Dawson Trail Dispatch April 2014

If You Move the Building, You Can Basically Have It

Councillor Takes a Cold Dip for KidSport

By Marianne Curtis The La Broquerie Community Development Corporation is hoping someone will come forward and give the community’s museum building a new home.

Richard Turenne, from La Broquerie Community Development Corporation (CDC) says they are trying to stir local interest in the old museum building, otherwise known as the Small House of Traditions.

According to Turenne, the building has not been structurally sound for a couple of years. That combined with vandalism and unwelcome natural inhabitants the building can no longer serve as a public facility and will cost too much for the community to refurbish.

“Our budget isn’t big enough to keep the museum open for a few days a year as it is scheduled to be,” Turenne explained. “We are in a complicated position right now.”

Continued on page 3

No Tax Hike for RM of Ste Anne

St. Pierre-Jolys Councillor Brian Martel’s face says it all when he hits the ice-cold lake during this year’s Polar Bear Dare for KidSport Manitoba.

While the rest of us were dreaming about a warmer climate, St. Pierre-Jolys Councillor Brian Martel donned a Superman suit and took a dip in an icy cold lake to raise money for KidSport Manitoba.

Martel was one of a few dozen brave souls who participated in the third Annual Polar Bear Dare in Lac-du-Bonnet last month.

“Jumping into the lake in Lac-du- Bonnet was well worthwhile because more kids can play now,” said Martel.

Martel raised $925 for KidSport Manitoba. All proceeds from the annual event goes to KidSport Manitoba. KidSport believes that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all kids should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sports.

RM of Ste. Anne residents will be happy to know that for the third consecutive year in a row, the municipality has passed a budget without raising their mill rate.

At a recent meeting, the municipality gave approval to its budget for 2014 and maintained taxes at 8.72 mills.

RM of Ste. Anne Reeve Art Bergmann credits an increase in property assessments for the status quo.

“The mill rate is staying the same for the third year in a row,” explained Bergmann. “There was added assessment plus reassessment so we don’t have to raise taxes.”

The RM of Ste. Anne has committed $1.3 million to road maintenance and ditching, which is close to what the municipality spent last year, Bergmann noted.

He added there is a slight increase over last year’s public works budget because the municipality stepped up road maintenance and this has caused an increase in fuel costs. Council also plans to spend $60,000 to improve Road 30E, which Bergmann said, “Has been slipping into the ditch,” over the year.

“We are going to be working with the neighbouring municipality with that,” Bergmann said.

The municipality has also budgeted $170,000 to purchase of a new grader.

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April 2014

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Local Musicians Receive Juno Nomination

By Marianne Curtis Local musicians got a taste of Juno excitement when their album received a nomination in the Roots and Traditional Album of the Year, Group Category.

Local boys Patrick LeClerc, a bass player from Ste. Anne, Eric Lemoine on banjo, Evan Friesen on drums, along with Blake Thomson on guitar and Jimmie James McKee on trumpet, accompanied Jolene Higgins to form Little Miss Higgins and the Winnipeg Five.

Together the group released The Bison Ranch Recording Sessions, which was recorded in an old barn located in La Broquerie.

The album was engineered by Steve Loree and co-produced

by Higgins and LeClerc.

“Everything was captured live off the floor, fire crackles and crow cawing included,” said Higgins. “The experience of recording live brought out the authenticity of the music, the talent of the musicians and the

Little Miss Higgins and the Winnipeg Five received a Roots and Traditional Album of the Year, Group Category Juno nomination for their album The Bison Ranch Recording Sessions that were recorded in an old La Broquerie area barn. Jolene Higgins is accompanied by local musicians Patrick LeClerc, Eric Lemoine and Evan along with Blake Thomson and James McKee.

connection of the group.”

Prior to recording the album the group bonded while preparing a barn, which was built in 1951 and moved to the Renaissance Bison Ranch in La Broquerie in 2004. The music was recorded in the loft and the group had to build sound baffles, haul gear up the wooden steps and stack a cord of wood to keep the stove going.

“It was the coldest day in April on record,” recalled Higgins.

“There was still snow on the ground.”

On March 30, the group performed as part of the Juno Songwriters Circle at the Burton Cummings Theatre with the Sadies, Lee Harvey Osmond, July Talk, Shad and Matt Epp. The event was hosted by Randy Bachman from Bachman Turner Overdrive. The category was won by the Strumbellas.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Toews Appointment as Judge May be in Violation of Political Convention

April 2014

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Building Move continued...

Continued from page 1

By Marianne Curtis Former Provencher MP Vic Toews has been appointed to Manitoba’s Court of Queen’s Bench, setting himself up for a possible candidacy for the Supreme Court of Canada, which has had a vacancy in the west for the past two years.

Sixty-one year old Toews, who retired from federal government last July, is well known for his tough on crime legislation and criticism of activist judges. He was a respected Justice Minister and had a distinguished career prior to politics that included teaching law at the University of Manitoba.

Toews retired from politics not even a year ago, stating reasons of wanting to spend more time with his family.

DeLloyd Guth, a legal historian at the University of Manitoba suggests that Toews appointment violates a convention that politicians cannot be appointed to the bench within two years of leaving government.

“The gall of this is unspeakable,” stated DeLloyd Guth, a legal historian at the University of Manitoba. He anticipates seeing Toews’ name on the list for Supreme Court judges when Manitoba Justice Marshall Rothstein reaches retirement in 2015. “I can certainly see it coming that Toews is appointed to the Supreme Court.”

Toews went to Ottawa in 2000 and was a prominent critic of the Liberals on law-and-order files, including the gun registry, during his six years in opposition. In 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper named him his government’s Justice Minister. In that job, he introduced a wide range of legislation featuring new mandatory minimum sentences for serious crimes.

Toews was unable to be reached for comment.

First Chamber Event Huge Success

Business owners spent time introducing themselves and their businesses to other local entrepreneurs during the Ritchot Chamber of Commerce’s first meet and greet event.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

by Marianne Curtis Nearly fifty business owners throughout the RM of Ritchot and several surrounding communities participated in the Ritchot Chamber of Commerce first networking event.

The event, called Exposed: Introducing Your Business to Others took place March 25, at the St. Agathe Hall in St. Agathe. Business owners from the RM of Ritchot along with owners from St. Malo, Niverville and other communities attended.

Ritchot Chamber of Commerce President Derek Roth was pleased with the response.

“We are very pleased with the turnout,” stated Roth. “We didn’t know what to expect when we planned this event but based on the response, there is a lot of interest in bringing the business in each of our communities together.”

St. Malo Chamber of Commerce President Lorraine Jones-Racine was one of several participants from outside the region to come and offer her support to the fledgling organization.

“Our chamber has been around for over three decades,” stated JonesRacine. “Events like these are great for networking with other business owners; it is good to see such a response.”

The inaugural event gave area business owners an opportunity to share who they are and what services or products they provide with other local entrepreneurs.

It also gave the board an opportunity to share some of their recent projects. Within the coming months, Welcome Bags will be available for new residents and a new business directory is in the works.

Since the Ritchot Chamber of Commerce officially organized in four months ago, over forty businesses and non-profit organizations from Iledes-Chênes, Grande Point, Ste. Agathe, St. Adolphe and Glenlea have joined.

To find out more about the Ritchot Chamber of Commerce or businesses within the area visit their new web site ritchotchamber.ca.

Former Provencher MP Vic Toews received an appointment to Manitoba’s Court of Queen’s bench that could put in him in line for a Supreme Court vacancy.

While the building is used as a museum, it is owned by a private family, although situated on municipal property.

“The RM of La Broquerie does not want it and the family does not have the resources to move it themselves nor want it torn down,” Turenne continued. “We are inviting the public to look at the building and hopefully someone will be interested in salvaging the building or moving it at their own expense.”

The museum staff has, in part, found alternative and temporary homes for the countless items previously displayed at the museum.

Many of the items that were removed are currently on display in some of the local schools and the local seniors’ home.

“The museum held a variety of items ranging from farm equipment to fine China,” Turenne continued. “These were items of value and removed from the property before pigeons moved in.”

If no one steps forward, the CDC will look at plan B, which could see the building, demolished, even if it means donating it to the fire department for a controlled burn.

“That is a last resort,” Turenne noted.

Anyone willing to help with the museum is asked to email sdclabroquerie@gmail.com for further details.

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April 2014

The Blame Game There is an old story about a newly elected Premier who is looking for advice from the Premier he just defeated in an election. The gracious outgoing Premier hands his successor three sealed envelopes numbered 1, 2, 3 and tells him to open the envelopes in the numbered order as he experiences trouble in his role as Premier.

Things go along pretty well for a couple of years, but eventually the new Premier starts to run into trouble as the public questions the course of his government. The Premier opens the first of the envelopes he was given by his predecessor and reads the note inside. It says, “Blame me.” So, the Premier starts to blame all that is going wrong in his government on the previous Premier and the previous government.

To his amazement it works. A few years later, trouble is brewing again so he opens the second envelope. It says, “Blame the Federal Government.”

Sure enough, blaming the federal government seems to take the heat off the Premier for quite some time. Eventually when that no longer works, the Premier opens the third envelope and is dismayed to see that it reads, “Prepare three envelopes.”

There is a lot of truth to this story and it is demonstrated perfectly by Premier Greg Selinger and the NDP government. Now in their 14th year of government they have been blaming both former Premier Gary Filmon as well as the federal government for everything imaginable.

Healthcare wait times have gotten worse under the NDP; they blame Gary Filmon. Premier Selinger breaks his promise to balance the budget; he says the federal government is to blame. There are some variations to this rule. When people were dying after being sent home from Winnipeg Emergency Rooms late last year the NDP blamed the taxi cab drivers who where hired to bring them home. It seems there is enough blame to go around to everyone.

Blaming others for the problems of a government isn’t exactly a new thing in politics, but it is a bit unusual for a government to do it when they have been in power for 14 years. Almost any problem that exists in a government that has been in power that long has either started under their watch or could have been corrected under it.

But, Premier Selinger and the NDP carry on with the blame game strategy because it must seem like a better alternative then trying to defend their own record. However, it is a strategy that eventually simply rings hollow with the public. And it is a strategy that eventually leads to having to prepare three envelopes of your own.

I appreciate your comments and concerns. If you have any comments on these or other issues, you can contact me by writing, #3 - 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by phone at (204) 326-5763, by fax at (204) 346-9913, by e-mail at kelvin.goertzen@leg.gov.mb.ca or by visiting my website at kelvingoertzen.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Serving the communities along the historic Dawson Trail and beyond.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Democracy Spiralling Downwards After WWII, democracy was in an infectious ascendancy culminating in a democratic apex at the turn on the century with 63 percent of the world’s countries, or 40 percent of the world’s population going to the polls, peacefully electing their governments. Since the year, 2000 there has been a disturbing backwards slide.

We could point to a few examples such as Boris Yeltsin of Russia handing the reins to Putin who has become famous for getting majorities by jailing any potential serious treats. Egypt’s high hope was dashed by the Muslim Brotherhood then finished off by their army. Argentina has managed to pass the autocratic torch from a dead husband and president to a wife who has learned to pervert fair play as her country is going to hell in a basket. Argentina is second in South America only to Venezuela’s Chavez’s self-serving quasi-socialist revolution, which has all but erased the last twitches of democracy in that country and blames it all on the USA. There is a surprisingly large number of countries which have slid from democratic to autocratic: Cambodia, Thailand, Turkey, Peru, Nicaragua, Malaysia are a few of the many who pay lip service to universal suffrage but spend much of their budget controlling the vote in their favour. All over the world, constitutions are changing to better serve the government. Getting a majority is the name of the game. The rules don’t matter; plausible deny-ability by any means is all that counts.

Closer to home, American politics is suffering from partisan gridlock and in Canada, the Chretien/Martin shenanigans morphed into this government’s continuous partisan campaigning by Harper and Co. Our governments have only one goal and that is to get a majority regardless of the cost to fair play and all other democratic principals.

Damned unCanadian if you ask me. It is not surprising if close to a majority of us refuse to vote. Canadian governments, for as long as I can remember have always had more people who voted against the government than voted for it. This reflects our first, past the post voting method. Given this reality, one would think that the ruling party would practice a wee bit less dictatorship.

How much money has been spent in the last 10 years on continuous party ads in the hope of government perpetuating themselves? Now if the ads were promoting their new ideas for their next mandate it would at least have a redeeming quality, but its all about demeaning the opposition with ads that are all lies and distortions.

There was a time when bad manners were not rewarded. Is this the age of elections for ideological dummies. More importantly, why are we, the voters swallowing this blarney? Since the economic collapse of 2008, entitlement has been more rampant in the upper class and politicians also seem to have ratcheted up their self-importance to the point of embarrassing us. Free trade and the flow of capital seems to have displaced the importance of the rights and values of the individual and these principles are being sacrificed at the high altars of profits, tax avoidance and unearned pensions.

The middle class is falling further behind economically and democratic principles are in retreat the world over. Yet our answers to this problem seem self-defeating, that is to forgoing our right to vote, which we do in greater numbers each subsequent election. What are we hiding from? Would it not be more instructive to the aspiring politician to turf the government out on a regular basis? Before they make the rules where our vote is meaningless like in the rest of the world.

The last straw is a bill in Parliament with the promise of strengthening democracy, which will instead not only help the government get re-elected, but dilute democracy yet again. Here are three ways the Government is pulling your leg.

First, vouching for your neighbour who doesn’t have the right ID will cease (Voters without ID are generally poorer and have little inclination to vote for the governing party). Second, political donations will be allowed to increase (This greatly benefits the ruling party again with donations from the more affluent Canadians). Third, Elections Canada has had their responsibilities to the voters emasculated.

Why? Are they, the government, planning to break more rules than they did last election? When one realizes how many rules they broke in the last election and how many more were investigated by Election Canada and stonewalled by the Government, embarrassment is the only honest conclusion one can have.

We deserve better, but we will not get better. Democracy has been in dire straits because of low voter participation and yet we may not have reached bottom. Now the government is lowering the Canadian voter standards to keep itself in power. Depressing, yes, but I keep hoping.

Residents Can’t Vote in the Conservative Nomination Dear Editor: Almost by stealth, the Conservatives have taken away the right of a number of local voters to vote in the nomination meeting to select their party’s candidate in the 2015 election.

