SMP - Feb. 7, 2025

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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 In this day and age, it’s often more odd to see an ice fishing enthusiast sitting out in the open air than something the size of a camping trailer being used as a fish house or hut. The individuals and/ or families who opt to use this trailer parked on the water basin known as Sandy Lake, are indeed fishing in comfort with splendid views of the shorelines and the lake itself. Manitoba’s cold winters are a gateway to unreal ice fishing opportunities, no matter the lake.

P a rks Ca na da a nnounces “ One Boa t, One La ke”

New p rogra m w ill a llow boa ts ba ck in to the w a ter a tClea r La ke in la testa p p roa ch to a q ua tic in va sive sp ecies p reven tion RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

It’s “one boat, one lake” this summer as Parks Canada will be allowing boats back into Clear Lake as part of an innovative aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention program.

This approach requires that each boat be restricted to a sin-

gle lake for the entire season.

For boaters, this means choosing a lake and ensuring that their craft is thoroughly decontaminated and inspected by AIS specialists before being launched elsewhere.

The importance of this program comes on the heels of significant findings regarding zebra mussels in Clear Lake. Late in

2024, hundreds of live juvenile zebra mussels were discovered attached to docks and structures, indicating that this invasive species is spreading beyond the initial Boat Cove area. This prompted serious reconsideration by Parks Canada, who consulted with Indigenous advisors, the Province of Manitoba, and a range of scientific experts. Ulti-

mately, they concluded that eradicating zebra mussels from Clear Lake is not feasible, but managing their impact is crucial for the health of the local environment and the economy.

The presence of zebra mussels is alarming and pose a danger not just to Clear Lake, but also to downstream waterways utilized by five First Nations and serve

vital roles in agriculture and recreation, providing drinking water to thousands. As stated in a recent news release from Parks Canada, “We are committed to managing the impacts of zebra mussels on the natural environment and to the vitality of the local tourism economy.”

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South Mountain Press

Friday, February 7, 2025

P a rks Ca na da invites p ublic inp ut from p age 1

curtain to limit the spread.

However, this curtain had to be removed shortly after due to damage from severe weather, revealing the ongoing difficulty of managing this invasive species.

This summer, as Parks Canada invites public input on the “one boat, one lake” program, they will gauge community support on a potential seasonal launch fee for motorized watercraft.

The Manitoba government is encouraging Manitobans to hit the trails this winter and once again offering free park entry for the entire month of February, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes announced.

“Manitoba’s provincial parks offer an incredible variety of trails and activities for Manitobans of all ages,” said Moyes. “I am pleased to announce we are waiving the entry fee to all provincial parks for the month of February to make it more affordable for Manitoba families to get outdoors and enjoy all our beautiful provincial parks have to offer.”

From groomed paths for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fat biking, snowshoeing, and hiking, to exciting spaces like outdoor skating rinks, hockey arenas and toboggan hills, there’s something for everyone, the minister noted. Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park provides free ice-fishing shelters on Lake Winnipeg or Manitobans can head to ski slopes in Asessippi or Whiteshell provincial parks, added the minister.

In addition to free park entry, Manitoba Winter Trails Day will be celebrated for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 8. The day will occur annually on the second Saturday in February to showcase the province’s amazing winter trails and activities, celebrate the dedi-

cated partners who create and maintain trails, and inspire Manitobans to embrace the season by enjoying outdoor adventures with family and friends, said Moyes.

Manitobans can join park interpreters on Feb. 8 for guided trail adventures in this provincial park: •Spruce Woods – take a guided hike on the Epinette Trail to discover the park’s unique landscape and its intriguing connection to the spruce forest.

Trail users are reminded to only use trails for designated activities and never walk on groomed ski tracks, keep dogs on leash and practice the principles of Leave No Trace by removing everything that is brought in.

Vehicle permits are not required in provincial parks in February, but Snopasses are still required for snowmobiles using designated trails.

A W ARM W ELCOM E

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

There are so many ways to connect with the extraordinary natural space known as Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP). The Visitor Centre is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe First Nations. Parks Canada is fortunate to work with over 300 Indigenous partners and communities to protect many special places and share their stories.

By dropping in at the RMNP Visitor Centre, located in the heart of the business section, guests can have their own cultural experience.

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The “one boat, one lake” approach follows a series of alarming discoveries that began in November 2023, when the first clump of live zebra mussels was found in Clear Lake. Over the following year, the problem persisted, with additional juvenile mussels and even adult mussels identified by snorkelers.

In response, the federal government took immediate action, closing Clear Lake to all watercraft in May 2024, and subsequently installing an underwater containment

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South Mountain Press

Friday, February 7, 2025

3

MADE IN CANADA

W ith the ta lk of ta riffs dom in a tin g the n a tion a l hea dlin es there is a n op p ortun ity to shiftour focus to Ca n a dia n -m a de goods RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

Reading the news headlines lately, it’s hard not to notice the buzz surrounding tariffs on the Canadian goods being exported into the United States (U.S.).

On Feb. 1, the U.S. had intended to impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on goods from China, a move said to address issues in relation to illegal fentanyl distribution from those countries. On Feb. 3, the U.S. then announced a 30-day tariff pause, with tariffs tentatively commencing in March.

With billions worth of goods crossing from Canada into the U.S. every day, the proposed tariffs raise serious concerns. Many Canadians are already feeling the pinch of rising prices caused by inflation, and the thought of even higher costs on necessities is hard to imagine.

This isn’t the way Canada’s economy wanted to start off 2025. Nonetheless, with or without tariffs, uncertainty always creates opportunity… and in this case it’s an even bigger focus to support Canadian-made products.

Making an impact right down through the supply chain, more people are beginning to realize that choosing to buy local can help our communities thrive, making the “Canadian made” symbol a significant reminder to spend your dollar closer to home.

W H AT IS A T AR IF F ?

A tariff is a tax on goods brought into a country from another country. When a government imposes a tariff, it raises the cost of imported goods, which can lead to higher prices for consumers.

Tariffs are often used to protect local industries from foreign competition. By making imported products more expensive, governments hope to encourage people to buy homegrown items instead.

This tactic is somewhat of a double-edged sword. Both the U.S. and Canadian economies will experience economic hardship under new imposed tariffs – for Canada, a tariff would increase the cost of Canadian goods and possibly reducing overall demand, pro-

duction costs from supply chain disruption might increase as well, which would trickle to consumers, and an overall reduction in exports could also lead to Canadian job losses in certain sectors too.

