In Rivers we will celebrate World Prayer Day at St James Anglican Church, Sunday March 8 at 9 AM
By Carolyn Phillips Rivers Banner
On Friday March 6, 2026, Nigeria will play host to a monumental event as part of the World Day of Prayer, an occasion that brings together over 1.5 million Christians across 150 countries. This year, participants will unite in spirit, transcending linguistic barriers as they join their voices in prayer for pivotal issues affecting women and children around the world. The World Day of Prayer is not just an event; it is an international women-led ecumenical movement that embodies the hopes, concerns, and fervent prayers of women from diverse cultural backgrounds.
The World Day of Prayer began in the early 20th century as a call for Christian women to come together in prayer and action. Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful expression of solidarity among women across borders, who seek to make a difference in their communities and advocate for those who are marginalized. This global movement underscores the role of women as leaders in faith communities, motivating them to collaborate on pressing social issues while celebrating their shared spirituality.
day itself. The prayers and discussions that take place on this occasion have the potential to lead to actionable commitments within communities. This is an opportunity to initiate long-term projects that advocate for social justice and equity, impacting the lives of countless women and children.
The theme for the 2026 observance in Nigeria will focus on the need for peace and solace, drawing on their faith and experiences in a world filled with struggle and anxieties.
The preparation for this day is extensive, the writing country and theme are chosen years in advance. The service then travels to the international committee in New York for translation and dissemination to national committees in over 120 participating countries. From there, it is adapted and shared locally, culminating in gatherings at hundreds of churches every March.
The impact of the World Day of Prayer extends beyond the
As the world prepares for World Day of Prayer 2026, Nigeria stands at the forefront of this significant movement. By coming together in prayer, reflection, and action, we can harness our shared strength to address both local and global issues affecting our mothers, daughters, and sisters. The call to unity reverberates louder than ever, reminding us that through our collective efforts, we can create a brighter future for women and children everywhere.
On this Day of Prayer, let us unite, raise our voices, and work towards a world where the needs of women and children are prioritized and addressed. It truly is a worldwide day of prayer.
Perspectives
Tundra
By Chad Carpenter
Just don’t play the scammers’
game
Last week, the sad, distorted world of telephone scammers came across my desk.
The first was a call from a lady who reported that her mother was almost panicked into complying with a phone scammer’s request. The phone scammer said that the older lady owed $2,000 on her Bell account and it was overdue. It needed to be paid right away or there would be dire consequences. However, it could be paid with a discount by driving to Brandon and buying only $1,000 worth of gift cards. Once the cards were bought, the lady would have to phone in to see where to deliver them. Fortunately, a family member intervened and said not to do that. I checked the number that the lady was supposed to phone and it was a southern US number.
The incident was reported to the police, but it was explained by the police that they would not intervene as there had been no money lost in the scheme. The message is simple, don’t play into these phone schemes.
If there is a serious request for payment on an overdue account, the company will send you a written notice.
Here’s more information on phone scams from a RCMP press release. I wouldn’t normally print a press release in my column, but the release below clearly outlines another scam.
“Manitoba RCMP are warning the public about an elaborate online phishing scam involving con artists impersonating police officers. Here’s how the scam works:
• A random text or email is sent to an unsuspecting individual.
• The text or email includes a link that connects to a video conference call with someone claiming to be a police officer.
1
•If the link is clicked, the fraudster
Ken Waddell Right in the Centre
then works to convince the individual they could be arrested unless they help officers by forwarding gift cards or bitcoin. At times, the fraudster may also try to convince the individual they have a warrant for their arrest but can have it removed by sending gift cards or bitcoin.
2 •In the past two weeks, dozens of individuals have been given the Manitoba RCMP’s general line phone number by fraudsters to convince them they are legitimate.
This is a scam.
RCMP will never send people unsolicited texts or links to click on.
If you receive such a message, do not click on the link and delete the text immediately. If you did click on the link and/or provided personal details via the fraudulent online meeting, contact your financial institution immediately, report the incident to your local police service and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
There are a number of ways to guard against online approaches from scam artists:
• Don’t click on links or download attachments in unsolicited text messages or emails;
• Never send your personal, credit card or banking details in response to unsolicited messages and do not enter
Rita Friesen Homebodies
Delightful dilemma…
Lthose details on any website if you are not certain the site is genuine; and
• Always take a moment to verify the source of messages received.
As a reminder, the RCMP will never ask you to:
• Transfer money or make a payment, whether it be cash, credit card, gift cards or bitcoin;
• Provide remote access to your computer; or
• Provide personal information, including your name, date of birth, phone number, email, address or banking details via text message.
Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of fraud or cybercrime should report it to their local police service and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, at 1-888-495-8501 or online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca.”
In addition to the above two scams, there are many more including fake calls from a grandchild asking for money to get out of trouble. That one is simply titled, the grandchild scam. Please, please, I beg you not to fall into these scams.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the writer’s personal views and are not to be taken as being the view of the Banner & Press staff.
ounging in the big chair, coffee at hand, dog on my lap, I try to simply sit. I could read, I could doze, I could watch curling… the list goes on. But, no… the mind will not slow down and allow me to do nothing. Here’s the dilemma, there are a multitude of little things, and some big projects, that I could be, should be doing. Even with the perfect setting, I am compelled to rise and get ‘things’ done! I’m working on another quilt. This time I have designed the pattern, a house. There are a variety of skies, differing grasses and flowers, and each house has a window or two, and a door with a button sewed on for a doorknob. It took a few tries to get the proportions of the roof and house, another try or two to be happy with the amount of sky, but I can live with the finished block. I was careful not to say the finished project, for I do have all forty of the squares complete, there is the joining and the quilting and the binding to go. There is no real urgency to finish… however I have three other projects I wish to begin and I try to get one done before I start the next. So instead of sitting I put in a bit of time at the sewing center. Calling loudly is a small project. With the home renovations going on I want to move the brooms and mops from one space to the closet with the hot water tank. I am so blessed!! In another closet are the tools I need. The battery operated drill, the various sizes of drill bits, and the whole set of screwdriver heads. The steps are to unfasten the cleaning supply holder from one wall and relocate it. I even have been gifted a level so the finished project is not akimbo. (I have the tools, I lack the proper jargon!) Fifteen minutes and it’s done, to my satisfaction.
Popping back into the room under renovation, a laundry room becoming an accessible bathroom and laundry room, there are a few little things I can do. I have already removed the medicine cabinet and the rusting towel racks, and tidied up the existing shelving units. If I had another eighty years of life, I would want to become a carpenter, and create beauty out of wood. (An aside– my younger sister has taken a course in woodworking in the last couple of years and is now accumulating woodworking tools. She is an expert at working with stained glass, an expert at quilting and sewing and knitting and embroidery. And now woodwork! I wish!)
A bit of sewing, a bit of puttering, and, always waiting for me, a bit of paperwork. There is a column to be written, a Sunday service to compose, a friendly letter to be written, and now, it’s accounting time! Numbers are not my friends. Shall I simply sit? I will, and possibly doze off while sitting. I am so thankful for my interests, for the material and goods available to me, and the time and interest to keep on doing!
Childcare waitlists mushroom, school division funding a concern Education stakeholders meeting
By Anne Davison Rivers Banner
RM of Wallace-Woodworth councillor Diana MacDonald attended an education stakeholder meeting on Jan. 29 in Hamiota. She brought a report to council about childcare and K-Gr.12 education.
Park West School Division had concerns about their funding. Last year’s provincial funding increase for the division was only 0.9 per cent. Park West has now received a one per cent increase while Fort La Bosse received approximately 1.5 per cent and Southwest Horizon gained 2.7 per cent.
At Hamiota elementary school, a Terry Fox teaching event and walk raised $2,100. The Christmas concert featured two performances with strong attendance and proceeds allowed the school to donate $575 to Hamiota Food Bank.
Through a nutrition grant, the school provides three free lunches per week and snacks on Wednesdays.
MacDonald reported that Villages United daycare (Hamiota) facility is currently at full capacity, with 17 infants already on the waiting list for 2026. Kenton daycare operates out of the former Kenton school that’s currently owned by Farmers Edge. This daycare is facing a challenge, as its rent is set to triple. The daycare may require a new building and asked whether the RM could provide assistance.
