SMP - May 15, 2026

South Mountain

Press

BOLD MOVE

Friday, MAY 15, 2026 Vo lum e 18 N um b e r29

FREE TAKE ONE SERVIN G ERICK SON , ON AN OLE, SAN D Y LAK E, ELPHIN STON E, W ASAGAM IN G, ROLLIN G RIVER, K EESEEK OOW EN IN & SURROUN D IN G AREA

CIN DY M U R R AY / F O R SO U T H M O U N T AIN PR E SS In a rather bold move, this coyote trotted up the lane of South Mountain Press freelance photographer Cindy Murray on a recent morning. But despite his seemingly confident stride, the coyote quickly headed for an exit after hearing the dogs bark. In spring, coyotes see their activity change from winter mating, to moving about to establish dens and hunt for food to support their young.

W asagam ing’s Lakehouse recognized Clea r La ke’s La kehouse ea rn s p rovin cia l busin ess hon our from the M a n itoba Cha m bers of Com m erce RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

One of Clear Lake’s best-known spots has caught the attention of the province.

The Lakehouse in Wasagaming took home a 2026 Manitoba Champions Award, presented by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce at a ceremony in Winnipeg on

Manitoba Day, May 12.

Most people in the region know it for its restaurant, but the Lakehouse is also a boutique hotel, with 15 guest rooms, a coffee shop, patio, and retail store sitting in the heart of downtown Wasagaming.

The award put the Lakehouse alongside nine other recipients from across Manitoba, recognizing

organizations whose leadership, innovation and community contributions drive economic success and strengthen communities across the province.

For the Lakehouse, the recognition goes beyond the dining room.

The business has long stood as proof that rural Manitoba can compete on a larger stage – that a small community inside a national

park can draw people in, keep them coming back and build something worth celebrating. The company has said it believes tourism can strengthen local economies and that places like Clear Lake matter well beyond their own borders.

“It’s especially meaningful to see so many nominations and award winners from rural areas

across Manitoba,” said Chuck Davidson, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce president and CEO. “It speaks volumes about the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience that exists in every corner of our province.”

The Lakehouse operates yearround, serving both visitors and locals through every season.

$ Finance a new camper, boat, vehicle, or trip, and you could get up to three months of payments covered.

Connect with a Sunrise lender to enter. *Some conditions apply. Three (3) winners will be selected, one (1) per Sunrise district. Each winner will receive either three (3) months of payments or up to $3,000 in payments, whichever is less. Winner financing must be approved to qualify. Deadline to qualify July 31, 2026. See branch for details.

2

South Mountain Press

Friday, May 15, 2026

M unicipal M inutes Council of the Municipality of Harrison Park was in favour of entering into a Grant Funding Agreement, with the Province of Manitoba, for the Manitoba Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund, at the April 29 meeting. Council members not in attendance that day were Reeve Ian Drul and Councillor Wade Skolney.

Council approved the outstanding accounts receivable balances, totaling $2,803.94, be added to property taxes.

Council was also in favour of writing two accounts, totaling $4.07, off as bad debt.

Matters tabled were proposed docks, boat lifts, and moorings policy, and approval of Collective Agreement.

Council sat for three Variation Applications as follows…

2026 V-05 – Ken & Lisa Demond (one objection received) – approved as filed, allowing the front (east) property setback from 30’ to 23’ and the side (south) property setback from 10’ to 5’ to allow for a new garage, on Lot 3, Block 3, Plan 5968.

026 V-07 – Archie and Barbara Buydens (no objections received) – approved as filed, allowing the reduction of the front (east) property 2026 V-08 – Darryl Craik (no objections received) – approved as filed, allowing the front yard setback be reduced from 30’ t 9’ and the side (south) property setback from 15’ to 12’, for a new 512 sq. ft. addition on Lot 174, Plan 1, Unit 174 – 80 Timothy Road.

2026 V-08 – Darryl Craik – approved as filed, allowing the reduction of side (south) property setback from 10’ to 7’ and the rear (east) property setback from 10’ to 4’, for a new garage, on Lot 21, Block 3, Plan 6822.

Meeting with council were Rick Provens and Emma Monias, representing the Erickson & Area Food Bank, in regards to funding for operations. Later in the meeting, council discussed the information provided by the Food Bank representatives.

The 2026 Financial Plan, including the 2026 operating budget, 2026 capital budget, the estimates of operating revenue and expenditures for the following fiscal year, and the five-year capital expenditure plan, were approved and adopted.

The 2026 Grants to Organizations, totaling $15,400, were approved as follows: Sandy Lake Water Protection Working Group – $7,000; Onanole & District Recreation Centre – $2,400; EOS Services to Seniors, Sandy Lake Recreation Association Inc., Sandy Lake / Elphinstone Handi-Van Inc. – $1,000 each; and Age Friendly Initiative, Friends of Sandy Lake, Onanole Elementary Parent Group, Little Valley Jamboree, Onanole & District Recreation Centre, and Senior Services of Prairie Parkland – $500 each.

Insurance Grants to Organizations for 2026, totaling $57,778.21 were also approved. The largest grant amount was $33,396.86 in regards to the Onanole & District Recreation Centre & Ball Diamonds.

Council accepted the submission tender made by Maple Leaf Construction for the paving of the following streets: Barclay Drive, Mooswa Drive East, Ridge Place, and South Bay Drive (south of Victor Ave.).

The Municipality of Harrison Park will enter into a Development Agreement with Linda Kowalick, Douglas Gunnarson, Allan Twerdochlib, and Darlene Twerdochlib, regarding Rustic Ride – Phase 2.

Councillor Jeremy Andreychuk commented on the proposed Albin Avenue sidewalk under Economic Development and mentioned grant funding, which was applied for walking paths in Onanole, under Recreational Trails.

First reading was given to By-Law No. 180, a tax levy by-la, to impose and levy real property taxes for 2026.

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Friday, May 15, 2026

3

PAYING IT FORWARD W a ves of H op e D ra gon Boa tTea m p rop els tow a rd $150,000 fun dra isin g goa l for loca l brea stca n cer resea rch

D O N ALD BERGER So uth M o unta in Pre ss

For nearly three decades, the members of the Waves of Hope dragon boat team have paddled not only in celebration of survivorship, but in support of women and families facing breast cancer across western Manitoba.

