South Mountain P re s s
NO SPEEDING
DARRELL NESBITT/SOUTH MOUNTAIN PRESS
Outdoor adventures, a healthy dose of exercise, and wonderful views await locals or guests visiting Riding Mountain National Park and its central community of Wasagaming throughout the year. This trio of cross-country skiers were on a maintained trail heading into the camping area of the park, just off Highway 10, normally home to families over the course of the summer.
Clocks “spring forward” this Sunday
With spring just two weeks away, the arrival of Daylight Savings Time means later sunsets and a new energy
light since last fall.
If the final week of February felt like winter’s last stand, this weekend offers the first real sign that the season is finally turning. This Sunday, March 8, the clocks officially “spring forward” one hour at 2:00 a.m., giving the region its first stretch of late-evening day-
While nobody loves losing an hour of sleep on a Sunday morning, the trade-off is finally here… the sun will set an hour later starting Sunday night! Let’s face it, that extra hour of light is truly a welcomed shift.
This weekend is also the best time to handle some needed safety tasks. While you are going around
Consolidate the pieces of your
the house to reset your stove, microwave, and wall clocks on Saturday night, take a moment to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Fire officials recommend swapping out the batteries in these devices twice a year, and there is no easier way to remember than doing it when the clocks change. There’s been plenty of local debate this week about whether
Letʼs work together to simplify your monthly payments into one and take charge of your budget.
Connect with one of our lending experts today to consolidate your loan.
Sunrise can help you make the pieces fit!
March “came in like a lion or a lamb”. Typically, the folklore says that if the month starts with a roar, it ends with a whisper.
Interestingly, March 1 was actually pretty tame. After the freezing wind chills we saw at the end of February, the month officially started like a lamb. The big question now is whether that lateFebruary cold was the only “lion”
we had to deal with, or if winter has one more surprise waiting for us before the official start of spring on March 20. For now, the hope is that the milder weather is here to stay.
With spring just two weeks away, the countdown is officially on. Even if the weather takes another turn, at least we’ll be able to see it coming in the daylight!
RACHEAL FLINTOFT
South Mountain Press
Wasagaming set to host Fire + Frost Festival
RYAN NESBITT South Mountain Press
Wasagaming will be transformed into a celebration of art, fire, ice, music, creativity, and community as the Fire + Frost Festival returns next weekend.
According to Clear Lake Country, the four-day festival
held from March 12 to 15 –invites all ages to play, create, and experience winter like never before.
“Fire + Frost Festival is a perfect example of how winter can bring people together, spark creativity, and showcase incredible talent and culture,” said Karly McRae, Board Chair, Clear Lake Country Destination Organization. “We’re thrilled to welcome everyone to experience Wasagaming in a whole new
way.”
Events will include visits from local artists to Erickson Collegiate Institute on Thursday, March 12, where students will participate in hands-on workshops, hear stories from the artists themselves, and explore their creativity.
Other featured events include a kickoff night at Klar So Winter Pavilion, live music, a Pop-Up Artisan Market, snow carving demonstrations, a sled derby competition, and an Oji-Cree Showcase & Market Fashion Show.
“Fire + Frost is about embracing winter before it’s gone, celebrating creativity, and gathering together,” said Jennie O, Fire + Frost Festival Event Producer. “When firelight meets fresh snow, magic happens!”
International Women’s
Day is a celebration of the influence of women
RACHEAL FLINTOFT
South Mountain Press
Residents across the region are preparing to observe International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. Recognized globally for over a century, IWD serves as both a celebration of achievement and a reminder of the growing economic influence of women in our local communities.
This year’s IWD comes at a time of significant growth for regional entrepreneurship. According to recent Manitoba business registries, women-owned enterprises now make up a substantial portion of new local businesses – currently at 59% of the regional market. These ventures span a wide variety of industries, from boutique retail and specialty hospitality, to professional services like law, accounting, and healthcare.
Data shows that the rise in women-owned businesses is a primary driver of the region’s current economic health. Nationally, women-owned firms now account for nearly half of all new business start-ups… a trend that is clearly visible in the storefronts and service providers across the local
area.
Rather than focusing on large-scale global policy, many local observers view the day as a chance to recognize the “micro-impact” of these businesses – the jobs they create, the mentorship they provide to young professionals, and the unique character they add to the regional landscape.
IWD has its roots in the early 20th-century labour movements, where participants originally pursued better working conditions and voting rights. Over the decades, the focus has shifted toward celebrating socioeconomic milestones and fostering community collaboration.
The 2026 campaign highlights a theme of “Give to Gain,” a concept built on the idea that when a community supports its local creators and leaders, the entire region benefits from the resulting innovation and economic stability. For many, the message of the day is simple… the success of local women is not just a personal achievement, but truly an important cornerstone contribution to a thriving community in 2026.
PLAYOFF HOCKEY
DARRELL NESBITT/MINNEDOSA TRIBUNE
Playing his final season with the Minnedosa-Erickson Chancellors, goaltender Parker Soltys stopped 14 shots coming his way from the Birtle-Shoal Lake-Rossburn Falcons, including Reid Luhowy on this play. With strong play at both ends of the ice, the Chancellors posted a 9-4 win on Friday, Feb. 27, to take a one game lead in the best of three consolation series. Game two was slated for Birtle on March 4, and if necessary game three back in Minnedosa on March 6.
EAGER TO HELP
Minnedosa welcomes new physician Dr. Karen Michelle Aquino, an international graduate originally from the Philippines, who says that the community was her top landing spot
By DONALD BERGER South Mountain Press
Prairie Mountain Health, in partnership with the Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG), continues to make progress in strengthening physician coverage across the region, with Minnedosa among the communities benefiting from that effort.
