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Lorette brothers share Paralympics gold medal

Wes Keating 3 minute read Yesterday at 1:42 PM CDT

Wheelchair basketball superstar Joey Johnson of Lorette is considered by many to be among the top two or three players in the world in his sport.

Johnson underscored that point in Athens, when he led Canada to the gold medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games. He scored 15 points while leading Canada to a 70-53 victory over Australia in the gold medal final, defending the championship Canada won four years earlier in Sydney.

Despite winning the gold medal in Sydney, Canada came into Athens ranked third behind the U.S. and Great Britain, as Canada lost in the semi-finals at the 2002 World Championships. That was the only loss for the Canadians in the last five years.

Canada dominated in Athens, winning seven straight games, mostly by margins of 20 points or more, including a 90-71 victory over the Netherlands in the semi-finals, when Johnson poured in 19 points.

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COLUMN: Ask the Money Lady – Seniors live in poverty

Christine Ibbotson 4 minute read Yesterday at 8:20 AM CDT

Dear Money Lady,

I’m a senior and I live on less than $20,000 a year. It’s really hard to buy groceries and stick to a budget. I get a widow’s pension, OAS and CPP. Is there anything else I could get from the government for help. Barb.

Hello Barb, I know it’s really tough these days. Here are some monetary options for you. If you’re single with an annual income of less than $22,000 you can apply for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) which you can receive in conjunction with your OAS and CPP. Income thresholds are changed annually by the CRA and will be based on your previous year taxable income. For a single person the benefit is approximately $1,100 per month in 2025. It would be a good idea to spend some time reviewing the www.canada.ca government website and check the initiatives offered to seniors for each province. This includes the 2025 Manitoba Aging in Place Senior’s Initiative Savings Program.

Most working Canadians don’t realize the growing population of seniors now living below the poverty line and it is often not discussed in your local media. The federal government measures poverty based on the Market Basket Measure (MBM) which is the average cost of specific “every-day” goods and services that the government feels each Canadian needs to maintain a modest standard of living. These items are regionally tallied and if a Canadian family cannot purchase these items with their disposable income they are considered to be living below the poverty line. Personally, I find the MBM a false indicator of poverty and even though some may disagree, I would say the LIM (low-income measure) is much more grounded in day-to-day reality.

U18 Sultans have high expectations despite departures

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

U18 Sultans have high expectations despite departures

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Saturday, Jun. 14, 2025

The Carillon Sultans 18U AAA season is well underway, as the team looks to rebound after several college players graduated last season.

Burke Heide is the new head coach for the age group, and said he expects little step-back, as the Sultans program continues to produce quality ball players to replace outgoing stars.

“They’re excited to get going, and they were definitely excited to get their first win,” Heide said after a 6-0 victory over Interlake at A.D. Penner Park June 7.

“We lost a strong group of hitters for sure, but the guys that are moving into the senior position are all strong players as well. We have a strong group of 15U kids coming up that will fill those roles as they get more comfortable.”

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Saturday, Jun. 14, 2025

Nate Zilinski smiles as he rounds the bases following a home run. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Nate Zilinski smiles as he rounds the bases following a home run. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Free tuition creates opportunity at Providence

Chris Gareau 4 minute read Preview

Free tuition creates opportunity at Providence

Chris Gareau 4 minute read Saturday, Jun. 14, 2025

Providence University College is opening the door to a post secondary education for students raised in Manitoba’s Child and Family Services care through a new program that waives tuition and gives personal support.

In an act of initiative that will benefit kids in care, it was a student who first told Providence financial aid administrator Holley Ammerman about the Futures Forward program. The first recipient will be chosen next week.

“It’s an opportunity that they otherwise wouldn’t have,” said Ammerman from the Otterburne campus.

“And maybe one thing that’s important for Providence to have this is because we aren’t a public university, there are limitations in what we can offer financially as opposed to a publicly funded university.

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Saturday, Jun. 14, 2025

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON

Providence University College financial aid administrator Holly Ammerman has a personal motivation to help kids in care after her family fostered children.

CHRIS GAREAU THE CARILLON 

Providence University College financial aid administrator Holly Ammerman has a personal motivation to help kids in care after her family fostered children.

