Dawson Trail Dispatch June 2012

Wear Red & White on Saturday Night!

Campground Owners Seek Peace and Quiet for Guests

Wild Oaks Campground owners, Ray and Gisele Turenne, are tired of losing customers due to gravel operations on either side of their campground.

Campers and gravel crushers are visibly within the 100 metre buffer zone required by the province to prevent the gravel company’s becoming a nuisance to campers.

Photos by Marianne Curtis

By Marianne Curtis The day after an RM of Ste. Anne bylaw officer served a cease and desist order against a gravel company operating next to Wild Oaks Campground, campers were again greeted to the sounds of rocks tumbling on conveyers first thing in the morning.

For over a decade, Wild Oaks Campground owners Ray and Gisele Turenne have asked the owners of Vermette Gravel to be a good neighbor and respect that campers want some peace. Instead, they have been subjected to the sounds of a fully operational gravel operation on both sides of the otherwise peaceful campground.

“They were served yesterday morning but we have been told by our councilor that he has seven days to object; he’s going to try and get an injunction to stop the order even though he is operating illegally,” Turenne stated. “When we opened the campground which is located between two slots of crown land, we visualized a nice peaceful and quiet environment for our tenants. This peace and quiet came to an abrupt end when a gravel company was able to obtain a Mines and Mineral Permit and started excavating.”

The issue dates back to 1999 when Vermette Backhoe Service

obtained a crown land permit to use the site to stock pile gravel, sand and stones on five acres of crown land to the north of Wild Oaks Campground. A crown land permit obtained from the province dating from 2010 gives permission to use the site to stockpile gravel, sand and stones on five acres of crown land to the north of Wild Oaks Campground. According to the Crown Land Act, the permit is limited to stock piling of material only. Minerals excavated from crown lands cannot leave the property unless by contract with the municipality or the province.

However contrary to the permit, Turenne said trucks are loading and machines are operating as early as 7:00 am daily six days a week except on Sundays.

“I have been telling my customers that when the gravel runs out, he will move on but the gravel ran out four years ago,” Ray continued. “Now the owners are bringing in material from other locations, along with a wash plant and crusher. These machines are only about 100 feet from our seasonal campers and we are losing business.”

On the north side, Turenne feels like he’s beating his head against the wall so he has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Mines and Minerals and Vermette Backhoe. In a letter

Continued on page 3

Wear RED & WHITE to the Dean Brody concert Saturday Night, June 9 at the Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair for an opportunity to WIN! First prize is One All-Inclusive Night for 4 at Canad Inns Windsor Park sponsored by Cowboys Roadhouse & Canad Inns.

Second prize is two Winnipeg Jets tickets sponsored by PMC Insurance. Third prize is $250 cash sponsored by Excel Graphics.

Reynolds Loses Nine Year Battle Over Ambulance Service The RM of Reynolds has lost its fight to keep the Reynolds Ambulance in operation.

According to council, Northeast Health Association is no longer training new ambulance personnel nor will they hire anyone who has not taken paramedic training. As a result, the RM of Reynolds Ambulance Service, which operates out of Prawda, will no longer operate. The ambulance service not only responded to emergencies throughout the municipality serving the surrounding communities Spruce Siding, Medika, Hadashville, Prawda, McMunn, and East Braintree but was a life line for people traveling along the #1 Highway.

The last two paramedic level staff at the facility ended their service to the community at the end of March. The paramedic positions will not be renewed and this result is in stark contrast to the expansion costs to the emergency medical services station in Powerview-Pine Falls which was just under $850,000.

The North East Health Association that had 8 ambulance services in the region has promised the RM of Reynolds service to residents in the municipality will not suffer as response time is well within the provincial standard of 30 minutes or less. The Province has also committed to permanent Lifeflight helicopter service to quickly transport patients in serious health situations. The closest access to EMS service would be from Whitemouth or Ste. Anne or a privately owned business in Falcon Lake called, Falcon Lake Ambulance & Fire Emergency.

“For less serious emergencies you might want to give thought to your own “load and go” plan and arrange to meet an ambulance enroute,” noted council.

Continued on page 3

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June 2012

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Big Freight Driver Recognized

Gary Coleman and Earl Coleman, owners of Big Freight Systems Inc, congratulate one of their drivers, Eddy Dueck (centre), for receiving an MTA-Custom Truck Sales Inc. Kenworth Truck Company Industry Excellence Award.

Eddy Dueck, a professional driver with Big Freight Systems in Steinbach, was among several professional drivers recently recognized by the Manitoba Trucking Association with an award of excellence.

On May 10, Dueck was among a group of seven drivers recognized for their contributions to the industry at a special event. Dueck was presented with the MTA-Custom Truck Sales Inc. - Kenworth Truck Company Industry Excellence Award for being a long-time industry member with an excellent driving record.

MTA President Norm Blagden said the award looks at the commitments drivers make to the industry.

“The driver is the face of our industry. They are the people who deal face-to-face with customers, who maneuver their way through traffic on a daily basis, who sacrifice time at home with their families and friends to ensure that the freight in this country moves,” stated Blagden. “The drivers play a huge role in keeping the economy moving, and we sometimes forget how big their role is in what we do. This is one way that we can thank them for their contributions.”

Recipients of the MTA-Custom Truck Sales Inc. - Kenworth Truck Company Industry Excellence Award receive a jacket, plaque and cheque.

The award is handed out annually and is open to all companies.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

June 2012

3

Campground Noise continued...

Continued from page 1 obtained from Crown council Sean Boyd, his client (Vermette Gravel) is refusing to vacate the site because, “It is prohibitively expensive to change the location of the gravel operations as such relocation would involve installing a road at considerable cost”.

Turenne is confident it would not cost the company too much to build an access further north especially since the material is already at their disposal. On the south side of the campground, the issue is in the RM of Ste. Anne’s hands.

Turenne says he has attempted to reason with his neighbor and has even gone to the RM of Ste. Anne council to request they step in and

impose hours of operation for the company for the past six years. In 2006, the municipality issued a conditional use permit (08-2006) to allow for crushing and screening of gravel on property owned by Lawrence Anderson. This permit specifies, “no material is to leave SE20-8-8E”, crushing is limited from November to April, and a buffer zone be maintained. All conditions have been broken numerous times, accuses Turenne.

“I went to the municipality looking for help from council to remove his operation from this location or at least change his hours of operation,” Turenne continued. “I don’t understand how I can do The RM of Ste. Anne admits to turning a blind eye to the gravel operations to the south of Wild Oaks after being told the site was depleted until it was recently discovered that a new area was being excavated without council approval. something on Photo by Marianne Curtis my property and if I am in violation, I am shut down by the bylaw officer without the table at the first meeting of the month where a resolution telling them any delay but when I ask the municipality to act on to cease operations could be read.” an obvious violation of a conditional use they Bergman explained that Anderson, on behalf of Vermette Backhoe, has approved, I am told I have to jump through hoops come to council several times in the past few years to amend conditional and go to council first.” use permit 08-2006 but council has denied it each time. The last application RM of Ste. Anne Reeve Art Bergman said the bylaw came across councils table a year ago, he noted. officer does not need the approval of council to act “We were of the understanding that the pit would be depleted so it (the on a bylaw violation. permit) was turned down; there was no need for it, if they were moving “I am not aware if they’ve been served,” stated out,” Bergman explained. “Then last year we found out Vermette was Bergman. “However, I do see this matter coming to moving gravel from the Anderson pit to another location and we closed our eyes to it. It was not causing problems and it was our understanding that he would be finished with the pit in the fall. It was a mute point until he found a corner of the pit that was not used up.”

Bergman admits that “council dragged their feet” on this matter over the past few years but the time for leniency has passed. The fact that Bernie Vermette, owner of Vermette Backhoe, is also the Mayor of the Town of Ste. Anne, a neighboring municipal government, seems to be devoid in any conversation except for denials of any special treatment because of his position.

Continued from page 1 “Council can serve Vermette and Anderson with cease and desist orders and give them a certain time to vacate the premises and if they don’t, the The Reynolds Ambulance Service was established municipality could seek legal action,” Bergman stated. shortly after the health authorities were formed. Prior to amalgamation, the area was served through the Ste. Anne Health District and service was provided through the Ste. Anne Ambulance Service.

The Manitoba government had identified changes to EMS including access to pre-hospital care, maintaining qualified crews and well-equipped ambulances, locating emergency medical service stations in the right places to make sure they can respond to calls quickly and efficiently and ensuring efficient use of resources.

Government decisions were made to establish EMS was to provide safe and effective medical services, a base level standard of pre-hospital care, ambulance response and transport will be as timely as possible and EMS services are a part of an accessible health system.

Ambulance continued...

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June 2012

New Horizons for Seniors Are you involved with an organization, club or school that has been inspired by seniors who are making a difference? Our Government has a program that provides targeted funding to ensure we appreciate and experience the many talents and contributions our seniors have to offer in our communities.

The deadline for submitting proposals for funding for 2012-13 under the New Horizons for Seniors Program is fast approaching.

From encouraging seniors to volunteer, to improving seniors’ facilities and increasing the awareness of elder abuse, the New Horizons for Seniors Program has funded more than 10,400 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada over the years. For this upcoming year, $35.6 million in funding is earmarked.

There are countless examples of how this program has a positive impact right here in Provencher. Under the last round of funding, the following 16 organizations were approved to receive a total of $195,867 for projects ranging from renovating flooring and other infrastructure for activity programs and supporting social participation through computer classes, card games, billiards, fitness classes, and movie screenings, just to name a few of the investments.

Since elected in 2006, our Conservative Government has consistently shown that we value the dedication and years of hard work by Canada’s seniors. We’ve provided over $2.5 billion in annual tax relief specifically for seniors. In the process, we have completely removed 380,000 seniors from the tax rolls. We introduced pension income splitting, ushered in an automatic renewal of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and made significant investments in affordable housing for low-income seniors.

In addition, we doubled the pension income credit, invested resources in preventing elder abuse, in all its forms, extended the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, and eliminated the mandatory retirement age for federally regulated employees, giving seniors who want to remain active in the workforce the freedom to make that choice themselves.

I would encourage you to contact my office or visit the following website for further. Information on how to apply for funding: hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/ community_partnerships/seniors/index.shtml The deadline for application is June 29, 2012.

Please feel free to contact my office if you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss. You may contact my office toll free at 1-866333-1933 or at (204) 326-9889 or in Lac du Bonnet at (204) 345-9762.

You may write my office at 8 - 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by fax at (204) 346-9874 or by e-mail at toewsv1@parl.gc.ca.

Serving the communities along the historic Dawson Trail and beyond.

The Dawson Trail Dispatch is a monthly newspaper distributed free of charge to 50 Southeastern Manitoba communities.

Published by: One One Consultants Inc. Box 308, Richer, MB R0E 1S0 Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768 Dan Guetre, Managing Editor One One Consultants Inc., Publisher News Writers: Marianne Curtis, and Dan Guetre Columnists: Lee Guetre, Peter Friesen, Anni Markmann, Peter Martens, Herman Unrau, Raylene Snow, Lorena Mitchell, Eileen Lewis, Travis Olifirowich Production/Design: Dan Guetre, Myriam Dyck, Monica Guetre and Wilma Priebe Advertising: Karen Jorgenson and Dan Guetre

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More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Democracy Doesn’t Do Well with Shortcuts As far as budgets go, Bill C-38 was not overly economically difficult to accommodate. What was and is an astonishing surprise is the attachments to the bill have far-reaching consequences and lasting impact on our lives, even long after future budgets come and go.

Furthermore, this budget will see only one Parliament sub committee, the finance one. So many riders attached to Bill C-38 are of an environmental nature that and this very important subject will be debated vis-à-vis its economic impact only. I can’t remember when a budget bill was used as a vehicle to carry so many other measures with such potential for change in so many different fields.

Some inclusions in the budget bill are changes to the Immigration Act, eliminating the key watchdog to our spy agency, knocking out the Public Appointments commission, one of the Prime Minister’s creations and which has cost us $4 million dollars and has not made a single appointment, changes to the Fisheries Act, and many more non-economic items. The Kyoto protocol is repealed, the Nuclear Safety Control Act is amended, in all approximately 60 different acts are getting a do over or disappearing altogether.

It could be reasonably argued that some of these items could use change or complete overhaul but by including them in the finance budget where the Government will demand and get Party discipline on all 60 acts, protocols, etc. will be changed, modified or lost and only strictly measured on their economic potential.

This smacks of bullying members of Parliament in a manner never seen before.

The committee system where our MPs have a voice and can ask the Government for an accounting on all subjects is being bypassed or destroyed. An end run is cute in football but in Parliament, integrity is the name of the game. Health, environment and scientific committees should and normally would air out some of the many unanswered questions that will now be gagged by this procedure. This is insulting and terribly disrespectful to all MPs and Canadians.

Fully one third of Bill C-38 is devoted to paving the way for big oil, mining and pipeline projects by diminishing environmental oversight. It gives cabinet final say on these projects. Environmental oversight is relegated to an advisory role only.

I can see future litigation on this aspect of the Bill that will drag on and on. What was meant as a short cut might end up with lengthy litigation mixing fact with hype and obfuscation, which will leave a sour taste for all.

