Dec 4:15

RIVERS

BANNER December 4, 2015

Volume 108, Issue 22

ersary v i n Celebrating our 107th An

Gazette-Reporter Serving the Rivers, Rapid City and Oak River areas for 106 years

89¢ + tax

Photo by Chris Falko

Brandon Wheat Kings players L/R: Stelio Mattheos, Linden McCorrister, Reid Duke and Tim McGauley were in Rivers two weeks ago practising with the youngest players and signing all sorts of autographs on all kinds of items.

Squirts see stars

By Sheila Runions Banner Staff

O

n Monday, Nov. 23 both Rivers Jets squirt teams were treated to an unforgettable hockey practice at Riverdale Community Centre. In addition to their regular coaches Gerald Lepp and Trenton Therrien, four Brandon Wheat Kings players offered instruction that evening as well. Besides meeting some semi-professional players, they were given gifts.

“Every kid at practice gets a ticket to an upcoming game and a special treat from the sponsors,” says Chris Falko, Wheat Kings’ community relations man. “The program is the McDonald’s and Canadian Tire Wheat Kings Minor Hockey Caravan. Four Wheat Kings travel to a rural hockey teams’ practice once a month to help the coaches out. The players relate the importance of working as a team, listening and hard work; they also signed autographs for anybody who wanted one. We make five trips a season, October-February. The treat for Rivers was a breakfast gift certificate from McDonald’s.”

Tim McGauley, Reid Duke, Linden McCorrister and Stelio Mattheos mentored 40 kids aged four to seven; the program works with beginners (squirts) to teens (peewee). Teams/towns are chosen by Wheat Kings, based on submissions from coaches, the Wheaties schedule and the host town’s proximity to Brandon.

New money for station roof

By Jessie Bell

Six members of Rivers Train Station Restoration Project were overjoyed at the meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Chairperson Donna Morken told them the roofing project was a giant step closer to new shingles in the spring. As reported in last week’s Banner, a $50,000 grant will be received from The Burns Family Foundation. Because the money is coming through Rivers & Area Community Foundation, Thomas Sill Foundation is matching it at 50 per cent so there will be $75,000 to be used on the station roof. Also announced was a $6,000 donation from Partner for Growth through the planning and design company of Hilderman, Thomas, Frank and Cram of Winnipeg. Tenders will be let in the spring for roof repairs and application of good-quality asphalt shingles.

Another order of 300 miniature steam engine-shaped chocolates has been received. These goodies are just in time for gift giving and may be purchased at Carol’s Time Again Treasures or Westoba Credit Union.

The next meeting was set for Tuesday, March 29, in the same location as this meeting — Riverdale Municipality council chamber — at 7 p.m.

2 RIVERS BANNER December 4, 2015

Community calendar Dec. 5: Santa Claus parade, Rivers, 10 a.m.

Dec. 5: Seniors Christmas supper, Rapid City Legion Hall Dec. 6: Old fashioned Christmas, Rapid City Legion Hall, 12-7 p.m.

Dec. 6: Service of Lights, Rivers United Church, 3 p.m.

Dec. 7: Rivers Legion Ladies meeting, upper hall, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 9: Rivers and Area Game and Fish Association meeting, Lee’s Restaurant, Rivers, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 9: Riverdale Harvest meeting, Prairie Crocus Regional Library, Rivers, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11: Christmas tea and bake sale, Riverdale Personal Care Home, Rivers, 1:30-3 p.m.

Dec. 11: It Started With a Child, Rapid City Legion Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 12: Seniors Christmas supper, Rivers Legion Hall, 6 p.m.

Dec. 13: Bethlehemian Rhapsody, Rivers United Church, 11 a.m.

Dec. 13: Christmas banquet, Rivers Baptist Church, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 14: Rivers Legion meeting, upper hall, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15: Diabetic clinic, Riverdale Health Centre, Rivers, 8 a.m.

Dec. 15: Christmas concert, Oak River School, 7 p.m.

Dec. 16: Rivers and Area Community Foundation annual meeting, Lee’s Restaurant, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 17: Bake sale, Prairie Crocus Regional Library, Rivers, 12-4 p.m.

Dec. 21: Community Christmas carolling, Riverdale Health Centre, 6:40 p.m.

Dec. 24: Christmas eve service, Riverdale Personal Care Home, Rivers, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 24: Christmas eve concert, Zion Church, Rivers, 7 p.m.

Jan. 26: Diabetic clinic, Riverdale Health Centre, Rivers, 8 a.m.

Jan. 29: Potluck and games, Rivers Civic Centre, 12 noon Feb. 7: High school hockey all-star game, Riverdale Community Centre, 3 p.m.

Feb. 23: Diabetic clinic, Riverdale Health Centre, Rivers, 8 a.m.

March 12: Ice fishing derby, Lake Wahtopanah, Rivers, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

March 14-18: Rolling River Festival of the Arts, Minnedosa Every Monday Crib (first and third), Rivers Civic Centre, 2 p.m.

Every Tuesday Coffee/games, Rivers Civic Centre, 8:30 a.m.

Table shuffleboard, Civic Centre, 2 p.m.

Rivers Piecemakers, Rivers Collegiate, 7 p.m. (alternate weeks; 204-728-7592) TOPS, (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 529 Second Avenue, Rivers, 7 p.m.

Every Wednesday Pool, Rivers Civic Centre, 1 p.m.

Bingo, Rivers Legion Hall, 7:15 p.m.

Bible Study, Zion Church, Rivers, 7:30 p.m.

Every Thursday Floor curling, Rivers Civic Centre, 2 p.m.

Crib, Rivers Legion Hall, 7 p.m.

Every Friday Pool, Rivers Civic Centre, 2 p.m.

Bingo or movie (second and fourth), Rivers Civic Centre, 2 p.m.

Meat draw, Rivers Legion clubroom, 6-7 p.m.

Every Saturday Mass, Catholic church, Rivers, 4 p.m.

Sunday - church service times Anglican, Rivers, 9 a.m.

United, Oak River, 9 a.m.

Evangel Worship Centre, Rapid City, 10 a.m.

United, Cardale, 10 a.m.

Baptist, Rivers, 10:30 a.m.

CrossRoads Community Church, Kenton Memorial Hall, 10:30 a.m.

Pentecostal, Rivers, 10:30 a.m.

United, Rivers, 11 a.m.

United, Kenton, 12 noon United, Rapid City, 1 p.m.

Those darn millennials

By Vern May Minnedosa & Area Community Development Corporation These days it seems like the scourge of the workforce is this group of young adults we’ve dubbed millennials. It has become fashionable to gripe about what we elders view as a sense of entitlement. The millennial generation, loosely identified as kids born from the 1980s to early 2000s, have been given this handle as the first group to come of age in the new millennium.

On the positive side, this cohort of young adults is being categorized as confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and open to change. But that’s not what we hear about most when we assess the attributes of these newcomers to the responsibilities of adulthood.

Instead, we hear that young people are coming into the workforce, thumbing their noses at entry-level positions. In a CNBC report earlier this year, they were also described as lazy, narcissistic and addicted to social media.

I had the opportunity to spend some time in the classroom this week with some of our area’s youth and I think the criticism levelled at them is unwarranted. As a Generation X’er myself, I don’t see the upcoming teens having any greater sense of entitlement or confidence than we did at that age. In fact, the restless youth entering the work force now may be more grounded than we or our parents were.