How did they pull it off? By deciding that any incumbent who has won a nomination meeting since the last federal election will not need an open nomination meeting to become the Conservative candidate in that riding.

That MP cannot be challenged for the nomination.

And, there’s another catch. Some voters never got a chance to vote in Ted Falk’s nomination meeting for Provencher because back then they were in the riding of Selkirk-Interlake.

But, as a result of the introduction of new electoral boundaries, in the next election they will be merged together into a new riding.

To say that again, those voters never got a chance to vote in Ted Falk’s nomination and they never will, by order of Conservative Party headquarters.

This is yet another slap in the face of communities. The message is clear: the Conservatives don’t think that local residents care if they have no say in choosing their own candidate.

It’s no wonder Conservative MPs end up being the Prime Minister’s voice in their community, not their community’s voice in Ottawa.

And with no oxygen from the

grassroots, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Conservative government has grown so out-of-touch with the values it used to champion.

There’s a better way. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is committed to holding open nomination meetings in every single riding-even those of MPs elected in byelections. Why? Because he is genuinely committed to restoring trust in our democracy and he believes that MPs should be advocates for their community in Ottawa-not the other way around.

Yours sincerely, Kevin Lamoureux, MP Liberal Party of Canada, Deputy House Leader

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

April 2014

5

Around the Riding March has been a busy month both here in Provencher and in our Nation’s Capital.

In our communities, I have been hard at work representing the good people here in Southeastern Manitoba. Whether you are a farmer, small business owner, a senior or a new Canadian, I am proud to say that our Conservative Government has strived to create opportunities for you.

Reducing Red Tape

Same Old NDP Story On March 6, the NDP government introduced a budget, which serves as a monument to the promises it has broken since taking office. The government has announced and reannounced the same infrastructure projects, trying to make you believe these projects are brand new and shovel ready.

This same government has cut money from the infrastructure budget in each of the last four years to the tune of $1.9 billion and projects that were announced five years ago keep coming back after the NDP cut them.

In October 2012, the NDP closed the emergency room in Vita. They have promised time and again it would reopen and time and again, they have broken that promise. A past and current Minister of Health made a lot of excuses, blaming everyone but themselves.

The NDP was re-elected in 2011 with a mandate from the people of Manitoba not to raise taxes. In the 2012 Budget, this government raised taxes and fees, expanding the PST to cover items it never covered before. In 2013, this government raised the PST without the legally required referendum, breaking not only the law, but, the trust of the people.

This government promised the books would be balanced the books this year but the NDP broke its word.

In Budget 2012, the Minister of Finance said this government would restrain their spending, and get their financial house in order. The budget remains in a deep deficit, even with a PST increase.

The Auditor General released her annual report on March 19. She found issues in how this government hands out contracts for its own political purposes, issues with the justice system and the safety of our communities, along with many others. Before the 2011 election, the government rushed ahead with a 10-year, $150-million STARS contract without a proper tendering process. Manitoba companies lost out on the opportunity to provide a key service within their own province.

This government repeatedly makes promises then breaks its word. Manitobans have had enough. Governments have a duty to listen to the people they are elected to serve, and to act on its promises. The NDP has offered a whole lot of promises. Talk is cheap.

It’s time for action. It’s time to elect a government that will act for the people of Manitoba. It’s time for a change.

I look forward to hearing from you with any questions or concerns you may have. I can be reached at my constituency office at 204-4245406, my legislative office at 204945-4339, or at dennis.smook@leg.gov.mb.ca.

Here in Provencher I recently had the privilege of hosting a roundtable with the Honourable KerryLynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue. We met with members of the local business community to discuss the Government of Canada’s progress on reducing red tape and the recent improvements that have been made to the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) online services.

I am pleased that representatives of the local business community had a chance to discuss these important issues with Minister Findlay and I look forward to the implementation of the CRA’s new service enhancements for businesses.

Getting Grain Moving Again Earlier this month, I attended our Government’s announcement to help increase the movement of grain to market. To do this, our Government, under an Order in Council made on March 7, requires that the railways (CP and CNR) must increase the volumes carried each week to a combined target of 1,000,000 metric tonnes per week. They have four weeks to be in compliance.

As the Member of Parliament for Provencher, I know that agriculture plays a very significant role in the communities of South eastern Manitoba. These farmers not only help feed the world, they also create jobs and make substantial contributions to our local economies.

Thanks to their hard work, Canadian farmers are responsible for over twenty billion dollars in exports. Although this is an impressive accomplishment, continued success will be hampered if they cannot get their world-class grain to market. By making the Order in Council and working to introduce legislation, our Government continues to act in the best interests of our farmers while ensuring Canada maintains our global reputation as a reliable grain shipper.

Welcoming New Canadians On March 12, I had the opportunity to participate in a citizenship ceremony and welcomed 80 new Canadian Citizens who were presented with Canadian Citizenship Certificates.

Here in Provencher we have witnessed a steady increase in the number of residents who wish to become Canadian citizens. It was touching to watch so many people excited to take an oath of Canadian citizenship and to witness this important moment in their lives. The excitement was visible on each of their faces. I was able to imagine how my grandparents must have felt at their citizenship ceremony in the 1920’s.

Supporting Seniors Also earlier this month, I was pleased to announce funding for eleven community seniors groups under the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

I had the pleasure of travelling across the riding to meet with these groups and congratulate them in person.

Canadian seniors have played a central part in building this country and they have earned our respect and admiration. They deserve our support to help them enjoy the best quality of life possible. Our government continues to translate that support into grassroots initiatives such as the New Horizons for Seniors Program. By supporting these projects, which are led by seniors, we are acting to ensure that seniors maintain a good quality of life and continue to be active members of their communities.

Successful applicants this year include organizations from St Adolphe, Hadashville, Ste Agathe, Morris, St Jean Baptiste, Piney, Ste Anne, Middlebro, La Broquerie and Paradise Village.

Our Government is committed to ensuring that the ‘golden years’ of our seniors are truly ‘golden’.

Moving Forward April will no doubt be another busy month both in Ottawa and here in Provencher. As your Member of Parliament, I am proud to be able to represent your views and concerns in Ottawa. As always, please feel free to contact my office with any issues or concerns. My staff and I will do whatever we can to help.

You may contact my office toll free at 1-866-333-1933 or at 204-326-9889. You may also write my office at 8-227 Main Street, Steinbach,

Rural Parishes Swept Away Behind Closed Doors Dear Editor: In southeastern Manitoba, many church buildings, under the direction of the Saint-Boniface Archdiocese, are one by one closing their doors. The distinguished steeples crowned with a metal cross, nesting a bell chamber, are slowly disappearing from our prairie horizons.

These Roman or gothic styled architectural gems built on the highest elevation of the area were once the heartbeat of the community. They have been silenced forever as the large bronze bells will no longer toll three times daily for the Angelus or announce a marriage, a baptism, a funeral or even an alarm to its faithful of imminent danger such as a prairie fire.

How is the suppression of a parish decided? What criteria do we have for the permanent closing of the church doors? What are the implications of such a closure and what are the rights of the parishioners? What consequences are suffered by the existing parishioners? Is there an outlined protocol for the suppression of a parish? Is there a follow-up with the parishioners who are left behind after the closure takes place?

Under Canon Law, the bishop has full authority on the erection or suppression of a parish. When a parish is created, land titles and ownership of all assets are ultimately given to the diocese. In reality, the parishioners who donated the land, paid, built, maintained and preserved these historic church buildings and cemeteries for a century or more do not have legal ownership.

Throughout rural southeastern Manitoba, when Catholic churches are closed, electricity is turned off and the doors are permanently locked. Usually little dialogue between parishioners and the diocese are forthcoming and little information is provided when it happens.

There is at present no set, written protocol available. Financial accounts, documents, all assets and responsibilities are transferred to the neighbouring parish creating a merger of the two parishes.

Liturgical objects and vestments are transported to the guardian parish with no inventory taken. Cemetery grounds are sometimes maintained by local volunteer residents or left to the neighbouring parish, which may take on the responsibility.

After closing, if a community committee is formed, the former parish assets, the buildings and land may be purchased for a low nominal fee from the diocese, except for the cemetery grounds that are retained by the diocese. Such ventures have given rise to community buildings housing museums and archive centres throughout our area.

In the past 40 years, the missions or parishes of Arondale, Bissett, Ladywood, Gretna, Sainte-Geneviève, Sainte Elisabeth, Saint Lupicin,

Aubigny, Richer, Tolstoy, Vita, Sprague, Sainte Rita and Ross have been closed.

Now Whitemouth is being suppressed while still others such as Woodridge and Saint Labre have priests that either alternate every second Sunday for Eucharistic Celebration or serve two parishes as in the case of Anola and Beausejour.

When canonical suppression is imminent, should the diocese and parishioners not discuss the procedures and negotiate a plan of action that takes into consideration the uniqueness and needs of that parish or committee in a respectful and collaborative manner?

Is it not time for the role of the bishop and of the priest to return to pastoral care and to give up the care of earthly belongings? Should the role of the laity be redefined to take over administration over their holdings and financial affairs, thus regaining power and control over the church property and financial responsibility? Is it not the right time that we rectify some of the church policies such as returning land titles to the parish and recognizing that church property belongs to the parishioner?

We, as devoted parishioners, need to be informed, to question the hierarchal and autocratic power and protocol that is sometimes unjust and overbearing. We need to ARISE and to take a proactive approach in being not only responsible for our spiritual well being but also care for our financial assets. Suppressed and active parishes have the right to be heard and understood. These suppressed parishes are not only buildings and cemetery grounds but represent many generations who remain as the guardians of the spiritual legacy of our ancestors.

In some cases, valiant and diligent volunteers have taken a stand and have maintained and restored church buildings and cemeteries. The parish land and buildings belong to the people who constructed the buildings, created a cemetery and who have maintained it for over 100 years.

Let justice be heard and let’s restore the property and possessions to their rightful owners, the parishioners.

Patricia Gendreau Ste. Genevieve, MB

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More Than Just News!

April 2014

City Surpasses National Drinking Water Standards Residents within the City of Steinbach can rest assured their drinking water exceeds quality standards.

On March 27, the City of Steinbach released their 2013 Annual Drinking Water Report to the public.

“The report gives Steinbach residents the information they need to feel confident that the water they are consuming meets and exceeds the quality standards set out for safe potable water,” said Waterworks Department Head, Mike Heppner. “We are proud of the water we distribute to our community.”

Annual Online Auction Helps Hospital

By Marianne Curtis For two weeks at the beginning of April, the Ste. Anne Hospital Foundation will be auctioning off bargains during their 5th annual online fundraiser. Money raised during the weeklong auction is the biggest annual fundraiser to raise money for the region’s second largest hospital.

Zoé Nakata, with Ste. Anne Hospital Foundation, is optimistic that the auction sale will do well.

“Last year’s auction saved our buyers an average of 37 percent off the regular products and services purchased,” stated Nakata. “This auction will help the Ste. Anne Hospital Fund Inc. continue to contribute to the excellent patient care of our local hospital by funding the purchase of equipment and construction projects.”

On average, the annual online auction sale raises about $30,000 for the Ste. Anne Hospital Foundation.

This year’s fundraising auction is taking place from March 31 to April 10. Products and services featured this year will include several air conditioning units, a water softener, a fascia and soffit package, cabinetry, concrete, excavation and backfill packages, a well drilling package, sandblasting, roofing and siding packages, a drywall package, a flooring package, peat moss, soil sand or stone packages, wood chips and chimney sweeping certificates just to name a few.

To find out more information about the online auction or the Ste. Anne Hospital Foundation, visit steannehospitalfund.ca/ auctions. For up-to-date information, sign up for Text Messaging by texting ‘auction’ to #: 393939.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Lorette Entrepreneur Embraces Fashion Hair Trend

By Marianne Curtis A Lorette entrepreneur who has dedicated nearly three decades of her life and her business to helping cancer patients is blazing new ground by discouraging the trend of shaving heads as a show of support.

Evelyn Valcourt, owner of Evelyn’s Wig Sales & Service has been matching hairpieces to cancer patients and people who suffer from ailments that cause severe hair loss for decades.

Recent fashion trends are leaning towards treating spare hair as fashion accessories and changing the landscape. Valcourt is hoping to encourage people to stop shaving their heads and adopt a new way to help patients by embracing fashion hair.

“I want to turn this Studio around so all Manitoba women will wear hair as an accessory instead of shaving their heads in support of cancer patients,” stated Valcourt. “If other women want to support their friends, it should be done with real support. If the women want the attention, then buzzing the hair would be one way to go. I would rather see well groomed women at all times.”

Fashion hair is a new trend, embraced by celebrities worldwide, including Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Fashion hair blends seamlessly with natural hairstyles, enabling

Evelyn Valcourt, owner of Evelyn’s Wig Sales & Service is encouraging people suffering hair loss due to cancer treatments to embrace the trend of fashion hair.

everyday women to experiment with fashion trends and colours without damaging their hair through processes like dying and perming.

“As most women that I see want to look good and want hair when they go through this real trauma,” explained Valcourt. “Maybe the supporters could help the cancer client purchase some head wear or help pay for the wig.”

Acceptance of both wig wearing

and cancer in society has made wigs an every day part of fashion culture. Using the term ‘spare hair’ to refer to the item, Valcourt hopes to eliminate any negative association that might remain.

Valcourt says that wigs’ dipped in popularity as a side effect of more people with cancer wearing wigs in the 60s. However, the quality of some synthetic wigs today outshining human-hair wigs available make it more affordable

and revitalizing their popularity as a fashion accessory.

Valcourt has owned and managed Evelyn’s Wigs, a wig shop in Lorette for 27 years. While she supplies hairpieces for everyday use, her expertise has focused on cancer patients and patients suffering hair loss from a variety of conditions including Alopecia.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Annual Run for Mom Registration Open Registration for the annual Run for Mom event that consists of a five kilometre or ten kilometres run or walk on Mother’s Day is open.

Taking place on May 11, Mother’s Day, Greg Penner, event organizer is looking forward to the seventh annual event.

“We can’t believe that we are here already,” said Penner. “Every year we have grown and it has become a community event.”

The event also includes a kid’s race, and this year a new event is being added. A middle distance run has been added of about 1 mile for children between the ages of kindergarten and grade 4.

