March 29, 2024

By

Tice was perfect for the Oak

annual

the Ice event. On Saturday, March 23, from 10am to noon all families were welcome to come and visit the Oak River Memorial Rink and paint the ice. Over a dozen kids came out to show off their creativity. The event was held at the same time as the Oak River two stick bonspiel so most the families stayed after painting to enjoy the curling and a snack from the canteen. Free painting is a great activity for kids. Free painting can be done at any age but it’s a great starting point for toddlers especially. These young people learned about cooperation and collaboration as they created their pieces of art on ice.

Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

Grady Recksiedler putting the finishing touches on his master piece.

Isla Common, Grace Raupers and Octayvia Walker created a beautiful group painting.

The curling in Oak River was a sweeping success

Oak River two person stick spiel

Curling is the coolest sport on ice—literally!

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

The Oak River Curling Club hosted their annual two-person bonspiel. Thirty-eight rinks signed up to play in the last Oak River bonspiel for this season. The bonspiel took place on the weekend of March 22 to March 24. Entry fee was $50. The winners were: first place Les and Jim Wood, second place Ryan Brown and David Bullock, and third place Murray Newton and Murray Powell. To kick off the weekend event the curling club

Curling is a stone-cold game, but I always bring the heat.

had a Roast Beef Supper on Friday night followed by a live band from 8pm to midnight. The New Highway 25 “Repaved” performed for the event.

Over thirty volunteers helped to make the weekend a success. A long list of over twenty local sponsors helped make this event great.

“It was a great weekend and a great way to wrap up the season,” says Tammy Recksiedler, rink manager, “Tons of family and friends hanging out at the rink having fun and being a community again.”

I don’t always curl, but when I do, I “sweep” the competition.

Easter bread is a tradition in many homes

Families share many Easter traditions. Easter in a home with people who trace their ancestry to Italy will likely feature “Pane di Pasqua,” which translates to “Easter Bread.” Easter Bread is a ring of sweet bread that can be adorned with candy sprinkles. Some people nestle colourful hardboiled eggs within the twisted dough as well.

Dough Yields

7 to 8 loaves:

5 pkgs of dry yeast

Additional flour for adding to dough if needed

Pinch of salt

24 eggs, beaten

17 cups all-purpose flour

3 -1/2 cups sugar

1 pd salted butter, softened

2 tbsps anisette extract

Decorating:

6 ounces rainbow-coloured nonpareil

3 egg yolks

3 tbsps water

1) Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a pot. Add the butter and mix by hand, squeezing and merging butter with the flour mixture. Add proofed yeast to the flour mixture; continue mixing ingredients.

2) Slowly stir in all the beaten eggs and anisette using a fork. Continue to mix until ingredients are combined and loose until dough begins to form.

3) Knead the dough with floured hands for approximately 45mins. Add flour to the dough if needed, or to scrape the dough off your hands and the bottom of the pot.

4) Once the dough is fully kneaded, leave it in the pot, lightly spread some butter over the top to keep it moist, and cover with a cloth. Leave at room temperature to rise for 8 hours. The dough is ready when it rises about 5 times its size.

5) When the dough has fully risen, punch it down, turn it out onto a floured surface, and form it into a ball. Cut the dough into 7 or 8 smaller dough balls using a sharp knife. Then cut each ball in half. Roll each half into strands approximately 16” long. To form a loaf, lay the strands side by side and cross them over at one end, offset by 3”.

6) Continue crossing one strand over the other while working the braid into a circle. The tie off can be challenging. Join the circle by tucking one end under the other, pinch the dough firmly together to seal, maintaining the twist and thickness of the loaf. Repeat with the remaining dough.

7) Butter and flour one 9” baking pan for each loaf. Place the braided loaves in individual pans and set aside, covered in a warm, draft-free place to rise for another hour until the dough rises about 30 percent more.

8) At this point, preheat the oven to 250 F.

9) When the dough has risen, place the pans into the oven for about 10mins, then raise the temperature to 325 F. Bake until the bread is a dark golden brown and makes a hollow sound when lightly tapped on the bottom.

