June 30, 2023

G azette -R epo R te R

RiveRs BanneR

Serving the Rivers, Rapid City, Forrest, Kenton and Oak River areas for 115 years

Happy Canada Day from the Banner! Happy Canada Day from the Banner! Happy Canada Day from the Banner!

Anytime is a good time for the fair

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

“It was a great day for our little fair” says Janet Fearnley, Rapid City Fair organiser. The Rapid City fair took place on June 24, all over town, from the Legion to the rink to the fair grounds. The day started with a delicious

Can collections for canoes

By Sheila Runions Banner Staff

s reported in the March 9 edition, the Grade 12 Interdisci plinary Studies in Science class at Rivers Collegiate planned a project for Riverdale Harvest. Dubbed the Boat Load of Food, students secured a canoe from Rolling River School Division with an intent to fill it with non-perishables. Although the campaign was fully organized by that class, the original idea came from a suggestion made by harvest volunteer Liliane

“I heard the idea at a meet ing in Brandon. St. Augustine School had tried Fill a Canoe in conjunction with the 10-day Festival du Voyaguer in Winnipeg in February. It was very successful and whenever I hear food bank, my ears always perk up!”

GRADS CEREMONIES 2023

and Chimo Beach areas for contributions from the community.

When all was said and done, the scales at Riverdale Harvest noted a total of 434 pounds, “a fabulous amount,” says Heather.

“We are so pleased they decided to help those we serve. A lot of times kids don’t get enough credit but this group of students certainly deserves some praise.

All students stayed behind to help check expiry dates, sort and

SUBMITTED PHOTO

pancake breakfast, served by the Rapid City Nursery School at the Legion Hall. A great way to be full before the parade. The parade left the rink at 9:30 am and the judges were ready. First place went to Rapid City Community Church, second place went to Rapid City Nursery School and third place went to Rapid City Co-op Store. After the parade everyone made

She then brought the suggestion to Riverdale Harvest, which supported the idea and asked her to present the promo -

their way to the fair grounds for the local 4-H Beef Achievement.

The light and miniature horse shows were at 10 am. Champion Pony: Anna Thiessen with Ella. Champion Light Horse: Ken Grainger on Myte Nice Invite. Champion Miniature Horse: Lily LeBoutillier with JEM General Jackson.

continued on page 7

P2, 12, 15 IS YOUR BIKE READY P11

put away in the proper place on the shelving units. They were fantastic! We are very, very pleased.”

Elementary school staff member/Harvest volunteer Yvonne Crouch initiated a similar campaign in her school. That threeweek effort simply encouraged students to leave product in the canoe; 87 pounds of food was collected from the younger group on Thursday, March 22.

Photo by Sheila Runions

Photo by Heather Gray

The canoe at Rivers Elementary School was adequately filled.

Back row L/R: Meghan Knelsen, Erich Schmidt, Thom Heijmans, Heather Gray, Liliane Dupuis. Front row L/R: Minami Kijima, Haile Hubbard, Chassidy Payette, Morgan Ramsay, Bryce Summers, Quinn Hrabok.

Rapid City 4H Float in fair parade on June 24. Sierra Inglis, Kendra and Kate Hinsburg, Zane Finlay, Chance Inglis, Kaleb and Lakelyn Brown, Breelee & Benson Bootsman, Swayzie and Ensley Bootsman. Leaders: Leah Brown and Kerri Hinsburg.

Rivers Collegiate class of 2023

To the Class of 2023

May you continue to find success as you go through life and may you remember this day as a cornerstone in your future.

Ray Redfern, Rob McGill and everyone at the Rivers office 204-328-5325

To

Congratulations on this accomplishment. We wish you all the best in the future.

From all of us at

It took a lot of hard work to reach this goal. You had to show up every day, whether you felt like it or not. I hope you feel great about what you’ve accomplished, and I hope you’ll continue to be a person who shows up day in and day out for those things that are worthwhile and important in life.

Enjoy your special day!

The graduating class of 2023, Rivers Collegiate. Ceremony was held at 10am on Friday, June 23, 2023.

And with a tossing of their hats, it is official, they have graduated!

Neil StrohScheiN

DreamS worth workiNg (aND prayiNg) for, part three

As I have made my way through this thing called life, I have noticed a subtle change in our use of some English words. This week’s example is the word “entitlement.”

For most of my life, I have understood that word to mean that those who put in the required amount of time and effort are “entitled” to the legitimate rewards for their actions. So, for example, you are “entitled” to a full day’s pay for a full day’s work. After a full season of planting, nourishing and protecting crops, a farmer is “entitled” to a fair market price for the products that have been harvested and stored. A home gardener is “entitled” to enjoy eating the fresh vegetables that have been grown during the summer months and the preserves that have been prepared and stored for winter.

The same principle applies to our financial investments. Workers who contribute to company pension plans are “entitled” to receive the benefits from those plans when they retire. Those who purchase health or life insurance are “entitled” to receive payments from those policies when they are required. So are those who pay into government

plans like the Canada Pension Plan and others. There is nothing wrong with calling these things “entitlements.” You have invested time, talent and treasure in these things. You are “entitled” to the legitimate rewards of your investment.

But in recent years, we have been hearing about an “entitlement mentality” that some people display. An article I found on the WebMD website, defines it this way: “The entitlement mentality has been defined as a sense of deservingness or being owed a favor when little or nothing has been done to deserve special treatment. It’s the ‘You Owe Me’ attitude. Simply put, people with an entitlement mentality think that the rules don’t apply to them.” If that definition sounds a little scary, it should, because it is.

I will never forget my first exposure to this attitude. It came from a comment made by a worker whose union was about to begin negotiations with government agencies for a new contract. The comment went something like this: “We helped elect the government currently in power. They had better come through for us.” Many decades have passed since I heard those words; but I still feel their sting whenever I think of them.

I have a simple message for every reader of this column. Every cent of every dollar we have ever received was taken from someone else so that we could receive it. Some of the funds were given willingly-in payment for goods and services we helped provide. The rest were given grudgingly-in taxes and user fees paid to various levels of government who then gave some of them back to us in services and other benefits.

But, as St. James reminds us, the ultimate source

From last weeks front page

of all these things is God himself. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the father, who is the source of all light.” (James 1:17) Everything, including the lives we live and the air we breathe is God’s gift to us. It is a favor that we do not deserve.

It is time we replaced the “You owe me” attitude with an attitude of gratitude to God for all the things we have received and for those God used to get them to us.

Sound impossible? Perhaps; but I believe it’s a dream worth working (and praying) for.

Sundays 10 a.m.

Children’s Church during the message Bible Study – Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Wordscanbefoundinanydirection(includingdiagonals)andcanoverlapeachother.Usethewordbank below.

By Chad Carpenter Tundra

A message for every community

As summer holidays emerge on the scene, I have a favour to ask of every reader. I am especially asking that over the summer, people aged 25-45 years of age contemplate the future of their respective communities. Summer is filled with great community activities. There are fairs, picnics, sports days, family and school reunions, an endless list of things to do. I want the 25-45 years old to think about all the events and the facilities in which they are held. Think about the parks, the skating and curling rinks, the community halls and the sports fields and pools in our communities. Think about how they got built, the thousands upon thousands of volunteer hours that put them in place and the volunteer time and money for upkeep and improvements.

All these events, facilities and groups didn’t happen by magic. They didn’t simply appear out of thin air. They all came about by hard work and mostly by the efforts of volunteers.

After you think about all these things, I can almost guarantee you will conclude, “Somebody should take up these causes”. You are absolutely correct!

What you may not conclude is that the someone is “You!”.

I can safely say that every community is similar, but I will use an example from Neepawa simply because that is the history I know best. I will use one example and that is Neepawa’s Yellowhead Centre, a hall and arena combination unit.

The YHC is made up of parts of the old salt well and some “new” construction. In the 1960s, the salt well shut down. The short version of the story is that the Town of Neepawa turned it over to The Neepawa Centennial Project Inc. A committee was formed, money raised and the facility opened 50 years ago. That community centre, like many other such facilities in many

Homebodies

Rita Friesen

Rascally rabbits!

Right in the Centre

Ken Waddell

The long eared fluff balls were rather cute this spring. The one morning I watched four of them play a lively game of ring around the house across the street. I had noticed more of them in the area than last year, and I was led to believe that is a natural progression for the species…Last summer, one would sit on the driveway chewing away at the growth between the cracks in the concrete, never even glancing at my pea patch right beside it. Not this year. I was fussing about the slow growth of my peas, and corn. I had planted them early, watered them well, and the majority of the pea plants remained under six inches tall, with only the occasional one making its way to the top of the fence. Then one morning, looking out the window, I spotted two long gray ears protruding above the peas. Tucked in between two rows, there sat the culprit, just chowing down. Opening the garage door did not deter him, approaching him and quietly asking him/ her to leave did not disturb the creature. When I chased it away, it crossed the road, sat at the edge of the neighbours yard and looked at me! Cheeky rascal.

other communities is a cornerstone of the community.

The underlying message is that some of the people who worked their fingers to the bone to make the Yellowhead what it is today are still alive (and quite active). That means that they were 25-30 years old or so back in the day. A big thank you goes out to them and to the young people who have stepped up over the years to do the community work.

The problem is that there aren’t enough young people realizing there is work to be done, facilities and organizations can’t run only on 70-80 year old people. There has to be new troops. If you want a community to at least be as healthy as the one you grew up in, then your community needs you. You are badly needed.

Many times I have heard from younger people, “Well I have to work”

or “I have to raise my kids.” That’s true, but what did you think all those now old people did fifty years ago. They worked and raised kids and when there was a fundraising supper to put on they didn’t always buy the food, they often donated it.

As I look across the readership area, every town needs more volunteers, less in-fighting, more cooperation and a swell of improvements. As my generation starts to age out (I was 75 this year) the torch has to pass on and simply standing by is not an option if you want your community to be as good, or better, than the one you were raised in.

There are some tremendous young leaders in our communities. Many are being taught volunteerism in school and in the community. They need encouragement, they need more helpers and they need to move forward. If the old guard doesn’t get renewed, our community facilities and organizations will die with the passing of our older people. That would be a shame to their memory and a huge loss to our communities. No doubt, our communities will survive, but they can thrive and it is a fresh generation of volunteers who will make that reachable.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the writer’s personal views and are not to be taken as being the view of the Banner & Press staff.

If I thought a dismissal from the garden would be enough, I was sadly wrong. If I didn’t spot the rabbit nibbling, I saw the evidence. So I patched up a fence. I had some rebar in the garage, some remnants of chicken wire, and got the west half, the approach side, fenced in. That left the east side open to attack, so I cobbled together sturdy cardboard and more rebar. That evening the gray intruder approached from the west, paused in bewilderment, proceeded down the south side only to find all avenues blocked. It pondered a moment about tasting the corn, but it was bigger and tougher than it was a few weeks ago, and, along, with my ki-yipping, it ambled across the lawn to the neighbours. I may have won this round…

One rabbit, two rabbits, stories and cartoons about rabbits. It got me thinking of the hours we watched Bugs Bunny, the ingenious, never die bunny that entertained countless kids, and adults. He introduced me to Elmer Fudd, the Roadrunner, Wylie Coyote, and a host of side characters. None of those cartoons ever made me think I could walk under an anvil and come away unscathed, or detonate dynamite without serious repercussions!

The other rabbit tucked into my memory bank is the Peter Rabbit, and his feud with Mr. McGregor. My younger son loved that book, preferred reading every night. The miracle of little Peter finding his way safely back home was always a miracle. Then one summer my father rented hay land from a gentleman in the area. I was living at home with my children at the time and so we were included in the conversation. Noticing tears quietly trickling down my son’s cheek, we asked what was the matter. Well, the hay field belonged to Mr. McGregor, and therefore was a dangerous place for all of us. We assured him we weren’t rabbits and so not in any danger.

“As I look across the readership area, every town needs more volunteers, less in-fighting, more cooperation and a swell of improvements.

Wolverine Days a huge success Customer appreciation and range event

Submitted

By Andrea Cook

To thank their customers for their continued support, Wolverine Supplies hold an annual Customer Appreciation Event and Open House featuring sales and specials, giveaways, and for the first time in 2013, a range event where people can have the opportunity to test out a variety of different firearms. It is a great opportunity to come out and see the store and range and get a taste of what shooting sports and the firearms industry is all about.

WD23 - Another successful event in the books!

They had over 600 attendees this year from age 2 and up. This event truly is for everyone – all ages, all experience levels. With many volunteers and over ten manufacturer reps from all across Canada, the USA and even the UK – WD provided guidance and instruction to anyone who approached the line, whether they were an experienced sport shooter, or it was their first time on the range.

They had prize draws, sales and specials, food trucks on site and WD organized a shop local promotion where local business came together to provide coupons to event attendees to take advantage of some great savings at a variety of places in Virden.

Canada Day celebrations in our area

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

There’s a few events happening on July 1, 2023, that you are not going to want to miss.

Kenton will be hosting its annual Canada Day events. Come on down to the Kenton Memorial Hall from 9 am – 11 am for the 4-H pancake breakfast. Be sure to register for the Kenton Lions Club Car Rally on your way into breakfast. The rally starts at 10 am and runs to 1 pm. Maybe you could be the new winner. Beer gardens open at 3 pm at the Legion patio. There will be entertainment at the bandstand throughout the day. Finish off the day with the Harding Ag Society Pit BBQ from 5 pm to 7pm.

Rapid City Valleyview Golf Course will be having a Canada Day Open Tournament. Starting at 10 am. It will be two-person best ball, 18-hole round. There are prizes and donations from KNG Golf, Woodworth Dodge, Piston Ring, and Auto Parts Central. You can win prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive and furthest putt challenges. From 10 am - 5:30 pm they will have beer gardens and Section 6 Brewing Co. is coming out with their products and beer on tap. After the announcement of tournament winners, at 6 pm - until dusk, Section 6 Brewing Co. is coming in for beer sampling.

After that the Rapid City and Area Lions Club is hosting the fireworks which we can seen from almost anywhere in town.

Hope to see you at these great local events!

Easton Guenther firing a 9MM with the help of one of the many volunteers at Wolverine Days.

As part of the Wolverine Days event, they team also run a ‘Patch Promo’ where all proceeds are donated to a charitable organization. With the help of their great network of customers and colleagues, they were able to successfully raise $20,000.00 and donate $10,000.00 each to STARS Air Ambulance and the CCFR – Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights.

Huge thank you goes out to the Woodworth and Wallace Fire Departments and many, many additional volunteers for helping them to keep the event running smoothly – greeting the guests, safely directing traffic, and guiding attendees through the event.

Thank you to everyone who came out and attended. Save the Date for June 22 and 23, 2024 for WD24.

PHOTO BY JESSICA COULTER

Condor Tool and Knife company set up an axe throwing booth at Wolverine Days

Local Community Legend

Submitted Rivers Banner

Rolling Dale Enterprises Chairperson Jean Greenwood was named a Local Community Legend by Forman Mazda in December 2022 for her twenty years of service on the Rolling Dale Board. Jean began her tenure as a Municipal Representative for the RM of Rapid City and when her appointment was completed chose to stay on as a member at large because she believes in the work that the Agency is doing to support Individuals with disabilities in the community.

Forman Mazda General Manager Kent Forman and Service Manager Rick DeBin surprised Jean with a delivery of items to be used for the newly developed sensory room at Rolling Dale on December 2, 2022.

Rolling Dale Enterprises is non-profit and currently supports nine Individuals in their Residential Program and thirteen Individuals in their Day Program. The Day Program which is located at 533 2nd Avenue runs a successful Thrift Store and offers both employment opportunities and vocational/social options for Supported Individuals.

The Board of Directors is comprised of both appointed members from the surrounding RM’s as well as Community members who have an interest in enhancing the lives of the Individuals supported.

Several Rolling Dale’s Board have been involved with the organization for many years including Jake Kroeger who has been on the Board since 1997 and Evan Smith who has been a member since 2006.

Congratulations Jean!

Rivers and District Pipe Band

50th anniversay of trip to Scotland

Submitted

Mayvis MacLellan

The Rivers & District Boys Pipe Band was formed in September 1959 with the help of members of the Rivers Legion and Rivers Fire Department and some interested citizens. The local Fire Chief at the time, Don Mitchell, an accomplished and professional piper who had won prizes and medals in competitions across Canada, took on the instruction of the pipers. At that time, the band consisted of about 8 sons of veterans. By 1961 and 1962, there were 17 members.

Through the years many changes took place. Girls first joined the band as Highland Dancers, but soon were becoming pipers and drummers. No longer just a boys’ pipe band, it was renamed the Rivers & District Pipe Band.

The tartan bus carrying the young Pipe Band members, instructors, and chaperones travelled many miles each year across Manitoba. The band also enjoyed trips to Montreal, Toronto, locations in Saskatchewan and into the US to North Dakota, Texas, and New Orleans. In 1973, The Rivers & District Pipe Band delighted in a 3-week “dream trip” to Scotland where it toured and performed around the country.

There are so many good people that helped with the Rivers & District Pipe Band’s success. There are so many interesting accounts and amusing stories of experiences over the 40-plus years of the Band’s existence.

The public is invited to join former members at RCC’s Redfern Hall on July 8 as they come together to reminisce and celebrate their pipe band days, and the 50th anniversary of the Band’s momentous trip to Scotland.

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Jean Greenwood was named a Local Community Legend by Forman Mazda in December 2022.

Rivers and district Pipe Band from 1968

It was a great day for Rapid City’s little fair

Rapid City Fair on June 24, 2023

continued from page 1

Fair days exhibits opened, starting at 11 am for horticulture, baking, sewing, handcrafts and poster contest. The winners were, highest points in Horticulture—Bernice Findlay, highest points in Baking— Janet Fearnley, and highest points in Sewing & Handicraft—Bernice Findlay. Best of Show — Rowena Martin with her painting and senior class was Bernice Findlay. The beef cattle show was at 1 pm. Champion Steer: Kaleb Brown from Hamiota. Champion Female: Kendra Hinsburg from Rapid City. Grand Champion Bull: Karson Farms from Newton. Grand Champion Female: Everett More from Virden. Best Beef Animal on the Grounds: Everett More from Virden. Jackpot Heifer Class: Brock Sigurdson from MacGregor.

The supper was mouthwatering pulled pork, but it was almost all gone by the time some people made it to the supper table. Going to have to stock up on extra for next year. There was a large crowd for supper which was great to see.

Is that a unicorn I see?!? Dressing up for the parade and fair, Amelia Coey riding her horse Jellybean

Poster contest for all ages. Displayed at the fair grounds.

Rapid City 4-H Beef Achievement.

No princess is complete without her mighty steed. Dressing up for the parade and fair, Victoria Thiessen riding her horse Sally.

Why can’t a puppy fly a helicopter above a cloud shaped like a horse. Dressing up for the parade and fair, Taci Gilchrist riding her horse Butter, helped by her dad.

Farmers’ Advocate

Canfax Canadian cattle report

By Shawn Cabak

Manitoba Agriculture

Reported by Canfax for the week ending June 23 –

Alberta direct cattle sales saw moderate volume cash trade with dressed prices steady to firmer than athe previous week from $414415/hundred weight (cwt) delivered. Good demand and manageable supplies fueled a strong $7/cwt Alberta/Nebraska cash basis this week. Weighted average Alberta steer prices firmed around $0.50/cwt higher than the previous week to $247.84/cwt, to be the strongest steer prices seen this week in North America!

Western Canadian fed slaughter for the week ending June 17 was one per cent larger than the previous week to 38,953 head. Year to date Western fed slaughter was down six per cent from the same week last year, totaling 962,141 head. Fed cattle/ cow exports to the US for the week of June 10 were generally steady with the previous week at 6,210 head and were down 18 per cent compared with year ago.

Canadian steer carcass weights dropped below the US weights for the week ending May 20, and as of June 10 were 11 lbs lighter. Canadian weights had been significantly heavier than the US since September 2022. This contributed to a weak basis in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of this year. The shift to more current weights in Canada has supported the basis in recent weeks and led to improved prices. Carcass weights are seasonally the lightest in June, providing the greatest opportunity for feedlots to gain leverage over packers.

With most cattle now grazing on pasture there are fewer cattle sold over the summer months so many auction marts close over this period. Once cattle are finished grazing in the fall and are rounded up yearlings and calves will be sold through auc -

tion, sold direct to a feedlot or be backgrounded at home. Canfax is projecting prices for fall yearling steers weighing 850 pounds in the $3-3.10/ lb range based off of the cattle futures market, the Canadian dollar valued at 76 cents and average basis ranging from minus eight to plus two cents per pound.

USDA cattle on feed report

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its June

1st cattle on feed report and it should be viewed as bearish, as feedlot placements came in well above expectations. The marketplace was expecting larger placements of 3.6 per cent, whereas actual placements came in five percent higher. Cattle on feed inventories dropped 56,000 head from May to June. June 1st cattle on feed inventories totaled 11.6 million head, 2.9 per cent lower than last year and the smallest since 2017.

For more information contact the Manitoba Agriculture

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE WADDELL

A spray plane swoops low over crop land west of Neepawa. The planes are a common sight these days.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Cattle grazing in a summer pasture.

office in Portage at 239-3353 or shawn.cabak@gov.mb.ca

RiveRs BanneR neepawaBanner & Press

Manitoba crop and weather report

By Shawn Cabak Manitoba Agriculture

After a cooler and wettish spring delayed seeding initially, hot and dry weather since May 1 has heated and dried out many areas in the province. As of June 11 according to Manitoba Agricultures weather stations, all of agro Manitoba has over 125 percent normal corn heat units with some areas up to 166 per cent, Portage sits at 139 per cent. A lot of agro Manitoba has received less than 50 per cent normal precipitation, especially the Interlake, Westlake and Central parts of Manitoba. Some of these areas have seen as little as 19, 25, 31 or 37 per cent of normal precipitation in Lakeland, Austin, Portage and Gladstone areas respectively. Even though crops were seeded a bit later than desired, warm conditions

and long days has aided crop development. With the longest day of the year this week, it is amazing how much crops can progress in one week. Crops have had to root down deeper to find moisture and are doing well considering how dry it has been but will need rain soon. Earlier seeded spring wheat is starting to head out and early canola will soon be

flowering.

Perennial forages like wetter conditions so hay yields will be down from last year as a result. Legumes are flowering and grasses are headed out due to the above average heat and haying has begun. Alfalfa weevil can be found defoliating alfalfa plants and is best managed by cutting the forage stand earlier. Early grass growth

Manitoba to streamline drainage compliance

By Shawn Cabak Manitoba Agriculture

The Manitoba government is responding to feedback from municipalities to help take a co-ordinated approach on bringing unlicensed drainage works into compliance and achieve best value from the licensing system.

• Co-ordinating legacy drainage projects on a single licence for maintenance purposes;

• Defraying the cost of the licence over multiple projects, providing greater value for money for municipalities and ratepayers; and

on pastures is sufficient for grazing but moisture will be needed for regrowth. This will impact the length of the grazing season and whether stocking rates will have to be adjusted down the road.

Shawn Cabak is a Livestockand Forage Extension Specialist based out of Portage la Prairie. You can contact him at shawn. cabak@gov.mb.ca. or by phone: (204) 239-3353.

The Manitoba government and the Association of Manitoba Municipalities are working together on a legacy drainage licensing project. Additionally, the Manitoba government is encouraging municipalities to bundle connected legacy drainage projects together into one application to provide greater value and encourage a watershed approach to drain maintenance.

This approach has a number of benefits including:

• Encouraging a planned approach to drainage maintenance on a watershed basis.

The Manitoba government is also working to enhance drainage compliance across the province, including enhanced resources for enforcement in Budget 2023 and a review of pre-set fine levels to bring these into line with the new licensing and registration model. For more information on drainage and water rights in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/drainage.

PHOTO BY DIANE WARNER

A farmer tends to their fields in the Rural Municipality of Rosedale, north of Eden.

A fast pitcher is worth a thousand blurs

Play Structure is a fan favourite

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

The Rivers Comets played against the Reston Rockets in Rivers on Wednesday, June 21 at 7pm. The score was 3 - 2 for the Comets. The Comets three runs were scored by Layton Veitch, Cale Shaw, and Jase Wareham.

The team played the Oak River Dodgers on Friday, June 23 at 7pm with a score of 16 – 4 in favour of the Dodgers. The Comets four runs were scored by Scott Beever, Michael McFadden, and two by Braeden

Clarke.

The Comets played the Hamiota Red Sox in Hamiota on Sunday, June 25 at 6pm. Comets won again with a score of 9 - 4 over Hamiota. Scott Beever went the distance on the mound, with 3 hits, 3 RBIs and a couple of runs scored. Owen Wareham (1 RBI), Mike McFadden (1 RBI) and Layton Veitch (1 RBI) each hit doubles, and Owen banged out a triple (1 RBI). Rounding out the offense with singles were Jase Wareham (2), McFadden, Freddie Hrysak, Nathan Espenell, Veitch, and Aaron Tycoles. Ger-

ald Kuculym had a keen eye, working three walks. Beever recorded a walk and a stolen base.

Their fourth game this week was against the Boissevain Centennials in Boissevain on Tuesday, June 27 at 7pm. The game ended with a score of 6 – 5 for the Centennials. The Comets five runs were scored by Nathan Espenell, Michael McFadden, Jayden Tait, Braeden Clarke, and Shayne Wiebe.

Their next game is Monday, July 3, at 7pm when they take on the Virden Oilers in Rivers. See you there!

The cops were called to the game

Someone stole second base

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

And the winning streak continues! The Dodgers played against the Hamiota Red Sox in Hamiota on Wednesday, June 21 at 7pm. The Dodgers defeated the Red Sox with a score of 12 - 2. Riley Shamray – one, Ty Paddock – one, Duncan Paddock – two, Brayden Heapy – one, Chad Kilimnik – two, Riley Lamb – one, Landon Cochrane – two, Ryan Argue – one, and Drew Birss - one made the runs across home plate for the Dodgers.

The Oak River Dodgers played the Rivers Comets in Rivers on Friday, June 23 at 7pm. The score was 16 - 4 for the Dodgers. The 16 runs were scored by Riley Shamray – three, Ty Paddock – three, Duncan Paddock – two, Kaden Rozdeba – two, Riley Lamb – two, Xavier Mowbray – two, Kain Kramer – one, and Drew Birss - one made the runs across home plate for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers hit the road with two away games back-to-back on Sunday, June 25. At 2pm they defeated the Wawanesa Brewers in Wawanesa with a score of 15 – 7. Riley Shamray, Riley Lamb, and Kaden Rozdeba were busy stealing bases in this game.

At 6pm they won again against the Boissevain Centennials in Boissevain with a score of 5 – 2. Ty Paddock – two, Kaden Rozdeba – one, Riley Shamray – one, and Brayden Heapy – one made the runs across home plate for the Dodgers. Their next game is scheduled for Monday, July 3, at 6pm when they take on the Wawanesa Brewers in Oak River. You are not going to want to miss it.

They love the new Oak River play

community volnteers. On the platform at

PHOTO BY TAMMY RECKSIEDLER

SUBMITTED PHOTO

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structure which was built by

top Brooklyn Stewart, Sienna Reid, Islamae Froese and Grady Rechsiedler. On slide Jessa Miller, Camrynn Shachtay and Bridget Stewart. On monkey bars Alyssa Oraschuk. On middle platform Trace Froese, Lawson Froese and Liam Wood.

Jase Wareham slides safely into home on the Owen Wareham double.

New train switch sign installed West of Rivers

SAFETY ALERT

Working

a hazard. Be especially aware of power lines that may be hidden by trees or buildings.

STAY BACK 3 METRES.

You don’t have to touch a power line to be shocked – even killed. If you get too close, electricity can jump, or “arc,” to equipment, vehicles, tools, and you. Maintain a distance of at least 3 metres from all power lines.

USE A SPOTTER. No equipment operator working alone can safely judge the distance from the equipment to overhead power lines. A spotter on the ground has a much better view to help you stay clear.

CARRY LADDERS SIDEWAYS.

Never carry ladders upright, as they may contact a power line. Look for overhead power lines before standing up a ladder.

PLANT TREES AWAY FROM OVERHEAD POWER LINES.

Prevent a problem in the future by planting trees where they won’t grow into power lines. Do not prune trees around power lines yourself. Contact a qualified arborist to do the job. See the Right Tree, Right Place document on our website for ideal vegetation options under power lines.

CLICK OR CALL BEFORE YOU DIG.

Power lines and natural gas lines may be buried underground. Before you dig, drill, or excavate, contact ClickBeforeYouDigMB.com to have underground lines marked so you can dig safely. Visit hydro.mb.ca/safety for more information.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Dust off your Sekine bicycles

Rivers 110th

Legion Hours

Thu, July 6 - 11:30am

Fri, July 7 - 1:00pm

Sat, July 8 - 11:00am

Sun, July 9 - 1:00pm

Outdoor Bar

Sat, July 8 - 11am to 11pm

Live Entertainment by:

The New Highway 25 Repaved!

Royal Canadian Legion Golf Tournament

Sat, July 15th, 2023

12pm Shotgun starts at Riverdale Golf Course

$50 per player

18 hole best ball foursome Supper and prizes to follow at Legion Clubroom. Non player supper $20.00 -- 204-328-7830 --

RIVERS PARADE JULY 8, 2023

-Assembly will be at Rivers Elementary School beginning at 8 am. Please enter through the EAST gate only. Upon entering all entries will receive an information sheet to fill out for announcing downtown.

-Parade will leave Elementary grounds at 9 am SHARP

Vintage Sekine Canada Road Bike Custom Bicycle 63.5cm Teal Coaster Single Speed

Submitted

Rivers Banner

Go digging and dust off your Sekine bikes. It is time to show them off to the whole town of Rivers for the Sekine Heritage / Rivers 110 Event Weekend. We want to see them at the parade and car show. So grease those chains and inflate those tires and show off a piece of Rivers history.

For about a decade, beginning in 1973, thousands of high-quality Sekine bicycles were manufactured near Rivers, Manitoba at the Oo-za-we-Kwun Centre in facilities that were once part of one of the most important Air Force Bases in Canada.

The story of the Sekine Bicycle Company in Canada is a story that brings together many threads of the larger history of our community, our nation, and our trade relationships with the outside world. Japan was not a notable trading partner in the early part of the 20th century, and as the decades progressed it became our enemy in the Second

World War. So, the creation of the Sekine Corporation in Japan had little impact internationally.

The product evolved with the times. Bikes made in the 50’s were far from glamorous. They were heavy dependable vehicles, built to last. But they also had distinctive detailing that carried over into the modern era when bikes became more about recreation than about mere transportation. Timing is everything, and there was one more component needed.

In 1973 it just so happened that the recently closed Canadian Forces base near Rivers Manitoba, was home to the Oo-Za.We-Kwun Centre, a project with a twofold purpose. Its mission was to provide industrial training for Aboriginal Manitobans while providing a new lease on life for the recently abandoned base with its wide variety of infrastructure. So, right here in Rivers Manitoba, we had both a supply of workers and a ready infrastructure for a manufacturing enterprise.

-Theme for the parade is “Wheels”. All wheeled vehicles are encouraged to participate. ie: lawnmower, atv, scooter, etc.

-There will be a Kid’s Decorated Bicycle Contest

THE MAP

Start is at west end of Elementary grounds and finish is at Super Thrifty/Way-Mor corner. Participants may split off and go either direction at this point.

Grad 2023 awards and scholarships

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

ivers Collegiate had their hands full handing out so many awards and scholarships to so many deserving graduates this year. The school was gracious enough to provide this list to the Rivers Banner for everyone to read and see how great our high school seniors did this year.

Rivers Collegiate:

Valedictorian – Alexis McLean

Certificate Program: (Academics, Athletics, School Service):

• Gold (Achievement in all 3 categories) - Simon Krahn, Alexis McLean, Andrew Hamm

• Silver (Achievement in 2 of the categories) - Connor Dawson, Judah Paddock, Nolan Perreault, Benjaman Roulette, Thomasina Sutherland, Jase Wareham

• Bronze (Achievement in one of the categories)Michael Branconier, Taylor Bridgeman, Payton Demas, Caleb Paddock, Adam Gabrielle, Jacques Thomson

Rivers United Church – Adam Gabrielle; Rolling River Teachers Association Award - Simon Krahn; Manitoba Nurses Union Local #90 - Taylor Bridgeman; Rivers and Area Lions Club - Taylor Bridgeman; Roman Catholic Parish Ladies Group - Andrew Hamm; Daly Repair Ltd.Nolan Perreault; Russell Family (Highest Achievement in Band Program) - Adam Gabrielle; John Russell Memorial (Highest Mark in Biology 40S) - Alexis McLean; Shirley Russell Memorial - Alexis McLean; Memories Chapel

- Michael Branconier; Mr. T & Son Services - Connor Dawson; Westoba Credit Union - Alexis McLean; Abe & Esther Krahn Christian Education - Andrew Hamm; Ada Wareham Memorial Scholarship - Simon Krahn; Ada Wareham Memorial - Andrew Hamm; Heritage Coop - Alexis McLean; Redline Transport Ltd. Award

- Adam Gabrielle; Redfern Farm Services - Alexis McLean; Providence Farms Agricultural - Caleb Paddock; Westman Communications Group - Simon Krahn; Bradwardine History Book Scholarship Fund

- Taylor Bridgeman; Redsper Enterprises - Caleb Paddock; The William & Sarah Harvey Memorial - Alexis McLean; Riverdale District Health Auxiliary - Judah Paddock; Edna, Ray & Murray Chapman Memorial

R(split) - Alexis McLean & Simon Krahn; Rivers Super Thrifty Drug Mart (Highest Mark in Chemistry 40S)

-Andrew Hamm; Taylor Family (Highest Mark in Physics

40S) - Andrew Hamm; Don McFadden (Highest Mark in Pre-Calculus 40S) - Alexis McLean; GOVERNOR

GENERAL’S BRONZE MEDAL (Highest Academic

Achievement in all 30S and 40S Courses) - Andrew Hamm; RCI Student of the Year - Alexis McLean; Royal Canadian Legion Branch #75 (Highest Mark in Applied Math 40S) - Connor Dawson; Oak River Agricultural Society in memory of William ShamrayAlexis McLean; Tempo Place Emporium (Highest Mark in Woodwork Technology 40) - Michael Branconier; Brockie Donovan Funeral Directors - Andrew Hamm; Society of Friends of RCI - Payton Demas; Way-Mor Agencies (Highest Mark overall 40S Subject) - Andrew Hamm; Rivers Women’s Institute (Runner up to highest Academic Achievement in all 40S Courses) - Alexis McLean; Riverdale Municipality (Highest Achievement in Life Work Transition 45S) - Michael Branconier; Riverdale Municipality (Highest Achievement in Essentials Math 40S) - Andrew Hamm; Riverdale Municipality Citizenship - Payton Demas; Hair Dynamics (Highest Mark in Food & Nutrition 40S) - Thomasina Sutherland; Beverley Stokotelny Memorial (Runner up to highest Academic Achievement in all 40S Courses) - Alexis McLean; RRSD Bronze Medallion (Highest Mark in ELA 40S) - Alexis McLean; Jennifer Giesbrecht Memorial (Highest Mark in ELA Comprehensive 40S)Alexis McLean; Principal’s Award (90+ Avg) - Andrew Hamm, Alexis McLean & Simon Krahn;

Lachlan Kopytko –valedictorian Elton Collegiate and winner of several awards.

Jase Wareham, Rivers Collegiate showing off his special talent at the ceremony.

Justin McKee, Elton Collegiate receiving his award.

PHOTO BY SHERRI THOM

PHOTOS BY WARREN SMALLWOOD

PHOTO BY SHERRI THOM

CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted In Memory

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Auctions

In Loving Memoryof Donald McFadden

A memorial service for the late Donald McFadden will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at the Rivers United Church.

For Sale

Manitoba Community Newspaper Association Province Wide Classifieds

NOTICES

FRANK FLOYD “CLAIR” ENGLISH

Beloved husband of the late Beth English; father of Deborah English (Art Gauthier), Eileen (Jim) Harrison, Brian (Leanne) English, the late Patricia Gregoire; father in-law of Leonard (Beth) Gregoire; passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Brandon, MB on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 86 years of age.

A graveside service will be held at the Ancrum Cemetery, Riverdale Municipality, MB on Friday, June 30, 2023 at 11:00am. Bring a lawn chair if you wish. Following the service a reception will be held at the Rivers Legion Hall, Rivers, MB. For those so desiring, donations may be made in Clair’s memory to the Riverdale Health Auxiliary, Box 360, Rivers, MB, R0K 1X0 or to a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence can be shared at www.campbellfuneralhome. ca. Campbell Funeral Home, Hamiota are in care the arrangements. (866) 620-2744

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Manitoba Community Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www. mcna.com.

URGENT PRESS RE -

LEASES - Have a newsworthy item to announce?

An exciting change in operations? Announcing a scholarship? Though we cannot guarantee publication, MCNA will get the information into the right hands for ONLY $35.00 + GST/HST. Call MCNA (204)

947-1691 for more information. See www.mcna. com under the “Types of Advertising” tab for more details.

SUMMER HIRING?

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NOW in the 32 Weekly Manitoba Community Newspapers to have your messaging seen all over the province! Call THIS NEWSPAPER NOW or call MCNA at (204) 947-1691 for more details or to book ads. MCNA - Manitoba Community Newspapers Association. www.mcna. com

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Thickening Borders

By Cam Dahl General Manager, Manitoba Pork Council

The international agricultural landscape is witnessing a troubling trend towards protectionism. In past eras, protectionism was enabled through prohibitive tariffs that blocked trade. World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and bilateral trade agreements have largely eliminated tariffs from the protectionists’ toolbox, but, as evidenced by recent events, there are other ways in which trade can be impeded.

California’s Proposition 12 and proposed changes to Product of the U.S.A. labeling will “thicken” the border between Canada and the U.S., making trade more difficult and disrupting the integrated North American market. Some of the costs of these new measures will be carried by Canadian hog farmers and beef producers, who will both face price discounts, but they are not alone. At the other end of the supply chain, consumers will pay more at the grocery store, something no politician should want to be associated with, especially during a time of rampant food inflation.

How did we get to this point? Have you heard about the road that is paved with good intentions? The new regulatory measures did not start out as trade barriers or with the intent to punish consumers, but this is where we have landed. For example, Californians who

voted for Proposition 12 likely did so because they were convinced by a few activists that modern regulations do not consider the welfare of animals being raised for meat consumption, despite the science to the contrary. The result is not improved animal welfare standards but arbitrary requirements for raising animals.

Proposition 12 is not consistent with the rest of North America, including other U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico. This means that if farmers, processors, and retailers want to supply the California market they will need to segregate products. If other states implement their own version of the regulations, as is expected, supply chains will face multiple segregations across the continent, rather than a harmonized North American market. Segregating production, processing, and retail will reduce consumer choice, increase consumer prices, and drive down farmers’ returns.

Manitoba’s hog farmers join with other pork organizations in calling on Canada to respond assertively to California’s Proposition 12. All potential measures to stop the fragmentation of the North American market must be taken, including challenges through the WTO and the Canada – United States – Mexico Agreement.

We have successfully confronted protectionist U.S. regulations in the past. Canada and Mexico successfully challenged U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling at the WTO by demonstrating that the law was discriminatory against Canadian and Mexican hog and cattle farmers. However, the fight against discriminatory labelling is not over.

Today, a ham can be labelled “Product of the

U.S.A.” if the animal from which it is derived was processed in the U.S., even if it was born in Canada. This approach recognizes the consistency between Canadian and American food safety regulations and high standards for raising animals. But this is about to change. Proposed amendments to U.S. regulations would require meat that carries the label to be derived from animals exclusively born, raised, and processed in the United States. Manitoba hog farmers have long standing, mutually beneficial, relationships with our customers in Iowa, Minnesota, and other states, but these relationships won’t count if the U.S. processors and retailers demand that their suppliers adhere to the terms of the new label. Manitoba Pork holds that if this occurs, the new label will be voluntary in name only and the millions of dollars in damage caused by mandatory country of origin labelling will recur. I am concerned that the revised labeling regulations not only undermine the integrity of international trade but also mislead consumers who may mistakenly believe that imported pork is of lower quality.

The new challenges faced by meat exporters, including Manitoba hog farmers, are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader trend of growing international protectionism in agriculture. Many countries are adopting protectionist policies that prioritize domestic industries at the expense of global trade partnerships. Canada needs to fight back.

There is a provincial election coming in Manitoba. Manitoba Pork calls upon all parties to prioritize the preservation of our international agriculture and agrifood markets when setting platform policies. Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture Ministers are meeting in July. The issue of rising protectionism and the thickening of the Canada and U.S. border should be a top agenda item at this meeting. It is vital that governments work together to dismantle barriers and promote an inclusive agricultural trading system. By doing so, we can ensure a prosperous future for farmers, while providing consumers with the quality products they deserve.

Elton Collegiate class of 2023 Kenton Grads

CONGRATULATIONS

Mayor,

All your dreams can come true... if you have the courage to pursue them.

Minnedosa, Brandon, Serving the communities of Wawanesa, Erickson, Sandy Lake, Strathclair & Rivers

PHOTO BY SHERRI THOM

PHOTO BY JESSICA COULTER

The graduating class of 2023, Elton Collegiate. Ceremony was held at 3pm on Friday, June 23, 2023.

The Kenton Grads of Hamiota Collegiate, Owen Cal, Rudy Bond and Garrett Kent. Ceremony was held at 1pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

Rollin’ into Rivers Rollin’ into Rivers

Sekine Heritage / Rivers 110 Event Weekend

Thursday July 6

12pm 2pm - 1973 Class Reunion at Rivers Legion

- 1974 Class joins in 10am 10am 2pm 3:30pm 4pm 5pm 5pm

Friday July 7

- Golf Tournament at Riverdale Golf and Country Club Ph 204-328-7122

- 2pm - Tour, Demos & BBQ at Wildlife RangeGrand Opening of the Wildlife Ranges and Learning Centre

- Turkey shoot (equipment supplied)

- 7pm - Emergency Services Demonstration Legion Parking Lot

- Class of 1966 supper at Lee’s Restaurant

- 8pm - Pipe Band Practice at RV Park

Saturday July 8

7am

- Parade participants line up Elementary School (includes Kids Decorated Bicycle Contest)

- Parade starts (Food Bank is taking donations during parade)

- 4pm - Kids Bouncy Castle Rivers RV Park

- 1:30pm - Caboose Photo Booth, Kids Coloring Contest, Kids Corn Hole Toss - Rivers Curling Arena

- 4pm - Displays at Rivers Curling Arena, Draws for Sekine Bicycle & Wall Hanging

- Sekine Bicycle Tours 5 km, 20 km, 37 km Register at A & L Cycle Tent across from Heritage Co-op (Proceeds to Firefighters & Train Station)

- 11pm - Rivers Pipe Band Reunion - Redfern Hall, Music, Displays, Food and Refreshments

- 11pm - Beer Gardens & Entertainment Rivers Legion Parking Lot

- 1:30pm - E Bike Demonstration Hotel Parking Lot Area

- 1:30pm - Love Local BBQ @ Heritage Co-op Parking Lot

- 4pm - Classic Car Show and Shine Legion area

- Rivers Train Station Draw for VIA Rail Trip - Winnipeg to Churchill & return

- 7pm - CJ’s supper at lake - proceeds to Friends of Rivers Lake

- 9pm - Old Fashioned Hootenanny at CJ’s

- Millennium Park - Fireworks and Hot Dogs

Sunday, July 9

9:30am 1pm

- Antique Tractor Trek to Clack’s Museum, lunch provided w/ $25 registration at Redfern’s Farm Centre. All proceeds to Cancer Care. Pre-register w/ Tom/Jean Ryall 204-328-7546 or Harry/Joan Airey 204-328-7103

- 4pm - Paddle Poker on Rivers Lake (no motorized watercraft).Registration Dave Falkevitch 204-729-7203

Funding assistance provided by the Manitoba government. Aide financière accordée par le gouvernement du Manitoba