It used to be that majority governments announced proposed changes with white papers or such, followed by parliamentary committee oversight with eventual third reading, then on to the Senate for promulgation into law.

But this action by the government with a new majority is weird behavior. Makes one wonder about the latest voting shenanigans of late, was the majority that tainted? They are behaving somewhat like a gang with siege mentality of the insecure, or perhaps it’s the baffling arrogance of somebody who has dictatorship tendencies.

We all know that our economy is very important but our health and environment is as or more important.

Parliament as an institution could be tweaked towards more democracy, definitely not less.

Community Raises Funds for Fire Victims Dear Editor: A 12-apartment fire in Ste. Anne in March prompted us to organize a Bud, Spud, and Steak Fundraiser on May 11 at the Seine River Banquet Hall in Ste. Anne.

Our committee would like to thank everyone who attended and helped in any way at this event. A profit of approximately $2,600 was deposited in the fire victims’ account set up at Caisse Groupe Financier of Ste. Anne by CDC. Thanks to Norm Desrochers of Seine River Banquet Hall who offered his services, supplied the venue and the Biivver Band for the evening and who along with Ken Nolin and René Prairie prepared the food and ensured everything ran smoothly.

A total of 128 suppers were served. Thanks to MP Ron Lemieux and Mayor Bernie Vermette and the numerous volunteers who gave their time during the evening to help make this fundraiser a success. Mayor Vermette thanked the local and surrounding area firemen, ambulance attendants, local police and everyone in the community who were involved in helping these victims both during and after the fire. He stated that he was proud of his community and that the most important thing was that everyone survived this ordeal.

A special thank you to the 40 people from the Norwood Legion and the Belgian Club of St. Boniface, for coming out on a school bus supplied by First Student to support this event.

Thank you also to the generous donors of cash and prizes.

The television package was won by the Chartier family (thankful fire victims) and the second prize of lawn furniture, chimenea and accessories was won by Donna Fontaine of Ste. Geneviève. Both prizes were valued at $750. Many thanks to all of you who participated in this worthwhile event. The fire victims thank you also. We could not have done it without each one of you.

Deanna Marriott Ste. Anne, MB

Toews Reckless With our Health Dear Editor: MP Vic Toews is acting recklessly, putting his community members’ health at risk. He is supporting legislation that will reduce food safety oversight and make major cuts to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Canadians remember the devastating impact on many families from deaths caused by the Listeriosis outbreaks. We know that more needs to be done to protect consumers, but in a callous and misguided move the Conservatives are making the problem worse. They have decided to cut food inspectors and eliminate programs designed to proactively identify unsafe meat and other food products.

Bowing to industry pressure, Conservatives are also eliminating enforcement of product labeling in spite of widespread violations. Consumers will now be responsible for determining whether companies’ claims about nutritional information, such as levels of cholesterol, sodium and sugar, are true. For those with serious health conditions like peanut allergies or diabetes, false claims could prove deadly.

Waiting for Canadians to get sick is not a food safety strategy.

Liberals are opposing these cuts because Canadians deserve to know that food they buy at the grocery store is safe and those manufacturers’ health claims are true. I encourage Mr. Toews to reverse his reckless position and put Canadians’ health first.

Frank Valeriote, MP Liberal Party Critic for Agriculture

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

June 2012

5

Partnership Supports Development of Capital Facts on Region Transportation Master Plan Immigration I am very pleased that I had the privilege of announcing that the province will work with the Partnership of the Manitoba Capital Region (PMCR) to develop a master plan for the future development of transportation in the capital region.

This initiative will identify the challenges and opportunities of transportation in the Winnipeg region and create a road map to meet the future needs of its residents and municipalities. The plan will include public consultations and complement work already completed through the City of Winnipeg’s transportation master plan on issues such as public transit, goods movement, active transportation and economic development.

I am happy to say that the province will provide up to $250,000 and the PMCR will contribute up to $50,000 over two years to support the development of the multi-modal capital region transportation plan.

This regional master plan is essential to planning and achieving our transportation goals as our capital region is estimated to reach one million residents by 2030.

The capital region is comprised of the City of Winnipeg, City of Selkirk, Town of Stonewall, and the rural municipalities of Cartier, East St. Paul, Headingley, Macdonald, Ritchot, Rockwood, Rosser, St. Andrews, St. Clements, St. Francois Xavier, Springfield, Taché and West St. Paul.

Proposed legislation would strengthen accountability and transparency of municipal governments I also had the pleasure of announcing proposed amendments to municipal legislation aimed at

municipal equipment are clear and consistently applied; and - reporting on a council’s response to any recommendations made in a report by the Office of the Auditor General so that citizens will be aware of the recommendations and be able to hold their councils accountable for supporting municipalities in responding to them. governing objectively, fairly and Fire update with the best interests of their I hope that everyone is keeping communities in mind. safe southeast while we deal with Manitoba’s municipalities make our multiple fires. Manitoba important decisions every day that Conservation and Water affect the lives of their citizens. We Stewardship, the Office of the Fire know that municipalities take this Commissioner, the Manitoba responsibility seriously and strive Emergency Measures to govern in an accountable and Organization and rural transparent manner. municipalities continue to respond Bill-23 would require all to wildfires in southeast Manitoba. municipalities outside Winnipeg to I would like to thank them and put in place policies and practices especially all the firefighters who aimed at strengthening the are working to keep us safe. accountability of municipal councils A reminder that campfires, and supporting transparent including those in provincial decision-making including: parks, will only be allowed from 8 - following a code of conduct that pm to 8 am in approved fire pits would set standards of behaviour only. for municipal council members and For information on travel, exercising the authority to censure restrictions call 1-204-345-1444. a member who has breached the More information on fire code; prevention and current fire - providing notice and information updates is available at gov.mb.ca/ to the public about capital projects wildfire/. prior to borrowing funds for projects As always, I appreciate hearing so citizens would have information your comments and thoughts on to enable them to voice their these and other provincial concerns before projects move initiatives. I encourage you to forward; contact me by e-mail - following a tendering and (rlemieuxmla@mts.net), by phone procurement policy to ensure (878-4644), or by mail at 101spending decisions are objective 1309 Dawson Road, Box 517, and fair, and municipal resources are Lorette, MB R0A 0Y0 and used in the most efficient and together we can continue to move effective way; Dawson Trail and Manitoba - following a policy to ensure forward. practices for the private use of

Ste. Anne Hosts Library Fundraiser Dear Editor: The Bibliothèque Sainte-Anne Library committee would like to thank everyone who came to support our fundraiser held at Seine River Banquet Hall on 25th of May. We were happy to see representatives from so many groups within the Sainte-Anne area as well as Richer and surrounding communities.

Special thanks go to Norm Desrochers who supplied the venue, his staff and the Biivver Band so we could all enjoy ourselves during this event.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped us in any way during the evening as well as to everyone who donated items or cash for our silent auction prizes or who bought books. Congratulations to all our winners: Denise St. Vincent, Kathy Roy, Cecil Lafreniere and Suzanne Huberdeau. Irene Lansard was the winner of our 50/50 draw and received over $300 and Mark Lanouette won the new members/door prize. We raised approximately $2,500. During the evening, our president, Norbert Ritchot, presented a plaque to Clément Charrière who had been involved with the library since its inception in 1989 until December 2011, both as a founder and as a volunteer doing countless different jobs. This plaque will be placed in the library for all to see. His dedication to our Library is beyond what is expected from any volunteer and is appreciated by everyone who ever served with him on the Board. It is thanks to him that our Library is what it is today. We encourage all of you to come and visit us, become a member, if you are not already, and also help us as a volunteer, if possible.

Deanna Marriott, Secretary Bibliothèque Ste. Anne Library Committee

Much of the growth that has happened in southeastern Manitoba over the past two decades has been as a result of immigration. Credit for this primarily goes to the residents of our region who have been welcoming and who have built communities that are attractive to new Canadians.

Also important in making this happen was the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that was created in the mid-1990s by the former Manitoba Progressive Conservative government. The PNP allowed the provinces to have a role in setting immigration targets and goals.

As immigration numbers grew, so did the need for increased settlement services to help those coming to Canada with language and community transition. Successive federal governments saw the need for these services and increased funding substantially. In fact, for over a dozen years in Manitoba, funding from the federal government in immigration services increased from about $3 million every year to about $36 million. Over that same period, the province left its share of funding at about $1 million.

As a result, the Manitoba Department of Immigration settlement services has a budget of around $37 million with more than 97 percent of the funding coming directly from the federal government.

So it should not have come as much of a surprise that earlier this year the federal government decided that instead of the province delivering these services, the federal government would deliver the services, since after all, they pay 97 percent of the costs.

This enraged the provincial NDP government who liked the fact that they have to run a program that they refused to put much money into. In essence, they were like a business partner who only puts in 3 percent of the costs, but wants 100 percent control.

Now the NDP Minister of Immigration is traveling around the province scaring new Canadians about the change. Not only is this a terrible thing to do when new Canadians already are busy adapting to their new country, it is simply wrong. Settlement services have been run by the federal government in every province with the exception of Manitoba and British Columbia. In these two provinces, the federal government has now said they will run the program since they pay for almost all of it.

The fact of the matter is that had the Manitoba NDP government wanted to continue running immigration settlement and services, they would have increased their share of funding for it. However, it simply wasn’t a priority for the Manitoba NDP. They were content on seeing their share of the funding for the program drop to almost nothing.

While the NDP Minister of Immigration is now telling new Canadians how important, the program is to the Manitoba NDP, they simply never made it a priority when they had the chance.

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) 3469913, 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.

Communities Support Ste. Anne Apartment Fire Victims

By Marianne Curtis Two months after a devastating fire destroyed a Ste. Anne, Manitoba apartment block and forced 12 tenants from their homes, the community is ready to offer their support.

The community rushed forward to help the dozen residents who lost their homes and all their belongings in the March 26 blaze. The middle of the night blaze that destroyed the apartments on St. Alphonse Avenue was caused by a carelessly disposed cigarette. Estimated loss to the structure and contents has been estimated at over $2 million.

In the wake of the blaze, the community of Ste. Anne and the surrounding area pitched in to help the dozen families that were left homeless. Most of the tenants did not have contents insurance. Almost immediately, the owners of the Ste. Anne Hotel offered displaced residents a free week at the hotel and started collecting donations of clothing for several families including young children. Country Charm Resort is also providing accommodations. The reception of clothes donations has been tremendous so that there is no need for more clothes.

In addition, the community hosted three fundraisers including a breakfast by the Knights of Columbus, a social at Sainte Anne Hotel and a social at Seine River Banquet Hall. Maurice Blanchette, with the CDC Sainte-Anne, said that fundraising efforts have totaled approximately $11,700 with donations totaling $3,500 and fundraising amounting to $8,200.

“The fund will be divided equally among the tenants in the form of vouchers,” stated Blanchette. “The tenants will be asked to choose from a variety of store vouchers or credit.”

Nicole Magnan Bedient has been working hard spearheading many of the fundraising activities.

“Donated items and auction prizes arrived from as far away as Ste. Rose. Most of the items were from Landmark, Beausejour, Steinbach and Winnipeg,” Magnan Bedient added.

There is also a vast array of items still available for pickup at the Ste. Anne Fellowship Church. Tenants can come pick up linens, furniture and appliances, kitchen appliances and clothing to help establish their new homes.

While the CDC seems content with issuing vouchers amounting to about $900 per tenant, Louise Boucher, an uninsured tenant and victim of the fire is angry over the entire situation. Boucher moved into the apartment a week before the fire.

“When we found out they were doing the fundraisers, we were very grateful to the community,” stated Boucher. “When I asked questions about when the money was coming or how much it would be I was asked to prove hardships. I think losing everything you own qualifies as a hardship.”

The CDC Sainte-Anne has indicated that the committee would be sitting down with the tenants within the first two weeks of June to disperse the monies collected in the best manner possible. “[The vouchers will] depend on the retailer,” noted Blanchette. “Some will simply open a credit account for the tenant, others have a paid up credit card or simply pay the invoice. We will accommodate the recipients as much as possible.”

Inaugural Trade Show Huge Success Dozens of craft and trade show lovers alike came to check out the first ever Spring Craft Sale and Trade Show. The one-day show took place at the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum on May 26.

Pat McPherson, organizer and coordinator of the event, was pleased with the event that featured about 45 exciting

vendors selling unique products, which included handcrafted items such as soaps, jewellery, clothing, crocheted gifts, quilts, pet coats and furniture.

“Visitors got to see a lot of different trade businesses and crafts at the show,” said organizer Patricia McPherson.

“Presenters brought a wide variety of products; many items are ‘the must haves’ for shoppers looking for something different.”

Due to the success of this inaugural event, McPherson is already looking forward to her next one. Plans are in the works for five more similar trade shows before the end of the year.

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June 2012

More Than Just News!

Reforestation Begins in Vassar and Sandilands

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Dogs Find Forever Homes

By Marianne Curtis Two areas of forest in the southeast will see new growth after reforesting crews moved into the area and planted 800,000 trees near Vassar and the Sandilands.

