Santa to Spread Holiday Cheer in Richer
For nearly four decades, “Santa” of The Santa Stop has been bringing Christmas magic to communities across southeastern Manitoba and this year’s holiday season is shaping up to be one of his busiest yet.
Our very own southeast Santa first put on the red suit in 1986.
Supporting Local Food Banks
The Santa Stop also continues to focus on giving back, encouraging visitors to bring “Tin for the Bin” donations to support local food banks.
When asked about the “Tin for the Bin” initiative, Santa was candid.
“Well, let’s be real. The times are tough. The way I figure it, if you can afford a $20 (or more) photo with Santa, you can give a small bag of goods or a little cash — no problem,” he said. “All our food banks are crippled and they need our help.”
The Santa Stop is powered by volunteers who pour countless hours into ensuring the holiday magic stays alive.
With dozens of appearances planned and thousands of families expected to take part, The Santa Stop continues to spread joy, generosity, and Christmas spirit throughout the region — one community at a time.
Santa will be in Richer at the annual Christmas in the Park, Friday, December 19. The event starts at 5 pm with Santa expected to arrive around 6 pm.
Operation Red Nose Launches Holiday Safety Campaign Across the Southeast
The annual Operation Red Nose campaign continues its mission of promoting road safety while supporting local youth and community initiatives.
Operation Red Nose Steinbach/La Broquerie, organized by the École Saint-Joachim Parent Advisory Committee, has been serving area communities since 2013. Over the past 12 years, the program has provided nearly 2,500 safe rides, powered by close to 2,000 volunteers who have travelled almost 80,000 kilometres. More than $80,000 in donations has been raised and redistributed to support local youth.
Communities served by the Steinbach/La Broquerie team include Steinbach, La Broquerie, Blumenort, Friedensfeld, Giroux, Kleefeld, Landmark, Marchand, Mitchell, New Bothwell, Richer, Ste. Anne, and Sarto.
A Free Service Supporting Community Causes
Operation Red Nose volunteers provide rides using the client’s own vehicle, ensuring both convenience and safety. The service is free, though donations are encouraged. All funds raised are donated to nonprofit organizations focused on youth, sports, and community development.
How to Access Operation Red Nose
Operation Red Nose
Steinbach/La Broquerie
Phone: 204-424-9555
Website: operationrednosesteinbachlabroquerie.ca
Organizers encourage anyone celebrating this holiday season to plan ahead, stay safe, and make use of this long-standing community service.
EnRicher deadline: Wednesday, December 31 is the deadline for the January 2026 edition submissions.
Crib Club Corner
Richer’s Crib Club meets at the Young at Hearts Hall regularly. Starts at 7pm
$5 admission, no partner required. Free coffee & snacks.
Next Cribbage dates ... Dec 16 and 30
2026 SCHEDULE
Jan 13, 27
Feb 10, 24
Mar 10, 24
April 7, 21
May 12
June 9
July 14
Aug 11
Sept 8, 22
Oct 6, 20
Nov 3, 17
Dec 1, 15, 29
On Tuesday, November 4th, Richer Crib Club met in the Young at Hearts Hall, and we had a good old time! Our winners of the evening were Paul Saindon coming in first, with Yvonne Desautels in second, and Lorna Saindon taking 3rd place. Gayle Carriere took the dimes for 4th place while Regina Konge got the Booby prize. Two 50/50 draws went to Claude Caron and Gerry Sabot.
We met again on Tuesday, November 18th and we had a great time! Our winners of the evening were George Dupuis in first place, Roger Chenier in second place, and Norm Burnell in third place. Robert Savoie took the dimes for fourth place, while Eileen Donovan got the Boobie prize. Our two 50/50 winners were Dan Ross and Aurele Robert. Congratulations to all our winners! We meet every two weeks at 7 p.m., $5 entry fee, no partner required, snacks and coffee always free, and good company, lots of laughs and a great evening! We look forward to seeing you all there at our next tournament at the Young at Hearts Hall!
Southeast Seniors’ Advocate Honoured as Manitoba’s Older Person of the Year
Dr. Heather Dean, Chairperson of Seine River Services for Seniors (SRS), was recently recognized at the Manitoba Legislature as the province’s Older Adult of the Year, receiving the award from Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care. The honour highlights Dean’s exceptional
tions.
“I felt so humbled as I know that a huge number of hours is required to write and gather supporting documents for a nomination like this,” she said.
Dean retired from her medical career in 2015, expecting a quieter life focused on farm work, fitness and reading. But
“A community member told me that this was ‘the most important organization in our community,’ helping seniors live independently at home as long as possible.”
commitment to strengthening supports for older adults across southeastern Manitoba.