The arrival of two new physicians, Dr. Raza and Dr. Aquino, carries practical benefits beyond expanding the clinic roster. This critical additional physician coverage helps stabilize and extend emergency department scheduling, supports more consistent access to care, and reduces strain on existing medical staff. Over time, it means fewer service disruptions, improved continuity for patients, and greater confidence that care is available locally when it’s needed.
Dr. Karen Michelle Aquino was welcomed to Minnedosa on Friday, Feb. 27 for a community site visit and hospital orientation hosted by Prairie Mountain Health. The visit included time at the Minnedosa hospital and clinic, meetings with community leaders, the Tribune, and a city orientation led by Sabine Chorley of the Minnedosa Economic and Community Development Office, offering a closer look at both professional practice and daily life in the community.
For Dr. Aquino, the opportunity to practise family medicine in Minnedosa represents both a professional milestone and a return to the kind of community-based care that first drew her to medicine.
“I have always been passionate about helping people in whatever shape or form,” Dr. Aquino said. “Medicine became my way of doing that.”
Dr. Aquino completed her medical degree and resi-
dency training in the Philippines, where she worked as both a family physician and anesthesiologist. She moved to Canada in December 2013 – a transition she recalls vividly.
“I moved to Canada in the dead of winter – a season we definitely don’t have in the Philippines,” she said. “The first few months were challenging because I wasn’t used to the cold, but over time it grew on me. I started to appreciate the beauty of the different seasons and how they change activities and scenery.”
Since 2018, Dr. Aquino has been part of Prairie Mountain Health, working as an Anesthesia Clinical Assistant – a role she said she truly enjoyed. The MLPIMG program, however, marked a turning point.
“Getting accepted into the MLPIMG program was lifechanging,” she said. “It allowed me to pursue family medicine again, which is where my heart has always been.”
Under the program, participants sign contracts acknowledging they may be placed anywhere in the region, while identifying preferred locations. For Dr. Aquino, the outcome could not have been better.
“We were asked to give our top three choices for placement, and I was very fortunate to be assigned to Minnedosa – it was my top choice.”
Minnedosa already felt familiar to her, having previously worked alongside Dr. Dan Onyshko and Dr. Ali Elgheriani in the Brandon Regional Health Centre operating room.
“To be working alongside them again and to be part of the Minnedosa team is nothing short of amazing,” she said. “The collaborative working environment here is what truly sets it apart and
what has drawn me to the community.”
Dr. Aquino shares her dedication to family medicine as a discipline rooted in connection and continuity.
“Family medicine is inherently holistic and comprehensive – you’re treating the person as a whole and not just the disease,” she said. “If you come into a community with that mindset, you have to invest time in getting to know people. That’s the only way you can deliver the best possible care.”
She said the recent site visit reinforced that sense of fit. “The hospital visit and the city orientation were incredibly helpful,” she said. “It gave me a real sense of the community and the people I’ll be serving.”
Outside of medicine, Dr. Aquino describes herself as a homebody who enjoys reading, movies, biking, socializing and spending time outdoors. She is also quick to mention her cat, Sigur, who often accompanies her on neighbourhood walks –lovingly pampered in his own dedicated stroller.
Her idea of work-life balance is refreshingly simple. “For me, a good work-life balance is waking up each morning and not dreading coming to work, it means you’re enjoying your work and your life, and work isn’t keeping you from the things you love to do.”
Volunteering has long been part of that balance. Dr. Aquino spent several years volunteering with the Brandon Humane Society before relocating to Winnipeg for residency training and hopes to resume that involvement in Minnedosa.
“We visited the Minnedosa Veterinary Clinic and they have volunteer opportunities there as well,” she shared with her trademark smile. “I’m also looking at
volunteering at the food bank and the library. There are so many opportunities –learning about that during the site visit was wonderful.”
She is also looking forward to exploring the town’s recreational offerings.
“We went to the recreation centre and the golf and country club, and there’s a great variety of activities,” Dr. Aquino said. “I’m especially excited to try things I’ve never done before – like curling.”
As she prepares for the
next chapter, Dr. Aquino says she is looking forward to settling into the community and building relationships over time. “I’m very easy-going, if people see me out walking or grocery shopping, I’m always happy to stop and talk.”
Friday, March 6, 2026
Letters to the editor: smpnews@mymts.net
Getting lost in your childhood memories
Nostalgia is sentimentality for the past, typically for a period or place with positive associations, but sometimes also for the past in general, ‘the good old days of yore’.
Today, nostalgia is no longer looked upon as a mental disorder, but as a natural, common, and even positive emotion, a vehicle for travelling beyond the suffocating confines of time and space. Bouts of nostalgia are often prompted by thoughts about the past; particular places and objects; feelings of loneliness, disconnectedness, or meaninglessness; and repeated sounds, smells, tastes, textures, and times of year.
A friend was overcome with acute nostalgia for his younger years, when he shared this information with a columnist. That friend was Dennis Basso of Shoal Lake.
Join us on taking a trip
Darrell Nesbitt AROUND TOWN
back in time…
The first Long John Silver’s opened in 1969 in Lexington, KY and the early buildings were designed to look like fishing shacks, complete with lanterns, wood beams, and nautical flags.
The 1960s Pepsi-Cola vending machine is a far cry from today’s Pepsi units.
Some dispensed a paper cup
instead of a bottle or can for .10 per time. Often a trash can with the Pepsi-Cola logo prominently displayed sat next to the vending machine and on the other side stood another vending machine offering cigarettes.
A blast from the past is a rotary dial phone with the numbers from 1 to 0 and the alphabet, with information reading Dial a certain number for Fire, Police, Ambulance, and another number for the Operator. Only people with a few years of experience will remember it.
Fashion statements in regards to women’s undergarments from 1890 to 2010, were definitely proof of global warming.
A ballpoint pen or marker and scribbling was used to un-friend people back in the day including fellow classmates published in a school’s yearbook.