“This gives kids a chance to experience more of the race,” explained Penner. “They get to cross the actual finish line with everyone else; they also get a t-shirt.”

Pre-registration is encouraged and cost for participation ranges from $15 for youth to $30 for an adult dependant on length of the run and date of registration. Family rates are available also. To register or find more information visit the event’s website at runformom.ca.

Free Concert – ‘The Recycled Orchestra’ From the slums of Paraguay comes an unlikely orchestra playing instruments made from the trash found on the landfill. Join us for an evening of music and stories of hope! The Recycled Orchestra will be performing at the Steinbach Mennonite Church on Wednesday, April 30 at 7 pm. Get your free tickets from the Steinbach Arts Council. A freewill offering will be taken. See more about the Orchestra on www.globalfamilyfoundation.ca.

‘Celebrate the Arts’ …35 Years of Memories Reserve your table now for the Steinbach Arts Council Fundraising Gala.

Last year we delighted you with Broadway performances by local celebrity singers and transformed Friedensfeld Community Centre into a glamorous venue with a New York skyscape.

This year, we invite you back to Friedensfeld, in celebration of Steinbach Arts Council’s 35th Anniversary. Come ‘Celebrate the Arts’ and 35 Years of Memories, with a smattering of some of the best local performances from the last 35 years.

This year’s Fundraising Gala will also feature Local ‘Celebrity Artists’, a Jewellery Tom bola and Fine Art Auction. Early bird specials on until Friday, April 11. Call now to reserve your table.

NEW! Spring Visual Arts Classes Keep your creative juices flowing this Spring with Digital Photography, Pottery Passion, Acrylic Impressionism for Adults and Intro to the Pottery Wheel. Kids will love Art Adventures, Hand Building with Clay and Art X-Travaganza. Also, sign up now for our Saturday Calligraphy Workshop on Saturday, May 10.

Summer Arts Day Camps Call before Wednesday, April 30 for 10 percent off! Ages 5-12 will have a blast at our weekly camps running Monday, July 7 – Friday, August 22, 9 am - 4 pm at Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre. Music, Crafts, Drama, Dance, Sports and Field Trips are a part of every camp!

This year’s themes: Around the World, Your Community, The Olympics, Under the Big Top, Let’s Have a Ball, It’s a Jungle Out There, Under the Sea. Call now to register.

Arts4Tots Preschool Program Early Bird Registration Now Open! Ages 3 - 5 will love learning early childhood education through the Arts - Music, Drama, Dance, Crafts… and Culture! Creative learning is just part of what makes our preschool program so unique. Choose two, three or four days and we will make a preschool schedule suitable for you. Openings for Monday to Thursday morning or afternoon. The program runs September 15, 2014 - June 11, 2015. Discounts before Thursday, May 1.

Southeast Open Judged Art Exhibit Join us on Friday, April 11 to check out the Southeast Open Judged Art Exhibit and works by over 90 artists from South eastern Manitoba! These include paintings, photography, pen and ink, pencil drawings, mixed media, pottery and more. Come celebrate with us at 7 pm at the Cultural Arts Centre Hall Gallery. Enjoy the artwork, entertainment and refreshments.

Mingle with fellow artists and friends.

Awards will be unveiled for each category, plus the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

The exhibit is on display until May 16 and the Hall Gallery is open during regular office hours. Schools, call now to book a classroom tour!

Random Acts of Creativity Join the Backyard Theatre Company for their end-of-year recital on Saturday, April 26 at the SRSS Theatre, 6:30 pm. They will be performing a variety of skits including Monster Under the Bed, Flight Lessons, Show Down and Playing with Fire. Tickets available at the SAC Office.

An Evening of Sacred Song Baritone David Klassen with Robert Neufeld, piano, and the Prairie Singers will be performing at Altona Mennonite Church on Sunday, April 6, 7:30 pm. Tickets available at the SAC Office.

Volunteer Opportunities Be a part of the Artists Tent Committee or help with Stage and Production at this year’s Summer in the City Festival, June 20-21. Youth ages 16-30 are invited to join the Creative Youth Council planning committee for Youth in the City.

Help with the Backyard Theatre recital on April 26 in set up and back stage.

Join us on Friday, May 2 to help decorate, set up and take down at the ‘Celebrate the Arts’ Fundraising Gala at Friedensfeld Hall.

Looking for scrapbookers - help us archive our memories!

Also looking for committee members for the Southeast Visual Arts Committee. Interested applicants, please email visualarts@steinbachartscouncil.ca.

April 2014

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Viral Video Used to Charge La Broquerie Man A 36-year-old man from La Broquerie has been charged after causing an accident in Ontario that was captured on a dashboard camera, posted online and resulted in a viral video.

On March 1, Christopher Lord from La Broquerie was charged under the A La Broquerie man faces charges after the Ontario accident filmed on a dash Ontario Highway cam and posted to You Tube went viral.

Traffic Act with driving a motor vehicle with a hand-held communication device after a viral video showed he was on a cell phone when the accident occurred.

Lord had already been charged with failure to yield at a stop sign after the March 1 crash, which took place west of Kenora at Highway 17 and Highway 17A west.

The video clearly shows Lord’s pickup truck, pulling a large trailer, making a left turn onto the highway in front of a vehicle driven by Ralph Ireland of Sioux Lookout, Ontario.

The frightening crash was recorded on Ireland’s dash cam and the video posted on You Tube where it then went viral. Close examination of the video shows the driver of the pickup truck holding something to his ear.

According to Ontario Provincial Police, the video “provided further evidence” that led to the additional charge being laid a few weeks after the original accident.

Lord, Ireland and his wife suffered minor injuries in the crash.

Tache Driver Involved in Elie Fatality A 47-year-old truck driver from the RM of Tache was involved in a traffic fatality, which claimed the life of a Winnipeg man.

The two vehicle accident, which occurred along the TransCanada Highway near Elie, took place on March 7, around 8:30 pm and involved a car and a tractor-trailer.

Headingly RCMP said the 59-year-old male driver from Winnipeg was pronounced dead at the scene. His 54-year-old female passenger was taken to a Winnipeg hospital with serious injuries. Her condition was later upgraded.

The driver of the semi was uninjured.

RCMP has determined that weather was a contributing factor in the crash.

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April 2014

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Niverville to Announce Plans for Community Pool

By Marianne Curtis The Town of Niverville council has finalized their plans to construct an outdoor pool in the community.

On April 15, the Town of Niverville is hosting a ‘Summer Splash Aquatic’

announcement at the Heritage Centre at 7 pm.

According to Niverville Councillor Myron Dyck, Council will reveal specific details of the project at that time.

“People have been talking about recreation in this town since I moved in fifteen years ago,” stated Dyck. “Getting to the next milestone is

very exciting.”

Over the winter, Niverville Council has been fine-tuning a Community Campus concept for the Niverville arena site. The campus has potential for recreation, commercial, residential and education activities on the 14-acre arena and curling rink site.

Nearly a year ago, Council began researching costs associated with the development of a water park/ pool facility adjacent to the Niverville Arena. Council charged staff with the task of obtaining cost estimates and the number was recently presented to council. Once preliminary estimates were on the table, council began looking at ways to fund the facility.

“We still have to get our funding in place and could take some time,” Dyck continued.

Based on a preliminary comparative operating and construction cost analysis an outdoor swimming pool/water park would cost more to construct but would attract more participation and would cost less to operate.

Similar projects based on water parks constructed in Wawanesa and Souris suggests the project could cost between $1.1 and $1.5 million.

Before the project proceeds, Council assures residents that before a project is approved or any funds are borrowed public hearings will be held.

In a previous announcement, the Town of Niverville Council said they hoped to have a new outdoor pool and splash park ready to open in August of 2014.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

April 2014

9

Richert Signs Contract with European Race Team

By Marianne Curtis Niverville racecar driver, David Richert, has signed a contract to drive for Inter Europol Competition, a Polish backed race team operating out of Hameln, Germany.

Richert will spend the 2014 race season driving Inter Europol Competition’s newly updated Formula Renault 2.0 racecar at circuits throughout Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Richert is thrilled to be joining the Inter Europol Competition for the 2014 Formula 2 racing season.

“I’m excited to join Inter Europol Competition and the schedule we’ve put together for this year is amazing! My goal for this season is simply to gain as much experience as I possibly can and make sure that I’m in a position to advance into an even higher category of racing for 2015,” stated Richert.

Jorg Kranzfelder, Engineer at Inter Europol Competition, is just as excited to have Richert on their team.

“We are happy to have David join our team and look forward to working together in achieving some excellent race results this season,” Kranzfelder added. “We like the approach that David has taken towards his racing career and we think he will fit in very well with us.”

Richert left for Germany in mid-March to begin official test sessions. He took to the track the weekend of March 24 and 25 for the first time in Hockenheimring in Germany at the Northern European Cup Official Test A driver’s side view alongside David Richert while he participates in a two-day test at the famous Nürburgring motor sports complex Days. around the village of Nürburg in Germany on March 24.

Although an electrical problem with the racecar limited track time, a problem that was eventually solved by swapping steering wheels, Richert was able to make steady progress over the two days.

“We still need to find a little bit more speed but it was satisfying to see my lap times drop,” stated Richert. “Gaining experience is vital as some of these guys have done over 5,000 km in the car already, I have only 500 km, so I need to learn but learn quickly.”

Richert’s first race weekend is scheduled for April 11-13 at Monza in Italy.

His racing schedule consists of 11 races between April and September with numerous additional test days scattered throughout the year. His schedule includes several races in the ultra competitive Northern European Cup (NEC) where drivers from over 26 different countries will attempt to find racing success at this international level of competition.

Woodlawn Students Support ROC

Residents Reminded Not to Flush Unflushables In the middle of March, the LUD of St. Malo issued a warning to residents to monitor what they flush.

“We are currently experiencing blockage problems with our lift stations,” stated the LUD of St. Malo. “Not all items that are deemed flushable are safe for the sewer systems.”

In a notice from the municipality, residents are reminded not to flush diapers, diaper wipes, J-Cloths, rags or clothing into the sewer system as they do not disintegrate and cause the sewer lines to plug and pump failures at the pump stations.

The Town of Niverville Council requested that residents not flush cooking oil and fat down the drains because it is accumulating in the lines.

Recreational Opportunities For The proper method of disposal for cooking oils is to place it in a container Children Chair Moni Loewen wants and send it to the landfill. to thank the students from Woodlawn School for helping support the organization.

According to Loewen, the students from the Woodlawn Outstanding Workers (WOW) group raised money to purchase digital cameras and fuel cards for kids participating in the program.

“We are so proud of these kids and honoured to have partnered with them,” praised Loewen.

Town of Ste. Anne Loses Public Works Foreman The Town of Ste. Anne will be looking for a new Public Works Foreman after the resignation of Claude Gagnon.

Gagnon has worked for the Town of Ste. Anne’s Public Works as foreman for about five years.

Gagnon cited health reasons as the reason for his departure.

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More Than Just News!

April 2014

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Tax Trigger Questions Many people who have straightforward and basic tax returns can certainly do their own taxes or may have them done by a family member or friend.

However, there may be times when you might want to see a tax professional to have your taxes completed fully and accurately.

There are some trigger questions or events that get me asking clients more questions.

Pension Income Splitting: Most of the time the ideal split is the full 50% allowed, but not always.

Sometimes its only $1,000 or $2,000, just enough for the other spouse to claim the pension income amounts. I recently had new clients attend my office. They had been using a specific amount of the pension split. He thought that was the ideal amount. I showed him the difference between the amounts he thought was ideal and what I suggested with a difference of hundreds of dollars. I asked if I could review the past few years to see if we could save more money for them.

He agreed and we will review the past three years (the most we can go back).

Severance Payment: Often when clients retire from their job, they receive a severance or retirement allowance. Some of it can be “eligible” and some of it is “noneligible”. Often clients will see me before they retire to find out what they can do with the amount (transfer tax deferred to RRSPs). If not done properly, it can cause some tax pain. I had one individual who thought he could do everything himself. Unfortunately, a year later after everything had been done, there was nothing I could do except confirm that Canada Revenue Agency was correct and he did not transfer the

full amount to the RRSP that he thought he could and he owed about $10,000 to CRA. EI and Tuition: Sometimes you can get your education paid for by Employment Insurance (EI). When this happens, there are three slips I’m looking for, the tuition receipt from Red River College or other school and two EI slips. One that pays for the education and one that paid you while going to school. Often one is missed. Just this week, a client thought she had everything, but I pointed out she is missing one T4E from EI. She will need to go on the Service Canada website and get it on line (often they are not mailed out). So, if we had filed her taxes without it, she would have been surprised to find her expected refund was a lot lower after CRA corrected it for the missing EI. Student Tuition: I like to review past taxes to ensure the full education and textbook credits were claimed properly (sometimes they are not). And, the next question is when did or when will you graduate? In Manitoba, we have the Graduate’s Tuition Income Tax Rebate. We get to claim each year up to 10% of the tuition paid for the graduating degree, diploma, or certificate. It depends on how much Manitoba tax is paid. Students have up to 20 years to claim the full 60%. I find this has often been missed in the past. If you or someone you know has graduated after 2006, they may want another opinion to see if it

Steinbach Meeting on Red Tape Reduction Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue, accompanied

by Provencher MP Ted Falk met with members of the local business community in Steinbach to discuss the Government of Canada’s progress on reducing red tape and the recent improvements that have been made to the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) online services.

“The Government of Canada has taken significant steps to reduce the tax burden on small and medium-sized businesses, which plays an important role in the longterm economic growth of our

has been claimed properly.

Medical Travel: Often people who move from Winnipeg to the rural areas, or have Winnipeg tax pros completing their taxes, can miss the travelling expenses to attend medical appointments that are more than 40 km from their home (and a service they cannot get locally, often specialists in Winnipeg or Winkler). Many times, we have gone back several years to make adjustments and get some tax refunds (as long as you have kept good records of your medical appointments... keep all your calendars that keep track of appointments) Disability Tax Credit: If you have an impairment that affects your day-to-day activities, you may qualify. The most common reason is for hip or knee replacements. Almost all individuals that have a joint replaced qualify because it affects their ability to walk. There are other impairments that qualify too such as hearing, diabetes (regular testing and calibrating meds), mental function (ADHD, depression, autism, and dementia), and dressing (arthritis). We can and have gone back up to 10 years to adjust taxes. Even if you have no taxes payable (lower income), you still get the $110 yearly Manitoba credit.