For the U.S., consumer prices in their country will increase to absorb the higher cost of Canadian imports, they could also face large supply chain disruptions within industries that rely on Canadian imports and see an increased cost to businesses which affects the dreaded inflation as consumers will eventually pay more for the same goods and services.

Let’s look at the numbers: In 2024, Canada exported $593 billion worth of goods to the U.S., and imported $484

billion from the U.S. Canada is significantly dependent on trade with the U.S., with over 70% of its exports crossing their border. This makes the U.S. Canada’s largest trading partner by a wide margin.

However, Canadian goods account for about 14% of total U.S. imports, emphasizing the tight economic link between the two countries.

There’s no surprise that key exports from Canada to the U.S. include crude oil, hydroelectric power, vehicles (and parts), machinery, natural gas, and aluminum. The energy sector is particularly important, with 80% of Canadian crude oil exports intended for U.S. refineries.

Other major exports include agricultural products, such as wood and paper, and manufactured goods like aerospace parts and equipment.

On the other side of this is Canada’s imports, with a wide range of goods from the U.S., including machinery and equipment, vehicles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products. Canada and U.S. trade is balanced in many sectors, creating critical reliance that impacts both economies deeply.

In light of this, Canada is promoting a “Buy Canadian” initiative to alleviate the potential economic fallout.

Without a doubt, a 25% tariff isn’t just a number; it changes how we shop and affects our everyday lives. Buying from local businesses means you’re supporting the economy. Whatever the Cana-

dian purchase may be, overall buying choices make a real difference. However, adapting to the impact of tariffs isn’t that easy. Rising prices might push some people to find cheaper options but focusing on the long-term benefits of buying local can encourage us all to reconsider what we purchase. After all, regardless of tariffs, let’s remember the power we have as consumers.

Each time we choose to buy Canadian, we support local businesses and build a stronger community.

T AR IF F H IST O R Y Canada has a long history with tariffs, especially in relation to the U.S. Changing substantially over the years, the U.S. has continuously put tariffs on goods from Canada which has affected trade between the two countries. One of the earliest examples was in 1828 when the U.S. raised tariffs to protect its own industries, making it more expensive for Canadian products to sell there. During the U.S. Civil War in 1861, tariffs were again imposed, which impacted Canada.

In the early days, tariffs were put in place to protect young industries from competition outside of their borders.

On the flip side, the most significant development was the National Policy of 1879, which included tariffs from Canada to promote Canadian manufacturing. This policy encouraged local production and laid the groundwork for Canada’s economic independence.

In 1930, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act raised taxes on many imports, harming trade further. The Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement of 1989 was a big step towards reducing tariffs, allowing for more free trade between the two countries.

More recently, however, in 2018, the U.S. placed heavy tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, saying it was for national security reasons, which inevitably led to tensions. Additionally, there’s been a longrunning disagreement over softwood lumber, where the U.S. has put tariffs on Canadian lumber, claiming unfair subsidies from the Canadian government.

Throughout the years, Canada and the U.S. have gone back and forth with tariff agreements, especially during times of economic strain or political tension… sound familiar? This is the very present-day situation we are currently facing.

With the many discussions surrounding new tariffs, it’s important to understand what they mean and how they could impact our lives. Questions like, “Did you buy that locally?” or “Is that Canadianmade or grown?”, should be a normal part of the conversation, far after tariffs leave centre stage.

It might work out to be a few toonies more but supporting Canadian-made products has never been more essential for the longevity of our communities and our desolate Canadian economy.

4

South Mountain Press

Friday, February 7, 2025

Virden R CM P seize drugs a nd w ea p ons On Jan. 28, Virden RCMP officers attended to an address located on 3rd Avenue S in Virden to assist Animal Control officers in the execution of their duties. Once inside the residence, officers located two females (31, 41) and a 38year-old male in the living room who had no permission being inside the home. They were placed under arrest for Breaking and Entering. On the coffee table in the living room, officers observed baggies of suspected drugs and drug related paraphernalia. A search of the suspects on scene also led to the seizure of additional drugs, illicit pills and drug related paraphernalia. A fourth suspect, a 45year-old male, was located and arrested in the basement. A search warrant was subsequently prepared and exe-

several offences including Breaking and Entering, Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.

Virden RCMP continue to investigate.

RCMP Briefs Provincial Roundup cuted at this residence which led to the seizure of additional drugs, believed to be cocaine and methamphetamine, homemade weapons, knives and other drug related paraphernalia. RCMP have charged a 38-year-old male, from Virden, a 41-year-old female, and another 31-year-old female, both from the Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth, with

On Jan. 27, Portage la Prairie RCMP received a report of a theft of a municipal grader in progress from the City of Portage la Prairie Public Works garage. Officers responded and observed the grader had crashed through a fence with the suspect still within the fenced compound near the machine. The 29year-old male, from Portage la Prairie, refused to comply with officer demands and resisted arrest. Upon arrest of the suspect, he was transported to the Portage la Prairie RCMP Detachment where,

as a result of the altercation with officers and EMS personnel, the suspect, who was believed to be under the influence of a drug, was transported to hospital for examination for a non-lifethreatening injury. The 29year-old male, was treated and released from hospital and was remanded into custody on charges including Operation while Impaired by Drug, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Assault on a Police Officer x2 and Mischief Over $5,000. Portage la Prairie RCMP continue to investigate.

On Jan. 24, Bloodvein RCMP received a report of a

suspicious child death as a female under the age of three had been brought into the Nursing Station with serious injuries. Officers attended to the Nursing Station and were advised that the victim had been pronounced deceased.

On Jan. 25, officers from RCMP Major Crime Services and Forensic Identification Services attended to the community and executed a search warrant at the home where the child was living. On Jan. 27, the results of the autopsy confirmed the victim died from injuries as a result of a homicide. On Jan. 29, RCMP arrested a 56-year-old female, from Bloodvein First Nation,

and charged her with 2nd Degree Murder in relation to this death. She was remanded into custody. The arrested female was the primary caregiver for the victim.

“The homicide of a 2-yearold girl is not just a loss for her family but a profound loss to the community” said Sgt. Laura LeDrew, RCMP Major Crime Services Lead Investigator. “This is a senseless crime that will have a profound impact on the community, first responders and investigating officers. Our number one priority right now is seeking justice for the victim”.

Investigation is ongoing.

