SMP - Dec. 19, 2025

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Friday, DECEMBER 19, 2025 Vo lum e 18 N um b e r10

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DAR R E L L N E SBIT T / SO U T H M O U N T AIN PR E SS Under a clear blue sky adorned by a landscape of winter white, this plow operator, knocking back the snow on Highway 10 a few kilometers south of Onanole, was among the municipal and provincial operators found working on Friday, Dec. 12 to help create great winter driving conditions in the area. When storms are happening in your area, be sure to check out road and weather conditions before hitting the highway by visiting manitoba511.ca.

Clea r La ke boa t ba n to be decided by F eb. 2 0 2 6

P a rks Ca n a da a n n oun ces shiftin m a n a gem en tstra tegy a s zebra m ussels ha ve successfully esta blished in the la ke RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

A critical decision on whether to restore or permanently ban motorized boats on Clear Lake is expected from Parks Canada by February 2026.

The pending announcement arrives as the park confirms that the

Giv

To :

Me e the G mb ift of ers hip

invasive zebra mussels have successfully established a reproducing population in the lake, forcing a major shift in the park’s management strategy for one of Manitoba’s most treasured waters.

The final ruling on watercraft management for the 2026 season will mark the conclusion of a highstakes review process. This proc-

ess has included weighing the damaging results of 2025 monitoring, examining a third-party study on how boat traffic impacts freshwater lakes, and incorporating feedback from the public and Indigenous communities.

The decision is necessary because the effort to eradicate the mussels is now over. Monitoring

confirmed the population is reproducing, with the first-ever detection of the microscopic larvae, called veligers, found alongside small adult and juvenile mussels.

This permanent establishment means the mussels’ genetic material is now a constant feature of the lake’s environment. As a result, Parks Canada will end rou-

tine DNA testing in Clear Lake, diverting those resources to protect other clean lakes in the park, such as Lake Katherine and Lake Audy.

According to Parks Canada, the zebra mussel species poses a severe and permanent threat to the ecosystem and infrastructure.

SEE PR O T E CT IN G , PAGE 2

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

P rotecting dow nstea m w a ters now th e p riority Zebra mussels reproduce at an alarming pace, with each female capable of releasing up to one million eggs annually, and with no natural predators in this environment.

Once they colonize an area, they filter large amounts of water, starving native species of food. The clearer water they create can also lead to overgrowth of plants and toxic algal blooms. On the lakebed, they attach to and suffocate native freshwater mussels, threatening species already at risk.

The threat extends to human use. Their sharp shells make swimming risky along the shoreline, and they are notorious for clogging the vital pipes that supply water treatment and power stations, leading to massive

from p age 1 maintenance expenses.

SPR E ADIN G BE Y O N D T H E PAR K ’S BO U N DAR IE S The impact of the infestation is very likely to spread beyond the park’s boundaries.

Parks Canada warns that the larval mussels will likely be carried downstream via Wasamin Creek, which feeds into the Little Saskatchewan and Assiniboine River Systems, creating a new threat for downstream communities.

Despite the setback at Clear Lake, the fight continues.

The park has partnered with Brandon University to launch a survey program

aimed at mapping and protecting the remaining native freshwater mussels in the area. This effort seeks to identify specific refuge zones and guide future conservation efforts for these vulnerable species.

The park staff’s commitment to prevention is still high. Last season, over 7,500 non-motorized boats were inspected, with approximately 11% requiring decontamination, which was an ongoing effort to prevent other invasive species – like quagga mussels or rusty crayfish – from ever entering the park’s waters.

The outcome of the February decision will set the long-term course for Clear Lake, prioritizing the protection of the environment while managing the reality of the established invasion.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

3

FEATHERS IN THE FROST Ta kin g a n in terestin g on lin e course through the N a ture Con serva n cy of Ca n a da w a s justw ha tIn eeded

By RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT

So uth M o unta in Pre ss

My life lately has been beautifully busy, but I hit a point where I just needed to slow down, breathe, and appreciate what was right in front of me. That’s what led me to take an interesting online course through the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) called Feathers in the Frost.

I’ve always loved hiking, especially in winter, but this course showed me how to turn those quiet, cold walks into a real-life adventure that anyone can share!

The online format, especially through the NCC, was fantastic because it gave me both the theory and practical identification tips right from my couch. It fundamentally changed how I view my regular hikes. I realized that my familiar trails weren’t just places to get exercise; they were dynamic habitats waiting to be explored with a new focus.

This past Sunday, despite the freezing temperatures, the sky was bright and sunny… a perfect day to finally try out my new hobby on a local trail!

I put my ice grips on my boots and headed out to the scenic Birtle Trail network, which follows the beautiful Birdtail River. It was cold, but the light was incredible, and I was excited to look for the hardy birds that embrace the frost. Since the main parking area was closed, I started my adventure right from the bridge and followed the riverbank and park area toward the trailhead – even that initial area offered tons of excellent birding opportunities!

With a focus on conservation… before I tell you about my discoveries, I have to give a nod to the organization that inspired this whole journey – the NCC. The NCC is a fantas-

tic national charity dedicated to protecting Canada’s most important natural areas.

Knowing they’ve conserved a massive 20 million hectares across the country is truly humbling, and it reinforces why getting out and appreciating these spaces is so important.

Like most things, winter birding is full of pros and cons. I’ve found that the “cons” are easily managed with the right mindset. Yes, you absolutely have to contend with the cold, but I hike in all elements, so I was expecting that. I layered up strategically because comfort is non-negotiable when you’re standing still to observe a distant tree. The window for activity can also be a bit shorter; dawn and late afternoon usually offer the best movement.

However, the advantages far outweigh those minor inconveniences. Birding is a wonderful way to stay active and feel connected to nature all year long. More importantly, it forces you to slow down. The cold was manageable because there was no wind, which made all the difference… the birds were active and out in the sun since they weren’t seeking refuge from the wind.

I walked maybe only a kilometre, perhaps, stopping often, and by slowing my pace, I noticed so much more.

It’s an amazing exercise in mindfulness. When you’re focusing on a distant movement or listening for a tiny chirp call, the background noise of a busy life fades away. Birding forces you to tune into small shifts in the natural world… things like the windbreak provided by a stand of pines, or the exact moment a creek freezes over.

I’m used to hiking and cross-country skiing solo, where I’m focused on wildlife (either for awareness or appreciation) and covering distance. I never really paid close attention to birds. This trip made me slow down drastically. The time it took me to cover a short distance would typically see me doing six kilometers! When you’re birding, it’s not about the distance you cover, but the vegetation and habitat you’re paying attention to.

You start to notice those “coattail things” about nature, which makes every outing feel much richer than a simple walk. Best of all, winter is actually the easiest time to start.

There are no leaves on the trees, so the birds stand out beautifully against the snow, and many are drawn to local feeders, which tells you exactly where to look.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to start but having a few items handy makes the experience much better. I brought my binoculars – they

are Redhead 10x26, which are capable of views up to 1,000 yards. They are okay, but I definitely need to invest in some better ones if I’m going to be doing this often! I also brought my phone to take pictures, but if I’m going to take great photographs of birds, I know I’ll need to invest in something better than my phone for those clear, close-up shots. I learned in the course that the Merlin Bird ID and Ebird apps are fantastic for quickly logging and identifying what you see, but a traditional Peterson Field Guide works just as well if you’re looking to unplug. Just remember to use quiet, breathable fabrics for your clothing to allow for a “stealth” mode!

The key to finding birds on the trail is focusing on habitat. Birds need food, water, and shelter, especially when it’s freezing outside. I was looking for thick evergreen clusters for protection from the wind. Crucially, the Birdtail River still has a lot of open, running water, making

it a haven for birds along the shoreline and in the nearby evergreens. On a sunny day like mine, I also watched for birds perched in the open, trying to bask in the sun for warmth. When identifying a species, the pros taught me to focus first on a bird’s behaviour and its general impression of size and shape before trying to nail down the exact name. It’s okay if you don’t know what you’re seeing at first; the goal is just to pay attention.

Overall, my trip along the Birtle Trail area was a success. I spent a lot of time meandering near the bridge and in the park area where the open water provided essential habitat. I spotted several Black-capped Chickadees, and also watched the antics of a Downy Woodpecker tapping on a nearby trunk. I was specifically hoping to see a Northern Cardinal. I knew they were considered rare, non-migratory residents in southern Manitoba, but I kept my eyes peeled in the dense

underbrush... just in case!

I also kept my distance when I saw what I thought was a Ruffed Grouse nearby – I’ve been hiking before and gotten startled by one bursting out of the brush! Now I know what to look for, and I can appreciate this ‘winter drum soloist’ of the forest floor a little more calmly. I can’t wait to come back this winter and cross-country ski the trail! For now, though, I’ll concentrate on birding.

Getting outside and paying attention to these hardy birds – the Common Redpolls, the Blue Jays, the Nuthatches – is a great way to stay connected to nature year-round. It’s not about being an expert… it’s about putting on your boots, getting outside, and just watching what happens. I encourage you to find a local trail or even your own backyard, and when the weather allows, start your own winter birding adventure. The beautiful thing is… you have the entire season to enjoy it!

M innedosa Vet Clinic to exp a nd RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

The Minnedosa Veterinary Clinic will see a major expansion after being awarded $671,664 in funding from the Manitoba government through a landmark collaboration between four neighbouring municipalities – Municipality of Clanwilliam-Erickson, the Municipality of Harrison Park, the Rural Municipality of Minto-Odanah, along with

the Town of Minnedosa.

This investment is a key component of a larger $2.6 million provincial funding package provided to the Parkland and Westman regions through the Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities for Municipalities (Manitoba GRO) program.

The ability for smaller municipalities to pool resources for shared needs speaks to the challenge of delivering critical services in rural Manitoba.

For the thousands of residents

across these four areas, the clinic expansion is a matter of welfare and economy. In rural settings, timely and highquality veterinary care for both livestock and family pets is essential.

As result of a joint application, the clinic expansion directly improves the quality and accessibility of care by reducing the critical travel time required to get a sick or injured animal to care. Furthermore, the modernized capacity will allow veterinarians to

handle more complex procedures and large animals, supporting the agricultural sector. The upgraded facility is also expected to help in the recruitment and retention of veterinarians in a region that often struggles with staffing shortages.