Each year, when the winter ice leaves Lake Minnedosa, the team returns to the water in its beloved dragon boat, Kindred Spirit, continuing a mission centred on awareness, early detection, hope and community support.

Festivals and demonstrations throughout the summer help carry that message across the Westman and Parkland regions.

The roster includes both active paddlers – breast cancer survivors themselves – and a support team made up of volunteers, family members and community supporters. A full dragon boat crew consists of 20 paddlers, one steersperson and one drummer. Waves of Hope currently has more than 40 active paddlers, with more than double that number represented through alumni and support ranks.

Now, the Brandon-based organization is launching its most ambitious initiative yet.

On April 11, more than 120

people gathered at Brandon University for A Day of Hope & Education, the first one-day conference in the Westman region dedicated entirely to breast cancer research, survivorship, wellness, and patient education.

The event also officially launched the “Hope in Our Backyard” campaign, a multiyear fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $150,000 by 2029 in support of the university’s Breast Cancer Cell & Molecular Research Lab. Waves of Hope contributed the first $25,000 toward the campaign, and organizers say momentum has continued rapidly.

“Currently, we’ve raised over $37,000 in three weeks,” said Waves of Hope member Elizabeth Glaseman in an interview.

For many involved, the campaign represents far more than fundraising.

“It means that innovation isn’t limited to big cities,” Glaseman explained. “Having this level of research in Brandon puts our region on the map scientifically, but more importantly, it creates a direct connection between the community and the work being done. Patients, families and supporters can see where their fundraising dollars are going and feel a tangible link to progress that could one day

impact their own lives or the lives of people they know and love.”

She said the local connection helps residents feel personally invested in the outcomes.

“This isn’t abstract research happening somewhere else – it’s being driven by and for members of our local communities,” Glaseman said.

“When people feel ownership, they’re more engaged, more invested and more hopeful.”

The research lab, founded in 2023 by keynote speaker Dr. Mousumi Majumder, focuses on understanding how breast cancer develops at the cellular level, including the exploration of blood-based markers for earlier detection and new treatment targets for aggressive forms such as triple-negative breast cancer.

According to organizers, one particularly promising aspect of the work involves developing partnerships that could help speed research progress through access to patient biological samples, with consent, from local cancer care systems.

Glaseman noted that Dr. Majumder’s work is also unique because the findings are not patented.

“Everyone gets a hand up because of the Breast Cancer Cell & Molecular Research Lab,” she said, explaining

that researchers around the world can freely build upon the discoveries being made in Brandon rather than duplicating years of work independently.

The conference itself was intentionally designed around what organizers described as a “patient-first” philosophy.

Rather than focusing heavily on clinical presentations aimed primarily at healthcare professionals, sessions centred on practical supports, survivorship, early detection, wellness, dense breast awareness and navigating treatment options.

“A patient-first approach means the content starts with real lived experiences and practical needs,” Glaseman said. “Presentations are designed to be accessible, relevant and supportive – not overly clinical or researchheavy. It’s about giving people tools they can use right away, while also creating space for questions, connection and shared understanding.”

Organizers also emphasized the growing importance of awareness and early detection among younger women.

“We know that breast cancer rates are increasing amongst younger women,” Glaseman noted. “That’s why it’s extremely important to have events from a patient-

first lens – events that provide as much information as possible about early detection, newest research and supports available, and information about what’s happening within our province.”

Some of the most meaningful moments happened not during formal presentations, but between them.

“At one table, we had someone who had just been diagnosed, someone who is a few years out from diagnosis, and someone else from Winnipeg even further in their survivorship,” Glaseman recalled. “These three women realized that they were connected not just by breast cancer but even by buying and selling property years earlier.”

For Waves of Hope, the event reflects the continuing evolution of a team founded in 1999 as Canada’s 12th dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors.

Today, the team includes members from across southwestern Manitoba and the Parkland region, many of whom gather weekly during the summer months to paddle on Lake Minnedosa in Kindred Spirit. Beyond paddling, the organization promotes fitness, outreach, education and survivor support throughout the region.

“The team is a fierce advo-

cate for early detection and awareness,” Glaseman said.

“We paddle to celebrate life, but we are a sisterhood that believes in paying it forward so that, in the future, the women we love won’t have to undergo the same experiences that we did.”

Over the years, Waves of Hope has helped advocate for lowering the recommended mammogram screening age in Manitoba, contributed to community chemotherapy units, and donated $50,000 to Murray House in Brandon shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers hope A Day of Hope & Education will become an annual event.

“The response to the first event showed there’s a real need and appetite for this kind of gathering in our region,” Glaseman said. “We’d like to continue building on that momentum and make it an annual opportunity for learning, connection and support.”

Organizers say they hope the campaign will not only fund groundbreaking research, but also strengthen the sense that Westman communities are directly contributing to the future of breast cancer detection, treatment and survivorship care close to home.

4

OPINION

Friday, May 15, 2026

Le tte rs to the e d ito r:

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Cookbook, T h e Best of Birdta il W .I., m a rks 10 0 th Enjoying thrifting at the Westminster United Church’s Nearly New Sale held on Friday, May 8, at the Shoal Lake Community Hall, among the items picked up was a local cookbook – The Best of Birdtail W.I. – noted as a Centennial Cookbook, 1870 – 1970, Birdtail, MB. Part of a collection books and movies fancied, truly not sure why it was chosen, but perhaps because it was local, and local cookbooks normally contain articles that are great for sharing to fellow community citizens, as this copy was purchased by the donator at Lorna Mankir’s Yard Sale held Aug. 28, 2008, for a mere quarter.

Along with a wealth of recipes, the pages include…

Take Tim e for 10 Things 1). Take time to work – it is the price of success.

2). Take time to think – it is the source of power.

Darrell

Nesbitt AR OUN D T OW N 3). Take time to play – it is the secret of youth.

4). Take time to read – it is the foundation of knowledge.

5). Take time to worship – it is the highway of reverence and washes the dust of earth from our eyes.

6). Take time to help and enjoy friends – it is the source of happiness.

7). Take time to love – it is the one sacrament of life.

8). Take time to dream – it hitches the soul to the stars.

9). Take time to laugh – it is the singing that helps with life’s loads.

10). Take time to plan – it is the secret of being able to have time to take time for the first nine things.

Beatitudes for the Housew ives Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a labour of love – for her willing hands and happy heart translate duty into privilege, and her labour becomes a service to God. Blessed is she who opens the door to welcome both stranger and friends – for gracious hospitality is a test of brotherly love.

Blessed is she who mends stockings and toys and broken hearts – for her understanding is a balm to humanity.

Blessed is she who scours and scrubs – for well she knows that cleanliness is one expression of Godliness.

Blessed is she whom children love – for the love of a child is more to be valued than fortune or fame.

Blessed is she who sings while she works – for music lightens the heaviest load ad brightens the dullest chore.

Blessed is she who dusts away a doubt and fear and sweeps out the cobwebs of confusions – for her faith will triumph over all adversity.

Blessed is she who serves laughter and smiles with every meal – for her buoyance of spirit is an aid to mental and physical digestion.

Blessed is she who preserves the sanctity of the Christmas home – for hers is a sacred trust that crowns her with dignity.

S upper For 100 or M ore Recipes included seven for Supper Quantity Cooking, touching on… Baked Beans for 100, Hash Supper for 100, Cabbage Salad for 175, Ham Supper for 225, Braised Beef for 200, Turkey Dinner for 250, and Chicken Shortcake for 135,

C om m unity S upporters This special offering was supported by a number of businesses including the Manitoba Dairy and Poultry Co-operative Ltd. known as the home of Jerome Farms turkey poults and Manco chicks. Fellow staples of butter, eggs, milk, cream, ice cream, and cheese were also available at the business located in Rossburn.

Additional Rossburn businesses advertising were M & M Food Market, The People’s Store, Kachan – Kostecki Ltd., The Chalet, Parkway

Co-Operatives, Rossburn Credit Union (Rossburn & Angusville), The Beehive (restaurant), Scarrow’s Hardware, and the National Grain Co. Advertising support also came from Ann Hamilton Store – Groceries & Mail, Birdtail; John’s Hardware (John & Vicky Kalynuk) and Chuchmuch Bros, both of Angusville; Russell Hardware & Supplies Ltd., Banner Bakery & Coffee Shop, The Royal Bank of Canada, Wilson & Coppleman, Braendle & Bruce Funeral Service, Russell Transfer, Russell RediMix, Berg’s Hatchery, and Prokop Credit Jewellers, all of Russell.

And remember, a cookbook is a moment in time because, otherwise, you look back at the end of the day, and all the meals have been eaten, and the experience is gone.

F e de ra l de b t in te re s t cha rge s co s t e a ch Ca n a dia n $1,400 this ye a r The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to cut spending following the Parliamentary Budget Officer report that shows debt interest charges are “showing a concerning upward track.”

“The PBO’s report shows that paying interest charges on the government debt will cost each Canadian about

Op inion $1,400 this year,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “That’s $1,400 that the government is taking from each Canadian that can’t be used to hire nurses, fix potholes or lower taxes because the government is wasting that money paying interest on the debt.”

Federal debt interest charges are “showing a concerning upward track,” according to the PBO’s assessment of the federal government’s Spring Economic Update.

“On a per capita basis, public debt charges are projected to climb from $1,409 in 2026-27 to $1,901 in 2030-31,” according to the PBO. Debt interest charges will

“rise from 10.6 percent to 13.2 percent of revenues between 2025-26 and 2030-31,” according to the PBO. The Spring Economic Update shows that debt interest charges will cost taxpayers $58.7 billion this year. That’s more than the federal government will send to the provinces in health transfers ($57.4 billion) or collect through the GST ($53.4 bil-

lion).

The PBO found that each Canadian’s share of the total federal debt will rise from $33,592 this year to $38,295 in 2030.

The PBO also found that the federal government is on track to spend $6.3 billion over its budgeted spending this year.

“Debt interest payments continue to spiral out of con-

trol because spending continues to spiral out of control,” Terrazzano said. “Carney just released his budget six months ago and he’s already on track to spend $6 billion over budget.

“Carney needs to reverse course and put down the credit card because taxpayers can’t afford to pay $1,400 covering the government’s interest charges.”

M P pay increased between $7,900 and $15,800 Government data shows members of Parliament took a pay raise ranging between $7,900 and $15,800. MPs took their 14th pay raise in a row despite widespread opposition from Canadians.

“Canadians are supposed to be the boss and 80 percent of Canadians said ‘no’ to another politician pay raise, but MPs didn’t listen and stuffed their pockets with more tax dollars,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “In what

Op inion other job are you guaranteed a pay raise every year for 14 years regardless of your performance?”

Leger polling shows 80 percent of Canadians oppose the MP pay raise.

MPs take pay raises every year on April 1. Government data shows this year’s pay raise ranged from an extra $7,900 to $15,800.

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A backbench MP’s salary is now $217,700. A minister collects $321,300 and the prime minister takes home a $435,400 annual salary.

MPs have taken 14 annual pay raises in a row.

The federal government previously stopped the automatic MP pay raises from 2010 to 2013.

Politicians in other G7 countries haven’t taken pay raises for the last 14 years straight.

In the United States,

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members of Congress have not increased their pay since 2009, while the president has not taken a pay raise since 2001.

In the United Kingdom, MP salaries were frozen in 2021.

Salaries for German members of the Bundestag were frozen in 2020 and cut in 2021.

Japan reduced pay for its national politicians by 20 percent in 2020. In 2025, Japan’s prime minister and

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cabinet ministers also cut their salaries, according to media reports.

In France, deputies’ salaries are tied to bureaucrat pay.

Government data shows the government employee pay index was frozen from 2010 to 2016, and again from 2017 to mid-2022.

Italy reduced deputies’ salaries in 2006 and again in 2011. Italian deputies’ pay was frozen between 2007 and 2026, according to Italy’s government.

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“Politicians in other G7 countries don’t take pay raises every single year, but Canadian MPs seem to have an overwhelming sense of entitlement to other people’s money,” Terrazzano said.

“Prime Minister Mark Carney told Canadians to brace for ‘sacrifices’ so it’s particularly insulting that his government just rubberstamped another pay raise for politicians.”

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AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH Accla im ed a uthor Audrhea La n de a p p ea rin g in O n a n ole to sha re story of a n un hera lded M a n itoba legen d

D O N ALD BERGER So uth M o unta in Pre ss

A Manitoba author is inviting readers to reconsider one of the province’s most iconic historical periods – and one of its most overlooked figures.

Audrhea Lande grew up in the farming community of Rorketon, MB, and spent her teaching career in Grandview, Thompson, and Winnipeg. After retiring, she turned to her first love ‚Äî uncovering stories of discovery, adventure, quiet heroism, and unsung figures from Manitoba’s early days.

Her first book, ‘Annie’s Bright Idea’, was shortlisted for Best Children’s Book in the Manitoba Book Awards.

Her second work, ‘With Love to You All, Bogga S.: Stories and Letters from the Remarkable Life of Sigurbjorg Stefansson’, won the Manitoba Day Award from the Association of Manitoba Archives for excellence in historical research.

Her newest book, ‘On the Hunt for William Hallett’, was named by the Winnipeg Free Press as one of the 25 best nonfiction books of 2025. The book has also been nominated for the 2025 Margaret McWilliams Award presented by the Manitoba Historical Society.

Author Audrhea Lande w illbe in O nanole on Saturday,M ay 23 Lande will speak at the Minnedosa Library on Wednesday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. and at Poor Michael’s Bookstore in Onanole on Saturday, May 23 at 1:00 p.m. as part of a regional tour promoting the book.

The work explores the life of William Hallett, a respected buffalo hunt captain and community leader who famously described himself as the “Sworn Enemy of Louis Riel.” Through oral history, genealogical research, news-

paper archives, and historical records, Lande spent nearly a decade trying to understand why.

“One burning question drove my research,” Lande explained in an interview.

“Why would a man like William Hallett, honoured and revered by his descendants, have called himself Sworn Enemy of Louis Riel?”

That question eventually challenged many of her own long-held assumptions about Manitoba history.

“Most people have a simplified understanding of the Red River Resistance,” she said. “That it was over quickly, largely bloodless, and successfully negotiated by Louis Riel. But when you read the actual historical documents, a very different picture emerges.”

Lande says one of the most surprising aspects of her decade-long research was discovering how often family oral histories surrounding Hallett were later confirmed by newspaper accounts and archival documents from the time.

“In many cases, the family stories turned out to be accurate,” she said. “It reminded me of how Inuit oral histories about the Franklin Expedition were once dismissed, only to later be proven true.”

Her research also revealed what she describes as a far more politically complicated and internationally influenced conflict than many Manitobans realize.

“The Americans were deeply involved with people close to Louis Riel,” she said.

“There were outside pressures, competing loyalties, influence campaigns, and political agendas that most of us were never taught about in school.”

Lande argues Hallett’s

story largely disappeared because it complicated the heroic narrative surrounding Riel and the founding of Manitoba.

“I have come to believe that Hallett has been erased from the history of Manitoba because he is an inconvenient truth,” she said.

According to Lande’s research, Hallett suffered deeply during the Resistance period, experiences she believes left lasting scars both personally and within the broader Red River community.

“What happened to William Hallett had to be papered over, along with all the other losses that people endured during that time,” she said. “William Hallett was a necessary forgetting so the community could move forward and heal.”

The book has already received significant recognition across literary and historical circles. In a recent appearance on CBC Radio One’s Weekend Morning Show, Manitoba Historical Society historian Gordon Goldsborough praised the work, calling it “really a wonderful book” that “deserves to be better known.”

Lande says she hopes readers come away with a fuller and more honest under-

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standing of Manitoba’s origins.

“It was not just the work of Louis Riel alone,” she said.

“The Métis people as a whole created the province of Manitoba.”

Lande describes the book as a “memoir-infused biography,” blending historical research with the emotional and human dimensions of memory, identity, loss, and survival during one of the most defining periods in Manitoba history.

While the book contains no direct references to our area, Lande noted that portions of the story unfold in regions familiar to Westman readers, including Portage la Prairie, Lake Manitoba, and areas near the western boundary region.

She says the upcoming presentations will explore not only the hidden history behind William Hallett, but also the importance of preserving local stories, oral histories, and family memories before they disappear.

“History is a living thing,” she said. “It’s not dead. It’s not even past. It’s alive all around us.”

Copies of On the Hunt for William Hallett are available through major booksellers and independent bookstores across Canada.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, May 15, 2026

R iding M ounta in W est urges p ublic to drive w ith ca ution Russell: The Banner – The Rural Municipality of Riding Mountain West is among the municipal jurisdictions dealing with road washouts, collapses and loss of culverts due to extreme water flow this spring. Despite efforts to keep water flowing freely through a large culvert on a municipal road leading to Asessippi Beach & Campground off Highway 83, that wasn’t to be as on April 21 around 6:30 p.m. the culvert was lost and sat in the Shell River. The municipality has assured Karen Goraluk, owner of the popular campground, that a new culvert has been ordered and are hopeful it will arrive and be placed in time for the May long weekend opening.

If not, the Municipality will come up with a plan to ensure the road will be open.

Boissevain: The Recorder – History came to life at the Turtle Mountain Souris Plains Heritage Association’s annual seminar in Deloraine.

Topics ranged from precontact archeology to World War II plus exhibits from local museums.

Neepawa: The Banner & Press – Paul Samyn, editor of the Winnipeg Free Press, de-

Paper Clips News from MB/SK weeklies livered the opening keynote address at the 2026 Rotary District 5550 Conference, themed “We Are All Canadian” held May 8 and 9 in Neepawa. Rrain Prior, president of the local club, noted the event marked a return to fully in-person format since Covid-19. Prior feels it’s really important for people to come together versus virtual conferences with sharing being the lime light – sharing ideas, sharing projects, and enjoying the social aspects first hand.

Whitewood: Grasslands News – A skater with roots in Whitewood, SK represented Canada at the 2026 Men’s (with women teammates) Roller Derby World Cup in Orleans over April 30 to May 3. Kaili Adams, known in the derby world as “Rip”, saw action build on previous international experience, having competed at the junior level.

Like many activities, roller derby in Saskatchewan continues to recover following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Boissevain: The Recorder

– Boissevain Legion Branch #10 is looking for a new generation of members to keep their work and memory of veterans alive. The Legion in the southwest community has a proud history, starting at the close of the First World War. Fighting for care and benefits for veterans, the Legion also built the hall that bears their name, which is still used for many events in town.

Roblin: The Review – Twenty-seven young vendors marketing bird feeders, perogies, herb gardens, key chains, sandwiches, lemonade, baking, and sewing and woodworking projects, uplifted the benefits of involvement in the Harvest Hill Homeschool Co-op’s Junior Achievement financial literacy class called “A Business of Our Own”. Students from Binscarth, Russell, Roblin, and Rhein, SK participated in the class, learning how to write a business plan and manage money.

Dauphin: The Herald – Volunteers who spend hours upon hours of time to the Dauphin and District Snowmobile Club grooming trails, putting up signage, maintaining warm-up shelters, etc.

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feel efforts are being forgotten, thanks to the work of vandals destroying a Winnipegosis warm-up shelter and a number of signs posted on the groomed trails from Dauphin to Winnipegosis to Ethelbert being first run over and then broken. Incidents have been reported to local RCMP with the hope the culprits are found and fined.

Virden: The EmpireAdvance – Family and friends are rallying around Ernie and Debbie Thiessen, who lost their home near Griswold to a fire on April 26.

Chief David Houston of Sifton Fire Department said crews arrived with 12 members and two water tankers, only to call in Whitehead and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation

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to supply two more trucks each, and personnel. Even though the fight was lost, the family was unharmed.

Pilot Mound: The Hometown View – The Darlingford Pembina Heritage Museum hosted the third annual History & Conversation Evening back in April. This year’s speaker was Darryl Toews, military historian with the Manitoba Historical Society.

Whitewood: Grasslands News – The White Butte Regional Emergency Measures Organization held a largescale multi-agency emergency training exercise near Balgonie, SK on April 18. The

call came out that a bus carrying 20 passengers had hit a truck carrying a dangerous, flammable liquid, and both vehicles had overturned on the overpass of Highways 1 and 46. Rural Municipality of Edenwold councillor and EMO Chairperson, Tim Brodt, said while a number of issues were identified, communication was a key topic that was addressed multiple times. Brodt added it was a very good joint effort, and it’s nice to know the surrounding neighbours and various departments can be counted on, when a serious situation occurs.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, May 15, 2026

7

DITCH DINNER

F ora gin g a tits core is p retty sim p le, n otin g w ha tis grow in g a roun d you a n d kn ow in g w ha tyou ca n a n d ca n n otea t RAC HEAL FLIN TO FT So uth M o unta in Pre ss

I have been hiking and spending time outdoors long enough that I have probably been foraging for years without ever calling it that.

Picking Saskatoons off a bush on a trail. Grabbing a handful of something that I knew looked familiar. Noticing what was growing along a fence line and wondering if it was edible. I just never put a name to it or gave it much thought beyond the moment.

This spring I decided to actually learn what I am looking at.

Foraging, at its core, is pretty simple. It is paying attention to what is growing around you and knowing what you can and cannot eat. It does not require any special gear or training.

What it does require is some homework, and I mean that seriously, because eating the wrong plant can make you very sick. In some cases, it can be fatal. That is not said to scare anyone off. It is said because it is true and it matters. Before you eat anything, that you find in the wild, make sure you know exactly what it is. A good field guide specific to our region is not optional as far as I am concerned. I carry one with me on hikes anyway for identifying birds and plants, and this spring it is getting a lot more use.

One more thing before we get into the good stuff… know where you are allowed to pick. If you are hiking in Riding Mountain National Park or any protected area, you cannot take anything out. Not plants, not mushrooms, nothing. Same goes for many public trails. A rural roadside ditch, a family farm, land you have permission to be on – those are all fine. When in doubt, ask or look it up before you pick anything.

Why not start in your own backyard?

You do not have to drive

C hickweed is a sm alllow grow ing plant that com es up early in spring and the young stem s and leaves can be eaten raw in a salad anywhere or plan a hike to get started. There is a good chance your own yard or garden has something worth finding right now.

Dandelions are the obvious one. Every part of the dandelion is edible, the young leaves in early spring before the plant flowers are good in a salad or cooked down in butter, the flowers can be battered and fried or used to make dandelion wine, and the roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute. Most people spend the spring trying to get rid of them. Turns out you can just eat them instead.

Plantain is another one that is probably already in your yard, and you have almost certainly walked past it a hundred times. Not the banana… this is the broadleafed weed that grows flat to the ground in lawns and

along paths. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and have been used medicinally for centuries.

Lamb’s quarters look like a weed, because they are – but they are also edible and nutritious. They tend to show up in gardens and disturbed soil and can be cooked just like spinach.

Chickweed is another one worth knowing. It is a small low growing plant that comes up early in spring and the young stems and leaves can be eaten raw in a salad.

None of these are exotic or hard to find. They are just plants most of us have never thought twice about.

Once you are comfortable identifying things closer to home, there is more to find out on a trail or along a back road.

Wild asparagus grows along fence lines and road-

sides and comes up in the same spot every spring. The thin stalks push up early in the season… that is your window. If you miss it and it has already gone to fern, mark the spot and come back next year. It looks like thinner grocery store asparagus and tastes just as good.

Stinging nettles are worth getting past your hesitation about. Yes, they sting. Pick them with gloves on and that problem is solved. The sting disappears completely with heat so as long as you cook them you are fine. Treat them like spinach – soup, pasta, sautéed on their own. They

have been eaten for centuries and are surprisingly good.

Cattail shoots are easy to find near any slough or wet low-lying area and most of us have plenty of those nearby. In early spring be-

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fore the plant sends up its brown head, pull the young shoots from the base and peel back to the tender white core. The flavour is mild, a bit like cucumber, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Just make sure you are picking from clean water away from any runoff or sprayed areas.