The executive director of Villages United Early Learning Centre Inc. is Jen Sims (ECE III). The towns of Hamiota, Kenton, Oak River and Strathclair each
have childcare facilities.
Through an email interview, Sims provided additional information about childcare available in the area and an update on Kenton’s rent increase, and says at this time the increase will be absorbed by the organization. “We have not had a rent increase since we started paying rent after Farmer’s Edge took over the building and as with all things, there is a price increase that will be taken on by Villages United.”
Villages United
Sims explains that the Hamiota location of Villages United Early Learning Centre opened in 2004 with an expansion to a second building.
Hamiota offers eight infant, 31 preschool, 20 school age and 20 nursery school spaces. Now, however, Hamiota is in need of additional space for all ages and Sims says, “Hamiota is beginning to look into ways to increase school age spaces as well.”
Villages United opened the Kenton facility in 2008 with four infant and 12 preschool spaces. The Oak River site opened in 2013 and Strathclair in 2016. Each of those have four infant and eight preschool spaces. All four facilities are operated out of the main site in Hamiota where the executive director works. Day to day operations are handled by assistant directors onsite in each facility.
Sims says, “In the last year our waitlists have ex-
Locally created crossword
ploded in all facilities and we are just now starting to consider increasing primarily preschool spaces to try and create room for all of our children to stay within the same facility for their entire infant, and into preschool, career.”
She says, “$10-a-day child care has made full-time care an option for many families who were unable to financially afford it in the past. Many are choosing to pay for a full-time space to ensure they have a space when it is available for their shifts as we are not able to accommodate part-time families like in past years.
“Being short on spaces is a great problem from a business perspective, but having to ask children to leave when they turn two or finish kindergarten is not a problem we wish to pass on to our families.”
About
Villages United Early Learning Centre is operated by a board of directors, and governed by the Province of Manitoba - Early Learning and Child Care, public health and local fire inspectors.
The Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth begins at the Saskatchewan border and includes Kenton and area, with their students being bussed to Park West School Division’s Hamiota Schools.
Created by David Harris of Oak River, MB
Villages United Early Learning Centre operates out of Hamiota. The two adjacent buildings are at capacity with a waiting list.
PHOTO BY ANNE DAVISON
Rivers falls to Virden in THHL quarterfinals Westman High School Hockey
By Robin Wark Rivers Banner
The Rivers Jets’ successful season has come to an end.
The local senior team lost 3-1 to the Virden Oil Kings in its Tiger Hills Hockey League quarterfinal series. The Jets had lost the first two contests of the best-of-five series but rebounded to win game three 3-2. A 3-2 game four loss brought their season to a close.
“Obviously this wasn’t the way we wanted the season to end, and we had aspirations of competing for the title this season,” Jets coach Ryan Lamb said. “But, I have nothing but the utmost respect for our guys who left everything they had on the ice in game four.
Next season, hopefully we can come back as a group and take another crack at bringing home a championship for our fans and community.”
Rivers had posted a 14-4-1-0 regular season record. That placed the team fourth in the standings and earned it a first-round bye in the playoffs. It was the Jets’ fourth season in the THHL.
Lamb expressed appreciation for “all of the people who supported our team this yearour sponsors and our fans - we go out there every night and try and perform for them. I’d also like to thank our players. They put their bodies on the line and battled all season long. And finally, thank you
to the executive who behind the scenes organize and make game days as smooth as they can be.”
In game three on Feb. 24, all of the scoring happened in the first period - with the Jets coming out on top. After Virden scored first, Rivers took a 2-1 lead on markers by Cameron Ramsay and Luke DeCorby. The Oil Kings knotted things up at 2-2, but Kaelen Huibers delivered the game-winner for the Jets on the power play with a second left in the period. Rivers goaltender Riley Lamb made 44 saves. The Jets were one-for-five on the power play, and killed off all six of Virden’s man advantage opportunities.
“We came out skating game three, and got a few huge saves from Riley in net,” Ryan Lamb said. “Huibs snuck in late and scored to put us up 3-2 after the first. Then we kind of just weathered the storm and held on to the lead the rest of the game. Our penalty kill was huge and Riley helped shut the door on their comeback.”
