Life in the Valley - Issue 1 - April 2020

Issue No. 1 April 2020

WINKLER

VOTED #1 IN CANADA

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Country Club Lane is Morden’s newest and most desirable neighbourhood. Large lots boast incredible views, with yards backing onto the Minnewasta Golf Course. Take a walk on the path to Colert Beach, or relax in the park area all along the north side of the street. It’s a safe, relaxing environment with great dining just a stroll away.

L E A R N M O R E AT

triplee.ca/countryclublane 3

CONTENT ISSUE 1 april 2020

Feature

Café 545

Community Highlight

Word of Mouth

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32

Taste of the Valley

Community Futures

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38

OK Tire Winkler

14 Demystifying the purchase of custom blinds

Money Matters

Blooming in a Grey World

Mortgages

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10

Superior Seamless

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05 | STROKES OF GENIUS

06 | FIRST WORD

08 | COVID-19 HEROES

12 | PHARMA FOCUS

20 | PHYSIO FACT

28 | SAFE AND SOUND

by Pharmasave Morden

by Pembina Valley Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre

by Infinity Security

by Janzen Paint and Decorating

LOGO (everything

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310A Cargill Road, Winkler • prairieskypromotions.com 4

CLOTHING CAPS PENS OFFICE AWARDS DRINKWARE TEAMWEAR CALENDARS SAFETY WEAR

Strokes of Genius

REVITALISING YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS

The success of your cabinet refinishing project begins with taking the time to do the proper preparation and ends with selecting premium products to give you the performance and longevity one would come to expect after such a large undertaking. Here is a step by step guide which has a proven track record in the marketplace.

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1 STEP 1 – SURFACE PREPARATION - Clean surface - Dry for 30 minutes - Sand surface - Wipe down and remove all dust and debris

STEP 3 – FINISHING - Talk to a paint specialist as to which Benjamin Moore top coat and application tool would best suit your project - Apply top coat and allow for the instructed drying time - Lightly sand with fine sanding sponge then wipe with tack cloth - Apply final coat

STEP 2 – PRIMING - Prime surface using Benjamin Moore’s Fresh Start Alkyd primer - Allow primer to dry for 12 hours minimum - Scuff sand using a fine sanding sponge - Wipe down with a tack cloth

STEP 4 – CURING PROCESS - Cure time will depend on the top coat you have selected - It is recommended to wait 48 hours before handling or re-installing doors - A full cure on most paint systems is 30 days

For more information visit janzenspaint.com or any one of our 5 locations to help answer any questions you may have about refinishing your cabinets.

Presented by 5

life team

FIRST WORD

Rebecca Dyck editor

HENRY SIEMENS publisher

W

elcome to our first issue of Life in the Valley! What started out as a ‘light bulb’ idea has evolved into a 15,000+ copy publication, distributed across the Pembina Valley. While we were developing this concept, our entire team agreed that we wanted to try to show what makes this area unique and special. What better way to do that, than to tell the stories of the people, businesses and organizations that make up our communities? . . . but then our world changed.

Covid-19 landed in Canada and now nothing is quite the same. We had a great group of businesses lined up, eager to tell their stories. Many of them had to postpone or cancel their stories because they no longer know what their stories will look like in two months or two weeks or even two days. Every day brings new news and new changes to things we used to take for granted. Two months ago nobody had ever heard of social distancing and now we’re required to do it by law.

There is so much to say and at the same time nothing we say seems to be enough.

In the middle of this craziness is hope. Our communities are rallying. We are in this fight together even though we can’t be physically together. We can join the healthcare workers, volunteers, retail workers, the delivery workers, the utility operators and so many more people than we can even count. We can support small businesses as they fight.

This will pass but it will pass more quickly if we all fight together. If we do what must be done. If we physically separate for a period of time so that we can be back together sooner.

Alejandro Penner lead design photography

Ryan Wall writer

Reese Derksen graphic design

Socially distant does not mean emotionally distant. Take this time to reach out to those who are alone.

Those who are at home. Reach out to parents, friends, and neighbours.

In future issues we plan to showcase the Pembina Valley and continue a narrative of supporting local. Our hope is that you as you read these stories and feel a deeper connection with the people businesses around you.

Tony Wall

graphic design

Kevin Friesen sales

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Demystifying the Purchase of Custom Blinds

With the much awaited season of spring finally here, with it come the less glamorous activities that never fail to accompany the passing of winter.

Along with spring cleaning is the resurgent focus on renovations and the return to projects left abandoned from last year; always with the hope that next year will be more productive. Few projects conjure up anxiety like replacing the old, broken down window blinds. These are the ones with cords tangled to knots, pieces of blind broken off or some merely hanging by a strand. Some blinds we’re scared to open, worried that one wrong move will have them forever stuck in the open position, not to be released no matter which way you try and tug on the little string. Glare on T.V. screens, lack of in-home privacy and the decrease in energy efficiency, these scenarios serve as constant reminders to the importance of window coverings that actually work.

how stressful the buying process can be, this family business of over forty years has taken it upon themselves to provide the easiest and most effective way to buy blinds and custom made drapery. It seems that many people who are in need of blinds feel they must know what they want before they act.

Apparently this is not realistic.

“Most people just don’t know where to start”, says Blaine, a member of the team of professionals at Advance Blinds and Drapery in Plum Coulee. Knowing

“We can quickly zero in on your needs” assures Heather. “We look at the color and style of your home and furniture, need for privacy and temperature

“Very few people know what they want” explains Heather, “the most common experience is someone calling us saying, I need someone to come over and help me.” While they house a top level gallery showroom as the largest Hunter Douglas dealer in the province, the team at Advance believes the best way to buy blinds, is to have their portable gallery on wheels brought straight to the customer’s home.

