Lorette Residents Support Multiplex, Oppose Municipal April’s Contested Trustee By-Election Office Plans By Marianne Curtis Voters in two wards within the Seine River School Division are being called to the polls after the recent resignation of two School Board Trustees. Four perspective candidates have stepped forward with hopes of filling the vacancies. While school board elections seem to receive less attention than municipal elections, the role of a trustee is very important. School Board Trustees determine where a great portion of our tax dollars goes. Their decisions affect the thousands of students that receive their education beginning in kindergarten and ending with graduation. Wendy Bloomfield, Chairperson for the Seine River School Division, points out that having good candidates is critical because, “School Board Trustees decide how education is delivered locally.” “Annually we manage millions of dollars in public funds, employ hundreds of teachers, support staff and local contractors,” stated Bloomfield. “We play a key role in the care and education of local school aged children. It is important work that makes a difference in the development of our children and the lives of local residents, whether they have children in school or not.” Four candidates have stepped forward, two for each ward. In Ward 2, Denise Rocan and Jennifer Stefansson are running against each other and in Ward 3, Rose-Anne Weiss and Wes Keating are going head to head. Candidates have already been hitting the streets and the biggest
Continued on page 3
Meet the Candidates
On April 10, the Seine River School Division is hosting a school board trustee by-election for Ward 2 and Ward 3. Four firsttime candidates, two in each ward, have stepped forward to run for the vacant seats.
Ward 2 - Jennifer Stefansson Jennifer Stefansson is a chartered accountant who holds a treasury position for a major international company. “Having young kids who are in and will be entering the school system I feel that I have a long-term vested interest,” Stefansson said. She believes her vast financial background would be an asset to the board. “What I am hoping to achieve would be to ensure the financial aspect set by the board is met in terms of meeting the needs of the community,” Stefansson continued. “I will question variances in the budget from year to year and confirm that any increases, which ultimately mean increases to all our tax dollars, are accounted for.” Stefansson has volunteered for several committees and is the acting treasurer of the Lorette Family Fun Group.
Ward 2 - Denise Rocan Denise Rocan is a long time resident of Lorette who owns and operates a government licensed home daycare. Rocan has two children who attend schools in the Seine River School Division, one in high school and the other in elementary. She is actively involved with both of these schools’ Parent Advisory Committees on an executive level and as a member for 12 years. Previously she sat on the Frere Jacques Nursery School Board and is currently a Lorette Busy Bee 4H Club head leader.
Ward 3 - Rose-Ann Weiss Ste. Anne resident Rose-Anne Weiss has a background in administration at a post secondary institution with additional training in working with individuals with special needs. “As a concerned community member I want to see our education system thrive. I believe every child should have equal opportunity to gain the best tools for their future that we can provide,” said Weiss. “Having had the opportunity to work in an administrative role with educators and students of all types, I see the need for a holistic approach. Each of our students should have the opportunity to learn in an environment that supports their unique learning styles and abilities, as well as their social and physical needs.” Weiss is married and the mother of three boys aged 9, 7 and 5 who currently attend school in the division.
Ward 3 - Wes Keating Wes Keating has lived in the RM of La Broquerie for several decades and is well known throughout the region after spending many years as a local journalist. “I’m running for trustee because I have always had an interest in school board affairs, and while at The Carillon it was not possible for me to cover the meetings and run for trustee,” explained Keating. “Today, in retirement, my health has improved greatly and I look forward to becoming more active in the community again.” With his previous experience as a reporter, Keating is confident that he is a good choice for school board trustee. “I don’t have experience as a trustee as this is my first try (but) as an observer at almost every meeting for more than a decade I have a pretty good idea of what to expect,” added Keating. Keating is married and the father of two adult children who attended Seine River School Division schools.
By Marianne Curtis On March 19, the RM of Tache council chambers overflowed when over a hundred residents attended a regular meeting in opposition of the municipality’s plan to construct a $3.75 million municipal office and library. While the project is still at the discussion stage, the $3.75 million project was clearly listed within the municipality’s 2013 budget proposal. This raised red flags with residents, especially those involved with the community’s recreation programs. “Residents would rather see the municipality building a multiplex instead,” voiced Lorette resident Colleen Jolicoeur in opposition. “We know that in order to receive provincial and federal funding for a multiplex there has to be municipal funding first. There are fears that once this money is spent on a new office there will be no further money available to use to build a multiplex.” With $2.9 million of the project to be borrowed, residents want the municipality to look at constructing a new municipal office as part of a community multiplex. They want the building to contain ice surfaces for hockey and curling, an indoor walking/running track and meeting rooms for local groups such as Girl Guides and Cadets, not just an office and library complex. “We want a multi-use recreation centre, not just a hockey rink,” stressed Laurie Burbine, Vice President of the Lorette Community Complex (CCLCC) Board. “We want the municipality to conduct a feasibility study on a new recreation centre that incorporates the municipal office with a community complex.” The CCLCC board said that the Lorette arena is very old and operating at full capacity for ice sports, forcing some teams to have to travel to Ile Des Chênes and St. Pierre-Jolys for practice ice. There is not a lot of additional space for other recreational activities in the current building and the space available is not easily accessible for the mobility impaired. At the meeting, council heard all the concerns of the residents then voted to keep the municipal office in their budget before a feasibility study can be done. However, that decision did change a week later, according to Councillor Steve Stein. “Council has taken the municipal building off this year’s budget, which means that money that was allocated towards the project ($800,000 in gas tax) will remain in
Continued on page 3
2
April 2013
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Tache Office continued... Continued from page 1 capital surplus until further notice,” explained Stein. “There are no plans to build anything at the moment.” He confirmed that the RM of Tache has purchased six acres of land to the east of the current community centre where they plan to build the new municipal office and library. Now that the project has been removed from the budget the municipality can bring it back to the table later in the year, but they will have to pass a borrowing bylaw. The public would then be able to speak out about the project before a final reading is done instead of just slipping it into the budget without further public consultation. The RM of Tache has been planning to build a new municipal office for a few years after it was discovered that their current aging building has a number of issues, including a mould problem. This is not the first time that the community of Lorette has asked for a new community complex. In 2002, residents spoke against two borrowing bylaws, one for $1.3 million and one for $2.7 million. Both projects were rejected after intense opposition was heard at municipal board hearings. The number one concern was the proposed tax increase that would have been felt by farmers. One of the other reasons the project was rejected at the time was because the community was also trying to obtain funding for a new community lagoon. Meanwhile the CCLCC has fundraised about $102,000 towards the community’s portion of the project so that additional funding could be secured from various government sources should a project proceed. Before government funding can come in, a community must be able to put 10 percent of the funds on the table. Incidentally, the Lorette Community Complex also had a mould problem that actually forced the closure of the locker rooms for an entire hockey season and the club has been asking for a new centre since then.
More Than Just News!
April 2013
3
Youth for Lakes Pass Through Region On March 28, about a dozen aboriginal youth left Winnipeg with the aim of making it to Ottawa on foot. The group, known as Youth for Lakes, departed from the Manitoba Legislative Building in the morning. They will spend 45 days walking more than 2,000 kilometres to raise awareness and put pressure on the government to protect waterways in Manitoba. Ben Raven organized the march. He said the group was inspired by the Idle No More movement. “To see our people band together in dire need, in such a case as the bills being pushed through, the omnibus bills, for us youth to see that, it gave us that sense of hope,” said Raven. “There’s always hope. There is always a fighting chance.” Raven said the group wants to see the omnibus budget bill, Bill C-45, overturned. The group is raising awareness of these issues in the communities they pass through.
Ritchot Seeks Community Volunteers The RM of Ritchot is looking for Due to mould issues, the RM of Tache needs to build a new municipal office, but residents want to see taxpayer money used to build the office within a community multiplex that could community volunteers to fill a number of vacancies in committees greatly improve the recreation options in the fast growing community. Photo by Marianne Curtis that require citizen committee members. According to council, the municipality is issuing an invitation to residents interested in becoming citizen committee members. Councillor Elmer Hywarren said that it would benefit council to have a pool of committed individuals wishing to join committees such as the Crow Wing Trail or Seine/Rat River Conservation District, along with ad hoc committees that organize for a variety of reasons. “We need a catalogue of volunteers that we can call upon when there is a vacancy,” Hywarren explained. “We need committed
On March 29, the Youth for Lakes group passed through Ste. Anne.
Trustees continued... Continued from page 1 surprise to candidates has been how many residents are not aware that by-elections are taking place or the role of School Board Trustees. “Most people who have spoken to me about the by-election were unaware there was a by-election and that is the greatest campaigning challenge,” stated Ward 2 candidate Wes Keating. “School board elections too often pass by with little notice.” His opponent, Rose-Ann Weiss, agreed that communication plays a key role in trustee elections. “I have had some parents’ express that they would like to see better communication between the division and parents,” Weiss added. “There were also a number that were simply not aware of what the function of the board is so there is need for communication on that level as well.” By-elections are taking place April 10, from 8 am to 8 pm at community schools in Wards 2 and 3. Ward 2 encompasses Ile des Chênes, Grande Pointe, Dufresne, Lorette and St. Adolphe and Ward 3 includes St. Anne, Richer, Ste. Genevieve, Ross, Marchand, Sandilands, Woodridge, St. Labre and La Broquerie. individuals willing to attend meetings and then work with council.” Normally council members would recommend residents for appointment, but in with increasingly busy schedules,
appointing people to committees presents a challenge. Anyone wishing to join a committee and work with various organizations within the RM of Ritchot should contact the municipal office at 204883-2293.
4
April 2013
You Win Some and Lose Some That was one “not bad budget”. No European style austerity, very little business subsidies, no tax increase, although R & D could have used a wee bit of cash. New training for real business needs - a good idea, and the provinces would be total blockheads if they didn’t participate, but to get an individual to lace up his work boots after sitting back while benefitting from EI or social assistance is always a bit trying and iffy. Some cuts are deep, such as the military, Experimental Lakes Research (ELR) and immigration. Trained immigrants are more willing and ready to work and more cost effective than a couch potato weaning himself of EI. ELR is valuable research, costing an affordable $2 million a year and the world is probably not tame enough for the military to pack up and mothball their kits. But these are subjective points. For a fiscal conservative to think and act like a progressive was a welcoming surprise. We should acknowledge with kudos the Finance Minister efforts. Damn fine job! The losers, unfortunately, have a slightly longer list but I will only name a few. The Senators’ travel and living expenses are shocking in their amount and reveal the obvious stupidity of the perpetrators. Senator Mike Duffy claimed a $33,000 housing allowance and doesn’t know where he lives. For your and his information, his house is in PEI, but the road isn’t open in winter. Two quotes from Mike Duffy, “Offering to pay back the cash [I have] mistakenly collected for [my] Ottawa home,” and, “I represent the taxpayer and Canadians know I would never do anything to break the public’s trust.” Senator Pamela Wallin has spent $300,000 in travel expenses since 2010. She claims this in an accounting misunderstanding. I am sure with little effort she will soon find a better accountant. Senator Patrick Brazeau has housing expense problems and is charged with an assault on his wife. But I have the “official story”. He is training for a rematch with Justin Trudeau and his wife is an affordable sparring partner, plus his home had to be modified as a gym. All perfectly legit and above board. Next... MP Peter Penashue of Labrador resigned over election irregularities to the tune of $45,000 in illegal donations. Apparently, the culprit was a rookie on his campaign committee who was ignorant of the rules. This “ignoramus” was subsequently appointed to a Federal board. This makes one wonder about the make-up of our Federal boards. Mr. Flaherty, this gives me a wonderful idea to save money on your next budget. Starting next fiscal year, all thieves and fraud artists can go in front of a judge, plead ignorance and/or extenuating circumstance such has the dog ate their moral instructions, or maybe even claim apprenticeship of a Federal position, claiming training federal dollars for a new career, of course. Awaiting further instruction on this fine point from a Senate committee. No jail time for the ignorant would save a very handsome percentage on “housing allowance”.
Serving the communities along the historic Dawson Trail and beyond.
The Dawson Trail Dispatch is a monthly newspaper distributed free of charge to 50 Southeastern Manitoba communities. Published by: One One Consultants Inc. Box 308, Richer, MB R0E 1S0 Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768 Dan Guetre, Managing Editor One One Consultants Inc., Publisher News Writers: Marianne Curtis and Dan Guetre Columnists: Lee Guetre, Peter Friesen, Anni Markmann, Peter Martens, Raylene Snow, Eileen Lewis, Travis Olifirowich Production/Design: Dan Guetre, Myriam Dyck, Monica Guetre and Wilma Priebe Advertising: Karen Jorgenson and Dan Guetre
For Advertising Call: Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768 Email: sales@dawsontrail.ca Subscriptions: $29.95 annually plus GST for Canadian Subscriptions. $52.95 annually for International Subscriptions
Canada Post Agreement Number 42079020
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Economic Action Plan 2013 Invests in Infrastructure Economic Action Plan 2013 is the next chapter in our Governments long-term plan to continue strengthening the Canadian economy. It will create jobs and growth, while keeping taxes low for families and businesses and balancing the budget by 2015. Economic Action Plan 2013 delivers a new Building Canada plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories and municipalities. Continuing from the successful launch in 2007 the Building Canada plan, Economic Action Plan 2013 introduces a new 10-year funding commitment for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure, starting in 2014/15, through three key funds: - Community Improvement Fund - $32.2 billion consisting of an indexed Gas Tax Fund and the incremental Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rebate for Municipalities to build roads, public transit, recreational facilities and other community infrastructure across Canada. - New Building Canada Fund - $14 billion in support of major economic infrastructure projects that have a national, regional and local significance. - Renewed P3 Canada Fund - $1.25 billion to continue supporting innovative ways to build infrastructure projects faster and provide better value for Canadian taxpayers through public-private partnerships. In addition, about $6 billion in federal support will be provided to provinces, territories and municipalities under infrastructure programs in 2014/15 and beyond. This brings total federal investments in provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure to approximately $53.5 billion from 2014/15 to 2023/24. Our infrastructure plan has received praise from leaders throughout Canada, including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities who said, “This is the longest-term plan we have ever seen with the federal government, so it’s good news.” The Canadian Public Works Association applauded the “budget announcement of the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canadian history.” In Manitoba, Doug Dobrowolski President of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, said that the gas tax index will be “huge for all communities in Manitoba” and that he is pleased to see a multi-year infrastructure program included. Our new Building Canada plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will result in the largest and longest federal investment in job-creating infrastructure in Canadian history. Investing in infrastructure is an investment in our future. With Economic Action Plan 2013, our Conservative Government continues to position Canada as a global economic leader. For more information on the Plan and its benefits for you, visit actionplan.gc.ca. Please feel free to contact my office if you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss. You may contact my office toll free at 1-866-333-1933 or at (204) 326-9889 or in Lac du Bonnet at (204) 345-9762. You may write my office at 8 - 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by fax at (204) 346-9874 or by e-mail at toewsv1@parl.gc.ca.
