Celebrating community and tradition
crowd.
By Carolyn Phillips
Rivers Banner
Rivers, a town known for its warm-hearted community spirit, showed up in support of the much-anticipated 15th Annual Lions Club Fish Fry at the Rivers Curling Club. This beloved event has not only become a staple of the local calendar but a gathering point for families, friends, and neighbours to come together to support a great cause while enjoying a delectable meal.
On Sunday afternoon, members of the Lions Club, both seasoned and new, were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for the event. Volunteers joined in, contributing their time and energy to ensure that this year’s fish fry would be one to remember.
The atmosphere was alive with laughter and camaraderie as they worked together to serve a total of 225 meals to eager patrons.
The culinary highlight of the day was undoubtedly the delicate pan-fried pickerel fillets, expertly prepared to ensure maximum flavour and tenderness. Each bite was a flavourful celebration of local resources and culinary tradition. Accompanying the fish was a generous serving of hot, crispy French fries that provided the perfect balance to the meal. Diners also savoured homemade dinner rolls that were soft and warm, a great complement to the main dish. The refreshing coleslaw added a crispness that rounded out the plate beautifully, making it a feast that filled both the stomach and the heart.
read more about the fish fry on page 2...
Rivers and Area Lions Club team working hard to get the fish ready for the growing
Rivers Lions Club Fish Fry
Rivers and Area Lions Club team served 225 fish plates to the community.
continued from page 1
Dessert was nothing short of delightful, featuring sweet ice cream that brought smiles and satisfaction to all who indulged. The combination of these delicious offerings created an inviting atmosphere where people could enjoy not just the food but also the experience of gathering with friends—both old and new.
The underlying purpose of the fish fry extends far beyond mere sustenance. Proceeds from this annual event go toward various Lions Club initiatives that aim to better the community of Rivers. Whether it’s funding youth programs, supporting local charities, or investing in infrastructure improvements, the Lions Club is dedicated to making a meaningful impact. This makes every meal served at the fish fry not just a plate of food but a step toward enhancing the community spirit that makes Rivers a special place to live.
As attendees chatted and reminisced over their meals, the sense of belonging and connection was palpable. Many shared stories of past fish fries, fostering a sense of tradition that has been passed down through generations. This event is more than just a meal; it’s a reminder of the strength of community bonds and the importance of coming together for a common goal.
The success of the 15th Annual Fish Fry is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved—from the Lions Club members and volunteers to the patrons who came out to enjoy the food. It illustrates how a simple event can embody the essence of community spirit, fulfilling both immediate hunger and long-term social needs. As the sun set on another successful event, there was a shared belief that together, through such gatherings, we can continue to build a brighter future for Rivers and its people. We look forward to next year’s fish fry and the many more memories it will create.
Community turns out for dance recital
By Anne Davison Rivers Banner
Hundreds of spectators filled
Hamiota Collegiate gymnasium to enjoy the Midwest School of Dance year end recital. From the first number by the senior jazz troupe, to the youngest in pre-mini tap and preschool ballet, the well-trained performers put on an inspiring show set to beautiful and sometimes funky music, with older performers going beyond the basics with expressive renditions.
Midwest School of Dance studio based in Hamiota serves the Miniota area as well. Ms. Brooke Webber,
their teacher, thanked the United Church for the use of their lower auditorium as well as Countryside Studio and Gym for their space to hold dance instruction.
The school of dance bid farewell to two graduating students, Sarah Chappell (Hamiota) and Avery Clark (Miniota). Miss Brook thanked her student assistants: Maddison Currah, Brady Gregory, and Sarah Chappell. After the finale number, family and friends congratulated the dancers in true show style, presenting a carnation and taking a photo amid balloons. Loree Gardham with Campbell Flowers prepared 165 flowers for the occasion and they were sold out.
PHOTO BY SCOTT LINTS
Midwest School of Dance students in the club’s pink tee shirts pose following the final number.
PHOTO BY CAROLYN PHILLIPS
FAITHFULLY YOURS
Neil StrohScheiN
Walking the last, lonely road
“Pastor Neil, what happens when people die?” The question came from a 12-year-old boy whose father had suffered a severe concussion the night before and did not have long to live. “I know my daddy is dying,” he continued. “And I think I know what will happen to him when he dies. I just want to know if I have the right idea.”
“Well,” I asked, “What do you think will happen to your daddy?” With tears in his eyes, but a smile that indicated a child-like faith I had not seen in many years, he replied: “Pastor Neil, my daddy is going to leave his body behind and go to be with Jesus.” I learned more that day from that young man than I learned in many years of college. These days, as each birthday passes, I am re -
minded that I have moved one year closer to the day when, like my friend whose story you just read, I will leave my body behind and enter eternity. But that’s not where my thoughts are as I write this column.
