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COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – Roll-call at Rosengard School #2168
4 minute read Yesterday at 5:35 PM CDTThere was a time, during the 1940s when my sister Anne answered “present” when her name was called in the morning, and again in the afternoon during roll-call at the Rosengard School. The school was closed in due course, which means, of course, that calling the roll was no longer part of the daily routine. Anne, however, never stopped learning during the 90 years of her life.
Anne was born in her parental home in Rosengard on Jan. 13, 1936, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, which according to Britannica, “… was the longest and most severe depression ever experienced by the industrialized Western world, …”. Needless to say, my family, arriving in Canada in 1929, felt keenly the astronomical effects of this worldwide state of affairs. They had already experienced numerous setbacks before leaving the Mennonite village of Schoeneberg, now Smolyane, in Ukraine in December, 1928. These challenges included the First World War, the Russian Revolution, civil war, and anarchy, along with famine and epidemics, followed by being robbed on the train enroute to Moscow. A new life in Canada beckoned them.
Our mother, Katarina Falk always had many household and family activities to which she needed to respond daily. I think our mother had learned early in her life that in order to achieve what needed to be done, she had to be organized, and perhaps equally importantly, she needed to evaluate how to do what needed doing, and at the same time remain composed. It was within that scenario that our sister Anne, and we her siblings, heard from our mother the stories of her early life. Our mother was, all the while, darning socks or possibly knitting a new pair, or mending clothing.
My sister lived in Rosengard during her early life, and even though she no longer attended the Rosengard School, some of those classmates remained her lifelong friends. So too did numerous friends and co-workers she came to know over the years. Anne was kind and considerate throughout the 90 years of her life, and had a unique capacity for working under a range of circumstances. It can truly be said of her that those who associated with her, be it in a work environment, or in a serving capacity in her church, as well as in neighbourly interaction, came to view Anne as a friend.
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2 minute read Preview Yesterday at 3:00 PM CDTSoutheastern Manitoba farmers face soaring fuel, fertilizer prices caused by Midde East war
4 minute read Yesterday at 2:47 PM CDTSoutheastern Manitoba farmers are facing extra strain ahead of the spring planting season as fertilizer and fuel prices surge due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Randolph-based farmer Kevin Peters is watching the price turmoil closely. He plants rye, canola, wheat, soybeans, corn and sunflowers on his 7,500 acres. Peters locked in pricing for his year-long fertilizer supply in November and considers himself lucky.
“There’s always concern about geopolitical issues.” he told The Carillon. “Whether it has to do with trade or, in this case, fertilizer supply…it can really affect imports and exports for a lot of things.”
The United States and Israeli attacks on Iran began Feb. 28, striking multiple targets throughout the middle eastern nation and killing its Supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian military personnel retaliated, launching missiles and drones at neighbouring nations and vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which flows between Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, grinding the shipping lane to a halt. The New York Times reported on March 25 at least 17 ships have been struck since the conflict began.
Steinbach Pistons forward Paronuzzi commits to Windsor
1 minute read Preview Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDTCOLUMN: Beyond the Shelter – Healing after sexual violence
3 minute read Yesterday at 11:45 AM CDTInsights from Emily Roy, sexual assault counsellor advocate:
When people think about healing after sexual violence, they often imagine a clear starting point or a defined path forward. In reality, the journey looks different for everyone, and support can take many forms. Emily Roy, a sexual assault counsellor advocate at Agape House, sees this firsthand in her work with survivors across the community.
At Agape House, sexual assault counselling is not one-size-fits-all. It can include psychoeducation, safety planning, learning healthy coping strategies, support with protection orders, and, just as importantly, offering a space where someone can speak openly without fear of judgment. Adults aged 18 and over who have experienced sexual assault—or who simply have questions about sexual violence—can access these services by reaching out to book a session.
Survivors come forward for many different reasons. Some are trying to better understand their current relationships or are looking for support as they consider leaving. Others want guidance around legal options, such as protection orders, or help building coping skills. For many, the first step is simply having someone who will listen. “Sometimes people just want a place where they can talk and be heard,” Emily explains, emphasizing that every reason for reaching out is valid.
