Jennifer Laviolette
What to consider when adopting a pet
The Pas and Area Animal Shelter held an open house and Pet Care 101 event last Saturday, January 31. This gave people a chance to stop by the animal shelter and learn more about the organization, but most importantly, meet the pets available for adoption.
There are lots to consider before becoming a pet owner. People need to understand all the responsibilities associated with being a pet owner.
“Families should discuss and make sure they are ready to take on a cat or dog before doing so,” said The Pas and Area Animal Shelter Manager Tina Donaldson. “Things to consider are costs involved when getting a pet, making sure one can vet and feed them, give them the exercise and attention they need. It also helps to research the breed of pet to help owners get a better understanding of the pet’s traits.
“When adopting from a shelter, be patient. Training may be needed with some of the pets. Some have come from abusive or neglectful backgrounds. Give them time to adjust to their new environments, to gain your trust and make them feel safe and loved.”
Peavey Mart closes across Canada
The announcement of Peavey Mart closing spread like wildfire when the franchise first announced it was closing operations only in certain parts of Canada. That quickly changed into the franchise closing its doors permanently and leaving Swan River with another loss.
The Star and Times reached out to Peavey Mart for comment and they declined to answer any questions but released the following statement,
“Peavey Industries LP ("Peavey" or "the Company"), Canada’s largest farm and ranch retail chain, announced today that it has sought and obtained an Initial Order for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) from the Court of King’s Bench Alberta.
Following the recently announced closures of 22 stores in Ontario and Nova Scotia, the Company will now begin store closing sales at all remaining locations across Canada. This includes 90 Peavey Mart stores and six MainStreet Hardware locations. The closures and liquidation efforts will commence immediately.
Opasquia Trails under construction
The Opasquia Trails are working on becoming fully accessible so that people with mobility issues or parents who have children in strollers can soon enjoy the trails. As a result of the work being started, some parts are closed off to the public.
“Right now, the snowshoe and forested hiking trails are closed,” said Opasquia Trails Secretary Heather Perchaluk. “However, the boardwalk and trailhead area remain open for public use. We also ask that people stay off the ice road for safety reasons.
MHRN releases annual report
Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (MHRN) released their 2023-2024 yearly report with the focus being to create a safer, more inclusive Manitoba by challenging harmful systems and advocating for respect and safety for all.
“There are many positive outcomes which you can see in our annual reports and evaluation on our website at mhrn.ca,” said MHRN Executive Director Shohan Illsley. “We have engaged people who use substances and are impacted by colonial and structural harms, also known as peers. We have over 800 peers engaged in the province, most of who were not accessing any services before connecting with MHRN. This has increased in peers engaging with social and health care services, including STBBI testing and linkage to care through peer-led events and access to addiction services including RAAM and treatment.
“There has also been an increase in education through community-based outreach and education events in line with national and international activities such as Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week and others. We have over 300 service and health care providers engaged in local harm reduction networks where they identify and address local community needs regarding sexual health, STBBIS, and substance use.”
Hobby turned business celebrates fifth anniversary
What started as a hobby and a love for sewing has led to the creation of a successful business, which is now celebrating a milestone anniversary. Empty Bobbin Quilt and Fabric Shop is celebrating five successful years in business in Swan River.
“I’ve always been involved in sewing, whether it was projects or quilts,” said Empty Bobbin Quilt and Fabric Shop Owner and Operator Julie Baskier. “A couple of years before opening the store, I purchased a long-arm sewing machine and was working with it to create projects as a way to make some money on the side. What I charged customers then, just basically fed my hobby.
“The Swan Valley Co-op closed down their clothing department that had fabric and another fabric store in town was making plans to leave. My youngest child was headed off to school that fall, so I thought it was time to do this and see how it went. I feel it has been a good decision and I’ve been happy with it ever since.”
Over the past five years, Baskier has seen her business grow in many different ways.
“The business has grown in customer base for sure,” said Baskier. “I have a lot of out-of-town customers. Even looking at what I ship out for online orders and where they are going. I’m seeing repeats from the same area, so the word is getting out there. Just getting to be known that way is growth.
“I remember when I was about three years into this business, I would get people coming in and saying they didn’t know my shop was in Swan River and they had been coming here all the time for appointments. I have been hearing that less and less, so I know that people are more aware there is a fabric store in town and that can also be accessed online.
“Then there is the inventory,” said Baskier. “During my live recording with Cody, I mentioned it would be interesting to see what my first live recording looked like when I opened the store, to what it looks like now. We both commented on how the store has more inventory since I opened and there is a larger selection to choose from.
“Right from the get-go, I knew I would offer online as an option for shoppers. At that time, social media had taken off and people who were sewing were on there. As I was setting up shop, I knew that there were people who shop online, even if they could access it right there, some prefer that method of shopping. I knew I had to do this to ensure I would have the customer base I needed.
“The online portion of my business did take longer to build up a customer base than the brick and mortar did,” said Baskier. “I opened up in January 2020 and had started online at that point as well, so that was kind of my savings grace when the pandemic hit. I was already established online and it allowed me to be able to continue through that platform.
“The other thing is we have expanded from brick and mortar and online to going on the road and doing quilt shows. We have a set quilt show road trip that we do. We attended the quilt market this year because it let us meet the people designing the fabrics face to face, so that was exciting growth-wise. Then the quilt retreat we do has been something we’ve added to the business and it’s grown since then.”
Despite opening up the Empty Bobbin Quilt and Fabric Shop just months before the pandemic, Baskier was fortunate and successful in keeping her business open during a time that was challenging and detrimental to many businesses.
