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Whether he needed help picking something up, opening the door, getting something off the counter and everything in between, Fanta was there. Fanta was a black service dog and her dad was Alex Lytwyn of Winnipegosis.
Living with Cerebral Palsy, small tasks turn into enormous challenges for Alex. Entering the store isn't something he could normally do by himself; however, Fanta was always there to help him do so. Morning or night, Fanta spent four years being right by Alex's side, until she became ill about two months ago.
Despite multiple visits to the vet, Fanta's illness had progressed too much and she passed away, one month ago on Tuesday, July 12. Lytwyn is remembering her as the best thing he has ever had in his life.
"She was my everything, she meant everything and more to me," said Lytwyn. "Her little tail wag would put a smile on my face. She did everything for me and life simply isn't the same without her."
Alex matched with Fanta four years ago thru the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. A moment that Alex is holding near and dear to his heart is when Fanta was in her last stages. One day when they got back from the vet, she would wait for Alex to come down the van ramp and she walked with Alex into the house together, despite having very little energy to do so.
"We were lying down later and she was right beside me and she looked at me like she wanted to go for a walk," said Lytwyn. "It took a while to get her up but once we did, we went for a walk around the yard and we couldn't stop looking at each other. To me, we were thinking about all the great times we had together and I was feeling so thankful for everything she did for me."
Later that evening, Fanta put her head on Alex`s arm, gave him a kiss and took her last breath.
"She will forever be in my heart, I will never forget Fanta," ended Lytwyn.
Alex says getting a new service dog is off the table for now; however, he is open to getting one in the future after he takes some more time to remember Fanta.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Manitoba government is asking for your feedback on personal care home standards to better understand how to move forward on this issue.
They commissioned an independent review to understand what happened during a serious COVID-19 outbreak in a personal care home in October 2020 and reduce the likelihood of a similar event happening in the future.
A new online survey, which can be accessed here, was opened to collect the data and you have until July 29th to complete it.
More information can be found on the Province of Manitoba website.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Mossey River Days returned last weekend and it was very well attended. There were lots of people out on the boulevard, the Charlie Major concert was sold out and the curling rink was full.
Rebecca Sahulka, a member of the Mossey River Volunteer Events Committee, said that it was a success.
"Lots of people came up to the volunteers thanking them for the night. Everybody said that they had such a great time," she added.
Rebecca Sahulka really enjoyed Emma Peterson's performance.
"[It] was absolutely amazing. She brought everybody onto the dance floor and that really got the night going... We definitely want her to come back again," she said.
Sahulka also said that many local businesses want to sponsor Mossey River Days again next year and that they're proud of how it went.
The plans for next year's Mossey River Days are expected to start next month.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
It's the 75th Anniversary of the Gilbert Plains Co-op and they're celebrating all week by giving back to their customers.
They have raffle prizes, coffee, donuts, and in-store specials all week long, and tomorrow, they have a BBQ from eleven to two.
Katelynn Musey from the Gilbert Plains Co-op Agro Centre says you'll have even more of a chance to save at the BBQ.
"We have the wheel and you can win five percent, ten percent, fifteen percent, and there'll also be one 75 percent on there for a chance to win a gift card."
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
Tim Hortons' annual Camp Day fundraising campaign returns today. For the entire day, Tim Hortons will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from all hot coffee and iced coffee sales to Tim Hortons Foundation Camps to support sending youth from underserved communities to Tims Camps.
If you would like to support this year's Camp Day at the local Tim Hortons on Main St. S., you can:
- Place an order for a hot or iced coffee in-store or through the Tim Hortons app
- Order a Tim Hortons Take 12 — which includes 12 small coffees along with cups, dairy and sweeteners
- Purchase a Camp Day bracelet for $2 or a pair of red and white camp-themed socks for $5
- Use tap-to-give to donate $2 using your credit or debit card
More information, including ways to donate online, can be found on the Tim Hortons website.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Parkland Residential and Vocational Services Inc provide care to those with intellectual disabilities. From in-house activities to going out and about in the community, PRVSI has always been there and will remain there for those that need it.
However; the last two and a half years have been extremely tough on the not-for-profit. Many businesses are dealing with staffing shortages and PRVSI is no different.
Darrin Clinton says they are looking for upwards of 12 new employees to provide care.
"I'm starting to worry about the morale of my staff," said Clinton. "They are putting in so many extra hours and our agency is so grateful for everything they do. With that said, I'm worried about them also getting burnt out."