No matter where the customer lives, there is no fear of small towns, villages and country yards. Even when customers call from far away, unheard of places like Benito, the map gets pulled out and a trek across the province is made. This is all part of their free, personalized, in home consultation, and is where the process of trying out blinds can begin.

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“I don’t just install blinds for a living, I save marriages.” This is a favorite line from owner and installer, Randy Unger, as he has seen firsthand the struggles that can come with the meticulous task. Advance has become specialists and leaders in the field of installation, automation, and new technology to the point that other businesses now reach out to them for their own installation needs. Scared you made the wrong decision on a color or style? Change it for free! Within twenty days, switch out your blinds for a different look at no charge. This is just one of the many after service options that are offered to ensure the customer’s experience goes as perfectly as possible. Lifetime warranty, continued assistance, and even pickup for cleaning are a part of their commitment to the customer, long after the purchase has been made.

control. Are you an open window person? Do you sooner watch T.V. in the day time or evening?”

These are just a few of the questions Heather likes to ask to ensure a customized fit for any home.

Heather also describes how this process is more efficient than walking through stores and looking at blinds that might not even meet the needs of your home or match the color and decor. The quote is then given on the spot with no pressure to buy.

So what’s the cost of a basic living room window? “This answer doesn’t exist” admits Blaine, “though, it is one of the most frequently asked questions we get. You could spend two hundred and fifty, or up to five thousand on a window.” With offering the least expensive to the most expensive blinds on the market, there really is a product for every price range. Blaine explained that even power blinds had significantly dropped in price over the years and have become very simple to use. “They used to be like big screen T.V.s; you only saw them in a few homes. Now they are so affordable that you can see them in any house.” Purchases are followed with free installation in no more than three weeks time.

Advance Blinds and Drapery believe they have succeeded in making a once stressful task, into something enjoyable. They invite you to call, text or walk on in to try out the buying experience that has made them known throughout the province.

You can find them online at visit their Gallery at 303 Main Avenue in Plum Coulee.

advanceblindsanddrapery.com 303 Main Avenue in Plum Coulee

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advance blinds&drapery

Pharma Focus Protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of Pharmasave customers and staff is always our highest priority, but particularly during the rapidly evolving COVID-19 health situation.

We are joining our community in preventing the spread of the coronavirus by taking extra precautions.

We will continue to provide our customers with the most up-to-date information, while also supporting their changing needs during the pandemic.

How to get your medications if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been told to self-isolate

If you have symptoms of fever, cough or trouble breathing, do not visit the pharmacy.

Call your Pharmasave pharmacist for options to ensure you have the medications you need.

Who to call if you have symptoms of COVID-19 Manitoba: 204-788-8200 Toll Free: 1-888-315-9257

Where to find more information about COVID-19

If you are looking for resources and information about COVID-19, the Public Health Agency of Canada has the most up to date information to help you stay current on the evolving health situation.

Please visit their website at: www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/ coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html For local information, please visit your local public health website.

Pharmasave wishes you and your family continued health during this time.

Presented by

Ray Buhr Pharmacist

360 Stephen Street, Morden MB • 204.822.4444 12

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feature

OK TIRE W

hile Walter had never liked school, entering high school was something especially wearisome. It was two months into grade nine when he packed up his books and decided he was officially done.

This premature exit was not well received by certain people close to him, as Walter was warned he would end up cleaning up after pigs for the rest of his life if he didn’t graduate. “This was a personal challenge for me” said Walter, “In that moment, I said that one day I will own a repair garage.” Walter’s dream started falling into place a number of years later while working at the Minute Muffler in Winkler, at the time located on the corner of 1st street and Roblin. After one year on the job, the current manager quit, allowing Walter to replace him. The position came with many new responsibilities to navigate, as Walter was informed he needed to have a budget ready for the coming year. While disliking school, he was still good with numbers, and set to work on the task. “At the end of the year I was one dollar off” said Wal-

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ter, who noted it was the only time this ever happened. Walter’s confidence was given a boost, and a year later his location received the most improved shop award across Canada. Soon afterwards, Minute Muffler and its parent company, York Tire, were sold. Walter was approached about building a new Minute Muffler Shop in Winkler. Parkside Lumber was willing to subdivide their land and build a shop next to them, which Minute Muffler was then able to rent. Three years later, Walter and his wife Alvera were able to purchase the building for themselves. This marked the fruition of Walters’s boyhood dream. For years it was business as usual, until one day Parkside Lumber asked about buying back their initial property in order to expand. An agreement was finalized that saw Walter selling them the land, while maintaining possession of the building. This meant the tedious task of moving an entire mechanic shop was in order. Their new location was on Kimberly Road behind the Southland Mall, a location that Walter said made all

WINKLER the difference. “It was a night and day difference, higher sales, good jobs, and people were much more willing to leave their vehicle than at the old location.”

Minute Muffler was now neighbouring places to shop and was close to restaurants, allowing people something to do while waiting for their vehicle. This increase in business called for additions to the team, which had consisted of long time employees Nick, Abe and the couple’s oldest daughter Alicia. Occasionally, Walter would ask his only son Dwayne to come in and help out after school or in the evening, but these requests often fell on deaf ears as Dwayne’s life revolved around sports in highschool. “If it wasn’t round and bouncing, it had no value to him” said Walter, who had already accepted he would ride the train until it was done, and sell the business when he retired.