The No Excuse Budget Since Greg Selinger became Premier of Manitoba, he has relied on a list of excuses to explain the financial problems of Manitoba. As the deficits and debt have ballooned under his watch, the excuses have grown almost as fast. Shortly after Mr. Selinger became Premier and the deficits started going up he blamed the global financial crisis. To be sure, the financial crisis was a serious issue that influenced many parts of the worldwide economy but the revenues that Manitoba receives from personal and business taxes only decreased for one year. Yet, the NDP were using the global financial issues as an excuse for the growing deficit several years after the most serious issues had passed and long after it was shown that the impact on Manitoba was minimal. In 2011, the NDP ran a record billion-dollar deficit in Manitoba and increased taxes by the highest amount in 25 years. They then turned around and blamed the whole thing on the spring 2011 flood. They quickly turned the flood of the century into the excuse of the century. Yet, when the books were examined by the provincial auditor, it showed that less than half of the billion-dollar deficit was attributable to the 2011 flood. The majority of the record deficit was the result of old fashioned NDP mismanagement and overspending. So it wasn’t a surprise that in the past few weeks the NDP finance minister has been talking about how he expected to see a reduction in transfer payments from the federal government and how that would put pressure on the provincial budget. Of course, Manitoba has been receiving record levels of transfers from Ottawa and the only reason there would be pressure on the provincial government from reductions is because the NDP have refused for 13 years to make Manitoba less dependent on federal support. It was clear the NDP were looking for another excuse to run a big deficit and increase taxes. That excuse went out the window when the Federal Government introduced its budget late in March and not only wasn’t there a decrease in the record level of support that Manitoba has been receiving, there was actually an increase. Manitoba will receive from Ottawa $3.4 billion this coming year in equalization, health and social service transfers. That is up from $3.36 billion last year. When all of the federal support for infrastructure and other programs are added in, 40 percent of Manitoba’s budget will be a direct result of support from Ottawa. So what excuse does the NDP have now? They really have no excuses for massive deficits, record debts, and higher taxes. It’s just a result of their overspending and mismanagement. And that’s harder for the NDP to accept than it is to look for excuses. I appreciate your comments and concerns. If you have any comments on these or other issues, you can contact me by writing, #3 – 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by phone at (204) 326-5763, by fax at (204) 346-9913, by e-mail at kelvin.goertzen@leg.gov.mb.ca or by visiting my website at kelvingoertzen.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Sprague Soldier Sought After 60 Year Old Graffiti Discovered Dear Editor: This afternoon I walked with my family and parents in the woods near Nijmegen in Holland. During WWII there was a lot of fighting in this region. Many Canadian soldiers were here. Today we saw a tree with initials from a soldier named: Jk from Sprague Manitoba Canada. He was here during operation Vertiable in February 1945. We were curious about this name and we went searching on the internet. Finally we found your address. Maybe it is interesting for someone from Sprague and perhaps family or the person himself is still alive. I sent you the picture I made. Greetings, Nanne Nauta Nijmegen, Holland Editor’s note: If you know of a family from the Sprague are with the initial of the last name of “K” who had a relative who served in the military during WWII and ended up in Holland we would like to know. You can call me personally on my cell at 204-355-8798. A story is just waiting to be told behind this mystery.
Legislature Gets Back to Work Premier Greg Selinger and the provincial NDP government have finally decided to re-open The Manitoba Legislature. After a short sitting in November and December, Mr. Selinger has set April 16 as the date the Legislature will finally resume sitting. One can only assume the reason for such a delay in the re-opening of the Legislature is due to the NDP’s fear at being questioned and their work scrutinized. The first order of business will be the introduction of a new Provincial budget. Manitoban’s will need to keep a close eye on their wallets as it is almost certain that the NDP will once again be increasing taxes and raising fees in this budget. Before the last election Mr. Selinger and the NDP promised Manitoban’s that they would not raise taxes, but in the last budget they raised the taxes by the highest amount in more than 25 years, $184 million in new taxes, plus an additional $114 million in user fees. Mr. Selinger needs to get his spending habit under control. He needs a simple life lesson. It is not about how much you spend, it is about how you spend it. A perfect example of this is his desire to bring in the vote tax. This would cost Manitoban’s $600,000 every year. Based on current standing the NDP’s share would be over $1 million between elections. On the other hand, Mr. Selinger and the NDP have limited the Green Team program. The Green Team program offers those aged 15 - 29 a summer job or volunteer opportunity that enables Manitoba’s youth to be better prepared for the job market. It’s bad enough that Mr. Selinger and the NDP want to leave our future leaders record debt; they are also willing to cut opportunities for Manitoba Youth. I welcome all comments and concerns you may have. If you would like to contact me, please feel free to call my office at 204-424-5406, in writing to Box 889 La Broquerie, MB R0A 0W0 or email me at dennis.smook@leg.gov.mb.ca.
More Than Just News!
April 2013
5
6
More Than Just News!
April 2013
Expanding Vita’s Community Daycare
Consultant Hired to Look at Cell Service
By Marianne Curtis Families in the Vita area will soon have access to more affordable childcare thanks to more than $200,000 in funding from the government to relocate and expand a childcare centre in the community and fund new childcare spaces for it. The majority of the funding announced will go to the relocation and expansion of the Vita Community Child Care Centre, which will have 35 fully funded childcare spaces. The province is also providing more than $3,000 for new equipment.
“We bought this building but we needed a lot more money to bring it up to daycare standards before we could actually move in.” This is welcome news for President Donna Osadchuck who explained that the group outgrew their previous location. Last summer the organization purchased a 2,500 square foot building across the street from Shevchenko School and started fundraising for $350,000 in renovations needed to bring the structure up to standards for use as a daycare centre. “We outgrew our current facility which was located in the Sumk Clubhouse,” explained Osadchuk. “We bought this building but we needed a lot more money to bring it up to daycare standards before we could actually move in.” Osadchuk explained that the road to purchasing a new facility for the daycare presented a challenge. The group initially contemplated building a new daycare but after conducting a study, it was discovered it would cost $1.2 million to build a new facility. Instead, the decision was made to purchase a house and renovate it to meet the organizations needs and to meet daycare standards. Along with funding for the project, the province has also approved seven new childcare spaces, which will bring the number up to 35 from the previous 28 spaces. The Vita Community Child Care Centre was established six years ago and is the only daycare facility in the community. It offers a before and after school program under the direction of a total of six fulltime and seven part time staff. With an annual budget of $250,000, the volunteer board works hard to raise funds to subsidize the programs offered at the centre. The Vita Community Child Care Centre is expected to receive additional federal funding with the centre opening in coming weeks.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
La Verendrye MLA Dennis Smook, Provencher MP Vic Toews, Stuartburn Reeve Jim Swidersky and Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon met with the Vita Community Child Care Centre Board (left) to announce funding for the community’s only daycare.
Budget Ball Now in NDP’s Court Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen believes the federal budget doesn’t leave any excuses for the provincial NDP Finance Minister who has been looking to increase taxes even further and rack up even more debt. “Every year the NDP government looks for someone to blame for their massive deficits and tax increases. Last week the federal government committed to yet another increase in transfer payments to Manitoba so the NDP have no one to blame for their financial mess except themselves,” said Goertzen. Just from equalization, health and social services transfers, Manitoba will receive $3.4 billion in the coming budget year up from $3.36 billion in the previous budget year. That doesn’t include federal funding for a host of programs including infrastructure, training and other special projects which push funding from the federal government to over 40 percent of the Manitoba budget. “Last budget we saw the highest increase in taxes in 25 years and it included everything from a higher tax on gasoline to a new tax on home insurance. Yet the NDP still rang up a half billion-dollar deficit. It’s the result of bad management and poor decision-making. The excuses have to stop and real results need to be seen in this budget,” said Goertzen. Goertzen says he hopes to see a realistic plan to eliminate the deficit and a longer-term plan to start paying off the province’s debt. The provincial budget will be released on April 16th.
Several southern municipalities have pooled their resources to hire a consultant to investigate cellular service in the area. The RM’s of Franklin, Stuartburn and Piney have joined forces and hired Innovative Community Technologies to investigate the development or improvement of cellular service in the region. All three municipalities have agreed to spend up to $5,000 each to have a proper study done on the area. The RM of La Broquerie was also invited to the table, but they did not want to participate. At the beginning of October the RM‘s of Stuartburn, Piney, Franklin, La Broquerie and Hanover all suffered from a number of disastrous events which covered immense portions of the Southeast Manitoba region during which emergency crews had limited or no access to cellular phone service whatsoever causing delays in response time to reach or even be aware of emergencies which surrounded people and properties. A few months ago, the RM of Piney led the charge to improve service in the area by committing $250,000 towards cellular phone capital improvements that will incorporate a land area of at least 50 percent or greater of the municipality. The commitment expires in October 2014.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Grande Pointe Residents Raise Development Concerns By Marianne Curtis Over 150 Grande Pointe residents are raising concerns over development plans and zoning changes proposed by the RM of Ritchot and they want their voices to be heard. Grande Pointe resident and spokesperson, Corinne Webb said that residents are concerned about two bylaws recently passed by the RM of Ritchot along with the MacdonaldRitchot Planning District (MRPD). One being the Development Plan and the second is a zoning change from Rural Residential to Rural Residential Serviced. This new zone allows for development of serviced 14,500 sq ft lots in areas designed for rural residential (RC-Rural Centre) use in the MRPD Development Plan. The plan allows the establishment of single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings west of Île-des-Chênes and in Grande Pointe. “The impact of high density housing was never conveyed to the residents of Grande Pointe by the RM of Ritchot or the MRPD Board,” stated Webb. “Given the significant impact these bylaws will have on our infrastructure, the residents were appalled.” Until now, development in Grande Pointe has been in the form of larger lots, typically two-acre minimum size, to accommodate septic disposal fields. Grande Pointe is not currently serviced by municipal water and wastewater, but if developers are willing to pay to bring water and sewer services to Grande Pointe, the municipality is willing to provide some funding. Webb said residents believe the bylaws are the result of a developer wanting to bring “urban development” to the RM of Ritchot. North Grassie Properties has made two attempts at creating high-density housing in Grande Pointe but it has been refused due to community opposition. “They were shut down by the community, but in this particular case, they have been working with the RM behind “closed doors”,” Webb alleges. “The residents of Grande Pointe were totally unaware of the existence of these by-laws and found out about them purely by accident.” Residents claim their notice was through a recent ad placed in a Winnipeg newspaper by McGowan-Russell Group, in association with North Grassie Properties, invited residents in Grande Pointe to a Public Open House
Residents in Grande Pointe are upset with recent RM of Ritchot zoning changes that could see high density urban housing similar to what is being constructed on the west side of Île des Chênes in their community. Photo by Marianne Curtis
for development in the community. It was also posted on community mail boards. Meanwhile, records show that the RM of Ritchot had hired Genivar to complete a Water and Wastewater Management Plan report. The report states that the purpose of the report was due to a largescale development proposal initiated from North Grassie Properties in south Grande Pointe. The report provides for 5 phases of development for 2,100 new homes starting in the south of Grande Pointe and ending up in the North. All based on 1/3 acre lots. “The majority of residents in our community are not in favour of this development,” Webb continued. “We have signed petitions against both bylaws, wrote numerous letters to our Honourable Ron Lemieux, sent in Notice of Objection letters to our RM and the MRPD, attended a Public Hearing, etc., in the hopes that someone would listen to our concerns.” Webb said residents are frustrated with the entire process. “We are not opposed to development but oppose it at 1/3 acre density levels,” Webb added. “We did not move out of the city to live in an urban community.” Grande Pointe is located north of Îledes-Chênes and currently contains about 280 single-family homes. Under the Planning Act, a public hearing must take place between the first and second reading of a zoning by-law. A board, council or planning commission must hold a public hearing to receive representations from any person on the by-law, and give notice of the hearing. If the board or council gives the by-law second reading it must, after second reading, send a notice to every person who objected to the by-law, stating that the person may file a second objection to the by-law with the board or council by the deadline specified in the notice, which
must be at least 14 days after the date of the notice. If a second objection is not filed before the deadline, the bylaw may be given third reading without further notice. The Planning Act also covers Sub Divisions. If a planning district or municipality does not have a development plan by-law or a zoning by-law, a plan may be approved only if approval of the proposed subdivision is generally consistent with provincial land use policies. When a municipality does not have a development plan by-law and a zoning by-law, the council must, before making its decision hold a public hearing to receive representations from any person on the proposed subdivision; and give notice of the hearing. There is also the requirement to give notice to affected property owners if it is an amendment to a by-law that would affect a specific property, and a copy of the notice of hearing must be sent at least 14 days before the hearing to the owner of the affected property, and every owner of property located within 100 metres of the affected property.
Gymnastics Club Appreciates Grant The St. Malo Southeast Royals Gymnastics Club, its manager, coaches and many gymnasts were delighted to receive a $6,000 grant from the Province of Manitoba Children and Youth Opportunities Sport Program. A much-needed vaulting table and mats will be purchased for the fall session.
April 2013
7
Board Looks to Revitalize Gardenton Historic Site By Marianne Curtis It is still a year until the Gardenton Ukrainian Museum and Village Society (GUMVS) will be celebrating its Jubilee Anniversary but a new energetic board of directors is already kicking things off in preparation for the big event. The newly elected board of directors has been meeting since last fall to plan for an exciting and refreshing renewal at the cultural site. According to President Robert Adolphe, the new board is committed to creating a healthy financial status for GUMVS while continuing to feature the events such as the annual Gardenton Ukrainian Festival. “This is about revitalizing the community. When I was a kid, we would have 2,000 people coming in. There were busloads. We had baseball tournaments, and now attendance has gone down so that last year [there were] only 200 people,” Adolphe explained. “We are trying to revitalize the park and bring people back to Gardenton. It has been lost over the years.” Adolphe has been involved with the organization since he was 13, parking cars at the festival. He believes that with hard work the Gardenton Ukrainian Festival will once again be a premier summer festival. “The people that used to come 20-30 years ago were in their 40s and 50s. Over the years they got older and do not come anymore,” said Adolphe. “The board kept the festival traditional but that does nothing to attract the younger generations; we need to bring in the little ones and if the kids are having fun then the parents will stay.” In recent years an annual demolition derby and mudbog has made use of the park, but Adolphe wants more. “We believe that if we can draw the people in, they will see the rich heritage of the area,” Adolphe promised. The group is working on planning family fun days and making use of the stage. “In my vision we want to bring the festival back to its former glory.” With the help of a number of upcoming fundraising events, the group hopes the site can be restored to its original status, as it was when it became a reality in 1965. Several fundraising events are in the works to raise funds for the Ukrainian Museum and Village Society. On April 20, a Bud, Spud & Steak/Chicken Supper which will take place at CanadInns Destination Centre, 826 Regent Ave. W. in Winnipeg, between 5 and 8 pm. Saturday, April 20, and will feature a silent auction and a 50/50 draw. The Ukrainian Museum and Village Society is also hosting a Craft and Bake Sale on April 27 in Gardenton from 10 am to 3 pm. A hot perogy and sausage lunch will also be available. To rent a table or for more information contact Kelvin at 4258197, Ruth at 425-3395 or Amanda at 425-7784.
