SPORTS FLASHBACK 2001: Natural ice a thing of the past at Vita Arena

The $250,000 Vita Arena project that included renovations to the 20-year-old facility and the installation of a geothermal ice making system are now complete, after a tireless three-year effort by countless volunteers, who made the project possible.

The first artificial ice was used by the public on November 19 and the Vita Arena has been a beehive of activity since that time.

Jim Wiebe, president of the Vita Arena Board of Directors, pointed out last week that without the new ice plant, with the recent mild weather, there would not yet be ice.

A special banquet was held December 1 in the community, attended by about 250 people, to mark the completion of the project.

Ensuring a merry Christmas for all

Nearly 1,500 families will have a better Christmas thanks to Steinbach Community Christmas.

Volunteers were hard at work this week, sending out 1,480 Christmas hampers to those in need.

Co-chair Carolyn Peters said that number has risen from 1,280 last year, an almost 16 percent increase, and that doesn’t include the 40 families that as of Monday remained on the wait list.

“Sometimes we have people decline the hamper or say, “We’re not in need, give it to another family,” she said, adding they will look carefully at if they can address the waiting list families’ needs as well.

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: This is the only way the Jets can salvage their season

Things look really bleak for the Jets (thanks Captain Obvious). The players, the coaching staff, the organization, the media and the public simply cannot understand how a team that’s been so good the past few years now looks so disorganized, so disjointed, so outworked, so unskilled, so slow and so outclassed.

Heading into the current season, the Jets knew they probably wouldn’t be quite as good as they were when Nikolai Ehlers was on the team, but the club clearly and explicitly said they were singularly focused on winning the Stanley Cup.

One of the biggest reasons for their belief they would be contenders and not pretenders was that the team had four strong lines; that having the league’s most balanced team would carry them to the promised land.

With the season over a third done, that team balance is non-existent. The Jets have one line that can score and three lines that can’t. The idea of the Jets rolling out four lines and wearing down their opposition has completely evaporated.

Niverville avian flu outbreak kills dozens of geese

A Niverville resident is on edge after seeing dozens of dead geese infected with avian influenza in a retention pond behind her home.

Megan McGregor, 34, knew something wasn’t right when she saw roughly 40 dead geese frozen in the pond’s ice.

“I definitely wish I could have helped them. It’s hard to just watch them, so I try not to look out my window,” she said.

For nearly six weeks, the geese behind McGregor’s home were acting strange, with some unable to stand up or abandoned by other geese. On Dec. 5, she said Manitoba Conservation officers collected and “chipped” the birds from the ice.

COLUMN: Arts and Culture – Join SAC in supporting arts and culture access

As the year comes to a close, the Steinbach Arts Council invites the community to help expand accessible arts programming for children, families, and adults across the Southeast. As one of the largest rural arts councils in Canada, SAC continues to see record participation in its camps, classes, concerts, and outreach programs.

SAC is delivering more than 160 programs and events, from early childhood arts education to free programming for youth, free programs for seniors, and cultural workshops. Increased demand continues to highlight the important role arts and culture play in the well-being and quality of life of our region, resulting in new initiatives such as therapeutic arts and expanded youth mentorships.

SAC invites residents, businesses, and community partners to support this year’s giving campaign. Donations can be made online at SteinbachArts.ca, by phone, or in person at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre.

Limited spots left for these winter classes

COLUMN: Grey Matters – The two Annas of Rembrandt

“Growing older is growing richer in experience.” – Unknown.

Ageism is defined as the prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s age seems to be last of the ‘isms that is accepted in society. We understand that classism, racism, sexism are wrong, but our late night talk shows keep making fun of our elders just because of their age. I stopped watching years ago.

Scripture has a different view. Abraham was called by God at age 75 to father a nation till his early 100’s. Moses was 80 years old when called from the desert to help with the release of Israel, Joshua was also 80 when called upon to lead the Israelites. John was in his 90s when he wrote down the book of Revelation – the most complex book in the Bible. In Scripture, growing older is not something to dread; it is part of God’s plan and blessing.

As we turn to the Christmas season, we see several more elders playing a significant role in the Christmas story. Zechariah and Elizabeth were advanced in years when they had their own surprise birth of John the Baptist. When Mary found out she was to give birth to the Saviour, she needed more than an angel, she needed Aunt Elizabeth. And when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple a righteous old Simeon and the prophet Anna (age 84) were the ones to speak into their lives.

Owen Riegling to headline Summer in the City

It may be the depths of winter but Summer in the City organizers are already planning for sunny days.

The festival announced that Canadian country music artist and award-winning singer/songwriter Owen Riegling will headline the mainstage on June 19.

Since winning the 2022 Boots & Hearts Festival’s emerging artist competition in 2022, Riegling has parlayed his success of his platinum-certified hit “Old Dirt Roads” and the release of his expanded EP Bruce County (From the Beginning) to leave his comfort zone and explore new songwriting territory.

In a new release from Summer in the City, Riegling described his new music.

O-Line standouts honoured at SRSS Sabres football banquet

The big men who block up front rarely grab attention in football, but they were the focus at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres football banquet Dec. 4.