Over 40 Moose Creek Reforestation employees called Sprague and Woodridge home during two separate one-month long planting projects. The group spent two months replanting hundreds of acres of crown land specifically in two areas that were ravaged by several forest fires a few years ago.

Jessica Valleau from Toronto never heard of Sprague before coming out to plant trees in Vassar.

“We’ve really enjoyed our stay. The people have been really friendly and welcoming,” Valleau praised.

At the end of April, the group spent two weeks replanting 4,000 hectares of forest near Vassar.

Between 50,000 and 80,000 Red Pine, White Spruce and Jack Pine were replanted per day. This piece was destroyed in May 2007 after a wild fire tore through the area, narrowly missing the community.

The planters then moved their camp to Woodridge and spent two weeks replanting 8,000 hectares of Sandilands forest, which was destroyed in a fire back in May 2008.

Courtney Penner, of Kitchener, Ontario, was one of over four dozen tree planters who spent two months in the Vassar and Sandilands Allyson Coleman-Berard from Winnipeg attended the Niverville Adoption Fair to find a puppy areas replanting trees. to train as a therapy dog for abused children.

Photo by Marianne Curtis Photo by Marianne Curtis

Coincidentally, as the groups were finishing planting over 800,000 trees, forest fires tore through the area again in different locations.

By Marianne Curtis Several dozen dogs languishing in rescue shelters found their forever homes because of the first annual doggy adoption fair, which took place in Niverville in the beginning of May. On May 12, over 1,000 perspective pet owners attended the first ever Niverville Dog Adoption Fair. The event, a first of its kind to be held in the province, took place on the grounds of the community’s arena.

Organizer Barry Piasta is pleased with the result of his first adoption fair.

“We had 23 dogs adopted on Saturday and the next day another was adopted by someone who heard about the pup at the fair,” Piasta stated. “Another dozen are pending home visits and reference checks. Appointments were made to see dogs on the picture wall so all in all, 41 dogs were adopted.”

Piasta says the event was such a success he plans to do it again next year.

“Each year hundreds of thousands of dogs are euthanized because people prefer going to pet stores and puppy mills to get dogs, meanwhile there are so many wonderful dogs waiting to be rescued,” Piasta passionately added. “Both my dogs are rescues and they are wonderful additions to our family.”

Allyson Coleman-Berard from Winnipeg was one of the many people looking for a pet at the adoption fair.

“I am looking for a therapy dog,” stated Coleman-Berard, who works with children who are abused. She went home with an adorable pup, which she will train to work with the kids.

Jenny Plett and her family from Landmark took home a “foster” puppy.

“We already have a dog but we promised our children we would do what we can to get a dog out of the shelters until it finds a new home,” added Plett. “Since becoming a dog owner we’ve become more aware of how much a dog becomes family, and we think it’s important to teach our children how to be responsible pet owners.”

Over a dozen rescue shelters attended the event. Adoption fees and what the fee includes are set by each individual rescue in attendance.

Not only is the purpose of the event to find homes for dogs, but it is also an opportunity to educate and have fun. There was a question and answer period with a vet, trainer and groomer, promotions for spay and neuter, a pet photographer and displays all related to pet care and products.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

June 2012

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More Than Just News!

June 2012

8

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Pallister Tours Southeast

By Marianne Curtis

Five days after announcing his bid for provincial PC Leadership, Brian Pallister was in Steinbach at the Mennonite Heritage Museum greeting supporters.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

Copper Wire Crooks Sometime between Wednesday evening May 15 and Thursday morning May 16 several lengths of copper wire were stripped from conveyor machines at a Diamond Construction and Gravel

pit located at #30017, Road 36 East in the RM of La Broquerie.

The wire has a value estimated at $15,000-$20,000.

Police have no leads at this point and are asking the public for assistance.

Anyone with information is asked to call Steinbach RCMP at 326-4452 or contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-2228477 (TIPS) or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Steinbach 55 Plus offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for older adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs. For more information drop by the Centre, Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm, call 320-4600 or online steinbach55plus.com.

Monthly Programs

Single Ladies’ Night Out: The first Friday of the month at 5 pm. Enjoy supper out at a local restaurant. Call the centre for the place to meet.

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

by Val Fry, a professional foot care nurse. Cost $30. Bring your own towel.

Book an appointment.

Pot Luck Supper: The second Thursday of every month at 6 pm. Meat and beverages are provided. Cost: $5 per person. Bring along a casserole, salad or desert. Reserve your seat.

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

Beltone Hearing: The third Friday of each month. Call 1-800-661-2653 for appointment.

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

Monday

Weekly Programs

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

Monday to Friday

1 - 4 pm – Billiards 9 am - 12 pm and 1 - 4 pm - Computer Lab. Cost $1.00 Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and setting tables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up, greeters, receptionists.

Membership at Steinbach 55 Plus is only $20 per year and due in January of each year. Membership is for those 55 years of age and older. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice in business meetings, voting rights, and eligibility to serve on the board or committees.

On May 14, Brian Pallister made his rounds to several southern communities in hopes of gaining support for his bid as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party.

Pallister started his one-day tour in Sprague where he met with a small group of supporters before moving on to Vita. His final stop for the day was at the New Horizons Club in Grunthal where about a dozen supporters greeted him.

“We had a smaller than expected crowd in Sprague due to the fires in the area but it was still a good meeting,” stated Pallister.

Pallister is making his way through the province while attempting to rally supporters before the July leadership nomination deadline.

Unless contested, Pallister will be

declared party leader for the next provincial election.

“I need help building a real team where people in Manitoba matter and when we win it will be with people with experience,” Pallister stated. “Our party must reflect the values of the entire country, not just a few.”

Pallister feels those values are at risk in the hands of the current government, especially after the recent Jets ticket scandal. Earlier in May, it was discovered that several NDP cabinet ministers accepted coveted Jets tickets from crown corporations while average hockey fans were left watching games from home.

“It’s not just about Jets tickets; it’s about telling the truth – strike one,” Pallister continued. “The current government broke election rules by

campaigning during the election and said, ‘They didn’t know’, then Premier Selinger ran on the platform of no tax increases and in the recent budget we ended up with the highest taxes per average household in Canada. If this was a baseball game it would be three strikes and you are out.”

Pallister is confident that, given the chance, the province will thrive under PC leadership.

“The Filmon cabinet was the best cabinet to date,” Pallister added.

“The hardest part is that we have to put up with the NDP government for another three years.”

Pallister is a former high school teacher, businessman and a former provincial and federal cabinet member. Currently he resides in Winnipeg with his wife and two daughters.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Out of the Blue Gala Celebrates Creative Awareness

By Marianne Curtis South Eastman’s Regional Suicide Prevention Committee is ecstatic over the success of its second “Out of the Blue Campaign”. At the end of May, the organization hosted the “Blue Gala” where schools, communities and individuals were recognized for doing their bit in raising awareness on suicide prevention.

The South Eastman Regional Suicide Prevention Committee was busy during the month of April addressing suicide prevention. The objective of the program is to increase awareness and develop broad-based support for positive mental health. A variety of activities and programs were launched throughout the region to bring awareness in suicide prevention where it is needed most.

At a special gala 240 guests dressed in blue came out to celebrate as awards were handed out to a number of groups and individuals.

Deb Enns, Regional Mental Health Program Manager with South Eastman Health, said that while many people were recognized during the evening, the real winners were local residents.

“South Eastman Health is very proud to have joined all of our Gala guests, sponsors and honoured guests in delivering such extraordinary support for the “Out of the Blue” campaign and its crucial work in accelerating a new voice for

St. Pierre Bigway Manager Mark Duddridge shows off the Blue Gelato his store offered as part of their “Out of the Blue Campaign”.

Photo by Marianne Curtis

mental health to support those living with mental illness and opening dialogue about suicide,” said Enns The Steinbach Regional Secondary School and Roseau River School were among the stars of the evening after winning awards in categories including Blue Day, Blue Lunch, Blue Expressions and many others.

Individuals from the community

were also awarded prizes for literary and visual contributions.

Businesses including St. Pierre Big Way Foods, and the Ste. Agathe Community Committee were winning participants.

South Eastman’s Regional Suicide Prevention Committee is already reviewing the campaign and preparing to re-launch an even bigger project next year.

New CEO Announced with Renamed Health Authority

By Marianne Curtis When it comes to health care in the region, it is business as usual despite a number of changes at the administrative level. The province has announced that South Eastman Health, which recently merged with Central Region, will now be known as the Southern Regional Health Authority. Along with the name change, an appointment of a new chief administrator was finalized.

Residents within the region will have to get used to a new name now that South Eastman Health has merged with Central Region.

With the merger comes a new chief executive officer. The province has named Kathy McPhail as for Manitoba’s new Southern Regional Health Authority. McPhail previously served as CEO with the Central authority for the past five years.

Former South Eastman Health administrator John Stinson has been named as the new chief executive officer of the Interlake-Eastern RHA, formerly known as the Interlake RHA and North Eastman Health Authority “I’m very much looking forward to the challenge and opportunity of that job and working with the people in that region,” Stinson said. “But South Eastman has been a great experience for me.”

As of May 18, South Eastman Health ceased to exist after the board voted unanimously to merge with Central Region. The province mandated the

Kathy McPhail is the newly appointed chief executive officer after the province merged South Eastman Health and Central Health Authorities to form the new Southern Regional Health Authority.

merger after making the decision to reduce the number of regional health authorities from eleven to five.

Manitoba Health anticipates a reduction of 30-35 corporate RHA positions across the province through the mergers, with the administrative savings redirected into supporting front line care.

The new amalgamated Southern Regional Health Authority is the second largest region population wise, but has the smallest geographical area. The amalgamated district takes over the Central district based in Portage la Prairie and includes Carman, Morden, Winkler and Altona.

During June, the newly appointed chief executive officers will be working with interim boards until the province appoints new members.

June 2012

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Snowbirds – Filing a U.S. Tax Return Exception?

Do you travel to the U.S. for the winter for long periods? If so, you may need to file an exception to filing a U.S. tax return that is due June 15 each year.

If you don’t want to face some possible penalties, you may need to file a form called the Closer Connection Exception Statement for Aliens, IRS form 8840.

Many people think that if you spend less than 180 days in the U.S., you are safe. But that is not completely correct. It depends on how many days you spent in the U.S. in the past three years. If you spent more than 121 days in each of the past three years (2011, 2010, and 2009) you should be filing for an exception.

The exception acknowledges that you had a significant presence in the U.S., but that you have closer ties to Canada.

Calculate the number of days you were in the U.S. in 2011 (for some snowbirds that is often January to maybe April and sometimes November and December).

Then calculate the number of days for 2010 and for 2009.

You need to file for an exception if you are considered to have a “substantial presence” in the U.S. in the past three years. If it exceeds 182 days, you need to file.

You use a formula that works like this: you include all the days in 2011, one third of the days in 2010 and one sixth of the number of days in 2009.

So you are close to the 183 days and if you spent 121 days for the three years (2011 – 121 days; 2010 is 40 days (1/3 of 121) and 2009 is 20 days (1/6 of 121).

That totals 181. You are very close to having to file; remember the magic number is 183 days.

Why has this not been a big deal in the past? Well, it was harder for the U.S. government to keep track of you. Remember we could cross the border with just our driver’s license and birth certificate. Now we need our passports and don’t you think they are keeping track of when you came into the country and when you leave?

So if you think you might qualify as having a “substantial presence” in the U.S., better have that form completed. You can find it on the U.S. taxation (IRS) website: irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8840.pdf.

If you don’t have access to the internet, or you need some help, give me a call or drop by my office.

Final reminder to those of you who are self employed. The filing tax deadline for us is June 15 to avoid any penalties. Of course, the interest on what we owed started accruing on April 30, but at 5 percent interest, it’s not too bad. So get your tax information in soon. I still need to get mine filed before June 15 after I get everyone else’s looked after first!

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

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June 2012

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

More Than Just News!

Rock & Read – At Anna‘s House starting June 4 from 1 - 2:30 pm. Summer program at Anna’s House no. 11- Highway 12 North.

Free hands on learning experience teaching nursery rhymes, lullabies, finger-plays, book sharing and book making for parents and child program. Best enjoyed with children ages 3-5yrs. Contact Cathy Bailley 346-0413.

Link Family Music - Evening of traditional American acoustic music performed by the Link Family! Concert held at Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church on June 8 at 7 pm., $5/person, 8 and under free. Fundraiser for “Shiloh Retreat”. Visit linkfamilymusic.com for music and band bios.

Blumenort Annual Providence Golf Classic - at The Links at Quarry Oaks in Steinbach. Tuesday, June 12 at 1 pm Tee Off. Registration Fee Blumenort Fun and Fair Days – Vast array of entertainment from pancake breakfast, live entertainment and Childrens events. includes green fees, power cart, barbeque lunch at 11:30 am, banquet ticket, locker/shower facilities, $40.00 donation Receipt Starts Friday, June 22-24. Contact email blumenortfunfairday@mts.net or call phone 326-9013. and prizes. Contact 433-7488 ext 236 or e-mail Gary.Schellenberg@prov.ca.