The difference though, is that we’re doing a much better job of preparing them for independence after high school. Programs such as junior achievement (being taught in Grade 9) are opening their eyes to the reality that minimum wage jobs without benefits may not allow them to pay their own bills. So our kids are opting to bypass a “McJob” in favour of career roles that will allow them a quality of life. Shouldn’t we be excited about that?

We have done our job as parents and educators to get our kids ready for the real world. Now we need to educate ourselves about how we are going to adapt in the workplace now that our kids are becoming our peers and colleagues in the job market.

“Millennials are hungrier and better educated than

any generation in history, and they understand technology,” says Andrew Challenger in the CNBC report.

“They are knocking at the door of people sitting in comfy positions and that’s where the negativity comes from – a real place of insecurity.”

The real challenge for us here in rural Manitoba is recognizing the ambition of this group and trying to create attraction opportunities which mirror the picture of success our kids envision for themselves. That doesn’t mean we harness their drive, but instead let them explore and experiment, then bring that wealth of knowledge and experience back to help us set the table for the generation that comes next.

Success starts with an open dialogue and we need to be talking with each other. Let’s continue the conversation and explore the possibilities that exist; email edo@minnedosa.com or phone 204-867-3885. The best things around that I have ever seen came from small towns and big dreams.

Rivers Baptist Church 447 Edward Street

Phone 204-328-7882

Worship service/Sunday school – 10:30 a.m.

Youth (Gr. 5-10) — 204-328-7854 for details.

Professional counselling *Marriage *Family *Depression *Addictions *Grief *Abuse Phone 204-573-3362 for an appointment.

Pastor Wil Warkentin, MA in counselling

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Kenton news

By Paulette Wiens 204-838-2261 Kenton Legion presented the band Armadillo at a dance on Saturday, Nov. 21; lunch was provided.

Kenton and Area Lions Club raffle ticket winner for a Grey Cup party pack was Noreen Stowe from Miniota.

Ed and Rosemary Hunt were home to visit with family and friends.

November numbers

By Bruce Klassen Chief

November was a quiet month with only 39 calls for Rivers Police Service. On the morning of Nov. 1 vandals damaged three vehicles by smashing windows with pumpkins; police have no suspects at this time. Anyone with more information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or Rivers Police, 204-328-7430.

There were no violent crimes last month but there were eight property crimes: three damages and five thefts under $5,000. Four frauds were reported and three public mischief (the pumpkin incident mentioned in the opening paragraph). Considering there were 91 cases in 2015 (to end of October) in Criminal Code categories, the 12 files opened in November are above the average of nine.

Traffic statistics were very quiet with no federal charges, one provincial (speeding) and one accident.

The 11-month total traffic calls are 95 so to have only two needs last month is terrific traffic!

Liquor and Gaming Control Act and Intoxicated Persons Detention Act (IPDA) was also very quiet with no offences in alcohol and only one IDPA; to date in 2015 there have been 13 cases in these categories.

Police also had recess from enforcing four bylaws (nuisance, animal control, burning and traffic ); in the past we’ve been needed 38 times for these bylaws.

Rivers Police Service assisted the public five times, other agencies twice and RCMP in the former RM of Daly twice. Activity in the former RM was quiet last month; our year-to-date total of calls to Daly is now 45; total calls for assist is 108.

Miscellaneous statistics now total 264, or an average of 24 each month, which makes November’s total of 15 a remarkable decline. There was one community relation, two missing persons (both located), one alarm, three noisy parties/disturbances, one found property, one firearm turned in and six miscellaneous, which includes unfounded complaints. The miscellaneous category in the miscellaneous heading averaged 14.5 calls each month so six cases in November is yet another remarkable decline.

Canadian Community Newspapers Association

newspapers tell the local story

From our files

65 years ago, Dec. 7, 1950 An addition is being made to the memorial window at Rivers post office — the government’s coat of arms will be placed above the window and is a donation of Prime Minister St. Laurent.

Darrel Harris is the new manager at North American Lumber; he succeeds Jack Heming who is leaving for New Brunswick after two years of employment here.

Rivers Legion won the Manitoba Command plaque for the most increased membership of all branches in Manitoba; there are now 75 members, an increase of 43 per cent. Mr. and Mrs. Reg Gardiner had a girl Nov. 28; Sqdn.-Ldr. and Mrs. N. Thompson had a girl Nov. 30; Mr. and Mrs. M. Gustafson had a girl Dec. 1; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Walker had a girl Dec. 1.

55 years ago, Dec. 1, 1960 Chuck Folks of Canadian Joint Air Training Centre in Rivers won a trophy and champion pin for best waltz at the Manitoba Junior Fiddler’s contest held in McGregor on Nov. 22; Abe Krahn and Larry Shuttleworth of Rivers won second and third respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Reg Gregor had a girl Nov. 25. Mr. and Mrs. George Sparling celebrated their 55th anniversary on Nov. 29.

45 years ago, Dec. 3, 1970 At the annual meeting of Farmers’ Co-op Seed Cleaning Plant on Nov. 25, shareholders learned 1969-70 was a record-breaking year with 327,662 bushels of grain cleaned and seed sales of nearly $260,000. A team of oxen owned by George Creighton of Cardale had the distinction of being the first to break ground for the $4.5 million Keystone Centre in Brandon; the event on Nov. 12 was done because the old Wheat City Arena was demolished after 60 years of use. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Gibson had a girl Nov 9. Joan Airey married John Sutherland on Nov. 28; Joan Draper married Brian Thompson on Saturday; Bev McConnell was married last month.

35 years ago, Dec. 5, 1980 Riverdale Hospital Women’s Auxiliary sold 131 meals on wheels in October ($229.25) and in turn, donated $100 to the hospital for operating costs. Neil McCallum of Oak River received a 35-year service plaque at the Shell Awards banquet in Brandon on Nov. 25. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lamb celebrated their 40th anniversary on Saturday; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Piche celebrated their 40th anniversary on Nov. 27. David and Patti Robinson were married on Nov. 22.

25 years ago, Dec. 5, 1990 Santa visited Rivers on Saturday during the annual parade and this year, he arrived in a brand new sleigh and he brought four reindeer

with him. Following the parade, it was standing room only in Rivers Theatre for the free movie. Mr. and Mrs. Randy Allen had girl Nov. 9. Mavis Comey married John Standford on Dec. 1.

15 years ago, Dec. 2, 2000 For the first time in eight years, Rivers Rams boys and girls senior volleyball teams qualified for provincial play held last weekend; neither won titles but Tanya Montague won a Player’s Choice Award. Darrell and Emily Barr are the new owners of Blanshard Hotel in Oak River. They have spent the past month renovating and expect the restaurant, bar (with larger dance floor) and seven hotel rooms to open in two weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wood celebrated their 55th anniversary on Dec. 1.

5 years ago, Dec. 3, 2010 Kelly and Cheryl Davidson are the new managers of Rivers Bigway Foods, succeeding Trefor Gates who was bought out and removed by the board of directors of the partnership which owns the store. While Davidsons are currently managers, they plan to purchase the store within a year. Miranda MacKay of Rivers cheated the provincial welfare system out of thousands of dollars in order to feed her family. Because the money was not stolen for an addiction or a lifestyle of greed, the courts are not making her repay the $5,000$68,000 she collected fraudulently over a period of six years. On Dec. 1 the 28-year-old was sentenced to one year house arrest but is allowed to leave for 15 hours per week for activities for her two children. Fire on Nov. 25 destroyed the carpentry shop at Deerboine Colony; it was originally a train depot that was moved to the colony more than 50 years ago.