On Feb. 25, the Jets and Oil Kings were tied at 1-1 after two periods. Virden scored twice to start the third period and prevailed 3-2. Layton Veitch scored in the second period for Rivers. Huibers had the final goal of the series in the third period. Riley Lamb stopped 34 shots.
By Gerry Nolan Rivers Banner
The Hamiota Huskies wrapped up their regular season with a 4-2 win over Sandy Bay. Sam Rivas had a goal and 2 assists for the winners. Duncan McLean, Harle Bridges and Jayden Schoonbaert also scored for the Huskies. Aaron Roels had 2 assists, and single assist went to Reid Hutchings, Harlen Bridges and Kirk Bages. This concludes the regular season play for Hamiota. They will now face the Vincent Massey Vikings in the playoffs.
The Huskies finished in seventh place with 16 wins and 12 losses. They have had a successful season as there were many
changes due to graduating players from last year’s squad.
Aaron Roels led the team in scoring with 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points. Duncan McLean was next with 15 goals and 27 assists for 42 points and Sam Rivas had 14 goals 26 assists for 40 points.
Game one in a best of three series saw the Vincent Massey Vikings blank the Hamiota Huskies by a score of 2-0. Vincent Massey took 4 of the 7 minor penalties assessed in a well played game by both sides. Game 2 goes in Hamiota on Thursday night at 8pm. The Huskies will face elimination in this game so they will need to fill the net to keep their season alive.
By Gerry Nolan Rivers Banner
Hamiota hosted the provincial U18 women’s hockey tournament this past weekend. There were 6 teams taking part in the tournament. Two pools of three competed against one another with the teams seeded after the round robin play.
When all the games were completed, the Southwest Rockets were crowned Champions with a 2-0 victory over the Brandon Wheaties.
In the Bronze Medal game, the host Hamiota Huskies claimed the Bronze Medal with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Brandon Blazers.
The Birtle Bruskies
defeated the Southwest Stars 4-2 to win the consolation side of the tournament. Congratulations to all the teams for giving it their all this past weekend. Congratulations to the host of the event, Hamiota Minor Hockey for all their hard work. Also thank you for the many volunteers that it takes to host and run such a major tournament. To all those who worked the door, sold 50/50 tickets, worked the time clock and the game sheet as well as the many volunteers who work in the canteen, well done folks!
Also thank-you to all the on-ice officials for making sure the games ran smoothly. Great job Hamiota!
National Hockey League trade deadline
By Gerry Nolan Rivers Banner
On March 6 is the National Hockey League trade deadline. There is so much speculation, so much discussion on trades that are dreamed up, it’s difficult to know just what any teams are doing because the general managers are not giving out information. The people on our televisions would have you believe they have the inside scoop and know what the deals are. Personally the only one I pay much attention to is Bob McKenzie. He did not speculate but dealt with facts. Anyway, I am going to speculate about the Canadian teams and what they should do. As of today, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa are not even in
the playoffs and are likely going golfing right after the Masters Golf Tournament in April. Edmonton and Montreal although not guaranteed, are likely to make the playoffs. Two Canadian teams and that is all for this season.
Edmonton needs a goalie and they need to trade Darnell Nurse. At a $9million a year contract and as the 5th or 6th defensemen on that team, he needs to leave. The door is closing on Edmonton to win the cup as their core is in their prime.
Montreal continues to get better each season and are getting close to a long playoff run. I think they need to get more size up front. We saw Washington knock them around in last year’s playoffs so addressing that will be on their list. Vancouver and Calgary are doing a rebuild, so any trades they can make to
get draft picks will be on their list and both teams will have some players they can move. Nazem Kadri in Calgary, Brock Boeser in Vancouver will likely be on the move. Ottawa is underachieving so they may wait until summer to do much with their roster.
Winnipeg has had a terrible season. Last season’s President trophy winners are going to miss the playoffs. A wasted year for a team that has so much top end talent. They still do not have a number two centre and need to upgrade a small defensive core. They have kept playing the same guys with not good results. Their farm team, the Manitoba Moose, where their prospects are, must not be that good as they do not bring them up to play.
