Hanover School Board approves policy regarding use of school educational resources

The Hanover School Division board has approved a policy that regulates the use of school educational resources after they claim they had complaints from parents, teachers, and students.

Policy AK – Responsible Use of Educational Resources was passed during the June 2 meeting. Board chair Dallas Wiebe read the introduction of the policy, which stated “the board affirms its commitment to ensure that all education materials are accessible (to) students are age appropriate and supportive of educational outcomes.”

“The policy is not intended to restrict legitimate educational inquiries, discussions, or the study of diverse ideas, but to ensure that materials are presented in a manner that is age appropriate, educationally relevant and consistent with student wellbeing. This policy applies to all educational resources and all staff at Hanover School Division.”

Governance chair Jeff Friesen cited the Criminal Code, the Public Schools Act, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as Hanover policies AH (Responsible Use of Technology) and AG (Safe and Caring Schools) as being referenced in the policy.

Carillon Sultans perfect to start the MJBL season

The Carillon Sultans have a chance to do something special this season. After claiming back-to-back Manitoba Junior Baseball League championships, the team is returning most of their players in the quest for a three-peat.

There is one major change, as Don Meilleur has taken over for Rick Penner as head coach.

“We’ve virtually brought back the entire team,” Meilleur said after a 9-4 win over Winnipeg South May 28.

“(We’re) potentially getting Cody Gunderson coming back after his college. Expectations are high but this is a really great group and we’re just happy to get going. We want to get another championship at the end of the year.”

COLUMN: Village News – June moments you won’t want to miss

June at the Mennonite Heritage Village is marked by hundreds of students on the grounds enjoying enriching field trips; adult tour groups encountering the living history that our village tells; and the increase of summer visitors on our grounds.

June 19 to 21: Heritage waffle booth at Summer in the City

Mennonite Heritage Village’s famous heritage waffles are back at Steinbach’s Summer in the City from June 19 to 21. Visit our waffle booth for freshly made waffles topped with our legendary white sauce and a strawberry/rhubarb sauce that would make your Oma proud.

Then check out our heritage tent for an old-fashioned photo op and test your history skills by guessing the artifact!

Steinbach mayor announces reelection bid

Mayor Earl Funk will run for a third consecutive term as mayor of the City of Steinbach.

Announcing his plans on Tuesday, Funk has been on council for 16 years, two as councillor and two as mayor.

“We’ve done some really great things,” he said.

Funk said the community had incredible growth and he cited the completion of the Southeast Event Centre and infrastructure projects such as intersection improvements on Highway 12 as key accomplishments.

Hanover school trustee asks for policy to address student activism

Hanover School Division is currently considering whether or not to have a policy on student activism that would define what would be acceptable.

During the last school board meeting, trustee Brad Unger made the motion to create a student activism policy, which was approved by the board unanimously.

“Recommendation that the board develop a policy that regulates activism in our schools. This policy would define activism as it applies to our schools to determine what, if any, amount of activism is appropriate in any of our schools, and what, if any, kind of activism is inappropriate,” said board chair Dallas Wiebe as he read the motion into the minutes during the meeting.

Unger defined activism as, “an activist is someone who is active…in campaigning for change, normally on political or social issues or environmental (issues)” and that the motivation for someone getting involved in activism are varied.

Centennial Cup MVP Vigfusson earns NCAA scholarship

Niverville Nighthawks captain Adam Vigfusson showed what an outstanding showing at the Centennial Cup is worth.

The 2005-born forward from Gimli turned a most valuable player award into a NCAA division 1 commitment, signing up to go to St Cloud State.

Vigfusson had committed to York University to play USports, but after a 12 point performance at the national junior A championships, including a hat trick, American universities were sure to come calling.

“That was the dream result. The pressure didn’t faze us at all. We just went about our business and got the job done,” Vigfusson told the Winnipeg Free Press.

Parents file ethics complaint against Kleefeld teacher, no policy for investigation or reprimand

A group of parents have filed an ethics complaint against a Hanover teacher after she made a threat to kill one of her students. No policy exists to address such an incident.

A group of parents have lodged their complaint with the Commissioner of Teacher Professional Conduct in Manitoba against a Grade 8 Kleefeld School teacher after exhausting all other avenues in achieving disciplinary action against her.

“If you’re teaching my kids, I expect a level of professionalism from you and regardless of what your belief system is, there’s a professional code of conduct, right?” said Rod Penner, who filed the complaint against the teacher on behalf of himself and the other parents.

