Dawson Trail Dispatch January 2016

Local Veterans AwardedFrance’s Highest Honour

John Owczar from Sprague is one of three veterans to receive the prestigious French National Order of theLegion of Honour Medal for his service during WWII.

By Marianne Curtis

Three local veterans were recentlyawarded France’s highest militaryaward, the prestigious FrenchNational Order of the Legion ofHonour for their service duringWWII. According to Bill Richards,President of Branch 190 inSteinbach, this medal was awardedfollowing applications made by theSteinbach Branch of the RoyalCanadian Legion and familymembers of these veterans to thegovernment of France with theassistance of Veterans AffairsCanada. The three recipients areJohn Owczar, Bennie Klick andLloyd Lehman. Richards said it is a huge honourfor these veterans to be recognizedwith this award. “All three of thesedistinguished veterans aremembers of the RoyalCanadian Legion,” said Richards.“This is a proud moment for thesethree deserving veterans, theirfamilies, Royal Canadian Legionand our community.” The criteria and process to benominated for this honour wasstrict and rigorous. It requiredverification of military records byboth Canada and France. Thefundamental requirement was thateach nominee had to haveparticipated in the D-Day landingsof June 6, 1944 and involved in asignificant way, in direct combattowards the liberation of France andParis specifically. Each acceptedcandidate’s file was then sent to thedesk of the President of Francehimself for final signature. A formal medal presentation is to

Photo by Marianne Curtis

take place at the Steinbach Branch of the RoyalCanadian Legion in the early spring of

2016 where it is hoped a representativeof the government of France will attend.

By Marianne Curtis

After a six-month joint investigation, the SteinbachRCMP and Altona Police Service have arrested andcharged eleven people as part of an investigationinto the methamphetamine trade in the southeast partof the Province. In July, the Steinbach RCMP General InvestigationsSection (GIS) unit, with the assistance of the AltonaPolice Service, launched Project Doorman, aninvestigation into the methamphetamine trade goingon in the region. On December 3, 2015, Project Doorman concluded,after investigators executed the last search warrant.Project Doorman involved several different policeunits and sections and led to search warrants on threeresidences in Altona, Morris and Steinbach. Anundisclosed amount of methamphetamine was seizedfrom various individuals and locations. Eleven individuals have been arrested acrosssoutheastern Manitoba for methamphetaminetrafficking offences. Out of the eleven people arrestedand charged, five lived in Steinbach including TamiRenz (33) who was charged with traffickingmethamphetamine and possession for the purpose oftrafficking methamphetamine. Also arrested was FrankHargreaves (41) charged with traffickingmethamphetamine, and 4 counts of weapon relatedoffences. Kelly Remier (23) faces 3 counts ofpossession for the purpose of traffickingmethamphetamine. Tyler Myska (23) was charged withpossession for the purpose of traffickingmethamphetamine; and Jordan Friesen (20) wascharged with 2 counts of traffickingmethamphetamine. From Richer, Timothy Jacques (34) was charged withpossession for the purpose of traffickingmethamphetamine. Others charged were JordonDemare (28) from Morris; Rachel Jacques (32) fromEmerson, Cornelius Thiessen (50) from Winkler;Stephen Briggs (52) from Altona, and Keira Ball (42)from Altona. All the accused with the exception of Ball, Friesenand Demare, remain in custody. Police have also charged various other individualsfor drug possession and related offences during thecourse of the investigation. Drug use and trafficking have become an increasingconcern for law enforcement throughout southeasternManitoba. Both the RCMP and the Altona PoliceService are committed to combatting this issue in aneffort to increase the safety of the communities theyserve.

Steinbach FiveFace Meth

Related Charges

January 2016 Dawson Trail DispatchCelebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!2

On December 9, the RM of La Broquerie Council voted unanimously to terminate their chief administrativeofficer Rachel Fournier. Fournier, who started in the office as an office clerk back in 2009, was hired as chief administrator sixmonths earlier, in May. In a recorded vote, the RM of La Broquerie council voted unanimously in favour of terminating heremployment effective December 7. The municipality appointed Ginette Tétrault, Assistant CAO as Interim CAO, effective immediately andadvertised for the position of Chief Administrative Officer. By Marianne Curtis

The Manitoba Ombudsman has found that the RM of De Salaberrymade several mistakes while pursuing a local improvement project to installa low-pressure sewage system in St. Malo. In a recent report, the Ombudsman released their findings afterconducting an investigation initiated after eight seasonal residents raisedconcern about how the municipality handled the installation of a $1.14million low-pressure sewage system, secured funding and allocated thecosts for the project. The lengthy report reviewed the municipality’s administrative practicesregarding record keeping and meeting minutes, transparency whentendering and awarding contracts and concerns about conflict of interest. The issue first surfaced in 2004 after several lot owners who won propertyin a cottage draw expressed interest in a low-pressure system. Initialresponse by cottage owners was they did not want the project. It resurfacedin 2010, when a petition with 49 signatures was presented to council. As aresult, the RM decided to proceed with the project to service 100 lots inthe area between Lake St. Malo and Gooselin Road. To offset the cost alevy would be charged against the properties. While council later deniedthat the petition was the basis of the project, the Ombudsman report hasdetermined that council denied it only after residents questioned its validity. “Based on the information we reviewed, the petition did not meetsufficiency requirements of the Municipal Act,” the report stated. Further issues were found during the municipal board hearing stagewhere council voted on the project’s borrowing bylaw. When the borrowingbylaw went for a third reading, the result was a tie vote. According to theMunicipal Act, a tie vote defeats the bylaw or resolution. It also statesthat council cannot revisit the matter until a year has passed. Councilattempted to pass it again on June 25. “Confusion over a vote of this importance calls into question thelegitimacy of the project,” the report continued. It was also noted that firstand second readings were done without a recorded vote. Furthermore, the report found that two councillors were in direct conflictof interest. One councilor owns land in the local improvement area, whilethe other council was alleged to be in conflict because his brother ownsone of the two local businesses that were pre-qualified to undertake sewerwork for the municipality. “We believe that because the councilor owned land in the localimprovement area, he had a conflict of interest,” the report reads. “He didnot declare this or recuse himself from discussion or votes on this project.” In the second case, the Ombudsman found that when a family memberdoes business with a municipality, a municipal office holder must avoidperception of bias and preference by declaring a conflict and recusingthemselves, something that was not done in this case. At the conclusion of their investigation, the Ombudsman made ninerecommendations, including that the RM provide all taxpayers affectedby the project with an updated fact sheet on the project. The municipalityis also expected to improve accountability and transparency, by postingtheir minutes and hearings in better locations, sends out notices byregistered letter and keeps a list of whom these notices are sent to. The reporter also recommended that the RM of De Salaberry updatetendering policies, procedure policies, conflict of interest policies andundergo training to better understand legislative and policy requirements.

La Broquerie Terminates Administrator Ombudsman ReportFinds Problems in

RM of De Salaberry

Dawson Trail Dispatch January 2016Celebrating 20 Years of Service to Our Communities! 3

By Marianne Curtis

On December 3, the region lost a well known pioneer in medicine andardent supporter of Manitoba’s Francophone community, when Dr. PatrickDoyle died at the age of 93. Recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of Merit of Manitoba, Dr.Doyle practiced medicine for almost 50 years while working for theimprovement of health services and education in Manitoba. Doyle was the first doctor to settle in Ste. Anne in 1948, where he activelyparticipated in the founding of the Ste. Anne Hospital in 1954. During acareer that spanned five decades, he played an important role in creatinga full range of health care in Ste. Anne with the creation of a pharmacy andthe Villa Youville. Former colleague, Dr. Gabriel Lemoine, remembers a man who wanted tomake a difference and gave his time without counting the hours. “He had many skills and despite that he always remained very humble.When he was convinced of one thing, it worked,” praised Lemoine. “Hewas a visionary. There was nobody when he arrived here. It was he, whostarted it all. To do that, you have to be really convinced.” Born in St. Boniface to two English speaking parents, the future doctorbecame fascinated by the French language and chose to pursue post-secondary studies in medicine at Laval University in Quebec, where heperfected his French.

Ste. Anne LosesPioneer Doctor

Ste. Anne lost a very important medical pioneer when Dr. PatrickDoyle aged 93 passed away recently.

Dr. Doyle has not only worked tirelessly for theimprovement of health care in rural communities nearSte. Anne; he also contributed to the improvementof health care in Manitoba and across Canada. He was a founding member of the ManitobaHospital Commission in the mid-1960s. He was alsoan active member of the council of the College ofPhysicians and Surgeons of Manitoba. He waselected to the council four times. Doyle has also served as the president of theCatholic Health Association of Canada. He was an advocate for the language he loved. For10 years, he sat on the board of the St. BonifaceHospital, where he campaigned for French languageservices for patients and campaigned to promotethe teaching of French in southeastern Manitoba asChairman for the Seine River School Division.

If you have some free time during the day andlove, reading to young children the Ste. AnneLibrary is looking for volunteers for Story time.Please contact the Library at 204-422-9958 or emailthem at [email protected].

Volunteers Neededfor Story Time

By Marianne Curtis

Babies suffering from jaundice at the Bethesda Regional Health CareFacility will get a little extra help after a recent donation. At the beginning of December, at their annual general meeting, theBethesda Regional Health Care Auxiliary presented the facility with acheque for $17,000 towards the purchase of two Bilisoft devices. The Bilisoft is a portable phototherapy device for the treatment ofneonatal jaundice. This equipment is designed to allow positioning,swaddling, and other direct contact with the baby. Enabling thecontinuation of developmental care was an important consideration in thedesign of the Bilisoft. Bethesda Auxiliary member Verna Thiessen said the organization is proudto be able to support the regions largest hospital. “It is always gratifyingto turn over the money we’ve worked so hard to raise,” said Thiessen.“This is just one of many items we’ve been able to raise money for throughour book sale. It’s hard to imagine that what started out as something wewere told would not be successful to become our main source of funds.” Earlier this year, the Hospital Chart Project was completed. The projectallowed for the standardization of charts, easy reading and moving forwardin treatment of the patient. “Each department in the hospital had their ownchart form and these led to inefficiencies when patients are transferredfrom one ward to another,” Thiessen explained. It is a few months until their spring book sale, but the group has alreadychosen their next project. Their next goal is to raise $30,000 to replace theARJP bathtub in Bethesda Place. Over the years, the Bethesda Hospital Auxiliary has hosted severalsuccessful sales, which have raised well over $500,000 for medicalequipment deemed necessary for patient comfort or safety and not fundedthrough Manitoba Health programs. Volunteers are always welcome to join the group. Anyone wishing tojoin the Bethesda Regional Health Care Auxiliary can contact Verna at 204-326-3028.

Infants to Benefit fromNew Equipment Purchase

Rosanne Maynard accepts a cheque for $17,000 from Bethesda Health Care AuxiliaryChairperson Phyllis Toews.


The Dawson Trail Dispatch is a monthly newspaperdistributed free of charge to

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Box 308, Richer, MB R0E 1S0 Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768

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Dear Editor: On October 21, 2015, the Rural Municipality of Ste Anne passed a motion toaccept subdivision of the Richer Church land of 18.67 acres into six lots: lots 1, 2and 3 are back lots and are located behind the cemetery grounds; lot 4 is thecemetery; lot 5 is the former convent (now single dwelling) and finally, lot 6 is theformer church building and grotto. Is our ancestor’s land for sale? Does this heritage site, which includes a historic church, now a museum, historiccemetery and land, not belong to the descendants, residents of Richer and is aheritage site? After the church’s closure in 1995, the locks were changed, artifacts anddocuments removed and placed in the Ste. Anne Parish. Until 1997, a group ofdevoted ladies with the leadership of Mrs. Emily Claeys was created to maintainthe essential needs of the abandoned church. In 2007 when mention was made to subdivide the property, the Amies de Prièreand community residents visited Mgr Goulet and asked that no subdivision occur.Mgr Goulet agreed with the parishioners. In 2007 the Amies de Prière elected a new counsel (La corporation du SiteHistorique Enfant Jesus) under the leadership of Mrs. Yvonne Fontaine Godard.During eight years, the heritage site asked for the land titles of the property. Mr.Richard Frechette stated that we needed to complete more projects to show thatwe were responsible. During these eight years of volunteer work, the heritage sitewith the community worked in partnership and lived the belief of stewardship(giving their talent, time and treasures). In those eight years $500,000, donations,fund raising and grants was spent in restoration of the church building, the cemeteryand the former convent. The church roof was replaced with cedar singles, 13 posts were installed in thebasement as well as a ventilation system, new furnace, new windows, new entrydoors, and the electricity was reconnected. In the former convent, plumbing and electricity was updated, basement wasinsulated and siding was modified and repaired. In the abandoned cemetery, a proactive program of restoration, maintenance andembellishment was initiated by the volunteers of the Heritage Site. Monumentswere aligned, foundations were poured for the older monuments, threecommemorative monuments were erected and a row for our veterans wasestablished. Cemetery records were researched and digitalized. In addition, amuseum and archive centre was initiated. How many more projects could we possibly complete in order to have the landtitles?Why was the decision made to remove the heritage site as administrator of thecemetery after all the above renovations and successes had been completed? In 2013, Archbishop Le Gatt announced that the cemetery grounds would be nolonger the responsibility of the Heritage Site and that subdivision would occur inorder to give land titles to the site for the historic church. There was no discussion. In October 21, 2015 the motion for the subdivision is passed. Should not theland, accompanied with land titles be returned to the residents of Richer and theheritage site? Is our ancestor’s land for sale?Patricia GendreauSte. Anne, MB

Many people use the New Yearto make changes to their personalor professional lives. Theseresolutions usually revolve aroundmaking changes to better ourselvesor the things we care most about. And while many people will bemaking these individualresolutions, as a whole,Manitobans will have theopportunity in 2016 to bring aboutchange for the better in theprovince. April 19, this year is thedate of the next provincial election.And while a federal election hasjust recently occurred, it has nowbeen more than four years sinceManitobans were able to go to thepolls and give their opinion on theirgovernment and the province’sfuture direction. A great deal has happened sincethe last provincial election. WhenManitobans were last able to casta provincial ballot, they went to theballot box with Greg Selinger’sassurance that a vote for the NDPwas a vote for no tax increases andbalancing the budget. AsManitobans know all too well,those promises were broken inspectacular fashion. Almost

Manitoba is building like never before—including right here at home inLorette. Our NDP government understands that it is only by continuing toinvest—and not by putting forward risky cuts—that we can continue tobuild Manitoba for years to come. We have a vision for families that builds upon our previous investmentsand makes our communities’ even better places to live, work, and play.Truly, the time to build for our future is here and now. That’s why in the 2015 Speech from the Throne we committed toinvesting $325 million over the next 5 years in municipal infrastructureprojects outside of Winnipeg through the Growing Communities Fund. Under this Fund, and through our budget process, we will prioritize aninvestment of up to 50% or a maximum of $8 million for a new state-of-the-art, multiuse community complex in Lorette. The new complex will be a proud community asset and a place with somuch more than only a sheet of ice with a roof over it, but also with adaycare, library, gymnasium, and more.

Is Our Ancestors Land for Sale?Building for Dawson Trail Families:

A New Multiuse CommunityComplex for Lorette

Our ongoing commitment to thecommunity of Lorette, as well as thegreater Rural Municipality of Taché,is well established. We’re continuingdown this path and laying thefoundation for the future of ourgrowing and vibrant community. We’ve already accomplished muchtogether and can’t stop now. We’vefunded $25,000 for a feasibility studyfor a future community complex andwe’ve been a major contributor torecreation at the ComplexeCommunautaire de LoretteCommunity Complex (CCLCC). Thesplash pad, for instance, comes tomind, among many other recreationalprojects. We understand how importantrecreation and other communityfacilities are to Dawson Trail families.We’ve been listening and know thatinvesting in recreation andinfrastructure is the right thing to do. The culmination of positive andpersistent dialogue between the RuralMunicipality of Taché and theProvince of Manitoba over the yearsbrings us now to the next step—anew multiuse community complex forlocal families. This is a good day and a day tocontinue building on our successes.It’s time to work together. We’ve doneit before and I look forward to doingit again.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments and thoughts. I encourage you to contact me by e-mail,[email protected], by phone 204-878-4644, or by mail at Box 517, Lorette, MB, R0A 0Y0. Iinvite you to follow me on Facebook, facebook.com/ronlemieuxNDP and Twitter (@RonLemieux). Togetherwe can continue to move Dawson Trail and Manitoba forward.

New Year Brings New Possibilitiesimmediately after having won theelection on these promises, Mr.Selinger both increased theprovincial sales tax from 7% to 8%and applied the PST to things that ithad never been charged on before,such as home insurance. And the pledge to balance thebudget within two years of theelection? It was replaced with apromise to balance the budget twoyears later then initially committed.Both promises have been broken. Infact, the annual provincial deficit isnow routinely near half a billiondollars every year under Premier GregSelinger and the NDP and there isno indication it will ever go down aslong as the NDP remain ingovernment. So April 19 represents a resolutionof a different kind. It is theopportunity for Manitobans to bringa new direction and positive changeto the province of Manitoba. Notonly a government that will listen toManitobans, but one that will alsorespond to what it hears. 2016 willalso provide Manitobans the chanceto elect a government that it can trustand one that understands the needto protect tax dollars’ from waste and

mismanagement. So even as Manitobans are makingindividual resolutions andcommitments for the New Year, it’snot too early to begin thinking aboutthe opportunity for positive changethat Manitobans will have in the verynear future. I hope that you and your familyhave a healthy and happy 2016! I appreciate your comments andconcerns. If you have any commentson these or other issues, you cancontact me by writing, #3 – 227 MainStreet, Steinbach, MB, R5G 1Y7, byphone at 204-326-5763, by fax at204-346-9913, by e-mail [email protected] orby visiting my website atkelvingoertzen.com. I look forwardto hearing from you.


We welcome the arrival of 2016, but at the same time we look back at 2015 andall the events that took place over the last 12 months. Many of these events willhave an effect on Manitobans for generations to come. This is the time of year when people make New Year’s resolutions. Accordingto the news, one of the most common resolutions for 2016 has been to rein inpersonal spending and reduce debt. It is interesting that Manitobans understandhow important it is to keep debt under control, yet we have an NDP governmentunder Greg Selinger that cannot bringits wasteful spending under control.We have a government, which evenwith all of its extra revenue throughrecent tax increases is spending morethan it brings in. Once again, the NDP has been forcedto admit it has blown the budget. Indocuments released by theDepartment of Finance, this year’sprovincial deficit is expected to be$485 million. That’s $64 million higher than what was projected. With the election coming in April, the NDP shows no concern about the debtor deficit and is not trying to bring spending under control. They continue tomake spending announcements with no indication of how they are going to payfor these projects. Will they add hundreds of millions of dollars to our debt, orwill they once again raise taxes? Manitobans have had years of broken promises under the NDP and want achange for the better. There are countless ways in which the NDP has failed toprovide an open and transparent government. In 2016, Manitobans will havethe chance to elect a new provincial government. Manitoba is a have provincewith a have-not government. Let’s make sure our children and grandchildrenhave a future here in Manitoba. I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy new year. I look forward tohearing from you with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at myconstituency office at 204-424-5406, my legislative office at 204-945-4339 or [email protected].

2015 was certainly a very busy year. I’d like to take this opportunity tohighlight some of the events that made2015 so memorable.The year started on the right foot withthe Conservative Government deliveringa balanced budget. We kept our promiseto Canadians, delivering the firstbalanced budget since the globalrecession. We all know, in these uncertaintimes, how difficult it is to deliver abalanced a budget. We see jurisdictionseverywhere struggling with this. As such,it was quite the accomplishment and onethat I’m very proud of. Locally here in Provencher, I waspleased to announce support for manyinitiatives. Some of those include:- Funding for 19 seniors groups throughthe New Horizons for Seniors Program.- Funding for the St. Adolphe East DikeExpansion. This project will not onlyprotect the community of St. Adolphefrom flooding for many years to come,it will also allow for growth andeconomic development within thetown’s boundaries.- Funding for the Lorette Lagoonexpansion, which will increasewastewater capacity in the area.- Funding through the EnablingAccessibility Fund for five projects insoutheastern Manitoba that willimprove access for people withdisabilities.- Funding to help 43 organizations hireyoung Canadians for the summerthrough the Canada Summer Jobsprogram. In May I was very pleased to presentthe first ever Provencher VolunteerAward to 10 very deserving community

Welcoming the NewYear’s Change

The Year inReview

leaders here in SE Manitoba. Our area ofthe province is home to many volunteerswho are very generous with both theirtime and money. It was an honour torecognize these faithful volunteers fortheir hard work and dedication. Also in the spring, I was honoured tohost several events to recognize thesacrifices made by WWII Veterans fromsoutheastern Manitoba. I presented eachof them with a limited edition lapel pinand a personalized certificate ofrecognition signed by Prime MinisterStephen Harper. We owe our freedom tothe courageous men and women whoselflessly fought for the way of life thatwe all enjoy today. We must never takefor granted the sacrifices that they andtheir families made for us and theseceremonies were a small way to recognizetheir heroic efforts on our behalf. Starting on July 20, parents across thecountry had a reason to smile when theychecked their bank accounts ormailboxes. That was the day when theincreased UCCB payments startingarriving in their mailboxes and bankaccounts, representing more than $3billion being sent to about 3.8 millionfamilies. Parents started receivingpayments of $520 for each child underthe age of 6 and $420 for each child agessix through 17. This payment includedthe retroactive payments for January toJune. Later in the year, I was also pleased toannounce funding for severalinfrastructure projects across my riding.These included:

- Building Canada InfrastructureFunding for Steinbach, Landmark,Hanover and Niverville.- Funding for thirteen projects underthe Government of Canada’s Canada150 Community InfrastructureProgram. The communities includedIle des Chenes, Cooks Creek, Lac duBonnet, Steinbach, East Braintree,Kleefeld, Sprague, St. Jean Baptiste,Piney, Ste. Agathe, Niverville,Powerview-Pine Falls and Ste. Anne.- $113.65 million of funding toimprove border crossing infrastructurein the Prairie Region including theTolstoi, Piney, South Junction andSprague ports of entry in Manitoba.- Funding for Bridgepark Manor tohelp deliver affordable assisted livingin the Steinbach area.- Funding to help provide high-speedInternet services to over 4,500 homesin Provencher. This broadbandinfrastructure announcement, part ofthe Connecting Canadians program,was great news for our communitiesin Provencher. Our Governmentunderstood the importance of high-speed Internet access for communitieslike ours.- In early August, I was also verypleased to attend the announcementby MTS that they would be bringingcell service to the Piney area. Since being elected, I have workedvery hard to lobby telecommunicationcompanies to expand further into SEManitoba. This was a very good firststep and I am hopeful that moreannouncements will be made in 2016. And of course, to end off the year,who could forget the extended Federalelection campaign that culminated onElection Day, October 19. It certainlywas a grueling 11 weeks, but it affordedme the opportunity to meet withthousands of my constituents as Iwent door to door and attended

community events. This is democracy atits finest. While the results were not whatI had hoped for at the Federal level, I wascertainly very pleased with the resultslocally. I’d again like to say thank you for putting

your trust in me to be your federalrepresentative. I will continue to workhard for you both here and in Ottawa. I would like to wish everyone inProvencher a very happy and healthynew year in 2016.


What is Fascism? First, it is very nationalistic and a right wing of anextreme ideology, second, it is racist, intolerant, and third, it doesn’ttolerate opposition. It is the total opposite of what democracy aspiresor should aspire to be. By this definition, although I can’t say I am an expert, butencyclopaedias seem to concur (ok Google for those under 50). Manycountries around the world are embracing some of these undesirabletraits. In any case, if you have read about Mussolini or Hitler, as theyseem to be the prototypes of the subject, you would get the idea. Let us take an imaginary stroll around the globe and look at theirpresent day politics. France has a very strong nationalist/racist party,which finished in second place n their regional elections. Hungary,Poland Denmark, Sweden, Holland, the UK and even Germany all havestrong nationalist parties with racial politics as the largest successfulwedge issue being utilized. Many far right-wing parties run these abovementioned countries. Russia has been playing this nationalistic blame game very well andapparent just last year with the turmoil they created in Crimea and Ukraine. In the Middle East and parts ofNorth Africa while suffering the jack boot of religious fanaticism many are struggling to survive under theirvery own Islamo Fascism groups. The insult of eliminating or killing people because of race or killing and eliminating people because ofchoice of religion just gives fascism another reason to exist without changing the meaning or intention offascism in my books. In all of the above, the need to control the message is very strong; many more than 50 journalists have losttheir lives around the world this year. These brave men and women who always labour under extreme andfrightening conditions so as to shine a light on human insult after human insult perpetrated by madmenaround the globe, they, these news people deserve to be the men and women of the year, they are tops in mybooks. Closer to home the political scene has become scary; the leading Republican Candidate for president of theUSA, Mr. Donald Trump is a buffoon who gleefully insults nationalities, women and any country he can orfor that matter can’t pronounce and is leading in the Republican polls. I know that political correctness is outof fashion but his diatribes are ridiculous by any standard and make anybody wish for a wee bit of mannersand any sort of correctness. What is scary is his upwards of 40 percent of the republican supportersclamouring for him, and to think that most of his supporting entourage could be armed does give me seriouspause for concern. Win or lose, if I ever had the desire to visit America, it is gone. I suspect that politics inthe good old USA has sunk to a new low. No, I would not call Donald Trump a strutting stupid fascist but hehas the clownish and strutting part down pat and there is another 10 months of campaigning to go. I suspect the American independent voters are not amused and again I will gratefully say thanks for savingthe day in the November election. I believe unfortunately, that racism, narrow nationalism and murderous religiosity will play a large part ofour politics for 2016; nevertheless, hope has to play its part. Yes, it must. So a fervent wish of peace to all men and women of goodwill.

Dear Readers: As the new year begins, I cannot let a single issue go past withoutextending a heart felt thank you to our readers. In early December I was the victim of a slip and fall accident where Ibroke my leg and required surgery. During my hospital stay, and in theweeks following, a number of our readers, advertisers and news sourcesreached out. I am extremely grateful for the meals, Christmas treats, and endlessnotes of encouragement and support. Your kindness and support wenta long way in keeping my spirits lifted when I otherwise found myselfhousebound and unable to get out to enjoy the season to its fullest. From my house to yours, wishing you the best for 2016! Thank you.

By Marianne Curtis

A number of residents living on the south side of St. Adolphe East Dike Expansion are outraged with changesmade to the community’s ring dike expansion. Ernie Parachnowitsch, who lives just south of the town dike, said that neighbours became aware that changeswere made to the dike project after construction began in 2015. “A neighbour became aware that there was asignificant change in the southeast and southwest corners of the dike plans. I am only talking about the south-west corner,” Parachnowitsch explained. “The changes were not announced or brought to any residents’ attentionand concerns came up. We became aware that the dike would now be built right up against Brodeur Blvd and notbe on the other side of the highway as originally planned.” Parachnowitsch said the mayor called a quick meeting of concerned residents and apologized for the lack ofcommunication, but immediately blamed the residents for not being more aware and vigilant in the process. “Thetown website was updated quickly to mask the oversight and we were told at the meeting that all was fine. Studieswere completed and all the work was approved,” Parachnowitsch continued. “Well, it turned out that they had notfollowed published regulations in all regards dealing with the re-alignment.” Parachnowitsch further alleged the municipality failed to do a complete hydrological survey taking into accountflood water level, flow and velocity. “They had only covered levels. They had the engineering firm issue anopinion, but not a study result. No account had been given to other aspects required either. There was noconsultation with the people, there was no traffic analysis,” he accused. “I don’t expect anything to change, butin the event that my flood protection is harmed by any of the deficiencies in planning I needed to have it on recordthat I did not just accept the law-breaker’s actions and that liability would fall on their heads. I’m dotting the I’sand crossing the T’s.” Ritchot Mayor Jackie Hunt confirmed that some changes were made to the dike plan after the spade was in theground. “Some changes had to be made and there were issues with communication,” Hunt confirmed. “Weapologized to all the residents affected and promised to rectify the situation as best we could.” Construction of the St. Adolphe East Dike Expansion officially started in the beginning of June. The $6.9 millionproject includes the reconstruction of the existing easterly portion of the ring dike. The newly expanded dike willbe approximately four kilometres in length and built to accommodate a one-in-200 year flood protection level whilemaximizing community safety in severe flooding conditions. Not only will the community be assured of flood protection, the project opens the door to the construction of1,300 new housing units.

The Whiteshell Cottagers Associations is pleased with the province’sdecision to freeze land rents for cottages in Manitoba’s provincial parks,but will continue to phase in increases to park district service fees toensure cottage owners pay the full cost of actual services received. There are more than 6,000 cottages in the province’s provincial parksand the freeze is expected to defer increases of approximately $1 millionper year. Daniel Klass, President, Whiteshell Cottagers Association said theyhave worked hard with the province to come up with this agreement.“The Whiteshell Cottagers Association, along with our partners at otherprovincial park cottager associations, are very pleased that an agreementto freeze the land rent has been reached with the province,” saidKlass. “We look forward to constructive participation in a process thatwill ensure that Manitoba parks continue to thrive as a resource for alland that the tradition of family cottaging remains affordable.” Cottage owners in provincial parks pay two types of fees, land rentand park district service fees. Land values were updated in 2013 andland rent increases, which were to be phased in over ten years, will bepaused until a new assessment model is developed. Park district service fees are moving towards full cost recovery forthings such as water and wastewater treatment, road maintenance, andgarbage and recycling services over the next two years. In 2012, this feerecovered less than 45 per cent of service costs. This year it will recoverabout 80 per cent. Changes to the fee structure and land rents since 2012 produced $5.5million in additional revenue.

Has Fascism Madea Comeback?

Thanks!

Whiteshell CottagersPleased withRent Freeze

Ritchot Residents NotConsulted on Dike Changes


Happy New Year! Hope the year is a good one for you and your family. There were many changes announced near the end of the year by the new federalgovernment. I’ll review some changes to the personal income tax rates, the TFSAcontribution room and the new Canada Child Benefit. I’ll finish up with why you may wantto review your TD1 and I’ll explain more what that is. First, the middle tax bracket, income from $45,000 to 90,000 was reduced by 1.5%. This isa minor change for those who are in that tax bracket. Even If you earn $90,000, your taxesare reduced only by $675 for the year. Although this is considered a tax break for the middleclass, I don’t think too many of you will notice much of a change even if you are in that taxbracket. Those few taxpayers earning more than $200,000 will see the taxes on the amounts over$200,000 increased by 4%. Haven’t met too many people in that tax bracket. The Family Tax Cut will continue for 2016 only. This credit was introduced for the 2015tax year and is available to spouses with children under the age of 18. If the spouses are intwo different federal tax brackets, you will save on your federal taxes, up to $2,000. The Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) limit for 2016 is $5,500; now the total contributionamount has been increased to $46,500. If you are not sure how much you have contributed,you can check with Canada Revenue Agency, or with your authorization, I can check online for you. The new Canada Child Benefit will replace the Universal Child Care Benefit and theChild Tax Credit effective July 2016. The benefit will be completely based on family netincome. The maximum benefit is about $6,400 per year per child to be paid monthly. If yourcombined family income is under $30,000, you will be eligible for the maximum monthlybenefit, which is slightly more than what you have been receiving up to now. And theamount you receive is not taxable. Compared to the previous benefits, if your combined family income is $45,000, you willreceive about $2,000 more per child per year. If your income is $90,000, you will receiveabout $1,000 more per child per year. Families with income more than $150,000 will receiveno benefit. Personally, I’m in agreement with this change. These benefits should be incometested so those with higher incomes do indeed receive less. And those with lower incomeswill definitely see an increase in the monthly benefit. The last item I wanted to review with you is the TD1. This form is used by your employeror pension plan to determine how much tax to have deducted from your income. So whyshould you care about it? First, individuals with multiple jobs during the year should have a TD1 completed for thesecond and every additional employer and reduce the credits to zero. This will minimizeyour chances of having to pay taxes each April. (Your multiple employers will otherwise allclaim your full credits.) And those who are in retirement, keep in mind you likely have income from more than onesource (pension, retirement savings, CPP, OAS and investment income), so you likelyneed to have some extra tax deducted from at least one of them. Either get a new TD1 toyour pension payer, or contact Service Canada to have some additional tax deducted fromyour CPP or OAS. Or use the TD1 just to have more tax withheld from your pensionpayments. On the flip side, if you start claiming more credits like the Disability Tax Credit, you canuse the TD1 to reduce the amount of tax deducted to improve your monthly cash flow andnot have to wait until you file your taxes to get some of your own money back in the formof a tax refund. If you previously were claiming the spousal credit and now your spouse is working, youneed to have your TD1 updated, otherwise you may end up owing quite a bit in taxes whenyou file your annual tax return. Or if you are separated and claiming the eligible dependantfor one of your children, ensure the TD1 with your employer reflects this so you have lesstax deducted and more cash flow each pay cheque. As always, if you have any questions about the above or any other tax questions, pleasecontact our office. We will start filing 2015 taxes when CRA opens February 15, 2016. Anni Markmann is a Tax Professional, a Certified Financial Planner, and a CertifiedProfessional Consultant on Aging living, working, and volunteering in our community.Contact the Ste. Anne Tax Service office at 204.422.6631, [email protected] 36 Dawson Road in Ste. Anne.

The Steinbach Arts Centre is partnering with XCOMPANY Steinbach to offer theXCOMPANY Satellite Program - 12 Week Dance Classes. Dance4Tots (Ages 3-5) - Each student will be encouraged to freely explore music &movement with a balance of personal creativity and class structure. Introductorydance concepts from Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet and Musical Theatre will be incorporatedinto this class. If your child is upbeat and energetic, this is the class for them! Intro to Hip Hop (Ages 6+) and Hip Hop (Ages 10+) - XCOMPANY understandsthat hip-hop is a CULTURE, and it’s dance form features fast-paced fluid dancemoves that explore rhythm through movement. Learn hip hop styles like breakdance,popping, locking, house, waacking, party dance, krump… and more. This is a highenergy class will have you grooving to its upbeat music and “siick” dance moves! Intro to Jazz (Ages 6+) and Hip Hop (Ages 10+) - Jazz is an energetic style of dancethat is set to current and up-beat pop music. This class is a great way to improvecoordination, rhythm, flexibility, muscle control, and overall fitness. Focusing moreon flexibility and dance technique this class is a must for anyone that can’t stopmoving when music is on! For full list of class descriptions, go to xcompany.net.

2016 TaxChanges

Just Gotta Dance…


EMAIL YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT TO [email protected] OR FAX 204-422-8548COMMUNITY EVENTS

FriedensfeldWhist drives - On Friday, January 8 at 7:30 pm, Sunday, January17 at 2 pm, Friday, February 5 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, February21 at 2 pm at the Community Centre. Admission $5, lunch isincluded.

GirouxBingo - Every Thursday at Giroux Hall. Doors open at 5 pm,Bingo starts at 7 pm. Hall rental information for Socials,weddings, family functions, Meetings and more please callDebbie 204-424-5506 or Mike 204-326-6260.

HadashvilleTae Kwon Do - Every Wednesday at 6 pm at the HadashvilleCommunity Club (Reynolds Recreational Centre) from 6 yearsold to adults. Pursue a black belt or learn new skills, greatstress release and have an excellent workout at the sametime. Cost after registration fee is $40/month per person. Askabout 2 week free trial. Contact Shelly at 204-426-5266 [email protected].

Ile-des-ChênesSpirals Rhythmic Gymnastic Club – 10-week session startingon Monday, January 4 at Ecole Ile-des-Chenes School. A fewspots available for the 7 pm class. For ages 4 - 10 years. Cost$92/10 weeks. Contact Huguette at 204-878-3868 or 204-797-2044.

Refresh & Rejuvenate Expo - On Saturday, January 30, 10 am– 4 pm at the TransCanada Centre, 1 Rivard Street. FreeAdmission. Presentations all day include 55+ Games,Keeping your brain active, Cardio fit – Muscle fit, Dare toDream, Line dance demo, Yoga demo, Pickle ball demo, Moveit or Lose it and many more. Presentations start at 10:15 am.Over 20 booths including Ritchot Senior Services, BlockTherapy, Creative Workshops, Watercolour Painting, VictoriaLifeline, Diabetes Canada, St. Adolphe Pharmacy, OsteoporosisCanada, Mood Disorders of Manitoba, Alzheimer/Dementia,Southeastern Foot Health and so much more. Booths open at10 am.

Our Lady of the Roses Prayer Group – Meets on the first Saturdayof every month, at 6:30 pm to recite the Rosary and learn aboutOur Lady of the Roses, Mary Help of Mothers and receive BlessedRose Petals and other Sacramentals from Blessed Mother’splace of miracles. Contact Corinna 204-878-4908 or email herat [email protected] for more info and register.

KleefeldCommunity Playgroup - For parents, caregivers and childrenup to age 5. Activities include time for playing, stories, songsand snacks. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at theKleefeld Rec Centre. Contact Irene Ascough 204-377-5013.

La BroquerieSeine River Services for Seniors- Health Centre/Centre de Santéfrom Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4 pm. Services and programsfor seniors. Income Tax help, Lifeline, mobility equipment,foot care, hair care, transportation, home maintenance, yardmaintenance, Telecheck, E.R.I.K. program, puzzles and games.Contact Community Resource Coordinator Juliette Rowan, 204-424-5285 or [email protected]. Shopping Trips toWinnipeg’s St.Vital Mall every first Thursday of the month,leaving at 10 am - 3 pm. Cost $15. Steinbach’s ClearspringCentre every last Thursday of the month, from 10 am - 1 pm.Cost $10.

LoretteOpen Curling Bonspiel – From Thursday, January 28 – Sunday,January 31, mixed, women, men’s, and any combination. Cost$160 per team, includes dinner on Saturday evening and cashprizes. Contact Betty Ann Orr 204-878-2518,[email protected].

Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) – Volunteer opportunities.If you go for walks, bike rides, jogs or even just drive aroundthe community, please put on a COPP vest and show yoursupport or help with administrative duties. Can you donate anhour per month? Contact Trevor, [email protected].

New Horizons Seniors - Play cards, Scrabble, Wii and more.Drop in Tuesdays 1-5 pm at Foyer Notre Dame Lorette 12St.Amant Ave. Contact Iris 204-878-3552.

NivervilleThe Crow Wing Toastmasters Club – Meets every Monday at7:30 pm at the Niverville Heritage Centre. If you want to becomea better speaker, run meetings that are more effective ordevelop leadership skills, a Toastmasters Club is the place tostart. Contact Sheryl Berglund, [email protected].

GriefShare - If you or someone you know has experienced theloss of a loved one we wish to help, you get support and learnabout the grieving process. Contact 204-381-1155 to registeror go to Nivervillegriefshare.com.

Moms N’ Tots Playgroup - Moms with children up to age six.

Wednesday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am located in thelower level of Fourth Avenue Bible Church (62-4th Avenue S.)Free drop-in program with coffee and snacks provided, alongwith a large open space for the kids to play while the momsvisit. Contact Karen at [email protected].

PrawdaCircuit 30 - Alternate aerobic and weight exercises, with cooldown and stretch exercises. Wear comfortable clothing, cleanrunners, and bring a bottle of water. Cost $2/class, Mondaysand Thursdays at 7 pm, in the Reynolds School Gym. ContactWendy 204-348-2433.

Busy Bodies Playgroup – Every Wednesday from 9 - 11 am atthe Reynolds School Gym. Free to parents and children. Snacksprovided. Contact Cassie 204-793-8290.

RicherRicher Recovery AA - Group meets Monday from 7:30 - 8:30 pmat LUD Hall in Richer. Contact Paul at 204-422-7673.

Monday Night Bingos - To raise funds for Stacey PchajekMemorial Foundation Inc. The foundation providesscholarships, bursaries and prizes to students graduatinggrades 8 and 12. Children under 14 must be accompanied byan adult to be on premises and must play bingo. Doors Openat 5:30 pm at the Young at Heart Club, 22 Dawson Rd. MGCCLicense # BI/BO4164. Contact Doreen Pchajek at 422-5243or [email protected].

SpragueSprague & District Historical Museum - Open by appointmentfrom June – September 30. Explore life as it was in the earlydays. Free Admission Donations Accepted. Contact 204-437-2210, 204-437-2209 or 204-437-4686.

St. AdolpheWinter Carnival – From Friday, January 29 – Sunday, January31 at the Arena/Pioneer Hall/Curling Club, 345 St Adolphe Rd.On Friday from 6:30 – 8 pm Pre-teen dance (up to Grade 4)Western theme and from 8:30 -10:30 pm Youth dance (grades5-9) Western Theme. On Saturday at 9 am Hawks Hockey Day,at 10 am Kiddie Carnival (grades 4 and under), 2:30 pm aCarnival Riot (grades 4-8), 1:30 pm Cribbage Tournament atCurling Club, 4:30 pm Taylor Christensen Memorial Game andat 9 pm -1:30 am Winter Carnival Adult Social (Country Theme).Then on Sunday at 10 am a Fun Spiel at Curling Club, 5:30 pmFamily Bingo, doors open at 4:30 pm; Early Bird draw at 5 pm.All 50/50 Draws during Hawks Hockey Day will be going towardsthe Taylor Christensen Memorial Fund.

Ritchot Seniors Services Active Living Centre - A variety of fitnessclasses and programs from September 2015 – June 2016starts Monday, September 14 at the Ritchot Senior ServicesActive Living Center, 457 Main Street. Mondays and Fridays at9 am and 10:15 am classes to improve heart health, musclestrength and endurance, balance and body awareness. OnWednesdays at 1 pm a fusion of yoga, Pilates and strength toincrease muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, bodyawareness & relaxation techniques. All classes for ages 50+and taught by certified fitness leader, Janice Burnett, MFCcertified since 1991. Class packages may be pre purchasedand used anytime during the session. 10-class pack for $40 ora drop in fee of $5 per class. Contact 204-883-2820.

Weekly Bingo – On Tuesday nights at the St. AdolpheCommunity Club. Doors open at 6 pm, 6:55 pm - SpeedoGame, 7 pm - Early Bird Games, 7:30 pm - Regular Games. Wehope to see you there! Proceeds will support the CommunityClub.

St. MaloActif Epica – On Saturday, February 13 beginning at 8 am fromSt. Malo to Winnipeg. Year 5 brings a new challenge! Racersfrom around the world will gather in the frozen winter landscapeof North America’s geographic centre and cyclists will have theoption to tackle a longer 160 km course (as well as a revised125 km option). Contact 204-960-6743, actifepi.ca, Box 248,St. Malo, MB. R0E 2G0.

Sponge Puck Hockey – On Wednesdays at 8 pm at the arena.Come out and play for fun. Contact Gilles 204-347-5079.

St. Pierre-JolysStep Aerobics with Weights - On Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm, at the ICSP School Gym. Contact Stephanie 204-320-2667, Louise 204-433-3839 or The Health Corner 204-433-3891.

Diabetes Educational Resource Centre – On 2nd Thursday ofthe month from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at the DeSalaberry DistrictHealth Centre. Contact 204-346-6254.

Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba – Depression, bipolar,post partum mood disorders support group meetings held onthe last Monday of each month at 7 pm at the Chalet Malouinboardroom. Located at the Health Corner DeSalaberry Hospital.Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228.

Ste. AgatheTaekwondo - Begins Tuesday, January 5 and every Tuesdaysand Thursdays from 6:15 - 7:30 pm at Ecole Sainte Agathehosted by Kang’s Taekwondo Academy. Cost $40/month. Familyrates available. Contact Jason Barnabe,[email protected] or 204-802-3458.

Bingo - Every Tuesday at the St. Adolphe Community Centre-Pioneer Hall. Doors open 6 pm, Early Bird at 7 pm, RegularBingo at 7:30 pm. All proceeds support the St. AdolpheCommunity Centre.

Ste. AnneWii Bowling Games – Every Monday afternoon at 1:30 pm atthe Club Jovial. Great time to join even if you have neverplayed. Contact Juliette Rowan at 204-424-5285.

Computer Courses - Free at the bibliothèque Ste. Anne Library.For appointment, contact Harlee at 204-392-0568.

Ste. Anne Cultural Committee - Invites artists of all kinds totheir weekly open houses at 112 Centrale Ave. on Tuesdaysfrom 9 - 11:30 am and Wednesdays from 7 - 8:30 pm. Thesegatherings are to bring artists together to work on and discusstheir craft and there is no cost to attend. Contact Diane at 204-422-9599 or email [email protected].

Seine River Services for Seniors – Invite to all seniors interestedin the Wii Bowling game to come, try it out and have fun. OnMonday at 1 pm, at Le Club Jovial. Contact Juliette Rowan at204-424-5285 Community Resource Coordinator for localservices or e-mail [email protected].

Ste. GenevièveLibrary Night - Bibliothèque Taché Library at the CommunityCentre on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 - 8 pm,bringing a large selection of books in both French and English,for children and adults. The next ‘Library Night’ is on Tuesday,January 12. Special requests can be made to the librarian,bibliotachelibrary.com or in person. Come for a visit and seewhat we are all about.

SteinbachMommies Group at Kidzone - On Wednesdays, beginningJanuary 6 from 9 am - 1 pm. Come by to meet other moms tochat with and get your kids to make some new friends. Cost $7,free coffee.

Steinbach & Area Garden Club - On Monday, January 11 at 7pm at Mennonite Heritage Village. “New Plants, Trends fromBall Seed Company & Answers to Your Gardening Questions”with Duayne Friesen, host of The Lawn & Garden JournalAM1250. Refreshments, door prizes; everyone welcome.Contact sagardenclub.com.

Hunter Education Course – On Wednesday, January 13 andThursday, January 14. Two evenings from 5 – 9 pm at theEastman Safety Training Centre. Provided by the ManitobaWildlife Federation for ages 12+. Cost $60+GST ($50 course,$10 admin). Contact to register at eastmansafety.ca. EastmanSafety Upcoming Programs: Located at 385 Loewen Blvd.Register online at eastmansafety.ca or contact 1-204-371-1595.

Author Reading – With Laura Reeves and Miranda Ward – OnMonday, January 18 from 7 - 8:30 pm at the Jake Epp Library.We host 2 local authors for an evening of reading and discussion.Laura Reeves the owner of Prairie Shore Botanicals will bediscussing her experiences with plants and their many uses.Miranda Ward shares the story of her late husband’s journeythrough undiagnosed disabilities and recurrent illness in thelight of his indomitable spirit and faith. Join us for refreshmentswith both authors. Both books will be available for sale aswell. Cost is free.

Eastman Immigrant Services - Many events and activities tosupport and help you make new friends. Start to make thiscommunity feel like your home. Volunteer to help at ourcommunity events. To register contact 204-346-6609,[email protected] Events: Refugee Supports – On Thursday, January21. Space is limited.Cultures in the Kitchen -Submit your recipe. Help us create anamazing ethnic cookbook.Let’s Chat – Informal conversation group that meets everyWednesday 1:30 – 2:30 pm.Pronunciation Skills – Starts Monday, January 11. IntermediatePronunciation on Monday and Wednesday from 5 – 7 pm.Advanced Pronunciation on Monday and Wednesday from 7 –9 pm at D4-284 Reimer Ave. Classes are free.International English Language Workshop – On Monday,January 18 from 9 am – 4 pm at Eastman Immigrant Services.IELTS (International English Language Testing Services) - OnThursday, February 18. Contact 204 346 6609.Zumba – January 2016, TBA.Hip Hop – Every Tuesday for youth ages 8-15.Soccer Flyer - (indoor soccer for adults) – Starts Monday, 8 pmat Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church (SEMC,) 422 MainStreet.International Cooking Classes – TBA.

Games Night – On the 1st Saturday from 12 – 5 pm and 3rdWednesday of the month from 6 – 8:30 pm, every month at theJake Epp Library. Come down to play strategy games. Bring afriend, your strategies and games. Test your skills and havefun. Ages 14 and up. Contact 204-326-6841,

p r o g r a m s @ j a k e e p p l i b r a r y . c o m ,[email protected].

Royal Canadian Legion - On 1st Tuesday every month at 8 pmand Ladies Auxiliary meets 1st Monday of each month at 7:30pm at the Steinbach Legion Community Hall, 294 Lumber Ave.

Adult Book Club - Tuesdays from 7 – 9 pm. Bring booksuggestions or peruse our book lists. Meet some other booklovers too and bring a friend. At the Jake Epp Library 255Elmdale St. Contact Tracey Pankratz [email protected].

Steinbach Girl Guides - Every Tuesday at the United Church ofSteinbach, 541 Main St. Registration for girls 5-17. Developpersonal values and well-being, self-respect and respect forothers; promote fun, friendship, adventure and challengesthrough new experiences; develop leadership and decision-making skills; give service to the community; value the naturalenvironment.

Green Drinks South Eastman - South Eastman TransitionInitiative presents Green Drinks South Eastman. On the 3rdTuesday of every month at 7 pm at Lecoka, 8B - Brandt Street.Drop in and discuss sustainable living. [email protected].

The Steinbach Rotary Club - meets every Monday at noonexcept when Monday falls on a long weekend at the ChickenChef, 365 Main Street, visitors are welcome. Contact Cornie at326-3155.

Mental Health Information and Support sessions - for familyand friends of people with mental health issues are held the2nd Tuesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Eden Eastbuilding, 21 Loewen Blvd. Contact Kim at 371-0824 or [email protected]

MS Monthly Self-Help group meeting - for people living withmultiple sclerosis. The group meets on the second Thursdayevening of each month from 6 - 7 pm at Fernwood Placeapartments. Contact Nadine Konyk, Rural Client ServicesCoordinator at 1-800-268-7582 or [email protected].

MS Lunch Group- On 4th Thursday of every month, from 12 –1 pm at All D’s Restaurant 320 Main Street. Contact StephanieBevacqua 204-988-0904,[email protected].

Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba individual and supportgroups - for persons experiencing depression, anxiety, stress,bi-polar disorder and other mental health/emotional concerns.Meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Jake EppLibrary from 7 – 9 pm. Contact Judy Dunn 204-444-5228.

The Bethesda Regional Healthcare Auxiliary - meets on thefirst Tuesday of every month except for the months of July andAugust at the Bethesda Hospital. We welcome anyoneinterested in auxiliary work. Contact Verna Thiessen at 326-3028.

Steinbach and Area Lions Club - Meets on the second andfourth Wednesdays of every month at the Magnolia Restaurant.Contact 204-326-2313.

Carillon Toastmasters - meetings are open to adults who wantto improve their leadership and communication skills. Thursdaysat 7 pm at the Jake Epp Public Library 255 Elmdale Street,Contact Sheryl at 204-326-7628 or Irene at 204-424-5737.

Al-Anon Program – Meets on Mondays at 7:30 pm at theCultural Arts Centre back door, downstairs. Contact Lloyd 204-326-4365.

Al-Anon 12 Step Recovery Group - Meets on Wednesdays at7:30 pm at United Church, 541 Main St, front door, ring doorbell.All are welcome.

Young moms to be - Bi-weekly support group starts at 4:30 pmat Steinbach Family Resource Centre B-11, Hwy 12N. Contact204-346-0413.

Vita2016 Beef & Forage Day – On Monday, January 11 from 8 am- 4 pm at the Ukrainian Home of Vita (Vita Hall). A full day ofspeakers & Agri-business displays. Contact MAFRD Vita GOOffice 204-425-5050. Cost $15.

Picklyk Hockey Tournament - From Friday, February 5 - Sunday,February 7. Contact Derek Rettaler at 204-392-3165 or CandiceNarth 204-425-3106 for more details.

WoodridgeT.O.P.S -Taking Off Pounds Sensibly - On the second Wednesdayof every month at the Community Club. For club hours ofoperation, contact Stan 204-429-2253.

The Mobile Clinic – Is onsite on the third Thursday of everymonth from 9 am – 4 pm at the Community Club. Contact forappointments 1-855-644-3515 or southernhealth.ca.

GeneralFree Monthly Bus Trips to the Casinos of Winnipeg- On Tuesdays,January 12, February 9 and March 8 from 8:30 am - 7:15 pm.Join us for a great day of fun and friendship. Visit McPhillips

Street Station in the morning and Club Regent in the afternoon.Starting at 8:30 am, pick-ups in Steinbach, Ste. Anne andParadise Village. Must be 18 years of age or older. Prizes andcash giveaways every trip. Bingo played on the bus to and fromthe casinos for those wishing to play. Overnight trips to SouthBeach Casino are also available. Contact Marilyn at 204-326-4939 for information and to reserve your seat.

Long-time snowmobiler JoeThievin knows that even ifyou’re riding with care, theunexpected can happen. “I was enjoying a beautiful trailin the middle of nowhere when apart in my suspension failed. Itsent me crashing into the treesand pinned me under my sled,”said Thievin who works as aproject coordinator at ManitobaHydro. “I broke my arm, six ribs,my thumb and had a collapsedlung.” Joe explains that any number ofunexpected things can happenout on the trails, including run-ins with wildlife. “I hit a deeronce,” said Thievin, adding thathe was glad it wasn’t a moose.“Wildlife hits are more commonthan you’d think, especially inlow-visibility conditions sincethe animals tend to hang out onthe trail.” Joe credits safety guidelineswith keeping himself and manyriders alive and healthy. “I have aGPS, a spot tracker and a cellphone with enough batteries onme when I head out,” he saidJoe. “I also tell someone whereI’m going, when I’m going to beback and as a rule, don’t ride atnight.” As a Manitoba Hydroemployee, Thievin is very awareof some other hazards tosnowmobilers. Keep these ground rules inmind when you’re hitting thetrails this winter:- Reduce your speed aroundutility poles. Guy wires attachedto the poles normally haveyellow covers to make them morevisible, but sometimes the covershave been damaged or removed,or they are difficult to seebecause they are covered bydrifting snow. Darkness, fog, andblowing snow can make themdifficult to spot and avoid.- Stay off waterways nearhydroelectric dams andgenerating stations wherefluctuating water levels andcurrents may result in thin andunstable ice conditions.- Steer clear of downed poles andpower lines. Nearby objects canbe energized by a live power line,so avoid the entire area. Reportthe danger by calling ManitobaHydro as soon as possible.- If someone does make contactwith a downed power line, eitherdirectly or through their machine,do not touch them or any objectsaround them. Call 911.- Avoid the areas around hydrosubstations and any otherhydroelectric facilities. Privateproperty and unmarked terraincan contain unexpected anddeadly hazards.

SnowmobilersShould

Expect theUnexpected


Recently, while snow blowing my driveway I was reminded of howgreat it is to have a child around. There is a country song that says to “put a girl in it” and while it istrue that no matter what you’re doing it is often made better by havinga woman with you (or a man if you’d be a female), I’d like to say that alot of things can and are made better by including a child in it. Like I was saying about being reminded of this while snow blowing,my daughter, dressed in her rainbow-coloured parka, wanted to walkwith me while I cleared the driveway. Always happy to have my childrenwant to spend time with me, especially when it’s winter and they’d

much rather be inside in the warmth, I brought my daughter in close and had her grip the handlebars with me.Together, we slowly made our way down the driveway and cheered as the snow went flying through the air.Her walking normally and me doing a bit of a wide-stepping penguin walk so that I wouldn’t step on herheels. While I could’ve cleared the driveway faster and with a cleaner sharper edge to it, I much sooner havespent this wonderful time with her and make a memory. She even pointed out that the tracks the tires leftbehind were like smiley faces, something that I would never had noticed on my own. Another time that comes to my mind was when my oldest son was just a little toddler and as all little onesdo at some point in their lives, he was getting into the habit of opening the lower cupboards and pulling outthe pots and drumming on them. Very cute the first few times but when my wife had to keep rewashing thepots, something had to change. Being Daddy’s “big helper” my son was more than happy to spend timewith his Daddy as we installed child safety locks on all the doors that he liked to open. He had quite the lookof surprise on his face the next time he went to work on his “drumming” and the cupboard door wouldn’topen. Now my youngest son is in the stage where he too is being a “big helper.” He seems to really enjoy goingand getting something for my wife and me. I remember the first time he went downstairs all by himself to getsomething for my wife. That was one really excited boy! There are lots of areas and times in our lives when we have the opportunity to share a moment with a childand to pass on some of our knowledge to them. All we need to do is look for these moments and to takeadvantage of them because they are fast and fleeting. If we, as parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents andfriends don’t use these teachable moments to teach our precious children what is right and wrong, what issafe and what is dangerous, then who will? Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.

Put a Child in It

The Hanover School Division Education Assistant successfully ratifieda new five-year collective agreement last month with the Christian LabourAssociation of Canada (CLAC). According to Hanover School Division, highlights of the agreementinclude annual wage increases, enhancements to education wagepremiums, and a provision for additional paid sick-leave days. Theagreement also includes improvements to the vacation pay formula,eligibility criteria for bereavement, medical, and personal leaves. The five-year agreement is retroactive to September 1, 2014 and expiresAugust 31, 2019. Representing 18 schools in nine communities, Hanover School Divisionconsists of approximately 7,800 students and 1,000 staff includingeducation assistants.

Hanover RatifiesEA Agreement


Pat Porter Active Living Centre offers programs, activities, services andvolunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living forolder adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us avisit and consider participating in some of our programs. For moreinformation drop by the Centre, Monday to Friday 9 am - 4 pm, call 204-320-4600 or online patporteralc.com. Membership is $25 per year due by January 15 of each year for those 55years of age and older. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice inbusiness meetings, voting rights and eligibility to serve on the board orcommittees.

Up and Coming Events and Monthly Programs: January Potluck: On Thursday, January 14. If you know that, you wouldlike to attend please call ahead and let us know what you would like tobring. Call 204-320-4600. As always needed are salads, casseroles, dessertsand buns. Cost is $6. We will be ordering from Chicken Chef for our Potluck. Annual Fundraising Banquet - Do You Remember: On Monday, January25 come, reminisce and be entertained by Corny Rempel. Punch is at 6 pmand dinner to be served at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $50 per person and you willreceive a $35 tax receipt. Get your tickets for this January 25 event bycalling 204-320-4600 or dropping by the Centre, Visa and M/C accepted. Old Time Country Dance: With live Band - Mark Morisseau on FridayJanuary 29, at a special time from 7 - 11 pm. Tickets available at the centre.Advanced tickets are $11 for members, $13 for non-members and $16 atthe door. Lunch is served at 9 pm. Save yourself a few dollars and purchaseyour tickets in advance. If you can’t make it into the Centre, we acceptVisa and MasterCard over the phone and will have your tickets for you atthe door. Computer Lab: Need help with your computer skills? Call the centre andmake an appointment. Labs are 1 hour long and available every Wednesdaymorning from 9 am – Noon. Please call the centre at 204-320-4600. Birthday Celebrations: First Wednesdays of the month, celebrate withus! Bring your friends! Guests pay $2 for coffee and cake. Foot Care: On the first Tuesday, first Wednesday and third Tuesday ofthe month from 9 am - 2 pm. Run by a professional foot care nurse. Cost$30. Bring your own towel. Contact the centre to book an appointment. Beltone Hearing: On the third Friday of the month. Contact 1-800-661-2653 for appointment.Monday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball

12 – 4:30 pm Drop in Pool1 - 4 pm Pickleball1 - 4:30 pm Model Trains1 pm Canasta7 pm Tai Chi7 - 9 pm Drop in Pool

Tuesday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball9:30 am – 3 pm Circle of Friends12 – 4:30 pm Drop in Pool1:30 - 4 pm Floor Shuffle7 - 9 pm Pickleball

Wednesday 10 - 11:30 am Tai Chi12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool1 - 4 pm Cribbage7 - 10 pm Old Time Band Practice7 - 10 pm Drop in Pool

Thursday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool1 - 4 pm Whist6 - 9 pm Pickleball6 - 9 pm Drop in Pool

Friday 9 am - 12 pm Pickleball9:30 am - 3 pm Circle of Friends12 - 4:30 pm Drop in Pool1 - 4 pm Pickleball

Noon meals are available Monday through Friday. Cost $6. Contact 204-320-4605 by 9 am to reserve your meal for that day. Purchase your mealticket at the receptionist desk before noon. Monthly menus available atthe office or in the newsletter. Bring a friend. Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and settingtables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up,greeters and receptionists.

At the beginning of December, Provencher MP Ted Falk was named asManitoba’s Conservative Caucus Regional Chair. “I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to ensure thatManitoba is well represented in the House of Commons,” stated Falk.“One of the things we will be focusing on is a higher profile in Winnipegand hopefully regaining some of the seats lost in the last election.” The Conservative Party Manitoba Caucus meets weekly when the Houseis in session.

By Marianne Curtis

Students pursuing full-timestudies at both ProvidenceUniversity College andProvidence TheologicalSeminary will have a chance tobenefit from a new, annualscholarship during the 2016-17school year. The newly announced Rossand Dorothy Smith MemorialScholarship will provide $10,000annually to two students, one inthe University College and onein the Seminary. During theirlives, the Smiths supportednumerous Christian charities andinitiatives, and now, ahead of the2016-17 school year, bequeaththe biggest scholarship inProvidence history through theirestate. “This generous contributionwill help enable Providence tocontinue training difference-makers for service in workplaces,communities, and churches,”stated David Johnson,Providence College President. Ross and Dorothy Smith metin Calgary, where both workedfor Shell Oil, and were married in1956. Ross earned a degree inCivil Engineering from McGillUniversity and a Master ofBusiness Administration fromStanford. Dorothy was one ofthe first women to graduate as adrafter from the SouthernAlberta Institute of Technology. Upon relocation to Winnipeg,Ross was appointed VicePresident at James Richardsonand Sons and was a member ofthe Providence Board of

Falk Named CaucusRegional Chair

New Annual ScholarshipAnnounced at

Providence College

Governors between 1988 and 2000. To be considered for theUniversity College Award,applicants must be Canadiancitizens, live in residence atProvidence, and enrolled in a degreeprogram comprising at least 30 credithours over the fall and wintersemesters. To qualify, applicantsmust submit a 600-word essaydescribing past and present churchand volunteer involvement, andexpound on how Providence willprepare the applicant to follow Christ

and grow in knowledge andcharacter for leadership andservice. The Seminary recipientwill meet similar criteria, althoughthe credit hour threshold will be24 and a 1,000-word essay will berequired. Additional information isavailable on Providence College’swebsite. All applications must be receivedby April 1 and successfulapplications will be announced byJuly 1, 2016.

The estate of Ross and Dorothy Smith has bequeathed the largest scholarship inProvidence College history to benefit incoming students annually starting 2016-2017.

“This generous contribution will help enableProvidence to continue training difference-makers forservice in workplaces, communities, and churches.”


In a recent announcement the Manitobagovernment is expanding the Trees forTomorrow initiative to help reduce the effectsof climate change by extending the programfor another five years with a target to plantmore than two million trees by 2020. “A key part of our strategy to mitigateclimate change is focusing on youthengagement and community involvement,”said Premier Greg Selinger. “At the heart ofthe expanded Trees for Tomorrow initiativewe will concentrate on engagingmunicipalities, Indigenous communities andschools to help us build and support urbanforests throughout the province.” The program will include distributingseedlings to the public at no charge forprivate planting, planting seedlings onpublic land to establish community forests,and providing to schools trees andeducation programs. Tree seedlings planted through theprogram will be grown at the provincialPineland Forest Nursery. Since 2008, more than six million new treeshave been planted under Trees forTomorrow. Together with the new target oftwo million more trees, the premier noted itshould result in about a one-million-tonnereduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by2050, or the equivalent of taking almost219,000 cars off the road for one year.

La Verendrye MLA Dennis Smook is upsetthat the provincial government continuesto refuse to release any rationale behind thelocation of a hydro line proposed in thesoutheast. According to Smook, the governmentrefuses to release any analysis guiding thedecisions around the routing of the hydroline set to run from northwest Winnipeg tothe border with Minnesota. Smook said official Opposition MLAs haverepeatedly asked Manitoba Hydro for theanalysis affecting towns, villages andlandowners. “This government has a historyof refusing to reveal how and why itinterferes in Hydro decisions affectingpeople’s land and livelihood,” said Smook.“This is BiPole III all over again.” Smook moved a resolution in the legislatureasking the Minister responsible for Hydro,Eric Robinson, to immediately release thereasons for the selection of the preferredroute of the Manitoba-Minnesotatransmission line. However, the NDP majorityensured it would not come to a vote. “Insteadof the open and transparent governmentManitobans deserve, they’re just gettingmore secrecy and more broken promises froma broken government,” said Ralph Eichler,Opposition Critic for Manitoba Hydro. According to what the NDP is calling thepreferred route, the Manitoba-Minnesotapower line will run directly through manydensely populated communities insoutheastern Manitoba. Last week in the legislature, Robinson saidthe routing for the line was decided a longtime ago, yet according to a Hydro newsrelease, the final route was not selected untilSeptember 2015.

Millions of Treesfor Tomorrow to

be Planted

Smook Upset NDPWon’t JustifyTransmission

Route


A Christmas Day snowmobileaccident near Blumenort has claimedthe life of a 61-year-old man. STARS Air Ambulance was called toa snowmobile collision just west ofBlumenort on Christmas day at 5pm. Assistant Deputy Fire Chief MikePenner said the collision happened nearhighway 311 and one male wasinvolved. “There was a snowmobile accident a

The RM of Stuartburn haspartnered up with the RM of Pineyto develop and implement a tourismstrategy for both municipalities. According to the RM ofStuartburn, the purpose of thestrategy is to identify ways toincrease and enhance tourism in theregion. In addition, the municipalitieswill determine what currently drawstourists into the area and whatresources are most used and neededby people visiting. The RM of Stuartburn is seekinginput from local residents in regard

A seven-month-old girl from FalconLake has died because of injuries thatshe sustained in a collision along theTrans-Canada Highway that tookplace December 17 near Richer. Steinbach RCMP received a reportshortly after 6 pm on Tuesdayevening that an eastbound vehiclehad collided with the rear end of apulp truck near the highway’sintersection with Provincial Road302. Initially, it was believed injuries tothe vehicle’s 30-year-old femaledriver and her child was minor. Bothwere transported to Ste. AnneHospital but the girl was latertransported to Winnipeg hospitalwhere her condition deteriorated. Shortly before noon onWednesday, police said they weretold the child had died from injuriessustained in the crash. The driver of the truck was notinjured in the incident. Police said alcohol and weatherconditions are not believed to be afactor in the accident. A trafficanalyst continues to investigate.

At the end of the month, there willbe a change of guard in the St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP Detachment as StaffSergeant Ron Poirier leaves thiscommand. Sergeant Rheal Gravel wasnamed to fill the vacancy takes onthe job. Poirier has been at the helm of theSt. Pierre-Jolys Detachment for thepast eight years. At the end of themonth, he will be returning toHeadquarters working as the SeniorPlanning Analyst in the OperationalStrategy Branch. “This unit is responsible fordeveloping strategies for deliveringpolicing services across Manitoba,and develop new ways to try andbetter those services,” Poirierexplained. “I’ve loved being in St.Pierre-Jolys. I was born and raisedhere; I was fortunate to be able tocome home, and fit right in with thecommunity.” Recently promoted, Sergeant RhealGravel worked as a Corporal underPoirier’s leadership. “Gravel brings familiarity to thearea and he will do well in thisposition,” Poirier concluded. Gravel officially takes over onFebruary 1.

St. Pierre-JolysRCMP SeesLeadership

Change

Richer AccidentClaims 7 Month Old

Piney and StuartburnLook at Tourism Strategy

to what the perceived tourism needsof the area are. “We will bedeveloping a tourism survey, in thenear future that residents will be ableto fill out and send back to us,”stated council. The strategy is expected to identifythe top five strengths within eachmunicipality and the feasibilitystudy to determine the best meansof highlighting the strengths andimproving them. The result wouldbe the implementation of the tourismstrategy within the region.

Christmas Day AccidentClaims Blumenort Man

couple hundred yards off the Highway.It would have been in the middle of afield,” confirmed Penner. “Looks like thesnowmobile hit an obstacle. We justassisted EMS getting the patient to theambulance.” Steinbach RCMP initially stated theman was listed in stable condition, buthis condition was later downgraded.Lawrence Phillip Plett passed away onDecember 28 at the Health Sciences

Centre. RCMP confirmed that Plett wasinjured after he accidentally collidedwith a row of round hay bales andthrown fifty feet. Police say alcohol was not a factor;however, poor lighting may havecontributed to the crash. The balesin question were covered with whiteplastic tarp and may have beendifficult to see in the snow.


Earlier in December, the Federal government announced a partnershipwith the province and the City of Winnipeg to ensure Shoal Lake No.40 First Nation is linked with the rest of Manitoba with the constructionof Freedom Road. The announcement stated that Indigenous and Northern AffairsCanada will match the Province of Manitoba’s and the City ofWinnipeg’s commitments to fund one-third of the estimated $30-millionproject to construct an approximately 24-km all-season road from ShoalLake No. 40 First Nation to the Trans-Canada Highway in Manitoba,near East Braintree. Chief Erwin Redsky, Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation said the peoplelook forward to a permanent solution to this ongoing problem. “Oursituation is unique and requires creative problem-solving,” saidRedsky. “We welcome the Government of Canada to our partnershipwith the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg to finallysecure the access we have lacked for so long. We thank thegovernments of Canada, Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg for theircommitments and their willingness to collaborate with our community.” All three levels of government already committed up to $1 millioneach for the design work of Freedom Road. That work is underwayand is expected to be completed in the spring of 2016. The First Nation has long sought a permanent all-weather road toprovide the community with secure and constant access to essentialservices including emergency medical services and waste collection. In 2010, the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation celebrated the milestoneopening of Freedom Road, a new resource winter access road thatmakes the beginning of the end of the community’s days as a “man-made island”. An official opening took place where the road comes

Rodeo season is still a few months away, but the Richer Rough Stock Rodeo committeehas already secured an award-winning act for the weekend. On August 6, 2016, MCMA Single of the Year winner, Ryan Keown will be taking thestage for the night. While often being compared to a modern day Travis Tritt, Ryan dives head first intocountry songs with attitude and grit, but more importantly with a message. He connectsimmediately with his audience and has a commanding stage presence, which makes himextremely popular at his live shows. The fourth annual Richer Rough Stock Rodeo will take place from August 5 to 7 inRicher. The annual event draws hundreds of cowboys and thousands of spectators tothe community.

Governments Committed to Freedom Road

In 2010, an official opening took place where Freedom Road exits into inthe RM of Reynolds part way between East Braintree and Falcon Lake.

out in the RM of Reynolds part way between East Braintreeand Falcon Lake. Shoal Lake remains the only Canadian mainlandcommunity south of the Trans-Canada Highway that doesnot have secure, all weather access. In 1916, 3,000 acres of Reserve land was expropriated bythe Federal government to service the City of WinnipegAqueduct and since then the community has been isolatedfrom development due to water quality concerns from theCity of Winnipeg.

By Marianne Curtis

At of the beginning of February, the Steinbach Legion Hall will beowned by a local investor and Branch 190 will continue operations inthe facility under a lease agreement. Bill Richards, President of Branch 190 Steinbach Legion said thegroup is pleased to announce that as of December 30, a local investoris now the new owner of the building. “The specific conditions of the sale were mutually beneficial forboth the Legion and the buyer,” said Richards. “This sale will ensureour long term viability in our community and we will be in a position toprovide enhanced services for our veterans, their families and to thecommunity.” According to Richards, the building was placed up for sale by tenderin September, after the majority of the membership voted in favour ofselling the structure. The new owner takes possession of the buildingFebruary 1. “As part of this sale, the Steinbach Legion has entered into anexclusive, long term lease agreement with the new owner; this is greatnews for us,” Richards continued. “As such, we will not be moving to

Private Investor BuysSteinbach Legion

The Steinbach Royal Canadian Legion building has been sold to anundisclosed private investor and a new lease agreement ensures theorganization will remain at the same location indefinitely.

Photo by Catherine Wiens

a new location and will continue to operate withoutdisruption from 294 Lumber Avenue.” Richards said this is good news for the communitybecause Branch 190 Steinbach Legion is now in the positionto assure supporters that they will remain in Steinbach atthe same location for years to come. Conditions of the sale will not allow the disclosure of thenew owners or further details of the sale, Richards added.

Richer RodeoAnnounces Headliner


2016 is the year to be CREATIVE! Check out your creativity and findnew passions!

Sign up now for winter programs– and try any class for free!

See all details on steinbachartscouncil.ca. Wellness Specials - Take any 2 wellness classes and get $25 off! NEW! Adaptive Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Zumba with THE Eddie MillerPower Pilates, Pilates Core Basic, On the Ball Pilates, Belly DancingBeginner & Advanced. Kids - Hand Building with Clay, Art Adventures and Art X-Travaganza. Adults - Digital Photography, Beginner Watercolour & Oil Painting,Mixed Art for Adults, Pottery Passion, Intro to the Pottery Wheel andWoodcarving. Teens - Digital Photography, Cartoon Illustration, Pottery Passion,Mixed Art for Teens. In the Kitchen - Kids in the Kitchen and Creative Cooking withCulinary Artist Cassandra Milcharek. Explore flavours, culture andcreativity in the kitchen this winter. Languages - French and Spanish, Levels 1 & 2. Friday Night Strings - Discover the FUN of playing violin together.Join other violinists on Friday nights. Backbeat Music - For young musicians, 12 - 17 years, monthly onSaturday mornings.

New! Dance Classes - try for free! Starts Monday, January 18 - Try the 12-Week Dance Classes atSAC! No fundraising or costume fees! Run by our talentedXCOMPANY instructors. Dance4Tots - Ages 3 - 5 years. Intro to Jazz and Intro to Hip Hop andmore...classes for ages 6 and up! Call 204-346-1077 to register.

Biggest Pyjama Party in Town!Buy tickets online at steinbachartscouncil.ca.

On Friday, January 16, Mission Munschpossible is Robert MunschStories brought to life on stage by professional actors from PrairieTheatre Exchange…followed by milk and cookies for everyone! Comedressed in your pyjamas for story telling in the lobby. Show starts at6:45 pm. Tickets: $12 each. Thanks to Kelvin, Kim & Malachi Goertzenfor their support.

Build Your Confidence!TRY IT FOR FREE IN JANUARY!

The Backyard Theatre Company - Is for ages 5 – 17. Sign up forclasses Acting Out, Dramatic Discovery, The Actor’s Studio and TheAudition. Explore your imagination and ignite your creativity throughrecitals and festival. Arts4Tots Preschool Program - TRY IT FOR FREE IN JANUARY! It’s the most creative way to learn with specialists in Dance, Music,Theatre and Visual Arts for Ages 3 – 5. M/W am & pm and T/T am &pm. Join Miss Pam and Miss Jen for creativity, fun and learning.

Calling all Artists of all ages Southeast Open Judged Art Exhibit applications are online - This isfor all ages, and all mediums – watercolour, drawing, oils, acrylics,photography, quilting, eggery, crafts, and more. Anyone from thesoutheastern Manitoba region. Register by Tuesday, March 1 andsubmit your artwork by Thursday, March 24. See website. No entryfees for students!

New Hall Gallery Art Exhibit Opening You are invited to the SAC Art Exhibit opening and reception onWednesday, January 13 at 7 pm, with Danielle Hiebert’s Man andNature Exhibit. All are welcome and toonie donations graciouslyaccepted.

Businesses– there is still time!

If you are a business, you can treat your staff or family to ANY SACconcert tickets for a special price of $15 a ticket (regularly $18 - $26)when you buy 10 tickets or more! Choose tickets from all our upcomingconcerts; PTE, MTC and Sierra Noble, while also helping supportyour local arts community! Enjoy the tax write-off - be everyone’sfavourite boss too!

Beautiful Local Art– for your Home or Business

Beautiful pieces of art by local artists are available for you! Changethe look of your home or office - we can customize something just foryou! Call the SAC office and check out our art room, or the manypieces on display in our Hall Gallery. We will come in to install andremove it – you just enjoy it! And support your local arts communityat the same time. Call Jolene.

Calling all musicians! SAC is a partner with the Steinbach Pistons – looking for singers,instrumentalists, groups and performers to perform the NationalAnthem at games. Call 204-346-1077 for more details on all programs and concerts.View events and purchase tickets online steinbachartscouncil.ca.

The Bethesda Health CareAuxiliary is once again arecipient of a $500 grant fromthe Royal Bank of Canada. Mary Wiebe, a retiredemployee of the Royal Bank ofCanada donates about sixtyhours of her time to theAuxiliary annually. In addition,she applies for a special grantthat RBC makes available toretirees for an organization atwhich they volunteer. Verna Thiessen, Auxiliaryspokesperson said that Wiebeis one of the organizationsmany faithful volunteers. “Weare extremely grateful for all thetime and help that Mary givesus,” said Thiessen. “She is oneof many dedicated volunteerswho dedicate their time andskills for the betterment ofpatient care in Bethesda.” Over the last few years,Wiebe has donated over $5,000to the Bethesda Health CareAuxiliary through the program.

Bethesda VolunteerDonates Annual Grant

Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary volunteer Mary Wiebe (right) donates funds to the auxiliary.


By Marianne Curtis

The Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted their third AnnualGeneral Meeting in Ile des Chenes on December 3 at Capo di Grande. Theevening included the presentation of the first Ritchot Regional Chamberof Commerce Business Awards.

Photos by Marianne Curtis

Capo di Grande Coffee House, in Ile des Chenes was named Business of the Year.

Ritchot Hands OutsFirst Business Awards

The Entrepreneur of the Year award waspresented to HempCo Canada in Ste.Agathe.

The Corporate Volunteer Engagement awardwent to Bold Innovations in Ile des Chenes.

“We have a large number of great businesses in our area and we wantedto recognize them in a way they have not been recognized before,”explained Ritchot Chamber of Commerce President Derek Roth. “We lookforward to honouring more businesses in the years to come.” Several nominations were received and the winners of this year’s awardinclude Capo Di Grande Coffee House in Ile des Chenes that was namedBusiness of the Year. The Entrepreneur of the Year was presented toHempCo Canada in Ste. Agathe and the Corporate Volunteer Engagementaward went to Bold Innovations in Ile des Chenes. The agenda for the night also included the election of a new board ofdirectors. Roth, who was the first board president, announced that hewould not be seeking re-election. “It has been an honour to sit on theboard as president for the past few years, however, things are gettingbusy with my business and I won’t have as much time to dedicate to thisposition,” Roth explained. “I am confident that my successor will strivefor the continued growth and success of this organization and businessesthroughout the municipality.” A new board president will be named later inJanuary. The board also presented the very first Youth Recreation Grant that willgo towards a youth program within the municipality. The $1,700 grant wasraised at various chamber events that took place throughout the yearincluding a golf tournament. The cheque is being used for improvementsto the Garden Ridge Park in St. Adolphe.

An RM of Hanover man isfacing criminal charges afterrecently being arrested bySteinbach RCMP in connectionto a number of ATV thefts. On December 17 the SteinbachRCMP General InvestigationSection conducted aninvestigation into complaints ofATV thefts in the Steinbach area.RCMP executed a search warrantat a residence in the RM ofHanover that resulted in twostolen ATVs being recovered. RCMP brought into custody20-year-old Andrew McGuirk ofthe RM of Hanover was chargedwith two counts of possessionof goods obtained by crime over$5,000. At the time McGuirk wasthe subject of an outstandingarrest warrant for failing tocomply with a recognizance.

By Marianne Curtis

The Crow Wing Trail was successful in receiving a National TrailsCoalition Grant this year, which allowed the organization to complete severalprojects. According to Crow Wing Trail Association President Murielle Bugera,the grant allowed the organization to do more trail maintenance and redothe stairs south of the Senkiw Bridge. It was also used to fix two bridgesalong the trail, specifically the Emerson Bridge and the steel bridge overthe Coulée des Naults between St. Malo and St. Pierre-Jolys. “We have also started the process of installing signs to better identifythe access points. This will be followed up with signs on provincialhighways, to make the Trans Canada Trail more visible,” said Bugera. Theaccess points in question are located at the St. Pierre-Jolys Museum, St.Malo Museum, Senkiw Bridge, St. Adolphe South Dike, Niverville HespelerPark and Emerson. In addition, the Crow Wing Trail has a GPS available for users to follow.“Thanks to a local cyclist who loves working with maps, we now have aGPS route of the Crow Wing Trail on the website.” “Although the trail is not groomed during the winter, some people domanage to experience nature’s beauty on the trail year round,” Bugeraadded. The Crow Wing Trail is a historic 192-kilometre route stretching from thesouthern border of Winnipeg to Emerson. The trail was initially establishedin the 1800s as a route to transport goods to and from the Red RiverSettlement on the Red River and the Crow Wing Settlement on theMississippi River. Today the trail has been revived as a recreational trailthat closely follows the original red river cart trading route betweenWinnipeg and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Crow Wing LandsNational Grant

The Senkiw Bridge, which is located south of St. Malo, is breathtaking in winter.

Arrest Madein ATV TheftInvestigation


Psalm 145:1-7 ... 1) I will exalt you, my God the King; I willpraise your name forever and ever. 2) Every day I will praiseyou and extol your name forever and ever. 3) Great is theLORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one canfathom. 4) One generation will commend your works toanother; they will tell of your mighty acts. 5) They will speakof the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditateon your wonderful works. 6) They will tell of the power ofyour awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.7) They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfullysing of your righteousness. (NIV1984) I will exalt. I will praise. I will commend. I will tell. I willmeditate. I will proclaim and I will celebrate. What a way tostart the New Year. The Psalmist (David) is really energized. He is trying veryhard to make a point and I do not think he is happy with just asilent acknowledgment that God is great. I suspect that hewants us to shout it out, maybe even going as far as declaringit openly. How about proclaiming it in song? There is nothingas beautiful as some good old wholesome singing. Perhaps theHoly Spirit moved the psalmist when he calls all creation topraise the mighty works of God. Observation: Are we careful, watchful and cautious of whatpeople see and hear when we are in our unguarded, casual andcareless moments? How important is it? Well if we want toremember something, we will have to observe that, which wewant to remember. I do not remember what I have never knownor seen. Our Scripture verses speak to us this way. If somethingimportant happens and we see it takes place, we shallremember that event. If we hear a sermon, the thing that weremember afterward is the point that most forcibly strikes uswhile we are listening to the sermon. Whether we use a pencilor not, memory obeys our wish and records it in our memorybank. That moment in time will return to us unexpectedly. Outof the blue, it comes and sits there to remind us of that event,whether good or bad. Sometimes we are so busy we fail to see the needs of otherpeople. We rush about from place to place working hard tocomplete our mission. We feel like we are always failingbecause we do not have enough time to complete whatever itis we are trying to accomplish. When we feel this way, we mustbe careful not to see people as though they are frustrating orgetting in my way. The truth is that God loves each person werub shoulders with, even those we might think are not thatimportant. How God interacts with us is very much the same. If we wantto remember how great God is, we must allow Him to make animpression on us. That means we have to notice it, we willhave to consider it, and at my age I will have to sit back andmeditate on it and allow that impression to influence my heart.And when I do that, I shall remember. But it means that weshall always be ready to observe His righteousness. One never comes through life untouched by some bumpsand bruises. Somehow, we need those bumps and bruises tolearn to praise God. We could wish our whole life to be calmand carefree; free of all troubles. We could long for thatnothing might ever again disturb our restful spirit. But were itto be so, I suspect we would seldom experience the mercifulloving care of our Heavenly Father. There are many ways of acknowledging the great goodnessof God. He has given us the right and the nature of His son.He has given us complete forgiveness for all our sins. Not onlyhas He forgiven us our sins, He does not remember themanymore; they are gone forever! We must believe that andremember that. One more thing, you and I can come to Him inprayer any time, night or day, and He will hear our prayers. Wecannot add to God’s glory, but we can certainly make it morewidely known by simply stating the truth about Him in manyplaces and many times. Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come intomy heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. Mythoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have thepeace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joyand happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the HolySpirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour YourName. Amen.”