Today, I am imagining myself going back in time to 33AD and standing on a hill outside the city of Jerusalem. I am staring at the emaciated body of a young man. His hands and feet have been nailed to rough wooden beams. He is hanging suspended between heaven and earth, in obvious pain, waiting to die. The sign above his head identifies him as: “Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.” I get as close as I can-close enough to hear him say: “It is finished!” And I watch as his spirit passes from his body into eternity.
As I gaze at that scene, I am struck by how similar it is to other events in his life. Only two people (his mother and her husband) were present at his birth. Only two people (his mother and a close friend) were present when he died. During his public ministry he was followed by thousands; but he often spent hours alone in prayer. I wonder, how could he face death so calmly and confidently? What really happened that day? What was finished? What
major task had he fulfilled in just 33 years of life?” Today we have a book that tells us who Jesus was, why he came to earth, how he lived while here, how he died and why he had to die. It tells us that the Jesus who walked this earth was God revealed in human form; that during his time on earth, he committed no sin, nor was any evil found in him; and that when he died, God laid on him the iniquity of us all. Only when he knew that every sin that ever had or would be committed had been laid on him-only then could Jesus say: “It is finished. My work is done. It’s time to die.”
During his time on earth, Jesus devoted himself to serving those God sent him to help. Along the way he faced misunderstanding, heartbreak, betrayal, disappointment, torture and now death. The last one (death) was the hardest. He had to walk that road alone.
But don’t let sadness overwhelm you. Today is Friday. We have reached the end of the long, hard road Jesus walked. But this is not the end of the story. Yes, today is Friday; but Sunday’s coming! A new day is about to dawn. Better times are ahead for Jesus and for all who put their faith in him. More on that next week.
Happy Easter Wordsearch
9.PARADE 10.CHOCOLATE
11.SPRING
12.BASKET 13.TULIP 14.CHICK
15.CARROT
16.TRADITION
17.CROSS
18.LENT
19.CELEBRATION
20. DAffODIL
Perspectives
Tundra
By Chad Carpenter
He has risen, He has risen indeed!
Every aspect of life shows us that we should be good, that is to behave in a proper fashion. People praise each other by saying, “they are a good person.” That’s important but it also leads to a false concept that says if you are good, if you live a good life, you will go to Heaven when you die. It’s a widely accepted concept. Be good or you won’t go to Heaven. That concept of being good is valuable to individuals, to families and to society but being good doesn’t get us to Heaven. A person can never be good enough to enter Heaven. Entrance to Heaven is dependent on accepting the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
Jesus lived so we might have an example of how to live. His teaching is amazing, tested by time and it shows us how to live. But I believe it’s not his life that saves us from Hell and offers us an entrance to Heaven, it’s his death. Jesus died and rose again so that we might enter Heaven, but there’s one proviso.
In the Bible it says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” New International Version
We certainly should follow what Jesus says about living but we need to accept not just his teaching about life but accept the last half of the above verse, the part about “believes in him”.
Righteousness comes through faith
Romans 3:21-24 “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference
Ken Waddell Right in the Centre
“ A long passed friend of mine would say, “There’s a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun.”
”
Rita Friesen Homebodies
Who’s walking who…
Arie and I make many miles in a week, we try to average four a day and on average we come really close to making our goal. She is a great walking companion, careful crossing streets, staying close when there is a lot of foot traffic and generally being a good little dog. Unless… unless we meet another dog! Or find garbage, edible or not! Arie knows which home has a dog, often lunging with laughter at their captivity or threatening them for a perceived threat to us. The discarded wrappers and pieces of food are irritants; the chicken bones and ribs are dangerous and prove to create a battle of the wills. I mostly win. I have taken to having treats in my pockets in the hopes of her dropping the forbidden treasure for an acceptable eat. There are paths we frequently travel, different ones for spring, summer and winter. We avoid the grasses in tick season, try to keep out of the mud and off the ice. Therefore our choices are limited! The roads through the cemetery are the very best, all year round. When we walk the same streets many times in one week, Arie will actually ask to try a different route. At the junction she will sit down and look in the direction she wishes we would go. I know I’m in charge, but I humour her if the sidewalk is clear.
between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” –New International Version
If you can accept Romans 3:2124, then no one can ever be “good enough” to get to heaven but our sins are covered by Jesus’s sacrificial death. It’s the best deal ever offered to people in all of history.
A long passed friend of mine would say, “There’s a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun.”
Throughout history, people have been organizing groups. Working groups, political groups, armies, war machines and yes, religious groups. Religious groups have worked very hard to make their chosen system hard to understand, hard to achieve success within the respective systems. Religion is described as “a particular
system of faith and worship.” May I add another definition? Religion is a system where humans strive to reach out to God. Christianity is where God reaches out to humans. I am not a big fan of religion but I am certainly a big fan of God and Jesus. I am thankful every day for God reaching out to me, to my family and to all people.