This investment represents the first projects funded through the Manitoba GRO rollout, a program that will grant up to $42 million for infrastructure outside Winnipeg.

4

OPINION

Friday, December 19, 2025

Le tte rs to the e d ito r:

sm pnew s@ m ym ts.net

Seniors deserve celebra ting 3 6 5 da ys p er yea r World Senior Citizen Day was first recognized back in 1988, when U.S. President Ronald Reagan made an official declaration. His reason was pretty simple – and honestly, kind of beautiful. He wanted to shine a light on the contributions older adults have made throughout their lives, and at the same time, call attention to the challenges they sometimes face.

Since then, the idea has caught on around the world.

Now, every Aug. 21, people in many countries take a moment to show appreciation for the elders in their lives – whether it’s with a heartfelt thank-you, a visit, or even just a quiet moment of reflection.

But here’s the thing – it’s not just about one day. It’s also a chance to ask ourselves something important: Are we really doing enough to support and include the senior citizens around us?

Darrell

Nesbitt AR OUN D T OW N Four months late, I have come to conclusion that we don’t say things enough – especially to the people who’ve always been there for us. If there’s a senior in your life who means a lot to you, here’s a little inspiration for what you might say – nothing fancy, just honest words from the heart…

• You’ve been there for everyone for so long. I just

want you to know how much that means to me. Today’s your day – and you deserve every bit of love coming your way.

• You probably don’t hear it enough, but you’ve made such a difference in our lives.

Thank you for all the little things you do that nobody even notices.

• You’ve lived through so much, and yet you still carry yourself with such grace. I hope today brings you a little peace, a little joy, and a whole lot of love.

• There’s so much I’ve learned just by watching how you live your life. I admire you more than you know.

• I hope today, someone makes you smile the way you’ve made so many of us smile over the years.

InspirationalQuotes • The elderly who shares wisdom shapes the future.

• A senior’s smile is a

treasure of life’s experiences.

• Respect for seniors is the foundation of a healthy society.

• Age brings wisdom, love, and stories worth listening to.

• The guidance of seniors is the light that leads us forward.

• I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

• To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.

• A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.

Grandparent Quotes Mine have passed on, however, if they were alive, these quotes would truly fit their style…

• Grandma, I miss your hugs and your stories and

just sitting next to you doing nothing. You’ve always been home to me.

• Grandpa, you’ve taught me more by example than any book or class ever could.

Thank you for being steady, strong, and so full of heart.

• You’ve always been the quiet hero in the background of our lives – never asking for praise, but always giving your best. We see you. We love you.

• Some of my best memories have you in them – your laugh, your cooking, your advice, even your bad jokes. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

• Thank you for being there, not just when I needed you – but every time I didn’t even realize I did. You’ve been everything.

People Valued You know, when I really think about it, World Senior Citizen Day isn’t about grand

celebrations or some big event. It’s more about pausing for a second and remembering the people who’ve shaped our lives – our grandparents, parents, old neighbours, even teachers who still stick in our memory. They’ve lived through so much, and sometimes all they really want is to feel seen and valued.

So yeah, Aug. 21 is a nice reminder, but honestly, it shouldn’t just be one day. A phone call, sitting down in a chair, listening to a story you’ve already heard 10 times – that’s the real celebration.

Because one day, it’s going to be us in their place, and the way we treat them now is the kind of love and respect we’ll hope for later.

Until Jan. 9… Remember “Christmas will always be as long as we stand head to head and hand in hand.”

C TF calls on K inew governm ent to cut spending,debt,and taxes in Budget 2026 The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the Manitoba government to rein in spending, cut the sales tax and end bracket creep in Budget 2026. These are the key recommendations in the CTF’s pre-budget submission for Manitoba.

“Manitoba families pay more in provincial taxes than anywhere else in Western Canada,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “Pre-

Op inion mier Wab Kinew needs to end his sneaky bracket creep tax hike and cut the sales tax to provide Manitoba taxpayers with much needed relief.”

A Winnipeg family making $75,000 pays more provincial taxes than the same family living in Regina, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal.

The CTF is calling on the government to end bracket creep and cut the sales tax by one percentage point to make life more affordable for Manitobans.

The government stopped indexing income tax brackets to inflation in Budget 2025.

That’s called bracket creep and it means that inflation can automatically bump taxpayers into a higher tax bracket and increase their tax

bill. Ending bracket creep would save taxpayers $82 million this year and save them from future tax hikes due to inflation.

Cutting the Retail Sales Tax by one percentage point would also save the average Manitoban family about $315 a year.

The Manitoba government is increasing the debt by about $2.2 billion this year.

The government has increased

the debt by 61 percent since 2016.

To tackle growing debt, The CTF recommends: • A comprehensive spending review to find savings • Ending corporate welfare • Bringing government compensation in line with the private sector Together, these recommendations would save taxpayers about $2.2 billion and allow the government to stop bor-

rowing money and start paying back the debt.

“Manitoba taxpayers can’t afford to keep wasting billions of dollars every year on debt interest payments,” said Haubrich. “The Manitoba government needs to find savings and rein in spending in Budget 2026 to start paying down debt.”

The Manitoba government’s pre-budget consultation is open until Feb. 21, 2026.

M anitob ans p aying higher taxes in 2026 The Canadian Taxpayers Federation released its annual New Year’s Tax Changes report today to highlight the major tax changes in 2026.

“The Manitoba government is making most Manitobans pay more taxes next year,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “Premier Wab Kinew’s sneaky bracket creep tax hike and property tax changes are leaving many Manitobans with higher tax bills that they can’t afford.”

Bracket Creep: The government stopped indexing income tax brackets to inflation in Budget 2025. That’s a stealth tax hike called bracket creep.

It means that inflation can automatically bump taxpayers into a higher tax bracket and increase their tax bill.

Op inion Bracket creep will cost taxpayers $82 million in 2025.

The cost to taxpayers will increase every year due to inflation.

Education Property Tax: The Manitoba government replaced the 50 percent school property tax rebate and $350 education property tax credit to a flat $1,500 tax credit for principal residences only in 2025.

About 55 percent of Winnipeg property owners are paying higher property taxes under the new system, according to the city of Winnipeg. Education property taxes will still cost taxpayers about $206 million more this year compared to last year.

The government is increasing the rebate from $1,500 to $1,600 for 2026.

A Winnipeg family making $75,000 pays about $5,830 in provincial taxes every year.

That’s more than a similar

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tive,” said Haubrich. “Instead of hiking taxes, Kinew should be focused on taking less out of Manitobans pockets every year, not more.”

The federal government’s income tax cut will save the

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

5

The Christmas you can’t buy

By RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT

I have been thinking lately about the difference between the Christmas we see in commercials and the Christmas I find myself searching for instead.

If you look around right now, everything is loud. The lights are flashing, the flyers are full of must-have sales and there is this heavy pressure to make everything have that Christmas glow. We are told that if we just buy the right gift, cook the perfect turkey, or decorate the house to look like a magazine, we will finally feel that holiday magic.

I admit, I look at the glimmer of the lights and the mountain of presents sometimes, and it feels so far away from what we all truly need…

It sure isn’t another “thing” to fill our closets, overflowing with last year’s important and forgettable “must-haves.” The commercialism feels far away from the peace I’m looking for. And honestly, sometimes the pressure to create that “perfect” day just makes me feel tired.

But then I remember… the first Christmas didn’t have

any glimmer at all.

A humble beginning – it is easy to forget that the “reason for the season” started in the dark and the cold. It started with a young family who had nothing but trust.

There were no string lights in Bethlehem. There was no perfectly set table, no tree piled high with gifts, and certainly no comfortable bed.

There wasn’t even a room at the inn. The true story of Christmas – the birthday of Jesus – is actually a story about stripping everything away.

God didn’t choose a palace for His entrance. He didn’t choose a moment of wealth or comfort. He chose a dusty stable. He chose the smell of hay and animals. He chose a feeding trough for a crib. It was messy, it was humble, and it was entirely unpolished.

As the bridge between then and now, that simple, dusty reality is where I find my comfort this year.

If the Son of God was content to enter the world in a barn, why do we feel such pressure to make everything flawless? Why do we feel the need to have the best of the best material things just to make the day count?

If the very first Christmas was quiet, humble, and a little bit unpredictable, why do we feel like failures if our holiday isn’t extravagant?

The stable reminds us that we don’t need to be perfect to be close to God or to be living out a purposeful Christmas season. We don’t need the expensive decor or the extravagant budget to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In fact, all that noise often just gets in the way. The miracle didn’t happen because of the decorations; the miracle was that God came to be with us, right in the middle of the mess.

So, this year, I am giving myself permission to look past the “stuff.”

Of course, there will still

be gifts under the tree. I will still be wrapping presents for the people I love, and we will certainly keep our favourite family traditions alive. But I am making a conscious choice to keep those things in their proper place.

I want to enjoy the giving without getting lost in the spending. I want to enjoy the company of friends and family without worrying if the meal is five-star quality.

Most of all, I want to take a moment to be grateful for that baby in the manger. He reminds us that love doesn’t have to be fancy to be real. He reminds us that the most important things in life – hope, peace, and salvation – are

So uth M o unta in Pre ss

gifts that cannot be bought in a store.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the rush of the season, maybe it’s time to turn off the twinkling lights

for a minute, sit in the quiet, and remember that the greatest gift ever given didn’t even cost a penny.

Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Season’s Greetings We appreciate everyone’s support over the past year.

Thank you!

Annette & Bob

Beatty’s Econo Service Erickson 204-636-2954

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Season’s Greetings De ce m b e r 31,2025 Saturday, Dec. 20 7:00 p.m.

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As we reflect on the year gone by, we recall with pride, the many old and new friends we’ve had the privilege to serve, and we wish you all a holiday filled with much joy and serenity. Your friendship has made this a wonderful year for us and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

6

South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

Christmas Bingo FIND A Blowup Minion

PUT OUT A Wreath

FIND Multi-coloured lights

FIND A Blowup Snowman

call a loved one

FIND Blue Christmas lights

PUT OUT COOKIES FOR SANTA

SING A CHRISTMAS CAROL

PUT UP a Christmas Tree

FIND A RED BOW

FIND Red Christmas lights

FIND AN Elf

Merry Christmas FIND A Nativity scene

Dance to a christmas song

BUILD A Real Snowman

FIND AN Angel

FIND A Christmas star

FIND Mrs. Claus

DO SOME CHRISTMAS BAKING

EAT A Candy Cane

SPOT AN Outdoor hockey game

FIND A ONE OF SANTA’S Reindeer

WRAP A Christmas present

FIND White Christmas lights

T he re is som e thing truly joyful and w arm about Christm as. W e hop e this g am e can insp ire you to e m brace the fun of the se ason, and che ck off som e of the w ond e rful w ays you can sp e nd tim e w ith your love d one s. Can you g e t a Christm as B ing o... and d o you d are try to g o for a blackout? G ood luck!

The Minnedosa South Mountain

Press Tribune

South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

7

How Christmas finally made sense to me

By D O N ALD BERGER

There was a time – embarrassingly, if I’m honest – when Christmas felt like an endurance race. Not a festive celebration. It was an unholy gruelling marathon designed to wring wallets and that still punishes my body till this day.

If you grew up when I did, you’ll remember the soundtrack: blaring TV jingles competing with Christmas music from the huge stereo cabinet, the promise of happiness came from Eaton’s or Simpson’s catalogues, delivered in shrink-wrapped plastic boxes, batteries not included. Fruitcake – a toxic weapon deceitfully disguised as a treat.

Toys? Marketed as “new and improved” but designed to disintegrate, falling apart in your hands, in minutes after opening the giftwrapping. Christmas lights? One bulb blew, the whole string died, and we were gifted a masterclass in seasonal profanity.

Me and four rowdy siblings would wake before dawn, before our parents, every Christmas day and somehow transform into silent little ninja-bandit-pirates targeting the Christmas loot – creeping toward the tree with the stealth of a special-ops unit fuelled by what would now be considered a medically alarming overdose of sugar-laden goodies. That this was what Christmas was for me. As a child, no pressure, just playtime. Slightly chaotic, full of anticipation– and the best part of winter.

Then life – and decades of long, sweaty chef hours carried me around the world. I saw people who don’t usually celebrate Christmas embrace it in their own unique way.

In China and Vietnam, the hotel lobbies, cafés, and on streets were lined with the very decorations that were made in the local factories for export and shipped to us here.

No one debated theology.

Christmas arrived not as a sermon but as colour, music, food I often helped introduce, and pure spectacle. People didn’t worry about being on Santa’s list; they were just happy with the ornaments, revelling in red-and-gold decor as if it were a centuries-old Asian tradition of auspicious gilding – which, by the way, it actually is. And I wonder if that’s why the whole swirl of Christmas colour felt so natu-

So uth M o unta in Pre ss

Salat Crazy Christmas Tree

A M anitoba–Vietnam –Italy holiday fusion you can m ake in 10 m inutes Ingredients •4–6 Fresh tomatoes •1 container fresh bocconcini or mozzarella, sliced •Fresh sweet basil leaves •Extra Virgin Olive oil •Balsamic reduction or balsamic glaze •Salt & fresh cracked pepper •1 small piece of baguette (for the “tree trunk”) Serve immediately (Pairs beautifully with holiday chaos, laughter, and turkey pho simmering on the stove)

ral there: Had the West just borrowed its festive palette from the spirituality of the Orient?

A CH E F ’S CH R IST M AS Before I ever figured out how I wanted Christmas to feel, I spent decades cooking everyone else’s Christmas for them.

If you’ve never worked the hospitality trenches in December, picture this: weeks of prep, hundreds of hacked-up turkeys being deadlifted into giant rotating-shelf ovens like we were training for some Schwarzenegger-sanctioned industrial weightlifting event... potato mountains so high your hands prune into wrinkled little claws... stuffing mixed in vats the size of walkin hot tubs... and the mechanical dishwasher blasting steam like an offended dragon, groaning under peak season and transforming the kitchen into a sauna that soaked us in sweat so thoroughly that even the free cornstarch – the cook’s last desperate hope – couldn’t save us.

While the world was at home on the chesterfield watching holiday movies, I was in a kitchen that felt like the inside of a malfunctioning volcano – timers screaming,

ovens radiating enough heat to thaw Siberia, and us cooks being slow-roasted along with the turkeys. Sleep wasn’t a nightly ritual anymore; it became a disbelieved rumour passed around. And here’s the twist: I still loved it. Because every plate, every buffet, every banquet meant someone out there was having a smoother, happier holiday because we were willingly working ours.

So here’s a genuine Christmas shout-out – to the fellow cooks, servers, cleaners, health-care workers, police, military, first responders, hotel staff, grocery workers, gas station attendants, and the people who keep the lights on (literally). Some of you are

peeling potatoes, some of you are resetting circuit breakers, some of you are delivering the goods that keep everyone else merry.

May your shift be smooth, may your feet forgive you, and may you enjoy your favourite holiday meal, hopefully fresh and hot at some point.

And yes – I feel for you, and the community thanks you for your sacrifices.

O U R CH R IST M AS,R E BU IL T Fast-forward to today, in Manitoba, where Christmas for me has finally settled into what feels like a genuine homecoming – not to a place, but to a feeling. A mix of the old and the new. A bit Cana-

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dian, a bit Vietnamese, a bit global, a bit improvised, and proudly family centered.

We have an artificial tree because it’s easier, cheaper, cleaner, and the thought of killing a living tree bothers me. The ornaments are homemade. The lights don’t explode the moment I plug them in – a Christmas miracle courtesy of modern LEDs. Dinner isn’t turkey with stuffing. It’s turkey ph·ªü, a tradition we invented because my son loves

noodles more than anything and nothing says family love like boiling bones for hours until the whole house smells like endorphins. It took decades to understand a simple truth: Christmas doesn’t need to be monetized, merchandised, or showy. It doesn’t need to match or compete. It doesn’t even need snow. It just needs family!

SAL AT CR AZY And then there’s the dish no one expects: Years ago, while catering in Vietnam, it was just one of my menu items rebuilt for the holidays because of the colours and flavour, an Italian salad that added pizzazz to the banquet appetizer table: Insalata Caprese, which was a tonguetwister for some of our guests, who enthusiastically called it ‘Salat Crazy’ – the Vietnamese version I secretly like the sound of better than the Italian name. Today I make the same dish in Manitoba, except with tomatoes grown right here all year round in Dauphin by Vermillion Growers and picked vine ripe – proof that prairie agriculture can outshine anything trucked in from the south.

I slice the tomatoes, layer them with basil and fresh bocconcini cheese, and shape them into a Christmas tree. A crouton star goes on top. A piece of toasted crusty baguette forms the trunk. My son flicks off the basil leaves (hates green things), my wife laughs, and I watch the two of them thinking: how lucky I am.

H AV E A V ER Y M ER R Y H O LID AY SEASO N Here’s hoping everything runs smoothly for you this holiday season.

We’re always at your service and are grateful for your business.

Sure-Line Auto 204-636-2421• Erickson, MB

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

H ow to m a ke Ch ristm a s Eve extra sp ecia l for your ch ildren You’ve been counting down all December long, but the wait is finally over!

Christmas Eve is finally here, and with this much-anticipated night comes a chance to (hopefully) rest and relax in the company of loved ones.

While you may have spent the 24 days prior working your way down your Christmas bucket list, Christmas Eve is a night to take things easy.

Still, you may be searching for ways to make meaningful memories this holiday, and that’s where our handy list of the best Christmas Eve traditions comes in.

In the market for Christmas Eve traditions to enjoy with the whole family?

However you choose to celebrate Dec. 24, know there’s more than one way to do it right. As long as the Christmas Eve traditions you make your own feel special to you and the people you love, a good time will be had by all!

Here are some ideas to impart more magic into Christmas Eve celebrations…

BAK E F R E SH CO O K IE S Children like to leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa.

That makes Christmas Eve a perfect time to whip up a fresh batch of cookies.

Explore different recipes to come up with a unique offering each year.

Hanging from a door, a wall or mantel, wreaths are a mainstay of our Canadian Christmas traditions, but do we stop to think of the history of wreaths or how they came to be one of our most celebrated decorations?

The history of the wreath reaches back many thousands of years ago. All the way back to ancient Greece and Rome

R E AD A CH R IST M AS ST O R Y Watching television or looking at a tablet or mobile phone before bed can be too stimulating when it’s time for children to wind down for bed. Choose a holiday tale or tales that can be read as a Christmas Eve bedtime story. Reciting the poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)” is a great way to set the Christmas Eve mood.

M AK E R E IN DE E R DU ST Why should Santa’s reindeer be left out when it comes to receiving treats?

Reindeer dust, made from a combination of oatmeal, rice cereal, dried fruits, and glitter (if desired), is purported to attract Santa’s reindeer and provide them a nibble at the same time. Plus, it’s generally safe for other animals in the yard to eat.

GO CAR O L L IN G Carolling may not be the norm these days, but some families may want to revive it. Close-knit communities can organize family-centric carolling opportunities and roam the cul-de-sacs and other pedestrian friendly areas singing popular songs.

Christmas Eve is a great time to em-

where they would create coronas (also known as wreaths).

Using fruits, flowers, leaves and other items, coronas would be proudly displayed on the outsides of residents’ doors as a symbol of victory.

Through the years Christmas wreaths brought new meaning to an old idea, they were originally used as tree ornaments.

Given their

brace various traditions that help to make the season even more special.

DO N A CH R IST M AS SW E AT E R Have your family put on their favorite outlandish tops and throw an ugly Christmas sweater theme night. At the end of the night, have everyone anonymously vote for the best (and by best, we mean worst) sweater and hand out candy prizes. Extra points to anyone who creates a DIY ugly Christmas sweater.

CR E AT E A CAR E PACK AGE A care package is a great way to remind loved ones and people in need that you’re thinking of them during the holidays. Or, you could put a care package together for soldiers overseas. You can also send these out after Christmas so that they’ll be received as a New Year’s gift to extend the holiday wishes.

SAN T A’S AR R IVAL If your children want to know when they can expect their Christmas presents, you can log onto sites like NORAD that follow Santa’s every step on Christmas Eve. Just make sure your kids are in bed when he approaches your area!

shape, it made them easy to hang from the branches. Using evergreen tree materials from trimmings of the Christmas tree brought into the home for the season, the greens were formed into a circular shape, as a symbol of hope, power and resilience.

Adding a candle to the small tree ornament wreath was a symbol many Europeans used

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

to emulate the light they believed Jesus brought into the world.

Through the emigration of people from their countries origin, many new traditions were brought to North America, including the tradition of the Christmas wreath.

Today, Christmas wreaths come in a variety of materials, colour, and sizes.

THE

Your local information source

FROM THE LEGISLATURE:

W ish es for th e sea son

The holiday season is a time when families come together and citizens take a pause from the day to day hustle and bustle of life to remember all the good things we share as citizens of the Riding Mountain constituency in the Province of Manitoba, in the most wonderful country in the world – Canada.

The tradition of community involvement is alive and well in our province. Theatre groups, 4-H clubs, seniors’ organizations, service clubs and sports teams are just a few of the opportunities rural residents have and benefit from.

Volunteers are the heart of our communities and the strength of our province, and I am very honoured to say the constituency I represent in the Manitoba Legislature is rich with people with such commitment.

However, as we celebrate the festive season we need to take time to con-

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I am proud to represent you in the Manitoba Legislature and pledge to continue working for a stronger Manitoba moving forward.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and healthy and prosperous 2026.

Greg Nesbitt MLA Riding Mountain

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

We wish you a

Merry Christmas

May your holiday season be full of warmth and joy, and your 2026 full of peace and prosperity

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Press

Happy Holidays, from our family to yours Ryan Nesbitt • Michelle Gensiorek • Darrell Nesbitt • Connie Kay • Racheal Flintoft • Donald Berger Candy Irwin • Dennis Basso • Ena Lee • Arthur Bresnahan

9

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

D ARRELL N ES BITT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

Receiving the news of your first grandchild is a life changing experience that grandparents embrace and cherish, for time goes by far too quickly.

For wife Cindy and myself, the first was a boy named Axel, who was a tad lazy when he was a baby, opting to sit while his Pa got the toy he so wanted, instead of crawling to it. Today, at the age of 11, he has become a kind, caring pre-teenager who has a passion for video games, walking the family’s dog, and showing his love for siblings with friends.

Experiencing a child’s first Christmas brings not only fond memories, but also rekindles long lost family traditions. Creating new ones and brings the family back closer together.

Grandchild #2 is Kash, a 9year-old autistic child, who has a passion for books, trinkets, and an array of fresh fruit including strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and bananas relaying “Oh So Monkey” when more are needed.

Despite his diagnosis, this healthy boy enjoys visits to his Pa and Nanny’s home in Shoal Lake, especially when the words of ice cream, cake and presents are shared.

Knowing full well when birthdays fall, he knows cake, cake and more cake is served, and often taken home. Thanks to great assistants at the Brookdale School, Kash has ad-

Sophia Zara Ren,a bundle ofjoy vanced in schooling very well, despite not talking much, but for sure expressing himself through drawings. The latest shared by email by his mom, our daughter, Shelby on “Wednesday, Dec. 10, was one of the story, ‘The Turtle and the Rabbit’ – a classic fable about a race between a fast but overconfident rabbit and a slow but persistent turtle, spotted in a “I Spy” book.

With the rabbit taking a nap during the race, confident it will win, the turtle, through slow and steady effort, crosses

the finish line first. The moral of the story is that perseverance and consistency can overcome arrogance and complacency, teaching that “slow and steady wins the race”.

Alike dealing with a child with autism.

Our first granddaughter Olivia turned 7 years old last month. For the past few years her enjoyment has been anything “Barbie”. Despite being offered hundreds of dollars for an antique doll house purchased by her loving Pa at a Brandon thrift store for a

mere $10, she and her mom, have opted to keep it. Why not? It folds, has two levels, and casts a true feel of owning or renting a home. For the past four months, Barbie has been pushed aside, for a real breathing doll known as Sophia Zara Ren, born on her grandparents’ anniversary date of Aug. 20, completely without knowledge of an expected arrival.

You see our daughter had a cryptic pregnancy. A pregnancy when you don’t know you’re pregnant. It can happen if you have irregular periods or get a negative result on a pregnancy test. The Cleveland Clinic shares it’s even possible not to realize one is pregnant until labor begins, which was Shelby’s case.

And what did the first granddaughter ask for her birthday – nothing more than a baby doll, so she could cherish, cuddle, and coo with her very own baby, while her mom focused on Sophia. Experiencing a special moment when the real baby needed changing on our living room floor, instincts of the much younger mother kicked in, unsnapping buttons, removing the clothing, and washing the private parts of her wee one.

At first the older siblings were shocked as much as Pa and Nanny, however, a Christmas shopping spree in the early part of December, was so much fun. Finding gifts for the older crowd in a family isn’t that simple, but ideas for a new young granddaughter, growing fast and changing

with each picture received, made the task not only simplified but better yet, relaxing.

Sophia’s favourites are brother Axel and sister Olivia, with Kash learning what a baby is all about. With the birth, Kash’s response was “Baby! Baby don’t run” and three months passed before he asked his mom if he could hold her. With sparkles in his eyes, as Sophia held his finger, the expressive moment will never be erased from my mind or from our photo collection.

So Christmas 2025 will bring excitement to no end, as

paper from gifts unwrapped is piled high, as two boys and two girls, watch with merriment. The younger girl may be a few months off from opening her own gifts, hut special, loving and caring hands will paint the picture of happiness with one rip at a time.

The arrival of Sophia – a wonderful early bundle of holiday warmth – have and will continue to make our family days be merry, create a holly Jolly Christmas, and countless happy memories wrapped around laughter and love. God bless!

In the brightest of seasons, may you find many reasons for happiness. Happy holidays to all of our members and families, and cheers to an even better year to come!

Western Manitoba Branch

westernmanitoba@federalretirees.ca

To all our clients, friends and associates everywhere,

Season’s Greetings

As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped to shape our business in a most significant way.

We value our relationship with you and look forward to working with you in the year to come. We wish you a happy Holiday Season, a very Merry Christmas, and a New Year filled with peace & prosperity.

from Council & Staff

In the spirit of this special time of year, we want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday that echoes with good cheer.

Municipality of Harrison Park

TEX T/CALL

204 -729-5 85 4 • ER ICK SON /ON AN OLE go rd s@ live.co m • w w w .go rd splum bin ga n d h ea tin g.co m

South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

11

Gift from the Heart

By GLO RIA FLEU RY

My late mom Eva, told myself Gloria this story a very long time ago. I was just a wee tot, so of course I do not remember the eventful time. I’m thinking this happened in 1942.

T H E O L D GR E E N SW E AT E R IN M Y M O M ’S W O R DS “It was just an old green sweater, hanging on a hook behind the door. It had holes in the elbows and all the buttons had disappeared.

It was lunch hour, so I grabbed that old green sweater, went out on the doorstep to wave your dad in.

During our noon break we talked and accepted the fact that we would not be able to get to town for supplies.

Your dad went back out to his barn chores. I sat quietly with my tea and wondered what kind of present I could give your dad on Christmas morning.

What to do! Suddenly a thought came to mind. I jumped up and grabbed the old green sweater. The wool on the back part of the

sweater was still strong and fine. Oh yes!

I carefully unraveled it, sponge washed it, and wrapped the wool around the back of a chair to dry. When I knew your dad was coming in the house, I would hide it by covering it with a folded tablecloth.

So, when your dad was choring or hauling hay, straw or wood, I was knitting. I had no pattern but I used my imagination and extreme carefulness and knitted every chance I had until I would hear the sound of the horse’s harness, and I knew your dad was back home. I would then hide my knitting.

The Holy Day was fast approaching, so I hurried. I also had much baking on the go.

On Christmas morning I found a bit of coloured paper and a sort piece of green ribbon. I carefully wrapped it and placed it beside your dad’s breakfast plate. When your dad came in from the choring, there was his Christmas surprise.

Oh yes! Surprised he was, for he didn’t expect a gift.

I must say, that old green sweater did the trick. It was a God send!”

I (Gloria) often wondered, if my late dad (Robbie) ever missed the old green sweater that hung on a hook, behind the door. For that was the very place he hung his new green wool choker for “many a year” thereafter.

From my mom’s giving heart, for thought of love, and for the sake of precious memories, “Merry Christmas”.

Gloria (Gardner) Fleury calls Uno home, and is the long time Beulah news correspondent for Crossroads This Week.

Compared to many in the world, we have much to be thankful for.

We are blessed.

We wish you the warmth of the season, from all of us at

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MERRY

Christmas May all that is beautiful, meaningful and brings you joy be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year!

Happy Council

Holida

and Staf

ys

f at the MUNIC I P A CLANW LI ILLIAM TY OF wish yo -ERICK u a safe SON and hap p y and con tinued w festive season , e ll -wis into the New Ye hes ar!

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

Som etim es the old school cla ssics a re rea lly a ll you n eed to help p utyou in the m ood to celebra te the sea son

By D ARRELL N ES BITT As a music lover including Christmas tunes, the songs listened to growing up in my parents’ home are still all time favourites. Classic merrymakers never grow old they just keep spinning on record players, cassette decks, cd players, and new routes of technology.

If you love the holidays like I do, you know there are some ingredients you’re going to want to sprinkle in to the season to help ensure its success including old school Christmas songs. Because whether you’re hosting a holiday happening, wrapping presents, or baking up some sweet treats, a soundtrack of Yuletide sing-along staples makes everything that much more festive!

Browsing the list on a Country Living site, #1 spot is filled by “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” by Mariah Carey. It’s hard to believe, but this massive hit – the best-selling Christmas single ever by a female artist – is now more than three decades old. It’s absolutely inescapable during the holiday

season, so love it or hate it, you’d be better off just going with it.

“Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley holds down the #2 spot. It would be a blue Christmas for real if you went without hearing this holiday staple at least a couple of times in December! Although it was first recorded in 1948 and covered by Ernest Tubbs a year later, it’s The King’s 1957 version that has stood the test of time.

Holiday rock anthem, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee is found in the #3 spot. Originally recorded in 1958, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019. In 2023, after Brenda released a video for it, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the very first time, 65 years after its release.

Although “Last Christmas” by Wham was found in front of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” by Band Aid, my outlook would see these switched. There’s no denying the impact this legit cultural

phenomenon had on the world in 1984. Organized by Irish musician Bob Geldof, “Do They Know It’s Christmas” raised more than $28 million to feed famineravaged Ethiopians. A who’s who of the decade’s biggest music stars contributed their talents to the effort, including Bono, Boy George, and George Michael, whose “Last Christmas” was kept from the top of the charts by it.

The sixth best Christmas song goes to “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, which the area sure does have now thanks to the heavy snowfall and strong winds received on Dec. 9 into the 10th. Featured in Bing’s hit 1942 movie, Holiday Inn (and again in the sequel, White Christmas, in 1954), this ultra-smooth smash is the best-selling single of all time.

From the jingling sleigh bells to Clarence Clemons’ hearty “Ho Ho Ho” (which got The Boss himself giggling), the 1975 live version of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band is pure

So uth M o unta in Pre ss

holiday joy. It held down the seventh spot.

One below is “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams. Williams loved him some holiday songs – after all, he wasn’t nicknamed “Mr. Christmas” for nothing. But he’s probably best known for this jaunty rundown of seasonal fun, which was released in 1963, on his first Christmas album.

This #9 classic is 55 years old, recorded in 1970, by a

musical juggernaut named Michael Jackson and his brothers known as The Jackson 5. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” is a charming hit about a little boy who spies on his mom laying a smooch on Santa.

Rounding out the top 10, the expression of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is shared. Go ahead, try to get through Judy Garland’s delicate, achingly tender rendition of this sentimental song without

shedding a tear. We couldn’t.

(It was written for and first performed in Judy’s 1944 film, Meet Me in St. Louis.)

Citing music offers numerous benefits for mental, emotional, and physical health, including stress reduction, mood improvement, and enhanced cognitive function, it’s a gift we can give all to ourselves as the quietness or loudness of Christmas festivities are celebrated.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

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Merry & Bright TH IS CH R ISTM AS SE ASO N A N D TH R O UGH O UT TH E N E W YE A R

Gre g N e s b itt Member of the Legislative Assembly Riding Mountain Constituency Constituency Office: #7 – 515 – 4th Avenue P.O. Box 100 Shoal Lake, MB R0J 1Z0 Phone (204) 759-3313 Toll Free 1-844-877-7767 E-mail gregnesbittmla@mymts.net

South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

13

Christmas

in Room 214 A short story by D O N N A S IM ARD Christina watched snowflakes drift softly from the sky, turning the world outside the hospital window into a quiet winter postcard. Normally, snowfall during the Christmas season filled her with joy, but this year, joy felt far away. Instead, she felt fear, uncertainty, and the hollow ache of not knowing what came next.

She turned toward her eight-year-old daughter, Bella, lying in the hospital bed with IV lines and monitors gently beeping beside her.

Bella was small for her age, with big blue eyes that always seemed to shine a little brighter in December. Her light brown hair was usually tied in a loose braid that rested over her shoulder, and even in a hospital gown she carried her own soft sparkle.

She found magic in the simplest things, and Christmas was her favourite season of all.

Only two days earlier, everything had felt normal. Too normal, Christina realized now. Bella had complained about being tired, rubbing her chest between songs as they decorated the Christmas tree. Later she grew pale, shaky. Christina had brushed her hair back, thinking it was the start of a flu, until her daughter collapsed.

The memory surged: Bella hitting the floor, Christina screaming her name, fumbling for the phone, the 911 operator’s voice, the sirens wailing through the cold night. It had all happened so fast.

Christina had a gentle, steady presence, the kind that made people feel safe without her trying. Her dark hair was usually pulled back, though a few strands always slipped loose, no matter how often she tucked them behind her ear. There was a natural, understated beauty about her, but worry now rested under her eyes. Still, she held herself with quiet strength, determined to keep Bella’s

world from falling apart.

“Mommy, are you here?”

“Yes, darling, I’m right here.”

“Will we be home for Christmas?”

Christina squeezed her daughter’s hand. “I don’t know.”

Christmas was only a week away.

“We have to be home for Christmas,” Bella insisted.

The words pierced Christina’s heart. She smoothed Bella’s hair back, whispering a silent prayer she wasn’t sure how to form.

A soft knock broke the moment. “Hello,” the doctor said, stepping in. “How is our patient doing today?”

“I want to be home for Christmas,” Bella said.

He smiled kindly. “Let’s talk more after you rest. I need to speak with your mother for a moment.”

Christina followed him into the hallway lined with paper snowflakes taped to the walls by the pediatric nurses.

He lowered his voice.

“Your daughter needs open-heart surgery,” he said softly. “She has a congenital hole between the chambers of her heart, something she was likely born with. These openings can stay small and unnoticed for years, and then the heart suddenly begins struggling to keep up. That’s what happened to Bella.”

Christina felt the room tilt for a moment, the kind of dizziness that comes when life shifts in a single sentence.

Her hand pressed against the wall as she steadied herself.

“When will the surgery take place?” she whispered.

“Right after Christmas.

She’ll need to remain in the hospital until then to be monitored.”

Back in the room, Christina said gently, “We will be here for Christmas.”

Bella burst into tears.

“This will be the worst Christmas ever.”

Christina held her tightly, and as she did, a quiet idea began forming, fragile at first, then brighter.

With approval from the nurses, she returned to Bella.

“Sweetheart, you’re not the only one who has to be here for Christmas. There are many children on this floor.

What if we planned a Christmas surprise for them?”

Bella’s blue eyes brightened. “I could make homemade cards for everyone.”

They began planning.

Christina pushed Bella down the hallway in a wheelchair, counting patients.

Bella waved at each child and parent they passed.

At home, Randy and the boys, Sean, Alex, and Marco, eagerly joined in. They bought gifts and delivered them to the hospital.

Since Bella’s surgery was scheduled for right after Christmas, the hospital decided to hold their Christmas celebration early, so the children facing surgery or long recoveries wouldn’t miss out on the magic of the season.

A few days later, once the gifts were wrapped, the cards were finished, and excitement had quietly spread through the pediatric floor, the nurses prepared a room for the celebration.

At 1 o’clock that afternoon, soft string lights glowed along the walls. A small tree stood

in the corner, decorated with ornaments the nurses dug out of storage. The sweet smell of hot chocolate drifted through the room, warming the otherwise sterile space.

Patients, parents, nurses, and staff slowly gathered.

Randy welcomed everyone and sat with Christina and Bella at the front. As he read the Christmas story, Bella held up the pictures so everyone could see.

As he reached the part where Mary laid Jesus in the manger, Bella’s eyes softened.

She whispered, “He wasn’t home for Christmas either, Mommy.”

The words hit Christina’s heart with a quiet, holy weight. She squeezed Bella’s hand. “No, sweetheart,” she said softly. “But He was exactly where He needed to be.”

Bella leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder.

The room felt warmer somehow, gentler and softer, as if something sacred had settled in the air.

Christina looked around.

Some children were hooked to machines; others wrapped in blankets. Yet, despite the fear and the unknowns, she saw genuine smiles. And beneath everything, she felt it… hope.

Christmas, she realized, wasn’t about being home. It wasn’t even about the date on the calendar. It was about the love in that room, the light people gave each other, the way joy found them anyway.

When the story ended, the boys burst in wearing goofy elf costumes and handed out gifts. Bella giggled, a sound Christina had been aching to

hear.

Bella leaned into her mother. “Mommy… this feels like Christmas.” “Happy Birthday Jesus.”

Christina kissed her forehead. “It is, sweetheart.

Christmas always finds us.”

••• Christmas doesn’t always look the way we expect.

Sometimes it arrives in a hospital room, in borrowed chairs, in the sound of children laughing through fear.

May hope, peace, unexpected joy and love find their way to you this season, just as they found their way into Room 214.

Merry Christmas!

Author Donna Simard enjoys writing stories from the comfort of her St. Lazare home.

Holiday

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Friday, December 19, 2025

SPORTS

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Chiefs p ower p ast Northstars The Yellowhead Chiefs won just one out of three starts in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League over the past week but could easily have won them all.

The Chiefs, who sit in ninth place, dropped a onegoal decision to the Central Plains Capitals, and gave the league-leading Winnipeg Wild all they could handle to close out the week.

W PG.W IL D 3 CH IE F S 1 The Wild took a 2-1 first

U18 period and added another into an empty net to down the Chiefs 3-1 in Shoal Lake on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Adrian Braun, Anthony Bedard and Cody Farrell scored for the Wild, who have just lost three times in regulation this season.

Nolan Kozak scored his

10th goal of the season for the Chiefs.

Chase Kettles made 26 saves for the Wild, while Landon McGregor stopped 36 shots for Yellowhead.

CH IE F S 7 N O R M AN 2 Three players - Nolan Kozak, Grady McNish and Ethan Turchinski - scored two goals each to pace the Chiefs to a 72 win over the Northstars in Shoal Lake on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Isaac McArthur had the

other goal for the hosts, who led 2-1 and 4-2 at the intermissions.

Gavin Noseworthy and Braden Arthurson replied for Norman.

Landon McGregor made 34 saves for the win in the Yelloowhead net.

Parker Clements stopped 36 shots for the Northstars.

CE N T R AL PL AIN S 7 CH IE F S 6 The Chiefs rallied from a 5-2 second period deficit but fell short, losing 7-6 to the

Capitals in Portage la Prairie on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Jaymym McIntyre’s second goal of the game at 8:32 of the third gave the hosts a 7-4 lead at the time and proved to be the game winner.

Cashton Barron, Evan Thomson, Kendrick Breemersch, Ethan Dion and Ethan Breakey added singles for the hosts, who led 3-1 after the first period.