Morel mushrooms are the ones foragers get genuinely excited about every spring. They are delicious, they show up in May around wooded areas and near dying elm trees, and there is no deadly lookalike, which makes them a good starting point for anyone nervous about wild mushrooms. If you find one, look around carefully because they rarely grow alone. Always cook them.

Never eat them raw.

You do not have to know everything before you start.

You just have to be careful, do your reading and be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot identify. If you are not sure, leave it.

If you head out this spring and come home with a handful of dandelion greens and nothing else, that still counts. It is a reason to slow down on a hike and actually look at what is around you. And once you start noticing, you really cannot stop.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, May 15, 2026

Vird en RCM P resp ond to collision on Highway # 1 On May 6, Virden RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 1 and Road 134 West, between Griswold and Oak Lake, in the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Sifton. A large box truck appeared to have lost control and was on its side, blocking both lanes of westbound traffic. Motorists were advised to expect significant delays, or take an alternate route, as crews worked to clear the highway.

The male driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries.

On May 9, Cross Lake RCMP received a report of a vehicle-pedestrian collision that occurred on Island Park Drive, near Beardy’s Point, in Pimicikamak Cree Nation. Officers attended and located a 43-year-old male, from Pimicikamak Cree Nation, with life-threateninginjuries. Cross Lake EMS transported the victim to the nursing station where he was pronounced deceased. In speaking with a number of witnesses from the scene, it was reported that a pickup truck had struck the victim earlier and failed to remain at the scene.

On May 5, RCMP responded to a report that an armed male was threatening a female inside Morris General Hospital. Morris RCMP learned two adult females had been arguing inside the hospital. An adult male who was with one of the females then flashed a handgun at the female victim. The two suspects then left the hospital. Minutes later, RCMP received a report that a pickup truck had collided with a highway sign on Highway 75, just north of Morris. The vehicle was subsequently abandoned, and two individuals were seen fleeing the scene on foot. RCMP officers from St. Pierre-Jolys and Police Dog Services joined in the search for the suspects, who were located walking on Main Street in Morris. Both were arrested.

A replica handgun was located by RCMP service dog Sega a short distance away.

A 20-year-old male of Plum Coulee is charged with: Assault with a weapon; Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; Carrying a concealed weapon; Using an imitation firearm in the

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Provincial Roundup commission of an offence; and Failure to comply with a probation order x2. He was remanded into custody. A 39-year-old Emerson female faces charges of: Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; Resisting arrest; and Causing a disturbance.

She is expected to be released today on an undertaking.

On May 4, Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a report that a school bus had been involved in a collision with a pickup truck.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Highway 430 and Road 67 North, in the R.M. of Portage la Prairie.

The truck was driving northbound on Highway 430 when it collided with the eastbound bus. There were two teenage students on the bus at the time of the collision. They were uninjured, as was the 49-year-old male bus driver. The driver of the truck, a 22-year-old male from Portage la Prairie, was transported to hospital for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries. The cause of the collision is being investigated.

On May 1, RCMP Traffic Service pulled over the driver of an eastbound SUV travelling on Highway 2, in the R.M. of Sifton. RCMP conducted a compliance check on the driver and subsequently took him into custody. A search of the SUV then uncovered approximately 4.5 kilograms of vacuum-packaged cocaine that had been hidden throughout the vehicle. The street value of the cocaine seized by RCMP is estimated at approximately $350,000. A 31-year-old male of Hanna, AB, has been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He was remanded into custody.

204-848-2085 | info@collyers.ca

A dramatic stone pillar and a brick-based wooden pilaster flank the entrance to this charming three-bedroom home.

The plans include an unfinished basement for extra bedrooms or a suite for in-laws.

The covered entry leads into a foyer with the den or third bedroom to the left and a coat closet to the right. The ceiling in the foyer soars to 10 feet, six inches, but drops to nine feet in the adjacent open-plan greatroom complex.

The gas fireplace in the great room is flanked by builtin shelves. A sliding glass door leads out to a sundeck, overlooking that back garden.

The dining area features a large window and is separated from the kitchen by a prep island with a raised eating bar, for casual meals. The staircase to the unfinished basement is located nearby.

Natural light will flood the kitchen through the window over the double sink. The Lshaped counter configuration will save steps for the cook, and the generous pantry will provide plenty of storage space.

The linen closet is located adjacent to the pantry, and very close to the laundry room, which includes a sink and a built-in bench.

The master bedroom, with a window overlooking the back garden, includes an ensuite with a shower stall, as well as a roomy walk-in closet.

A second bathroom, which includes double basins and a tub, will serve the second bedroom, with a window that looks out to the side garden.

The double garage has access to the laundry room, which can double as a mud room, as well as to the side garden.

Exterior finishes include horizontal siding and painted trim around the mullioned windows, as well as a decorative garage door and brick accents.

This home measures 35 feet wide and 58 feet deep, for a total of 1,447 square feet on the main floor, not including the unfinished basement.

Plans for design 1-3-684 are available for $735 (set of 5), $795 (set of 8) and $843 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.

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South Mountain Press

Friday, May 15, 2026

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 8

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Gro w in g he irlo o m s in yo u r ga rde n - p a rt II

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

Hanbidge GAR D EN IN G these tomatoes should be picked when they are not fully ripe for the best flavour.

In spite of having many favourite heirlooms, I really do think that Nella ranks at the top.

As far as peppers go – I have a few favourites. As we can use peppers in many ways, in my opinion we should grow many different peppers! I hope you enjoy a look into my favourites.

Jimmy Nardello is a Sweet Italian pepper that is without doubt the best banana type of pepper for frying or for pasta sauces. It has a slightly spicy flavour lending itself to a delectable feast whether eaten raw or cooked. Great for containers as at maturity it is about 24 inches high.

Purple Beauty is a midsized lobed sweet bell pepper, which begins as a lovely purple colour and deepens to almost black when completely ripe. Lovely raw or cooked.

