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GREG VANDERMEULEN CARILLON ARCHIVES Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt sent a letter to the Hanover School Division board of trustees directing them to abandon the proposed mature minor policy they were in the process of approving for Hanover schools. If approved, the policy would have delegitimized the mature minor designation, which Schmidt said went against the Health Care Directives Act, the Public Health Act, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Education minister forces Hanover School board to rescind mature minor motion

Svjetlana Mlinarevic 5 minute read 2:46 PM CDT

The province has directed Hanover School Division board to drop its proposed motion to create a policy delegitimizing the mature minor designation in its schools.

“The primary function of my job is to make sure that every student here in Manitoba receives the best education that they can and also that they have access to appropriate health supports. We met with the board in June to understand their reasoning behind the motion, and the health minister and I felt it appropriate after meeting to provide this clarity to the board,” said Education and Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt.

“I would anticipate that the board will comply with the directive,” she said.

In a message to Jerica Capistrano, following her presentation to the board on June 23 against the motion, Assistant Deputy Minister Mona Pandey stated Schmidt had directed the board to repeal its motion in a letter.

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Cassidy Dankochik The Carillon Austin Dubinsky makes a save in tight during Niverville’s semi-final clinching win over Alberta champions Canmore during the Centennial Cup group stage.

Dubinsky commits to University of Manitoba

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read Preview

Dubinsky commits to University of Manitoba

Cassidy Dankochik 2 minute read 12:00 PM CDT

Austin Dubinsky is staying in Manitoba.

The 2005-born goaltender from Ardrossan, Alta. announced he was continuing his hockey career with the University of Manitoba, joining his Turnbull and Centennial Cup-winning teammate Hayden Wheddon on the Bisons.

“We are excited to add Austin to our program. He brings championship pedigree to the Bisons,” U of M head coach Gordon Burnett said in a news release.

“Austin is a very athletic goaltender that competes on every puck. Adding Austin gives us three goaltenders that can compete for the net and push each other every day to get better.”

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12:00 PM CDT

Local

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The challenges of the never married

Adele Dueck Grunthal, MB 2 minute read 11:12 AM CDT

I am writing this letter to bring the never-married single without children (people) into the limelight. Myself and a never married single friend without children had a conversation about how those of us fall between the cracks in society, government, church and charities but all others that have children in particular are recognized or helped. (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day).

Sometimes divorced, widowed, separated people get help from their children.

Married people also share the financial burden as well.

A lot of people say it’s our choice but not always.

Local

COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Summer’s when the Southeast shines

Konrad Narth, MLA for La Verendrye 4 minute read 8:42 AM CDT

Summer in the Southeast is one of my favourite times of year. There is just so much to see and do.

Summer is when southern Manitoba truly shines—when the very best of rural Manitoba is on display.

It has already been a busy start to the season. As your MLA, I make it a priority each summer to attend as many local festivals, fairs, sporting events, and community celebrations as I can. Every community has something unique to offer, and together they showcase the incredible spirit of our region.

For me, summer really begins with La Broquerie’s Fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste Days. First celebrated in 1897, this long-standing tradition celebrates the rich Francophone heritage of our region and brings families together to enjoy great food, entertainment, and community spirit.

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GREG VANDERMEULEN CARILLON ARCHIVES The threshing demonstration is always a popular one at Pioneer Days.

MHV prepares for Pioneer Days

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

MHV prepares for Pioneer Days

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Yesterday at 3:21 PM CDT

Demonstrations of pioneer life will help tell the story of the Mennonites’ early years in the Steinbach area as part of Pioneer Days at the Mennonite Heritage Village from Aug. 1 to 3.

The annual event routinely attracts between 6,000 and 7,500 guests and MHV executive director Robert Goertzen said it’s important to see history come alive.

Live music, traditional food, and activities for all ages will take place in the backdrop of a traditional Mennonite village.

On Saturday, volunteers will bake bread in an outdoor oven, and an artisan market will be available.

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Yesterday at 3:21 PM CDT

Local

City asks for more information before approving security upgrades

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Yesterday at 2:44 PM CDT

Steinbach city council put off making a decision as to how they’d spend a $200,000 provincial grant on security upgrades, citing the need for more information.

City manager of corporate services Adam Thiessen presented council with a recommendation on how the funds could be spent at their July 21 meeting.

It included a truck for a community safety officer and a total of 50 security cameras divided between city hall, the operations building, curling club, outdoor rink, K.R. Barkman Park, A.D. Penner Park and the soccer park. Currently there are two CSOs who share a single truck.