Suggestions on Bill 18 Saught Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen is hoping that local residents take the opportunity to provide feedback to his Party on Bill 18 legislation that is intended to reduce bullying but has become controversial as Manitobans debate whether it will be either effective or anti-constitutional. “One thing that I can say about the debate around Bill 18 is that I believe almost everyone, on either side of the debate, wants to see something that will actually reduce bullying for kids in school. However, there has been concern expressed, and I share the concern, that Bill 18 as written may not achieve that goal,” said Goertzen. “What we are asking Manitobans to do is tell us what they like and don’t like about the Bill so that we can use that feedback to try and craft changes that will ensure it can actually reduce bullying while at the same time address the concerns that have been raised by thousands of Manitobans.” The survey can be found on the PC Party website at pcmanitoba.com. At the same time, Goertzen noted that concern about Bill 18 continues to grow. Goertzen has received letters of concern from leaders of the Sikh, Coptic, Muslim and Jewish community in Winnipeg. “I’ve never believed that the opposition to Bill 18 was coming from one community, one faith or for one reason. Whether it is because of the poor definition of bullying in the Bill, a lack of consequences for bullying or questions on whether the Bill is constitutional, the concerns have been widely based and from across Manitoba,” said Goertzen.
8
More Than Just News!
April 2013
Be Flood Prepared
Cancer Claims New Bothwell Toddler By Marianne Curtis On March 14, 2-year-old Cash Friesen from New Bothwell lost his valiant battle with brain cancer leaving thousands of people in the southeast mourning. The Dawson Trail Dispatch first introduced readers to Cash’s story last fall after hundreds of people throughout the region attended a special fundraiser in his honour in September. Seven months ago, Jen and Cliff Friesen of New Bothwell, lives were turned upside down when their little boy was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“...he taught so many people, including us, about how to be brave and how precious life is.” After emergency surgery in September, followed by a second round of chemo, their brave son seemed to be returning to his old self when the family was devastated in the New Year by the news that the tumour had regrown. Within a week of surgery to remove two regrowths, the brave little boy lost his fight leaving the young family and his three siblings devastated by his loss. While many families would be crushed by what the Friesen’s have experienced over the past 200 days, the Friesen’s have voiced unwavering gratefulness for the love and support shown to them during the time of their son’s illness. Throughout Cash’s heartbreaking journey, Jen shared the family’s story through a special Facebook page in his honour. From the highest highs to the lowest lows, readers empathized and prayed for the family and in the end supported them during their time of grief.
“We are devastated by his loss but we are also celebrating his short little life; he taught so many people, including us, about how to be brave and how precious life is,” stated Jen. “We are so grateful for the thousands of supporters that have shared this journey with us.” Prior to Cash’s most recent surgery the family was able to share some amazing moments including taking a trip to Disney World, courtesy of Make a Wish Foundation. The entire Friesen family including aunts, uncles and grandparents joined the family for this memorable trip. “We were blessed to have other members of our families with us and to have this time spent together as a family before another surgery,” Friesen recalled. The family also managed to make the little boy’s “first day of school” happen, even though he was only two and a half. “With the uncertainty of Cash’s future I wanted him to experience as much as he possibly could, as any child should and has the right to do!” Friesen explained. “I contacted the school to see if Cash could go to kindergarten with his older sister for a day, so my boy and I could have this special day and we got the okay.” Much to the surprise and pleasure of the family, Hanover School Division allowed the toddler to attend his first day of school along with his oldest sister, who is actually in Kindergarten. Special arrangements were made so he could take the school bus to class and he spent a day with students at the Bothwell School about a week before he passed away. “I should be getting ready to sign Cash up for preschool this fall. Now I am more than grateful for the day of kindergarten he had because of the unknown; it’s a memory I will always have,” added Jen. “A big heartfelt thank you to
Dawson Trail Dispatch
By Blanche Lavergne
Two-year-old Cash Friesen plays peek-aboo in the kindergarten classroom at Bothwell School through special arrangements with the Hanover School Division. The toddler passed away a week later from a brain tumour.
all of HSD staff who made this happen.” Over a thousand people from southern Manitoba attended a celebration of Cash’s life, which took place at Southland Church in Steinbach on March 22.
What happens if/when there is flooding? How do we prepare our families and homes? What do we do when a flood is imminent of after it is over? We at the LERCG (Local Emergency Response Control Group) of the RM of Reynolds encourage you to check out the website getprepared.gc.ca. Here you will find all kinds of information you may not even have thought of: - Preparing and protecting your home, furniture, valuables, pets and livestock. - Have your IT (Information Technology) devices tuned into local flood forecasting stations: CFRY 920 AM, CHSM 1250 AM, CJOB 680 AM, MIX 96.7 FM or CBC 990 AM. - As you prepare, make arrangements to have a place where you and your family could stay for the duration of the flood, make arrangements for your pets and farm animals. - Prepare and keep an emergency kit nearby and have your necessities readily available if you need to leave. Some of these items would include medications, special needs items, water, non-perishable (canned food), manual can opener, flashlight, batteries, battery operated radio, first-aid kit, cash and extra keys to your car. - What to do if you had to leave your home and when you came back after it’s all over. All this information and more to help you and your family be prepared are available at getprepared.gc.ca. In the event that flooding is forecasted and imminent in the RM of Reynolds, sandbags and sand can be available through the RM office at 1-888-864-4861 or (204) 426-5305 during regular office hours.
SFM Shows Appreciation to Dedicated Richer Women At the beginning of March, a Richer resident was one of four volunteers honoured by the Societé Franco-Manitobaine (SFM) during a special gala event. On March 8, Yvonne Fontaine Godard was one of the four recipients who received this prestigious award this year during the 30th Gala of the Prix Riel that Richer resident Yvonne took place at the Centre Fontaine Godard was Culturel Franco-Manitobain recently recognized with an Centre in Winnipeg. Since award for her dedication and 1983, the Societé Francovolunteerism within the Manitobaine has paid community. homage to Francophones who have contributed to their community’s development and growth as volunteers. Louis Riel, for whom the award is named, was known for his strength, integrity, leadership, justice and loyalty to his community. It was noted that Godard was recognized because she reflects all these attributes by her words and actions within her native rural town of Richer. Godard is President of the Corporation Du Site Historique Enfant-jésus Heritage Site Corporation, built in 1913 by the local French Canadian and Métis community. In addition, there is a cemetery and a former convent of the Sisters of Saint-Joseph of Saint Hyacinthe. All the buildings are located on thirteen acres donated by Pierre Michaud and his wife Hélène Favreau in 1904.
La Broquerie Approves Hospital Grant The RM of La Broquerie has made a funding commitment towards a major reconstruction project that is currently taking place at the Ste. Anne Hospital. The Ste. Anne Hospital is currently under reconstruction as part of a $14.1 million project that will see the hospital expanded in size by 60 percent. To secure government funding for the project the Ste. Anne Hospital board agreed to collect 10 percent of the costs through community contributions. This means collecting money from municipalities that have residents that use the facility. The RM of La Broquerie council has committed to providing the Ste. Anne Hospital with a $100,000 donation over a period of four years for $25,000 per year.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
“A trip of a lifetime” Cadet Reflects on BC Experience
April 2013
9
Saints Take Championships
By Marianne Curtis A 13-year-old cadet from Lorette recently returned from an amazing adventure after she represented Manitoba at a recent Seamanship competition in British Columbia. Leading Seaman Emily Parsons from 330 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Dawson was chosen to be one of two cadets to represent the province at a recent Seamanship competition in British Columbia. The grade 8 student headed to Victoria for the competition, which took place March 15 to 22. “This experience was such an honour and privilege to take on,” stated Parsons. “I made so many friends and memories that will stick with me forever.” Parsons said that the first two days of the seven-day trip were “working days”. “These were competition days. We were marked on teamwork, leadership, enthusiasm, effort and knowledge,” she recalled. “Since it was a competition we had to compete by taking apart things like knots, calls, flags and team building. “Even though the Prairie team lost, we still learned many things and had so much fun along the way,” she added. The rest of the week the cadets were split up into four groups of 40 and did activities such as movies, shopping and martial arts. “I recommend cadets to anyone and everyone because if you make a great enough effort you can go on many opportunities and trips,” Parsons concluded.
Leading Seaman Emily Parsons (centre) participates in a navel based trivia activity.
“This was truly a trip of a lifetime.” Parsons is a member of the 330 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Dawson that parades in Lorette. Royal Canadian Cadets is a national program for youth ages 12 to 18, the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, to promote physical fitness, and to stimulate the interest of youth in some of the activities of the Canadian Forces. All this achieved in a challenging, yet disciplined environment. Cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces. The movement is sponsored by the Department of National Defence in partnership with the various Cadet Leagues of Canada. Sea Cadets are sponsored by the Navy League of Canada. Enrolment and uniforms are provided at no cost and local Cadet Leagues rely on a civilian-parent advisory board, fund raising activities and community donations in order to participate in various activities and purchase of training aids not covered.
Jack Sprat Could Eat No Fat! Those who know me will admit that I try very hard to eat ‘healthy, lean and clean’. I am active, running up and down the stairs to clean all three floors of the spa and give treatments and massages that require physical energy and input. I look after the 4.8 acres and maintenance of the yard and spa. I like to take walks, do a bit of swimming, dancing, stretching exercises and some yoga. All this sounds rather pro-healthy if you ask me. I should be in great shape. EXCEPT for one big PROBLEM! I have high cholesterol! Very high! What’s up with that? I have wanted to avoid medication (hate pills of any kind) but in February, my doctor recommended I go on statins (medication) to lower my cholesterol. Amazingly, I had severe side effects. After a week on the meds, my body muscles ached so badly I could not raise my arms to dress myself. My head ached and I had no energy for day-to-day functions. Some people react to statins. I was one. The doctor took me off. Because so many ‘Jacks and Jacquelines’ have cholesterol concerns, I did some research online and some reading that I will share in hope that it may help us all. From what I can gather, Cholesterol is essential to mammals and is formed predominantly in the liver. Cholesterol is RECYCLED. The liver excretes it into the digestive tract. Typically, about 50 percent of the excreted cholesterol is reabsorbed by the small bowel back into the bloodstream. Cholesterol is important and needed to build and maintain cellular membranes. It also functions in intracellular transport, cell signalling and nerve conduction. In the liver, it is converted to bile and stored in the gallbladder. The bile helps with absorbing fat molecules and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Cholesterol is an important precursor molecule for synthesis of vitamin D and the steroid hormones including the adrenal gland hormones, cortisol, aldosterone, as well as the sex hormones progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and their derivatives. Some research indicates cholesterol may act as an antioxidant. Wow! Seems to me it is mighty important! Cholesterol consists of HDL (good) and LDL (bad). Saturated fats cause LDL. Cutting back on sources of saturated fat automatically limits the intake of dietary cholesterol. The other bonus of cutting back saturated fat is weight reduction over time. Remember saturated and trans fats raise your bad cholesterol and the good fats and
fibre will lower it. Here are a few steps that will help: - Watch your serving sizes. Even ‘low fat’ isn’t low if you overeat. - Get fibre, 5 to 10 gr/day may result in a 5 percent drop in your LDL (a cup of oatmeal for breakfast, ½ cup of beans in a salad, broccoli with dinner, orange or pear for a snack.) - Eat eggs, they are no longer blacklisted. An egg has 213mg of cholesterol (recommended limit per day is 300mg). So simply monitor or limit how much cholesterol you get that day. - Learn about trans fat sources. Know that any labelled ingredients that say ‘hydrogenated ‘ or ‘partially hydrogenated’ vegetable oils have trans fats (even if the list says 0 trans fats). - Eat fish at the very least, twice a week (not deep-fried with fries!). - Cook with and use good fats. Olive oil is great for cooking, baking and salad dressings. - Snack on almonds and walnuts. Here is a list of foods that you should keep permanently on your shopping list: walnuts, almonds, avocados (add to your smoothie, slice in sandwiches, chop into salad, or make guacamole dip), barley, beans and lentils (canned and raw), blueberries (frozen and fresh), oatmeal (for cereal, baking), alcohol (1 glass of any alcohol with dinner raises the good cholesterol), fish (canned, frozen or fresh), and fruits and vegetables (fresh or frozen). I will be more diligent and careful for the next 6 months, have another blood test and I am hoping that my LDL is down. I do expect the ‘natural’ approach to take discipline and a longer time. It will not be instant like taking pills. However, it seems to be my only option. I’ll be a “Jacqueline Sprat” that can eat no fat! I hope this article will encourage you to eat lean, too. Oh, and there are so many good recipes on line. Eat well, stay healthy! Raylene Snow owns and operates Raylene’s Wellness Spa on Hwy 210 South (5.2 km south of Ste. Anne and 5.7 km north of Giroux).
The Rat River Saints Novice C3 eliminated Steinbach 2 games to one to win the 2013 Championship. The team finished the season with nine wins and two losses.
10
More Than Just News!