Who do you know... who is celebrating these special family events?

Birth of a child; wedding; a move (not renters); special anniversary (25, 40, 50, 60)

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A free, personalized gift offer is waiting for you compliments of these community-minded sponsors: B&G Electric, Daly Repair, Froese Bros. Construction, Hair Dynamics, Redline Transport, Rivers Banner, Rivers Home Hardware, Super Thrifty Pharmacy, Tempo Place Emporium and Way-Mor Agencies.

Call Sheila at 204-328-7494 to refer your family, friend or neighbour.

Santa Claus Parade Saturday, Dec. 5 Parade leaves Rivers Elementary School at 10 a.m.

Rivers and Area Lions Club pancake breakfast 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Rivers Civic Centre; $5/adult, 12-and-under free Pictures with Santa following the parade, at Rivers Legion Hall; Parade, pictures and candy bags all courtesy of Rivers and District Chamber of Commerce which encourages you to also shop at our local businesses when you are in town.

Rivers Banner Perspective

4

It may take a village

Tundra

E

by Chad Carpenter

A common problem It’s a strictly mathematical problem

T

here is a common problem across Manitoba and that problem is all municipal governments, regardless of size, are stretched way too thin. It doesn’t matter if it’s the smallest, most rural RM in Manitoba or the City of Winnipeg. It’s a strictly mathematical problem.

There isn’t enough money to do the work that people need and definitely not enough money to do what people want. Basic municipal needs are being left aside, and have been for decades, because there isn’t enough money.

Many politicians have hung their star on the provincial Christmas tree by saying all would be well if one per cent of the PST was dedicated to municipal work. No doubt that would help but, it’s still an increase in taxes. One per cent doesn’t sound like much, but it’s still an increase in taxes.

The problem runs deeper than just not having enough money. The problem is one of efficiency. RMs, towns and cities are required to provide services to the residents. Basic things like water, sewer, roads, fire protection and policing. Then other stuff gets added on like recreational services, such as arenas, curling rinks , pools, skateboard parks etc. The problem is always too much cost for the available money to cover. It’s the same problem that faces many businesses and most farms.

Farms are covering too many acres for the return on time and investment. RMs are extended too far, with too many miles of roads. The City of Winnipeg, as has been eloquently pointed out, is spread way too thin as urban sprawl extends the city in every direction. The huge amount of

DECEMBER 4, 2015

RIGHT IN THE CENTRE

Ken Waddell

“

If that doesn’t happen, municipalities of all sizes will be faced with stagnation, some will face extinction.

non-resident land in the middle known as the rail yards and all the parking lots all over the city vividly shows Winnipeg is a city spread too thin for its available tax base.

So, in a nutshell, everybody has the same problem, too big a footprint, not enough density.

The obvious answer is to intensify the footprint. Cities don’t need to get more acreage, neither do farms. The solution is to diversify and intensify. It can take many forms.

Some farms, a few, can pursue eco-tourism. Some farms, most farms, could pursue intensified production and processing. RMs could limit new road construction and may have to make some tough decisions about abandoning certain roads.

RMs should make it feasible for every rural yard site to become a residential small holding. More people in a smaller space means more efficient use of tax dollars and services. Winnipeg’s rail yard

”

problem is a perfect example. The city should be densifying, not spreading. It will cost a fortune to move and make the rail yards more efficient, but what’s the cost of not doing it? The rail yards should be moved to the northwest of the city, adjacent to and in conjunction with the airport and all the hub transportation efforts that are taking place there.

Some inner city companies are still dependent on the rails to get their raw product in and their processed product out. There are lots of problems but they have to be addressed. Spreading out of farms to encompass more and more acres may have reached its efficiency limits. The spreading of cities is a problem that has been recognized for a long time.

If cities, towns, villages and RMs are going to survive, there will have to be some very creative changes. If that doesn’t happen, municipalities of all sizes will be faced with stagnation, some will face extinction.

mployees are a vital asset, but finding qualified employees is a challenge faced by many Canadian businesses. For a great number, it’s the single largest challenge they face.

In a 2014 survey, 38 per cent of Canadian small business owners said that finding qualified employees would be their biggest challenge in 2015. For them, staffing was a bigger challenge than getting new customers (34 per cent), increased competition (20 per cent), government reguMY lations (16 per PERSPECTIVE cent) or taxes (15 per cent).

The business owners also reported ate that their major focus for acKman tKinson 2015 would be hiring new employees. This priority tied with cutting expenses to take the top spot. Most weeks, this truth can be seen in the help wanted section of the paper.

Given the issue’s importance, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) monitors this challenge. They recently released their latest Help Wanted report, which looks at job vacancies across the country. The most recent report found that approximately 326,600 full time, part time and temporary positions remain unfilled across the country due to a lack of qualified candidates. This number accounts for 2.6 per cent of all jobs in Canada. In Manitoba, the vacancy rate fell slightly to 2.5 per cent, representing 10,400 unfilled positions. The rate has been more or less holding steady in this province.

Industry also plays a factor in vacancies. In the Help Wanted study, service sector vacancy rates rose modestly, while goods producers have seen a decline. Vacancies in micro businesses, those with one to four employees, were more than double those in large enterprises, those with 500 or more employees.

This pressure isn’t expected to ease up. In June 24, 2014, Canadian Business published a report titled “Why hiring the right employee is about to get even harder”. The article pointed to a shrinking workforce. Stats Canada reports that over the next decade, the number of people entering the workforce (aged 15 to 24) will drop below the number of people exiting the workforce (aged 55 to 64). The most optimistic outlook points to a return of one new worker for every retiree in the late 2020s. The ratio of people entering the workforce to those leaving has been on a steady decline, with a couple of peaks, since 1931.

These realities combine with other challenges faced by rural businesses. Not only do they have a smaller pool of prospective employees from which to draw, but they also face additional challenges when it comes to recruiting employees from outside the community.

Despite these challenges, meeting staffing needs is vital to the success of rural areas. Properly staffed companies provide employment to residents and economic well-being to communities.

Addressing this challenge will require a multi-faceted approach.

Businesses are struggling to find qualified employees and this problem can be addressed in a variety of ways. For some businesses, it will require higher level initiatives to interest people in pre-employment training or education in a certain field. For example, it might require talking to high school students about a particular industry or profession. For some businesses, it will require investing in new employees through in-house training.

For some business owners, addressing the challenge will require more formal or informal education about human resources.

Most small business owners aren’t experts at HR functions and may struggle to know in which areas they can compromise from their ideal candidate. They may not yet be skilled at developing pipelines to attract talent or recognizing potential.

For some businesses, the problem can’t be solved and it will mean doing more with less by changing processes, improving efficiency or missing out on growth opportunities.

For rural communities, addressing this challenge will take a village. It will require a concerted effort at marketing the community as place in which people want to re-locate, and more importantly, stay.