Buffalo Point Bethesda Foundation Annual Golf Tournament - on Friday, June 15 at the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club. Registration at 10:30 am EBCH Annual Golf Tournament- East Borderland Community Housing Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 9 at a 12:30 pm Tee followed by lunch at 11 am. Shotgun start at noon. To register contact bethesdafoundation.ca.

Off Time. Lake of the Sandhills Golf Course. Contact 437-2343.

STIX In The City –Steinbach Minor Hockey Presents City Street Hockey Tournament. Registration is open for 3rd Tournament.

Dominion City On Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Summer in the City at 9 am. Register more than 5 players but only 4 + your goalie can be on SummerFest - at Roseau Crossing Heritage Park on Monday July 2 - 4. Free activities and entertainment, slow pitch and at one time. Entry fee is $10 per player, includes STIX in the City t-shirt. Contact steinbachminorhockey.ca, e-mail horseshoe tournament, children’s carnival and events to raise funds for the park and the Dominion City pool. kim@steinbachminorhockey.ca Grunthal Steinbach Christian Preschool Fall Registration - Wednesday, July 4 doors open at 8:30 am. For preschoolers ages 3 - 4. Contact Menno Home BBQ and Bake Sale - Everyone invited to the annual BBQ and Bake Sale, starting Saturday, June 9 -10 , in the eefc.ca/growing/christian-preschool or e-mail scp@eefc.ca .

Courtyard at Menno Home, 235 Park St. Doors open 10:00 am. BBQ, Bake Sale, Garage Sale and Silent Auction. Contact 4345039 or 346-0925.

Canadian Blood Services Steinbach Clinic - Thursday, July 5 from 2 – 8 pm in addition to the regular blood donor clinic on July 19 to ensure an optimal blood supply over the summer season. New hours for July 5 at the Steinbach E.M.C. 422 Main St. Kleefeld Kleefeld Farmer’s Market - If you are looking for bread, brownies, butter, buns, cakes, cookies, fruit, honey, jam, jelly, muffins, Whiteshell pickles, pie, preserves, vegetables just to name a few off the top or anything else we want you at the Kleefeld Farmers Market. Family Fishing Weekend - Cast a line this weekend into the many waters of the Whiteshell to catch a master angler! A fishing Starts Tuesday, June 19 at 3 - 6:30 pm. Located at 76 Park Street. license is not required this weekend – conservation limits and all other regulations still apply from Monday June 4-10. Free Park Entry this weekend. Family Fishing Hike takes place June 10. Contact 369-3157.

La Broquerie Tractor Trek - 50/50/50 Fundraising lunch at the La Broquerie Ball Diamond Dug Out for Mennonite Heritage Village and Eden’s Feathered Friends - Take flight and discover the avian world of the Whiteshell. Be sure to stop by the Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary recovery programs on Saturday, June 9. to see the newly hatched goslings and other young birds from Monday, June 11-17. Sanctuary contact 369-3157 La Fete de la Saint-Jean Baptiste -Begins Friday, June 23 at 9 am with a free pancake breakfast provided by Chevaliers de Geologic Journey - Rock out with the Interpreters as we quarry into the unique Precambrian Boreal Shield from Monday, June Colomb. Help us celebrate the French Canadian heritage. There is something for everyone including Golf contest, kids games, 18-24. inflatables, pony rides, petting zoo, airbrush tattoos, French cuisine to local francophone artists. Park activities $5 all day, Saint Jean Baptiste Parade on Saturday, June 24. Contact 424-5736 or online at ssjb.ca Wonders & Wanderers - Join us for bannock bakes and birthday cakes as well celebrate Canada Day and discover the unique history of the Whiteshell from Monday, June 25 – July 1.

Lorette Marianne Curtis Book Launch –”Finding Gloria”, memoir by local a writer on Thursday, June 7 at 7 pm. Hosted by the Mammalian Marvels - Frolic with our furry friends this week to uncover their unique adaptations to survive in the boreal forest Bibliotheque Tache Library, 1082 Dawson Road Dawson Road in Lorette. Door Prizes, Coffee & Snacks. on Monday, July 2-8.

Mosaic Fashion Show and Sale - on Friday, June 8 at 2 pm at Club Bles d’Or, 1254 Dawson Rd, Lorette. Fashion show followed General by social time and shopping. Prices start at $30 and sizes range from 2-24. Plus sizes come in petite and regular. Visa, MC, cash The Super Start Program, A Healthy Baby program run through South Eastman Health/Sante-Est Inc., will be holding a monthly and cheques accepted. Contact for information or to volunteer (discount available) Eveline at 878-2405 or Denise at 883-2880. group session. This is a program for pregnant women and families with infants up to one year of age. Each session includes song and rhyme time, discussions and games on topics related to healthy babies and healthy moms. Included are door prizes, Mitchell nutritious snacks and milk coupons for all participating expectant moms or mothers who have babies up to six months of age.

Breakfast and Social - every Tuesday morning, 7:30 - 9:00 am except the last Tuesday of the month when the social is held Next month our session will be held at: instead. Lunch starts at noon at the Mitchell and Area Seniors Centre. Contact 326-6944.

Grunthal – Tuesday, June 5 from 10 am - 12 pm at the Family Hut in South Oaks School Blumenort – every 1st Thursday, June 7 from 10 am - 12 pm at the Blumenort EMC Church Niverville Niverville – Tuesday, June 12 from 10 am - 12 pm at the in the Niverville Community Fellowship on 3rd Ave. Niverville Olde Tyme Country Fair - Events begin Friday, June 8 to Saturday, June 9. Parade, Food, Entertainment, Music, Motor Ste. Anne – Every 2nd Wednesday, June 13 from 10 am – 12 pm at the Ste. Anne Dayspring Fellowship Church Cross and Wakeboard, Midway and Vendors.

Kleefeld – Every 2nd Thursday, June 14 from 10 am - 12 pm at the Kleefeld Recreation Centre Showing your “Red & White” on June 9 Prizes will be awarded to the most obvious “Canuck” in the crowd at the Dean Brody St. Pierre-Jolys – Thursday, June 21 from 10 am - 12 pm in the St. Pierre Health Corner, 354 Prefontaine Ave. concert. First prize is an all inclusive night for 4 at Canad Inns Windsor Park, Second prize 2 Winnipeg Jets tickets, Third place Ste. Agathe- Every 4th Tuesday, June 26 from 10 am - 12 pm at the Ste. Agathe Hall is $250.

Lorette – Wednesday, June7, from 10 am – 12 pm at the Community Services Building Contact: Terry from Super Start at 346-7021 or just drop in.

Bison Classic Motorcycle Rally- Displays of rare and vintage motorcycles, parade, show & shine, motorcycle derby, games, fireworks and live band. Starts Friday, June 29 – July 1. Contact Kim to register 757-9873 or pirates.pearl@gmail.com or Tom Free monthly bus trips to the casinos of Winnipeg for a fun day at the Casinos. Pick up in Steinbach at 8:30 amm, Ste. Anne at 325-6984. and Paradise Village at approximately 9 am. Must be 18 years of age or older. Prizes and $10 cash for everyone. There will be bingo on the bus. Call Marilyn at 326-4939 for date information and to reserve your bus seat. The next scheduled trip Tuesday, Niverville Summer Sports Camp - open to children ages 8-12. Variety of sports in an outdoor setting. Athletes will focus on June 12.. Prizes and Bingo on the bus trip. Contact at 326-4939. specific sport skills in the morning and put their skills into practice in the afternoon with a round robin tournament. Sports being introduced will include; Flag Football, Flag Rugby, Volleyball, Basketball, Team Handball, Disc Golf, Soccer, and Outdoor Education Games. Camp runs from July 2 - 6 at Hespeler Park. Contact Chris Chapman at 612-2416 or email chapper55@shaw.ca.

Richer Supper & Dance -Richer Young at Hearts Community Centre on Saturday, June 16 at 5 pm – 11 pm. Live entertainment by the band By Request. Supper at 6 pm. Contact Pauline at 422-6422, Julienne at 422-5662 or Ralph & Irene at 422-5932. Tickets are $17.50 each.

Celebration Thibaultville – On Sunday, July 8 at the Enfant-Jésus Heritage Site in Richer, Manitoba, # 67 Dawson Trail from 1 - 6 pm. Bands include Michael Audette and Clint Dutiaume; Paradise Square Dancers. Guided tours of cemetery and church will be provided. Archives and artifact displays, silent auction, 50/50 draw, gate prize, hot food services, craft sales and many activities for children: clown, face painting, magician, supervised games.

Monday Night Bingos - to raise funds for Stacey Pchajek Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating grades 8 and 12. Children Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club in Richer. MGCC License # BI/BO4164.

Contact: Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 or email doreen@spmf.ca.

St. Malo Furs, Floods and the French- Join St. Malo’s Interpreter to explore the history and mystery of this hamlet. Follow the trail made by fur traders, who also created the Crow Wing Trail. Experience the community created by French settlers who followed them.

St. Malo Bike Tour every Thursday in July and August at 11:30 am. Meet at the Amphitheatre. Contact 945-4375 or Morgan.Hallett@gov.mb.ca.

Ste. Anne The Knights of Columbus Concert in the Park fundraiser- the Ste. Anne Catholic Church (repairs to the roof and cladding of church foundation). On Saturday, June 9 from 2 - 8 pm at Rédemptoristes Park. Entertainment: several bands, singers and music for all tastes. Food will be served all day, a 50/50 draw and a silent auction, face painting for the children and many more fun activities. Contact Ray Connelly at 422- 8650.

Multiculturalism Day – Friday, June 29 at 2 p m, opening day ceremonies for Canada Day. At the park. There will be costumes, workshops, games, crafts, music, & storytelling, “Queen for a Day” – come have cake and tea in the park with our “Queen” Contact 880-8488 or on line steannemb.ca National Aboriginal Day - Saturday, June 30 at 1 pm. Learn of the importance of the buffalo, beaver and the fur trading companies, listen to Aboriginals and Traditional Frontier Families tell stories of life in the 1800’s. There will also be First Nations dancers in traditional costume, traditional foods bannock, pemmican and buffalo meat, participate in Voyageur and Aboriginal games log sawing, nailing contest, arm wrestling & Indian wresting. Have your family name added to the logbook with country and province of residence in 1812. Open concert.

Bibliothèque Ste Anne Library Used Book Fundraiser – Sale of huge selection of used book proceeds will be used towards new library books. For further information call Mona at 422-9958 or drop in at the library at 16 Rue de l’Église. Cost of books $1$5.

Steinbach The Loewen Green Art Scene – Come see artists working and local artwork to view or purchase. Monday - Friday 11:30 am1:30 pm, Saturday 11 am – 4 pm. Free admission. Runs until September. Contact 346-1077. Free studio for artists at Corner of Elmdale Drive and Reimer Avenue.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Steinbach Encourages Emergency Preparedness The second week of May was National Emergency Preparedness Week and the City of Steinbach used the event as an opportunity to promote yearround preparedness among residents.

The City of Steinbach’s Emergency measures coordinator, Denis Vassart, pointed out that preparedness is an issue that should be taken seriously all year, not just one week a year.

“Emergency preparedness is something every family should be practicing in their home,” said Vassart.

“This includes things like purchasing a weather radio, planning a fire evacuation route, and packing a 72-hour emergency kit.”

Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen is pleased with the work that Vassart has done to ensure the safety of residents in the area.

“It is important for our families to prepare as best we can for any emergency situation,” said Goertzen. “As the City’s Emergency Coordinator, Denis Vassart has done an excellent job of providing Council and Steinbach residents with emergency preparedness information.”

The City of Steinbach has compiled a list of important information on their website, which is more than a benefit to local residents. It can be a valuable information tool for residents throughout the region.

“Citizens can not only access information and brochures that will help them prepare for different emergency situations, but they can also educate themselves on the City’s emergency plans,” Vassart added.

On steinbach.ca there is a variety of emergency planning brochures and documents, as well as links to other federal emergency preparedness websites.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

Vita Dance Troupe Celebrates 32 Years

By Marianne Curtis On June 3, the Susykka Ukrainian Dance Club in Vita celebrated the end of their 32nd dance season with a recital for parents and fans alike.

This year’s recital celebrated a year of change and success for the group. Earlier in the season, club president Larissa Bodz stepped down after years of dedicated leadership to the group. Under the direction of new president, Tannis Nickel, the club has bounced back and had a very successful season.

Michelle Thibodeau, spokesperson for the club, explained that this year was one of growth for the group.

“It was quite a shock to everyone when Larissa moved up north late last year, but we have all worked really hard to not only maintain our level of quality, but tried to grow this past year,” Thibodeau stated. “To that extent new custom-made costumes were ordered from the Ukraine, all dancers invested in new footwear for the year, and new dances were taught throughout the season.”

The group’s success was evident when the troupe recently represented the region at the annual Veselka Ukrainian Festival, which took place May 25 and 26 in Teulon. Every dancer came home with a gold medal.

“Our intermediate girls group performed the Poliska Polka, the senior girls danced the Dvodensivka and the beginner class did their Musyky dance with flutes and tambourines,” explained Thibodeau. “All our dancers made everyone so proud and represented our

“All our dancers made everyone so proud and represented our community with style and grace.”

