COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – Memories of mountains

We had mountains in our community. In the conventional sense of the word they were not really mountains, but when the snowplough first made its way down the gravel ridge in Rosengard many decades ago, it looked for all the world as if they were mountains. The snowfall must have been exceptionally heavy that year, back in the 1950s, and to the eyes of Rosengard’s children those enormous mounds of snow must surely have taken on the features of mountains.

If truth be told we all knew that longer hours of spring sunshine would, in due time cause our imaginary mountains to vanish, leaving us instead with our wonderful natural gravel ridge formed so long ago by the receding waters of ancient Lake Agassiz.

Even then however, we could claim something akin to a small mountain. We called it “the hill” formed by the slight incline of the roadway now known as Blatz Road where it approached the gravel ridge. All that, of course, is in the distant past, and much as all of us have changed during those many decades since my childhood, so too has the lay of the land in our community of Rosengard.

In the meantime, I have had occasion to experience mountainous landscapes in various guises and locations. In due time several members of my family decided to make their homes in British Columbia. So too our widowed mother, Katarina Falk when she married Henry Enns, formerly also a Rosengarder, and now a widower himself.

Joy in Action Steinbach to become annual event

The Joy Smith Foundation will make Joy in Action Steinbach an annual event after 94 runners and walkers took part in the July 25 event and raised more than $25,000 at the Steinbach Soccer Park.

The Joy Smith Foundation has existed since 2011 with a mandate to end human trafficking, and Joy in Action, which features a four or eight km run and walk raises money for that purpose at locations across Canada.

Joy Smith, the founder of the organization said Steinbach’s event, held for the first time this year, will definitely have to happen again.

“It was fantastic,” she said. “People were just blown away. The sun was shining and everybody had big smiles on their faces.”

Country Classic Car Show at MHV returns to thrill car enthusiasts

The Country Classic Car Show returned to the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) this past weekend to the delight of hundreds of automotive enthusiasts and car buffs. Entries ranged from restored 1920s rat-rods to the latest edition “Vettes” with speeds only limited by chip-enforced governors. Several two-wheeled showpieces were also featured to complete the spectacle.

Show judge Rene Bouchard, owner of Reborn Automative Detailing (RAD) was delighted by each of the 266 entries, the dozens of volunteers who made it possible, and the spectacular sunshine that showcased the mesmerizing paintjobs that typified the displays.

“There were several amazing cars, incredible builds and craftsmanship, rare vehicles and simply, quirky cars,” he said. “I can’t pick a favourite as they all have different stories and history. Just like the people that own them, every car has been through different stages of life and I’m happy they are able to make it out to the show to tell theirs,” said Bouchard.

Organizer and Country Classics Club president Mario Silva was also thrilled with the eclectic entries and with the attendance numbers at this year’s show, as it not only brought together club members and other enthusiasts, but also helped his club and its adopted charity.

Carillon Sultans cement MJBL dynasty

For the third consecutive season, the Carillon Sultans lifted the Darryl Steen Trophy as champions of the Manitoba Junior Baseball League.

The Sultans dominated the Elmwood Giants in the final, winning all three games in abbreviated fashion with mercy rule victories to claim the best-of-five series, including the 12-2 series clincher in Steinbach at A.D. Penner Park July 28.

All nine Carillon players in the line-up recorded at least one hit, with leadoff hitter Joe Plett knocking in a two-run single to give the Sultans a 10-run advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“We wanted to make sure we finish tonight and everyone came through and did what they had to do,” head coach Don Meilleur said.

Anderson seeks fourth term as reeve in Piney

RM of Piney Reeve Wayne Anderson is seeking a fourth term as head of council.

“We have a lot of projects on the go right now, and I’d like to see them through,” said Anderson. “There’s probably half a dozen, or maybe more, but it’s kind of like an ongoing thing, they have to be looked after. And in the same manner we’ve been doing it because it’s been successful so far.”

Anderson was born and raised in the RM of Alonsa in the Interlake. He moved to Winnipeg as an adult to work mostly as an engineer for Manitoba Hydro. He and his wife moved to Piney to look after his mother who moved from Ottawa to Sprague and needed care. When he retired from Manitoba Hydro he opened an auto repair shop in Sprague, which he later sold in 2017. Since 2014, he has been leading Piney’s council.

