Friesen Released on Bail
Cemetery Conditions Upset Residents By Marianne Curtis The derelict condition of one of the oldest Catholic churches in the region has upset a pair of area residents so much they’ve contacted the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan in Winnipeg for assistance. Craig Pauls and his wife Vi have lived in Spruce Siding for a number of years. He said he is appalled with the condition of the Sadlow Ukrainian Catholic Church Cemetery in Spruce Siding. “My spouse and I take regular day trips throughout Manitoba to learn about our history. A number of people told us to visit the church, but not for the reasons you might think,” explained Pauls. “The door to the church is open, as it should be, but the interior has been neglected. The floors are dirty, the linens are soiled, and this beautiful little building, which
An RM of Springfield resident accused of killing a well-respected Ste. Anne area man nearly three times his age has been freed from custody pending trial. On August 21 Dillyn Carl Nodwell Friesen, 20, was released on a $10,000 bond and ordered to live under house arrest at his parents’ home in Anola until his manslaughter case is resolved. Friesen stands accused of fatally assaulting 58-yearold Lothar Krieg outside his home in the RM of Tache on July 7. He is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. The RCMP initially charged Friesen with aggravated assault but upgraded the charge to manslaughter after Krieg died in hospital three days later. While the Crown opposed his being set free, judge Tracey Lord granted bail. A court-ordered ban prohibits details from Friesen’s recent bail hearing from being published. As part of his bail conditions, Friesen was ordered to undergo a substance-abuse assessment, abstain from all drugs or booze and not own or possess any weapons. He is also banned from being out in public unless supervised by his parents or a sibling. Krieg, a married father of two, is mourned by many as a hardworking and trustworthy man who dearly loved his family and the great outdoors.
RM of La Broquerie Sees Building Bonanza
Above: Area residents are appalled with the dilapidated condition of the Sadlow Ukrainian Catholic Church Cemetery in Spruce Siding. Left: Grave stones are barely visible amid the overgrowth.
should be a part of our heritage, is coming apart at the seams.” When they returned home, Pauls was compelled to contact the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolitan in Winnipeg. “The church is under his jurisdiction. I also sent a follow-up e-mail to him, asking him what would be done now, that he was aware of the shameful condition the property. Thus far he has ignored me.”
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The RM of La Broquerie has seen an increase in building permits for this year. According to the RM of La Broquerie Reeve Claude Lussier, the municipality has already issued nearly 100 building permits in the first seven months of the year. “These permits are for all kinds of things like decks, garages and additions to multifamily dwellings and single family homes,” Lussier told media. “We are at 20 percent higher than last year.” The RM of La Broquerie currently boasts a $164 million assessment value. He expects this to rise up by an additional $8 million by the end of the year. “Growth is continuing but I think it is going to flatten out and slow down,” Lussier continued. “It is still quite a bit stronger than most places in the province.” On September 5 the RM of La Broquerie will be meeting with several groups throughout the municipality to address issues related to the continued growth. “We are seriously looking at upgrading our recreational facilities and possibly a more upgraded medical facility,” Lussier noted. The RM of La Broquerie will also be addressing road maintenance and road service at the meeting.
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September 2012
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
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September 2012
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
‘Shipping Wars’ Star Makes Pit-Stop in Ile des Chênes By Marianne Curtis
in Ile des Chênes, is also a representative for HERD Grills. Patrons of a local watering hole “I came up here because there in Ile des Chênes did a double take was a gentleman, who contacted when Marc Springer, one of the me through e-mail who lives south stars of A&E’s real-life series of Steinbach that sells trailers, he Shipping Wars, walked in and sent me an email saying, ‘I got a joined the locals for wing night. load of trailers coming out of On August 29, Springer, who is Texas, and do you have any the owner of Snortn’ Boar interest?’ I said, Heck yah, that’s Transport from Seattle, what I do.” Washington, arrived in Ile des Springer said that while here he Chênes after delivering a special hopes to do some business. load to a fan in Steinbach. Springer “I am trying to grow my trucking is better known as one of five business and I would like to try to shippers featured on the A&E’s get some continual things going. I original real-life series Shipping hear there is a pre-cast concrete Wars. The show follows the place from Steinbach that is going shippers who have discovered to Kent, Washington, which is 20 that money can be made miles from my house. I would like transporting items that traditional to put a dedicated run from Seattle carriers won’t touch. to Washington. I am trying to In an exclusive interview with the build contacts and build my Dawson Trail Dispatch, Springer business.” explained how he ended up in Springer said he loves Manitoba Manitoba. Marc Palud, who lives and would love to come back with
HERD Bumper. Palud and his family hosted Springer while he was in town for two days waiting for a return load to Seattle. While here, Springer
spent an afternoon trying out the zipline at the Amazing Corn in St. Adolphe and flying over Ile des Chênes with a stunt pilot.
his wife to retire. “Ì have roots here. I learned to drive on the way to Dauphin, in a 1960 Volvo, where I played minor hockey at 14 years old,” Springer continued. “I tried out five times for the Brandon Wheat Kings and I got scouted playing in Steinbach. It was a huge deal for me and it set the tone for my life.” Springer is pretty optimistic that southern Manitoba will be seeing more of him in the future. With good friend Palud living in Ile des Chênes, he already has a place to hang his hat. The pair met through a sales deal. Springer said he spotted a front bumper on a truck and he asked the driver where he found it. He was told it was a HERD Bumper so he contacted the company. Palud was the sales representative who received the request. Now Springer’s infamous Marc Springer, one of the stars of A&E’s Shipping Wars, made a recent pit-stop in Ile des Kenworth T600, which is featured Chênes to hang out with buddy Marc Palud. on Shipping Wars, is sporting a Photo by Marianne Curtis
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
September 2012
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Vita Teen Raising Awareness on Homelessness By Marianne Curtis A Vita teen who is known as an active volunteer and advocate is taking the challenge further. In an effort to raise awareness to homelessness, Candace
Renovations Disrupt Hospital Service in Ste. Anne
Services at the Ste. Anne Hospital have been greatly reduced to accommodate the completion of the new hospital expansion. Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis For the next few months, medical services normally offered at the Ste. Anne Hospital will be disrupted. The service redirection was issued to accommodate ongoing construction of the Ste. Anne Hospital Surgical Project. The $14 million project was expected to be complete by the end of this year. However, the project is now behind schedule and not expected to open until February 2013. To accommodate the project the Southern Regional Health Authority is taking measures to ensure all patients affected will receive safe care. The service disruption began at the beginning of August. The Ste. Anne Hospital did not accept any hospital admissions and patients were transferred to the nearest available hospital bed. Maternity services were also moved to Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach. For the month of September, the Ste. Anne Hospital will only be available for urgent care services. The XRay Department will also be closed and patients needing x-rays will be referred to a different location. Emergency medical care is also affected and patients needing an ambulance will be taken to a different location. All surgeries are being performed in Steinbach until the new Ste. Anne surgical area opens. Lab services were not affected. Once complete, the $14.1 million project will have the current hospital expanded by 60 percent. The new facilities include two surgical suites, one room for scope procedures, a surgical recovery unit, sterilizing room, family room, staff change rooms and a new electrical and mechanical space and upgrades.
Marketplace Donating Funds for Taché Library The building fundraiser for the Bibliothèque Taché Library located at Lorette Collegiate is receiving community support from a Lorette grocery store. The Marketplace will donate 5 percent of all gift and grocery cards sold. Cards can be purchased in advance at Lorette’s The Marketplace at 11 Laramee Drive and from Board Members on Wednesdays until supplies last.
Maxymowich will be spending a night under the stars in Winnipeg. On September 27, Maxymowich will join CEOs and representatives from the media and community organizations in the CEO Campout. The event is an initiative of the Change for the Better campaign to help homeless people get off the streets into permanent paid employment
Church continued... Continued from page 1 The Sadlow Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery goes back over a hundred years and may even be the first Russian settlement in Manitoba. “The people resting in the cemetery were pioneers and part of our heritage,” Pauls continued. “We were absolutely sickened by the state it was in. Eighty-year-old trees are growing from the graves. Crosses have been toppled, and the entire area is overgrown. We don’t even know if we found all the graves. We were in tears.” In his letter to the Metropolitan, Pauls suggested he take a trip to the site and take “appropriate action to stop the desecration of the site.” “My spouse and I are not Catholic, but we were so disgusted, we decided we would go and clean the place if no one else would,” Pauls offered in his letter. “That would include hand washing much of the linen. Pauls is hopeful that the church and the province of Manitoba will look into this matter further, see the benefit of cleaning up the site, and declare it a provincial heritage site. Under provincial regulations, The Heritage Resources Act - Heritage Objects and Human Remains, the ownership and right of possession of human remains found by any person after 1967 is vested in the Crown and the Minister becomes the trustee. The Act states, that in any agreement with an owner, that the minister shall, at the cost of the government or partly at the cost of the government and partly at the cost of the owner and with professional and technical assistance will be provided by the minister at no cost to the owner, to restore and preserve and provide appropriate housing for the heritage object. The Heritage Act addresses vandalism and neglect in that no person shall destroy, damage or alter any heritage object, whether or not the person is the owner, or of any human remains. The minister may require the owner or lessee of a heritage site to undertake measures for the repair, maintenance, preservation, protection or restoration and may provide assistance in the form of grants or professional and technical services. The Emerson Town Hall and Court House in Emerson, the Convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, located in both St. Jean Baptiste and St. Pierre-Jolys are the only three sites listed by the government as heritage sites in the southeast.
and a healthier environment. Proceeds also fund and support Siloam Mission’s Mission Off the Streets Team (MOST), a program that employs street people to help clean downtown while building life skills that may help participants get a full time job. The program gives homeless people work experience, skills and confidence. The Mission MOST employs homeless people to pick up litter and snow shovel downtown sidewalks. “I’m looking forward to participating in the event, fundraising and raising awareness about the Change for the Better campaign and the possible solutions to ending homelessness such as supportive housing and employment,” said Maxymowich. The CEO Sleepout event will take place the evening of September 27 near the Portage Avenue and Main Street intersection in Winnipeg. The event is designed to raise funds that will be used for employment initiatives for homeless individuals. The goal is to raise $250,000. “I think it’s great that members of the corporate community are coming together and I am really looking forward to lending my voice to important issues that affect so many people,” said Maxymowich. Among the participants who will be sleeping near the city’s most famous intersection are Rob Johnston (Regional President of RBC), Paula Havixbeck (Acting Deputy Mayor, City of Winnipeg), Marilyn McLaren (President and CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance), Larry Desrochers (General Director and CEO of Manitoba Opera), and Jeff Hnatiuk (President and CEO of Sport Manitoba). Maxymowich notes “homelessness and poverty aren’t just in Winnipeg.” “This is an issue that is prevalent in the south eastern region and across Canada. It’s a growing issue and we need to work together to find solutions. We need to provide structures and supports that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness so they can participate fully in society.” In 2011, Change for the Better held their inaugural CEO Sleepout. Participants helped raise over $100,000 for Change for the Better.
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More Than Just News!
September 2012
Ugliness of Politics Sure to Have Ugly Consequences I guess one could apply this to all politics but I am in a kind mood so I will only dissect three topics. First is the story of condoning torture under exceptional circumstances. Does anyone think that if a future torture story would break and we are complicit that the circumstances will be deemed anything other than “exceptional circumstance”? No, of course not, it will be doubly painful and torture, like watching our politicians covering their rear ends. Here are four names, Maher Arar, Abdullah Almalkie, Ahmad El Maati, and Muayyed Nuredin. They were tortured in Syria. Canada was complicit in their torture. We even supplied some of the questions to the Syrians and dumbly followed through on those confessions. Subsequently we have had to apologize to the above four. Common sense would dictate that anyone of us, including Minister Toews, would say damn near anything if we were being tortured. Regardless, if we allow torture under any circumstances and think we are getting reality we are deluding ourselves. Any country that will sanction pain to get a predetermined confession will obviously increase the pain to get the desired results. For people to accept and condone this as credible is not becoming of my Canadian principles. Perhaps we should send one of our Federal Ministers to Syria to be tortured every year. The remainder of Cabinet would, for sure, safeguard our ideals.
Come to think of it, this would keep the voters very politically involved with the suspense of which one of our Ministers will take one for the team. Perhaps we should include an RCMP, a Border Service type and two CSIS types to accompany the Minister and participate in a Syrian massage. This last bit, of course, is to insure we get a full report without the redactions of the censors. Seriously, whoever thought that Syria was a country one could trust? The second topic is the Quebec election. It appears that the PQ (separatist party) will win the election. If this comes to pass, we can look forward to blackmail attempts on the Canadian government to the tune of billions. We have seen this movie before. Version 111 will not be required viewing or even paying attention to. You want to separate? Go for it.
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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If a province can secede from Canada, and I personally think it as a legal right to do so, by the same rules, parts of that province should have the legal right to leave Quebec. Separation as passé economics is now the name of the game. I can just imagine this scenario. Quebec separates and three or four years later, they offer their citizens a paid crash course in English to enhance much needed trade. No seriously, I don’t see separation in the cards just blackmail attempts for a larger piece of the pie. The point will be who will play political poker better. The third saga is the American presidential election. This hits so many lows in credibility and manners that we should have kept our ‘60’s nuclear bunkers to ride these dramas out. Yes, Americans have a lot going for them but politics is not one of them. How will it affect us? Very much so but only history will tell if it will be good, bad, ugly or plain indifferent. Now their campaign is plainly just too damn loud and warlike. Compromise is apparently not an American word. So take an Advil or Prozac and come back and tune in on November 3rd just to find out it was a squeaker, but now their Senate and Congress are deadlocked. It should give us second thoughts about an elected and effective Senate. Well, maybe we will get an early winter. Snow blowing sounds good and productive at this point.