Manitoba Caregiver Tax Credit: If you are helping older parents or other family members, the Manitoba Primary Caregiver Tax Credit began with the 2009 tax year and we can go back up to three years. If you are assisting a family member (spouse, parent) or a neighbour or friend, you may qualify for the $1,275 refundable credit (not income tested).

Moving: If you are you moving from rental to your own home or home-to-home, the Education Tax Credit sometimes isn’t claimed properly. Most of us home owners

get the $700 credit on our property taxes, but if you change from a renter to homeowner, make sure you claim the full or the prorated amount. If you are moving from one home to another, make sure you know if the new home had the education credit too. Again, you may need to get it prorated on your income tax.

Purchasing New Home: Remember to claim the New Home Buyer amount if you (or your spouse) haven’t owned a home in the past few years, the credit is $5,000 and worth additional refund of $750.

Selling Property: Capital gains are often missed (just because you gave it to a family member, doesn’t mean you avoid taxes). Generally, if you have profited by disposing of something, you have taxes to be paid. It can be the selling (or giving) of shares or non-registered investments, vacant land, farmland, rental property, family cottages or other assets. This is the time to talk to a tax pro to make sure you claim it correctly. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) knows when you sell something. CRA gets info from investment firms on all shares you sell. And any time property changes hands, it’s registered at Manitoba Land Titles.

So, you may not get “caught” for a few years. But, avoid surprises in the future and claim all capital gains the year they happen.

Death of a Family Member: I have seen mistakes made when claiming the CPP death benefit.

The amount you receive from Canada Pension Plan (up to $2,500) is not claimed on the taxes of the individual who passed. It must be claimed on the Estate tax return or one or more beneficiary’s tax return. And, when someone passes away, that’s when they are considered to have disposed of everything they own. Large tax bills occur because of RRSPs or

RRIFs or disposing of all shares.

Get some professional help when a loved one dies.

Notice of Assessment and Notice of ReAssessment: Always look at the Notices you get from CRA after you file your taxes. I look for commentary about something that wasn’t claimed properly or advising you of carry forward items (tuition, capital losses). Take a good look at a Notice of ReAssessment (received 6-12 months after you have filed). If it’s because you forgot a tax slip, make sure it doesn’t happen again, or you can face some hefty penalties.

That can be one benefit of a tax pro. We often compare current and previous years to make sure we are not missing anything. That’s when we can help avoid tax surprises.

The many reasons above are why a tax professional can be worth paying for. Many of us are quite affordable and likely worth more in the tax savings you will get (or help avoid that tax headache you may have).

One more month for the majority of personal income tax returns to be filed. April 30 is the tax deadline to file your taxes if you owe money. Avoid the penalty and file even if you cannot afford to pay it.

The penalty is 5% of the taxes you owe and continues at 1% every month you delay filing. Interest is charged only if you file but do not pay.

If you are expecting a refund, you can wait up to three years, but why would you?

If you are self-employed (or your spouse is), you have until June 15 to file without penalty. Of course, if you owe, the interest starts accumulating May 1. Personally, I cannot get my taxes filed by April 30. Too, busy looking after all of you! So, I normally send them some money by April 30 to reduce the interest costs and then get it filed by June 15.

Anni Markmann is a tax professional and owner of Ste Anne Tax Service, working, living, and volunteering in our community. Contact Anni at 204-422-6631 or anni@steannetaxservice.ca or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne.

Ted Falk, MP for Provencher with KerryLynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue.

region,” said Falk. “I am pleased representatives of the local business community had a chance to discuss these important issues with Minister Findlay and I look forward to the implementation of the CRA’s new service enhancements for businesses.”

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

April 2014

11

Former Hanover Administrator Gets Jail Time Sixty-two year old Steinbach resident, Mel Schroeder, was recently sentenced to jail after he pleaded guilty to several charges of sexual assault against young boys.

Just over two years ago, Schroeder was charged with four counts of sexual assault against young boys, dating back to 1976 to 2000. In June 2013, Schroeder pleaded guilty to sexual assault involving two male youths. The victims were 12 years old at the time and known to Schroeder. Two other charges were stayed.

At a mid-March hearing a judge sentenced Schroeder to four years and four months in prison. He will also be placed on the sex offender registry.

Schroeder worked for the RM of Hanover as their finance and administration manager for

eighteen years, a position he held until retiring in June 2001, shortly after his arrest.

Pat Porter Active Living Centre offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for older adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs. For more information drop by the Centre, Monday to Friday 9 am - 4 pm, call 204320-4600 or online patporteralc.com.

Membership is only $25 per year due by January 15 of each year for those 55 years of age and older. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice in business meetings, voting rights and eligibility to serve on the board or committees.

Up and Coming Events and Monthly Programs: Easter Potluck: On Thursday, April 10. Please call ahead and let us know what you would like to bring. Contact 204-320-4600. Always needed are salads, casseroles, desserts and buns. Cost is $5.

Bingo: We will are hosting BINGO nights on Tuesdays, April 1, 15 and 29. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the games start at 7 pm. Please feel free to call the centre at 204-320-4600 for more information.

Afternoon Country Jam: On Thursday, March 20 from 1:30 - 4 pm. Come out and listen to some good old time country music. The cost is $2 in advance for members, $3 in advance for non-members and $4 at the door.

Fitness Classes: Low impact aerobics and strengthening fitness classes with instructor Shanley on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 -10:30 am.

Drop in fee of $4.

Old Time Country Dance: With live Band – The Telstars – On Friday, April 25 at 8 pm. Tickets available at the centre. Advanced tickets $10 for members, $12 for non-members and $14 at the door. Lunch served at 10pm.

P.A.C.E. Program: We are offering the P.A.C.E. fitness program with our Urban Poling class on Thursday mornings. We will be doing a half hour of the P.A.C.E. program and a half hour of poling. Classes start at 9:30 am. Cost $2. Contact 204-320-4600.

Choir: Choir practice is every Wednesday at 10 am (excluding the summer months). New members are always welcome.

Computer Classes: Every Wednesday for 1 hour from 9 am - noon.

Contact 204-320-4600 to make an appointment.

April and May Birthday Celebrations: Wednesday, April 2 and May 7 at 2 pm. Celebrate with us! Bring your friends! Guests pay $2 for coffee and cake.

Brain Injury Support Group Meeting: On Monday, April 28 at 7 pm.

Computer Lab: Need help with your computer skills? Labs are 1 hour long and available every Monday to Friday, 9 am - 12 pm and 1- 4 pm from 9 am - noon. Classes at 9, 10 and 11 am are 1 hour long. Cost $1. Contact 204-320-4600.

Foot Care: On the first Tuesday and Wednesday and third Tuesday of the month from 9 am - 2 pm. Run by a professional foot care nurse. Cost $30. Bring your own towel. Contact the centre to book an appointment.

Beltone Hearing: On the third Friday of each month. Contact 1-800-6612653 for appointment.

Parkinson’s Support Group: Meets the last Friday of the month at 1 pm.

Wood Carving: Try your hand at our woodcarving. The group meets every Monday evening at 6 pm (excluding the summer months). The cost is $ 1 for the evening. Please bring your own supplies.

Weekly Programs: Monday 9:30 - 10:30 am Low impact fitness class with instructor 12 - 4:30 pm Drop-in Pool 1 - 4:30 pm Model Trains 1 pm Canasta 7 pm Tai Chi Tuesday 9:30 am - 3 pm Circle of Friends 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 2:30 - 4:30 pm Family Search Wednesday 9 am - 12 pm Computer classes (call to register) 10 – 11 am Tai Chi 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Cribbage 1:30 – 4 pm Floor Curling 7 pm Old Time Country Band Practice Thursday 9:30 - 10:30 am P.A.C.E. Program and Urban Poling 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Whist 6 - 8 pm Family Search Friday 9:30 - 10:30 am Low impact fitness class with instructor 9:30 am - 3 pm Circle of Friends 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool Noon meals are available Monday through Friday. Cost $5.50. Contact 204-320-4605 by 9 am to reserve your meal for that day. Purchase your meal ticket at the receptionist desk before noon. Monthly menus available at the office or in the newsletter. Bring a friend.

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

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More Than Just News!

April 2014

Celebrate the Arrival of Spring with Manitoba Maple Syrup.

During the month of April, the annual Sugaring Off Festival will take place in St. Pierre-Jolys at the Cabane à Sucre.

The annual event is being held on April 12 and 13 from 10 am to 4 pm in the Cabane à Sucre, at the Musée de SaintPierre-Jolys Muséum in St. Pierre-Jolys.

Each year, visitors from all over the region travel to the community for the festival, which is designed to celebrate the tradition of tapping Maple sap used to make syrup and maple butter.

As part of the celebrations, visitors to the Cabane à Sucre are shown how the proper way to tap a Maple tree for the sweetness inside, followed by the dehydrating process and then given the opportunity to sample the finished product.

This weekend event promises to be full of activities, including taffy on snow, an interpretive centre demonstrating the production of maple syrup, horse wagon rides, museum tours, traditional FrenchCanadian dining, local entertainment including a fiddle competition and admission is free.

The annual Sugaring Off Festival started in 1986, when Armand Desharnais discovered he could tap the maple trees on the museum grounds.

With the help of volunteers, the festival has grown over the years. The Cabane à Sucre was built in 1998 by local artist Real Berard.

Ile-des-Chênes Author Releases Second Book

Marianne Curtis, Amazon bestselling author and head writer for the Dawson Trail Dispatch, is keeping busy, announcing the release of her second full-length book, a fiction novel titled A Discreet Betrayal.

In A Discreet Betrayal, Curtis takes on the world of internet dating in a romantic suspense thriller. Her first book, a non-fiction memoir called Finding Gloria topped the Amazon best sellers list in Canada, the UK and the US several times. She has also penned a book of poetry, and a companion piece to Finding Gloria.

“In today’s busy world, more men and women are turning to online dating as a viable option to find a mate than ever before; it is a subject that matters to people,” said Curtis. “Having once belonged to several online dating communities, I drew upon my own personal experiences and the experiences of my friends as inspiration for A Discreet Betrayal.

It is a work of fiction, yet there are many true stories buried within; it is up to the reader to figure out what is real and what isn’t.”

A Discreet Betrayal is the first installment of a three-book series following Emma, a journalist, who has a habit of getting in over her head while investigating articles for a monthly magazine. It is a cautionary modern day love story that has readers asking how far they would go to discover the truth about someone they love.

On March 11, A Discreet Betrayal was released as a The RM of Piney Council recently paperback and e-book on Amazon. sat down and reviewed a number of grant In the coming weeks it will be applications from groups and organizations in the municipality.

At a meeting of council, the municipality agreed to support eight community groups with grants totaling $52,500.

The municipality has divided their grant requests into three districts. Each district was granted $17,500 to share among various organizations.

In District 1, the money has been split between the Sprague Hall bar renovation, exercise equipment for Pine Groves Seniors, Sprague Arena Toboggan Slide, upgrades for the Sprague & District Historical Museum Inc., South Junction Community Centre washroom upgrades and basketball court repair and Middlebro Hall drywall and insulation upgrade.

Grants in District 2 are designated for the Vassar and Area Minor Baseball equipment, Vassar Community Recreation Centre and Piney Community Centre Hall linoleum replacement.

In District 3, funds will be used for the Sandilands Community Club picnic shelter expansion, St. Labre 200 Inc. digital sign, Woodridge Community Pump House Upgrade and Carrick Community Club Shelter screen.

The RM of Piney also approved a separate grant of $10,000 for repairs to the canteen in the Woodridge Hall.

Each year the RM of Piney sets aside one council meeting and decides which local organizations will receive a portion of funding, instead of entertaining grant requests throughout the year.

Piney Divides Grants into Three Districts

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Ile-des-Chênes author Marianne Curtis is looking forward to the official launch of her new fiction book, A Discreet Betrayal at Jake Epp Library on April 15.

available in several stores locally, including the Little Details Gift Shop in St. Malo, Ile-des-Chênes Country Store and McNally Robinson in Winnipeg. It can also be ordered online through the author’s website and various online bookstores including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, ITunes and Sony.

An official book launch for A Discreet Betrayal with coffee and dessert is taking place on April 15 at the Jake Epp Library in Steinbach starting at 7 pm. A Winnipeg event is planned for

April 22, at McNally Robinson at 8 pm in the Prairie Ink Restaurant on Grant Street, Winnipeg.

“Marianne has sure grown in a very well-rounded writer over the past two decades,” said Dan Guetre, Editor of the Dawson Trail Dispatch. “It’s amazing to see someone you gave a bit of guidance to, develop into a very creative person who took what she learnt and struck out beyond the ‘news’ world, taking hers skills and finding ways to branch off.”

Curtis is also finding herself in a unique position lately, peer

mentoring other writers who want to try and match her success… and is in the process of starting and researching another two books. She is constantly receiving calls from others who have read her first book and not only want to thank her, but are asking for her advice to get their owns stories on paper. To tackle the requests, she has not created Emerald Publishing and is developing ways to help teach others how to publish and market their books.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Palliative Care Family Room to See Improvements

April 2014

13

Council Maintains Trash Decision

By Marianne Curtis

By Marianne Curtis During the last week of March thousands of gently used books found new homes during the Bethesda Hospital Health Care Auxiliary’s annual spring book sale.

The 4-day event took place from March 26 to March 29 at the Clearspring Centre in Steinbach.

According to Verna Thiessen, funds raised during this year’s sale will go towards helping raise $30,000 for improvements to Bethesda Regional Hospital’s palliative care family room.

“Families of palliative care patients need a place for solitude to rest and maybe even for laughter,” stated Thiessen. “This is a good project for us and for the community.”

The Bethesda Hospital Health Care Auxiliary hopes to raise funds for flooring, painting and furnishing for the family room. Any money left over will be used to purchase equipment for the palliative care rooms themselves.

When the Auxiliary was founded in 1938, the group consisted of women devoted to supplying the hospital with food for patients, helped with

There was something for everyone at this year’s Bethesda Hospital Health Care Auxiliary book sale.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

laundry and sewing. Since then their efforts have evolved to fundraising for items needed by the local medical facility that are not covered by Manitoba Health.

