May 26, 2023 - Neepawa Banner & Press

Banner & Press neepawa

By Casper Wehrhahn Neepawa Banner & Press

Gladstone’s William Morton Collegiate Institute (WMCI) was home to plenty of cultural fun on May 16. A Multicultural Day was held, highlighting and celebrating the many cultures present within the school. These include the Metis, Ukrainian, Inuit, Filipino, French Canadian, Irish, Serbian, Bosnian, German, Belgian and Anishinaabe cultures– and much more!

Teresa Wright, social work clinician for Pine Creek School Division, said that it’s this diversity among the students that inspired her to organize this event.

is the first time that the school has held an event such as this, at least in my time with the school division,” said Wright. “We have such a diverse population of students here at WMCI and I felt that we really needed to celebrate that.”

for all students to feel that they belong; and what bet ter way to help with that than to really celebrate who they are?”

1973: Clerk of the Month trophy awarded to L. Poole

By Casper Wehrhahn Neepawa Banner & Press

125 years ago, Thursday, May 26, 1898

Riding Mountain: Since we had a change of government, we are having our wants supplied. We now can boast of a Dominion Land Office at Riding Mountain which will be a great convenience to those who have had to go to Minnedosa. Mr. John McClung, having been appointed, has charge of that office. He is likewise Crown timber inspector.

Neepawa made no demonstration of loyalty to the Queen on the 24th other than displaying a few flags and a general suspension of business. Not a firecracker was to be had in town!!

100 years ago, Tuesday, May 27, 1923

Arden: Our town is blocked with substantial piles of snow, waiting for the

weather to remove them.

75 years ago, Thursday, May 27, 1948

The sudden death of Fred Scott, on Tuesday, May 18 at 10 a.m. was a great shock to everyone who knew him. Mr. Scott, who had recently been keeping in the very best of health, was found lying dead in the barn by his niece, Iolene Scott, a heart attack being the cause.

Sixty-seven years of age, Fred was an old pioneer of the Molesworth district, known and respected by al as a good neighbour and friend. Born in Molesworth, Ontario in 1881. He came west with his parents in 1893. Settling in the Molesworth district, he has lived on his father’s homestead since that time.

A very fine display of neighbourly spirit was shown on Monday, May 17 when nine tractors pulled onto the farm of J. C. Harper of Sinclairville and put in his crop. Peter

Hunter, George Perrett, Dougles Cochrane, Edith Porterfield and Howard Harper ploughed the land. Archie Taylor and Norman Perrett seeded it and Allan Brydon and Jimmy Scott

harrowed.

50 years ago, Thursday, May 24, 1973

The Manitoba Forestry Association’s Tree Planting

Car will be in Neepawa on Wednesday, May 30 and Friday, June 1.

20 years ago, Monday, May 26, 2003

The country’s cattle industry was dealt a major blow last week, when close to a dozen nations, led by the United States slammed the door on Canadian beef exports.

Canadian beef imports were banned in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Mexico following the confirmation of a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy–commonly known as Mad

The news sent the cattle industry reeling, closing down regularly scheduled auctions in Ste. Rose, Brandon, Virden and Ashern.

Disclaimer: The information gathered and used each week in the Looking Back feature is directly taken from the original print copy of the Neepawa Press and Neepawa Banner newspapers. Any errors or omissions from stories (Factually or otherwise) are the result of the original print and not the responsibility of the archivist for the current version of the Neepawa Banner &

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

Romans 15:2 (The Living Bible)

1973.

Cow disease– in a northern Alberta cattle herd.

Press.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEEPAWA BANNER & PRESS ARCHIVES

Ivan Traill (left) presented the Rotary Clerk of the Month trophy to Mrs. Lorna Poole, of the Silhouette Beauty Salon, on May 25, 1973. The presentation had been made at a Rotary luncheon held at the Neepawa Town and Country Club.

NEEPAWA BANNER & PRESS ARCHIVES

The United Grain Growers, for which Neepawa once had an elevator, was encouraging the use of Brominal-M on farmers’ crops in May of

By Chad Carpenter Tundra

Labels and such

Iam convinced that more than ever before in history, we have assigned labels to more things, people and conditions than ever. Labels can be helpful, but they can also be very harmful.

It gets further complicated by the fact that we don’t have a lot of control over some of the labelling.

We are repeatedly told that we can be whatever we want to be but that advice needs to be constantly evaluated as to whether the label we attach to things, people and conditions are real or valid. Some labels are unchangeable, others are questionable and many are absolutely unnecessary.

Let’s look at my personal example. I am a human, that’s a certainty and I had no choice in the matter. I was born a Canadian, again no choice. I could move to another country and change my citizenship but I would still always have been born a Canadian. I was born a Waddell, over which I had no choice; I could change my name, but the name under which I was born can never change. I am a male, albeit an old one. My age changes every day, but I had no choice in my gender and, quite frankly, it makes no sense to me to fuss about it. I am a husband, a father, grandfather and great grandfather. I had a choice about being a father, but had I not become one, obviously the latter two titles would not have happened.

So what’s the point? The point is that some labels are automatic and some are by choice.

It seems today that everything and everybody has to be labelled. Probably the most useless of labelling is the ones we put on people. If you were born in Canada or have become a Canadian, you are Canadian. I care about peoples’ backgrounds, it’s fun to discuss heritage but we are all Canadians, not hyphenated Canadians. I am all for history and heritage but we need to have a bigger, greater goal in building our country and

Homebodies

Rita Friesen

Simple wisdom

The book on my bedside table is ‘Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World; Amish Peace’, by Suzanne Woods Fisher, published in 2009. After the shooting at West Nickel Mines where ten little girls were shot, four of them dying. There are many references to forgiveness. Under the headings: Simplicity, Time, Community, Forgiveness, and The Sovereignty of God.

Right in the Centre

Ken Waddell

communities than to have an unhealthy clinging to our heritage.

Political labelling can be harmful too.

Another type of labelling has a profound effect on our society and especially on our politics. We have an election coming in Manitoba and it promises to be a hard fought one. Already we see a lot of political advertising. I find the union ads particularly annoying, they simply shouldn’t be allowed and here’s why.

Elections are based on one-personone-vote. Often, only 60 per cent of voters bother to cast their ballot. Many unions come out in favour of a candidate or a party. The problem is that the union doesn’t have the authority to apply a politicial label to all its members as I can guarantee all members don’t agree with the stated union stand. When a union takes a stand for or against a political party or candidate, the assumption is that all members will vote the same way. Also, in my career, I have known of many cases where union members were clearly instructed and bullied as to how they “must” vote. And the unions have gotten away with it. Union members have been told they, “have to vote a certain way” or they will lose their jobs.

For years, unions in Manitoba got behind former NDP premier Gary Doer’s rallying cry that. “The Tories fired a 1,000 nurses.” It was a lie but it didn’t matter, Doer used it for years.

The unions parroted it and many people still believe it.

Some will be upset when I say unions should not take a political stand but those same people would be very upset if the Chambers of Commerce came out in support of a particular party. How would they respond if the Association of Manitoba Municipalities did that? Or how about the Manitoba Simmental Cattle association supporting a party?