Something changed in Dwayne’s last year of high school when he started working part time for his dad, and was able to get a new perspective on mechanic work. “I had always been more interested in technology” said Dwayne “things like phones and computers. I started to see technology used more and more in cars, as every car gets scanned in before working on it. Some things can be fixed while hardly touching the vehicle.” This new perspective is what motivated him to join his Dad after graduating, a move which came at the right time, and proved to be a perfect fit. “Dwayne is able to do everything, it’s in his blood” said Walter, who wasn’t interested in learning about all the rapidly advancing technology. Soon after Dwayne joined, the couple’s youngest daughter Candace also came to work for the family business, as they were in need of a full time administrator.

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feature

A

fter being under the Minute Muffler franchise for so many years, the time came where the business decided to move on. The franchise had been sold to Speedy Muffler, and many changes were put in place. Walter was no longer interested in being under this company, and joined a group of former Minute Muffler leadership, creating a franchise called CARS. The goal was to replicate what they initially had with Minute Muffler, while adding full mechanic service. However, the franchise never grew or materialized like expected. At around the same time, OK Tire approached Walter about becoming the new southern Manitoba location. “We were already doing everything else” said Walter, “so adding tires seemed like a good fit for us.” In the fall of 2015, the business rebranded again to become OK Tire Auto Service. This included an addition to add two new service bays, as well as a large storage room. The move would prompt another hire, as the couple’s daughter Tamara took over the marketing and advertising. It was truly a family business now, as all of Walter and Alvera’s four children were hired on as full time employees. Another service technician named Jonas was also added to keep up with growing demand.

A year later, in the fall of 2016, the team would be tested when Alvera became ill, prompting Walter’s move to Winnipeg in order to take care of her. “They took over and ran with it,” Walter said of his staff, “my phone almost never rang.” “I felt like that event allowed him to trust us even more” said Dwayne, who enjoyed taking on the extra responsibilities. It got to the point where Walter hardly had a job to come back to. “It felt good knowing the business was running as good as ever, but it also came with a letdown feeling, as there didn’t seem to be a place for me anymore.”

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With this extra time and flexible working hours, he took on a fun project of restoring his old truck while maintaining a good grasp of what was happening at the shop. “I still need to step in and tune things up when they don’t quite cut it,” as Walter especially emphasizes quality customer service.

Walters’s leadership would soon be called upon, as the business would face another string of obstacles. On February 26 of 2018, Dwayne received a call informing him that their entire shop floor had been pushed up. It was a nearby fire hydrant that had been ripped off, somehow washing all the water underneath the building, and the pressure forced up the floor. “We had major damage” said Walter, “the whole floor needed to be cut out.” An insurance battle would follow with the floor finally getting replaced in the summer of 2019. They decided to take that opportunity to do another addition, this time adding to the showroom up front, and gave the entire shop a face lift. What was supposed to take a couple weeks dragged into months, and forced them to move their office into a camper trailer parked up front. “It felt like forever” said Walter, who describes working in the camper as hot, windy, loud and with constant flies. Finally the renovations were complete, which included brand new offices, a state of the art showroom, and the wonderful feeling of no longer stepping on each other’s toes. This also enabled them to hire Brendan as an additional customer service and sales rep. Through it all, OK Tire Winkler had become a leader in upgrading their facility, and set the bar for what all the shops across Canada strived to attain. They also implemented a program called Autoserve, allowing the technician instant communication with the customer, as they can send pictures showing repair needs and details straight to their phone.

Customers can see for themselves what needs repairing on their vehicle, and don’t need to worry about being taken advantage of. All of these efforts continued to pay off as the team was nominated for the store of the year award for 2019.

“

Overall it’s been a good experience, and at times a humbling journey

Dwayne and Candace made the trip to New Orleans where the annual event was held, with expectations of maybe winning the regional store of the year award, as they fell under the prairies category.

Dwayne recalls the feeling of disappointment when their name wasn’t called for the prairies award. Finally, the national store of the year was announced at the very end, picked from over 350 locations across Canada. “When they announced OK Tire Winkler, I didn’t believe it at first” said Dwayne, “but sure enough we saw our store picture up on the big screen.”

Even with the national recognition, the team says they are still motivated to grow and improve, as they look to take on more challenges while advancing in services and technology. Dwayne also stressed the importance of team work when it comes to their business, maintaining that everyone is equal, and you wouldn’t have one position without the other.

OK Tire Winkler has enjoyed being able to give back to the community that has supported them over the years. Contributions include continually giving to local charities and school fundraisers, as well as supplying the hockey nets for southern Manitoba’s outdoor rinks, all of them made in their own shop.

“Overall it’s been a good experience, and at times a humbling journey” said Walter, as they initially set out taking it one day at a time. “We trusted we would be looked after, and all I can say is Praise the Lord.” Walter said his goal was to build an honest business where he could always go to bed with a clear conscience. Soon, he will have the joy of passing on what he’s built to his children, and watch his family continue the work he started so many years ago.

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Café 545 It started with a simple question, how to get people in the doors of Winkler’s new Central Station. It was the year 2012 and continued growth of the city had called for a consistent resource centre and connecting point to serve the various needs of the expanding community. “We had wanted to create a welcoming, inclusive space available to everyone,” said Phyllis Kroeker, a member of the initial leadership group for Central Station. Lisa Giesbrecht and Linda Hildebrandt heard about this vision and came to the group with an idea of offering a free community meal, open to all people. “People connecting over food was the goal” said Lisa, and the board agreed that this was exactly what Winkler and Central Station needed.