Piney, Lac du Bonnet criticize the lack of cell coverage during wildfires

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Preview

Piney, Lac du Bonnet criticize the lack of cell coverage during wildfires

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 3 minute read Saturday, Jun. 14, 2025

The RMs of Piney and Lac du Bonnet criticized cell service providers for failing to provide proper coverage during the wildfires that swept their municipalities in May and are still burning.

“The cell phone coverage is a very sensitive issue in our neck of the woods,” said Coun. Mark Bernard. “In the RM of Piney, we lack service in many of our communities. There’s Sprague, South Junction, Vassar just to name a few and of course it’s very spotty even in Woodridge, Badger, and Carrick – it’s very spotty. It causes a lot of grief for security, for safety also for communication for outside the community.”

Although the fire in Piney is now classified as being held, when it was out of control, firefighters and other emergency personnel would have difficulty communicating with their cell phones. Luckily, the RM had just upgraded its radio system that was used by fire services battling the blaze.

Bernard said the RM wants to send out alerts to residents when there is a fire and evacuation order is given, but because of “poor or non-existent cell coverage” it makes it impossible to do so.

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Saturday, Jun. 14, 2025

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON

Lac du Bonnet Reeve Loren Schinkel talks about the fires in his area and the lack of cellphone connectivity during fires. Sitting behind him was Coun. Mark Bernard for the RM of Piney who had the same complaint.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON 

Lac du Bonnet Reeve Loren Schinkel talks about the fires in his area and the lack of cellphone connectivity during fires. Sitting behind him was Coun. Mark Bernard for the RM of Piney who had the same complaint.

Low air quality puts halt on MHSAA track championships

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Preview

Low air quality puts halt on MHSAA track championships

Cassidy Dankochik 3 minute read Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

Smoke and storms wrecked havoc on the sports schedule across Manitoba last weekend, including in the Southeast.

The highest-profile event cancelled was the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association track and field provincial championships. Athletes from across the province were set to compete at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg June 5-7, before two consecutive days of poor air quality due to wildfire smoke caused organizers to cancel the event outright.

Executive director of the MHSAA Chad Falk said with the short time left in the school year and the impossible logistics of re-organizing an event with more than 1,500 athletes, simply postponing provincials wasn’t a possibility.

“The nature of the event and how many athletes, the unique venue, access to officials, access to venues, kids travelling from across the province, it was just impossible to look at finding a way to reschedule it,” Falk said in an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press.

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Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
A smoke leaden Winnipeg skyline as seen from Garbage Hill (Westview Park) early Monday morning.
Standup
250602 - Monday, June 02, 2025.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
A smoke leaden Winnipeg skyline as seen from Garbage Hill (Westview Park) early Monday morning.
Standup
250602 - Monday, June 02, 2025.

Summer in the City results in Steinbach street closures

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read Preview

Summer in the City results in Steinbach street closures

Greg Vandermeulen 1 minute read Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

Steinbach’s biggest street festival will result in changes in motorists’ ability to get around once again this year.

In a press release, the City of Steinbach outlined the planned changes.

From Thursday to Sunday, parts of Main Street, Reimer Avenue and Lumber Avenue will close at various times.

The longest road closure takes place on Reimer Avenue from First Street to Elmdale Street. It will close at 7 a.m. on Thursday and reopen at midnight on Sunday.

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Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

CITY OF STEINBACH

Road closures will take place in Steinbach’s downtown between Thursday and Sunday for Summer in the City.

CITY OF STEINBACH 

Road closures will take place in Steinbach’s downtown between Thursday and Sunday for Summer in the City.

Logo contest launched for new transit system

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

A newly proposed transit system for the City of Steinbach is giving the community a chance to help create its first logo.

Created by the South East Equity Coalition, LinK Transit is intended to provide reliable and affordable transit services to residents, enhance their mobility and connectivity, reduce social inequalities and create greater links within the community.

A press release issued by LinK Transit states the logo should illustrate the importance of linking people together and enabling community.

“It will be simple, bold and eye-catching,” they said. “The logo will show the public nature of transit and be used on signs, vehicles, websites and promotions.”