K J

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PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY 529 Second Avenue, Box 70, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 AD DEADLINE: TUESDAY 5 PM PRIOR TO ISSUE DATE Telephone: 204-328-7494 Fax: 204-328-5212 E-mail: info@riversbanner.com Website: www.riversbanner.com Rivers Banner does not guarantee publication of any submitted articles or picYearly Subscription Rates (excluding taxes): $40.00 in Manitoba, $50 elsewhere in Canada

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tures. Such submissions, if printed, will appear at the discretion of the managing editor or publisher and only when time and space permit.

We are not responsible for fax and e-mail transmissions which are not confirmed either in person or by phone.

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Opinion

DECEMBER 4, 2015

Celebrate Jesus – God’s great gift to you

T

he first Sunday of Advent falls on a different day each year. Some years it’s the first Sunday of December.

Some years, like this year, it fell on the last Sunday in November.

The actual date may be different, but what happens on that day is always the same. Advent 1 is New Year’s Day for the church.

Advent 1 takes us back to the beginning of our story—to the event that ushered in a new era of God’s dealings with humanity.

During Advent, we look at the ways God prepared the world for the most significant birth date in human history—the birth date of his only begotten Son, which we celebrate at Christmas.

Like all holidays with a religious significance, Christmas has its detractors. Some sincere people of faith refuse to celebrate Christmas. Their reasons are as varied as they are—and I do not have the space to even list, let alone analyze them all. Others argue that the stories of

FAITHFULLY YOURS neil stRohschein Jesus’ birth that we read in the gospels are ancient stories that have little or no relevance to modern people who live in a modern world. With that, I respectfully disagree.

In my home and in my family, we will celebrate his birth on Dec. 25. Prior to the date itself, my wife will watch the growing number of Christmas movies that air on TV. Christmas music will be played in our home and in our car. Our house will be decorated, we will exchange gifts and host a family Christmas dinner.

Our celebration will be quiet, personal and very focused—for it was in December 2005 that Kathryn suffered a massive stroke.

She spent that Christmas in hospital, in a drug induced coma following the brain surgery that saved her life.

At Christmas, we always

say a special “thank you” to God for all those who have had a hand in Kathryn’s amazing recovery and for the things she has taught us about taking life one day at a time.

When I see you, I will wish you a “Merry Christmas.”

If that offends you, please accept my apologies in advance. No offense was intended. I hope none was taken.

To me, when you commemorate the birth of Jesus isn’t important. How you commemorate the birth of Jesus isn’t important. What’s important is that you find some time in the year when you read the stories of and reflect on the incredible miracle that happened when he was born.

“But Neil,” some will say, “Didn’t Jesus specifically tell us that we were sup-

posed to remember his death?” Yes, he did—it happened on the night before he died. “So why then,” they will ask, “In the face of such a clear command, are you asking us to reflect on his birth?”

Because before a person can die, he or she must first be born. And for us to fully understand and appreciate what happened the day Jesus died, we must fully understand and appreciate what happened on the day he was born. That’s what we will explore in this series of columns.

I hope these writings will give you some food for thought and help you take a slightly more critical look at the way we celebrate Christmas—especially in North America.

Don’t let your views concerning the date of Christmas, or your concerns about the trappings associated with it keep you from remembering who was born on that day and why he came to earth. Just celebrate Jesus—God’s great gift to you and all humanity.

How we dress reflects who we are

T

o those who know me well, and to those who know me a little, you know that I have an appreciation for clothes. I don’t believe that clothes make the person, but I do believe that how we dress reflects who we are. My mother maintained that though we may have been lacking excess money, we could be clean. She also taught that the use of pins in place of a proper repair usually indicated one’s lack of attention to details – such improvising in one area of life could denote sloth and deceit. Her thoughts and teachings.

There are interesting quotes about clothing: Albert Einstein-“If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies...

It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better

HOMEBODIES Rita FRiesen than the meat wrapped inside it.” When did we step away from thinking deep thoughts? Or have we become hesitant to share new and perhaps unusual thoughts? There are modern mystics, thankfully.

Deep thoughts beget deep thoughts. It is wonderfully refreshing to converse with an individual that is a step ahead of me in thinking. I learn, I disagree, I grow. I don’t want shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies.

Mark Twain: “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” And “The finest clothing made is a person’s skin, but, of

Observation

By Addy Oberlin

T

he month of November quickly moved along and now we have changed our calendars to December, one of the busiest months of the year. Christmas suppers and special parties and concerts are organized for December. We search for the Christmas CDs and DVDs to get in tune with Christmas. It is the only time of the year that I long to hear the Dutch Christmas carols and choirs. The stores are bursting with decorations

course, society demands something more than this.”

Personally I am thankful that society demands something more than this!

To a degree, I agree that clothes make the man.

But this I know, it is how one wears the clothes that makes the real difference.

With attention to style and colour, one can appear taller, more defined and more self-confident. Here, a quote by Anne Petry fits – “A man hasn’t got a corner on virtue just because his shoes are shined.” Right.

One of my sisters views clothing as part costume.

She sews most of her outfits and wears them with

joy for a season. Another sister wears basic black with colour accents. She is always ready for any situation. I am somewhere in between.

I love colour, I appreciate fashion, and my articles of clothing need to go the distance – good for several years. Classic with a bit of an edge. I have learned that comfortable clothing does not need to be sweat suits and knits. Nice clothes are comfortable as well; and when I wear nice clothes, not necessarily expensive clothes, I feel better about myself. I have developed an affection for boots. I feel taller– probably appear taller!- and more confident.

These days, when facing a situation that requires an extra dose of inner strength, I wear my red boots! Don’t use that as a thermometer for my emotions, because I wear them for fun as well. I close with a quote “When in doubt, wear red”. ~Bill Blass.

and the computer is filling the columns with specials that can be bought online.

Let us stop a moment and be very still. It was a very dark night and there was no room in the inn, but Mary was ready to deliver a very special child. The angel told Mary in Luke 1:35 “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” We need to prepare our hearts and minds this month for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

NEEPAWA BANNER 5

Letters Political parties need to come clean on CPP Manitobans have heard a lot from political parties in recent weeks about their vision for the future of the province. All parties have set ambitious goals of one kind or another, but no party has staked a clear position on the most important federal-provincial issue affecting small business owners and working Manitobans: a devastating increase to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payroll tax premiums.

Since 1965, the CPP has been a fundamental part of the retirement savings system in Canada. Currently, working Manitobans and their employers both contribute 4.95 per cent of the worker’s salary to CPP through a payroll tax. In return, an average employee receives 25 per cent of their pre-retirement salary after age 64 in monthly CPP benefits.

Over the last several years, many provincial governments – most notably Ontario – have actively pushed to increase CPP benefits and to pay for these changes with higher CPP payroll taxes. While there are several different ideas about what a “bigger” CPP looks like, Prime Minister Trudeau’s positive comments about Ontario’s plan suggests he is considering a 40 per cent increase. This would require increasing the CPP payroll tax to nearly 7 per cent of salary for both the worker and their employer.

While this may not sound like a large change, it would result in a tax increase of up to $900 per year for every working Manitoban! For employers, the bill would be up to $900 annually for each employee.

Given the significant provincial tax increases in recent years (PST, income taxes, gas taxes etc.), Manitobans simply cannot afford yet another tax hike without having to cut back on essential goods and services spending. In fact, a recent Ipsos-Reid poll of working Manitobans indicates 54 per cent cannot afford to save more than they already do for retirement.

Many CPP expansion advocates also overlook the fact that all working Manitobans will see the large mandatory premium hike, but few will see all the promised benefits. That’s because there is a 40-year phase-in period for any change to pension benefits.