People are free to believe whatever they want. Some say there are many roads to heaven. I believe there is just one and that is “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This Easter weekend, may you bask in the light and glory of God’s mercy to us as we embrace the commemoration of the risen Jesus.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the writer’s personal views and are not to be taken as being the view of the newspaper staff.
Folks often stop to chat with us. Arie knows to sit down and wait, quite patiently. Others toss a comment as we pass. A frequent question is ‘who’s walking who?’. My standard reply is that we take turns. And we do. There are days when the walk is because I know it’s good for her. She’s young and has so much energy. I’d rather walk than play tug of war, and she’s a failure at fetch- it’s catch me if you can! The days I slack off walking her, I can be certain that we will have a restless evening, her bringing me toys and sitting on my lap batting at my book or phone. A child’s ‘look at me, mom, look at me!’. No late walk may also create a late night backyard visit. So it’s just easier to take her for a walk. And then there are the days that I take her walking for me. I have always enjoyed longs walks. Back in the day when I had children in school I would often walk around the section after they headed off. Four miles of me time. I did notice that when I was without a dog I didn’t walk nearly as much, which made no sense. The gift of Arie put me back on track. When the weather is acceptable we walk morning, afternoon and evening. And enjoy them all.
There is seldom a day that we don’t engage in meaningful conversation with someone as we walk. Folks we know and folks we don’t know. The dog draws attention and is a conversation opener. For all those wondering as to who’s walking who, we really do take turns!
Cortisol: The sneaky hormone behind your cravings
Published Author, Holistic
Wellness Certified Hypnotist (C.H.)
Marie Evelyne Gingras
Ever find yourself elbow-deep in a bag of chips or eyeing that second slice of cake after a long, stressful day? You can thank a little hormone called cortisol for that. Cortisol is your body’s built-in alarm system, a hormone released by your adrenal glands in response to stress. It’s like your body’s way of saying, “Hey, we might be in trouble! Better fuel up!”
Back in the caveman days, this made total sense. You’d see a saber-toothed tiger, cortisol would surge through your system, and boom, your body would start breaking down fat and carbs for a quick burst of energy to either fight or run like crazy. This is what we call the “fight-or-flight” response, and it was super handy when survival meant outrunning hungry predators.
Fast forward to modern life: no tigers, just traffic jams, work deadlines, and that never-ending list of adult responsibilities. The problem? Your body still reacts the same way. Cortisol kicks in, your metabolism ramps up, and your body wants to refuel. So what do you do? You crave energydense foods like sweet, salty, and fatty treats because they’re quick fuel and comfort all wrapped in one delicious bite.
Here’s where things get a little tricky. While that energy boost was helpful for cavemen, in today’s world, we’re more likely to be sitting at a desk
than sprinting through the jungle. So instead of burning through the extra energy, we store it… right around the belly. Yep, cortisol is a key player in stress-related weight gain, especially in the abdominal area. Thanks a lot, hormones.
But before we demonize cortisol completely, let’s give credit where it’s due. It plays a crucial role in keeping you alive. It regulates blood pressure, controls inflammation, balances salt and water levels, and helps you bounce back from stress. It’s not evil. It’s just doing its job. The real issue happens when stress becomes chronic, and cortisol levels stay elevated for too long. That’s when the snack attacks, emotional eating, and stubborn belly fat become part of the picture.
So, what can you do about it? The goal isn’t to eliminate cortisol. It’s to manage stress and keep your levels in check. Think: deep breathing, regular movement (even a daily walk helps), sleep, laughter, and a diet rich in whole foods. Oh, and maybe save the chips and cookies for occasional enjoyment instead of nightly rituals.
In the end, cortisol is kind of like that overly enthusiastic friend who means well but goes a bit overboard. With a little awareness and a few lifestyle tweaks, you can keep this hormone in harmony and your cravings in check. Your body and your jeans will thank you!
In my Opinion
RE: Minimum Wage
By Gerry Nolan Empire-Advance
The Manitoba minimum wage is set to increase on October 1 this year going up to $16 per hour. Hear this! Manitoba minimum wage is regulated through the employment standards code. This year’s increase is 20 cents per hour. Currently minimum wage is $15.80 per hour.This adjustment reflects the 2024 inflation rate of 1.1 percent in Manitoba. What are you going to do with all that money, people? Let’s see, its about another $1.60 per day times 5 days equal? Squat! What a slap in the face when the cost of living goes higher and higher each week? Cost of groceries is out of control and not likely to be going down anytime soon.We all know what the future is looking like, but hey you people out there are to get another $1.20 per day if you work and an 8-hour day. Oh, I forgot they will tax you on that so it is not really $1.20 a day. It’s hard to believe that the government has your best interests at heart as they don’t. However, they don’t mind at all taking your money back. After taking off income tax they then tax you on your purchases.