Vehicles Damaged in Steinbach Steinbach RCMP are investigating several complaints of mischief to vehicles that occurred on Spruce Crescent in Steinbach between August 4 and August 6. In one incident the unknown suspects used two 18 litres of concrete curing compound left on the street and poured it on two vehicles parked along the street. Another vehicle was damaged by paint and another one had the tail light smashed. No other damage was done in the area. Police are requesting assistance in identifying possible suspect(s). Anyone with information is asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Asserting Our Arctic Sovereignty A sovereign country must have the ability to defend all of its territory. Our North, and all the wealth it contains, is a critical part of Canada’s future. Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently visited the site of Operation NANOOK 12, an annual operation in the North aimed at exercising Canadian sovereignty. This year’s Operation NANOOK was the largest Northern sovereignty exercise ever held. And as per past operations, it included an emergency response simulation component. The emergency response scenario tested the response of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Coast Guard and other government personnel. I shared the sentiments of Prime Minister Harper when he said that as a Canadian he was unabashedly proud of the skill and precision with which the Operation was carried out. Since the first NANOOK exercise in 2007, more than 5,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces have taken part in these joint exercises in the North. From Inuvik to the Davis Strait, from Ellesmere Island to Churchill, every one of the operations has been based on a real-life scenario. And they have shown the world our deep resolve to exercise Canada’s sovereignty in our Arctic. When it comes to the North, our Government has consistently backed up our words with action through expansion of the Canadian Rangers across the region, the construction of the Canadian Forces Arctic Training Centre at Resolute Bay, the enhancement of our military airlift capacity and, over the next five years, the completion of the Nanisivik naval facility, the arrival of the first Arctic offshore patrol ships, the assembling of the Diefenbaker-class icebreaker and the newest RADARSTAT Constellation Mission satellites. With the experience gained through our time in Afghanistan and operations like NANOOK, ours is one of the few militaries that can be proficient from 50 degrees below zero to 50 degrees above zero. We have much to be proud of and Manitoba is well positioned to be a major player in the future of the north. The recently announced Churchill Port Utilization Program will provide up to $25 million over five years to the Port of Churchill. This funding will help the Port pursue long-term commercial opportunities and explore options for the development of the community. Canada has been a consistent champion of the Arctic as a zone of responsible development, environmental protection and international peace. We remain determined to assert our national interest and to protect our sovereignty in the North. 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 1-866-333-1933 or at 204-326-9889 or in Lac du Bonnet at 204345-9762. 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.
Former Steinbach Mayor Dies On August 14, the City of Steinbach lost Ernie A. Friesen, one of the city’s former mayors, at the age of 94 after a brief illness. Friesen served as City of Steinbach Mayor from 1986-1992; prior to that, he served as Councillor from 1980-1986. He leaves behind a legacy of achievements in the community. Some of his accomplishments include 42 years in education as school teacher and principal (1937 to 1968), Commanding Officer Air Cadet Corp (1941 to 1946), Supervising Principal Steinbach Elementary Schools (1962 to 1966), Assistant Superintendent Hanover School Division (1966 to 1980). He also served as chair of Bethesda Hospital Board from 1954 to 1979, and was awarded the Life Governorship Award in 1987. Other achievements included Chairman of the Eden Mental Health Board; founding member of the Steinbach Lions Club (1974); member of the Manitoba Film Classification Board for nine years; member of Hanover Teachers Association; Executive Secretary-Treasurer Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and an executive for the Manitoba Conservative Party.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
The Other Cost of Court Delays Anyone who has examined or been involved with our court system in Manitoba knows that one of its “features” is that it is slow, sometimes very slow. Cases are delayed over and over again in a series of seemingly endless remands. All this delay obviously comes with a cost. The cost that is sometimes associated with delay is the financial cost. There is a cost to the taxpayer to assemble prosecutors, court clerks, sheriffs and judges just to have a case delayed over and over. The NDP government has in the past made both promises and excuses for the slow court system in Manitoba. At one point, they said that if the federal government would eliminate the 2 for 1 credit that was given to people in prison awaiting trial the court system would go faster because there would be no motivation for an accused to delay their trial. The federal Conservative government did the right thing by eliminating the 2 for 1 credit but the Manitoba court system hasn’t moved any quicker. That clearly was an excuse by the NDP but not the real problem. So, they promised to have court sittings on Saturday and to have part-time judges to ensure cases moved faster and were not delayed. Neither has happened. Most troubling is that there is another cost far beyond the economic cost to a slow court system. It puts public safety at risk. For one, there are many studies that indicate that one of the best deterrents to crime is ensuring that there is as short a time as possible between the crime and the punishment for the crime. Individuals, and particularly youth, are less likely to be deterred from committing a crime when they know that it could be a couple of years before any consequence comes from it. As well, more often than not, when an individual is waiting to go to court for a crime they have been charged with, they do so in the community on bail. The longer it takes for the court process to actually happen, the longer the charged individual is in the community and the greater is the potential for another crime to occur. The cost to public safety of a slow court system is difficult to quantify in dollar terms but there is a real cost in terms of the number of victims of crime we have. The excuses and the broken promises from the NDP government need to stop and real measures need to occur to move the court system along at a pace that protects our communities. I appreciate your comments and concerns. If you have any comments on these or other issues, you can contact me by writing, #3 – 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by phone at (204) 326-5763, by fax at (204) 346-9913, by e-mail at kelvin.goertzen@leg.gov.mb.ca or by visiting my website at kelvingoertzen.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Province Continues to Exclude Manitoba from New West Partnership On July 1, 2010, the New West Partnership (NWP) came into effect in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Essentially, the NWP amounts to a free trade agreement among the three western most provinces. The NWP removes barriers to interprovincial trade, investment and labour mobility between the partner provinces. Workers from one province will be able to work in another province and their credentials will be recognized in all three, no matter the province in which they were obtained. Businesses registered in one province will be registered in all three-partner provinces to reduce red tape. They will also be able to bid on contracts in other provinces without discrimination. The partnership provides an avenue for international cooperation, whereby the three partner provinces agree to joint trade missions, sharing resources, and sharing market intelligence. This is a huge advancement in the area of regional economic growth. It is easier to attract international investments and business to an area that has more people and more economic power than an area that has less. The NWP encompasses an area that has nine million people and a combined GDP of $550 billion. It is very clear that investors and business owners will find this large market, the reduced red tape, and the greater labour mobility very attractive. As a result, more jobs and investment will come. Despite all the benefits of this agreement, Manitoba’s NDP government has refused to join. They have made the claim that they would prefer a pan-Canada agreement rather than just a regional one. Unfortunately, for the NDP, such an agreement does not exist and is not likely to exist for some time. This is just a straw man to mask their lack of vision for Manitoba’s future. Manitoba has much to offer were it to join the NWP. Manitoba has a diverse economy with many advantages, including access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Port of Churchill and CentrePort. The Port of Churchill could find itself redeveloped into an international shipping port for all kinds of goods. With the large trading area and GDP of the NWP, Churchill has the potential to become a very attractive alternative to Vancouver as a port of call for international shippers. The advantages to Manitoba are endless. CentrePort is Canada’s first inland port. It provides integration of road, air and rail transportation in an efficient and cost effective manner. This asset would benefit the NWP and bring increased investment to Manitoba. The NDP’s lack of interest in the NWP is hard to understand. The economic benefits are innumerable. Infrastructure like CentrePort and the Port of Churchill make Manitoba a perfect fit and the labour mobility, reduced red tape, and increased investment would bring new jobs and new opportunities to all Manitobans. I welcome all comments and concerns you may have. If you’d like to contact me, please feel free to call my office by phone at 204-424-5406, by fax at 204-424-5458, or by writing to Box 889, La Broquerie MB, R0A 0W0. You can also email me at dennis.smook@leg.gov.mb.ca.
Hanover Supports Recreation Club Proposals The RM of Hanover recently agreed to support five recreation complex projects within the municipality pending funding approval from Western Economic Diversification Canada.
The recreation associations in Kleefeld, Blumenort, New Bothwell, Grunthal and Mitchell are all putting forward applications for funding under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. All five commitments total $125,000 with each facility in the running for up to $25,000 for each of their proposed projects. In Grunthal, the recreation committee is looking for funds to improve the baseball diamonds, add sprinklers at the soccer fields and add nets, improve some insulation and paint in the area. The
Mitchell Recreation Association is looking for assistance for insulation and work on the lobby floors. The New Bothwell Recreation Association wants funding for park upgrades and renovations. Community park improvements are also on the agenda in Blumenort and Kleefeld. The RM of Hanover will forward up to $25,000 to each of these groups if the projects receive funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.
September 2012
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Summer Days As the days already begin to shorten and we recover from the Labour Day weekend, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what a wonderful summer we have been having here in the southeast. Gorgeous, warm and dry days have allowed many opportunities to take part in outdoor activities. I hope many of you were able to enjoy what our area has to offer. Some of my favourites include the beach, Bird’s Hill Park, golfing and attending summer fairs and festivals. There are also many farmers markets, berry picking sites and relaxing camp spaces. Whatever it is you got out to do this summer, I hope you were able to spend many hours with your families. And remember, there is still time to get out this summer. As the fall approaches, some of you may be readying to send your little ones to school for the very first time! We have increased funding for schools at or above the rate of economic growth for the last 13 years. This equals an increase of 53 percent since 1999. This will increase an additional $25.5 million for the 2012-13 year. Or, you may be watching your son or daughter prepare to make the big transition into post-secondary education. We have introduced legislation freezing tuition at the rate of inflation and are in year two of our three year funding commitments for universities, which started with a guaranteed 5 percent increase for each of the next three years. Finally, our government introduced a 60 percent tuition fee income-tax rebate for graduates of any eligible university, college or apprenticeship program in the world who choose to start their careers and put down roots in Manitoba. Whatever stage of life you are preparing for; I know you are eagerly beginning your back to school shopping. Whether you are staying close to home, or traveling afar, please drive safely and don’t text or use your cell phone while driving. Before heading out, remember that you can always access the latest information on road closures or conditions by contacting 511 (toll-free), mb511.ca or by following the Twitter account @MBGovRoads. Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend. As always, I appreciate hearing your comments and thoughts on these and other provincial initiatives. I encourage you to contact me by e-mail (dawsontrail1@yourmanitoba.ca), by phone (878-4644), or by mail at 101-1309 Dawson Road, Box 517, Lorette, MB R0A 0Y0
Lemieux Selective of Who He Meets Dear Editor: Read your addition to the editorial page and had to write in. So you find Mr. Lemieux unresponsive do you? I was on Reynolds council from 2006 to 2010, two of them as Deputy Reeve. Ron came to council in late 2006 to introduce himself to council and we had an okay discussion. But after that he was invisible to us. I hounded Ron for over three of those years to come sit in on council to discuss several issues we were having problems with. Ron’s constituency covered a good portion of Reynolds at the time plus he was highways minister, one of the departments we needed to chat with. I caught him twice at the AMM conventions and he’d get his right hand man, Mr. Plamondon, to ‘pencil’ us in, make dates and promises but he’d never show up. Always something came up. But if there is ever an event with food involved he is there like a dirty shirt. We had issues like 50/50 roads to discuss, the ambulance station in Prawda, and the impending arrival of a major peat moss company (which he helped steer to Piney). Never could get him in to talk to us. We even offered to meet him either at the Legislature or in his office. So I agree with your view, maybe it is time to get someone on the editorial page that does actually care what his constituents have to say and has time to listen. Keep up the good work. Yours, Andy Pelletier Contour, MB
Thief Steals AXEL Electric Base On August 8, the Steinbach RCMP received a report that a residence on rue Principale in La Broquerie had been broken into. The incident occurred between 6:30 am and 5 pm. Missing from the residence is a black AXEL electric base and soft carrying case, cigarette tubes, a cigarette roller, a small amount of change and a gold watch. Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the individual(s) responsible for the incident. 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).
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September 2012
New Councillor Elected in Stuartburn
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Selling Jelly to End Hunger
The RM of Stuartburn has a new face at the table after a recent byelection took place in the municipality. On August 29, Ward 1 residents within the RM of Stuartburn showed their confidence in Christine Friesen. Friesen became the first woman to ever sit on council in the municipality after capturing 64 votes out of the 142 ballots cast. The rest of the 78 ballots cast were split between the remaining three candidates including Doug Penner (33 votes); David Shewhuck (24 votes) and Guy Bouchard (21 votes). The by-election was called after former councillor Dan Bodz stepped down from his position after serving several consecutive terms.
Newly Elected Stuartburn Councillor Follows Father’s Footsteps
The Landmark Foodgrains Project has gotten creative with its fundraising by making jelly to raise money in support of the Canadian Food Grains Bank.
By Marianne Curtis Family members of the founding father of the Canadian Food Grains Bank are continuing his legacy. His grandson now heads the Landmark Branch grow project and now his daughter-in-law is running a “jam drive”. Deb Loewen is the wife of Rick Loewen whose father, C.Wilbert Loewen, founded the Canadian Food Grains Bank. She explained that her son, Matt Plett, heads up the Landmark branch of the growing project, an undertaking he “inherited” from his grandfather. “This organization is near and dear to our hearts for a number of reasons; first and foremost my husband’s dad founded it. Not content with that, he went on to implore the federal government to match all donations,” Loewen explained. “There is also a story behind the apples used in this Country Apple Jam – they are harvested from the Loewen Heritage Home in Steinbach where Rick’s dad grew up.” Loewen explained that the apple jelly is perfect for toast but is thin enough to be used for ice cream and other toppings. “For each $20 in money raised selling jelly, that is $100 for the Canadian Food Grains Bank,” Loewen continued. “It’s a win-win.” There is a minimum donation of $10.00 for pints and for half-pints, $5.00. Donations over $20, payable to Prairie Rose EMC and marked for Landmark Food Grains Bank, are tax deductible. Anyone interested in ordering jellies, should contact Deb Loewen at (204) 355-4567.
