Dawson Trail Dispatch March 2019

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Blumenort Celebrates Family Fun Days

The people sized version of Hungry Hungry Hippo was a huge hit during this year’s Blumenort Winter Fair.

Despite it being a colder than normal, the Blumenort Family Winter Fair saw many local residents come out to the local park to enjoy a variety activities.

On February 18, the Blumenort Rec Committee took advantage of Louis Riel Day by hosting family friendly events to celebrate.

Karen Doyle is one of the key organizers of the Blumenort Family Winter Fair. “Another Family Winter Fair come and gone and what fun we had!” said Doyle. “We want to thank everyone who came out to support the event, and those who stepped up to help out.”

Dozens of local residents came out to check a lineup of vintage snowmobiles and participate in family events. New this year, was the people sized version of Hungry Hungry Hippo which was a huge hit with the kids.

Plans are already in the works for next year, including bringing back the antique snowmobile races that took place previous years’ events.

The jugs were flying as families took on each other during a friendly game of Milk Jug Curling.

Photos by Marianne Curtis

March 2019

Ritchot Receives Funds for Clean Water Project On February 13, the RM of Ritchot was part of a provincial funding announcement that is expected to help the municipality access clean drinking water.

At the announcement, which was made in Selkirk, Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development said the project will not only improve services for residents, but protect the environment, keep communities healthy and livable and pave the way for economic development and growth.”

“These projects will ensure that… drinking water in Ritchot will be treated to a higher quality,” said Jordon. “Improvements to our municipal infrastructure are a priority in Manitoba, and these projects are an important step towards making our municipalities’ infrastructure stronger and more efficient for all residents.”

Jeff Wharton, Minister of Municipal Relations added that, “These projects will ensure that wastewater in the City of Selkirk and drinking water in Ritchot will be treated to a higher quality.”

“Improvements to our municipal infrastructure are a priority in Manitoba, and these projects are an important step towards making our municipalities’ infrastructure stronger and more efficient for all residents,” Wharton noted.

In the RM of Ritchot funding will support upgrades to the raw water supply system and increase the capacity of the reservoir to the rising demand for water from rural residents in the RM of Ritchot, the Riel Industrial park, Ste. Agathe, St. Adolphe, Île des Chênes, as well as planned future expansion of the regional water system to the community of Grande Pointe and area.

RM of Ritchot Mayor Chris Ewen expressed gratitude to the province and said that he and council are excited about the funding announcement. “We look forward to seeing the project come to fruition because of the help of our Federal and Provincial partners,” said Ewen.

The upgrades will ensure the municipality can provide potable water to the existing and future population that meets both Manitoba’s and Canada’s water quality standards and legislation.

The project is being funded through the Small Communities Fund, with each partner providing one third of the eligible project costs. The RM of Ritchot Water Supply and Additional Reservoir Capacity Project is expected to cost about $3 million.

The municipality along with the Federal and Provincial governments will each provide $1 million in funding.

March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Snow Covered Prairies Challenge Actif Epica Participants

By Marianne Curtis Kicking off under the cover of darkness on February 17, the 9th annual Actif Epica drew sixty-five brave souls to challenge the prairies for the most gruelling ultra endurance event in the province.

Utilizing the length of the historic Crow Wing Trail, the Actif Epica is one of seven qualifying events for the internationallyrenowned Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska. Dubbed as a Celebration of Human Resilience, the event attracts participants from as far as California, Colorado and even Brazil.

Actif Epica features four different lengths of race for both runners and cyclists. This year a new 54 km bike or run option that started in Niverville was added. “We’ve added this event because we’ve received feedback from potential participants who say our longer events are just a bit more than they’re interested in. Maybe this seems odd coming from one of the race committee members of an ultraendurance event, but let me tell you, I get it,” explained one of the organizers.

The first batch of participants left Ridgeville around 10 pm on February 17 with eight brave runners taking on the 162 km trail. At the end of the next day, John Kenny would complete the race first out of the six to cross the finish line in 30:06 hours.

At 5 am Saturday morning, ten cyclists left Emerson, taking on the longest portion of the event, consisting of 200 km of the Crow Wing Trail. Out of this batch, D. Lockery was the first out of the remaining five cyclists to peddle across the finish line. He completed the trip in 21 hours and 37 minutes.

Four runners and twenty-one cyclists left St. Malo for the 125 km portion of the event. Out of

The morning sun sheds some light as the morning cyclists head across St. Malo Lake during this year’s Actif Epica.

the 4 runners only two finished the race with J. Stuart finishing at a time of 23:17 hours. All 21 cyclists completed the 125 km race with Willie Bell crossing the line first in 08:08.

On the last leg of the race, a dozen runners left Niverville to take on the 54 km final leg of the trail. At the end of the day, St. Malo’s Stephan Grauper was the first to finish at 5:24 out of the eleven runners to complete the run. Ten cyclists left the starting line and Kenny Stojak was the first of the nice cyclists to finish the race in 3:21.

Spectators gathered along the Crow Wing Trail in various communities to cheer the runners in Emerson, Ridgeville, St. Malo, St. PierreJolys, Niverville and St. Adolphe.

The races end at The Forks, in Winnipeg.

Actif Epica has earned several distinctions, including being named as one of Canada’s 10 Big Rides (Canadian Cycling Magazine, 2013), a Manitoba Tourism Award for Event of the Year (2014) and one of Canada’s ultimate adventures (Impact St. Malo’s Stephan Grauper was the first runner to cross the finish line at the Forks after completing Actif Epica’s 54 km event in 5:24 hours.

Magazine, 2016).

Providence Breaks Ground on Active Living Centre Almost four months after breaking ground, the Providence College Living and Learning Centre is beginning to rise from the frosty Otterburne campus.

Set to open in September 2019, the Living and Learning Centre will promote a thriving, Christcentred student community within a bright, inviting, homelike atmosphere.

The new building is growing, just west of Eichhorst Hall and directly south of the Reimer Student Life Centre, which houses the cafeteria.

The modern, fully-accessible facility will accommodate approximately 60 students. It is expected to be a welcoming space, with Skype Rooms for international students, including structures that allow them to connect with one another and with relatives.

Below the male and female residenc- a kitchen, a lounge, prayer rooms, a es on the second and third floors, the seminar hub and a laundry facility. ground floor will contain staff apartThis new residence will replace the ments and community spaces such as Bergen Hall dormitory that was de-

stroyed by fire in June 2017. Funding for the new building was raised through a combination of insurance money and the generous support of donors.

The new Providence College Living and Learning Centre is starting to take shape on the Otterburne campus.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

March 2019

Organic Grower Purchases Pineland Nursery for Hemp

By Marianne Curtis At the end of February, the province announced that Botanist Organic Growers Corp. as the new owners of Pineland Forest Nursery, in Hadashville. The company purchased the site with the plans of converting the space into what is being called the largest organic hemp CBD production in the world.

On February 22, Botanist Organic Growers Corp. announced the purchase of Pineland Forest and their plans to convert the site immediately to become the largest indoor organic hemp cannabidiol (CBD) producer in the world.

Jeremy Towning, CEO and cofounder of Botanist Organic Growers says the company is excited to be investing in Manitoba. “The global CBD industry is still new but is expected to grow exponentially around the world in the next few years. Our goal is to make Manitoba at the centre of that international expansion,” said Towning. “This facility offers everything we need to begin building a global leader.

We look forward to engaging local growers, businesses and educational institutions to expand our operation and revolutionize this promising industry.”

The property covers more than 300 acres in the RM of Reynolds, and includes more than 300,000 square

feet of greenhouse and research facilities, some of which Botanist Organic Growers will begin using immediately with the first crop in production in the months ahead.

The company expects to hire 200 people over the next three years, while developing the operation into a complete seed-to-sale company.

The company will operate cultivation, extraction and research facilities and will also employ personnel in marketing, sales and management roles. The first crops will be produced using indoor greenhouse facilities, allowing for a fully organic product. Plans to expand production to surrounding fields and working with area farmers for additional production are in the future.

Cannabidiols have been the subject of a growing body of research in recent years showing its amazing potential to offer pain relief and treat epilepsy, inflammation and some other disorders such as anxiety.

The Pineland Forest Nursery was originally established in 1953 to produce seedlings for the Province of Manitoba and grew to produce seedlings for customers outside the province as well. It was decided by the province to close down operations after Pineland recorded substantial operating losses over a number of years and operations were no longer sustainable.

Falk Reacts to SNC-Lavalin Affair Provencher MP Ted Falk said a criminal investigation is necessary after former Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould appeared before the House of Commons justice committee to provide her account of events related to the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin.

“A criminal investigation is absolutely necessary for Canadians to fully understand the Prime Minister’s involvement in this matter,” said Falk. “Regardless of wealth, status, or political connections, no one is above the law.”

On February 27, Wilson-Raybould described to the Committee inappropriate, and potentially illegal pressure brought on her by the highest officials of Justin Trudeau’s government and Justin Trudeau himself to let a corporation off the hook on corruption charges. She detailed numerous meetings and phone calls for that purpose involving 10 senior government officials and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, over a fourmonth span.

“There is no longer any question that Justin Trudeau fired his Attorney General because she refused to interfere in the SNC-Lavalin case,” Falk said. “She was clearly the target of an unwanted, coordinated campaign to press her toward bending the law to benefit a Liberal-friendly corporation.”

The former Attorney General also told the Committee how she experienced multiple veiled threats to her job if she did not bow to their urgings to consider the consequences on election results and shareholder value above judicial due process, and reminders from Justin Trudeau about his own electoral prospects should the Attorney General allow SNC-Lavalin’s trial to proceed.

“Since Ms. Wilson-Raybould was ultimately moved out of her role as Attorney General in January, she testified that she believed the reason was, ‘because of the SNC matter’,” Falk explained.”

In response to Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s comments, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer sent a letter to RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki calling for an investigation into the Prime Minister’s actions.

In a further response to questions from media, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “Canadians need to know that we have an officer of Parliament who is tasked with a specific role to make sure that in questions where there are disagreements amongst politicians, amongst elected officials, there is an arbiter who is empowered to be like a judge, who is an officer of Parliament, who will make a determination in this issue.”

Botanist Organic Growers Corp cofounders Jeremy Towning, and Duncan Gorden (right) unveil plans for the site formerly known as Pineland Nursery in Hadashville. From left to right (Hon. Rochelle Squires, Hon. Blaine Pedersen, Duncan Gordon, Jeremy Towning and Dennis Smook).

The province is also pleased to confirm the University of Winnipeg will continue to have access to the area as part of a 20-year research agreement with the province. Pineland Forest Nursery staff have all been redeployed within the civil service and alternate positions have been offered to seasonal staff, meaning no one has been left without a job as a result of the sale.

March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Ottawa Experiences a Seismic Event The Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould has dramatically and singularly crippled the government of Canada. It now seems clear that for a number of months she was pressured to offer a remediation agreement to SNC-Lavalin as opposed to an indictment.

She could have chosen the former but felt on better legal footing choosing the latter. For whatever reason, her choice was definitely done on principle, and it’s difficult not to agree with her chosen option.

Whereas the prosecutorial deferment agreement gives the company legal cover to continue business as usual, an indictment under the Criminal Code is more than a slap on the wrist to the perpetrator.

The intention of the remediation agreement is to save jobs, pensions and share holders, but more importantly it should be seen as a vehicle of fairness. The bill to tackle corporate crime amended the Criminal Code but it was hidden in an omnibus bill begging the question, why?

It passed in September 2018.

Trust was the victim. Politics as usual, I don’t think so. This story is froth with political expediency but also marked indelibly by courage and principle. Very interesting.

According to the SNC-Lavalin’s website, the company that is based in Montreal is Canada’s largest engineering and construction management firm. In 2018 they reported having 8,762 employees across Canada and 50,000 world-wide.

Back in 2015, the RCMP charged SNC-Lavalin and many former executive employees with corruption for allegedly paying various Libyan government officials nearly $48 million in bribes, and defrauding other Libyan entities for nearly $130 million, between August 2001 and September 2011. If convicted the company would be barred from any new Canadian Federal contracts which are a major portion of its work for ten years and even be restricted in international work.

Although the charges were laid in 2015, to avoid criminal trial and possible prosecution it looks like SNC-Lavalin lobbied to resolve its problems with the new remediation agreement.

Under the remediation agreement, companies admit wrongdoing and pay a financial penalty in order to, “Reduce the negative consequences of the wrongdoing for persons - employees, customers, pensioners and others - who did not engage in the wrongdoing, while holding responsible those individuals who did engage in that wrongdoing.”

However it also states in the Criminal Code for remediation agreement, that it, “Must not consider the national economic interest, the potential effect on relations with a state other than Canada or the identity of the organization or individual involved.”

Dawson Trail Dispatch

You’re Not Above the Law, Prime Minister Is it possible to be shocked and yet not at all surprised? I think that sums up the feelings of many Canadians towards the SNC-Lavalin affair.

It wasn’t that long ago the previous Liberal government went down in a similar political storm. At the time, perhaps more grievous than the sponsorship scandal itself was the sense that political interference had hampered the prosecution of those responsible. Canadians decided this was unacceptable and voted for change.

Now, with less than a full term in office and an election looming in the fall, Justin Trudeau appears to be rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic; struck and (likely) irreparably damaged by an iceberg called the truth.

As the storm-clouds gather over Ottawa once again, many Canadians, including, I am sure, more than a few Liberal politicians, are asking themselves, where do we go from here?

I think the truth is a good place to start.