25021GE0

M anitoba has lowest annualinflation rate across C anada for 2024 Statistics Canada’s report on the Consumer Price Index recently released, showed on an annual basis across all the provinces, Manitoba having the lowest inflation rate in the country in 2024 at 1.1 percent, Finance Minister Adrien Sala announced.

“Our government is focused on making life more affordable for Manitobans,” said Sala. “This report shows that our plan is working, as Manitoba had the lowest inflation rate in 2024 across Canada. The gas tax holiday helped ensure Manitobans had more money in

their pockets to help afford things like their mortgage and groceries, and with a permanent cut to the gas tax and a hydro rate freeze in 2025, Manitobans can remain confident our government is doing everything we can to make life as affordable as possible.”

Lower gasoline prices, driven by the provincial fuel tax holiday, contributed to this slowdown, noted the minister. A permanent cut to the fuel tax was instated on Jan. 1, which was a 10 percent reduction to the fuel tax rate previously in place.

The 2024 annual Canadian average inflation rate was 2.4 percent.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, February 7, 2025

5

A TRUE LIFELINE

M a rkin g its firsta n n iversa ry of help in g those w ho n eed it, the n a tion a l suicide hotlin e a n sw ered 30 0,000 ca lls in firstyea r D ARRELL N ES BITT

too big.

Suicide can be hard to talk about and we, says Klinic, want you to know that this is a safe place to call. Counsellors will listen to you with care and compassion and will not judge you.

So uth M o unta in Pre ss

Each life lost by suicide has far-reaching impacts. The ripple effect that losing someone to suicide has on families, friends and communities can be devastating.

Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. An average of 4,500 people across Canada die by suicide each year – approximately 12 people per day – with many more impacted by the loss.

But there is help out there.

Marking its one-year anniversary in Canada, the national suicide hotline answered 300,000 calls and texts between November 2023 and 2024 – roughly 1,000 calls per day.

The three-digit helpline 9-88 has brought timely help to those struggling with thoughts of suicide, feeling hopeless or worried someone they know may be considering suicide.

It’s making a difference in helping to prevent suicide and saving lives. The goal of the three-digit helpline is to prevent suicide by making it as simple as possible for people to get the help they need, when they need it most.

National, provincial, territorial and local partners, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, are the backbone of delivering federal 9-8-8 services across Canada. They help people in their moment of distress, find ways to ensure safety, and offer connection at a time when it’s needed most.

“We knew there was a need and we are seeing that need,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, chief medical officer of the helpline and a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Together, it is possible to strengthen our suicide prevention efforts, so that fewer lives are lost to suicide and people and communities get the sup-

SU R VIVIN G L O SS

S uicide is the leading cause ofdeath for youth ages 10 to 17 port they need.

Bringing 9-8-8 to Canada takes a team effort.

9-8-8 is made possible by a network of 39 experienced local, provincial and territorial, and national crisis lines and helplines across the country – including Kids Help Phone and Hope for Wellness – whose trained responders will answer calls and texts, while also connecting people to a responder in their community. They will be there to help and listen when people need it most.

The helpline, which is funded by the federal government, says no one who calls will be turned away.

“When people are experiencing emotional distress and thoughts of suicide, it is important that they have a resource and a service where they can connect with another person who is going to respond to them with kindness and com-

passion: a mental health professional who is able to listen to what is causing the distress that day,” Tracy Graham, director of programs and services at the Canadian Mental Health Association, said. “It creates a space. It creates solutions with the person.”

In Manitoba, mental healthcare needs are high. Youth, particularly those in rural and remote areas, have not been getting the mental health, addictions and substance use health care they need. Suicide is the leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 17 and the suicide rate among Indigenous peoples is 4.6 times higher than the rest of the province.

The Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line, run by trained crisis counsellors from Klinic Community Health, is a phone call away.

Confidential, 24/7, and toll free, by dialing 1-877-435-7170,

MUNICIPALITY OF HARRISON PARK

2025 GRANT APPLICATIONS Grant applications are now being accepted from non profit organizations who wish to be considered for grant funding in the 2025 fiscal year.

Grants will not be provided to religious organizations.

All grant requests must be accompanied by current financial statements.

Applications must be completed and submitted to the Municipal Office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.

Applications will be reviewed by the Municipality of Harrison Park Council.

Approved grant funds will be issued following final approval of the 2025 Financial Plan.

Application forms and additional information are available at the Onanole office, Phone 204 848 7614 or on the Municipal website: www.harrisonpark.ca

one will learn that no concern is too small, and no problem is

There is no right or wrong way to grieve a death to suicide. There is also no set time frame on how long the grief process takes. However, people who have lost a loved one to suicide often share some common experiences and feelings.

Each person’s grief process is unique. It depends on factors such as individual personality, relationship to the deceased, personal histories and supports. Regardless of where you are at in your healing, it is important to know that your feelings are normal and valid.

It is also important to know that there are people who can and will help you move through this difficult journey.

According to the Klinic

Community Health Program, each person’s grief process is unique. It depends on factors such as individual personality, relationship to the deceased, personal histories and supports. Regardless of where you are at in your healing, it is important to know that your feelings are normal and valid. It is also important to know that there are people who can and will help you move through this difficult journey.

Suicide Bereavement Support Groups are helpful resources for individuals bereaved by suicide who are living in or around Brandon or Dauphin. For more information visit www.spinbrandon.ca or discoverlife4you@gmail. com. Resources are also readily available by contacting klinic@klinic.mb.ca or the Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services, at 1-866-367-3276.

You are not alone. There is always a way to find hope again.

6

South Mountain Press

Friday, February 7, 2025

A CANADIAN STAPLE

A beloved p a stim e a cross the coun try, curlin g is a stra tegic ga m e tha ttoda y ca n be en joyed by p la yers of a ll a ges D ARRELL N ES BITT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

Curling is a staple in small towns and communities across Manitoba every winter, but few people give thought to how beneficial the sport is, in terms of health.

For older folk or younger adults, who may be struck with mobility issues, may want to use another method of delivery when asked to deliver a granite stone.

The use of a curling delivery stick is an alternative delivery method for players who may have issues with the traditional curling slide. There is no limit to who may use the device. Many will transition to using a stick when they’ve sustained an injury or their flexibility is reduced.

There is a misconception that the use of the delivery stick is tied to a player’s age.

This is simply not true. Older players may choose a stick as their method for delivery because of the relative safety it provides versus sliding from the hack. Also, wheelchair curlers use the delivery stick as their only means of delivering stones.

The delivery stick is not however, limited to those groups. It is an innovative way to introduce new players to the sport who may be apprehensive about trying the traditional sliding technique.