April 2013
Ritchot Fire Department Retains Water Rescue
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Ile des Chênes Softball Gets Funding Boost
By Marianne Curtis The RM of Ritchot fire department nearly lost the regions only water rescue team after the municipality nearly dumped the program. But after meeting with council the department managed to save the program and get funding for a new boat. The issue started when the Ritchot Fire Department asked the municipality for $8,000 to purchase a new boat that would cost about $16,000, with funding being matched by the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEEP). The request turned into an issue when some members of council questioned the programs necessity and the safety of the fire fighters during a water rescue. Fire Chief Troy Ash told council the importance of the program, especially since the nearest water rescue team to the area is two hours away in Dominion City. “The RM of Ritchot has been classified by the Office of the Fire Commissioner as being high risk for water emergencies,” Ash said. There are at least six rivers, three diversions, and a number of retention ponds and bridges. “There are 13 retention ponds along LeClaire Road alone.” Ash said the water rescue team has been called out sixteen times in the last three years. Calls range from removing stranded drivers from flooded vehicles to moving equipment to fires, helping people leave flooded homes and medical evacuation. “Some people have the misconception that STARS will go anywhere but they will not even land until we secure them the site,” Ash continued. The team was also instrumental in the search for Raymond Stott, who died after his truck washed away during flooding and was found under 15 feet of water. “Without the water rescue team we would be able to respond to an incident as a fire department but we would have to stand there and wait for help to come from two hours away,” Ash continued. “We do not want to do that; we can get there in a few minutes.” The RM of Ritchot fire department members have already been trained for water rescue and the municipality is already fully equipped, except for the boat, which Ash said was “not safe enough to use.” In the matter of risk, Ash assured council that he placed the safety of his men first and foremost and no matter the situation, they are protected by their equipment and training. “I look after my men first and water rescue is the least dangerous thing that this department does,” Ash added that the department’s majority of dangerous calls included motor vehicle accidents and structure fires. After taking in the fire department’s presentation, the RM of Ritchot council changed their mind and granted the department’s request. Ash says they expect to receive a new boat and motor by the middle of April. The Ritchot Fire Department’s water rescue team has been in
Provencher MP Vic Toews met with members of the RM of Ritchot Council and Seine River Minor Ball to discuss funding for the Optimist Park.
By Marianne Curtis The RM of Ritchot Fire Department’s water rescue team is ready to respond to any water emergency in the area.
operation since 2002. By partnering with the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program the municipality received 50 percent of
the funding needed to purchase a zodiac boat, motor, trailer, wet suits and other necessary gear for water rescue.
Walls Go up on New Municipal Office Construction on a new RM of Ste. Anne municipal office has been moving along quickly over the past month and residents can now get a good idea on its size and location. The $700,000 building is being constructed on the south-west side of Ste. Anne outside the Town of Ste. Anne boundaries by VonAst Construction of Niverville. “We are very excited,” stated RM of Ste. Anne Reeve Art Bergmann. “This will be a turnkey building. We expect to be able to just move in.” The RM of Ste. Anne has moved forward with a $525,000 borrowing bylaw that will be repaid over 10 years. With a repayment plan of $60,000 per year, residents could see a .25 mil increase on their tax bills. The RM of Ste. Anne does not have any concrete plans on how they will be disposing of the current structure, which is over 100 years old. However, RM of Ste. Anne Reeve Art Bergmann said council is considering putting it up for sale once they move into the new office. Despite recent inclement weather, construction is on schedule. The new 3,100 square foot building is expected to be complete and ready for occupancy by the end of summer 2013. Over the past month, there has been significant progress on the construction of a new RM of Ste. Anne municipal office. Photo by Marianne Curtis
The Optimist Park in Ile des Chênes will see some major upgrades thanks to funding from the federal government. On March 14, $58,487 was made available to the Seine River Minor Ball League for improvements to the community’s Optimist Park. Located in Ile des Chênes the park has five diamonds, three softball and two hardball. Jennifer Woodward, Treasurer of Seine River Minor Ball, is grateful for the funding. “Seine River Minor Ball has been fortunate to have many dedicated individuals who, over the years, have contributed countless hours to make our club and park what they are today,” said Woodward. “The funds provided will ensure that we can renovate our facility, making it as comparable to any in the province, benefiting the sport, our communities and all the kids that play here.” The funds will be used to upgrade existing washroom facilities, five baseball diamonds, and renovate the tennis court into a multi-use play space. These renovations are expected to extend the life of the park by 25 years and ensure that it continues to safely meet the growing needs of the community and the surrounding areas. Funding for this project was made possible through the Economic Action Plan 2012. The Optimist Park is home for Seine River Minor Ball for children aged 418, who play in the Bonivital League in south Winnipeg and the hardball club, plays in the Carillon League in the Steinbach area.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Steinbach 55 Plus at the Pat Porter Centre offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for older adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs. For more information drop by the Centre, Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm, call 204-320-4600 or online steinbach55plus.com. Membership at Steinbach 55 Plus is only $25 per year due in January of each year for those 55 years of age and older. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice in business meetings, voting rights, and eligibility to serve on the board or committees.
Monthly Programs and Up and Coming Events nd
April Birthday Celebrations – 2 Wednesday of every month at 2 pm. Come celebrate with us! Bring your friends! Guests pay $2 for coffee and cake. April Pot Luck - The second Thursday of every month at 6 pm on April 11. If you know, you would like to attend please call ahead and let us know what you would like to bring. Call 204-320-4600. As always, needed are salads, casseroles, desserts and buns. Cost is $5. The choir will be entertaining us for our Easter celebrations and ham will be served. The Afternoon Country Jam - On Thursday, April 18 from 1:30 - 4 pm. Cost $2 for members, $3 for non-members and $4 at the door. Bus Trip to Warroad Casino - On Thursday, April 25th. Cost $35 for members, $40 for non-members. Call ahead to reserve your seat. Payments required on or before Friday, April 19. Call the centre at 204-320-4600. Old Time Country Dance - On Friday, April 26 at 8 pm - Midnight with live band, the Steinbach 55 Plus Old Time Country Band. Tickets available at the centre. Advanced tickets $10 for members, $12 for non-members and $14 at the door for everyone. Lunch is served at 10 pm. Foot Care - The first and third Tuesday of the month from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Run by a professional Foot Care Nurse. Cost $30 bring your own towel. Call for appointments for Tuesday April 2, 16 and 30. Beltone Hearing - The third Friday of each month - call 1-800-661-2653 for an appointment. Brain Injury Support Group - Last Monday of the month at 7 pm on Monday, April 29. Parkinson’s Support Group - 4th Wednesday of the month at 1pm on Wednesday, April 24.
Weekly Programs Monday
9:30 - 10:30 am Fitness (with instructor) 12 - 4:30 pm Drop-in Pool 1 - 4:30 pm Model Trains 1 pm Canasta 6 pm Wood Carving 7 pm Tai Chi Beginners 7:30 pm Tai Chi Continuing Tuesday 9:30 am - 3 pm Circle of Friends Adult Day Program 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool Wednesday 9 am Tai Chi Beginners 10 am Tai Chi Continuing 10:30 am Choir Practice 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 pm Floor Curling 1 - 4 pm Cribbage 1:30 pm Floor curling 7 pm Old Time Country Band Practice Thursday 9:30 - 10:30 am Fitness Class (with instructor) 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool 1 - 4 pm Whist Friday 8:30 am - 3 pm Circle of Friends Adult Day Program 12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool Noon meals are available Monday through Friday. Cost $5. Call 204-3204605 by 9 am to reserve your meal for that day. Purchase your meal ticket at the receptionist desk before noon. Monthly menus available at the office or in the newsletter. Bring a friend. Computer Lab from Monday to Friday, 9 am - 12 pm and 1 - 4 pm. Cost $1. Lessons with Alex Cupples every other Wednesday from 9 am - 12 pm. Call the Centre for more information and to book an appointment. Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and setting tables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up, greeters, receptionists.
April 2013
11
Steinbach Walk-in Offers Sunday Service By Marianne Curtis Southeast residents requiring medical attention on weekends no longer have to suffer long emergency room waits now that a new medical centre has opened in Steinbach. Giroux native Dr. Jayson Barkman is the owner of the newly opened Oasis Medical Centre, which is located in the new Walmart located in Steinbach. For the past five years, Barkman has worked as an emergency room doctor and anaesthesiologist at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. “I’ve seen our emergency room quite strained, especially on Sundays,” Barkman explained. “I believe that anyone can see a doctor within an hour.” Barkman said that is why his clinic is open seven days a week. With five examination rooms complete with access to electronic medical records, a lab that offers basic services, and services such as suture removal, the 1,500 square foot Oasis Medical Centre offers complete medical services. Since the clinic opened at the end of January, 3 full-time and four part-time doctors have joined the staff to provide service seven
Dr. Jayson Barkman and Manager Colleen Chariere welcome patients to the new Oasis Medical Centre, the region’s first medical walk-in clinic to be open seven days a week. Photo by Marianne Curtis
days a week. Two of the doctors are accepting new patients. “I believe in family medicine and I want to provide a solid walk-in system,” Barkman explained. “We have several family doctors here and I have been trying to recruit more.” The Oasis Medical Centre is the first clinic in the region to offer 7day-a-week service even though Walmart, which contains a pharmacy, remains closed on Sundays due to a City of Steinbach bylaw. While the clinic is open Sundays, prescriptions cannot be filled locally. Barkman acknowledged that it may be inconvenient for patients to travel to Winnipeg to fill a prescription, but as a parent, he could see the timesavings.
Landmark Coach Recognized
For the past four years, Rogalsky has been coaching at Landmark Collegiate. He has been coaching the same group of boys that he now has in Junior Varsity since they were in Grade 7. This season his JV Boys team went undefeated in league and tournament play at the A/AA level. His team remained at the top of the JV rankings for the entire season and qualified for A/AA Provincials where they took home the Silver Tim Rogalsky, the JV Boys medal. Basketball coach at Landmark Collegiate, was selected as the Landmark Collegiate’s Tim February Rural SUBWAY High Rogalsky was awarded Rural Subway High School Coach of the School Coach of the Month. Month.
“As a parent, I would sooner spend less than an hour in a medical clinic and drive to Winnipeg to fill a prescription than sit in an emergency room for three hours,” Barkman added. Due to a city bylaw, it is unlikely that a pharmacy will open on Sundays in the near future. Unlike other walk-in centres where patients take a number and cannot leave the site, Barkman has also introduced a unique paging system. The pagers allow clients to either go for coffee or complete their shopping until a doctor is ready to see them. The Oasis Medical Centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm and 1 pm to 6 pm on Sundays. Sunday hours are in the process of being extended.
12
More Than Just News!
April 2013
Dawson Trail Dispatch
St. Labre 200 Prepares to Rev Up
Pay Stubs and Property Taxes The Federal Budget was released on March 21 and the Province of Manitoba will release its budget in April, so I’ll hold my comments about those two for my May article. They don’t affect the current 2012 Personal Income Taxes that everyone has just recently filed, or is in the middle of getting ready to file. Remember that if you owe, you have to file by April 30. Even if you cannot pay it, get it filed so you avoid expensive penalties. The interest is “only” 5 percent, so even if you owe money to the government, the interest rate isn’t too bad. If you are expecting a refund, you can wait up to three years to file, but not many people do. I am expecting a refund this year (I overpaid my quarterly instalment payments) so I might wait a while; they will pay me 3 percent interest on the amount they owe me and I can’t get that at the bank! Remember, those of us that are self-employed have until June 15 to file our taxes without penalty. But, if you owe, the interest does start ticking on May 1! Most personal tax returns are straight forward, but there are a couple of items that I sometimes ask for and I should explain why.
Pay Stubs Your pay stubs contain some interesting information. First of all, you should always compare your last pay stub of the year to the T4 you receive. Mistakes can happen and may not be detected. Have a look and see what your deductions were. I will ask for premiums paid for a health and dental plan (not often shown in box 85 of a T4 Employment Income). If you see on your pay stub an amount for “total benefits”, you need to find out from your employer, HR or payroll department what is included in that total. From a tax point of view, I’m looking for mostly the medical expenses such as health premiums and dental premiums. These can be claimed as a medical expense credit. Remember that your total medical expenses need to exceed 3 percent of your net income before you can make a claim. And those of you who no longer have employment income and have no taxes payable, it won’t help you as they are considered a “non-refundable tax credit”. It will help reduce your taxes payable, but if it’s already at zero, it won’t help you. If you are working and have low income (but more than $3,268), claiming medical expenses may also help you get the refundable medical expense supplement. Also, look to see if you are paying for short and/or long-term disability benefits. If you are, I recommend you keep your last pay stub of each year that shows the total year to date. Keep these forever. Create a folder or envelope and label it “disability premiums”. If you are ever on disability income, you can deduct any premiums you paid into that plan. This is not a well-known tax deduction, but as soon as I see someone receiving taxable disability income, I ask them to find out how much they paid into the plan. Most employers have this information, but not all. Best to keep this information all the time: keep your year-end pay-stub. I had one client a few years ago that fortunately had kept all her pay stubs since she started working more than 25 years earlier. We managed to get a sizeable refund for her by deducting the disability premiums she had paid all those years. Also look for box 40 on your T4 from your employer. If it’s extremely large, make sure you understand what it is. I had a new client last year that was in that position and upon asking about it, we determined the employer’s accountant had made a mistake (it was a taxable benefit based on vehicle use); it could have cost the employee thousands in taxes payable if we had not inquired about it.
Property Taxes Property taxes don’t have much to do with income taxes, but sometimes they do. Some of my clients live on property that has more than one home so neither homeowner receives the $700 Manitoba Education Tax Credit. We claim it on their income tax return. If you move to a new property, you may not get the $700 education credit (the municipality doesn’t know if you are living there as your personal home or if you plan to rent it out). You may need to apply for it through your municipality (check with them early summer). If you were renting part of the year and owned a home part of the year, we may need to get part of the education credit through your income taxes. There are a few people that can get more than the $700 education credit, depending on how much their property taxes (school taxes) are and if they have fairly low income. This can only be determined at the time your taxes are calculated (my first clue is if you are paying only $250 for your property taxes - that’s the minimum everyone must pay).
Farmland School Tax Rebate Finally there is one more item I’ve started looking for recently. It has nothing to do with income taxes, but not everyone is aware of it. If you live on rural property, check your property tax bill. Do you see the term “farmland” in the assessment part? If so, you are eligible for the Farmland School Tax Rebate. I only learned about this less than two years ago accidentally from a client who asked to have photocopies made of her previous three years of property tax bills and receipts. I then checked my own property taxes (we live on some rural land) and saw the “farmland” assessment. Unfortunately, the Government of Manitoba only allows you to go back three years. You can get the applications on the Province of Manitoba website, or give me a call, or drop in to see me. I am disappointed that the municipality did not advise everyone of this tax rebate. Most people are unaware of it (like me) and think you can only qualify if you actually “farm” (which we do not). You qualify whether you farm or not. Like most items tax related, you don’t know what you don’t know. Another month of taxes and then I can relax a bit. I’ve seen hundreds of you already, and I expect to see many more of you during the month of April, leading up to the April 30 deadline. Moreover, the self-employed before June 15. Anni Markmann is a Tax Professional and owner of Ste Anne Tax Service. She lives, works, and volunteers in our community. Contact her at 204-422-6631, annimarkmann@mymts.net or 36 Dawson Road in Ste. Anne.