Casual -Careless -Moments


Do you ever get tired of dealing with thesame old problems day in and day out?Have you ever awakened in the morninghoping for something better today? Haveyou ever wished upon a star at nightanticipating something big and grander inyour future? If you have, then you qualify to be part ofthe human race. We all look forward tothings being better next time. When we eat,we get the necessary meat and vegetablesout of the way, so we can savour thedessert at the end. If you have a bag ofcandies, you eat them in an order so thatthe best ones stretch out to the last. Whenarranging your daily activities, you try toput the best activities near the end of theday so you end on a high point. Saving the best to the last is a Biblicalprinciple. In John, Jesus was at a weddingfeast and they ran out of wine. He turnedwater into wine and His wine tasted muchbetter. The ruler of the feast was surprisedthat the best was saved until the end. When God created man in the beginning,He put him in the Garden of Eden (aparadise). Man messed up so God gaveman a conscience to govern him. Then Godgave him government and then the law. Ineach one of these situations, man hasfailed. So in Matthew 21:37 it says, “But lastof all he sent unto them his son, sayingthey will reverence my son.” God kept Hisbest to the end but man crucified His Son,Jesus Christ. Man has a free will and still has a choicetoday whether to accept or reject God’sSon. If you reject God’s Son, then you’dbetter enjoy the things of today becausethat’s the best you’ll ever have. It will onlyget worse from here on. But if you accept, God’s Son as yourSaviour and trust Him to forgive all yoursin, save you from hell and free you fromthe bondage of sin; then you have chosenthe best for the last!!! Job, in the Bible,chose God’s way and Job 42:12 says, “Sothe Lord blessed the latter end of Job morethan his beginning.” In school, it’s better to study before thetest and get a good mark at the end ratherthan goof off and enjoy life now and end upfailing. In business, it’s better to work andearn some money before you make that bigpurchase, rather than buy it now on creditand suffer at the end. In boy-girlrelationships, it’s better to set guidelines toprevent premarital intimacy, rather thanhave everything now and have regrets later. In Hebrews 11, the “Hall of Faith” chapterin the Bible, verse 16 tells of those whowere willing to accept adversity andreproach now, knowing there was betterahead. “But now they desire a bettercountry, that is, a heavenly: wherefore Godis not ashamed to be called their God: for hehath prepared for them a city” (Heaven). The God of the Bible is a merciful andgracious God. He will strengthen you withHis grace to go through whatever thisworld sends our way and then prepare abetter place for us to spend eternity. All weneed to do is become His child and thentrust Him. Have you made that decision inyour life? If I can be of help, contact me [email protected]. God bless you as you seek Him in 2016.

Three volunteer firefighters from the City of Steinbach received a specialChristmas present when they were each recognized with Governor GeneralFire Services Exemplary Service Medals. Just before the holidays, Kurt Martens, Cindi Klassen-Krahn and TrevorSchellenberg were all presented with the medal, which honours firefighterswho have completed 20 years of service, ten years of which have beenserved in the performance of duties involving potential risks. Schellenberg, who joined the department in 1991, said he does not rememberwhy he joined in the first place, but he has remained with the departmentbecause it is, “Family and a brotherhood.” Klassen-Krahn said she joined in 1994 because both her brother and herfather were fighters. “We love helping the public when they need us themost,” she explained. Martins agreed, saying that while it takes a hugecommitment, he “Loves the work.” All three agree that their time at the department has been worth missingmany family gatherings, birthdays, dance classes and anniversaries to carryout their duties. They have also seen a lot of change over the past twodecades and are most pleased with Steinbach’s Firehall expansion, newaerial ladder and full-time Fire Chief. The three recipients were recognized and formally presented with themedals at the fire departments annual Christmas banquet.

The Ritchot Chamber of Commerceis looking at implementing a CyberSeniors Program for the benefit of thecommunity. Jacques Pagé explained that theprogram is aimed at bringing togetherstudents with seniors in thecommunity. “This program aims tohave students help elders with theircomputer challenges,” explained Pagé.“Our task will be to set things up andengage the schools to participate.” To start, the Chamber of Commercewill need to acquire a full versionmovie, which is presented to studentsand then to elders in order to start theprocess. “The reasons I think it isimportant the Ritchot Chamber ofCommerce should be involved in thisprocess are I think it is a mandate to

SavingtheBestforLast

Steinbach FireFighters Exemplify

Dedication

Volunteer fire fighters Kurt Martens, Cindi Klassen-Krahn and Trevor Schellenberg were allpresented with Governor General Fire Services Exemplary Service Medals just beforeChristmas.

Steinbach RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a vaninvolved in a collision at the intersection of Highway 52 and 216 on December12 at 10:45 pm.According to RCMP a car was sideswiped while traveling west on Highway52, by a van which left the scene without exchanging information. The vanis described as light blue or green in colour. If you have any information in regards to this incident you are asked tocontact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppersat 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a tip online atwww.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message toCRIMES (274637).

Cyber Seniors ProgramProposed for Region

help our fellow citizens of all ages;we need a group to ensure thisprogram is started correctly and wewill need to engage more people toassure transportation of the kids andI think it is just one great thing todo.” Two teenage sisters started theCyber-Seniors program. They cameup with the idea after witnessinghow cyber-communication hadtransformed their grandparents’ livesand brought them closer to theirgrandchildren. When one of thesisters is diagnosed with cancer atthe same time as her grandfather, theinternet becomes a lifeline for thefamily to stay connected andsupport one another.

RCMP Investigate Hit and Run


By Marianne Curtis

Two Hanover School Divisionstudents, formerly from theKleefeld School, were recentlyrecognized with the prestigiousGovernor General’s CaringCanadian Award. Kiana Friesen and MadisonGigolyk were recently awarded the

Former Kleefeld Students EarnGovernor General Awards

Governor General’s CaringCanadian Award for theircommunity service as members ofKleefeld School’s StudentsHelping Other Communities(SHOC) social justice team. According to Kleefeld TeacherChristine Friesen, the group raised$10,000 last year to build a schoolin Ghana through the Free the

Children organization. “They do avariety of things from creating andselling journals and sending thatmoney to Cancer Care or theWinnipeg Children’s Hospital,working in the soup kitchen inSteinbach, or volunteering in theirchurches,” noted Friesen.“Madison is going to be doing amajor fundraiser this spring for

diabetes, the DiabetesAssociation. So they [both] putin a lot of time and effort and theyhave very compassionate hearts.So they were the ones nominatedto accept the awards on behalf ofthe SHOC team.” Both girls are now in grade 9,attending school in Steinbach. “It has influenced me to want todo more,” said Gigolyk. “I want todo more because it is an awesomething to do.” Friesen added that the students

were empowered while making adifference through the project. Created in 1995, the GovernorGeneral’s Caring Canadian Awardrecognizes individuals whovolunteer their time to help othersand to build a smarter and morecaring nation. The award alsohighlights the fine example set bythese volunteers, whosecompassion and engagement areso much a part of our Canadiancharacter.

Kiana Friesen accepts her award from Craig Keilburger, co-founder of Free the Children.

Craig Keilburger, co-founder of Free the Children presentsMadison Gigolyk with her award.


Compiled By Marianne Curtis

A New Year is upon us, and as we welcome its arrival, it is time to take a peek backwardsand reflect on how far we have come during the past twelve months. Through the rearview mirror of time, we briefly glimpse the things that were important to us in2015. There is always good news and bad news, but that really depends on the perspective of thereader. Join us now for a summary of what was hot and what was not in 2015.

January 2015 Ste. Anne area resident Pam Glover of Helping Hooves Manitoba presenteda cheque for $6,000 to Helping Hands Manitoba for funds raised during their2014 season. Most of the funds were raised during their 2014 Helping HoovesPink Adventure Trail Ride, which took place in May. She went on to raiseover $10,000 in 2015. At the beginning of the year, residents within the Town of Nivervilleobtained access to a waste transfer station for large quantities of garbage.On January 1, garbage was no longer to be directly hauled by residents tothe RM of Ritchot dump. The RCMP Federal, Serious and Organized Crime Unit arrested DanielDaudet, 42, of the RM of La Broquerie and charged him with 13 drug andweapons charges. Daudet, a 13-year-member of the RCMP was immediatelysuspended with pay pending an ongoing investigation. The investigationuncovered several additional offences relating to the time when Daudet wasa constable at the Killarney Detachment in 2007. Approximately a hundred people came out to celebrate the release of theSt. Adolphe Convent and Nursing Home souvenir book called “The OldConvent Tells Its Story”. The book is filled with stories and photos from theconvent’s earlier years as a school and then later as a privately ownedpersonal care home. The 108-year-old building is now vacant, and slated fordemolition.

February 2015 The Town of Niverville is one of seven communitiesand organizations to receive a 2014 Manitoba Excellencein Sustainability Awards from the Province of Manitoba.The province of Manitoba named the Town of Nivervilleas the winner of this year’s Innovation and Researchfor Sustainability Award for the community’s lagoonremediation project.

March 2015 February was “I love to Read month”, and aspart of the celebrations a new authors group waslaunched within the region. Called the ‘Authorsof Manitoba’, the group currently consists ofover twenty published authors from the regionwith a collected works of almost 200 titles. A serious crash at Highway 59 and ProvincialRoad 311 in early February prompted concernedresidents from the Niverville area to hold a rallydemanding safeguards at the intersection.Because of the media attention, a new set of trafficlights are installed at the deadly intersection bythe end of the year. Harvey Lyons, an avid curler and volunteer fromLorette was named recipient of the 2014 Volunteerof the Year award from the Canadian CurlingAssociation (CCA). Lyons, a long-timecontributing member of the local curlingcommunity was nominated by the Lorette CurlingClub. Niverville Collegiate Institute student LaurenWiebe is named a Loran Scholar, selected froman application list of 3,800 of Canada’s top highschool students. The grade 12 student wasnamed as one of the final thirty winners afterseventy-six finalists were interviewed at thebeginning of February.

Below: Residents in Spraguecelebrated the grand openingof a brand new communitytoboggan slide adjacent to thelocal recreation facility.

Right: Wildlife HavenRehabilitation Centre receiveda young bobcat kitten thatwas found starving and coldin a woodpile in Middlebro.After months of rehabiliation,the cat was released duringthe summer.

The RM of Ste. Anne was one of two municipalities to receive$50,000 each to improve access for residents with disabilities toprograms and services in Provencher.

On the first weekend of February, the Lorette Community Complexcelebrated their 50th anniversary by hosting a winter carnival.

Right: True to his word, 73 year oldDave Hebel, laced up his ice-skatesalong with 130 Ross L. Greystudents for a fundraising skate-a-thon to raise money for hishometown arena in Sprague.

Douglas Homick, the owner operator of a UPSin Winker and another business in Steinbach wasordered to pay a former employee $36,000 incompensation for sexual harassment by theHuman Rights Commission. 51-year-old David Delisle of Grande Pointe pledguilty to impaired driving in a crash that claimedthe life of 21-year-old Samantha Schlichting ofLorette. The Hanover School Division Board of Trusteesdecided to move all grade nine programming fromBlumenort, Bothwell, Kleefeld, and Mitchell tothe Steinbach Regional Secondary Schoolbeginning in the fall of 2015.

Above: Eleven-year-old MeadowBjorklund from Hadashville makesthe leap with RM of Reynolds ReeveDavid Turchyn during the 4th AnnualPolar Bear Dare for KidSport. Theevent was held at the Lac du Bonnettown docks with 64 jumpers bravingthe cold and raising over $30,000.


June 2015 After six years of planning, and oneyear of construction Garderie deBambins in St. Malo was unable tomove in after they were denied an

April 2015 Eighty-three people attended the first Regional Economic Forum in thearea, hosted by the La Broquerie Community Development Corporation(CDC) in partnership with the RM of La Broquerie and RM of Piney. Theone-day meeting was held to get feedback from area business owners onwhether they feel a Chamber of Commerce would be viable in the area. Former Provencher MP and Manitoba Judge Vic Toews wages wereseized in order to fulfil a lease agreement with Raymond Desmarais.Documents show that when Toews resigned from his cabinet post he didnot pay $3,900 for the remaining months of his lease. Desmarais took thematter to the tribunal in November 2013, and won. Vicki Olatundun, Executive Director of the Steinbach Family ResourceCentre was among the top 75 finalists chosen out of over 650 nominationsas a Change Maker. Now a resident of Niverville, Olatundun immigrated toCanada fifteen years ago, from the UK. The Municipal Board of Manitoba tells the RM of Tache to restrict anyfurther development within Landmark until the community’s water systemupgrades are in place. This statement was made when the municipal boardwas called in after getting objections to a proposal to rezone the corner ofSecond Avenue North and First Street West in Landmark to construct apair of duplexes.