Cultures in the City returns with new cultures

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Preview

Cultures in the City returns with new cultures

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

The Globe and Mail once described Steinbach as a “hot bed” for immigration in Canada and a model of integration. Nothing could be a better example of that than Cultures in the City, which premieres during Summer in the City.

“I actually think that cultures in the city is something that people really look forward to with the festival,” said Tessa Masi, spokesperson for Cultures in the City. “Having the opportunity to grab cultural food while sitting and watching some dancers or listening to music is just a really unique experience, and it’s helping us to see how Steinbach continues to grow in a multicultural way.”

There will be 17 different cultural acts this year, some returning and some new to the Steinbach stage. New this year is a Scandinavian dance group, a Ukrainian singing group, and Peruvian dance group the Inka Warriors.

“The culture performers turnover every half hour or 45 minutes, so if you come and you sit at the stage area for two hours you would see multiple groups in that time,” said Masi.

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Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON

Island Breeze Manitoba is one of 17 performing groups at this year’s Summer in the City weekend in Steinbach. New to the stage in 2025 is a Scandinavian dance group, a Ukrainian singing group, and the Inka Warriors.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON 

Island Breeze Manitoba is one of 17 performing groups at this year’s Summer in the City weekend in Steinbach. New to the stage in 2025 is a Scandinavian dance group, a Ukrainian singing group, and the Inka Warriors.

Artists in the City brings young fiddlers to town

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 1 minute read Preview

Artists in the City brings young fiddlers to town

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 1 minute read Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

Every year, Artists in the City is one of the many draws for Steinbach’s Summer in the City extravaganza. New this year is the introduction of young fiddlers to the stage.

“We feel like this is a great opportunity for the kids to show their talents and be able to showcase them this way,” said Mallory Stang, facility and community programs assistant.

About 20 artists are participating this year in workshops, activities, and demonstrations. Visitors can check out creative nail art, wood burning, theatre workshops, puppet shows, acrylic painting workshop, Métis finger weaving, wizard wand making, and a dreamcatcher workshop, among other activities and demonstrations.

“I think it’s a great way to show the community talent that we have around Steinbach and surrounding areas. And it gives different age groups (the chance) to showcase…their talents and abilities and to get the community involved with us,” said Stang.

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Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

ALEX LAMBERT THE CARILLON ARCHIVES

New to Artists in the City are young fiddlers who will showcase their talents. Here fiddler Nic Messner plays his violin at Summer in the City on June 16, 2024, in front of an energetic Artists in the City crowd.

ALEX LAMBERT THE CARILLON ARCHIVES 

New to Artists in the City are young fiddlers who will showcase their talents. Here fiddler Nic Messner plays his violin at Summer in the City on June 16, 2024, in front of an energetic Artists in the City crowd.

U18 AAA Selects moving back to Steinbach

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Preview

U18 AAA Selects moving back to Steinbach

Cassidy Dankochik 4 minute read Thursday, Jun. 12, 2025

The Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach continues to attract major tenants, as the Eastman Selects male U18 AAA team will be based out of the new arena moving forward.

The U18 team had been in Steinbach until the then-named Beausejour Blades of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League moved to the community in 2009. The U18 team moved to Beausejour when the junior A team took up residence in the now-demolished Centennial Arena.

Rachel Antymis has worked as the team’s manager since she was 19 and has been involved with the program for nearly a decade. She said the Selects hope to grow their fanbase with the move to Steinbach, noting most of the players now come from the southern part of their region.

“Ten years ago, we had tons of North boys, but it’s kind of shifted,” Antymis said.

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Thursday, Jun. 12, 2025

Wyatt Minsky looks to make a save in the final game the U18 Eastman Selects played in Beausejour last season. The team is moving back to Steinbach to start next season. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Wyatt Minsky looks to make a save in the final game the U18 Eastman Selects played in Beausejour last season. The team is moving back to Steinbach to start next season. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

La Coulee resident named ambassador for Manitoba Possible

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Preview

La Coulee resident named ambassador for Manitoba Possible

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 2 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

La Coulee resident Meagan Pedneault has been named one of three ambassadors for Manitoba Possible, an organization that advocates for people with disabilities.