Preparations were made to host a free community supper on every third Monday of the month. The name Cafe 545 was chosen, marking a new venture out of Central Station in February of 2013. “The biggest fear in starting was thinking, is anyone even going to show up?” Lisa’s fear quickly turned to excitement as over thirty people came to the first meal. Attendance steadily increased.

Overtime the meal was averaging 150 people, sparking the need for more volunteers; who happily came out to serve. The word “Family” quickly became the word used to describe the event which had turned into something much bigger than a meal, as people found it was a place where they truly belong. “So many people and volunteers came out to fill up their tank of being with other people” said Bev Wiebe, the director of Central Station. A year after starting, the group was inspired by a presentation put on by a local charitable group, Donate Love, and felt they needed to open the doors to Cafe 545 more than once a month. This jump to once a week would come with many obstacles. The biggest ones being, who would volunteer to facilitate the operation full time, and how would they get funding for the extra weeks? “It felt like a huge risk for us” said Phyllis, as the board was questioning if such a large undertaking would really be sustainable.

The first question was quickly answered by Marian Hildebrand, who had also attended that same presentation, and had her heart stirred to take on this new mission. “I was at a point in my life where I was looking for a purpose, and I thought yes, this is for me!”

Then came the financial challenge. Up until that moment, Cafe 545 was able to fit under Central Station’s charitable status and receive funding for the once a month meal. Moving to once a week, along with

the public nature of the event saw them slip from under the safety of a secured budget. Marian set out to put on her first meal, funding or no funding. “I started with fifty dollars out of my own pocket and said O.K; I’m putting on a meal with fifty dollars.” It turned out to be the only meal she would need to pay for personally, as community wide donations have covered every meal since. Years later she describes the growth that has come from her decision. “Initially, I just wanted to cook and was hesitant to mingle or interact with anybody. That was too far out of my comfort zone. Now, I’ve come full circle in that all I want to do is be with the people that come in.”

Marian’s story is one of many. Rachel Neufeld along with her husband Linc, have been an integral part and a huge support to the café 545 family. Rachel undertakes the job of organizing our team of volunteers each week.

Bertha Wiebe showed up to volunteer with a group, thinking it would be a onetime occasion. She has since showed up every Monday, has agreed to be a consistent volunteer, and became part of the core leadership group.

“A couple new to the country came for the first time two years ago” said Bev. “They have been coming regularly since and have made many connections. Now with a baby on the way, a group of their new friends just recently threw them a baby shower.” Averaging three hundred people a week, what started as a small event to get people in the door, has turned into a place of connection, family and belonging. “It all came about organically” said Phyllis, “every aspect of building this place has always been about divine timing. People who felt a nudge would step up and become woven throughout the story.” The group describes how profound it is to take a step back and look at how God has orchestrated every detail of their journey in creating Cafe 545. The group has been amazed and incredibly grateful by the generosity of the community members who have donated their time and resources and recognized the need that Cafe 545 has filled. Their goal now is to see this environment and idea go beyond a Monday evening and into everyday life of the community. “It’s being intentional about getting to know someone” said Lisa, “it can happen wherever you are.” In light of recent developments with COVID-19, Cafe 545 will remain closed until further notice. We will however continue to prepare meals for delivery to families and individuals who are in need of one.

Cafe 545 runs from 5-7 every Monday and is located at Central Station, 545 Industrial Drive.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

feature sponsored by 19

PHYSIO

FAC T

KEEP THE SPRING IN YOUR STEP Spring is right around the corner and with its arrival, comes warmer weather.

As the snow melts, pathways are once again clear of ice and the slippery conditions have disappeared to welcome walkers and runners alike to enjoy the outdoors.

There are numerous physical and emotional health benefits of exercising.

The positive effects of exercise for cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness, the musculoskeletal system (muscles/ joints), balance, and mood can all be achieved by walking. Although it can be safely stated that in general, movement will have benefit, details regarding the intensity, duration and time spent exercising have an impact on our bodies as well. It is recommended that 150 minutes of exercise per week is aerobic and performed at a ‘moderate’ intensity. However, it is important to ease into any exercise regime to avoid injury and incorporate resistance training to strengthen the tissues to withstand the new demands.

Unfortunately, injuries do occur and areas that are impacted when walking or running for exercise include tissues surrounding the knee and ankle joints.

One of the more common injuries is Achilles tendinopathy. Tendinopathy, also known as tendinitis, is a condition that describes inflammation to a tendon – the fibrous structure that attaches muscle to bone. This condition results in pain, swelling and impaired function of the

tendon. The Achilles tendon is one of many tendons that surrounds the ankle joint and it plays an important role in propulsion of the foot when walking or running. How well a tendon ‘performs’ under stress depends on many different factors which then relates to incidence of injury; the strength of the calf muscle and tendon stiffness, foot structure, age, and gait or movement mechanics are some examples.

A physiotherapist is a trained professional in the assessment and treatment of these types of injuries, and many more, that may occur when starting a new exercise regime. Whether you are starting an exercise program for the first time this spring or have continued throughout the winter and are experiencing pain with walking or running, a physiotherapist can help.

Treatment for tendinopathy provided by a physiotherapist may include resistance training to strengthen the muscles, manual therapy, and education on how to resume exercise safely and prevention of future injuries.