At the end of 2013, the Bethesda Hospital Health Care Auxiliary had raised over $500,000 since 1980.

The organization’s most recent fundraising campaign paid for a new bedpan washer for Bethesda Place.

The Bethesda Hospital Health Care Ladies Auxiliary is currently planning their next fundraiser for October 2014.

Starting April 1, the Town of Niverville residents receiving curbside residential waste pickup will be limited to one bag or container per week.

Last month, Niverville’s Council gave first reading to a bylaw that will limit residential waste pickup to one bag or container a week. The decision was made after MidCanada Environment Services Ltd. advised the Town of Niverville that the solid waste tipping fee increased, adding approximately $17,300 to the cost of removal of solid waste from the community.

Councillor Myron Dyck said the town received a large amount of feedback through social media, phone calls and email from residents responding to the change.

“Residents generally have been proactive and encouraging, bringing forward either alternative solutions or continuing the proposed course of action,” said Dyck. “It was soon understood that there are no perfect solutions.”

Several creative alternatives were brought forward, from providing each home with 52 stickers per year or incorporating a completely different collection system. All options were given due consideration.

“In the final analysis, the resident’s advice has convinced Council that reducing waste collection from 2 bags/containers to one is for 2014 the best decision,” stated Council. “Evidence indicates that the majority of residents have already had moved to one container of landfill waste per week.”

The limit may be increased if a surcharge sticker had been purchased and attached to the second and each additional bag or container of landfill waste placed at the curb for collection, added council.

Unlimited bags and bins of weekly recyclable waste will continue. Recyclable waste shall be placed in blue recycling boxes or in semi-transparent blue recycling bags. Recyclable goods collected include type nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The Town of Niverville council has also committed to review this decision early in 2015.

14

More Than Just News!

April 2014

New Hazardous Waste Depot Opened

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Treacherous Road Conditions Due to freezing rain and strong winds on Saturday night (March 29th) resulted in slippery road conditions. This crash occurred at the intersection of Hwy 205 and Road 33E near Sarto.

Photo by Peter Martens

Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen gets ready to cut the ribbon and officially open the region’s first permanent hazardous waste depot.

By Marianne Curtis Steinbach and area residents can now dispose of household hazardous waste year-round, thanks to the new permanent Hazardous Waste Depot at the Steinbach Landfill.

On March 14, the City of Steinbach council, along with their solid waste department, celebrated the official grand-opening of the region’s first permanent hazardous waste depot.

Eldon Wallman, City of Steinbach’s Solid Waste Department Head, is pleased with the new addition to their facilities.

“We are excited that residents no longer have to store hazardous items in their homes,” said Wallman. “A lot of these items can be dangerous so the new facility provides proper disposal most days of the week.”

The building consists of a simple sheet metal structure that was constructed by City of Steinbach staff. It is stocked with pallets, drums and other containers and available year-round to the public for proper and safe disposal of hazardous wastes.

Previously, the City of Steinbach, together with Miller Environmental, would schedule one day every year for members of the public to bring these items to the Steinbach Fire Hall. Now Miller Environmental will come to safely transport and dispose of the hazardous items whenever the depot is full.

Wallman reminds residents that when bringing hazardous items to the depot secure all fluids in a sealed and labelled container. The new facility is for residential quantities of hazardous waste. Commercial hazardous waste will not be accepted.

In addition to constructing a new building, the City’s Landfill staff also received specialized training to operate and safely work with hazardous substances.

The facility, open 9 am to 4 pm from Tuesday to Saturday, accepts residential quantities of hazardous substances including paint, batteries, fluorescent and CFL bulbs, household cleaners, fertilizers and automotive fluids.

Falk Visits Law Class in St. Pierre-Jolys Ted Falk, Member of Parliament for Provencher, spoke with the Law class at Institut Collégial in St. Pierre-Jolys on Monday, March 10.

The Ritchot Fire Department includes Chief Troy Ash, Deputy Chief Scott Weir, Captains Jeff Stefaniuk, Chad Leclaire and Michel Trudeau. Fire fighters Marchel Courchaine, Paul Houle, Deidre Perron, Brad Zimmerman, Arun Rebello, Josiah Hill, Paul Cheema, Jordan Weir, Dale Hunnie, Dave Madden, Romeo Marchand, Barry Mamaka, Dan Berard, Dan Masse, Jaren Madden, Matt Verhaeghe, Randy Huston, Dave Trudeau and Lee McQuitty. Missing: Captain Patrick Lafond, fire fighters Shawn Verhaeghe, Kelly Rudnicki, Jonny Loewen and Ryan Marchand.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

St. Adolphe Receives New Fire Truck

The RM of Ritchot Fire Department is pleased that they have added a new fire truck to their fire fighting fleet.

According to Fire Chief Troy Ash, the new pumper is a welcome addition to the municipal fire brigade. The new pumper will be stationed in St. Adolphe, but is available for service throughout the municipality.

The RM of Ritchot Fire Department has now set its eyes on purchasing a new rescue vehicle for Ile-des-Chênes.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Recreation Opportunities for Children host first fundraiser

More Than Just News!

April 2014

15

Local Talk Show Westco to Build Broiler Houses in De Salaberry Launches in April

By Marianne Curtis

Corny Rempel channelled Johnny Cash during Recreation Opportunities for Children first self-hosted fundraising dinner.

By Marianne Curtis On March 13, Recreation Opportunities for Children Eastman hosted their first fundraising event to raise money for the group.

Approximately 120 people attended the first Recreation Opportunities for Children (ROC) Eastman fundraising supper at the Frantz Inn. Moni Loewen, Recreation Opportunities for Children Chairperson said they have had fundraisers held for them in the past but this was the first time they planned one on their own.

“So much fun for such a great cause,” said Loewen. The event raised about $1,600. “This will go farther than you may think.”

She explained that the money would be used to purchase fuel cards for struggling families trying to transport their children to weekly activities.

“Families drive their children once a week to an activity,” explained Loewen.

“We help them with fuel and an average fuel card per month for a family is about $35. For $1,600 we can fund 46 months of fuel.”

ROC is a not-for-profit organization that works to connect at-risk children and youth to positive recreation and leisure opportunities. Not only does the group take a hands-on approach but they also provide financial support for sports and physical activities.

“We go one step further and provide financial assistance for registration fees, equipment and fuel for a huge variety of recreation activities,” Loewen added.

Activities include photography, music or singing lessons, gardening, dog obedience classes, dance, Kung Fu, Special Olympics, clay making, swimming lessons, soccer, creative writing and more.

On average, Recreation Opportunities for Children Eastman works with about thirty children per year in communities including St. Malo, St. Pierre-Jolys, Steinbach, Niverville, Blumenort, La Broquerie, Pine Falls and Beausejour.

The Night Owl There are those kinds of people who wake up early in the morning and jump out of bed.

They are full of energy and ready to tackle the day. My wife and daughter are that way most mornings. I most definitely am not. Sure, I have the odd morning where the stars have aligned, I had a great night sleep and I wake up feisty but these days are few and far between. Most mornings I have to drag myself out of bed and the only feistiness that I possess is the retribution I inflict upon my alarm clock for waking me up. I am not a morning person. I am a night person, a night owl if you will.

For me, I seem to come alive later in the day and it seems to pick up steam as the evening draws into night. There just seems to be something magical about having my wife and children in bed snoozing away, while I’m awake. The silence in our usually chaotic home is almost deafening some nights. Ah, blessed silence.

Most evenings I find myself either reading or writing or if I’m feeling ‘lazy’, just vegging out in front of the television. I have found that staying up late and watching television can be great but it can also be tiring (Tiring? Get it?). Since we have barely more than the basic free local stations, it can be quite a challenge finding something worthwhile to watch.

Some evenings I can find a movie on that appeals to me, sadly that doesn’t seem to happen often enough. Sitcom reruns are occasionally on when I’m there, but unless they are very funny, they don’t hold a lot of interest for me. I do enjoy the ‘Big Bang Theory’ as it is usually good for a few laughs. Educational shows are great for feeding a sleepy mind but sometimes they have the effect of nodding me off to Dreamland. Never a good idea to be in Dreamland when your last waking thoughts were of lions attacking their prey because, guess what, you never dream that you’re the lion!

Over the years, I have learned to force myself to go to bed earlier, mostly out of sheer necessity due to daytime working hours. (You’d think I’d just go and get a night-shift job already!) Thankfully, there are weekends and then, when it is possible, the night owl is once again released.

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

In April, Canadian Home Trends Magazine is launching the Marc and Mandy Show.

Marc Atiyolil is the editor-in-chief of Canadian Trends Magazine along with Lifestyle Editor Mandy MacLaren will be co-hosting a half hour talk show filmed in front of a live studio audience in Blumenort.

Atiyolil says that both viewers and live studio audience will be surprised with special appearances from celebrity designers, beloved chefs and music superstars.

“We wanted the Marc and Mandy Show to talk about real people and real issues,” said Atiyolil.

MacLaren noted the show is also a great opportunity for local residents and businesses to be involved.

“Instead of models, we are inviting local women to come and get free makeovers and showcase them on the show,” MacLaren continued.

Viewers can expect to tour homes across the country, get a peek at hot fashion trends or home decor. Recipes and relationship experts will also be featured on the show.

To ensure the success of the Marc and Mandy Show, local views can get involved by sharing their story. Members of the community are also invited to register online to be part of the audience.

Audience members will be privy to special giveaways and space is limited.

The show will be distributed nationally on SHAWTV and MarcandMandy.com.

New Health Teams Established The City of Steinbach will be the first of fourteen locations across the province that will have a My Health Team launched in the community.

The first of fourteen My Health Teams, will be up and running in the Steinbach area this spring with the others to follow by the end of year.

According to the province, the intent of the centres is to help lighten the workload of family doctors so they are able to see more patients.

These teams will provide primary care to families and could include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, dietitians, mental-health professionals or pharmacists and others, based on the needs of the population.

Dr. Mark Duerksen, family physician, Steinbach Family Medical believes the program will greatly benefit patients in the region.

“My Health Teams are key to more holistic patient care,” said Duerksen.

“These networks benefit the patient first by offering a co-ordinated access to several health resources to encourage wellness.”

Karen Ilchyna, a registered nurse and Regional Director, Primary Health Care Integration with Southern Health-Santé Sud Health agreed.

“This is about collaboration and making the health system better for our communities,” added Ilchyna.

The makeup of each team will be unique, as they are designed around the needs of the community.

Each team is expected to help connect up to 2,000 more Manitobans with care.

On March 12, the New Brunswick company, Group Westco announced that they would be building the second largest poultry farm in Manitoba, right here in the RM of De Salaberry.

Raynald Saint-Hilaire, Group Westco’s Manitoba representative says the company is excited about coming to Manitoba and setting up shop in the region.

“In 2006, the company purchased Neepawa Food Processors Ltd. in Neepawa, with a production capacity of 2.8 million kg a year,” said Saint-Hilaire. “However, because of its proposed geographic location, this new site near Arnaud is much more suitable and brings us closer to the Dunn-Rite slaughterhouse in Winnipeg and also to Carleton Hatcheries in Grunthal near St. Pierre-Jolys.”

The initiative is therefore aimed at enhancing the production chain flow and promises unprecedented economic impact, added Saint-Hilaire.

With these three new broiler houses, Group Westco’s production capacity should indeed be exceptional. The project includes the construction of three 100 x 528 feet broiler houses that will hold 212,000 broiler chickens representing close to 3 million kg a year.

“That doesn’t factor in the implementation of new technology in heating, lighting, litter and ventilation,” Saint-Hilaire added. “The most effective techniques to obtain the best possible yields are being considered which is why the services of Dennis Hodgkinson’s world-class DGH Engineering Ltd. firm have been retained.”

Group Westco has an annual production of broiler chickens in the millions and boasts soaring sales. The New Brunswick-based company produces 51% of the broiler chickens and 67% of the turkeys in New Brunswick. Once established, this facility will become the second-largest poultry farm in Manitoba.

Classrooms Funded

By Marianne Curtis On March 12, three Hanover School Division elementary schools were included in an announcement by the province to provide over $12.4 million to renovate or build 21 classrooms in eight schools across Manitoba.

Education and Advanced Learning Minister, James Allum said the smaller class sizes are expected to give students more one-on-one time with teachers.

“Smaller class sizes in early grades enrich and enhance learning, and the benefits last throughout a student’s educational path,” stated Allum. “Small classes create a climate for learning and surround students with attention and encouragement.”

Because of the announcement, the Hanover School Division will receive 11 new classrooms in the communities of Grunthal, Blumenort and Niverville which translates to just over half of the additional classroom spaces.

In Grunthal, four classrooms will be added to South Oaks School. The Blumenort School will receive two classrooms and Niverville Elementary will gain five classrooms.

The announcement is the second phase of the Manitoba government’s plan to continue to support the creation of smaller kindergarten to Grade 3 class sizes. In 2011, the province announced it would provide new supports to enable school divisions to cap kindergarten to Grade 3 classrooms at 20 students by September 2017.

Funding for smaller class size infrastructure is an addition to the province’s education capital funding that is building and renovating schools across the province, adding new gyms and renovating and building new science labs. The province currently has six new schools under construction or in the design phase, including the Steinbach Regional Secondary School in Steinbach.

Second Woman Fined for Scam A second Steinbach woman has been fined $4,500 for her part in a ‘get-richquick’ scheme that has allegedly siphoned millions of dollars from investors across Canada.

On March 28, Melinda Scheper, 48 plead guilty in court to promoting a pyramid scheme, a violation of the Competition Act. Scheper was among 13 people arrested in January 2011 in connection with a pyramid scheme targeting people in the Steinbach area. At the time, three women and a man from Steinbach were arrested and charged in relation to the alleged pyramid scheme after an investigation by the RCMP. Charges against the man were later stayed.

Those charged include the Business in Motion International Corporation, from Mississauga, Ontario and Director Colin Fox from Ontario. Four other individuals from Ontario, one from British Columbia and seven individuals from Manitoba were also charged.

“Participants were told they couldn’t lose and they could make a lot of easy money,” said Crown Attorney Peter Edgett.

The court heard how Scheper led a series of information seminars in 2008 and 2009 promoting investment in a company called Business in Motion.