Did you know: Aunt Beth-
any from “Christmas Vacation” was Betty Boop! Mae Questel was best known for providing the voices for the animated characters, Betty Boop (1931) and Olive Oyl (1933).
Families in 1956 may have had a Philips ‘Radio Frigo’ fridge with built-in radio in their kitchen.
The original WaldorfAstoria Hotel, once the largest hotel in the world, was demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building. Located on Fifth Avenue, it stood as a symbol of Gilded Age luxury until the rise of New York’s iconic skyscraper transformed the skyline forever.
Who can remember the Space Saver Rotary Dial Wall Phones from Bell available from the mid-1960s.
Growing up in the 1980s, our “GoFundMe” was often struggling with a Craftsman lawn mower equipped with a
bag on your parents’ or neighbours’ yards.
Whoever ditched bench seats in cars, clearly never went steady.
Tonka toys circa 1965 were made of American steel.
A computer lab in 1985 with at least 12 Atari 800s, Atari’s high-end 8-bit computer first released in 1979. Each station includes an 810 disk drive and a large TV monitor. Along the back wall sits a line of Apple IIs, completing the classic setup of the era.
Rum-runners attempting to drive alcohol exported from Canada over the frozen Detroit River, circa 1920s, often found themselves in a heap of trouble once their truck crashed through the ice.
Old school Coca-Cola vending machine featured six drink varieties in bottle form for .35.
The 1970 Cadillac Deville convertible had a base price of $6,068 and tipped the scales at 4,660 pounds. It still looks better than anything made in 2025.
In the 1950s popular fast food joints were known as Burger Queen not Burger King offering a hot dog for 12 cents, thick shakes for 19 cents, and cheeseburgers were 30 cents, and cruising with friends was the highlight of the week.
The late 1970s, the lone McDonalds in Brandon on Richmond Avenue, was a zoo after a Wheat Kings home game with the Big Mac being the #1 purchase on the short menu compared to today.
Until next week… Use a nostalgia quote to text a friend from the old days and let them know you’re thinking about them. The website, ‘Love to Know’ promises it will mean a lot.
MPs are getting another big pay hike this year
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on all members of Parliament to stop the April 1 politician pay raise as new estimates show this year’s raises will range from $8,800 to $17,600.
“Taxpayers are disgusted by the automatic pay raise culture in Ottawa and we expect our politicians to show leadership by saying ‘no’ to
Opinion
another helping of taxpayer cash,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “Prime Minister Mark Carney told Canadians to brace for ‘sacrifices’, so the least politicians could do is stop stuffing their own wallets with more taxpayers’ money.”
A backbench MP’s salary is currently $209,800. A minister collects $309,700, while the prime minister takes home a $419,600 annual salary.
MPs give themselves pay raises every year on April 1.
While final pay numbers have not been released, the CTF estimates MP pay will increase by about 4.2 percent this year based on the gov-
ernment’s wage data. Using this data, the CTF estimates this year’s pay raise will amount to an extra $8,800 for backbench MPs, $13,000 for ministers and $17,600 for the prime minister.
After this year’s pay raise, backbench MPs will receive a $218,600 annual salary, according to CTF estimates. A minister will collect $322,700 and the prime minis-
ter will take home $437,200.
Leger polling shows 79 percent of Canadians opposed the MP pay raise in 2025, 80 percent opposed it in 2024, 80 percent opposed it in 2023 and 79 percent opposed MP pay raises in 2022.
“Canadians need MPs who will be champions for taxpayers and demand an end to these pay raises, because when politicians pad
their pockets, bureaucrats demand more money too,” Terrazzano said. “Real leadership would mean MPs cutting their pay, and, at the very least, politicians should put an end to the pay raises until the government stops borrowing money and starts paying down the debt.”
The federal government stopped the automatic MP pay raises from 2010 to 2013.
Executive bonuses cost taxpayers $201 million last year
About 98 percent of government executives took a bonus last year even though departments missed nearly half of their performance targets, according to access-toinformation records obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
“Why are most government executives rewarding themselves with bonus cheques when their departments can barely pass their own tests?” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “Bonuses are supposed to be for doing a good job, but bureaucrats are handing them out like participation ribbons.
“And what does a government executive have to do to miss a bonus?” Government executives took about $201 million in bonuses in 2024-25, which is the government’s last full budget year.
About 98 percent of all government executives took a bonus last year.
Opinion
Meanwhile, federal departments met just 54 percent of their performance targets, according to the government’s own data.
The government hands out multiple different bonuses to executives each year, including a “bilingual bonus,” a “performance award,” “at risk pay,” “performance pay,” among others, according to the records.
The federal government has continued to shower its employees with taxpayerfunded bonuses despite poor performance.
Federal bonuses have cost taxpayers about $2 billion since 2015. The government has continued to rubberstamp annual bonuses even though “less than 50 percent of (performance) targets are consistently met within the same year,” according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
“We end up in a situation
where it is public servants responsible for delivering programs that set their own targets and they usually set the bar not too high so it doesn’t look too easy, but neither too low so it’s fairly easy to achieve most of the time,” said former PBO Yves Giroux. “Yet by their own assessment they fail to deliver on many of these.”
The federal government publishes its own data summarizing department performance results for the past
five years. In two of those years, departments failed to meet half of their own targets. Their best year was 2024-25, when departments met less than 54 percent of their own targets.
“The government is broke and taxpayers can’t afford to bankroll big bonus cheques each and every year for highly paid government executives,” Terrazzano said.
“The government needs to stop rewarding failure with taxpayers’ money.”
The government has continued to rubberstamp bonuses despite soaring federal spending and debt.
The federal government is borrowing about $78 billion this year.
The government must shrink its ballooning bureaucracy to fix its finances. That’s because the federal bureaucracy consumes about 54 percent of the government’s dayto-day operating spending.
The federal government added 99,000 employees and
increased the cost of the bureaucracy 80 percent over the decade.
The bigger bills haven’t improved performance.
Half of Canadians say federal services have gotten worse since 2016 even with the massive increase in the federal bureaucracy, according to a Leger poll. The poll also found that 54 percent of Canadians want the government to cut the size and cost of its bureaucracy.
forget to change your clocks this weekend
DONALD BERGER
South Mountain Press
We “spring ahead” this weekend, a hopeful phrase that suggests warmth, sunlight, garden prep and patio season – even if the snowbanks haven’t quite gotten the memo.
Westman residents are being reminded that Daylight Saving Time returns, Standard Time ends and with it the annual ritual of losing an hour of sleep while
convincing ourselves it was worth it.
Clocks officially “spring forward” at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, shifting us one hour ahead. The practical advice is simple: before heading to bed Saturday night, set your clocks forward an hour and brace for a slightly groggier Sunday morning. While most phones, computers, and newer appliances adjust automatically, many household clocks do not. Alarm clocks, wall clocks,
vehicles, microwaves, and ovens are common culprits, and every year at least a few people in town show up early for work or wonder why the coffee pot finished brewing at what appears to be the middle of the night.
The time change is meant to extend evening daylight as spring approaches, a welcome shift for anyone eager to spend more time outdoors after a long Manitoba winter. Longer daylight hours can make evening walks, school
sports, and after-work errands a little more pleasant – once everyone catches up on their sleep. Health experts generally recommend easing into the change by going to bed slightly earlier for a few nights and getting some daylight exposure on Sunday morning to help reset internal clocks. Parents of young children may wish to manage expectations, as kids and pets rarely recognize the authority of Daylight Saving Time.
The good news is that sunset will arrive later each evening, offering a hint that spring is on its way – even if it doesn’t quite feel like it yet.
So, before heading to bed Saturday night, take a moment to check the clocks that don’t think for themselves. Your Sunday self will thank you. Consider it a small down payment on longer evenings, even if winter insists on hanging around.
JUST HANG UP
With the prevalence of scams continually on the rise, RCMP telling public: when in doubt, just hang up the phone
DONALD BERGER South Mountain Press
The RCMP is urging older adults to trust their instincts and hang up if they receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild in urgent trouble.
The warning comes amid a rise in so-called “grandparent scams,” a form of fraud that targets seniors using fear, urgency, and emotional manipulation. In many cases, the caller pretends to be a distressed grandchild who claims they need money immediately for bail, legal fees, or an emergency.
“The Grandparent Scam seems to be one of the most commonly seen scams,” said Sgt. David Taggart of Spruce Plains RCMP. “These frauds involve vulnerable elderly persons being exploited for cash when falling victim to anonymous phone calls claiming their grandchildren were in police custody and
.11:30 AM Men’s Study. .
. . .Sat. 8:30 AM Ladies’ Study. . . . .Tues. 9:30 AM Contact: David, 204-636-2660 Shirley, 204- 636-2861
required bail money.” RCMP say the safest response is also the simplest. If there is any doubt at all, seniors are advised to hang up and call their grandchild or family member back using a phone number they already have. That step alone will quickly confirm whether the situation is real or a scam. Why these scams are getting harder to spot? According to police, grandparent scams have become increasingly sophisticated. Fraudsters may pressure victims to act immediately, insist the situation is confidential, or warn them not to speak with other family members.
“In some cases, someone posing as a lawyer will call seniors stating that their grandchild or child has been arrested and requires bail money,” Sgt. Taggart said. “They may request thousands of dollars and claim there is a publication ban on the file.” Requests for payment are a
major warning sign. Scammers often ask for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other forms of payment that are difficult or impossible to trace.
THE IMPACT ON OLDER MANITOBANS
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that Manitobans over the age of 60 lost nearly $350,000 to scams in 2024. Police believe many incidents go unreported because victims feel embarrassed or shaken by the experience. Once money is transferred –particularly through electronic or cryptocurrency methods – it is often impossible to recover.
The RCMP encourages seniors and their families to talk openly about scams before they happen. Sgt. Taggart shared several basic rules to help protect against fraud:
–If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
–If someone you have never met asks you to send thousands of dollars, it is probably a scam.
–If someone sends you money and asks you to convert it into another form of currency, you may be unknowingly laundering stolen funds.
Anyone who believes they may be the target of a scam is encouraged to contact police immediately, even if no
money was lost. Reporting suspicious activity helps police track trends and warn others in the community. As scammers continue to adapt
their methods, police say one message remains consistent and effective: If something doesn’t feel right – just hang up.
Friday, March 6, 2026
SPORTS
U15 Females advance to semis
The Yellowhead Chiefs have advanced to the semifinals of the Manitoba Female U15 Hockey League.
The Chiefs won their best of three series with the Brandon Wheat Kings two games to one and will face the Central Plains Capitals in the semi-finals. The Capitals, who finished the regular season first overall, received a first-round bye.
CHIEFS 1 BRANDON 0
Sunday, March 1 in Brandon.
Kenzie Gardner’s first period goal stood up as the game winner for the Chiefs. Alana Champagne made 27 stops in the Brandon net.
BRANDON 2 CHIEFS 0
Pyper Rapley blocked 29 shots as the Chiefs got by the Wheat Kings 1-0 in the deciding game of the series on
The Eastman Selects swept their series with the Norman North Stars, as did the Westman Wildcats with the Pembina Valley Hawks.
The Chiefs couldn’t solve the netminding of Alana Champagne as they dropped a 2-0 decision to the Wheat Kings in game two in Shoal Lake on Saturday, Feb. 28. Champagne stopped 33
shots for the Wheat Kings, while Emily Garrioch’s second period goal stood up as the game winner. Fergie Bertholet added an insurance marker into the empty net with 12 seconds remaining in the third.
Pyper Rapley made 27 saves in goal for the Chiefs.
