1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Fair at Grunthal highlights Hanover Centennial

AUGUST 19, 1981—The annual Hanover Agricultural Society Fair kept the Village of Grunthal hopping last weekend, highlighted by RM of Hanover centennial celebrations and a mortgage-burning for the remaining debt on the community pool.

The fair opened Friday morning with a parade organized by Jack Tanner, marshalled by Ken Holme and boasting 44 entries, four times as many as last year.

The Guenther float, celebrating 49 years for the family in the grocery and hardware business, won first prize in the local commercial category.

Grunthal Prancing Hooves and Companions won the 4-H Club category with a second-place tie between the St Malo Ghost Riders and the Grunthal Profit and Pleasure Beef Club.

PHOTO GALLERY: Sprague Fest Family Fun Day

Sprague Fest Family Fun Day took place on Aug. 8. The event featured a pancake breakfast, petting zoo, wood carving demonstrations, cornhole, bingo tournaments and ended with a social.

Council candidate brings fresh voice

Nicholas Goertzen wants to bring new ideas and a new generation to the Steinbach city council table.

The 30-year-old Steinbach resident announced his candidacy, in part because of inspiration offered by retiring councillor Jac Siemens.

“What he said stuck with me,” he said, referencing a quote Siemens made in connection with his retirement about having younger generations come on to council and help decide the future. “I really want to help build Steinbach in a way that younger people are proud to live here.”

Goertzen was born and raised in Steinbach where he worked for Loewen Windows and in marketing for Barkman Concrete.

Senior Sultans stumble at provincials, take 1-0 series lead in playoffs

The Carillon Sultans senior baseball team couldn’t manage a win at the AA provincial championships, going 0-3 at the tournament. The Sultans earned a spot at the tournament thanks to a third-place finish last season and West Winnipeg hosting the tournament this season.

Carillon dropped games to Cartwright, Oak River and the hosts and were unable to make the semi-finals. The draw was a bit unlucky for the Sultans, as Oak River and West Winnipeg faced off in the championship final, with the South West Baseball League representatives claiming the championship.

The Sultans were slightly understaffed at provincials, with the Sultans junior team playing in Windsor at the 22U national championships. Cedric Lagasse and Anders Meilleur were sure to take some at bats for Carillon's final regular season game of the season to ensure they’d be eligible for the team in the playoffs.

The Sultans season continued with a rare home playoff game after press time Aug. 12. The team finished third in the top division of the Winnipeg Senior Baseball League’s regular season and is playing Elmwood in the semi-finals. It was just the second home game in Senior Sultans history.

SCU parts ways with CEO

Steinbach Credit Union has parted ways with CEO Curtis Wennberg.

In a July 27 announcement, a press release expressed appreciation for the work he’s done.

“Curtis’ contributions over his tenure helped shape the organization’s future by developing a structured approach to a new technology AI roadmap, reviewing SCU products and services to help members stay ahead in the financial services marketplace, and achieving continued excellent financial results at SCU,” they stated. “We are grateful for the dedication and work ethic Curtis has provided to our credit union.”

Wennberg officially stepped down from his role on Aug. 1 but will serve as a senior advisor to the board through November.

CARILLON SPORTS SECOND SHOTS: Aug 6th edition

Featuring a Hanover Sting game in the Manitoba Major Soccer League July 30 and the 13U/15U provincial baseball championships at Optimist Park in Winnipeg.

PHOTO GALLERY: Pioneer Days at MHV

Mennonite Heritage Village hosted Pioneer Days over the August long weekend.

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback September 27, 1995 – Ostrich farming a fast-growing industry

Ostrich farming is a fast-growing alternative agricultural livestock business and is widespread in Canada, with about 60 to 75 breeders in Manitoba alone.

Judy Barnes, marketing director for the Canadian Ostrich Association, suggested in the February, 1995 issue of the COA magazine Runner that Canada could soon be “the ostrich capital of the world.”

Ostriches are fascinating birds, standing seven to eight feet tall and weighing 250 to 350 pounds. They can live up to 80 years and average egg production is 30 to 50 eggs per year, with some hens laying more than 100 eggs annually. One ostrich egg equals 24 to 27 chicken eggs and will weigh up to five pounds.