Attendees were enticed to make individual investments of between $3,200 and $3,600 in the Mississauga, Ontario based company and promised financial rewards for bringing in investors. Court heard the company purported to sell vacation travel packages and other products but in reality sold nothing of real value.

Attendees were told if they met certain recruitment goals they could make as much as $100,000.

Two months ago, Cornelia Kauenhowen, also of Steinbach was fine $3,500 for her role in the scheme.

In February, cheated investors launched a class-action suit against the group to win a $6.5 million judgement against Business in Motion and company principal Alan Kippax.

16

April 2014

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

Friedensfeld Fundraiser Perogy Dinner - On Sunday, April 6, from 12 - 1:30 pm at the Community Centre raise money for our kitchen renovations. Dinner includes Potato & Cottage Cheese Perogies, Farmer Sausage, Corn Coleslaw, Dessert, Beverages and a 50/50 Draw. Contact Irene @ 204-326-1624, insch@shaw.ca.

Lorette Spring Craft Sale – On Saturday, April 12 at Le Club Les Bles D’or, 1254 Dawson Rd from 9 am - 3 pm. 10 Local vendors, Silent Auction.

Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) – Volunteer opportunities.

If you go for walks, bike rides, jogs or even just drive around the community, please put on a COPP vest and show your support or help with administrative duties. Can you donate an hour per month? Contact Trevor, 204-955-3434 Lorettecopp@gmail.com.

Celebrate the Arts Gala – On Friday, May 2 at the community centre. Local celebrity artists, a jewelry tom bola and Fine Art Auction. Enjoy delicious food, cocktails, entertainment and dance the night away. Early bird discounts before Friday, April 11. Contact Shannon Neufeld to reserve 204-346-1077, New Horizons Seniors - Play cards, Scrabble, Wii and more. marketing@steinbachartscouncil.ca.

Drop in Tuesdays 1-5 pm at Foyer Notre Dame Lorette 12 St.Amant Ave. Contact Iris 204-878-3552.

Giroux Steinbach and Area Lions Club 40th Anniversary – On Saturday, April 12 at the Giroux Hall. Supper, live band ‘The Classic Mitchell Embers’ and a Silent Auction. Tickets $15 ea. Contact Diane Breakfast and Social - Every Tuesday morning, 7:30 - 9 am except the last Tuesday of the month when the social is held Foreman at 204 326-2313, daleforeman@mts.net. instead. Lunch starts at noon at the Mitchell and Area Seniors Centre. Contact 204-326-6944.

Grunthal Spring Rodeo – On Friday, May 16 – Monday, May 19.

Participate in the Rough Stock Riding School on Friday and Niverville Saturday, or cheer on the contestants during the Jackpot Tai Chi - On Tuesdays, April 8 - May 27 from 2- 3 pm at the Gymkhana, Manitoba High School Rodeo and the Manitoba South End of Arena. Cost $36.75. Register by April 1. Contact Cutting Horse Association cutting horse show. A full canteen 204-388-4078, recreation@whereyoubelong.ca. with great food all weekend as well as a chicken BBQ on Sunday. Admission $5 for the Saturday evening Gymkhana, $8 Community Garage Sale – From Friday, April 25 – Sunday, per day Sunday and Monday. Children 10 and under are free. April 27. Choose your day & hours that you want to conduct your garage sale. Add your address added to the map. Contact the Community Services office 204-388-4078 or email Hadashville Tae Kwon Do - Every Wednesday at 6 pm at the Hadashville recreation@whereyoubelong.ca by Monday, April 21.

Community Club (Reynolds Recreational Centre) from 6 years old to adults. Pursue a black belt or learn new skills, great Freecycle Event – On Saturday May 3 - Put out any ‘givestress release and have an excellent workout at the same aways’ on the curb for anyone interested to pick up for FREE. time. Cost after registration fee is $40/month per person. Ask Please be sure to remove items from your front yard that could about 2 week free trial. Contact Shelly at 204-426-5266 or be mistaken for this event.

KSTA.academy@gmail.com.

Town Spring Cleanup – From Monday, May 5 – Wednesday May 7 the Public Works will pick-up items not normally collected Ile-des-Chênes Our Lady of the Roses Prayer Group – Meets on the first Saturday such as broken furniture, appliances, old mattresses, etc. of every month, at 6:30 pm to recite the Rosary and learn about (please place items at the end of the driveway for free pickup Our Lady of the Roses, Mary Help of Mothers and receive Blessed - you do not need to contact Public Works for pick-up). All Rose Petals and other Sacramentals from Blessed Mother’s items must be at the curb by NOON on Wednesday, May 7 for place of miracles. Contact Corinna 204-878-4908 or email her pick-up. at corinnaswetz@hotmail.com for more info and register.

GriefShare - If you or someone you know has experienced the loss of a loved one we wish to help, you get support and learn Kleefeld Soccer Registration - On Tuesday, April 8 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm about the grieving process. Contact 204-381-1155 to register at the Kleefeld Recreation Centre - 100 Park Avenue. or go to Nivervillegriefshare.com.

Registration fee $20 per child. Include soccer shirt and windup. Contact Dave Dueck 204-377-4177 or Mike Peladeau 1- Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with children up to age six.

Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am located in the 204-377-4808, soccer@kleefeldpark.ca. lower level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62 4th Avenue S.).

Get Better Together – On Thursdays from April 10 – Thursday, Free drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, along May 15 at Village Oaks 6-week program for anyone living with with a large open space for the kids to play while the moms chronic conditions or anyone who supports or lives with an visit. Contact Karen at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com. individual with these conditions. Free Registration. Contact Madeleine Sarrasin, Healthy Living Facilitator, Southern Health Piney Bingo - Every 2nd Friday.

204-346-6692.

Soccer Coaches Clinic – On Thursday, May 1 at the Recreation Centre from 7 – 8 pm. Contact Dave Dueck 204-377-4177, Michael Peladeau 204-377-4808 or soccer@kleefeldpark.ca.

Hanover Soccer Club Referee Refresher Course – On Friday, May 2 from 6:30 - 9:30 pm at the SBC-Steinbach Bible College.

For returning referees who have the Entry Level Youth Referee Course. Must be 14 or over. Referees paid on a per game basis.

Contact Jackie Anderson jaxbakx@gmail.com, 204- 3811030.

Hanover Soccer Club Youth Referee Course – On Saturday, May 3 at 9 am and Sunday, May 4 at 10am at the SBC-Steinbach Bible. 2-Day referee course must be over the age of 14, wants to referee soccer for Hanover Soccer club. Referees are paid on a per game basis and course fee reimbursed by Eastman Soccer when the exam is passed. Register by email. Contact Jackie Anderson jaxbakx@gmail.com, 204-381-1030.

Community Playgroup - for parents, caregivers and children ages 0-5. Activities include time for playing, stories, songs and snacks. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Kleefeld Rec Centre. Contact Irene Ascough 204-377-5013.

La Broquerie 50th Anniversary Curling Club Swing Fest – On Saturday May 31 at the La Vérendrye Golf Course on Tétrault Rd,. Tournament open to all. Cost $100 per Person includes Bus, Round of Golf and Cart, Supper, Prizes. Deadline Saturday, May 24. Limited Room on the bus, first to pay guaranteed a seat. Contact Marc Lemoine 204-883-2661 or 204-479-8666 Seine River Services for Seniors- Health Centre/Centre de Santé from Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. Services and programs for seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility equipment, foot care, hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yard maintenance, Telecheck, E.R.I.K. program, puzzles and games.

Contact Community Resource Coordinator Juliette Rowan, 204424-5285 or labseinerss@gmail.com. Shopping Trips to Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month, leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of the month, from 10 am - 1 pm.

Cost $10.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Contact Lois Loewen Epp 204.346.6609 or buses, hotel and Folklorama venues all have to be booked lois@eastmanimmigrantservices.com. and paid for in advance. From Tuesdays and Wednesdays, August 5 - 6 and August 12-13. Two trips planned, giving you Book Sale - Bethesda Healthcare Auxiliary – On Tuesdays the opportunity to go to Folklorama without the line-ups, no (gently and not-so gently) used book sale at Clearspring hassle parking and enjoy preferential treatment at the Centre. Book donations accepted year round at Clearspring pavilions. You will also get to enjoy both of the Casinos of Centre from 9:30 am – 4 pm.

Winnipeg and stay at the Club Regent Casino Hotel by Canad Inn. Excellent rates. Must be 18. Buses are filling quickly.

Healthy Eating Cooking Classes - Every other week on Contact Marilyn at 204-326-4939 to book and reserve your Thursdays at South East Helping Hands.

No Charge, enjoy a St. Pierre-Jolys seat.

Sugaring-Off Festival - On Saturday, April 12 - Sunday, April 13 meal with other community members and learn how to plan from 10 am - 4 pm at Musée de Saint Pierre Museum, 432, rue & prepare healthy meals on a budget. Contact and register Super Start Program - A Healthy Baby program with the Southern Joubert Street. Free Admission. Historical Interpretations start 204-326-2599 or southeasthelpinghands@gmail.com.

Regional Health Authority. Program for pregnant women and at 11 am - 3 pm, Maison Goulet circa 1890, the only historical families with infants up to one year of age. Sessions include Adult Book Club Tuesdays from 7 – 9 pm.

Bring book ‘living’ building in the province, great traditional food & music, song and rhyme time, discussions and games on topics related maple sugar production and on Sunday at 2- 4 pm Traditional suggestions or peruse our book lists. Meet some other book to healthy babies and healthy moms. Door prizes, nutritious lovers too and bring a friend. At the Jake Epp Library 255 snacks and milk coupons for all participating expectant moms Fiddling Competition.

Elmdale St. Contact Tracey Pankratz 204-326-6841 or mothers who have babies up to six months of age. Contact Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba – Depression support programming@jakeepplibrary.com.

Terry from Super Start at 204-346-7021 or just drop in. group meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7 pm.

Blumenort - EMC Church on Thursday, April 3 Located at the Health Corner DeSalaberry Hospital. Contact Ladies Get Fit Classes - Sponsored by Eastman Immigrant at 10 am – 12 pm Services, every Wednesday at 7:15 pm at the Woodlawn School Judy Dunn 444-5228.

Niverville - Community Fellowship Church on Tuesday, April 8 gym. Aerobic, circuit training, weights, mats and stretching at 10 am – 12 pm exercises. Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Register Ste. Anne - Dayspring Fellowship Church on Thursday, April 10 Ste. Anne Little Shop of Horrors – On Thursday, April 10 at 7 pm and contact Lois 204-346-6609. at 10 am – 12 pm Friday, April 11 at 9 pm at the Ste. Anne Collegiate Gym a High Kleefeld – Mitchell Fellowship Church on Thursday, April 24 Steinbach Girl Guides Every Tuesday at the United Church of School Musical Production. Contact Lisa Van Den Bussche 204at 10 am – 12 pm Steinbach, 541 Main St. Registration for girls 5-17. Develop St. Malo – St. Malo School on Wednesday, April 16 422-5417, lvandenbussche@srsd.ca. personal values and well-being, self-respect and respect for at 10 am – 12 pm Dog Walk Fundraiser - On Saturday, May 10 at the Parc des others; promote fun, friendship, adventure and challenges St. Pierre-Jolys - Bible Fellowship Church on Thursday, April 17 Redemptoristes, hosted by the Ste. Anne Lions Club. There will through new experiences; develop leadership and decision- at 10am-12pm be contests, demos, and fun for everyone. Come join us! There making skills; give service to the community; value the natural Ste. Agathe - Community Hall Centre on Tuesday, April 15 is no registration fee and 100% of the funds raised will go environment. at 10 am – 12 pm towards the Purina® Walk for Dog Guides.

Lorette - Seine River Church on Tuesday, April 22 Green Drinks South Eastman - South Eastman Transition at 10 am – 12 pm Seine River Services for Seniors – Invite to all seniors interested Initiative presents Green Drinks South Eastman. On the 3rd Mitchell - Fellowship Church on Thursday, April 24 in the Wii Bowling game to come, try it out and have fun. On Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at LBees, 5-275 Main St. Grab at 10 am – 12 pm Monday at 1 pm, at Le Club Jovial. Contact Juliette Rowan at a coffee and discuss sustainable living. Contact 204-424-5285 Community Resource Coordinator for local rebecca_hiebert@yahoo.com. services or e-mail labseinerss@gmail.com.

The Steinbach Rotary Club - meets every Monday at noon at the Pat Porter Centre for active living. Contact Cornie at 326Ste. Geneviève Library Night - Bibliothèque Taché Library at the Community 3155.

Centre on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, from 6:30 - 8 pm. Selection of books in both French and English, all ages. Mental Health Information and Support sessions - for family Over 21,000 books including audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, large and friends of people with mental health issues are held the print books and magazines plus they can import books from 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Eden any library in Manitoba. Special requests can be made to the East building, 21 Loewen Blvd. Contact Kim at 371-0824 or librarian, Brandi Schmitz at 204-878 - 9488, email eastmanmss@mts.net bibliotachelibrary.com or in person.

MS Monthly Self-Help group meeting - for people living with multiple sclerosis. The group meets on the second Thursday Steinbach Goodbye Bonspiel – On Wednesday, April 2 - Sunday, April 6, evening of each month from 6 - 7 pm at Fernwood Place at the Steinbach curling club. Will likely start at 7 pm in the apartments. Contact Nadine Konyk, Rural Client Services evening on both Wednesday & Thursday. Friday tentatively 6 Coordinator at 1-800-268-7582 or email pm. Contact Wilf at 204-326-9359 or email nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. steinbachcurl@live.ca.

MS Lunch Group- on fourth Thursday of every month, from 12 Photo Wall fundraiser – On Friday, April 4 - Saturday, April 5 – 1 pm at the Village Green Restaurant. Contact Nadine Konyk,

By Marianne Curtis at the Clearspring Centre for Relay for Life. Contact Marcella Rural Client Services Coordinator 204-326-1434 or email nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca.

Friesen 204-320-2611, marciefriesen@hotmail.com.

St. Malo Hike for Hospice - On Sunday May 4 at 12:30 pm and the hike will commence at 1:30pm from the St. Malo Church parking lot and proceed along a portion of the Crow Wing Trail. Free registration. This is a family event focusing on raising awareness and funds for palliative care programs and services in our local communities. For more information, please contact Carolyn Fenny 204-346-6697 or cfenny@southernhealth.ca.

