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1946 to 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Steinbach Hatchery celebrates 90 years

Wes Keating 4 minute read 5:37 PM CDT

There is an old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”, but the opposite was true for the feed mill staff in the early days of Steinbach Hatchery. Few men were tough enough to keep going for years on a job that required heaving 100-pound bags of feed onto the back of a farmer’s truck, day-after-day.

But that was then, and now modern equipment to go along with modern technology has made the job much easier than it was when Roy Bartel was a young man, just out of high school.

Actually, Bartel who worked his way up the ranks to become general manager, was working for the company even before he finished high school. And the same holds true for Steinbach Hatchery CEO Joel Friesen, whose father Jake was one of four partners until his death in 2017.

Bartel started working at Maple Grove Farms in August of 1970, when he was living with his grandparents, Peter and Anne Bartel, in Kleefeld. Peter Bartel worked on the Maple Grove farm on Loewen Boulevard and he asked Elvin Reimer whether he had a job for his grandson.

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COLUMN: Grey Matters – A chaplain’s role

Gary Dyck 4 minute read 2:55 PM CDT

As a hospital chaplain (aka spiritual care provider), I often find that people misunderstand my role. When I introduce myself, some people say they aren’t religious, some say they are from a faith that is not Christian, some say they have a pastor or that they are OK for now. However, there is a reason this role is now called ‘spiritual care provider’. It is a role that is to serve all. It is not called Christian care provider, religious care provider, but spiritual care provider because it is about tending the spirit that is in all of us. Pain is not only biological, but it also has emotional and spiritual impacts.

Our word ‘psyche’ includes the human soul in its etymology. For the ancient Greeks it was an all-inclusive word that involves the mind, emotions and spirit of a person. That is why most hospitals have spiritual care providers as part of their inter-disciplinary team. We know that for the best hope of recovery or adjustment it is essential that we help the body and spirit together. The first thing I usually say to a patient is ‘I am here for you. This is your journey and I’m here to support you in whatever way I can. If it is just to listen or to pray if desired, it is all about you.’

The spiritual care provider walks through hospital corridors with quiet anticipation, knowing that in each room there is pain. In each room there is space for a little more hope. The chaplain’s role is not defined by procedures or charts, but by presence - sitting with people at a vulnerable time of life. Spiritual care providers offer spiritual and emotional care to patients of all beliefs and to those who have no belief in God, listening for meaning more than the words and forms people use. In sterile rooms buzzing with machines and monitors, they remind patients and families that they are more than their diagnoses, that their stories, fears, and faith matter more. Biography over biology.

Much of a spiritual care provider’s work unfolds through gentle, open questions that invite reflection rather than demand answers. “What is giving you strength right now?” “What worries you the most in this moment?” or “Are there beliefs or practices that bring you comfort?” or simply “How was your sleep last night?’. These questions open doors to reflection, allowing patients and families to voice hope, doubt, anger, or grief. Often, the greatest gift is a silence that listens - a safe space where complicated emotions can rest without being judged or rushed. It is amazing how much better one can feel after talking a little with a trustworthy person.

Audette and Kidd honoured by MASRC at banquet

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Audette and Kidd honoured by MASRC at banquet

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read 12:00 PM CDT

A current and a now retired hockey player from the region who are Red River Métis were recognized for their acheivements last week.

St Adolphe’s Taylor Audette was named as one of the 2025 Maniotba Indigenious athletes of the year and Trevor Kidd was inducted into the Manitoba Indigenous Sports and Hall of Fame.

Audette, who is from St Adolphe, scored 42 points in 35 games for the Silvertips in the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League in the 25/26 season. She also races dirt-track and plays softball.

Kidd, who was born in Dugald and played on one of the first Eastman Selects teams when the program was founded in the 1987/1988 season, would go on to play nearly 400 NHL games.

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12:00 PM CDT

1946 to 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Facelifts and complete makeovers on the ever-changing face of Main

Wes Keating 3 minute read Preview

1946 to 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Facelifts and complete makeovers on the ever-changing face of Main

Wes Keating 3 minute read 11:58 AM CDT

The old-timers who were lounging in the lobby of the Tourist Hotel, back in 1954, watching television and swapping tales about the tremendous changes in the world they had observed over their past 50 years, have been replaced decades later by the coffee-shop crowd at Main Bread and Butter, who remember every store they went to with their parents as kids and how they skated on the creek, and played hockey outdoors.

But as much as the world of Steinbach has changed during the past 80 years it has been its own decision maker and tax collector, there are still some things that remain the same.

Steinbach still has its fair share of automobile dealers, though they don’t sell tractors as they did back in the 1950s. There are still a few old buildings along Main Street that have undergone a number of facelifts over the years and many others that have been replaced by multi-storied buildings in the ever-growing City of Steinbach.

It may not be long before the final traces of what used to be called the “Million Dollar Mile” will disappear altogether, replaced by what may well be termed the “Multi-Billion Dollar Mile.”