Under the Ontario model, the complete CPP premium hike would be introduced in very short order, but only those still working after 2055 would see the full benefits. For most of today’s working Manitobans, it will be an immediate large tax increase with minimal future benefits.

This type of fine print is why Manitobans prefer to save for retirement through methods other than an expanded CPP system. According to that same IpsosReid poll, if Manitobans had additional resources to set aside for retirement, they would prefer to put that money into more flexible TFSA and RRSP programs (52 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively) rather than the CPP system (23 per cent). This is not surprising given that any unused money in a TFSA or RRSP account can be passed on to future generations upon one’s death. With CPP, other than a small spousal pension, the money disappears.

Fortunately, the proposed disastrous mandatory CPP payroll tax increase on Manitobans is not yet etched in stone. To implement the proposal, the federal government and two-thirds of the provinces representing two-thirds of the population must agree to the changes. With the new federal government supporting a CPP increase, provincial governments control the fate of CPP. It is very possible that Manitoba’s government could be the deciding vote on whether the CPP tax hike proposal is approved when it comes up for discussion amongst premiers and finance ministers.

And the impact of that vote will be felt for decades.

Small business owners and working Manitobans are clear in their opposition to a CPP tax hike. With a provincial election less than six months away, it’s time provincial political parties outline their CPP positions. Manitobans deserve to know.

Elliot Sims Canadian Federation of Independent Business

6 RIVERS BANNER December 4, 2015

Regional calendar has local content

By Sheila Runions Banner Staff

W

ith 21 branches throughout the province, Westoba Credit Union is Manitoba’s fifth largest credit union.

Each year it provides calendars to its members — one can only imagine that with three offices in Winnipeg and five in Brandon, as well as all other rural locales, how many might be printed. One can also imagine the number of submissions received for its 2016 calendar contest, a youth drawing competition. Of the 12 winners aged seven to 15, five were from Brandon, three from The Pas and one each from Mather, Carberry, Winnipeg and Rivers. The local winner is 11-yearold Aurora Mikkelsen; her drawing is featured in August and is pictured with this story.

When the family was contacted about an interview, mom Luella Mikkelsen expected to have approval because,“Aurora was so thrilled to see her drawing on one of the pages and we are pretty

proud of her for winning. I told her you wanted something so she wrote this.”

“Over the summer, I entered in the Westoba Credit Union calendar competition. It is called Colours of my Community. I thought about what is special about my community, and decided to draw a picture of a horse, cat, the water tower and grain elevator. How I decided what I would draw was kind of tricky. I asked my family’s advice and they gave me ideas. I looked around town and thought about the things in it. I knew I should do the water tower and grain elevator because that is what you saw as soon as you came into town. The reason I picked a horse and a cat is because I have both.

“When I finished my picture, I sent it in. On Sept.

15 I got an email saying I won $150 from the contest.

It said I would receive a page in the Colours of my Community 2016 calendar, and a one-year term deposit that earns interest for one year. When I heard this, I was so excited!

“Having a calendar with my picture in it was kind of amazing to me. I hope that I can enter again next year, if they have the contest, because it was really fun for me.”

With the decision reached on Sept. 15 and calendars appearing in branches on Nov. 9, the information about Aurora was accurate; however, on Nov. 21 the Mikkelsen family moved to Newdale.

Rivers and Area Lions Club would like to thank everyone who supported our Grey Cup Pool.

Congratulations to our winners!

Randy Jay, first quarter Ross Lindberg, second quarter Grant Murray, third quarter Bonnie Woodhouse (Hamiota), fourth quarter

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We are in need of volunteers to work shifts in the canteen throughout the Manitoba Canola junior curling provincials at Riverdale Community Centre (RCC) Jan. 6-10, 2015.

We would appreciate as much help as possible to make these provincials a success and to help build positivity in the community.

If anyone is interested please contact the RCC manager at 204-328-7753 or email rccmanager@mymts.net.

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RIVERS BANNER December 4, 2015 7

Lincoln – the dead reborn

By Neils Mack

A few years ago Ford executives had their hands hovering over the kill switch for its Lincoln division. After waving goodbye to Mercury following dwindling sales and no profits, the same fate was spared for Lincoln.

The brand has taken strides to improve their product and taken cues from Cadillac (thankfully not their Cue infotainment system) to produce products that cater to a wider range of customers. With a choice of two stylish sedans and three SUVs, their current lineup has enticed a 7.5 per cent increase of sales over last year to date.

Their midsize sedan (MKZ) is refreshingly different to its competitors, offering a massive sliding glass roof. They have spared the sporty and sharp looks for something more elegant and refined.

We’re always saying a man looks best dressed up in a sharp suit, and this is what Lincoln has done with their car. Its competitor, Cadillac CTS, is flexing its muscles at you but Lincoln has the same allure with less vulgarity.

So weren’t we surprised to learn last week at the LA Auto Show that we’ll be getting a new MKZ on the showroom floor soon. The update brings a complete redesign to the front end of

Photos submitted

The 2016 Lincoln MKZ offers sleek lines and an impressive interior, complete with speakers on the upper portion of the doors, as shown on the interior shot, left of the steering wheel.

the sedan, with a swooping LED-accented headlight that looks Audi-inspired, and an indented grille that looks Kia-inspired. Perhaps someone from Ford was taking a little inspiration from designer Peter Schreyer, who penned many Audis in the past and Kias at present.

The sedan gets a bespoke new engine from Lincoln, which is a 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 that is reworked from Ford’s 2.7-litre V6. It

Zion Church

has been tuned to deliver a massive 400 horsepower and 400 pound per feet of torque. Lincoln will drop the EcoBoost moniker on its new mill and simply label it as 3.0T. A 245-horsepower hybrid will also be on hand for those not looking for quite so much thrust.

The revised centre console brings the interior quality up a notch too, although it doesn’t quite match what is offered by Lexus or the Germans. It’s a more simple approach, with a sloping centre console and updated Sync 3.0, instead of the MyLincoln Touch interface for con-

trolling audio, climate and navigation.

The update came after only a couple years and shows the brand’s strong efforts to increase their market share. Luckily for the consumer, this drive to revive the brand is bringing about great products and promise of a few more models in the lineup as well — three new models are to be launched by 2020. One of these will be a revival of the Continental flagship sedan, as well as the return of the Aviator SUV; the third is still a mystery.

If their midsize sedan can now be had with 400 horsepower, I can’t

RIVERS AND AREA LIONS CLUB Seniors sit down Christmas supper Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Rivers Legion Hall at 6 p.m. (Doors open at 4:30 p.m.).

865-3rd Avenue, Rivers

This supper is free for all seniors. This is the 37th year that Rivers and Area Lions Club has put on this event. We look forward to seeing you there and have a very Merry Christmas!

Sunday school/morning service at 10:30 a.m.

For take outs/handi-transit rides, please call 204-328-5300.

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wait to see what kind of motivation will lie under the hood of the upcoming Continental!

a novel the loves and adventures of Peter Farley a Canadian in the Korean War

by Michael Czuboka This is an adult novel about a Canadian soldier in the Korean War. The author served with the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry during the Korean War. Born in Brandon, he lists his home towns as Rivers, Brandon, Beausejour and Winnipeg. He is a bestselling author and has published five books in previous years.