He said the biggest problem right now in the municipality is trying to complete all the projects while there is an election looming. He said the hiring of an economic development officer coupled with implementing a new recreation master plan and finding ways to financially support the nine community centres in the RM are top of mind.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: July 23rd edition

Featuring photos from the football Canada Cup July 14, a U15 AAA Carillon Sultans game in Ile des Chenes July 15, a Hanover Kickers game July 17 a softball tournament at AD Penner Park July 19 and game three and of the MJBL semi-finals in Steinbach/St Boniface July 19/21.

PHOTO GALLERY: Dawson Trek returns for second year

Pistons add defenseman and goalie via trade

The Steinbach Pistons have bolstered their depth via an in-league trade.

The Dauphin Kings announced July 19 they were sending 2007-born defensesman Gavin Haslam to Steinbach in exchange for a player development fee.

Haslam is a 2007-born defender from Etobicoke, Ont. who scored 14 points across 39 regular season appearances for the Kings last season.

“Gavin is someone we had watched prior to last season and considered recruiting at that point,” Pistons head coach and general manager Paul Dyck said.

COLUMN: Village News – Pioneer Days – A celebration of Mennonite history

Pioneer Days is the Mennonite Heritage Village’s largest event of the summer. It is a three-day celebration of history where visitors are immersed in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the village. Without a wonderful team of volunteers backing up the MHV staff, this event would not be possible.

The three days that comprise MHV’s Pioneer Days festival are full of pioneer demonstrations, live music, great food, and fun for the whole family. During Pioneer Days, history comes alive. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday each boast their own daily features with no shortage of activities and adventures to participate in. On Saturday, watch our talented volunteers bake bread in the outdoor oven and check out the Mid-Summer Market in the auditorium. On Sunday, immerse yourself in the past by attending the Old Colony Worship Service in the Old Colony Church, and then enjoy the afternoon at the the Southeast Manitoba Draft Horse Association horse show and the Sangerfest hymn sing. On Monday, watch “And When They Shall Ask,” the award-winning docu-drama of the Mennonites’ sojourn in Russia from 1788 to the present. Remember to check out the pioneer demonstrations! Where else can you watch a blacksmith hard at work at the forge; eat a delicious waffle made on 100-year-old waffle irons; see the threshing machine in operation; and watch the steam engine drive around the village? Pioneer Days is a celebration, and we hope you’ll join us.

Behind every featured activity, demonstration, or interpretation stands a talented and dedicated team of volunteers. Our volunteers are the backbone of our events and festivals, and without them, Pioneer Days would be impossible to host. The man in the blacksmith shop, the lady churning butter, the men and women baking bread in the outdoor oven, the schoolteachers in the schoolhouses, the admissions attendants and parking attendants - all these and many more are our amazing volunteers. Because of their dedication to the Mennonite Heritage Village, we can continue to host our events and festivals.

It takes a village to make the Mennonite Heritage Village come to life, and we would love for you to join the team. Whether you have an interest in history or not, we have a place for you. As of right now, we are still looking for volunteers to fill various spots for Pioneer Days. If you would like to partner with us in the wonderful work that we do to preserve and exhibit the story and experience of the Russian Mennonites, please reach out about volunteer opportunities. You can email or call Jaysa Thiessen at jaysat@mhv.ca or 204-326-9661. Make Pioneer Days a memorable long weekend by joining the village here at the MHV and helping us host another wonderful event.

Ste Anne Hospital re-opens after cooling system breakdown

Ste Anne Hospital re-opened on Wednesday after closing on July 13 due to rising temperatures within the building reaching uncomfortable levels.

Temperatures reached between 32C to 34C between July 11 to 13 with humidity ranging between 40 percent to 80 percent in Ste Anne.

Southern Health interim CEO Dana Human said the decision to close the hospital was made on July 13 as the air cooling system had malfunctioned during the weekend and into Monday. Maintenance also found a freon leak from the air conditioner.

“We currently are exhausting every resource we possibly can to be able to remedy the situation,” said Human during a Zoom call on July 15.