In the same way that I get upset when a union or organization expresses support for a party, I don’t like it when a newspaper comes out in favour of a candidate or party. If an editor (such as myself) or a columnist supports a party, that is one thing, but if a newspaper does so, there is an assumption that all the employees echo that support and they may not. They may well vote differently than a particular owner/publisher or editor. Their vote is sacred, just as every vote is sacred. Votes and voters should never fear how they vote.

In Manitoba, only individuals can donate to a political party but there is no limit on how much unions can spend on ads supporting or opposing a party. There’s another little wrinkle in all this process. I am pretty sure when the NDP have a convention, a large percentage of the delegates are appointed by the unions. So much for one-person-one-vote.

We need to be very careful about how we apply labels. There’s often a lot hidden behind the label.

I re-read this book annually to remind myself of values I hold dear. Under the first heading there is a chapter ‘Small-Scale Living’ and the accompanying quote is the Amish proverb– We live simply so others may simply live. This tied in with a conversation I had this week with an individual who is preparing to say farewell to this life. Reviewing one’s life is standard at this stage. We pondered why so many folks never are satisfied, never have enough. This isn’t a new thought for me. I am thankful that I have enough, and to share. Am I wealthy? Not by this world’s standards, but I have enough, more than enough. The individual with whom I was speaking reviewed the time they were offered a parcel of farm land, expand one’s holding. With thought and reflection, the decision was to not purchase more land, what they held title to was enough. A small scale farm in today’s world, but enough. ‘More is caught than taught’, reminds us to us our time wisely, especially with children and seniors. Our actions, whatever our age, still speak louder than our words. In the Amish society children are valued, loved and never indulged or spoilt. They contribute to the welfare of the family unit. The parents most often move into a small house beside the big house when the farm passes to the younger generation. They are cared for by the community. Which leads to the next section.

Community: ‘Do unto others as if you were the other’. Amish Proverb. One of the illustrations is how the community rallied when one of the men was hospitalized in harvest time. While he was in care the neighbours joined forces and got the crop safely in. The woman sharing says; “ When Willis was in the hospital, I could so clearly see the fruits of the Spirit in action, all done in love. If people had only come and wished us well, that alone would not have done the work. Faith and works go hand in hand.” How often do we hear about folks extending thoughts and prayers…

Part Four addresses forgiveness. Here again the examples are real and moving. Quotes– ‘The person who forgives does more for himself than for anyone else.’ ‘Good deeds have echoes’. ‘Blessed are they who have nothing to say, and cannot be persuaded to say it.’ And my favourite-‘ Swallowing words before you say them is so much better than having to eat them afterward.’

The final section speaks on the sovereignty of God. The Amish live apart from the worldly ways, and their definition of worldly does vary from mine. And that’s ok. True for all of us– ‘Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever’. Amish Proverb. Putting life and faith and a faith filled life into perspective- “ Before we can pray ‘Thy kingdom come’, we must pray ‘my kingdom go’.”

Be careful what you wish for

Acouple meets, falls in love and decides to get married. When they share that news with their families, it is greeted with shock and horror.

“He’s not right for you,” her family says. “She’s the wrong person for you,” his family says. And from that day on, intensive efforts are made to get the couple to end the relationship and go their separate ways and each marry people that meet with their families’ approval..

Are those efforts successful? Occasionally. But more often than not, they have the opposite effect. The lovers go some place where they can be alone, evaluate their relationship and decide that they will marry (with or without their families’ blessing), stay together, work together and stand together against those who would try to quench their love and destroy their relationship. They make an irrevocable commitment. “We will survive, we will thrive, we will show those naysayers how wrong they are.”

Sometimes, the families’

Faithfully Yours

Neil Strohschein

efforts are successful and the couple ends the relationship. Do things turn out better for them? Sometimes. But they will always wonder if bowing to family pressure was the right thing to do. And when marrying those their families chose for them doesn’t work out well, everyone learns an important lesson: “Be careful what you wish for. You might not like what you get.”

Those words come to mind whenever I hear or read stories of people who favor banning a news network from being carried by cable or satellite systems in Canada; or who are asking that some books be banned from public school libraries because of their content.

Personally, I have no quarrel with those who find content broadcast over the air waves to be offensive. I don’t like some of it either.

In fact, a few years ago I stopped watching cable news networks, listening to “talk radio” and reading major newspapers because I did not want to read, hear or watch material that, in my view, did more to advance the network’s political, moral and social agenda than give readers and listeners the facts and let them draw their own conclusions about the content that was presented.

As for books, I agree with those who suggest that some publications contain material that is not suitable for younger readers. I endorse efforts by public and school libraries and other media outlets to identify certain publications and programs as “inappropriate for some age groups.” There’s nothing wrong with that.

But I do not agree with those who advocate block-

ing news networks or banning books from library shelves. These initiatives often have the opposite effect. People will watch the news network or read the book out of curiosity, wondering what all the fuss is about. And those who want to limit the spread of content they find offensive will, as a result of their efforts, actually give it more publicity and a greater following than it had before.

So how can we keep media content that defies our political, social, moral or religious views from exerting a harmful influence on us and on those we love? Governments will not do that for us; and we should not expect them to. The guidelines they set will reflect the views of our pluralistic society and protect our rights, as free people, to debate the issues of the day in an atmosphere of mutual respect for all points of view. Governments cannot teach us how to discern which views are constructive and which are not. That must come from another sourcewhich will be identified next week.

Edrans School: 1953 senior class

Stop this senseless burning

The Riding Mountain National Park Superintendent, Scott Bryer Fire Management Office, and anyone else involved with setting needless fires in the park.

I understand you have already been setting fires in the park despite all the recent opposition to it.

In the Canada National Parks Act it states: “The national parks of Canada are hereby dedicated to the people of Canada for their benefit, education, and enjoyment.” Your people seem to have forgotten this! Every Canadian citizen owns these parks, not just you. You also seem to have forgotten that these same Canadian citizens pay your wages!! You work for us and need to show a little respect and listen to our wishes regarding these fires.

Look at the chaos and destruction caused by the fires in Alberta right now. Some of these fires as you know were “controlled burns” set in national parks by Parks Canada. Considering what’s happening out there, it defies logic to think you would be foolish enough to set more fires in our park.

The dictionary defines the word arson as: “the crime of maliciously burning somebody else’s property”. It could be argued that is exactly what you are doing.

In your information bulletin from April 19, 2023 you say “prescribed fires are being conducted to reduce the risk of a severe fire in R.M.N.P.”.

In the past some of the fires that you have set got out of control and burnt miles farther than you intended. Would you not call those fires severe? In essence you are creating what you say you’re trying to prevent!

A much more sensible alternative to burning would be to issue permits to people for selective logging and firewood cutting in certain areas of the Park. This cutting could be done only in the winter months to prevent accidental fires. It would have virtually no impact on the wildlife and would save the Canadian taxpayers millions of dollars.

I would like to know what the cost of this intentional burning in Riding Mountain Park has been since it began many years ago. Please respond with this information and please stop this senseless burning.

Robert McRae Kelwood, MB

Pictured are students from the Edrans School senior room, photographed May 19, 1953. Those pictured standing are: Betty McCullough, Irene Currie, Marina McCullough, Margaret Sutherland, Leona Funk, Agnes Buhler, Marjorie Seaman and Sigfried Miller. Sitting: Barry Moore, Helmass Miller, Eric Moore, Glen Russell and Yvonne Russell.

