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COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – Rural women of my Rosengard childhood

Maria Falk Lodge 4 minute read 8:15 AM CDT

The examples set for me by the women of my early childhood continue to shape and enhance my view of life and how to respond to it. During my childhood in Rosengard, the women of my neighbourhood were rural women in the truest sense of the word. Our community was located some 15km from Steinbach, the nearest major town. We had no convenience store that could supply the range of grocery items or basic pharmaceutical products that can sometimes be needed by a family, and that perhaps, on occasion, on short notice.

Depending on the circumstances of the respective families of our neighbourhood, women were not infrequently engaged in the farm work of their relatively small farms. Women helping with the milking of the cows was a common occurrence. Their assistance might well be required for both the early morning milking and again before nightfall. This was not without some concern, especially on the part of the mother who might be preoccupied with thoughts of what could, quite possibly, be going on in the house. The preschoolers left to fend for themselves, might be getting into mischief that could only too readily become a disaster. These concerns were by no means exaggerated — toddlers can very quickly undertake projects that are well beyond their ability to comprehend fully or to control.

The first “International Day of Rural Women” was observed on Oct. 15, 2018, pursuant to a resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations on Dec. 18, 2017. This relatively new international day recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including Indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.”

Much of the work of the women in our neighbourhood during my early childhood did not normally generate income directly. Nevertheless, the enormous degree of support, encouragement and monetary contributions represented by the tasks and projects of the women are, to put it mildly, astronomical.

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Manslaughter charge in death of chef stayed because conviction unlikely: Crown

Dean Pritchard 2 minute read Preview

Manslaughter charge in death of chef stayed because conviction unlikely: Crown

Dean Pritchard 2 minute read Yesterday at 5:05 PM CDT

A manslaughter charge has been stayed against a man arrested in the death of a Ste Anne chef because prosecutors did not believe they could prove the accused wasn’t acting in self-defence, a court heard Wednesday.

Jeff Wyness, 46, was arrested May 12, 10 days after 49-year-old Cameron Huley was fatally assaulted outside a home in the RM of Ste Anne.

“Following a thorough review of all the evidence, including witness statements, forensic evidence and the applicable law regarding the defence of another person, the Crown has concluded there is no longer a reasonable likelihood of conviction on the charge before the court,” prosecutor Keri Anderson told provincial court Judge Anne Krahn.

Steinbach RCMP were called to a home just after 11:30 p.m. and found Huley suffering from serious injuries. He died hours later in hospital.

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Yesterday at 5:05 PM CDT

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SPORTS FLASHBACK 1988: 1,200 students at cross-country run

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1988: 1,200 students at cross-country run

Wes Keating 2 minute read Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

About 1,200 students participated in the annual Hanover School Division cross-country run at Kleefeld. Students from 10 elementary schools in the division from grades four, five and six took part.

Schools represented included Bothwell, Green Valley, Kleefeld, Landmark, Mitchell, Niverville, Blumenort, Elmdale, Southwood and Woodlawn.

According to event organizer, Kleefeld teacher Randy Fender, participation is the reason for holding the annual event and all students were encouraged to run or walk the course.

The course was a three kilometre run that involved running through a field, through some woods, through a gravel pit, and finally ending up at Kleefeld School.

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Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

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Councillors celebrate 20-year legacies

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Councillors celebrate 20-year legacies

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Yesterday at 2:09 PM CDT

The final Steinbach city council meeting before the Oct. 28 municipal election marked the end of an era for two councillors.

Michael Zwaagstra and Jac Siemens both chose not to run again and were celebrating 20-year careers.

The pair were honoured in a ceremony after the meeting and were presented with a medallion given to those who made an outstanding contribution to the community of Steinbach from Mayor Earl Funk.

A lot has changed since the pair was first elected in 2006.

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Yesterday at 2:09 PM CDT

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The A&W Pacers exhibit at the Steinbach Sports Heritage Gallery

James Loewen 4 minute read Preview

The A&W Pacers exhibit at the Steinbach Sports Heritage Gallery

James Loewen 4 minute read Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

If you ever played sports you likely dreamt of accomplishing something special, of winning that big game or championship.

And if you are a gifted, elite athlete, there’s a good chance that you got to experience some recognition.

But when you are an average athlete, no matter how much you love sport, there’s a good chance you never got to experience any recognition.