In the case of SNC-Lavalin, we have a Prime Minister and his team actively and intentionally seeking first to silence and then to subvert the truth, to their own political benefit. As wave after wave of damaging testimony threaten to sink the Liberals in the fall, Justin Trudeau is learning the same hard lesson his Liberal predecessors learned: The truth will come out, and that hubris rarely wins the day in Canadian politics.

Given his long string of ethical lapses it should come as no surprise that Justin Trudeau believes he has done nothing wrong. This Prime Minister believes he is above the law.

But unlike the dictatorships that Justin Trudeau has expressed his affinity for, we are, and have always been, a country governed by the rule of law. By definition, that means when we, as parliamentarians, pass a law on behalf of the people who elected us, we are not above that law. We are all subject to it. We are all equal under it. We are all bound by its conventions. And our political or societal status does not entitle us to special treatment under it.

These core principles of the rule of law must be upheld for any democracy to function. As history has shown, whenever the rule of law is impeded, superseded, subverted, or corrupted, the consequences are dire.

That’s why one of the very first actions of the previous Conservative government was the implementation of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act, a measure designed to prevent political interference and control of our justice system.

We cannot claim to be a country under the rule of law when political agendas can interfere with and dictate the course of justice. And that is precisely what this Prime Minister and his office stand accused of.

Justin Trudeau promised Canadians open and transparent government and he has betrayed yet another promise.

The Prime Minister of Canada, regardless of party affiliation, is not above the law and is duty bound to tell Canadians the truth. If he cannot, it is time for a change; a leader who can move the country forward into calmer seas.

Hadashville’s New Economic Opportunity Our PC government is working hard to bring new economic opportunities to Manitoba. It was exciting to be part of an announcement that will see Pineland Forest Nursery in Hadashville, Manitoba be repurposed and continue to be a significant employer in the region.

The government has concluded a deal with Botanist Organic Growers Inc. to purchase the on-site assets and enter into a long-term lease for Crown land previously used by Pineland. Their plans are to cultivate hemp and establish a processing facility that will turn hemp into biomass for Cannabidiol (CBD) material - a product with useful properties as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety and seizure-suppressant.

Duncan Gordon, Chairman and co-founder of Botanist Organic Growers, says the company wants to build a global leader in hemp CBD right here in Manitoba and expects to employ more than 200 people over the next three years as the company establishes and grows their operation. Tens of millions of dollars will be invested into the production facilities, as well as research and development. The company has also committed to working closely with area First Nations, entrepreneurs, and farmers as well as with universities and other key stakeholders. In addition, the University of Winnipeg will continue to have access to the area as part of a 20-year research agreement with the province.

Pineland Forest Nursery was originally established to produce seedlings for the reforestation needs of the province. An extensive review determined the nursery was not viable as a provincially operated entity as it was losing nearly half a million dollars a year, while charging the province significantly more than market prices for seedlings.

Although Pineland will no longer be a government entity, our government’s commitment to sustainable forestry remains strong. Reforestation and seedling planting will continue throughout the province as always, and an agreement has been reached with private nurseries to supply Manitoba’s next crop of seedlings. Pineland Forest Nursery staff have all been redeployed within the civil service and alternate positions have been offered to seasonal staff, meaning no one has been left without a job as a result of the sale.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you with your questions or concerns. I can be reached at my constituency office at 204-424-5406, at my legislature office at 204-945-4339 or at dennis.smook@leg.gov.mb.ca.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Spring’s Agenda is Budget 2019 Despite the frigid weather and snowfall we experienced in February, it turned out to be a great month.

This is largely because February is I Love to Read Month, when schools across Manitoba share the importance and joy of reading with students. I was able to take part by reading to classes at several elementary schools throughout the Dawson Trail constituency.

On February 11, I hosted another one of my regular Coffee with Bob events. This time it was held at the Villa Youville personal care home in Ste. Anne. It was nice to chat with constituents and listen to the entertainment provided by two very talented local musicians. I look forward to hosting my next Coffee with Bob soon.

Earlier in the month, I was able to announce that seven organizations in Dawson Trail are receiving nearly $95,000 in community support grants from our provincial government.

These grants are part of the Manitoba Municipal Affairs Community Support Small Grant Program, and are being awarded to the following groups and projects: Gabrielle Roy Parent Advisory Committee in Ile des Chenes ($20,000), St. Adolphe Child Care Centre ($20,000), Grande Pointe Homeowners Asso-

ciation ($20,000), Le Club Amical de St-Adolphe ($11,037.84), Lorette Minor Hockey Association ($4,830.75), Ross Community Centre ($4,168.75) and Landmark Recreation Association ($14,746.50).

In assisting these groups and projects, the grants will have a significant impact. Our government understands that supporting small projects can make a huge difference in communities like ours, and I’m glad we are making these investments to improve the lives of Dawson Trail residents and their families.

Even though it may not seem like it, spring is fast approaching and that means that the Legislature will soon resume sitting.

Starting in March, my fellow MLAs and I will gather in the Legislative building to continue our goal of making Manitoba the most improved province in Canada.

The first item on our agenda is Budget 2019. Over the past few years, our PC government has been working tirelessly on fixing Manitoba’s finances. We have been able to make a real difference in reducing our deficit while, at the same time, investing more

than ever into education, healthcare, and family services. Our government continues to deliver on our commitment to ensure that Manitoba’s finances are in good shape for the next generation. I am looking forward to spending the upcoming Legislative session working hard to help improve the lives of Manitobans.

Bob Lagasse reading to school children.

Submitted photo

Klassen Appointed to Municipal Board Leonard Klassen, a financial advisor from Steinbach has been named as one of two new members recently appointed to Manitoba’s Municipal Board by the province.

Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton said the new appointees, “Bring a wealth of relevant knowledge, skills and experience, to the board.”

“We are confident that these individuals will ensure the board will

continue to work effectively for Manitobans,” continued Wharton.

Klassen owns and operates Klassen Financial in Steinbach and has over 35 years in the financial industry, specializing in tax and estate planning. He has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and has served two terms as president of the Rotary Club in Steinbach.

The Municipal Board is an inde-

pendent committee established under The Municipal Board Act which sets out the general provisions respecting the board’s operations. Other provincial statutes, such as The Municipal Act, The Municipal Assessment Act and The Planning Act, also give the board jurisdiction to make decisions or recommendations on various matters.

Respect for History Open Letter to: Richard Chartier Manitoba Electoral Divisions Boundaries Commission, 120 - 200 Vaughan Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 1T5

Dear Editor: History is something that is engrained in all of us, something we pass down from generation to generation. Not all of it is positive, not all of it belongs on the front page of a newspaper, but it is woven together like a quilt that we carry throughout our days.

I am proud to represent the Emerson constituency. Emerson carries history, its founders decided that it was to be the “gateway of the New West”, the Chicago of the North, a centre for commerce and trade on the banks of the mighty Red River. Dating back to 1872, it was the home for creating the Canada-US border, the home of the famous North-West Mounted Police, and to this day a landing place for new immigrants from around the world.

When history is discarded however, it is easily forgotten. A group of individuals whom nobody elected have decided that the name of Emerson belongs in the waste bin of history. They have decided without consultation to change the name of the constituency to a new one, Borderland, a term nobody identifies with and a term that carries no history of its own.

Emerson is one of the first communities of the province, and has a unique history. It belongs in the Manitoba Legislature and belongs to its people.

I am asking that a change to the report be made in the interim, and that a long term change be considered to allow the people of the province a voice in the names of their constituencies. I do not question the need for the independence of the process of creating and identifying the divisions of constituencies and the present process, but the names can be and should be held sacred.

I ask that this change be considered immediately.

Sincerely, Cliff Graydon MLA for Emerson

March 2019

Outdoor Classroom Proposed in Lorette The RM of Tache Council has been asked to consider contributing $20,000 towards the creation of an outdoor classroom in the community.

Dawson Trail Principal Randy Engel and Home Hardware owner Dave Audette both appeared before the council as a delegation with a proposal that could see a corner of Dawson Trail School schoolyard turned into an outdoor classroom. To ensure the project moves forward, the pair hopes that council will financially contribute to the project at a rate of $10,000 per year, for two years.

If approved, the money would go towards a proposed $200,000 plan to convert a currently underdeveloped corner of the Dawson Trail School yard into a landscaped learning and play area The proposal, which came from the school’s sustainability committee, consists of converting a 20,000 square foot outdoor space at the northeast corner of the yard. The site would be ringed by trees with a grassy berm and log seating. Plans also include adding features such as water, rocks, sand, with crushed limestone and wood chip surfacing. Paying tribute to the historical Dawson Trail, the site would also include a log path along one side.

Council was also told that Seine River School Division has agreed to act as general contractor, with the custodians taking care of the site.

Financing for the remainder of the project is expected to be funded by the Seine River School Division, corporate sponsors and the parent advisory committee. It was noted that the Lorette LUD will also be asked to contribute $10,000.

The group hopes to raise enough money to start on the project this spring and work through the phases as money comes in.

The RM of Tache Council assured the delegation that they could consider the project while working through this year’s budgets.

March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Pilots Win Championship Title

Providence University College Pilots 2019

Providence College’s men’s volleyball team went into the Manitoba College Athletics Conference (MCAC) Championships with an 8-8 regular season record and the #3 seed, behind #1 seed Canadian Mennonite University Blazer’s (CMU) and the #2 seed Universitaire de St. Boniface Les Rouges (USB).

Having lost to their semi-final opponent (USB) in their last three meetings and never having beaten CMU in their four regular season matchups, the Providence University College Pilots entered the tournament as the underdog.

Proving to be up for the challenge at the

February 23-24 tournament, the Pilots beat USB in the semi-finals with scores of 18-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-23, and 15-10. The next day, the team returned to take on the number one team. The first set ended with a 23-23 tie; then 14-10, 19-19, 8-9, and19-14.

As a result of this win, the Manitoba College Athletics Conference named Pilot’s cocaptains Brett Foley and Matt Friesen as comale athletes of the week.

Fresh off their Men’s Volleyball Championship win over the top-ranked CMU Blazers, Providence Pilots co-captains Foley and Friesen cap their 2019 campaign with conference honours.

Lorette’s U13 Girls Win Soccer Tournament

The Lorette Soccer Club U13 Girls’ tournament winning team include: (back Row) Perle M, Danika B, Assistant Coach Don M, Trinity B, Sirai H, Mikyla B, Julia r, Hailea B, Keirra D, Julia L, Assistant Coach Christine D. (front row) Assistant Coach Terri B, Alaina F, Kylie H, Hannah F, Eva M, Camryn R, Head Coach Alison Fox.

By Marianne Curtis The Lorette Soccer Club U13 Girls are still celebrating their recent championship win after they took home the Golden Boy Tournament win, after participating in the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association Tournament (WYSA) which took place from February 1618 in Winnipeg. At the event, over 180 teams from various age groups and levels participated in a total of 3 round robin games.

According to Coach Allison Fox, the Lorette U13 girl’s team participated in a total of 3 round robin games where they were undefeated, which gave them 2 shutouts and a total of 11 goals. Only two goals were scored against them. “This led them to the play in the finals, in which they clinched the gold medal with a score of 3-1 declaring them CHAMPIONS,” Fox explained. “We are excited as we finished off the regular indoor season as the U13G Recreational League champions. As we enter the half way point of the playoffs

where we had 2 wins and no losses and hope to make to the finals held on March 16.”

Fox is proud of the girls for their success, saying that they are a “coach’s dream”.

“Our team huddles every game in a circle before we enter the field of play in which I always say, ‘Play hard - Play Smart - Play like Lorette’, in which every game they deliver that and so much more. I am a firm believer in respecting the whole game and these girls follow that lead. They always play with such dedication, determination and heart,” said Fox. “They have every ounce of respect for the whole game, for themselves, their teammates, their coaches, their opponents, the officials, the fans. They are true role models of what a team is. They always play with such dedication, pride, determination and heart.

They stand and play with and for each other; they are a sisterhood; a coach’s dream!” Fox continued.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Ste. Anne Area Sound Studio Mixes It Up

Jody Hunter (centre) owner of Studio 23 accepts his Just Watch Me prizes from David Smith from Community Futures Triple R.

By Marianne Curtis A Ste. Anne area audio engineer and his music studio is the lucky winner of a business start up package after participating in this year’s Just Watch Me contest.

The Just Watch Me! video contest encourages disabled entrepreneurs to share their business success story and inspire other people with disabilities to become their own boss.

Awards are given out in two categories; seasoned business owners and start up for businesses that have been open for only a year.

Jody Hunter, owner of Studio 23 was named the winner of the Manitoba Start Up Category. At Studio 23, Hunter provides recording space and equipment for musicians, film and television sound production and video games developers with a focus on customer service and producing great audio.

Hunter did not start out wanting a music studio; however, after developing a love for the music scene and industry, while working security at music venues, he went to school to become an audio engineer and his dream was born. “I really got to see a new side of the industry and enjoyed it, so I went to school to become an audio engineer,” Hunter explained. “But it is a hard business to get into, most audio engineers have their own studio, which they are the main operators, so it is hard to become a studio engineer. I had to make my own way into the industry so when I bought this property, I built my own studio.”

Jody Hunter, owner of Studio 23 is ready to mix your music, soundtrack or sound effects.

Photos by Marianne Curtis

What makes Studio 23 unique is that while Hunter is capable of all facets of recording, bands or producers are welcome to bring their own personnel to engineer. “Most studio owners are also the operators,” Hunter explained. “I am trying to make it more inclusive by allowing other engineering personnel to come in here and work in my studio. They can do everything here.”

His clients include bands such as November Underground, Forest Pilots, and The Bloodshots.