There are so many things that could be said here but, you fill in the blanks with the adjectives you like to use.
My personal opinion is there should be tiered minimum wages. High School students could be $16 an hour, that is if they can get a job that is not taken up by immigrants. College students, who are attempting to get an education and adults who start working should be getting at least $20 an hour. A family cannot live on one income in this country, not with rent and utilities and food costs out of sight.
I also believe that senior people after 65 should not be taxed on their government pensions and any income they may have by working. Regarding the pensions, we have already been taxed on that money and yet the Government tells us it is income so they tax us again on it. That’s another load of nonsense!
Hockey Hall of Fame, Doug Gilmour sports dinner
featured speaker
Hamiota Sports Dinner
By Gerry Nolan Rivers Banner
By Gerry Nolan Rivers Banner
Doug Gilmour was the featured speaker at the Hamiota Sports Dinner held on Saturday April 12 at the Hamiota and District Sports Complex. The setting in Hamiota was MC Branden Crowe asking Doug many questions which he replied to, sharing his life and career.
Doug Gilmour, a former NHL hockey player, played for 20 seasons. During his career he played for 7 different teams. He was a 2 time all star and won the Stanley Cup in 1989 with the Calgary Flames. Doug scored the winning goal in game 7 to secure the cup for the flames. He also won the Frank J. Selke trophy as the NHL best defensive forward. A member of the 1987 Canadian National team he helped Canada win the Canada Cup Championship.
He was born in Kingston Ontario, same place as Don Cherry is from and played his minor and junior hockey for Kingston. He was drafted in the 7th round by the St. Louis Blues in 1982. His first training camp was in Regina, Saskatchewan and his first coach was Jacques Demers.
Doug was only 5 foot 10 inches tall and weighed 144 pounds. He said they told him he needed to weigh at least 150 pounds so the day of the weighin he ate a lot of pancakes and drank a lot of water to bring his weight up.
In his career he scored 450 goals and assisted on 964 others for a total of 1,414 points in 1,474 games. Amazing for a man of his physical stature. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011 and his number 93 was retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nicknamed the Killer by his St Louis teammates because of the way he played. He was tough, gritty and would not be pushed around. Brian Sutter whom he roomed with for 5 years in St Louis called him Charlie. That was in reference to Charles Manson, an infamous killer.
Doug played in the NHL with the St.Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens.
A story Doug shared, and there were a few, while playing in Toronto they played against the Vancouver Canucks. Tough guy for the Canucks back in the day was Gino Odjick. Gino kept following Doug around the ice surface and was basically being annoying to him. On the bench during a shift change Doug said to Wendel Clark, “Gino is being a real pain in my butt and annoying.” The
next shift when Clark goes up he said to Pavel Bure, “if Gino keeps on bothering Gilmour I will beat your face in!” Gino never bothered the killer again! Great to have such a supportive teammate.
When asked about the best ice surface in the NHL the response was quick. Edmonton he said, that is why they won the Cup so many times.
The Leafs are playing the LA Kings, Gretzky is playing with the Kings. On a faceoff in the Kings end Gretzky high sticks Gilmour and cuts him. Kerry Fraser is the referee with 2 linesmen. It is a 5 minute penalty, but Fraser misses it and the 2 linesmen were not about to call it. The result a missed call that may have changed the way the game went or even the series. To make matters worse, Gretzky had a 5 point night in the game 7 and the Kings were off to the Cup Final.
During the time of Covid, a television station gets a virtual program with Fraser, Wayne and Doug set up to go back and go through the historic missed call. When Kerry Fraser sees Doug on the screen, he begins to laugh because Doug had put some ketchup on his chin and said to Kerry “I am still cut, it should have been a major.”
There are many more stories to tell. One he shared about Lanny McDonald who is just the greatest person you would want to be around, such a gentleman and a great volunteer who does so much for hockey.
Why the number 93 came into Gilmour’s career? He had always worn number 9. When he was traded to Calgary, Lanny McDonald was wearing number 9. He thought, well I will wear 19 but Tim Hunter who was a tough guy wore that number and who is going to say anything to him. Joel Otto wore number 29 so Doug settled for 93 which is what he wore in Toronto and it now hangs retired, in the rafters of the Scotia Bank Arena.
On April 12 Hamiota hosted a sports dinner in support of the Hamiota and District Sports Complex. The Complex was built in 1991, and some updates and repairs are needed on the building.