Alec Strachan had a hat trick for the Chiefs, with single markers coming off the

sticks of Oliver Nickel, Nolan Kozak and Winston Lepp.

Karsen Dyck finished with 24 saves in the Central Plains net, while goaltending stats for the Chiefs were unavailable.

NOTES – The Chiefs will close out the schedule for 2025 with a game in Steinbach against the Eastman Selects on Sunday, Dec. 21… The Chiefs will host the Winnipeg Thrashers in a doubleheader in Shoal Lake on Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4.

U15 Chiefs m ove to w ithin three p oints of fourth p lace The Yellowhead Chiefs moved to within three points of the fourth place Southwest Cougars in the Winnipeg U15 AAA Hockey League by picking up three of a possible four points over the week. The Chiefs are 4-11-2-0 with a game in hand on the Cougars.

CH IE F S 2 PAR K L AN D 2

U15 Bentley Gouldon tied the game with 4:48 of the third period and overtime settled nothing as the Chiefs played to a 2-2 draw with with the

Rangers in Shoal Lake on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Dexter White had the other goal for the Chiefs, who led 1-0 after the first period.

Weston Rank pulled the visitors even in the second period, and Chayce Stoski scored in the third.

Darby Wilson finished with 42 stops in goal for the

Chiefs, while Benjamin Gardner made 33 saves for Parkland.

CH IE F S 4 W IL D GR E E N 3 (O T ) Wyatt Cochrane scored with 18 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Chiefs a thrilling 4-3 win over the Wild Green in Shoal Lake on Friday, Dec. 12.

Bentley Gouldon had two goals for the hosts, with Travis Lamb adding the other.

Scoring for the Wild Green, who led 2-1 and 3-2 at the intermissions, were Alexander Pepin-Wowchuk, Lyrik Selch and Ben Kolton.

Korey Stevenson blocked 48 shots in the Yellowhead

net. Nash Siemens made 45 saves of the Winnipeg squad.

NOTES – The Chiefs will host the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday, Dec 19 and the Winnipeg Wild Red on Sunday, Dec. 21… Yellowhead will open the new year on the road, taking on the Winnipeg Thrashers Blue on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Red hotW heat K ings w in their sixth straight RYAN N ES BITT

So uth M o unta in Pre ss

With three wins last week, the red hot Brandon Wheat Kings are riding a six game win streak and are undefeated so far in December.

After passing the Moose Jaw Warriors in the standings, Brandon has now put eight points between the two teams and sit just one point back of Saskatoon for fourth in the Eastern Conference with four games in hand.

The Wheat Kings are in the middle of a four game Alberta road trip, scheduled to have taken on the Red Deer Rebels on Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Medicine Hat Tigers on

Wednesday, Dec. 17, and the Calgary Hitmen on Friday, Dec. 19.

BR AN DO N 7 L E T H BR IDGE 3 Jordan Gavin, Carter Klippenstein, and Job Baumuller each had a pair of goals as the Wheat Kings powered past the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes 7-3 on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Leading 4-0 after two periods, Brandon let the Hurricanes back in it, allowing

three goals in the third before turning it around and scoring three more of their own.

Luke Mistelbacher also scored for Brandon, while Easton Daneault, Hudson Kibblewhite, and Luke Cozens replied for the Hurricanes.

Jayden Kraus made 21 saves in the Brandon goal while Koen Cleaver turned aside 36 for Lethbridge.

BR AN DO N 6 K E L O W N A 3 Jordan Gavin’s goal sent the teddy bears flying as Brandon topped the visiting Kelowna Rockets 6-3 in the club’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Friday, Dec. 12.

Carter Klippenstein and Joby Baumuller each had a

pair of goals for Brandon, who led 3-2 after the first period and 5-2 through two.

Chase Surkan also scored for the Wheat Kings.

Hiroki Gojsic, Hayden Paupanekis, and Carson Wetsch replied for the Rockets, who will host the Memorial Cup this season.

Filip Ruzicka stopped 29 of 32 between the pipes for the Wheat Kings, while Josh Banini made 39 saves for the Rockets.

BR AN DO N 4 E DM O N T O N 2 Filip Ruzicka was the first star of the game, making 32 saves to lead the Wheat Kings

to a 4-2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings in the first game of the team’s Alberta road trip on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Joby Baumuller scored twice for the third straight game, with Carter Klippenstein and Max Lavoie adding singles for the Wheat Kings, who led 1-0 and 2-1 at the intermissions.

Kanjyu Gojsic and Miroslav Holinka replied for Edmonton.

Parker Snell stopped 15 of 19 in the Edmonton net.

NEWS & NOTES: The Wheat Kings are an offensive powerhouse so far this season and sit second in the

league in goals for... Brandon currently has seven players scoring at over a point-agame pace... Joby Baumuller leads the team in goals with 22 while Jaxon Jacobson leads the team in points with 40, despite missing five games due to injury... Filip Ruzicka has really found his game in net and now sits in the top 10 in the league in save percentage... after the Christmas break, Brandon’s next home action will be Sunday, Dec. 28 against the Moose Jaw Warriors. They will also host the Saskatoon Blades on New Year’s Day at 2:00 p.m.

High school action continues The Major Pratt Trojans moved into sixth place in the Westman High School Hockey League after splitting a pair of games over the week.

The other three area teams – the Hamiota-Rivers-EltonStrathclair Huskies, the Minnedosa-Erickson Chancellors and the Birtle-StrathclairRossburn Falcons – all failed to pick up a point.

SV 10 HRES 3 Swan Valley – Rylan Laderoute (5), Cole Fletcher (4), Sam Lacasse Hamiota-Rivers-EltonStrathclair – Sam Rivas (2), Duncan McLesn Sandy Bay 7 M E 5

HIGH SCHOOL Sandy Bay – Rhett Sigurdson (4), Jarome Starr, Cash Thomson, Dylan Spak Minnedosa-Erickson – Myles Beatty (4), Aiden McGorman M P 4 D auphin 3 (SO ) Major Pratt – Nathan Miller, Jorey Reichmuth, Dominyk Shuya Dauphin – Julien Lopez, Hayden Shytkalo, Josh Beyette RGG 10 BS R 2 Roblin-Grandview-Gilbert

Plains – Maddox Andrers (4), Maddox Andres (3), Ryder Newton, Kenai Mouck, Cash Kitzul, Grady Turetsky VM 10 M P 1 Vincent Massey – Addox Egan (2), Cole Adams (2), River Halkett, Owen Deleau, Josh Sveistrup, Kaleb McAuley, Brady Shaw, Hunter Oakden Major Pratt – Jorey Reichmuth VM 5 HRES 2 Vincent Massey – Addax Egan (2), Ethen Church, Josh Sveistrup Kaleb McAuley Hamiota-Rivers-EltonStrathclair – Reid Hutchings (2)

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

15

D og rescue centre one step closer to becom ing rea lity Paper Clips News from MB/SK weeklies

FESTIVE SPIRIT

DAR R E L L N E SBIT T / SO U T H M O U N T AIN PR E SS

Home and business owners throughout the area are showcasing their festive spirit with an array of attention grabbing holiday displays in time for a wonderful Christmas celebration. This bright and beautiful scene catches the eye of motorists in an Erickson neighbourhood, while other yard decorations and shining lights also bring excitement to the youngsters. As we all count down the days and nights until Christmas Eve, let us be reminded that Christmas magic is silent but truly wonderful.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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Canada Highway and Provincial Trunk Highway 5 following public consultation, a safety review and technical analysis. The people of Carberry spoke clearly and Premier Wab Kinew and other government officials adjusted course to come up with a safe solution.

Whitewood: Grasslands News – Protests fuelled by outrage over the Canada Food Inspection Agency’s cull of more than 300 ostriches in British Columbia were held across the country on Nov. 22, though turnout in Saskatchewan was limited to a few small “slow roll” convoys culminating in gatherings at Regina and Saskatoon.

Glenboro: The Gazette – Cutting waste, saving money, and supporting local sustainability are areas in which prompted the Municipality of Glenboro South Cypress to partner with Food Cycle Science to offer FoodCyclers to participating residents at a subsidized cost.

The FoodCycler is an inhome food waste recycler that turns everyday scraps into a dry, nutrient-rich soil amendment by reducing food waste volume by up to 90 percent.

Pilot Mound: The Hometown Review – Ashley Morrow of Pilot Mound won the Outstanding U20 Award for her accomplishments in weight throw, hammer throw and shot put, from Athletics Manitoba as presented at the 2025 Annual Awards Gala. Currently Morrow attends the University of New Brunswick on an athletic scholarship.

Dauphin: The Herald – Celebrating 50 years of trail life, Snoman and affiliated clubs gathered at the Lakeview Resort in Gimli, for its annual awards show on Nov. 8. It was here where members of the Dauphin and District Snowmobile Club rejoiced in being named the Outstanding Club for 2025.

Snoman (Snowmobilers of Manitoba) Inc. is a nonprofit organization representing a total of 53 member snowmobile clubs, which maintain and groom more than 13,000 kilometers of Manitoba’s scenic trails.

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Russell: The Banner – Passion 4 Paws board and committee members have reason to smile, as Waywayseecappo First Nation (WFN) has come through with a $50,000 donation to purchase a building and help establish a permanent home for a dog rescue centre in Russell. To that end, the committee has asked for the help of RussellBinscarth council in securing land on municipal-owned property near the Russell Vet Clinic. WFN council will also take care of the cost of moving the building from Altona.

Neepawa: The Banner & Press – The Beautiful Plains Community Medical Clinic (BPCMC) has hit a major milestone, clearing the Doctor Finder’s List. That means every area resident should now have a family physician unless they have chosen to wait. With this milestone achieved, the BPCMC isn’t stopping there.

The clinic will be renovated to house eight new examination rooms and space for four new doctors to come to the clinic.

Moosomin: The Plain and Valley – The Arcola Curling Club is preparing to celebrate a milestone of 125 years of curling, community and hometown pride with the Cody Grimes Memorial 64-Rink Bonspiel happening March 26 to 29 with $10,000 in cash and prizes. All proceeds from the four-day bonspiel will go toward supporting the Arcola Prairie Place Complex, ensuring the next generation has a rink to call home.