Newly elected RM of Stuartburn Councillor Christine Friesen is the first woman to be elected to council within the municipality. Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis When I first met Christine Friesen, she was a teenager mourning the loss of her father, Rick Tkachuk. At the time of his passing in September 2003, Tkachuk had spent one year on the RM of Stuartburn council as Reeve and seven as Councillor for Ward one. Nine years later his middle daughter Christine has successfully followed her father’s example and taken the seat of Ward 1 councillor in a recent by election. Not only did she win the seat, she became the first woman ever sit on council in the municipality after capturing 64 votes out of the 142 ballots cast. The 25-year-old mother of three lives on the family farm in Gardenton with her husband Isaac. “Politics has always interested me,” Friesen explained. “When I was a little girl I would wait for dad to come home and then I would listen to him talk about the meetings. It interested me.” Friesen said she has considered municipal politics for awhile but did not plan to pursue it until her children were older. However, when the recent opportunity to seek election came up she listened to supporters and asked for votes. “This is where I was meant to be. I want to leave my mark on something,” Friesen continued. While she is the first woman ever elected to council in the RM of Stuartburn, she is confident that there will be no issues. “I am not at all intimidated with being a part of council,” Friesen stated. “We’ve known each other for many years. I will add a different point of view to the table.” Friesen said there is one piece of her father’s advice that she will carry with her during the remainder of the term. “He always taught me to stand my ground. I know he did and a lot of people respected him for that,” she shared. “When I was campaigning I asked people what they wanted done. The fact they could get their voices heard, I think, made the difference.” Friesen said she is looking forward to serving the ratepayers while carrying on a legacy, which began with her grandfather John Tkachuk, who also served on the RM of Stuartburn council.
Former Providence President Receives Jubilee Medal By Marianne Curtis The former president of Providence University College in Otterburne is one of the most recent Diamond Jubilee medal recipients in the region. Dr. Gus Konkel received a personal home visit from Provencher MP Vic Toews when he was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee. “Gus Konkel has contributed to the Christian academic community for many years,” said Toews. “During the course of his nearly 30 years at Providence University College Gus demonstrated a remarkable ability to motivate people to become involved in a wide variety of projects. Most recently, that leadership led to the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions at Providence University College.” Konkel began his career at Providence College as a professor in 1984 and was named president in 2001. During Dr. Konkel’s presidency, Providence became a university-college and its degrees became fully recognized by provincial universities. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada and honour the significant contributions and achievements of Canadians.
Provencher MP Vic Toews paid Dr. Gus Konkel a personal visit to present him with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
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Tent Vandalized in Richer
On August 20, the Steinbach RCMP received a report of damage to a commercial rental tent in Richer. The tent was reportedly damaged between 11:30 am and 1 pm on August 19th. The tent was located at the Richer Park off of Dawson Road. If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-2228477 (TIPS) or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).
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Tenants Move into Long Awaited Sprague Housing Unit
On September 1, tenants began moving into the brand new suites in the seniors’ East Borderland Community Housing Project in Sprague. Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis On the September long weekend, tenants began moving into the newly completed seniors’ housing in Sprague. On September 1, tenants began filling 11 out of 15 newly completed suites in the brand new affordable seniors housing of East Borderland Community Housing Centre. Construction of the facility began
in the fall of 2011 and was completed at the end of August. The complex consists of 15 elderly persons’ housing units as either a one-bedroom suite for $610 a month or two bedrooms at $760. Rent includes all utilities (heat, electricity, water, taxes, sewer, building insurance and building maintenance). Tenants pay their own telephone, satellite TV and household contents insurance. Home care provided by the regional health authority is available in the complex. Initially the facility was filled to capacity but in recent months, four suites have become available. On September 7 - 9 from 1 to 3 pm, an open house is taking place to fill the facility to capacity. “We had all the suites booked but some people have backed out,” confirmed Elsa Laing, spokesperson East Borderland Community Housing (EBCH). “We would like to be at full capacity.” Manitoba Housing and Renewal
Corporation (MHRC) are financing the bulk of construction cost. Land for the project was provided by the Regional Health Authority (RHA) and EBCH provided a community contribution of $275,000. Because the project is government funded affordable housing there are income maximums. Maximum household income is $48,454 with exemptions for medical needs if accompanied by a letter from a doctor recommending residence for medical reasons. Meanwhile, the EBCH Directors and the RM of Piney Council continue to advocate for the 2nd part of Phase III, the proposed 20 unit Personal Care Home (PCH)/ Supportive Housing (SH). Raising funds is an integral part of bringing this 2nd part of Phase III to reality with the community’s requirement being 10 percent of the capitol cost for the PCH/SH. Anyone wishing to find out more about the suites can call Elsa Laing at 204-437-2843.
Jake Epp Library Hosts Local Author On September 26, the Jake Epp Library in Steinbach is hosting a special evening in honour of local author Marianne Curtis. Curtis, who grew up in Steinbach, published her best selling memoir Finding Gloria back in April. “We are excited to have Marianne here,” stated Jake Epp Library’s head librarian Loraine Trudeau. “We like to support our local authors and are thrilled when they can come and visit with us and our readers.” While the library welcomes Curtis to share her story, the Ile des Chênes author is a little apprehensive. Curtis, whose maiden name was Hrechanyk, grew up in Steinbach before spending 20 years living in Landmark. Finding Gloria is set in both these communities. “I am thrilled that the Jake Epp Library is doing this for me. I grew up in Steinbach and went to school there,” Curtis said. “Unfortunately, there are some people in this community who did not treat me well and it has taken a lot of courage to air my dirty laundry, as some would say, but there are things that happened here that people need to talk about. I am not the only victim within this region.” Finding Gloria is the author’s perspective of growing up in a community where she was abused at home and bullied in school. It follows her path as she struggled to put her past behind and pave a future for her family. She will be sharing her story on September 27 at the Jake Epp Library starting at 7 pm. Attendees will have a chance to speak with the author who will share her emotional, yet inspirational story. Books will be available for purchase onsite.
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Arborgate Students Get Arsonist Sought by RCMP Extended Summer
Students attending classes in Arborgate School in La Broquerie got a few extra days to enjoy their summer holidays because the division delayed the opening of the new school for a few days to finish preparing for classes. Photo by Marianne Curtis
While the majority of students across the province returned to classes a few days after the September long weekend, students attending Arborgate School in La Broquerie received a few extra days off. Mike Borgfjord, Seine River School Superintendent, said that construction delays associated with the significant expansion project at Arborgate School has forced the division to hold off opening the doors until September 10. “We need to move and get ready for the school year, so we will not be opening the doors September 6 or 7,” Borgfjord had stated. The majority of students throughout the rest of the division returned to classes on September 6. Due to construction delays, teachers and administration were only allowed into the building one week before classes were expected to start, Borgfjord explained. “A week to prepare everything just wasn’t enough time,” added Borgfjord. He added that the board had already worked on a contingency plan in the event opening day would be delayed. “We looked at all our options and worked on plans, if and when things got delayed.” Borgfjord added that the division was disappointed that classes would not start in La Broquerie like the rest of the division but the safety of student and teachers were forefront in their mind. “We want to make sure students are safe and the staff is ready to start the year off correctly,” Borgfjord noted. “But anyone who has driven past the school can easily see all the work that still needs to be done.” The new Arborgate School addition has been designed as an LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Facility that is expected to serve the needs of the community for many years to come. The new school is a two-story building that adds new classroom space without losing any of the playgrounds. The new building increases the size of the school by almost 40,000 square feet. The Arborgate School expansion has capacity for 450 students, which is up from the previous capacity of 330 students.
Goertzen Wants Hydro Project Freeze Pending Review By Marianne Curtis Get ready to pay more for hydroelectricity now that the Public Utilities Board has approved an interim rate hike of 2.5 percent for all Manitoba Hydro customers starting September 1. The rate increase, which is on top of a two percent hike that was approved this spring, is intended to help Manitoba Hydro’s bottom line as the Crown corporation deals with financial stresses such as low export prices and cost overruns related to the Wuskwatim hydroelectric dam. The latest rate increase works out to an extra $50 a year for the average household. Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen said Conservatives are calling for a freeze on rates until future generating projects are reviewed. He said hydro is trying to make customers carry the debt for constructing generating stations up north. “We know that it’s going to cost about $18 billion to go forward with these projects which will mean Manitoba Hydro’s debt will be about the same debt as the province of Manitoba as a whole when these projects are done,” stated Goertzen. “They are indicating they are going to have to raise their rates by about 45 percent over the next decade to pay for all of these projects.” Goertzen said the conservatives are calling for a review on the value of the projects return and who will actually pay for the projects. He added that he is concerned because the demand for electricity has dropped so there is not as much need for new hydro generating stations. Manitoba Hydro officials say there was no way they could have predicted the downturn in the export market. At the same time, they note that Manitobans still pay the lowest hydro rates in Canada. There are no plans to postpone any new multimillion-dollar hydroelectric projects, Hydro officials add. The Public Utilities Board is currently holding public hearings into Hydro’s rates with a final ruling expected in 2013.
On July 31, at approximately 9:11 am, Steinbach RCMP received a complaint of arson. The incident occurred overnight at a construction site situated at 230 Barkman Avenue in Steinbach. Someone set a small fire inside the building resulting in minor damage. The Steinbach Fire Department responded and immediately put out the fire. The Office of the Fire Commissioner also attended the scene and deemed the fire suspicious. It is unknown at this time if the fire was meant to burn down the site. There is no estimate of damage at this time. Left behind was a Los Angeles Kings hat, anyone with information is asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).
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Pedestrian Killed by Semi On August 23, shortly after 1 am, the Steinbach RCMP and local EMS responded to a fatal pedestrian and motor vehicle collision on Highway 52, four miles east of Steinbach. A 19-year-old Steinbach man was pronounced dead at the scene. Early investigation indicates that the driver, a 39-year-old man from Brandon, of a semi-truck and trailer was westbound on Highway 52 when he struck what he first believed to be wildlife. The driver stopped a short distance later and realized he had struck a pedestrian. Early indications are that the pedestrian may have been walking on the road. The driver of the semi was not under the influence of alcohol.
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Record Foodgrains Harvests Roll In By Marianne Curtis Canadian Foodgrains projects in Landmark and St. Malo recently saw record harvests despite the unusually dry summer. On August 10, the Landmark Foodgrains Project harvested 4,676 bushels of wheat for the Canadian Food Grains Bank. This made the community’s contribution an estimated $40,200, which is matched by the federal government at a rate of 4:1. As a result, the Landmark grow project raised a total of $201,000 in food aid or enough food to feed a village of 300 for a year. During the same week in St. Malo, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank project called HOPE was also harvested. This project is made up of four fields located in the St. Malo area and extends just east of Morris. Volunteers finished harvesting the hard red spring wheat crop. “We harvested about 15,000 bushels of top quality wheat which was hauled to the elevator,” said spokesperson Art Enns. “We had good participation. Lots of people showed up, the weather was good, and it didn’t take long and we had it done.” To date, three out of the regions four-food grains project has been harvested. Last month the Niverville and District grow project harvested a record amount of winter wheat. The crop produced about $150,000 for the Foodgrains Bank, their biggest donation since starting in 2000. The HELP project south of St. Pierre-Jolys is still waiting to be harvested. Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of Canadian church-based agencies working to end hunger in developing countries by increasing and deepening the involvement of Canadians in an effort to end hunger. Through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB), a number of grain producers in the region donate portions of their crops or plant them specifically to support the program. Nationally the CFGB has delivered $514,717,753 worth of programming and shipped 1,005,725 metric tonnes of food and seeds to 76 countries around the world.
Saturday, September 8 is Cinema in the City! It’s a FREE movie under the stars, plus Arts in the Park and Steinbach Arts Council’s Charity BBQ in support of a great cause. Come out for some family fun under the shelter at AD Penner Park from 5 - 7:30 pm – children’s activities, FREE dance demos, artists painting and live entertainment. A minimum toonie donation for our Charity BBQ helps us assist families with financial challenges with our Creative Arts Bursary Fund. The Lorax will be showing at 8 pm. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy this great family film! The Amazing Race: Steinbach Edition will be held on Saturday, September 8! Teams of four have the opportunity to complete fun challenges and win great prizes! Teams must sign in at AD Penner Park at 2:30 pm and Race starts at 3 pm – good luck! Thank you to all who donated prizes and volunteered as destination stops in the Race, and thanks to the Creative Youth Council for planning yet another epic event. Buy tickets now for An Evening of Sacred Song – a night of uplifting choral works with baritone David Klassen, Robert Neufeld on piano and the Steinbach Vespers Choir directed by Millie Hildebrand – Sunday, September 30 at Grace Mennonite Church, 430 Third St, 7:30pm. Register NOW for fall! If you missed Registration Day, it’s not too late to sign up. Belly dancing, Pilates and Yoga are just some of the ways to reduce stress and increase your flexibility and core strength this fall. Steinbach Arts Council has something for every night of the week to suit your schedule. Try something new with classes like Sculpt & Tone or Triple Benefit 30-20-10. Teen X-Treme Masterpiece painting workshop for ages 13-17 is running September 20, 27 and October 4. Create your own masterpiece using neon or traditional paints. All materials are provided. See more info online or email Yvonne at visualarts@steinbachartscouncil.ca. The Backyard Theatre Company for ages 5-15 will build confidence, inspire imagination and ignite creativity for young actors. Creative Cooking at the Arts Centre – Tantalize your taste buds and free your soul this fall with Creative Cooking for adults 16+ on Monday nights. Kids can learn to cook, too, and have a fun time socializing and building confidence in our Kids in the Kitchen class, a long-standing favorite for ages 9-12. Learn French or Spanish – two levels to keep you growing and enhance your proficiency in a second language – starting up soon on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Family Values Based since 1996… XCOMPANY Physical Arts Training School and Southeast School of Dance have joined forces to bring you the latest and freshest in dance and martial arts for ages 3 to adult. All our costumes and choreography are 100 percent parent-approved. Classes include Hip Hop, Breakdance, Little Ballerinas, Broadway Stars, Jazz, Tap, Hawaiian Hula, Chinese and Filipino Martial Arts and Kidz Yoga! For more information call Eddie or Nadine at 470-5425 or email info@xcompany.net. NEW! It’s a dance community and cultural experience in the Southeast! The Dance Floor is for dancers of all levels, offering not just classes, but also an experience including Festive Seasons Parties, monthly dances, and FREE two-hour practice times on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Sign up now for the East Coast Swing, Salsa, Cha Cha or the Night Club Two Step – starting September 11 and 13! Sessions are four weeks – check our website to see the whole new lineup starting October 9 and 11! Our classes work out to just $9/class – build confidence and charisma and enjoy a social night out! Sign up for three dances and receive 10 percent off. Bring another couple who has never registered with our program and receive 10 percent off. The Arts4Tots Preschool Program is family values-based with a huge focus on exploration and discovery in music, theatre, dance and visual arts. We hire professional clinicians to teach special workshops geared towards our tots, to help them learn and grow in the most hands-on way possible. A few spaces left. Creative Music & Movement classes for families with children ages 0-7 available through Kindermusik with Miss Rose. For more info, please contact Rose Funk by calling 370-8901 or email rfkindermusik@gmail.ca.