Anyone at any age or physical condition may choose to use the delivery stick.

Curlers using a delivery stick need to be aware of the special rules surrounding use of the equipment, as this is important for the curler to understand before learning how to deliver with a stick. The Canadian Stick Curling Association establishes the rules for stick curling.

GR O W T H IN JU N IO R CU R L IN G Numbers in the sport are dwindling in a number of clubs, and the reason why is hard to come by. One reason may be the decline of family farms, while another may be the lack of youth involvement, but the “Man/Sask Sliding Stars” program visiting the Shoal Lake Curling Club on Sunday, Jan. 12, showcased growth in the program initiated in part by Cory Barkley of Virden over its three years of existence.

Curling is a sport that provides aerobic fitness, strengthens muscles, provides social interaction, flexibility, and can be done and enjoyed by anyone including the disabled.

Check out your local curling club and give curling a try this winter or next!

The ManSask Sliding Stars

junior curling showcase young curlers in current youth programs interested in playing in a fun, learning environment, with kids their own age and skill level.

“Postponed from Dec. 3, due to a snowstorm, we were pleased to welcome the youth curlers and their families, with outstanding curling shots made and the viewing area filled to capacity,” said Linda Newton, a member of the Shoal Lake Curling Club, and instructor of the Learn to Curl program. “Present and future stars of the game visit curling clubs throughout the season, which kicks off in October and includes a bonspiel in February.”

Barkley was among the people who came up with the idea of the touring curling program. By working with area clubs, his goals are to see interest at a young age carry over to clubs themselves, and assist with declining youth participation.

“The original group was myself and Stephanie Brown

from Minnedosa, Laura Low from Maryfield, SK, Wes Gregory from Hamiota, and Mona Hammond from Riverview in Brandon. I have to give them all credit because everybody all kind of ran their own junior program so that was the start of it,” said Barkley.

“Rather that reinvent the wheel, we borrowed the idea from the former inter-club Westman Super League.”

Barkley said playing on different ice surfaces is the key to get better as a curler, and youth get that with the program. Adding the feedback has been great in the three years it has been run.

This year’s tour features 28 teams in 12 and under, 15 and under and 18 and under divisions. The U18 division plays doubleheaders once a month.

Teams will play a couple games each day and end with a draw to the button competition that tallies points for each player.

Truly the program is a win/win situation for participants and clubs, as curlers are

enjoying and learning the game, while the community rinks see the benefit from people through the door and supporting the food court. Tour stops have included Virden, Minnedosa, Souris, Melita, Maryfield, Gladstone, Miniota and Shoal Lake.

The popularity of the game in older generations has never been in doubt in Manitoba, but it’s no secret that many clubs including Shoal Lake, are dealing with low numbers, especially in men’s play.

High fives and fist pumps, laughter and praise, meeting new people and having fun with friends, and travelling to neighbourinhg communities to enjoy a game or bonspiel, may be the answer.

For Barkley, the formula is simple: Put on a good program with good support and people want to participate.

It may not be rocket science, but should the ManSask Sliding Stars curling program continue to grow, the excitement of the sport can only bring dividends at club level.

Youth involved in the M an/S ask Junior C urling program tour took to the ice on Jan. 12 at the S hoal Lake C urling C lub

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F IN D USON

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IN T E R N E T BID D IN G

AVAIL ABL E • W W W .D L M S.CA

SPORTS U15 fem ales w in 15 in a row Em a il us yo urspo rts ne ws:

sm pnew s@ m ym ts.net

The Yellowhead Chiefs extended their winning streak to 15 games as they won a pair of games in the Manitoba U15 Female AAA Hockey League over the weekend.

The second-place Chiefs are a point back of the Pembina Valley Hawks, who have two games in hand.

CH IE F S 4 E AST M AN 3 For the second game in a row Haley Chipelski scored three times as the Chiefs got by the Selects 4-3 in Shoal Lake on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Chipelski tied the game with six seconds left in the third period and then scored the game winner a minute into the extra period.

Chloe Facey tied the score for the Chiefs in the second

Friday, February 7, 2025

Y U15 C period after trailing 1-0 after 20 minutes.

Sasha Lambert, Emilie Carriere and Avi Tindall were the Eastman goal scorers.

CH IE F S 4 CE N T R AL PL AIN S 3 Haley Chipelski recorded a hat trick as the Chiefs edged the Capitals 4-3 in Shoal Lake on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Braylynn McAuley scored what proved to be the game winner with less than eight minutes remaining in the third period.

7

Sadie McKay had a pair of goals for the Capitals, with Claire Vande Graaf adding the other.

The teams were scoreless after the first period and tied 2-2 after 40 minutes.

Madison Fluery made 31 saves to earn the win in goal for Yellowhead.

NOTES – The Chiefs will take on the Westman Wildcats in Deloraine on Friday, Feb. 7, and then host the Interlake Lightning in Shoal Lake on Saturday, Feb. 8.

RIGHT: Haley C hipelski of Foxw arren gets a shot off against C entral Plains on S aturday, Feb. 1 in S hoal Lake PHOTO BY D ARRELL N ESBITT SOUTH M OUN TAIN PRESS

Parkland takes d ow n Chiefs in overtim e The Yellowhead Chiefs managed just a single point out of their three games in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League over the past week.

The Chiefs dropped an overtime decision to the Parkland Rangers in Dauphin, and then were beaten at home by the Winnipeg Bruins and Winnipeg Wild.

The last place Chiefs are two points back of the Central Plains Capitals.

U18 W PG.W IL D 9 CH IE F S 2 Luca Pura recorded the hat trick as the second-place Wild thumped the Chiefs 9-2 in Shoal Lake on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Ludovic Perreault and Tegan Kurtz each added a pair for the visitors, who

held period leads of 3-0 and 41. Single markers came off the sticks of Reid McIntyre and Ethan Hulme.

Colby Asselstine and Riley Swereda tallied for the Chiefs.

Justin Perreault made 25 saves in the Wild net, while Cole Lelond and Connor Rapley stopped 61 shots for the Chiefs.

W PG.BR U IN S 7 CH IE F S 3 Karsten Woloshen scored

a pair of goals, including the game winner, as the Bruins upended the Chiefs 7-3 in Shoal Lake on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Kingston Gunn, Shea Rollason, Shea Chornley, Danny Cross and Tyler Free added singles for the Bruins, who hold down third place in the league.