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11:58 AM CDT

Students get hands-on learning at Manitoba Envirothon

Matthew Frank 4 minute read Preview

Students get hands-on learning at Manitoba Envirothon

Matthew Frank 4 minute read 8:52 AM CDT

Owen Edmonds pored over a soil bag with four of his classmates, exchanging tips and scientific instruments.

The 17-year-old Collège Churchill High School student, located in Winnipeg, was racing against the clock to scribble down results from the team’s experiment on April 23 during the Manitoba Envirothon’s east regional competition at the Tourond Creek Discovery Centre. It’s the second year his team has entered the competition. It’s a rare opportunity where students can take lessons from the environment back to their classroom studies, Edmonds said.

“It’s good that we can spread word to other people about the importance of preserving land and making sure that the environment is staying healthy,” he said.

The discovery centre, located in the RM of Hanover, hosted the Manitoba Association of Watershed’s competition for the second year.

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8:52 AM CDT

Steinbach job fair makes connections

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read Preview

Steinbach job fair makes connections

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read 8:37 AM CDT

More than 200 job seekers connected with 37 local employers as part of the Steinbach Job Fair, organized by the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce on April 23.

In a news release the chamber described the event as energetic and productive.

“Businesses reported strong interest from candidates and meaningful conversations that could lead to future hires,” the news release stated. “One employer noted they connected with two promising leads for specialized skilled labour positions.”

Steinbach Chamber of Commerce executive director Tessa Massi said they were pleased with the results.

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8:37 AM CDT

Niverville gets first group home, will service disabled adults

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 6 minute read Preview

Niverville gets first group home, will service disabled adults

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 6 minute read Yesterday at 10:25 PM CDT

The Town of Niverville will be getting its first group home after council approved the application during a council meeting last Tuesday.

Simaril, a Winnipeg non-profit that houses people with physical and intellectual disabilities and addiction issues, was approved to house up to four people with severe physical disabilities to live in a home located at 225 Third Street North.

“From a council perspective, we have the logo, Where you belong, and we really want everyone to feel that they can belong here. That’s our goal. So, whether they are, however they are, from their physical means to their neurodivergent means to their emotional and mental means, we understand that as the community grows, we’re looking to provide additional services so that all people can believe that this is a place where they also belong,” said Mayor Myron Dyck during the public hearing on the matter.

The meeting had about six residents who live on the street come to voice their concern that the home will be used to house those recovering from addictions.

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Yesterday at 10:25 PM CDT

Steinbach, province sign MOU to transfer Manning Canal responsibility to city

Matthew Frank 2 minute read Yesterday at 9:55 PM CDT

Steinbach will maintain a waterway that previously was under provincial responsibility, after both levels of government agreed to transfer its jurisdiction.

Steinbach city council voted unanimously on April 21 to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Manitoba government to bring the section of the Manning Canal that ran through the city under Steinbach’s control. The city was in negotiations with the province since 2022 about taking over the only provincially-maintained drain running through the municipality.

Mayor Earl Funk said having the Manning Canal under city responsibility will allow improvements to happen faster as more developments are built in Steinbach.

“I think this will help everyone downstream manage their water better, as we can slowly develop it. It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take years, and as development happens along, it will keep improving,” he told reporters after the council meeting.

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1989: Ringette players set for Asian junket

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1989: Ringette players set for Asian junket

Wes Keating 2 minute read Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

A group of nine southeastern Manitoba ringette players are about to embark on a trip of a lifetime, as they take their ringette skills on a tour of Hong Kong and Japan during Christmas break.

The girls are part of a group of 30 ringette players from across the province, taking part in the Far East Ringette Tour. The girls range in age from 11-16 years old.

Coach of the team is long-time ringette coach Barry Mattern of Winnipeg, who will be conducting his tenth goodwill exhibition tour. This will be the second time he has taken a team to Japan, receiving an invitation to return following a similar tour four years ago.

The team will leave Winnipeg, December 26, and return on January 10.

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Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

1946 -2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Steinbach Hatchery earns splendid reputation

Wes Keating 4 minute read Preview

1946 -2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Steinbach Hatchery earns splendid reputation

Wes Keating 4 minute read Yesterday at 8:33 AM CDT

SEPTEMBER 25, 1959—Go into just about any district where people keep high-grade laying hens between the Ontario boundary and the Red River and chances are you will find a good percentage of the poultry originated at the Steinbach Hatchery.

The Steinbach Hatchery was the first in rural Manitoba to install a mill for the manufacturing of the new highly popular pellet feeds. The company is the holder of the third highest award for Honegger franchise hatcheries in the world, and has the distinction of being, by many years, the first hatchery established in this part of Manitoba.

To get the full story on the Steinbach Hatchery, one must talk to the firm’s manager, Peter F. Barkman, whose interest in chickens and layers goes back to his youth, when he kept a small flock as a hobby.

As a young, married man, Barkman was leader of the area’s poultry club, which was sponsored by the extension branch of the Department of Agriculture, and could be described as a forerunner to present day 4-H Clubs.