They are, if you listen to what the sports talk shows are saying, they should be trading Logan Stanley and
Cole Perfetti. Two young players to build around and you are trading them? What about trading the dead weight on the team? Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk, Gustav NyQuist, Nino Niederreiter just to mention a few. Gustav Nyquist signed a one year contract with the Winnipeg Jets this past off season. So far he has scored no goals and has nine assists. The game against Anaheim played last Friday night, he was on the ice in overtime when Anaheim scored to win the game. Really coach, why in the world would you even consider putting a player on the ice in a three on three situation that has not scored a goal all year? Maybe it is time Winnipeg changes the general manager and the coach. It will all be clear after next Friday as to what happened on the trade deadline. Friday!
Stop by. Say hello. Show your support.
Up on the Roof — For Westman Families
For four days in March, Brandon Firefighters trade comfort for commitment — camping out on their rooftop to raise funds for local families.
The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba is proud to be one of the beneficiaries of this incredible Tri-Charity Rooftop Campout. Funds raised directly support CPMB members across Westman by enhancing mobility, accessibility, and independence.
Ref Memories
Gerry Nolan Ref to writer
I happened to be walking in the mall in Brandon and bumped into an old friend, Frank Taylor from Minnedosa. It was really good to see him. We both used to officiate all kinds of hockey games in and around the area. I really respected Frank, as he was one of the best officials I knew. We did not work a lot of games together, but when we did it was always a lot of fun. As we reminisced about games and times we spent together and the guys we worked with officiating it definitely brought back some great memories. Frank reminded me of the time he came to our house after a game, as I
had made a pot of chili that needed to be eaten. Probably a couple of brews as well!
We covered some of the officiating we see and I will tell you both of us are not impressed by the officiating these days. It is hard to understand what officials are calling these days. Not a lot of consistency, we agreed. How the game has changed and it is different from what we saw. I think the lack of respect in our world, which filters down, is the root of the problem. Anyway we do not officiate anymore so sometimes you just have to let it be. As we chatted about the good old days, a couple of fellow officials have passed
away and others are facing health problems. We were both sad to hear of the referees who have passed away. It is a reminder to enjoy each day as it comes as tomorrow may never come.
It made my day seeing Frank again, who is a true gentleman and was the best referee for a good number of years. How do I know he was a top referee? Hockey teams, especially in the playoffs, wanted him to officiate their playoff games. When your peers look at you, as they did with Frank, that says it all! They wanted him in their rink to officiate their most important games of the season.
Frank shared that these days, he follows the grandchildren around, encouraging them as they participate in sporting events. In fact that day, they were headed to Winnipeg to watch hockey. Frank looks like he is in great shape and probably could still be out on the ice officiating the game we both love.
As I said earlier it was great to see him and share some memories of hockey!
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Bread Machine Pretzels
Making homemade pretzels is so easy when you use your bread machine. Bread Machine Pretzels are soft and chewy just like vendor style pretzels.
Ingredients
• 1 cup water room temperature
• 1 tablespoon butter room temperature
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon dry active yeast
• 6 cups water for cooking water
• 1/3 cup baking soda for cooking water
• 1 egg to brush on before baking
• 2-3 tablespoon melted butter
• 2 teaspoon coarse salt for topping
Directions
1. Place 1 cup water, butter, sugar, salt, flour and dry yeast in bread machine pan in order listed. Do not mix.
2. Select Dough setting and press start.
3. When cycle is complete, remove dough and transfer to lightly floured surface.
4. Preheat oven to 400º F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
5. Divide dough into 6 equal portions.
6. Roll each piece of dough into a 18-20 inch rope.
7. Shape rope into U, take 2 ends and cross over 1 or 2 times. Bring end towards you, fold down leaving ends over-hang a bit. Press down a bit where dough intersects at the bottom.
8. Prepare baking soda water. Using large pot bring 6 cups of water to rapid simmer. Add baking soda slowly to water, stir to dissolve. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer.
9. Place 1 to 2 pretzels into water. Do not overcrowd pot.
10. Cook for 30 seconds, flip and cook for another 30 seconds.
11. Using large slotted ladle remove pretzels and transfer to baking sheet.
12. Prepare egg wash by whisking together egg with 1 tsp of water.
13. Brush pretzels with egg wash. Sprinkle with coarse salt. My favorite is coarse sea salt.
14. Bake 400º F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
15. Remove from oven and brush generously with melted butter.
