Rivers Chamber plans for Christmas
- Details
- Published on Saturday, November 8, 2014
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
Rivers and District Chamber of Commerce’s October meeting was full of information. The 14 members and two guests learned that this year’s Santa Claus parade will once again be prefaced with a pancake breakfast.
It has been eight years since breakfast was served; Rivers and Area Lions Club will sell breakfast in the basement of Rivers Civic Centre beginning at 8 a.m. Santa and other parade participants will leave Rivers Elementary School at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. When the parade is over, people will be encouraged to gather at Rivers Legion Hall for hot chocolate (offered by Riverdale Harvest), pictures with Santa and goodie bags. Businesses were encouraged to offer specials that day, so most donned thinking caps and will announce plans later; Rivers Home Hardware will continue its tradition of providing hot apple cider that day.
Rivers and Area Game and Fish Association was somewhat alarmed when it was reported the brass plaque off their bench at the Super Thrifty pocket park was “stolen.” Club members removed the same in preparation for refinishing the bench and plaque. The organization also mentioned its annual buck night which is set for Nov. 29 this year. Besides the usual offerings of trophies, raffles and displays, they are excited to sell tickets on a $6,000 prize package — a four-day fly-in fishing trip (see their ad in this paper for more details).
The event committee reported Oktoberfest was a success with $1,166.17 raised from the sale of food, raffle items and donations at the door. (North American Lumber and Tempo Place Emporium were singled out for their cash donations to the event.) Based on the success of this venture, a similar function is being planned for May when the theme will be a Mexican-based Cinco de Mayo party. (Cinco de Mayo is May 5; it commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.) While it was originally reported a Mardi Gras-themed event may be planned, that February celebration has been cancelled to allow Razzamatazz Dance Club to proceed with their masquerade ball, a family event Razzamatazz was planning in October. They graciously cancelled their dance to allow Oktoberfest to proceed so Chamber members agreed to offer them the same courtesy in February.
Members were reminded that the deadline for Hometown Manitoba grants is Dec. 15. The government will cost-share 50/50 up to $1,000 for “Main Street” development.
Because of municipal amalgamation, the future of Rivers-Daly Community Development Corporation (CDC) is unknown. It was suggested that CDC and Chamber should merge. Their board currently consists of three council representatives from Rivers and Daly and two citizen representatives from town and rural, for a total of 10 members plus the secretary (who does not reside in the new Riverdale Municipality), who has announced her resignation effective in March. CDC members wanted Chamber input regarding the future of that organization, which will meet again on Dec. 3. Chamber members were reminded the CDC has paid for the registration fee and co-ordinated workers for the annual Home Show in Brandon each April; registration deadline for that event has passed and CDC has not yet confirmed space. Chamber members questioned the availability of new promotional material for 2015 as all stock on hand features Rivers and Daly names and logos, not those of the new municipality, which is discussing the need of a logo and promo items.
To conclude the Oct. 26 meeting, Rivers Home Hardware announced they were giving away pink T-shirts, while supplies last, to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Super Thrifty Pharmacy was excited to be chosen from all the entries received from Brandon and area, to win a Halloween party courtesy of Bob FM radio station and Pita Central. The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 26 at noon at Lee’s Restaurant. Anyone interested in “encouraging growth in Rivers and district by supporting our existing businesses and to encourage new businesses” (the Chamber’s mission statement) is more than welcome to attend the meeting.