The Just Watch ME! video contest celebrates the success of entrepreneurs with disabilities or health conditions, operating a business in rural Manitoba or Saskatchewan. For two weeks, online viewers voted daily for their favorites. During the contest, over 5,000 votes from across Canada and around the world were

cast by the public to determine the winner of the Seasoned Entrepreneur category. The winners of the Start Up Entrepreneur category were chosen by a panel of judges. The prize includes $250 cash and over a $1,000 worth of prizes, memberships and merchandise.

The contest is run jointly by the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP). The contest is open to people with self-identified disabilities or ongoing health conditions, operating businesses in rural Saskatchewan or rural Manitoba.

The Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program helps rural entrepreneurs with disabilities to pursue their business goals by providing business advice, training, mentorship and access to repayable business loans.

March 2019

Whiteshell Curling Club Launches Fundraiser to Save Club In January 1960, the first curling rock was thrown by the Hon. C.H. Whitney, Minister of Mines and Natural Resources; Jim Somers, Provincial Forester, and Don McKinnon, Curling Club president, followed with their brooms.

Since, then the Whiteshell Club and its volunteers have worked endlessly to ensure the club continues to offer recreational activities to those who visit and reside in the South Whiteshell Provincial Park.

According to Cheryl Mason, Member of The Corn Broom Initiative Team, the club ice plant failed and the curling program was put on hold in 2017. A year later, the Corn Broom Initiative was born with the goal of fundraising all funds to purchase a new ice plant and any needed upgrades to the “barn.”

“Our goal is to raise enough money to cover the purchase of a new ice plant, estimated to cost $50,000. We are hurrying hard to raise the much-needed funds over the summer months while still running the traditional fundraisers for the club,” Mason explained.

The Corn Broom Initiative will run three raffle draws during the summer and two will be drawn at the Corn Broom Fundraising Social on August 24, 2019. All proceeds from these raffles, along with the August 24th social, will be going directly to assist in purchasing the ice plant. In addition, the Club is actively applying for grants and funding for the ice plant and other upgrades.

The target is to have the curling rink operational for the 2019/20 curling season, which will be the curling clubs 60th anniversary celebrations. The club is also in the early stages getting “Little Rockers Curlers League” organized and getting equipment such as rocks, brooms, rings, and hacks.

The Corn Broom Initiative is asking for community support to get the Corks and Spirits Draw on the ice. They are accepting donations of wine and spirits (liquor) that will be raffled off.

“If you are able to help, please donate! Challenge your friends, neighbours, community members and co-workers to match or exceed your donation to make this an eightender fundraiser year for the club and the community,” Mason encouraged. “We would request that any donations be made prior to March 28, 2019 to give us time to organize the roll out.”

Donations for the Corks and Spirits draw will be accepted until March 28 at the Lumber One Building Supplies and West Hawk Lake Resort Wine and Liquor (purchased from their establishments) and Bob’s Coffee Shop in the community club.

A Go-Fund-Me page has also been set up, with Lumber One pledging to match donations up to $5,000. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/whiteshell-community-clubrecreation.

Young Children Approached in Steinbach On Friday, February 8 Steinbach RCMP received a report that on the previous day, Thursday, February 7, at approximately 3:55 pm, an unidentified male approached two children, a female age 7 and male age 6, in the parking lot of the apartment complex at 137 Reimer

Avenue in Steinbach. The children yelled for help and the male took off on foot west bound. The male is described as wearing a dark coloured jacket or sweater (blue or black), yellow or brown coloured pants, a black balaclava and a tan coloured skin tone. Both children are unharmed

and made it home safely.

If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204- 326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

The first curling rock thrown at the Whiteshell Curling Club was in January 1960 by the Minister of Mines and Natural Resources, C.H. Whitney, Provincial Forester Jim Somers, and Curling Club president Don McKinnon.

Submitted photo

March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

St. Malo Boogy Club Hosts Antique Show

Photos by Marianne Curtis

On February 16, the community of St. Malo played host to the 2nd annual Boogy Wheel Club Vintage show/shine/ride. The event included a display with almost eighty vintage snowmobiles and accessories, along with a toboggan slide and fire pit. After a number of trophies were presented to participants, the group adjourned for a short ten mile ride.

The highlight of the afternoon was a legendary sled and visit from one of the Legends of Polaris, Jim Langley. Fifty years ago, twenty-nine year old Langley and his buddy Clark Dahlin set out on a cross country trip that began December 9, 1966 in Vancouver. The pair set out on a 4,000 mile adventure that in the end saw the duo dipping the skis of their 1967 Polaris Colts into the Pacific Ocean in Portland, Maine then returned home to live out their lives as forgotten legends.

During that trip, Langley traveled through the area, making stops in Piney and Roseau Minnesota. Two years ago, the sled was found in a bush, restored and presented to him last year.

EI Changes Coming for Families after the Loss of a Child Recently the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) tabled its report entitled Supporting Families after the Loss of a Child in the House of Commons. The committee’s study was initiated by Motion 110, sponsored by Blake Richards, MP for Banff-Airdrie, and seconded

by Ted Falk, MP for Provencher.

Motion 110 called on the HUMA Committee to study the way government entities interact with parents who have suffered the loss of an infant child and sought to have the Committee consider ways to improve the level of compassion and support these parents receive when dealing with the government. In particular, M110 sought to ensure that parents do not suffer any undue financial and emotional hardship as a result of the design of government programming.

Sadly, some Canadian parents experience the tragic loss of their infant child only a short time after his or her birth. In Canada, between 15% and 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage and over 1,000 pregnancies end in stillbirth every year. Furthermore, almost 2,000 infants die before the age of one every year.

At the hearings, witnesses described difficult experiences with Service Canada following the loss of their children, including facing parental benefit clawbacks in the midst of their grieving. “For parents, the birth of their child is a wonderful, exciting moment.

Yet sometimes, this beautiful picture is not the reality for many Canadian families,” said Falk. “Government employees and services must be able to serve these families with compassion and recognition of the pain they’re experiencing.”

The report makes 7 recommendations aimed at improving parents’ experiences in difficult times, including changing, “The eligibility requirements for Employment Insurance as they relate to maternity and parental benefits so bereavement leave is accommodated in the programme and provides income support for 12 to 15 weeks for parents grieving the loss of an infant child.”

“I’m thankful to see substantive recommendations laid out by the committee,” said Falk. “The government can and must do more to support families experiencing such loss, but this report represents an important step toward more compassionate government.”

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

March 2019

More Personal Care Beds Coming to Southeast Region The entire region is expected to benefit from the recent announcement that a new 143-bed personal care home will be constructed in Steinbach to support those needing 24-hour supervision or nursing care.

Premier Brian Pallister was on hand at Rest Haven in Steinbach, to make the announcement. “We remain committed to ensuring there are consistent, reliable services when and where people need them most,” said Pallister. “These new personal care homes will add to the province’s total number of personal care home beds and ensure the residents of Steinbach and the surrounding communities can access the quality care they need.”

The new facility will feature clusters of single resident rooms with washrooms/showers that form a local neighbourhood of 11 to 12 rooms. Each cluster includes dining and activity spaces, multi-purpose gathering spaces and private lounge areas. The facility also includes storage, offices, staff areas, maintenance, laundry and housekeeping service areas and exterior patios, walkways and parking.

The decision to build a new care home in Steinbach was made following a review in 2016 by South-

ern Health-Santé Sud. It was deterConstruction of the new facil- number of personal care home beds leased at this time to ensure the mined there was sufficient demand ity supports the provincial govern- by 1,200 in Manitoba by 2025. tendering process is not affected. to support additional personal care ment’s commitment to increase the Project costs are not being rehome spaces in Steinbach.

Jane Curtis, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Health-Santé Sud confirmed that their research showed that many rural seniors were gravitating to Steinbach. “We know families in the area are eager to have this new facility in place to meet the housing and care needs of their loved ones,” said Curtis.

“With the long-term needs for personal care home capacity identified in our 2016 review, we look forward to working with the project partners and the Manitoba government to advance this important project as quickly as possible.”

The current Rest Haven personal care home in Steinbach has 60 beds and was built in 1984. The new facility will be constructed next to the existing building and the 86-suite Woodhaven Manor elderly persons housing building.

The current building will be renovated to provide support space.

The regional health authority and HavenGroup developed the Steinbach project proposal and the province will provide some capital funding, with the rest to be proPremier Brian Pallister, along with local representatives celebrates the announcement of a new 143 bed personal care home in Steinbach. vided by HavenGroup.

Falk Seconds Fitness Tax Credit On March 1, Provencher MP Ted Falk seconded Bill C-428, An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (child fitness tax credit).

Falk, who remains physically active despite a busy life in Parliament, is supporting Bill C-428 he said. Introduced by Kellie Leitch, MP for Simcoe-Grey, the Bill proposes a

new Child’s Fitness Tax Credit that would allow parents of children 18 years old or under enrolled in an eligible physical activity to deduct up to $500 per child from their taxes.

“Healthy physical activities for our kids can be expensive,” Falk said.

“Conservatives recognize that making youth participation in sports and

other physical activities more affordable will encourage healthy, active lifestyles and improve quality of life.”

Parents of a child with a disability 21 years old or under would be able to deduct up to $1,000.

“This is a commonsense measure to help Canadian families stay happy and healthy,” Falk added.

Sharing our stories…

Harm Reduction in Southern Health

Harm reduction is a strategy used to help individuals or groups minimize or reduce the effects of behaviour. Harm reduction approaches meet people where they are at, where they feel at ease and it is carried out without judgment. Related strategies are a proven public health approach, which focuses on reducing the harmful consequences of drug use and other behaviours that negatively affect a person’s health.

Harm reduction can come in many forms and for any age group. If we look at the spectrum of life, the use of infant and children’s car seats, seat belts, bike helmets, sun safety, Safe Grad programs and tobacco

reduction are all forms of harm reduction.

In this context, reproductive health products such as condoms are available at our Public HealthHealthy Living sites with intent to help prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Public health nurses also work with individuals to decrease the harm associated with injection drug use through distribution of needles and supplies.

This service is in place to decrease the risk of blood borne infections including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis that come through sharing contaminated needles and

supplies. Those obtaining supplies are encouraged to return their used needles in a sharps container.

As part of the Harm Reduction initiative, free naloxone kits are currently available in the Portage la Prairie Public Health-Healthy Living office, with plans to expand this to Steinbach and Morden/ Winkler.

Individuals in need of harm reduction supplies can drop by any Public HealthHealthy Living office and ask to speak with a Public Health Nurse. Alternatively, more information on this topic is available on our website southernhealth. ca under Public Health-Healthy Living or Harm Reduction Initiative.

Steinbach Chamber and City Agree on Growth The Steinbach Chamber is excited about the City Council’s recent announcement and strategic priority regarding economic development in the city.

At a committee meeting recently, council discussed the City’s economic development at length and agreed that it was time for Steinbach to take a more active role in seeking out and bringing new business to the community.

“Council recognizes economic development as an important focus for our city to continue to grow and strengthen,” said Mayor Earl Funk. “We see it as key in creating a sustainable community that provides opportunities for people to work here as well as set roots.”

Chamber President, Tim Schmitt said that this is very exciting for the community. “The Chamber is very encouraged about this action by City Council,” said Schmitt. “We want to align our activities with the City to actively foster strong economic development in our community, and we look forward to working together in the future on this important initiative.”

Schmitt said the chamber is looking forward to hearing further details of the economic development strategy that is expected to come from the City’s Community Development Corporation. “And how we can come alongside to promote and advance this significant priority,” Schmitt concluded.

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March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

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

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Winterfest a Hit in St. Pierre-Jolys

La Broquerie Truck Stolen and Torched On Monday February 11 Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen 2004 GMC Sierra pickup truck from a residence on road 34 North in the RM of La Broquerie. The owner of the truck reported that at approximately 1 am the vehicle was taken from the driveway of their residence.

The vehicle was found behind the barns of Shady Nook Farms later on in the day at 11 pm but engulfed in flames. The local fire department was able to extinguish fire.

Police are still looking for suspects or any information on possible suspects.

Truck Stolen, Then Dumped On February 13 at approximately 10 am, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle from a business in La Broquerie.

The vehicle, a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel, was stolen between 3:30 am and 5:50 am. It was located in Steinbach later on in the day around 3 pm. If you have any information please report it.

Toyota Taken On February 24 at approximately 11:25 pm, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen 2014 Toyota Rav 4 LE, black in colour with Manitoba plate HSX868 from 275 Loewen Boulevard, Steinbach. The theft occurred a few hours earlier between 8 pm and 11 pm. If you have any information please report it.

RCMP Nab Impaired Driver Hiding in Garage On February 13 at 3:30 pm RCMP Steinbach Detachment & Traffic Services were dispatched to an impaired operation incident on PR 207 in the RM of Ste Anne.

One suspect was observed by witnesses consuming an alcoholic beverage while operating his vehicle and subsequently drove into the culvert adjacent to the highway.

The suspect exited his vehicle and fled the scene with witnesses advising he was intoxicated, which was noted by a strong odour of alcohol emanating from the suspect and the manner in which he staggered/ran from the scene of the collision.

Steinbach RCMP & Traffic Services immediately responded by patrolling in the nearby area in an effort to locate the suspect, who fled to a nearby residence. Officers surrounded the residence and associated buildings following foot tracks left in the snow by the suspect. Subsequent investigation located several cans of alcohol beverages within the motor vehicle operated by the suspect.

Police Dog Services arrived on scene to assist and the suspect was located in a garage associated to the residence. The suspect’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was determined to be 260 mg% BAC, over three times the legal limit as established via breath tests.

The suspect Jonathan Edward Forsyth, 35 years old, of La Broquerie was later identified and charged with 4 charges, Adult Operation while Impaired (Alcohol), Adult Operation while Impaired (Alcohol) Over 80 mg, Adult Operation while Prohibited, and Adult Resist/Obstruct Police.