The event featured Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Famer, Doug Gilmour. Also, Comedian Sean Lecomber entertained the crowd after Doug had shared some of his hockey experiences.
Branden Crowe, former Brandon Wheat King play by play announcer on Q country was the Master of Ceremonies. Robin Hill was the auctioneer as there were prizes donated for sale to help raise necessary funding for the complex.
Jason McTavish is president of the Hamiota complex. He shared some words before the capacity crowd about the need to raise funds to do the necessary repairs. The committee had a goal of 50,000 dollars to raise.
He thanked the 15 or 16 other volunteers who sat on the committee for all their hard work to make the evening a huge success. It takes a lot of people and work behind the scenes to pull off such a huge event.
Linda Wilson catered the delicious dinner of roast beef, baked potato, salads and dessert.
Hamiota grads of 2025 were also a big help as they helped serve the meal and also were doing the cleanup. It was such a nice touch to include these young men and women in the program. They all looked sharp in white tops and black pants. Well done grads and thank you for your service. The grads also offered a taxi service if you wished.
Dawson Brooks played some nice background music during the evening, thank you Dawson.
Sean Lecomber entertained the crowd with a lot of one liners and stories that were very funny. I would like to see him again, very entertaining.
For a community event such as this one, it takes a lot of hands to make the evening special. To those who donated time and prizes may you look back on this evening and bask in the glow of such a tremendous evening. Thank you Hamiota for a great memory.
To our community for supporting our Annual Fish Fry Supper!
Rivers and Area Lions Club
Riverdale Harvest Food Bank would like to invite everyone to our Annual General Meeting April 22nd , 7 pm At Rivers Zion Church
FILE PHOTO
Doug Gilmour spoke at the Hamiota Sports Dinner.
269 Hamilton Street, Neepawa MB R0J 1H0 P: 204-476-2336 | E: info@taylorlawpatersons.ca www.patersons.ca
Ref Memories
Gerry Nolan Ref to writer
One thing I did when I was nearing the end of my officiating career was evaluate other officials. The things I looked for were positioning, control of faceoffs, penalty selection and anticipating what may happen on any particular play. I did not worry about their skating ability unless it meant moving up another level.
Cory Flecknor was a really good upcoming official. He knew the rule book and had played the game so his anticipation of what may happen on any play was excellent. His positioning was great and he was a strong skater. It was a pleasure working with Cory. Cory also communicated with the players on the ice very well. When I evaluated Cory he always checked out all the boxes.
before the game to those you would be evaluating. Perry always had a way with words and when I told him I was evaluating him Perry said, “Ger, I just want you to know I am not on my way up as an official, I am on my way out! What do you say to that?” Thank you Snipes for putting a smile on my face again today, what a happy memory!
Dave Preston was an individual who I worked a lot of games with, Dave was easy to work with so as a team we worked well together. Dave had played senior hockey and knew the game really well. Dave always said, “Well let’s get this show on the road,” meaning let us get this game going.
Another guy I had lots of fun with and liked working with was Ray Harper. Ray had played senior hockey in Kenton. His brother Ron had also played in Kenton. The Kenton guys nickname for Ron was Box. For Ray it was Parcel! When I showed up in Virden no one knew that I called Ray, Parcel! It stuck with him. One of Rays favourite sayings before we left
“Boys let us be careful out there!”
Perry and David were two of the nicest guys and were really good officials. Rest in peace my friends, you, left your mark in this world. Enjoy hockey heaven, you deserve it. With one a school teacher and the other a banker, that was pretty much working with the top of the food chain. It did not get much better than working with those two. I have lost contact with Ray, I do not know where he is, but if you see this Ray, I enjoyed working with you very much! All 3 men made officiating so much fun.
RIDING MOUNTAIN
Howe better than Gretzky or Ovechkin
By Gerry Nolan Empire-Advance
My brother Garth is going to love reading this column. Alexander Ovechkin surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s record for most goals scored in the NHL. Now you people out there who are Canadians, need to realize that Gretzky and Ovechkin played in the 30 plus teams era and the game has changed a lot over the years, no red line to name one big change. Another reason the league is diluted
with players who should be in the minor leagues and the teams only play one another a few times a year. So OV breaks the goal scoring record and reporters are so excited about this because they never thought they would see anyone score that amount of goals. Hockey night in Canada analysts and reporters and the talk shows were all so happy it was happening.
I think they all need a wake-up call. In 1972, Canada played and defeated Russia in a bitter series. In
hockey supremacy, Canada proved to be the cream of the crop. Canadians have remained on the top of the hockey world for years. So OV will have the most goals, but I beg to differ on the greatest goal scorer of all time.