This field of soybeans south of St. Pierre-Jolys is the last of four grow projects within the region waiting to be harvested in support of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Photo by Marianne Curtis
Sheltering in Place By Marc Lavergne We live in a world that has many benefits. Modern technology helps simplify our lives and entertain us. However, when our technology fails us, it may cause an emergency that we have to overcome, which may require us to “Shelter in Place”. This means to remain in your home for up to 72 hours or until authorities inform you that it is safe to leave. The governments of Manitoba and Canada have designed information packages to help us prepare ourselves for such situations. The “72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Guide” at getprepared.gc.ca will help you identify the risks, make a plan and prepare a kit for your personal survival. You will also find many resources that your family can use to develop a plan to help shelter in place and survive other disasters. For example, in the event a chemical spill happens close to our homes, such as from accidents involving transport trucks, railway cars or pipeline breaks/leaks, the resulting gases from some of these chemicals could, when in contact with our bodies, cause great harm to health and life. During such emergencies, training, preparation and sufficient resources will assist in overcoming difficult situations. As an added note for us in rural areas where cell phone service may not be reliable, you should have a landline with push buttons, plugged in. This will still work when Hydro service is interrupted, making it possible for you to call emergency personnel or family. Research, resources and planning ahead saves lives.
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Dawson Trail Dispatch
Niverville Man Competes in London Olympics By Marianne Curtis
Jared Funk from Niverville is currently in London waiting to compete in the London Paralympics, which run from August 20 to September 9.
Local Media Plays Role in Outing Phony Soldier An article in the Dawson Trail Dispatch from a few years ago was used as evidence in a recent trial where a young man posing as a soldier admitted to being a phony. The story entitled “Local Heroes Welcomed Home” appeared on the front page of the January 2009 issue. The story focused on three Niverville area soldiers who recently returned home after serving a tour in Afghanistan. Despite being a community of conscientious objectors, Canada Awakening Ministries hosted an event attended by over 70 people who celebrated the safe return of the local heroes. Also in attendance was Josh Tuckett, who claimed to be a corporal on the verge of deployment. Tuckett and his fiancé were both wished well as the community and the returning soldiers empathized with his plight as he prepared for his alleged service to his country. However, this all turned out to be a hoax on the part of Tuckett. On August 8, Tuckett was in a Winnipeg courtroom after pleading guilty to impersonating a member of the military by wearing a uniform without authorization. The 21-year-old was arrested last November after he attended a military event in full uniform. His claim was that he was a Corporal and served in Afghanistan and Haiti and that he was stationed in Alberta. He was arrested after he presented a false name and identification number. Provincial Court Judge Patti Umpherville heard how Tuckett spent more than two years pretending to be a soldier, even fooling his own family members and fiancé. Tuckett admitted to the charade and claimed he purchased the uniform while volunteering for the cadets and playing on a paintball team. He also admitted he told family members that he was a full-fledged soldier and was suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Umpherville was told that Tuckett does not suffer from any mental disorders nor did he gain anything from the charade other than attention and recognition. Tuckett later admitted to investigators that he had attended several similar events over the past few years as part of the hoax. “I apologize for my actions. I guess I never gave it a good thought, what I was doing,” Tuckett told court during the hearing. When asked by the judge if his ruse was to gain attention, Tuckett replied, “A little bit, yes.” The maximum sentence for impersonating military personnel is six months behind bars. However, that sentence is normally imposed in cases where the deception is used for a more sinister purpose.
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Regional Crisis Unit Meeting Demands By Marianne Curtis
Televised broadcasting of the London Olympics may be over for the majority of the world but for a Niverville resident the event is just beginning. When the London Paralympics kicked off on August 29 veteran Wheelchair Rugby Paralympian Jared Funk was among the many athletes participating in the event. “I love the game,’’ said Funk.”It’s an intriguing and physical game that goes out of the realm of what everyone thinks.” After competing in the last three Paralympics, Funk said this would be his final time participating. Funk has competed in wheelchair rugby for 10 years. He has won two Paralympics Games medals — Silver in Athens in 2004 and Bronze in Beijing in 2008. He also won a Silver Medal at the 1995 World Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland. While waiting to compete in his first game on September 5, Funk said he wants to end his Olympic career on a high note. “My goal is to see my flag and hear my anthem when I win gold at the Olympic Games,” Funk stated. He will get his opportunity to prove his stuff when Canada takes on Australia on September 5. Wheelchair rugby is unique to the Paralympics Games. Persons who had become quadriplegics and were looking to continue to participate in a fast-paced, exciting sport invented it in the 1970s in Winnipeg. It is believed to be the fastest growing wheelchair sport in the world.
By Marianne Curtis
September 2012
It has been six months since the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) in Steinbach opened its doors and the facility has already been put to good use. Debbie Enns, Southern Regional Health Authority acting Mental Health Program Manager, said the facility is getting used. “There is definitely a need for this facility here,” stated Enns. “People come here for support and to work on achieving goals so they can get past their crisis and feel better supported once they leave.” The Crisis Stabilization Unit opened back in February. It is set up as a short-term community-based setting for up to eight adults. It provides an environment where people can restore balance in their lives and reconnect to their communities. The facility, located at 450 Main Street, is staffed with nurses, social workers and occupational therapists 24 hours a day. People needing assistance can voluntarily check into the facility. They are assessed, discussions are held and options are presented to the individual. In addition, eight available beds allow a recovery period of a couple of days as a client needs. On average, five of these beds are taken at any given time. In the past, residents were forced to leave the community to receive help either in Selkirk or Winnipeg. If beds were not available, they were forced to head into the hospital emergency room for treatment. “If we had come along sooner we could have avoided some of these admissions,” added Enns. “Here people can get back into their community and home environment much sooner.” The Crisis Stabilization Unit is open to all residents in the southeast. Services are available to anyone experiencing an emotional or life crisis, such as relationship difficulties, overwhelming stress, a significant loss, increased sadness, or hopelessness. Professional support such as focused counseling sessions with 24/7 service, group sessions (educational, skillbased, treatment support), links to other relevant health and services and follow-up upon return to their home in the community are all available to clients seeking assistance. South Eastman Health’s Community Mental Health Program has been offering a range of crisis response services since 1995. Services at 450 Main are responsive, flexible and treatment tailored to individual needs.
La Broquerie Lagoon to be Repaired
At an event in Niverville back in 2009, Josh Tuckett presented himself as an 18-year-old Corporal heading out on his first tour of duty to Afghanistan. Photo by Marianne Curtis
The RM of La Broquerie council will have to spend some money on the community lagoon after a recent report from Manitoba Water Stewardship. RM of La Broquerie Reeve Claude Lussier said that a report received by the municipality from Manitoba Water Stewardship outlines some general maintenance issues at the lagoon. “The report indicates there is some cleanup that has to be done,” stated Lussier. Some of the issues are minor. The report cites that a gate to the facility needs to be repaired and locked, and the fence around the lagoon has to be fixed. The municipality will also have to work with the septic truck companies. “We have to get information to make sure we know what is being dumped in the lagoon is from municipal residents,” Lussier continued. The RM of La Broquerie has already saved $50,000 to hire a company to clean the main cell of the lagoon. “This has not been done for 25 years so it needs it very badly,” he added. Once the lagoon is dredged properly, the capacity is expected to increase by up to 15 percent.
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September 2012
Thousands Welcomed at Hanover Ag Fair
The gymkhana, which took place in the new grandstand and arena, was a hit for participants and spectators alike.
Goertzen Named PC House Leader Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen has been named as the new Manitoba Conservative Party House Leader. Goertzen was appointed as new House Leader when newly acclaimed Tory leader Brian Pallister handed out Caucus assignments. “I was House Leader from 2007 to 2009 so I am familiar with the position,” Goertzen stated. “The role is essential from the opposition’s perspective. I will negotiate with the government and negotiate on bills and different things that happen in the Legislature.” Goertzen noted the position does come with some sacrifice. “I will have to spend more time in Winnipeg and it has a time commitment to it,” Goertzen explained. “It is very time consuming but I like the opportunity to be involved in the action that’s happening in the Legislature.” Goertzen added that he is looking forward to the upcoming months.
Piney Looks at Boundary Changes The RM of Piney is hosting a public meeting on September 11 to discuss proposed changes to the municipality’s ward system. According to councillor Sian Barrow, the ward system changes will only become important during upcoming elections. “In practical terms it means nothing to the voters; we only use the ward system for electoral purposes,” explained Barrow. “For municipal concerns, ‘any councillor is your councilor, is our motto.” The municipality is giving third reading to the new ward boundary bylaw on September 11 at 7 pm. Anyone wishing to speak on the matter or wants more information are encouraged to attend. The meeting is taking place at the RM of Piney office in Vassar.
“Its nice to have the leadership on the party side taken care of because decisions can be made and things can finally move forward,” he noted. Morris MLA Mavis Tallieu was also appointed as Caucus Whip. Pallister was chosen as the next leader of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative party after he was the only candidate in the running when the nomination process closed at the end of July.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
By Marianne Curtis Thousands of people came out to Grunthal over the course of three days when the community hosted the 67th annual Hanover Ag Fair and Rodeo, which took place on August 16 to 19. Kicking off Friday with a ribbon cutting and Bullarama, the weekend was jam packed with activities for all ages. Saturday began with a pancake breakfast and 4-H shows. At 10 am, spectators were treated to a parade where attendees brought in nonperishable food items in support of the Grunthal and Area Foodbank. Wayne Lemay, President of the Hanover Ag Fair, was very pleased with this year’s event. “The parade was very well attended and the chicken BBQ was also very popular,” stated Lemay. “Over 200 volunteers ensured the weekend was a success. We couldn’t do this without them.” Not only were there tons of activities for everyone to participate in or watch but the food were spectacular. Several hundred people took part in the World Famous Grunthal Chicken Barbecue that took place at noon at the Arena, right after the Parade. Attendance was repeated when a whole hog barbecue took place in the evening, followed by an amazing evening of entertainment on the Fairway Ford Mainstage starting with Shane Yellowbird and guests Quinton Blair and Luke Reimer. Agriculture related activities also took place all day along with the Prudential Family Funzone including bouncers, a petting zoo, carnival games, and more.
Above: Jacey Toews enjoyed getting her face painted by DeeDee the Clown at the Hanover Ag Fair. Below: For kids wanting to beat the heat the duck races in the Prudential Family Funzone was a great place to get wet.
Photos by Marianne Curtis
The highlight of the weekend was celebrating the completion of the new rodeo arena constructed on the grounds thanks to funding from fundraising events and government organizations. The arena was broken
in over the lively weekend with three fast paced rodeo performances that drew crowds to the site for the MRCA/CCA Rodeo on Friday and Saturday and the Manitoba Ranch Rodeo on Sunday.
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Clearspring Middle School Ready for Classes By Marianne Curtis When classes start in September, some students in the Hanover School Division will be walking through the doors of a brand-new school. Hanover School Division Superintendent Ken Klassen says that Clearspring Middle School in the Hampton Village off Hespeler on the east side of Steinbach will be ready for the start of classes on September 6. “We received the occupancy permit in mid-August and we had a program to move in and we got it all done,” stated Klassen. “The teachers have already been in the schools for a few weeks.” Klassen says the school division is very proud of the new school. “Everyone who has toured it is amazed with its features,” Klassen added. The school is two stories high with lots of windows and open spaces. Along with traditional classrooms, it is a village type atmosphere with the main hall acting as Main Street. Another feature unique to Clearspring Middle School is the ability for students to interact with their environment. There are areas of the school where students can see how things mechanically operate within the facility so it becomes a teaching tool. Construction on the new Clearspring Middle School began in mid-March 2011. Clearspring Middle School was built for a capacity of 800 students and classrooms for 700. It will house approximately 60 percent of the Grade 5 8 students in the Steinbach catchments area. Students living northeast of
Purse Snatcher Targets MCC Thrift Store
On September 6, the doors to the new Clearspring Middle School in Steinbach opened for classes for the very first time. Photo by Marianne Curtis
Main Street within City of Steinbach boundaries will be attending this school. Students living southwest of Main Street within City of Steinbach boundaries will be attending classes at the Stonybrook Middle School. The Stonybrook Middle School was formally known as the Steinbach Junior High. Until construction at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School is completed, the Grade 9 students will remain at the Stonybrook Middle School.