COLUMN: Think Again – Things are getting worse under the NDP
4 minute read Yesterday at 8:31 AM CDT“We elected a strong team of New Democrats to fix healthcare and make your life more affordable.”
That is how newly elected Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew started his election night victory speech on Oct. 3, 2023. Now, two-and-a-half years into his government’s mandate, it’s time to ask whether Kinew has made good on his promise.
He hasn’t.
On most observable metrics, health care is demonstrably worse now than it was before the NDP took power. For example, emergency room wait times are now so high that the government recently had to promise to update its online wait time trackers. It turns out the estimates they provided were often far below the actual wait times experienced by patients.
‘I see hope’: RRC Polytech health care aide program on First Nation sees 8 students graduate
5 minute read Preview Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026SPORTS FLASHBACK 2011: Wrestling club makes its mark
2 minute read Preview Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026Springfield rec centre to break ground this summer
2 minute read Preview Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026AS I SEE IT COLUMN: PWHL delivers pure joy, along with societal change
4 minute read Preview Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – People should come before party politics
3 minute read Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026A couple of weeks ago, I announced my decision to serve and seek re-election as an independent representative for Dawson Trail.
I made this decision to ensure that the people of Dawson Trail came before party politics, because they deserve an MLA who answers only to them. Families, farmers, small businesses, and municipalities in this region want and deserve a strong representative who is focused on local priorities, not directives from party headquarters.
Being an independent will afford me the freedom to work with any government who is going to deliver results and help move Dawson Trail forward. In the short time since I announced my decision, I have already seen these positive changes coming to fruition, as I have been able to have open and honest conversations with our government, ask tough questions, and ensure that I am getting answers for constituents.
For example, the government just announced the Ste Anne Hospital working group, which will be meeting to explore the regionalization of Hôpital Ste-Anne Hospital. The lack of regional designation for Hôpital Ste-Anne Hospital has been a major concern for the community of Ste Anne, as well as all the neighbouring communities who use its services. I am very excited to see that some steps are being made in moving this process forward, and I greatly appreciate the minister’s office for keeping me up-to-date and informed on this matter.
Dufresne man fined for hoarding dozens of animals in ‘deplorable conditions’
3 minute read Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026A Dufresne man who hoarded dozens of animals, including nearly three dozen dogs, in “deplorable conditions” was handed a fine and animal ownership ban in a Steinbach courtroom on March 20.
Albert Tschritter, 39, plead guilty to violating Manitoba’s Animal Care Act. He was previously charged with four counts of the violation, but the three other charges were stayed. The violations don’t count as criminal charges.
“A number of animals ended up in rather deplorable conditions in a way that met the definition in the act of being deprived of adequate food and water so as to significantly impair their health and well being,” said Crown prosecutor Boyd McGill.
Provincial animal care officials received a call on June 1, 2023 about the well-being of dogs on a Dawson Road property, he told the court.
Manitoba launches Ste Anne Hospital regionalization working group
1 minute read Preview Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026Taking the polar plunge for Special Olympics
3 minute read Preview Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026Training day in Steinbach
1 minute read Preview Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026Access Credit Union closes 6 branches, including Emerson by October
3 minute read Sunday, Mar. 29, 2026Access Credit Union will shutter six branches, including one in Emerson, by Oct. 21, citing falling in-person visits.
The branch closures are part of the credit union’s wider consolidation plan to centralize in larger communities and shift towards virtual banking.
“Any Access branch across Manitoba can serve our members and we carefully considered distances between rural communities where members are travelling for other errands. More members are choosing digital ways to bank, and this shift positions us to focus on delivering greater convenience and flexibility in the future,” Access Credit Union CEO and President Myrna Wiebe said in a Feb. 19 news release.
The Emerson branch will be consolidated with its Altona counterpart. Moosehorn will join Ashern. Plum Coulee will shift to Winkler. Sanford will join the credit union’s new Kenaston Boulevard location, set to open this summer. Two Winnipeg locations also combined.
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