10) Prepare the egg wash for decorating. In a small bowl, beat the 3 egg yolks with 3 tbsps of water and set aside.

11) When the breads are fully baked, remove them from the oven and pan using oven mitts, then decorate immediately. Brush the egg wash onto the hot surface of each loaf and sprinkle with the coloured confetti. Set the loaves to cool the racks. Slice a wedge and spread with butter.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA COULTER

Local Easter services, all are welcome

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

Many special Easter services will be held Easter weekend. Churches are open to all who want to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion. Easter also celebrates the defeat of death and the hope of salvation. People at the services are very open and friendly.

If you are not a member of a specific church, that is alright, everyone is welcome to attend. Here is a partial list of some of the churches in the local area and their service times.

The Hamiota Cornerstone Family Worship Centre, located at 81 Birch Ave. in Hamiota, will have their Good Friday service at 10am on March 29 and their celebration Easter service on Sunday, March 31, at 11am.

Rapid City Community Church, located at 355 3 Ave. in Rapid City, will be having their Easter service on Sunday, March 31, at 10am.

Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Parish, located at 801 5th Ave. in Rivers, will be having their Way of the Cross on Good Friday at 3pm and Easter service mass on Sunday, March 31, at 4pm.

The Rivers United Church, located at 339 Main St. in Rivers, will be having their Good Friday service at 10am, shared with St James Anglican Church, and their Easter service on Sunday, March 31, at 11am.

Westman Canadian Reformed Church

Worship Services

Sundays at 10:00am

“Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together.” Psalm 98:8

St James Anglican Church Easter service is at 9am.

The St James Anglican Church, located at 580 Columbia St. in Rivers, will be having their Maundy Thursday, March 28 at 7:30pm. Parishioners of the St James Anglican Church will join the Rivers United Church on Good Friday for a 10am service. Their Easter service on Sunday, March 31, at 9am.

The Western Canadian Reformed Church, located at 879 Third Ave. in Rivers, will have their Easter service on Sunday, March 31, at 10am.

The Rivers Community Church, located at 447 Edward St. in Rivers, will be hosting a breakfast on Easter Sunday before the service at 9am. Their Easter service on Sunday, March 31, will be at 10:30am.

We hope everyone finds time to spend with friends and family this spring long weekend.

Rapid City Community ChuRCh

Sundays 10 a.m.

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

JESUS IS LORD

Special Easter Wordsearch

JVWTORRACPGGPWI

CEXVFAKBJLSGOXQ

WLSEXPXJTNDCMUV

FCVQZFTYITVPGOA

UAWIQINOBMALGVF

DRHPRIZQTLOHAOI

VIOUVYYIIZDUOUK

SMOEKADHHLVIHXT

PXGWJTNEOCQRVIY

RGHREPACPETNUHN

IAEKAICKPGVHFKN

NRSAMSCIYGJJQKU

GARKCISCBHVCBOB

BHUDHWCUSLFAGTA

JEKCZVIMACNTEKM

Word Bank

1.basket2.carrot3.hoppy4.hunt

5.lamb6.grass7.candy8.egg

9.chick10.miracle11.bunny12.spring

The confirmation came just as the sun was setting. Jesus of Nazareth, the prophet, the teacher, the miracle worker and a beloved friend, was dead. Reactions to the news were immediate; but mixed. No formal statements were made. But those who lived in Jerusalem and those who had come to celebrate Passover knew what the reactions would likely be.

Looks of smug relief could be seen on the faces of the leaders in the temple; relief because they had rid themselves of one they felt was a false prophet; and smugness because they had conned the Roman governor into helping them do it. As for the Romans, they were just glad that this day was over. But they knew that before long, they’d be dealing with another Jewish revolt. Rome’s impatience with the ancient Israelites was growing by the day.

The common people didn’t know what to think. Most couldn’t understand why their leaders would want to execute a man who, throughout his time on earth, had done nothing worthy of death. They loved Jesus and couldn’t understand why others wouldn’t love him too. And then there was Jesus’ mother and his closest disciple-a young man named John. Their hearts were broken by grief. She had lost her first born son. He had lost his best friend.