Opening Doors to Success Fashion Show WBN - On Wednesday, April 9 at 11:30 am- lunch at Chicken Chef, 365 Main St. and 1 pm- Fashion Show at Opening Doors to Success, 2-90 Brandt.

Come dressed and ready to walk the runway. WBN and one of our members, Nancy McNaughton from Opening Doors to Success are joining forces to bring hope to Southeast Manitoba’s Prawda under and unemployed individuals. Contact Diane Stadnyk at Circuit 30 - Alternate aerobic and weight exercises, with cool diane@embracingsimplicity.ca. down and stretch exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, clean runners, and bring a bottle of water. Cost $2/class, Mondays Starting Seeds Workshop – On Monday, April 14, at 6:30 pm and Thursdays at 7 pm, in the Reynolds School Gym. Contact at the Mennonite Heritage Village. ‘How to Workshop’ on Wendy 204-348-2433. starting seeds. Free admission, but pre registration required by Tuesday, April 10. Email agpeters@mymts.net or call 204Busy Bodies Playgroup – Every Wednesday from 9 - 11 am at 326-2396. the Reynolds School Gym. Free to parents and children. Snacks provided. Contact Cassie 204-793-8290.

Steinbach & Area Garden Club - On Monday, April 14 at 7 pm at the Mennonite Heritage Village. ‘Organic vs. Inorganic Richer Pesticides and Fertilizers’ with Sheldon Gesell, owner of Dirt n’ Seine River Services for Seniors - Tai Chi – On Thursday at 6:30 Grow Fertilizers. Come find out how to replace harmful pesticides pm at the Richer School, Gym. Free. Instructor Sara Trudeau. with new, effective products for a healthy garden! Everyone Seniors are encouraged to consult with a doctor before starting welcome! Door prizes! Refreshments! Cost for walk-ins $5. this program. For all programs, you must register with Seine Contact sagardenclub.com.

River Services for Seniors – Contact Juliette Rowan Community Resource Coordinator at 204-424-5575 for Richer services or Bud Spud and Steak for Hanover Soccer Club – On Thursday, email labseinerss@gmail.com.

April 24 from 6 – 11 pm at the Frantz Inn. Tickets $20 ea. Win a Signed Canada Men’s Soccer Jersey, 50/50 draw and door Richer Recovery AA - Group meets every Thursday and Saturday prize. Contact Eddy Noll 204-371-2090, Jackie Anderson 204from 7:30 - 8:30 pm at LUD Hall in Richer. Contact Lee at 204- 381-1030, jaxbakx@gmail.com.

451-0255.

AGM Rivière Seine River Wildlife Association – On Friday, April Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for Stacey Pchajek 25 at 7:30 pm at the Steinbach Superstore community room 2nd Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides floor. Club progress updates and board elections. Contact any scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating director or Brynley Bennett 204-422-5458 grades 8 and 12. Children Under 14 must be accompanied by brynonna@simplyconnected.ca, Ted Pott 204-346-0717, an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open ted.pott@rsrwa.com. at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club 22 Dawson Rd. in Richer.

MGCC License # BI/BO4164. Contact Doreen Pchajek at 422- Pick up and Walk – On Saturday, May 03 from 9 am - 12 pm 5243 or doreen@spmf.ca. a community clean up event. Volunteers meet at the T.G Smith Arena and dispatched in groups of 6-10 with maps, routes and Sprague garbage bags. Wear rubber boots and dress for the weather.

Bingo - Every 2nd Wednesday.

Remember wear your bright yellow t-shirt from last year. A thank you lunch will be provided, free of charge at the arena St. Adolphe at noon.

Bud, Spud & Steak & Wind Up - On Saturday, April 12 at the St. Adolphe Curling Club. Doors open at 5:30, Dinner at 6:30, International Cooking Class – Every second Tuesday, from 6 – Entertainment at 9:00. Tickets: $20/person (limited number 8 pm. Eastman Immigrant Services has invited immigrant available). Contact a board member for tickets or call 204- newcomers to teach a cooking class. Cook a delicious meal.

883-2795.

Hands on opportunity to prepare new and delicious foods, go home with recipes, know how & insider secrets along with having the chance to enjoy new friends in our community.

Habitat Meeting Taking Place in Grunthal

Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba individual and support groups - for persons experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, bi-polar disorder and other mental health/emotional concerns. Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Jake Epp Library from 7 – 9 pm. Contact Judy Dunn 204-4445228.

The Bethesda Regional Healthcare Auxiliary - meets on the first Tuesday of every month except for the months of July and August at the Bethesda Hospital. We welcome anyone interested in auxiliary work. Contact Verna Thiessen at 3263028.

Steinbach and Area Lions Club meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at the Magnolia Restaurant.

Contact 204-326-2313.

Carillon Toastmasters - meetings are open to adults who want to improve their leadership and communication skills. Thursday evenings starting at 7 pm at the Jake Epp Public Library 255 Elmdale Street, Contact Doreen 204-326-7525.

Steinbach AA 12 Step Recovery Program - Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Steinbach United Church, 541 Main St. Ring the front door bell.

Young moms to be - Bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pm at Anna’s House B-11, Hwy 12N. Contact 204-346-0413.

Woodridge AGM Southeast ATV Association - On Saturday, April 12 starting at 10 am at the Woodridge Community Hall. All members and ATV enthusiasts you are invited to attend and learn what Southeast ATV Association has been doing on behalf of its members. Become a Board member & show your support for the recreational activity that you love.

Bingo - Every 2nd Sunday night at 7 pm.

General Free Monthly Bus Trips to the Casinos of Winnipeg- Join us for a great day of fun and friendship. Visit McPhillips Street Station in the morning and Club Regent in the afternoon. Starting at 8:30 am pick-ups in Steinbach, Ste. Anne and Paradise Village. Must be 18 years of age or older. Prizes and cash giveaways every trip. Bingo played on the bus to and from the casinos for those wishing to play. Contact Marilyn at 204-3264939 to reserve your seat. The next scheduled trips are on Tuesdays, April 8, May 13 and June 10.

Special Casino-Folklorama Trips – Must be book early, as

On April 7, families interested in obtaining a Habitat for Humanity home in Grunthal are invited to participate in an information meeting and submit an application.

Sheri Bueckert, Chair of the Family Selection Committee for Habitat for Humanity Southeast, said two deserving families would see themselves living in brand new homes in Grunthal.

“There has been a huge demand for housing in Grunthal and we expect quite a few families to apply,” stated Bueckert. “Two deserving families will be chosen after a selection process after all applications are considered.”

Last fall the organization purchased lots in the community to build two single-family homes.

To become a Habitat for Humanity homeowner the family has to demonstrate a need, have an ability to pay based on income and be willing to work alongside Habitat on the project. For example, single families need to put in 350 hours of sweat equity while a couple would have to put in 500 hours.

The Grunthal project will be the third build undertaken by the Southeast Chapter of Habitat for Humanity in the last three years.

This coming June two families are expected to move into their new single-family dwellings in Richer.

The previous year two single mothers from Steinbach took up residence in a duplex in La Broquerie.

Families interested in this project are encouraged to attend the meeting on April 7 at the New Horizon’s Seniors Recreation Club in Grunthal starting at 7 pm.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

New Germ Control Flooring Popular with Parents

As most parents can attest, infants love to crawl around and put things in their mouth. No matter how hard you try to stop them, it’s inevitable — if they can touch it, “it” will end up in their mouth. This is why parents are always on guard to protect their children from germs and bacteria lurking in their home.

Since much of an infant’s time is spent on the floor, parents are now looking for flooring options that will minimize exposure to harmful germs, mould, mildew and bacteria. More and more are avoiding dirt-, allergenand germ-collecting options like carpet and choosing hypoallergenic options such as natural hardwood flooring to diminish the risk of harmful exposure to their little ones.

Some parents are taking an extra precaution and investing in flooring options that include the application of an antimicrobial agent to ensure even greater protection. This option is offered by some of the top hardwood flooring manufacturers.

More Than Just News!

April 2014

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More Than Just News!

through the generations by doing repairs, if needed, and staining/painting to suit your current decor. * Other furniture or “yard sale finds”: These also can be stabilized and given a new look through stain/paint or distressing, but some may also lend themselves to transformation for other Turn old or discarded furniture, cabinets and doors into fresh new creations Upcycling Projects uses, such as turning a chest of drawers through “upcycling” — high-end “recycling” that reduces trash at landfills by * Family furniture: Save chairs, tables, into bookshelves, a chair into a swing, refurbishing or repurposing existing pieces, often enhancing the value. and other furniture passed down a dresser into a seat, and more.

Upcycling: Transforming the ‘Old’ into a Better ‘New’

Check Your Home’s Insides Before Renovating Specialists in the industry suggest that any homeowner planning to renovate should not be too hasty in applying the ‘cosmetics’ of a renovation without investigating the home’s insides first.

Homeowners are advised to review the foundations of a home — the insulation and the infrastructure — beforehand.

Adequately considered, these areas can add significant value to a home.

Bringing in an energy rater, inspector or appraiser to examine the home will give a better sense of the required work and avoid any subsequent costly headaches.

Replacing traditional insulation with a more energy efficient modern alternative like spray foam insulation can help homeowners address potential problems, such as air leakage and poor insulation.

Creating an Outdoor Retreat Requires Family Input This year, transform your outdoor area into a family retreat with an “outof-the-box” vision, careful planning and the appropriate tools. First, gather your family together for a brainstorming session and target what you want to do in your outdoor haven. Next, make a to-do list of the projects required to make your vision a reality. Finally, round up the tools and supplies you need and get to work!

Gathering Places

Decks, patios and porches, both open and enclosed, invite people to gather for a meal, share conversation or play games.

Comfortable Furniture

Whether you’re on the deck or on the lawn, comfortable furniture will enhance your outdoor living experience. Woodcraft offers a wide selection of outdoor furniture plans, including Adirondack chairs, swings, garden benches, rockers, picnic tables and benches, arbors and much more.

Activity Areas & Secluded Spots

Wooden playground equipment, game courts, garden benches, arbors, gates and trellises organize your outdoor living area for fast-paced play and quiet relaxation.

Spray foam insulation addresses if put up for sale. concerns of airborne irritant and Understanding the needs of a home moisture infiltration while reducing during a renovation rewards monthly energy bills. Inclusion of this homeowners over the long-term. modern material may even help increase the market value of the renovated home

Dawson Trail Dispatch * Doors and more: Solid wood doors make great tops for tables and kitchen islands, old-fashioned screen doors hung from the ceiling can store pots and pans, and old windows make attractive wall hangings used “as is” or with additions, such as photos. * Cabinets: Change the look of your kitchen, bathroom or workshop with a new color for your cabinets and new handles and pulls.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

April 2014

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Follow the 3 ‘P’s of Home Renovation Every home project begins with an idea and ends with the culmination of the job. In between, there are three main components of an improvement project that can mean the difference between success and frustration: Planning, permits and protection.

Planning

The initial stage of a renovation is the planning stage.

Planning is when a homeowner works through the concept of the project and determines what is necessary to complete the task.

Many people find it helpful to write out plans and draw up the concept on paper. This doesn’t require expensive architectural software. A simple piece of graph paper plotted with measurements and a sketch is often sufficient for small projects.

If the job will be expansive and require an architect or engineer, he or she will often provide a technical drawing.

If the project focuses more on decorating than building, some find it helpful to create a design board. This is where fabric swatches, paint color samples, pictures of furniture and accessories, and any other components of the room are put together. Having a design board enables the homeowner to go to the store with board in tow and match up items to things in the store.

Another part of the planning stage is establishing a budget and determining the project’s financing. It can be helpful to make a list of all income and expenses and find out how much funding is left over for a project. When getting estimates on the work, whether it will be done by a contractor or a DIY project, the homeowner should then make a list of approximate costs (rounding up) and then compare it against the available funds.

Permits

Many projects, especially those involving building, demolition, electrical work, or mold remediation, require permits issued by the town, municipality or city in which the work will be taking place.

The purpose of permits and subsequent inspections is often questioned by homeowners looking to circumvent the system.

However, building permits are required to ensure public safety, health and welfare as they are affected by building construction, structural strength, zoning, and code requirements. In essence, building permits are how the government regulates safety and protects both current and future residents of the property.

In many cases, homeowners will need to visit the municipal building in their respective towns and apply for a permit. The permit may not immediately be issued. Oftentimes, there is a waiting period during which the project’s legality and safety is examined. Once the project is approved, the applicant will be able to file for the actual permit(s). There is usually a fee or fees for permit application, which covers any clerical work.

Work should not begin until a permit is received, and then the permit generally has to be placed in plain sight, such as in a window of the building. Depending on building codes, inspections of the work may need to take place after all of the project is completed or during certain phases. For example, the building of a deck may require inspections after footings are installed and secured, and before the upper portions of the decking materials are attached. If an inspection takes place afterward, the inspector will be looking for key code issues to determine whether the work was completed successfully. If a contractor was used, he or she may have to be present at the time of the inspection. If the work passes, an approval will be given and put on record. If the work fails, applicable repairs will have to be made and a re-inspection will be scheduled.

Should a home be put on the market, all permits may need to be on file or in the homeowners’ possession in order for a certificate of occupancy to be issued to the new buyer. Failure to have permits can hold up the process or result in fines.

Protection

Homeowners about to begin a project also need to emphasize safety. There are a number of things that can be on hand to make a work environment safer. These include: * Eye protection: This is especially important when working with flying debris, cutting items, mixing caustic chemicals, etc. * Respirator or face mask: Cover the nose or mouth when there is dust or debris in the air that can enter the lungs. When working with toxic fumes, such as when using spray paints or chemical lubricants, a respirator can offer clean air. * Boots: Proper footwear ensures protection should an item fall on the foot or when walking where nails or other sharp items are located. * Fire extinguisher: A fire extinguisher should be nearby in the event of a mishap. * First aid kit: An abrasion or cut may occur, requiring prompt care. * Gloves: When the hands need to be protected or extra traction on surfaces is required, gloves can be a necessity. * Headphones: Safety headphones can protect the ears against loud, consistent noises from power equipment and tools. * Locks: A locked cabinet can store tools, paints, chemicals, and other improvement supplies so that young children or pets won’t have access.