Gordie Howe from Floral, Sask. was the greatest. He scored 801 goals playing in a league with only six teams. They played each other 14 times a season.There must have been some hatred for your opposition back then. He also played with a red
Kenton professionals - Shane Hunter
By Gerry Nolan Rivers Banner
Shane Hunter attended the Kenton K - 8 school to begin his educational journey. He was telling me that he had only one other classmate in the same grade. He said unfortunately the school in Kenton closed so it was off to Hamiota Collegiate.
After graduating from Hamiota Collegiate, he went to the University of Saskatchewan for a few years before deciding to take the Medical Laboratory schooling at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. After three years at Polytechnic and writing the National Exam, Shane graduated with honours as a Medical Laboratory Technologist. He said those who influenced him greatly were his parents, his partner, family and friends.They supported him and encouraged him to strive for the best. He also had a lot of help from teachers and peers who helped him push through the material and the countless hours of lab work.
positions are based on seniority, so you have to be willing to put in the time.
Another path Shane may take is becoming a teacher of the Medical Laboratory Technologist program. He has only been working in the field for 3 years, 2 in Biochemistry and 1 year of Microbiology.
line, a wooden stick and had to work in the off season to earn a living. The players now are all millionaires. Another reason I dislike what the analysts and reporters are saying about how great this is, have they forgotten that Ovechkin thinks Putin is doing a great
job in Russia and he is a huge supporter of Putin. He must have forgotten that Russia started the war against Ukraine. In the meantime our government has sent millions to help Ukraine. It is hard for me to get my head wrapped around this one. No won-
der people are confused and must wonder what is going on in this world. You may think I am stuck in the past. Nope, I was not a Red Wing fan or a Howe fan. I was Hawks fan and Bobby Hull fan. I do know this, Howe is the better and always will be!
Massive highway upgrades announced for near Minnedosa
By Banner Staff Rivers Banner
Some of Shanes interests away from work are reading, gaming and bonfires. Also having a new adventure whether it be travelling ,learning something new or just hanging out with friends.Shane and his partner have purchased a cabin which allows them to go snowmobiling, fishing, boating and berry harvesting.
Shane is currently working in biochemistry at a hospital in Saskatoon as a Medical Laboratory Technologist 1. His plan is to stay in this position to gain seniority so he can take on a senior Laboratory position as a Technologist 2 or 3. His goal is to become a supervisor or a manager, but those
Shane has some advice to high school students who are thinking about their future. He said, “not to stress about their future and picking out their entire future.You have lots of time to try new things and change your mind. You will meet new people and learn of jobs that you may not have known even existed.If you are already in post secondary schooling and are finding you are not in love with it, do not be afraid to stop and work for a bit and try something else. You do not want to be stuck in a job for 40 years that you do not like or hate.”
Some very solid advice from Shane Hunter, formerly from Kenton, Medical Lab. Tech. doing his practice in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan!
The roads right next to Minnedosa are getting a multi-million dollar upgrade this spring. The Manitoba government has announced plans for a $20.3 million investment into sections of Provincial Trunk Highways (PTH) 10 and 16.
The proposed upgrades include the repaving of just over 22 kilometres of highway along #10, including stretches between the Trans-Canada and Highway 25, as well as between the north and south junctions of PTH 16.
The truck rest stop, that’s located just northwest of Minnedosa, at the north junction of Highway 16, will also receive new pavement. Additional surface improvements are planned for Highway 10 between Highways 24 and the south junction of 16, and 16 from 250 to 10.
In a media release announced the project, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said “Road investments are vital to support rural and northern Manitoba’s economy and these upgrades will support Minnedosa’s economy as the community continues to grow,”
She also added that “Safety is a priority for our government. These new road investments will allow a smoother and safer journey for residents, and a repaved rest stop will ensure motorists can safely take breaks so every person is able to get to their destination safely.”
An exact time for the road repairs to begin was not announced, but the work is expected to start sometime in the spring.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Highway #16 from #250 to #10.
Highway #10 between #1 and #25.
Minnedosa Rest Stop.
Stewart Endeavors
Gravel - Sand - Stone - End Dump/Belly Dump Services - Excavating stewartend2015@gmail.com 204-365-0086
Alex Stewart Box 916, Rivers MB, R0K1X0
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our great prices and start getting responses! Book your blanket classified ads, seen in the 31 Member Newspapers which are seen in over 368,000+ homes in Manitoba. Please Call THIS NEWSPAPER NOW to book, or call MCNA at (204) 947-1691 for more details or to book ads. MCNA - Manitoba Community Newspapers Association. www.mcna.com
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca
PROPERTY FOR SALE / LAND FOR SALE / REAL ESTATE
Nice 20-acre retirement or subdividing opportunity 4 miles west of Brandon on paved road. 1,572 sq.ft. home including appliances, wheelchair accessible, 1-level, attached garage. Also, additional adjoining subdivided 5-acre lot. Immediate possession, private sale. $750,000.00. Call 1-204-723-0083 for appointment to view, anytime.
your cause? Local business rely on local support to exist.