When I played junior fastball with the A&W Pacers, we never thought about winning a medal at the junior national fastball championships and we certainly never ever thought about being formally recognized for that achievement.

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Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

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1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Evangelical Lutheran churches merge

Wes Keating 2 minute read Preview

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Evangelical Lutheran churches merge

Wes Keating 2 minute read Yesterday at 11:24 AM CDT

Sunday, June 19, 1966 went down in the annals of local Lutheran Church history as the day of dedication of a new church in Steinbach, and the day of a merger of three district Lutheran churches.

The dedication service at the new St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church at Henry Street and Kroeker Avenue in Steinbach was under the direction of Pastor Martin C. H. Hulseman.

The new church merged St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Friedensfeld, St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Friedensfeld, and St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Steinbach into one congregation.

Members of the three congregations put their resources together to build a large new church in Steinbach.

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Yesterday at 11:24 AM CDT

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Award-winning The Carillon wins first place awards in national news competition

Staff 3 minute read Preview

Award-winning The Carillon wins first place awards in national news competition

Staff 3 minute read Yesterday at 8:09 AM CDT

Every year, The Carillon wins awards provincially and nationally and this year is no different. The newspaper of choice in the Southeast has been awarded three premier awards and one second place award in their circulation category by the Canadian Community Newspaper Association.

“We have a very solid team in the newsroom and these awards showcase our commitment to community journalism in the Southeast,” said editor Greg Vandermeulen.

Winning Best Historical Story was reporter Svjetlana Mlinarevic’s article, “A St Pierre Metis soldier’s burial journey during the Second World War.” The judge called the article well researched and a good read.

“What piqued this judge’s attention was the story of (the soldier’s) burial journey in Italy and how Italians treated the deceased soldier from Canada, especially where he was laid to rest initially. Stories promoting Remembrance Day, or war stories from the Great War or Second World War, with colour always make for a good read.”

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Yesterday at 8:09 AM CDT

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1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: When you come they will build it

Wes Keating 5 minute read Preview

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: When you come they will build it

Wes Keating 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

It is no surprise that Steinbach probably has more churches per capita than anywhere in Canada. As the population of Steinbach grew over its first 150 years, so did church populations. Small churches became bigger churches, and bigger churches added on before buying more land, and building really large churches.

Often, over the years, a Steinbach congregation would outgrow its building, or a difference of opinion would cause a split, which resulted in the establishment of a new church. The growth and prosperity of Steinbach has as its underpinning, the community family values and the faith of its first 18 families of settlers, who came in 1874 in search of a home where they could live in peace and enjoy freedom to practice their Mennonite religion.

Steinbach’s first Mennonite church has undergone countless expansions, modernizations and rebuilds over the years, but the Evangelical Mennonite Church still remains one of the community’s largest churches, occupying the same spot on Main Street as the first EMC building that went up in 1912.

When Steinbach changed from being a village in the RM of Hanover to a town on its own, there were seven church congregations, all of Mennonite denomination. Fifteen years later, three non-Mennonite churches had been added to Steinbach’s church directory.

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Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

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1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Catholic church gets warm welcome

Peter Dyck 3 minute read Preview

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Catholic church gets warm welcome

Peter Dyck 3 minute read Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

JUNE 1, 1988—The Steinbach Catholic Church received a warm welcome to Steinbach Sunday during ceremonies marking the official opening of the new building for the young parish.

An overflow crowd of parishioners and guests sat through sweltering temperatures for the official opening, led by a ribbon-cutting and guest address by Archbishop Antoine Hacault of the Diocese of St Boniface.

The archbishop expressed his pleasure at the ready acceptance the fledgling congregation gained in Steinbach, a community he felt some years ago might be reluctant to see the first Catholic congregation established in its midst.

He said it is important churches work together as spiritual leaders in their communities, noting Christ is the unifying factor bringing Christians together. The archbishop suggested these are indications the Christian church worldwide may eventually come together as one body.

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Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

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SRSS start hockey season with OT win

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

SRSS start hockey season with OT win

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

The Steinbach Regional Sabres hockey team started the Winnipeg High School Hockey League schedule with a bang, defeating Lord Selkirk 4-3 in overtime in their home opener.

With just seconds to go in the extra frame, defenseman Ty Brewster jumped up into the rush, knocking home a rebound and celebrating with several members of the Steinbach Pistons, who were watching following their own practice.

While celebrations took place on the ice, head coach John Laninga was a bit more muted.

“It was a stressful game,” Laninga said, noting the team was rusty after going 10 days without playing.

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Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

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Developer asks council to reconsider fee policy regarding greenspaces

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read Preview

Developer asks council to reconsider fee policy regarding greenspaces

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

A pair of developers came to the RM of Hanover council meeting last Wednesday morning asking for the municipality to reconsider the way it administers its greenspace fees.

Developers Waldo Neustaedter and Len Neufeld spoke to council regarding their Highland Park development on the east side of Centre Street North in Mitchell, across from Stahn Field Park.

“We’re here today because we’re extremely price sensitive,” said Neustaedter.

The 27-acre development has a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes and is geared to first-time homebuyers with a one percent downpayment. The developers are selling the homes at eight percent below the value of the homes and because of this, their margins are very tight.

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Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

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COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – An eventful start to the fall session

Konrad Narth, MLA for La Verendrye 4 minute read Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

It has certainly been an eventful month since my last column. A lot has happened and a lot has changed.

The biggest change… I’m the new leader of the PC Party and Manitoba’s Official Opposition.

Back on Sept. 28, Obby Khan resigned as leader. I want to thank Obby for his service and wish him all the best.

I was deeply honoured to be unanimously supported by our PC Caucus, and grateful to the many Manitobans, including constituents, who have reached out with messages of support. Most of all, I am grateful to my family for supporting me.

Local

The Steinbach Arts Council opens its 2026–2027 Concert Series with Once Upon a Dream, an intimate musical theatre concert produced by Winnipeg’s acclaimed Dry Cold Productions. The single-night performance takes place on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the SRSS Theatre.

Led by Artistic Director Donna Fletcher, the concert features rising Canadian stars Alyssa Crockett and Julia Kroft. The duo first met during Dry Cold Productions’ Canadian premiere of The Prom and bonded over their shared passion for live theatre.

Once Upon a Dream offers audiences a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life on stage through humour, personal stories, and standout vocal performances of beloved musical theatre songs.

Tickets are $36 for adults and $18 for students, available online at SteinbachArts.ca/LIVE or by calling 204-346-1077.

Local

Southeast Event Centre to host Halloween food drive

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

The Southeast Event Centre is hosting a Halloween food drive and carnival on Oct. 31.

The SCU Halloween for Hunger event in Steinbach will see families from across the Southeast enjoying games and Halloween based activities. Although this is a free event, organizers are encouraging visitors to donate a non-perishable food item that will go to South East Helping Hands.

“The whole point of Halloween for Hunger is to scare away that hunger for the fall. So, fill up the food bank before this chilly weather settles in as much as we can,” said catering and hospitality manager Nadja Gowland.

Gowland chose South East Helping Hands because they are local, they do a lot with the Pistons, and they are always in need of food. In 1986, when the organization officially became what it is today, it was serving 10 to 15 families bi-weekly, today it serves 400 bi-weekly. As South East Helping Hands is independently run, it relies on donations.

Local

U18 AAA Selects settling into second season at SEC

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

U18 AAA Selects settling into second season at SEC

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

The male U18 AAA Eastman Selects have started their season strong. With just six games played so far, the team boasts a 5-1 record, splitting a pair of entertaining contests with the Winnipeg Bruins last weekend.

The Selects fell behind 4-1 at the Southeast Event Centre Oct. 14, before storming back with five unanswered to win 6-4. After picking up a convincing 7-2 win over current league leaders Pembina Valley Oct. 16, it was Eastman’s turn to allow a comeback win, with the Bruins erasing a 5-2 second period lead to win 6-5.

Head coach Mark Woloshyn was happy to see the comeback, but a little surprised to see his team give up four goals in 20 minutes of game action.

“If we want to be a top-end team, we can’t be taking 10 minutes off,” head coach Mark Woloshyn said after the win in Steinbach.

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Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

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St Pierre mayor looks for another term

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Preview

St Pierre mayor looks for another term

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

Raymond Maynard still recalls why he first wanted to be on the village council in 2002, and it’s a reason that still motivates the incumbent mayor today.

“It was to get the town to grow,” he said. “In my mind, a town that doesn’t grow is a town that’s going to die.”

Maynard sat as a councillor from 2002 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2018.

He has served as mayor for eight years.

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Friday, Oct. 23, 2026

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