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LGBTQ+ survey the first of its kind in the province looks at state of queer community

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 11 minute read Yesterday at 11:08 PM CDT

Two recently released surveys found the majority of polled Manitobans are largely supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, but findings show there is still more to do to bring about inclusion and acceptance.

Rainbow Resource Centre’s landmark, The State of LGBTQ+ Communities in Manitoba, surveys are the first of their kind in the province to look at how queer people experience community, safety, inclusion, and allyship.

Wanting to see how many queer and queer-adjacent (people who are very close to someone who is part of the queer community) people there are in the province, Rainbow polled Manitobans and found the population to be sitting at about 250,000, yet only about 5,000 were being serviced by Rainbow annually.

“We thought, ‘Wow, where’s the rest of them? What is it that we need to offer to ensure that the queer community is thriving and not just surviving?’ And so that kind of got us thinking about how do we ask that question and all of the other questions we want to know about. So, the seed of this survey was to really figure out what do queer folks need to thrive instead of just survive,” said Rainbow executive director Noreen Mian.

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COLUMN: Grey Matters – The love around us

Gary Dyck 6 minute read Yesterday at 8:56 PM CDT

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15

Welcome to a two-part series with two powerful stories. Last week we looked at how there is more pain around us and we should be ready to ‘mourn with those who mourn.’ This week we look at how there is more love for us to rejoice in than we realize. Such knowledge should soften our hearts and attitudes as we go about our day. I received the following story from fellow chaplain Gary Blaine in his book I am Here for You:

“The story is told of the little girl who was busy wrapping a large box, about the size of a liquor box. The eight year old was using gold wrapping paper. She was almost finished when her father came home from work. He looked at her project and exclaimed, “What are you doing? Don’t you realize how expensive gold wrapping paper is? How can you be so wasteful?” He stormed off to his study.

The next morning at breakfast the father was drinking his coffee and reading the newspaper. He was a little embarrassed about his profusion of anger the night before when his daughter approached him. She presented him with the box wrapped in gold paper. “Here, Daddy, this is a gift for you.”

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New exhibit launched at MHV gala

Greg Vandermeulen 5 minute read Preview

New exhibit launched at MHV gala

Greg Vandermeulen 5 minute read Yesterday at 5:02 PM CDT

Attendees that were part of a full house gathered for the Mennonite Heritage Village gala on May 22 had their first look at a brand-new exhibit.

Titled Mennonite Medicine: Cures + Curiosities – 1800 to 1850, the exhibit was a long time coming for senior curator Garth Doerksen.

He told the crowd that they began working on this a year ago and were determined not to make the topics so broad that they couldn’t be explored and instead focus on specific topics.

“Distilling those topics that are carved down to about 125 words on a panel is a significant challenge,” he said. “Every word matters.”

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Yesterday at 5:02 PM CDT

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SRSS win Zone 13 baseball banner in dramatic fashion

Cassidy Dankochik 6 minute read Preview

SRSS win Zone 13 baseball banner in dramatic fashion

Cassidy Dankochik 6 minute read Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

Since the 2018 season, the Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres have dominated the Zone 13 baseball diamonds. The Sabres have yet to lose a game in either the league or the championship tournament, en route to banner win after banner win.

The team got their toughest test in years this season, but managed to overcome the Saint-Joachim Braves to win the final 6-5, thanks to a walk-off single from Grade 9 student Kyler Verestiuk.

“Every year is exciting but when you win in walk-off fashion, it’s obviously a little different,” Brandt said.

“That was a fun moment.”

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Yesterday at 5:00 PM CDT

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1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow – Downtown shopping centre sold again

Wes Keating 5 minute read Preview

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow – Downtown shopping centre sold again

Wes Keating 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:53 PM CDT

JULY 6, 1977—The Steinbach Shopping Centre, reportedly sold a month ago, has been sold again. At the same time, Stylerite Foods of Steinbach is taking over the Family Fare Foods supermarket under a new name.

The complex changeover took effect Monday and reduces the number of major food stores in town to two.

Under terms of this latest transaction, the shopping centre has been purchased from Merchants Consolidated and several local investors, who bought the complex from Jedman Investments a few weeks ago.

New owners of the 35,000 sq. ft. centre are Ernie Dyck of Steinbach, Max Gladstone of Winnipeg and Winkler, A.L. Friesen of Winkler and another Winnipeg associate. Friesen is a brother to Stylerite Foods manager Harry Friesen of Steinbach and operates a large grocery outlet in Winkler. Each of the new owners holds a 25 percent share.

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Yesterday at 2:53 PM CDT

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Carillon Sultans off to hot start in MJBL and fundraising

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Preview

Carillon Sultans off to hot start in MJBL and fundraising

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

The back-to-back Manitoba Junior Baseball League champions Carillon Sultans are back on the field, preparing for another memorable season.