IN LOVING MEMORY FLORA DYER
It is with sad hearts and fond memories that we announce the passing of Flora McDonald Dyer (Ironside) on April 9, 2025 at Foyer Notre Dame in Notre-Damede-Lourdes, MB. A private interment will be held at the Rivers Cemetery and family will gather to celebrate her life.
Donations in memory of Flora may be made to the Rivers and Area Community Foundation-Lorrie Dyer Fund or a charity of your choice.
Full obituary can be found at Adam’s Funeral Home website afh.ca
CLACKS FAMILY HERITAGE MUSEUM FOUNDATION INC HELP WANTED
Clacks Family Heritage Museum is accepting applications for 2025 starting date June 28 to August 30. Wages to be determined.
Duties include maintaining grass, weeding, guided tours, general maintenance.
Applicants must be energentic, friendly and take directions.
Closing dates for resumes May 30/25
Contacts:
Maxine Shamray - 204-412-1555
Dianne Brown - 204-566-2311
Box 16 ~ Oak River
ROLLING RIVER SCHOOL DIVISION
Mechanic (Licensed Trade)
School Buses and Fleet Vehicles
Full Time - Permanent 8 hours per day
Monday - Friday 12 months per year
The position is based at a central garage / shop in Minnedosa, MB with 2.5 FTE Mechanics who maintain a fleet of 40 school buses and 15 fleet vehicles.
For more details and application information, please visit our website at www.rrsd.mb.ca select Employment then Support Staff Positions.
Thank you to all applicants for their interest in Rolling River School Division. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
PUBLIC NOTICE
REGARDING GENERAL BORROWING BY-LAW NO. 2025-1 FOR THE PURCHASE OF LAND FOR MINING AGGREGATE FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES.
The Council of the Rural Municipality of Oakview at its regular meeting in the Council Chamber, 435 3rd Avenue, Rapid City, MB on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. will consider the following proposal to borrow $750,000.00 (borrowing by-law no. 2025-1) to pay for:
The purchase of land for mining aggregate for municipal purposes. The total cost of the purchase is $750,000.00, to be funded as follows: $750,000.00 to be funded by borrowing
The borrowing will be repaid over 10 years at a maximum interest rate of 6.325% per year.
The annual repayment amount will be no more than $103,475.78 to be levied annually as part of the general municipal levy.
Copies of the proposal to borrow and information about the capital project are available on the municipal website at: www.rmofoakview.ca or at the municipal office at 10 Cochrane Street in Oak River, MB or the satellite office at 435 3rd Avenue in Rapid City. Office hours 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
To ensure adequate space, we kindly ask that you register your attendance at 204566-2146 or via email to info@rmofoakview.ca.
Dated at the RM of Oakview this 7th day of April, 2025, and issued pursuant to Section 174.1(1) of The Municipal Act.
Mark Humphries
Chief Administrative Officer
R. M. of Oakview Phone: (204) 566-2146
NOTICE OF NOMINATIONS – MUNICIPAL BI-ELECTION 2025
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nominations will be received on April 30, May 1,2,5 and 6, 2025 between the hours of 8:30a.m and 4:30p.m. at the Hamiota Municipal office located at 75 Maple Ave. East, Hamiota, MB.
For the office of two (2) Councillors of the aforesaid Local Authority.
The nomination deadline is May 6, 2025 at 4:30p.m. Nominations will not be accepted after this day.
All nominations shall be made in writing and shall be signed by at least thirteen (13) voters, or NOT less than 1% of the voters (whichever is the lesser) of the authority but in all cases by at least two (2) voters. Each nomination shall also be accompanied by the candidate’s declaration or qualification.
Nominations may be filed in person or by an agent at the above location, on the date and hours specified. To obtain a nomination paper, and/or candidate’s declaration, contact the Local Authority listed below.
Nomination papers not accompanied by the required documents and not properly filed will be rejected.
75 Maple Avenue East Hamiota, Manitoba R0M 0T0
Telephone: 204-764-3050
Email: info@hamiota.com
Dated at Hamiota, Manitoba on April 9, 2025
Chantal DeBin, Senior Election Official (S.E.O.) Hamiota Municipality
The Easter Lily
Submitted
By Patricia Hanbidge
As Easter approaches, the characteristic symbol of the Easter Lily begins to grace our shops and homes. We have long associated this plant with spring and the Easter season. Lilium longiflorum, the Latin name for the Easter lily, is native to the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. The Easter lily is a mark of purity and grace throughout the ages symbolizing joy, hope and life. Traditionally, the Easter lily yields large white flowers, but others range from cream to pink and may include the cultivars ‘White Heaven’, ‘Deliana’ or ‘Nellie White’, which is one of the most popular lilies grown commercially.