When homeowners take the time to plan, obtain permits, and secure the needed protection for a job, they help ensure a safer job that is done correctly.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Sharing Life’s Burdens Matthew 11:28-30... 28) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV) Jesus invites us to come join him and He will give us rest. All of us who are engaged in everyday life struggles that drain our spiritual energy. You who work so hard beneath a heavy load; come, He says, “Wear My yoke-burden for it fits perfectly and let Me teach you; for I am gentle and humble and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”

Many times, we hear and read about one’s attitude. Cultivating the right attitude is crucial if we seek to grow in our faith. The dictionary defines attitude as “a manner of acting, feeling, or thinking that shows one’s nature.” That means how we think determines how we respond to others. And here in Matthew 11 we have Jesus inviting us to shape our way of thinking with His humble servant life style.

Our attitude toward the world around us depends on how we perceive things in our own mind. If a person is selfish, then that individual will be suspicious of others. If we have a generous nature; we will most likely have a trusting spirit; when people are honest with themselves, they are less likely to expect deceit in others. If a person is inclined to be fair, then that person will not always feel they are being cheated. In a sense, looking at other people around us is like looking in a mirror. We see a reflection of ourselves.

But how could Jesus be as patient as He was? How could Christ remain cool under constant intimidation? How could He demonstrate so much grace, so much compassion, and at the same time so much self-discipline when faced with the Pharisees’ continued badgering and baiting? How could Jesus restrain Himself from pushing back? He had all the feeling we have as human beings. What was it that gave Him the edge we so often lack? Perhaps part of the answer was His attitude.

All this brings up a question: What is the most Christ-like attitude on earth? My guess is most of us would answer that love prevails. That is understandable for Christ’s love is absolute, supreme and beyond measure. Perhaps we might say patience, again, not a bad choice. We can find no evidence of impatience or anxious irritability when we study His life. Grace is a Christ-like attitude. No person ever modelled or exhibited the grace that Christ demonstrated right up to the moment He died on the cross.

Notice the words? “I am gentle and humble in heart,” which might best be summed up in one word unselfish. According to Jesus’ testimony, that is one of the most Christ-like attitudes we can demonstrate. Because He was humble and so unselfish, the last person He thought of was Himself. To be submissive means we need a humble heart. It involves being more interested in serving the needs of others than having one’s own needs met.

When we grow in and live this Christian lifestyle, we will acknowledge that it all started when we accepted Jesus Christ in a personal way, and allowed Him to carry the sorrows of life for us. If we are willing to do His will, we will find He gives us joy that, even the angels in heaven cannot experience. Someday our voices will join the angelic host and together we will make great music! But our joy will outdo theirs, for angels never felt the joys that our salvation brings.

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 honour Your Name. Amen.”

Homeowners Asked to Install Sump Pumps Residents are being encouraged by the province to install sump pumps and sewer backup valves after an incentive program was announced recently.

On March 28, the Manitoba government and rural municipalities are helping families protect their homes from basement flooding by providing up to $3,000 or 60 percent of the costs to install sump pumps and sewer backup valves this year.

Under the Building Manitoba Fund, the Provincial Government and the Municipality split the cost of the fund that provides homeowners up to $3,000 or 60 percent of their costs. Homeowners can receive a maximum of $1,000 towards the installation of an approved in-line backwater valve, up to a maximum of $2,000 towards the installation of a sump pump, and pit drainage system.

Homeowners must apply with their municipality, hire a licensed plumber to perform the installation, ensure appropriate permits are obtained and arrange for the necessary inspection of the work.

Homes required by code to have a sump pump/pit and a backup valve at the time of construction will not be eligible for the subsidy.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

April 2014

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Contentment Comes with Your Commitment If the God of Heaven is as awesome and wonderful as many Christians portray Him, how come so many Christians are discontent and miserable? The non-Christian world judges the God of the Bible by what they see and hear from professing Christians. So, the above question is very pertinent and relevant and deserves an answer.

Philippians 4:11 says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” First, the Apostle Paul says he doesn’t speak about or focus on his wants. There are things that all of us want to have or see accomplished. If we build our goals around these ‘wants’ and they don’t come to pass, and then we will get discouraged and discontented.

Secondly, Paul says he had to learn to be content. Contentment is a learning process, like going to school, college or university. You don’t get your diploma just because you are enrolled. It takes time and a lot of effort on your part before graduation day comes. Likewise, there are many lessons that Christians need to learn before they graduate with contentment.

Contentment is not possible without commitment. Christians are happy to be saved, have their sins forgiven and a sure hope of Heaven. But, we are selfish creatures while down here on earth and most of us still have a personal agenda we want to see accomplished. We want life our way instead of God’s way. God is not like a genie in a bottle, who runs to answer every desire and whim you have.

He has a master plan for your life and His Word promises it will work out for your good, if you just trust Him and commit everything to Him. Jesus Christ, in the Garden of Gethsemane, said to His Father in Heaven, “Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.” Christ knew He was about to go through the most difficult time in His life, but He was committed to God. You will face or are facing troubled times in your life and the easiest human reaction is to become discontent. You may not be content with who you are, where you are or what you’re doing. You need to commit all those areas of your life to God. Job 23:10 says, “But he (God) knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” When life is committed to God, the outcome now depends totally on Him. In the place of discontentment, God now gives a peace that passeth understanding and a joy unspeakable.

I Timothy 6:8 says, “And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.”

Contentment and commitment go together. God bless you as you commit to God and find His contentment in your daily life.

Niverville Ready for Spring Cleaning The community of Niverville is gearing up for spring by inviting residents to participate in three community events aimed at sprucing up the neighbourhood before summer.

The first event, the Niverville Spring Community Garage Sale is taking place April 25 to 27. Residents can register their garage sales with the Community Services office at 204-388-4078 or recreation@whereyoubelong.ca by April 21 to have their address added to the garage sale map. Participants can pick which days they want to hold the garage sale and hours of operation.

On the following weekend, the community is planning their annual ‘FREE’ day. On May 3 residents are encourage to place unwanted, yet useable items at the end of their driveway. Residents are asked to clearly mark unwanted items as free.

The final cleanup event takes place from May 5 to 7 when the ‘Community Clean Up’ takes place. Public Works employees will pick up any large items that cannot be disposed of in regular garbage.

Items can include couches, refrigerators and wood. All items must be at curbside by noon May 7 and placed at the end of the driveway for pickup.

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Grunthal Red Wings Capture Ringette Title

Ringette players Gillian Lambert and Courtney Preteau of St. Malo were thrilled to be a part of the Grunthal Red Wings ringette team when they captured the Manitoba U14 B2 Division Ringette Championship in March.

As far as Gillian Lambert and Courtney Preteau of St. Malo are concerned, they won their Stanley Cup this season. The two 13-year-olds, along with their team, the Grunthal Red Wings, captured the Manitoba U14 B2 Division Ringette Championship when the season competition wrapped up in March.

In the finals, the Grunthal Red Wings competed against teams from the Eastman region as well as Winnipeg. Prior to the season finals, the team was undefeated after winning all their games in the regular season, including a 10-0 record before Christmas. The only losses of the season came at the hands of the Steinbach Huskies squad.

According to Joel Fouasse, anything can happen in the playoffs and it did. The Grunthal team defeated their Steinbach rivals in dramatic fashion after cruising through the playoffs with a 7-1 record that included an exciting shootout victory against Red River.

“This is quite an accomplishment for two 13-year-olds competing against many 14-year-olds!” stated Fouasse. “Gillian and Courtney indicate that the best part of the season is the girls on the team are funny, encouraging and we have really good team spirit.”

Lambert was the goaltender of the team and was named the Game Star of the Championship game! As a forward, Preteau was one of the top scorers on the team this year. They look forward to winning those shiny medals again next year.

Lorette Skating Club Medalists

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Falk Addresses Provencher Conservatives at AGM

On March 8, the Provencher Conservative Electoral District Association held their Annual General Meeting.

It was the first AGM for newly elected Provencher MP Ted Falk since being elected on November 25.

Falk said the government continues to focus on the economy. Since being introduced, Falk has had been assigned to two parliamentary committees, Canadian Heritage and Public Accounts.

The number of members on the board of directors grew from 16 to 25 members, an increase of 56 percent. “This is very encouraging,” said Amos Wiebe the association President. “This board is very diverse with membership from all across Provencher. We will have new perspectives and new voices in our deliberations. That makes for a stronger association.”

Wiebe also noted that a 56 percent increase in board membership is unusual for the association and demonstrates the support of the riding for Ted Falk. “Ted is doing a great job as our MP. He is very busy in all parts of the riding and is a wonderful voice for Provencher in Ottawa,” added Wiebe.

Following the AGM a meeting to elect the executive for 2014 was held. The elected members of the executive are President, Amos Wiebe, Vice President, Michael Zwaagstra, Financial Agent, Jon Penner and Secretary, Travis Boehr.

Ste. Anne Athlete Named Tri-Star The Ste. Anne Collegiate Lynx has another star athlete in their midst after the Manitoba High School Athletic Association honoured a second member of the boy’s basketball team.

On March 12, Brock Letkeman of the Ste. Anne Collegiate Lynx boy’s basketball team was named Tri-Star Rural High School athlete of the week.

According to his coach, Erik Leefe, Brock averaged 16 points and 8 steals per game during regular season play.

“Brock is a very intense athlete that works hard in practice and games.

He is a very smart player and a great leader on the floor,” Leefe praised.

“He is the engine that drives our team by setting and maintaining a high pace of play. The rest of the team feeds off of his energy.”

The 5’11" guard helped lead the Lynx to a 26-2 record this season and to a Zone 13 Championship.

A grade 12 student, Letkeman maintains an 85 percent average.

Letkeman is the second member of his team to be recognized by the Manitoba High School Athletic Association this year. In December, fellow team mate, Raymond Hiebert, was given the honour.

Brock Letkeman

Former Pastor Publishes Adventure Devotionals

By Marianne Curtis Al Bayne, a Pastor from St. Pierre-Jolys and former teacher in Otterburne has released an exciting new e-book, which invites readers to participate in a

Skaters from the Lorette Skating Club recently competed at the Eastman Regional competition held in Hazelridge. Sporting their medals: Jillian St. Pierre-Jolys resident and Pastor Al Bayne shows off a copy of Giesbrecht, Dimika Owen, Aidyn Jennings, Nicola Odaisky, Kianne Golden his new e-book called Wilderness Wanderings - 40 Nature and Siobhan Hyndman (front).

Devotions.

virtual wilderness adventure while connecting with God. Bayne, a preacher and teacher, was inspired by his love for wilderness canoeing and the Word of God when he created an eye-catching devotional called Wilderness Wanderings - 40 Nature Devotions.

Produced only as an e-book, Bayne invites the reader to wander through forty virtual adventures in the wilderness.

“I invite readers to wander with me on a virtual adventure in the wilderness and discover the many delights of nature and how they reflect God’s truth,” stated Bayne. “You can take it a day or a week at a time. Your experience can be as close as your armchair and as vivid as your thoughts.”

Bayne has taken his experience as a wilderness guide, a teacher of wilderness leadership at Providence College and a Pastor to create this series.

His first book “Bugs, Sweat and Fears” (A Beginner’s Guide to Wilderness Canoe Camping) was published in 1999. He is half-way through a third book called Out of the Wilderness - 30 Power Devotions.

Bayne lives with his wife Barbara in St. PierreJolys.

The e-book is available at thesnippetapp.com/web/ writers/albayne.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

St. Adolphe Hawks Take 1st Place in Grand Forks Classic Congratulations to the St. Adolphe Hawks Atom A Team for winning 1st place in the B-Division of the Grand Forks Classic Hockey Tournament on the March 22nd weekend.

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St. Malo’s Family Hockey Weekend Raises Funds

The Gosselin/Perreault family were named A-Side Winners of the 24th annual St. Malo and District Chamber of Commerce Family Hockey Tournament.

By Marianne Curtis Back Row: Brent Masse, Owen Pickering, Matthew Egan, Kolton Carels, Teo Lambert, Luca Fais, Ryan Schwark, Luc Poirier. Front Row: Liam DeMets, Ben Anderson, Finley Oman, Cedric Lagasse, Justis Hellegards.

St. Adolphe Hawks Capture Championship The St. Adolphe Hawks Female PeeWee hockey team captured the Rural C/D Provincial banner after an exciting weekend tournament at the beginning of March.

After competing in the provincial’s, which took place March 1 and 2 in Warren, the girls returned home from provincials with gold medals after being named tournament champions.

The Hawks took the championship final after beating Neepawa 2-1 in overtime.

Lise Catellier of St. Malo was proud to have scored the final goal, which helped the team bring home the banner.

Lise Catellier of St. Malo scored the winning goal, which helped the St. Adolphe Hawks Female PeeWee hockey team bring home a championship banner.

St. Malo Home Destroyed by Fire

A mid-March blaze completely destroyed this family home in St. Malo on March 22.

On March 22, a home on Oakway Lane in St. Malo was destroyed by fire.

St. Malo fire crews were called to the residence at about 5:45am and according to St. Malo Fire Chief Jason Remillard the home was fully engulfed by the time fire crews arrived.

The house was totally destroyed in the blaze and there were no injuries in the fire.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

In late March, the community of St. Malo took on a competitive spirit when families throughout the community gathered for their annual family hockey tournament.

From March 14 to 16, the St. Malo and District Chamber of Commerce hosted its 24th annual family hockey tournament. Everyone from young to older got in on the fun whether they were just cheering on their favourite family team or playing.

Lorraine-Jones Racine, St. Malo and District Chamber of Commerce President, said this year’s event was well attended.

“Many families came out to play or watch,” stated Racine. “It was a fantastic weekend event!”

This year’s winners included the Gosselin/Perreault families as A-Side Champs, the Collette Family was named B-Side champs, the Antoine Gosselin family was C-Side champs and the Gauthier/Lambert families were named D-Side champs.

For the past two decades, families in St. Malo have gathered to participate in a weekend of family and friendly competition. The annual event is the organization’s largest yearly fundraiser.

The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who participated or attended and would like to send a special thanks to all the volunteers who made the weekend a success.

Plans are already in the works to make next year’s 25th anniversary Family Tournament bigger and better, added Racine.

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April 2014

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch