1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Hanover Ag Society sponsors its first fair

SEPTEMBER 26, 1946 - The Hanover Agricultural Society was more than pleased with the success of a September, 1946 attempt at reviving an annual agricultural fair, which had not been organized in the Steinbach area since the Steinbach Board of Trade staged a similar event in 1932.

Two days of incessant rain preceded this first edition of the Hanover Agricultural Society Fair, and by 10 a.m. the grounds on the west outskirts of town still showed very few signs of life.

But suddenly the picture changed, and in a short time the grounds were humming with activity. Calf clubs were starting to come in and Ag Society members were busy pitching a large tent, courtesy of the Winnipeg Kiwanis Club, for use as fair headquarters.

Adding to the good humour of the morning was the sight of a man trying to catch a pig that had broken out of his trailer before he got as far as the fair grounds. An occasional glimpse of the sun also helped to further raise spirits.

Sabres football looking for volunteer boost

Some new coaches are needed in the Steinbach Regional Sabres football program.

Team coordinator Jamie Peters said the only qualifications they’re looking for is a passion for football, with the Sabres ready to provide any necessary training or courses.

“We’re looking for someone who wants to give back to the community and connect with young teenagers and try and make an impact positively,” Peters said.

Sabres football is one of the strongest high school football programs in the province, building a strong team culture. High school league commissioner Jeffery Bannon said a Sabres banquet he considers Steinbach Regional to have one of the only actual “programs” in the province, as opposed to other high school teams.

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback December 5, 2013 – Downtown dairy barn is Penfor Construction gem

It is not often an agricultural construction company is afforded the opportunity to build a huge dairy barn in the midst of a city. It is even rarer an opportunity to be able to install all the bells and whistles in that barn and then have the general public view your work on a daily basis.

But cows downtown, 100 of them, are being pampered and studied at the new Rayner Research Centre barn, built on the campus of the University of Saskatoon by Penfor, the construction arm of the Blumenort-based Penner Farm Services.

Penfor began work on the $11.5 million project in February of 2012, and by June of 2013, construction of the 60,000 square-foot facility was in the main part completed.

Project manager Ron Dick said because the barn is a research facility, each area had its own challenges and there was a lot of variation in design for different parts of the structure. The project involved three different milking systems under one roof, involving all areas of Penfor’s expertise at the same time.

Niverville Nighthawks complete MJHL finals sweep

They grow up so fast, don’t they?

The Niverville Nighthawks may be the newest kids on the Manitoba Junior Hockey League block. But they didn’t need much time to show they’re a force to be reckoned with.

A magical regular season — the second-best in league history, in fact — has now been capped off with the prestigious Turnbull Cup.

Niverville finished off a four-game sweep of the Virden Oil Capitals Thursday night with an impressive 6-2 victory inside Tundra Oil and Gas Place.

Union Gospel Mission returning to Steinbach area for spring supper

Winnipeg’s Union Gospel Mission is returning to the Hanover area to hold its annual spring supper.

“So, we continue to want to grow our presence in the Steinbach area and the symbiotic relationship we have with churches, etc. I noticed that you may be aware of (Matthew Frank’s) article there about the homelessness within Steinbach itself…We certainly also know there’s a big need for transitional housing (in the area) and (that there is) homelessness,” said Martin Chidwick, development manager with Union Gospel Mission (UGM).

“I dealt with two people this morning from the streets who are homeless. Well, that’s a constant knocking on our door here in Winnipeg.”

Last year’s supper was so successful that it filled its venue at Mennonite Heritage Village. This year, to allow for those who came last year and the extra 100-plus that are expected to top this year’s event, organizers have decided to hold the supper at New Bothwell’s Sommerfeld Mennonite Church, which is located a quarter of a mile north of junction Highway 52 and PR 216 (drive way 36046).

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Hospital sundial marks Steinbach centennial

JULY 31, 1974 - A unique bronze sundial, the first of its kind in Canada, and only the second in all of North America, was unveiled on the Bethesda Hospital grounds by Manitoba Lieutenant Governor W.J. McKeag to commemorate Steinbach’s centennial year.

Funded jointly by sponsoring municipalities, hospital staff and private donors, the $6,000 project (nearly $39,000 in today’s dollars) incorporates the spirit of the early Mennonite pioneers and represents the third centennial undertaking by the hospital. The fountain and decorative lighting on the hospital grounds were constructed during the 1967 Canadian and 1970 provincial centennial years.

Speaking briefly following the unveiling, the lieutenant-governor paid tribute to the contribution Mennonites have made to the province’s ethnic mosaic.

“You have enriched our province … through your hard work and religious principles influencing your lives.”

Steinbach’s Jake Epp Library sees drug use, violent incidents spike

Steinbach’s library is seeking security improvements after staff have faced rising drug use and violence, forcing employees to respond to overdoses and close off part of the library.

The Jake Epp Library began locking its bathroom doors, closing off its hobby corner and conducting bag checks in March in response to violent incidents and increased drug use inside the space.

Library director Aubrey Walker said staff have received extra training on how to use Naloxone and to respond to crisis events, despite it not being part of their job description.

“We aren’t really paid the big bucks to work at the library. Sometimes that big level of responsibility that you really feel in caring for the community in that way can be quite stressful,” she said.

Nighthawks on the brink of MJHL championship

The Niverville Nighthawks are just one win away from lifting the Turnbull Cup Trophy.

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s newest franchise took a commanding 3-0 lead in the finals, defeating Virden 6-3 thanks to high-end scoring, a great penalty kill and more solid goaltending.

The Nighthawks have been perfect on the penalty kill through the series so far, including a perfect 8/8 in game three.

“We’ve had one of the top penalty kills in this league all season and we just continued that process of just defending hard,” head coach Dwight Hirst said following the victory.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: April 16th edition

Featuring photos from MJHL games in Steinbach and Niverville April 10 and a Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League finals game in Transcona April 14.