By Marianne Curtis If you enjoy the challenge of building something from scratch that runs and then speeds around in circles to raise money for organizations in the region, then the St. Labre 200 is the event for you. Organizers of the St. Labre 200 have put out a call for teams interested in participating in this year’s event that is taking place July 12-14. This will be the fifth consecutive year for the event that started out as a friendly competition between brothers. Now, hundreds of people come out to the tiny community to witness the action and cheer on their favourites. The annual St. Labre 200 gokart build off competition is a challenge where 14 teams build their own go-karts within 24 hours. Each team is given basic materials along with their own basic framing materials. They are then challenged to build gokarts from scratch on the first day and race their new creations the next day in a fast-paced nail biting 200-lap race on a quarter mile dirt track. “Businesses use this event as a team building exercise,” said Grenier, “It really gets team mates working together under pressure in hopes of winning the Best Sleep Centre Spark Plug Trophy.” The St. Labre 200 has also become a successful annual fundraiser. Over the past four years over $20,000 has been
Last summer, over 100 people came out to St. Labre to watch 14 teams challenge each other with homemade go-carts in a 200-lap race to raise funds for charities in the region.
donated for community organizations in the region. Last year funds were dispersed in support of East Borderland Community Housing in Sprague and two daycares including Treasure Keepers Children’s Centre and Les P’tits Brisous. Applications are still being accepted for this year’s organizations. Teams are accepted in order of fully paid registration of $800 with a deadline of June 15. The registration fee includes most parts needed to build a cart (engine, sprocket, wheels, bearings, clutch, etc.) but does exclude the framing material. The whole list of material can be found on their website stlabre200.ca. At the end of the weekend, teams keep their gocart. The main race takes place Saturday evening but there are many other free activities for the family such as excavator rodeo, bounce castles, R/C racecars, Rubber Boot Toss, live bands, firework show, and many others.
To register or if you have, questions send an email too: register@stlabre200.ca with your Name, Team Name and phone number.
Tache Agrees to Recreation Study The RM of Tache is trying to secure funding towards a recreation study in order to take advantage of a funding opportunity from the province. According to council, the provincial grant program could provide 70 percent of funds, up to a maximum of $25,000 to conduct a recreation feasibility study. The estimated cost of a feasibility study is approximately $35,000. By resolution of council, the RM of Tache supported a recreation feasibility study and is prepared to cost share at about $10,000. The RM of Tache council agreed to apply for the grant and establish a steering committee to work on the project.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
MHV to be Cool
April 2013
13
The Mennonite Heritage Village recently received federal monies of $17,080 to enhance services provided by the facility. The funds will be used for air conditioning in the auditorium that will protect the artefacts and make it more comfortable for visitors. Provencher MP Vic Toews announced the funding to members of the City of Steinbach council and members of the Heritage Museum Board of Directors.
St. Malo Expects a Few Thousand Visitors During Keystone Cup By Marianne Curtis
Bethesda Auxiliary Hosts Successful Spring Sale By Marianne Curtis Thousands of used books found new homes during the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary’s annual spring sale that took place in the middle of March. Hundreds of book lovers throughout the region came out to support the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary. This year’s event took place from March 20 to 23 at the Clearspring Centre in Steinbach to raise over $14,500. In the months prior to the sale, the ladies from the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary collected books and other reading materials for resale. The money raised during the resulting four-day book sale is earmarked to purchase of a bedpan washer for the Bethesda Hospital. Verna Thiessen from the Bethesda Auxiliary is pleased with this year’s event. “We are very pleased with this year’s sale. We had more people come through this year,” stated Thiessen. “We are extremely grateful to our many volunteers who spend countless hours sorting and at the sale itself. We would not be able to get this done without them.” The Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary’s book sale has become the
There was something for everyone at the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary’s annual spring book sale. Photo by Marianne Curtis
Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary’s main fundraising event. Over the years, the organization has raised nearly $300,000 for medical equipment that is not funded through Manitoba Health financial programs.
Steinbach Prepares for Mosquito Battle Mosquito season may still be a couple of months away but on March 19, the City of Steinbach released information on the upcoming summer season’s larviciding program. According to the public works department, the city will be using an environmentally friendly product called VectoBac, a granular substance distributed by hand or with a backpack blower. The product is safe to humans, pets, fish, and most other insects, including dragonflies that play an important role in keeping the mosquito population down. The City will be conducting larviciding within a 3 km buffer zone of the city throughout the summer as needed depending on stagnant water and rain. Steinbach also plans to conduct adult mosquito control (ground-based ultra low volume spraying) if the number of mosquitoes counted in the area reaches a high level. Spraying would occur from streets and road allowances, and in parks and green spaces within city limits. Ground spraying with Malathion will take place, weather permitting, during the late evening or night up to twice a week. Residents can help out by taking action to help keep the mosquito populations down by eliminating standing water, keeping yards trimmed, clearing anything that may collect standing water including bird baths, eaves troughs, pool covers, rain barrels and tires. Homeowners that objected last year are required to register again this year. Any objections received less than two days before a scheduled fogging will take effect for the next fogging. Residents can voice their concerns or object to the City’s mosquito program in person or by mail: City of Steinbach 225 Reimer Ave, Steinbach R5G 2J1 or email info@steinbach.ca.
The community of St. Malo is expected to swell by a few thousand people when the community plays host to the 2013 Keystone Cup Western Canadian Junior B hockey tournament. The highly anticipated event is taking place from April 17 to 21 at the St. Malo Arena. Ralph Collette, head coach of the St. Malo Warriors cannot wait until the tournament. “We are very excited,” stated Collette. “We have been part of five championships and we think our community, along with the region, has a lot to offer to make this event a success.” As host team, the St. Malo Warriors are guaranteed a place in the tournament and the team is anticipating taking to the ice. The last time the community was represented at the Keystone Cup was in 2009 in Thunder Bay. In 1998, the Warriors took home the silver medal at the end of the tournament. The community expects to be busy during the four-day tournament. Around two hundred volunteers have been working to prepare for the weekend and many will be volunteering during the actually event. “We are hoping to get a couple thousand people into our region per day over five days,” Collette added. As part of the preparations, renovations have been done to the arena including the construction of two new dressing rooms and upgrades to lighting and installing heaters. “Our facility is more than ready,” Collette stated. The Keystone cup is a 6-team competition that brings together the provincial champions from across Northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, along with the host team. It is a 4-day round robin tournament with the top four teams advancing to the Gold and Bronze medal games.
Niverville Ready for Spring Cleaning The community of Niverville is gearing up for spring by inviting residents to participate in three community events that geared to spruce up the neighbourhood for summer. The first event, the Niverville Spring Community Garage Sale, is taking place April 27 and 28. Residents can register their garage sales with the Community Services office at (204) 388-4078 or recreation@whereyoubelong.ca to have their sale address added to the map. Participants can pick which days they want to hold their garage sale and their hours of operation. The following weekend the community is hosting their annual free day. On May 4, anyone can put unwanted, yet useable items at the end of their driveway. Participants are asked to clearly mark unwanted items as free to give them a new home. The final cleanup event takes place from May 6 to 8, when the Community Clean Up takes place. Public works employees will pick up any large items that cannot be disposed of with regular garbage. Items can include couches, refrigerators and wood. Items placed at the end of the driveway will be picked up by the town’s employees.
14
April 2013
More Than Just News!
Raise the Woof Comedy Supports Animal Rescues By Marianne Curtis Over 100 attended the Raise the Woof fundraiser that took place on March 24 in the Niverville Community Fellowship Church. Sponsored by the Niverville Dog Adoption Fair’s fundraising comedy night, the sell out crowd enjoyed an entertaining night of clean comedy while raising money for a good cause. The event raised $1,700 for dog rescues in the province. The sold out crowd was entertained by comedians James Uloth and Lamont Fergeson, who has performed on stage with Jay Leno. Uloth is the founder of Raise the Woof. Raise The Woof is a stand up comedy event that works with animal shelters and rescue groups to help with much needed monetary support. Raise The Woof was created by comedian and producer James Uloth, who has raised over $300,000 for various charities. Organizer Barry Piasta was pleased with the success of the event. “These events are important to raise awareness that thousands of dogs die needlessly every day,” stated Piasta. “Instead of buying a pet, adopt from a shelter or rescue.” With the Raise the Woof comedy night complete, Piasta is working on his next event. On May 11, the second annual Niverville Dog Adoption Fair will take place at the Niverville arena. Last year over 1,000, people came out to meet pets that were looking for their forever homes. Over 40 dogs found new homes as a result. This year Piasta promises even more vendors, rescues and animals to be available for adoption at the event.
Comedian Lamont Fergeson told a Niverville crowd that he has performed on stage with Jay Leno but he was excited to have “finally arrived, by performing in a church basement in Niverville.” Photo by Marianne Curtis
Piney Wants Clean Yards With spring fast approaching, the snow will soon be gone and yards will begin to emerge in our sights again. The RM of Piney council is issuing a reminder to everyone who owns property in the municipality to be considerate of their neighbours. The reminder goes out to residents that have items that could be considered unsightly or unmanaged. “We want residents to be mindful and considerate of their neighbours and keep their properties tidy and clean at all times,” stated council. “Everyone needs to work together to diminish this issue.” The request comes because of numerous complaints to council about properties that have been ignored or left unkempt within the municipality.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
La Broquerie Man Nominated for Kraft Contest A La Broquerie hockey enthusiast was one of 100 finalists competing for a $100,000 donation towards hockey in the community through a new Kraft contest called Hockey Goes On. From March 23 to 24 people could cast their votes in support of 100 dedicated hockey volunteers, including La Broquerie’s Pat Tetrault. Nominated by La Broquerie Minor Hockey, Tetrault has been involved with
the Le Club Sportif De La Broquerie/La Broquerie Minor Hockey for over a decade. He joined the organization at 21 and is now the current club President. He also coaches his three daughters and plays with the community’s Senior Habs. Tetrault has been involved with many initiatives including the Habs Alumni Tournament, which takes place annually in the community. The tournament brings together players from 18 to 70 and draws about 100 former and current players from La Broquerie to play hockey. It also helps raise money to keep fees at a reasonable level. He is also behind the “Free Hockey Clinic” which takes place each spring to introduce kids not registered in hockey
to the game. Tetrault also introduced “Hockey Day in La Broquerie” where all teams play a home game during the day and participate in community activities. He got the community involved with Kraft Hockeyville 2009 when the community made it to the top ten finalists. Voting is closed and winners of the Hockey Goes On contest will be announced April 3. The top ten winners will receive $100,000 for their local organization. In this case, the funds would go to Le Club Sportif De La Broquerie/La Broquerie Minor Hockey. Tetrault was one of only two Manitoban volunteers who made it to the top 100 volunteers across the country.
April 2013
15
Home Inspirations Show Well Received in Niverville
Nearly 100 home improvement vendors were on hand in Niverville during the first annual South East Home Inspirations Show. Photo by Marianne Curtis
By Marianne Curtis The first annual South East Home Inspirations Show 2013 took place at the Niverville Heritage Centre on March 8 and 9. Ninety-one booths for companies in the home improvement business, including framers, landscapers, painters and hardware stores, along with displays from organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse and the Niverville Dog Adoption Fair. John Falk, show Coordinator, was pleased with the event’s inaugural show. “It was a great success and we look forward to next year,” stated Falk. The purpose of this show was to promote local businesses within southeastern Manitoba, generate inspiration for those interested in home renovating and to provide excellent service to all who attend. There were also several local developers on hand showing off their latest offerings in subdivisions and condominiums currently being constructed in the community.
16
April 2013
Local Arts and Culture Receives Funding On March 11, the Steinbach Arts Council was thrilled to receive a financial commitment of $24,000 from the Federal Government for cultural programming in the community. Steinbach Arts Council Executive Director Cindi Rempel-Patrick is grateful for the grant because the funds will help the organization present their Concert Show Series. The concert series includes approximately 17 performances and artist-led workshops on literature, world and classic music, theatre and puppetry. “The Steinbach Arts Council is thrilled to receive this funding as it allows rural arts councils, such as ours, to present a high standard of concert programming, and bring local and international artists to our home stage,” said Rempel-Patrick. “It encourages us to build upon the diversity of arts disciplines, and gives opportunity for emerging artists as well. Our community benefits greatly as it enhances our quality of life through this celebration of the arts.” The Steinbach Arts Council can expect to receive $12,000 this year and $12,000 next year for a total of $24,000. The funding was made available through a federal program called the Canada Arts Presentation Fund.