The Susykka Ukrainian Dance Club in Vita celebrated the end of their 32nd dance season with a recital for parents and fans alike.

community with style and grace.”

With this year’s regular season of dance classes complete, the club is looking forward to a busy summer.

“Our club is dedicated to its culture and heritage and tries to promote it as much as possible throughout the whole year,” Thibodeau continued. “To that effect we try our hardest to never turn down the opportunity to perform for people.”

Last year, over the course of the summer, dancers performed at the Gardenton Festival in July as well as Folklorama in August. This year they have been invited to dance at the Canada Day Festivities and several other events.

June 2012

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12

More Than Just News!

June 2012

Local Memoir Success in the Numbers

Bill and Karren Kanda, Marianne Curtis’ birth uncle and aunt, surprised the author by driving from Edmonton Alberta to celebrate the launch of Finding Gloria.

Photo by Ashley Friesen

By Dan Guetre Finding Gloria, a memoir written by Dawson Trail Dispatch journalist Marianne Curtis, is gaining readers on a global scale with both her printed version and online edition.

“I’m humbled by how many people want to read about my personal journey,” said Curtis. “I’ve received and shipped orders to Europe, Australia, and all over North America in the short time since its launch.”

The book critically looks at her life and the hurdles she has overcome to achieve personal success, a place she describes as being comfortable and accepting of who she is.

With sales topping 1,000 copies in

less than a couple of weeks, and book launch events from Landmark, Lorette, Steinbach and even McNally Robinson Book Sellers, she is trying to deal with her authored success and recognition. Recently, CJOB has even invited her to be the guest author on their weekly call in show “The Book Club.”

“Who knew? I wrote the book as a form of therapy, to finally air out the demons of my past. Now to receive letters and emails from readers explaining how I have somehow inspired or helped them cope with their lives… it’s very humbling,” explains Curtis. “People I speak to at events feel comfortable to speak about their own lives, some of this information they have kept bottled

Garage Sale Madness Not only is spring known for the chirping of birds and the sight of green grass growing everywhere you look, it’s also known for one of the greatest things in all of spring (after fishing, of course!) and that is the garage sales.

Ah yes, garage sale time, the time when people take all the things that they don’t want and put them into the garage. They then proceed to open their garage doors and allow complete strangers to come wandering into their garages and rummage through their stuff. If all goes well the stranger will pick up an item or in many cases several items, and give the garage owner some small pieces of metal or bits of paper. The stranger will then leave the area with the “treasure” they have now acquired and the garage owner will happily add the pieces of metal, or paper, to the ones that they already had.

One of the things I personally love about garage sales is that I never truly know what I will find. Sure, I can guess that there will be children’s clothes, movies, books and many other regular items, but will I find those special items that I’ve been looking for? Is the book that I need to complete my set going to be out there waiting for me? Maybe. Will my wife find our children’s sizes in all the piles of clothes available?

Probably. Will I find the keys to a brand new Lamborghini in the Free Box? Nope, but I can dream.

Last month my wife and I attended community garage sales in both Kleefeld and Mitchell and let me tell you, I was surprised by how many things I needed that I never before realized that I was needing! Luckily, for our finances, my wife was along and was the voice of reason. While she never said no, I think she realizes that this would only force me into buying it; she would merely ask me, what I would do with that item or why did I need it? This trick made me stop and think about why I really wanted it. More often than not, I end up walking away with my money still in my pocket. Not to worry though, this is not only a onesided strategy. I, too, have my ways of getting her not to purchase an item that I don’t believe we need. I’d like to spill the beans and tell you all about my ways of doing this but I won’t. I can’t afford to let this information fall into the wrong hands; after all,… she always reads my articles.

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

up for years. They say my book is giving them the strength to open up.”

If there ever was a book that dusted off all the skeletons in the closet, Finding Gloria is achieving that status. A Winnipeg launch is taking place June 19, at McNally Robinson Bookstores in the Travel Alcove at 7:30 p.m.

On May 22, Curtis published a second book called Moondust and Madness: A Collection of Poetry.

While Finding Gloria is her healing process, this compilation was written “in the moment”.

“Most people find others to talk to. I was ashamed of my life so I hid and wrote. Sometimes my thoughts were so garbled, I could only write poems,” Curtis added. She has pledged $5 from each edition sold will go towards organizations like Kids Help Phone and Agape House.

A summer tour is being scheduled which will include appearances at tradeshows, area farmers’ markets and festivals such as Pioneer Days, St- Pierre-Jolys Frog Follies, Niverville Olde Tyme Fair, Vita Canada and Dawson Trail Days to name a few. Anyone wishing to book an appearance can email mariannecurtis.author@gmail.com for more information.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Ile Des Chênes Student Wins Hockey Scholarships

By Marianne Curtis A grade 12 student from Ile des Chênes was the recent recipient of two high school hockey scholarships by the Manitoba High School Athletic Association.

On May 14, Marc-Andre Simard of College GabrielleRoy in Ile Des Chênes was named as the recipient of two significant awards for his hard work as the assistant captain of the College Gabrielle-Roy Cavaliers.

First, Simard was named as this year’s recipient of the Ken “Friar” Nicolson award, which goes to a male high school hockey player.

Nicolson was a broadcaster for CJOB Radio for the Winnipeg Jets, and was a tremendous supporter of high school hockey. As a recipient, Simard was

Stuartburn Seeks New Administrator The RM of Stuartburn is in the market for a new Chief Administrative Officer.

On May 4, the RM of Stuartburn council accepted the resignation of acting administrator Jennifer Blatz, effective May 25. Blatz joined the municipality after former administrator Judy Reimer left, exactly a year ago on May 2.

In the interim, the municipality has hired Reimer back as acting administrator until the position is filled. The RM of Stuartburn is accepting applications for her replacement until June 29.

New Facility for Steinbach Victoria’s Quilts

RM of Ste. Anne Reeve, Art Bergmann (left) and Steinbach MLA, Kelvin Goertzen (right) assist Harry Toews with the opening of the new quilt room.

RM of Ste. Anne Reeve, Art Bergmann and Steinbach MLA, Kelvin Goertzen were both on hand to assist Harry Toews from the Steinbach Chapter of Victoria’s Quilts with the opening of a new quilt room and long arm quilting machine. Victoria’s Quilts is a national non-profit charity which makes quilts for patients diagnosed with cancer. Doris Toews is President of the Steinbach Branch and started organizing the chapter in early 2008.

The new quilting room is located east of Steinbach and was officially opened on Sunday, May 27.

College Gabrielle Roy student Marc-Andre Simard was named this year’s recipient of the Ken “Friar” Nicolson Award and the Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarship.

presented with a $1,000 scholarship.

Simard was also named the recipient of this year’s Alexander Josephson Memorial Scholarship. The $2,000 scholarship is awarded in honour of Alexander Josephson, a student at St. John’s Ravenscourt School, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2005.

Simard is assistant captain of the Cavaliers and was selected to the All-Star Team. He scored 19 points in 18 games and added 10 points in four playoff games. In addition to hockey he is active with the French Canadian Pavilion at Folklarama, involved with his church and is a page for youth parliament. He also volunteers for Meals on Wheels, Special Olympics, the local food bank, Christmas Cheer Board, and he plays guitar for residents at the local nursing home.

The awards are presented by the Manitoba High School’s Athletic Association, which is a voluntary not-for-profit organization, which co-ordinates high school sport in the province.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

June 2012

13

Vita Students Plant Trees to Honour Firefighters

Lorette Daycare Improvements Supported

by Local Business

On May 8, 27 students from Vita planted 1,000 trees in a burned out section of Sandilands Forest as a means to help give back after they were personally affected by grass fires last fall.

Ron Harder from the Lorette Marketplace presented Jason Adamus, Chairperson for the Les Chouettes de Lorette Daycare Centre, with a cheque for $5,000 towards playground improvements.

By Marianne Curtis

By Marianne Curtis

When grass fires flared up in the Vita area last fall the students at Shevchenko School were touched by the disaster on many levels. For the first time in recent history, classes were cancelled due to smoke. Many students had parents and grandparents fighting the fires on the front lines or making evacuees and volunteers comfortable by making food and taking care of other needs.

After the Thanksgiving weekend students returned to classes with stories on how close the flames got to their personal residences or how their fathers returned from the fires exhausted to catch a few hours sleep before heading back out to protect homes and communities.

The fire affected the student body at Shevchenko School greatly. The students banded together and sent a thank you letter, signed by each student to the volunteer fire departments who fought the fires in the area. “[We were] very frightened and felt nervous – [we] could not believe that such a big fire was burning that would cause [our] school to close,” the students stated in a letter to the fire departments. “We are grateful for your blood, sweat and tears. This also may include a blister or two and many scrapes and cuts you incurred while you were on duty. You are [our] heroes.”

Shevchenko School teacher Patricia Spraggs fought back tears as she recalled how her students reacted to the near disaster last fall.

“After the fire students were very upset. It was traumatic,” Spraggs said. “This was really big and the students were feeling a significant loss. The students pushed to do something that would matter so we partnered with “Trees for Tomorrow” and came up with a plan.”

On May 8, 27 Grade 6 students from Shevchenko School in Vita took their appreciation to a new level by spending a day planting 1,000 Jack Pine trees in the Sandilands. The area was hit by a devastating forest fire in 2008 and over 8,000 hectares of forest was destroyed.

“We were very happy to travel together to the planting area,” the students told the fire department in a second letter dated May 29.

“Our teacher brought along a Canada Flag to mark the first tree. It made it really special and something to remember.”

Unfortunately, a few days after the students planted the 1,000 trees, the RM of Stuartburn was once again fighting three fires in the area.

“We were heartbroken to learn there were three new fires as of May 11 near us. We inhaled smoke in our homes and on our playground; a classmate was very concerned about the little jack pines we’d just planted,” the students told the fire fighters. “We understand the importance of taking the best care of the forest, farmland and our surroundings.”

In six years, before graduation, the students plan to return to the site to check on the trees and celebrate the event that touched them all.

The children attending the Les Chouettes de Lorette Daycare Centre can look forward to some much needed playground improvements now that fundraising has kicked off with a significant contribution.

On May 24, the Les Chouettes de Lorette Daycare Center was presented with a $5,000 cheque from the Lorette Marketplace.

The funds are slated to help the facility’s board fix and expand the centre’s outside play area.

Juliette Chabot, director at the Les Chouettes de Lorette Daycare Centre, said that the group is very grateful for the support. The centre opened its doors in 2008 and is attached to the Lagimodiere School. The facility is licensed for 30 children ages two to five along with four babies up to two years old. The centre also offers a before and after school program for 15 kids ages 6-12.

“We have not done any improvements yet, but we have applied for grants, like Community Places,” stated Chabot. “We want to expand our existing play area and we want a natural playground for our children.”

The group also wants to plant trees that will provide shade for the children. Currently the children have a small playground that is low in elevation, which fills up with mud and water, Chabot added.

“We also have old storage sheds that keep getting vandalized and our toys and equipment gets stolen,” Chabot continued.

An exact plan has yet to be finalized depending on the amount of money the group can collect from all available sources. Estimated costs of the project range from $20,000 to $25,000.

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June 2012

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

On Your Mark, Get Set for the St. Labre 200

material. The whole list of material can be found on their website stlabre200.ca.

At the end of the weekend. Teams can keep their go-carts.

The St. Labre 200 will take place July 13 to July 15. The main race takes place

By Marianne Curtis The St. Labre 200 is taking place next month and organizers are encouraging all communities and companies in southern Manitoba to assemble a team of highly creative, mechanically inclined, competitive people that love a challenge and having a good time.

The 4th annual St. Labre 200 go-kart build-off and race competition is a challenge where 14 qualifying teams build their own go-karts within 24 hours.

Each team is given basic materials along with their own basic framing materials.

They are then challenged to build gokarts from scratch on the first day and race their new creations the next day in

June 2012

Photo by Scott Kroeker Photography

a fast-paced nail biting 200-lap race on a quarter mile dirt track. The winner earns the right to hoist the Best Sleep Centre Sparkplug Cup. François Grenier is one of the organizers of the race.

“We are very surprised at how quick the teams have been registering, considering the only advertising as of now has been through word of mouth, the website and a sign in La Broquerie,” said Grenier. “We are looking forward to another fun weekend.”

A great accomplishment for the organizing committee is to see how companies are starting use the St. Labre 200 as a team building experience for their employees.

“Last year I brought some of the crew from our company,” Said Nico Vos from Tristar in Grunthal. “I didn’t realize how much of a team building experience the build off and race would be. Everyone had such a good time that we had to register again.”

The St. Labre 200 has also become a successful annual fundraiser. Over the past three years, $15,000 has been donated to organizations throughout the region. This year funds raised over the weekend will support East Borderland Community Housing in Sprague and two day-cares including Treasure Keepers Children’s Centre and Les P’tits Brisous.