The ostrich industry is a wide open field. Birds are raised as breeding stock, for meat, for the hide and the feathers. The red meat is very palatable, lean, low in cholesterol, with a taste similar to roast beef. It sells for $6 to $20 per pound and is an expensive delicacy in restaurants. Ostrich hides measure 10 to 20 square feet per bird and are in large demand, because of the durability of the leather. It is used for shoes, cowboy boots, briefcases, clothing and fashion accessories. Feathers, harvested twice a year from live birds and in total at slaughter, are used for elaborate showgirl costumes, dusters, decorations and fashion accessories.

Eastman Selects Tomes, Rigaux pick up Hockey Manitoba scholarships

A pair of Eastman Selects U18 standouts were recognized for their strong play and schooling by Hockey Manitoba, as the organization announced their scholarship recipients for 2026 last week.

Goaltender Addie Tomes was given the Todd Davidson Memorial Scholarship and defender Vayda Rigaux claimed the Buck Matiowski Memorial Scholarship.

Tomes, who committed to the University of Saskatchewan, maintained a 90% average at St Mary’s Academy, in addition to being one of the Manitoba Female Hockey League’s top goaltenders.

Across her two years with the Selects program, she racked up a 34-4 record, with a save percentage above 0.950. Tomes also is a volunteer coach for other goaltenders.

Tache council allows residential septic business despite neighbours’ objections

The RM of Tache council has approved a conditional use for a septic service business in a residential area despite objections from neighbours.

On June 16, council voted to approve Stephane Massicotte’s request for a conditional use to continue to operate his business, Rolly’s Septic Service, in the residential neighbourhood on Old Bog Road located southeast of Lorette.

In a vote of five to three, council approved the use with Couns. Dawn Braden and Colleen Jolicoeur and Mayor Armand Poirier voting against the motion.

“This is not just a commercial venture, someone selling Avon. It’s a quasi-industrial business,” said Poirier, who asked that the vote be recorded.

Veteran HSD trustee makes city council bid

The longest serving member of the Hanover School Division board of trustees has thrown his hat into the ring for a city council seat in Steinbach.

Ron Falk has served as trustee for 34 years, including 14 as board chair.

He said it was a tough decision to leave public education behind but added he felt it was time to close that chapter of his life.

“I think my time is done there, and I think others can move the ship in the direction they need to go,” he said. “I’ve contributed as best as I can and I think it’s just time to move on.”

COLUMN: Village News – From farmyard relic to museum treasure: A 1938 McLaughlin Buick finds a new home

The Mennonite Heritage Village has recently welcomed a remarkable new addition to its artifact collection: a beautifully restored 1938 McLaughlin Buick, generously donated by Elmer B. Harder. More than simply a vintage automobile, this Buick represents a family story spanning generations and offers a fascinating glimpse into rural Manitoba life in the mid-20th century.

The story begins in 1938 when Peter P. Thiessen (1890-1973) and Maria Peters Thiessen (1891-1988) of Sewell, Manitoba, purchased the new McLaughlin Buick from the GMC/Buick dealership in Altona. Built in Regina, Saskatchewan, the car was an impressive vehicle for its era. With its elegant styling, spacious body, and powerful straight-eight engine, the Buick was both a symbol of progress and a practical tool for a busy farming family.

Unlike many automobiles of the time that were reserved for special occasions, the Thiessens’ Buick quickly became a hardworking member of the household. It transported the family to church services, visits with relatives and friends, and shopping trips. Yet its duties extended well beyond everyday travel.

Peter Thiessen saw the Buick’s potential as a reliable work vehicle. To help haul pigs to market in Winnipeg, he built a utility trailer using the frame of a 1940 Pontiac. He added sides and a loading ramp, creating a practical livestock trailer that paired surprisingly well with the Buick. According to Peter’s granddaughter Agathe, the arrangement worked better than the farm’s trucks because the trailer sat lower to the ground, making loading easier, while the Buick pulled the heavy loads with little effort.