Helen Drysdale

out of helen’s kitchen

Good to eat weeds

Rather than continue the centuries-old war on weeds, what if we were to start eating some of these invaders? Our yards and gardens contain many good-to eat-weeds. The general rule for eating wild plants is get to know your plants, get them young, get them from areas that have not been sprayed and avoid picking your weeds close to roadways as car exhaust can leave residues on the plants. I grow enough weeds in my garden to suit my needs! Remember a weed is just a plant growing where you do not want it to grow. Lambs quarters are one of the best wild greens there is to eat. Use the leaves when the plant is no higher than a foot tall. They have no bitter taste and can be used anyway you use spinach; raw, sautéed or steamed. Portulaca is my favourite weed to eat and it grows abundantly in my garden. If you can’t beat them, eat them! Portulaca is very high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant and one of the most nutritious weeds to eat. You can eat any part above ground; the leaves, branches, flowers, and seeds. The leaves and stems have a crispy texture can be added raw to salads or sandwiches. Their peppery flavour is great stir fried in a skillet with olive oil, onion, and salt to taste. They do not need much cooking. Red clover is particularly worth pulling from your yard because it’s high in protein, calcium, and B-complex vitamins, and vitamins A and C. I add clover leaves and flowers to salads for a lovely flavour. The flowers of both red and white clover can be eaten raw or cooked, or dried for clover tea. The fiddleheads from my flower bed become a welcome spring treat on my dinner plate.

Our all-parts-edible dandelion was not a native to America. Many of the early settlers, including my grandparents, brought dandelion seeds with them when they immigrated to Canada from Europe. The first greens to grow in the early spring they were used in salads and as cooked vegetables. The dandelion was also used as a medicinal plant. It had many uses including: as a laxative, a relief for arthritis, help to clear skin conditions and as a diuretic. Long ago in Britain it was called “pee-a-bed.” Dandelion greens are an excellent source of vitamin A, C and K as well as minerals. I have eaten dandelion salad since a child and love it. I find the smaller type plants more bitter. Should you find a patch that has large broad leaves early in the spring, pick them as they are delicious. Enjoy your gardens weeds, they are free!

Dandelion lentil soup

1 cup lentils, rinsed

6 cups chicken or vegetable broth

3 Tbsp. cooking oil

1 medium onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 tsp. finely grated ginger root

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

Company hired to renovate Neepawa’s old RCMP building

Retrofit needed to prepare for Nursing Program

3 cups dandelion greens, washed, chopped and tough stems discarded

4 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Put the lentils and broth in a pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and let simmer. Meanwhile heat the oil to a frying pan and sauté onions, garlic and ginger over medium heat for around five minutes. Add to the lentils. Stir in the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

Quick and easy sautéed lambs quarters

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. soy sauce

1 bunch of fresh, washed lambs quarters

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

In a large skillet, heat up olive oil. Add onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until the onion is starting to brown. Add soy sauce and stir well. Add the lambs quarters and gently toss to mix with sautéed onion. Cook until leaves are wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

The renovation of the former RCMP building in Neepawa has cleared one more major hurdle.

On Tuesday, May 16, Town Council approved the hiring of Cutting Edge Construction, a company based out of Brandon, to oversee the renovation and expansion of the facility. Cutting Edge’s low bid on the renovation came in at

$760,906, plus PST.

The interior of the old RCMP building must be altered in order to accommodate the new $2.1 million nursing program that was first announced back in February. The cost of this renovation covers Neepawa’s financial commitment to the project.

Assiniboine Community College (ACC) is operating the one-time, 25 student practical nursing diploma program that will

be coming to Neepawa in 2024.

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condition, no rust. Will safety for new buyer. Has fold down rear bed that seats three and two bucket seats.Small sink and counter. Electrical plug-in. Interior is very good. V-8, A.T, PW, PL, hitch. New heater and thermostat. Good tires and spare. AC needs replacing. $8,500 OBO.

1987 Ford E-150 Econoline Van Decor, licensed as a motorhome. 172,000 km and in very good

PHOTO BY EOIN DEVEREUX

The former home of the RCMP will be retrofitted to accommodate the ACC nursing program planned for Neepawa in 2024.

Lorne Lagimodiere is a hall of famer

Former Neepawa Tigers coach selected for MB Football Hall of Fame

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

The Manitoba Football Hall of Fame has announced its inductees for the 2023 class and former Neepawa Tigers coach Lorne Lagimodiere was among them. Lagimodiere is one of 12 individuals and one team that will be recognized at the official induction ceremony set for Sept. 27 in Winnipeg. Other notable people heading into the Hall this year include former CFLers Paul Bennett and Glen Scrivener, as well as the long-time voice of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Bob Irving.

Well deserved recognition

Lagimodiere’s resume to get into the Football Hall of Fame is as solid as his style of play and coaching mindset over the years. He first came to prominence as one of the top running backs to ever play at Brandon University, having a standout career with the Bobcats from 1968 to 1972.

Among his major highlights with the program were becoming the highest scoring Bobcat for a single season in 1969 and winning the prestigious Jim Casey Award for sportsmanship in 1971.

According to his bio, which has been enshrined at the Brandon University Sports Hall of Fame since 2017, Lagimodiere was described by his teammates as ‘One of the smallest guys on the field, but the one who played with the biggest heart.’

After his playing career came to an end, Lorne became an educator, spending 11 years in Binscarth, followed by 17 more with Neepawa Area Collegiate Institute (NACI). During that time, Lagimodiere was instrumental in helping the Rural Manitoba High School Football League establish itself, coaching the Neepawa Tigers for close to two decades. During that tenure, he, along with fellow coach Murray Black, led the Tigers to numerous league titles. In his final

Following an amazing four year run as a member of the Brandon University Bobcats football program (19681972), Lorne Lagimodiere would later on shift into coaching, as he spent nearly two decades as a coach for the Neepawa Tigers.

season coaching NACI in 2003, Lagimodiere was named RMFL coach of the year. He also led the Tigers to a league championship with a perfect undefeated record. If that weren’t enough, Lagimodiere also coached junior high school basketball for 30 years, a rural sports legacy very few can match.

An honour not expected

The Banner & Press was able to speak with Lagimodiere shortly after the announcement from the Manitoba Football Hall of Fame. He said this was an honour he had not been expecting, adding that the list of fellow inductees is an amazing group.

As for his thoughts on his playing and coaching careers, Lagimodiere felt it was important to remember the reason we all start in sports, because it’s a game and it’s supposed to be fun. While winning is fun, he noted that it cannot be the sole motivator out

there on the field.

“We had some very good teams and achieved some success, but it can’t be just simply about the numbers; the wins and losses. Any successful [sports] program has to get the best out of its players, no matter the talent. I think we did a

pretty good job of that, motivating the kids out there, gaining their respect and getting them to be self-motivated. That’s something they can take with them on or off the field,” stated Lagimodiere. As for the personal recognition, Lagimodiere said it’s hard to verbalize this accomplishment, other than to say it was a privilege to be able to be involved with football for as long as he was.