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Discovering Truth Question: What is Truth? Answer: The world is overflowing with knowledge and everyone seems to be vying for our attention. A common question that people ask today is “What is truth?” Colleges and universities are full of students, desperately searching for that elusive concept called “Truth.” They study their books and notes hoping they’ve learned enough to pass their final exams and graduate or advance to the next term. Many do well in our educational system and often get jobs and make a good life for themselves and their families. But, they never find “Truth.” Until you find Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him, you will never know “Truth.” In John 14:6, Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” When Jesus Christ was being examined by Pilate before His crucifixion, Pilate looked at Him and asked, “What is truth?” Pilate was looking right at Truth and didn’t recognize it. There are many people today just like Pilate. God has given us a Book called the Bible and John 17:17 says that this Book is “Truth.” God has also given us His Holy Spirit and He is called the “Spirit of Truth.” So, God has given us three sources of truth: Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible. If you really want truth, then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the Son of God to you from the Bible as you read it. John 8:32 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Truth sheds light on a problem and then it’s up to us whether we act on that truth or not. Some people reject truth. They would rather believe a lie. Some people don’t recognize truth and are being deceived. David, the Psalmist, wrote in Psalm 119:18 “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” This is a good prayer for anyone to pray just before you read the Bible. God often uses His Word, the Bible, to shed light on your personal problems, no matter how impossible they may appear to you or me. I operated a veterinary practice for over 30 years and I can testify that when problems surfaced (personal, family or business) God always gave direction through prayer and reading the Bible. It has become a tremendous source of truth over the years and continues to guide me into all truth. God bless you as you go to Him and seek for truth. John 6:37 says, “…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Keep searching for truth from God until you find it. If I can be of help to you, contact me thru my email address. Galatians 4:16 says, “I tell you the truth.” David Millar has been involved with pastoral work for the past 22 years and is currently pastoring First Baptist Church in Steinbach. Any questions are welcomed and can be sent to dmillar@nlis.ca.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
April 2013
17
The Third Heaven? What is out there … way out there in outer space? Why can I not just zoom into outer space free from the earth’s gravity and go wherever I want to go? If my mind could propel or thrust me into another universe instantly, I would travel to the outermost reaches of the known universe, possibly heaven itself. But, where is heaven? Or maybe I should ask the question … What is heaven? Can it be a place? Perhaps it is a spiritual life form. Is it possible that it is a different dimension of living? Is it far away or nearby? How can I, as a human being enter heaven? These are valid questions, which we ought to have open and honest answers. Everyday people in every corner of the world have been, or are struggling with, the thought of going to heaven. Or what heaven is like. People today have so much information at their fingertips. We have the Bible, spiritual literature, books that cover every possible area of Christian debate, and yet I become silent during the discussion about what heaven is like. Many times I must admit that I am far too vague in my ideas about certain spiritual realities, spiritual truths. If God were in heaven, you would think that we should know something about heaven. Scripture describes three very different thoughts regarding heaven on a level that you and I can understand: Look at Isaiah 55:10. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater.” Here the prophet Isaiah shows that what you and I call the first heaven is the sky above us. The earth’s atmosphere is mentioned many times in Scripture. We know that it surrounds the earth with the air we breathe; it changes our climate. There is rain, snow, and hail, all which come down from heaven above. Secondly, the Psalmist talks about the second heaven by referring to outer space, Psalm 19:1-2, 6. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day, they pour forth speech; night after night, they display knowledge. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.” The Psalmist talks about the sun, our moon, countless number of stars and galaxies and the depth of the universe now not fully understood by the human mind. It is said astronomers have discovered countless number of stars as far away as 13.7 billion light years from this earth of ours. What is heaven like? Paul talks about the third heaven as being the kingdom of God, a special place for the children of God: 2 Cor. 12:2-4… 2) I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows. 3) And I know that this man-whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4) was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. Wow, no wonder our minds are flooded with questions as we do our utmost to understand. The Bible assures us that God, our Heavenly Father, is in heaven. God can be in the atmosphere, in outer space and in heaven itself. God is Spirit and He can be anywhere and everywhere all at the same time. John 15:13. Greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends. This verse is quoted often during Remembrance Day services and rightfully so. Perhaps Jesus wants us to understand that He gave his life for the human race. He came to open the gate, so to say, to another place called Heaven. He reminds us that all we have to do to enter heaven is acknowledge our sin condition and ask for His forgiveness after which He will provide us with indescribable freedom. He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can manage. When our life on earth is done and we enter heaven, we will feel at home in heaven where Christ and our Heavenly Father live. Where is heaven? It is the place where God our Heavenly Father lives. It is a place of eternal rest. No more death, No more blame. It is a place far greater than I could even attempt to describe in so few words as this column. It is a place where we will accept by faith what God in His Word says it is. He gave us His Word and His Words are our assurance that we shall someday share Heaven with Him. 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.
18
April 2013
Hundreds of pieces of local art! You are invited to the highlight of our Visual Arts Season, featuring over 100 artists from southeastern Manitoba. Come celebrate with us from 7-8 pm at the Cultural Arts Centre, Steinbach. The Adult Opening Ceremony is Wednesday, April 3 and the Juvenile Opening Ceremony is Friday, April 5. Enjoy live entertainment by Zack Schinkel, magic tricks, juggling, refreshments and balloons. The exhibit runs April 3-25. Up Next… “Students Creations” by Ste Anne Collegiate opens May 1st.
Summer Arts Day Camps Summer Fun for ages 5-12 with Summer Arts Day Camps. Have a blast this summer with Music, Dance, Drama, Visual Arts, Sports and Field Trips, all a part of our themed camps running 9am-4pm daily at the Cultural Arts Centre. Limited spaces available. Call now to register.
Dance Classes New dances for April and May with The Dance Floor - Waltz and East Coast Swing. Whether you have never danced a single step or you have been dancing for years, try our Thursday night classes. Call to register.
Fitness Classes Upcoming Fitness Classes at the Cultural Arts Centre - Gentle Hatha Flow Yoga starts April 2nd. Develop a well balanced you with instructor Bettianne Jolicoeur. Classes run 8 weeks on Tuesday nights. Or try Power Pilates starting April 29th. Get in shape and have some fun with instructor Christel Flaming. STOTT Pilates implements the five basic principles of breathing, pelvic placement, ribcage placement, scapular movement, and head and cervical spine placement. Classes run twice a week, Monday and Wednesday evenings. NEW! Plans are to offer Pre/Post Natal Pilates and On the Ball Pilates. Both classes run on Thursday mornings starting May 2nd.
Watercolour or Acrylics? With Mix ‘n’ Match, you can choose both. Classes start April 4th, running Thursday nights for 8 weeks with instructor Gabrielle Doll.
Absolute Abstract Starts April 15th. Join instructor Colleen Watchorn for a lesson in experimentation on Monday nights. Classes run 6 weeks.
Arts4Tots Register Now for next season! Arts4Tots is the most creative way to learn. Ages 3-5 will love learning early childhood education through the Arts - Music, Dance, Drama, Culture and Crafts. What makes us unique? All your questions can be answered online at www.steinbachartscouncil.ca.
Gala Early Bird Tickets Gala Early Bird tickets available until April 15th for the ‘Celebrate the Arts’ …in Broadway Style Fundraising Gala on Friday, May 3 at Friedensfeld Community Centre. You are invited to a night on Broadway featuring our local ‘celebrity singers’, Broadway artists, jewellery tombola and Fine Art auction. Where does the money go? Your support will help to finance our operations. Our mission: To enhance the quality of life through the Arts. Call now to reserve your seats.
Backyard Theatre Company Your favourite green ogre is back for his debut role on the Steinbach stage. Join the Backyard Theatre Company for their final recital performance including ‘Shrek,’ ‘The Princess and the Pea,’ ‘Who’s on First?’ and other comical stories. Come out to support local students on Friday, April 26th at SRSS Theatre, 7:00 pm. Please call for tickets.
Sold Out The Sound of Music sold out - 5 shows! Bravo to our cast and crew!
Chair covers for rent Beautiful white chair covers to add that extra touch to your special event. Best prices in town - only $1.50/cover. Call for info.
Photo Contest See this month’s theme on the Century 21 Gold Key Realty Facebook page, then submit your photo (don’t forget to tag ‘Steinbach Arts Council’) for your chance to win $50, plus a tax receipt in your name for $100, donated to SAC.
Get Involved Get involved with the Arts and make a difference in your community! Steinbach Arts Council is looking for volunteers for our Board of Directors, Exhibit Committee and Southeast Visual Arts Committee. Teens and youth - check our website for info on the Creative Youth Council.
Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg The Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg presents Kornel Wolak and Chris Donnelly. Armed with a clarinet, a piano, and their personable stage presence, this duo’s remarkable blend of classical and jazz music continues to captivate audiences with music rarely heard in live performance. Enjoy Kornel and Chris in concert on Sunday, April 7th at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2 pm. Tickets are available at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg or at the door. Students only $5.
View all our events on steinbachartscouncil.ca
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Feds Fund New Bothwell Community Centre On March 12, the federal government announced that the New Bothwell Recreation Centre would receive $26,375 towards improvements at the facility. The $26,375 in funding is expected to enhance the services provided at the New Bothwell Recreation Centre. Under the project, new counter tops, cabinets, flooring, and a furnace will be installed. In addition, the electrical will be upgraded, the building’s overhang will be repaired, and the shelter for the outdoor rink will be enclosed. RM of Hanover Reeve Stan Toews is grateful for the federal government’s support. “We are thankful to receive this funding to repair and upgrade interior components of the recreation centre such as the flooring, electrical, hot water tank and cupboards, in addition to the east side exterior of the building, which has been deemed critical repair,” stated Toews. “This will allow the Town of New Bothwell to continue to provide quality recreation to Provencher MP Vic Toews along with the New Bothwell Community Centre’s Board of residents at this very important time of Directors. community growth and development.”
Park Potties Receive Upgrades Campers and visitors at the Parc Sir GeorgeEtienne Cartier Park in Ste. Agathe will be pleased to know that the community recently received money to improve the washroom facilities. Thanks to the federal government, the $7,395 will allow the Ste. Agathe Community Development Inc. to renovate the park’s washrooms. Jacques Courcelles, President of SainteAgathe Community Development Corporation, is pleased with the contribution. “We greatly appreciate the Government of Canada funding for the renovations to Parc Sir Georges-Étienne Cartier Park,” said Courcelles. “The purpose of the CDC is to develop local economies that in turn create opportunities to enhance the quality of life for our residents and visitors.” The funding was provided through the Economic Action Plan 2012. The improvements are expected to extend the life span of the park and provide a more comfortable experience for residents and visitors.
The Ste. Agathe CDC met with Provencher MP Vic Toews to discuss community park improvements.
The Parc Sir George-Etienne Cartier Park in Ste. Agathe is a municipal campground with baseball diamonds, horseshoe pits, sheltered areas and barbecues. On the third weekend of July, the site becomes home to Cheyanne Days, which brings hundreds of people to the community for an annual ball tournament and family weekend.
Sprague Housing Group to Host Book Sale Booklovers are encouraged to come out and support a book sale in the region when the East Borderland Community Housing Committee hosts their fifth annual fundraising book sale. The 4-day event, which takes place from May 1 to 4, will take place at the Clearspring Centre. The event is being planned by the East Borderland Community Housing Committee to help the group raise money for a proposed personal care home in Sprague. Elsie Laing, chairperson for the East Borderland Community Housing project, said proceeds from the book sale would be added to the funds already raised by the group. The group hopes to raise about $3,500 during this year’s book sale. Over the past four years, about $14,500 has been raised during the event. “Funding in the past has gone towards opening the apartments but that was done in September. Now the focus is on additional personal care home beds,” Laing explained. With the 15-suite assisted living apartments complete, the group has turned their focus to raise the community’s portion of a $4 million project consisting of the construction of a 20-bed personal care home/supportive housing unit. “We continued to collaborate with Southern Health and the community needs to raise ten percent,” stated Laing. “We, as a community, are pretty close to being able to put the money on the table.” Laing estimates that the group is about $50,000 short of their fundraising goal. The East Borderland Community Housing Committee hopes to raise about $3,500 during this year’s book sale. Over the past four years, about $14,500 has been raised during the event. To ensure the success of the sale, gently used books can be donated by dropping them off at the East Borderland Community Healthcare Centre during regular hours or by contacting Elsie at 437-2843. Volunteers are also needed for the event.
De Salaberry Replaces Eight Year Old Grader The RM of De Salaberry has decided to spend $193,000 on a new grader for the municipality after putting out a call for tenders last month. The municipality received two quotes, including one for $200,000 from Toromont Cat. The RM of De Salaberry decided to trade in their 2005 John Deere grader originally purchased from Brandt Tractor for $138,000 for a 2013 John Deere 772G grader from Brandt Tractor for $193,000 plus taxes.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
Did you know? More and more homeowners embracing a relatively new way to shower. Walk-in, or walkbehind, showers are doorless structures that are designed to give the shower a more open look. Walk-in showers are often appear larger than more traditional showers, and those that do take up more space do so to prevent water from spraying around the room. Though walk-in showers do not have doors, they do employ a glass partition to keep water in. Walk-in showers often give a bathroom a more modern look, but their role is more than aesthetic. In fact, many seniors find it is easier to get in and out of a walkin shower, something that could reduce their risk of falling and suffering an injury.
Local Trades and Suppliers can help you through any project you want to tackle.
April 2013
19
20
April 2013
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Converting a kid’s room into an adult space When a young adult leaves the comforts of home to set out on his or her own, homeowners are left with a bedroom that just calls out to be made over. However, the experience of a child leaving the nest can be bittersweet, and some parents struggle with the decision to renovate or leave the room intact. Converting a room can be an emotional process, but there are several different ways to put a newly vacated room to good use. What to do with a room may hinge on who still lives in the house. Another child, for instance, may be interested in “upgrading” to the room if it is larger or has amenities that the previous bedroom does not offer, like a better view or a bigger closet. Some have plans for a craft space or a library. Perhaps the room would be perfect for a “man cave” or a quiet sitting area. Keep in mind that the room may hold sentimental value for the child, so converting the space is not something that should happen abruptly or without prior notice given to the former occupant. Communication is key before the room can be permanently changed into a new room. To get started, follow these guidelines. * Start slowly. Broach the subject with the former occupant of the room to gauge his or her reaction to the idea. If your child is supportive, then the process may move along more quickly. If not, you may need to wait a little longer before starting the renovation. * Go through the room’s contents together. Your child may feel his or her private sanctum was violated if you simply box up belongings and ready them to be taken away. Instead, go through the room together and allow your son or daughter to pack away items of sentimental value. Other items can be donated. Consider which pieces of furniture might be kept and repurposed. * Keep some items of value. Remember, you don’t want your child to feel like his or her identity has been erased from the house. Find a way to incorporate something from the bedroom into the new design to pay homage to the person who lived and grew up in the room. Keep a square of removed wallpaper and frame it. Put some well-read childhood books on a shelf. Have a place of honor for the first soccer trophy. This way when your child returns home there will still be a piece of the room’s former identity. * Work through your new design plan. Before removing
Parents often renovate a child’s room when that child moves out.
furniture and any items, draw up a detailed renovation plan and establish a budget. If the room will become a guest room, the basics may already be there and you simply need to introduce new linens and a new paint color to transform the space. Consider keeping the room functional as a sleeping space in some way — whether moving in a sleeper sofa or making a regular bed into a daybed — so when your son or daughter comes to visit, he or she will have a comfortable space. * Make it sophisticated. Adult spaces differ from children’s spaces in their sophistication. Starting fresh with more streamlined furniture and bolder colors in the room will give it a grownup look. Converting a child’s former bedroom into a new and exciting living space for adults takes some planning and sensitivity. A collaborative effort between parent and child can make the process can go much more smoothly.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
More Than Just News!
The dos and don’ts of basement finishing
An unfinished basement allows homeowners to transform the room into anything they desire. But there are some dos and don’ts to finishing a basement, including ensuring the project adheres to local building codes.