Whether it is a goal of completing a 5-kilometer run or being able to walk your dog pain free, physiotherapy can help keep you moving.

Jaclyn Rempel (Physiotherapist, MPT, B.Sc)

pembinavalleyphysio.com W I N K L E R • M O R D E N • A LTO N A • C A R M A N 20

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MONEY

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

SHOPPING FOR YOUR NEW HOME The purchase of a new home may be the largest investment you make in your lifetime.

It is important to obtain all the facts before deciding to purchase a new home. Access Credit Union can help you make well-informed decisions.

From tips to remember when buying a home to advice on applying for a mortgage, this article will take you through all the steps required to purchase a home.

Some factors to consider when purchasing your new home are: • Value • Location • Price Range • Physical Requirements Think about these items before you begin looking.

TYPES OF MORTGAGES

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRICE

CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE

Four areas to consider in determining the right price range for you are: • Down Payment Available • Monthly Mortgage Payment • Other Debts • Price Range of Suitable Homes

The loan amount generally does not exceed 80% of the appraised value or purchase price of the property, whichever is less.

HIGH RATIO MORTGAGE

The loan amount usually exceeds 80% of the purchase price of the property.

MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT This payment varies according to: • Amount Borrowed • Interest Rate • Amortization (Life of the Mortgage) • Taxes Gross Debt Service (GDS) Ratio This is the percentage of gross monthly income required to cover payments associated with housing. Payments include mortgage principal, interest, property taxes and, if applicable, heating, condominium fees, etc. Generally, your GDS ratio should be 32% or less.

Total Debt Service (TDS) Ratio This is the percentage of gross monthly income required to cover payments associated with housing and all other debts and obligations, such as car loans and credit card payments. Generally, your TDS ratio should be 42% or less.

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M

MORTGAGES

M A T T E R S

OTHER COSTS OF PURCHASE MAKING YOUR MOVE

It is important to prepare for other costs so there are no surprises. If you need further explanation of these costs, call a Financial Services Officer at Access Credit Union.

Down Payment – minimum of 5% of purchase price.

Inspection Fee – if a professional is to inspect the house prior to completion of the purchase.

Appraisal Fee – sometimes required by the financial institution to ensure the property is sufficient security for the mortgage.

Legal Fees – includes lawyer’s fees plus any disbursements required to transfer the property.

These vary so check for estimates from a few reputable firms.

Survey Certificate – may be required by your financial institution to ensure the house is situated on the lot within legal restrictions. Some lenders do not require this.

Tax Adjustments – you will be responsible for paying the taxes for the portion of the year which you own the property.

Property/Land Transfer Tax – this may be applicable in your province. Also called Land Purchase Tax. Mortgage Insurance – if the down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price, an insurance premium on the mortgage amount is required (this premium may be added to the mortgage amount).

Home or Property Insurance – arranged on the property in the event of fire or other damage.

Property insurance must be in place on closing day.

Life Insurance – Life and Disability Insurance Payment protection that will cover your mortgage in the event of a financial change due to death or disability.

Moving Costs – dependent on how far and who is helping you move.

Here are just a few reminders when you are ready to make the move into your new home:

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Change your address for insurance policies, creditors, driver’s licence, vehicle registration and health services cards, doctors and dentist; schools; financial institutions; employer and government (income tax, family allowance, CPP, etc.). Also subscribe to a mail forwarding service.

Arrange with your insurance agent to have insurance coverage on your new home in effect on the day of closing and send notice to the lender or funds cannot be distributed.

Arrange for utilities to be available at your new home: • Telephone • Heating Fuel • Natural Gas • Electricity • Cable TV, Internet If moving out of province, arrange for hospital and medical coverage.

presented by

www.accesscu.com 25

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Safe

— and —

Sound

Infinity Solutions Inc. was founded in 2015. To date, over 7,500 families and businesses are protected with monitored security across Western Canada. I opened the Winkler office in March 2019.

Hi, I’m Mark Reimer. I started in security as a sales representative for a national security company. I quickly became passionate about security after clients would contact me thanking me for introducing them to security after their systems protected their families against break-ins and house fires. I was living in Calgary at the time and was looking to move back home to Winkler with my family.

As the Pembina Valley grows, unfortunately so does crime. I saw a real need for a local security presence in the area. Infinity Security uses the same equipment and trusted monitoring as the national providers. Our difference and biggest strength is that we employ local people. If you need a service call or would like to speak with someone, you will be talking to a local rep or a local installer. You can often meet with us the same day, and you don’t have to book off a whole day to wait for someone to come out from the big city. We live QOLSYS GOES COMMERCIAL here too. We protect our families with the same security systems that we install.

DISARM PHOTOS

Know when employees arrive

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BLOOMINGIN A GREY WORLD What is your favourite colour? I never thought mine was grey. Is grey anyone’s favourite colour?

Take a moment to notice your indoor world. How did our homes become so grey, beige, and white?

I admit, I too am guilty of this. If you step into my bustling, busy house, you will think I am in love with grey. While embracing the minimalist movement, we seem to have lost our pizzazz: the parts that make our homes unique and alive.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want intensely-coloured walls; I just want colour. I want to know that I am living my life in full bloom. How can we bring personality back into our spaces? What can we do that is tasteful, sleek, stunning, and confirms that grey is not our favourite colour? Essentially, how can we make our homes bloom again?