Ceremony set for the fall

The Manitoba Football Hall of Fame’s 2023 inductees include the 1984 St. Vital Junior Mustangs, Paul Bennett (player/ coach), Steve Dolyniuk (official), Leo Ezerins (player), Bob Irving (Media), Brent Irwin (coach/builder), Brownie Krochak (player), George Kunyckyj (player/ coach/builder), Lorne Lagimodiere (player/ coach), Stu Nixon (coach), Dennis Radlinsky (coach), Jennifer Romanoff (coach/ builder) and Glen Scrivener (player/coach).

The Manitoba Football Hall of Fame official induction ceremony and dinner for 2023 is set for Wednesday, Sept. 27.

21042AL0

ARCHIVED PHOTO

William Morton Collegiate’s Multicultural Day receives overwhelming response

Continued from Page 1

Through conversation with students and their families to see if people would be interested in sharing their culture, a total of 19 displays were then made by students, families and school staff to be featured during the celebration.

“I have to say I was very happy with the response,” Wright shared.

The displays created were featured in the school’s gymnasium, with staff and students alike able to visit them throughout the morning to learn and even try some cultural foods. Activity passports were also provided to be completed, with students writing in something that was learned from each culture. Once completed, the passports were submitted to a draw box in order to win a variety of prizes, including family passes to the Human Rights Museum.

But that wasn’t all! The

noon hour included a free barbeque and an opportunity to try several hot foods such as Ukrainian perogies, Filipino spring rolls and Scottish haggis. Then, the afternoon brought performances from different dance groups.

“We had students from Isaac Beaulieu school, jingle dress dancers from Portage la Prairie, Filipino dancers from here in Gladstone and Ukrainian dancers from Portage as well,” said Wright. “We also had drummers and singers from Sandy Bay First Nation.”

A sense of pride and belonging

The day also coincides well with WMCI’s recent addition of a Cultural Wellness Resource Center. The room was officially opened in February and was made possible through a grant Wright applied for via the Big Idea Teacher Fund.

“Throughout the pandemic I recognized that

there was a real gap in resources available for students and families,” Wright explained. “From knowing where to get support but also how to access it and what was actually available.”

The goal of the room is to aid in filling this gap by having resources available, support to connect families, training opportunities, et cetera. The cultural aspect plays a part in this as well by having an Elder in the school two days per week to provide support and cultural opportunities.

“It’s set up to provide a welcoming environment for all,” Wright enthused.

“It also includes things such as yoga matts, meditation cushions, comfortable seating, coffee bar and refreshment station, charging station, greenery and a lending library.”

In her final comments, Wright told the Banner & Press that, since the Multicultural Day was hosted,

she has received plenty of encouraging feedback regarding the event.

“I feel this event really helped to instill a sense of pride, but also a sense of belonging as it helped the students to really be proud of who they are. As well, it allowed for both their peers and their teachers to

really know one another on a more personal level,” said Wright. “The feedback has been overwhelming, with everyone’s response being very supportive. Many students commented on what a great day it was, as well as many staff members and community members that were in attendance.”

Wright added, “It was even mentioned that maybe next time we can go bigger and have a community multicultural event in the future. All in all the day was a great success and it was so nice to see our school come together to make this happen. Something to celebrate for sure!”

Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op recently celebrated its official grand opening of the recently renovated Home Centre in Neepawa.

know?

Congratulations to Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op on your grand opening. Proud to be part of your building project.

Sales & service for:

• fire alarms

• water based fire protection systems

• Kitchen suppression systems & kitchen exhaust cleaning

• fire extinguishers

• fire pumps and fire hydrants

• authorized sales & service representative for Autocall®

Brandon, MB R7A 7R2

204-402-0909 • tyler@westmanfire.com www.westmanfire.com

Your local fire protection company

J C Lavich Construction 2010 Ltd.

offers congratulations to

The

Neepawa-Gladstone

Co-op

on the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Neepawa Co op Home and Building Centre, a great addition to the town of Neepawa and surrounding area.

We are pleased to have been the General Contractor for this project, and congratulate Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op on their successful achievement and continued commitment to the community. We would also like to extend our thanks and appreciation to all of the skilled trades people who contributed to this projects success. It has been a pleasure working with you.

John & Carolyn Lavich

Lavich Construction 2010 Ltd

Box 32, Brookdale, MB. R0K 0G0

204-729-6087

Submitted Metro Creative

Despite being very small creatures, ticks can wreak havoc on people and pets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that ticks can carry a host of diseases, which they may pass on to animals and their human companions. Though Lyme disease gets the most attention, dogs, who tend to spend more time outdoors than cats, may be susceptible to any of these conditions:

• Ehrlichiosis;

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever;

• Babesiosis;

• Bartonella;

• Hepatozoonosis;

• Tularemia;

• Tick paralysis; and

• Anaplasmosis

Illnesses from tick bites can cause fever, loss of appetite, painful and swollen joints, lameness,

sion through tick saliva. In addition, keeping pets away from tall grasses and removing ticks after coming indoors can help reduce the risk for tickrelated illnesses

Customer Appreciation Day!

(Coffee & Doughnuts 10:00 - 3:00)

Door Prizes

Customer Appreciation Day!

Riding Mountain Mon - Sat 9am - 8pm

-House Plants -Gift Certificates

(Coffee & Doughnuts 10:00 - 3:00)

Door Prizes

New Neepawa Location!! Now Open!!

-Hanging Baskets

May 22nd

-Bedding Plants

Riding Mountain Location

-Vegetable Plants

Riding Mountain Mon - Sat 9am - 8pm

Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm North of the Co-op Home Center Trees and shrubs now in stock!

New Neepawa Location!! Now Open!!

-Perennials

-House Plants -Gift Certificates

-Shrubs

-Trees

-Hanging Baskets

-Garden Seed

-Bedding Plants

-And Much More

-Vegetable Plants

- Sat 9am - 6pm North of the Co-op Home Center Trees and shrubs now in stock!

-Perennials

info@parksidegardens.ca 1-(204)-967-2135 www.parksidegardens.ca

-Shrubs

/BeautyGrownRightHere/

-Trees

-Garden Seed

Dogs can be full of boundless energy.

Channeling that energy into exercise with long walks or play sessions can help stem dogs’ propensity to get into trouble around the house as they burn off extra adrenaline.

Pet owners with large backyards often find those outdoor spots are ideal for when their dogs get the “zoomies,” something that tends to be a daily occurrence. Letting their dogs run around yards, whether on their own or chasing tossed tennis balls, is an ideal way to provide exercise and tire out pups. In such scenarios, it’s vital that pups have a dog-friendly yard in which to play.

Use safe lawn care products: An expanse of grass is the perfect place to frolic or enjoy some sunbathing — for people or pets. But contact with chemically treated lawns can cause a number of health issues for dogs, such as allergies or intestinal upset.

Switching to native grasses can reduce the need to use chemicals to get lush lawns.

How to make a backyard safe for dogs

When supplementation is needed, homeowners can switch to organic products or natural compost as safer alternatives than chemicalbased products.

Fence off the yard: Off-leash running and bounding through the yard will make any dog smile. However, a fence is a must-have to ensure a dog doesn’t become an escape artist. Be sure the fence is high enough so that the pup cannot jump over it. Burying chicken wire in the dirt beneath the lower edge of the fence also can help prevent dogs who like to dig from exiting by crawling underneath the fence.

Consider installing a lock on the fence gate so that no one can wander in and surprise the dog, which may startle the animal and prompt it to defend the property. A lock also helps prevent dog theft.