CHIEFS 5 BRANDON 3
Three unanswered third period goals propelled the Chiefs to a 5-3 win over the
U15 Chiefs advance on consolation side
The Yellowhead Chiefs are headed to the Winnipeg U15 AAA Hockey League consolation semi-finals after a sweep of their best of three series with the Interlake Lightning. The Chiefs will now face the Southwest Cougars, who also won their series against the Norman North Stars in two straight games.
CHIEFS 2 INTERLAKE 1
Wheat Kings in game one in Brandon on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Kennedy Kyle, Halle Gray, Eveline Wilson, Laney George and Ella Rogasky scored for the Chiefs, who trailed 1-0 and 3-2 at the in-
termissions.
Mila Kaktins, Fergie Bertholet and Logan Rome replied for Brandon.
Pyper Rapley stopped 28 shots to earn the win in goal, while Alana Champagne made 18 saves for Brandon. U15
pulled the hosts to within one early in the third but the Chiefs hung on for the series sweep.
tion side series with the Lightning in Shoal Lake on Thursday, Feb. 26.
AAA playoff play
The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League playoffs got underway on the weekend.
The Winnipeg Bruins grabbed a 2-0 lead in their best of five series with the Parkland Rangers.
The Brandon Wheat Kings lead the Southwest Cougars 1-0 in their series, while the Winnipeg Wild also hold a 1-0 lead over the Pembina Valley Hawks.
The Winnipeg Thrashers and Eastman Selects are deadlocked at one game apiece.
The Chiefs clinched the series with a 2-1 win over the Lightning in Warren on Saturday, Feb. 28.
Korey Stevenson stopped 19 shots in goal for Yellowhead, while Connor Lemieux made 40 saves in the Interlake net.
After a scoreless first period Mason Graham and Bentley Goulden gave the Chiefs a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.
Kristjan Johannesson
CHIEFS 3 INTERLAKE 2 (0T)
Dexter White’s overtime goal gave the Chiefs a 1-0 lead in game one of their consola-
Sawyer Lepp and Collin Beatty had the other goals for the hosts, who led 1-0 and 2-1 by periods.
Scoring for the Lightning were Owen Webb and Henry Gemmill.
Darby Wilson made 21 saves for the Chiefs, while Connor Lemieux finished with 51 stops for Interlake.
MANITOBA FEMALE U18 AAA HOCKEY LEAGUE
The semi-finals are set in the Manitoba Female U18 AAA Hockey League.
The regular season champion Winnipeg Ice will take on their crosstown rivals the Winnipeg Avros in a best of five series.
The Eastman Selects will face the Westman Wildcats in the other series.
Vikings go up 1-0 on Huskies in High Schoolquarter-finals
Hunter Gregory stopped all 30 shots he faced as he backstopped the Vincent Massey Vikings to a 2-0 win over the Hamiota-Rivers-EltonStrathclair Huskies in the opening game of their Westman High School Hockey League championship quarter-final series.
The game was played in Brandon on Sunday, March 1.
HIGH SCHOOL
Game two was set for Hamiota on Wednesday, March 4, with a possible game three in Brandon on Friday, March 6, Joe Balabanski scored in the first period and Cole Adams added a shorthanded
marker in the second for the hosts.
Huskies’ netminder Nicolas McDuff stopped 34 shots. ME 9 BSR 4
The Minnedosa-Erickson Chancellors got a pair of goals from Myles Beatty and Seth Sulik as they downed the Birtle-Shoal LakeRossburn Falcons 9-4 in the opening game of their best of
CFIB ranks Manitoba’s internal trade reforms among
The Manitoba government earned a grade of A- in the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’s (CFIB) 2025 State of Internal Trade Report Card, ranking among the top performers in reducing internal trade barriers, Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses announced.
“Businesses should not face barriers just because they cross a provincial border,” said Moses. “By reducing these barriers, we are supporting Manitoba companies and embracing a Team
Canada’s strongest
Canada approach to making our economy work better across the country.”
With a score of 8.9 out of 10, Manitoba ranks among the top three jurisdictions in Canada, alongside Ontario and Nova Scotia, for advancing mutual recognition and improving interprovincial trade.
Since the report’s release, Manitoba has identified four reciprocal provinces under the Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act: British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The Manitoba government continues to work with other jurisdictions to establish clear, predictable rules that support small businesses and foster economic growth.
three consolation series in Minnedosa on Friday, Feb. 27.
Colton McCaughan, Aiden McGorman, Kaus Kroeker, William Melvin and Jager Atkinson added singles for the hosts, who led 3-1 and 7-4 at the intermissions.
Brody Lane and Reid Luhowy each scored twice for the Falcons.
Parker Soltys stopped 14 shots in the Chancellors’ net, while Liam Lelond made 25 saves for the Falcons.
Game two was slated for Birtle on Wednesday, March 4, with game three, if necessary, in Minnedosa on Friday, March 6.
REGULAR SEASON
HRES 4 Sandy Bay 2
can McLean, Jayden Schoonbaert, Harlen Bridges
Sandy Bay – Easton Buydens, Erik Kopp
8 Major Pratt 1
Hamiota-Rivers-EltonStrathclair – Sam Rivas, Dun-
Dauphin
Dauphin – Hayden Shtykalo (3), Julien Lopez (3), Cody Zurba, Parker Freiheit Major Pratt – Brody Cook
Grants replace furniture at Russell PCH
Russell: The Banner –The Living Legacy Community Foundation in conjunction with the Thomas Sill Manitoba Fund tag teamed to replace furniture within the Russell Personal Care Home. From an initial Thomas Sill Foundation grant of not quite $23,000, and the estimated total project being over $43,000, Living Legacy granted the balance to complete the project. Living Legacy is the best kept secret in the area, starting in 1977 funds have grown to over $1.3 million in endowed funds, which assist community projects on a yearly basis.