Alec Strachan had a pair of goals for the Chiefs, who trailed 3-1 and 5-2 at the intermissions. Grady McNish

chipped in with a single.

Zak Matheson earned the win with a 37-save performance. Connor Rapley stopped 46 shots in a losing cause for the Chiefs.

PAR K L AN D 6 CH IE F S 5 (O T ) Cade Legaarden scored his third goal of the game in overtime as the Rangers edged the Chiefs 6-5 in Dauphin on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Quinten Fisk, Landyn Garton and Ryzlie Nepinak

added singles for the hosts, who led 2-1 and 4-1 at the intermissions.

Winston Lepp scored twice for the Chiefs, who scored four third period goals to tie the score and force overtime. Grady McNish, Riley Swereda and Alec Strachan chipped in with singles.

NOTES – The Chiefs will host the Eastman Selects for a pair of games in Shoal Lake on Saturday, Feb. 8 and Sunday, Feb. 9.

Late goal p rop els Thrashers over U15 Chiefs Graham Gard scored with 58 seconds left in overtime to give the Winnipeg Thrashers Blue a 4-3 win over the Yellowhead Chiefs in a Winnipeg U15 AAA Hockey League game in Shoal Lake on Saturday, Feb. 1.

U15 The Chiefs remain a point ahead of the Parkland Rangers in the West Division.

The Chiefs led 1-0 and 2-1 by periods, but the Thrashers forced overtime with a goal in the final five minutes of the third.

Mattox Colosimo, Braeden Corrigal and Evan Browne had the other goals for the

H uskies sp lit a p a ir of ga m es The Hamiota-Rivers-EltonStrathclair Huskies split a pair of games in the Westman High School Hockey League over the past week.

The fifth place Huskies lost to the first place Vincent Massey Vikings, and defeated the Crocus Plains Plainsmen.

The Minnedosa-Erickson Chancellors, who hold down the ninth spot in the standings, went 1-1 on the week.

Only four points separate the second and fifth place teams.

HRES 6 C rocus 4 Hamiota-Rivers-EltonStrathclair – Jack Oakden (2)

HIGH SCHOOL Chael Rozdeba, Sev Antonio, Jayden Schoonbaert, McKinley Green Crocus – Cooper Kirkpatrick, Sam Cantelo, Drayden Murray, Konnor Mullens Virden 3 M E 2 Virden – Beckham Clarke (2), Dexen Routledge Minnedosa-Erickson – Colby Pentecost, Zachary Lamb M E 11 BS RBT 2

Minnedosa-Erickson – Myles Beatty (5), Colton McCaughan, Grady Burton, Zachary Lamb, Colby Pentecost, Brody Marnock, Jager Atkinson Birtle-Shoal LakeRossburn-Birdtail – Peyton Kominko, Blaze Standingready VM 5 HRES 3 Vincent Massey – Joey Leblanc (2), Lucas Newman, Tyler Rogers, Tate Bercier Hamiota-Rivers-EltonStrathclair – Sev Antonio, Drayson Sheridan, Jack Oakden

visitors.

Jake Smith, Colin Melnyk and Lane McDonald were the Yellowhead marksmen.

Casey Morand was the

winning netminder, finishing with 36 saves. Noah Wohlgemuth stopped 33 shots for the Chiefs.

NOTES – The Chiefs will

host the Central Plains Capitals on Saturday, Feb. 8, before travelling to Brandon to take on the Wheat Kings on Sunday, Feb. 9.

FRIDAY , FEB. 7

7 :00 P.M . vs .SASK AT O O N

SATURDAY , FEB. 15 7 :00 P.M . vs .M O O SE JAW

TUESDAY , FEB. 18

7 :00 P.M . vs .PR IN CE AL BE R T

8

South Mountain Press

Friday, February 7, 2025

W om en’s Curling Ch a m p ionsh ip com ing to R ivers Paper Clips News from MB/SK weeklies the United States this past December, Dean Munchinsky of Virden was part of the main plot. By day Munchinsky runs his business, Scotsmun Steel & The Nut House, however, the entertainment industry has been an outlet for his dramatic talent.

Neepawa: The Banner & Press – The Carberry & Area Childcare Development Committee is positioned in bringing a brand new daycare to Carberry. The structure will be located west of the rink, north of First Avenue. Krista Strain, committee chairperson, said childcare spaces are vital to a community, both for residents and businesses.

Baldur/Glenboro: The Gazette – The Cypress River Curling Club, which would have marked over 125 years of history, has officially disbanded. With little activity over the past four years, plus the fact that the MultiPurpose Centre committee is now organizing and hosting local bonspiels, the time was right to disband.

Neepawa: The Banner & Press – Camo Cattle, owned and operated by Cam and Kristin Tibbett, was recognized as the Manitoba Angus Association’s Purebred Breeder of the Year for 2024.

Winners of this award represent and promote Angus cattle, produce quality cattle, and contribute to the affairs of the Association.

Whitewood: Grasslands News – Not sure if there were any road wars, but motorists had to be detoured for several hours onto back roads, when a house being moved on Highway 9 tipped off the trailer it was on. Damage to the house was extensive.

Boissevain: The Recorder – Philanthropy is alive and well in Deloraine. The Deloraine Winchester Historical Society realized a dream come true when John Hasselfield gifted them a permanent home at 207 North Railway Ave. West. The historical society was established on January 2020, after community interest was gauged.

Whitewood: Grasslands News – Whitewood Fire Department (WFD) had their busiest year ever in 2024 with firefighters responding to nearly 80 calls for service, an increase of more than 190 percent over the previous year. Fire Chief Bernard Brule said the WFD had 14 calls in December, half of which were accidents.

AG STOCK

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

Round frosty snow-covered hay or straw bales dotting winter fields, are becoming a necessity for farmers, as the cold temperatures prompt cattle producers to up the tonnage fed or used for bedding as calving gets underway. Bales that have been left in ditches, such as these in the Erickson area, along Highway 10, are a cause for concern, as the size and weight is indeed a hazard for snowmobiling enthusiasts who need to use caution travelling at night.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

THE

Rivers: The Banner – Curling fans will be able to take a seat at the RME Women of the Rings, other wise marketed as the 2026 Provincial Ladies Curling Championships in Rivers.

Formerly known as the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the new major sponsors are now Rocky Mountain Equipment. The Rivers Curling Club hosted one of the province’s most successful Scotties in 2020, thanks to great community support and a wealth of volunteers.