Dean, a retired paediatric endocrinologist and active grain farmer in southern Manitoba, has become a driving force behind innovative, communitycentred solutions for rural seniors. Her volunteer leadership spans multiple organizations including Chair of SRS, board member with Villa Youville and the Transportation Network for Seniors (TONS), volunteer driver, meal delivery volunteer, and advocate for accessible transportation and aging-inplace supports.
Dean learned she had been selected for the award in early November.
“I received a letter from the Minister of Health on November 4,” she recalled. “I opened the letter after a fitness class so I was already in a ‘pumped’ state of mind. The letter made my spirits skyrocket with pride for recognition of my commitment to community and particularly to seniors’ well-being.”
Only later did she discover the nomination had been quietly submitted months earlier by the SRS Board, with support from several community organiza-
in 2019, she was encouraged to join the SRS board; a move she said reoriented her sense of purpose.
“A community member told me that this was ‘the most important organization in our community,’ helping seniors live independently at home as long as possible,” she said. “I joined the Board bringing my ‘galloping enthusiasm’ and energy, and quickly took on a leadership role.”
Her leadership has produced measurable results. Under Dean’s guidance, SRS has expanded transportation supports to help older adults living in the RMs of Ste. Anne and La Broquerie and the Town of Ste. Anne access medical appointments in Ste. Anne, Steinbach and Winnipeg; fostered new partnerships with regional Coop stores to support grocery delivery; strengthened municipal relationships; and helped secure funding for emerging community-based seniors’ initiatives. SRS has also grown its membership and visibility across the region and province.
Dean also writes a monthly “Silver Linings” column for the SRS Newsletter and Dawson Trail Dispatch, and is known
for encouraging seniors to stay active and socially connected through community lunches and local programming.
Fellow SRS board members say the award is well deserved.
“She is the definition of selfless,” said board member Ray La Flèche, who has known Dean for 35 years. “She volunteers as a driver and she delivers meals. She is patient with people and she cares. She sits on provincial and regional committees to better serve all seniors. And above all she listens.”
Former board member Marcelle Fournier echoed those sentiments.
“I was honoured to witness Heather’s leadership being recognized by our provincial
by Dan Guetre
government. The ceremony was brief and to the point,” she said.
“She is a tireless, passionate advocate for services to seniors who live in rural environments.”
For Dean, the award offers an opportunity to amplify the needs of rural seniors and the community-based organizations supporting them.
“The award gives me an opportunity to be a strong voice for the community-based seniors sector,” she said. “Most seniors want to age in place at home, and a strong organization providing services allows them to stay at home as long as possible.”
Transportation, she emphasized, remains one of the most critical supports in rural Mani-
Heather Dean was presented with the award for Older Adult of the Year at a recent ceremony arranged by Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.
Photo
She also believes the recognition will help elevate the voice of rural seniors on government committees and in municipal planning processes, particularly when considering future housing options designed for “authentic aging-in-place communities.”
Dean hopes the province will continue to involve communitybased senior service providers in policy and planning processes, especially given their role in preventing early institutionalization.
“Ensure that the communitybased senior service sector in rural Manitoba is represented as ‘experts’ on advisory committees,” she said. “And considered in all planning for discharge of seniors from hospital.”
She also encouraged govern-
ment to increase its focus on “upstream” investments such as funding programs that promote healthy aging and independence, rather than prioritizing institutional care.
“I believe strongly that there is merit in a stronger focus on community-based services for seniors,” she said. “There needs to be stronger collaboration between home-care services and volunteer organizations in coordinating necessary social supports.”
She highlighted the province’s emerging Social Prescribing initiative led by Senior Resource Coordinators throughout the
various municipalities as an example of effective upstream work.
While Dean is quick to credit her colleagues, it’s clear her dedication has made an impact across southeastern Manitoba. Her family, she said, reacted simply but meaningfully to the news of her award.
“Pride,” she responded.
Whether on the farm, in a boardroom or behind the wheel driving a senior to an appointment, Dean’s approach is consistently hands-on and people-focused. She has built strong relationships with municipalities, provincial partners,
and other service organizations, helping steer resources toward programs that support older adults directly.
“She listens, contributes meaningfully, and shares her expertise for the benefit of others,” said colleagues in their nomination. “Her involvement is always purposeful.”
As Manitoba continues to navigate the growing needs of its aging population, Dean’s work stands as a model for rural community-based leadership. It is rooted in compassion, collaboration and a deep commitment to ensuring seniors can live independently with dignity.