The team is 5-0 to start the year. They earned the right to represent the province at nationals in Windsor, Ont. with their 2025 championship win. The team got a head start on fundraising last season, but are still looking for support.

They’re hosting a trivia night at St Adolphe Community Club June 5 to support their fundraising efforts. The cost is $240 per team.

Head coach Don Meilleur, who has taken over for Rick Penner this season, said the team was also planning on doing another raffle this season, with tickets to go on sale soon.

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Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

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Feds reject Steinbach Airport push for U.S. air traffic

Matthew Frank 7 minute read Preview

Feds reject Steinbach Airport push for U.S. air traffic

Matthew Frank 7 minute read Yesterday at 11:42 AM CDT

Federal border officials have rejected Steinbach’s request last month to turn its airport into a port of entry and accept aircraft directly flying from the United States.

The Canada Border Services Agency denied the city’s application on April 27 to get the designation, according to Steinbach officials. The nearest aircraft ports of entry to Steinbach are in Winkler and Winnipeg.

The port of entry application was under the federal CANPASS program, which allows low-risk, pre-aproved travellers from the U.S. to land in Canada at designated airports.

Steinbach administration filed the application in June 2025 on behalf of the Steinbach Flying Club, which operates the airport day-to-day, said Adam Thiessen, the city’s corporate services manager. The application was the first time the airport sought the designation.

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Yesterday at 11:42 AM CDT

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Feds looking for input for men and boys’ health strategy

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 8 minute read Yesterday at 8:30 AM CDT

The federal government has released a survey asking for input from people regarding the current state of men and boys’ mental and physical health with the goal of developing a national strategy. The initiative has researchers and advocates applauding the move, with one non-profit saying the situation with men’s health is at a crossroads and men are in crisis.

“Men are in a real crisis right now. (About) 4,000 men (are) disappearing in Canada every single year, that’s not a good state for society or the Canadian population as a whole,” said Kenton Boston, president and CEO of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF), who was elated that the federal government is taking this initiative, something it has already done for women and girls and has already created a strategy for them.

Last December, Minister of Health Marjorie Michel announced plans to launch a federal men’s health strategy in 2026 after participating in a men’s round table. In February of this year, the government released its men and boys’ survey.

“We invite everyone to join this conversation. Men, young adults, boys, partners, families, friends and communities can share their experiences and ideas,” stated a Health Canada spokesperson in an email.

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Spring Twist Off comes to Grunthal

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Preview

Spring Twist Off comes to Grunthal

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Sunday, May. 31, 2026

The first bull riding event of the season is coming to the Hanover Ag Exhibition Park in Grunthal.

Competitors will take on the eight-second challenge in the Keystone Agri-Motive Livestock Arena as part of the annual Spring Twist Off event.

Not only will the best bull riding be on display, but the event will also feature a barrel riding showdown.

The event will also conclude with the Party in the Dirt social featuring music by Big Show Productions.

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Sunday, May. 31, 2026

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Manitoba RCMP launch direct notification system pilot project

Matthew Frank 6 minute read Sunday, May. 31, 2026

Manitoba RCMP are launching a pilot project to test a new public-safety alert system that can send direct notifications to several communities, including three from the Southeast.

The new system will send alerts from local RCMP detachments by text messages, phone calls or email to residents who register for the optional program, using software from U.S.-based Rave Mobile Safety.

Starting on May 21, detachments in Norway House, Thompson, Dauphin, Winnipegosis, Beausejour and Oakbank, Morris and Emerson and Ste Rose will have access to the service. The pilot project will run for three months and be evaluated on whether to expand to all of Manitoba’s detachments.

The system will send alerts regarding public safety advisories, requests for public assistance, missing persons, traffic or road conditions, crime prevention and other community updates.

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SPORTS FLASHBACK 1995: La Broquerie teen excels at cricket

Wes Keating 6 minute read Preview

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1995: La Broquerie teen excels at cricket

Wes Keating 6 minute read Sunday, May. 31, 2026

Eighteen-year-old Andrew Amsden of La Broquerie is consumed with cricket, and for good reason. The 1995 graduate of the Steinbach Regional Secondary School, who emigrated to Canada from Britain with his family in 1989, spent the summer playing for Canada’s Under 19 National Cricket Team.

While Amsden’s classmates at the SRSS naturally are more familiar and more concerned with sports such as volleyball, basketball, hockey, baseball, or perhaps curling, Amsden is ensconced in cricket, and understandably so.

For the uninitiated, according to the dictionary, “cricket is a game played with a ball and solid wood bat by two sides of 11 players on a grass field centering on two wickets, each defended in turn by a batsman.”

The rules of cricket make it a complex game for the outsider.

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Sunday, May. 31, 2026

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Music heralds the onset of summer

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Preview

Music heralds the onset of summer

Greg Vandermeulen 4 minute read Sunday, May. 31, 2026

The K.R. Barkman Concerts in the Park series is underway, and just like in past years, a wide variety of musical styles are on display during the twice weekly performances.

