Steinbach Arts Council has teamed up with Rocco’s Pizzeria as one of four local charities featured in their community fundraising initiative. From now until Nov. 8, $5 from every specialty “The Da Vinci” pizza sold will go directly toward supporting SAC’s arts and culture programming. Topped with tomato basil sauce, mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, Italian salami, prosciutto, and parmesan flakes, the custom pie brings gourmet flavour to a vital local cause.

As one of the largest rural arts councils in Canada, SAC has seen its programming nearly double in size, serving thousands of participants across the Southeast through accessible visual, theatrical, and heritage arts. This grassroots partnership highlights how local businesses and community organizations can collaborate to foster creative growth. Residents can support the initiative by ordering a Da Vinci pizza at Rocco’s Pizzeria, ensuring that dinner does a little good for the community at the same time.

Winter class and workshop registration opens Nov. 4

Registration for the Steinbach Arts Council’s Winter 2027 season opens Nov. 4, 2026.

“Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to be the system of a regular government.” - Jeremy Bentham.

That quote is as relevant today as it was when Jeremy Bentham said it.

Born in 1748, Bentham was an English philosopher, economist, jurist and social reformer. He’s often described as the founder of modern utilitarianism and during his life championed prison reform, animal welfare, decriminalization of same-sex relationships, the abolition of slavery, equal rights for women, divorce rights, universal suffrage, freedom of expression and the separation of church and state.

His ideas may have been on the fringe during his lifetime, (he died at 84 in 1832), and they still seem to be hard to grasp for many in society.

Each year, on Nov. 11, we reflect on the sacrifice that many Canadians have made for us. In Canada we enjoy many freedoms and peace because of the work these men and women do. This month, we bring our communities together, and say thank you to those who have fought, and are fighting for us every day.

I will have the privilege of attending the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Niverville and laying a wreath on behalf of the province. In St Adolphe and Springfield, my representatives will also lay wreaths to honour the sacrifice made by our veterans.

Getting to interact and hear the stories of veterans is humbling. These veterans left their families and friends to go and fight for our country. It is truly a sacrifice like no other. For that, I say thank you. As Manitobans, it is our job to show support for our veterans. Something as simple as wearing a poppy this week shows how much we appreciate the grand sacrifice these heroes have made.

Remembrance Day reminds us of the importance of education and learning from the past. We are blessed that here in Canada, we have the freedom to fight with our words, and do not have to fear a war on our land. Not many countries can say that. The past paves the way to the present. It is for us to share the important lessons we have learned to the next generation to maintain the peace and freedom we have today.