Rural Roundup — Feb. 16, 2023

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This article was published 16/02/2023 (1347 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MINNEDOSA

Minnedosa resident Cassandra Groen has taken the position of parks and recreation manager with the town. Her first day of work was Dec. 28.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Groen was brought up in a recreation-focused family that took part in horseback riding and hockey. She graduated in 2022 with a recreation manager and community development degree, and went on to receive a certificate for organizational leadership from Harvard University.

Previously, Groen worked as part of the management and training team at the Western Canada Hockey Academy, located in Brandon and throughout the Westman region; manager and coach with Evolution Hockey in Winnipeg; and sponsorship assistant with Bison Sports at the University of Manitoba.

Currently, Groen is also the goalie coach for the U18 Team Manitoba Women’s hockey team, which will represent Manitoba at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.

Groen said she is happy to be in Minnedosa, and has already met some wonderful people.

» The Minnedosa Tribune

NEEPAWA

Dr. Liz Ostendorf and her staff at the Neepawa Veterinary Clinic were honoured as the Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year at the chamber’s annual general meeting on Jan. 30.

The award was an unexpected honour on a day that was already special for her, Ostendorf said.

“I didn’t realize that my staff had nominated us, so they actually surprised me with it on my birthday.”

The award is due to the hard work of all staff at the clinic, Ostendorf said.

“We don’t go into this profession to be acknowledged and rewarded for … doing what we do. I love what I do, and that’s why I do it, and I wouldn’t be here without my staff.

“I really cannot provide the services that I provide or the care that I provide to patients without them.”

The vet clinic practice has been owned by Ostendorf since 2016. Ostendorf has worked in Neepawa since 2012. A variety of animals are cared for at the clinic, from small house pets to farm animals. There are nine full-time staff members and several people who work there as part of a mentorship program.

» Neepawa Banner and Press

EDEN

Penno’s Machining and Manufacturing took home the first place prize for the 2023 Ag Days Innovation Showcase’s animal and livestock category for its trademark Hay Handler.

The business also won a $500 cash prize from Manitoba Ag Days and a $1,000 advertising voucher for the Canadian Cattlemen Magazine, sponsored by Glacier Farmmedia.

Howard McKay, owner of Penno’s Machining and Manufacturing, said he was very happy to receive the award.

“It’s nice to see our work recognized. Interest was very strong at Ag Days and we got much positive feedback from farmers and dealers,” he said.

The Hay Handler is a double bale fork that allows farmers to pick up two round bales at a time for loading and unloading their bale racks. Each fork can be raised independently so the operator can pick up two bales side by side or one bale at a time. Each fork can raise upward and outward individually for picking up the bales, and can also be set to work in tandem to pick up bales off the racks, keeping each fork at the same level. In this case, the operator can still adjust the spacing between how far apart they want their rows.

The idea for a piece of equipment that can move two bales at once came about after a customer requested it. The rest of the design development and creation came through trial and error, and the whole process, including patent application, took two years to complete. Twelve Hay Handler units have already been sold.

» Neepawa Banner and Press

GLADSTONE

The province’s newest political party is hoping to make some major inroads within rural Manitoba. The Keystone Party of Manitoba, which was formally launched last year, is hosting a town hall meeting in Gladstone at Stride Hall on Feb. 17.

According to a press release, party officials are looking forward to working for Manitoba residents and hearing more about their vision for a better Manitoba.

The party is led by Kevin Friesen of Manitou, Man.

The meeting in Gladstone will take place at 7:30.

» Neepawa Banner and Press

KOLA

From seasoned business experts to new start-ups, the Southwest Business and Entrepreneur Expo, which took place in Kola on Feb. 8, featured an exciting lineup of events, speakers and displays.

Topics covered at the event included agriculture and technology, from oilfield service to home-based enterprises. Nine speakers attended the event, and displays from Winnipeg sponsors, partner municipalities and local businesses were also featured.

This year’s speakers included:

• Kim McConnell, founder and chief executive officer of AdFarm, one of the largest agri-food marketing communications firms in North America
• Scott Kasprick, who has a 25-year design and marketing career
• Kola Oloko, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management
• Crystal Buhler, a chartered professional accountant
• Stephen Sutherland, an experienced mental health clinician and educator
• Tara Maksymetz and Carla Vanwart, liaison officers for the Canada Revenue Agency who specialize in working with small businesses
• Sara Corrigal, who works with Southwest Strength in Melita;
• Kim Richardson, owner and operator of Lucky Break Ranch
• Tiffany Cameron, the expo organizer, economic development profession and co-owner of Ice Cream Island in Virden.

» Empire-Advance

VIRDEN

Leona Joseph, who co-ordinated services for seniors in Virden over the past 25 years, retired in December and passed her mantle to a new Seniors Access to Independent Living (SAIL) resource co-ordinator, Krista Pederson.

Joseph enjoyed her work with seniors, finding ways to help them access the services they needed to maintain their independence within the community.

Now, ending her nine-to-five career not only means a slower pace with more time for herself, but it allows her an opportunity to become a volunteer with SAIL, driving seniors where they need to go.

The organization has lost a lot of volunteers throughout the years, Joseph said.

“We are a little on the short side, as far as transportation volunteers go. I’ve been trying to help them there where I can, and … [trying] to entice people to come back and drive as well, because if you have a big list of people, you don’t have to ask anybody too often.”

After two and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Joseph said, there’s a big need for people to catch up on postponed health appointments.

Joseph is also looking forward to having more time for music. She has provided entertainment for community events and at seniors’ residences over the years, accompanying herself on the mandolin or singing with a band.

» Empire-Advance

BALDUR

The Baldur Community Gym has had some new equipment added to its repertoire.

Available to members 24-7, the gym is outfitted with two changerooms complete with showers and a large variety of equipment.

Grant Shewfelt, spokesperson for the gym, said that since it was opened in 2007, some of the original equipment has not been replaced.

When it was announced that the province’s Building Sustainable Communities grant program was open for submissions, the Baldur Community Gym committee submitted an application. The application was successful, and shortly after being notified, Lori Johnson, a committee member, began sourcing new equipment.

Everett Bros. Construction were hired to replace the entrance door, and the new gym equipment was purchased through Fitness Experience in Winnipeg, who delivered and installed it. Fitness Experience also gifted the gym two refurbished spin bikes.

The new equipment includes a Smith Machine, a multi-station cable machine; a leg press/back squat machine and a new elliptical trainer. Some rubber matting was also replaced and heavier dumb bells were added.

» The Gazette

RUSSELL

The Russell and District Regional Library joined hundreds of other learning establishments across the country to celebrate Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27.

The event takes place on that date each year to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.

Taking time every day to read or do a learning activity with children is crucial to a child’s development, improving a child’s literacy skills dramatically, and can even help a parent improve their skills as well.

Since 1999, thousands of schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other community groups have taken part in the initiative.

The theme of this year’s day was “Celebrate Your Heritage.” The goal of the theme was for parents to take the time to explore and learn about the historical stories and connection involving researching and learning about their shared heritage as a family.

A few years ago, the Russell and District Regional Library underwent an addition to the west end of the building. The new space allows for a wealth of new activities and a chance to partner and spotlight other important community groups.

» The Russell Banner