The report stressed the need for security cameras.

Local

GRAHAM WALKER The Carillon Returning to successfully defend his championship this year, Norwegian contender Arne Hugerup of the Society of Tilt and Lance Calvary rides his steed Atlas onto the Field of Valour before the jousting competition. This year marks his second consecutive victory in the biannual event.

Cooks Creek Medieval festival hosts enthusiastic crowds with Tolkien-UFC blend of feudal fun

Graham Walker 5 minute read Preview

Cooks Creek Medieval festival hosts enthusiastic crowds with Tolkien-UFC blend of feudal fun

Graham Walker 5 minute read Yesterday at 12:11 PM CDT

Last weekend saw Cooks Creek come alive with the opening of the biannual Medieval Festival, held on the grounds of the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church and its adjoining castle-like grotto.

Featuring a light-hearted approach to the medieval theme, the festival combines historical traditions such as feasts with modern carnival midway attractions, blacksmiths and artisans with Lord of the Rings inspired costumes, and time-honoured combat techniques with a UFC-type feel to behaviour and scoring.

“There is so much to see and do at the festival,” says organizer Gary Senft, and that explains why tickets consistently sell out well before the gates even open. “We hosted 450 for the feast that was held on Friday night of Festival Weekend, and the event sold out with over 3,000 in attendance each day.”

“It is family friendly in terms of affordability, with lots of hands-on activities for young attendees, including live action role play, a bouncy castle and petting zoo. There was a medieval merchant market, axe throwing, archery and an open chess match that anyone can participate in,” said Senft.

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Yesterday at 12:11 PM CDT

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Doug Penner pitches a ball onto the 15th green. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Penner gets assist from 7-year-old son in Mid-Amateur win

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Preview

Penner gets assist from 7-year-old son in Mid-Amateur win

Joshua Frey-Sam 4 minute read Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

Doug Penner had the benefit of experience on his side, and yet it was his far less seasoned caddy whom he credited for helping him capture the Golf Manitoba Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Quarry Oaks on Wednesday.

The Steinbach local’s tournament-low seven-under 65 in the final round to win by a pair of strokes was aided by his seven-year-old son, Liam, whose young eyes helped his father read some tricky greens as they enjoyed a high-stakes day on the links together.

“Surprisingly, he calms me down, gets me into the zone and made some good reads,” said Penner, who grew up playing at Quarry Oaks and now golfs out of the Steinbach Fly-In. “He helped quite a bit. He’s only seven, but he’s into golf, and he knows the game, so very special having him on the bag.”

The tournament was scheduled to take place in Gilbert Plains, but massive flooding forced a change to Quarry Oaks. That was a benefit for Penner, the former golf professional at La Broquerie Golf Course who grew up playing at Quarry and now owns Doener Grill Express.

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Yesterday at 12:00 PM CDT

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COLUMN: Arts and Culture – Steinbach Arts Council launches season ticket packages

Steinbach Arts Council 6 minute read Yesterday at 8:31 AM CDT

SAC officially releases season ticket packages for its upcoming 2026-2027 concert season, offering the community great value on live performance packages.

Save money when you purchase a season ticket package for all five concert series performances—bringing world-class entertainment, award-winning artists, and symphonic traditions close to home. With limited seating available for the concert series, SAC encourages audiences to lock in their season packages early before individual tickets sell out.

Save with the five show concert series package

A season ticket package includes admission to all five concert series performances:

Local

The steam engine demonstrates how mechanization assisted Mennonites with farm work.

COLUMN: Village News – Steam engines, outdoor ovens, horse-powered fieldwork, and more

Robert Goertzen 5 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Village News – Steam engines, outdoor ovens, horse-powered fieldwork, and more

Robert Goertzen 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

Pioneer Days has been an annual celebration in Steinbach since Mennonite Heritage Village opened as a museum over 60 years ago. Demonstrating pioneer activities has always been important, like threshing grain using the steam engine, or doing fieldwork using horses to pull the farm equipment, or baking bread in an outdoor oven and spinning wool in a heritage home. These activities remind us of the way our communities began and developed in the early years of settlement in Manitoba.

Gathering as a community to share these experiences, to recall stories of our grandparents, our great grandparents, and our great great grandparents, and to eat waffles with white sauce or Vereneke (perogies) with Schmauntfat and Rhubarb Plautz, provides the foundation for understanding our roots and for building a growing, caring community. Pioneer Days encourages conversations between older and younger generations, passing on stories, values and traditions.