Pilot Mound: The Hometown View – Laura Seward of Darlingford closed out 2024 on a high note, as she was awarded the Canadian Junior Limousin Association’s (CJLA) Junior Enthusiast of the Year. The award is given to a CJLA member who plays an active role in the Limousin breed, exemplifying positive traits such as excellent sportsmanship and support to juniors and adults, as well as a positive manner and participation at events.

Moosomin: The WorldSpectator – Karina Gistelinck, President of BHP Potash, was happy to relay that BHP’s Jansen mine is ahead of schedule to an audience at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina. With signed agreements in hand between BHP and global customers for 12 million tons of Saskatchewan potash, Gistelinck is anticipating first shipments to happen in about two years. It is estimated in the neighbourhood of 900 employees will be recruited to work at the mine.

Dauphin: The Herald – Four Assiniboine College’s Alumni were presented 2025 Parkland alumni awards at an Alumni Celebration Dinner held on Feb. 4 in Dauphin. Award winners are Phyllis Racette (Distinguished Alumni), Kristy Desender (Excellence in Education), Blessing Chukwunonso (One to Watch), and Bryn Thiele (One to Watch).

Whitewood: Grasslands News – Corridors full of memories and walls that encased hundreds and hundreds of stories, some good and some bad, will become a pile of rubble as the building once operational as the Whitewood Union Hospital will be demolished. Once heavy equipment rolls in, another piece of the history in rural Saskatchewan will disappear.

Virden: The EmpireAdvance – Landing a major role in a political / sci-fi thriller, known as MindWave, airing in theatres in

A1

Your local information source

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South Mountain Press

The challenge is to fill every row across, every column down, and every 3x3 box with the digits 1 through 9. Each 1 through 9 digit must appear only once in each row across, each column down, and each 3x3 box.

SUDOKU CHALLENGE 3

5 6 9

8 2 3

8 3 4

D ahlia Black Forest Ruby,a gem ofa sturdy plant

All Am e rica n Se le ctio n W in n e rs fo r 2025 – Pa rt I

2 7 4

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1 2 3 8

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Puzzle answers can be found in this week’s classified ad section Patricia

Hanbidge GAR D EN IN G Red will be perfect for containers or borders with their neat and no flopping habit.

Flowers, leaves and seeds are all edible which is a bonus to their beauty!

Dahlia Black Forest Ruby is a gem of a plant with striking black foliage and abundant ruby-red flowers. Blooms are semi-double to double giving it even more interesting features. The plants are sturdy and disease free.

Dianthus Interspecific Capitán™ is an impressive plant as it continues to bloom right through the heat of midsummer. The blooms are a beautiful pin with light pink edging and are on stems long enough for using them as a fresh cut flower.

If you like marigolds then Mango Tango should be your top choice. It dances through the garden with a stunning, super-saturated bi-colour flower of yellow and red.

Blooming prolifically over a long flowering window makes an eye-catching display!

The newest razzle dazzle petunia is the Dekko Maxx Pink! It quickly spreads with a compact habit with loads of delicate, yet vibrant pink blooms. The non-fading flowers held up extremely well in spite of inclement weather throughout the season.

Petunia Shake™ Raspberry has the unique colouration of a blended raspberry milkshake swirled with lemonlime green sorbet. This naturally compact petunia will not melt in summer heat so continues to provide colour all season long.

Watch for more AAS Winners!

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

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

THE

It is with great pleasure I bring to you the most recent AAS winners! All America Selections (AAS) is a non-profit trialing organization that tests new, never-before-sold varieties of plants for the home gardener. After a full season of anonymous trialing by volunteer horticultural professionals, only the top garden performers are given the AAS Winner award designation for their superior performance.

The AAS Winner label is like a stamp of approval as their mission is to promote new garden varieties with superior garden performance. Their tagline “Tested Nationally and Proven Locally®” most definitely says it all!

AAS is therefore the place to go for the next best thing to guarantee success in your garden. Once or twice each decade there is an AAS Gold Medal Award that honours a breeding breakthrough. Standard AAS National Winner designation recognizes an ornamental or edible that shows significant breeding achievements, and demonstrates superior garden performance compared to other varieties available. Judges also evaluate characteristics such as earliness, taste, diseaseresistance, uniqueness and more depending on the species. AAS Regional Winner designation is given to varieties that do not perform exceptionally in all regions but in specific regions of North America. Certain regions are named AAS Regional Winners. The AAS Winners offer gardeners reliable new varieties of plants to grow in your garden.

The 2023 winners will be available for purchase for the gardening season as supply becomes available. It is sometimes difficult to get the seed or the plants desired when the winners are just announced but if you go to the All America Selections website, they list the seed houses that sell seed of the winning plants.

The url is https://allamericaselections.org/buywinners/ There are three new nasturtiums to try out this year in the ever-popular Baby series. All three new colours are petite-flowered mounding nasturtiums with healthy dark foliage that truly are a “must add” for your garden. Baby Gold, Baby Yellow and Baby

5 1

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Friday, February 7, 2025

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South Mountain Press

Friday, February 7, 2025

How to ease your job -related stress Dr.

Roizen H EALT H Y LIVIN G of perceived stress and eased job strain and other indicators of workplace discontent. The benefits persisted for four months. Give it a try!

Other ways to ease workrelated stress are to get 30 minutes or more of physical activity daily, upgrade your diet to anti-inflammatory foods (fresh produce, 100% whole grains, lean proteins and fatty fish) and spend time with your posse sharing good times and support. For more on stress reduction, check out our mini-book “YOU: Stress Less.”

Q: I could use some good news. What important medical breakthroughs happened last year? – Frank J., Pasadena, CA A: Great question, because there were some very important new developments.

Blood tests for heart risks: Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital followed women for 30 years and discovered that those with the highest levels of LDL choles-

terol had a 36% greater risk for heart disease compared to those with the lowest levels.

And women with the highest levels of Lp(a) – a lipid partly made of LDL – had an additional 33% increase in their risk. Those with the highest levels of the inflammatory marker CRP had a 70% greater risk. And if you look at all three markers together, you can spot women with triple the risk for coronary heart disease and one-and-a-half times the risk for stroke compared to women with the lowest levels.

How this applies to you:

Get tested for these markers now and discuss the results with your doc so you can take effective action before your levels become over the top.

An accurate blood test for Alzheimer’s: Using a test to determine the ratio of two kinds of amyloid beta (they make the tangles in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s) and the presence of a type of tau protein (also an Alzheimer’s marker), Swedish researchers were able to correctly diagnose Alzheimer’s 88%-92% of the time – significantly more accurately than any clinical evaluations.