Keep the yard tidy: Maintaining a clean yard also is key to safety. Inspect the yard regularly to make sure nothing is around that can prove harmful, whether it’s poison ivy, felled branches or broken fence panels. Also, keep shrubs and grass trimmed to reduce flea and tick populations on the property.

Keep an eye on animals: Dogs can spend some unattended time in the yard, but check in from time to time. Should wildlife get into the yard, dogs may get hurt by tussles or bites. Birds of prey, such as owls, hawks and even vultures, may attack small dogs in a yard, as some birds can be territorial. While they might not view a dog as an easy meal, they could swoop down and attack to defend territory. The same may occur with other wild animals.

A dog-friendly yard may require a little effort to create, but it’s worth a little sweat equity to keep pups safe.

Neepawa Golf & Country Club open ‘fore’ the season

Optimal spring melt allows for great start

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

A combination of factors this spring just might have the Neepawa Golf & Country Club (NGCC) already hitting some high benchmarks for course conditions in 2023. Some exceptional care over the winter, combined with a steady and consistent melt over the spring has allowed the greens and fairways to come into form sooner than had been expected.

General manager and CPGA head golf professional for the NGCC, Landon Cameron said the great conditions are also due to the weather is starting to cooperate and a lot of hard work from the grounds crew.

“The shape of the golf course is actually very good. It wintered very well. And now that we’ve received a little

bit of moisture and then some heat [in recent weeks], we’ve really seen the course green up. Mark Kerkowich and his grounds crew have done such great job preparing it for the winter, and then getting it going this spring. It makes it a lot easier for me and my staff to work on the golf course now, the course is in great shape and we’re just looking forward to seeing everybody out here,” said Cameron.

Cameron added that the initial comments they’re hearing from club members have focused on how impressed they’ve been so far with the ground conditions in the first few weeks of the golfing season.

As for the planned off-season upgrades

Minnedosa Mavericks win season opener over Neepawa Cubs

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

An early inning power surge at the plate helped the Minnedosa Mavericks to a 9-6 over the Neepawa Cubs in Santa Clara Baseball League (SCBL) action. The Mavericks scored all nine of their runs in the first three innings of play, including putting up five in the bottom of the second. Despite a late rally by the Neepawa Cubs in the sixth inning, the Mavericks would hold on to the win.

Pitcher Devin Foord earned the win for the Mavs, allowing just one run, while collecting three strikeouts over the course of three innings. John Hutton came in for the late game save, striking out all three batters he

to golf year locally

that had been in the works for Neepawa Golf & Country Club, Cameron said the installation of the new bridge, extension of the clubhouse deck and addition of an accessibility ramp have all come to fruition.

“Everything with that is done. The installation of the new bridge, the handicapped ramp and the deck are all finished, or finished enough to be open. We still have a few things to do in the clubhouse to get it fully operational, that way with the handicapped accessibility, we had lots of volunteers to spearhead the decking the ramp project. Kevin Levandoski, a board member [for NGCC] lead the deck project and fellow board member Marc Giroux lead the handicapped

ramp project. So, it’s always nice to see the volunteers stepping up to lead projects like that.”

As for major golf events set for 2023, this year’s schedule consists of:

• Senior Men’s Tournament — July 10;

• Senior Ladies’ Tournament — Aug. 2;

• Westman Junior Golf Tour event — Aug. 8;

• Club Championship — Aug. 12 and 13;

• Rosebowl Men’s Match Play — Sept. 2 to 4; and

• Sunflower 2 Lady Scramble — Sept. 9.

A complete list of the course’s tournament schedule can be seen at the Neepawa Golf & Country Club website. Call 204-476-5711 for tee-time information.

Team RMFL fall in Challenge Cup

faced in the final inning.

As for the club’s performance at the plate, Hutton was 2-for-3 at bat, driving in a pair of runs. Teammate Hunter Dundas also stepped up, going 2-for-2 on the game. For the Cubs, Garret Rempel lead the way with a 4-for5 night, with two runs. As well, Lincoln Murray was 2-for-3, with a pair of runs. Jordan Wickens ended up taking the lost on the mound for the Cubs on this night.

This victory is not only the first of the season for the Minnedosa Mavericks, but also their first in nearly six years, as the club had to take an extended leave of absence from the Santa Clara League.

A group of selected players from the Rural Manitoba Football League, including three from the Neepawa Tigers (Carson Baker, Brandan Johnston and Austin Lewis), recently played in the Challenge Cup, an annual all-star game between high school players from Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This year’s game, played in Shoal Lake on May 22, was won by Team Saskatchewan, by the score of 51-14.

Titans sign new 20-year-old forward

The Neepawa Titans are happy to announce that 20-year-old forward Payne Pent has signed a Letter of Intent for the 2023-24 season.

Pent is from Parker, Colorado, has spent the last two seasons with the El Paso Rhinos of the NA3HL.

In 87 games with El Paso, the forward had 37 goals and 42 assists.

Titans head coach/general manger Ken Pearson had this to say about Pent,

“Payne will be a great addition to the Titans on and off the ice. He has been a captain this last year and will add to the leadership we already have. His size up front will be a welcome addition to our forward group”.

In a team media release annoucing the signing, Payne Pent said that he was “really excited and grateful to come to Neepawa this fall to join the Titans and the community of Neepawa. Fans can expect a hard working forward that plays a 200 foot game.”

Zone 7 Baseball

May 19: (regular season)Neepawa 17-3 Minnedosa/Erickson

May 18: (regular season) William Morton 16-0 Neepawa

May 15: (regular season) Neepawa 22-13 Minnedosa/Erickson

Zone 7 Fast-Pitch

May 17: (regular season) Carberry 14-12 Neepawa

Carberry Cougars win Zone 7 Fast-pitch title

The Carberry Cougars fastball team claimed the Zone 7 Fastpitch Championship on Tuesday, May 23, with a decisive 14-1 win over the William Morton Warriors. With the victory, Carberry closed out its league play with a perfect record. The Cougars will now advance to the Manitoba High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) provincials, which will take place in Ile des Chenes on June 2 and 3.

Model UN students attend Rotary luncheon

Moments in Riding Mountain: Sharptailed Grouse

By Ken Kingdon Submitted

The transition from winter to spring is always such a wonderful event. Every year I forget the certain exuberance I feel when the season changes.

That extra bounce in my step is not solely based on warming temperatures and the disappearance of a winter’s worth of snow. Nor is it only the first whiff of spring air when you throw open the windows after seven months of stale indoor air.

For me, another marker that winter has finally eased its grip is the increase in daylight hours. Being inherently lazy, I’m just as happy to ignore the early morning light and stay nestled in my bed. However, from time to time, I do find myself up and at ‘em in the early dawn hours.

One of the things that propels me out of bed is volunteering in the province’s annual sharp-tailed grouse surveys. Each spring these birds gather on dancing grounds called leks. It is here that the males prove their sexual fitness to the hens through dancing and chest-to-chest dust ups with other males.

Sharp-tailed grouse have always been on my radar, but admittedly, only fleetingly. Literally. As kids on the farm, we would see them irregularly, and often the first sign of their presence was seeing them hurtle away into the distance on stiffly beating wings, clucking to each other as they scolded us for disturbing them.

They would land high up in aspen trees a kilometer or more away, making it impossible for us to approach them undetected.

My first close-up encounter with them was when I was in my mid-twenties and I stumbled across a lek near Camp Wannakumbac in the Crawford Park area. I was out doing some early morning birding when I heard this strange sound emanating from a grassy knoll … a kind of thrumming and clicking noise.

I had no idea what was making the sound and ended up scaring about 10 grouse off what turned out to be their

dancing ground. It was a moment that I can’t forget, with the sun just peaking over the horizon, burning through a light fog, as the rest of the bird world was greeting the dawn with their songs.

Since that time, I have been drawn to looking for sharp-tailed grouse. The original lek that I found still exists, but I have since discovered one a little closer to Onanole, one that I can walk to easily from the house.

While the local grouse are quite shy, and flush quickly, sometimes you get a lucky break. This spring, during a whirlwind tour of Grasslands National Park, Rae and I were able to watch a small flock of sharp-tailed grouse from about four meters away. Entirely ignoring us, they foraged among last summer’s grass, much like domestic chickens, quietly peeping and chirping at each other.

Unlike the other two local family members, spruce grouse and ruffed grouse, sharp-tails will stick together during the entire year, sometimes in small groups of two or three, but at other times joining in loose flocks of 10 or more. Thus, constant contact is part of their evolution, keeping each other aware of approaching predators.

On the various mornings that I have roused myself to check on the lek, I have watched a red fox hunting voles hidden under the last of the snow, a moose trotting across a distant meadow, and a bear and her two half-grown cubs. The bears were fresh from their winter den, and we watched them feeding on emerging grasses.

The dawn chorus of birds changes over the spring too. Ducks and geese join crows and robins in the early spring. Then, slowly but surely, sparrows and blackbirds supplement the chorus with their voices, and as the ice comes off the lakes, loons and grebes add their calls to the mix.

At times the calls can be so loud that the sound of the grouse is drowned out. That’s a price that I am happy to put up with though, as long as I don’t keep hitting the snooze button.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Local members of Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) Trent Tomoniko, John Mabbayad, Allison Beaumont, Makenna Sumner, Emily Hockin and Hailey Dennis recently spoke at the Neepawa Rotary Club luncheon.

Ken Kingdon lives in Onanole, MB, in the heart of the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve.

Classifieds

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Notice

Alanon meetings currently being held at 342 Mountain Ave, Neepawa - Old Co-op Store. Tuesdays at 7 pm. Call 204-841-2192

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Notice

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings currently being held at 342 Mountain Ave, Neepawa, Thursdays at 7 pm. Call 204841-0002

In Memory

In Memory of “SMITTY”

June 1, 1997

Til Memory fades and life departs, You Live Forever in our Hearts!

Dorothy and Family

Classified Ad Deadline: Tuesday Noon

• Cancellations and corrections only within business hours and corresponding deadlines

• Please check your ad when first published the Neepawa Banner & Press will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion.

• All copy is subject to approval by the Neepawa Banner & Press.

• We reserve the right to edit copy or to refuse to publish any advertisement we deem illegal, libelous, misleading or offensive

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Notice

Arden Hall, cap. 255. Park, camping and sports facilities, rink, curling ice, kitchen and lounge. Call 204-368-2202

Notice

Neepawa Banner & Press offers full research and re-print services from our archives that go back to 1896. Additional copies of papers, $2 each depending on availability. Re-print of a page from past copies, $2 per page. Archival research, $25 per hour with a $10 minimum. Individual photos on photo paper $5 depending if we have a suitable original in our digital, print or photo archives. Ken Waddell, publisher

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Personal

Crisis Pregnancy Centre

Winnipeg: Need to talk? Call our free help line, 1-800-6650570 or contact our Westman office: 204-727-6161

Dorothy Helen Smith

It is with great sadness that we announce that Aunty Dot passed away peacefully on March 24th, 2023 at the age of 94. She is predeceased by her husband Sidney Smith, her parents Arthur and Bertha Klatt, brother Edwin, sisters Lydia and Margaret and nephew Wayne.

Left to mourn her passing are her nieces Darlene, Lorrie, Gail, Barb, Linda, Judy and Marilou, nephews Kevin, Dave, Russell and his wife Bernice, Barry, Scott and her sisters-in-law Sarah and Ethel, as well as many great nieces and nephews.

Aunty Dot was born and raised in Plumas where she met and married Uncle Sid. They worked side by side in their butcher shop in Plumas, then moved to Saskatoon and later purchased a window, door and awning business. They both acquired their private pilot’s license and flew their own plane for many years. They enjoyed a very good life working hard, travelling and spending so many happy times with family and friends.

Rest in peace Aunty Dot, we love you.

We’d also like to thank the doctors and nurses of Carman and Boundary Trails Hospitals and the nurses and staff at Boyne Lodge for their excellent care and kindness.

At Dorothy’s request, no funeral will be held.

Thank You

Beautiful Plains School Division wishes to thank the following businesses and organizations for helping make our 2023 Preschool Developmental Screening event a success in Carberry and Neepawa.

Carberry United Church

Carberry Community Child Care and Nursery School

Prairie Mountain Health Authority

Bev Walker – Carberry

Royal Canadian Legion Branch #23

Dr. Daniel Zettler – Neepawa Dental Office

Dr. Gerard Murray – Optometrist

Neepawa Cooperative Play Centre

Budz’ N Bloom Daycare

Seedz’ and Sprouts Daycare

Your Dollar Store with More

HyLife Foods

Neepawa Fresh Mart

Door Prize winners

Asher Borys, Neepawa - Logan Cox, Neepawa Jayden Naismith, Carberry

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Help Wanted

Slaughterhouse Butcher/ Labourer. Duties include cutting/packing/slaughter/deliveries. Experience an asset, but not required. Applicant needs to be physically fit, able to work in both warm and cool environment. Starting wage between 16 and 20/hr based on experience. Please apply to BJPACKERS@MTS.NET OR 204-268-3056.

For Sale

ATV'S, ATV'S, ATV'S. www.rodsatvs.com Best prices in Manitoba on New kids/adults ATV'S, DIRTBIKES, DUNE BUGGIES, UTV'S, GOLF CARTS, SCOOTERS, MOBILITY SCOOTERS AND KIDS ELECTRIC RIDE ON TOYS $299. Kids ATV $999, Kids dirt bike $1199, Kids Dune Buggy $1999. New 4 Seater Golf Cart $8999. Text or phone 204-724-2438. Email rodsatvs@hotmail.com

Coming Events

INTERLAKE CATTLEMENS CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION LTD. (ASHERN AUCTION MART)

ATTENTION: FARMERS AND RANCHERS

There is no sale on June 7, 2023

The last sale will be on June 14, 2023

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Monday, June 19, 2023 at 8:00 PM

Auditors Financial Report • Election of Directors 204-768-2360 • icca@mymts.net www.ashernauctionmart.com

License #1128

Notice

Estate Sale

3.56 acre yardsite with house and outbuildings located just west of Gladstone.

(1 mile west of Gladstone Coop Fertilizer site and 1/4 mile south on west side of road) Selling as is. Serious written offers only to Bernard Dueck, RR#1, Austin, MB R0H 0C0

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For Sale

Bees for Sale. 2 Nucs (5 frames) $250 each. 3 Supers (10 frames) $475 each. Available immediately. Call Lyle at 204-841-1856.

