12
More Than Just News!
February 2012
Dawson Trail Dispatch
Conquering Seven Summits for Ile Des Chênes Man By Marianne Curtis An Ile Des Chênes man with a unique love of heights was recently recognized as a sport star of the week for his love of pushing the limits. In about two months Dean Carriere will be launching an expedition that will see him conquer seven of the world’s highest mountains. While Manitoba fails to have the peaks needed to launch a mountaineer, Carriere has turned his prairie landscape into a circuit of training exercise in preparation for the Carstensz Expedition. He will travel to Papau, Indonesia to take on the 16,023 foot high Carstensz Pyramid. “Years ago I decided to climb in Peru. With some training and minimal knowledge of mountaineering this journey was a success,” recalled Carriere. On February 14, 2009, he summited Mount Aconcagua and knew at that moment there were no limits. “The challenge of mountaineering offers me a chance to learn about myself and escape the parameters of today’s modern society,” states Carriere. “Mountains offer a place of richness and comradeship that can be found only in a few places on earth.” Carriere is currently preparing for the Seven Summits expedition, the highest mountain peaks on each of the seven continents, which is a very challenging endeavor. “Mountaineering is a combination of trekking, climbing and camping combined with inclement weather and high altitude conditions,” explained Carriere. “At every corner and with every step the unknown danger lurks, and this is why training is of paramount importance to the success of each expedition. I must be able to deal with internal and external factors that the mountain will present.” Carriere has already proved to be up to the challenge. To date he has summited Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Denali. “Through the support of my sponsors my goal is to complete Carstensz, Elbrus, Vinson and Everest by 2013,” he added. Part of the challenge to reaching his goal is raising the funds needed for the costly expedition. Estimated costs include guide fees that range from $5,200 for Mt. Elbrus, $15,900 for Carstensz Pyramid, $38,000 for Vinson Massif and $59,000 for Everest. In addition there is need for gear and travel expenses. “My desire to complete the Seven Summits is evident. Funding to reach my goals is essential, helping me to move one step closer to every summit,” he added. Only 200 people have successfully completed the Seven Summits Challenge. Anyone wanting to be part of this excited adventure can check out Dean’s progress and plan at deancarriere.com.
Above: Ile Des Chêne’s resident Dean Carriere stands triumphantly at the top of the mountain as he pushes the limits as part of an expedition of a lifetime which will see him climbing all seven of the world’s highest mountains.
Crisis Stabilization Unit Opens in Steinbach On February 23 South Eastman Health will officially open the doors to a new Crisis Stabilization Unit in Steinbach. According to Deb Taillerfer, from South Eastman Health, the new facility will be a community environment with a series of services located conveniently under one roof. “It’s a calm, peaceful environment where people can recover from a mental health issue that they are struggling with at any given time,” Taillerfer explained. “Emergency departments are not the place to deal with people with severe depression or an anxiety issue.”
The facility, which is located along Main Street in Steinbach, will be staffed with nurses, social workers and occupational therapists 24 hours a day. People needing assistance can voluntarily check into the facility. They are assessed, discussions are held and options are presented to the individual. When the doors open there will be eight available beds, which are expected to allow a recovery period of a couple of days as a client needs. Until the opening, people are being sent either to Selkirk or Winnipeg to a crisis stabilization unit or they may go to an acute care bed at the hospital.
New Principal for Landmark Collegiate
Hanover Hires Temporary CAO
The Hanover School Division has announced that teacher and vice-principal Greg Sawatsky will be the new principal for Landmark Collegiate in the fall of 2012. “Greg will be an excellent candidate,” said Ken Klassen, Hanover School Division Superintendent. Sawatsky has taught in Landmark for 21 years, was acting principal at one point and more recently served as vice-principal. Long time principal Cam Kelbert is moving to the Steinbach Regional High School. The Hanover School Division expects to name a new principal for Blumenort School in the next month.
The RM of Hanover council recently welcomed a new face to the table after they hired Ernie Buhler as interim chief administrator. Buhler, who used to work for the RM of Morris, has come out of retirement to work for the RM of Hanover for a three-month term. “During that time we hope we can find a new CAO,” stated Reeve Stan Toews. The RM of Hanover was stunned last month when Doug Cavers resigned after working for the municipality for 12 years. He left the municipality for a similar position in the RM of Greenview in Northern Alberta. The RM of Hanover has already begun the search for a permanent chief administrator.
Training on the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
Dean Carriere at the top of Denali, North America’s highest peak after a fourteen and a half day climb to reach summit.