St Pierre Jolys Sugaring Off Festival brings sweet treats to the Southeast

Southeastern francophone culture will be on full display this month along with a chance to roll snowy-sticky treats.

The St-Pierre-Jolys Museum’s 2026 Sugaring Off Festival, located at 432 Joubert St., is happening on April 11 to 12. The festival will mark its 35th anniversary of celebrating francophone culture and the arrival of spring.

Roland Gagne, president of the St-Pierre-Jolys Museum, said the festival is the museum’s main fundraising event to cover operations. But throughout the years, he’s seen it grow to showcase the Southeast’s French history.

“We brag about how the history of our area of De Salaberry, St Pierre, Rat River area, and how it was established by our ancestors, and then, after all the new immigrants from Quebec, northern United States and France and Belgium, these French speaking immigrants during that period of time,” he said.

COLUMN: Village News – Our AGM takes place April 14

Attending a company business meeting isn’t everyone’s favourite way to spend an evening, but it is a legal requirement for all not-for-profit organizations, and it is one way to bring members, the board of directors, and company management together to review the activities of the organization and share the goals and direction of future plans.

Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) was incorporated in 1964 and has grown into an important museum for all Manitobans as a member of the seven Signature Museums which represent important aspects of Manitoba’s history. MHV continues to preserve and share the stories of the Russian descendent Mennonites who settled in southern Manitoba in the 1870’s and onward. This is our mission. However, with each new generation, MHV has the opportunity to connect with the local community and the larger Mennonite community which are both becoming increasingly diverse in culture, ethnicity, and background. This annual meeting is your opportunity to hear a review of how MHV accomplished its goals in 2025.

On Tuesday, April 14, you are invited, whether you are a member or not, to join us for coffee and dessert, as we share successes, challenges and opportunities. Your questions, concerns, and suggestions are very much appreciated, and we look forward to an encouraging evening. Thank you for your participation in 2025!

Upcoming events

Hanover mill rates increase in proposed 2026 financial plan

Ratepayers in the Rural Municipality of Hanover could see increases to the mill rate as the municipality introduced its 2026 financial plan.

Hanover’s chief financial officer Derek Decru presented the $33.7-million budget to council on April 8, which unanimously passed first reading.

Municipal assessment rose by 3.08 percent, sitting at $39 million. The 2026 estimated tax revenue is $13.3 million.

Hanover’s operating budget is $25.6 million, with rural transportation representing 29.6 percent and recreation representing 39.7 percent of the funding.

Development approved despite massive opposition

A petition with 47 signatures representing 35 homes objecting to a proposed 48-unit development did not stop Steinbach city council from approving the plan. Neither did the nearly 10 people in attendance who spoke against the project during Tuesday’s public hearing, required to change the zoning from residential low density to residential medium density.

Instead, council thanked those in attendance but agreed the project was beneficial to the community.

Randy Reimer made the application to re-zone 492, 498 and 506 McKenzie Avenue to allow the construction of a trio of three-storey units that combined would offer 48 dwelling units including one-, two-and three-bedroom apartments.

The three properties are on the south side of McKenzie Avenue, near Main Street and include 78 bedrooms, with each building filling a footprint of 5,961 sq. ft.

Eastman-heavy Transcona advances to MMJHL finals

The Transcona Railer Express, featuring plenty of Eastman talent, will play in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League finals.

Over a dozen players who have suited up for the Express this season hail from the region, including the team’s two leading playoff scorers, Trey Sellen and captain Nolan van den Bussche.

Transcona were dominant this season, posting a 36-7-1 record en route to the best regular season record in the league and a plus-111 goal difference, more than 50 ahead of every other team in the league.

The Railer Express are also a perfect 8-0 in the MMJHL playoffs so far, sweeping the Raiders Jr Hockey Club in the quarterfinals and River East in the semi-finals.