Long Red Cayenne is one of my favourite peppers as it is great used fresh but also holds its colour when strung and dried. Cayenne peppers are one of the most popular peppers used in the Western hemisphere with the name originating in the city of Cayenne in French Guiana, which is the home where this pepper originates. It is a very productive plant with a height and spread of up to 18 inches. The fruit is thinly curved beginning as a bright emerald green and maturing into a wrinkled red fruit.

Caution is advised with these peppers, as they are very hot at 30,000 to 50,000 SHU. Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture.

Find us at www.orchidhort.com; email growyourfuture@gmail.com or on facebook @orchidhort.

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Growing heirlooms is something that should always be considered. We need to consciously make the effort to preserve our genetic diversity for future generations. It is also something that honours plants that we have grown over the centuries. One thing that I always notice as a very visible difference between hybrids and heirlooms is that when you plant a field of hybrid plants they will be almost completely identical like a brigade of soldiers. When you plant a field of heirlooms you will see subtle variations in colours and forms that somehow feels more freeing.

In my garden, I usually grow a combination of hybrid and heirloom plants. Often some of the heirloom plants will be better producers than the hybrid plants. I like to use the tomato as an example. Tomatoes are hot crops and like to see warm, sunny days for best production.

However, some of the heirloom tomatoes that I always grow thrive when the weather is cooler. I figure that as I do not have the power to dictate the weather, if I grow tomatoes that thrive in hot weather and some that thrive in cooler weather – I am always guaranteed a tomato crop!

Growing heirlooms tells stories that we would otherwise never experience. Over the years, I have grown many heirlooms, and many have stood out as leaders in my garden. However, there is one ultimate tomato that wins for fast germination, amazing growth and a flavour that is seriously to die for. This unnamed variety of tomato we call “Nella”. We received some tomatoes from a lovely woman by that name. Nella had traded and saved seeds even after her immigration to Canada with her brother who still lives in the old country.

Their family and friends have traded and saved seeds for many generations on both sides of the border between Croatia and Italy. My experience with Nella (the tomato) is unparalleled as even after saving the seeds in a not ideal environment for more than a year or two, they all germinated and left all the other heirloom tomatoes we are growing behind. The fruit is a pinky red colour and

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South Mountain Press

Friday, May 15, 2026

Com ing innovations in health care Dr.

Roizen H EALT H Y LIVIN G organs.

These kinds of amazing discoveries are reshaping health care, but to me, the most exciting ones are those that help you prevent diseases from ever happening!

And many are already in your control: Using therapeutic plasma exchange is a huge benefit in reversing and preventing premature aging and disease. And every healthy lifestyle choice that I go on about, week after week, is in your hands, too.

You don’t have to wait to have powerful ways to prevent disease. Just check out the info in my book, “The Great Age Reboot.”

Q: I’m an accountant in my mid-30s. I feel like I’m losing my ability to pay attention at work – and I like my job. Is there some medical problem I should ask my doctor to check for? – Fran T., Cleveland, OH A: A thorough medical exam would be a good idea.

But I’m betting you’re suffering from digital drain.

Americans’ attention span at work and elsewhere

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has shrunk by around 66% in the past 20-plus years. Too many things are tapping us on the shoulder – or screaming in our face – for attention. That’s not surprising with the rise of smartphones, social media, email, and short-form videos. One study found that watching videos on TikTok or Instagram is associated with reduced brain power, lack of attention and increased anxiety, which makes concentrating on work more difficult.

Now, AI is adding to diminished cognitive powers. A Swiss study found “signifi-

cant negative correlation between frequent A.I. tool usage and critical thinking abilities.”

But there’s hope, according to a new study published in PNAS Nexus. Researchers worked with more than 467 participants, with an average age of 32, to measure the effect of disconnecting from the Internet on their phones for two weeks. When they went from spending 314 minutes to 161 minutes a day on their phones, 91% reported improvement in sustained attention, mental health and/or their sense of well-

being. And the researchers say they erased a decade’s worth of damage. So...

– Turn off your phone’s Internet while at work and when you’re headed for bed.

(Phones are much harder on your focus than computers.)

– Don’t use the Internet when eating.

– Take a walk in nature frequently, without referring to the Internet.

– Do this for a few weeks and you’ll be surprised by how much more engaged, focused -- and happy -- you are at work and throughout your days. For more on improving

your brain and protecting it from cognition problems, visit 4YOUngevity.com.

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

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

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Q: There’s so much going on in medical research these days that it’s hard to keep up with the latest discoveries that promise to change the future of health care. What do you think are a couple of exciting innovations that are on the horizon? – Fredrick I., Gainesville, FL A: You’re right, there’s a lot going on that holds promise for a healthier future for us all.

For example, in cancer research, scientists have discovered how to supercharge immune system T-cells. Published in Nature Communications, the study explains how researchers rewired T-cells’ mitochondria (the metabolic battery) by blocking a protein. That then made the Tcells act more quickly and precisely target cancer cells, knocking them out while sparing other tissue.

Another revolutionary approach to identifying and destroying cancer cells early on was recently published in Nature. It uses CRISPR gene editing to distinguish tumor DNA from healthy DNA and selectively cuts only the former – stopping the cancer cell in its tracks.

Then there’s the discovery from Harvard University researchers that allows them to implant engineered liver tissue into a mouse and grow what they call a “satellite liver.” The goal is to one day engineer a whole implantable liver that can take over the work of the failing organ in a human. This may eliminate the need for a hard-to-find liver donor and a full transplant – and it opens the door to doing this for all failing

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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 A Come and Go ‘Celebration of Life’ for Candy Irwin will be held on Sunday, May 17, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Onanole Rec Centre. All are welcome.

Oakburn Town Wide Garage Sales, Saturday, May 30, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Oakburn Community Hall. Tables available for rent in the hall for $10 each. 204-234-6328.

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.

SE E D F O R SAL E

OBO. Located in Rossburn. Text/ call 204-859-6969.

W AN T E D 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: Collector paying top prices for old advertising signs, gas pumps, Red Indian, White Rose, Buffalo, Ford, Dodge, GM. 1968-1970 Chargers, 1970 to 1971 Barracuda’s. Running or not. Call 306-221-5908.