Forsyth was released from custody with a Steinbach Provincial Court Appearance.

RCMP Seeking ATV Theft Witnesses On Sunday, February 10 Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen 2007 ATV Blue Yamaha Grizzly 700 from the Mitchell area.

The investigation is still on-going and police are looking to speak with any witnesses.

The highlight of this year’s Winter Fest in St. Pierre-Jolys was performances by Winter X-Games Athletes in the Octane Addictions Freestyle Show.

On February 23, the community of St. Pierre-Jolys played host to their first Winterfest.

Beginning Friday night was a community dinner at the local hotel. The high energy event kicked things up a few notches to feature an afternoon and evening Octane Addictions Freestyle show featuring Winter X-Games Athletes.

The weekend action continued in the Parc Carillon with boot hockey, cross country skiing and the snow is sculpting competition. Other activities included axe-throwing, Coupe Gouret, bannock making, warm up teepees, cross-country ski clinics, kids outdoor boot hockey tournament, kids activities finishing off with a community social featuring The Ricky Smits Band.

The Winterfest took place as a fundraiser for the St. Pierre-Jolys Arena, with the entire proceeds Throughout Parc Carillon, local residents and business people carved snowy creations during going towards the facility. the ice sculpture competition.

Youth Soccer Registration Opens for Season The snow has yet to recede, but parents looking forwards to spring activity registration for their children are being reminded that soccer is available throughout the region.

According to league president Dave Nelson Eastman Youth Soccer League (EYSL) is a notfor- profit recreational level soccer league operating mainly in the Eastman Region of the province.

“We have players that range from 8 years old to 18 years old,” Nelson explained. “In past seasons our participant number has reached over 3,000 players and we would like to see this continue to grow.”

For families looking for recreation options that get their children active but remain affordable, soccer is a viable option. “First off – It’s fun!

It helps kids stay fit and healthy. It builds self confidence and self esteem, it teaches children teamwork.

It helps create motivation and drive.

Did I say it’s fun?” said Nelson. “As organized sports go soccer is definitely one of the more inexpensive ones.”

Eastman Youth Soccer League consists of teams from Anola, Beausejour, Blumenort, Cooks Creek, Grunthal, Kleefeld, Landmark, Morden, Morris, Niverville, Otterburne, Ste. Anne, Steinbach, Tyndall, and Vita.

Clubs set their registration fees

individually, but the range seems to be between $65 and $100, mostly around the $80 mark. The other costs parents face are soccer socks, shin guards, a ball and cleats, which can all be purchased at a reasonable price.

The season begins in early May and ends in late June, with tournaments or playoffs for each of age group, just before school ends for summer. Each team has two games or practices a week. Many clubs also have mini-soccer programs geared towards kids 2-7 years old.

To find out more, Eastman Youth Soccer League has developed a Facebook page at eastmanyouthsoccerleague to keep parents up to date on events and registration.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Gardeners Exchange Seeds On February 22, Abbeyfield in Dominion City was the place to exchange some interesting seeds from the gardens of Emerson/Franklin area gardeners.

Amongst the gardeners, various reasons were given for taking the time to save and exchange seeds.

Some participants said it is a way of passing on favourite seeds that have proven to do well in the area or honing a skill that saves money, as well as helping make us more food secure by keeping seeds in circulation that may not be commonly sold in seed catalogues were some of the reasons.

The non-profit organization Seed Savers Exchange claims that in the last century the world has lost 75% of its edible plant varieties. That might be hard to perceive when many of us have enough food on our plates, however according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, only five cereal grains make up 60% of our calories.

This results in a system that depends so heavily on so few crops making it quite fragile. One example is the Irish Potato Famine. The use of only one variety of potato led to

Avid gardeners took the opportunity to get ready for spring planting.

a catastrophe. In 1845, the introduction of a new fungus wiped out the primary source of food in Ireland, leading to the death or emigration of some 1.5 million people.

Responding to the enthusiasm of this year’s participants, the Woodmore WI Food Security Initiative is already planning to hold another Seed Exchange in February 2020.

Steinbach RCMP Investigate Armed Home Invasion On February 18 at approximately 9:10 pm, Steinbach RCMP responded to a break and enter to an apartment on Loewen Boulevard in Steinbach.

The investigation determined that two males, one armed with a firearm, had entered the apartment by force.

Once inside, one of the males made serious threats towards the two occupants. The occupants were not in-

jured and at no time was the firearm discharged. It is believed the break and enter to this specific apartment was targeted.

The investigation has resulted in the arrest of a 17-year-old male youth from the RM of DeSalaberry who has been remanded into custody on charges of Breaking and Entering, Careless Use of a Firearm, Possession of a Weapon for Danger-

ous Purposes, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Assault with a Weapon and Assault, Uttering Threats x 3.

Steinbach RCMP continue to investigate and are asking anyone who may have information on the identity of the second suspect to contact the Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-2228477, or submit a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Spring Flooding Predicted for Red River According to a recently released provincial flood forecast, the risk of major spring flooding along the Red River Valley this spring is high.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said, “Early forecasting data shows that we expect to see major flooding along the Red River, with both the Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion pressed into service.”

“Manitoba Infrastructure continues to gather data and work with counterparts in the United States and Saskatchewan to ensure timely information is available,” Schuler assured the public.

With normal weather conditions, levels on the Red River south of the floodway are expected to be near 2011 levels. Unfavourable weather

conditions, including late season snow, spring rains and a more rapid snowmelt, would bring Red River levels comparable to the 2009 levels, which saw extended road closures of PTH 75 and other roads and evacuations in some areas. Water levels will be below the flood protection levels of community and individual dikes. However, partial closure of some community dikes may be required to maintain local access.

There is a low risk of overland flooding in the Whiteshell lakes areas.

Based on long-term weather forecasts, below-normal temperatures are expected in March and April, further delaying snowmelt, with the risk of spring rains occurring at the

same time.

Manitoba Infrastructure is collecting ice thickness samples across Manitoba basins. Ice is expected to be thicker than normal, which would increase the risk of ice-jam flooding.

“March remains a crucial month in terms of snowmelt and weather conditions, and how that will affect the flood forecast going forward,” Schuler added. “We expect to update Manitobans with more information as updated forecast data becomes available.”

The province will also be providing more detailed information to municipal officials. Further outlooks will be issued as updated forecast data becomes available. More information about flooding and how to prepare for an emergency situation is available at gov.mb.ca/flooding.

March 2019

Local Business Directory

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March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Fate Brings Snowmobile Legend Back to Manitoba

March 2019

13

RCMP Caution Public over the Increase in Vehicle Thefts The Steinbach RCMP would like to bring the public’s attention to the recent increase of thefts of motor vehicles, Quads/ATV’s and thefts from inside vehicles that have taken place in Steinbach and surrounding communities.

The RCMP would also to help prevent these types of thefts with some ways for everyone to use that reduces these types of crimes and to help keep the community safe. The public is asked to keep your vehicles locked at all times. Even in the cold winter months, use caution leaving your vehicles running while unattended. Keep your vehicles locked, even if parking them in an indoor garage and always keep the doors to the inside of your residence locked that connects the residence to the garage and remember to lock your garage doors as well.

Other preventative measures that the public can take, is remove all valuables (cash, wallets, ID, laptops, presents, etc...) from the interior of your vehicle, especially if parking your vehicle for the night. Never leave your keys inside your vehicle and your vehicle un-attended and place hitch locks on any trailers that are left outdoors or un-attended.

Jim Langley and Warren Magnusson with the rebuilt sled.

By Marianne Curtis When Mitch Magnusson unearthed an ancient snowmobile chassis buried in the grass on his Roseau, Minnesota property, he had no idea that the discovery would lead him backwards five decades, to a moment when he was eleven years old.

Fifty years ago, Jim Langley and Clark Dahlin set out on a cross country trip that began December 9, 1966. The pair set out on a 4,000 mile adventure that in the end saw the duo dipping the

skis of their 1967 Polaris Colts into the Pacific Ocean in Portland, Maine then returning home to live out their lives as forgotten legends.

Two years ago, the story regained life, when Magnusson discovered the abandoned Colt’s chassis on his property.

Recognizing the taillights, he embarked on a research adventure that would lead him to Langley, who is now eighty and living in Denver, Colorado.

“I still remember the call. He said ‘I am looking for Jim Langley’; I said, ‘I

Photo by Marianne Curtis

was busy’,” Langley laughed. “He told me that he found my old snowmobile, and then we spent three hours on the phone.”

For the next year, Magnusson lovingly pieced the legendary machine together, right down to the final detail. The only part that has been reproduced is the hood; which has been replicated by Magnusson’s wife Monica, including the decals.

Langley said he cried the moment he laid eyes on his old snowmobile.

Continued on page 14....

Drywall Tools Stolen On February 21 Steinbach RCMP received a report of theft of dry wall tools from a construction site in Mitchell. The theft occurred between February 20 and February 21. The loss is estimated at approximately $2,000.

If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204- 326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1800-222-8477 or manitobacrimestoppers.com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

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March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Carbon Tax Rebate There are not too many changes to the 2018 personal income taxes, but one main item that will affect all Manitoba taxpayers in a good way is the carbon tax rebate.

The official name is the Climate Action Incentive.

Everyone will receive this credit. It will either increase your refund or decrease the amount of taxes you owe. The base amount is $170. Another $85 is added for your spouse or the eligible dependant if you are a single parent. Plus $42 for each additional child under 18 or other dependant in the home.

And those of us living in rural Manitoba get an extra 10% because we do not have access to public transportation and likely use more fuel than those living in or near Winnipeg.

If you live in Winnipeg and surrounding communities like the RMs of Tache or Ritchot or Springfield, you do not get the extra 10%.

First some explanation of what this credit is for.

In Manitoba the carbon tax will begin April, 1 2019. Fuel prices will increase. And everything related to fuel will eventually go up too. We all get our food and other goods using fuel. Maybe more reasons to shop locally and purchase local food and other goods. But I digress.

The new Climate Action Incentive is a refundable tax credit that is intended to help you pay for the increase in your fuel and goods in the next 12 months. And the incentive is for you to decrease your use of fuel.

If you decrease your fuel use (and reduce your carbon footprint), you will be ahead since you will get the rebate and perhaps not use all of it for the upcoming carbon tax.

From a tax issue, my biggest concern will be separated families with shared custody of children. Who gets the Climate Action Incentive? The parents will need to agree. Perhaps they alternate the years?

The credit is too new to determine what Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will do, but perhaps like other credits, if the parents cannot agree, then neither parent will receive this new credit (CRA will take the credit back) until the parents can agree.

So if you are a parent with shared custody of your child (ren), be prepared to answer my question: Which of you as parents will claim the new credit?”

As you gather all your receipts to file your taxes, a few quick reminders that in order to claim any deduction or credit, you need proof.

CRA has been more aggressive in reviewing claims taxpayers are making, so be sure you have all of your receipts for all that you claim: - Medical receipts, including proof of payment for premiums to a health plan (direct from your bank account as a deduction from your pay or pension) and proof of any payments the plan did not cover some of your expenses.

- Any employment expenses need all receipts and need authorization from your employer (T2200).

- Child care: if the provider is an individual, need their name and SIN on the receipt, plus dates and name of child.

Most taxpayers have until April, 30 2019 to file their 2018 taxes. This is especially important if you find out you have an amount owing. If you are expecting a refund, the date is not important, but you likely want your refund as soon as possible.

Those of you that are self-employed (and your spouse) have until June, 15 2019 to file. But if you do have an amount owing, the interest (6% per annum) starts ticking on May, 1 2019.

Don’t be late filing your taxes if you owe. The penalty is 5% of the amount owing plus 1% for each month you are late. And if it’s not the first time you are late, the penalties are even worse!

Even if you do not have all your info to file by the deadline, file it with estimated amounts. You can always adjust later.

Happy Tax Season!

Anni Markmann is a Personal Income Tax Professional and Certified Financial Planner; living, working, and volunteering in our community. Contact Ste Anne Tax Service at 204.422.6631 or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne (near Clearview Co-op) or Info@SteAnneTaxService.ca.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Fate Brings Snowmobile Legend Back to Manitoba...

Continued from page 12...

Jim Langley and Warren Magnusson, shoulder a blown up photo of the pair taken fifty years ago in Roseau, Minnesota during a stop on his legendary cross country trip.

“I spent twenty-four days of my life on that sled; then I never saw it again,” Langley recalled. “It was very emotional for me.”

Langley also got emotional when he called the leg of the trip that brought him through Manitoba, back in 1966. “Boy were we welcomed in Winnipeg; I think they even let the kids out of the school.

From there we went down to Beausejour; Polaris had a factory there then, and they gave us a tour. I think one of the highlights of the trip was when we got to Piney, then Roseau,” Langley recalled.

“It’s going to be hard to say this. There were probably about 50 snowmobiles along the road; along with just as many cars. The mayor was there; they gave us the key to the town, and the flag. It was an honour.”

As the puzzle pieces came together, another part of the story surfaced. Unknown to Magnusson, his eleven year old self appears in a historic photo taken in Roseau, Minnesota.

“While they were standing there, taking pictures there was a little boy about 12 years old; that little boy was the man who found the sled; that is a story on its own,” Langley continued. “How lucky that person can be - that he was there when we

The old 67 Polaris Colt chassis as it was found in the bush two years ago.

came into the United States and then to find the sled – that is fate.”

Langley is appreciative of the St. Malo Boogy Club for hunting him down and invited him back to Manitoba to tell his story.