Boissevain: The Recorder
– Citizens of Souris and area will be welcomed back within the historic Avalon Theatre and view a movie, as the damaged roof was not as bad as once thought. The one restriction though is that the stage is off limits, as leakage still exists in that part of the building. Board chair Debbie Butler felt likely the whole roof will be replaced in the future.
Whitewood: Grasslands News – A new University of Saskatchewan research project aims to fundamentally change how bison graze on the prairies, replacing decades of cattle-based assumptions with science built specifically around the province’s growing bison herds. The multi-year initiative is examining how bison graze, behave and interact with soil and plants in fenced, intensive systems.
Roblin: The Review Headlines of a summer community event aren’t always positive, but in terms of the Roblin Agriculture Society, members are once again celebrating a successful fair and rodeo in 2025. Society president Dean Chescu, who is staying on for another year, stated all food services in 2026 are to be provided by food trucks and individual vendors. Oh yes, the society could use more members.
Pilot Mound: The Hometown View – Ashley Morrow
Paper Clips
News from MB/SK weeklies
of Pilot Mound broke another University of New Brunswick record. This time in the Weight Throw, tossing a distance of 17.47m, beating her previous record of 17.20m.
Baldur/Glenboro: The Gazette – Council and staff of the Municipality of Glenboro South Cypress are celebrating these days. In District 3, the Airmaster Signs Shield for Best Maintained System of Municipal Roads was won in the Manitoba Good Roads Association’s Annual Competition.
Russell: The Banner –There are serious matters within RCMP reports across Manitoba, then there are situations such as this one called into the Russell detachment on Feb. 3 involving boot prints in the backyard of an Arsini Street residence and within the snow next door. Officers attended and found that in factthere were tracks leading from Manitoba Hydro meter to Manitoba Hydro meter all the way down the block.
Neepawa: The Banner & Press – Hockey is my passion and this is my song. Cooper Kasprick recently played his 200th MJHL (Manitoba Junior Hockey League) regular season game with the Neepawa Titans. Kasprick is only the seventh player, and the first from Neepawa, to reach this franchise milestone.
Boissevain: The Recorder – Don Engbrecht, a Boissevain citizen, is looking to have a safe and accessible spot for walking and wheeling in the community, similar to the over the border in Bottineau, ND. Upon taking his wife Betty out on the streets of Boissevain it can be rough and dangerous, this Engbrecht advocating for a walking park in town adding up to accessibility and connections.
THE FORGOTTEN
DARRELL NESBITT/SOUTH MOUNTAIN PRESS
While the land may still be worked, the farm buildings show their age, as a site off Highway 10 between Erickson and Onanole sits abandoned after the family once calling it home has moved on. The small family farm, often a kilometer or less apart, is giving way to larger factory farms and huge fields, however, there are still a number of Manitobans who grow, raise, harvest, cook, and share the food that ends up on your table. Give thanks, where thanks is due!
Matthew Kroeker Journeyman Mason
Tile Kitchens, Baths Waterproof Showers Steam Rooms
All repairs, renovations, and new construction Cell: 204-232-9797 Masonry
Houseplants are essential to a quality of life many of us demand. Begonias have been around since Victorian times, and have long been a favourite. They are actually native to South America, and have thousands of species that you might like to grow. They are relatively easy to grow, have attractive foliage and can grace your home in the winter months with relative ease. Sometimes begonias are a bit confusing as they have actually three types of root structures: tuberous, fibrous or rhizomatous. Tuberous begonias have a fleshy underground root structure and will generally require a rest period at some point during the year. This begonia is not usually grown indoors. Rhizomatous begonias have an above ground or slightly below-ground creeping stem that roots wherever it contacts moist soil. Fibrous begonias have a very fine, dense root system with no taproot, and these have the most variation in foliage and growth habit.
Begonias are grown for a variety of reasons – their wonderful foliage, their colourful flowers, or sometimes both. The “Rex” begonias are hybrids that are without doubt one of the best foliage plants.
There is also a group of fibrous-rooted begonias, commonly known as Angel wing (due to their leaf shape) that are coveted as houseplants in temperate climates. Angel wing begonias have hanging clusters of white, pink or red flowers that can be up to 30 cm (12 in.) across. The larger the leaves of the cultivar, the larger the flower clusters.
Wax begonias are often considered the bedding plant of begonias. They typically have light green foliage or foliage that is edged with red, or sometimes is a deep bronze colour. There are variegated cultivars as well. Flowers are numerous and continuous in shades of red, pink or white with some cultivars having double and twotoned flowers. If you are looking for an
ideal houseplant, the begonia is an excellent choice. In your home, place your plant in a well-lit area. Rex begonias like a few hours of direct morning or late afternoon sun and a north window with no curtains, trees or overhangs is also acceptable.
Placing your begonias to the side of a window or far back in the room will result in light-starved, spindly plants. This is not conducive to optimum growth. Your begonia will be happy if it receives a few hours of direct sunlight, avoiding hot afternoon sun in the summer.
As long as you have given your begonia adequate light, it will grow quickly. If it begins to seem like it is out of proportion with its pot, or begins to dry out faster than normal, it is time to transplant it into a larger container. Feel free to upgrade the pot size by a couple of inches as begonias are rather forgiving. Give the pot a gentle squeeze to loosen the root ball and gently wiggle the pot away from the soil. Pot up with any all-purpose soil, as begonias are not fussy about soil.
Treat as you would any houseplant and water weekly. It might be beneficial to fertilize with a dilute solution of high phosphorus fertilizer to ensure that the bloom occurs often.
Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us atwww.orchidhort.com; email atgrowyourfuture@gmail.com or on facebook @orchidhort.