But in the spirit world, the forces of evil (the Devil and his demons) were celebrating their latest victory. They had hassled Jesus all his life. They had tried every trick they could think of to get him to sin-and they had failed miserably. Their direct confrontations didn’t help either. Jesus simply told them to come out of those they had possessed and get lost.

But on this day, the forces of evil didn’t seem to be all that worried. Jesus was dead. His body was sealed in a tomb. He was out of their way. They had won-or so they thought.

There was just one thing they hadn’t considered. They thought Jesus was as human as every other person on earth. But he wasn’t. He was God revealed in human form. He had come to this earth for one reason-to give his life as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. As he himself put it (John 10:18): “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it up again.”

And on the third day after his death, Jesus used that power. He emerged from his tomb-his spirit inhabiting a body that sin could not corrupt, sickness could not weaken, disease could not cripple and death could not destroy. The forces of evil could laugh no longer. They had lost the battle. Jesus had confronted them. He had met them head on. He had fought them on their own turf; and he had won. But there was much more to his story.

Thanks to his death and resurrection, Jesus has “been given authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom the Father has given him.” (see John 17:2) Those to whom he gives that life are those who believe in him. The forces of evil aren’t partying now. They know they are defeated. What they don’t know is how many have believed in Jesus and been given eternal life. One day they will find out-and one day, so will we.

Perspectives

Tundra

By Chad Carpenter

A newspaper review

As of the date of this issue, I have been around for 76 years. For almost half of those years, I have been in the newspaper business full time. For 58 of those years, I have been involved in writing and publishing and that dates long before the desktop or laptop computer.

Many people have asked me questions about the newspaper industry, people from seniors to farmers to sports figures to politicians, including premiers and prime minsters. They ask questions, lots of questions, and here’s a few examples.

Q. Why are you able to keep on giving away your papers?

A. Because we have loyal advertisers who need the pages of the local paper to get their message out to the people who are their customers. Advertisers include businesses, both big and small, local organizations, towns and municipalities. Without ads, there is no local paper

Q. How is the best way to support our local paper?

A. Buy ads and submit news stories and pictures.

Q. Is there any other way?

A. Yes there is! All newspapers used to have a subscription fee and some still do. However, it is somewhat simpler to set out our circulation area and service that area with papers in as many places as possible free pick up. In return, grateful readers can make a donation to their local paper. Subscription fees are around $60 per year so if a person wants to make a donation they can send a check to this paper at the address shown at the bottom of page 4.

Q. Why do local papers matter?

A. Papers are usually filled with with news, ads and photos you won’t see anywhere else. They shouldn’t be

Ken Waddell Right in the Centre

filled up with provincial, national or international news that you can find on TV or the internet hours or maybe even days before the weekly local paper hits the streets. Local papers are usually much more reliable than any other news source.

Q. Are there less local newspapers than there used to be?

A. Yes, many have disappeared. In the past few years local papers have ceased to exist in Melita, Reston, Deloraine, Souris, Brandon, Carberry and Altona. That’s only seven examples but about 20 papers are now gone across Manitoba. Across Canada, it’s in the 100s.

Q. Why have so many papers disappeared?

A. That’s a great question and it will take a little bit longer to explain. Almost all of the closed papers used to be locally owned and when the owners went to retire, they were bought up by large investment corporations. These corporations were run by shareholder boards and managed by CEOs who often had no local connection and who could care less about our local communities. The local papers were seen as a cash cow to feed the shareholders. To do that, staff numbers were slashed. Fewer staff, less news, fewer pictures, less ads sold. The brilliant minds at corporate headquarters in some faraway city decided they should cancel building leases or sell buildings

and lay off more staff. The CEOs kept squeezing more blood out of the papers until they died. In many cases, big corporations just walked away and left the few remaining staff, the buildings and equipment blowing in the wind.

Q. Can newspaper staff work off-site?

A. Yes, they can and sometimes do. It works as long as the jobs get done and the staff stay in close touch with their local community.

Q. Ken, you are well past retirement age, what happens when you can’t do this any more?

A. That question has been addressed in a couple of ways. We have excellent staff and they can do a lot without my presence or involvement. We have two sons and a grandson who stick pretty close by in case “the old man” can’t do the work any more. And, we have put that theory to the test a few times as I have been hospitalized for a week at a time on several occasions. Currently, I am in very good health and plan to work until the good Lord says to stop. Thank you and may God bless you and yours!

Overrated?…

Iam not alone, in so many circumstances, well, actually in everything, but I’m referring to being among the sleepless masses. When a group, or gaggle, of sleep deprived individuals meet, the topic often touches on insomnia. We swap tales, injecting humour and often constructive tips and always sympathy or empathy.

There were gales of laughter the day we confessed the fear that a news release had revealed— insomnia can be a cause of Alzheimer’s. What are the chances that three educated, thinking women had all read the same article? We confessed the growing fear around forgetting things, never mind the fact that our minds and hearts are filled with countless people and we all have a myriad of commitments to family, work and community. Some thoughts will slip through the cracks! We didn’t need to now associate this trend with lack of sleep.

Want to lose weight— get more sleep. Want to feel more energized– get more sleep. Sleep appears to be a wonderful thing. I have a fit bit, a step counter that also records the amount of time I am asleep, how much time in light sleep, deep sleep, REM and time awake. The graph charts when one is awake, for how long and how often. It’s not great for my heart health to check it too often! A good night has me being in a deep sleep for the same length of time I have been awake. Frequently those numbers are around the one hour. That’s not a whole lot of deep sleep, the type that repairs and regenerates the mind…

I’m not coming at this concern as a novice. When I endured ‘the change’ I slept from about midnight till two, and then from about five thirty until the alarm sounded at seven. Truly. Now I start the routine around ten. Already have put away the electronic devices an hour earlier. (Mostly!) I get comfortable, knowing that I have not eaten after seven, have walked four to five miles during the day, am not overly agitated or angry; all systems in accordance to the manual. I read for a while, concentrate on the evening liturgy, and with trepidation, turn off the lights. And lay there. Wondering whether the left hand should be under the cover or above. Wondering if it’s accurate that sleeping on the right side leads to acid reflux and is that why some mornings my voice is croaky. Wondering how long before I actually fall asleep… Sometimes I do a complete do-over. Around two of the A.M. I use the washroom, brush my teeth– again– read a few pages and talk to the Shepherd. Sometimes I need to put on music, and then I worry that I won’t be asleep before the music stops! White noise does help, it battles the tinnitus, allowing me to stop fixating on the high pitched hum.

It’s not always quite that bad. I do use an evening tea, I have spoken to a pharmacist and there are evenings when I rely on medication, knowing that I have a busy day ahead that requires clear thinking. Bottom line? I have learned to use the night hours for reflection and study. The only way God can get my attention?

Westoba recognized as one of Manitoba’s top employer second year in a row

to our continued success as an organization.”

The Manitoba’s Top Employer annual competition recognizes Manitoba employers that lead their industries in offering an exceptional employee experience and work environment.

“Being named as one of Manitoba’s Top Employers is not just an accolade,” said Westoba President and CEO, Jim Rediger, “this recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and rewarding environment where every team member can thrive and succeed. It reaffirms our belief that investing in our employees is not just the right thing to do but also the key

Chief Information and Culture Officer, Elizabeth Modersohn, credits this recognition to the employees. “This accomplishment would not have been possible without the passion, talent, and dedication of our incredible team. Each employee plays a vital role in shaping our organization’s culture and driving our vision forward. Whether it is from the front line helping our members, or behind the scenes supporting our operations; our employees are leading initiatives that push boundaries and drive innovation striving to provide the best member experience.”

Westoba offers hybrid work options, flexible work hours, phased in return-to-work options for new parents, a focus

Six Easter egg colouring tips

Colouring Easter eggs is a time-honoured tradition dating back more than 2,500 years. There is evidence that people living in the ancient settlement of Trypillia dyed eggs. Ancient Persians also were believed to paint eggs for Nowruz (Persian New Year).

Christians adopted similar traditions to symbolize aspects of the Easter story. Originally Christians dyed eggs red to represent the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross, according to Chase Oaks Church. Good Housekeeping reports early Christian missionaries adapted the dying tradition to include more egg colours to represent different aspects of the Easter story. Yellow represented the resurrection, blue represented love and red remained a symbol of Christ’s blood.

Whether families dye eggs to symbolize the Easter miracle or simply for fun, the following are some colouring tips to enhance the process.

1. Prevent cracked eggs. Most coloured eggs are hard-boiled. To prevent cracking during the boiling process, add a teaspoon of vinegar and a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. Additional anti-cracking measures include rubbing half a lemon on each shell before boiling.

2. Boil eggs and cool completely. It takes roughly 10 minutes to hard-boil an egg. Fill a pot with enough water to submerge the eggs, then bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Gently lower the eggs into the water with a slotted spoon. Cover, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Drain the eggs and cool in a bowl of water or run under cold tap water.

3. Don’t forget the vinegar. Whether you use coloured dye tablets or drops of food colouring from the pantry, use a mix of water and vinegar in the colouring solution. According to Education.com, food colouring is an acid dye and bonds using hydrogen. This chemical process only works in an acidic environment. Vinegar is added to water to make it more acidic and help the dyes adhere more strongly to the eggs and produce brighter colours.

4. Stick to white eggs. Stores sell both brown and white eggs. The species of chicken determines whether the eggs will be white or brown. When colouring eggs, it might be better to purchase white eggs, as the dyes will show up more vividly on the white shells.

5. Create distinctive designs. By covering portions of the bare eggs before dipping into colour, people can create unique designs. Things like masking tape, rubber bands, wax (or crayons), and even twine can be used. The dye will only take on the uncovered areas, leaving white behind.

6. Dyes are not the only way to colour eggs. Everything from watercolour paint to acrylics to decoupage can be used to cover eggs in vivid colours. Egg decorators also can use coloured yarns, fabric or stickers. Search for creative materials to set Easter eggs apart this year. Colouring eggs is a popular Easter tradition, and there are many ways to ensure this beloved activity produces beautiful results.

From From

on supporting our community service commitment and prioritize employee professional growth and education.

“At Westoba, we build community with engaged, talented employees, who deliver great solutions and experiences every day,” said Rediger. “It is our culture. It is who we are. We recognize moments of opportunity with each other and with our members.”

Career opportunities can be found at westoba.com.

Protect yourself from scams and fraud

Submitted

By Dianne Kowalchuk

Have you ever received a phone call from someone who claims to be your grandchild and needs money to get out of jail or gift cards to pay a debt? Have you ever received an e-mail from someone you supposedly know asking for some financial information? Those and other scenarios were the topic of a recent gathering of Rivers Women’s Institute (WI). On March 8, 2024, two members of the Rivers Police Department attended the meeting held at Kiwanis Courts to discuss the topic of “Scams”. Constables Travis Lindsay and Josh Pompana had lots of good advice on the subject. Don’t get taken in by stories or threats that can easily be verified. Don’t give out PIN numbers to anyone. Don’t purchase gift cards to give to some unknown person for some complicated reason. When browsing the internet, be sure to go to valid and safe sites. If an interaction is suspicious, contact the police. Don’t be embarrassed if you were deceived – these fraudsters are very good at what they do!

Although protecting ourselves from fraud was the focus of the program, the WI members were delighted to have the opportunity to ask Constables Lindsay and Pompana a wide range of questions about policing in general and policing in Rivers and area specifically. The ladies learned a lot! They were especially pleased to learn about the Police Cadet Program. What a wonderful opportunity for our youth! Constables Lindsay and Pompana are fine young men. Thanks for taking the time to meet with us!

Rivers WI supports the Rivers Police Department. As citizens of Riverdale Municipality, we value the presence of the police in our community. We are hopeful that the Rivers Police Board will be able to hire a police chief at a fair wage so that policing as we know it can continue.

The formal part of the meeting did not take very long; one important piece of business was a motion to make a donation to Camp Bridges. This is a free camp hosted by Prairie Mountain Health for children (7-15 years) who are grieving the loss of someone significant in their lives. The 2024 camp will be held at Circle Square Ranch from May 24-26. Rivers WI feels that this is a very worthwhile program.

The next WI meeting will be held on April 19th at 2 pm at the home of Dianne Kowalchuk. Ray Baloun will be speaking about the Canadian Foodgrain Bank (CFB). Ray, who served on the CFB board for 11 years, is an excellent ambassador for the organization and an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker. It is sure to be a lively meeting with lots of learning and laughter. Come and join us!

Rivers Legion

Ladies Auxiliary

Submitted

By Lisa Smith, Publicity

The regular meeting of the Rivers Legion Ladies Auxiliary was held March 5, 2024, in the Rivers Legion upper hall. There was an application for membership which was approved. We welcome new member Debbie Mylrea to the auxiliary.

There were no requests for donations this month. An application has been sent in for a Green Team grant.

The ladies auxiliary will help with the Meals on Wheels program for the month of April.

The next regular meeting of the Rivers Legion Ladies Auxiliary will be May 21, 2024. There is a potluck dinner at 6pm, with the meeting to follow at 7pm. May is our anniversary month.

Easter and holiday plants

Submitted

By Patricia Hanbidge

During the special holidays we see throughout the year, we adorn our homes with beautiful living plants. What a wonderful way to help hasten spring and to ensure we enjoy some living colour in our lives that is unequaled by any other thing.

When we think about Easter – we also think about spring. Funny, how spring actually appears at a different time each year – as does Easter. The date that Easter falls follows the Jewish calendar, which is based on the lunar cycles, while our regular calendar is based on the sun. Easter can fall on a Sunday anytime between March 22nd and April 25th. The Passover full moon or Paschal full moon was determined by historical tables, and is the first full moon after the vernal equinox otherwise known as the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This first full moon determines the date of Easter. The Sunday immediately following that first full moon is Easter Sunday.

I have lots of cool things blooming right now. The Easter Cactus (also called the Christmas Cactus) is a great houseplant that responds to a specific day length which initiates the bloom. We do not have to do anything to make this happen as this plant is an easy keeper that with a small amount of care will keep blooming for years to come. Water thoroughly when the surface of the soil feels dry and keep it in bright light.

Any of the spring flowering bulbs are also available around Easter. Although they only bring colour for a week

or two, they still remind us of spring and are welcome in these last cooler days prior to the outdoors coming alive. Crocus, tulips, daffodils, iris and hyacinths are all readily available and relatively economical if you are purchasing them. If you like to force bulbs for indoor bloom, simply place the bulbs in a cool environment – like the crisper of your fridge for 12 to 14 weeks and then bring them out into your home to enjoy a riot of colour. It is best to give them this cold period when they are already in pots as we are mimicking Mother Nature and typical fall conditions.

Other good choices for blooming plants for Easter include gardenias, azaleas, mums and even gerbera daisies. They are all short-lived houseplants but if cared for properly will bring some colour to your home for a few weeks. After a long, cold winter, blooming plants bring a great deal of happiness to our homes.

Kalanchoe is another short-lived houseplant. It is actually a succulent with large, green leaves and clusters of small flowers that bloom for many weeks indoors. Again, this plant is relatively inexpensive which might allow you to enjoy a more varied explosion of blooms without causing financial distress!

Indoor hydrangeas as either a cut flower or a potted plant are always amazing. They are usually available in white, pink or blue and last well if they are potted. I am always thrilled by anything that is a blue flower and if it is the right kind of hydrangea and it is grown in an acidic environment, the blooms are a lovely blue, reminding me of the seashore areas of England.

RM OF OAKVIEW CAREER OPPORTUNITY Administrative Assistant

Under the supervision of the Manager of Finance, the RM of Oakview is seeking to fill a full-time Administrative Assistant - Recreation position.

The Rural Municipality of Oakview is located in southwest Manitoba, with a population of 1,630. The R. M. of Oakview has an office in Oak River with a satellite office in Rapid City.