“I see all these vintage sleds out there; and its all part of a story, a story that started in Vancouver fifty years ago that will never end. That

someone had a crazy idea and got to the point that we are here today. Half of you were probably not even born yet. Lots of Polaris dealers don’t even remember this trip as it happened before their time; yet Polaris got back on the right road to where they are today because of this. You are lucky up here,” Langley concluded.

Hometown Hockey Comes to Steinbach The countdown is on for hockey fans throughout the region.

On March 9 and 10, Steinbach will host Rogers Hometown Hockey, a twoday hockey celebration that includes live entertainment and hockey-themed activities for the whole family.

Hosts Ron MacLean and Tara Slone will be on site for the festivities, which include meet-and-greet opportunities with NHL alumni Dave Ellett and Colton Orr, live local entertainment, and the live Sportsnet NHL broadcast of the Winnipeg Jets and the Washington Capitals.

The City of Steinbach is thrilled that the community is one of 25 chosen to be part of the tour. The only other Manitoba community to be featured in tour takes a week earlier in Winkler.

In a previous interview, Troy Warkentin, City Manager said the City, “Immediately saw this as a great opportunity to

not only show our amazing city to the rest of Canada, but to also celebrate what already brings our community together regularly, the game of hockey.”

The two-day hockey festival begins noon on Saturday at the T.G. Smith Centre and will conclude on Sunday evening following the outdoor viewing party. The evening’s broadcast kicks off with a special pre-game show hosted by MacLean and Slone live from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio beginning at 5:30 pm.

As part of the national broadcast on Sportsnet, Steinbach will be profiled for an international audience and local hockey stories shared.

The free hockey-themed weekend features games, prize giveaways, fun activities, and live local entertainment for the whole family, in-

cluding the Rogers Fan Hub with interactive experiences, autograph signings with NHL alum Dave Ellett, video game stations, bubble hockey, and popcorn. The will also be a Sportsnet Virtual Photo Booth and Interactive Games where fans can take photos with virtual images of NHL stars, and show off their hockey skills and see how they match up to the NHL stars.

Scotiabank will also be donating $15,000 to minor hockey associations in the community.

Along with a list of other activities, live music will be featured throughout the weekend by The Boy & The Sea performing on Saturday followed by Del Barber and John Grolman on Sunday.

All events take place at the T.G. Smith Centre on 321 Elmdale St., Steinbach.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Spring Snow Woes

As winter winds down and the warmer weather starts melting the snow on your roof, be aware of the potential threat of ice damming, which can cause damage to both the exterior and interior of your home.

An ice dam is created when rooftop snow melts during the day and then freezes again at night around the edges or eavestroughs. As this barrier of ice gets bigger, it prevents further melting snow from draining off your roof.

When water has no way of getting off your roof, it pools there and backs up under the shingles and into your home, where it can cause damage to the wood structure, insulation, ceilings, wall finishes, furnishings and personal belongings.

On the outside, ice dams are not only a safety concern – they can also cause damage to eaves and lead to the buildup of a white, powdery residue (known as efflorescence) on concrete and brickwork.

The best thing you can do is to prevent

Don’t let ice damming damage your roof!

ice dams before they happen. Soon after a snowfall, use a roof rake to remove snow from the first metre of your roof. If you currently have ice buildup on your roof and want it removed, consider hiring an experienced professional to do it for you.

Do not climb onto the roof to try and clear snow or ice – you can damage your home and seriously hurt yourself. Throwing salt or de-icing chemicals on roof ice is also a bad idea, as this may cause shingles to deteriorate.

Article courtesy of newscanada.com

How to Safely Remove the Snow From Your Roof It may look pretty, but a blanket of snow on the roof of your home can lead to big problems. Weight is the main reason you don’t want too much snow on your roof.

There’s a risk of structural damage if the snow piles up too high. And if you try to get rid of the snow yourself, safety is essential.

Wet snow weighs about 6 times as much as dry snow. Pay attention to weather reports and storm warnings to make sure you don’t get caught off guard. After snow falls, see how it feels when you’re shovelling your sidewalk or driveway – you’ll know in a hurry if it’s the wet, heavy kind.

Another serious hazard to your roof is damage caused by ice dams. When heat rises through your roof, or outside temperatures rise and fall, moisture from melting snow can re-freeze, causing ice to build up around your eaves and under your shingles. Not only is ice heavier than snow, it also expands as it freezes, This pushes shingles out of place, opens up cracks and potentially leads to leaks.

How to tell if there’s a problem There are several warning signs that the weight of snow on your roof is too much for your house to handle. If doors

Shovelling Without Strain As Canadians, we’ve been digging with that same snow shovel just as we do every year. But have we ever really given this chore much thought? Whether you’re shovelling at work or at home, there are some things you should consider.

Often the need for shovelling snow arises unexpectedly and interferes with what we had originally planned to do. Consequently we face this unwanted chore unprepared and, more important, in a hurry to get it over with as fast as possible. If we are not careful, we could experience cold exposure, fatigue, muscular strains and more serious injury, particularly

on the upper floor of your home start to rub or stick, the weight of the snow could be distorting the frame. You may also see cracks, bulging and warping on interior walls and ceilings, or even hear unusual cracking and creaking sounds.

You’ll be able to see an ice dam by visually inspecting your roof from the outside.

The most common telltale sign is icicles hanging from below the eaves.

The easiest, safest way to remove excess snow is with a roof rake. This tool, which typically comes with a long, extendable handle, looks like an oversized version of the device used to rake up the chips from a casino’s roulette table. Standing on solid ground, reach up to your roof and use the rake to pull the snow down, one long strip at a time. Make sure to position yourself a safe distance away from where the falling snow will land – you’ll be pulling down a heavy load each time. It’s important not to pull too hard or dig too deep with the blade of the rake – you don’t want to damage the shingles. Rather than trying to remove every last flake, aim to leave 10 or 15 centimetres of snow behind. The goal is to get rid of excess weight without affecting the integrity of the roof’s waterproof barrier.

to the lower back. Where possible, it is more practical to shovel early and often. Fresh dry snow is lighter and therefore more manageable than wet, heavily packed, or partly melted snow.

First of all, you should keep in mind that shovelling snow involves strenuous effort. In general, if you load a shovel (weighing over 1 kg) with 5 kg of snow (just about the average) every 5 seconds, you will move a load of over 70 kg in one minute. Repeat for 15 minutes and you will have shovelled 1,000 kg of snow. Such effort is obviously not for everyone. This effort is hard on the heart and back. As with any exercise, talk to your doctor. If you are physically fit, do some warmups before you start shovelling.

Article courtesy of Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Unfortunately, roof rakes don’t work for every homeowner. If your home has multiple stories or a flat roof, it may be necessary to get up there and shovel some snow off.

This task is typically best left to professionals, but can be handled by well-prepared, safety-conscious DIY enthusiasts.

If you do shovel your own roof, never tackle the job by yourself. Make sure to have at least one partner with you in case of an emergency. Before you climb, be certain your ladder is securely planted, and that each rung is free of slippery snow and ice.

Once you’re on the roof you should always use a safety harness attached to a secure anchor, such as the chimney, to prevent falls.

Always work with a plastic shovel to avoid damaging the shingles. Start by clearing snow drifts away from chimneys and parapets, or any roof equipment. Never pile up snow on your roof – you’ll only exacerbate the weight problems down below.

As much as possible, don’t leave footprints behind after you finish – these hard-packed areas are likely to turn into ice. Finally, make sure the area below the roof is kept clear of people. Mark out the space where snow will land with a barrier or caution sign if possible.

Article courtesy of Canada Post

March 2019

15

Weiss Opposes Tax Increase in RM of La Broquerie On February 27, over thirty RM of La Broquerie rate payers filled the chambers when council hosted a public hearing to present their financial plan.

The plan, as presented, proposed a rural mill rate increase of .22%, and an LUD increase of .293%. This means that rural homes valued at $186,000 will see an increase of $18 and homes within the LUD valued at $207,000 will see an increase of about $27.

Despite objections from both Reeve Louis Weiss and Councillor Darrel Unger, council gave first reading to the bylaw to approve the increase. “During my campaign I got a very strong sense that rate payers feel taxes are already too high and they would like them lower,” Weiss told media. “I got elected to not raise taxes.”

Council will now wait until the school divisions approve their financial plans before they can proceed with second and third readings.

Seine River Services for Seniors Offering Peace of Mind with Lifeline Service The Seine River Services for Seniors is offering peace of mind with the Lifeline service.

When you experience a fall, medical issue, or other emergency, every second counts. If you are alone, delayed medical care can jeopardize your recovery and your independence.

The Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service provides simple, fast access to highly trained, caring Response Associates at the push of a button, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information on Lifeline services, contact Juliette Rowan - Lifeline Representative at 204-424-5285.

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March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

St. Pierre-Jolys Sugar Festival to Kick Off Spring Those craving a sweet adventure are invited to St. Pierre-Jolys for this year’s annual sugar festival. The Sugaring Off Party is taking place April 6 and 7 from 10 am to 5 pm in the Cabane à Sucre, at the Musée de Saint-Pierre-Jolys St. Pierre-Jolys.

Each year, nearly 500 visitors per day from all over the province attend the festival, which is designed to celebrate the tradition of tapping Maple sap to make syrup and maple butter. As part of the celebrations, visitors to the Cabane Sucre are shown how to properly tap a Maple tree, then the dehydrating process, and given the opportunity to sample the finished product.

The weekend event schedule is full of activities, including taffy on snow, an interpretive centre demonstrating the production of maple syrup, horse wagon rides, museum tours, traditional French-Canadian dining and local entertainment. There is no admission.

Prior to the actual public event, over 800 students are expected to tour the grounds and participate in planned activities.

The first Cabane a Sucre goes back to the spring of 1986, when Armand Desharnais ventured out to tap a few Manitoba Maple trees on the museum grounds. With the help of volunteers, this slowly expanded into an annual Sugaring-Off Festival in April.

As the community festival grew, so was the need for a larger sugar-shack. In 1998, local artist, Réal Bérard, designed the Cabane à Sucre to be erected on the museum grounds.

In June 2000, the smaller, original sugar-shack, located adjacent to the main building, was named “Cabane demon uncle Armand” to recognize the founder’s enthusiasm and perseverance.

Lagassé Pleased with Dawson Trail Grants Dawson Trail MLA Bob Lagassé is pleased that grants totaling almost $95,000 have been awarded to seven groups throughout the constituency.

“Our PC government understands that, in communities like ours, supporting small projects can make a big difference,” said Lagassé. “I’m very proud that we’re making these investments that will improve the lives of so many Dawson Trail families.”

The grants, which are part of Manitoba Municipal Affairs’ Community Support Small Grant Program, have been awarded to two projects that affect RM of Ritchot children, including Gabrielle-Roy Parent Advisory Committee (Ile des Chênes) for $20,000 to purchase equipment for a multiuse fitness facility; the St. Adolphe Child Care Centre was granted $20,000 to purchase new furnishings and equipment.

Also in the RM of Ritchot, the Grande Pointe Homeowners Association received $20,000 to purchase an ice resurfacer and tractor and Le Club Amical de St-Adolphe got $11,037.84 to purchase new kitchen equipment for meal preparation.

In the RM of Tache, the Lorette Minor Hockey Association received $4,830.75 to replace hockey goal nets and purchase a new floor buffer; the Ross Community Centre received $4,168.75 to replace hockey goal nets and purchase an upright freezer and the Landmark Recreation Association was granted $14,746.50 to help maintain sports fields.

The Community Support Small Grant Program supports Manitoba’s non-profit and community-led organizations in their efforts to provide avenues for Manitobans to support and sustain thriving communities. Funding focuses on community projects and initiatives that meet government priorities and create measurable outcomes.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Smook Seeks Support in New Areas

There was no shortage of support for La Verendrye MLA Dennis Smook during his recent nomination meeting.

With a provincial election a year away, Dennis Smook is hitting the ground running after being officially named as the Progressive Conservative candidate for the newly re-aligned riding of La Verendrye. Smook, who was first elected in 2011, was nominated for re-election at a meeting recently held in La Broquerie.

The early start is expected to give Smook a change to get prepared, especially since the boundaries have changed. “I will miss a lot of the ratepayers that I have got to know since the 2011 election,” Smook told media.

In December, the 2018 Manitoba Electoral Divisions Boundaries Commission released its final

report establishing the boundaries of the electoral divisions.

Under these changes La Verendrye now includes portions of RM’s of Hanover and De Salaberry. It no longer includes the RM of Reynolds, Whitemouth, Whiteshell Provincial Park and parts of the RM of Springfield.

A House Fire Can Start in Your Clothes Dryer Did you know that a buildup of lint in your clothes dryer or its exhaust duct can block the flow of hot air and start a fire?

To reduce the risk of a fire in your home: - Clean the lint filter/screen before or after each load. If your items appear to be taking longer than usual to dry, this may be a sign that the lint screen or exhaust duct is blocked.

- Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure air is exiting through the vent. If it isn’t, the exhaust duct or vent may be clogged with lint. You will need to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer and the vent to clear any trapped debris. Don’t forget to reconnect the duct at both ends before using your dryer again.

-Have a qualified service person periodically remove accumulated lint from the dryer chassis.

- Clean up lint that accumulates behind the dryer and keep the area all around the dryer free of clutter.

- Install a rigid or semi-rigid corrugated metal exhaust duct using the instructions that came with your dryer. Flexible accordion-style plastic or foil ducts crush easily and are prone to kinks that can reduce air flow.

- Take special care with items that are soiled with volatile chemicals

like gasoline, solvents, finishing oils/stains, cleaning agents or even cooking oil. Wash the items more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals and hang them to dry.