Plant-based diets can still be unhealthy
Q: I listened to my doctor about adopting a plant-based diet ... and I’ve gained weight and my Type 2 diabetes is much harder to control. What is going on? – Phil R., Ann Arbor, MI
A: It sounds like you (along with a lot folks who adopt a plant-based diet) don’t understand that just because something is plantbased, that doesn’t make it healthy. I’d guess you’re eating highly processed vegetable-based foods like chips, bagels, fries, cheesy pasta dishes, sugar-added desserts, sweetened beverages and salty prepared foods. That sort of a menu can add pounds as it fuels chronic inflammation, disrupts glucose regulation and shortchanges you on essential nutrients. According to the American College of Cardiology, an unhealthy vegetarian diet increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and dying from cardiovascular disease. When I recommend ditching red and processed red meats, excess saturated fats and foods with added sugars in favor of a plant-based diet, I’m suggesting you start eating whole fruits and vegetables (seven to nine servings a day) and lean proteins from legumes and 100% whole grains. I also recommend fatty fish like salmon and skinless chicken. And if you opt for a vegetarian or vegan diet, it’s important to make sure you’re getting (through fortified foods and supplements) enough protein, B12, riboflavin, iron, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Work with a nutritionist
to shape a healthy plantbased diet that works for you. It’s also smart to start a walking program that gets you headed to 10,000 steps a day (or the equivalent). Your body will love the power it gets from your healthier diet and as you build muscle, you will change how you metabolize glucose and burn calories. Then you will be able to achieve a healthy weight, control your blood sugar and lousy LDL cholesterol levels, and achieve a younger ActualAge.
Q: Lately, I’m feeling kind of anxious. I don’t think it’s a full-blown anxiety disorder, but I need to calm down. Suggestions please! – Kaytlin S., Minneapolis, MN A: In order to be sure that your current level of anxiety is not related to a diagnosable anxiety disorder, you want to see if you can identify specific causes. What we might call normal anxiety is triggered by a specific stressor (like an upcoming job interview or worry about money). Anxiety disorders, on the other hand, can cause
nervousness without there being an identifiable cause.
Research has shown that there are many effective ways to dispel wound-up, fretful feelings:
–A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine finds aerobic exercise may be the most effective way to relieve depression and anxiety, but all exercise is beneficial and the benefits are on par with or better than medication or talk therapies. Why?
Exercise boosts brain neurochemicals like serotonin and GABA that ease tension and worry. It also enhances ex-
ecutive functioning, which allows you to be more resilient.
– Spending 120 minutes a week in nature eases anxiety, according to the American Heart Association. If you combine that with exercise, you really get a mood boost.
–Social interaction and friendships also ease depression and boost your ability to deal with stressors.
– Mindfulness meditation is beneficial. The TAME study found that it eased anxiety as well as the antianxiety medication Lexapro.
To get started, check out Cleveland Clinic’s article at
health.clevelandclinic.org/ what-is-mindfulness. Or use the stress management program at 4YOUngevity.com.
– Chronically anxious brains are about 8% lower in choline in the prefrontal cortex, a region involved in emotional regulation. Researchers suggest that boosting intake of choline, a vitamin-like essential nutrient, may help. It’s found in soybeans, cod, chicken breasts, kidney beans, yogurt and wheat germ. An adequate intake is 550 milligrams daily for men; 425 milligrams for women. For more help easing
anxiety, check out my books, “The RealAge Workout” and “YOU on a Diet.”
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.
DEADLINE: Tuesday at 12:00 Noon
Place your Classified Advertisement by Phone, Fax, Mail or E-mail Ph: 204-759-2644 Ext. 1 Fax: 204-759-2521 E-mail: smpclassified@mymts.net
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
COMING EVENTS
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.
WANTED
Licensed gun dealer looking for firearms in all classes, and anything firearms related. Inheritance assistance provided. Can store handguns during the ban. Call or text Keith 204-471-9015.
Wanted: Older gas stove 4 burner with griddle. No electric pilot light, manual. Phone 204-6553549.
ARTICLES FOR SALE
Classified Advertising Rates
Minimum 25 words $7.00, additional words 25¢ (plus GST) Extra weeks are one-half original cost • Not responsible for errors in handwritten submissions Special rate for Obituaries, Cards of Thanks, In Memoriams
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
NOTICES
Did You Know? We print Personal and Business Cheques! 100 Personal Cheques $99 + taxes, call for pricing on Manual Business Cheques and Laser Business Cheques. Call Connie at 204-7592644 Ext. 2 or email ctwprinting @mymts.net. Nesbitt Publishing, Shoal Lake.
Window Envelopes! #20-A, 8 5/ 8” x 3 3/4” security, 500, reg. $85.99, sale $42.99; #10 Double Window, 9 1/2 x 4 1/8, security, 500, reg. $85.99, sale $42.99; #9 Window, 8 7/8 x 3 7/8, not security, 500, reg. $49.99, sale $24.99. Inquire at Nesbitt Publishing in Shoal Lake, 204-759-2644 ext. 1.
Now booking classified ads for 2026. Let us help you book a blanket classified ad across Manitoba and be seen. Plan for your success this year. Your ad will be seen in the MCNA 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
Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Manitoba Community Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.mcna.com.
Urgent Press Releases. Have a newsworthy item to announce? An exciting change in operations? Though we cannot guarantee publication, MCNA will get the information 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.
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. Advertising does not cost, it pays! Call Michelle at 204-759-2644 ext. 1.
Does Facebook support local?
Has your organization ever called up Facebook and asked them for a donation to your cause? Local businesses rely on local support to exist. Shop local today.
LOANS ADMIN/FSO 1
ERICKSON, MB
Compass Credit Union Ltd is currently looking for a candidate to fill the role of Loans Administration/Financial Services Officer 1 as a Full Time Position at our Erickson Branch.