Remodeling a basement is a popular home improvement project. A finished basement makes the space more functional and, when done correctly, can add a considerable amount of living space to a home. Finishing a basement pays dividends in additional space in a home that doesn’t require the same level of investment as putting an addition on the house. Also, the groundwork for a finished room is already there, as most basements are already set up with a poured concrete floor and some walls, usually cinder blocks. Some electrical components, plumbing and the creature comforts of drywall and a more inviting floor might be all that’s necessary to finish a basement. The process can be labor-intensive, and many people prefer to leave it to a professional contractor. Whatever finishing method is chosen, homeowners should follow the proper procedures when doing the work. DO start with a detailed plan. Measure out the basement and mark any items that cannot be moved, such as a furnace, water heater or pipes. Create a design board that showcases the materials you plan to use on the project. Think about ways you plan to arrange furniture and consider all of the possible uses for the room. Will it be a home theater? Will someone be sleeping down there? Each scenario will require certain amenities and safety requirements. DON’T plan to finish the entire basement. Doing so will leave you without a storage or utility area where you house holiday decorations, tools, luggage and similar items. DO get the scoop on building codes. Knowing what the municipality allows in basement remodeling will help you to customize a plan that is functional, safe and legal. No one wants to be slapped with fines for failing to follow the rules. Plus, failure to meet building codes could mean the work that has been done must be torn out and redone. It pays to follow the chain of command and secure permits while having all work inspected. DON’T overlook adequate lighting in your refinishing plan. A basement is likely one area of the house that has limited natural light pouring in. With traditionally small windows, or no windows at all, a basement needs ample lighting in its design scheme. This may include a combination of overhead and task lighting. Ample lighting will help the room feel like part of the house and not just a forgotten storage area. DO take into consideration moisture issues in the basement. Many basements are plagued by moisture issues ranging from water seepage to condensation forming on walls. These situations may vary depending on the weather throughout the year. Certain materials may need to be used to mitigate water issues before finishing can take place. The installation of waterbarrier systems, drainage, sump pumps, or encapsulation products could drive up the cost of a basement renovation. It is essential to have a professional assess the basement water issues prior to starting any finishing work. DON’T simply cover up potential hazards, such as mold or mildew. Have them treated instead. Otherwise, you could have a breeding ground behind drywall that could lead to unsafe conditions in the home. DO have a radon test. Radon is a hidden killer that can cause lung cancer. Because it occurs naturally in the soil and water surrounding a home and is
impossible to detect without a specialized test, many people are unaware of the presence of radon until it is too late. Radon may be more concentrated in the basement, where the foundation is touching the soil. Therefore, rule out radon before considering renovation of a basement area. DON’T limit furniture choices to one type. You may need to be flexible in your furniture choices, even selecting modular pieces, like sectionals, because entryways to basements may have small doorways or obstructions that make adding furniture more challenging. DO keep the possibility of flooding in the back of your head. Homes that are near waterways or at low elevation may be at risk of flooding. Basements are especially susceptible to flood damage. Therefore, think about the practicality of finishing a basement if you are prone to flooding. If you decide to move ahead, take certain precautionary measures, such as keeping electrical wiring up higher and using a more water-resistant flooring material, like tile or vinyl. House important electronics and items on shelves so they are not at ground-level. Finishing a basement is a job that can add a lot of usable space to a home. Go about the project in the right way to keep within budget and have a room that is safe and functional.
Call Manitoba Hydro Before You Dig Outdoors Spring marks the arrival of buds and shoots, and the start of plans for landscaping, gardening, and building projects. If you’re planning a project that involves excavation, such as drilling for a well, digging postholes, or even putting in a new garden or flowerbed, call Manitoba Hydro ahead of time. Before you start your project, call us to arrange an appointment so that we can check and mark your property for buried electrical and/or natural gas lines. The service to locate Manitoba Hydroowned underground facilities is free. Manitoba Hydro’s trained personnel will mark the locations of underground power lines and gas lines and buried installations such as vaults containing transformers or electrical switchgear. Calling before you dig can prevent: - service outages; - equipment damage; - costly repairs; - environmental pollution; - personal injury or even death. Don’t forget to call other utilities to receive their clearance too. Remember that overhead power lines also need to be respected on any job site. Call 204-480-1212 in Winnipeg or 1-888MBHYDRO (1-888-624-9376) to book your appointment.
April 2013
21
22
More Than Just News!
April 2013
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Increase storage possibilities What homeowner has not lamented that they have many more belongings than they have storage space? In some homes, particularly in older homes, closet space and other areas to store items may be lacking. Apartment dwellers often find they’re lacking in storage space as well. But savvy homeowners can find both permanent and temporary solutions
to their home storage problems. One of the easiest ways to create storage space is to simply remove some belongings from the residence. Go through closets around the house and pick through the attic and/or garage to see if there are any items that can be discarded or donated. Items that are broken can be discarded, while those things that still
Pros and cons of open floor plans Open floor plans have evolved to be the floor plan of choice in new homes and current home renovations. Turn on a home renovation show, and you’re likely to see eager homeowners knocking down walls to open the kitchen to the family room. Walls have become anathema to homeowners. There are many supporters of the open floor plan, particularly those who entertain frequently or like to keep an eye on children throughout the house. Although open floor plans are touted, there are plenty of people who have never been enamored with having all of their rooms flowing into one. There also are some people who prefer a different style. For those who are not fans of the open floor plan, blame the excess of the 1980s for their inception. In homes built in the 1960s and 1970s, rooms were compartmentalized and isolated for specific activities. During the 1980s, an era of “bigger is better,” when entertaining was widely popular among homeowners, designers noticed that many homeowners preferred an open floor plan in which rooms merged into one another, creating the illusion of more space. These floor plans also enable people to be in separate rooms and still interact with one another across the space. A home’s floor plan largely depends on the preference of the homeowner. There are many advantages to having an open floor plan versus one that is more compartmentalized. Here is a look at some of the pros and cons. Pro Pro: Open floor plans can be safer for parents of young children. If the home opens up with the living spaces branching off from the kitchen, parents can keep an eye on children while the parents prepare dinner. Con Con: Privacy is reduced in a home with few walls. Much in the way that an open floor plan enables children to be seen from every angle, it also enables you to be seen — and all of your belongings as well. There’s also no place to retreat to if you need a minute to collect. Pro Pro: Entertaining can be easier in a home with an open floor plan because hosts and hostesses are not separated from their guests or holed up in the kitchen the entire time. An open space enables everyone to mingle and conversations to flow. Con Con: Those who like to host events without showing guests all of their dirty dishes or secrets of the kitchen may dislike an open floor plan. Pro Pro: Light can flow effectively through an open space, minimizing dark rooms and reducing the need to install more windows. Con Con: While light can flow easily, so can sound. Noises through the house may be amplified. A student doing homework in the dining room may be disturbed by the television blaring in the family room. Talking on the phone or even finding a quiet nook to read a book may be challenging. Pro Pro: Open floor plans allow for more family time together in one space than a home with a more compartmentalized layout. Con Con: People who are collectors or who have a lot of furniture or accent items may find that open floor plans do not work well with this type of design mantra. Pro ro: Because several rooms run into one another, color choices for walls and furnishings in a home with an open floor plan can be limited and cohesive, making choices easier. Con Con: On the flip side, those who want to incorporate different color schemes and eclectic styles may have difficulty deciding on where to “end” rooms or how to co-mingle furniture.
have utility can be donated or sold. The next step is to maximize the space of your existing closets. Many closets are equipped with just a shelf and a clothing rack, greatly limiting the storage potential. Investing in a closet organization system is one way to transform a poorly utilized space. These systems can be purchased, often inexpensively, from a home improvement center. Compiled of modular racks and shelving, the positioning can be customized depending on the size of the closet. Oftentimes, the addition of shelving or another rack for hanging clothes can solve some storage issues. These closet systems also are ideal for renters because they can be installed with minimal damage and be removed when a lease expires. Homeowners may have to think vertically to solve storage solutions. Wall space may be abundant in a home where closets are not. Therefore, shelving and cabinets can be places to keep items neatly off the floor. A series of shelves can be installed next to a washing machine to keep laundry supplies organized. In children’s rooms, build bookcases the height of the room so children can store frequently used reading material and toys on the lower levels, and adults can put collectibles and mementos near the top. Hang hooks to hold hats and robes. Whenever possible, look to store items on the walls where they will keep clutter off the floor. Storage can even be created in the bathroom, where the space over the toilet can be used to hang a cabinet to store hand towels and other toiletries if the space under
Messy closets and clutter elsewhere in the home may be indicative of a storage deficit. But there are ways to easily increase storage space.
the sink has already been claimed. Many apartment dwellers recognize the advantage of having items that serve double-duty in their living spaces. For example, a convertible sofa can be used for sitting and then turn into a bed for overnight guests. Ottomans that have a storage compartment can house anything from throw blankets to magazines. An armoire may house the television but also have a pull-out shelf that can hold a laptop computer. In the kitchen, move food items out of cabinetry and into a “pantry” you create elsewhere in the house, such as a laundry room or garage. This frees up more room for pots and pans. Cabinets that have pull-out shelving help maximize tight recesses of cabinets and keep things organized and in sight. For those with limited cabinets, pots and pans can be hung from a pot rack suspended in the kitchen. Even when there is a small amount of storage space, individuals can find clever ways to neatly store items.
Dawson Trail Dispatch
COMMUNITY EVENTS EMAIL YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT TO EDITOR@DAWSONTRAIL.CA OR FAX 204-422-8548
Friedensfeld Celebrate the Arts’…Broadway Style – On Friday, May 3 at 6:30 pm at the Friedensfeld Hall. Join us for an exquisite evening fundraising gala in support of the Arts. Call for tickets 204-346-1077.
Spring Luncheon/Dessert Concert & Visual Arts Display - Seine Singers/Arts Lorette featuring the Seine Singers (Lorette community women’s choir), Local String Quartet Plain Salt (Celtic Band), Kim Gordon (Flutist) and Local Visual artists. On Sunday, April 21, 5 pm at Notre Dame de Lorette Parish Hall. Tickets $15 - Not available at the door. To buy tickets, contact Arlene 204-878-2016 or Iris 204-878-3314 or a choir member.
Gardenton Craft and Bake Sale - The Ukrainian Museum and Village Society on Saturday, April 27 from 10 am – 3 pm. Silent Auction Lorette Métis Local Membership Drive - On Tuesday, April 30 50/50 Draw Hot Perogy & Sausage Lunch. Contact to rent a at 7:15 pm at Le Club Des Blés D’or, 1254 Dawson Road, Lorette. table or more information Kelvin Chubaty 204-425-8197, Ruth Adolphe 204-425-3395, or Amanda Bente 204-425-7784. Mitchell Breakfast and Social - every Tuesday morning, 7:30 - 9:00 am except the last Tuesday of the month when the social is held Grunthal Mennonite Evening Fundraiser - Supper & Entertainment by instead. Lunch starts at noon at the Mitchell and Area Seniors the “New Fields” on Friday, April 5 at Elim Mennonite Church, Centre. Contact 204-326-6944. Main St. Supper from 5 – 7 pm. New Fields performing country, gospel and plautdietsch (low-German) music. Reserve prior to Niverville the event. Contact Mary 204-371-6155 or Maria 204-434- Rugby - Still some spaces available. For ages 4-16. Contact 6566. Fundraiser for youth for a Mennonite Disaster Service 204-388-4078. Trip to the USA. Veterinary Vaccination Clinic – On Saturday, April 6 from 10 Corporate Farms and Farm Estate Rollover - On Thursday, April am – 3 pm at 309 Main Street Public Works, wash bay with 5 from11:30 am -1 pm at New Horizons Centre. Have lunch, Graydon Veterinary Services. sponsored by Tim Driedger and John Mahi from Investors Group with Marke G Dally on tax efficient methods that help corporate Niverville Chamber of Commerce AGM – On Thursday, April 11 farms and aid in farm estate transfer. Contact John Mahi 371- from 7 -8:30 am at John Henry’s Banquet Hall. Contact Cara 2967 or Tim Driedger at 371-1081 to register. Door prizes for Dowse 204-388-4600 chamber@niverville.com early registrations. Community Garage Sale – From Saturday, April 27 –Sunday Spring Stop & Shop – On Saturday, April 13 at 9 am - 3 pm at April 28. Registration deadline Wednesday, April 24. Contact the New Horizons Centre. What’s new and Who’s new in home- 204-388-4078. based businesses, sales, door prizes and coffee while you Spring Craft & Vendor Sale - On Sunday, May 5 from 11 am – shop. Looking for vendors to participate call ASAP. 4 pm at Niverville Heritage Centre. Free Admission. Contact Grunthal Meals Committee - seeking volunteers for committee, Kristina, kkgerbrandt@gmail.com. on Friday, May 3 at 238 Park St., Positions available are Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Community Representative. Niverville Dog Adoption Fair - FURever Homes 2 – On Saturday, Consider submitting your name or that of a colleague to the May 11 from 12 – 4 pm at the Niverville Arena, Curling Rink nominating committee for review. Contact Carrie Bilawchuk, and Grounds. Manitoba’s largest dog adoption event. If you Community Resource Coordinator Steinbach 55 Plus 204-320- are thinking about getting a dog, there will be over 12 rescues with dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds. These dogs will be up 4604 or email crcssinc@mymts.net. for adoption and looking for a FURever home. There will be Roughstock Riding School - On Friday, May 17 and Saturday, displays of pet products and services from as far away as the May 18 at the Hanover Ag Grounds. Providing safe instruction UK and Bronx New York. There will be dog drill team shows, in bareback riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Steer ask the vet, ask a trainer and dog obedience demos. Contact Riding and Bullfighting, from Beginner to Intermediate levels. Barry 204-510-4229 or 204-388-9676 afeica@mymts.net. Space limited to 12 per event. Cost $200 confirm your spot with a non-refundable $100 deposit by April 1. Fill out form out, Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with children up to age six. email it back to Curtis@hanoverag.com, and drop your deposit Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am located in the in the mail to Hanover Agricultural Society, Box 441, Grunthal lower level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62 4th Avenue S.). Free drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, along MB, R0A 0R0. with a large open space for the kids to play while the moms High School Rodeo - The MHSRA comes back to the Hanover visit. Contact Karen at klenzrpeters@hotmail.com. Ag Grounds for two days of full event Rodeo. High school students competing in timed events, rough stock riding, and Prawda racing events. From Sunday, May 19 - Monday, May 20 at 11 Circuit 30 - Alternate aerobic and weight exercises, with cool am. With a Jackpot Gymkhana on Saturday at 7 pm., Admission down and stretch exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, clean runners, and bring a bottle of water. Cost: $2/class Mondays is just $8 per day. Children 10 and under are free. and Thursdays at 7 pm, in the Reynolds School Gym. Contact Wendy 204-348-2433. Hadashville Tae Kwon Do - Every Wednesday at 6 pm at the Hadashville Community Club (Reynolds Recreational Centre) from 6 years Busy Bodies Playgroup – Every Wednesday from 9 - 11 am at old to adults. Pursue a black belt or learn new skills, great the Reynolds School Gym. Free to parents and children. Snacks stress release and have an excellent workout at the same provided. Contact Cassie 204-793-8290. time. Cost after registration fee is $40/month per person. Ask about 2 week free trial. Contact Shelly at 204-426-5266 or e- Richer Seine River Services for Seniors AGM – On Thursday, April 18 mail KSTA.academy@gmail.com. at the Richer Young at Heart Community Center, 22 Dawson Rd. Doors will be open at 10 am. Lunch served at noon followed Kleefeld Community Playgroup - for parents, caregivers and children by an opportunity to try Wii Bowling. Please contact Juliette ages 0-5. Activities include time for playing, stories, songs and Rowan at 204-424-5285 if you plan to attend. snacks. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Kleefeld Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for Stacey Pchajek Rec Centre. Contact Irene Ascough 377-5013. Memorial Foundation Inc. The foundation provides scholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduating La Broquerie Southeast Summer Day Camp – Registration day at the arena grades 8 and 12. Children Under 14 must be accompanied by on Tuesday, April 30 from 6 -8 pm. Programs for children aged an adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Open 5 – 12. 9 weeks of fun from 9 am -4:30 pm (early drop off 8:45, at 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club in Richer. MGCC License late pickup 5:15) $125 for 5 day programs -$100 for 4 day # BI/BO4164. Contact: Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243 or email programs - Early drop off/Late pick up option available $10/ doreen@spmf.ca. day -10% Sibling Discount. Contact 204-392-6525 or St. Adolphe southeastdaycamp@gmail.com. The St. Adolphe Couvent/PCH Historical Book Committee Seine River Services for Seniors- Health Centre/Centre de Santé publishing a bilingual book about the St. Adolphe Couvent from Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. Offers services and rebuilt as a Personal Care Home. The Committee is looking for programs for seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility stories, pictures and related documents when it was a Convent equipment, foot care, hair care, transportation, home and school for local students and boarders. We are looking for maintenance, yard maintenance, Telecheck, the E.R.I.K. information from family and friends of former residents of the program, puzzles and games. Contact Community Resource Personal Care Home and former employees. Contact and Coordinator Juliette Rowan at 424-5285 or receive a questionnaire Rhéa Trudeau 204-883-2181 or send information to St. Adolphe PCH Heritage Group Book 420 Main labseinerss@gmail.com. Shopping Trips - Winnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday St. St. Adolphe, Manitoba R5A 1B7. of the month, leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s Clearspring Centre every last Thursday of the month, leaving at St. Pierre-Jolys Sugaring-Off Festival – On Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, 10 am - 1 pm. Cost $10. April 14 from 10am - 4 pm. Traditional food & music, Maple Taffy, Horse drawn rides, Children activities at 1- 3 pm. Historical Lorette Annual Métis Cultural Event - Lorette Metis Local presents Patti Interpretations and displays 11 am - 3 pm, much more. Free Lamoureaux. Buy tickets by March 30 to be entered for free Admission. At the Musée de Saint-Pierre-Jolys Museum, 432 draw. On Saturday, April 13 from 7:30 pm -12:30 am, at the rue Joubert Street. Lorette Parish Hall, Dawson Rd. A 3 time Canadian Grand Master Fiddling champ, 3 time North America Fiddling Champ, 1st Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba – Depression support Women & 1st Western Canadian to win Grand Master. Ticket group meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7 $12.50 ea. Contact Lorraine (204)878-3704 Cell (204) 771- pm. Located at the Health Corner DeSalaberry Hospital. Contact Judy Dunn 444-5228. 2101, Emile (204) 422-6040 or Merle (204)878-3213.