By Marianne Curtis Shoppers heading to Steinbach’s MCC Thrift Store may want to hold onto their purses while browsing in the popular second hand store after a pursesnatcher seems to have targeted bargain hunters. On August 21, a young family from Mitchell was left stranded after the young mother’s purse was taken from her cart without her knowledge. When she went to speak to the MCC manager, she was told this had happened before. “I went to try on some stuff and when I reached for my purse to take it with me it was gone,” stated Vanessa Friesen. After searching unsuccessfully, she went to the manager to report the alleged theft. “I was told this was the third week in a row this happened and that whoever was doing it was picking Tuesdays.” Friesen said that MCC staff was very helpful but at
JUST MOVE IT!! We all get the message that the “key” to achieving optimum health and well-being in this stress-filled world is to exercise regularly. SAY WHAT??!! Most of us hate the word “exercise”, never mind wanting to spend three, 30minute sessions a week doing it. Even though we know that regular exercise is the primary solution to so many of our health problems facing us today, we prefer to ignore this aspect of good health. Humans were designed for activity. In the beginning we walked or ran to hunt and gather, visit and explore, build homes and farms, and simply survive. Today we are very sedentary. We sit far too much! We have cars to move us, computers and ipods to shop with and browse, TV’s and disc players to watch and listen to, and on top of this a diet very high in fat. Heart disease has increased and our children are having weight concerns at a very young age. When do we smarten up and accept the fact that the life we live today is really in need of a regular exercise plan? By now you’re about ready to stop reading this article. You have little intention of changing your lifestyle to include exercise. But I’m telling you: IT DOESN’T NEED TO BE A BIG CHANGE. Don’t exhaust yourself. Begin with a very easy and simple program that gets you moving just for 30 minutes a day, once a week. Build up gradually but be devoted to the commitment, no matter how small it is. Walk, swim, go to a local gym, play golf, play ball or Frisbee, hop on the bike, go dancing, try a Tai-Chi or Yoga class... the possibilities are many! The benefits of moving your body are surprising and you will definitely feel better. Your strength and stamina will increase. You will become more flexible and your heart, circulatory system and respiratory system will improve. Your mental health and self-esteem will be positive, and best of all, IT SLOWS DOWN THE AGING PROCESS (I sure like that news)! So how much more do we need to hear about all the health benefits of exercising before we listen and act? What can I do to make you more active? I cannot physically drag you off your computer chair or sofa. There isn’t much I can do. I just don’t want to see your only exercise program being the effort you make to get to the doctor’s office and the pharmacy. So, my friends, all I can say, with a loud voice, is “JUST MOVE IT!!” You’ll be glad you did. And, for those who I know are actually exercising faithfully, my hat goes off to you! Raylene Snow is owner/operator of Raylene’s Wellness Spa just outside of Ste. Anne.
the same time seemed unconcerned. “They told me to make a police report, which I tried to do,” Friesen continued. “I called the RCMP and they took down my license number in the event my license turned up but otherwise they didn’t seem to care.” This attitude is concerning to Friesen considering it was a repeat incident at the store. “I lost my purse, wallet, my identification, my cell phone and even my car keys. If it hadn’t been for someone in the store my daughter and I had no way home,” continued Friesen. “Now someone has my license
complete with address and the keys to my house and vehicle; it really bothers me that under the circumstances the police were not more helpful or at least warning people this was happening.” She also suggested that MCC post a warning to customers warning them to be more vigilant. Steinbach RCMP was unable to confirm the alleged incidents. However, they did advise shoppers to keep their valuables close to them and not leave their purses unattended while shopping.
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September 2012
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Curlers Wanted in Lorette The Lorette Curling Club is eagerly looking toward the winter curling program. Curlers interested in joining the program are encouraged to register for the 2012-2013 curling season for Mixed, Women’s, Men’s and Junior leagues. The next registration will take place on September 17 at the Lorette Community Complex (CCLCC). Wilma Pawluk, from the Lorette Curling Club, encourages anyone interested in joining to come out and register even if they are not a member of a team. “If you don’t have a team please contact us and we might be able to help you and a team looking for players,” invites Pawluk. “The ice has been very good and we have a lot of fun.” Pawluk stresses that teams are not officially registered until they have filled out the paperwork and payment is received by a board member. The Lorette Curling Club is also planning a drop-in curling one afternoon a week in addition to regular curling. “Everyone is a welcome to join us,” she adds. Exact time and days will be announced closer to the season. For more information contact Pat Hallonquist, Vice President (204) 8782457; Wilma Pawluk, Women’s League (204) 878-3405; Sandy & Courtney Hutchison, Mixed (204) 918-0035 or (204) 230-4087; Suzanne Antonio, Junior League (204) 878-3277 and Gilles Brunette, Men’s League (204) 878-3478.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Friends Lost Remembered in Community Festival By Marianne Curtis The rumble of over 100 motorcycles kicked off this year ’s annual Friendship Festival in Landmark. The rolling tribute was in honour of Dustin Reimer and Dana Dueck who were both recently killed in two separate motorcycle accidents. While the community is still reeling from the tragic events that recently claimed the two young people who were born and raised in Landmark, it was also a time to celebrate by coming together. Hundreds of people visited the community to participate in the three-day event, which took place on August 10 to 12. Organizer Cheryl Tremeer is thrilled with the success of the festival, which she started a few summers ago. “We had a great weekend and a great turnout this year,” she stated. “I would like to thank the many volunteers that helped make this happen.” This year’s Landmark Friendship Festival kicked off with an evening for the young people with music by Mike Blair and local band the Ripperz. Saturday started with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Landmark Kinsmen followed by a parade, a hot dog lunch and children’s events. This year for the first time, a miniFolklorama took place with representatives from Chili, Argentine, Cuba and Israel. The day ended with a community pork barbeque followed by a dance with music by the Darryl Marsh Band and fireworks. On Sunday, all the churches in Landmark gathered in the park for a community worship service followed by a picnic lunch.
September 2012
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Provencher to Shrink Geographically Under new changes proposed by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Manitoba the Federal Riding of Provencher could become quite a bit smaller. The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Manitoba has recommended moving part of the RM of Morris into the Portage-Lisgar Constituency and shifting the Powerview-Pine Falls-Lac du Bonnet area into the Selkirk Interlake riding. Provencher MP Vic Toews said he has looked into the suggested changes. “I am a little concerned about the split in the RM of Morris. The municipality and the town work closely together all the time,” Toews explained. “To split them into different ridings causes some concern.” He added that he is concerned about the removal of the northern portion of his riding but with the steady increase of population within Provencher he is not surprised. “I knew I would lose some of Provencher,” Toews stated. Toews anticipates that officials from both Morris and the municipality will make presentations at upcoming hearings in October to see if they can remain in the same riding. Even though Provencher is anticipated to shrink in physical size, the riding will still have five percent more people than the average riding in the province. Toews hopes the commission will consider looking further into the future when it comes to resizing the riding, as growth is not showing any signs of slowing down. From a political standpoint, Toews said his staff has done a vote analysis and the proposed changes are not expected to affect the conservative voter support system already established.
Over 100 riders joined the community parade in honour of Dustin Reimer and Dana (Keating) Dueck who were both recently killed in tragic motorcycle accidents.
Below: Dancers from Folklorama came out and put on a colorful show for the crowd.
St. Pierre Job Centre had Busy Season The Manitoba Youth Job Centre in St. Pierre-Jolys has closed its doors to another busy season in the area. “This year has been a busy one for the centre, with many students and youth eager to find work for the summer,” stated Natalie, manager of the Manitoba Youth Job Centre in St. Pierre-Jolys. “The Odd Job Squad members were an especially busy bunch this summer.” The Odd Job Squad consisted of students and youth from St. Pierre-Jolys, Grunthal, Kleefeld, Ste. Agathe, Île des Chênes, Tourond and Steinbach. Together, with the help of the office manager, they hosted many events, including the Canada Day Flower Frenzy in two different communities, a Strawberry Pick, a BBQ, the Frog Follies, window painting and washing and lastly, a Labour Raffle. Many other students also found casual, part-time and full-time jobs through the centre’s job referral service this summer.
Photos by Marianne Curtis
Me Love Cookies You know, the thought hit me recently that cookies are awesome. Sure, I’ve always enjoyed a good cookie but that’s about as far as it went. If you really think about it, cookies are an all around great snack food. Notice I said snack food? This does not mean that cookies should be consumed by the bagful and be considered a meal. Following that kind of eating habit may be harmful to your waistline. Some of the things that really make a good cookie awesome would be portability, degree of crumbliness and taste. The portability of a good cookie is such a great thing. You can haul them around in a small bag or just by the handful. You can eat them on the run or while you’re driving down the highway. Try doing that with a steak! (Author’s note: Don’t get me wrong, I also love a good steak but I would find it pretty hard to jog and eat steak at the same time… might even get some barbeque sauce up your nose and cause a crash!). The degree of crumbliness is another thing to think about when considering cookies. A level somewhere between soft and gooey to a fair bit of crispiness is good, go one step past that and you’re left with a lap full of crumbs and no real satisfaction. Now in the case of eating cookies while jogging I guess you’d not have a lap full of crumbs but you’d be leaving a trail of crumbs to follow back on in case you became lost… unless some of the local wildlife finds it first and follows it to its next meal, but then you’d have a whole lot more issues to deal with than crumbs on your clothes. Probably the most important thing about cookies would have to be taste. After all, who wants to eat a bunch of hard lumps of dough that taste like pieces of concrete. Are those raisins or chocolate chips? Neither? Never mind, we pass on that bag of hundred year-old cookies. Cookies, depending on their owner’s preference, can be dipped in milk, tea or coffee to heighten their taste or, in the case of bad tasting cookies, disguise it. You know, thinking back a few years to my childhood, I think that Cookie Monster might’ve had it right all along when he said, “Me love cooookies!” Who knew a blue puppet could be so wise. Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.
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September 2012
More Than Just News!
Local Bikers Raise Funds for Mental Health
Dawson Trail Dispatch
St. Malo Celebrates End of Summer
This pair, race in the 7-9 age group going head to head during the soapbox race finals. Photo by Marianne Curtis
The Rolling Plains Motorcycle Club recently raised $2,000 at a show and shine for the Crisis Stabilization Unit in Steinbach.
The Rolling Plains Motorcycle Association recently stepped forward and hosted a successful fundraiser in support of the region’s mental health program. On August 18, the Rolling Plains Motorcycle Association hosted a Show and Shine that drew about 40 motorcycles. Nearly 400 people came out to attend. According to Terry Sobering, President of the Rolling Plains Motorcycle, the club has hosted fundraising events over the past three years for local groups. This year the club raised another $2,000 for the Crisis Stabilization Centre. “Everyone is touched a little bit by stuff like that,” Sobering explained. “Family, distant relatives or something – there is always somebody that has a bit of an issue.” Last year the group raised $2,000 for the Crisis Stabilization Unit and the year before $1,000 for the Eastman Raiders Football Club.
Social Dancing Comes to Region By Marianne Curtis
Over the September long weekend, thousands of people flocked to St. Malo to participate in the community’s end of summer celebration. Each year the St. Malo Summer Festival grows more popular. The 4-day event kicked off on August 30 with bingo, a scavenger hunt and hot wheel races. The evening ended with a spectacular fireworks display. On Saturday, the day started with a parade followed by the family baseball tournament. There were tons of children’s activities inside the arena while the adults played outdoors. Soapbox races pitted brother against brother and father against son and competition was fierce. At the end of the day, the official kick-off to the Western Canadian Junior B Championship took place with a 50’s and 60’s Dance. On Sunday morning, the community gathered for a pancake breakfast before the soapbox and iron man races took place. The day ended with a community dance at the arena.
Stuartburn Wants Drought Assistance The RM of Stuartburn is going to the government and requesting consideration for a drought assistance program. According to council, the RM of Stuartburn has experienced many hardships in the past 12 months due to warmer than normal weather and less than normal precipitation. No substantial rainfall has occurred this year and every resident of the municipality is being negatively affected. For example, shallow wells are dry forcing residents to dig deeper, also dugouts are dry and cattle have had to be moved to water, noted council. “Pastures are dried up and brown with farmers having to provide feed or sell some of their herd. Hay production this season was approximately 25 percent of normal and while hay from other areas may be available, costs may also be prohibitive,” council added. In addition, drought conditions make more wildfires a certainty and the municipality has suggested owners protect their yard sites, which is another unexpected cost. “Water is a necessity to fight fires by a landowner or a Fire Department,” council stressed. As a result, the municipality has requested the province acknowledge that southeastern Manitoba is experiencing severe drought conditions and that government officials immediately examine the need for establishment of a 2012 Drought Assistance Program. The RM of Stuartburn hopes that a program is established that will at least provide some financial relief to residents and farmers who require a new water source.
A new, revamped dance program is being offered in the community. The Steinbach Arts Council is offering The Dance Floor, a new and completely revamped social dance program, by Debra Ward. Shannon Neufeld, from the Steinbach Arts Council, said that classes would be held at Friedensfeld Community Centre, which is close to home and features a large dance floor. “Social Dance classes are a great way to build confidence as a dancer, and an amazing way to communicate with other dancers,” stated Neufeld. “Learn new dances or brush up on your steps.” With social season about to get into full gear, fourweek sessions or three months of classes are being offered at great discounts. The Dance Floor offers rates that work out to about $9 per class. “This is an amazing price for a social evening,” Neufeld continued. Dance classes for September include the Salsa, East Coast Swing, the Cha Cha and the Night Club Two Step. There are three levels to accommodate all our dancers. A Beginner Level 1 intro course, Beginner Level 2 for those who are confident in their basic steps and Intermediate that is beyond the basics for those with a good understanding of dance and music. Along with the program comes the ability to attend monthly dances. The first one is scheduled to take The Village Connection, a small thrift store in St. Pierre-Jolys, is making place December 6. This event, called the Festive a difference in the community. Seasons Party, will include a potluck dinner and dance. It was recently announced that, over the past year, enough used goods Fall sessions start September 11 and will be on donated to the store has been resold through the store and that the Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Register at the Arts organization was able to dole out 15 grants. Centre or by calling Shannon Neufeld at 204-346-1077. The grants, which total $16,100, range from $2,700 to $200. Some of the organizations that received support were the Frog Follies-Children’s Tent, Camp & Camping Kits, Children in Care Christmas, Parc Carillon-Skateboard and the St. Malo School Hockey program. The Village Connection recently moved to a new location on Main Street in St. Pierre-Jolys. It is open from Tuesday to Friday beginning at 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Donations of used clothing, hardware, books, magazines and kitchen supplies are always needed.
Thrift Store Supporting Community
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Honey Festival Always Abuzz For one day, the community of Kleefeld was abuzz with excitement when they hosted this year’s Honey Festival. Taking place August 25, the event, which celebrated its 42nd year, was jam packed with activities. The day kicked off with a community pancake breakfast followed by the parade. After the parade folks gathered in the park for lunch and a variety of activities including volleyball and basement tournaments, a children’s tent and a silent auction. BMX and Skateboard demos took place at the community skate park. The day ended with the traditional BBQ chicken dinner followed with entertainment by The Reimer6, acapella quartet Mint, The Rock Ridge Pickers and fireworks.