La Broquerie Habs crowned CRJHL champions

It was clear the La Broquerie Habs weren’t going to let any opportunity to clinch a championship slip away.

Heading into game five of the Capital Region Junior Hockey League finals April 2 the team was up 3-1 on the Selkirk Fishermen and put together one of the most dominant first periods any team can play.

A glance at the stat sheet doesn’t do it justice, as the Habs seemed to win every single puck battle in the opening frame, building a 2-0 lead on the scoreboard, en route to a series victory in Selkirk.

“We came out hungry, we wanted to win it tonight,” La Broquerie head coach Dan Taillefer said after the game, with a custom wrestling belt made for the team placed over his shoulder.

CARILLON SPORTS SECOND SHOTS: April 1 edition

Featuring Manitoba Junior Hockey League quarterfinal games in Niverville and Steinbach March 25/28, game four of the Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA finals in Niverville March 27, and game six of the South East Manitoba Hockey League final in Ile des Chenes March 27.

Initiatives for Just Communities incorporating Indigenous teachings into El’Dad programming

Initiatives for Just Communities has taken steps to permanently incorporate Indigenous teachings into its El’Dad programming and is welcoming partnerships with Indigenous organizations to take advantage of this programming and resources.

“We’re an organization that we believe strongly that everyone belongs in the community, no matter who they are or, I guess in some cases, what they’ve done,” said Jeremy Hawbaker, grant and communications officer for IJC.

“Our goal is to create communities for everyone, and particularly those who are stigmatized and those who are vulnerable.”

Under the El’Dad program, IJC works with people with intellectual disabilities, who may or may have not been involved with the law, and through programming, housing, and supports it is able to help reintegrate these people into society.

Hanover Fire Department doing detailed review of service delivery model

For the first time, the Hanover Fire Department is conducting a review this spring with the hopes that it will highlight efficiencies and where the department can improve.

“It’s just a complete evaluation of our current service delivery model,” said Fire Chief Paul Wiebe, noting the department will be evaluated against the standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association and best practices and workplace safety measures.

The review, by SeaHawk Consulting, will look at levels of service, leadership and administrative practices, staffing, recruiting, retention, training programs, risk assessment and hazard analysis and liabilities, occupational risks, fire station location, call volume, response times, apparatus and equipment, infrastructure, personal protective equipment, operating guidelines or procedures, bylaw, and budgets.

“We’re about halfway through, so we’re looking forward to seeing some results in the next month or two,” said Wiebe.

Winkler Royals squeak by Ile des Chenes North Stars to win SEMHL championship

Braden Hildebrand ended a potential storybook end to the Ile des Chenes North Stars season.

The Winkler forward struck four and a half minutes into overtime of game six of the South East Manitoba Hockey League finals March 27, erasing a last minute equalizer from Josh Beauchemin to give the visitors a 4-2 series victory.

Hildebrand rushed into the left side of the zone, sniping a shot off the post behind goaltender Matthew Radomsky and into the Ile des Chenes net, giving the Royals a 4-3 win.

“Honestly, I was thinking ‘get it deep the whole time,’” Hildebrand said in the midst of the celebration.

The INN applies to create transitional housing bylaw

A Steinbach housing non-profit has submitted an application to add transitional housing to the city’s list of permitted buildings, after city officials prevented the group from applying under its assisted living bylaw.

The INN, or Initiative for Neighbourly Nights, submitted a proposed transitional housing definition on March 20. Steinbach doesn’t have transitional housing included in its bylaws.

The non-profit is a transitional housing project that will provide wrap-around care and on-site medical support for the city’s homeless population. The roughly $1.75-million project would be located at Main Street near Kroeker Avenue.

Lisa Livingstone Clark, The INN’s vice chair, said the application was filed to prevent any further delays because city officials refused to meet with the group. Steinbach administration previously told The INN it couldn’t apply under the assisted living bylaw, despite the existing definition not ruling out the group’s project.