If you do use the dryer, use a noheat setting or the lowest heat setting possible with a cool-down cycle. Do not leave these dried items in the dryer or piled up in a laundry basket.

Dryer vent piples can become totally clogged by lint.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Kleefeld Man Hits Parked Cruiser Charges are pending against a twenty-two year old truck driver from Kleefeld as a result of a collision involving a parked RCMP cruiser.

At around 7:30 am on February 21, an RCMP Officer traveling west along TransCanada Highway near Headingly, pulled over behind a semi-truck trailer that had been involved in a collision earlier in the morning.

As the officer remained seated in his police car, with warning lights activated, the vehicle was struck from behind by a passing westbound

semi-trailer.

The RCMP Officer and the twenty-two year old semi-truck driver were both uninjured in the crash.

However, the RMCP cruiser had to be towed from the scene.

RCMP are using this collision as an opportunity to remind motorists to slow down when seeing emergency vehicles at work, and to pull over when possible. It is actually against the law to ignore emergency vehicles with active lights and sirens.

In September of 2014, the Province of Manitoba announced a new amendment to the Highway Traffic

Act stating that drivers on either side of an undivided highway, who pass emergency vehicles and other designated vehicles that are stopped with their beacons flashing, must proceed with caution and pass only when safe to do so.

Drivers travelling on multi-lane highways are also required to move to a lane farther from emergency vehicles. Drivers must slow down to 40 km/h on highways with posted maximum speed limits below 80 km/h and 60 km/h on highways with posted maximum speed limits of 80 km/h and above.

A Kleefeld semi driver accidentally drove into the back of a police cruiser while the officer was responding to another accident near Headingly.

Submitted by RCMP

Plugged Sewer Lines The Town of Ste. Anne Public Works department is reminding residents to be more mindful of what they flush down the drains.

Clothing, towels, cloth diapers or diaper wipes are all items that have been pulled from plugged sewer lines. Diaper wipes, rags and femi-

nine products do not disintegrate and when such items are flushed, they end up plugging the lines and causing pump failures at the lift stations.

While some items are deemed flushable, they may not be safe for the sewer systems. They have also

noticed accumulation of grease in the lines which indicates people are dumping cooking oils and fats down the drains. They are suggesting oils and fats would be better disposed of by pouring it into a container or bag and then sent to the landfill rather than the sewer system.

March 2019

17

Preventing Electrical Fires Overloaded circuits and overworked extension cords are recipes for disaster in your home. Keep these tips in mind to make your home safe.

Outlets and circuits - Make sure the outlets in your home are not overloaded with too many plugs, as this may cause a short circuit and possibly a fire.

- Many kitchen appliances require separate circuits to function properly. Upgrade your kitchen wiring if you have multiple outlets on a single circuit.

- The outlet on your electric range can be dangerous if an element on the stove top is in use. A cord lying across a hot element can melt and expose live wires.

Extension cords - Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis and are not intended as permanent household wiring.

- Never use extension cords for high wattage appliances such as air conditioners, portable heaters, and freezers.

Cords and plugs - Inspect cords regularly for loose plugs and cracked insulation. Exposed wires can cause shock and electrocution.

- Replace worn cords with new ones that are right for the job.

- Insert plugs fully, as exposed prongs are a hazard.

Appliances - Never use electrical tools or appliances near water. If you touch an appliance while in contact with water, you could become a path for electricity, resulting in serious injury.

- Unplug the toaster before removing toast that is wedged in.

- When using small appliances, be sure to move cords to the rear of the counter so they aren’t dangling off the edge.

Protect Electronics from Power Surges Extreme weather can cause power outages or power surges that can put your electronic devices at risk. A power surge is a rush of current, that can occur during a power disruption or when power is restored.

Even though it might last only a fraction of a second, a surge can damage delicate parts in electronic devices, including your computer, home entertainment system and appliances. Having the proper surge protection installed can protect your electrical equipment. For the best protection from power surges you can use a combination of: - A main service surge suppressor; - Several point-of-use surge suppressors.

A main service panel suppressor protects your home by cutting big power surges down in size. If any of the surge is left, the pointof-use surge protector can intercept it to protect equipment. The main service panel suppressor must be installed in your home by a licensed electrician.

You should plug electronic equipment you want to protect, like your computer or entertainment system, directly into a point-of-use surge suppressor. These are usually in the form of power bars or hard-wired receptacles with built-in suppression. Know the difference between a power bar surge protector and a power strip. Power strips give you additional outlets for your electronic devices, but don’t necessarily offer any additional surge protection.

Here are some other ways you can protect your electronics: - Limit the number of devices connected to a single outlet; - Use a dedicated circuit for sensitive electronic equipment. For example, avoid plugging your computer into the same circuit that runs your air conditioner; - Make sure the wiring in your house is properly grounded. If your lights dim or circuit breakers trip or fuses burn out frequently, contact a licensed electrician; - Use three-pronged plugs whenever possible and wherever appropriate; - Unplug sensitive electronic devices during electrical storms.

For more information, visit hydro.mb.ca.

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March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

A Step in Faith Is it possible to live today without faith? The answer is, “No.” There has never been a time when faith was not necessary.

When partners say, “I do” at the altar, they are putting faith in each other for the rest of their lives. A child has faith that his parents will meet his needs. When you sit on a chair, you have faith it will hold you. When you get in your car, you have faith it will start and get you to your destination. As a veterinarian, I enjoy watching young animals snuggle up to their mothers putting complete faith in them for provision and protection.

When talking to people about their spiritual needs, many often say they can’t trust in someone or something they cannot see and touch, yet they turn a switch to light up their homes and constantly use their phones without understanding the technology that went into them.

Hebrews 11:6 says it is impossible to come to God or please Him without faith. Faith is trusting without total understanding. We read in the Bible that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to earth 2,000 years ago and died on a cross so every human being could have complete forgiveness for everything they have ever done wrong.

That Jesus Christ walked this earth and died on a cross is an historical fact. But to believe He did that for you personally takes a step of faith. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God (saved, born again, child of God), even to them that believe on his name.”

There was a song back in the 1960’s (I’m aging myself) called “Desert Pete.” He was a thirsty cowboy out in the desert and he came up to an old well with a hand pump and a jar beside full of water. There was a note attached to the pump. It read, “Use the water to prime the pump and you will have all the water you need.” Would Pete exercise faith that the note was right and pour what little water there was into the pump to prime it or would he just drink the water he could see? Faith would give him more water that he could ever drink.

The Bible is like that note on the pump. It says in John 3:3, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus, in this passage, could not understand this saying but he took a step of faith and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Readers, you have the same opportunity today to take that same step of faith and call out to Almighty God to save you and make you His child.

You have already taken some steps of faith to get where you are today. Take the next step and come to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the whole world. I trust you will make the right decision. God bless.

Falcon Lake Celebrates 45 Years of Beaver Days From February 8 to 10, the community of Falcon Lake was bustling with activity as they celebrated the 45th anniversary of their signature winter festival, Beaver Days. The annual event is hosted by the Whiteshell Community Club to raise money for the facility.

This year’s event was jam packed with activities for all ages.

The weekend kicked off at 4 pm on Friday with family ice skating and a 4 on 4 hockey tournament followed by a dance with performances by Stonypoint and Rockabilly Rattlesnake.

On Saturday, the community gathered in the morning for a pancake breakfast, followed by snowmobile demo rides, snowmobile poker derby, a braid, beard and mustache competition and the 4 on 4 hockey tournament continued.

Other popular activities included the radar runs, kids activities and crafts, horse drawn sleigh rides, community home cooked turkey dinner, family skating, and dance with music by DJ Hero. On the final day, festival activities included a baking contest, the finals for the braid, beard and mustache competition along with a cross country Ski prediction.

Funds raised at the event will be put towards the Curling Club’s ice plant as the curling activities had to be suspended until the ice plant can be replaced.

The children’s games were a filled with fun and a great place to warm up while keeping the little ones busy during the community poker derby.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

March 2019

19

When Our Bones Ache from Fear

Lorette Family Performs at Festival - Daughter Releases CD The 50th Annual Festival du Voyageur has just wound down for another year, and a Lorette trio of siblings were part of the celebrations.

On February 17, Hutlet 2.0 which consists of siblings Danika (10), Elise (6), and Remi (4) who, along with their father Phil captivated the Pioneer Trading Post audience where the crowd was treated to an hour of toe tapping fiddling music.

Hutlet 2.0 features Danika, who has become a Provincial Fiddle Champion in the class of ages10 and under for 2 years in a row. Danika used the event to launch her first album.

Six year old Elise is not far behind her older sister’s in talent. She is also an award winning fiddle player, who loves to get the crowd going.

Four year old Remi loves to play guitar alongside his father, who has been playing since he could strum a chord.

During the Festival du Voyageur 10 year old Fiddle Champion Danika Hutlet from Lorette released her first CD “10” compilation of fiddle music.

Submitted photo

Psalm 69:1-3 . . . 1) Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

2) I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.

I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

3) I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.

My eyes fail, looking for my God . . . (NIV) The Psalmist does not miss any words as he relates his troubled situation to us. Most of us have or will get tangled up in messy situations during our lives. We can not help it; and I do not think we can totally avoid them either. Some things seem to have a life of their own; and they do not always go the way we want them too!

However, neither do we want to spend the nights weeping until we are totally exhausted. Circumstances that produce that hopeless churning feeling in the very pit of our stomach; those are tough situations that can and will drag us into depression if we do not face up and deal with them in their early stages. We must seek help from a higher power. We must communicate with God in prayer. We really have no alternative. We must realize that we will find strength in His presence; and that will necessitate a certain measure of faith in a living and loving God. A thought just came to me: Remember the story of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane? Here He was; the Son of God praying. Why would He have the need to pray? After all, is He not the author of prayer and the Creator of life itself? You know, the reason He prayed to His Father in heaven was because He was Holy and without sin, and He knew that very soon He would go to the Cross and there take your sin, my sin, and the sin of the whole world… to become a sinner on our behalf. That was an awful moment for Him. Remember, He was holy and had no sin. So, He cried to His Father in Heaven for help. And the Lord in heaven heard Him. His cry reached God’s ear and God provided the strength for Jesus to face His executioners who were bent on nailing Him to the Cross.

That same God will reach down from heaven to take our hand when we are at our weakest, when our strength has drained away as water, and all our bones ache from fear of the unknown. It is as though our heart melts as wax when we are at our lowest point. But I must say it again: Christ will not ignore our cry for help. He will not turn and walk away from us when we plead with Him for forgiveness. He is merciful, and when we confess our sins, and are sorry for what we have done, He will wash all our sins away.”

Suppose you belong to an organization that works hard to provide for the needs of other people. You surround them with care and love, help plan for their future needs, and do everything humanly possible to equip them for a more secure life style.

Suppose some of these people never felt compelled to reach out to their supporters, never felt a need to repay by being worthy of all this special care that they had received; and suppose they failed, not because they did not have the ability or the resources given to them, but because they would not care or try, because they simply forgot the love that gave them so much. That is what breaks a volunteer’s heart. When God gives people all His grace and they take their own foolish way and frustrate that grace which might have restored their relationship with Him, then once again Christ is crucified, and the heart of God is broken.

A final thought: The whole process of salvation takes its beginning from God. No other person can save us. We all must die, our breathing stops, life comes to an end. It is only God who keeps every promise. It was because God so loved the world that He sent His Son. It is not that God separated Himself from you and me, but rather, that we separated ourselves from Him. Christ does not fear bad news. That is why we need not be afraid to confess our sins, but calmly acknowledge our sins and ask for His pardon. Ask Him for strength to stop us from deliberately doing wrong. Ask Him to cleanse our hearts from hidden sins. Only then will we have our sins forgiven; and well be free of a guilty conscience… To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done.

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 honour Your Name Amen.”

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March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

C ommunity E vents Dugald Mixed Doubles Curling League - On Tuesday Nights at 9:15 pm or Sundays at 1 pm at the Springfield Curling Club. Format will be regular Canadian Guidelines. Cost $130 per person for a minimum 20 eight end games. Contact Cam Magura at 204-771-0029, ckmagura@gmail.com.

Chase the Ace Lottery – On Thursdays from 7 - 9 pm with the draw at 9:15 pm at Dawson Trail Motor Inn Bar. Come, support this very much needed complex, at the same time have the chance to chose the Ace of Spade, and win the grand prize jackpot. Hosted by the Community Complex Fundraising Committee.

Prairie Voices Toastmasters – On Tuesdays at 6:30 pm in the Springfield Library.

Ritchot Senior Services Foot Care Clinic – On Wednesday, March 13 at Le Club des Bles D’or with a certified foot care nurse. By appointment only. Call Janice 204-883-2880.

Supper - Every Tuesday and Friday at Le Club des Bles D’.

Please reserve your meal one day prior, before 6 pm by calling 204-878-2682 and leave a message.

Falcon Lake Alcoholics Anonymous - Whiteshell group meets every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 pm in All People’s Church, Falcon Lake. Come and meet with us or call 204-349-2374.

We can help.

Friedensfeld Whist Drive – On Friday, March 8, 7:30 pm at the Community Centre.

Whist Drive – On Sunday, March 24, 7:30 pm at the Community Centre.

Annual Southeast Manitoba Ducks Unlimited Dinner and Auction – On Saturday, March 9. Door opens at 5 pm, in the community hall. Open bar, amazing dinner, prize-an hour draw, raffle and auction items available. Great selection of limited edition DU merchandise. Contact Kyle Waczko, kwaczko@ gmail.com, 204-510-4968 or Rebecca Waczko, bwaczko@ gmail.com, 204-791-3109.