Above: Volunteers worked hard all day to keep the many people in attendance well fed. Above: Just hanging out on the climbing wall that was available during this year’s Kleefeld Honey Festival.
Preparing for Hydro Rate Increases
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Klassen Receives Jubilee Medal On August 30, Leonard Klassen received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. MLA Kelvin Goertzen was on hand to personally present the medal to Klassen for his commitment and involvement with the South Eastman Rotary Club in raising money for worthy causes, marking his significant lifetime contribution to the community. Klassen has been involved in the business community for over 30 years and with the Wealth Management Team at Klassen Financial Services, specializes in Farm and Business Succession Planning, Buy/Sell Agreements, Key Man Insurance, Individual and Corporate Financial Planning, Group Benefits and Life Insurance. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
New Faces within Ste. Anne Police
There has been a major staffing turnover in the Ste. Anne Police Department. According to Marc Robichaud, Chief of Police, the last few months have seen a significant change in staffing. Sergeant Randy Chudyk retired and has been replaced by Sergeant Doug Davis. Davis comes to Ste. Anne with over 35 years of experience with the Photos by Marianne Curtis Ontario Provincial Police. Constable Jonathan Goertzen and Constable Kelly Dayment have also moved on. Goertzen took a position with the Morden Police and Dayment joined the Ottawa Police force. They have been replaced by Cadet Constable Jordon Taman and Cadet Constable Bradley Wiebe. Both of them graduated from the Ontario Police College. “They will be working with regular officers for four months during their field training,” Robidaud explained. Three new officers are also in training including I did a recent modification to my solar thermal system and it has paid back Cadet Constable Mark Legal, Cadet Constable Dylan in spades. My hydro bills reflect a 30 percent drop in consumption over the Hill and Cadet Constable Scott Badiuk. “Once these officers return from training they will same 3 months the previous year. Since I made conserving energy a hobby after I built my home in 2007, I have slashed my consumption in half and be in a casual role with the organization to assess since I started advising other like minded people full time, I have cut my their abilities and determine who will move into full consumption in half again. time positions,” Robidaud added. “Funding for the New products like LED lighting and energy monitoring make it easy for training of these new officers has been supplied by anyone to get started with a small budget and realize a fast payback. The first the Department of Justice.” step in this journey to a greener lifestyle is to stop wasting energy. In addition, the Ste. Anne Police Department has In the past year, we have seen the movement towards green products come hired Constable Tyler Delaronde to a full time from all sectors including commercial and residential applications. Lorena and position. I have designed solar park lights and solar bill board systems with off grid and Currently the Ste. Anne Police Department has an grid tie applications. This has allowed us to improve our buying power and allotment for four full time positions and one casual offer the best value for LEDs and solar panels, and we are always increasing position. our product line to offer more products like solar powered electric fencers and year round solar watering systems for livestock. This fall we will be offering a free seminar called “Greening my World 101” at our Mitchell location. We want to keep the group small, about 10 people, but we will have as many seminars as people are willing to attend. Watch for our advertising or email us to book your spot. Not only will I share with you the results and numbers that I have saved in my home, but also I can answer all your questions on how you can get started “a baby step at a time” and green your world. In Manitoba, we see a 2.5 percent increase in our hydro rates as of September 1 and another 3.5 percent on the table for April 1, 2013. In Canada, the national average on hydro power rate increase is 6 percent. Manitoba and Quebec are subsidizing rates, keeping them artificial low. In Alberta, where the rates are set by the market conditions, they pay twice what we pay and maybe even 3 times more, depending on where you live. The NWT pays 46 cents Kw and people have been told to prepare themselves for 56 cents a Kw by 2015. The demand for electricity is expected to increase 60 percent in the next 10 years. The grid is vulnerable to this increased demand and is getting tired and very costly to maintain. Having a solar system with battery storage is the only cost effective way to go. You can hedge yourself against future price increases by installing a system with a 20-year life span.
Right: A beach volleyball tournament was part of the many events that took place during the Kleefeld Honey Festival.
September 2012
Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen presented Leonard Klassen with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedication to the community.
was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne and is being awarded to Canadians who have impacted their communities or their country.
September 2012
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More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Tache Reverses Re-zoning in Landmark
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 204-320-4600 or online The RM of Tache has reversed its earlier decision steinbach55plus.com. Membership at Steinbach 55 Plus is only $20 per year due in January of to re-zone almost two dozen properties along Main Street in Landmark. each year for those 55 years of age and older. The properties in question were re-zoned several months ago from residential to commercial. In March, Up and Coming Events for Fall: the RM of Tache council was confronted by over a dozen homeowners after it was discovered their We are hosting an indoor-outdoor yard sale Friday, September 21, 4 - 7 properties had been re-zoned, allegedly without their pm and Saturday, September 22, 10 am – 4 pm. Indoor tables $10, outdoor knowledge. parking stall $5 (no table). For dirty or gas powered items Call 320-4600 to While the re-zoning itself raised questions, reserve your table. Friday set up will be 1 - 4 pm and clean up Saturday by residents are further outraged to discover the change 4:30 pm. Baked goods welcome. may have compromised their homeowner’s insurance coverage. As a result, the RM of Tache revisited their zoning Monthly Programs plan and recently reversed their decision. A total of Single Ladies’ Night Out: The first Friday of the month at 5 pm. Enjoy 22 properties have been re-zoned from commercial to residential. supper out at a local restaurant. Call the centre for the place to meet. Resident Hetty Penner is pleased with the zoning 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. change. “This is more or less what we wanted,” stated Book an appointment. Pot Luck Supper: The second Thursday of every month at 6 pm. Meat Penner. “The RM of Tache should never have and beverages are provided. Cost: $5 per person. Bring along a casserole, changed the zoning to begin with.” Penner and Landmark resident David Sutherland salad or desert. Reserve your seat. Birthday Party: The first Wednesday of the month. All members with a were both instrumental in forcing the RM of Tache birthday are invited for complimentary cake and coffee. Guests are asked to deal with the situation. The pair separately approached the municipality in the spring after it to pay $2. Entertainment provided. Beltone Hearing: The third Friday of each month. Call 1-800-661-2653 for was discovered the properties had been re-zoned. Sutherland said he is still concerned about the fact appointment. that residents were not properly notified about the Brain Injury Support Group: First meeting will be September 24. changes in the first place but he is pleased the process has been reversed.
Weekly Programs
Monday
9:30 - 10:30 am Fitness Class with DVD 1 pm Canasta 7:30 - 8:45 pm Tai Chi Tuesday 8:30 am - 3 pm Circle of Friends Wednesday 9:30 – 10:30 am Fitness Class 9 - 11:30 am Tai Chi 10:30 am Choir Practice 1 pm - 4 pm Cribbage 1:30 pm Floor curling 7 pm Old Time Country Band Practice Thursday 1 - 4 pm Bridge and Whist 1:30 pm Wii bowling Friday 8:30 - 3 pm Circle of Friends Noon meals are available Monday through Friday. Cost $5. Call 204-3204605 by 9 am to reserve your meal for that day. Purchase your meal ticket at the receptionist desk before noon. Monthly menus available at the office or in the newsletter. Bring a friend.
Monday to Friday 1 - 4 pm – Billiards 9 am - 12 pm and 1 - 4 pm - Computer Lab. Cost $1. 9 am - 12 pm - Lessons with Alex Cupples Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and setting tables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up, greeters, receptionists. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice in business meetings, voting rights, and eligibility to serve on the board or committees. 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.
Piney Residents Go to Polls On September 18, some RM of Piney residents will be heading to the polls to elect a new Ward 4 councillor. The by-election was called after the sudden resignation of Mike Patrick, who was elected during the last municipal election. Three candidates have stepped forward to vie for the vacancy, including two familiar faces. Doug Laing, who ran for Reeve during the last municipal election, has put in his name. William Eckert also returns for a second try at the seat after he was defeated by Patrick in the last election and John Starway, has been named as the third contender. Voters can cast their ballots on September 18 from 8 am to 8 pm at the Sprague Community Hall in Sprague. An advance poll will be held September 12 from 8 am to 8 pm at the RM of Piney council chambers in Vassar.
Tache Deals with Owner of Dog The RM of Tache has ordered a Lorette resident to erect a fence and keep her dog restrained after a resident came forward with a dangerous dog complaint. According to council, two area residents made complaints against a female mastiff type dog at a residence on Dawson Road in Lorette. The dog, described as a tan colored female mastiff, allegedly attacked a woman and her dog while she was cycling past the property. The RM of Tache sent Angelo Cianflone, the RM of Tache’s animal control officer, to the site of the alleged attack because this was the second complaint against this animal. “It is Mr. Cianflone’s opinion that the dog in question does not pose a threat to people. However, it probably poses a threat to other animals,” stated council. “Mr. Cianflone recommends that a fence is constructed and that the one aggressive dog of the three remains tied up at all times when outdoors.” As a result, the municipality gave the dog owner three weeks to construct a 5-foot high chain-link fence around her property with a secure gate so the animal can no longer run at large.
Co-op Expands Further in St. Malo Over the past few months, residents in St. Malo have seen several changes to retail options after the Ste. Anne Co-op officially expanded services offered in the community. At the beginning of July, the company took over Coulombe Grocery Store that was located right beside the Co-op on Main Street in St. Malo. The new space has allowed the Co-op to expand the grocery portion of the business in one building and focus on hardware type items in the second building. A third expansion took place in August when they took over the Diamondback Gas Bar located in the Maison-Chappel, located near the entrance of the St. Malo Provincial Park. Nearly a year ago, manager Rene Robidoux was
Ste. Anne Co-op has taken over the Maison-Chappel, located at the corner of Hwy 59 outside of St. Malo. A temporary station that had been set up on Main Street is now closed. Photo by Marianne Curtis
granted permission by the RM of De Salaberry to set up a temporary gas station for his business in St. Malo. The application was granted to establish a temporary gas bar complete with above ground storage tanks after the community’s only gas station closed a few months earlier. This temporary station is now closed.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
September 2012
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Stimulating Our Memory 2 Peter 1:12-21. 12) So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13) I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, … 16) We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (NIV1984) When I was a young person I often did strange things to find out if God was telling me or granting me permission to do whatever it was that I wanted to do, and whether I should do them. I would flip a coin, heads meant yes, tails meant no. If I got tails, well then sometimes I would go two out of three. When buying a car, if there was a used green Ford car on the lot that meant God was telling me to go ahead and buy that car. Other times I would check fortune cookies and all sorts of other silly things to find out if God would approve. Why did I do that? Well, deep down in my heart I guess I was searching for the truth. I wanted to know what would happen, say, five, ten years from now. I wanted to know if it was the right thing to do. I do not think my motives were all that wrong. I was just looking in the wrong places because I know now that God does not come to us through cookies or the flip of a coin. In our Scripture text the apostle Peter is telling us that he wants to bring back the truths which we sometimes forget, even though we are firmly established in the truth. Peter reminds us that the Lord Jesus Christ had shown him that his days here on earth were numbered, and that he was soon to die. But Peter said, “As long as I am still here I intend to keep sending reminders to you about the return of Christ.” His desire is to refresh our thinking because sometimes there are certain things we might not want to remember, truths that may irritate us and things that get under our skin. So we toss that truth into the trash bin of our minds, move it aside … just get it out of the way. The apostle is not scolding us, there are no accusations; he compliments us for knowing the truth and his desires are that he would do everything possible to inspire that thinking. However, while Peter was living, he wanted to ensure that the truth of Christ would grow in us. When the apostle Peter was walking on the face of the earth the dissenters were already there, just like today. These folks had stopped believing that Christ would return some day, and that Peter did not have the authority to tell them what they should believe and what they should not believe. They said that the second coming of Christ was a myth, it would never happen. Peter wrote, “That he had been an eye-witness of Christ’s majesty, and Christ’s suffering.” He reminds us that by faith we can see the cross, by faith we die with Christ to sin, and by faith we were there at His resurrection. When we wonder if God approves, what should we do? How do I know what the truth is? How can we apply what has been said to a better understanding of Scripture? The apostle Peter is saying that the Holy Spirit had been working through the ancient prophets to write as they were directed by the Holy Spirit and that no Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation. I believe we have folks today who have spent a lifetime studying the Holy Scriptures and that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit put into print “study guides, books and, papers” as the Holy Spirit opened their minds to the Word of God in “the Bible,” so people like you and I can use that information to help us understand whether God approves of our motives and actions. 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.
Vote for Best Customer Service Nominations for the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards may have closed August 31, but the public is asked to have their say by visiting the Chamber website to vote for the business they believe most deserves the Customer Service Award. Public voting begins mid-September. The Chamber annually seeks nominations in four categories: Business of the Year, Customer Service, Community Involvement, and Future Leader. The nomination process is open to all and the Chamber encourages the public to nominate a business they feel deserves recognition. The Awards will be presented at the Annual General Meeting at Mennonite Heritage Village, Thursday, November 8.