In the parents’ complaint, Penner alleges the teacher made the comment, “If you don’t stop that, I’ll kill you,” to a student who wouldn’t stop picking at an LGBTQ+ sticker on the door of the classroom.

Area students set for high school provincials

High School athletes will be competing for top-end banners this weekend as the baseball, softball, rugby and soccer provincial championships are all set to be given out June 6.

Those looking to travel close to home can catch the soccer championships at the Steinbach Soccer Park. Eight teams will play in a single-knockout format on both the boys and girls side.

The Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres girls team will be taking on Léo-Rémillard at 10 a.m. June 5. The girls final will be at 2 p.m. June 6.

In the boys’ bracket, SRSS will be facing Zone 15 champions Vincent Massey (Brandon) in the quarterfinals. The game kicks off at 11:30 a.m. June 6, with the boys final 12:15 p.m. the next day.

COLUMN: Village News – A summer gathering place

Summer is a wonderful time to connect with friends and family and it’s a great time to plan an organized trip to Mennonite Heritage Village. Public and private schools book field trips to the museum in spring and in fall, while daycares often book an outing to the museum in July and August. Homeschool families also join with other families to plan educational outings as a group. Our education department welcomes all these groups and schools through a booking process, preparing a program and schedule, to facilitate a day of experiential learning and discovery.

But, what about the rest of us who are not connected to a school or daycare but would like to plan a group outing? Mennonite Heritage Village has an adult tour coordinator to assist you with these plans. We gladly plan a “day at the museum” for groups of all sizes, including a guided tour of the museum’s heritage buildings and monuments. As well, we coordinate with the Livery Barn Restaurant to serve a traditional Russian Mennonite meal, including perogies and farmer sausage, cabbage borscht with stoneground whole wheat bread, and fresh rhubarb plautz with coffee or tea. If there is time, guests are welcome to visit the indoor galleries and browse in the general store and the Village Books and Gifts store for a favourite book or souvenir.

If this sounds like an interesting day to you, encourage your group to connect with our tour coordinator. If your church care group is looking for a way to enjoy a beautiful Manitoba summer day together, our museum tour of the outdoor heritage village and a delicious homestyle meal at the Livery Barn Restaurant will encourage good conversations and create lasting memories. If your senior living community is planning an outing, we would be happy to organize your visit to MHV. If your extended family is coming to town for a family celebration or event and you want to offer an activity for all ages, MHV would be honoured to be included in your time of reconnecting with relatives.

Mennonite Heritage Village tells the story of the early Mennonite settlers to southern Manitoba. We have thousands of artifacts that recount the life and daily activities of previous generations. We have restored heritage buildings that depict the development of new communities on the Manitoba prairies. And our park-like grounds provide a peaceful setting for reflection and good conversations with friends, family, and neighbours.

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow – Bible college student from India changing the face of Main Street

A young man, who came from India to study at Steinbach Bible College in 1973, has spent the next five decades becoming very much a household name as one of the real movers and shakers in residential, commercial and industrial development in the Steinbach area.

Solomon Budala and his wife Joanna celebrated their 50th anniversary in January of 2026 and their close-knit family joined them at the dinner table after church as usual. Budala was a Bible college student when he met his wife, Joanna, who was attending high school at the Steinbach school and they were married in 1976.

Looking back at his successes over the years, Budala recalls a less than auspicious introduction to the retail world of Steinbach, when he began working for Joe Penner at Penner Electric. He recalls he did everything from stocking shelves with electrical items to filling in as a part-time sales clerk in the furniture department.

Jack Kehler, who went on to become Steinbach’s city manager, was Solomon’s boss, as Joe Penner was holidaying in California at the time. One day, when the rest of the staff had gone out for lunch and he was alone in the store, Budala sold $6,000 worth of furniture. It was at that point he was made a full-time sales person.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: May 28th Edition

Featuring an SRSS rugby match, SRSS spring football games and the Zone 13 softball championships.

1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Budala buys downtown mall

JULY 2, 2015—The former Extra Foods location in downtown Steinbach will become home to a different business come this fall, but it won’t be a new grocery store, which has often been touted since the grocery store closed its doors in February, 2013.

After 30 years in business – 25 years at its current location alone – Solomon’s Furniture is making a big move.

The time has come for a change, but he is going to miss his current location across the street from The Carillon, Solomon Budala says.

Over the years, the business has expanded to acquire much of the nearby property.