Rural Roundup — Dec. 16, 2020

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/12/2020 (2096 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Compiled by Tyler Clarke

 

RUSSELL-BINSCARTH

The Prairie Mountain Community Justice program has recently completed its first referral.

The organization is a restorative justice committee, and serves as a mediator between victims and offenders to help decide a means of restitution that would be satisfactory to both parties.

“One of the most important (things) is that the restorative justice process provides the victim an empowered voice,” said RCMP Staff Sgt. Matt Lavallee. “Another is that the accused is truly held responsible for their action — when community justice committee members facilitate the process and monitor the client’s progress, and aiding when necessary — without enabling.”

The 11-person volunteer committee operates in the municipalities of Russell-Binscarth, Riding Mountain West, Roblin, Rossburn, Ellice-Archie as well as Gambler and Tootinaowaziibeeng First Nations.

» Crossroads This Week

 

RUSSELL

A storybook has been created along Russell’s stretch of the Trans-Canada Trail.

Along the trail are 18 stops with page panels that contain a page whose story is completed as people make their way along the trail.

The panels will be updated and changed over time to keep the trail adventures going.

“I really hope that this project gets some excitement moving with the community,” Assiniboine Valley Recreation representative Jessica Selby said.

“I think this is a project that we can build on and hopefully be able to run a story for a longer trail section next year.”

The first book posted on the trail is “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” which wants readers to not allow a tantrum-throwing bird to drive the bus.

“We are always looking for ways to better our trail,” Selby said. “The storybook trail in Russell is seen by us as a pilot project. Excitedly, if there is a positive uptake, we can easily imagine other towns along the trail doing a similar thing. All the stories we can tell!”

» Russell Banner

 

NEEPAWA

Neepawa’s Rob Smith & Son Backhoe & Trucking has found a unique way of supporting fellow local businesses.

Every Monday, they’re holding a draw in which the award winners a $250 gift certificate for a local business of their choosing.

“We have realized how truly lucky we are to be able to stay up and running during these trying times and would like to give back to the small businesses within the community and surrounding area that have been shut down,” said administrator Andrea Smith.

“I honestly spent the weekend trying to wrack my brain for ways to help out local businesses, especially with the move to code red and Christmas being a very busy time for these businesses.”

To enter, respondents on social media were asked to comment with their favourite locally owned business in Neepawa, Gladstone or in Minnedosa that had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first draw was made on Nov. 16, and the final draw will take place on Monday.

« Neepawa Banner & Press

 

KILLARNEY

People in Killarney are striving to make the most of the season by pushing a “buy local” message.

“I think it gets back to what every government official says — buy local,” Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain Mayor Rick Pauls said.

Also the owner and operator of the Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant, Pauls added: “Jeff Bezos of Amazon doesn’t need your dollars like Killarney does.”

Pauls said times were already tough for the restaurant business before COVID-19 hit, and that they’ve tried their best to adapt to these very unique times with things like curbside pickup, but that they’re still struggling as a result of the loss of Christmas banquets.

Retailers are also struggling.

“In any retail space you can adapt and go online, which is terrific, but you miss out on impulse buying,” he said.

Christmas tree sales have also changed this year, turning the Kemp’s Livestock Equipment tree sale into a drive-thru pickup service, to great success.

“We have had a real good run on Christmas trees,” owner Keith Kemp said. “I think demand is also high because people aren’t going south this year for the winter.”

» The Guide

 

VIRDEN

A new winter walking trail has been established on Wellview Golf Course.

Golf course management gave Prairie West Recreation permission to re-purpose part of the golf cart path for the off-season trail to become a walking trail.

The 1.5-kilometre path includes signage at the golf course welcoming walkers to the trail, which Prairie West Recreation program director Laurel Lamb staked in October.

“When we get snow, people can snowshoe on it,” she said.

The trails are free to access, and those who participate are required to remain on the trail alongside dogs.

» Virden Empire-Advance

 

BOISSEVAIN

Boissevain artist Lisa Heide’s painting, “Belong,” has been featured in the Boissevain Lions Club calendar for 2021.

Lion Lorraine Houston saw some of her paintings on Facebook and asked her if she was willing to use an image for the effort.

“Because I’m just starting to sell my art, this would be a good way to get my art out there, get people familiar with the fact I am a painter,” Heide said. “It’s just good advertising.”

The painting chosen is of a friend’s yard at a potluck, which she describes as “just one of those perfect moments when you feel you can be yourself and everyone can be themselves. That’s what it represents for me.”

The Lions are selling their calendar for $10, but for an extra $10 people can be entered into a monthly draw for $100.

So far, the club has sold approximately 350 calendars, and more will be made available by contacting any Lions member. Distribution will take place prior to Christmas.

» The Recorder

 

MINNEDOSA

Santa Claus is coming to Minnedosa!

With help from the Lions Club, the big man in red will be making his way up and down all of the streets in Minnedosa to spread his Christmas cheer on Dec. 23.

He will be escorted by some of the community’s local heroes.

The hope is for people to greet him from their doorsteps or front yards, from a distance.

The parade’s route will be published in the Dec. 18 edition of the Minnedosa Tribune.

» Minnedosa Tribune