The Position
Reporting to the Branch Manager, the successful candidate will provide direct lending services and advice to members and administrative support within the Lending Department. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, interviewing members and assessing applications for lines of credit, personal loans, mortgages, and credit cards, while also supporting lenders through the preparation, processing, and maintenance of accurate lending documentation. The role ensures all lending activities and administrative processes comply with legislation, procedures, and internal policies. In addition, the position promotes the full range of credit union products and services, referring members to appropriate specialists for needs outside the lending scope, while contributing to an exceptional member experience.
The Person:
As part of the team the successful candidate will work well under pressure, demonstrate attention to detail and excel in delivering exceptional member service. They will possess strong communication, organizational, problem solving and decision making skills.
Experience/Education:
• Minimum: Grade 12 and willingness to pursue ongoing credit and lending training if no experience.
• Preferred: Business diploma or post_secondary education in business or finance. Experience in lending, credit analysis, or financial services an asset
The Credit Union
Compass Credit Union, formerly Crocus Credit Union and Erickson Credit Union, have two branches in Brandon, one in Erickson as well as a majority interest in an Insurance Agency. Salary will be based on qualifications and experience.
Please send resume and covering letter, in confidence, by Friday, March 13, 2026 to:
Monica Lambourne ACUIC, FCUIC, ABL, ACRML Branch Manager
Compass Credit Union Limited 24 Main Street P.O. Box 100 Erickson, MB R0J 0P0 E monica.lambourne@compasscu.ca www.compasscu.ca • careers@compasscu.ca
South Mountain Press
Portage la Prairie RCMP investigating fatal house fire
On March 1, Portage la Prairie RCMP received a call about a residential house fire occurring in the community with multiple residents inside. The blaze occurred at a home on the first 100 block of 8th Street Northwest. The house was fully engulfed in flames when RCMP arrived. Two adults and five children had escaped the residence with relatively minor injuries and let an officer know a 12-yearold male had not made it out of the home. His body was later located inside the residence. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
On Feb. 24, Steinbach RCMP were conducting traffic enforcement in La Broquerie when they observed a minivan driving slowly in a residential area. The vehicle was observed going into a driveway but then left shortly af-
RCMP Briefs
Provincial Roundup
ter, continuing to drive slowly.This behaviour led officers to initiate a traffic stop. Officers learned through police checks that the driver was breaching his curfew as per his release conditions. The driver was arrested, and officers observed drugs inside the vehicle.The 29-year-old driver and his 34-year-old passenger were arrested for possession for the purpose of trafficking and more.
Municipality of Harrison Park UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE PLANNING ACT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
On the date and at the time and location shown below, a PUBLIC HEARING will be held to receive representations from any persons who wish to make them in respect to the following matter:
MUNICIPALITY OF HARRISON PARK
BY-LAW NO. 177
being a by-law to adopt a new Zoning By-law
HEARING Municipality of Harrison Park
LOCATION: Council Chambers at 43 Gateway Street Onanole, MB R0J 1N0
DATE & TIME: April 8, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
GENERAL INTENT To adopt a new municipal wide zoning OF BY-LAW by-law.
NO. 177: This Zoning By-law regulates the use and development of land, including the size, height, and location of buildings and structures on properties within the municipality and shall be used and administered in accordance with the Municipality of Harrison Park Development Plan.
AREA AFFECTED: All areas of the Municipality of Harrison Park
FOR INFORMATION Robert Ewashko, Development Officer
CONTACT: Ph: 204-848-2561
E-mail: robert@harrisonpark.ca
A copy of the above proposed by-law and supporting material may be inspected in the office of the Municipality of Harrison Park at the above address during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Representations may be made either in person or in writing, at the public hearing.
The plans for this threebedroom home include a future two-bedroom suite on the basement floor.
Entry is through a covered porch. The front door, flanked by mullioned windows, opens into a large foyer with a coat closet to the left and a handy built-in bench to the right.
Directly ahead is the Lshaped staircase to the upper floor. A storage space is tucked under the stairs, and upstairs, a railed area in the stairwell is open to the floor below.
The great-room complex is located at the back of the home. The great room’s gas fireplace is tucked into a niche. It will warm the adjoining dining area, as well as the kitchen.
A doorway to the covered deck will make this spot idea for outdoor grilling.
The dining area has a large window, and is separated from the kitchen by a work island fitted with a double sink and a dishwasher.
The kitchen’s L-shaped counter configuration will save steps for the cook. A doubledoored pantry will provide extra storage space.
The master suite, with a bay window that looks out to the front garden, includes a roomy walk-in closet. The ensuite has double basins and a shower stall, as well as a soaker tub with its own window.
Bedroom No. 2 is adjacent to a four-piece bathroom with double sinks, and has an extrawide window sill. The linen
closet is nearby.
The third bedroom, near the kitchen, looks out to the side garden. Across the corridor is the laundry room, with a builtin bench, and nearby is a closet for cleaning tools.
Ceilings reach nine feet throughout the main floor.
Exterior finishes include stucco and horizontal siding. Brick-based wooden pilasters flank the entry, and a decorative garage door provides contrast.
This home measures 31 feet wide and 65 feet, six inches deep, for a total of 1,572 square feet on the main floor, not including the basement suite.
Plans for design 2-3-785 are available for $835 (set of 5), $900 (set of 8) and $952 for a super set of 10Plans for design 7-4-1015 are available for $915 (set of 5), $985 (set of 8) and $1,041 for a super set of 10.
Please add GST or HST (where applicable) to both the plan price and postage charges.
Our new 52nd edition of the Home Plan Catalogue containing over 300 plans is available for $16.50 (includes taxes, postage and handling). Make all cheques and money orders payable to “Jenish House Design Ltd.” and mail to: Jenish House Design Ltd., c/o South Mountain Press, #201 – 1658 Commerce Ave., Kelowna, BC, V1X 8A9 or see our web page order form on: www.jenish.com and email your order to: homeplans @jenish.com.