Hadashville Reynolds Moms & Tots Playgroup – On Wednesdays until June 26, from 10 am – 5 pm. Crafts, Gym Use, Playroom, Snack, Outdoor Play. Contact Angie Hood 204-295-4010 Perogy Dinner – Saturday April 6, from 4:30 – 8:30 pm at the Recreation Centre.

Cocktails: 4:30 pm, Dinner: 5:30 pm. Cost Adults $15, Children (7-12) $8 Children (6 & Under) Free. Advance Tickets only. Contact Maureen 204-426-5261 or Janet 204-4262371. 50/50 and Meat Package Draws. Everyone Welcome.

Tae Kwon Do - Every Wednesday at 6 pm at the Hadashville Community Club (Reynolds Recreational Centre) from 6 years old to adults. Pursue a black belt or learn new skills, great stress release and have an excellent workout at the same time.

Cost after registration fee is $40/month per person. Ask about 2 week free trial. Contact Shelly at 204-426-5266 or KSTA. academy@gmail.com.

Ile-des-Chênes Ritchot Senior Services at the TransCanada Centre. Call 204339-6141 for more information.

Foot care - On Thursday, March 21. Contact for an appointment Janice 204-883-2880.

Indoor walking - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9 – 10 am.

Yoga - Mondays from 10 – 11 am and Thursdays from 11 am – 12 pm.

Pickleball - Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and Wednesdays from 1 – 3 pm.

Water Colours Class - Thursdays from 9 – 11 am.

Seniors Zumba - Tuesdays from 10 – 11 am.

Taekwondo – On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 – 8 pm at the Ecole Ile Des Chene School. Cost $40/month, family rates available. Contact Kangs.mb.ca, Master Bill Tam 204296-8217.

IDC Taekwondo – on Tuesdays & Thursdays at the Ile Des Chene School from 6 – 8 pm.

Contact Master Jackson 204-782-1240, email pdjj8@ mymts.net.

Story Time in Pyjamas - Every Thursday evening at the Ritchot Library Ecole Regional Gabrielle-Roy at 6:30 pm. Ages 2-8 however all ages are welcome.

Foot Care Clinic – On Thursdays, next is March 21 at the TransCanada Centre with a certified foot care nurse. By appointment only. Call Janice 204-883-2880.

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

La Broquerie Seine River Services for Seniors- Health Centre/Centre de Santé from Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. Services and programs for seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility equipment, foot care, hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yard maintenance, Telecheck, E.R.I.K. program, puzzles and games. Contact Community Resource Coordinator Juliette Rowan, 204-424-5285 or labseinerss@gmail.com.

Shopping Trips to Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month, leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of the month, from 10 am - 1 pm. Cost $10.

Lorette Adult Craft Club - Every 2nd Wednesday per month starting March 13 from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Tache Library. Do you like to knit, crochet, cross-stitch, color or do paper crafts? Join us at the library for our Craft Club. Bring along your preferred craft activity and enjoy tea, coffee, and good company. Adults only. Coffee and tea will be provided.

Lego Club – On Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at the Bibliothèque Taché Library. Join us to build, create and explore!

Drop-in, no registration required.

Ritchot Senior Services Supper Available - Every Tuesday and Friday at Club Des Bles D’or, 1254 Dawson Rd. Please reserve your meal one day prior, before 6 pm by calling 204-8782682 and leave a message.

Game Night – First Wednesday, of the month from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Tache Library, 1082 Dawson Rd for ages 13 and up. Join us for monthly board game nights, cards, chess, Crib, Settlers of Catan and many more! Feel free to bring your own.

Junior Youth – Every Wednesday from 7 - 8:45 pm at Seine River Church, 1464 Dawson Rd (east of rink) for ages 9 - 12.

Free. No registration required. Non-denominational. Contact lorettejryouth@gmail.com, 204-260-9304.

Mitchell Seniors’ Breakfasts – Every Tuesday, from 8 - 9:30 am at the Seniors’ Centre, 130 Ash St. Open to all. Cost from $3 to $6.

Bring a friend and enjoy the fellowship. Contact Jane Penner, 204-346-2469, jpenner@jantre.com.

Niverville GriefShare - If you or someone you know has experienced the loss of a loved one we wish to help, you get support and learn about the grieving process. Contact 204-381-1155 to register or go to Nivervillegriefshare.com.

Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with children up to age six.

Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am located in the lower level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62-4th Avenue S.) Free drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, along with a large open space for the kids to play while the moms visit. Contact Karen at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com.

Paradise Village Paradise Squares Dance Club - On Tuesdays from 7 – 9:30 pm at the Paradise Village Rec. Hall. Modern Square Dancing is fun and a great social activity. Couples and singles are welcome. Contact Larry 204-422-5424.

Pinawa Whiteshell Toastmasters – On Tuesdays at 11:30 am at Whiteshell Laboratories, 1 Ara Mooradian Way. Sign-in required.

Prawda Circuit 30 - Alternate aerobic and weight exercises, with cool down and stretch exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, clean runners, and bring a bottle of water. Cost $2/class, Mondays and Thursdays at 7 pm, in the Reynolds School Gym. Contact Wendy 204-348-2433.

Busy Bodies Playgroup – Every Wednesday from 9 - 11 am at the Reynolds School Gym. Free to parents and children.

Snacks provided. Contact Cassie 204-793-8290.

Randolph Turnip the Music! - On Friday, March 15 at 8 pm, doors open at 7:30 pm at Neufeld Garage, Hwy 206. Cost $8 in advance/$10 at the door. Food trucks on site. Music by Sweet Water Creek and The Boy & The Sea to support the Creative Youth Council. Foosball, ping pong and more to do and see –delicious snacks, drinks and good music.

Richer Community Club Chase the Ace! - Every Saturday at the Richer Inn from 5:30 - 7:45 pm. Tickets only $1 each. Jackpot is growing! Door prizes on random Saturdays ranging from glassware to Jets tickets and jerseys! Bud, Spud and Steak Special and more! Check out and like Richer Community Club Facebook page for updates. LGA License #1392RF. Adult & Teen Challenge Concerned Persons Support Group Join us Thursday evenings at 7 pm, in the Richer Fellowship Church, 50 Southeast Drive. If you have a relationship with someone who has a life-controlling problem, join us for this nine-week Living Free course. Receive encouragement and support in a safe setting, and learn practical ways to best help your loved one. Contact Pastor Ben Funk at 204-326-2254 or phone the church at 204-422-5308.

Richer Recovery AA - Group meets Monday from 7:30 - 8:30 pm at LUD Hall in Richer. Contact Paul at 204-422-7673.

Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for Stacey Pchajek Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating grades 8 and 12.

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open at 5:30 pm

at the Young at Heart Club, 22 Dawson Rd. MGCC License # BI/BO4164. Contact Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 or doreen@spmf.ca.

Sarto Ukrainian Dance Club – On Mondays from 7 - 8 pm at the Sarto Hall. Join the Sarto Polevnyi Ukrainian Dance Club for the season! You do not need to be Ukrainian to dance! Boys & girls, ages 3 to adult, no prior experience required! Cost starts at $150/year.

Sprague Sprague & District Historical Museum - Open by appointment from June – September 30. Explore life as it was in the early days. Free Admission. Donations Accepted. Contact 204-4372210, 204-437-2209 or 204-437-4686.

St. Adolphe Ritchot Senior Services Guest Speaker – On Tuesday, March 5 at 10 am, 457 Main St. Did you know March is pharmacist awareness month? Join us to hear wonderful local pharmacist Massoud Horriat. Topic will be medical marijuana. We are also requesting for you to bring with you any expired or unused medications so they can be disposed of properly. Refreshments served. Contact to reserve a seat, Janice 204-883-2880.

Touch Quilt and Kindred Projects– On Wednesdays, March 6, March 20 and March 27 from 9:30 - 11:30am at 457 Main St. Quilters, knitters and people that like to lend a helping hand, join us this winter as we work on two different projects.

We continue to create touch quilts that will be donated to the Alzheimer Society. We will also be knitting or crocheting hats and scarves that will be donated to the Kindred project which will be giving the items to women in shelters Lunch Program & Bingo – On Thursday, March 7 at Le Club Amical, 344 Main St for only $8. Eat in or call ahead for takeout. Contact 204-883-2491.

Old Tyme Dance – On Saturday, March 10 with Mark Morisseau. On Saturday, April 13 with Patti Kusturok. On Saturday, May 11 with Mark Morisseau and Saturday June 8 with Mark Morisseau. Dance is from 7 – 11 pm at the Pioneer Hall, 345 Hebert Rd. Admission $15 lunch included. Call to reserve tickets Rae 204-883-2440 or Denise 204-883-2429.

Epicure - On Tuesday March 12. Debra Spiers Dillabough will be offering a cooking class and demonstrating a nourish bowl with quinoa, veggies, chicken and dressing and a dessert.

Sign up with Janice at 204-883-2880 in advance.

Green Thumb, Seed Share and Plant – On Tuesday, March 26 from 10 – 11 am at 457 Mani St. If you have any seeds that you saved from your garden last year that you would like to share, don’t forget to bring them along.

Pickleball – Every Thursday from 6 – 8 pm at the school, 444 La Seine St. Bingo – On Tuesday March 19 from 1 – 2:30 pm at the Bible Fellowship Church. Cost $2 and there will be fresh homemade cinnamon buns coffee and tea. All games will be played for fun prizes, come and join in the fun. Contact Janice 204-8832880 to reserve a seat.

50+ Fitness – On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Ritchot Senior Services, 457 Main St. Cost Buy 10 classes for $40 and receive 1 extra class free, 5 classes for $20 or a $5 drop in fee.

Chair fit - On Mondays at 11 am at 457 Main St. Join us for a quick 30-minute workout with our chair fit program.

Cost is Free.

Block Therapy - On Thursday March 7 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at, 457 Main St. Cost $10 drop in fee. Opened to all ages a therapy, exercise, and meditation combined to improve blood flow and mobility.

Foot Care Clinic – On Tuesday April 16 at 457 Main St. with Ursula Giesbrecht certified foot care nurse. By appointment only. Call Janice 204-883-2880.

Mood Disorders Meeting – On Thursdays at 2:30 pm, 457 Main St. with Tara Brousseau, Executive Director for a support group, with topics on depression, bipolar, recovery, shame, resilience, mindfulness, meditation, coping and self soothing skills, interrelationship skills, seniors’ issues, distress tolerance and peer to peer support. All ages are welcome.

C.H.I.L.D program – On Wednesdays from 9:30 - 10:30 am at Ecole St. Adolphe School. Children’s introduction to learning and development. Contact sas@srsd.ca or 204-883-2182.

St. Malo 28th Annual Family Hockey Tournament – From Wednesday, March 13 to Sunday, March 17 at the Arena. Admission 12 and under free; daily pass $5 and weekend pass $10.

Organized by the St Malo Chamber of Commerce and the St Malo Arena.

St Malo Hurricanes minor baseball registration – On Tuesday, March 5 and Wednesday, March 6 from 6:30 - 8 pm at the Arena.

Chase the Ace – Every Thursday from 8 - 10 pm at the St Malo Hotel. Starting pot is $3,000. All profits to the Fire Hall and Arena.

St. Pierre-Jolys Sugaring-Off Festival – On Saturday April 6 and Sunday, April 7 from 10 am -5 pm at the Museum, 432 Joubert St. Celebrate the arrival of spring and the production of Manitoba maple syrup, with historical Métis and French Canadian values is worth the visit. Free Admission. Contact museestpierrejolys@gmail.com, 204-433-7002.

Army Cadets – Every Thursday until June 2019 from 6:30 - 9 pm at the community hall, 555 Hebert Ave. Join now the 3234-Manitoba Horse RCACC Army Cadets. Leadership, citizenship, community service, sports, orienteering, canoeing, marksmanship, drill, band and more. For all youth aged 12 - 19. Enrollment is Free, No deadline to register. Contact Capt Roxanne Maynard, Commanding Officer 204-324-4034, roxanne.maynard@cadets.gc.ca.

Stay and Play Group – Every Monday from 9:30 – 11:30 am at YFC Cinema. Snacks, coffee served, and childcare available.

The Knights of Columbus - The St-Pierre Carillon Council – On the first Thursday of the month at 482 Jolys Ave. W. Contact 204-433-7633.

Ste. Agathe Fun Hockey Tournament - From Friday, March 22- Sunday, March 24. Tournament signup sheets posted all around town.

The cost for the tournament is $40 and gets you a guarantee of four games.

Adult French Classes - Until May 2019 at the school. One evening per week on Monday or Tuesday, 2 classes each evening; first class from 6 -7:30 pm, second from 7:30 – 9 pm. Groups are determined based on French communication skills. No registration cost, just a $15 - 2 year membership to Pluri-Elles, a literacy advocacy organization in Winnipeg. Instructor is Guy Gagnon with over 35 years as a French teacher in francophone high schools. To register for 2018 email sugagnon@mymts.net. Everyone welcome.

ROC Semi-Annual Book Faire – From Wednesday, March 20 – Saturday, March 23 at Clearspring Centre. Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am - 9 pm and Saturday from 9 am - 4 pm. For more information contact moni@ roceastman.ca or call 204-422-6948.

Spring Break Out! Camps - Monday, March 25 – Friday, March 29 from 9 am – 4 pm. A 5 day camp for ages 5 - 8 and 9 – 12. Join the Tropical Explosion! Music, Drama, Dance, Crafts, Sports, Community Scavenger Hunt and Creative Guest Artists. On Friday swimming at Steinbach Aquatic Centre. Limited Spaces. SAC Members: $98 and Non Members: $110 and $6 Swim Fees. Contact Cultural Arts Centre, 304 Second St to register 204-346-1077.

Nobody’s Perfect – On Fridays, March 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5 from 1 – 3 pm at the Steinbach Family Resource Centre, 101 North Front Dr. Free support for Moms and Dads of children under 6 years. Meet with other parents for real-life parenting solutions. To register contact 204-346-0413 or maggie@steinbachfrc.ca.

Southeast Open Judged Exhibition – Runs until Thursday, April 18 for amateur artists of all ages and all mediums, oils, acrylics, photography, quilts, crafts, woodwork and more.

Contact sac-online.ca or in the SAC office.

The Art of Mennonite Clocks – Until April, an Exhibition of Mennonite Wall Clocks and Their Stories Spanning More Than Two Centuries. The joint exhibition showcases 33 clocks and their stories sponsored by the Mennonite Heritage Village and the Kroeger Clocks Heritage Foundation at the Mennonite Heritage Village, 231 PTH 12 North.

Movie Night at the Library – Every 4th Friday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Jake Epp Library. We alternate between a family movie and a classic movie. Free admission and popcorn are included. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Madison Redekopp 204-326-6841, programs@jakeepplibrary.com.

Seniors Group Card Games – On Tuesdays from 1:30 - 4:30 pm at the Community Centre, 183 Pembina Trail. Cost Membership $10 a year. Bring a friend Day. Contact 204-8822180.

Breast Feeding Group – On Fridays at 10:30 am at the Steinbach Family Resource Centre for a support group, current information and a variety of presentations. Contact 204-3460413.

Taekwondo - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:15 - 7:30 pm at Ecole Sainte Agathe hosted by Kang’s Taekwondo Academy. Cost $40/month. Family rates available. Contact Jason Barnabe, jason.barnabe@gmail.com or 204-802-3458.

Toddler & Me Story Hour - Classes offered three times a year for a 10-week session in Fall and Winter and a 5-week session in Spring. Classes are free. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, literacy and parenting tips, crafts and snack for parents and their children ages 1-3. Advanced In-person registration is required. Limited space available.

Ste. Anne Piano Lesson - With Josue Beaudoin, on Monday nights at 112 Central Ave. Cost $200/10 lessons payable to the Cultural Committee of Ste. Anne. Contact 201-422-9599, cccsa@mymts.net.

Seine River Services for seniors – Services and programs for seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility equipment, foot care, hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yard maintenance, Telecheck, E.R.I.K. program, puzzles and games. Shopping Trips to Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month, leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15.

Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of the month, from 10 am - 1 pm. Cost $10. Contact Juliette Rowan at 204-424-5285 Community Resource Coordinator for local services or e-mail labseinerss@gmail.com.

Ste. Geneviève Library Night – On 2nd Tuesday every month, February 12 at the Community Centre from 6:30 - 8 pm. Large selection of books in both French and English, for children and adults.

Special requests can be made to the librarian, e-mail btl@ srsd.ca or 204-878-9488 or in person. Come for a visit and see what we are all about.

Steinbach Rogers Hometown Hockey Festival – On Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10 at 12 pm at TG Smith Centre, 321 Elmdale St. Two-day hockey celebration that includes live entertainment and hockey-themed activities for the whole family. The event finishes up with an outdoor viewing party of a national NHL game broadcast hosted live by Ron MacLean and Tara Slone on Sportsnet. Contact 204-346-6572 or communications@steinach.ca.

Steinbach & Area Garden Club - On Monday, March 11, 7 pm at the Mennonite Heritage Village. The award winning documentary – Five Seasons - The Gardens of Piet Oudolf will be shown. See ideas of nature, space and beauty in gardens around the world featuring the new perennial movement. Free admission - members/non-members. Refreshments. Door prizes.

Diamond Aces RC Flying Club Inc Mall Show – On Saturday, March 16 at 10 am, Clearspring Centre. Displaying miniature radio controlled aircraft. Owners of the aircraft will be in attendance to answer questions about the displays and the hobby.

Contact Larry Moore 204-326-2919, larry.moore@mymts.

Southeastern Manitoba Festival – Runs until Tuesday, March 19. Take part in a fun, educational festival and the disciplines of speech/theater arts, vocal, piano, choir, musical theater, or dance. Competitive and non-competitive entries welcome.

Professional adjudicators help you improve and encourage continued development of your skills. Visit semf.ca or contact Sharon Guenther semfpresident@gmail.com.

Drop In Book Club – 2nd Tuesday every month at 7 pm in the Jake Epp Library. We’ll post the book for discussion that month and if you’d like to join us please stop by. If you want to start your own book club instead, you can always take advantage of our Book Club collections. No sign up required. Just read the book and come hang out.

Knit-Wits Drop-In Club for Adults - Every 4th Monday of the month, from 6 – 9 pm at the Jake Epp Library. This is for anyone interested in fibre handcrafts such as knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, needlepoint etc. This is not a class but a casual knitting circle for all skill levels. Please bring your own items/supplies.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) – On Wednesdays, from 8:45 - 10:30 am at the Royal Canadian Legion. Cost $2/ week. A weight control support group that helps take off pounds sensibly and keep off pounds sensibly. Contact BettyLou Toews at 326-6397.

Eastman Immigrant Services - Many events and activities to support and help you make new friends. Volunteer to help at our community events.

Every Day English All Levels - Every Wednesday 1 – 3 pm.

Reading & Writing – All Levels on Monday and Wednesday from 10 am – 12 pm.

Pronunciation All Levels - On Monday and Wednesday from 7 – 9 pm at D4-284 Reimer Ave. Classes are free.

Southeast Entry Program Online: Learn about Health Care, Employment and Laws. To register for this 4-week online program, contact Josie@eastmanis.com, 204-346-6609 or email lois@eastmanis.com.

Eastman Safety Upcoming Programs - Located at 385 Loewen Blvd. Register online at eastmansafety.ca or contact 1-204371-1595.

Creativi-Tea Time Adult Colouring Group - Twice monthly on the 2nd Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and on the 2nd Friday from 1 - 3 pm at the Jake Epp Library. Cost Free. Join us for a time of relaxation, tea and colouring. Tea and supplies are provided but you are welcome to bring your own!

Games Day & Games Night – Every 1st Saturday of the month from 12 – 5 pm and the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6 – 8:30 pm, at the Jake Epp Library. Come down to play strategy games. Bring a friend, your strategies and games.

Test your skills and have fun. Ages 14 and up unless accompanied by an adult. Contact 204-326-6841, programs@ jakeepplibrary.com.

Royal Canadian Legion - On 1st Tuesday every month until June at 8 pm and Ladies Auxiliary meets 1st Monday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Steinbach Legion Community Hall, 294 Lumber Ave.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Steinbach Girl Guides - Every Tuesday at the United Church of Steinbach, 541 Main St. Registration for girls 5 - 17.

Develop personal values and well-being, self-respect and respect for others; promote fun, friendship, adventure and challenges through new experiences; develop leadership and decision-making skills; give service to the community; value the natural environment.

The Steinbach Rotary Club - meets every Monday at noon except when Monday falls on a long weekend at the Chicken Chef, 365 Main Street, visitors are welcome.

Contact Cornie at 326-3155.

Mental Health Information and Support sessions - for family and friends of people with mental health issues are held the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Eden East building, 21 Loewen Blvd. Contact Kim at 371-0824 or email eastmanmss@mts.net Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba individual and support groups - Meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 1:30 – 3 pm at The Eden East Office, 21 Loewen Blvd For persons experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, bi-polar disorder and other mental health/emotional concerns. Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228.

Steinbach and Area Lions Club - Meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Helping Hands.

Contact Henry 204-392-7750 if you are interested in attending or joining.

Carillon Toastmasters - Every Thursday at 7 pm at the Jake Epp Public Library, 255 Elmdale St. Meetings open to adults who want to improve their leadership and communication skills. Contact Irene at 204-424-5737.

Al-Anon Program – Meets on Mondays at 7:30 pm at the Cultural Arts Centre back door, downstairs. Contact Lloyd 204-326-4365.

Al-Anon 12 Step Recovery Group - Meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm at United Church, 541 Main St, front door, ring doorbell. All are welcome.

Young moms to be - Bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pm at Steinbach Family Resource Centre B-11, Hwy 12N. Contact 204-346-0413.

Vita Stay and Play – On Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am, at the Shevchenko School for children ages 0 - 5 along with their parents/caregivers are welcome to join us for a fun, free, educational learning program. Crafts, snacks, songs, games and story time!

Facilitator: Andrea Smith. Contact Penny Horvorka-Alcock 204-425-3535.

Woodridge The Mobile Clinic – Is onsite on the third Thursday of every month from 9 am – 4 pm at the Community Club.

Contact for appointments 1-855-644-3515 or southernhealth.ca.

To have your event featured in this listing, please email your events each month to to editor@dawsontrail.ca

Truck Stolen from Farm On Friday February 8 Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen 2001 Ford F350 Crew cab from a farm on road 31E in the RM of Hanover.

The owner of the truck reported that at approximately 5 am an employee noticed it being driven off the lot followed by a small car. The truck was located shortly after and no suspects have been identified.

If you have any information in regards to the above you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204- 326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-2228477 or manitobacrimestoppers. com or text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

March 2019

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Go Pirates!

With the cheering of the crowd and a big smile on his face, he ran back down the court; my thirteen year-old son had just scored a basket in his basketball game.

This season of basketball has been a great time for me. I’ve had the pleasure of watching my oldest son grow taller and while not nearly the tallest on the team, he uses his awesome speed to get to where he needs to be. It’s funny, as a spectator, to see my son standing in one place for a moment before zipping off to another location only to have the ball passed to the spot where he had been standing moments ago.

Much like the super-hero, The Flash, if you don’t keep your eyes on him at all times, it’s easy

to lose sight of him as he weaves in and out of the other players. It’s also funny to watch as the opposing player is trying to cover my son but often ends up losing him.

It’s also awesome to see that my son is a team player. There are always those, no matter what team or sport you’re involved in, that will try to get the glory, even if they have an entire team surrounding them and it would be better to pass back to an available teammate, they will attempt to get the goal. What I see when I watch my son is how he will take the shot if he can but quite often he will pass the ball to a teammate that has the best chance of getting the points.

I can still remember watching the first practices and how the coaches

were working with these youngsters to strengthen their muscles, build up their stamina and help them to gain confidence in each of their abilities.

As a parent, it is very cool to see how the team is putting some of the moves and techniques that they’ve learned and practised into action during the games.

This season, the team took second place in a recent tournament and are looking very strong in the standings for the season overall. The finals are quickly approaching but I feel that if they continue to play with their hearts and their heads then they will do well.

I also have to give a lot of credit, and a big high-five, to Coach Ed and Coach Mike for their great job of teaching these young men to play

better basketball and to be all around better individuals. It takes a lot of character to devote the time and effort that these two coaches have willingly given to this team and as a parent, I greatly thank you both!

When I see my oldest son excelling in sports and enjoying himself, this is one of the many highlights that my children bring to me.

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

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March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Richer Community Club Food Bank Receives Boost Involved in Major “Cover Up” from Fundraiser On Saturday the 16th of February, a sold-out, packed house enjoyed listening to Patsy Cline tribute artist Laurie Sutherland at the Paradise Village Recreation Centre.

The 6th annual Ste. Anne Lions “Evening of Coffee and Entertainment” was well received by the more than 160 people in attendance. The event was a fundraiser by the Lions in support of “Accueil Kateri” which is the local food bank in the Ste. Anne area. This food bank serves up to 60 families on a bi-weekly basis with food hampers as well as cooking lessons and other basic life skills like how to budget and how bank accounts work etc.

The evening also featured a 50/50 draw and a “silent” auction of some really fabulous gifts which were donated by local businesses and individuals.

The desserts which were served were donated too which allowed there to be a larger amount of money generated for the cause.

The Ste. Anne Lions had an information table at the hall which was well visited and allowed us to extend the Lions story to the people who were there. A number of membership applications were picked up and we expect to be able to expand our membership because of this.

All in all, it was a very successful evening and the food bank will be receiving a generous donation from the event.

Patsy Cline tribute artist Laurie Sutherland

For the past few years, the Richer Community Club (RCC) board of directors has been working behind the scenes on a project that would see the outdoor rink covered making it more appealing to the community and region as weather would play a smaller part in affecting events and make it available to a larger variety of activities.

At first, the project valued at $350,000, seemed daunting for a community of a few hundred but the community club set out a plan and is now in the final stretch of raising the needed funds. To date, the Richer Community Club has secured $230,800 in cash commitment and $55,600 of inkind labour and material for a total of $286,400.

“We are working on the final $70,000

needed for this project,” says Dan Guetre, a director on the community club. “To date, there is no commitment from the provincial level and this is a project where their commitment would give them a real ‘bang for their buck’.”

Most infrastructure projects of this scope have a minimum of 2/3 (66%) offered by the province and federal government which translates to over $200,000 for a project this size. Last August, the province asked groups to submit their written requests in an Expression of Interest. The Richer Community Club took up the offer and sent a request in detailing the project.

“We have gone beyond ‘the bare minimum’ of fundraising,” says Guetre. “We do not need a large

commitment from the provincial government… for a much smaller commitment they will partner with a project that will benefit the region and leave them with money to help other projects come to light.”

Currently Guetre says the RCC is not sitting idle. They are still actively seeking other avenues of funding and are optimistic that the outdoor rink area can be covered this summer adding to the successful completion of many other projects in recent years such as the Trading Post picnic structure, rodeo bleachers, the completed rodeo arena, the timber frame concert stage, upgraded plumbing and electrical, the playground structure, handicap seating for the rodeo, the second timber frame stage that is mobile, new front gates and more.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

March 2019

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March 2019

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

Dawson Trail Dispatch