If you are interested in a copy, please Google

MANIFEST DESTINY: MICHAEL CZUBOKA. Order by means of Friesen Press online bookstore, Amazon or Mediander.

Books are available in bookstores across Canada. Call your bookstore and the book will be provided as long as you identify the publisher, author and title (Friesen Press, Michael Czuboka, Manifest Destiny).

Contact Michael Czuboka at czuboka@mymts.net if you would like to order directly from him.

Read a preview at “Amazon books, Michael Czuboka” via Google. The first three chapters are free!

Click on the photo of the cover and “look inside.” e-Books are also available. Get distribution details by going to Google and the following sources:Amazon Kindle; Nook: Barnes & Noble; Google: Android books.

8 RIVERS BANNER December 4, 2015

Big scores at big buck night

By Hall Sveistrup Secretary A record crowd of 200 hunters, spouses, children and friends crammed into Redfern Hall for the 19th annual trophy buck night hosted by Rivers & Area Game & Fish Association on Saturday, Nov. 28. Sixty-seven magnificent deer heads, 13 of which scored over 155 points and two of which were more than 200 points, were entered; veteran members claim this is also a record. Following is a list of winners and their scores.

Archery: no entry; ladies: member, Adrienne Beaudin, Rivers, 116 3/8, non-member Jocelyn Spence, Portage la Prairie, 179 1/8; junior: member, no entry, non-member James Lyons, Alexander, 157 3/8; muzzle loader: member typical, no entry, non-member typical, no entry, member non-typical, Shawn Airey, Rivers, 161 3/8, non-member non-typical, Kevin Sparrow, Forrest, 180 0/8; rifle: member typical, Bob Klassen, Rivers, 155 0/8, non-member typical, Jeff Mills, Shilo, 188 2/8, member non-typical Richard English, Cardale, 112 7/8, non-member non-typical, Trevor Dickson, Carberry, 211 0/8; Dickson edged out Rapid City’s Don Waldon whose entry scored 203 0/8. Each winner was presented with a beautiful engraved trophy. The challenging task of scoring was accomplished by Lance Anderson, Shawn Airey, Wayne Moffat, Richie Joynt, Brent Castle and Dan Wilson (Cabela’s), assisted by Beau Bridgeman, Haylee Anderson, Colin Hunter and Dillon Castle.

The head entry draw of a .17-calibre Savage Model 93 HMR rifle combo was won by Erin Corbett of Brandon.

The event also featured two card draws; Ross Taylor of Brandon won the 22, 250-calibre Savage Axis rifle with Barska scope; Rapid City’s Bryce Waldon was the runner-up and won a dehumidifier. The second draw for a 7mm Savage Model III combo was won by Gary Allen of Rivers, while second-place Quinton Kitson took home a six-inch manual ice auger. A kids’ draw for a pellet gun was won by Zachary Wasylyk of Brandon. Brent Castle’s gift of a $100 bird or fish taxidermy mount was won by David Harris of Brandon.

A beautiful array of prizes by Cabela’s Winnipeg store, and courtesy of Dan Wilson, consisted of an adventure series toy (tow truck, trailer, all-terrain vehicle and dirt bike), two Coral fleece throws, a Logo camo throw, a Remington fleece-lined bed throw, two multi-tools, two SOG hunting knives; a Weston electric meat grinder and sausage stuffer were raffled individually. Unfortunately, this author was unable to obtain the winners’ names.

Lucky patrons were thrilled with items won from a splendid collection of prizes donated by Rivers and area businesses, and by individual association members.

Richard English put his superb cooking skills to work in preparing and serving a delicious lunch of chili and a bun. Eye-catching displays by Cabela’s and Brandon Home Building Centre capped off a successful evening.

Riverdale Recreation Commission would like to offer a mixed drop-in indoor volleyball night for adults at Rivers Collegiate.

If anyone is interested in volunteering to lead the program, please contact the recreation director at 204-328-7753 or email rccmanager@mymts.net.

We have availability for a few hours on Friday evening to run the program. Requirements include set-up and takedown of the volleyball equipment, general promotion amongst community members and having a lot of fun!

Nearly 70 heads were brought to the annual buck night in Rivers, making for a stunning display of antlers.

Photo by Terra Wolski

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“Is this the full price?”

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“Have you explained all the charges?”

Whether you’re buying a new car or looking for a new cell phone, it’s sometimes easy to get carried away with the excitement of buying something new.

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And when you get carried away, sometimes you forget to ask the right questions.

Protect yourself Before you sign any contract or close any deal, make sure you get up-to-date consumer protection information.

The Manitoba government’s Consumer Protection Office provides advice on everything from how to shop safely online to purchasing a gift card.

Visit us at manitoba.ca to get the consumer protection you need. You’ll get free information that’s absolutely priceless.

RIVERSB ANNERD ecember4,20159

Council clips Riverdale Municipality, Nov. 17: Mayor Todd Gill called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with Councillors Darren Bray, Bryan Smith and Ken Tait present; Councillors Ian Dyer, Larry Fast and Dave Falkevitch sent their regrets. Gill spoke about the challenges of the past year with the amalgamation; it is the goal of council to focus on upcoming projects and moving forward.

The following committee and appointments were made for Nov. 1-Oct. 31, 2016: mayor’s special advisory committee, Dyer, Bray, Falkevitch; deputy mayor and Health Action Committee, Smith; municipal works transportation ground committee, Dyer, Tait; utility, Gill, Falkevitch; police board, Smith, citizen Debbie Phythian; fire department, Fast; EMO, Smith, Fast; finance/legislation, Bray, Dyer; human resources/ liaison, Dyer, Bray; land development, Smith, Dyer, Bray, Falkevitch; landfill/ recycling, Bray, Fast; Rivers Cemetery and senior services, Falkevitch; handi-transit, all of council; Riverdale Recreation, Tait and citizens Christa Veitch, Kat Bridgeman, Heather Fast; Riverdale Community Centre, Tait; library, Tait and citizens Terry Nolin, Grant Duncan, Brenda Eisler, Kathie Shanks, Wayne Brown and Pat Vreeman; Riverdale Planning District, all of council; Rivers/Daly CDC, Tait and citizens Michelle Budiwski, Mike Peters, Donna Morken and Aaron Tycoles; Rolling Dale, Dyer; Midwest Weed District, Smith, Dyer; Little Saskatchewan River

Conservation Dsitrict, Fast, Falkevitch and citizens Dave Wedderburn and Ed MacKay. Council will provide cake for the annual Rivers and Area Lions Club senior citizens Christmas supper. A new door and flooring have been installed at waste disposal site building. MIT will be contacted to clean out a culvert which is still stopping water from draining off the old rink lot site.

Gravel is being placed and levelled on boulevards and alleys throughout town.

Rural gravelling has been completed for season; Roads 116 and 117 were temporarily closed for CN work. Estimates are being obtained for work on Road 129 to prevent further road erosion. Training on PROS (Police Reporting Occurrence System) is in place. The police board is working on a manual, as required under the new police board regulation.

Lagoon design remains as unfinished business. The 2015-16 snow removal agreement with Department of Transportation and Government Services was signed. Teen Challenge has asked RM of Elton to extend their waterline to accommodate the Teen Challenge property; Teen Challenge was deemed a medical non-profit facility, allowable under the RM of Elton/Whitehead co-op; Riverdale Municipality

Christmas is a time of celebration!