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For Rent

$600 Two bedroom home on small acreage with a wired workshop. In total 1080 sq feet. Farm type dog and cat ok. Must have own mower. 1-780-914-0127 or 1-204402-0321 Apartment for rent. Bri-Mont apartments, 331 Mountain Avenue. Phone 204-8414419

For rent: Available May 1. Quiet Adults, No Children or pets, large modern open concept 2 bdm suite in newer 4-plex. Includes window treatments, all appliances, washer and dryer, storage, snow removal, yard care and parking for 2 vehicles. No smoking. 220 Mountain Ave, Neepawa. Call 476-0678

Two bedroom, one bathroom apartment at Stewart House in Minnedosa. The apartment is in a quiet 12-plex apartment block and is a 55+ building for a single or couple. The apartment includes AC, a plug-in parking stall, fridge, stove, in-buiding laundry, secure entrance into the building, storage room, deck and more. Rent is $1,050./month plus hydro. Water is included with the rent. No smokers or pets. A one-year lease is necessary and references required. For more information or to book a viewing call 204-826-2184.

Telephone: 204-476-3401/ 888-436-4242

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For Sale or Rent

Storage vans (semi trailers) for rent or sale. Anderson's 204-385-2685, 204-3852997 Gladstone. ––––––––––

Livestock

Polled Hereford yearling bulls. Vern Kartanson. Minnedosa. 204-867-7315 or 204-867-2627

Services

Bauman Construction. We do all types of cement work, barn stabling repairs, house foundation repairs, and some carpenter work. Call Bruce 204-466-3088 or 807-8611012.

Auctions

Meyers Auctions & Appraisals. Call Brad at 368-2333. www.meyersauctions.com

Help Wanted

invites applications for the following positions:

Route # 13 - Permanent School Bus Driver for the Eden Catchment Area

Route # 2 - Permanent Bus Driver for the Neepawa Area

See Division website for more details on these positions at www.beautifulplainssd.ca Click on Job Postings.

Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE—NOTICE OF HEARING Road Closing By‐law No. 3225‐23

NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Subsec�on 2�0�2� of

The Municipal Act that the Council of the Town of Neepawa has   scheduled a public hearing at the  Municipal Office, located at 275  Hamilton Street, in the Town of Neepawa, in Manitoba, on Tuesday  the 6th day of June 2023, at the hour of 7:15 p.m. to consider  a By‐Law  for the following purpose:

To close as a Public Road or Highway the  following:

All that por�on of part “Commerce Street”

Plan 403 NLTO in NE ¼ 33‐14‐15 WPM now shown as Parcel “A” on a Plan of Part of Commerce Street to be closed, prepared by Steven Richmond M.L.S., Sworn to on April 13, 2023 and assigned Deposit No. 497/2023.

And to convey �tle of the above men�oned  por�on of Commerce Street, once closed, to the Town of Neepawa.

NOTICE is further given that a copy of the proposed By‐Law is on file in  the office of the Chief Administra�ve Officer of the Town of Neepawa,  at the Municipal Office at 275 Hamilton Street in the Town of  Neepawa, in Manitoba and on the municipal website at  www.neepawa.ca

NOTICE is further given that during the public hearing the Council of  the Town of Neepawa will allow any interested person to make   representa�on, ask �ues�ons or register an ob�ec�on.

Dated at the Town of Neepawa this 2nd day of May A.D. 2023. Colleen Synchyshyn, C.M.M.A. Chie� Ad�inis��a��e O�ce�, Town o� Neepawa Ph: 204‐476‐7603 | cao@neepawa.ca

For Sale

invites applications for the permanent position of Full Time Custodian at Carberry Collegiate

Duties include the cleaning and maintenance of buildings, equipment and grounds under the direction of the Principal and/or Head Custodian.

This is an evening position. The starting wage is $19.50 per hour. The Division offers a pension plan and other benefits.

This position will commence on a mutually agreed upon date.

Previous applicants must submit a new cover letter and resume.

Applicants should state experience and include three references. Questions can be directed to the undersigned.

Deadline for application: NOON, Thursday, June 1st, 2023

Send resumes marked “Full Time Custodian” to: Tyler Stewart

Maintenance Supervisor

Beautiful Plains School Division Box 700, Neepawa, MB . R0J 1H0

Phone: (204) 476-2388 • Fax: (204) 476-3606

Email: tstewart@bpsd.mb.ca

Successful candidates must complete a Criminal Records and Child Abuse Registry check.

Only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Others are thanked for their interest. invites applications for the position of Term Custodian at RJ Waugh School

Duties include the cleaning and maintenance of buildings, equipment and grounds under the direction of the Principal and/or Head Custodian.

The hours of this position will be noon to 8 p.m. The starting wage is $19.50 per hour. The Division offers a pension plan and other benefits.

This position will commence on a mutually agreed upon date.

Previous applicants must submit a new cover letter and resume.

Applicants should state experience and include three references. Questions can be directed to the undersigned.

Deadline for application: NOON, Thursday, June 1st, 2023

Send resumes marked “Term Custodian R J Waugh” to: Tyler Stewart

Maintenance Supervisor Beautiful Plains School Division Box 700, Neepawa, MB . R0J 1H0

Phone: (204) 476-2388 • Fax: (204) 476-3606

Email: tstewart@bpsd.mb.ca

Successful candidates must complete a Criminal Records and Child Abuse Registry check.

Only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Others are thanked for their interest.

Neepawa approves construction of walking trail viewing towers

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa BaNNer & press

Soon you’ll be able to see the natural beauty of Neepawa from a whole new perspective. Town Council has recently approved the construction of two viewing towers along the Great Trail, the 24,000 km long national walking path that runs right through Neepawa. One tower will be built at Rotary Park, while the other will be constructed along a portion of walking path

that passes through the HyLife Back Forty Multi-Use Trail Park.

The pair of 30 foot tall towers will be constructed by Tridekon at a cost of $173,118. $75,000 of that cost has already been covered through a grant the Town had received from the Province’s Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) Program back in 2022. The Town’s portion of the cost has already been accounted for in previous budgeting deliberations. Construction of the towers should begin sometime before Nov. 1

Neepawa choir concert supports local groups/organizations

The Neepawa and Area Community Choir brought in $800 via silver collection at its double feature concert with the Neepawa Choraliers on May 10. Funds gained, after accounting for costs, were all intended for donation to community groups/ organizations. Choir representatives met with the chosen event beneficiaries at the Knox Presbyterian Church on May 23 to present the cheques.

Funds were donated to: ArtsForward ($250), Knox Presbyterian Church ($250), and Neepawa and Area Fine Arts Festival ($100).

Pictured: Donna Huck presents a cheque to Yvonne Sisley, accepting on behalf of ArtsForward; Gwen McKaskill accepts from Val Jarema on behalf of the Neepawa and Area Fine Arts Festival and Pat Martin presents to Gladys Anderson, accepting on behalf of the Knox Presbyterian Church.

PHOTO BY CASPER WEHRHAHN

2023 Gladstone Music and Arts Festival results

Piano awards

After three years of cancellations, the 2023 Gladstone Music and Arts Festival once again provided students with a supportive and educational experience to enrich their skills and further develop an appreciation of the arts. Young performers from the Gladstone, Plumas, MacGregor, Austin and Langruth areas shared their love of music and arts during the 90th festival held through April. This is always an excellent venue where performers can receive feedback from seasoned and professional adjudicators.