Next steps: If you or a loved one has cognition problems, investigate options for enhanced diagnosis – they provide a chance for early use of medications that slow progression, and accessing social services as soon as possible.

More good news: A simple skin biopsy may be able to identify diseases like Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies, and there’s been research into a non-surgical solution for cataracts using a protein that squirrels use to clear their cataracts after hibernating.

For an in-depth look at

cutting-edge insights into health and longevity, check out Dr. Mike’s “The Great Age Reboot.”

Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevity playbook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world’s leading online health store.

Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1’s).

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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B

THE

Q: Since COVID-19, things at work have become very stressful – we have fewer people working at all and far fewer in the office, the economic strains that hit my workplace during the epidemic make things feel unpredictable, and we haven’t gotten a raise that keeps up with rising prices. I worry about the toll it’s taking on me – and my family. Help! – Patrick D., Akron, OH A: Post-COVID-19 workplaces are very stressful because of changes in staffing and management, financial strains, and the good-news, bad-news that come from working at home part or fulltime. And even before COVID19, an Anxiety Disorders Association of America survey found that 40% of American employees said their jobs contributed to persistent stress and 28% reported experiencing job-related anxiety or panic attacks.

Not only does that interfere with your productivity and day-to-day happiness, but it has far-reaching health impacts, too. A Johns Hopkins study reveals that folks with higher levels of work-related stress are at much greater risk for cardiovascular disease. They’re also more likely to be physically inactive and overweight. That increases stress, brain, immune, and heart woes and also results from stress, brain, immune, and heart woes. Chicken or egg? Hard to know.

What we do know is that a study in JAMA Network Open measured the impact of 10 minutes of digitally guided mindful meditation a day for eight weeks on job stress, burnout, work engagement, depression, and anxiety. It revealed that mindful meditation improved workers’ levels

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South Mountain Press

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Friday, February 7, 2025

11

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

CO M IN G E VE N T S

AR T ICL E S F O R SAL E

Minnedosa Adult Learning Centre’s Computer Course starts the week of Feb. 24. Contact Val Gawel in Room 2 of the Minnedosa Collegiate, 74 Armitage Ave. Phone: 204-867-2519 or email alc@rrsd.mb.ca.

Seasonal hiring? Selling something? Jump on our great prices and start getting responses. Have your blanket classified ads seen in the 31-Member Newspapers which are seen in over 368,000+ homes in Manitoba. Please call this newspaper 204-759-2644 to book now or call MCNA at 204-947-1691 for more details or to book ads. MCNA - Manitoba Community Newspapers Association. www.mcna.com

It’s hard to believe but not everyone has Facebook. This ad you’re reading costs $13.50 and reaches over 5 communities and 3,000 readers every week. And next week it will be half price. Planning an event? If you tell them they WILL come. Call Michelle at 204759-2644 ext. 1.

H E L P W AN T E D Newtec Irrigation Looking to Hire: Travelling Salesperson. Agricultural experience preferred. Top wages. Please call for more information: 306-260-9575.

N O T ICE S Invest in advertising. The cost of advertising is small when you think of the number of people who will potentially attend your event simply because they saw your ad in the newspaper. If the cost of advertising is covered by just two or three admissions to your event, any additional guests you welcome is money in your pocket. Advertis-

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.

No discount for municipal or government ads • Ads not pre-paid by Thursday Noon are subject to a $2.50 billing charge

ing does not cost, it pays! Call Michelle at 204-759-2644 ext. 1.

Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.firstand secondmortgages.ca

tion into the right hands for only $35 plus GST. Call Manitoba Community Newspapers Association 204-947-1691 for more information, See www.mcna.com under the ‘Types of Advertising’ tab for more details.

W AN T E D

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

Licensed gun dealer looking for firearms in all classes, and anything firearms related. Inheritance

5-W Sim m entals

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

has a good selection of

PU R EB R ED Y EA R LIN G B U LLS Blacks, reds, some baldys, polled.

BW from 80 lbs to 101 lbs Some are good for heifers, all with papers.

All bulls will be semen tested and are guaranteed.

Will deliver to yard or hold with deposit till you need them.

Priced from $3,000 and up.

Call or Text

Urgent Press Releases. Have a newsworthy item to announce? An exciting change in operations?

Though we cannot guarantee publication, MCNA will get the informa-

1-204-868-5040

Services to Seniors

Serving Erickson, Onanole, Sandy Lake and Areas Inc. Invites Applications for the position of:

ROLLING RIVER SCHOOL DIVISION

RESOURCE CO ORDINATOR

INVITATION FOR PRICE QUOTATION

CUT / MOW GRASS Grounds of Schools in the Rolling River School Division for the 3-year period • Spring 2025 to Fall 2027 The successful service provider must: • Have appropriate equipment and be available to perform grass cutting and mowing on a regular and as need basis at the school(s) they bid on.

• Make site visit to determine what areas are to be cut and trimmed.

Reporting to the Board of Directors of Services to Seniors, the successful candidate will be responsible for co ordinating and administrating support services for local seniors in order that they may continue to live independently.

Duties Include: The successful candidate will: Recruit and orient volunteers and service providers to assist local seniors with supports including but not limited to transportation, shopping, home maintenance, home repair, housekeeping, major life transitions.

Advocate for local seniors in gaining access to appropriate government and community resources particularly regarding security, safety, health and social isolation.

Provide delivery services for all programming including but not limited to: Loan of Equipment, Emergency Response Kit distribution, Community Garden, Handi van schedule, Foot Care Clinic, Victoria Lifeline, Fundraising activities.

Perform all office administration duties.

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•

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Doing business without advertising is like winking at someone in the dark... ...you know what you are doing, but they don’t!

For detailed information and to review specifications and general conditions for the price quotation, please visit our website at www.rrsd.mb.ca Select Division link then Tenders link.

Closing date for Price Quotation is Feb. 28, 2025.

•

Qualifications: Must demonstrate a commitment to and empathy for the needs of senior persons.

Must be able to respond to all enquiries in an expedient manner.

Must be self motivated and have the ability to work independently.

Must have excellent administrative and organizational skills.

Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Must have computer skills including spreadsheets, email, social media applications and basic graphic design.

Must have the ability to liaise with various federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations government agencies.

• • • • • •

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The successful candidate must provide Services to Seniors with a criminal record check.