Cyber Crime: Manitobans Encouraged to be
Educated and Vigilant When Shopping Online
Shoppers looking online for great deals this holiday season are strongly encouraged by Manitoba RCMP to be on the lookout for scams designed to empty their bank accounts and steal their personal information.
“Most Manitobans look forward to the holiday season, with many shopping online to find the perfect gift for loved ones. Unfortunately, there are criminals lurking online who are using increasingly sophisticated methods to take advantage of that good will and steal people’s money and personal information,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin Cavanagh, of the Manitoba RCMP’s cyber and financial crime unit.
“We strongly encourage Manitobans to be educated about the dangers lurking online, so they can be vigilant in protecting themselves.”
Online scams can be basic and straightforward, such as phishing texts that claim package deliveries are delayed or that payment infor-
mation needs to be verified. They can also be sophisticated, with ads placed on social media that direct people to fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers and travel agencies offering incredible deals.
Even charities can be impersonated, with people encouraged to give money to charities that don’t actually exist.
There are things Manitobans should look out for to avoid being scammed. The Canadian AntiFraud Centre recommends you look carefully for spelling errors in texts or on websites, references to a product as “the item,” overseas buyers who are looking to buy without seeing the product first and sellers with recently created social media profiles. Shoppers should also be cautious about supposed “blowout” sales or greatly reduced prices posted online – the product you receive may be a counterfeit, if you receive it at all.
Further steps Manitobans can take include:
- Knowing the market value of the
product they’re looking for;
- Locating and verifying the sellers’ contact information before purchasing;
- Looking for customer reviews and ratings from third-party sources;
- Using a payment method with fraud protection, such as credit cards;
- Providing the payment in person
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Richer Community Club & Richer Recreation Committee meetings... Wednesday, Dec 10, 7:30 pm at the Richer Young at Hearts Hall.
Dry Soup Mix Workshop
Join us for a fun, hands-on Dry Soup Mix Workshop where you’ll create five beautiful soup mix cones. Perfect for holiday gifts or cozy nights in.
Spend time creating custom gift instruction tags for your soup or pick from ready made tags. You’ll also get to sample two delicious soups during the event, served with fresh sourdough bread and coffee or tea.
What’s included:
- All ingredients and supplies
- 5 ready-to-gift soup mix cones
- 5 hand-made or pre- made gift tags
- Late Lunch (soup, sourdough, and beverage)
You’ll leave with the knowledge to continue stocking you pantry at home! RM of Ste. Anne and Richer East residents only $30! Saturday, December 13, 2 PM –5 PM at the Richer Young at Hearts Club. To register email lovemyarts@ outlook.com with your name and municipal address (if you live in the RM of Ste. Anne or Richer East). Registration deadline December 10.
whenever possible;
- Reviewing all email information to ensure it’s coming from a legitimate source; and
- Not clicking on ads that sound too good to be true – use a trusted search engine instead to locate the seller and research if they are a vendor you should trust.
If you or someone you know has been defrauded, report it to the RCMP or your local police service. Your report can help identify links, catch criminals and prevent further frauds.
Please also report it to the National Cybercrime and Fraud Reporting System, which serves as a central repository of fraud and cybercrime reports from across the country. Reports can be filed at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca.
Rec Hockey
Starts Saturday, Dec 13 at the Premier Tech Multiplex in the Richer Dawson Trail Park. Ages 4-6 scheduled for 8 am to 9 am, ages 7-11 scheduled for 9 am to 10 am, ages 12-15 scheduled from 10 am to 11 am.
BABY SITTER COURSE
at the Richer Young At Hearts Hall, 22 Dawson Rd W on Sunday, December 14 from 9 am to 4 pm. The cost for the course is $57.75 per person. For ages 11 - 15 years old. We are offering this course to anyone in the RM of Ste. Anne and Richer East for only $30 (SAVE $27.75). Please provide your municipal address when registering if you believe you are eligible for the discount. Pre-register by texting/calling Victory Training Centre at 1-204-712-6008 or email victoria@victorytrainingcentre.ca. Certified Red Cross Course includes Workbook and Certificate. Brought to you by the Richer Recreation Committee.
Fall/Winter Active 55+
Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 9 pm at the Richer School. Pickleball, bean bag toss and ladderball. Also yoga ( 6 pm - 6:45 pm) and strength training (7 pm - 8 pm) ! Activities are FREE! (Please note: Cancelled during school Christmas break).
Chase the Ace
We are on a Holiday Season break. We will return on January 10, 2026.