2018 STONEWALL SANTA CLAUS PARADE WATCH ON REMAX TOWN & COUNTRY - THE MCKILLOP TEAM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH @ 7:00 PM! Grab your cocoa & enjoy! (204) 467-8000 mckillop.ca VOLUME 7 EDITION 47 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 SERVING LUNDAR, ASHERN, ERIKSDALE, MOOSEHORN, FISHER BRANCH, RIVERTON, ARBORG, GIMLI, WINNIPEG BEACH, ARNES, MELEB, FRASERWOOD BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS STIHL MS 170 30 CC • 16” Bar 2 Year Warranty $ Virtual 199 success Bearcat PW 2700 Pressure Washer 2700 PSI Honda Eng. $599 Sea foam Motor Treatment 473-ml $9.99 Aspen2 Fuel 1 litre 2/$15 SHACHTAY SALES & SERVICE EXPRESS PHOTO BY ELISA HUNT Arborg, MB Elisa Hunt was happy with the results of her online craft sale after provincial restrictions caused by the COVID-19 204-376-5233 pandemic forced her to change her plans. See story on pg. 14. > everything you need to know in your locally owned and operated community newspaper !"!#$ % &'" ()**** + ( , -- ./ .0-- FISHER POWERSPORTS 2 The Express Weekly News Thursday, November 26, 2020 Shoppers go local to help businesses survive shutdown By Patricia Barrett from a local business for its merchandise or a card Residents in Gimli and Arborg are intending to for goods from larger companies might suffi ce. shop locally this Christmas season to help busi- “Our grocery stores have a big selection of gift nesses in their communities survive provincial pub- cards, from restaurants and online stores and even lic health orders and keep their economies afl oat. a refi llable Mastercard or Visa. We can purchase all Restrictions under code red (critical) on the prov- that stuff here in Gimli,” said Isfeld. “If you run out ince’s pandemic response system have resulted in of options to buy for people, there’s no need to run the closure of non-essential businesses, including to Winnipeg; just get them a gift card or get a gift those that sell giftware and crafts, and in restric- card for merchandise from a local business.” tions on what “essential” businesses can sell until Purchasing a gift card also helps support the local Dec. 11 when the order is expected to expire. store selling them because they get a commission, Brittany Isfeld, who has multiple people on her she added. Christmas list, said she’s sworn off Amazon in or- Shopping locally can not only help business, but it der to help support local businesses in Gimli at this can also help individuals earn some extra income, critical time. said Isfeld, who in her spare time makes and sells “No Amazon for this lady,” said Isfeld last week. wood signs with quirky sayings and designs. “And it’s sometimes easier for people to run to a “Buying locally has a big spinoff for our economy big box store and get a bunch of things at once, but as a whole,” said Isfeld. “That’s why we have to keep that’s not personal when people get the same thing. people shopping in town.” There’s not as much thought put into that as there Signy McInnis lives in Arborg and is determined is shopping locally.” to fi nd all her gifts there or in Gimli, which has As to fi nding everything she needs in Gimli, Isfeld EXPRESS PHOTO SUBMITTED more stores than Arborg. said it “absolutely” can be achieved given the diver- One of the personalized stuffed animals “I would much rather shop locally and support my sity of stores in town, which range from clothing available at Little Elska. community where I can,” said McInnis, who like Is- stores, specialty shops and bookstores to hardware feld has lots of people on her Christmas shopping stores, a general merchant and pharmacies that car- list. able in its showroom that people will be able to ry some merchandise. What’s been especially diffi cult at the moment, browse once provincial orders are lifted, she said. “If I go to a store and run out of options, I’ll go to though, is getting into local stores where she can Or people can reach out to artists on their personal a local artisan. We tend to forget them,” said Isfeld. browse and look for ideas, she said. websites or Facebook pages. “So I’m confi dent I’ll fi nd 100 per cent of what I’m “With store closures and the announcement that If you’ve got people on your list who are especially looking for.” non-essential items won’t be sold over the next cou- hard to buy for, Isfeld said purchasing a gift card The Gimli Art Club has a wide range of art avail- ple of weeks, it’s defi nitely making things a lot more What’s Christmas story? Continued on page 4 Pick one of the following themes and tell us your best story: 1. It was the most awesome Christmas break EVER! Here’s what happened … 2. What is the best gift you’ve ever given someone and why was it so special? 