“I’m really excited it’s a really unique opportunity. Manitoba Possible has been a huge part of my life growing up especially when I was transitioning from childhood to adulthood. So, it’s really a cool experience to be able to give back and help make our communities be more accessible,” said Pedneault.

In her role she will advocate for inclusivity and accessibility for the disabled.

A Steinbach native, Pedneault was born with a rare genetic disease that causes her bones to break easily called osteogenesis imperfecta. The condition has caused her to break at least 80 bones during her lifetime from doing something as simple as walking and losing her footing. Although she has this condition and is wheelchair bound, it doesn’t stop her from living her life.

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Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON

La Coulee resident Meagan Pedneault has been named one of three ambassadors for Manitoba Possible. She has a rare genetic condition that makes her bones brittle and prone to breaking.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON 

La Coulee resident Meagan Pedneault has been named one of three ambassadors for Manitoba Possible. She has a rare genetic condition that makes her bones brittle and prone to breaking.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: June 5

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Preview

Carillon Sports Second Shots: June 5

Cassidy Dankochik 1 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

Featuring photos from a Winnipeg Senior Baseball League game in Steinbach May 27 and the softball/baseball Manitoba High School Athletic Association provincial championships in Stonewall.

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Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

Action from the MHSAA baseball championships in Stonewall. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

Action from the MHSAA baseball championships in Stonewall. (Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon)

With STARS on their minds

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 1 minute read Preview

With STARS on their minds

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 1 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

Rescue on the River saw three participants raise $50,000 each for STARS operations. In total, STARS raised $300,000 during the event and a fundraising gala later that evening.

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Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON
Doug Huselak, president of Wintec Saddles, cuts the shirt off a STARS volunteer during an exercise for STARS Ambulance's Rescue on the River fundraising event at Kelburn Farms in Howden on May 29, 2025. The event saw three participants raise $50,000 each for STARS operations. In total, STARS raised $300,000 during the event and a fundraising gala later that evening.

SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON
Doug Huselak, president of Wintec Saddles, cuts the shirt off a STARS volunteer during an exercise for STARS Ambulance's Rescue on the River fundraising event at Kelburn Farms in Howden on May 29, 2025. The event saw three participants raise $50,000 each for STARS operations. In total, STARS raised $300,000 during the event and a fundraising gala later that evening.

Looking Glass Theatre announces next season

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Looking Glass Theatre announces next season

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

Live theatre is returning to Steinbach for another year, thanks to Looking Glass Theatre.

The professional theatre company announced three shows that will run over the 2025/26 season with a mix of styles designed to appeal to a wide audience from co-artistic directors Marc A. Moir and Laura Kathleen Turner.

A Christmas Carol

The season will start in December with A Christmas Carol, rated family friendly, taking to the stage.

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Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

SUPPLIED

Looking Glass Theatre co-artistic directors Laura Kathleen Turner and Marc A. Moir show off the season tickets available for the upcoming season.

SUPPLIED 

Looking Glass Theatre co-artistic directors Laura Kathleen Turner and Marc A. Moir show off the season tickets available for the upcoming season.

From wedding dresses to burial garments for infants

Toni De Guzman 2 minute read Preview

From wedding dresses to burial garments for infants

Toni De Guzman 2 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 10, 2025

Susan Bruce was saving her wedding dress for her daughter to use, but when her daughter died in 2014, she didn’t have a purpose for it anymore.

Before losing her daughter, Ashley Bruce, she also endured two miscarriages.

“When I lost my two, when I miscarried, there was nothing like this (Manitoba Angel Dresses). It was like ‘Oh, well. Too bad. So sad, go home.’ but that’s how society was at that time,” said Susan. “It was a baby. It was a human. It’s still a devastating loss.”

Between 15 to 25 per cent of pregnancies end in a miscarriage, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada 2020 survey.

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Tuesday, Jun. 10, 2025

TONI DE GUZMAN THE CARILLON

Susan Bruce recognizes parents wanting more time with their baby after a lost pregnancy on Thursday, May 29.

TONI DE GUZMAN THE CARILLON 

Susan Bruce recognizes parents wanting more time with their baby after a lost pregnancy on Thursday, May 29.

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