Deadline for team registration is June 15. Teams are accepted in order of fully paid registrations with a deadline of June 15th. The registration fee is $800 and includes most parts needed to build a cart (engine, sprocket, wheels, bearings, clutch etc) but does exclude the framing

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Saturday evening and is followed up with two amazing local bands, Hoppin’ Hedges and Bottle Jaw. The evening is topped off with the biggest fireworks show in the southeast sponsored by Red Bomb.

Ste. Anne Judo Competitor Wins Bronze in Toronto A member of the Steinbach Judo Club has come home with a bronze medal after competing in the Canadian Senior and Junior Judo Championships in Toronto.

On May 19, Judo competitor Vincent Blais-Shiokawa from Ste. Anne competed in two categories when he participated in the Canadian Senior and Junior Judo Championships, otherwise known as the Ontario Open.

Blais-Shiokawa competed in the event as a member of Team Manitoba, which consisted of seven men and one woman.

The entire event drew close to 400 competitors.

In the category of U20 for Men, 66 kg, he earned a third place medal after three wins against a Saskatchewan and two Ontario competitors. His only loss was against Quebec. In the category of Senior Men, 66kg, Blais-Shiokawa came in fifth after winning two rounds then losing two rounds.

All three members of the Steinbach Judo Club who recently competed in Portage La Prairie came home with medals. The team includes (l-r) Wyatt Lajoie, Cassedy Reddekopp and Vincent Blais-Shiokawa.

Back: William McKenzie (sensei) and Donal Hiebert (referee).

Earlier in the month, members of the Steinbach Judo Club participated in the Portage Open (for U11 & U13) and Manitoba Provincial Championships on May 5 in Portage la Prairie. All three local athletes competed in a group of 50 and each came home with medals.

Cassedy Reddekopp of Mitchell won her first gold medal in the Under 11 category. Wyatt Lajoie from Steinbach also placed in the Men’s, 66/60 kg category.

Ohhhh..........K!!

Finding easy and simple ways to stay healthy and detox your body doesn’t need to be complicated. I was doing some research on vitamin K and discovered it is one vitamin that should NOT be taken synthetically yet is extremely important to the clotting of blood, among other things. So, are you eating foods with vitamin K? These would be: dandelion greens, spinach, kale, swiss chard, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, parsley, kiwifruit, avocado and grapes.

If you are not eating these foods you may be deficient and never know. Lacking a vitamin can lead to ill health. It’s easy to get your vitamin K1 just buy some organic kale at your local produce section (non-organic will contain pesticide residue that is difficult to remove because of the feathery leaves). Please note that people with already existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems should not be eating kale (Read up on absorption of calcium).

Kale is very low in saturated fats and cholesterol. It is a fat soluble vitamin and needs to be stored in body fat. Kale is a great source of dietary fiber, which keeps the bowels clean and healthy as well as all the other benefits that fiber has. Above all, kale is loaded – a real SUPER FOOD and is at the very top of the nutritional content list. It has so many trace minerals and vitamins that I can’t believe we do not know more about this great food. It has broccoli beat! We should be told to add it to everything we can. It is so good for us.

Kale contains protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. Its mineral content is outstanding with Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Fluoride, Zinc and Sodium. It is so inexpensive and easy to use. Steamed kale components will bind with bile acids in your digestive track to help lower cholesterol. Raw kale still has cholesterol lowering ability, just not as much. This is good for cardiovascular support. Kale’s risk-lowering benefits for cancer have been extended to bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate. Kale also supports the body’s detoxification system. Kale’s 45 different flavenoids combine antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, reducing chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

So how do you eat one of the world’s healthiest foods? Well, it is so simple that you will wonder why you haven’t been using kale all your life. Go online and you will be shocked at all the recipes, but here are a few of my uses on a daily basis: 1. Chop a little kale in your daily smoothie along with those anti-oxidant berries, flax, banana and spinach (You really don’t taste the kale or spinach).

2. Chop kale into every salad you prepare. It is so mild you can’t tell it’s there but you have nice color and crunch in your salad.

3. Add chopped kale into your turkey or chicken stuffing. It adds colour but doesn’t change the taste.

4. Chop kale, pine nuts and feta cheese with whole grain pasta and drizzle with an olive oil and vinegar dressing that contains your favorite spices.

5. Add chopped kale to your home made soups or some canned soups if you don’t make soup.

6. Steam for 5 minutes only, toss with a Mediterranean type dressing and serve as a side dish.

7. Soak in salt water, dry off, lie on cookie sheet, sprinkle with favorite spices (I like Lowrey’s Seasoning), and grated Parmesan cheese. Bake for 15 minutes at 450 F. They are very crunchy and better than chips.

Just be creative and try to use kale with as many dishes as you can. Ohhh. . . K!! Now you’re eating power food and getting the famous vitamin K naturally. Stay well, stay healthy.

Raylene Snow is owner/operator of Raylene’s Wellness Spa 5km south on 210 between Ste. Anne and Giroux. She can be reached at 422-6234.

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June 2012

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

It’s not Payback... its Pay Forward I have spoken to many people about payback when it comes to renewable energy and I find that most people have a hard time figuring it out, including yours truly.

I prefer to think of any investment that saves me energy as paying forward. After all, isn’t that what you are doing?

Every dollar I spent on products that save me energy, starts paying forward from the moment I install it. This includes: a) inflation, which is about 3.1% a year, b) the PST, GST, HST taxes on every bill and, c) every dollar is tax free and nobody can tax you on it either. WOW... that turns a 10-year pay forward into 5 years. I would like to add d) the value that a low energy home with solar system is worth, how much more is a “net zero” home?

Please consider all these factors when calculating your pay forward. It will make it a little easier to grasp. Also consider using the savings that a green energy product (i.e. LED bulb) can provide to help pay for the energy monitor that helps you save money for a solar thermal system that gets you to energy generation like an off-grid tie PV panel and/or turbine system. One saving pays for another.

Pay forward may not be a term that we hear everyday until people start doing it at the Tim Horton’s drive thru, but that’s exactly the way it works when investing in a “green product”.

One client of mine wanted to know how much it cost for the full “greening my world” package. When I replied $30,000, he punched a calculator a few times and said, “That’s three times better than if I put my money in the bank. I never even considered that fact.”

It won’t be long before the property tax guys’ start taxing you for having a solar system but in the meantime you can’t go wrong with investing in any product that saves or generates power.

The best way to start is to figure out how much your budget is and which products get you fastest pay forward.

New Greenhouse Project for Landmark Elementary

WHL Drafts Local Hockey Players

Three young hockey players from Steinbach and Mitchell Landmark Elementary is one of 20 schools across are among 31 hockey players from Manitoba selected to join Manitoba that will receive a $1,000 provincial grant for the the 2012 Western Hockey League (WHL).

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) program.

The three local players were selected at the 2012 WHL The goal is to help fund hands-on projects that expand Bantam Draft recently hosted in Calgary. student knowledge and experiences in citizenship, the From Steinbach, Thomas Lenchyshyn was selected in the environment and how nature helps their community. first round draft by the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The Calgary The funding will help the students with their project titled Hitmen picked up Scott Petkau from Steinbach in the 5th “Grow to Give” expand upon their recycling/composting round and Desmond Nevin from Mitchell was picked in the initiative from the previous year by building a greenhouse 10th round by the Everest Silvertips. at their school. Each class will learn how to grow and take The WHL Bantam Draft is the first opportunity for WHL care of plants.

Clubs to replenish their teams with graduating Bantam-aged Local seniors and students from Landmark Collegiate will players. be invited to teach the students about plants and proper gardening techniques. During the summer, students will care for their plants by transplanting them in their home gardens.

The Summer in the City Festival committee is counting down the days to the The plants will be harvested in the fall and sold within the fourth annual Summer of the City. This year’s event takes place June 16-17 and community. promises a jam-packed two days of activities.

All proceeds will be given to support one local and one Residents in the LUD of La Broquerie will not see an increase Amid tons of local entertainment, the crowds will be entertained by Jason global charity. in sewer rates on this year’s tax bill due to a technicality.

Petric, McKenzie Road, Jason Kirkness and Quinton Blair who are opening for According to council, the LUD of La Broquerie conducted a country sensations Doc Walker on Friday night. sewer rate study to review and possibility increase sewer “I grew up loving Doc Walker,” stated Petric, who is excited to be opening for rates for residents. While the LUD presented the results to the Doc Walker. “The first time I saw them was at the grand opening of the MTS Public Utilities Board for review and approval, the results Centre, and I’ve been front row at a handful of their shows ever since. I’m gonna were not received before the 2012 Financial Plan and Public be a very proud Manitoban that day. ‘Rocket Girl’ is my Mom’s favorite song.” The RM of Reynolds has adopted their first emergency Hearing.

The next night Dormant Ember, Corny “Elvis” Rempel, Mike Burnard, The plan. The plan was established because of the provincial Not wanting to delay the mailing of this year’s tax bills, the Cracked Egg Shell and Jordan St.Cyr will open for former Guess Who front man requirement that all municipalities develop a working RM of La Broquerie withdrew its application and is maintaining Burton Cummings on June 16. emergency plan. current rates.

St. Cyr is also honoured to be opening for one of his classic favourites.

According to Marc Lavergne with the RM of Reynolds, Council will conduct a new rate survey and submit a new “I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to share the stage with someone the municipality now has a volunteer team charged with the proposal to the Public Utilities Board so new rates can be like Burton Cummings,” added St. Cyr. “His career has spanned decades with responsibility of responding to an emergency or disaster in implemented in 2013. songs that have shaped the musical landscape we live in today. It will definitely be the RM. a highlight for my band and me to have had this privilege.”

“Their aim is to ensure that the effects of an emergency or Tickets for both evening shows are available at Earls Meat Market, MTS Connect disaster in the RM of Reynolds and its inhabitants are and Safeway in Steinbach. minimized, the protection and preservation of health, The first Summer in the City Festival came together in 2009 as a celebration of property and environment, the restoration of essential Arts and Culture. Now in its fourth year, that commitment from the City of services,” stated Lavergne.

Steinbach, volunteers and local business is stronger than ever.

In 1996, 1997 and 1998 the RM of Reynolds oversaw Over $3,000 was raised during this year’s East Borderland Nearly 30 local performers and groups will play on the Prudential Main Stage the implementation of flood protection resources. Any and Community Housing Committee used book sale that this June. In addition, the committee is excited for the growth in visual arts, with future disasters will fall under the jurisdiction of the Local took place May 2-5 at the Clearspring Centre in Steinbach. a new ‘Artists in the City Courtyard’ is being planned. And festivalgoers will get Emergency Response Control Group (LERCG).

Money raised at the event goes to support the proposed a glimpse of the diverse food, dance and people of the area with the introduction Members of the group consist of Phyllis Creedon, Elda seniors’ housing project under construction in Sprague. of Cultures in the City sponsored by Hylife.

Dolynchuk, Allan Kelly, Blanche Lavergne, Marc Lavergne This is the fourth book sale the group has organized over The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and businesses throughout Steinbach are and Gail Wasylnuk. the past four years. Since the start of the annual fundraiser, also hosting the second annual Sales in the City, Thursday through Saturday. The RM of Reynolds’ new emergency plan will also assist over $13,000 has been raised with books for the East There will be multicultural performers and food, the Wonder Shows midway, and the committee while dealing with grass and forest fires, Borderland and Community Housing Committee. entertainment for children. dangerous goods spills and train derailments.

Local Musicians Eager to Open for Headliners

Sewer Rate Rise Delayed for LUD La Broquerie Residents

Reynolds Establishes Emergency Response Team

Book Sale Raises Funds for Senior Housing

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

June 2012

Tots Sign Jubilee Book

Run for Mom presented Anna’s House with a cheque of $8,500 on behalf of all the participants.

Children who participate in the Steinbach Arts Council offered Arts4Tots program were the special guests at a recent Jubilee Book Signing Ceremony that took place in Steinbach.

On May 30, the Arts4Tots class was invited to a Jubilee Book Signing Ceremony at Steinbach City Hall. The class, along with instructors Treena Gosbee and Pam Butler, walked the few blocks to City Hall, all wearing hats and carrying special flags.

Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen and MLA Kelvin Goertzen greeted the group and thanked the Arts4Tots Preschool for being a main reason for this special gathering due to the media attention they received a few months ago.

In March, the group received media attention after they sent a letter to Queen Elizabeth II wishing her a happy 60th anniversary as sovereign. The letter resulted in a personal response from the Queen, proving to the children that royalty existed and was not just a fairy tale.

At the special event at City Hall, the students, along with the mayor and MLA, planted a commemorative Amber Jubilee Ninebark shrub in front of City Hall.

One of the students told the mayor to ‘make sure there’s lots of worms in there,’ as the tree was planted. The tots were also treated to snacks at City Hall.

The Diamond Jubilee Celebration book will be at City Hall until June 12, where local residents can write their congratulations to the Queen. There is also a display and some old photographs, including one from 1970 when the Queen visited Steinbach.

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Run for Mom Raises $8,500

On May 13, the 5th annual Run for Mom took place in Steinbach. Over the past five years, the annual event has established itself as one of the province’s highest quality running events in Manitoba.

The purpose of the event is to build and support the running community in the southeast, promote healthy lifestyle choices for individuals and families, and support local charities, specifically Anna’s House in Steinbach.

