Bothwell School rocks kindness mission

Students at Bothwell School celebrated the fruits of their labour after a winter of painting what they call “kindness rocks”, by hiding them in plain sight around the local recreation centre on May 29.

Teacher Lory Muntain explained they wanted to promote community connection and spread positivity.

Students spent their lunch hours in the winter months painstakingly painting the rocks which were covered with a weather-proof finish.

Those that find the rocks have several options.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: June 4th edition

Featuring photos from a Carillon Sultans MJBL game May 26, Eastman Warriors and U18 AAA Sultans games May 28, the SRSS Rugby 7s tournament May 29 and the Lumberzone vs Premier Buildings charity hockey game at the SEC May 29.

COLUMN: The Carillon Flashback June 19, 1991 – Terry Fox legacy lives on

Terry Fox died more than 10 years ago, but his story continues to become more popular around the world. The name Terry Fox is probably more well-known around the world than any other Canadian in our history.

But Terry’s mother, Betty Fox, says it is “extremely important to know that Terry was an ordinary young man.” That is what she told students at Springfield Collegiate in Oakbank, earlier this month, as she honored the students of that school for 10 years of participation in the Terry Fox Run.

Also present at the ceremony was Jean Hanson, who was Terry Fox’s Grade 2 teacher in Transcona, where the Fox family lived prior to moving to British Columbia.

So the ceremonies at Springfield Collegiate took on a more special meaning, because Terry Fox used to live in the area. In speaking to the students, it was an emotional time for Betty Fox, as it was for all in the gymnasium that day.

COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – Water in various manifestations

Memories of my Rosengard home would not be complete without reflecting on the immeasurable importance of water in all aspects of the life of my family, and for that matter on the very existence of our community. On the surface that might seem to be so commonplace that it hardly bears mentioning. For those of us living in an urban society where such services as the provision of water and sewer are a given, we can scarcely imagine our day-to-day lives without the essential component of water. There is however so much more to water than turning on a water tap, be it to quench our thirst or for a myriad of our other daily needs.

The well on our Rosengard farm was not very deep, but it provided us with fresh water year round. Our outside pump gave us year-round access to that precious resource. There was, however, a rule that needed to be followed in order for the pump to function properly. In winter, if the individual who was the last one to work the pump, either for watering livestock or providing water for the household, forgot to drain the water properly, we would run into a problem. If I recall correctly, the water remaining in the chamber of the pump during the cold winter months would freeze, requiring thawing it with boiling water. Needless to say great pains were taken to prevent such a time consuming situation.

My mother took note of my own speech development when I pronounced the name of our cow quenching its thirst at the water trough outside. Not only was our family dependant on this vital resource for our survival, but so too was our livestock. I can imagine looking through a small space I may have been able to scrape through a thickly rimmed windowpane on a cold winter morning, and watching gleefully as the brownish red cow drank its fill from the water trough. In retrospect I recognize the myriad images that present themselves within that simple scene of my childhood in Rosengard.

That very basic image of my childhood confirms the reality that water is essential to all life on earth. That being the case, we have every reason to guard it with the respect it deserves. How can we continue to function as the human race without ensuring that all of us have access to this vital commodity.

Bottom-finishing MJHL franchises sign new coaches

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s two Winnipeg franchises have announced who will be leading their teams into the 2026/2027 season.

The Monarchs, which changed branding from the Freeze last season are moving to Riley Dudar as their head coach and general manager, replacing Zach Franco, who joined the franchise last season.

Dudar played junior across Western Canada junior A leagues, eventually spending five years with the University of Manitoba Bisons, where he immediately signed on as a coach following his playing career. Most recently he was the director of player development for the Brandon Wheat Kings, but his experience includes a stint as the director of player personnel for the Flyers.

“My focus is to create a high-performance development environment for players who strive to move on to the next level as quickly as possible,” Dudar said in a Monarchs news release.

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Just looking? Jac Banman will sell you a VW

JANUARY 30, 1974—In the last 20 years, Jac Banman probably filled more gas tanks, talked to more people about the weather and sold more Volkswagens to people who were “just looking” than anyone in southeastern Manitoba. As owner of Banman Sales and Service in Steinbach, he is now starting his third decade of business at the same location.

When you ask Banman why he gave up farming and a transfer business to open a service station, he is very candid with his answer. “I wanted to make $1,000 a month.”

Twenty years ago, Imperial Oil bought property at the corner of Highway 12 and Main Street, and was looking for someone to operate a service station at the site. Steinbach realtor P.J. Reimer recommended Banman, who was then farming at Landmark and operating Greenland Transfer.