Boissevain: The Recorder – A little help from friends in the local housing industry will be required if and when the Boissevain-Morton municipality is able to house workers in the future. Lorri Matthewson of Matthewson & Co. alongside Head of Council Judy Swanson met with a few members of the Boissevain construction community to discuss housing needs and opportunities.

The main need is an apartment unit(s) for working class families, as often, workers stay or live in other towns and drive to work, which doesn’t help Boissevain-Morton.

Whitewood: Grasslands News – What goes up must come down at some time.

Work began recently to demolish the Parrish and Heimbecker elevator in Langbank, SK. This prairie sentinel began its life as a Cargill elevator.

Glenboro: The Gazette – The Manitoba government will build an overpass at the intersection of the Trans-

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

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GAR D EN IN G winter blues!

Winter is hard on us all – and for sure it is hard on all your houseplants. Take pity on them and give them a bit extra help to make it through the winter and rotate them through an area where you have conveniently placed a grow light. The light in our homes in the winter has no real intensity at all at this time of year. Combined with the dry air of winter, this low light does stress your plants and leads to ill health.

Spider mite infestations are prevalent so watch your plants for tiny webs and a general look of not robust health. For me, I need to put on my reading glasses to see the signs of these little critters in a well-lighted area!

For those good gardeners, gifts are a plenty. Think of useful things that make gardening easier or better. Quality secateurs are always appreciated. An upgrade to grow lights is always appreciated, as we never seem to have enough. Last but not least, books and more books and more books to give us appreciation of new ideas that can make our gardens even more beautiful and productive.

Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at www. orchidhort.com; by email at growyourfuture@gmail.com or on facebook @orchidhort.

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Santa says…

Ho ho ho – it is my favourite time of year! From one fellow gardener to another, I can think of endless gifts to bring to those gardeners who have been good all year long...

Gardeners who have been good, put the garden to bed before the snow arrived. Part of that chore was to ensure that all were well watered prior to freeze up and of course any late blooming weeds were removed.

The best gardeners have hung up all their tools clean and shiny. They have cleaned off any soil that might be still hanging around and lightly oiled the working parts and of course those wooden handles as well. Keeping the handles lightly sanded if they are worn and then oiled will ensure in the spring that those tender garden hands do not get slivers.

All those other handy gardening tools like secateurs should be cleaned, sharpened and oiled. We often have nice warm spells in early spring where it is the perfect time to tidy up our woody ornamentals with a bit of pruning. Have your tools ready for action once the weather warms.

Gardeners whom I love to gift make that transition from the outside garden to the inside garden with grace.

I know one fine gardener on my favourite list has hung grow lights in her house where she merrily grows fresh herbs. These favourites of chefs will not only keep your fingers “in the dirt” but will also help to prepare fabulous meals – even in the heart of winter. The scent that fills the air at watering time warms my cockles just dreaming of spring and getting out into the garden with my Mrs. Claus. You know that growing any little thing will help to keep away those

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17

H ow to rega in focus on m a tters th a t count Dr.

Roizen H EALT H Y LIVIN G Frame and Double Decision.

They increase the key neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, in areas of the brain responsible for attention and focus.

If making changes in your everyday habits doesn’t improve your concentration, see your doctor to find out if an underlying condition (ADHD, depression, diabetes or long COVID-19) or a medication is the cause. For more tips on improving your focus, check out my book “The Great Age Reboot.”

Q: I’ve started doing highintensity (for me) interval walking four days a week and get around 7,000 to 10,000 steps each time. What other kinds of exercise should I be doing? – Patty R., Dover, DE A: There are four types of physical activity that can help you live longer and stronger: cardio workouts, strength training, and flexibility and balance exercises.

STORY IDEA? Em a ilus toda y a t

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The healthiest cardiovascular exercises include interval and high-intensity interval training walking routines, as well as anything that raises your heart rate, makes you sweat and takes enough effort that it makes it hard to carry on a conversation. That could be cycling, step classes – whatever you enjoy. A new study shows that for every 1 minute of vigorous-intensity activity you do, you would need to do 6 minutes of a moderate-intensity activity to have the same impact on heart health.

Strength training (essen-

tial for staying young) can be done using your own body weight (planks, pushups, wall sits), stretchy bands, hand weights, barbells and exercise machines. Start slow and low, and build up your strength without causing pain.

Flexibility means that your joints, tendons and ligaments are able to move freely as you twist, bend and extend. Yoga, tai chi, Pilates and simple hamstring and calf stretches can help. So can dynamic movements like lunges or yoga’s sunrise salutation. Doing 40 jumps a day

is also powerful – and it also strengthens bones.

Balance exercises can be incorporated into flexibility moves or stand on their own.

Single-leg stance, walking the line (forward and backward), sit-stands and step-ups all promote better balance, as do yoga and tai chi. Try to make sure you do cardio almost daily, combine jumping with flexibility and balance exercises most days, and do strength-training two to three times a week for 30 minutes each time.

For a full range of workout options, check out my

book “The Real Age Workout” and the daily AIcoaching program at 4YOUngevity.com.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, “The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow,” and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com.

Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.

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Q: I just turned 58, and it’s becoming harder to concentrate on one thing – a book, a project around the house, or a work assignment. What could be the cause and how can I regain focus? – Harold F., Salt Lake City, UT A: Our brain’s traffic controllers – neurons that manage attention and help filter out distractions – can be negatively affected by medications for sleep, depression, incontinence, allergies or muscle spasms, stress, thyroid problems, lack of sleep and depression or anxiety.

Eating foods with added sugar and saturated fats may also cause brain inflammation and impair focus. Constant exposure to everchanging digital input from phones may also cause you to have shorter attention spans.

Fortunately, you can improve your ability to focus even in the most stimulationintense, distracting environments. The No. 1 challenge is to stop multitasking. Don’t join a Zoom call while answering emails and looking over a report – that leads to mistakes and fuzzy thinking.

It’s also important to consistently get quality sleep (around seven hours a night), use meditation and breathing exercises to help ease stress and increase focus, and take breaks (every 30 to 60 minutes) from any task. Stand up, do jumping jacks, stretch, then refocus. Your diet also matters – dump highly processed foods, red meat and processed meats and added sugars.

And, control your interaction with social media. Turn the phone off or put it away when doing some tasks. You can also sharpen your focus by playing speed-ofprocessing games like Freeze

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South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

Going from sea to sea to sea We knew that we were about to be exposed to something entirely different when we arrived at Port Hope Simpson, Labrador. To begin with, we were the only ones booked in our hotel for the night. And if you have ever seen the movie The Shining, you can guess how it felt walking the cold, echoing hallways. Nothing defines creepiness like an empty hotel.

The good news is that the eerie feeling was entirely overshadowed by the best part of our hotel experience.

The owner was a lovely woman who made us feel entirely welcome, including allowing us to order supper despite the kitchen shutting down for the evening.

Adding to the experience, there was a trio of traditional musicians set up in the dining room, rolling out an apparently endless supply of Newfoundland and Labrador-based tunes. The impromptu concert was a rehearsal for an upcoming community kitchen party benefit evening.

Rae and I looked at each other and nodded, wordlessly agreeing that this was exactly what we expected for Labrador. And this was only one of many experiences on our epic journey across this huge country.

Don’t be alarmed dear reader if you are thinking you’re about to be forced to endure endless stories about our Most Excellent Family Vacation. Suffice it to say that we travelled. A lot. By car. In fact, between two separate trips, we visited nine provinces and two territories, driving almost 20,000 kilometres.

Our voyage allowed us to dip a toe into the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic oceans while not straying from Canada’s borders. We travelled some of the remotest routes in Canada including the Dempster Highway that stretches from the Dawson Highway to Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, as well as the TransQuebec Highway that runs through the interior of Quebec from Baie Comeau on the north shore of the Gulf of Ste Lawrence up to Labrador City, Labrador. Hooking a right, we then travelled the equally isolated TransLabrador Highway from Labrador City down to the Strait of Belle Island, passing such notable places as Churchill Falls and Happy ValleyGoose Bay. When you see that much of the country through a car’s windscreen, you might be struck by the differences.

But then again, maybe not.

There were ample times when, in the fugue of the 9th hour of driving, I had a sense of déjà vu. Didn’t I just pass that same town four days ago? Wasn’t that patch of

Ken

Kingdon M OM EN T S IN R M N P bush outside our Newfoundland motel the same one as in the Yukon?

And no matter where you go, you know you will be accompanied by some old friends. From the rain forests of British Columbia (BC) to the tundra of Tuktoyaktuk and the Barrenlands of Newfoundland, you could always depend on seeing a raven soaring past.

Surprisingly, bald eagles were spotted throughout our travels, but less commonly.

And since 95% of our trip went through at least some type of forest, you could always depend on seeing a friendly chickadee, the raucous call of a blue jay, a ruffed grouse beside the road, and a downy or hairy woodpecker tapping away at a dead tree.

Trees were also a common denominator over most of the country. White and black spruce, tamarack, birch, and aspen trees could be found in almost every locale.

There were differences, of course. Looping in a large clockwise circle, we visited almost every major biome in Canada, starting with the prairies, followed in succession by the Rocky Mountains and their western kin, west coast rainforest and the Gulf Islands, the beautiful glacierscarred landscape along the drive to Stewart BC, and the near-contiguous boreal forest of northern BC and the Yukon.

Then it was on to the tundra of northern Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

The trip home was like running a film in reverse as we retraced our route through boreal forest, aspen parkland, and prairie.

Two months later, we decided we hadn’t punished our bodies enough and headed to Newfoundland.

Once again, we encountered the endless boreal forest of Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador, then soaked up the beautiful fall colours of the Acadian mixed-wood forests of Nova Scotia, and the quasiCarolinian forest of southern Ontario and Quebec.

Along the way we encountered special landscapes such as the stark beauty of the Tombstone Mountains of the Yukon, the permafrost-

created Pingos of Tuktoyaktuk, the wind-beaten fir trees that form the famed tuckamore of Newfoundland, and the beauty of the Gaspe shoreline.

