COLUMN: Village News – Peace Trek is for all ages

Mennonite Heritage Village and Eden Foundation have been collaborating for 17 years, bringing their supporters together as they fundraise for both organizations. It started with the annual Tractor Trek and a few years ago both organizations joined forces to create the Peace Trek. This year, the Peace Trek is starting and ending at the Peace Exhibit on the museum grounds.

Mennonite Heritage Village is committed to preserving the past by preserving the legacy of a settling immigrant community that have had a significant influence in the province. Eden Health Care Services is helping to create a future for people who are on a mental health journey. Both organizations serve the same part of the province that has been influenced by the people whose heritage is highlighted at our museum.

Mennonite Heritage Village and Eden Foundation invite you to take part in the 2026 Peace Trek Community Fundraising Walk, happening on Aug. 15. Peace Trek is an opportunity to connect with the community while supporting the important work that Eden does in our communities. And at five kilometres, it’s accessible for everyone!

The story behind Peace Trek began generations ago, with Mennonite settlers crossing continents in search of a peaceful life rooted in faith, community, and caring for each other. Those same values shaped Eden Health Care Services, who continue to walk alongside individuals living with mental illness as they search for their own peace.

COLUMN: Carillon Flashback April 24, 1974 – Norma Coleman sews for 18 Hanover Fairs

While many of the activities and shows once connected with the Hanover Agricultural Fair have been reduced or cancelled, the women’s home crafts exhibit remains as strong as ever, largely because of the efforts of a few women who every year enter nearly every category.

One of these women is Mrs. Norma Coleman of Steinbach, who has been entering her dresses, cakes, pies, breads, vegetables, cookies and canned goods for about 18 years. And Coleman wins red ribbons in nearly every category she enters.

There are women who stay up all night the day before fair day to bake, but Mrs Coleman, in spite of entering so many exhibits, has never stayed up later than 2 a.m. the night before. That was when her daughters, Janet and Arlene, were too young to help her write out the tags for her entries.

Now, the three days before the fair are rather hectic, but Mrs. Coleman takes it all in her stride. Bread and cookies can be baked a week ahead of time and frozen. If she takes them out the night before, they’ll still taste fresh the next day.

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Remembering the past, building for the future

While Steinbach was constantly building for the future, it was also remembering the past, and along with the village expanding to a town and then to a city, the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) preserved a chunk of history that was the Mennonite foundation of the community.

The 1967 centennial project of Manitoba’s Mennonites received the official approval of the Manitoba government, when the chairman of the Manitoba Centennial Corporation told the 250 attending Steinbach’s 1965 Chamber of Commerce banquet, the project ranked first in centennial projects in rural Manitoba.

Although there never had been any doubt that the museum project would be accepted, J.J. Reimer, head of the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, said Maitland B. Steinkopf’s public announcement had cleared the last hurdle and his group would be able to swing into action.

Guests at the 1965 banquet each received a colourfully printed brochure with the complete details about the purposes and possibilities of the $250,000 Mennonite Village Museum. The brochures carried an artist’s conception of an aerial view of the completed village.

Eight-year council veteran declares candidacy

A fourth sitting City of Steinbach councillor has declared his candidacy in the next municipal election.

Bill Hiebert, who is completing his second term on council, announced last week that he will put his name forward once again.

He joins Susan Penner, Jake Hiebert and Damian Penner as current councillors seeking re-election. Jac Siemens and Michael Zwaagstra will not be on the ballot. Also seeking council positions are Nicholas Goertzen, Mitesh Kumar, Greg Carlos, Ron Falk and Brad Unger.

Hiebert was born and raised in Steinbach, worked in the construction business and then spent 42 years in the automotive industry before retiring in 2023.

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.