Prior to 1941, the majority of the Easter Lily bulbs were exported to the United States from Japan. World War II eliminated the dependence on Japaneseproduced bulbs and commercial bulb production shifted to the U.S. Today over 95% of all bulbs grown for the potted Easter Lily market are produced by just ten farms in a narrow coastal region straddling the California-Oregon border. The production of consistent, high quality lily bulbs requires specific climatic conditions, which just happen to exist in this region aptly termed the Easter Lily Capital of the World. The Easter lily bulbs must be cultivated in the fields for three, and sometimes four years, before they are ready
to be shipped to commercial greenhouse growers. Throughout that time, the bulbs are never dormant and require constant care and attention to assure superior quality and cleanliness. Each bulb is handled up to 40 times before it is ready to be shipped. The Easter lily bulbs are harvested in the fall, packed and shipped to commercial greenhouses where they are planted in pots and forced under controlled conditions to bloom for the Easter holiday. The cultivar most widely grown today is ‘Nellie White’.
When purchasing an Easter lily, look for high quality plants that are aesthetically pleasing from all angles. Select medium-to-compact plants that are wellbalanced and proportional in size - not too tall and not too short. Choose plants with foliage that is dense and plentiful, all the way down to the soil line. As the flowers mature, remove the yellow anthers before the pollen starts to shed. This gives longer flower life and prevents the pollen from staining the white flowers. When a mature flower starts to wither after its prime, cut it off to make the plant more attractive while you still enjoy the fresher blooms.
In the home, Easter lilies prefer relatively cool temperatures of 18 to 21 C (65 to 70 F). Avoid placing plants near drafts, and avoid exposure to excess heat or dry air from appliances, fireplaces or heating ducts. The lily will thrive near a window in bright, indirect natural daylight. Easter lilies prefer moderately moist,
well-drained soil. Water the plant thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry to a light touch, but avoid over-watering. If the pot is wrapped in decorative foil, be careful not to let the plant sit in trapped, standing water. For best results, remove the plant from decorative pots or covers, take it over the sink and water thoroughly until water seeps out of the pot’s drain holes to completely saturate the soil. Allow the plant to air for a few minutes and discard the excess water before replacing it back into its decorative pot cover.
It is very difficult to force Easter lilies into bloom a second time. What you can do is plant them outside in the spring and they may bloom again in the fall. They require a location with bright light, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They need some shelter from extreme heat or wind. They will not survive our prairie winter.
Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at www.orchidhort.com; by email at growyourfuture@gmail.com on facebook @ orchidhort and on instagram at #orchidhort.
Tune into GROW Live on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/orchidhort or check out the Youtube channel GROW. https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCzkiUpkvyv2e2HCQlFl0JyQ?
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Easy Carrot Cake Bars
This recipe for carrot bars uses baby food carrots and turns out very moist. I frost them with cream cheese frosting and then cut them into bars.
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 3 (4 ounce) jars carrot baby food
Directions
1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15-inch jelly roll pan.
2. Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. Beat together sugar, oil, and eggs in another large bowl until smooth.
4. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in carrot baby food until incorporated.
5. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
6. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of cake comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
7. Allow cake to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting and slicing.
Eggcellent Trivia
One hen can lay up to 300 eggs per year.
The tradition of decorating eggs for Easter originated in Ukraine.
An egg’s shell color usually corresponds to the earlobe color of the hen that produced it.
Ostriches lay the largest eggs of any living bird. One ostrich egg can serve about 24 people for breakfast!
A Time to Rejoice
Celebrating the miracle of Christ’s resurrection this Easter season.
Easy French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
French Toast:
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups milk
• 6 large eggs
• 1 (8 ounce) loaf crusty French bread, cut into bite-sized pieces, or more as needed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Topping:
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
Directions
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1. Gather all ingredients and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. To make the French toast: Stir brown sugar and butter together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until butter is melted and sugar has dissolved, 2 to 4 minutes. Pour butter-brown sugar mixture into the prepared baking dish.
3. Scatter French bread pieces over top in a 1 ½- to 2-inch layer.
4. Whisk milk, eggs, and vanilla together in a bowl until well combined. Pour over bread pieces, then press bread down with a spatula so the bread absorbs the liquid. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
5. When ready to bake, remove French toast from the refrigerator and discard plastic wrap. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
6. To make the topping: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over the top of French toast.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes, covering with aluminum foil at any point if the top is browning too much.
8. Cut into squares; serve with some of the caramel from the bottom of the pan spooned on top.