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

book classified ads, Response and Power Builder Ads across Manitoba. Let people know about your business, items for sale, or event by placing an ad with us. Your ad will be seen in the MCNA Member Newspapers, in over 368,000+ homes in Manitoba. Please call this newspaper 204-759-2644 to book now or call MCNA at 204-9471691 for more details or to book ads. Taking advantage of our great pricing. MCNA - Manitoba Community Newspapers Association. www.mcna.com

759-2644 Ext. 2 or email ctwprinting@mymts.net. Nesbitt Publishing, Shoal Lake.

N O T ICE S Attention to all Nesbitt Publishing customers! We have been having problems with the emails that we send out going to people’s junk or spam folders by mistake. So if you are expecting a reply from an email or an invoice please take a moment to check your junk and

spam folders just in case it’s in their. We hope to get this resolved soon. Thanks for your patience.

Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval.

403-543-0927. www.firstand secondmortgages.ca

up Facebook and asked them for a donation to your cause? Local businesses rely on local support to exist. Shop local today.

Does Facebook support local?

Has your organization ever called

Did You Know? We print Personal and Business Cheques! 100 Personal Cheques $113.99 + taxes, call for pricing on Manual Business Cheques and Laser Business Cheques. Call Connie at 204-

AR T ICL E S F O R SAL E Book your blanket classified ads to promote your business, sales, real estate, organization, on-line meetings, recruitment, etc. We

Forage Seed For Sale: Organic & Conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Birch Rose Acres Ltd., 306-921-9942.

R E CR E AT IO N AL VE H ICL E S 2017 Polaris Rzr S 1000 sideby-side, red in color, 4,732 miles, winch, half windshield and mirrors.

Regular maintenance.

Never swamped. Second owners. Extra belt and oil included, $14,000

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Dust Control

MINNEDOSA RCMP DETACHMENT WOULD LIKE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT EFFECTIVE

JUNE 1, 2026 THE FEE FOR CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS (and Vulnerable Sector Checks)

at the Minnedosa Detachment WILL INCREASE TO

$20.00 *AS PER TOWN OF MINNEDOSA BY-LAW NO. 2619*

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

Municipality of Clanwilliam-Erickson residents who wish to have dust suppression chemical applied on municipal roads adjacent to their dwelling may now request the service.

Requests are to be received by the Municipality of Clanwilliam-Erickson municipal office by June 12, 2026. The cost of application is $337.13 for a 300’ length, and $561.88 for a 500’ length. Custom lengths are also available if desired. Prepayment is required. Electronic payment options available – contact us for details. Payments will be refunded if there are not enough requests to order a full truckload.

Municipality of Clanwilliam-Erickson Box 40, 45 Main Street Erickson, MB R0J 0P0 (204) 636-2431 admin@ericksonmb.ca

204.759.3313

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

12

South Mountain Press

Friday, May 15, 2026

Taking an honest look at w here we actually are Last column, I asked you to take a little inventory – how you’re feeling, how your energy is holding up, and what you want to still be able to do down the road. Hopefully some of you actually sat with those questions. If you did, good.

That’s the work.

Because that’s exactly what we’re doing in these early columns. We’re not jumping straight into workout plans or meal programs. We’re taking an honest look at where we actually are first, so that any changes we make are realistic, manageable, and actually stick.

Think of it as laying the groundwork. The more specific stuff… the seasonal topics, the training breakdowns, the practical day-to-day tools – that’s all coming. But a solid foundation first makes everything else work better.

This column, we’re turning the inventory toward nutrition. And before anyone starts to panic, we are not talking about diets. We are not counting macros, cutting carbs, or following a points system. If that’s what you were expecting, you can relax. That’s not what we’re here for.

What I want you to think about this week is much simpler than that. What are you actually eating? Not what you think you should be eating, or

Racheal

Flintoft BUILT T O LAST what you ate on your best day last week. What does a normal day of eating actually look like for you?

I ask because food was the single biggest turning point in my own health, and I came to that realization the hard way.

For years I dealt with chronic headaches. Not occasional ones… chronic. I saw a neurologist. I was prescribed heavy medications. I went through the whole process.

And in all of that time, not once did anyone ask me what I was eating. Not once. I look back on that now and it still surprises me, because it turned out that food was at the root of almost everything I was dealing with.

After some testing, I found out I had sensitivities to gluten

and dairy. When I eliminated both, my headaches largely disappeared. The chronic digestive issues I’d lived with my whole life – gone. The constant inflammation, the general feeling of just not being right… it lifted. It was one of those moments where you think, how did I not know this sooner?

That was almost a decade ago. I haven’t had gluten or dairy since, and at this point what started as a sensitivity has become a full allergy.

There’s no going back, and honestly, I don’t want to. Because I know what my life felt like before, and I know what it feels like now.

I’m not sharing that to suggest everyone has a food allergy or needs to eliminate something. That’s not the point. The point is that what we eat is so deeply connected to how we feel, how we move, and how our bodies hold up over time, and most of us have never really stopped to make that connection.

Diet culture has done a lot of damage. It’s made nutrition feel complicated, restrictive, and frankly exhausting. So much so that a lot of people have just tuned it out completely, which is understandable. But there’s a lot of space between obsessing over every bite and not paying attention

at all. That middle ground is where we’re headed.

For now, though, we’re just taking stock. No changes yet.

Just honest awareness.

T H IS W E E K ,T R Y T H IS Before the next column, take a simple inventory of what you’re eating day to day.

Not to judge it – just to actually look at it.

Are you eating enough

throughout the day, or running on empty and catching up at night? Are there things you eat regularly that leave you feeling sluggish, bloated, or just off? Are there things you know you could add more of but haven’t?

You don’t need an app or a food journal. Just pay attention for a few days and notice what you notice.

That’s it. We’ll build from

there.

The information in this column is intended for general wellness purposes only. Always consult your doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet. Racheal Flintoft is an editor for the Minnedosa Tribune, a certified personal trainer, and the founder of Nü Strength Wellness.

Conservation Pays.

Literally.

Conservation Agreements pay landowners to permanently protect wildlife habitat, while keeping the working acres productive.

TALK TO YOUR LOC AL SPECIALIST LIST TO TODAY DA

Ian Fortune 431.235.3058 ifortune@mbhabitat.ca

26053GE0