More Than Just News!
April 2013
23
The Steinbach Rotary Club - meets every Monday at noon at Free monthly bus trips to the casinos of Winnipeg for a fun day at the Casinos. Pick up in Steinbach at 8:30 am, Ste. Anne and Steinbach 55 Plus Centre. Contact Cornie at 326-3155. Paradise Village at approximately 9 am. Must be 18 years of Mental Health Information and Support sessions - for family age or older. Prizes and $10 cash for everyone. Bingo on the and friends of people with mental health issues are held the bus. Call Marilyn at 204-326-4939 for date information and to 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Eden East reserve your bus seat. Next scheduled trips Tuesdays, April 16 building, 21 Loewen Blvd. Contact Kim at 371-0824 or email and May 21. Seine River Services for Seniors – Invite all seniors interested eastmanmss@mts.net in the Wii Bowling game to come, try it out, and have fun. Monday afternoons, at Le Club Jovial. Contact Juliette Rowan MS Monthly Self-Help group meeting - for people living with at 204-424-5575 Community Resource Coordinator for local multiple sclerosis. The group meets on the second Thursday services or e-mail labseinerss@gmail.com. evening of each month from 6 - 7 pm at Fernwood Place apartments. Contact Nadine Konyk, Rural Client Services Purses Symposium - On Wednesday, May 8 – Friday, May 10, Coordinator at 1-800-268-7582 or email from 12:30 to 2pm at the Salon Margerite d’Youville Villa nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. Youville 210 Central Ave. Prizes will be awarded at 1 pm on Friday, May 10. Entrants are invited to create an original purse MS Lunch Group- on fourth Thursday of every month, from 12 with personality and attitude, name for your purse, short – 1 pm at the Village Green Restaurant. Contact Nadine Konyk, description and your name on the back of the entry. All entries Rural Client Services Coordinator 326-1434 or email must be submitted to Carmelle Bernard 204-422-5624 ext. nadine.konyk@mssociety.ca. During the month of April, the 234 no later than April 30, 2013. Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba individual and support annual sugar festival will take place Ste. Geneviève groups - for persons experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, held in St. Pierre-Jolys at the Cabane Library Night - Bibliothèque Taché Library at the Community bi-polar disorder and other mental health/emotional concerns. à Sucre. Centre on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, from 6:30 Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Jake Epp The annual Festival des Sucres is - 8 pm. Selection of books in both French and English, all Library from 7 – 9 pm. Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228. being held on April 13 and 14 from ages. Over 21,000 books including audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, large print books and magazines plus they can import books The Bethesda Regional Healthcare Auxiliary - meets on the 10 am to 4 pm in the Cabane à Sucre, from any library in Manitoba. Special requests can be made to first Tuesday of every month except for the months of July and at the Musée de Saint-Pierre-Jolys the librarian, Brandi Schmitz at 204-878 - 9488, August at the Bethesda Hospital. We welcome anyone Museum. bibliotachelibrary.com or in person. interested in auxiliary work. Contact Verna Thiessen at 326Each year visitors from all over the 3028. province come to the festival, which Steinbach is designed to celebrate the tradition Healthy Eating Cooking Classes - At South East Helping Hands Steinbach and Area Lions Club - meets on the second and a free workshop Thursdays, April 4 from 11 am – 1 pm and fourth Wednesdays of every month at the Magnolia Restaurant. of tapping maple sap to make syrup and maple butter. As part of the April 18 from 5 - 7 pm. Enjoy a meal with other community Contact 204-326-2313. members as you learn how to plan and prepare healthy meals celebrations, visitors are shown how on a budget. Contact Carol Vogt Funk at 204-326-2599 or Carillon Toastmasters - meetings are open to adults who want to properly tap maple trees for the southeasthelpinghands@gmail.com to register. to improve their leadership and communication skills. Thursday sweetness inside, then the evenings starting at 7 pm at the Jake Epp Public Library 255 dehydrating process and given the Southeastman Rotary Club Fundraiser - Fabulous beef Elmdale Street, Contact Doreen 204-326-7525. opportunity to sample the finished tenderloin dinner on Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 pm at the Mennonite Heritage Village. Tickets $75 ea or a table of 8- Steinbach AA 12 Step Recovery Program - Meetings are held product. $600. Proceeds to purchase a blanket and fluid warmer for the on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Steinbach United Church, 541 Main This weekend event promises to Steinbach Medical & Palliative Care Areas. Contact Cornie or St. Ring the front door bell. be full of activities, including taffy Helen 204 326 4514. on snow, an interpretive centre Young moms to be - Bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pm demonstrating the production of Wii Gaming Nights at the Jake Epp Library – On Friday, April at Anna’s House B-11, Hwy 12N. Contact 346-0413. maple syrup, horse wagon rides, 5 from 7 – 9 pm for children, youth and families on the first 3 museum tours, traditional FrenchFridays of every month. 1/2 hour slots to sign up for with your Whiteshell library card. Contact Tracey Pankratz 204-326-6841 or GPS Spring Egg Hunt – On Wednesday, April 13 at the Alfred Canadian dining and local programming@jakeepplibrary.com. Hole Goose Sanctuary. Contact Sloan Cathcart, Senior Park entertainment. Interpreter 204-369-3157 or email There is no admission fee. Steinbach & Area Garden Club meeting - On Monday, April 8 Sloan.Cathcart@gov.mb.ca. at 7 pm at the Mennonite Heritage Village. Sherrie Versluis of The Preferred Perch presents ‘All About Our Backyard Birds’ – Woodridge how to attract and feed our feathered friends. Everyone Bingo - Every 2nd Sunday night at 7 pm. welcome, refreshments and door prizes. Walk-in admission $5. Contact sagardenclub or 204-326-2396. General The Super Start Program, A Healthy Baby program with the Will and Estate Planning – the Importance of Wills and Southern Regional Health Authority. Program for pregnant Guardianship. April 16, 6:30 pm at Eastman Immigrant Services women and families with infants up to one year of age. Sessions office, D4 – 284 Reimer Ave., Contact 204-346-6609 or email include song and rhyme time, discussions and games on topics The next two months will be both info@eastmanimmigrantservices.com. related to healthy babies and healthy moms. Door prizes, nutritious snacks and milk coupons for all participating exciting and challenging for Dean Women’s Networking Breakfast – On Wednesday, April 10 expectant moms or mothers who have babies up to six months Carriere as he takes on the world’s from 7:30 - 9 am at Uncle Jake’s Restaurant. Breakfast of age. Contact: Terry from Super Start at 346-7021 or just drop highest mountain, Mount Everest. available. Table Topic- Ideas to attract new customers and in. On March 26, the Ile des Chênes celebrating International Women’s Day. Contact Tracey Drabyk- Blumenort - EMC Church on Thursday, April 4 and May 2 at 10 man set out on his journey, which is Zirk, tracey.drabyk-zirk @ gov.mb.ca or Jeannette Brigit info am – 12 pm @ turning-points.ca. Niverville - Community Fellowship Church on Tuesday, April 9 expected to take about two months. The actual climb takes less than two and May 14 at 10 am - 12pm Bethesda Auxiliary Weekly Book Sale - Weekly book sale, Ste. Anne - Dayspring Fellowship Church on Wednesday, April months but due to high altitudes, every Tuesday. Cost is 50 cents each. Contact Verna Thiessen 10 and May 8 at 10 am – 12 pm climbers must spend a few weeks at 204-326-3028 at the Clearspring Centre (across from Blue Kleefeld – EMC Church on Thursday, April 11 and May 9 at 10 base camps to give their bodies a Notes). am – 12 pm chance to acclimatise. St. Malo -St. Malo School on Wednesday, April 17 and May 15 Once he completes this climb, Adult Book Club - Tuesdays from 7 – 9 pm. Bring book at 10 am – 12 pm suggestions or peruse our book lists. Meet some other book St. Pierre-Jolys - St. Pierre Health Corner on Thursday, April 18 Carriere will officially become the first person from Manitoba to lovers too and bring a friend. At the Jake Epp Library 255 and May 16 at 10 am – 12 pm Elmdale St. Contact Tracey Pankratz 204-326-6841 Ste. Agathe - Community Hall Centre on Tuesday, April 16 and successfully climb all seven of the programming@jakeepplibrary.com. May 21 at 10 am – 12 pm highest mountains in the world. Lorette - Seine River Church on Tuesday, April 23 and May 28 Readers are invited to follow Ladies Get Fit Classes - Sponsored by Eastman Immigrant at 10 am – 12 pm Carriere’s progress through his blog Services, every Wednesday at 7:15 pm at the Woodlawn School Mitchell - Fellowship Church on Thursday, April 25 and May 23 at deancarriere.wordpress.com. gym. Aerobic, circuit training, weights, mats and stretching at 10 am – 12 pm exercises. Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Register Grunthal - Family Hut South Oaks School on Tuesday, May 7 contact Lois 204-346-6609. at 10 am – 12 pm When the Steinbach Arts Council Ste. Anne Bibliothèque Ste. Anne Library Used Book Fundraiser – Sale of huge selection of used book proceeds will be used towards new library books. For further information call Mona at 4229958 or drop in at the library at 16 Rue de l’Église. Cost of books $1-$5.
St. Pierre-Jolys Goes Sweet During Festival
Carriere Heads Off for the Everest Climb
Hockey For Seniors (60+) - One hour of fun, exercise, friendship at the Steinbach Arena on Mondays from 10:30 11:30 am. Contact Bob Barrow, 204-392-3596, bob.r.barrow@gmail.com or Darrell Delong, 204-371-0229, djdlong@mymts.net. 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 decisionmaking skills; give service to the community; value the natural environment. Green Drinks South Eastman - South Eastman Transition Initiative presents Green Drinks South Eastman. On the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at LBees, 5-275 Main St. Grab a coffee and discuss sustainable living. Contact rebecca_hiebert@yahoo.com.
Open Art Exhibit Draws Students By Marianne Curtis
The fifteenth annual Southeast Open Judged Art Exhibit opened Seniors (60 +) Shinny Drop-in Hockey - every Monday from April 3 and this year’s event has 10 -11 am at Centennial Arena. Contact Bob Barrow at 392attracted over 100 displays created 3596 or email bob.r.barrow@gmail.com. by adult and juvenile artists.
put out the call for pieces for this year’s Open Judged Art Exhibit approximately 115 entries were received. Seventy-five pieces were submitted by students and there were nearly 40 adult entries. “This year shows a surge in school involvement with several schools participating,” explained Shannon Neufeld, with the Steinbach Arts Council. “This is also the largest number of juvenile entries in the history of Southeast Open Judged exhibits with some exceptional works of art.” There are over 75 juvenile entries and nearly 40 entries featuring photography, paintings, crafted art and more. The exhibit runs until April 25 at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre.
24
April 2013
More Than Just News!
Dawson Trail Dispatch