Offensive linemen Ryder Wallace and Eric Barnard split the varsity top lineman award, with Wallace being named the team’s most valuable player in addition to winning the league’s top lineman award and Barnard claiming the program’s Legacy Award.

“(Wallace) won the top lineman in Manitoba by a 10-2 vote. I’m not allowed to vote for him, and somebody else obviously didn’t watch every football game this year,” Fedus said, drawing laughs from the crowd.

“He was a dominant force on both sides of the ball. When you can run the same run play seven or eight times in a row, behind the same player, you have somebody special. When you can put him on the defensive line and he can ruin the other team’s offense, you have somebody special. When you have that in the same player stay on the field the whole game, you have somebody really special.”

COLUMN: Village News – Membership is a big deal

We are in the gift-giving season and Mennonite Heritage Village has a great idea, either for yourself or for a family member. Buy yourself a museum membership or buy a family membership for your loved ones, and this gift will be appreciated for a whole year!Here are six reasons why museum membership is more than just a smart investment- it’s your ticket to a year full of inspiration, exploration, and unique experiences.1. You Save Money – If you come to MHV two or more times per year, the membership pays for itself by offering free, unlimited access all year long. This includes our large summer festivals like Pioneer Days and Fall on the Farm. As well, you get a discount at the restaurant and at Village Books and Gifts store. If you have camp-aged kids, their registration for Day Camp is discounted as well.2. You Are the First to Know – All museum members get a weekly email newsletter, informing them about the latest activities at MHV. Whether it is a new exhibit opening, or a workshop offered on Saturdays, or a community event that is planned for the public, members are informed on a regular basis.3. Discounts on Food and Gifts – Everyone likes a deal. Members show their card at the Livery Barn Restaurant in summer and receive a 10% discount each time they enjoy a perogy dinner, or cabbage borscht with whole wheat bread, or the Sunday buffet. Our store, Village Books and Gifts, offers a 10% discount on all purchases of local books, souvenirs, novelty cards, and cookbooks. Families can use their membership card to get a discounted rate on Pioneer Day Camp registration fees. MHV has rooms for rent for birthday parties and family gatherings and your membership card reduces the cost of the rental. There are savings opportunities wherever you show your Member Card.4. It’s an Amazing Gift – Our museum membership is a great gift idea. Your children and grandchildren will benefit from a gift that gives all year long. They will have fun learning experiences and lasting memories for a whole year, with the gift of family membership.5. MHV Membership is Supercharged – Not only does a membership allow you to visit us all year long, admission-free, it also gets you free or reduced admission to 6 other Manitoba Signature Museums. You pay your membership fee once at MHV, and you get to explore museums in other parts of Manitoba. These include the Royal Aviation Museum and the St. Boniface Museum both in Winnipeg, the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli, the Manitoba Agricultural Museum in Austin, the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon, and the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden. Exploring Manitoba with the MHV membership card is affordable and fun.6. Supporting a Great Cause – Mennonite Heritage Village has been built by community volunteers who have created a world-class facility, bringing people from around the world to learn about the story of the early Mennonite settlers who arrived in Manitoba in the 19th century and onwards. Hundreds of local volunteers participate as interpreters, carpenters, seamstresses, gardeners, farmers and dozens of other skilled contributors to create wonderful, immersive experiences throughout the year. Becoming a member is an opportunity to become a part of this wonderful place. As a member, you are joining a community, encouraging people at MHV, and playing a part in making MHV, and Steinbach, and Manitoba, a great place to visit and a great place to call home.Membership Bonus: The 12 days of Christmas! All members, including new members, get a 25% discount on all purchases at Village Books and Gifts from December 12 to December 24.

Upcoming Events:December 18– 10am to 11am – Exhibit Explorers – Looking for a new and exciting location for story time? Join us at MHV for an engaging morning set among the fascinating artefacts in the Gallery!December 29 to 31 – Kids’ Winter Day Camp – A three-day winter break camp for ages 6-11 years old. Join us for crafts, games, and pioneer activities. Contact Jaysa Thiessen for more information ( jaysat@mhv.ca ).January 4 - Join us for a cozy winter afternoon at Christmas on the Farm, hosted by the South East Manitoba Draft Horse Association! Bundle up and enjoy free admission and free sleigh rides through the snowy village streets and warm up with hot dogs and hot chocolate after! Guests are encouraged to bring a tin for the bin in support of local food banks.

Long-serving Tory MLA, former Premier Kelvin Goertzen won’t seek re-election

Veteran Steinbach politician Kelvin Goertzen, a former cabinet minister and briefly Manitoba’s premier, announced he won’t run for re-election.

The 56-year-old PC MLA said in a Tuesday statement he’s making his plans known now so a future candidate will have time to prepare for the next election.

“I hope my announcement today, more than two years into the current electoral mandate, gives those interested in seeking the PC nomination in Steinbach time to consider, time to plan, and time to transition with my successor,” he said.

Goertzen has represented Steinbach for 22 consecutive years after winning his first election in 2003. He said he’s honoured by the community’s support throughout the six elections he ran in, and called it ” humbling.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Holiday concert on rails rolls through Whitemouth

Credit Union hosts Christmas cheer

Steinbach Credit Union launched their annual tradition of bringing holiday spirit to their Steinbach branch as part of their annual Christmas Carols events.