If you would like the opportunity to celebrate with others, please join us for a

FREE Christmas Banquet complete with music and inspiring words for the season. The banquet will be at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Rivers Baptist Church.

For more information, please contact Alice at 204-328-7512.

granted permission for extension of the waterline to Teen Challenge.

Mayor Gill attended a mutual aid meeting; more communication needs to happen between council and the department. Fire department bylaws need to be updated; worker’s compensation coverage needs to be looked at for volunteers. An annual meeting/tour with department and council to go over the needs of the department, ensuring they are adequately equipped and safety is a top priority, was suggested.

Finances: Council sponsored Manitoba Canola Growers provincial juniors curling event at Riverdale Community Centre Jan. 6-10 at the platinum level of $1,500. Accounts of $1,099,937.93 and utility of $33,466.15 were passed for payment.

The 2015-16 tax sale will be May 5,at 10 a.m. in the council chamber; costs shall be the actual costs incurred for each parcel plus a $50 administration fee.

More info about Riverdale Municipality can be found at riversdaly.ca.

Nap time is over!

On Dasher and Dancer…. they’re going to have to get up and at it if Santa is to be on time with his rounds on Christmas Eve. The air-filled display appeared last season on the south side of Rivers Bigway Foods.

Store manager Kelly Davidson put up the eye-catcher again this year, and added another character (a snowman, whose head and hat can be see in this photo) on the west side of the sign poles.

Photo and story by Jessie Bell

Remove ice and snow from your gas meter Throughout the winter and especially after a storm, keep an eye on your natural gas meter and external vents for snow or ice buildup. Snow and ice can damage your gas meter, interrupt your gas service or cause an appliance to malfunction. For example, if your appliance vents are blocked with snow or ice it could cause your furnace to shut off or result in a buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide indoors.

This would be a very serious safety hazard. But it just takes a few minutes to keep your home safe with these tips: • Check your gas meter, gas piping and vents regularly for snow and ice build-up.

• Gently remove snow from your meter with a broom or your hand.

• When shoveling, don’t pile snow against gas equipment or vents.

• Clean and repair leaky eavestroughs to prevent ice and melting snow from

dripping onto the natural gas meter.

• Remove large icicles hanging over your meter and appliance vents.

• Avoid using a snow blower in the area of your natural gas meter.

• Never kick or hit the gas meter or its piping to break off ice or snow.

If you have difficulty removing the snow or ice from your gas meter or regulator, call Manitoba Hydro at 1-888-624-9376 (1-888-MBHYDRO).

Christmas....

It Started with a Child!

Friday, December 11, 7:30 p.m.

Rapid City Legion Hall Come join us in a musical celebration of this life-changing event!

Fellowship and refreshments to follow.

PRODUCTION A MINISTRY OF EVANGEL WORSHIP CENTRE

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10

RIVERS BANNER December 4, 2015

Free festive fun for the family! Spike in road fatalities disturbing

Press Release Want to add a sparkle to your family’s holiday traditions? Drop by Manitoba Electrical Museum & Education Centre for All That Glows: Then & Now, running between Nov. 23 and Dec. 30. Let the bright lights of festive seasons past and present bring back memories and warm your spirits.

Manitoba Electrical Museum & Education Centre at 680 Harrow Street in Winnipeg will be showcasing vintage Christmas from years past, as well as today’s trees decorated with LED lights.

A large 10-foot wreath will inspire you as you walk through the door to take in all the holiday displays.

As you tour the museum you can also learn about the history of electrical development in our province. You might see

your great-grandmother’s ringer washer or recognize appliances displayed in the re-creation of a 1940s kitchen. Videos show current environmental projects Manitoba Hydro is involved with, as well as the latest innovative technology used by Manitoba Hydro to get power to your homes.

During All That Glows, special events will be held in support of Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation. Check our website (hydro.mb.ca) for details on the holiday wreath raffle, family fun day and extended holiday hours.

For more information or to arrange a group tour, call 204-360-7905. Remember: It’s free admission, free parking and extended holiday hours.

Press Release There’s been a 42 per cent increase in road fatalities in Manitoba over the last three months, compared to the average number of fatalities over the same time period in the previous five years. The claims data was collected by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) from Sept. 1. Over that period of time, 4 people have been killed in vehicle collisions, compared to an average of 24 fatalities in previous years.

To date in 2015, 71 people have been killed in collisions on public roadways, which is already more than the total number of fatalities recorded in all of 2014.

“Of significant concern is the fact that nearly 50 per cent of this year’s fatalities have occurred in the last three months,” said Ward Keith, vice-president of MPI communications. “Sadly, many of these

fatalities have involved not using seatbelts, head-on collisions and driver inattention.

Coming into the winter months, drivers are encouraged to give themselves more time to arrive at destinations, drive cautiously, be patient and drive in a courteous manner. “We want everyone to arrive home safely to their families and friends and these simple reminders can make a huge difference.”

MPI also reminds motorists to drive to road conditions.

“Speed, impaired driving, distracted driving and failure to wear seatbelts are all high-risk driving behaviours that can result in tragic outcomes. Driving safely and defensively can truly be the difference between life and death.”

BUSINESS DIRECTORY PROS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

* Excavating * Plumbing and heating * Gravel, stone and rip rap * Snow removal * Demolition Jake: 204-761-0900 Tyson: 204-761-8765 * Septic tanks and fields

Way-Mor Agencies Ltd. Insurance, Travel, Investments, Real Estate

Phone 204-328-7540 204-566-2490

Hair Dynamics • Residential & Commercial • Farm Wiring & Trenching

Brandon - Rivers

204-761-2192

204-573-2120, Rivers magnumwdwrks@gmail.com

james@grandslamplumbing.com

STEVEN KROEKER

204-761-8792/204-571-9444

Professional Painting & Decorating

Jeannie Bos

204-573-1150 Rapid City, MB jeanniesinteriors@hotmail.com

Phone 204-727-0694 or 1-800-897-5694 www.brockiedonovan.com

ALEXANDER ELECTRIC 204-721-4320

FUNERAL DIRECTOR Dwayne Campbell ~ 204-764-2746

Place Emporium

Jeannie’s Interiors

This space is available for you!

Only $9.50/wk.

204-328-7494 for more details.

204-764-2744

Ph. 204-328-7893

KNIGHT New home builds; Major renovations; Plumbing HVAC; Geothermal experts. kcandb.ca/204-725-3691

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Specializing in residential, commercial, farm building.

LEO OR CHERRY VAN VEEN 204-826-2292 or clcarpentry@hotmail.ca

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Shaping the Future

ACCOUNTING SERVICE Certified Management Accountants

Hamiota: 71 Maple Ave. 204-764-2544 Brandon: 20-18th St., 204-727-5927 knightcm@mymts.net

...because the memories are what we cherish

Funerals, Cremations, Receptions

204.727.0330 or 1.888.694.8153

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RIVERS BANNER

For all your electrical needs Serving Rivers and area since 1906.

Ph. 204-328-7435

Finishing, custom carpentry and renovations

204-867-2416/204-867-7558

Phone 204-727-8491 or 204-328-7540 (Thursdays, 2-5 p.m.) for appointments.

OPEN Tues., Wed. and Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon

Mini storage units for rent.

Actively serving Rivers and area on Wednesdays with competitive rates.