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Yesterday at 8:33 AM CDT

DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: Niverville Nighthawks are deserving Turnbull Cup champions

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: Niverville Nighthawks are deserving Turnbull Cup champions

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

When I walked into the Niverville Resource and Rec Centre to take in a scrimmage last September, my eyes nearly jumped out of my skull.

Not necessarily by the play on the ice, although that was pretty good, but just by looking at the roster cards. The Nighthawks were bringing back so many quality, experienced players I had no idea how other teams in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League would be able to handle them.

A full season later, and it turns out the MJHL had as little a clue as I did that first day in September. The Nighthawks dominated the MJHL this season, scoring the most goals, giving up the fewest, losing just seven regular season games and going 16-1 in the playoffs.

Their sweep in the finals definitely taught me a lesson. When asked to predict the finals, even though I wanted to say “oh Niverville is going to sweep Virden,” I chickened out and picked them in five, even though I was convinced they held a decisive edge all over the ice surface.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Recapping 2 feel-good and 2 feel-bad hockey stories

James Loewen 4 minute read Preview

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: Recapping 2 feel-good and 2 feel-bad hockey stories

James Loewen 4 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

Sport can inspire and it can enrage. It can cause healing and it can cause hurt. Here are two positive hockey stories and two that will (likely) infuriate you.

BIG-TIME CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NIVERVILLE NIGHTHAWKSKudos to all the players, coaches, managers, parents, billets, fans, sponsors and volunteers with the Nighthawks for winning the Turnbull Cup as the best team in the MJHL.

That the Nighthawks have won a league championship in only their fourth year in existence speaks volumes about their entire organization and everyone working in it.

With a balanced attack consisting of four lines that can do a lot of damage while they wear down the opposition, the Nighthawks convincingly defeated Virden in four games.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026

Steinbach left with more questions than answers on province’s disaster relief denial: mayor

Matthew Frank 3 minute read Preview

Steinbach left with more questions than answers on province’s disaster relief denial: mayor

Matthew Frank 3 minute read Saturday, May. 2, 2026

Steinbach councillors say they’re left with more questions than answers after the province responded to council’s request to clarify its denial of disaster relief funding for last year’s flood.

The city saw wide-spread flooding in September 2025 after 134.6 millimetres of rain fell overnight, flooding homes and businesses. City administration applied to the province for disaster relief assistance (DFA) program funding, but were denied. The province also denied a previous request after flooding hit Steinbach in 2024.

Mayor Earl Funk called the criteria for how the relief funding is granted “vague”.

“It leads me to believe that there’s probably not that much policy and that this actually ends up being a political question or answer every time, and obviously we were just on the wrong side of politics,” he said on April 21 after a council meeting.

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Saturday, May. 2, 2026

Larocque’s Charge outlast Kirk’s Sceptres to make PWHL playoffs

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Larocque’s Charge outlast Kirk’s Sceptres to make PWHL playoffs

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Friday, May. 1, 2026

The Professional Women’s Hockey League playoffs were sure to have a Ste Anne flavour to them, but it took until the final day of the regular season to see which of the town’s two players would advance.

In the end, it was Jocelyne Larocque’s Ottawa Charge defeating Raygan Kirk’s Toronto Sceptres 3-0 to nab the fourth and final playoff spot.

Larocque, who is 37-years-old, scored a key goal for Ottawa against New York last week, tallying the game-winner in a critical 5-1 win over the Sirens to put her team on the brink of the playoffs.

“This will be one that I’ll remember for a while. The energy in the building when we were getting close to closing it out was amazing,” Charge captain Brianne Jenner said in a post-game media scrum following the game against the Sceptres.

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Friday, May. 1, 2026

Volunteer fair pitches roles for all

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Volunteer fair pitches roles for all

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Friday, May. 1, 2026

The first volunteer fair hosted by the Mennonite Heritage Village on April 18 gave attendees a look at the possibilities of helping out nearly a dozen local non-profits.

Perhaps the most well known was MCC, and general manager Dave Thiessen kicked off the event with a keynote of sorts, explaining the importance of volunteers to their organization.

The Steinbach MCC Thrift Store opened in 1972 in Steinbach and was one of the original thrift stores, a title that includes Winkler, Altona and Winnipeg.

Currently there are 45 MCC thrift stores in Canada and another 45 in the U.S.

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Friday, May. 1, 2026

12 Angry Jurors entertains Steinbach audience

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read Preview

12 Angry Jurors entertains Steinbach audience

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read Thursday, Apr. 30, 2026

Attendees at 12 Angry Jurors hosted by Storytellers Entertainment at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre on April 24 and 25 saw tensions rise and anger flare as the cast of 15 took them back in time to a 1960s court room. Jurors battled as they considered the life of a young man charged with killing his father in the play adapted by Sherman L. Sergel and directed by Andrew Doerksen. Upcoming events for Storytellers Entertainment include One Upon a Crime: The Trial of Goldilocks which takes the stage on May 22 and 23 at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre.

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Thursday, Apr. 30, 2026

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