After the oil company representative had finished talking to him, Banman said, the service station business looked like an opportunity too good to pass up. Running one of only two service stations along the highway in town limits, and of course, the prospect of making $1,000 a month, made him decide to give it a try, he said.

New journalist joins The Carillon

Graham Walker has joined The Carillon team as a summer reporter, continuing what is becoming a tradition of Red River Polytech Creative Communications (RRC Cre Comm) students earning their stripes here.

“This is a fantastic opportunity professionally and definitely fits with my passion for rural life and in particular local politics,” said Graham.

Graham is an unusual candidate for the position as he is a bit older than most interns, but he brings with him a wealth of experience from across the country.

After growing up in what was once the small bedroom community of Burlington, Ont. just south of Toronto, Graham joined the Royal Canadian Navy and lived in Halifax, N.S. where he did his undergraduate work in political science and graduate studies in defence and international relations.

Clearspring Middle School breaks records with Baby Bottle Drive

Students and staff at Clearspring Middle School set a new record this year through their annual Baby Bottle Drive in support of Steinbach Family Resource Centre (SFRC).

The Baby Bottle Drive is a community fundraiser where students take home baby bottles and fill them with loose change, cash, or donations to support local families and children through SFRC programming and services. This year’s campaign ran from May 4 to 21.

This year the school raised nearly $7,600, surpassing last year’s total of about $6,650.

Funds raised through the campaign will directly support SFRC’s Preschool Learn & Play program, helping preschool-aged children build skills and confidence as they prepare for kindergarten. Donations will help purchase program materials including equipment, craft supplies, activities, and nutritious snack items for participating families.

Teen entrepreneurs benefit from RM of Tache program

The RM of Tache say they’re helping inspire the next generation through a teen entrepreneurship program held this spring in partnership with the Taché CDC and Niverville Credit Union.

The program brought together local youth interested in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship through a series of hands-on training sessions designed to help teens develop and launch their own business ideas. Participants learned about marketing, budgeting, customer service, branding, and business planning while also gaining valuable mentorship from local business owners and community leaders.

The program concluded with a special showcase event at Lorette Collegiate, where students presented and sold their products while receiving feedback, tips, and encouragement from local entrepreneurs and business professionals.

“This program was an incredible success,” Martha Petrusevich, economic development officer for the RM of Taché said. “It was inspiring to see the creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit these young people brought forward. Programs like this help build future business leaders right here in our communities.”

Festival for Life gives back to community

The annual Walk for Life, an event traditionally featuring a walk and speeches in support of the pro-life cause, took place again this year on May 31, but with a twist.

The event no longer came with the walk and instead was called the Festival for Life.

Susan Penner, the executive director of Life Culture, a Steinbach non-profit dedicated to supporting life and caring for women, said they had about 500 people come out to take part.

Speakers took on subject matter under the theme “caring for others”.

American Division 1 colleges considering age limit

The NCAA is considering more changes to eligibility for college athletes who want to compete at the highest level of American post-secondary sports.

The organization announced May 22 their Division 1 Cabinet was considering introducing an age limit, with athletes having five years to compete. Under their proposal, the clock would start when an athlete graduates high school (or when they turn 19, whichever comes first). There is no current limit on age in the NCAA.

The move could have massive impacts for hockey. Most players complete a four-year junior career until their 20-year-old season in either Canadian Junior A hockey leagues like the Manitoba Junior Hockey League or in the United States Hockey League before joining the NCAA ranks.

Top NHL agent Allan Walsh was one of many from across the hockey world to voice their opposition to the proposed new rule, tweeting, “The ‘5 in 5’ rule cannot and will not stand as applied to College Hockey.”

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: No bus to work for sewing factory staff

AUGUST 3, 1956—The Monarch Wear Clothing factory, which had been in operation for eight years in St Pierre, moved lock, stock and sewing machines to Steinbach during the summer of 1956, thanks to the efforts of Steinbach automobile dealer and Chamber of Commerce president John D. Penner.

The Monarch Wear Clothing move to Steinbach was precipitated by owner Julius Berkowitz, who announced earlier in the year that his company had to look for a larger town for its operation, in order to provide the 100-150 staff needed for an efficient and economical production line.

As a result of a shortage of workers in the immediate St Pierre area, buses were being used to bring in additional help from adjoining towns, he explained.

The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce immediately began overtures to have the clothing manufacturer, building and all, moved to Steinbach rather than having the factory relocate to Winnipeg.