May 2015 Kleefeld singer-songwriter Robb Nash received thehighest honour when he was flown to Ottawa andKnighted. Nash was flown to Ottawa to officially receivethe Order of St. George, the Canadian Priory for the workhe and his team are doing. Three and a half years ago, a Landmark area womanbecame the mother of a very special little girl. Not onlydid this child steal her heart and change her life, but alsorecently, Patti Gibeault Skirzyk was recognized as FosterParent of the Year by the Child Welfare League of Canada. Over two hundred people attended the Niverville Fireand Emergency Foundation Dinner where the highlightof the night was the presentation of a prestigious awardto Gary Macdonald. The thirty-seven year veteranvolunteer firefighter with the Niverville Fire Departmentwas presented with the Mary Beth Dolin MeritoriousFire Service Award, which is the province’s highest awardthat a firefighter can receive. About one hundred people came to the Accueil KateriCentre, which is located in the Ste. Anne’s Knights ofColumbus Hall to celebrate the upcoming opening of anew food bank in the community. Staffed with localvolunteers, the facility is expected to address anunfortunate need in the community.

Members of the Southern Health Board of Directors and various levels of government were on hand to officially open a new 2,000 squarefoot ambulance facility in Ile Des Chenes.

The employees from Hylife in La Broquerie raised $137,000 when they hosted the 6thAnnual Hylife Fun Days event. Three worthwhile charities will split the funds, includingCystic Fibrosis Canada, the Canadian CMV Foundation and Backstage Teen Drop-In Centrein Steinbach.

Right: Tyler Fehr looks over what is left of a 68 roadrunner he was inthe process of restoring when an out of control grass fire broke outsouthwest of Steinbach. The blaze forced the evacuation of fifteenhomes. While the majority of the neighbourhood suffered minimaldamage, the Fehr family sustained about $200,000 in damages totheir property.

Landmark Collegiate students Nadia Braun and Joe Toews workedtogether on an idea to convert regular toilets into dual flushsystems. Their entry was among 258 others from across Canada.The top ten finalists were invited to Oak Hammock Marsh wherethey presented their project.

Lorna Feilberg Annell, formerlyof East Braintree was namedthis year’s recipient of theLieutenant Governor’s HistoricalPreservation and PromotionAward. Annell was recognizedfor her dedication to preservingthe history of severalcommunities in the RM ofReynolds. Lorna was a regularcontributor to the Dawson TrailDispatch in the late 1990s andearly 2000s.

Niverville Collegiate student Lauren Wiebe isnamed as the winner of this year’s PrairieAward of Promise at the Women ofDistinction Awards.

occupancy permit. The groupaccused the municipality ofstopping the process by telling theFire Commissioners office to notapprove occupancy due toinsignificant flow levels to operatea fire suppression system. After fourteen years as headlibrarian for the Jake Epp Library,Lorraine Trudeau has officiallycalled it quits after winning $1.1million in this year’s St. BonifaceHospital Lottery. Nine veterans from Provencherwere recognized during a specialevent hosted by Provencher MPTed Falk. The recipients includedWalter Skryba, Sandilands; RayBlixt from Sprague; Joseph EdwardNespor, Lac du Bonnet; Samuel JaySadler, Emerson; Walter MichaelSorokowski, Winnipeg; RolandAlbert Valcourt, Winnipeg; WilliamRolls, Emerson; Kenneth Hunkin,Morris; and John Harold Phillips,Steinbach. The community of St. Maloannounces that for the first time inyears, there will not be a Septemberlong weekend summer festival; andthe Festival of Friends was at riskunless volunteers step forward tohelp plan the events.


September 2015 A dozen cyclists braved the heat andhumidity by peddling 100 km to raise moneyto help kids participate in recreationalactivities. An additional two dozen joined thegroup later in the morning to take on the 5 kmride. In a combined effort, participants raisedover $8,700 for Recreational Opportunities forChildren. Lil’ Steps Miniatures and Wellness Farmofficially opened. Under the ownership ofLucy Fouasse, the ranch offers a unique

July 2015 The community of Blumenort hada lot to celebrate when they officiallyopened a brand new splash park.RM of Hanover Councillor BobBrandt said the Blumenortcommunity splash park was a jointproject between the RM of Hanover,LUD of Blumenort, and ManitobaHydro, along with numerousvolunteers. Sprague RCMP received a reportof sharpened pieces of metalpurposefully stuck in the groundalong a trail located on Crown landsouth of Marchand. This trail iscommonly used by loggers, huntersand ATV riders. A sod turning ceremony was heldto celebrate the Wildlife HavenRehabilitation Centre new wildlifehospital and educational facility thatwill be built near Ile des Chenes. Senator Don Plett was one of anumber of senators singled out byAuditor General MichaelFerguson’s expense audit of the

August 2015 Lorette Dental Clinic dentists Dr.Bao-Tran Nguyen, and Dr. NathanJeal along with their assistantsVernelle Unrau Van Dale, CrystalSawyer and Hygienist Kayla Mowattraveled to Jamaica to provide freedental care in two communities. A federal election is called andvoters have 78 days to dig deep andfigure out what direction they wantProvencher and the entire countryto go. Incumbent Ted Falk(Conservative) was challenged byTerry Hayward (Liberal) Leslie Lilley(NDP) and Doug Wheeldon (GreenParty). An investigation by theTransportation Safety Board intothe cause of natural gas pipelineexplosion near Otterburne lastJanuary has determined the blastwas caused by a crack in the pipelinethat went undetected for fifty years. Four projects, including threewater infrastructure projects andone wastewater infrastructureproject will be going ahead. Federaland Provincial governments arecontributing $11,097,465 totaltowards projects in Landmark,Blumenort, Steinbach and Nivervillethrough the Small CommunitiesFund.

Seventeen-year-old WillowTkachuk (centre)will be able toplay sledgehockey in Vitacommunitythanks to aspecial $8,400grant from theHealthy TogetherNow program.

Provencher MP Ted Falk, Dawson Trail MLA Ron Lemiuex and RM of Ritchot Reeve JackieHunt officially kicked off construction of St. Adolphe East Dike Expansion. Construction ofthe St. Adolphe East Dike Expansion officially star ted. The $6.9 million project includes thereconstruction of the existing easterly portion of the ring dike.

Senate. According to the report, Pletthas repaid $2,975 out of $4,095 inineligible travel expenses. He iscontesting the other $1,120.

This year, 127 students graduatedfrom various programs at Red RiverCollege’s (RRC) Steinbach RegionalCampus.

Left: Over thirty people on horseback, inwagons, and on bike, including veteransfrom several generations joined theCommunities for Veterans, led by PaulNichols, made its way through the region.Local vets Steve Hartwig and his wife KimVigneault, and Jenny Gallant joined him.

Above: The Zvizda Ukrainian DanceEnsemble was one of many groups whoperformed when the community ofGardenton celebrated their 50th anniversaryof the Gardenton Ukrainian Festival. Thetwo-day festival took place at theGardenton’s Ukrainian Museum and VillageSociety.

For three days, cowboys and cowgirls competed for bragging rights, cash and bucklesduring the third annual Richer Rough Stock Rodeo.

Kate Gregoire from Ste. Anne won the U15Girls Championship Title at the MJT-PGA ofManitoba Junior Championship in August.

program to Manitoba where the primary focus will be EquineFacilitated Wellness (EFW) for children. MTS officials announced that they are finally bringing cellphone service into the RM of Piney. MTS officials estimate thatservice will become available in 2016. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank announced that they wouldbe increasing its work in conservation agriculture in three eastAfrican countries through a new five-year $18.67 millionprogram. The program, called the Scaling-Up of ConservationAgriculture in East Africa Program, was launched in Nivervilleand made possible by a $14 million government grant.


October 2015 It was a full house at the SRSSTheatre for the Provencher VotesCandidate Forum, which took placeon October 1. This was the first time

November 2015 A massive criminal investigation involving boththe Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP movedinto the St. Malo area on November 2. By theend of the day, Kevin Runke is found dead froma self-inflicted gun shot wound. Policesuspected he was responsible for the death ofhis estranged wife Camille, whose body wasfound a few days earlier outside a St. Bonifacebusiness. The RM of Ste. Anne voluntarily closed their

Ste. Anne fire crews cover up what is left of a vehicle after a collision in a constructionzone outside of Ste. Anne that claimed the lives of two women from the community.

Members of the Townof Niverville Councilkicked offconstruction of a newsplash pad inNiverville. The projectis part of a $16million multi-phase,Recreational FacilitiesMaster Planproposed for thecommunity.

the four local candidates havesquared off in a public forum inpreparation for the October 19Federal election. Councillor Susan Penner stunnedthe Steinbach Arts Council with anewly hatched plan after she tried

to convince council to drop its plansto build a new performing arts centrein the community. James Groening, 25 years old ofLorette has been charged withpointing a firearm, uttering threats,and using a firearm while committingan indictable offence after a roadrage incident near Oakbank. Residents of the City of Steinbachare now able to receive criticalemergency notifications by phone,text and email message thanks to theCity’s new emergency notificationsystem, Steinbach Alert Now atsteinbach.ca. Students attending grades 4-8 atShevecheko School in Vita arethrilled that a new Ukrainianlanguage program has been addedto the curriculum this school year.

Below: Chantel Ballegeerand her daughter Scarlettsort through a number ofdonations that have beenpouring in for ClothesCloset, which provideswork clothes for womenleaving abusiverelationships.

PC Leader BrianPallistercongratulates BobLagasse fromLandmark for a jobwell done afterLagasse was namedthe ProgressiveConservativecandidate for theDawson Trailconstituency in thenext provincialelection.

December 2015 The RM’s of La Broquerie, Hanover, and Ste.Anne all ranked high in a recent study conductedon municipal spending. According to theManitoba Municipal Spending Watch report’ssecond edition, Manitoba’s 26 largestmunicipalities continue to spend far more thanneeded on day-to-day operating spending, theequivalent of $2,500 extra for a family of four. Twenty-nine year old Paul Giesbrecht fromLandmark is hoping that a trip to a clinic inGermany will cure his cancer and give him a fewmore years with his wife Samantha and their sonsZander, and Jude. Steinbach MLA and Progressive ConservativeJustice Critic, Kelvin Goertzen, has asked that theprovince open up the Community Safety Officer(CSO) program currently piloted by Thompsonto municipalities like Steinbach and Hanover sothey can apply for the program if they desire. Bothwell Cheese has once again claimed topspot in the Marbled Cheddar category at the 88thAnnual British Empire Cheese Show winning firstplace for the ninth time in the past ten years. Thecompany also took first place with its MontereyJack and second place with its medium colouredcheddar.

While Borderland School Divisionhas approved a pilot project whichoffers a class to students, parentsare upset with the terms of the

program. The program is only 35minutes long, voluntary andstudents do not get credit forattending.

municipal lagoon for a few days afterit failed to meet new standards. Themunicipality was not able todischarge the lagoon due toelevated phosphate and ecoli levels. A number of residents within theRM of La Broquerie urged theirneighbours to speak up and refuseto play ball with Manitoba Hydro,in an effort to force them to consideran alternative route beforeproceeding with the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission project. Mario Petit from Ile Des Chenes isliving his dream after it was

announced that he would be suitingup with the Everett Silvertips of theWestern Hockey League. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound net minder spentlast season with the Eastman Selectsof the Manitoba AAA MidgetHockey League. Re-elected Provencher MP TedFalk is heading back to work inOttawa with mixed feelings. OnOctober 19, the country saw acomplete change of leadership asthe Liberals won over the country,and many Conservative MPs failedto maintain their seats.

The new set of traffic lights was turned on at the intersection ofHighway311 and Highway 59, east of Niverville to improve the safetyfor a dangerous intersection.

Baseball Manitoba recognized Louis Cote as Volunteer of theYear. For the past nine years, he has been President of LaBroquerie Minor Baseball and President of Carillon Minor forfour years.


By Marianne Curtis

As riders sign up for the yearlywinter challenge, organizers of thefifth annual Actif Epica communityfestival are getting excited. OnFebruary 13, racers from around theworld will gather in St. Malo eagerto take on the frozen winterlandscape in the Actif Epica. This year, cyclists will have theoption to tackle a longer 160 km

Actif EpicaAdds Milesto WinterChallenge

course, as well as a revised 125 kmoption. Traditionally, the one-dayevent consists of a 130-kilometrebike challenge from St. Malo to St.Boniface. The additional mileage willallow participants to visit the SenkiwBridge. Ian Hall, one of the organizers ofthe event explains that the 160 kmcourse starts with a 34 km leg takingcyclists south and checking in againat the St. Malo Arena checkpoint.The original distance of 125 km isfor both cyclists and runners. “From there the course isessentially the same as previousyears until you are north of St.

Adolphe,” said Hall. “While they’rehere to bike or run 125 km ofunforgiving temperatures, brutalwinds and bare landscapes, they’llbe treated to a full-on celebration ofhuman resilience, community spiritand fun, embraced by people justlike you.” The race starts early at the St. MaloArena, goes to Senkiw Bridge andcomes back to St. Malo beforecontinuing to The Forks, stoppingin at checkpoints along the way atthe St. Pierre-Jolys Sugar Shack,Crystal Springs Hutt rite Colony,Niverville Arena and the St. AdolpheFellowship Church.

The public is invited to come outand cheer along the way or stop inat one of the checkpoints to chatwith volunteers. As with the 160 km course, itremains virtually unchanged fromprevious years until SchapanskyRoad nearing the floodway.Participants will then head west toDuff Roblin Provincial Park, wherethey will cross the Red River on theFloodway Control structure andthen head to La Barriere Park via St.Norbert before continuing to theUniversity of Manitoba. For more information visitactifepi.ca.


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