This year a record breaking 641 runners and walkers registered for the event.

Last year over 500 people participated in the event.

Event organizer Greg Penner stresses that while the event is a fundraiser, actual fundraising is not required.

“Huge congratulations to you on finishing your races and overcoming the challenging weather,” stated Penner. “We had a few people “drop out” of the 10 km, but still crossed the finish, which complicates the results. Also, the wind wasn’t helpful at all.”

Proceeds from the entry fees will be given to Anna’s House. Anna’s House is a family resource centre that is located in Steinbach, but is dedicated to serving expectant mothers and families with children up to the age of five.

To date over $24,500 has been raised by the Run for Mom and donated to this cause.

Volunteers Needed for Jam Packed Fair in Blumenort For three days in June, the community of Blumenort is hosting a fair.

Blumenort Fun and Fair Days coordinator Karen Doyle Hopkins is looking forward to this year’s event. This will be the third consecutive year the fair is taking place after a lengthy hiatus.

“We have a lot of fun things planned and everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the weekend,” invited Hopkins. “We are also looking for volunteers.”

Kicking off June 22 with karaoke, open mic talent, great music and a family movie at dusk the event is promising to draw in crowds.

On Saturday there is a pancake breakfast from 7-9 hosted by the Blumenort LUD and the RM of Hanover, a parade at 10 am, Lulu and the Tomcat providing entertainment, bouncers, mini train rides, a kiddie carnival, petting zoo, a magician, The Stony Brook dancers, X company dancers and The Southeast Sparks showing off their cheerleading moves. At 2 pm, there will be a tug-of-war and at 4 pm, more great music on the main stage followed at dusk by fireworks.

On Sunday there will be a community church service followed by a free Mexican Disco lunch.

There will also be a vast array of entertainment including McKenzie Road on Friday, on Saturday, Liza Mae Johnson, an early contestant on this season’s Canada’s Got Talent, Jason Kirkness, Hurricane Jenny and the Jake Brakes will also be taking the stage.

Volunteers can email blumenortfunfairday@mts.net or call phone 326-9013 to offer their services.

Piney Residents Discuss Dump Options

By Marianne Curtis Over 60 RM of Piney residents attended public open houses where ratepayers were encouraged to have their say in how the municipality proceeds with garbage disposal throughout the region.

A public open house took place on May 24 at the Vassar Community Hall. Members of the council presented four different solutions to the municipality’s waste management facilities. Currently there are five landfills located in Piney, Sandilands, Menisino, Vassar and Sprague.

RM of Piney councilor Sian Barrow is pleased with the response.

“First we were surprised by the attendance but I think ratepayers understand that we want their input as it is their tax dollars we are spending,” explained Barrow. “We are very pleased with the response.”

A community survey was also sent out to residents and over ninety responses were received.

“I have not had a chance to go over every single survey yet but based on the feedback at the meetings and what I have seen so far, residents are in favour of option three.”

Option three would establish three transfer stations at a cost of about $600,000 and close the existing five municipal landfills. It is the cheapest option under consideration but costs could escalate because a garbage-hauling contract would be required to haul waste to facilities outside the municipality, which could change whenever the contract is renewed, noted Barrow.

The RM of Piney council plans to take a closer look at the responses at the next municipal council meeting in June.

A few years ago, Manitoba Environment told the RM of Piney they needed to reduce the number of sites within the municipality. Council hired a consultant who has now come up with a number of solutions so that decisions can be made before the province steps in and forces the municipality into action.

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June 2012

Small Towns Deuteronomy 6:5-7... (5) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (6) These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. (7) Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (NIV1984) Small towns are special to me. My wife and I have traveled to many small communities over the years. You see people take time out to say hello to one another when they meet in the town coffee shop or grocery store or when they pass each other on the street. I have also noticed that most take pride in how their yards look and how clean their streets are kept. It gives you a sense of well being when you walk down the street … you feel safe.

Many rural communities have several churches, which gives you an idea about spiritual awareness. It does not take long to feel that warm hospitality, that old-fashioned mannerism. That friendly approach and the slower pace somehow sooth the mind and makes you think that it is a great place to live. You say to yourself it must be a wonderful place to raise a family.

Talk about raising a family: Many years ago in a rural community we leased a comfortable apartment owned and operated by a couple and their children. From our observation they knew how to raise a family. Their children were well mannered and they worked as a well-trained team around the apartment. This takes time and love from mom and dad. I kind of think that they saw their family as a gift from God; a gift that is worth going the extra mile for, a gift that will forever fill their hearts with pride and joy.

This month’s Scripture passage makes it reasonably clear to us that we must instruct and train our children in the ways of the Lord and there is nothing wrong if we become somewhat undone, somewhat emotional about these truths. They are after all so precious, and essential to God’s purpose in our lives. We are to teach them diligently, we are to be tireless in our effort to instruct them how to live and how to do the everyday things that are so necessary for life. We must be willing to invest the time, the effort, and the energy to teach our children these truths.

I do think we all agree that God has given us a command that we are to instruct our children how to live in this world both spiritually and physically: Spiritually meaning in the ways of the Lord, while physically means the everyday things that sustain life. If what I have just said is so, whose responsibility is it to teach our children these truths?

According to the Bible, mothers and fathers, but primarily fathers, have the responsibility of instructing children in the things of God. However, when was the last time I took the Bible and sat down with my children to explain a passage of Scripture? When was the last time I explained some spiritual truths or other issues that my children grapple with, referring to a biblical passage because God said something specific about it?

I have come to understand that a child learns by watching what we say and do. That means I must watch my conduct, watch my manners and watch all those things that I would not want to discuss with my own children. I cannot blame others if my behavior is out of line. The question I must ask myself is what kind of message do I send to my children? If I see them as a gift from God, do they know that? How do they fit into my life style? Do they see themselves as burdens, people who are in the way, or do they see themselves as part of the family ... an immense blessing. Those are hard questions, but if we want to keep our children safe as the God of the Bible instructs, then we will need God’s help. This is a task we cannot hope to accomplish alone.

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart.

Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name.” Amen.

Dedicated Volunteers Honoured in St. Malo At the beginning of May, the community of St. Malo gathered for one spectacular evening to honour a group of dedicated volunteers in the community.

This year’s Making a Difference St. Malo Volunteer Appreciation evening took place on May 5 in St. Malo. At the gala event, the St. Malo and District Chamber of Commerce recognized twelve community volunteers and two youth volunteers.

St. Malo Chamber of Commerce President, Lorraine Jones-Racine said the event is held each year.

“We like to recognize the community’s dedicated volunteers who give generously of their time to make our community a better place to live,” said Jones-Racine.

This year’s recipients were Jean Catellier, Robert Catellier, Dave Collette, Annette Coté, Gilbert Gobeil, Louis Gosselin, Hèlene Hébert, Christina Lambert, Pierre Maynard, Aline Pilotte, Anita Preteau and Bernice Preteau.

Two youth volunteers were also recognized, namely Natasha Bouchard and Michel Catellier.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Landmark Collegiate Plans Golden Reunion

June 2012

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Carriere Conquers Carstensz Pyramid

Dean Carriere and his team perch on the summit of Carstensz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea for a group picture.

Dean Carriere nears the top of the Carstensz Pyramid, his fourth summit in his goal of conquering the seven highest mountain peaks in the world.

By Marianne Curtis

Students past and present will gather on June 29 and 30 to celebrate the golden anniversary of the opening of Landmark Collegiate.

A construction worker from Ile des Chênes recently returned from the adventure of a lifetime after he trekked through the Photo by Marianne Curtis jungle with a troupe of aboriginals, then successfully conquered one of the highest summits in the world.

By Marianne Curtis Fifty years ago, the doors opened to Landmark Collegiate and to celebrate, a special event is taking place in the community on June 29 and 30.

The Reunion Committee has been working diligently to put together a weekend of entertainment as alumni from each year gather to share memories of days before. Rain or shine, students past and present will gather at the Archie Plett Memorial Park or Landmark Collegiate.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own memorabilia such as school rings, photos, report cards and other items. Weekend events include an open house and tour on Friday, musical entertainment by former students and a chance to catch up with old classmates. On Saturday there will be a pancake breakfast, meet the teachers (past and present), a slow pitch tournament and a hog supper. The highlight of the day will be the opening of a time capsule that was buried when the school first opened back in 1961.

Back in October 1961 Landmark Collegiate Institute first opened its doors bringing together students who formally attended one-room classrooms in the area. This included amalgamating and closing schools in Linden, Shakespeare, and Willowridge. Until Landmark Elementary School opened 19 years ago, Landmark Collegiate housed students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

In April, Dean Carriere made his way to Papau where he joined a group of climbers who took on and conquered the 16,023 foot high Carstensz Pyramid. The Carstensz Pyramid, located in Papua, New Guinea, is a large limestone escarpment jutting out above the rainforest.

According to Carriere, the journey consisted of a trek through the wet rainforest jungle for six days to get to the base and three days to return. As for the actual climb, it took the group about twelve hours to rope their way to the top and back down.

When the group arrived at their initial destination, they were greeted by two different aboriginal tribes who clambered for the opportunity to be their guides. Over two dozen locals were selected to act as guides. They, along with their families, led the climbers through the jungle while living on white rice and chicken cooked on the first day.

“We lived on plain white rice or sweet potatoes,” explained Carriere. “The return trip should have taken us six days, but I had, had enough and I wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible,” Carriere stated.

Carriere said the entire experience is something he will never forget.

“It was a good trip. Going in I knew what to expect but at the same time it was freaky to know that people live like this,” he added.

In July, he plans to conquer Elbrus in Russia and in December, he wants to head to Vinson Massif in the Antarctica. His last challenge will be to conquer Everest, which he is confident will present minimal challenge.

“Some of the climbers in our group were on their seventh mountain. They’d already done Everest,” Carriere continued.

“They said if I could do the Pyramid, which I didn’t find too hard, I would have no problem with Everest.”

Carriere maintains this positivism even though three climbers, including a Canadian, died at the end of May attempting to climb Everest.

“The deaths on Everest this year do not affect my desire to climb it,” Carriere added. “It is all a matter of being fully prepared and ready with a great team and a great guiding company.”

Carriere has already proved to be up to the challenge. To date he has reached the summits of Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Denali.

Anyone wanting to see or be a part of this exciting adventure can check out Dean’s progress and plan at deancarriere.com.

Junior High Students AntiSmoking Video Gets Top Votes Students from the Steinbach Junior High have created what is rated the best anti-tobacco video, based on votes, as part of an antitobacco video contest.

At the beginning of May, the province announced the Create and Rate anti-tobacco video contest. It was the province’s first studentproduced, anti-tobacco video program and gave students across the province the opportunity to develop videos to discourage other youth from using tobacco.

Ten finalists were selected and internet users were given an opportunity to vote for their favourite video. Five were from middle school (junior high) students and five were put together by senior high students. The ads were posted online at mbcreaterate.ca and all Manitoba students in grades 5 to 12 could vote for the ad they liked best.

A video created by Steinbach Junior High students called “Birthday Cakes” received the most votes of all the videos with 41,508.

The middle-school entry and the high-school entry that received the most online votes will each receive an Apple iPad. A Sony digital camera will be awarded to each of the eight runner-up entries.

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June 2012

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Essential Tips for Happy RVing

By Jon Chapman The warm weather is here and so is another RV season. We interviewed an RV dealership, Sun Valley RV in Morden, Manitoba to learn how to get your RV ready.

They helped us out with 5 tips that will ensure you have a safe and happy season.

1. To be sure of the cleanest drinking water in your RV, make sure you completely flush out all the antifreeze from your system before you allow water into your water heater. If you don’t, you will have very frothy water. Nobody likes frothy water, so be sure all the antifreeze is gone before opening the bypass to your water heater.

2. a) To ensure safe driving with your RV, be sure to check the air pressure in your tires. After a long winter of outdoor storage, tires may look good, but they can be underinflated and cause poor handling or a flat. This is true for motor homes, trailers and 5th wheels. b) Also for safety, your wheel bearings may need to be repacked with grease. There is a lot of weight

Significant RCMP Summer Safety Reminders With summer around the corner and increased people out and about, the RCMP would like to remind the public to ensure that valuable items such as bicycles, motorcycles, trailers, ATVs and golf carts be secured.

These are example of expensive items that are targeted by thieves.

Often times officers learn that the items were stolen simply because the opportunity presented itself.

A little prevention goes a long way.

Some examples of what the public can do to ensure their property is secured: - Be cautious in leaving your garage door open for extended periods of time. Criminals will take note of what’s in your garage.

- Ensure keys are not left in the ignition.

- If you own a motorcycle, ensure the steering column is locked if possible.

- Trailer and hitch locks also provide protection against thefts.

Safety is everyone’s business and every little bit helps. Report any suspicious person(s) or activity in your neighborhood to the police.

and heat on the bearings that slowly breaks down the grease with use.

The average length of time they last depends on the size and weight of RV, but they should be repacked around every 1-2 years.

3. To keep your RV dry, check the roof and all sealants for leaks in the spring. Sometimes snow won’t come through, but rain will. The smallest cracks in your roof sealant can let water in and cause tremendous water damage.