General duties include reception, clerical duties, maintaining the municipal website/social media, cash receipts / deposits and maintaining the accounts receivable and utility system. Recreation programming experience or a willingness to learn is desired. Work will be primarily assigned in the Oak River office, although assistance may be required in other locations.

Ideally, the successful applicant should have a minimum of two years’ experience in an administrative role, preferably in a municipal setting. Will possess strong computer skills and experienced with Windows and Microsoft applications and have good oral and written communication skills.

The successful applicant can expect a competitive salary and benefits package.

Individuals interested in this position should send their resume with cover letter to Donna Anderson, Manager of Finance of the R. M. of Oakview at financemgr@ rmofoakview.ca or mail to: Box 179 Oak River, MB R0K 1T0.

Applications will be reviewed as early as March 28, 2024, however the posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is located.

We thank all those who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

R.M. of Oakview PART-TIME HELP WANTED

WARD 3 WASTE TRANSFER SITE OPERATOR

The R.M. of Oakview is accepting applications for a part-time employee for the Ward 3 WMS located at NW 1-14-22W near Oak River. This is a permanent parttime position. Position is to start April 16th, 2024. Applications including full resume will be received until Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024 at 12:00 noon.

Inquiries please call the R.M. of Oakview office at 204-566-2146.

R.M.of Oakview Box 179 Oak River, MB R0K 1T0 or email to: publicworks@rmofoakview.ca

We thank all those who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Why is spring break important for students?

especially nowadays.

Traveling is Good for the Mind, Body, and Soul

Allows for Mental Decompression

Spring break has shown to be highly beneficial to student’s mental health because this week of vacation allows for a much-needed mental decompression from demanding school-related responsibilities. Students commonly do not receive enough credit when it comes to all of their various responsibilities, since so many are managing to balance six or more classes, extracurricular activities, social lives, and possibly even part-time jobs. All students, from grade school to college-age individuals, deserve ample time to decompress from chaotic school schedules. The act of being in school and learning has looked a lot different this past school year, so it should not even be a question as to whether or not students throughout the country need their typical spring break.

Good for Physical Health

Not only has spring break proven to be fantastic for the mental health state, but it is undoubtedly beneficial for an individual’s physical health, too. When the mental state is in the right place, then the physical body also reaps all of the incredible rewards. Stress and anxiety can reduce during this time, which we certainly know by now is massively favorable to the overall health of an individual. Not to mention, spring break is the perfect time to enjoy the weather that is warming up and to obtain all of the many various health benefits that come from spending time in the fresh air and sunshine. When students are given this week to decompress and not think about assignments, their health has the chance to benefit greatly from it. Keeping mental and physical health in tip-top shape is crucial and so very necessary,

While a lot of traveling has been put on a pretty big hold for the last year or so, there are still accessible ways to travel and to make the most out of the time allotted for spring break. Road trips are a phenomenal way to get out and satiate the travel bug that so many begin to feel by this time of year, and it is one of the safest means of travel at the moment, too. Traveling is so wonderful for the mind, body, and soul because it allows us to go have new and exciting experiences and to break out of the often-mundane day-to-day norm. Traveling of any extent is able to provide such a great reset, and students that work so hard each and every day in school truly deserve this reset. They will be more likely to come back and finish the year off on a strong foot after having the chance to go and spend some time in a different environment.

A Great Time to Catch Up

Plenty of students in high school and college have so many different responsibilities and activities on their plates, from part-time jobs to homework, sports, and their individual hobbies. Many full-grown adults do not even know how to easily navigate so many obligations and activities at once, so students certainly need to be given substantial breaks once in a while to allow them to destress and have the ability to catch up with anything pressing. While spring break should be a time for fun, it is also the perfect time to regroup and catch up with any important assignments or study materials that have been pushed aside over the course of the semester. Even if some students find spring break as an ideal opportunity to play catch up in some of their classes or other responsibilities, a portion of the week should absolutely be used for unwinding and taking a mental breather.

Hamiota Minor Hockey Awards Banquet

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

On Friday, March 15 the Hamiota Minor Hockey Association hosted their first annual awards banquet for Hamiota Minor Hockey players. The night started with cocktails and supper.