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September 2012
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Sexual Assault Abductors on the Loose
Joint Accounts: Proceed with Caution A recent situation with a client prompted me to rewrite this article that I had written a few years ago. A joint account between spouses is not the topic of this article. An individual passed away with no spouse and no children and no will; the beneficiaries of the estate are two siblings. One of the accounts was joint, with one of the siblings (there are other assets left to the estate). Although the intention was not documented. It appears the money was intended to be left to this sibling and his/her family because of the close relationship for many years. The bank told my client that since the account was joint with right of survivorship; he/she can change the account into his/her name only. Unfortunately, the other sibling disagrees. Moreover, the lawyer bills start running up. And the heartache starts. Compounding the issue is the lack of a Will. My client applied to become the administrator of the estate, but the other sibling is resisting. So now, it’s more than 16 months since the death of the individual and still no legal representative has been appointed. I have assisted in filing the tax returns (two) since the individual’s passing; but with no legal representative, it’s difficult to get the estate wound up. I discuss joint accounts most often with my senior clients. It’s normally when they have become widowed and want to make their entire accounts joint with one of their children. There are many reasons for wanting to have an account joint with an adult child or another person. The usual reason is for convenience. If the parent or original owner becomes ill or unable to do normal banking, they want their child or another person to be able to do so for them. Often this works just fine; and the child does manage the account just as the parent would. Remember that Joint with Right of Survivorship means both parties have 100% ownership of the account or asset. Yes, the child or other person has the right to access all of the money. And these assets may be targeted by the child’s (or joint holder’s) ex-spouse or creditors. There is another way an individual can have the same convenience without making the account joint. A bank’s power of attorney form can be completed at your bank and the individual you name as your attorney will be able to complete almost all banking transactions that you could do without it needing to be joint. During my 16 years working at a major bank, I assisted many clients in completing these forms and the accounts operated well. The Power of Attorney has a duty to use the money in the best interest of the account owner. If the account is not operated properly, (he/she takes all your money) you can sue your child! You have no legal rights to sue if you made it joint! If you have assets at more than one bank or they are substantial, you may want to have a formal Power of Attorney form drawn up by a lawyer. Banks must honour these forms (may take extra time as they refer the document to their legal counsel, but it will be put in place). When the individual passes away, the power of attorney stops and the named individual no longer has access to the account. The account is frozen until the estate is finalized or the funds are transferred to an estate account. Most banks do allow some bills to be paid from this frozen account. When dealing with deceased clients’ accounts at the bank we often paid utility bills, property taxes, and funeral bills with funds in the account so the family was not “stuck with the bills until the estate was finalized”. If the account with one financial institution is small, the bank may authorize the release to the beneficiary by having a declaration signed. The bank may not require the Will be “probated”. (Probated means the courts acknowledge the legal Will and all parties know the Will is legal and the one to be used.) If the account had been made joint instead of a power of attorney, the survivor could request the account be changed to his/her name only and those funds are not
Recreation Commission Appoints New Facilitator The Rat River Recreation Commission has appointed a new Recreation and Wellness Facilitator. The Commission has named Katrine Lévesque as the new Recreation and Wellness Facilitator. She will facilitate the delivery of public recreation services to further the growth and development of the communities and individuals in the RM of De Salaberry and the Village of St. Pierre-Jolys. Lévesque is available to meet with members of the community to share ideas and input into projects for the coming year. She can be found upstairs in the St. PierreJolys Town office or by calling 204-712-7773 or at ratriverrecreationcommission@gmail.com.
Hanover Hires New Bylaw Officer The RM of Hanover has hired a new bylaw enforcement officer for the municipality. As of the end of July, the municipality has hired Brian Brunelle as the new municipal bylaw enforcement officer on a 6-month trial basis commencing July 18. His contract will be reviewed in January 2013 before it is renewed. Brunelle is also currently active as bylaw officer for the RM of Ste. Anne.
frozen. As a bank, the joint account is treated exactly as it is: “joint ownership with rights of survivorship”, meaning the survivor(s) of the account have the right to the money. So what are the problems with joint accounts? The main problem is what is the intention of the joint account? As a parent or account holder, did you intend to leave that account to the child or joint owner after your passing? Or was it intended for convenience only and those funds now become part of the estate to be shared with all of your beneficiaries? Many family disputes have occurred because the parent (or original owner) did not write down the intention of the account. One child may say, “Mom wanted me to have that money for helping her all these years.” And yet the other children may say, “That’s not what Mom wanted,” and the lawyer bills start adding up. If you insist on having a joint account (with someone other than your spouse), you need to put in writing your intention of the joint account: “I have created a joint account (list the account number and financial institution) with my child, Sally, for convenience purposes only, to assist with my banking when I cannot do so. Once I pass away these funds are to be part of my entire estate and distributed according to my Will.” Or: “I have created a joint account with my child, Sally, with the intention that she receive these funds as a gift once I pass away. These funds are not intended to be part of my estate.” Or: “I have created a joint account with my children, Sally and Sam, with the intention these monies be available easily and used to pay for my funeral and other estate costs. If not entirely used, it should be included in my estate and distributed according to my Will.” These handwritten documents are not part of your Will, they are a separate document to be kept in a safe place and yet accessible by your executor(s). Keep your original in a safe place at your home or safe deposit box and make copies to give your child (or the joint account holder) and the executor(s), and your other children or beneficiaries so everyone knows your intentions. Keep a copy or the original with your Will. You should also give a copy to your bank. Although these handwritten documents are not legally binding, they may avoid a lot of headaches (family feuds) and costs (lawyers can help sort it out for a fee, of course, and it could take years). Another problem with joint accounts is actual theft by the joint owner. And if the child joint holder has marital problems – will the spouse have a right to some of this money? What if your joint owner has money problems – because they are a 100% owner, the creditors may come after this money! If a client insists on having an account joint with a child, I recommend just one chequing account with not too much money in it (not all of your savings). Yes, it may cost your estate more in probate fees and lawyer fees when you pass on, but the risks of putting everything in joint names may cost much more than the fees after your death. And the heartache you may put some of your beneficiaries through is not worth it! If you have questions, about joint accounts or other estate planning situations please give me a call. Better to be prepared for any situation. I have seen families in dispute (and not talking to each other) over very small amounts, so the size of the estate doesn’t matter. Anni Markmann is a Certified Financial Planner, a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging and Tax Expert living, working, and volunteering in our community. Contact her at 204-422-6631, annimarkmann@mymts.net or 36 Dawson Road in Ste. Anne.
Funding Available to Build Healthy Communities Southern Regional Health Authority is offering one to three year funding of up to $10,000 per year on partnership-based community-led projects that support healthy living. Communities are invited to submit a funding application for projects that address an important need identified, initiated and led by the community. Funding applies to projects that aim to improve the health and well-being of the local community, target priority populations most at risk for chronic disease, have support from various organizations or groups within the community to ensure ownership and commitment to the project and promote long-lasting effects and benefits to community health. There will be two opportunities to apply for this funding provided through the Healthy Together Now program. Application deadlines will be October 1 and January 11. Communities can access the application package online at sehealth.mb.ca - under Quick Links on the left hand side, select Healthy Living & Health Promotion, and select Healthy Together Now. All community initiatives must meet the project criteria as outlined in Appendix 1 described on the website.
Man Nabbed for Assault
On August 12, at about 12:30 pm StPierre-Jolys RCMP located a teenage female youth walking westbound on the Trans Canada Hwy near Deacon’s corner. The female youth advised RCMP officers that she was riding her bicycle when she was abducted from the Grunthal area at about 7 pm on August 11 by three men in a red Honda Civic. The victim disclosed that she was driven to a secluded area about 15 minutes out of Grunthal where she was sexually assaulted by the men. After the assault she was driven to Highway 1 where she was dropped off. The suspects are described as: - Suspect #1 has long blond hair, piercing on left ear, beard, hazel eyes, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans - Suspect #2 has brown, short, scruffy hair, has a mustache wearing a red shirt and blue jeans - Suspect #3 has brown hair, green eyes, wearing a black shirt and blue jeans The attackers were unknown to her. Anyone with any information on this matter is asked to call the RCMP St. Pierre Jolys Detachment at 204-4337433. If you wish to remain anonymous you can also call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or SUBMIT a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or TEXT: TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Drug Traffickers Nabbed in Steinbach On August 11 the Steinbach RCMP executed a search warrant at an apartment complex located at 5-284 McKenzie Avenue in Steinbach. During the search, 40 grams of marihuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, a significant quantity of magic mushrooms, illegal pills, and stolen property along with a quantity of cash and other drug paraphernalia were seized. An 18-year-old male and a 21-yearold female from Steinbach were arrested for possession of an illegal substance for the purpose of trafficking contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Three other adult males (two 28 and one 44 years old), and one adult female (24) were also in the residence and they were arrested for possession of an illegal substance contrary to the CDSA. All the above individuals were released from custody and will be appearing in Provincial Court in Steinbach at a later date. Of the above individuals, Kyle Barker (18) has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking. Charges are pending on the other individuals involved in this incident.
On August 16, at around 3 pm the Steinbach RCMP received a report of an assault that occurred at a business in the north end of Steinbach. It is alleged that an adult male struck another adult male in the upper body before leaving the area. The suspect was known to police and had a history of past violence and resulted in a multi-vehicle response by police. The suspect was located at a nearby business and was arrested without incident. There were no serious injuries as a result of this incident and the matter is still under investigation.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
COMMUNITY EVENTS EMAIL YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT TO EDITOR@DAWSONTRAIL.CA OR FAX 204-422-8548
Paradise Village East Braintree Midwinter Heritage Site Flea Market and Farmers’ Market on Paradise Squares Dance club - new season on Tuesday, Saturday, September 22 from 11 am – 4 pm. Borscht & Bun & September 11 at 7:30 pm, free Open House at the Rec. Hall. Boggy River Tea for $3.00. Crafters welcome. For table rentals, Modern Square Dancing is fun and a great social activity and held Tuesday evenings from 7:30 - 10 pm. Coffee and call Alex at 204 426 5282 or 204-426-5510. doughnuts. Contact Del or Yvonne at 204-422-4167. Ile -des-Chênes Annual Fall Supper - Sunday, October 14 from 3 – 7:30 pm at Piney the IDC Rec. Centre. Huge Prize Raffle. Collection for local Bingo - Every 2nd Friday. Food Bank and support Seine River Minor Baseball. Tickets are adults $12, seniors and students $10, children 4-10 $5 Richer and 3 & under free. Contact Yvette Bernat at 204-878-2661, Monday Night Bingos - to raise funds for Stacey Pchajek Jennifer St. Laurent at 204-388-6332 or email Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating idcfallsupper@hotmail.ca. grades 8 and 12. Children Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open Kleefeld Community Playgroup - for parents, caregivers and children at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club in Richer. MGCC License ages 0-5. Activities include time for playing, stories, songs and # BI/BO4164. Contact: Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 or email snacks. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Kleefeld doreen@spmf.ca. Rec Centre. Contact Irene Ascough 377-5013. Sprague Bingo - Every 2nd Wednesday. La Broquerie Saint Joachim Roman Catholic Parish Supper – On Sunday, September 9 from 4 - 5 pm hosted by the Saint Joachim Roman St. Pierre-Jolys Catholic Parish at the La Broquerie Arena. Contact 424-5332. Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba – Support group meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7 pm. La Broquerie Hockey Registration - at the La Broquerie Arena Located at the Health Corner DeSalaberry Hospital. Contact Judy Dunn 444-5228. on Wednesday, September 12 from 7 – 9 pm. Firefighters Burn Fund Texas Scramble Charity Tournament – on Sunday, September 16 at La Verendrye Golf. All proceeds raised will continue to go to the Firefighter Burn Fund. Contact 204-424-5046 or email info@lavgolf.ca.
Ste. Agathe Community Garage Sale - on Friday, September 7 from 3 - 8 pm and Saturday, September 8 from 9 am - 3 pm at the Ste. Agathe Arena, 276 Bourret Street. Household, furniture, appliances, toys, baby items, books, electronics and more. Rent a table fee $25. Contact for drop off items or table rent, Marcella Lemoine 204-997-1015 or cellag@mts.net. Profits to support the Daycare Construction Project of Le Coin Magique Inc.
Footloose Teen Dance - For grades 6-12 on Friday, September 14 at the 55 Plus Centre. Parents can drop off their kids to a safe environment. No alcohol or smoking permitted. Adult supervision. There will be coat/jacket/bag check and a security checked before going in. Music by Summer Bounce. (Normally held in Friendensfeld).
September 2012 Meetup Group for Women Solo-Entreprenuer group helps you connect with other women who are passionate about growing their business, led by Doreen Penner and meets monthly for 1 hour. Free, except for food and beverage. Contact and to register Doreen at 392-2698.
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Man Dies after Fatal Vehicle Roller Over On September 1 just after 1 pm, the
Steinbach AA 12 Step Recovery Program - Meetings are held Protect Those Apples... Make An Apple Cozy- At the Jake Epp on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Steinbach United Church, 541 Main St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP as well as local emergency services were dispatched to Library on Saturday, September 15 at 11 am and make a St. Ring the front door bell. the scene of a single vehicle rollover protective ‘cozy’ for your fruit. Register in advance. Cost is $1.00 per cozy. For age 7 & up. Young moms to be - Bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pm collision in the RM of De Salaberry, on at Anna’s House B-11, Hwy 12N. Contact 346-0413. Gosselin road, south of St. Malo. Shopping Trips - Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month, leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of the month, leaving at 10 am - 1 pm. Cost $10.
