Mural unveiling of McMunn community completes set for local artist and historian

Community members and historical enthusiasts gathered at the Midwinter Heritage Site in East Braintree on June 27, to share a potluck meal and witness the unveiling of local historian and artist Lorna Feilberg Annell’s latest and possibly last historical mural of the once vibrant village of McMunn.

Exactly one year earlier, Annell had stood on the same stage attached to the old one-room schoolhouse that is now a local museum and revealed her first artwork featuring a meticulously accurate depiction of East Braintree, where she and sister Margaret were raised.

Both sisters are community icons, with Lorna having won awards such as the Lieutenant Governor General’s Award for historical preservation and promotion, and Margaret serving as president of the Midwinter Heritage Association, with their many years of hard work making the site a historical tourism showpiece.

“She’ll tell me what to do and when and where to stand. She’s the boss. She’s my younger sister, but she’s the boss,” laughs Lorna.

Federal government plans forest survey, Piney opens forest tours registration

Canada has 10 percent of the world’s forests, as such, this natural resource is considered important economically, environmentally, and holistically. Now, the federal government is looking to do a tree inventory.

“Private forests have not been under the purview of the Federal Forestry Department (Natural Resources Canada), and there’s a lot of information that seems to be missing when it comes to forest policymaking,” said Bob Austman, Manitoba chair for Canadian Forest Owners (CFO).

“Private forest owners aren’t really aware of the inventory they have on their land and how important it really is to a healthy environment. So, this survey will give the policymakers enough information to figure out, who owns these forests, what are their goals, what kind of activities are happening in (the owners’) forested property, and there’s also a need to provide support from federal forestry departments.”

The national survey of private forests is the first of its kind in more than 20 years in Canada. It is being conducted by the CFO and researchers at McGill University with support from MITACS Canada.

Hanover development plan to promote density, affordable housing, industry

The RM of Hanover is looking to increase residential density and affordable housing with its new development plan and zoning bylaw as its projected population is set to increase by about 10,000 people by 2050.

The municipality held an open house on June 25 in Mitchell for residents to get information and ask questions about the changes the RM wants to make.

“In terms of the development plan, based on population projections, we’re redesignating some new lands adjacent to the LUDs for new residential, commercial, and industrial development,” said Jeff Plette, senior planner and partner with Landmark Planning and Design. “We’ve been working with the province to find policy provisions to allow for Hanover’s economy to diversify going forward.”

Landmark worked closely with council and the RM’s planning manager in developing the changes in the plan and zoning bylaw. The Planning Act dictates that municipalities must keep their development plans for future growth current, reviewed usually every five years, and their zoning bylaw consistently reviewed to keep in step with the development plan.

Carolina picks Ste Anne’s Zach Lansard in third round of NHL draft

All of Ste Anne was on high alert as soon as the third round of the NHL draft started. Zach Lansard, who was ranked as high as 80th in prospect rankings, didn’t have to wait long, with the cup champion Hurricanes jumping the rankings by taking the Regina Pats forward with the 68th overall pick June 27.

The selection was just four picks into the third round, made with a pick the Hurricanes traded into the day before, moving back from 42nd overall and receiving the 51st and 68th picks in return from Calgary. Lansard was the first forward selected by Carolina in this year’s draft.

The selection was a shock to Lansard and his family, who were watching the draft from their home in Ste Anne. There was no pre-selection phone call, with Lansard noting he had his last meeting with Carolina a few weeks ago.

“When my name got called, everyone on the couch blacked out and was silent for a bit and then we realized it happened,” Lansard said in a phone call later in the day.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: June 25th edition

Featuring a U17 AAA Eastman Wildcats softball game June 18, the Summer Skate Series in downtown Steinbach June 19 and a Hanover Kickers match June 22 at the Steinbach Soccer Park.

Long-time Southeast Tabs for Wheelchairs volunteer coordinator looking to retire

It was while on vacation with his wife, that a cup filled with can tabs piqued the interest of Bob Barrow, leading to a decade-long passion of helping disabled children.

For the past 11 years, Barrow has been volunteer coordinator with Tabs for Wheelchairs in the Southeast and now the 81-year-old would like to retire.

“I’d like to get someone else involved that’s younger and they’ll do it for a longer time,” he said.

Barrow’s volunteer journey began on his 50th wedding anniversary when he and his wife were celebrating near Kenora.

Providence Pilots standout heading to Manitoba Bisons

The Providence Pilots have proven to be a potential launching pad into the USports ranks.

Two seasons ago, Paige Heide made the jump in women’s soccer to the University of Waterloo, last year saw men’s volleyball standout Sebastian Verdaguer head to the University of Manitoba and now women’s basketball talent Faith LaRocque will be heading to the University of Manitoba.

LaRocque, who is from Niverville, was a high school star with the Dakota Lancers and made an instant impact with the Providence women’s basketball team.

Despite playing in the team’s system that has the entire 15-player roster receive significant playing time, LaRocque was named both the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference and National Intercollegiate Athletic Conference player of the year.

Premier’s comments spark Steinbach council frustration

An announcement made by Premier Wab Kinew saying requests for disaster relief will be honoured even if the standard terms on the government’s website aren’t met, has prompted anger and frustration on Steinbach city council who’s seen requests for assistance for local residents denied twice in consecutive years.

Kinew made the announcement in Selkirk following the flooding that impacted rural Manitoba in areas like Stonewall and Swan River.

Kinew told reporters that even those who could have purchased insurance but didn’t, could qualify for assistance.

“If you have somebody who’s lived in a community for eight or nine decades and they’ve never seen this kind of flooding, it’s reasonable to expect that folks in that area wouldn’t put up flood protection or they wouldn’t purchase overland flood insurance,” he said.

Jets draft pick Martin announces college destination

Owen Martin has his hockey journey over the next few years scouted out.

The 2025 Winnipeg Jets third-round draft pick from Oakbank will play one more year with Spokane in the Western Hockey League, before joining the NCAA division 1 school Colorado College.

“I’d like to thank my family, friends, teammates, coaches and advisors for all the support along the way. None of this is possible without you guys,” Martin said in a social media post.

“With that being said I couldn’t be more excited to come back to Spokane for one more year and get back to work with the boys!”

Dual-sport star Carrière picks softball, Valley City State

The Valley City Vikings may need to play an exhibition game in Friedensfeld if they keep scooping up Eastman talent.

Chloé Carrière became the latest softball player from the Eastman Wildcats to commit to the North Dakota-based University, joining La Broquerie’s Pascale Kihn, who played her freshman season this year and Landmark’s Kelsey Warkentine, who committed this winter to the program.

“I always knew I wanted to play either hockey or softball in university after I graduated,” Carrière said, noting she had a campus visit at Valley City in the fall.

“It took me a while to decide if I wanted to play hockey or softball. This year I chose to go the softball route.”