The 2023 Gladstone Music and Arts Festival was sponsored by Southern Health – Sante Sud, Public Health-Healthy Living & Healthy Together

Now through the Increasing Community Belonging Grant. The goal of this grant is to promote social connections and relationships in the community. The organizing committee would like to thank Southern Health for their support this season.

The committee would also like to thank William Morton Collegiate Institute, Gladstone Elementary School, Gladstone United Church, and the Municipality of WestLakeGladstone for their continued support. Thank you to those who generously donated to the festival in 2023. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

The Piano Sessions were held on Apr. 12 and 13 with Madeline (Maddy) Hildebrand adjudicating. Maddy teaches at Brandon University and recently completed her Doctorate in Music from Stony Brook University in New York. The following awards were presented.

•Piano Solo, Beginner, Own Choice, 8 & Under: Marianna Pugh (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Beginner, Own Choice, 9 & Over: Cassia Knox (1st Place Medallion), Peter Doerksen (2nd Place Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Beginner, Own Choice, Open: Edmond Doell (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Beginner, Own Choice (not from a Method Book), Open: Cecily Hedges (Medallions)

•Piano Solo, Beginner, Canadian/Popular: Cecily Hedges (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Classical/ Baroque/Sonata, Grades/ Levels 1, 2 & 3: Elysabeth Pugh (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Baroque, Grades/Levels 5 & 6: Regan Teichroeb (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Classical Composers/Sonata, Grades/Levels 5 & 6: Emre Zacharias (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Romantic Composers, Grades/Levels 5 & 6: Veronica Cassigay (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, 20/21st Century Composers, Grade/ Level 1: Brook Smith (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, 20/21st Century Composers, Grade/

Level 3: Elysabeth Pugh (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, 20/21st Century Composers, Grades/ Levels 5 & 6: Emre Zacharias (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Popular/ Study, Grades/Levels 1, 2 & 3: Brook Smith (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Popular/ Study, Grades/Levels 5 & 6: Hanna Doerksen (Medallion)

•Piano Solo, Romantic/ Canadian/Own Choice Grade/Level 10: Jalysa Zacharias (Medallion)

•Piano Duet, Beginner: Skylar Smith & Taylor

Winters (Medallions).

Speech awards

The Speech/Choral/ Vocal Sessions were held on Apr. 19 with Alyssa Hildebrand adjudicating. Alyssa teaches voice to students across Manitoba at many different levels and abilities. She enjoys working in a variety of styles with her students including classical folk and musical theater. Two Community Choirs performed in a Non-Competitive class. They were the Neepawa Choraliers and the Neepawa Area Community Choir. The following awards were presented.

•Classroom Speech Choir, Kindergarten to Grade 3: Gladstone, Grade 2 (Gold Seal Certificate)

•Classroom Speech Choir, Grades 4 to 6: Langruth, Grade 4/5 (Gold Seal Certificate)

•Reader’s Theatre, Grades 4 to 6: Jerika Adams, Tyndall Halashewski, Lexi Spence-Strong & Melody Thomas (Medallions)

•Poetry Reading, Duet, Trio or Quartet, Grades 1 to 3: Cindy Krahn, Lilah Nepinak & Laureen Ricalde (Medallions)

•Poetry Reading, Duet, Trio or Quartet, Grades 4 to 6: Ivy Rempel & Bella Weber (Medallions)

•Poetry Reading, Duet, Trio or Quartet, Grades

7 to 9: Violet Rempel & Megan Friesen (Medallions)

•Solo Reading, Creative Prose, Grades 1 to 3: Makaela Sellers (Medallion)

•Solo Reading, Creative Prose, Grades 4 to 6: Holden Barron (Medallion)

•Solo Spoken Poetry, Grades 4 to 6: Rylee Kennedy (Medallion)

•Solo Spoken Creative Poetry/Creative Prose, Grades 10 to 12: Kenzie Williams (Medallion)

•Public Speaking, Grade 4 to 6: Ryder Lee Muir (Medallion)

•Public Speaking, Grade 10 to 12: Regan Teichroeb (Medallion)

•Public Speaking, Impromptu, Grade 10 to 12: Karter Gurke (Medallion)

•Vocal Solo, Contemporary Folk/Popular, 12 & Under: Hailey Terrick (Medallion)

•Vocal Solo, Contemporary Folk/Popular/Own Choice, 16 & Under: Regan Teichroeb (Medallion)

•Musical Theatre, Movie Musical, 10 & Under: Mackenzie Wiebe (Medallion)

Band sessions

The Band Sessions were held on Apr. 25 with Melissa Ballard adjudicating. Melissa teaches in western Manitoba and performs as a percussionist with a variety of ensembles. The band sessions were in a workshop format where the adjudicator worked with each band or ensemble after their selections were performed. The following bands and ensembles performed.

•William Morton Collegiate Senior Band.

•MacGregor Collegiate Senior Band.

•MacGregor Collegiate Guitar Ensemble.

•MacGregor Elementary Junior Band.

•Austin Elementary Junior Band.

•William Morton Collegiate/Plumas Elementary/ Langruth Elementary Junior Band.

•Gladstone Elementary/ Plumas Elementary/ Langruth Elementary Beginner Band.

Prov. festival recommendations

Thank you to everyone who attended the Highlights Concert on Sunday,

Apr. 30 at Gladstone United Church.

The following participants were recommended to go to the Manitoba Provincial Festival:

1. Piano, Preliminary: Elysabeth Pugh.

2. Piano, Junior: Emre Zacharias.

3. Piano, Advanced: Jalysa Zacharias.

4. Public Speaking, Grades 4-6: Ryder Lee Muir.

5. Public Speaking, Grades 10-12: Regan Teichroeb, Karter Gurke (Alternate).

Performance awards

The Gladstone Music and Arts Festival Band Trophy presented for the most outstanding band performance was presented to William Morton Collegiate/Plumas Elementary/Langruth Elementary Junior Band.

The R.K. Reid Speech Arts Trophy presented for the most outstanding speech arts performance was presented to Kenzie Williams.

The Doris Sigurdson Memorial Trophy presented for the most outstanding performance in Piano Solo or Duet, Beginner to Grade 4 was presented to Elysabeth Pugh.

The Joy Mowat Memorial Trophy presented for the most outstanding performance in Piano Solo or Duet, Grade 5 and up was presented to Jalysa Zacharias

The Gladstone Music Festival Rose Bowl presented for the most outstanding vocal performance was presented to Mackenzie Wiebe.

The Matthew Teichrib Scholarship Award presented to the most outstanding piano performance in Piano Solo, Canadian were presented to Jalysa Zacharias.

The Wanda Toth Memorial Scholarship Award presented to a hard-working, dedicated passionate piano student who shows a positive attitude in lessons and shares their music with others was presented to Brook Smith.

Submitted

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SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Winner of the Gladstone Music Festival Rose Bowl (Vocal) was Mackenzie Wiebe (pictured above).

The Gladstone Music and Arts Festival Band Trophy went to the William Morton Collegiate/Plumas Elementary/Langruth Elementary Junior Band (pictured).