Feb 17:17

RIVERS

BANNER e fis

February 17, 2017

By Sheila Runions Banner Staff

R

apid City held its 12th annual family fishing der y on aturday, e ith tem eratures of and a few urries in the air, organi ers were eased with the a erage rowd of arti i ants this year adu ts and hi dren registered, ma ing a tota of ast year s der y was a re ord rea ing year with more than eo e, ut it was a so that day a id ity istri t i d ife sso iation wor s with a ey iew o f u to o-ordinate the fun e ent in whi h a monies re ei ed are aid out in some way n addition to these gi eaways, free hotdogs, ham urgers hi s, o , hot ho oate and offee are ro ided to e ery registered erson eryone eft with a fu e y aughs wi dife resident o arsha e further e ains, t s a non- rofit der y so e erything we o e t we gi e a ore than usinesses donated adu t ri es and a id ity and rea ions u donates money to us so we uy ids ri es or the ast three years, we e donated to eart tro e oundation of anito a t that time, my ids were art of um o e for eart at the s hoo and they as ed to set u a donation in at the der y so ga e them ermission he s hoo no onger does um o e ut we de ided to sti gi e a to some ody who needs it this year it amounted to a donation to eart tro e o offi ia re ord was e t regarding towns ut arsha onfirms arti i ants ame from innieg, ouris, irden, i ers, ri son, innedosa, randon and i e y more esu ts were easy to a u ate this year e ause on y sing e digits of a fish were snagged during the four-hour e ent n the first year -some fish were aught, whi h was an a erage unti the fifth or si th year when we started to a erage fish ast year there were fish, ut that s e ause we had so many eo e his year was i e no other der y that has een hosted there were on y nine fish aught orma y for the ids ategory, we offer first-, se ond- and third- a e a ues ut this year we were on y a e to hand out first and se ond ur first- a e winner was a fi e-and-a-ha f-year-o d oy from randon he was ery e ited awyer uha h won the hi dren s di ision y at hing two fish whi h had a om ined weight of three ounds he se ond- a e youth winner was eaton a er his one fish weighed ounds n the adu t di ision aura ett of inni eg won for hoo ing two fish whi h had a tota weight ounds rian hi i s won for a se ond- a e finish of two fish weighing ounds oah essner re e ied for his - ound fish whi h was hea y enough to aim third ri e

ersary v i n Celebrating our 108th An

Gazette-Reporter

Serving the Rivers, Rapid City and Oak River areas for 107 years

o nd

Volume 109, Issue 33

Photos submitted

Rapid City and District Wildlife Association president Rob Marshall congratulates Sawyer Puhach for winning first in the children’s division; Keaton Walker won second in youth.

Wildlife secretary-treasurer Bob Christie gave cash winnings to the adult winners, namely Brian Phillips (right), Noah Messner and Laura Flett (below).

a ilies 89¢ + tax

2 RIVERS BANNER February 17, 2017

Community calendar

Feb. 20: ami y fishing day, i ers i d ife o , a e ahto anah Feb. 21: Greenwood Cemetery annual meeting, RM of a a e- oodworth, enton offi e, m Feb. 22: i erda e istri t ea th u i iary meeting, iwanis ourts, i ers, m Feb. 23: emoria ser i e, i erda e ersona are ome, m Feb. 25: egion ons ie , i ers ur ing u , a.m.-6 p.m.

Feb. 28: ia eti ini , i erda e ea th entre, a.m.

Feb. 28: an a e su er, t ames ng i an hur h, i ers, m March 3: or d ay of rayer, t ames ng i an hur h, i ers, m March 6: i ers egion adies u i iary meeting, upper hall, 7 p.m.

March 7: a ey iew no- iders meeting, eds er nter rises, i ers, m March 10: i ers omen s nstitute meeting, estwood odge, i ers, m March 11: e-fishing der y, i ers, amm March 13: t atri s ons ie , i ers ur ing u , amm March 13-16: o ing i er esti a of the rts, Minnedosa March 14: i ers egion e e uti e meeting, u er hall, 1 p.m.

March 14: ar age o e tion u i hearing, i ers egion a , m March 14: o i e e y u i hearing, i ers egion a , m March 17: o ing i er esti a of the rts dan e session, i erda e ommunity entre, a m m March 17: y notist, i ers egion u room, p.m.

March 18: ie au tion, i erda e ersona are ome, m March 22: i erda e istri t ea th u i iary meeting, iwanis ourts, i ers, m March 23: i ers u meeting, i i entre, 2 p.m.

March 23: e show, i erda e ommunity entre, 5 p.m.

March 25: adies night, i ers egion a , p.m.

March 28: ia eti ini , i erda e ea th entre, am April 3: i ers egion adies u i iary meeting, upper hall, 7 p.m.

April 4: a ey iew no- iders meeting, eds er nter rises, i ers, m April 8: ring fe er show and sa e, i erda e ommunity entre, amm April 11: i ers egion e e uti e meeting, u er hall, 1 p.m.

April 24-29: Sister Act, Bend Theatre, Strathclair, m April 25: ia eti ini , i erda e ea th entre, am April 26: i erda e istri t ea th u i iary meeting, iwanis ourts, i ers, m ery onday ri , first and third i ers i i entre, m ery uesday offee games, i ers i i entre, am a e shuf e oard, i i entre, m i ers ie ema ers, i ers o egiate, m a ternate wee s , a e ff ounds ensi y e ond enue, i ers, m ery ednesday ingo, i ers egion a , m ery hursday oor ur ing, i ers i i entre, m ri , i ers egion a , m ery riday ti s and trings, t ames ng i an hur h, i ers, - a m , a ternate wee s ard ingo se ond and fourth , i ers i i entre, m eat draw, i ers egion u room, - m

Prayer day for being unfair

Press Release efore the or d ide e , there was a or d ay of rayer, an internationa e ent that has een onne ting people in a meaningful way for almost a century. es ite eing anned years in ad an e, or d ay of rayer ser i es ha e a remar a e re ord for anti i ating ma or e ents, i e the refugee risis ran e , the ra ring gy t and the winding down of the nited tates em argo against u a he secret to this depth and insight is the women who plan and write ea h or d ay of rayer ser i e oo often, women ha e the most intimate e erien es of armed on i t, io en e, so ia in usti e and human rights io ations hat might anadians earn from women of the Philippines, a country on the front lines of climate change, foreign mining and resources interests, a regiona insurgen y and so ia u hea a due to migration, who wrote the or d ay of ayer

ow wi we answer the uestion, m eing unfair to you On March 3 Christians in more than 170 countries and in 2,000 communities across Canada will gather to learn about, pray and celebrate in solidarity with the women of he hi i ines through or d ay of rayer ease oin us and in ite your friends and fami y to attend the or d ay of rayer ser i e in i ers at t ames ng i an hur h at m f you ha e any uestions a out this e ent, ease a o-ordinator ean ya at n anada, or d ay of rayer is o-ordinated y the omen s nter- hur h oun i of anada he e ent has its roots in an e umeni a day of rayer organi ed in t e ame an internationa e ent two years later and Christians around the world began cele rating the day the first riday of ar h

WI focus on 4-H

By Dianne Kowalchuk

- and omen s nstitute ha e a ot in ommon or one thing, oth organi ations ha e een around for more than 100 years! According to Connor ng ish, e onging to - has many enefits, the most important of which is the building of communication and eadershi s i s onnor, a rade student at i ers o egiate, was a guest at the e ruary meeting of i ers , and he eager y to d of the many a ti ities he is art of as a - mem er nd the tri s e was art of an inter- u e hange tri to ntario ast summer and then he returned to Ontario in the fall to attend a eadershi forum with ids from a ross anada e and his rother rendan wi e tra e ing to ttawa in uy to ta e art in a o a ummit with - ers from around the world! It was a pleasure to hear Connor s ea of his - in o ement and the mem ers were de ighted to earn that - is sti a o u ar organization for young people. he meeting was he d in the ounge at est-

Zion Church 879 Third Avenue, Rivers

Pastor Nathan Klassen: 204-412-0245 Sunday school and morning service at 10:30 a.m.

Visit our website: rivers.paoc.net or like us on Facebook: RiversZionChurch

Rivers Baptist Church 447 Edward Street

Phone 204-328-7882

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

Youth (Gr. 5-12) — 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 17023GG0

wood anor, a ery omforta e a e to gather renda anderdeen ga e a re ort of the regiona meeting he d re ent y in amiota ans are eing made to attend the regiona on ention in sa e a on ri and the ro in ia on ention at usse on ay he o a wi on e again s onsor ri es for - ro e ts at i ers fair he ne t meeting wi e he d on riday, ar h , at estwood odge at m i he e adden will lead a discussion of the resolutions to be debated at the ro in ia on ention he three reso utions dea with groundwater resear h in anito a, ay and assistance for post-secondary students with disabilities he main art of the afternoon, howe er, wi e de oted to fun ig irthday arty wi e he d to mar ersona irthdays and anada s th irthday women are we ome to oin in the festi ities

St. James’ Anglican Church pancake and sausage supper; variety of toppings!

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 5-6:30 p.m.

Adults: 6 Ages 6 - 11: 3 Preschool: free ift to all oors. veryone is welcome

Hamiota District Health Centre Foundation Inc. Bursary Fund invites 4th and 5th year students enrolled in a health-related program to apply for this bursary.

To be eligible, the applicant must submit Confirmation of residency in one of the following former municipal corporations: amiota, Blanshard, Miniota, oodworth or Town of amiota for a period of at least three years prior to graduation from either amiota, Rivers, irden, Birtle or Strathclair Collegiates.

Be a 4th or th year student at a university or recognized educational institute.

Provide proof of registration in an eligible program.

Statement of current academic standing • A personal resume Applicant may only receive this bursary once.

Applications may be obtained from aughn ilson vwilson inetlin wireless.ca Submit applications with documentation to: Box 671, amiota, MB R0M 0T0 Deadline: March 10, 2017 at 12 noon.

RIVERS BANNER

rom our fi

105 years ago, 1912 The church union vote at Pettapiece passed by large majority; 100 voted in favour and fi e against 95 years ago, 1922 Streetlights in Rivers are to be turned off at midnight 75 years ago, 1942 Anne Blandford married Albert y d erni e aw or married ona d orrow 65 years ago, Feb. 21, 1952 r and rs reen had a oy e r and rs i i had a oy e r and rs ames tewart had a oy e r and rs a ard had a oy e r and rs era d rummet had a oy e r and rs oore had a gir e and rs ager had a gir e r and rs ndrew had a oy e r and rs a ter o ey had a oy an ur ing organi ers at radwardine were eased with their atest ons ie e ause rin s entered 55 years ago, Feb. 15, 1962 An estimated 500 people fi ed i ers rena on riday to wat h more than mem ers of i ers igure aters resent their annua arni a show he three-day adies ons ie ast wee had rin s arda e s mi ed ons ie on e had rin s inetta ng ish was married on e r and rs era d et her had a oy e hir ey reston married waine u on e 45 years ago, Feb. 17, 1972 The largest crowd on record, more than 400, attended the third annual elementary s hoo s ien e fair e and ro e ts were e hi ited y i ers indergarten- rade students he wee - ong mi ed ons ie in arda e had rin s registered r and rs im arrower had a gir an r and rs in ather had a oy an r and rs f a had a oy an r and rs ames ehr had a gir an dith aight had a oy e r and rs arry ee er had a gir e r and rs i f addo e e rated their th anni ersary e r and rs red ar e e rated their th anni ersary on e 35 years ago, Feb. 17, 1982 he annua mi ed ons ie in arda e had rin s registered t its e meeting members agreed to change their name from Yellow Quill o f u to i erda e o f and ountry u a id ity s entennia entre offi ia y o ened on e , in the s a e former y nown as i er s eat ar et 25 years ago, Feb. 19, 1992 Three generations of yndmans ur ed at a id ity s mi ed ons ie ast wee end ayers were ya yndman, his son and daughter-in- aw en and haron, and their son an arda e residents are fee ing rather roud that a i ture y herri ra o was se e ted as one of three on the o er of the est entra hone dire tory it is a ue heron and a num er of du s on one of the arda e a es and oming ountry musi star rad a ur ayed at nea ers ounty a oon in i ers on e he has re ording ontra ts in anito a and as at hewan t a - unday at randon s g entre on aturday, arry Airey of Rivers was presented a pen and pencil set for years of eading i ers eef u 15 years ago, Feb. 16, 2002 ue arhus and her rin of wen a a ee, orne reen and ennifer re oar

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s ored a erfe t eight oints on e during eague ay at i ers ur ing u tars of the rea ity show Pioneer Quest, Tim and Deanna Treadway, were at enton emoria a on e where they s o e of the e erien e to a fu house i ers in oom mem ers were astounded at the success of their pie sale, which so d out in minutes 5 years ago, Feb. 17, 2012 Ryan and Sarah Boyd were nominated as anito a s utstanding oung armer for

February 17, 2017 3

and whi e they didn t win, to e in the to three is something of whi h to e roud they farm in the anton distri t, north of orrest t its e meeting i ers egion resented ert uney a ife mem ershi ee s estaurant e e rated its th anni ersary on e the hen fami y has the distin tion of ha ing the ast a y to e orn in i erda e os ita e en in i ers and rea ions u fed eo e us themse es at the annua i ere fry on e

IMPORTANT: Venue and Date Change RIVERDALE MUNICIPALITY PUBLIC NOTICE r in p i o tion o

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Propo

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PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to subsection 318(1) of The Municipal Act, that the council of Riverdale Municipality has scheduled a public hearing in in Rivers, Manitoba on the P to present the following special service proposal: Riverdale Municipality wishes to establish a special service levy to raise funds for the bi-weekly curbside collection of household waste and the bi-weekly collection of recycling from residences within the communities of Rivers, Wheatland, Chimo Beach Resort, along Highway 25 from the east boundary of the community of Rivers to and including Daly Beach Road north of Highway 25.

The Special Service Area to be levied under this proposal will be all taxable residential properties in three special service areas known as Rivers (Special Service Area 1), Wheatland (Special Service Area 2),and Chimo Beach Resort, along Highway 25 from the east boundary of Rivers to and including Daly Beach Road north of Highway 25 (Special Service Area 3).

Riverdale Municipality will budget in 2017 to 2021 inclusive the following amounts for the services included in this proposal.

Year

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Area 1

$29,631.00

$30,519.93

$31,435.53

$32,378.59

$33,349.96

Area 2

$714.00

$735.42

$757.48

$780.21

$803.61

Area 3

$4,539.00

$4,675.17

$4,815.43

$4,959.89

$5,108.68

Total

$34,884.00

$35,930.52

$37,008.44

$38,118.69

$39,262.25

The method of calculating the annual Special Service Tax will be based on an annualized rate.

RATES

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

R: Residential

$51.00

$52.53

$54.11

$55.73

$57.40

M: Residential, 2 units

$102.00

$105.06

$108.21

$111.46

$114.80

M2: Residential, 4 units

$204.00

$210.12

$216.42

$222.92

$229.60

M3: Residential, 3 units

$153.00

$157.59

$162.32

$167.19

$172.20

MHP: Residential, 8 units

$408.00

$420.24

$432.85

$445.83

$459.21

MHP2: Residential, 12 units

$612.00

$630.36

$649.27

$668.75

$688.81

CL: Commercial Light, res

$51.00

$52.53

$54.11

$55.73

$57.40

i p r

or m ntion in

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i

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i

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i t out in t

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n or t

A written objection may be filed with the Chief Administrative Officer at the Riverdale municipal office, 670 2nd Ave., prior to the commencement of the hearing. At the hearing, Council will hear any potential taxpayer who wishes to make a presentation, ask questions or register an objection to the special service proposal.

All objections, written or verbal, must be filed prior to the adjournment of the hearing and must include the name, address and property description of the person filing the objection and the grounds of their objection.

Copies of the special service proposal are available for review and may be examined by any person during regular office hours of the Riverdale municipal office at 670 - 2nd Avenue, Rivers, Manitoba.

DATED AT RIVERDALE MUNICIPALITY this 8th day of February, 2017.

Kat Bridgeman, C.M.M.A., Chief Administrative Officer Riverdale Municipality, Box 520, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0

Rivers Banner Perspective

4

Inequity needs a solution

Tundra

L

by Chad Carpenter

Union leaders’ singleminded ways must go M

anitoba’s unions are in a bit of a state of shock these days. One must understand the NDP organizational mechanism allows for, no insists, the party has a strange double dipping approach to their party. Like all other political parties, there are members and the members elect delegates to the policy and leadership conventions. But, the NDP also have a large percentage of delegates over and above the constituency delegates that attend the conventions who are appointed by the unions. And it has been the union delegates that have a had a huge sway on the convention outcomes. The most recent occasion was the last leadership convention, where it was the union leaders that not only rounded up their members and herded them to support the eventual winner, they also heavily influenced the delegates at large as well.

The state of shock comes now as the PC Manitoba party holds 40 of the 57 seats and the PC party has little or no loyalty to the unions. The PCs are not beholden to the single-minded ways of the union leadership.

The union aims are very narrow, more money, less work. With that in mind, the union leaders seem a little taken aback that the PC government isn’t planning to kowtow to the union theme.

The PCs may in fact actually cut back on government jobs, look at freezing wages and may actually open wage agreements to bring about wage reductions.

The future looks grim for the government unions.

The reality is that the province must bring the $1 billion annual deficit under control. The province has a huge problem. The

FEBRUARY 17, 2017

RIGHT IN THE CENTRE

KEN WADDELL unions, and especially their leaders, actually contributed heavily to the problem. The NDP bowed to the union leadership wishes and kept on raising wages in the face of ever increasing deficits.

The government has asked Manitoba Hydro to get their debt load in order and about 900 jobs are being cut. The talk on the street and even from Hydro workers and the public in general is that the cuts were long overdue. That’s the problem with a monopoly. And we have monopolies in Hydro, in health care and education. We can be very thankful that the majority of workers in all three are very conscientious. The same goes for civil servants, most are very conscientious. But there is one very simple difference between the monopoly and private enterprise.

Hydro workers get paid whether consumption is high or low.

Teachers get paid whether there are 10, 20 or 30 students. Health care workers get paid when they are run off their feet or when there might be a lull in patients in a particular facility. The best accountability is conscientious workers but in private enterprise, the goodwill of the workers is enhanced by the need to actually balance the budget. There is no real incentive to balance the budget in Hydro, education or health care. They can always go

back to the ratepayer or taxpayer for more money.

What is being finally forced on us all is that the endless deficits, adding each year relentlessly to the provincial debt, is affecting our bond rates. Credit ratings are being down graded and that means higher interest rates on the provincial debt. Both past accumulations and present debt is affected as bonds are rotated constantly. With rates creeping upward, the effect is magnified.

Nearly everyone I talk to, from educators, to health care workers, to Hydro workers, to business people say the province has a major problem. So what are the solutions? One can cut costs but increasing income is a good thing too. It’s time to cut the garbage out of public policy. It is possible to build hog barns, and lots of them, safely and without negative impact on the lakes and environment. Mining can be a good thing, so can oil and coal production. Pipelines are a good thing. Weaning ourselves off oil from democratically and morally challenged countries should be an immediate goal.

There are many great ideas for economic expansion but those ideas will never come to fully benefit our economy as long as the union leadership holds to their single-minded ways of running the country.

ook down any Main Street in rural Manitoba and you’re guaranteed to see one thing— lots of small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy, but no where is this more evident than in rural communities.

In Manitoba, Statistics Canada reported that in 2015, 97.6 per cent of the province’s businesses were small.

Small business owners who want to sell their business face a myriad of challenges, the hardest of which is to find a buyer.

You don’t have to look far to MY find a number PERSPECTIVE of small businesses that sit for sale for a while, waiting ATE for the right ACKMAN TKINSON buyer. Many small businesses are a family affair, with children growing up in the stock rooms, dining rooms and at the tills. These children are ideally positioned to take over the business once their parents want to step back, they have years of experience and know the business inside-out.

Additionally, passing a business down to their children is the dream of many entrepreneurs when they first open their doors.

The problem is that the Income Tax Act makes this an expensive dream. When a person sells their small business, family farm or fishing corporation to an unrelated third party, the difference between the sale price and price paid to originally purchase the business is considered a capital gain. A certain portion of the proceeds from the sale are also tax free through a capital gains exemption, the rest of the proceeds are taxed at the capital gains tax rate. However, if that person were to sell the business to a family member, which not considered an arm’s length sale, they lose this more favourable tax treatment and all of the profit is classed as dividends, which are taxed at a higher rate than capital gains.

When given two possible motivations for an action, Revenue Canada assumes that Canadians are always motivated by tax avoidance, which leads to this unequal treatment. When a parent sells their business to a family member, Revenue Canada assumes that parent is only doing it on paper as a way to take money out of the corporation without paying the associated taxes, yet retain control. While I’m sure this has happened, the end result is that for all of the small business owners looking to legitimately retire and pass their business on to a child, there is a significantly higher cost than if they were to sell it to a third party. That’s not good news for the rural communities that rely on the products and services offered by our small businesses.

Last summer, federal NDP MP Guy Caron put forward a Private Member’s Bill that would change this unequal treatment.

A similar bill was introduced by Liberal MP Emmanuel Dubourg in a previous session. The bill went to vote on Feb 8, where it was defeated.

Speaking on behalf of the government, MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, explained that while the bill was well-intentioned, the government was very concerned about unintended consequences and whether it would really work. They worry that the exemption would unfairly benefit wealthy individuals instead of members of the broader middle class. In all, she explained, the Minister of Finance believes that the proposed amendment would cost the federal government between $350 million and $1.2 billion a year.

MP Caron countered the claims saying that he worked with tax experts to make sure the bill wouldn’t be too costly for the government and their estimate points to lost revenue between $75 million and $100 million, to level the playing field.

Maybe this wasn’t the right proposal, but this is an important case of inequity that deserves a solution. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reports that 66 per cent of small businesses will change hands in the coming decade. This is combined with the statistic that one third of small and mediumsized business owners would like to see to family members take over their business. We want to see businesses carry on with the best possible successor and if that’s an owner’s child, there shouldn’t be a penalty— our communities can’t afford it.

K J

-A

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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Opinion

FEBRUARY 17, 2017

A

A profitable project

t first glance, the project didn’t seem all that daunting.

All I had to do was spend roughly one hour per day in personal Bible study.

My goal was to read and reflect on three verses per day and record the things I observed and the lessons I learned. It all seemed so easy-then I did the math.

There are 31,077 verses in the Bible. At three verses a day, that’s a commitment of at least one hour per day for 28.5 years. But it was something I knew I needed to do; so I got to work.

As I write these words, the project will be completed in two weeks. It will be roughly 7,500 pages long and stored in 275 word processing files. It will be burned to disk and saved in my archives.

But the gifts I received while on this journey will remain with me forever. I have learned things about God, his word, his world and myself that I could never have learned any other way. The most significant gift I received is a deeper appreciation for the book itself. I have

“G

ratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” Sarah Ban Breathnach, American author, a proponent of living simply and living with gratitude for all that we have. Inspirational speaker encouraging people to keep a journal of gratitude.

Being thankful, grateful for life and living comes easily to me. Now. It was not always so. As a young single mother, learning to live without – without a job, without a partner, without security – taught me to look for what is good in life. A habit that serves me well even as my body ages. The many little things that are blessings add up and brighten the journey. As I awoke this

FAITHFULLY YOURS NEIL STROHSCHEIN always had a deep love for the Scriptures and my ministerial training helped me understand how the Bible, as we have it today, came into existence. But nothing prepared me for what I would experience as I worked my way through every chapter and verse. In its preparation, its preservation and its power, the Bible is truly an amazing book. Every page testifies to its divine origin.

Putting the book together was no easy task. Its original documents were written by over 40 different writers (men and women) over a period of roughly 2,000 years. Some wrote a lot; some wrote very little.

Some were well educated; others were not. Some did their own writing; others dictated their words to a scribe. Some understood the truths they shared while

Gratitude…

HOMEBODIES RITA FRIESEN morning, the features of the room were no longer hidden by darkness. The days are lengthening. As I headed outside, I did not require the toque or heavy jacket. The sky was softer, the air sweeter, a lone raven called its way across the sky. The dogs were eager to walk, Miss Daisy grabbing Henry Hoover’s portion of the lead and dragging him ever faster. I laughed aloud at the sure knowledge that spring is indeed coming.

A salad for lunch. Marvel with me that in the middle of a prairie winter, fresh fruit and vegetables are readily available. Not the canned fruits of vegetables

Observation

By Addy Oberlin

I

others (especially some of the prophets) didn’t. Yet, because their work was guided and supervised by God’s Holy Spirit, what we have is a unified record of the history of God’s work in this world– beginning with creation and ending when the new heaven and earth appear.

Preserving the original writings was even more of a challenge. Copies were made by hand. One scribe would prepare a copy; another would check it for mistakes. Two mistakes on a page could be corrected.

If three were found, the page was destroyed. Today, thanks to modern technology, we can reproduce documents much faster; but the same standards of accuracy apply. Copies must be perfect reproductions of the source documents. Mistakes are never

tolerated.

The same standard applies to the translating of the Scriptures. Translations must be accurate (word for word); but due care and caution must be taken to ensure that the message contained in the original documents is clearly seen in the translation.

Here again, the oversight of God’s Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. Without it, the message can easily get lost.

Finally, I have gained a new appreciation for the power of this incredible book. The words of Scripture are words of life and death– they offer all who read them, believe them and obey them a relationship with God that will provide abundant peace and joy in this life and the assurance of an eternal home in heaven after we die.

The Bible is truly an amazing book. If you haven’t read it from cover to cover, I’d suggest that you do so. It will change your life and strengthen your faith like nothing else can.

t is Valentine’s Day today. Have you gotten your loved one some flowers and a special treat? Maybe your best friend is waiting for this very special, very precious attention.

There might not be a loved one around. Nowadays, people are only a phone call or text message away, anywhere in the world.

Some are mourning the death of a loved one and

of my childhood. Processed saskatoons, apples, strawberries and raspberries are good, certainly better than none. We would not have envisioned eating zesty radishes, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from a store, summer fare from one’s garden. And so, as I cut and sliced, I was grateful.

Conscientiously grateful.

My home. Big enough for me and mine. Not fancy, not enormous. I walk in the door and I am filled with gratitude. Imagine, a home that is mine. I am not a refugee; I am not enslaved. These four walls and all that is within them, I

RIVERS BANNER 5

Atheists believe...

In reply to Linda Rioux, letter in the Feb 10 Banner.

I am certain Linda believes there is only one God, the Christian God, and does not believe there are Hindu Gods or any other gods or fairies at the bottom of the garden. But from her own argument she can't say they don't exist. In truth, if you can't prove something doesn't exist, it doesn't mean it does exist.

Nobody can prove fairies don't exist but no sane person believes they do. God is imaginary. There is no scientific evidence for the existence of God. Atheism is not a belief but a conclusion of an intelligent mind.

People, including atheists, have a natural built in morality. You can be good without God. The percentage of all atheists in prison is much lower than the percentage of all Christians in prison. Where is their Christian morality? The Bible has been used to justify wars, to support slavery, to encourage colonization, to oppress women, to condemn gays and lesbians and to condone the killing of non-believers. The Bible is full of atrocities committed by God and in the name of God. Where is the morality?

Atheists do have meaning in their lives and look forward to tomorrow, enjoying music, art, the beauty of nature and all the good things in life and have love and empathy for other human beings.

Genetic entropy, which you mention, is countered

by Natural Selection which removes deleterious mutations from the gene pool and all life continues to evolve today.

Atheists believe in freedom of religion but also freedom from religion and are no less tolerant than religious people. They don't object to people believing in gods but wish for themselves to have a life without fairy tale religions and delusional thought, Bill Dean Neepawa, MB

We have the freedom am entitled to maintain and enjoy. I laugh with delight when the grader goes past, clearing the street, and when all I do is place my garbage at the curb and it is whisked away. How can one not be filled with gratitude?

How can one be blind to the miracles of convenience?

Sarah Ban Breathnach encourages us to actually record our moments of gratitude. Keep a journal.

Mine would include the voice of an adult child calling to chat, an email from a friend far away, a Skype call with a cherished family member. It would include the smell of coffee, fresh baked bread, meatloaf and hot chocolate. The jottings would include those moments when I stop and see my world. Those moments of epiphanies that forever change how I see my world.

Transcendent moments of awe will change us. For this, too, I offer gratitude.

Valentine’s Day seems to have disappeared with it.

Let us not forget our parents or elderly grandparents.

When I look around in the care home, I see many very lonely people there. Their spouses have passed on and children live far away.

From the beginning to the end, the Bible talks about love. We know that John 3:16 tells us that because God loved us so much, that He send His Son to die on a cross for the punishment of our sins so we can be reconciled to God again.

Let’s make this day special for someone we know or crosses our path.

This is in response to the letters written to Addy Oberlin. My mamma always told me that a lady should be shown respect, and I believe more should have been shown to Addy and her faith. I once heard a conversation, where someone who was not a pilot was trying to tell another person who had done all the studying and training to become a pilot, how to fly a plane. I know who I would be taking a plane ride with. Makes me wonder how much a person who made these statements, has studied God’s word?

Very early in Proverbs, it tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and only fools despise wisdom and instruction. One of the great things about this country is that we are faith based, having the freedom to believe as we do. Just look around the world and I’m pretty sure most folks would not want to live in a country that’s not faithbased. Because I’m a person of faith, I would hope that all would consider God’s word, for in Philippians it says that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

As far as climate change is concerned, this world has always experienced extreme weather. I have an uncle, who back in the 70s was involved with the Sierra Club. Back then they believed the ice age was coming, then in the 80s they did a complete flip and believed it was now Global Warming because more people were believing that it was going to warm up.

When it didn’t warm up; yet another change and began to call it Climate Change, believing that should get it all covered. History proves that we have had severe changes in the weather right from the beginning of time. We know the story of Noah and the great flood, and Joseph’s interpretation of a dream revealing the seven years of plenty followed by seven years of drought and famine. There were many times of severe drought and famine that were a lot worse than what they now call climate change. It is believed that volcanos have had a major effect on the weather.

In 1815, Mount Tambor, let go in Indonesia and in New England, USA, 1816 was referred to as the year without summer. The temperature was -40 in July resulting in many lost lives.

Continued on page 6

6 RIVERS BANNER February 17, 2017

Continued from page 5 The winter of 1886-87 in United States was known as the great die-off. Most of the cattle died due to it’s harsh temperatures and heavy snowfalls, only the sheep and horses survived. Then we have the Dirty 30’s with all the drought and wind. Can’t blame Henry Ford as Model T’s were few and far between.

Yes, we are concerned for the futures of our grandchildren, but I think we need to focus on the debt that will be left to them, not natural changes in the weather.

Climate change is more about the money it generates than concern for the environment. Let’s look at the former i e- resident, ore hen he was in offi e he had a net worth of $1.7 million, but now is worth more than $200 million since getting on the climate change andwagon e ent y he ew from a ifornia to ew or to meet with rum he first thing rum as ed him was if he ew ommer ia y or in his ri ate et ore o ed and said he wou d ay the ar on ta oesn t sound like a guy who is really concerned about the effects of fossil fuels, does it? He also has 100 million in oil shares. Gore’s platform has always been that oil (fossil fuels) and environment don’t mix, but perhaps his money does. So, what are you going to believe?

Before making any conclusion, I suggest we familiari e ourse es with history instead of ust guessing a out the future. And remember, nothing is new under the sun!

Terry Baker, Newdale, Man.

$upport our $tudent$ Sports star seeks sponsors

By Sheila Runions Banner Staff ast September these pages reported on Jordan McLeod, a Grade 10 student at Rivers Collegiate. She is part of Rolling River School Division’s rugby team and was selected to Team Manitoba’s under-18 division last summer. At that time she set a goal for 2017 and has now reached it — she was named to the provincial 7s team two weeks ago. Of some 36 or more students who tried out, she is one of 12 deemed skilled enough to represent Manitoba at nationals next month. And this is quite the coup, considering the team is comprised of girls aged 14 to 19.

Not only is she on the younger side, but she has also only been playing the game for 13 months.

Rugby is a pay-to-play sport so the 15-year-old is now working to raise $1,400 to offset the costs of travelling

L

R O L L IN G

R IV E R S C H O O L D IV IS IO N

2 0 1 7- 2 0 1 8 P R O P O S E D R E V E N U E H IG H L IG H T S

 

2% decrease in Provincial E ducation funding level (-$ 203,448) D ecrease in N on-R esident Student tuition due to decreased enrolment R olling R iver First N ations revenue (-$ 122,210) Federal Gov’t / Riding Mountain National Park (-$ 15,135)

S O U R C E S O F R E V E N U E



     



D ecrease 1. 4 FTE full time eq uivalent in instructional staff from 2016/2017 budget. (Elimination of Assistant Superintendent and Contingency positions.)

D ecrease E ducational Assistant (E A) supports by 6. 6 hours per day.

(1.5 hours per day Contingency and 5.0 hours per day High School Instructional Support.)

E liminate Pre-K indergarten program at D ouglas E lementary School.

D ecrease O utdoor E ducation program supplies.

D ecrease H ockey Academy program supplies (R ivers C ollegiate).

D ecrease Professional D evelopment budget for instructional staff.

Maintain Band, H ome E conomics, I ndustrial Arts, and Power Mechanics programs (continue no parent cost for supplies).

C ontinue to upgrade computer technology eq uipment. Maintain H igh School O ne D evice to O ne Student Program and K -8 device to student ratios.

Maintain / re-allocate Maintenance and Transportation services and supplies budgets.

B u dg et B u dg et % I nc rease R E V E N U E 2 0 1 6 -2 0 1 7 2 0 1 7- 2 0 1 8 (Decrease)

Provincial E ducation O ther Provincial (net EPTC) E d. Prop. Tax C redit (EPTC) Tax I ncentive G rant (TIG) Special R eq uirement

I N V I T AT I O N T O AT T E N D P U B L I C B U D G E T P R E S E N T AT I O N 7: 0 0 p. m . W ednesday , F eb ru ary 2 2 , 2 0 1 7 D iv isio n Adm inist rat io n O f f ic e, 36 Arm it ag e Av enu e, M innedo sa, M B

2 0 1 6

P ro po sed 2 0 1 7

Special L evy

$ 10,540,127

$ 11,264,962

6. 9%

Portioned Assessment

$ 932,897,500

$ 941,139,260

0. 9%

Mill (Tax ) R ate

11. 3

12. 0

5. 9%

E X P E N S E S B Y O B J E C T

F o rm u l a t o c al c u l at e y o u r sc h o o l t ax es: A x B x C / D wh ere A = the assessed value of the property B = the portion of the assessed value that is tax ed C = the mill rate D = 1000 

$ 488,280

$ 440,750

-9. 7%



$ 2,116,568

$ 2,143,425

$ 761,422

$ 762,460

7. 7%



$ 8,747,865

$ 9,618,313

$ 1. 719,250

$ 1,566,555

-8. 9%

$ 2 4 , 5 2 7, 75 5 B u dg et 2 0 1 7- 2 0 1 8

1 .9 % % I nc rease (Decrease)

R egular I nstruction

$ 14,077,725

$ 14,526,625

3.2%

Student Support Services

$ 3,116,485

$ 3,172,195

1.8%

C ommunity E ducation

$ 61,195

$ 41,925

-31.5%

D ivisional Administration

$ 958,025

$ 973,315

1.6%

I nstructional Support

$ 814,320

$ 744,200

-8.6%

Transportation

$ 1,650,920

$ 1,639,210

-0.7%

O perations & Maintenance Fiscal & Transfers to C apital

$ 2,908,580

$ 2,820,115

-3.0%

$ 428,355

$ 610,170

27.6%

T o t al E x pendit u re

$ 2 4 ,0 6 5 ,1 5 5

$ 2 4 , 5 2 7, 75 5

1 .9 %

C h ang e

Approx imate R olling R iver School D ivision school tax I ncrease from 2016 to 2017 for properties valued at $ 100,000 in 2016 and with no change in assessed property value.

R esidential $ 30. 20 Farmland $ 17. 45 C ommercial $ 43. 65

-2. 3%

$ 2 4 ,0 6 5 ,1 5 5 B u dg et 2 0 1 6 -2 0 1 7

%

The portion of the assessed value of a property that is tax ed depends on the category of property.

R esidential 45% Farmland 26% C ommercial 65%

$ 9,996,252

T o t al R ev enu e

M I L L R AT E

P ro pert y T ax

$ 10,230,950

O ther Sources E X P E N D IT U R E

B U D G E T

P R O P E R T Y T AX E S , S P E C I AL L E V Y AN D

E X P E N D IT U R E H IG H L IG H T S 

to Vancouver March 9-12. A letter she sent to potential sponsors reads in part, selection to the team “enables athletes to represent Manitoba on a national stage and showcase their talents for national and university/college selectors. I am asking you to play a part in sponsoring myself or the whole team so I can show my abilities to the selectors in hopes of being given a shot at playing at the CIS (university) or national level.”

In addition, Jordan is collecting pledges for a run-a-thon she will complete on March 3. If you would like to make a donation to her cause, talk to Jordan or phone father Shane McLeod, owner of Daly Repair Ltd., at 204-328-7451 or stop by the garage on Hwy. 25 in Rivers.

E X P E N S E S B Y F U N C T IO N

The E ducation Property Tax C redit (E PTC ) of $ 700 is deducted from an individual’s primary property’s residential school division tax es and reduces the property owner` s tax es prior to payment.

Farmland property owners are eligible for the Farmland Tax R ebate eq ual to 80% of the school property tax es paid to a max imum of $ 5000.

Seniors may be eligible for the E ducation Property Tax C redit of $ 700 plus a Seniors E ducation Property Tax C redit of $ 400 plus the Seniors School Tax R ebate of up to $ 470.

E nro l m ent

(Full Time Equivalent)

30-Sep-00

2306

30-Sep-05

2041

-265. 00

30-Sep-10

1835

-206. 00

30-Sep-15

1701

-134. 00

30-Sep-16

1729

28. 00

September 30, 2017 (E stimate)

1751

22. 00

S T R AT E G I C P L AN P R I O R I T I E S L it erac y & N u m erac y H eal t h & W el l B eing C u l t u ral P ro f ic ienc y

T o t al

1 0 Y ear Av erag e

-555. 00

-30. 33

$upport our $tudent$

RIVERS BANNER February 17, 2017 7

Rapid City helps Rivers girl Melody’s judo journey

By Heather Gray

Five years ago our daughter mma ray, at the age of , was diagnosed with s o iosis er these fi e years it turned into se ere s o iosis Emma is now 17 and had a ur e of degrees, unti her surgery in anuary er s ine ur ed to the eft whi h ushed u under her eft shou der ade, shifted her ri age and ended u o a sing her right ung er s ine s e ia ist has on y seen a s ine ur e to the eft twice in his entire career with mma eing the se ond one or years for hours a day, mma wore a brace around her torso, but this did not sto her from doing what she o ed he four hours er day she hose not to wear that ra e were during gym ass and dan e asses mma dan ed with a amata an e u unti two years ago when she uit e ause she ou d not hand e the ain any more it ro e her heart ut she new it was est fter a year of doing no a ti ities, a ou e of her assmates ta ed her into trying o ey a he ayed art-time in rade and is aying fu -time in this, her senior year he o es aying and has fought through the ain, ut mma a ways nows her imits and when to sto he rea y wanted to e art of a high s hoo s ort her senior year and she has had a ast ot of you wi now mma from he y om s it hen as she waitressed there for a most a year, ut due to a ain, she deided to a it uits fter not wor ing for four months, she got ored and missed her s ending money so she was offered a few hours here and there at ueen s atery in a id ity in e em er mma was fina y s hedu ed to ha e a s ina fusion surgery in ear y e em er ut that date was res hedu ed to an hen do tors opened her up, they discovered something that did not show u in -rays and the ome of her erte rae were fused together hey ro eeded with surgery, ut s i ed those three erte rae he rest of the erte rae in her spine have two titanium rods and 17 screws in tota here is the ossi i ity of a se ond surgery to try and straighten those three fused erte rae mma is now in hes ta er and

in the ro ess of a fourto si -wee re o ery period at home, but she is a troo er mma is hea ing we and has kept a great attitude during her time in inni eg hi dren s os ita , artia y due to the fa u ous nurses there and in the intensi e are unit y friend e e ster decided to start a o und e age to he offset e enses su h as tra e , hote , physio and so on (gofundme om -emmas-medi a -fund a id ity and rea ions u agreed to gi e u two of their wee y meat draws at ueen s ote so e y urway of ueen s atery is wor ing with mma s grad ass for meat draws on those dates ro eeds wi e s it e ua y etween mma and tays hat an t ay he first meat draw and enny raf e wi e he d this e ening, e from m he se ond meat draw and same enny raf e wi e ne t riday, e , a so from m enny raf e draws wi e made on e at a ro imate y m e y is a so reating two different signature mea s for eo e who may wish to ha e su er there those e enings e an t e ress how mu h it means to us to ha e a this su ort e are so gratefu to ha e so many aring and generous eo e in o ed with mma and in our orner o iosis o urs in a ro imate y three er ent of eo e t most ommon y o urs etween the ages of and and gir s are ty i a y more se ere y affe ted than oys his ong-term hroni disease auses an a norma ur ature of the s ine ather than forming a straight ine down the midd e of your a , ty i a y the s ine wi ur e to one side his a norma s ine formation is due to the vertebrae twisting around one another in a sta ed or s rew manner ease he your hi dren regu ar y e our ommunity e o e that we are here for one another gain, we an t e ress how gratefu we are to e eryone who has donated, as ed how mma is doing, e ressed we wishes and o-ordinated these fundraisers e are not sure how ong the road wi e, ut a of you ha e made it easier

$upport our $tudent$

By Sheila Runions Banner Staff

I

n August 2015 we printed our first story a out e ody roe er, a home s hoo ed teenager who was making impressi e strides in the wor d of udo n the months sin e, another fi e arti es ha e een u ished he fami y, whi h farms ust north of Harding, has once again contacted this news a er as a means of su ying more information a out the want-to- e- ym ian other aurie roe er says, “It is interesting, and surprising, hearing how many eo e are a tua y fo owing her t is hum ing o refresh, e ody egan udo essons at age se en, more than years ago he started in irden ut now trains in randon twi e a wee and a so tra e s to inni eg on e a month for eam anito a ra ti es he was art of the ro in ia team at estern anada ummer ames at ort urray in ast summer she was in ited to a one-wee am at ontrea s ationa raining entre he has attended a udo am at nternationa ea e ardens and has om eted at numerous o a , nationa and internationa tournaments, in uding egina en, dmonton nternationa and anadian en nationa s a in t nationa s, she a ed ninth in her ategory n y si wee s into , e ody has a ready fought in om etitions in egina and inni eg he tri to as at hewan ast month netted her another ron e to add to her meda o e tion and the e e ent in anito a s a ita garnered her another go d n egina she fought in g against se en om etitors from , erta and as at hewan, who were a e e ent fighters hey were a ery intense mat hes and she did e e ent his nationa - e e tournament drew eo e from si ro in es and nited tates t is a huge, growing tournament with a ro imate y om etitors registered n inni eg e ody won go d in - , a so in ery we -mat hed and e iting fights he ne t tournaments she is registered to om ete in are a ifi nternationa in an ou er, ar h and whi h draws from the states, a an and a of anada and dmonton nternationa ar h - , whi h is a restigious tournament as we oth he to esta ish her standing in anadian udo ran ings e ha e a so arranged with the ro in ia head oa h for s e ia nationa - e e training for e ody immediate y fo owing the an ou er tournament, ar h hi e the fami y intends to ay the e enses re ated to this two-wee ourney she ea es ar h and returns ar h , they are aware some of her more a id su orters may wish to ma e ontri utions to the osts of tra e , odging, food, et o that end, they ha e reated a o und e age whi h has e tensi e information as we as the o ortunity to ma e donations n the e ent funds are raised a o e what we are see ing, they wi e ut toward e ody s registration, tra e , a ommodations and in identa s at the anadian ham ionshi s in a gary this ay e wi ost her su esses and ha enges on gofundme om me odys-road-to- udoe e en e, as we as future fundraising efforts he wants to than you for onsidering su orting her as she a es her own trai toward her dream of the ym i s esides e ody s high as irations, she ser es as a ro e mode for her four younger si ings, three of whom are a so enro ed in udo er mentorshi may e s ight y res onsi e for the good form found in sister arita, who won go d in her ategory under , under i ograms at inni eg two wee s ago aurie says arita fought hard and strong and showed e e ent te hni ue he has a romising future ahead of her as she has a so gained attention from out-of- ro in e oa hes

8 RIVERS BANNER February 17, 2017

TRUST IN ADVERTISING 2017

CANADIANS TRUST TRADITIONAL MEDIA ADVERTISING

Canadian consumers more comfortable with levels of truth and accuracy in traditional media versus digital media.2

Lower levels of comfort with truth and accuracy in ads in digital media.2

More Canadians report higher comfort levels with ads in newspapers.2

6 OUT OF 10 GLOBAL RESPONDENTS SAY THEY COMPLETELY OR SOMEWHAT TRUST ADS IN NEWSPAPERS.1 Most trusted and read source of local news and shopping3

CANADIANS VIEW ADVERTISING POSITIVELY2

88%

Canadians continue to have a favourable impression of advertising they see, hear or read.

community newspapers 75% Television

A majority continue to find advertising helpful with consumer decision-making.

40% Social media

How comfortable are you with the levels of truth and accuracy in the advertising you see, hear or read for each of the following: 2 73

Ads in newspapers Brochures, flyers, other ads in-store Ads in magazines Ads on buses, subways, trains Billboards Ads on FM radio Bus shelter ads Flyers in the mail Ads on network TV channels Ads on cable TV channels Ads before movie theatre trailers Ads on AM radio Promo emails Ads on websites visited Ads on internet search engines Ads before online videos Ads on social media Banner ads online Ads in your email Ads in apps/programs on phone, tablet Pop up ads online

13

19 18

24 23

30 29 28

36

50

55 53

58

66 64 64 62 62 61

73

Very comfortable (%) Somewhat comfortable (%)

For more information, go to www.newspaperscanada.ca

Nielsen Global Trust in Advertising Survey, Q1 2015 Consumer Perspectives on Advertising 2016, Advertising Standards Canada; The Gandalf Group 3 Metroland Media; Brandspark 2016 1 2

TRUSTED Ι CONNECTED Ι TARGETED

RIVERS BANNER February 17, 2017 9

Lucky “Legion” ladies

By Sheila Runions Banner Staff

F

or the past two consecutive months, short stories have appeared in this publication regarding Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 75. Each November the organization accepts submissions for the annual Remembrance Day poster and prose competition. What doesn’t often happen is having winners advance to the “provincial” level but that is exactly what has happened!

You may remember in December that 13 students from Rivers Elementary and three from Rivers Colegiate were gi en first- to third-place cash prizes as judged at the local level.

First place winners were then forwarded to zone competition where two of those si youth won first place again (January) and thus, were sent to district level for competition.

Branch president Garry Nielsen and vice-president Ken Young were very eased to e notified these two gir s a so won first at district and have now had their entries submitted for competition in the Manitoba/Northwest Ontario command. If they win first in this di ision, their work will be forwarded to Dominion for competition at a national level.

To the best recollection of Legion members, no Rivers submission has won first in distri t so to ha e two ua ifiers in the same year is a “feather in their hat,” says Nielsen.

Makayla Bartlett and Sera Gilbert have now each won $75 — $20 from Rivers, $25 from zone and $30 from district which was presented on Feb. 8. Makayla won for her Grade 8 colour poster and Sera for her Grade 6 essay. Because the poster is on its way to “provincials” and because it was hand drawn, first y en i sketch and then coloured, a feat which took Makayla

approximately three days to complete, her art cannot be displayed in these pages. But since Sera’s is an essay which she typed and saved on the computer, we can reprint the same so you may be equally impressed with her literary abilities.

Congratulations ladies and may you have continued success to ultimately compete in Canada!

Taking Life For Granted

By Sera Gilbert

We think of life as a simple and easy to achieve – a thing that can’t be wasted. We normally think of ourselves, but it’s time to change that. We have Remembrance Day for a reason. Let’s remember the fallen soldiers who risked their lives for ours. They prevailed in many wars, but sometimes they did not. They spent many days and weeks in the trenches, the ocean and in the air, so we didn’t have to live a life of servitude to other countries.

Many died and we don’t think twice about it. We think if war doesn’t affect us we don’t have to care.

Most people think everything is going to be handed to them on a silver platter. Back then, during World War One and Two, lots of people lived on a farm and if you didn’t work you didn’t eat. Half of the time now, we don’t work but we still eat. Once the war started food was even more scarce than it already was. Today we see our families all the time. Back then, family members went to war and sometimes they would never see their families again.

Most of us only care or remember on Remembrance Day. It’s time to care every second of every day. Think of all those wars and all those soldiers. Maybe you knew them, maybe you didn’t, but every survivor and e ery fa en so dier was some ody s signifi ant other. Whether it was your grandfather, uncle, mother, father, grandmother, aunt or someone you don’t know, they cared about the future of our country. War is not a laughing matter. It’s a serious thing. We have poppies and a special day to remember for a reason. In the past and present, some of us have taken life for granted.

The War Amps

Operation Legacy To see a listing of Canadian Military Heritage documentaries, visit our Web site at www.waramps.ca or order a pamphlet by calling 1 800-250-3030.

Photos by Sheila Runions

President Garry Nielsen (L) and vice-president Ken Young present Makayla Bartlett top and Sera ilbert certificates and che ues from district.

Legion news Branch No. 75

By Warren Smallwood Publicity Rivers Legion held its monthly meeting on Valentine’s Day. The meeting was peaceful, but there are no reports about the same on the home front!

Donations were authorized for Rolling River Festival of the Arts ($100) and Royal Canadian Legion Athletic Camp ($500).

The new garbage contract was discussed; members agreed to go with Dallas Murray at a rate of $80 per month.

It was decided that the executive committee would meet monthly from now on and a full general meeting would be held once per quarter. Local branch bylaws

allow for and seem to recommend this pattern; therefore, the next executive meeting will be on March 14 at 1 p.m. and the next general meeting on May 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the upper hall.

A resolution concerning the organization of branches into zones and districts was debated and passed. It will now be forwarded to Manitoba/Northwest Ontario Command to be placed on the convention agenda. The convention is scheduled for June 10-12.

The meeting was adjourned after one hour.

We will remember them.

10 RIVERS BANNER February 17, 2017

Pumpkin profit Tax help for 2017 Are you ready a tornado?

Church chatterfor appreciated

ByMay Lorrie Dyer

By Vern was a con usy fun-fi ed day at i - Environment Canada is the authority on weather Tornado unday, warningefor Brandon, rmed touchdown t Manitou, funnel clouds spotted at Killarney.

If there is bybulletins, though ers United.

The Sunday school children, lead

By Joanne Boswe may also hear from Manitoba nything that theFoster severeand weather the past few weeks Shelley Beckyover Stewart, enjoyed makingWeather Network and other local media outlets more ReadersAwill know that isforissued several years husband has taught us, it’s this: CAN happen here.the There were immediately. tornado watch when weather Valentines.

Theit ladies choir sang well-known Marris and I have used a portion of our garden to grow probably many Children of us staying tuned over theFather, weekend as conditions are favourable to produce a tornado; however, anthem of the Heavenly arranged he alerts being issued. is moretoserious.

A warning indicates that a or extra produce sell at our farm south of Rapid City, bywere Dan Forrest.

Following worship Megan Forsytha warning In the event that a tornado warning was issued for your tornado has occurred or has a high likelihood of being at markets in early October.

Money we receive from our organized a fundraiser lunch, which was then own today, do you know whatchili to do?

Are you familiar about to occur.(and other vegetables) is always forwarded to pumpkins followed by a basket auction.

This plan event, in the which The safest place to be during a tornado is a low spot with your community emergency response and Ian White, a former Rapid City resident who now prithemed as ets fi ed with goodies are donated nformation for the community that is included in that yin anmarily interior roominaway from windows, suchanasorphanage. an inAfrica where he operates and bid on, wasdocument very popularner room inresides plan? Itcongregational may be time tomembers get familiar with that the basement or underneath the stairs to the We wish to share his latest letter with you; it is dated ast year andtodefi y gained o you know what donite to keep yourmomentum family safe.this year basement. Rooms that have extra support in the walls 2017. are also ideal as bathroom pipes BehindUpcoming only UnitedSunday States, Canada sees the tor- 12,suchJan. as 20, bathrooms school dates aremost March We wish to thank everyone who Mobile has helped keep Springs nado activity each year – focused on southern to the walls. homes and April 9annually (Palm Sunday), May 14 (Mother’s Day) andprovide extra support of Life Children’s Home running so we can save as as many OntarioJune and 11. the three Prairie provinces.and With the peak arecamper trailers are very unsafe places to take shelter Parents, grandparents care-givers babies as possible.

We appreciate everyone who helps ctivityreminded for tornadoes occurring any time between April they are not anchored to the ground. to mark their calendars! nd September, we’reJan. right29,at Kinsley the heartTrusty, of a potential informed stayonstru safe. tion For more information finan ia y orand on the of houses in randon On Sunday, daughter of Get mergency right now. On average, 43 tornadoes occur visit:We Public Safety Canada http://www.publicsafety. currently have 35 children in our home.

There is one Bryce and Ashley (nee Johnston) was welcomed ach year on the prairies. gc.ca/res/em/nh/to/index-eng.aspx or Environment four-year-old, two three-year-olds, one at 28 months and intoknow our the church familybetween througha weather the sacrament Do you difference watch ofCanada http://www.ec.gc.ca. the rest are 21 months and under. The youngest are twins holy baptism. nd a weather warning?

The Outreach and Pastoral Care Committee will be who are approximately two months old. We could hold holding a green-themed lunch on March 12 to raise a few more, if the funding was available.

In 2016 we gave out 21 babies to families and we have money for Amnesty International. two families that are organizing themselves so they can Lynn Madden and her crew are starting to plan the come for babies. We usually give out more babies in spring indoor sale. Donations of good used clothing, a year, but the government was updating the adoption housewares, books and toys are already being dropped off at the church. Please consider this option when process, which held up adoption for several months this year. Thanks, and God bless! spring cleaning and downsizing.

ESS DIRECTORY T YOUR FINGERTIPS

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o unteers wi e he ing to fi e in ome ta returns again this year. Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a free program for people with simple tax returns with income at or below a certain level. The following income levels qualify: single people, $30,000; couples or a single parent with a child, $35,000, adding an extra $2,500 for each additional child. This program cannot be used if there is income from a business, farming, rental property or capital gains, or if someone is bankrupt or deceased. CVITP will operate from March 1 to April 30. An information package can be picked up at Riverdale uni i a ity s offi e on or after e There are three simple steps to getting income tax returns re ared he first is to i u the a age of information at the i erda e offi e i out the form and return it with all the appropriate tax slips and paperwork. A volunteer will then complete your tax return and print out several other forms. The volunteer will then phone you for permission to fi e your return e e troni a y hey wi a so te you when to come back to pick up personal material. There is no need to mail anything, but all paperwork must be kept in case Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) wants to see it.

In Rivers the program is offered by Senior Services Rivers Rapid City and District.

For more information call Warren at 204-328-7251.

Additional information can be found on the CRA website, cra-arc.gc.ca/volunteer.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Hair Dynamics

Stylist Heather Fast Stylist Wendy Harder Stylist/nail tech Melissa Roberds OPEN Tues., Wed. and Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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

Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon

ANDREA ADAMSON

Minnedosa-based mobile dental hygienist

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* Excavating * Plumbing and heating * Gravel, stone and rip rap * Snow removal * Demolition Jake: 204-761-0900 Tyson: 204-761-8765 * Septic tanks and fields *FrExcavating ame and Stud Fra ost Farm Buildings me P * Plumbing and heating

* Gravel, stone and rip rap * Snow removal Johan’s Construction Ltd. * Demolitioncell 204-745-7628 1-0900 204-328-7310 ce tanks andoffi fields 1-8765 * Septic “Building for all your farm needs!”

d area

By Warren Smallwood

...because the memories are what we cherish

Funerals, Cremations, Receptions

204.727.0330 or

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you in two AServing CCOUNTING Slocations!

ERVICE Certied Management Accountants

Hamiota: 71 Maple Ave. 204-764-2544 Hamiota: Maple Ave. 204-764-2544 Brandon:7120-18th St., 204-727-5927 Brandon: 20-18th St., 204-727-5927 knightcm@mymts.net knightcm@mymts.net

ALEXANDER 204-764-2744 ELECTRIC FUNERAL DIRECTOR Dwayne Campbell ~ 204-764-2746 204-721-4320

Jeannie Bos

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Hunt,Dynamics Miller Hair & Co. LLP Stylists and nail technician

Phone 204-727-8491 or Phone 204-727-0694 or 204-328-7540 (Thursdays, 1-800-897-5694 Phone 204-720-1610 2-5 p.m.) for appointments. www.brockiedonovan.com since 1906.

For all your electrical needs

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Residential carpenter for hire Hunt, Miller Jack Cram, Lawyer

204.759.3313 Toll Free 844.877.7767 gregnesbittmla@mymts.net #7 515 4th Avenue Burlington Place, Shoal Lake, MB

Jeannie’s Interiors Rapid City, MB jeanniesinteriors@hotmail.com

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ForHamiota’s all your electrical needs

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20 years’ experience.

Big or small jobs, we do them all.

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Serving Rivers Reasonable and area rates.

Insurance, Travel, Investments, Real Estate

on staff , Lawyer Jack Cram OPEN Phone or Tues., Wed.204-727-8491 and Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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

204-328-7540 (Thursdays, Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon

2-5 p.m.) for appointments.

Ph. 204-328-7435

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

ALEXANDER ELECTRIC 204-721-4320

RIVERS BANNER February 17, 2017 11

RIVERS

BANNER CLASSIFIEDS

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

Provincial classifieds BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

FREE FREE VENDING MACHINES & Countertop Profit Centers. Can Earn $100,000.00 + Per Yr. Retire in just 3 Years. Prime Locations Provided. Plus Raise Money for Breast Cancer Research. Full Details CALL NOW 1-866-668-6629 WEBSITE www.vendingforhope.com

MOBILE HOMES

3 ONLY 16 x 80, 3 Bed, 2 Bath. Starting at $89,900. Altona Mobile Homes, 1-800-5824036, 1-204-324-6776 Email amhl@mymts. net.

Help Wanted MSR II Full-time position IN SOURIS with travel to Rivers Take the next step in your career with Westoba Credit Union. Work at one of Manitoba’s largest most progressive credit unions. A desire for personal development will make this an exciting and rewarding career opportunity.

For more details or to apply online, go to westobacu.com/about-us/careers/

Application deadline is Friday, February 24, 2017.

Thank you to all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses is seeking public representatives to serve on various committees. An honorarium is paid for all committee meetings.

Experience in education, law, or accounting is beneficial but not required. Please submit your resume to: College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba 463 St. Anne’s Road Winnipeg, MB, R2M 3C9 Or via e-mail to: president@clpnm.ca

Notice FOODS Meat Cutter/Production Personnel HyLife Foods a division of the HyLife organization is engaged in the dressing and processing of hogs for both domestic and world markets.

To reach and sustain its position as a premier supplier of quality food products it strives to employ talented and motivated people who are capable of reaching the cutting edge of their discipline.

This position is based at the operations in the vibrant community of Neepawa, Manitoba which has a reputation for its beauty and high quality of life. Due to rapid growth we are looking for Meat Cutters/Production Personnel.

Responsibilities / Duties include but are not limited to: • Slaughter, eviscerate and mark hogs for further processing • Cut pork carcasses into primal cuts for further detailed specifications intended for commercial, industrial, institutional or wholesale use • To de-bone edible part and remove inedible organs or parts The successful candidate should possess the following qualifications: • Be able to work in a culturally diverse workplace • Have a good work ethic • Focus on treating people with dignity and respect • Appreciate a stable long term work environment • Experience as an Industrial Butcher or trimmer is required • Completion of secondary school may be required Current starting wage is $13.25/hour plus $1.00 per hour perfect attendance incentive!

We offer a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation based on experience and knowledge.

HyLife has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada’s Best-Managed Companies.

If you have the qualifications and the passion to meet this challenge then we would like to explore your potential.

Please apply online at http://www.hylife.com/current-opportunities/ We thank all applicants, however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

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.

For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www. mcna.com.

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! FLIN FLON/CREIGHTON/ DENARE BEACH 20,000 PERSON PRIMARY MARKET HIGH INCOMES Call or Text Perry at 306-980-7090 for further information.

FOR SALE

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 400,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or email classified@mcna.com for details.

FEBRUARY CLEARANCE SALE! February 10th to 19th! KDL Furniture’s once a year over stock sale in mattresses, bedroom suites, England (a Lay-z-boy Company) rocker recliner chairs, queen sleeper sofas, floor model power sofas and chairs, occasional table sets, Italian 100% leather and used bedroom display suites.

Savings from 10-60% off! A few hot buys $299 queen mattress set, $599 rocker recliner chairs, $549 five piece bedroom suite, twelve drawer queen storage bed and headboard $849 and three piece occasional set $299.

STOCK MUST GO! See store for more specials.

Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6 & Sun 11-5. Call KDL Furniture at 204-5711971. 660 Highland Ave., South side of #1 Hwy., Brandon.

Parts & full trailer repair, trailer safeties & Autopac Trailer Repair.

Sales, Leasing & Financing of flat-deck, dumpbox, cargo, gooseneck & utility trailers & truck beds. Kaldeck Truck & Trailer, Hwy #1 MacGregor, Mb. 1-888-6853127.

HARDY TREE, SHRUB, and berry seedlings delivered. Order online at www.treetime.ca or call 1-866-873-3846. New growth guaranteed.

Auction Meyers Auctions Antiques & Collectables March 4, Arden MB Guns & Ammo April 1, Arden MB Farm Estate April 22, Glenella, MB

Bradley Meyers Auctioneer 204-476-6262

www.meyersauctions.com

McSherry Auction Estate & Moving Sale Featuring Railway Collectibles Sat, February 25, 10:00AM 12 Patterson Drive Stonewall, MB Yard * Recreation * Tools * Antiques * Household * Stuart McSherry (204) 467-1858 or (204) 886-7027 www.mcsherryauction.com

Hip or knee replacement?

McSherry Auction

Other medical conditions that lead to Restrictions in Walking or Dressing?

Saturday, March 25th, 9:30AM

The disability tax credit allows for a:

$2,000

Yearly Tax Credit

$40,000

Lump Sum Refund and Rebates For Expert Help

204-453-5372

Annual Spring Gun Auction Stonewall, MB #12 Patterson Drive

Consign Your Guns & Hunting Related Items Now to Take Advantage of Our Coast to Coast Advertising!

Go to Web!

Stuart McSherry (204) 467-1858 or (204) 886-7027 www.mcsherryauction.com

FOR SALE

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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION is an in-demand career. Employers have work-at-home positions available.

Online training from an employer-trusted program: CareerStep.ca/ MT or 1-855-768-3362.

HEALTH

CANADA BENEFIT GROUP – Attention Manitoba residents: Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Tollfree 1-888-511-2250 or www.canadabenefit.ca/ free-assessment

Services

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

867-3981

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Better than…

By Rev. Glenna Beauchamp Rivers and Oak River United Churches Ever notice we always compare ourselves downward rather than upward? We think, “Well, I’m not as bad as he is!” or “At least I’m more

generous than her!”

The problem is that thinking like that means we’re going to stay pretty much the way we are. We might even get worse because

Obituary THOMAS “TOM” JAMES RUML November 21, 1963 - Rivers, Manitoba February 10, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta Tom Ruml of Calgary passed away suddenly on February 10, 2017 at the age of 53 years.

He enjoyed working for many years in the oil and gas industry with Chevron in North America, Kazakhstan and China.

Tom is survived by his sisters and brothersin-law, Janet and Cam White, Laurie and Brian Plumb, Elaine Pinniger and Adella and Bruce Plaisier, and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Myrle Ruml.

A memorial service will be held at McInnes & Holloway (Deerfoot South, 12281 - 40th Street SE) in May. Inurnment service will be held in Virden, Manitoba at a later date.

Condolences may be forwarded through mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Epilepsy Association of Calgary, 4112 - 4th Street, N.W., Calgary, AB T2K 1A2, Phone: 403-230-2764, www. epilepsycalgary.com., or to a charity of your choice and/or please perform a random act of kindness.

In living memory of Tom Ruml, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park

by McInnes & Holloway Funeral Homes, 403-203-0525.

we can always find somebody who compares unfavourably with ourselves.

What if we started to compare ourselves upward?

What if we looked for someone whose example would draw us toward being more generous, more gracious, more honest and more kind? It’s not rea y hard to find such people! And if more of us did that, we would live in a kinder, more just, more generous society.

LET OUR CLASSIFIEDS WORK FOR YOU!

Get province wide coverage for only $189 or buy one of our two regions for only $119 Phone Rivers Banner at 1-204-328-7494 or MCNA at 1-800-782-0051

RIVERDALE MUNICIPALITY PUBLIC NOTICE Regarding Special Service Proposal No. 02-2017 for Police Protection within the community of Rivers PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to subsection 318(1) of The Municipal Act, that the Council of Riverdale Municipality has scheduled a PUBLIC HEARING in Rivers Legion Hall in Rivers, Manitoba on the 14TH DAY OF MARCH, 2017 AT 7:30 P.M. to present the following special service proposal: The intent of the proposal is to levy a special tax for the provision of Police Protection Services within the community of Rivers only. The special tax will be levied upon all benefiting properties including otherwise exempt and classification 52 – Railway property.

The total cost of police protection services for the community of Rivers is $340,022.00. In addition, any unforeseen costs or unanticipated expenditures will be funded by the Police Protection Reserve Fund which is taxed on ratepayers in the urban area of Rivers only.

The Special Service Tax will be charged on all benefiting taxable, grant-in-lieu and otherwise exempt properties at a rate of $532.95 per property, raising $340,022.10.

THIS BYLAW WOULD REPLACE THE PREVIOUS POLICE PROTECTION LEVY BYLAW 2014-02.

A written objection may be filed with the Chief Administrative Officer at the Riverdale municipal office, 670 – 2nd Ave., prior to the commencement of the hearing. At the hearing, Council will hear any potential taxpayer who wishes to make a presentation, ask questions or register an objection to the special service proposal.

All objections, written or verbal, must be filed prior to the adjournment of the hearing and must include the name, address and property description of the person filing the objection and the grounds of their objection.

Copies of the special service proposal are available for review and may be examined by any person during regular office hours of Riverdale Municipality Office at 670 – 2nd Avenue, Rivers, Manitoba.

DATED AT RIVERDALE MUNICIPALITY this 8th day of February, 2017.

Kat Bridgeman, CMMA, Chief Administrative Officer Riverdale Municipality Box 520, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0

12 RIVERS BANNER February 17, 2017

Sopuck honoured by Safari Club

Press release On Feb. 3 DauphinSwan River-Neepawa MP Robert Sopuck was named International Legislator of the Year by Safari Club International (SCI), at their annual hunters convention in Las Vegas, Nev. SCI is an international organization composed of hunters dedicated to protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation worldwide.

Sopuck is a lifelong hunter, angler and an avid outdoorsman. He received his bachelor of science from University of Manitoba in 1973 and master of science from Cornell University (1975) in Ithaca, New York. As a legislator, Sopuck has shown an unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of law-abiding firearms owners, and defending the rural way of life, particularly Canadian hunters, anglers and sport shooters.

“I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been presented with this award. To be recognized for my efforts on something that is so dear to me is overwhelming and extremely uplifting.”

In 2012 Sopuck was instrumental in founding

the Conservative Hunting and Angling Caucus. The caucus, which grew to more than 30 Conservative MPs at its peak in 201415, serves as a vessel for them to address the common concerns of their constituents and move forward with legislative solutions that respect hunters and anglers. The Hunting and Angling Caucus also serves an outreach role; to meet with hunters, anglers and trappers across the country to ensure their wealth of knowledge on environmental conservation is heard by the federal government.

In 2016 Sopuck led the charge against Bill C-246, legislation that, under the guise of animal welfare, sought to fundamentally alter our relationship with animals and endanger traditional animal use such as hunting, angling, trapping, livestock raising and medical research, among other things. Thanks to the work of Sopuck and other like-minded MPs who recognize the economic and cultural values of hunting, angling,and traditional animal use, the legislation was defeated.

“The fact is there are a lot of people across North

America that do not understand what hunting is all about. It is about respecting the traditions of our ancestors and passing down that enjoyment to the next generations. It is about bonding with friends or family in the woods and it can be about learning more about our place in the tranquility of nature. Hunting is more than just the hunt itself. It is a way of life that needs to be experienced to be understood. This lifestyle needs to be defended every step of the way, and I am proud to be one of those defenders.”

Sopuck has been recognized for his steadfast support for the hunting community in the past. In 2008 Manitoba Wildlife Federation presented him their Outdoor Heritage Award “for protecting and enhancing our hunting heritage and passing on those traditions in good health to future generations.” In June 2014 he received Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Past Presidents’ Award, which honours elected legislators for their contributions to the conservation of wildlife in Canada.

In addition to his work as a politician, Sopuck

Photo submitted

Jason St. Michael (L) and Dwight James (R) of Safari Club International, Ottawa chapter present Robert Sopuck the International Legislator of the Year Award.

authored the book A Life Outdoors, which is a collection of essays on hunting, gathering and country living in the 21st century. The book is able to show readers there is a way of life “out there” that is authentic, joyous and profound, and must always be fought for.

“My beautiful wife Caroline and I live on 480 acres of beautiful wild land in Manitoba south of Riding Mountain National Park, and happily live off the land by hunting and harvesting our own meat.

Hunting is a major aspect of our way of life, and I am proud to support it every

step of the way. Being presented this award in front of so many people from across North America who are avid hunters as well, has only emboldened my belief that we must continue to fight for this way of life. I will continue to do so in my role as a legislator and for the rest of my life.”

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