Vita Spaghetti Supper & Entertainment Fundraiser- Vita Community Child Care Centre on Saturday, September 8 at the Vita Hall Supper begins 6 pm followed by entertainment with Corny Rempel as Elvis, Helen Riha (Classical Country Performer), Supper From the Field - On Sunday, September 16 during Nick, Ruth & Ron (Local Performers) Admission Adults - $10, Open Farm Day at the Mennonite Heritage Village from 4 – 6-12 yrs - $5, 5 & under – free. Rainbow Auction and Arctic Cat 8 pm. An autumn feast celebrating the local flavours of Manitoba, Raffle. creatively prepared by a team of Chefs with the Canadian Culinary Federation. Two sittings will be held: 4 and 6 pm. Vita Arena Community Garage Sale - All day Saturday, Contact 204-326-9661. Adult: $25, Children 5-12: $15, September 8 from 10 am – 6 pm Vita Community Recreation Children 4 and under free. Proceeds going to Charity. Centre Inc. Contact Kim 425-3162, David 371-7086 email artist@mts.net to arrange for pick up or drop off of your Steinbach Girl Guides - Every Tuesday, starting September 18 unwanted household goods. Items will be gratefully accepted at the United Church of Steinbach, 541 Main St. Registration up to Friday night September 7. All proceeds go to the for girls 5-17. Develop personal values and well-being, self- maintenance of the Community Recreation Centre. respect and respect for others; promote fun, friendship, adventure and challenges through new experiences; develop Woodridge leadership and decision-making skills; give service to the Bingo - Every 2nd Sunday night at 7 pm. community; value the natural environment. Whiteshell- South Fundraiser for Cash Friesen and Family - Cash Friesen is a 2- The Forest Resource - Free Park Entry for this long weekend year-old boy who was recently diagnosed with 2 fast growing only. Bannock Bake September 2, at White Lake. Contact 204cancers in the form of a deep tissue brain tumor. He will require 369-3157 or 369-3157, email Sloan.Cathcart@gov.mb.ca extensive physiotherapy after the chemotherapy course is or go online at ManitobaParks.com. complete. At AD Penner Park Sunday, September 30 from 1 – 8 pm. Tickets are on sale for $20 includes supper and General entertainment. Contact Cindy at cindy.froese@yahoo.com or The Super Start Program, A Healthy Baby program run through 204-392-7282 or Lisa at 204-371-7998 to make donations or South Eastman Health/Sante-Est Inc., will be holding a silent auction items. monthly group session. This is a program for pregnant women and families with infants up to one year of age. Each session Marianne Curtis Book Reading - At Jake Epp Library on includes song and rhyme time, discussions and games on Wednesday, September 26 at 7 pm, Marianne Curtis, head topics related to healthy babies and healthy moms. Included writer of the Dawson Trail Dispatch will be joining us in the are door prizes, nutritious snacks and milk coupons for all multi-purpose room. She has written her first book, “Finding participating expectant moms or mothers who have babies up Gloria” and will read excerpts from her book. Please join us for to six months of age. Next month our session will be held at: a memorable evening. Contact Jake Epp Library Tracey Pankratz Blumenort –Thursday, September 6 from 10 am - 12 pm at the 204-326-6841 or email programming @jakeepplibrary.com. Blumenort EMC Church Mitchell - Thursday, September 27 from 10 am - 12 pm at the Canadian Blood Services Steinbach Clinic - Blood donor clinic, Mitchell Community Fellowship Thursday, September 13 and 20, from 2 pm- 8 pm at the Niverville – Tuesday, September 11 from 10 am - 12 pm at the Steinbach E.M.C. 422 Main St. Niverville Community Fellowship on 3rd Ave. Ste. Anne – Wednesday, September 12 from 10 am – 12 pm Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis Canada Manitoba Chapter invites at the Ste. Anne Dayspring Fellowship Church you to an Educational presentation on Osteoporosis on Tuesday Kleefeld – Thursday, September 13 from 10 am - 12 pm at the September 18 from 7 – 9 pm at the 55 Plus Centre #10 Kleefeld Recreation Centre Chrysler Gate. RSVP Linda Rigaux 204-612-6484 St. Pierre-Jolys – Thursday, September 20 from 10 am - 12 pm lrigaux@osteoporosis.ca. in the St. Pierre Health Corner, 354 Prefontaine Ave. Ste. Agathe - Tuesday, September 25 from 10 am - 12 pm at Seniors (60 +) Shinny Drop-in Hockey - every Monday from the Ste. Agathe Hall 10 -11 am at Centennial Arena. Contact Bob Barrow at 392- St. Malo - Wednesday, September 19 from 10 am - 12 pm at 3596 or email bob.r.barrow@gmail.com. the St. Malo School Lorette – Wednesday, September 26 from 10 am – 12 pm at The Steinbach Rotary Club - meets every Monday at noon at the Community Services Building(next to the pharmacy) the Smitty’s Family Restaurant, 145 Park Road West. Contact Contact: Terry from Super Start at 346-7021 or just drop in. Cornie at 326-3155. Free monthly bus trips to the casinos of Winnipeg for a fun day Mental health information and support sessions - for family at the Casinos. Pick up in Steinbach at 8:30 am, Ste. Anne and and friends of people with mental health issues are held the Paradise Village at approximately 9 am. Must be 18 years of 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Eden East age or older. Prizes and $10 cash for everyone. Bingo on the building, 21 Loewen Blvd. Contact Kim at 371-0824 or email bus. Call Marilyn at 204-326-4939 for date information and to eastmanmss@mts.net reserve your bus seat. Next scheduled trips Tuesdays, September 11, October 16, and November 13. MS Monthly Self-Help group meeting - for people living with multiple sclerosis. The group meets on the second Thursday Canada’s Longest Yard Sale - Hosted by Eastman Tourism on evening of each month from 6 - 7 pm at Fernwood Place Friday, September 7 - 9 starting at 8 am in Eastern Manitoba. apartments. Contact Nadine Konyk, Rural Client Services Over 300 km in the region. Is it possible for shoppers to cover Coordinator at 1-800-268-7582 or email the entire route in one day? A list of the registered yard sale nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. locations will be posted on the website eastmantourism.ca/ whats-happening/yardsale.html. Keep watch for yellow MS Lunch Group- on fourth Thursday of every month, from 12 balloons identifying yard sale locations. Send us a tweet – 1 pm at the Village Green Restaurant. Contact Nadine Konyk, @EastmanTourism, share photos of a unique treasure. Contact Rural Client Services Coordinator 326-1434 or email Eastman Tourism - Coordinator at admin@eastmantourism.ca nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. or call 204-451-1757.
safeTALK Workshop - Southern Regional Health Authority is offering a half-day workshop, open to everyone (15 years and older) on Thursday, September 27 from 8:30 am – 12 pm at Southern RHA, 94 Principal Street, La Broquerie (Conference Room). To help you identify persons with thoughts of suicide and how to connect them to suicide first aid resources in Ste. Anne Manitoba. Cost: $15.00 (includes refreshments). Contact Loni Bibliothèque Ste Anne Library Used Book Fundraiser – Sale of huge selection of used book proceeds will be used towards 204-346-7041. Indicate if under 18 when registering. new library books. For further information call Mona at 422Wii Love Seniors Bowling Challenge – Invitation to everyone 9958 or drop in at the library at 16 Rue de l’Église. Cost of to this event. The first challenge is in La Broquerie on books $1-$5. Wednesday, October 3 from 1 -3 pm. There will be 5 Wednesday challenges in different towns including La Broquerie, Lorette, Bud, Spud & Steak Night - for the Ste. Anne Splash Pad & Ste-Anne and St. Adolphe and then one more day of fun to end Skateboard Park on Friday, September 7 at the Ste. Anne it all. Refreshments provided. We ask that each person donate Curling Club from 5 – 8 pm. Tickets $20 (vegetarian option – a Loonie. Contact Juliette at 204-424-5285 or Denise at 204- Salmon) and $5 for kids (chips, hotdog, drink). Silent auction and 50/50 draw. Advance tickets at the Old #12 Diner or call 883-2880. Jamie at 204-371-6093. Landmark Waffle Breakfast Fundraiser - On Saturday, September 15 Ste Anne Curling Registration - Register or get information from 9 – 11 am, funds being raised for the purchase of small about the Ste Anne Curling Club on Tuesday, September 18 items that will be sold to support Samaritan’s Purse OCC from 5:30 – 8 pm; accepting for all leagues: men, women, (Operation Christmas Child) Landmark Shoebox Store at the mixed, youth. Contact Linda Buss 422-9959. Kinsmen Community Centre - Arena Road and 210. Culture Days/Fete de la Culture - National awareness campaign of arts and cultural life at the Club Jovial, Central Ave. Starting Lorette 4th Annual Metis Cultural Event – Hosted by the Lorette Metis Friday, September 28. On Sept. 28 from 6 - 9 pm - bring your Local on Saturday, September 15 from 7:30 pm to 12:30 at the arts or crafts for display in the hall. On Sept 29 and 30 from10 Lorette Parish Hall, Dawson Road. Featuring Patti Lamoureaux am - 6 pm the free event opens to public. Contact Yvonne (Kusturok), the 3 time Canadian Grand Master Fiddling champ, Boulianne at 204-422-8821 for more information. 3 time North America Fiddling Champ and 1st Women & 1st Western Canadian to win Grand Master, Alex Lamoureaux, the Seine River Services for Seniors – Invite all seniors interested 2 time British Columbia Champion and 2010 Manitoba Fiddling in the Wii Bowling game to come and try it out and have fun. Champion. Advance Ticket Sales only, $12.50. Contact Lorraine Starting in September, Monday afternoons, at Le Club Jovial. 204-878-3704, Rene 204-298-9887 or Merle 204-878-3213. We would like to form six teams and spares are in need. Contact: Juliette Rowan at 204-424-5575 Community Resource Silent Auction, Door Prize, Lunch and 50/50 Draw. Coordinator for local Ste. Anne services or e-mail labseinerss@gmail.com. Mitchell Breakfast and Social - every Tuesday morning, 7:30 - 9:00 am except the last Tuesday of the month when the social is held Ste. Geneviève instead. Lunch starts at noon at the Mitchell and Area Seniors Library Night - Bibliothèque Taché Library at the Community Centre on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. From 6:30 Centre. Contact 326-6944. – 8 pm. Selection of books in both French and English, all ages. Over 21,000 books including audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, Niverville Recreation and Wellness Showcase – Wednesday, September large print books and magazines plus they can import books 12 from 5 – 8 pm. Fall Sports Participants and Sports Groups from any library in Manitoba. Special requests can be made to Registrations for the 4 th annual Showcase. Contact the librarian, Brandi Schmitz at 204-878-9488, bibliotachelibrary.com or in person. recreation@whereyoubelong or 388-4078. Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba individual and support groups - for persons experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, Imagine Run –Run or Walk on Saturday September 22 at Steinbach bi-polar disorder and other mental health/emotional concerns. Hespler Park. Race Kit Pickup on Thursday, September 20 from Put Some Roses in That Bed - Steinbach & Area Garden Club Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Jake Epp 4 - 8 pm John Henry Banquet Hall, 10 Cedar Drive (East end meeting on Monday, September 10 at 7 pm at the Mennonite Library from 7 – 9 pm. Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228. of Main Street). Half Marathon ($80) or 5k ($25) or 10k ($55) Heritage Village. Guest speaker - Fran Werschler from the plus process fee Proceeds from this race will benefit the Eden Prairie Garden Committee to speak and answer questions South Eastman Transition Initiative - presents Green Drinks Health Care Services. Contact Celia Zurbyk 204-298 - 9969 or about growing roses. Reminder to members, annual perennial South Eastman. Drop in on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at exchange – bring a perennial receive a perennial. email czurbyk@cbcra-acrcb.org. 7 pm at Lecoka 5-275 Main Street and grab a coffee and discuss sustainable living. Contact Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with children up to age six. Big Bike Ride - Heart and Stroke Foundation in Manitoba. Its rebecca_hiebert@yahoo.com. Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 am located in the lower Big Bike season in Steinbach. On Tuesday, September 11, ride level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62 4th Avenue S.). Free to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation and you could win The Bethesda Regional Healthcare Auxiliary - meets on the drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, along with a trip to Hawaii. Register and Contact 1-888-473-4636. first Tuesday of every month at the Bethesda Hospital. We a large open space for the kids to play while the moms visit. welcome anyone interested in auxiliary work. Contact Verna Partnership Strategies - The Women’s Business Network on Thiessen at 326-3028. Contact Karen at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com. Wednesday September 12 breakfast meeting at 7:30 am, Uncle Jake’s Restaurant. womensbiz.ca for more details. Pansy Carillon Toastmasters - meetings are open to adults who want Annual Fall Supper, September 9 - Doors open from 3 - 6. to improve their leadership and communication skills. Thursday Adults $13, Children 7-12 $8 and 6 and under free. Groups of Get Yourself Beautifully Organized - On Thursday, September evenings starting at 7 pm at the Steinbach and Area Lions Club 10 or more call Leanne 204-427-2996 and can come between 13 at 7 pm to transform a plain Magazine File into one that is - meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays every month 1 -3 pm with bus tours. Ukrainian Buffet at the Pansy Hall. useful and beautiful. Cost is $3. Contact the Jake Epp Library starts at 6:30 pm at the Magnolia Restaurant. Contact 326255 Elmdale St, Tracey Pankratz 24-326-6841, email 2313. Contact Olga 204-434-6660 n. programming@jakeepplibrary.com.
Vehicles Smashed in Steinbach Steinbach RCMP are investigating a string of mischief that occurred between the hours of 1 am and 5 am on Sunday, August 26. Unknown culprits damaged several vehicles on First Street and Giesbrecht Street in Steinbach by smashing back windows and windshields, causing several thousands of dollars of damage.
Investigation indicates that a 2003 GMC pickup truck was westbound on Gosselin Road when it left the roadway, rolling over at least once. The driver, a 59-year-old man from Winnipeg, was transported to hospital with undetermined injuries. His condition deteriorated and he died in hospital. His name will not be released. There were no other persons or vehicles involved and the cause of the collision is still under investigation.
Richer Grow-op Raided On August 30, at approximately 9 am, the Steinbach RCMP Detachment, along with the Winnipeg RCMP Drug Section and the Manitoba East District Canine Unit, raided a property situated in the RM of Ste. Anne near Richer. A search warrant was executed on an outdoor marihuana grow with an estimated street value of $161,000. A stolen all terrain vehicle, as well as two firearms, were seized from the property. Three adult males, all between the ages of 35 and 50, from Winnipeg were arrested on the property and will be facing charges of production of marihuana, possession for the purpose of trafficking marihuana, stolen property and firearms offences. They have been released from custody and will be appearing at Steinbach Provincial Court on October 4.
Civic Address Signs Tampered With On August 13 the Steinbach RCMP detachment was alerted that several civic address markers were damaged and some had been moved to the wrong address. This occurred on Road 39E between Dawson road and road 47N in the RM of Ste. Anne. It is believed this occurred between August 10 and August 12. These signs are used by emergency services to quickly find rural addresses in the event of an emergency. Police are asking the public to be familiar with this number in the event of an emergency and to verify that their correct address is displayed. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 (TIPS) or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).
The Steinbach RCMP also received reports of damage to outdoor patio tables at one of the local restaurants situated on Main Street in Steinbach. The RCMP is asking for public assistance in identifying the suspect(s). If you have any information you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452. If you wish to remain anonymous you can also call Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or SUBMIT a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or TEXT: TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
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September 2012
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch