Jessica Coulter Graphic Designer - Manager
Rivers Banner
Office: 204-328-7494
Cell: 431-351-1628
Email: info@riversbanner.com
Website: www.riversbanner.com
RiveRs BanneR
Local People. Local Stories.
Serving the Rivers, Rapid
and Oak Lake areas for 116 years
Winner of the Royal Canadian Legion Poster Contest, Zurin Turner
Joan Wright Vice President of Manitoba North Western Ontario Command and Vaughn Wilson President of Woodworth RCL #118 presenting Zurin Turner of Kenton with first place awards and cheques from Zone, District, and Provincial Command for his primary black and white poster submitted to the RCL Literary and Poster contest 2023.
By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner
Each year, the Royal Canadian Legion hosts a contest for Canadian students to exercise their creative skills and submit a poster for Remembrance. The poster they design can be colour or black and white. The posters are then judged at the local branch and then at the provincial level.
The poster is to reflect remembrance with a Canadian theme.
Zurin Turner of Kenton was the first-place winner with his black and white drawing for all three levels, his zone, district and provincial command. He submitted to the RCL poster contest in 2023, in the grades K-3 category. Congratulations Zurin!
If you are interested in entering, please reach out to your local Legion, or visit www.Legion.ca. The registration forms are available online. The Legion also has a Literary Contest for essays and poems for those who prefer to write instead of draw.
City, Forrest, Kenton, Oak River, Hamiota
A bad day of golf beats a good day of work
Woodworth Legion Annual Golf Tournament
By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner
Awarm and sunny Saturday in June was the perfect day to start the Woodworth Legion Golf Tournament. Thirty-one golfers signed up for the day of a relaxing round of golf at the Hamiota Golf Course on Saturday, June 15. There were a lot of compliments about the beautiful and well kept the course. The event was organized by the Woodworth Legion Sports Director, Don Carter and, as usual, Don did a wonderful job.
“Thank you to all participants and volunteers that made for a wonderful day,” says Woodworth Legion President, Vaughn Wilson.
Winners from the annual Woodworth Legion Golf Tournament were: First Flight winners were Lawrence Daniel, Ken Daniel, Blair Fordyce and Dave Von Richter. Men’s Longest Drive was won by Cody Kent. Ladies Longest Drive was won by Tanya Copet. Don Carter won the Longest Putt.
A steak Supper was held in the evening at the Woodworth Club Room which was prepared and organized by the Ladies Auxiliary. New York Strip steaks were cooked to perfection by Danny and Craig Whyte. Along with steak, everyone was able to enjoy potatoes, salads and buns. The Ladies provided five different types of cake for dessert.
Everyone who came out to play received a prize. Prizes were donated by Brierwood Creek Café, Valleyview Co-op, Jody’s Repair, Whyte’s Lumber, Woodworth Dodge, Hamiota Feedlot, Redfern Farm Supplies, Piston Ring (Brandon), Fusion Credit Union, Virden Ag, Don Carter, and TriStar Printing – Faron Asham.
Oak Lake Spring into Summer Golf Tournament
By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner
Tee times started at 10:30am on Saturday, June 15 at Oak Lake Golf Course for the Oake Lake Spring into Summer Golf Tournament. Seventy-four golfers signed up for a wonderful warm day at the course.
The winners were: Woman’s closest to the pin winner Hayley Bird. Woman’s longest drive
winner Alayna Bailey. Woman’s longest putt with a 69” putt winner Alayna Bailey. Men’s longest drive winner Kyle Enns. Men’s closest to the pin winner Buddy. Men’s longest putt with a 14’ 4” putt winner Jeffery Bailey.
Sponsors and prizes were provided by J&L Seeds, Virden Four Seasons, RFNOW, Brierwood Creek Café and Grill, Barry & Gail McNish, Joe Dandy’s, Oak Lake Rink
canteen, Virden Home Hardware, Fusion Credit Union, Anchor Salon and Spa, Sparks Sand and Gravel, Aspen Grove Campground and Virden Ag and Parts.
The clubhouse staff prepared a delicious meal and took care of everyone in the beer gardens. The next tournament in Oak Lake will be the Memorial Tournament Aug 10, with a start time of 9:30am.
PHOTOS BY JESSICA COULTER
Woodworth Legion member Blair Fordyca teeing off on the first hole.
One of the many teams playing in the Oak Lake Tournament finishing off at the ninth hole.
Legion Tournament.
Neil StrohScheiN
The healing power of laughter
Iwill never forget the third Sunday of Advent (December 18) of 2005. As I was returning to Neepawa following a Sunday service, I received a phone call telling me that my girlfriend (now my wife) Kathryn had suffered a massive stroke.
I also was told that she was in one of the Intensive Care Units at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg and that, assuming she made it through the next week to 10 days, she faced a long, slow road to recovery.
As soon as I received that call, I knew my life would never be the same. What I didn’t know was how much it would change. Eighteen years have passed since that day; and of all the things for which I am thankful, two stand out. First, Kathryn has survived and is walking the road to full recovery with persistence, courage and unbridled optimism.
Second, Kathryn’s stroke, as serious as it was, did not take away her sense of humor or her razor sharp wit. She is able to see the humor in many of her experiences; and allows us to laugh with her at happenings that are truly funny. And she has helped me see, experience and gain a deep appreciation for the healing power of laughter. There are times when we all said or do things that are genuinely funny. If we can’t allow ourselves to laugh at them, life will become very depressing very quickly. In our house, we capitalize on the funny moments we experience; and we’ve had many of them.
Here’s one example. When I first met her, Kathryn was an excellent speller; which was a good thing, since she worked as a writer and TV producer. After her stroke; she had to learn how to write and spell all over again. Thanks to weekly sessions with a superb Speech Therapist, assignments on paper, games she plays online, several apps she has on her smart phone and 18 years of hard work, she has regained much of that skill.
But every so often, something happens that makes us both laugh; and I share the following story with Kathryn’s permission. As part of her Speech Therapy, Kathryn’s therapist suggested that she start making lists-grocery lists, shopping lists, itineraries, etc. One of those lists contained an item I had never seen on a grocery list beforeTex-Mex “Shedded” Cheese. When I asked Kathryn what that product was, she laughed and said “I know it’s not spelled right, but what’s missing?” What was missing was the letter “r.” The actual product is Tex-Mex “Shredded” Cheese; a vital ingredient in some of the dinner meals we enjoy. We still laugh about this; and love sharing this story with others.
Many years ago, King Solomon wrote these words: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
I can assure you that these words are true. Kathryn and I have experienced the healing power of laughter on many occasions. Laughter has helped us ease tension in our home, take the sting out of hardships and trials, and release the joy that makes each day a delight. We are fortunate to be surrounded by friends who love a good laugh as much as we do; and with whom we can exchange truly funny personal stories.
I hope we can keep laughing and experiencing its healing power for the rest of our lives because I can’t think of a better way to spend the years I have left; however many they might be.
From last weeks front page
Manitobans to annually recognize invaluable contributions of community foundations
Submitted By Grant Jackson, MLA for Spruce Woods
Community foundations across Manitoba and those who contribute time, effort, and money to support them will now receive well-earned recognition following the passage of Bill 202, the Community Foundation Day Act, Spruce Woods MLA Grant Jackson announced this afternoon.
“This legislation is about recognizing the community foundations that make meaningful and lasting contributions throughout our province, as well as the volunteers and donors who make it all possible,” said Jackson, who sponsored the private member’s bill. “The dozens of community foundations in Manitoba deserve to be honoured and celebrated for the work they do in making our communities sustainable and vibrant.”
With the passage of the bill, Community Foundation Day in Manitoba will be recognized annually on April 26, the date when Canada’s first community foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation, was established by William Forbes Alloway and his wife Elizabeth Alloway in 1921. Community foundations work by pooling and permanently investing donations entrusted to them, with the interest they generate granted to local charitable organizations for various projects, activities, and programs. The capital is never spent, allowing the monetary gifts to support communities and worthwhile endeavours indefinitely.
The “gifts that keep on giving” through community foundations, Jackson noted, have immensely helped Manitobans for decades, as the province is home to 57 community foundations—the most per capita in North America. Among all provinces, Manitoba consistently has the highest percentage of tax-filers who donate to charities, Jackson added.
“This is something to be proud of, as is the work of staff and volunteers at community foundations in recruiting donors to give back to our communities,” said Jackson. “In this way, they contribute to our province and ensure our communities thrive into the future. It was an honour to introduce Bill 202 so that this incredible work receives well-deserved recognition every year.”
Perspectives
Tundra
By Chad Carpenter
And then there were three
Ihave often spoken and written along the following lines. In life, we need the four “F” words, namely Faith, Family, Friends and Finances. And we need to keep them in that order. I learned long ago the need for faith, it’s essential. My mother and father and two older brothers taught me the importance of family. When I joined into my wife Christine’s family, the Lobels at Virden, my appreciation of family grew deeper.
Over the years, Christine and I have gathered literally 100s of friends over our 70 plus years of living, 55 of which have been together. We value all our friends.
As far as finances go, we farmed through the high interest crisis in the 1980s. When we bought our farm, the neighbours said we would never pay for it and they were right. Ironically, the price we paid for that half-section farm in 1974 would buy you less than 10 acres today. Finances can be pretty shifty, that’s why it ranks in fourth place on my list.
In 1979, we decided I would give up my job as Ag-rep with Manitoba Agriculture and go full-time farming and part-time auctioneering. The auction business lasted longer than the farm and transitioned us into the newspaper business. I am proud to say today that we have been involved in publishing, in one form or another, for 58 years.
We started full time in the newspaper business in 1989 with the birth of the Neepawa Banner, a free distribution paper. We started the Rivers Banner shorty afterwards by buying up the assets of the closed down Rivers Gazette-Reporter which was a much earlier amalgamation of the Rivers Gazette and the Rapid City Reporter. Our grandson, Micah Waddell, now owns the Rivers Banner and we have a management arrangement with him
Right in the Centre
Ken
Waddell
“
We are pleased to announce that we have purchased our third paper, the Virden Empire Advance from Glacier. It too will now be a free distribution paper.
to operate it. The Rivers Banner is a free distribution newspaper.
In 2015, we bought the Neepawa Press from Glacier Media of Vancouver. Hence today, the Neepawa paper is the Neepawa Banner & Press. So now nine years later, our path and Glacier Media’s path crosses once again.
We are pleased to announce that we have purchased our third paper, the Virden Empire-Advance from Glacier. It too will now be a free distribution paper.
We are having a great amount of joy working on growing and expanding the Empire-Advance. Even after all these years, and with fewer visits than we wanted to Virden, it’s surprising how many people know Christine and her family. Both Christine and I have also been pretty much out there in political and social activities and I guess a few people have noticed over the years.
I believe that we will continue to grow all three papers by way of a tried and true formula.
A newspaper can be likened to a four-legged milking stool. For those of you who are too young to remember
”what a milk stool is, if it’s missing a leg, it tends to fall over and you end up in the gutter behind the cow.
A community newspaper has to have four legs. Local news, editorials, ads and, oh yes, paper. Some may question why it needs paper. After all, in this day and age, everything is available on-line isn’t it? Well yes, but news printed on paper provides a much higher level of reliability and accountability. When it’s printed on a page, it stays written. In the Internet world, just about anything goes. You can’t tell truth from fiction and what’s presented one minute can be changed the next minute.
Like they say about contracts, “You gotta get it in writing.” Community newspapers get everything in writing!
So, as the title of this column says, “And then there were three”. As a family, we are proud to now be serving with three community newspapers and look forward to doing so in the future.
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.
Rita Friesen Homebodies
A thoughtful evening I
t was a thoughtful evening. It was also thought provoking. The textbook ‘Poetic Experience, An Anthology of Poems for Senior Students’, published in 1955 (isn’t that a lifetime ago?) was hauled off the bookshelf to review one poem in particular. Like looking something up on the internet, I descended down the rabbit hole. The much worn and well loved textbook was the one I studied in grade twelve. This textbook was the one my father used while teaching in the Midland School Division, now a part of the Prairie Rose Division. So, it could have been in Roland or in Starbuck that his hand held the book and the faded underlining and notations are difficult to decipher– as they would have been when he wrote them!
One of the things that struck me was how many portions of the Bible were recognized as poetry and worthy of memorizing and understanding; Psalm 23, 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3, The Magnificat– Luke 1: 46-55. The one from The Book of Ecclesiastes, 12: 1-7, entitled ‘Remember Now Thy Creator’, dad underlined ‘Because man goeth to his long home’, and noted the examples: silver cord; golden bowl; pitcher; wheel are all symbols of life. That passage concludes with ‘Then shall the dust return to the earth it was; And the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.’ I have to wonder if studying these words could be more life enhancing and encouraging than being required to read ‘The Handmaids Tale’?
The textbook is divided into sections– British Poets, American Poets, Canadian Poets with the final section consisting of portions of longer works of poetry like The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and a part of The Canterbury Tales. Dad made notes beside ‘Canada: Case History’, written by Earle Birney, and the summation states ‘The poet here throws out a challenge to Canada to grow up, to be a man, to assert independence in thought and act’. I get that when I see the lines ‘This is the case of a highschool land, deadest in adolescence, loud treble laughs and sudden fists, bright cheeks, the gangling presence. This boy is wonderful at sports and physically quite healthy; he’s taken to church on Sunday still and keeps his prurience stealthy. He doesn’t like books except about bears, collects new coins and model planes, and never refuses a dare.’ Reading that carefully I see how much has changed already, and here the notation is a simple word– personal. Yup.
Human emotion captured by a poets words can be freeing, encouraging, and challenging. John Masefield’s ‘Sea Fever’, ‘I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,’ confirms that this longing for a place, a scene, a scent, is natural. Canadian poet, Bliss Carman, in ‘Vestiga’, (footprints) speaks of finding peace, and God, in nature. There were no notes beside that one, and if dad had taught on it he would not have needed any notes, just sharing from his heart.
There were passages I don’t remember reading that caused me to pause, there were passages that brought me right back to the classroom. A lovely way to use an hour.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2024 CLASS
Birthday: July 5, 2006
Parents names: Caryn
Livingstone, and Mark King
Siblings: Max
Pets: Dixie (dog), Shadow (cat)
First job: Mowing Grass
Hobbies: Golf, socializing, games
Who do you look up to: Dad
My favourite thing about attending my school was shenanigans.
When I was 12, I wanted to be a firefighter.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to be a plumber.
Rowen Welch Forrest, MB Elton Collegiate
Birthday: July 23, 2006
Parents names: Colin & Janine
Siblings: Livia & Declan
Pets: Smudge (Bunny)
First job: A & L Cycle
Hobbies: Mountain biking, wood working, volleyball
Who do you look up to: my Dad
My favourite thing about attending my school was it’s small, and I know everyone.
When I was 12, I wanted to be a Carpenter.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to go into engineering.
Justice, MB Elton Collegiate
Birthday: October 10, 2006
Parents names: Robert and Michelle
Siblings: Taylor
Pets: Bird
First job: Summer student at MCDC Carberry
Hobbies: music, arts, gaming
Who do you look up to: not my sister, I have to look down
My favourite thing about attending my school was the library and the activities in there. When I was 12, I wanted to be a vet tech.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to take a gap year and then go to BU for environmental science.
McDonald Chater, MB Elton Collegiate
Birthday: July 5, 2006
Parents names: Jack and Patricia McDonald
Siblings: Jesse
Pets: Max the dog
First job: McDonald’s
Hobbies: socializing, basketball, games
Who do you look up to: my Dad
My favourite thing about attending my school was shenanigans with the boys. When I was 12, I wanted to be a football player.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to get my red seal in carpentry and open my own business and get rich as heck.
Forrest, MB
Elton Collegiate
Birthday: April 3, 2006
Parents names: Joey and Michelle
Siblings: Colin
Pets: Daisy
First job: Golf course
maintenance worker
Hobbies: Hockey, baseball, golf
Who do you look up to: My Dad
My favourite thing about attending my school was it’s small and I know everyone. When I was 12, I wanted to be a NHL player.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to pursue a career in Agriculture.
Allison MacIsaac
Logan
Brett Melnyk
Reece King
Forrest, MB Elton Collegiate
CONGRATULATIONS
Birthday: November 7, 2006
Parents names: Lorena and Steven Nicholson
Siblings: Brooke, Courtney & Rheanna Nicholson
Pets: Harley, Spot, Fanta, Nala, Jinx
First job: Farm Hand
Hobbies: Golf, Gaming, Fishing
Who do you look up to: Homer Simpson
My favourite thing about attending my school was Cinema. When I was 12, I wanted to be a Firefighter.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to work in Landscaping.
Birthday: February 1, 2006
Parents names: Mauree, Dave
Siblings: Jonn, Annika, Arianna, Zenn, Ashlyn
Pets: Maisy (dog), Jaxx (dog)
First job: Chicken barn
Hobbies: Listening to music and going for walks
Who do you look up to: my Mom and Dad
My favourite thing about attending my school was the teachers are good. When I was 12, I wanted to be probably a doctor.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to go to university to become a teacher.
Congratulations 2024 Grads
Enjoy your summer. Wishing you All the best in everyday of your Life, Career, & Future... Also just Remember "You can't climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets" BILL
Acreage, MB Elton Collegiate
Birthday: August 31
Parents names: Bill and Michelle
Siblings: 4, 2 brothers and 2 sisters
Pets: Sam is the servant to Tabby, the queen cat
First job: Mcdonalds Hobbies: crocheting and selling amigurumi characters
Who do you look up to: my dad is taller than me
My favourite thing about attending my school was meeting up with my friends.
When I was 12, I wanted to be a chemist.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to take a year off and then go into pharmacy.
Birthday: August 20, 2006
Parents names: Taryn & Mike Tuttle
Siblings: Trey, Taytum, Tyler, Truly Tuttle
Pets: Lola (dog)
First job: Once Upon a Child Hobbies: Softball, camping, doing make up
Who do you look up to: My mommy
My favourite thing about attending my school was Savanna.
When I was 12, I wanted to be a Obstetrician.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to become a licensed practical nurse.
By Metro Creative Rivers Banner
Gift ideas for
The class of 2024 soon will be donning their caps and gowns and receiving their diplomas. After commencement ceremonies, graduation parties will soon follow. For party guests, that means finding the right gifts for grads.
Some high school graduates will continue their studies at colleges and universities. Others may pursue careers in various trades. Still, some graduates may be ready to enter the workforce right away. No matter the direction, these gifts can treat graduates to something special.
Travel accessories
Graduates may want to go on a trip before they take the next step in their lives. Quality travel gear is a worthy investment. Select luggage that won’t exceed airport carry-on limits so grads can cut the baggage check lines when they dart away to locales near or far. Carry-on bags also fit easily in bus cargo areas or in the trunks of cars. Pair the gifts with standard or digital luggage tags.
Streaming TV device
While it’s certainly possible to watch favourite shows or films on mobile devices, viewing is that much clearer on televisions. Rather than graduates having to invest in cable television wherever they go, streaming devices like AppleTV or Roku are portable, which
Savanna Olson
Douglas, MB Elton Collegiate
Austin Nicholson
Meadowbrook Village, MB Elton Collegiate
Samantha Schlosser
Teagan Tuttle Carter, MB Elton Collegiate
CLASS OF 2024
On an acreage on Rivers Lake, MB Elton Collegiate
Birthday: February 2006
Parents names: Gary and Allison
Siblings: Sister - Amber
Pets: Pup- Murphy
First job: Green Team Riverdale
Municipality
Hobbies: Video games, Sports, Fishing
Who do you look up to: Phil Kessel
My favourite thing about attending my school was seeing the Boys.
When I was 12, I wanted to be a Race Car Driver.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to enter the work force.
Cottonwood Acres Douglas, MB Elton Collegiate
Birthday: April 23, 2006
Parents names: Keith and Denise Neufeld
Siblings: Damen and Nash
Neufeld
Pets: 3 dogs- Tikka, Summit, Harvest. Cat- Tigger
Rowin Richmond Forrest, MB Elton Collegiate
Birthday: July 1, 2006
Siblings: Ryder, Reece, Redden
Pets: 2 dogs, Millie & Wendell
First job: Land surveying with my dad at Richmond Surveys
Who do you look up to: my dad
Justice, MB Elton Collegiate
Birthday: March 28, 2006
Parents names: Art and Carla
Siblings: Nolan
Pets: Lexie (Dog- Jack Russell terrier)
First job: Working with horses
Hobbies: going on walks
First job: Learn to skate teacher
Hobbies: fishing, singing, working out, spending time with loved ones
Who do you look up to: My parents
My favourite thing about attending my school was building relationships with teachers and students over the years.
When I was 12, I wanted to be a Mom.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to stay close to home and work for Brandon Ems.
for high school graduates
My favourite thing about attending my school was hanging out with all my buddies. When I was 12, I dreamt of being a hockey player and going to the NHL just as all young players do. Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to play the sport I love for as long as possible before going to post-secondary school to become an electrician.
home, in a dorm room or on vacation.
to apply for credit cards once they most students are when they graduate method of establishing solid credit,
so it can be beneficial for a teen to have one. But it can be challenging for individuals with no credit histories to get approval. A secured card, according to CapitalOne, is a credit card that requires money deposited with the credit card issuer in order to open the account. This security deposit is held by the issuer as long as the account is open. Often the security deposit is the same as the credit limit. Gift-givers can help establish secured cards for grads by providing the funds for the security deposits.
Wireless earbuds or headphones
Upgrade grads’ audio with the newest wireless earbuds or headphones. This way they can take them to the gym or use them to listen to shows or music while sharing spaces with others, including college roommates.
Smartphone wallet case
Teenagers are seldom without their phones. A smartphone wallet case enables graduates to stash IDs, credit or debit cards and some cash into specially designed pockets built into the phone cases. This keeps all essentials in one spot.
Framed memorabilia
Whether a graduate was a star athlete or a premier member of the marching band, gift-givers can provide special memories of time spent in school. Frame ticket stubs, sports jerseys, show programs, or other memorabilia that commemorates a graduate’s glory days at their alma mater.
Who do you look up to: my parents
My favourite thing about attending my school was friends. When I was 12, I wanted to be a real estate agent.
Now that I am graduating, my future plans are to take a gap year and work to figure out what I want.
Randi Penner
Gavin Pomeroy
Abby Neufeld
Those darn gophers
Rivers Game and Fish Gopher Shoot
By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner
Agopher tail collection contest was held on Saturday, June 15, hosted by Rivers Game and Fish. Registration took place at 8 to 9am. Once registered the hunting started. It was $50 to enter a two-person team.
There were five teams that came out from Rivers, Miniota, Kenton and Alexander.
In first place, with 190 tails collected, was the team of Murray and Kyle Gurr, receiving $105.
In second place, with 87 tails collected, was the team of Kevin Lamb and Richie Joynt, receiving $52.
A prize was also given to the team with the fewest tails. Tyler and Boden
Bond collected only 12 tails and took last place, receiving an $18 pay out. A future shoot will hopefully take place again around mid-summer depending on weather and ground conditions.
Fifteen years and fifteen stops -High-Roller-Road-Rally-
Submitted By Donna Morken
The Rivers and Area Community Foundation is celebrating fifteen years this year of supporting community
We are celebrating by having a “High Roller Road Rally” highlighting fifteen of the many projects we have supported
Pecan Chicken Salad
This pecan chicken salad made with chopped cooked chicken, herbs, celery, pecans, red onion, and a creamy homemade dressing is really flavourful. Serve on top of toasted croissants or butter lettuce.
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tsps white wine vinegar 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp Maple pepper
2 cups chopped cooked chicken 2 stalks celery, sliced 1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans 2 tbsps minced red onion
Directions
Mix mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, garlic powder, thyme, and maple pepper together in a bowl until well combined. Add chicken, celery, pecans, and red onion; stir well to incorporate. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
This rally will be held on Saturday, July 6, and will begin at the Riverdale Recreation Centre.
Bring your family and friends, fill up your vehicle for a fun drive around our community. There are fifteen stops along the route that represent organizations that have received grants from Rivers and Area Community Foundation over the past fifteen years. Come and test your skills of observation, your word scramble knowledge and your dice rolling ability. It will be fun for everyone!
Farewell to Rev. Sheila
By
Dianne Kowalchuk
Time goes by so quickly! Two years ago, the congregation of Rivers United Church approved the appointment of Sheila Deforest as a halftime student minister here. She officially started in the position on September 1, 2022. During that summer, she moved to Rivers – lock, stock, and barrel – and became one of us. We supported her as she carried out all the duties of a United Church minister, while still completing her studies. We applauded when she graduated from St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon with a Masters of Divinity. We cheered when she was ordained as a minister of the United Church of Canada on June 16th. The only sad part about this whole joyous journey is that Rev. Sheila will not be staying with us at Rivers United; she has accepted a call to Maple Creek United Church in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. She will be a blessing to the church family in Maple Creek, just as she has been a blessing to us in Rivers.
Rev. Sheila’s final service at Rivers United will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 23rd. This will be a very meaningful service as Sheila closes her covenant with us and presides over the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Worship will be followed by a Farewell Reception, including our favourite after-church snack – cake! Please join us as we mark the ending of a special relationship with a very special person. Sheila Deforest is a woman filled with joy, love, and a deep faith. She will be greatly missed!
June 23rd is the last Sunday worship service until we return to the pews on Sunday, September 8th. On that day, the service will be led by Heather Lamb, and Robin Rivas will welcome children to Sunday School. While we are searching for another student minister, we will carry on with pulpit supply, including Rev. Barb Jardine and our own Rev. Glenna Beauchamp.
When RUC gets back to business in the fall, we look forward to inspiring and joyful services, as well as to church-sponsored activities like the fall thrift sale and fall supper. Plans are also being made for a free Family Carnival in late September.
Rivers United is very thankful for the great support the community shows for the fundraising projects. The spring thrift sale was very successful. It was recently decided to split the proceeds from this event between Riverdale Harvest (the local food bank) and the Northen Ministers Crisis Fund. The latter fund is an initiative of the United Church of Canada to provide training, relief, and support for ministers in northern Communities. Without your support, we would not be able to make such worthwhile donations.
Made the summer sun be a blessing! Come and join us when it is time for the Harvest Moon!
Submitted
FILE PHOTO FILE PHOTO
CLASSIFIEDS
We are hiring!
We have a new opportunity to highlight:
Research Assistant
Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment
Full time, Term (June 17, 2024 to February 26, 2027) Competition #: 162-23/24
Minto – Rourke Farm, Manitoba
Salary: $42,978 to $51,744 annually ($22.80 to $27.45 hourly)
This will be a 1.0 FTE Research Assistant Level 1, who will be based out of Minto at the Rourke Farm and work with the Faculty Researcher on two S-CAP funded projects. This position will support the execution of both projects which includes organizing, helping with seeding, maintaining field trials, growth chamber projects, and exploring different types of seed coatings. The RA will be responsible for compiling data, ensuring equipment is kept in working order, assisting with data analysis, troubleshooting the project, report, and manuscript preparation. This position will be expected to attend meetings and conferences and will liaise/work with industry partners for the project. The RA will also train, mentor and supervise summer students and work with the other Research Assistant.
For more information, please visit our careers website at www.assiniboine.net/careers.
Assiniboine welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada, including Indigenous peoples, persons of all abilities, members of visible minorities, all genders and sexual orientations, and all other groups protected by the Human Rights Code.
Assiniboine’s campuses are located on the traditional territories of Treaty No. 1 and Treaty No. 2, and the shared traditional lands of Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene and Anishinabek/Ojibwe peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation.
If you are interested in this career opportunity, please email your resume and cover letter with reference to Competition #162-23/24 to: careers@assiniboine.net
We thank you for your interest. Those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
HELP WANTED SUMMER STUDENT
Clacks Family Heritage Museum is looking for a student who is 16 years old or older with a valid drivers licence to work for the summer.
Thursday to Sunday 10am to 5pm June 27th to Aug 25th $16 an hr.
Please send resume to Maxine Shamray: maxshamray17@gmail.com
CLACKS FAMILY HERITAGE MUSEUM FOUNDATION INC
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FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306921-9942.
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Fusion Credit Union presents Community Infusion
Submitted
By Marla Johnston
For a fourth consecutive year, Fusion Credit Union is proud to present “Community Infusion”, the business idea competition that infuses economic growth and prosperity into our local communities. Past winners of Community Infusion include Dusty’s Butcher Shop from Dauphin, Fierce Female Hockey from Brandon, and Danielle’s Studio 12 from Rivers.
Entrepreneurs with a new business idea or an existing business they are looking to grow, or purchase, are asked to submit an application by Sunday, June 16, 2024, at midnight. Selected applicants will move to the next phase of the competition which will require a business plan submission. Up to five finalists will then be selected to pitch their idea to a panel of judges on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, for a chance to share in up to $30,000.00 in financial grants.
“At Fusion, we are Here for Good, and to us, that means we are committed to our communities today and for the long term,” says CEO Darwin Johns. “We are proud to offer Community Infusion for a fourth year as a tangible means of sparking ongoing
economic development in our communities across the province.”
Mike Csversko, Business Development Manager for Fusion notes that, “Community impact is a foundational pillar for our organization. As a locally based financial institution in the Parkland and Southwestern Manitoba, we consider community impact
BRANDON: 888-726-1995 allianceaccounting.ca
Oak River Dodgers Baseball
By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner
On Wednesday, June 12, The Dodgers hosted the Centennials with a final score of Boissevain 12 – Oak River 2. The Centennials took the game early with three runs in the first and four runs in the second. They followed up with three more runs in the third. The Dodgers put there first run on the board at the bottom of the fourth. Oak River crossed the plate one more time at the bottom of the sixth. Centennials put two runs in in the seventh.
and contribution to be at the core of our DNA. The Community Infusion initiative is one more way in which Fusion will play a role in supporting job creation, entrepreneurial support, community engagement, and business development in our trading area.” Full details regarding the competition can be found at www.fusioncu.com.
The next games will be Friday, June 21, in Reston against the Rockets at 7pm, and Sunday, June 23, in Oak River against the Royals at 6pm.
Danielle Studio 12 and CEO Darwin Johns_Community Infusion 2023
Submitted
By Jocelyn Beever
SPORTS
Hamiota Red Sox Baseball Rivers Comets Baseball
One Friday, June 14, the Red Sox played the Comets in Hamiota with a final score of Comets 9 – Red Sox 6. The Comets led off with 2 in the first. Nathan Espenell singled to start off the game and scored on an RBI single by Scott Beever. Owen Wareham reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a single by Ryan Shaw. The Red Sox answered with a run in the bottom of the first when lead off hitter Joel Strachan reached on a walk, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a ground out by Justin Knight.
The fourth inning saw the Comets score three unearned runs on singles by Layton Veitch, Scott Beever and a double by Owen Wareham who tried to stretch it into a triple resulting in a ‘stand off’ at third base to everyone’s amusement.
In the bottom of 5, Kaden Sutherland doubled and scored on Joel Strachan’s double to close the gap.
Brady Waddell singled in the bottom of 7. Joel Strachan worked a walk, and Ben Couvier singled to score Waddell. Justin Knight singled to drive in Strachan and Couvier to tie the game.
In extra innings, the last out of the previous inning starts on second base.
In the top of 8, Alastair McFadden started on second, advanced to third on Layne Anderson’s ground out and was put out at home. Jase Wareham reached on that fielder’s choice. Layton Veitch doubled, scoring Wareham.
Hamiota answered with 1 in the bottom of the 8th. Ty Kirk was the runner at second base, scoring on a double by Brady Waddell.
In the 9th, Luke Hrycak started at second. He moved to third on a single by Nathan Espenell. Fred Hrycak reached on a fielder’s choice, Espenell out at second. Scott Beever doubled, scoring the Hrycak brothers, and scoring himself on a Sac Fly to right field from Owen Wareham. The Comets were able to
hold the Red Sox from scoring in the bottom of the inning. The pitchers are to be commended for their outings, both going the full nine innings. Scott Beever got the win allowing 6 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits, 16 K, 6 walks, and 2 HP. Brady Waddell took the loss, allowing 9 runs (5 earned), on 14 hits, 1 walk, and 4 K.
It was a very entertaining game -- a total of 22 hits meant there were lots of base runners. We saw a pick off at first, two runners were caught stealing third, and we were treated to two extra innings of baseball.
On Sunday, June 16, the Wawanesa Brewers came to Hamiota to play the Red Sox. The final score was Brewers 6 – Red Sox 2. The next games will be on Thursday, June 20, in Elkhorn against the Expos at 7pm, and Sunday, June 23, in Hamiota against the Royals at 2pm
Rivers Royal Canadian Legion #75
Submitted By Jocelyn Beever
Rivers took on Reston on June 12 with a final score of Reston 7 – Rivers 2.
Reston drew first blood with three runs in the second inning off a home run and three singles. The old adage “hit ‘em where they ain’t” rang true. The Comets turned a nice 3-6-3 (Shaw-Hrycak-Shaw) double play to shut them down in the third, but an error in 4 allowed 2 unearned runs. Two strikeouts in 5 made for a short inning. Reston scored two more runs in 6 on an error, a double and a triple. The game ended when a runner on second was caught stealing third, thrown out by the catcher, Nathan Espenell. Ryan Shaw went 2 for 3 at the plate with a double and a home run. Scott Beever doubled. Singles from Fred Hrycak and Layne Anderson. The second run was scored by Kaelen Huibers who reach on a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and then scored on Reston’s two errors in the game. Cody Bertholet got the win on the mound with a complete game, 5 hits, 2 K and 1 BB. Owen Wareham took the loss allowing 7 runs (4 earned) off 8 hits, 4 K and 3 BB. Luke Hrycak pitched 1.2 innings in relief with 2 K. Robin Patmore won the 50/50 of $92.50. The Comets game against the Virden Oilers was postponed on Monday, June 17. The next game will be Friday, June 21 when the Comets will host the Royals at 7pm.
Come and Celebrate the Class of 2024!
Friday June 21st.
Schedule for the day:
10am: Ceremony at the rink
4pm: Visit at the Nursing Home
4.30pm: Parade on 2nd. Avenue
5.30pm: Grand March at the rink
Hamiota hosts U15AA Showcase softball
By Anne Davison Rivers Banner
Hamiota hosted a large tournament this past weekend. The Girls U15AA Showcase tournament played on Hamiota’s ball park with 10 teams from across Manitoba competing from Friday - Sunday. This was the first time for Hamiota to host this tournament. It was certainly ball playing weather the first
two days and the ballpark, campgrounds, swimming pool and brand-new mini golf were busy.
However, players and fans, wrapped in hoodies and even blankets, endured raging wind on Sunday for the final games for bronze, silver and gold.
Westman Storm, coached by Corey Barkley of Virden won gold with an 11-10 win over Central Charge.
Convenor for Hamiota
Minor Ball, Jerry Crampaign explained that while the Westman contingent was broken into three teams, the Central team put together just one team from many possible players. It was a big win for Storm.
Westman Fury, coached by Greg Facey of Hamiota included a number of Hamiota girls. They lost to Westman Heat, a Brandon based team, who took the bronze win.
PHOTO BY JESSICA COULTER
Westman Fury coached by Greg Facey took bronze in the tournament.