As an interior decorator and furniture consultant, I help my clients explore colour. We visit stores that stock accessories in all tones. On these exciting excursions, my clients get to dream in full colour. We explore the gamut of home furnishings, from paintings to pillows and armchairs to area rugs. As my clients open up about what they envision on their walls or in their rooms, I begin to group

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colours together to create a balance of warm and cool tones in the same space. I show them how different hues in brightness and tint harmonize. Sometimes we don’t know what we’ll like it until we see it come together.

Perhaps you can relate to one of my clients. She had a brand-new home and her selections were all made in a safe palette of greys. By the time she made her last choices – a grey sectional and a grey area rug – she began to feel like a mistake had been made somewhere along the way. This beautiful, vibrant home was on its way to becoming dull and steely.

She needed an adventure into colour. That’s when we discovered that she loved the colour yellow.

Yellow and grey pair well; she liked the balance of dark and light. We knew we were on the right path.

As we kept shopping, however, she also fell in love with a deep teal.

As luck would have it, we found a painting that captured both of her colour choices and some pillows that accented it well. We brought it all back to her home, and she fell in love with her new space. She had drawn in the warmth of yellow, balanced it with the deep teal, and tied it all together with her grey.

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Discovering colour preferences is a valuable first step to creating balance and harmony in your space.

Achieving a designer look is both an art and a science.

After you have been able to dream and explore, the 60/30/10 rule helps take the guesswork out of making your vision come to life. Start by choosing a neutral tone for 60 percent of your room, like your walls and flooring. Next, choose a complimentary tone for 30 percent of the space, such as your furniture or accent chairs. Lastly, choose a pop of your favourite colour or a contrasting element for the final 10 percent, like a cozy throw, pillows, chair, or accessories. Consider balancing cooler tones with warm, like gold with navy or blue with green. Choosing two 10-percent pieces is possible if you are careful to avoid selecting two primary colours. These contrasting pieces may be in colours you want to change for a season or in a year or two to keep your home vibrant and original.

As you weave the 60/30/10 rule into your artistic vision, you may find your space lacks depth. In addition to the perfect balance of colour, bring life to your home by layering textures. Plants, fur, jute,

cotton, velvet, wicker, and warm woods are a few options that add interest, and colour. A large crocheted blanket or a textured pillow may make you want to snuggle up, embrace a hot cup of coffee, and enjoy a great magazine. Where do you find these elements?

Look around, perhaps it’s already hanging on your wall or hiding in a closet. Find that favourite item or colour and pull the essence of it into other areas of your home. It may be the perfect tone for new bathroom towels, tea towels, bedding, or area rug. Embrace the places you live each day and help them bloom.

In the midst of our vibrant lives, let’s not let our homes become boring. I like the calmness of grey, beige, and white but I need warmth and energy, too. If you’re not sure about your favourite colour, visit a new store, try unique colour combinations, and remember to look for treasures hiding in your house. Aspire, explore, and experiment to breath new life into your space. Let’s live life in full bloom.

- Linda Hildebrandt Design & Furniture Consultant

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WORDof

MOUTH

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THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING YOUR TEETH CLEANED

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T GET MY TEETH CLEANED?

Hygienists are concerned with preventive dental health. They play a very important role in looking after your teeth. They use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from around your gum line and in between your teeth.

This helps to prevent gum disease, dental decay and tooth loss. During your cleaning they will also offer you advice on how to continue the care for your teeth at home. It is recommended to have a teeth cleaning every 6 months.

The longer you postpone a visit to your dentist, the more likely you will have plaque and cavities. If you do have cavities, the longer they go untreated, the worse they will get. This can put you at risk for gum disease and tooth loss; it could even go as far as affecting the bones that keep your teeth in place.

You may not notice it at first, but oral health problems can affect your overall health, leading to health complications in other parts of your body such as your heart and your brain.

POOR ORAL HEALTH CAN AFFECT A PERSON’S QUALITY OF LIFE

BRUSHING AND FLOSSING Brushing and flossing your teeth is only the first step in caring for your teeth and gums. Even after these steps, food particles are still left behind. This can contribute to bad breath and tooth decay. Brushing and flossing helps to stop plaque from building up and hardening into tartar. Once you have tartar, it can only be removed at your dentist’s office.

Your hygienist can show you how to brush and floss to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

JESSIE PETERS

Most people know that exercise and eating right are key components for a healthy body. What some people don’t realize is that a healthy mouth is also an important part of a healthy body. Poor oral health can affect a person’s quality of life by affecting their physical, mental and social well-being. Having constant oral pain, missing teeth or infection can affect the way a person speaks, eats and socializes.

Studies have shown that oral infection can increase your chances of other health issues like diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Oral health issues can all be treated by regular visits to your dentist. Keeping a healthy mouth is an important part of leading a healthy life.

KARI SNIEDER

DENTAL HYGIENIST

260 R O B L I N B LV D E , W I N K L E R, M B 33

Taste of the Valley Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Prep: 40 minutes, Cook: 35 minutes (roughly), Serves: 8 people

INGREDIENTS

- 1 butternut squash (halved and seeded) - 2 tbsp butter - 1 yellow onion (diced) - 2 stalks of celery (roughly chopped) - 1 head of garlic (cut in half horizontally)

GARNISH

1 tsp oil (black truffle oil)

DIRECTIONS

Step 1 — Preheat oven to 375°F. Drizzle canola oil over a baking sheet. Lay halved squash (cut side down) on the pan. Cut garlic into halves and place (cut side down) on the sheet. Don’t worry about removing the peels, as they will come off nicely on their own once cooked.

