and records it in our memory bank.

One more thought: how God motivates us is very much the same. If I want to remember how great God is I must allow Him to make an impression on me. That means I have to notice it, I will have to consider it, and at my age, I will have to sit back and meditate on it and allow that impression to influence my heart. And when we do that we should remember.

Not often does a person come through life untouched by some bumps and bruises.

Somehow, we need those bumps and bruises to learn to praise God. I could wish my whole life to be calm, carefree and free of all troubles. I could desire that nothing might ever again disturb my restful spirit. But were it to be so I suspect I would seldom experience the merciful loving care of my Heavenly Father. When you and I wrestle with those bumps and bruises where do we go but to the Lord in prayer.

Is it not true that all of us who know God and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that we have a desire in our heart to talk about our salvation and God’s goodness; His righteousness, His blessings? We talk about how His greatness is unfathomable, immeasurable; yet the Holy Spirit makes known to each of us the mysteries of God’s

love. Perhaps Christ assigns each individual with the responsibility to express his or her own understanding of the greatness of how Christ has changed his or her individual life.

There are many ways of acknowledging God’s great goodness. He has given us the rights and the nature of His Son. He has given us the complete forgiveness of all our sins. Not only has he forgiven us our sins, but also He does not remember them anymore, they are gone forever! One more thing: You and I can come to Him in prayer any time, night or day, and He will hear our prayers. We cannot add to God’s glory, but we can certainly make it more widely known by simply stating the truth about Him in our every day good performance and mannerism. Have a Merry Christmas.

God Bless.

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name. Amen.”

Maple Inn Gutted by Fire

Smoke still rises from what is left of the Maple Inn, a popular truck stop just east of Richer.

Photo by Mackenzie Guetre

On November 29, a well known truck stop along the TransCanada was nearly destroyed during a midnight blaze.

Richer fire crews responded to a blaze at the Maple Inn, a few miles east of Richer, just before midnight. Despite a 7-hour battle, the restaurant and kitchen were completely destroyed. Portions of the gas bar are still standing but suffered significant smoke and water damage.

No one was injured in the blaze.

The office of the Fire Commissioner was called in to investigate a cause for the fire which has not been determined at this time.

Provencher Conservatives Host Fundraiser

Provencher MP Vic Toews and Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, meet with guests at the Provencher Conservative Fundraising Banquet at the Brass Lantern in Steinbach on November 12. Approximately 140 people were in attendance.

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