“I will never forget my mom saying to me, ‘People without a hobby, what are they doing now?’,” said Baskier. “At that time, she was coming to the store to help me get orders ready for customers to pick up. When the pandemic hit, she was afraid my business would be done. I wasn’t 100 percent certain what the shop’s future was either, but fortunately, it worked.
“I think it was because I had only been open for two and half months before the pandemic hit, that I was able to pivot. I was still swimming and trying to figure out my business and what it all entailed. Because of that, I feel I was able to adapt my way of doing business much easier.”
Baskier is still processing that her business is celebrating five years of operation. She has enjoyed many aspects of running her own business and has plans for the future operations of the Empty Bobbin Quilt and Fabric Shop.
“I would definitely love to continue to grow the business,” said Baskier. “I have a list of sewing and craft supplies I would like to carry in the store and to be able to bring that in would be exciting. I would like to hold more classes, but I have four kids. One is graduated, one will be graduating and there are two more behind. I can see in the future, being able to have more time to dedicate to hosting regular classes.
“The classes I host right now are just sporadic and would like to host regular ones in the future. I’ve held three annual quilting retreats and have 50 quilters come. It’s always an exciting time to prep for that and experience it over three days, but it would be nice to experience that energy more regularly.
“I have enjoyed the new friendships I have made since starting up the business,” said Baskier. “Whether that is customers or other quilt shop owners or people I’ve met from going to quilt shows, that part to me, has been the most exciting. I’ve met so many different quilters and learned from them as individuals. I like to get to know people. As I am helping them pick out fabric, it’s really interesting to hear their views and way of life, while getting to know them. It allows me to expand my horizons without having to leave my shop.
“I can’t get over all the different people I’ve met in the last five years through the shop. It just blows my mind sometimes.”
Meals on Wheels provides more than a service
There is a program dedicated to ensuring people can get help with meals being delivered to their homes if they are facing challenges cooking for themselves. The Meals on Wheels Program has been long-running in the community and has seen only a few minor changes since its conception.
“The Meals on Wheels Program started in The Pas 36 years ago,” said the NHRA Client Service Coordinator Brian Duncalfe. “Originally it was run by a board and was independent of the Regional Health Authority (RHA). The only thing the RHA assisted with was the meals prepared by the kitchen.
“The RHA took up the billing for the program around 20 years ago, so there was no need for a board. I stayed on to help run the program. If anyone wanted to join, it all went through me. This allowed me to deliver the meals to clients for seven months straight as part of my job. I enjoyed doing this and visiting with people when I delivered their meals.
“At that time, we didn’t have a team of individuals, but I did have a few friends I could call on to cover for me when I was away,” said Duncalfe.
RCMP staffing crisis impacts The Pas
Many communities in Manitoba are crying out about police shortages, but very few are faced with the level of RCMP officer vacancies that The Pas has been experiencing. Some communities are complaining about having anywhere from two to five positions vacant. Meanwhile, The Pas is operating with only 12 of its 23 budgeted RCMP positions filled for a community of over 5,300 residents.
This has led to inadequate coverage with only three officers on duty during night shifts and two during the day. The Town of the Pas pays $3.5 million annually for policing services in the community and the Community Safety Program faces even more costs as they plan to fund this investment for the future.
As a result, the tri-community area has seen a rise in criminal activity from drug trafficking operations and altercations involving weapons and firearms. Just last December, Opaskwayak Cree Nation implemented a curfew in their community in hopes of controlling the criminal activity taking place in the early morning hours.
Ponask’s work on display at Sam Waller Museum
Sam Waller Museum has done an excellent job showcasing some extremely talented artists, especially local ones. Their most recent exhibit features work done by local artist Shauna Ponask. Ponask’s work has been on display throughout Manitoba at various points and over the past few years, she has been featured in some prominent art showcases in Winnipeg.
“This is my first exhibit at the Sam Waller Museum,” said Ponask. “I was asked to create an exhibit by a previous curator, which I happily agreed to.
“The title of the exhibit is Journey Home. I wanted to tell the story of how I started sewing and creating, which all started four years ago when my husband was battling cancer in Winnipeg. I created my first pair of mukluks beside him at the Health Sciences Centre. I found it to be a form of healing and comfort during a very difficult time.
NMTF plans are underway
Preparations are underway for this year’s Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival (NMTF) and it’s already off to a great start as this year will see the return of the World Championship Dog Sled Races.
“Everything is on track for this year’s NMTF,” said NMTF Vice Chair Jenn Cook. “We’re excited that the dog races are happening this year, thanks to the abundance of snow we have.
“Our headquarters will be back at the library annex and continue with event headquarters being located at the Wescana Inn, so registrations will be there. We encourage people to get updates by checking our social media or heading to the website.”
Opening ceremonies for the NMTF kick off on February 12 at 12:15 p.m. at Fort Whoop-It-Up on the Saskatchewan River.
This year’s Torchlite Parade is on February 12 starting at 5:30 p.m. It begins at the Royal Canadian Legion parking lot and ends at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre (GLMC). Floats for the parade must register online and there are three prize categories, including Commercial,Non-Commercial and Family-Youth Group.
January is the bluest month
Not only is January one of the coldest months but it’s also known to be the bluest month of the year. Blue Monday is coming up and many people are facing challenges with mental health, depression, or just a hard time in general.
“Blue Monday is a term applied to the third Monday of January, which is January 20 this year, and has been labelled as the most depressing day of the year,” said Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Swan Valley Branch Peer Support and Public Education Coordinator Rod Seib. “The original idea was conceived by a travel company in the UK in the early 2000s. A psychologist was commissioned to generate a formula that would provide the basis for promoting this day as the most depressing time of the year.