Step 2 — Bake it in the oven for roughly 40 minutes or until the squash can easily be pierced by a fork. Check the squash at the 20 minutes mark. At this time, you can remove the garlic if it is nice and brown. We do not want to burn the garlic.

Step 3 — Once the squash is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let cool. Once it’s cooled down, peel the squash and set aside.

Step 4 — Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and celery and cook until they are translucent.

Step 5 — Next add the sweet potato or carrots (depending on which you choose to use for this recipe), both are great options and bring a sweet element to the dish along with the maple syrup. Cook until tender, then add the garlic. The cloves should come out of their peels fairly easy. Just squeeze them out.

- 1 sweet potato (cubed or 4 large carrots roughly chopped) from Kroeker Farms - 4 cups chicken broth (homemade or Bones & Marrow) - 2 cups whole milk (Blumenfeld Creamery)

- 1/4 cup maple syrup - 1 cup water - 1 tsp chili powder - 1 tbsp canola oil - 1 tsp fresh rosemary

Radish or pea micro greens

Step 6 — At this point I will add the salt and pepper. Then mix in the chili powder and rosemary.

Step 7 — Now you can add the chicken broth. I highly recommend 1 of two options. Either make it yourself or (if time is an issue) use a Local Brand. We love Bones & Marrow Broth products.

Step 8 —Add the water and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer.

Step 9 — Once the soups temperature has subsided, add the syrup and the milk. Mix well and heat through, but be sure not to boil.

Step 10 — It is now time to blend the soup to get a nice silky smooth texture. If you have a blender that can be used for hot food, add the soup to it and blend. An immersion blender can work for this as well if your appliances don’t recommend using hot food.

Step 11 — Once the soup is at your desired consistency, spoon out and serve.

Step 12 — Garnish with truffle infused olive oil and some microgreens of your choice.

Enjoy !

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Kevin is a local cook who has spent the last 5 years in Morden creating food for others using as many locally based businesses and farms as he can. He has spent time running a local restaurant (The Olive Tree), as well as providing private dinning experiences for people within their homes. This is where his heart truly lies as it provides him with a place to share his love of food and interact with the guests at the same time. Kevin has collaborated and worked with some of the best Chefs in the province.

Recipe created by Kevin Funk.

Instagram: @chefkevinfunk

LOCAL FLAVOURS

This is a great soup during the cooler fall days and cold winter months. Many of the ingredients can be found locally throughout the year. I work closely with many local farms and producers. This recipe utilizes ingredients from many of them. I will often incorporate potatoes into my pureed soups. This thickens the soup slightly. I love the earthy flavours that root vegetables bring. Kroeker farms is a great place to get local potatoes. During the warmer months, Valley Field Acres sets up at farmers markets. They have a wide variety of local produce from squash to carrots to all the herbs you could ask for. Soups can be whipped up fairly easily and quickly, especially when you utilize the amazing produce from Bones & Marrow broth company. Based out of Winnipeg and sold at many retailers, this is a sure fire way to take your soup to the next level. If you don’t have time to scratch the soup up

top to bottom, this is just as good of an option. If you are looking to make your own, look into sourcing some birds locally. Hill Corner Farms out of Morden is where I get most of my birds. They are great. I am supplied with milk from Blumenfeld Creamery. They bottle whole milk locally here from Jersey cattle and it can be purchased at the Morden/Winkler Co-ops. If you’re looking for micro greens, Valley Harvest has them and you can purchase them from the Potato Store in Winkler. It is incredibly important to support local. As a cook, I have had the privilege to work very closely with so many local farms. Learning and educating yourself about the food systems in your local area will connect you on a deeper level to the land you live. It is important to know where your food comes from.

Sourcing locally gives you a chance to connect to the source and dine comfortably.

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12 Hespeler Street S, Reinfeld • (204) 331-1742 • info@derksenfinishing.com 35

The Greatest Way to Protect Your Home Smart investments into a home are what make a big difference down the road for ensuring the appeal and value of your house. For those who are renovating their home or commercial building this year or even looking to build brand new, it’s important to know what kind of options are available before making big decisions.

When it comes to siding, seamless steel has always been a premium choice, with its low maintenance and high durability; seamless steel siding is a smart investment.

“This product is unique as it is made on site and has no joints, so it does a much better job of keeping moisture and elements out” said Travis, the general manager of Superior Seamless Exteriors in Winkler. He explained that siding bought in a

box is fundamentally broken, and with weather causing expanding and contracting in siding, moisture finds its way through the cracks.

“Our product is always custom manufactured on site to fit the customer’s house like a glove.”

The local business started in 1986, and was initially located in Altona.

After expanding to Winkler and ownership changing hands, Travis joined his father in ownership a couple years ago, bringing a refined focus to their product line. “For a

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while we got caught up in trying to be all things to all people” said Travis, who admits that trying to offer every kind of product available took away from what made them unique.

“I got to thinking, why are we trying to be the same as everyone else when we offer an exceptional product that sets us apart?” In taking a step back and re-focusing on what they do well, the business was able to get back to their strengths and true identity. This led to updating their main product offering to give their customers the very best in siding. Travis explained that while they always had a quality product, the colour palette needed expanding. “We listened to what our customers were telling us and launched a new line of seamless steel siding with a modern profile and colour selection.” The new line also features an official Kynar 500 patented finish, a PVDF coating with an extraordinary capability of

retaining colour. This keeps the siding looking new and vibrant, and with the lifetime guarantee offered, you can be sure it will be the last time you need to purchase siding for your home. This new line has an awesome selection of shades and colours existing in a matte finish.