The position is offered at 28.5 hours per week. Hours can be flexible.

The hourly rate of pay is $21.00 per hour.

Please submit resume and covering letter by email to: Don Huisman, President at huismanathome@gmail.com Two references are required. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Closing date for application intake is Friday, Feb. 14.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, February 7, 2025

T h e h ush , sh ush , a nd sw oosh of w inter

Now that we are, once again, in the heart of darkness… err I mean mid-winter, I am reminded of the seasonal sounds that occur around us.

Or perhaps it’s the lack of sound, for winter is the season when a hush falls over the land. At least in rural Manitoba.

Occasionally, Rae and I have had the chance to travel outside Canada, often to places filled with people and their noises. Readers who have travelled to Mexico will understand what I mean. The sound of buses and trucks without mufflers, the crowing of roosters and barking of dogs, and the music from a hundred taxis and restaurants fills the air.

Upon returning home, the silence of our house can be deafening. I find my ears straining to pick up the smallest sound, attempting to reassure my brain that I haven’t been suddenly struck deaf.

The out-of-doors, similarly, can be filled with silence. On a calm day our winter world can be impressively, or perhaps oppressively, quiet. The snow dampens the sound and, given that most people are tucked up indoors during the winter, there are few sounds to break the silence.

This eerie muted world can take some getting used to, and as I say, it can feel slightly uncomfortable to be traipsing about without a single sound to be heard other than your boots squeaking in the snow.

When it gets very cold, the quiet deepens further. Even at a busy birdfeeder, most of the birds’ sounds are muffled as if their desire to stay warm trumps the urge to communicate. Or perhaps they are afraid that their calls will freeze in mid-air?

Chickadees quietly lisp their “dee dee” greeting, the woodpeckers tap at the trees with more restraint, and the flocks of evening grosbeaks are muted. Ravens, with their wide range of calls, seem to prefer the quiet as they fly over.

Inevitably, the cold weather breaks its hold, and when the temperatures warm,

Ken

Kingdon M OM EN T S IN R M N P sounds suddenly abound. It’s as if the birds are saving up all their calls just to rejoice in the warming weather. So much so that there are times when I just want to say shush.

This particularly applies to blue jays and red squirrels.

Minding my own business when working outside, it isn’t unusual to be suddenly scolded by squirrels and irate jays. And they just won’t shut their yaps.

In a rare fit of huffiness on my part, Rae has looked out the window on more than one occasion just in time to witness me throwing snowballs at the irritating local red squirrels. This rarely causes these beasts to shush.

In fact, it seems to encourage them to make more noise, with their squeaking, hissing, and angry stomping of little feet high up in a tree, well beyond any throw I can muster with my aging spaghetti arms.

If you think I’m just being

a crank, you’re probably right. In my defence, though, these noisiest of animals seem to always make their presence known just as I am trying to hear the soft calls of a kinglet or brown creeper, or zero in on the soft tip-tap of a black-backed woodpecker.

Silence isn’t always golden, of course. I have written in the past on how I use the strident calls of blue jays to home in on sleeping owls or roving weasels as they are mobbed by the angry birds. I guess what I am really asking is for a little restraint.

And finally, swoosh. Rae and I are enthusiastic snowshoers and cross-country skiers. As activities, they get us out in even the coldest weather, when silence reigns supreme. Sliding or tromping

along the trails allows us to enjoy the quiet, when often the only sound is the clink of ski poles, the crunch of snowshoes, or the creaking of trees in the wind.

Occasionally, when it is snowing, the winter silence is even deeper. It is at these times, when slipping along a darkening forest trail at the end of the day, that I recite the Robert Frost poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” to myself. Its rhymes and rhythm lend themselves perfectly with gliding skis or the steps of a snowshoe-bound moccasin.

Inevitably, even at the quietest times, the silence is broken by the distant whine of a snowmobile or the crackling hiss of a jet flying high overhead. Which serve to remind

FOR SALE BY TENDER The Town of Minnedosa is interested in obtaining Bids for the purchase and removal of the following:

OLD ARENA BUILDING 19 2nd Avenue NW Minnedosa

Pricing must be in Canadian Funds and will not be accepted unless submitted on Town of Minnedosa Bid Forms as attached to this notice. Figures quoted must reflect the total price to be paid.

The highest or any Tender/Quotation/Proposal need not be accepted by the Town of Minnedosa. The Town shall have the right to evaluate the competing bids in accordance with its own criteria for evaluation applied to the specific item. The Town of Minnedosa reserves the right to award the Tender/Quotation/Proposal which it deems to be in the best interest of the Town.

The Old Arena Building will be available for viewing upon request.

Requests to view and any additional information or questions can be submitted to Brian Jensen, Operations Manager at 204.867.0037.

Once a bid is placed with the Town it shall remain binding and irrevocable for a period of thirty (30) days following the closing date. Once the award is made, the person bidding is bound to remove in its entirety the old arena building by a date mutually agreed upon. The awarded bidder must enter into a legal and binding agreement with a security deposit, to comply with the intent of the bid and ensure that the building is removed entirely by the date of the mutual agreement.

Mail/Courier Delivered: Danniele Carriere, Chief Administrative Officer 103 Main Street S. Box 426 Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0 Hand Delivered to:

Civic Centre – Administration Office 103 Main Street S. Minnedosa

Email:

clerk@minnedosa.com

Bids must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “CONFIDENTIAL – Old Arena Building Sale and Removal Item #A-2025 and received as above specified before 12:00 p.m. local time, Thursday, March 13, 2025 to be accepted.

W e prin t busin ess ca rds in a ll styles & qua n tities.

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ways have the answers to your questions (more like rarely), it’s fun to take a dive down a rabbit hole, so to speak, in the search for information.

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.

The entire old arena building is for sale, purchasing of same shall include complete dismantling and total removal from site at the bidder’s expense.

Busin ess Ca rd s 250

me that I have a warm house to return to … and maybe I’ll turn up the tunes while we make supper.

Thanks to Adrien Clement for sending me a text about crows and robins in Dauphin, and for the questions from David Gamey about wild turkeys. I enjoy hearing from readers, and while I don’t al-

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$6 5.00 $75.00 $90.00 • Bla ck In k • W hite Glossy Ca rd • O thercolorin ks a n d pa pers a va ila ble Stop in tod a y or ca llu sford eta ils.

N esbitt P ublish in g 204 -759-26 4 4 • Sho alLake

G reg NES B ITT M LA for R id ing M ountain

204.759.3313

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