“This year’s schedule features seven performance dates, showcasing a mix of established community favourites and fresh, emerging voices,” the Steinbach Arts Council said in a press release. “The performer lineup reflects the wide range of talent within the Southeast, featuring genres from acapella vocal, country rock, southern gospel and classical instrumental to professional theatre.”

So far this season crowds have taken in Southern Sound, 4given Quartet, New Covenant Quartet, Matt Zimmerman and The Academy.

Upcoming concerts include the Southeast Brass Quintet on May 28, KW Duo and Looking Glass Theatre on June 3, Above Bass, Jon Stoesz and the Chammartin Family on June 9, the Darryl Marsch Band and Crossfire on June 11 and Jess & Janice and P-Noise on June 17.

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Sunday, May. 31, 2026

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RM of Montcalm declares state of local emergency

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Sunday, May. 31, 2026

As a result of what is being referred to as the wind event of May 14 and 15, the RM of Montcalm has declared a state of local emergency.

In a May 20 press release the RM states that there’s lots of work to be done.

“Montcalm has started emergency recovery to a substantial amount of blown in ditches and drains and to repair damaged gravel roads throughout the RM,” they said.

The state of emergency will remain in effect until June 18.

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COLUMN: Carillon Flashback April 15, 1955 – European trip reward for top salesman

Wes Keating 5 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback April 15, 1955 – European trip reward for top salesman

Wes Keating 5 minute read Sunday, May. 31, 2026

Steinbach’s pioneer electrician and the community’s top appliance salesman will have an opportunity to see where all those radios and television sets he has been selling to Steinbach customers are manufactured.

Joe Penner, proprietor of Penner Electric Ltd. is one of 42 Philips dealers from across Canada who will be flying to Amsterdam next week. The all-expense paid European holiday is the company’s reward for high sales in radios and television sets.

The trip, timed so winners will arrive in Holland at the height of tulip time, includes a tour of the ancient city of Amsterdam.

From Amsterdam, the visitors will tour the Philips plant in Eindhoven. This plant is one of the world’s largest, and is also world headquarters for Philips. From there, the trip will include a tour of large European cities, including Brussels, Versailles and Paris, with a full schedule of entertainment and tours at each port of call.

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Sunday, May. 31, 2026

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COLUMN: View from the Legislature – For the love of Canada….again

Kelvin Goertzen, MLA for Steinbach 6 minute read Sunday, May. 31, 2026

It was a long time ago, but I remember it very clearly. It was 1995 and it was the night of the second Quebec referendum which would decide whether Quebec would leave Canada or stay part of the federation. I was working as political staff in the government of Premier Gary Filmon, and like most staff, had remained in the building that evening to work and to watch the results.

Late into the evening, my work was done. I had drafted two news releases for various MLAs. The one release would be sent to their local media if Quebec voted to separate. It was filled, as I recall, with lots of cautionary language about the uncertain road ahead and disappointment in the result. The second release was to be sent if Quebec voters decided to stay in Canada. It contained more hopeful sentiments, but still cautionary language about what was avoided and the challenge to ensure that steps would be taken to ensure we never reached this point again.

While most staff were in the various offices huddled around T.V.’s watching the results (this was before our phones and social media gave us immediate updates), I sat on the grand staircase of the legislature with the different news releases in separate hands waiting to hear which one to send. But mostly, I was contemplating what Canada would look like the morning after the referendum.

Of course, history shows I was able to send the release signifying a vote by Quebec to remain in Canada. Barely. The vote was 50.58 percent to 49.42 percent to remain. I have always felt grateful that I was able to send out the release I did. I love Canada, every part of it, and want it to remain strong and united.

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DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: Zach Collaros has been underpaid by Blue Bombers

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Preview

DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: Zach Collaros has been underpaid by Blue Bombers

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Sunday, May. 31, 2026

Last week I was talking with my dad about the upcoming CFL season and the talk inevitably turned to the Blue Bombers quarterback situation. With 37-year-old Zach Collaros in the final year of his contract worth a reported $550,000, the conversation inevitably turned to the back-up position.

It has been a facinating battle this camp for the Bombers, with highly touted Canadian Taylor Elgersma, who had a stint with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers battling normal back-up Terry Wilson and former Los Angelas Rams pivot and United Football League 2025 most valuable player Bryce Perkins. Wilson, seemingly recognizing he was the low man on the roster, appeared to leave the team before the start of their pre-season game last weekend.

The future of Winnipeg’s quarterback position is exciting, if a complete unknown, but Collaros still deserves mention. The pivot who led the Bombers to back-to-back Grey Cup championship wins seemed to have lost a step last season, putting up just 3,000 yards while leading the league in interceptions and posting a 6-7 record.

After a mediocre season, some may question if Collaros is still deserving of being the highest paid quarterback in the CFL. But those stats miss the bigger picture thanks to a 2025 stat which was released this April.

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Sunday, May. 31, 2026

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