4. To maintain your safety in your RV, test the function and replace all

batteries in the smoke/carbon monoxide/propane detectors. Most batteries are likely to be dead after sitting all winter. Also check your fire extinguisher to see if it still has a charge.

5. To ensure safe travel with other drivers, check all your signal and brake lights before departing. Many times it is a matter of just wiggling the bulb to regain a good connection. If it’s burnt out, those little bulbs are readily available. This will keep you free of tickets and you can drive safely on the road.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

June 2012

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June 2012

Bethesda Hospital Entrance Moved

Reconstruction of the Bethesda Hospital Emergency Room has begun and as a result public access to the facility has been relocated for the duration of the project.

As of the middle of May patients requiring treatment at the Bethesda Hospital’s emergency room can no longer access the facility through the front entrance. On May 14, phase one of the Bethesda Hospital’s $22 million redevelopment of the emergency department began, subsequently affecting where people can enter the facility.

During this phase of the project the front entrance of the hospital has been moved to the back ramp located on Hospital Street. Public parking has also been relocated to the back of the hospital, closer to the relocated entrance way.

Workers will continue to renovate 365 Reimer to accommodate the temporary ER to open sometime in June, 2012. The entire emergency room reconstruction project is expected to take two years and the new emergency room is expected to open in the summer of 2014.

The Bethesda Hospital Emergency Department will remain open during the entire redevelopment project.

Once complete the new emergency room will see a significant improvement.

The current facility occupies about 2,200 square feet of Bethesda Hospital. The new emergency room will be 14,000 square feet and offer both urgent and nonurgent care.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Local Boys Win Big at Season Opener

Electronics Thieves Target Kleefeld Home

Two teenagers from the region were recently named among the top junior golfers after an impressive showing at the Maple Leaf Junior Manitoba Season Opener. The event, which took place May 5- 6 at The Meadows at East St. Paul, drew over eighty golfers between the ages of thirteen and eighteen.

From St. Adolphe, 17-year-old Brendan Baldwin came in third in the Boys 17-19 category. He shot a 79-72.

He also received the Golf Town Comeback Award.

Steinbach’s Cole Peters came in second place in the Boys 14-16-year-old category after the 16-year-old scored 74 over 75.

Fourteen-year-old Bailey Funk, also of Steinbach, was short-listed for the Callaway Junior World Golf Championship.

The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s premier and only national junior tour, run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ for aspiring young players.

The organization hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7–12 year olds, and multiday events for competitive players, which also qualify juniors for international competitions.

On May 11 a Break and Enter to a residence in Kleefeld was reported to the Steinbach RCMP. The suspects gained entry to the garage and residence by forcing the rear door of the home. Once inside the suspect(s) proceeded to steal two television sets, and then fled the scene. This break and enter is believed to have occurred between the dates of May 6-11.

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating suspect(s) responsible for this Break and Enter.

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

Lemiuex Named as Free Jets Ticket Recipient Earlier this month Premier Greg Selinger apologized on behalf of his government for the recent Jets tickets scandal. He also announced that he would ask MLAs from both sides of the legislature to avoid accepting free professional sports tickets from Crown corporations, businesses and unions in the future.

Selinger also released an updated list of government MLAs who have received free Jets tickets. It contains the names of 13 MLAs, including 12 cabinet ministers who received a total of 33 free tickets.

Dawson Trail MLA Ron Lemieux’s name is on the list. It is reported that he received one free ticket from the Manitoba Homebuilders Association.

The premier told his MLAs to either repay the cost of the tickets or make charitable donations for the value of tickets received. He also wants MLA’s from both sides of the house to declare any tickets they received.

The controversy erupted earlier this week after it was revealed that the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission had been given hundreds of tickets to Jets games in exchange for a $250,000 advertising contract at the MTS Centre. Most of the tickets were used by executives, board members and senior managers. Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Lotteries and Manitoba Hydro also had Jets season tickets.

Tribute to Southeast Equipment Snatched Electronics Stolen from a Apprentices from Blumenort Hwy 216 Residence

On May 10, Steinbach RCMP received a report that a residence on Hwy 216 had been broken into earlier in the day. The suspects stole various electronics, including a laptop computer, a new Canon digital camera, a 32" flat screen TV, a DVD player and a Nintendo Wii gaming system. A white Chevy van was seen on the property around the time of the break-in.

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals responsible for the crime.

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

Sledgehammer Used on Construction Equipment On April 30, Steinbach RCMP received a complaint of damage to construction equipment parked in Harel’s Gravel Pit in the RM of La Broquerie. The incident occurred sometime on April 29 when unknown suspects caused extensive damage to a loader, an excavator and a rock crusher by using a sledgehammer and a pry bar on the equipment.

Anyone with any information regarding this matter is asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 326-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Repeat Vandalism to Steinbach Vehicles On May 12, the Steinbach RCMP received a number of reports regarding mischief to vehicles within the Steinbach area. Police responded and noted that numerous vehicles had their windows smashed.

Police are continuing to investigate this matter and are asking for the public’s assistance to identify the individual(s) responsible.

Anyone with any information regarding this matter is asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 326-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

A carpenter, cook and esthetician from three communities in the southeast region were among 39 of Manitoba’s top apprentices recently honoured at a special awards ceremony and banquet.

The province’s top-achieving apprenticeship graduates from 2011 were honored at the 20th annual Highest Achievement Awards ceremony and reception. Three of the 39 apprentices honoured at the banquet work for businesses within the region.

The region’s recipients include carpenter Craig Goodnam, who works for Down by Creek in West Hawk Lake; Joshua Unrah, who works as a cook at Le Routier Restaurant in St-Pierre-Jolys; and Renae Gauthier, with Envy Esthetics Studio in Lorette.

The recipients were chosen as the best in their fields based on criteria that included on-the-job performance, classroom accomplishments and recognition from both employers and instructors.

The event also acknowledges the important role employers and instructors play in the development of the trade industry in Manitoba. Since 1999 the number of registered apprentices has more than doubled and Apprenticeship Manitoba is anticipating a 35 percent increase over the next two years. In Manitoba there are over 55 different apprentice trades leading to certification as a journeyperson.

On April 23, the Steinbach RCMP received a report that the Blumenort Lagoon site, located on Road 42 East, had been broken into. Suspects cut through a chain link fence and gained entry into a fully enclosed trailer that was parked in the compound. The suspects made off with various tools and equipment including a Honda boat motor, a John Deere Gator all-terrain utility vehicle and a portable 300-watt Honda generator.

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the individuals responsible for the theft.

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

Woman Groped by Cyclist On May 1, at approximately 9:30 pm a lone female was walking southbound on the sidewalk of Brandt Street near Echo Fitness in Steinbach, Manitoba. The female was approached by a young male riding a mountain bike and as he passed her, he reached out and inappropriately touched her upper body. The female was not injured because of the assault and the male fled northbound on Brandt Street.

A similar incident occurred on March 22, 2012 in the area of Shopper’s Drug Mart in Steinbach.

The suspect is described as possibly 15 years old, short dark hair, slim build with narrow face and no facial hair, wearing a black jacket. The mountain bike is described as having straight handlebars.

If you have any information regarding the suspect responsible for these assaults, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at (204) 326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or manitobacrmestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Red River Co-op Speedway Ready for Season Opener On Thursday, June 7th, Red River Co-op Speedway is kicking off the racing season with a bang! All Pro Racing Series classes will be in attendance and will be competing in the Lightning Sprint, Street Stock, Super Truck, Super Stock, Modified and Late Model classes.

The event will be held at 7:30 pm and ticket prices are as follows: $15 Adults; $12 Students/Seniors; $7 Kids 7-12; Free for Kids 6 & Under.

For more information regarding this event or future races, go to www.victorylane.mb.ca.

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

June 2012

23

Grass-Free Landscaping a Viable Alternative Many homeowners equate a beautiful landscape to rolling acres of pristine lawn. But changes in the climate and widespread seasonal restrictions on water use each year could change the way people think about outfitting their yards.

There are many reasons people choose to forgo grass and opt for different ornamental elements in their yards. Cost is one factor. While grass seed is relatively inexpensive, the upkeep, including mowing, fertilizing, re-seeding, and watering, requires a significant investment of both time and money. Many homeowners choose to lay down sod to create a beautiful lawn, an expensive option for homeowners with vast landscapes.

The environment is another reason homeowners look for grass alternatives. Grass requires a lot of upkeep, much of which is not environmentally friendly. For example, maintaining a pristine lawn requires the use of a gas-powered mower and oftentimes the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Seeking alternatives to grass can be friendly on both the wallet and the environment.

Grass-Free Landscaping Alternatives

The Case for Choosing Native Plants One of the best ways to improve a home’s resale value is to address the landscape.

Increasing a property’s curb appeal can be done in many ways, but a well-pruned lawn and garden gives buyers the impression that the sellers truly took the time to maintain the home and the surrounding property.

Unfortunately, many homeowners choose exotic plants when addressing their landscape. Though these plants can be appealing and make a property stand out, if the plants are not native to the region, they could be doing more harm than good.

Instead of upgrading your property with exotic plants from a far away land, consider the following benefits of choosing native plants before addressing your landscape. * Native plants benefit local wildlife. The native plants and the native wildlife spent years and years evolving together, with each doing their part to ensure the other’s survival. But as development continued, local wildlife suffered because of lost food sources. The local wildlife needs local, native plants to survive, so choosing these plants instead of exotic plants can help ensure the survival of wildlife that helps keep the ecosystem in check. * Native plants require less work. Some prospective home buyers might find a yard filled with exotic plants to be visually stunning, but they might also see a good deal of work to maintain those plants. Many exotic plants require significant work on a homeowner’s part to survive, while native plants have already adapted to the local climate and will require much less care. This is often attractive to current and future homeowners alike. * Native plants might be a better investment. A native plant has evolved over the years to survive in its given area. Local insect populations and fungal infections might be able to destroy an exotic plant, but a native plant has grown resistant to such problems and likely has the ability to fight such infestations or infections on its own. An exotic plant might require costly pesticides and considerable attention from homeowners to survive such problems.

Though homeowners might find exotic plants help their home stand out from their neighbors’, it’s important that homeowners recognize the environmental benefits of choosing local plants before making any decisions.

For those who are ready to say goodbye to grass, there are many alternatives. * Ground cover: Homeowners who still desire the look of green can choose among different types of ground cover that will quickly fill in the landscape.

Clover, low-growing evergreen plants and ivy are some of the more popular ground cover alternatives. * Rocks: Decorative rocks intermingled with native plants can add dimension and color to the yard. Once rocks are placed, there is little upkeep except for pulling the errant weeds. * Mulch: A less expensive alternative to rocks is mulch. Mulch is available in different colors and types and can even be created by a homeowner by chipping trimmed branches from trees in the yard.

It helps lock water into landscaping beds, decreasing the need for frequent watering. * W ater features: Think about Water installing a pond in the yard that can be bordered with stones and mulch. This

Tree Trimming Troubles & Truths –

Watch out!

Trees are historical landmarks for our homes – and over time they can grow to great heights. It is up to you to maintain them, and to be careful when trimming tall trees around power lines.

Before you start, check the surrounding area to determine exactly where overhead power lines are located. The tree should be at least twice its length away from an overhead power source. If you can, get nearby power lines grounded or insulated prior to working on the trees. If you need to move equipment up into the trees, use proper ropes and carriers.

Use insulated gloves and non-conductive tools when clipping. If you are using a pole pruner, make sure the cutting head is connected to the lever at the lower end of the pole with a polypropylene rope, instead of a wire or chain. Also, do not grasp the pruner closer than four feet from the metal head.

Many people believe that when trimming trees, ladders are safer than using long poles, because the branches are closer. However, most ladders contain metal parts or are made completely of metal, which makes them great conductors of electricity.

Even if you are not using a ladder, you should still be cautious when trimming trees near power lines. Trees, whether wet or dry, can conduct electricity. Move a limb enough to meet a power line and electricity can travel to the ground through you, your metal clipping tool, or even the tree itself.

If your trees are in direct contact with the power lines, it is no longer a do it yourself project. Call Manitoba Hydro for assistance.

Tree trimming safety should actually begin during the planning stages

of your landscaping. Before you plant a tree, look up. If it appears that your tree will eventually hit an overhead power line, try to find a location that will not cause problems in the future.

Grass-free alternatives, such as ground cover mixed with patio stones, can be an option for homeowners looking for less upkeep.

will take up a good amount of space and can create a natural habitat for wildlife and even some lowmaintenance pond fish. * Concrete or patio stones: Although they're not all-natural materials, patios can take up areas normally consumed by the lawn and create expansive outdoor entertaining areas. It will require an initial investment of the patio material, but once installed, patios don't require significant maintenance. Homeowners can offset the concrete jungle feel by placing plenty of potted plants and container foliage around the perimeter. * Decking: Another alternative to concrete and stones is a wood or composite material deck. Again, this structure will increase outdoor living space and won't require the level of routine maintenance needed to keep a lush lawn.

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June 2012

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Dawson Trail Dispatch