To book appointments, call Bryan at

Jack Cram, Lawyer

Stylist Heather Fast Stylist Wendy Harder Stylist/nail tech Melissa Roberds

Magnum Woodworks

Lakeside Septic Service

Hunt, Miller & Co. LLP

Hamiota’s

Ph. 204-724-6870 Fax 204-328-4407 alepp@redlinetransport.ca Dry bulk transportation

Do you have flyers? We distribute for only 8.5¢ each!

We also sell office supplies and rubber or self-inking stamps.

We do an assortment of print jobs, including posters, tickets, envelopes, letterhead, faxing and photocopying.

Call 204-328-7494 or visit 529 Second Ave.

RIVERS BANNER December 4, 2015 11

PLACE YOUR AD BY:

PHONE: 204-328-7494 FAX: 204-328-5212 E-MAIL: info@riversbanner.com

DEADLINE: TUESDAY AT 5 P.M. Minimum charge: $5+GST Extra insertions: 1/2 original price

Classifieds MUST be PREPAID Visa/Mastercard accepted Services

B - 116 Main St S Minnedosa (across from the main entrance to the Co-op Food Store)

867-3981

Tender For sale by tender: NE 1/4 33-14-22, 130 cultivated acres, RM of Oakview. Visual inspection and all costs incurred are responsibility of the buyer. For further information contact Larry at 204-764-0339. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Tenders close Feb. 15, 2016. Submit tenders to Box 579, Hamiota, MB R0M 0T0.

http://www.ajaxlaw.ca

Hip or Knee Replacement?

Problems Walking or Getting Dressed?

The Disability Tax Credit $2,000 Yearly Tax Credit $20,000 Lump Sum Refund

Claim it before tax time!

204-453-5372

By Sheila Runions Banner Staff t the Nov. 25 meeting of Rivers and District Chamber of Commerce there was much discussion on Christmas. The annual Santa Claus parade has been promoted this year through personal Facebook comments, posters around town and an ad in this issue. Rivers and Area Lions Club is adding to the day by cooking breakfast which they will serve at Rivers Civic Centre; please refer to their ad in last week’s Rivers Banner for information about time and price. Riverdale Municipality’s public works department has kindly agreed to decorate our float, which is Santa’s sleigh; the man in red confirmed he will be in Rivers by the 10 a.m. parade start. Santa’s float will be pulled by Gill’s Plumbing & Heating and no doubt parade marshal Bruce Willows will save the best for last.

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Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the ad; Manitoba Community Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such ads.

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B AT T E R I E S F O R EVERYTHING. Auto, farm, construction, ATV, marine, motorcycle, golf carts, phones, tools, radios, computers etc. Reconditioned, obsolete and hard-to-find batteries. SOLAR equipment.

The Battery Man. Winnipeg. 1.877.775.8271 www.batteryman.ca PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 400,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or email classifieds@mcna.com for details.

PRE-CHRISTMAS SALE! Nov 27 - Dec 6. Save 10-60% off all in-stock store-wide products. BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS: $499 Queen 800 pocket coil mattress set (firm or plush). $199 5 piece table set (table 36�x48�). $449 4 piece bedroom suite including dresser, mirror, night stand & headboard (2 colours).

OTHER CHRISTMAS SPECIALS: $995 solid birch table set w/4 chairs (46�x46� opens to 65� round). $695 King pillow-top mattress set.

Many other floor model, fabric furniture specials.

Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6 & Sun 12-5. Call KDL Furniture at 204-5711971. 660 Highland Ave., South side of #1 Hwy., Brandon.

Santa will remain here for pictures with children at Rivers Legion Hall following the parade; at that time he or an elf or two will provide a candy bag, contents of which were also confirmed at the meeting.

Riverdale District Health Auxiliary volunteered to work with chamber members to stuff all the bags with goodies that will be purchased from Rivers Bigway Foods and Super Thrifty Pharmacy in Rivers.

Other business included finalizing the printing of brochures to promote our chamber through registration packages of the provincial junior men’s and women’s curling championship held in Rivers Jan. 6-10. The membership also agreed to reimburse president Ken Tait the cost ($25) of buying a cross for the annual Remembrance Day service.

Meetings are always held in the banquet room of Lee’s Restaurant on the last Wednesday of each month; there is never a December meeting. The January meeting will be held early because Lee’s will be closed Jan. 19-Feb. 18. The Jan. 13 meeting will discuss options for 2016; there is difficulty in filling executive positions, so the thought of disbanding has been tossed around at the last two meetings.

Although membership is 30 businesses, organizations and individuals, attendance

Ac o

Chamber confirms BANNER CLASSIFIEDS Christmas plans RIVERS

munity on t m he

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Rivers and district

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

at meetings barely reaches double digits; therefore, it has already been determined there will be no Home and Craft Show in September. If you have any suggestions the chamber mayconsider as a fundraiser — and if you are willing to assist them with planning and working of the same — feel free to mention it to any member: Angie’s Hair Salon & Gift Shop, Barb Sveistrup, Bernice Elliott, Cozy River Inn, Debby Williams, Hair Dynamics, Gill Farms Ltd., Gill’s Plumbing and Heating, Jean Young, John Dyck, Kroeger Backhoe Service, Lee’s Restaurant, M&M Drilling, Marlin Beever, North American Lumber, Redfern Farm Services, Redline Transport, Riverdale Municipality, Rivers and Area Game and Fish Association, Rivers Banner, Rivers Bigway Foods, Rivers Home Hardware, Stan and Norma Millar, Super Thrifty Pharmacy, T&S Enterprises, Tempo Place Emporium, The Trestle Greenhouse, Way-Mor Agencies, Westman Mobile Welding Ltd. or Westoba Credit Union.

Foundation facts

By Gary Pomeroy Chairman The purpose of Riverdale Health Services District Foundation is to enhance health care within the community. Any money given to the foundation is controlled and spent locally. Affairs of the foundation are handled by a volunteerbased board of directors; members are local residents who represent the Riverdale Municipality.

In 2015 the foundation provided funding for two major purchases for Riverdale Health Centre: a sit-to-stand lift and four pressure relief mattresses. The sit-to-stand lift is essential for patient transfer in the rehab unit; approximate cost of this lift is $6,500. The pressure relief mattresses are in constant demand for patients in the rehab unit as well as bedridden residents of Riverdale Personal Care Home. The mattresses help prevent pressure sores and greatly increase the comfort of patients.

Two mattresses will be provided for each of the rehab unit and care home, at approximate cost of $2,000 per mattress.

Local residents have an opportunity to invest in health care in many ways, such

as a personal donation, memorial gift, estate legacy or to make a special occasion gift for events like birthdays or anniversaries. The foundation annually offers the Lights of Love campaign. For a donation in memory of a loved one, a bulb on a tree located west of the municipal office will be lit. Names of donors and their loved ones will be posted at Rivers Super Thrifty Pharmacy.

Memory slips and donation boxes can be found at select local businesses (Westoba Credit Union, Rivers Home Hardware, The Honey House Bakery and Cafe, Rivers Bigway Foods and Rivers Super Thrifty Pharmacy).

If you wish to support the foundation in the form of a bequest or a donation, the mailing address is RHSD Foundation, Box 222, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0. Charitable receipts for income tax purposes will be issued. Remember, all monies received are controlled and spent locally; we appreciate your ongoing support.

Lights of Love

12 RIVERS BANNER December 4, 2015

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