We saw wildlife. In particular, western Canada didn’t disappoint. The Yukon and northern British Columbia were the highlights of wildlife viewing, with caribou (both woodland and Barrenland), elk, moose, thinhorned sheep, bison, as well

as the ubiquitous whitetailed and mule deer. We spotted a lynx, several black bears, and a total of 5 grizzly bears.

According to many accounts, Canada appears to be a divided nation. Yet we do share some common traits.

Apparently, whether you are from Alberta or Quebec, the Yukon or Newfoundland and Labrador, we all fear running into a moose at night, with “Caution – Moose in

Area” signs being the most common wildlife sign no matter where we travelled.

Where there was some disagreement among locales, though, was in the depiction of moose on the signs. Every jurisdiction appeared to have a different opinion on what a moose should look like. Some images of moose wouldn’t have been out of place on a Rorschach inkblot test, while others appeared to be drawn by a committee of fourth

graders.

The good news is that, despite the artwork, the warnings worked, and Rae and I kept the nighttime driving to a minimum. And made it home alive to tell the tale.

Ken Kingdon lives in the heart of the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve. Send him a text at 204.848.5020 if you have stories to share.

M a nitoba governm ent la unch es $10 M business security reba te p rogra m The Manitoba government is launching a new Business Security Rebate Program to help businesses repair property damage and make security upgrades, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced.

“Our government is stepping up to support business owners with the Manitoba Business Security Rebate,” said Wiebe. “We came together with community stakeholders and our partners in the police to tailor this rebate to address the security needs of Manitoba businesses, workers and communities.”

The Business Security Rebate Program has $10 million available to provide rebates

on a first-come, first-served basis to Manitoba businesses with 75 or fewer employees per location. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $2,500 per location to offset the cost of purchasing security equipment or repairing property damage on or after Aug. 23, 2024.

Eligible upgrades include: •security and doorbell cameras; •alarm systems; •motion detectors; •window protection; •anti-graffiti film and paints; and •security fencing and lighting.

Eligible repairs and expenses include:

RUSTIC VALUES

•broken windows; •broken doors and locks; •damages from forced entry or arson; •insurance deductibles related to damage repairs; •graffiti removal; •replacement of signage and cash systems; and •temporary boarding or fencing to secure premises until permanent repairs can be made.

“Store-based investments that create safer, more secure environments are one of the most effective ways to deter crime,” said John Graham, director of government relations, Retail Council of Canada. “This nationally unprecedented commitment is

yet another strong example of the Manitoba government’s leadership across Canada, demonstrating a clear dedication to supporting safer retail and restaurant spaces while advancing meaningful crime reduction.”

The Manitoba government initially launched the Manitoba Security Rebate Program in June 2024 to provide up to $300 to thousands of homeowners and renters for equipment to protect properties. In October, the Manitoba government opened a $2-million intake for homeowners and renters for purchases made on or after Aug. 23, 2024.

DAR R E L L N E SBIT T / SO U T H M O U N T AIN PR E SS

The Lewandoski Livery Stable has stood the test of time for 90 years in the heart of the small town known as Sandy Lake, situated along Highway 45. Back in the day, livery stables were short-term boarding stables for horses belonging to people visiting the town. Before the automobile made them obsolete, liveries were expected in nearly every town. But there were different kinds, providing different services. Today, this antique building is showing its age, but after walk through the front doors, the interior truly showcases its history and value.

South Mountain Press

Friday, December 19, 2025

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R CM P find p a rts of stolen veh icle inside a tra iler On Dec. 9, shortly after midnight, Fisher Branch RCMP were conducting traffic enforcement on Highway 17 in the Rural Municipality of Fisher when an officer observed a vehicle towing an enclosed trailer travelling slowly on the road. Officers conducted a traffic stop immediately. Officers learned that the female driver and the male passenger attended Peguis First Nation to pick up a car part. They were travelling back to Winnipeg. Upon further inspection of the trailer, officers located multiple car parts for a white Dodge Challenger. Officers confirmed that some of the car parts belonged to a vehicle reported stolen from Winnipeg on Nov. 25. Officers also located a large amount of Canadian currency hidden inside a box concealed by a glove. The male passenger had in his possession, a large amount of Canadian currency and a significant amount of prescription drugs.

The driver, a 43-year-old female from Winnipeg, was arrested for Possession of property obtained by crime and released on an Undertaking with

RCMP Briefs Provincial Roundup a pending court date. The passenger, a 24-year-old male from Winnipeg, was arrested for Possession of property obtained by crime and Possession for the purpose of trafficking prescription drugs. He was released on an Undertaking with a pending court date.

Twenty-seven people have been charged so far as part of a sustained police investigation into a drug trafficking network operating on the Bunibonibee Cree Nation. Project Derry was launched in June by the Manitoba RCMP Integrated Law Enforcement Team following several violent incidents that occurred in the community, including an ar-

son that destroyed the community’s band office. The investigation was supported by First Nation Safety Officers on the Bunibonibee Cree Nation and RCMP officers from Oxford House, Thompson, Selkirk and Winnipeg.

The RCMP investigation uncovered a criminal organization that arranged the shipment, processing, packaging and transportation of drugs into the community, including cocaine, oxycodone, fentanyl and carfentanil. Individuals working within the organization then distributed the drugs to local traffickers while handling collection and payments, enforcement and the storage and dissemination of weapons.

During the investigation, RCMP found some buyers purchasing oxycodone pills were instead given fentanyl, a more powerful and deadly drug. The investigation also revealed that float planes were being used to fly large quantities of alcohol into the community to bootleg to residents. In total, 51 charges have been laid so far against 27 suspects as part of Project Derry. Eighteen of the 27 suspects live on the

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Bunibonibee Cree Nation, with the remaining suspects from Winnipeg and Thompson.

Further arrests and charges are expected. The suspected leader of the criminal network was arrested while in custody at Milner Ridge Correctional Centre and charged with conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance and trafficking a controlled substance.

The suspected leader, 33, has also been charged with criminal organization-related offences. He remains in custody.

Sixteen other suspects were charged with conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance and trafficking a controlled substance. An additional nine suspects were charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. Twenty-two of the 23 suspects arrested remain in custody. Four others are being sought by RCMP to face charges. Nine firearms, approximately two kilograms of cocaine packaged for sale and hundreds of oxycodone and fentanyl pills were seized, as was a small amount of carfentanil. Hundreds of liquor bottles were also seized. The in-

vestigation has had a noticeable impact on public safety in the past six weeks, following a series of arrests made on the Bunibonibee Cree Nation in November. Calls for service to Oxford House RCMP were nearly halved in November from the previous month. For the first week of December, Oxford House RCMP saw a 67% reduction in calls for service from the same time last year.

On Dec. 8, Gypsumville RCMP responded to a house fire in the community of Little Saskatchewan First Nation.

Upon arrival, the fire department was already on scene containing the fire. The residence, located on Keewatin Road, was completely destroyed by the fire. Officers learned that the homeowner was not in the community at the time and had received some communication with an acquaintance of hers who uttered threats towards her and her residence. Shortly after, a 30-year-old male was arrested nearby for the arson to the residence. The suspect attempted to run away from Po-

lice but was apprehended immediately. The suspect continued to resist until he was brought safely to the police vehicle. A 30-year-old male, from Winnipeg was remanded into custody and charged with: Arson, Uttering threats, resist arrest, and Fail to comply with conditions of a Release order x 2.

On Dec. 5, officers from the Shamattawa RCMP Detachment responded to the Nursing Station on a report of a child having been struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers were advised that a six-yearold boy had been struck by a vehicle, as it was backing up, in the parking lot of a business located in the community. The child was immediately transported to the Nursing Station by the driver where he later succumbed to his injuries. In speaking with witnesses at the scene, officers were advised that a number of children were present and were attempting to hang on to bumpers of vehicles in motion in an attempt to slide on the snow. Shamattawa RCMP continue to investigate.

Classified Advertising Rates Minimum 25 words $7.00, additional words 25¢ (plus GST)

Place your Classified Advertisement by Phone, Fax, Mail or E-mail Extra weeks are one-half original cost • Not responsible for errors in handwritten submissions Ph: 204-759-2644 Ext. 1 Fax: 204-759-2521 E-mail: smpclassified@mymts.net Special rate for Obituaries, Cards of Thanks, In Memoriams Mail: Nesbitt Publishing Ltd., Box 160, Shoal Lake, MB, R0J 1Z0

Reach the entire Province: $189.00 (49 weekly papers) Westman or Eastman regions: $119.00

IN M E M O R IAM

CO M IN G E VE N T S

LUNDMAN: In memory of Morley Grant Lundman. For a friend lost far too soon in December 1977.

We will forever remember the brief time we shared at University of Manitoba, long ago. Fond memories of friends and back row chats.

No chance for goodbyes but you are not forgotten. -Always remembered by your friends, Rod, Alf, Nils and everyone from class you touched. Rest easy friend. -December 2025.

Shevchenko’s Malanka Celebration, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, Sandy Lake Community Hall. For tickets and information 204-8492171.

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W AN T E D Licensed gun dealer looking for firearms in all classes, and any-

Minimum 25 words $7.00, additional words 20¢ (plus GST) • It is preferred if Obituaries can be emailed.

Any obituary copy that is typeset by our staff will be subject to proof approval prior to publication.

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thing firearms related. Inheritance assistance provided. Can store handguns during the ban. Call or text Keith 204-471-9015.

PR O PE R T Y F O R SAL E Have 20 acres and a 1,500 sq. ft. house for sale, 3 miles west of Brandon. Immediate possession.

Should be worth $650,000. Will take cows on trade. Phone 204723-0083 anytime.

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Friday, December 19, 2025

South Mountain Press

tisthe season...

South Mountain To a llow for sta ff h olia ys,n o pa pers w illbe pu blish ed on

FRIDAY ,DEC.26 & FRIDAY ,JAN .2

Press Ou r office w illclose a t 4 :30 p.m .W ed n esd a y,Dec.17 a n d re-open for bu sin ess on M on d a y,Ja n .5 Fir st e d itio n o f th e N e w Y e ar w illb e

Frid ay,Jan .9

A regula r ed itio n plus th e a n n ua lCh ristm a s Greetin gs ed itio n w illbe d a ted Frid a y,D ec.19.