3. You open your eyes and realize … you’re a SNOWMAN! What’s your life like? Maxiumum 400 words. CONTEST FOR KIDS 8-12 YEARS OLD. Cash Prizes awarded to the top three stories First place ($50), Second place ($30) Baker Law and Third place ($20) Send in your poem or short story to: CORPORATION $100 [email protected] in cash DEADLINE:D Wednesday, December 9, 2020 prizes to Do you have a current will? be won Protect your family by having a current will, power of Letters to Santa attorney and health care directive. Call us or stop in for more Mail or email your letter to us by Wednesday, December 9th, and we’ll information and fi nd out how we can help you. make sure it appears in our special section on December 24th. Providing full time legal Please remember to include your fi rst Grant D. Baker service to families and name and age on your letter! small businesses in Email: [email protected] Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Gimli and the Interlake. or mail to Box 39, Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0 GIMLI LOCATION RIVERTON LOCATION 72 Centre Street, Gimli, MB 33 Main St. Riverton MB Our offi ce is open 9-5 Mon to Fri Open Mon & Wed 9:30-4:30 204-378-5427 204-642-8681 or 1-866-487-5688 The Express Weekly News Thursday, November 26, 2020 3 Creative Cocoon celebrates Christmas with take-home kits By Evan Matthews in previous years, and given the lack While the Creative Cocoon in Ar- of available activities at the moment, borg has been affected like so many she anticipates much of the same for other non-profi ts, the organiza- this year’s take-home kit as well. tion has opted for The take-home kit Christmas rather includes all supplies than COVID. needed to complete The organiza- the wreath and was tion has been busy designed by Louise adapting to the “WE ALL Shactay, a certifi ed hor- “new normal,” and ticulturist. The kits are chair Jenna Stansell UNDERSTAND THE being sold for $50 per and co-chair Lisa IMPACT OF TAKING adult, and $30 per child. Klym have adjusted Klym said Shactay workshops for par- PART IN THE ARTS was born and raised in ticipants. In-person AND HOW IT CAN Arborg, and she loves EXPRESS PHOTOS SUBMITTED classes are not cur- to give back to the com- The Creative Cocoon is offering take-home kits this holiday season, rently allowed, so POSITIVELY AFFECT munity. rather than hosting workshops. classes are now be- “We truly enjoy team- ing offered in the HEALTH AND WELL- ing up with her,” said form of a take-home BEING.” Klym. “We all under- Going back to March, at the begin- rent, install the kiln, and run pottery kit. stand the impact of tak- ning of the pandemic, the Creative classes. “The Christmas ing part in the arts and Cocoon was forced to cancel in- Of course, these classes would take Tray Workshop on Nov. 13 sold out how it can positively affect health and person classes and postpone future place once restrictions ease, and/or fast, and we had very positive feed- well-being.” plans. With revenue no longer coming post-COVID, according to Stansell. back with the take-home class,” said in from in-person classes, the organi- Anyone interested in purchasing Klym. Trying times zation decided to delay the installa- a take-home kit or donating to The “The next take-home kit workshop For the fi rst time in the Creative Co- tion of a kiln, Stansell said. Creative Cocoon can fi nd the orga- we are working on will be a Christmas coon’s history, the arts and wellness The hope is with collaboration from nization on Facebook or email info@ wreath, which will have a pre-made centre opted to request funds from one or both of the Town of Arborg and thecreativecocoon.net. option as well,” she said. both the Town of Arborg and the RM the RM of Bifrost-Riverton, the Cre- Pick up takes place on Dec. 4. The wreath class has always sold out of Bifrost-Riverton. ative Cocoon could fi nd a space to ALL TOYS, CHRISTMAS AND HOME DÉCOR AND ALL OTHER NON-ESSENTIALS ARE AVAILABLE FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP CALL: 204-376-3090 or EMAIL: [email protected] to arrange pick up or delivery, made easy and safe with wireless debit & credit card payment options For new gift ideas uploaded daily follow us on @homehardwarearborg or @arborghomehardware AND LET US BE YOUR PERSONAL SHOPPERS! 4 The Express Weekly News Thursday, November 26, 2020 Gimli, Arborg businesses innovate to serve local shoppers By Patricia Barrett to shop locally rather than running to Businesses in Gimli and Arborg a big box store.