As a result of their significant staffing shortage, PRVSI has had to cut back on services. They have a summer GAP program where they plan trips throughout the summer although they had to cancel that during the pandemic. Darrin is hoping they can get back to their trips now; however, without more staff coming on board, that likely won't be the case.
"We had funding from the government for three college or university students that would usually do this," said Clinton. "No one applied so that isn't running right now."
Clinton says they are now trying to plan some day trips throughout the rest of July, August and some of September. While taking care of those with intellectual disabilities is maybe something you never saw yourself doing, Clinton says it is very worth it and satisfying.
"The trust they put in you, they don't care if you're male or female," said Clinton. "They look at you and respect you for being you, just like they expect. It's an overwhelming sensation to know you're helping someone and that's the case here"
If you are interested in applying to PRVSI, you need your grade 12, an adult abuse check and a criminal record check. You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Many drivers in Manitoba could be paying a little less for auto insurance next year.
Manitoba Public Insurance has applied to provincial regulators for an average rate decrease of 0.9%, although there are different proposals for different categories of vehicles.
The Crown corporation says it would be the fourth year in a row of rate drops, helped in part by reduced driving and fewer accidents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Regulatory hearings are scheduled for the fall and the new rates are expected to take effect starting next April, as drivers renew their licences.
More information can be found on the MPI website.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Health Canada added more products to its list of hand sanitizers that have been recalled.
The following products were added:
- Davey's Hand Sanitizer (NPN: 80102939)
- Davey's Sanitizing Hand Wipes (NPN: 80103924)
- Hand Sanitizing Wipes from Up On Me Imports Inc. (NPN: 80102698)
- Nomad Hand Sanitizer Jasmine (NPN: 80101611)
- Nomad Hand Sanitizer Lavender (NPN: 80101564)
- Nomad Hand Sanitizer Lemongrass; Nomad Hand Sanitizer Scent Free (NPN: 80097907)
- Nomad Hand Sanitizer Scent Free (NPN: 80106380)
- Nomad Hand Sanitizer Summertime (NPN: 80109298)
- Nomad Hand Sanitizer Winter Cheer (NPN: 80104632)
They ask that you stop using these products immediately and properly dispose of them by following municipal or regional guidelines on how to dispose of chemicals. You can also return them to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.
More information on the products listed above, as well as the complete list of recalled hand sanitizers, can be found on the Health Canada website.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
The Gilbert Plains Grand View Ag Society Fair and Rodeo made its much-anticipated return to Gilbert Plains this weekend, and the weather was nearly perfect. After a few years off because of the pandemic, President Kevin Boese said there were definitely some concerns.
"We had a little bit of a shower come through on Sunday but the stands were full on Saturday and almost full on Sunday so it was a wonderful weekend, everything went very smoothly." said Boese, "We were a little bit concerned if we remembered everything from not having a fair for the last three years, but everything went off without a hitch."
Boese said the parade was a huge hit on Saturday as well, with lots of great floats, and they couldn't have done any of it without all their great volunteers.
"Just a huge thank you to all the volunteers that came out and helped us. Everybody stepped right up." said Boese, "and also a huge thank you to all of the sponsors, the sponsorship money that we get from the great group of sponsors we have in the Parkland area, without them and without the volunteers, none of this is possible."
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
The R.M. of Lakeshore will be holding a public hearing regarding By-Law 07-2021, which focuses on closing a portion of Lakeview Drive and authorizing the sale of land, at the Ochre River Municipal Office Council Chambers located at 206 Mackenzie Ave. in Ochre River tonight at 7 p.m.
At the hearing, Council will give people the chance to ask questions and voice their concerns regarding the by-law.
For more information, contact the R.M. of Lakeshore's Ochre River Municipal Office at 204-733-2423.
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- Contributed by Nicholas Iatropoulos
Gartons Auction Services Summer Consignment Sale closes this week, and you can already start bidding on items. Larger items will be closing on Wednesday, while smaller items will close Thursday, and Larry Garton says they have something for everybody.
"Day one of the sale is larger equipment and vehicles," said Garton, "there's anything for basically any size of farmer from antique equipment, right through to some 2009, 2010 John Deere Combines. Same in pretty well every class of equipment. There's older equipment for smaller, older, farmers, and it gets up into newer equipment for the haying equipment for some of the larger farmers as well."
You can already register, view, and bid on items online at the Gartons Auction Website.
"It sends them a verification email, once they've clicked it in the appropriate spot then they can go in and start bidding." said Garton, "It's a very simple process but we're always there if somebody needs to get a hold of us for any assistance in doing that."
The items closing Wednesday can be viewed here, and the items closing on Thursday can be viewed here.
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- Contributed by Sam Brownell