Following the meal, the awards were presented. U7 – No awards

U9 Kirk – Most Team Spirit - Sadie Baker; Most Dedicated – Ace Carter; Most Improved – Bowen Thornitt

U9 Fortune –Most Team Spirit – Myles Knight; Most Dedicated – Emma Lee; Most Improved –Ashley Argue

U11G – Most Team Spirit – Matreya Knight; Most Dedicated – Sadie Anderson; Most Improved – Aubree Drul

U11B – Most Team Spirit – Brody Facey; Most Dedicated – Jaxon Lee; Most Improved – Bryden Gardham

U13G – No awards

U13B – Most Team Spirit – Lawklan Pompana; Most Dedicated – Bridger Kent; Most Improved –Danilo Conde

U15G – No awards

U15B – Most Team Spirit – Carter Rozdeba; Most Dedicated – Josh Mathison; Most Improved – Colby Woychyshyn

U18G – Most Team Spirit – Elle McLean; Most Dedicated – Ffion Devonald; Most Improved –Alyshia McKinnon

Afterwards the crowd enjoyed some dancing. “Our hearts are full. The first annual Hamiota Minor Hockey awards banquet was a huge success. Thank-you to the sponsors, volunteers, Hamiota

Minor Hockey Board, coaches, players and fans for all you did to make this night so memorable. What a great way to end the season,” says the Hamiota Minor Hockey Board.

Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Brandon Municipal Airport

In honour of RCAF’s 100th anniversary, the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is hosting a free open house on Monday, April 1st from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come join us for an afternoon as we re-open for the season. Visitors will be invited to travel back to the 1940s while touring a WWII vintage hangar, aircraft, vehicles and hundreds of artifacts from that era, as well as the RCAF WWII Memorial wall that honours all of the RCAF that lost their lives during WWII.

Coffee and dainties from Chez Angela will be served.

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is Canada’s only air museum solely dedicated to the preservation of the memory of those who trained and fought for the British Commonwealth during WWII.

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is proud to be one of the seven Manitoba Signature Museums, a Manitoba Star Attraction and a National Historic Site. Visit the CATP Museum located at Brandon Municipal Airport, on HW #10, 1.6 km north of the City of Brandon.

First flight of the Avro Anson, a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft built by the aircraft manufacturer Avro.

Hop on these tips for a great Easter egg hunt

By Metro Creative Rivers Banner

Egg hunts are a traditional component of many people’s Easter celebrations. Children often delight in searching for eggs around the house or in the backyard. Egg hunts are so popular that they have become a component of many town-sponsored festivities.

There are many ways to make Easter egg hunts more enjoyable and productive for participants of all ages. Try these “egg-cellent” ideas.

· Designate a clear hunting area. Young children can grow frustrated searching for eggs in large areas. Set parameters for the search area that are manageable depending on the ages of the children participating. If you’ll be in a large yard or field, tape off the search area perimeter.

· Vary the prizes. Candy, candy and more candy seems to be the name of the game on Easter. But too many sweets can lead to stomach aches for young Easter celebrants. Instead, mix and match the prizes contained in the eggs. Candy can be in some, money in others, and perhaps small toys in a few eggs. Another clever idea is to mix the egg hunt with charades. Put charade prompts in some eggs so that kids have to act out what they read inside for added fun.

· Special privilege egg. Hide one egg that gives the finder the opportunity for a special honour. It may include getting the first slice of the holiday ham or being

able to choose a movie that the entire family watches together after dinner.

· Label eggs for equity. When there are children across a wide range of ages, label the eggs with the children’s names or utilize a colour-coded system to ensure that everyone has an equal shot at finding eggs.

· Keep a master list. It can be hard to remember where each egg is hidden, so keep a running list of where they are or take photos with a phone of the hiding spots. This way you’re not left to discover a chocolate-filled egg teeming with ants come summertime.

· Make custom baskets. Children will need something to carry their eggs. Prior to the egg hunt, let them decorate bags or baskets with Easter trinkets for custom creations.

Easter egg hunts are a time-honoured tradition. The opportunities for fun are endless when families plan accordingly.