Superior Seamless Exteriors recently transitioned from their longstanding location on Main Street to accommodate their growth, and are now located at 935 Eastview Drive.

The move helps them to better serve their customers, as more space makes everything more efficient.

To get started on the journey of buying siding, it simply starts with a phone call, even if you have no idea what you want. “A common misconception is that because we offer a customized product, it’s also going to be complicated”. Travis emphasizes that this is not the case, pointing out that the entire process is relational, as our team looks forward to walking along side their customers during the entire process. The business serves southern Manitoba, while also reaching into western Ontario.

Along with siding, the business offers everything related to building exteriors, including seamless steel eavestroughs, roofing, metal cladding, windows and doors, vinyl fencing and much more.

For the homeowner serious about investing in their home, Superior Seamless Exteriors offers a product that shouldn’t be ignored.

“We are all about building relationships here,” said Travis, “we look forward to getting to know new customers and hearing how we can help with their upcoming project.”

With a fully revamped product line, seamless steal siding remains a relevant and premium choice, as well as the best way to completely protect your home.

TRAVIS THIESSEN

Owner

I had the opportunity to meet a customer in the summer of 2019 that was celebrating 25 years of having our Seamless steel siding on his home. I asked if I could come see how the product looked after 25 years of being in the weather and when he showed me his home I was thoroughly impressed – this siding looks brand new! Its like we installed it this year! Great to interact with a customer that was completely satisfied and proud of his home after 25 years!

You can find them online at superior-seamless.com or call their main office at 204 325-5138.

Still looking great after 25 years.

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Com munity

Fut ures My day is always different. I help someone with one challenge, and move on to the next one. The reward is seeing good ideas succeed, and something coming out of nothing.

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S

outhern Manitoba offers many reasons to venture out as an entrepreneur and to start your own business, but for many this may be a daunting task. To run with an idea, create a business plan and put it into fruition are all responsibilities that rest on the owner’s shoulders. This is where Manitoba’s best kept secret in the world of small business can make all the difference.

Community Futures is a federal government funded organization dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground and committing to walk alongside them, providing business loans, training, expertise and support with business plans, start-ups, expansions and succession planning.

All the tools an entrepreneur needs when they’re starting out, growing their business and transitioning out of it.

General Manager Ken Reimer comes from a family of entrepreneurs and has always been fascinated by the inner workings of how businesses operate and the stories that make up their existence. “Banks always have a box that they have to work within when giving loans,” Ken says, “while we at Community Futures don’t have a box.” This open minded approach presents another valuable option for entrepreneurs, as CF Heartland is able to offer higher risk lending to people with good ideas, where traditional financing wouldn’t be available. A perfect example of this came years ago when a young artist contacted them about creating a country album down in Nashville. “It was a risk for us, an outside the box kind of venture” explained Ken, “but he was an ambitious kid with a lot of drive to make it work.” He did in fact make it work, as it turned out to be the first of many albums for the successful country band known as Doc Walker.

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“Many of our loan decisions are weighted heavily on the character of the applicant”, said Ken, “we interact with the client, and first want to ensure that the client is ready for the overall commitment that comes with running a business.” While they want to help everyone, some people and businesses are just not ready for a loan.

This is what Ken has described as the hardest part of his job. Clients who are approved for a loan can receive up to $150,000. Along with loans, CF Heartland offers many services needed for the journey towards making business dreams come true or simply aiding existing businesses and organizations that need help. “As soon as you have a business idea you can let us know” said Ken. “We have people, resources and connections to further you along in this process. We can help you get registered, assist you in writing a business plan, offer free consulting and training in social media and marketing.” It seems there is almost nothing they won’t do in the name of helping out a needy business.

“My day is always different,” says Ken when describing his work. “I help someone with one challenge, and move on to the next one. The reward is seeing good ideas succeed, and something coming out of nothing. There is a joy in being woven into the stories of these successful businesses”. Ken has been doing this for just under twenty years, and he’s noticed the biggest struggle for business owners is simply asking for help. “People would often rather go bankrupt than ask for help because they don’t know where to turn!” he exclaims, “I want small business owners to know that they don’t have to do it on their own, we’re here to help.” And the numbers don’t lie, studies have shown that CF assisted firms have a survival rate up to twenty percent higher, and a sales growth of over eight percent higher than non-assisted firms, of a comparable nature. CF Heartland staff pride themselves in being able to provide many types of business services. The door to success has been thrown wide open for entrepreneurs to act on their dreams and ideas that were meant to be shared with the world.

Find Community Futures Heartland at cfheartland.ca or at 204 239 0135. Their southern Manitoba office is located at 11-2nd St. N.E in Portage la Prairie.

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CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO 1-204-744-2421 Perry Beernaerts Cell: 1-204-825-8661 perry.beernaerts@pembinacoop.ca Robert Lesage Cell: 1-204-723-0499 robert.lesage@pembinacoop.ca Ryan Robidoux Cell: 1-204-242-4428 ryan.robidoux@pembinacoop.ca

LAST WORD FEAR is also Contagious So is PANIC So is HOARDING So is FAITH So is LOVE So is KINDNESS So is GENEROSITY So is VOLUNTEERING Choose Carefully what YOU spread

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We are supporting our members and communities through this difficult time. Here are some ways to continue banking with us and maintain your social distancing.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 1.800.264.2926.

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