The program this year has all the usual features, including an Old Colony Worship Service on Sunday at 10 a.m. and a Sunday afternoon horse show where drivers and horse teams demonstrate skills needed to accomplish the work in a pioneer community. We will also host a Saengerfest Service on Sunday afternoon in the auditorium at 3 p.m, featuring a choir and congregational hymn singing. But we have some added features as well.

For the kids, Pioneer Days is loaded with interactive experiences. The petting zoo is a favourite area to interact with farm animals, and the Kids Carnival Corner offers face painting and fun games to play. Barrel train rides and horse-drawn wagon rides offer a fun way to see the village. Each afternoon features a kids and family show in the Peter Barkman Summer Pavilion including Sleepy the Clown on Saturday, Dave and Friends on Sunday, and Ken Sky Magic Show on Monday.

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Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

Local

COLUMN: Grey Matters – The God who sings

Gary Dyck 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

“The Lord your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing,” Zephaniah 3:17.

The short book of Zephaniah was written during the reign of King Josiah in Judah around 640-609 BC when the Israelites were dealing with a lot of turmoil as a people. Much of the book contains warnings about sin, idolatry, and judgment. Yet the third and final chapter ends not with condemnation but with hope. God promises restoration, renewal, and joy for His people.

A single verse, Zephaniah 3:17, has four distinct phrases that reveal four remarkable truths about God’s relationship with us.

1. The Lord your God is in your midst

Local

Motorcycle accident claims life of Marchand man

Graham Walker 1 minute read Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

A 61-year-old man from Marchand died at the scene of a motorcycle crash in the RM of Reynolds on July 25. He was the only fatality in the accident which occurred on Highway 210 near the Highway 404 crossing.

Steinbach RCMP were called to the scene shortly after 11 p.m.

RCMP say the driver was travelling south and appeared to have drifted off the road.

The investigation continues.

Local

SUPPLIED This year's parade route reverts back to the way it was prior to Highway 12 construction.

Pioneer Days parade sets new record

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Preview

Pioneer Days parade sets new record

Greg Vandermeulen 2 minute read Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

This year’s Pioneer Days parade will set a new record for the number of entries.

Steinbach Chamber of Commerce executive director Tessa Masi confirmed this week that the 145 entries that will take to the streets on Friday are indeed the most they’ve had in 58 years.

This year also marks a return to the former parade route which had been impossible due to construction on Highway 12 for the last two years.

This year the parade will begin on Main Street and Kroeker Ave., proceed down Main Street, turn north on Highway 12 and pull off the road at the Traiblazers’ parking lot.

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Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

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Leaving a mountainous Himalayan village.

COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – Memories of mountains

Maria Falk Lodge 5 minute read Preview

COLUMN: Tales from the Gravel Ridge – Memories of mountains

Maria Falk Lodge 5 minute read Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

We had mountains in our community. In the conventional sense of the word they were not really mountains, but when the snowplough first made its way down the gravel ridge in Rosengard many decades ago, it looked for all the world as if they were mountains. The snowfall must have been exceptionally heavy that year, back in the 1950s, and to the eyes of Rosengard’s children those enormous mounds of snow must surely have taken on the features of mountains.

If truth be told we all knew that longer hours of spring sunshine would, in due time cause our imaginary mountains to vanish, leaving us instead with our wonderful natural gravel ridge formed so long ago by the receding waters of ancient Lake Agassiz.

Even then however, we could claim something akin to a small mountain. We called it “the hill” formed by the slight incline of the roadway now known as Blatz Road where it approached the gravel ridge. All that, of course, is in the distant past, and much as all of us have changed during those many decades since my childhood, so too has the lay of the land in our community of Rosengard.

In the meantime, I have had occasion to experience mountainous landscapes in various guises and locations. In due time several members of my family decided to make their homes in British Columbia. So too our widowed mother, Katarina Falk when she married Henry Enns, formerly also a Rosengarder, and now a widower himself.

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Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

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GREG VANDERMEULEN THE CARILLON Hailey Ryan-McFarlane made Joy in Action a family affair.

Joy in Action Steinbach to become annual event

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Preview

Joy in Action Steinbach to become annual event

Greg Vandermeulen 3 minute read Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

The Joy Smith Foundation will make Joy in Action Steinbach an annual event after 94 runners and walkers took part in the July 25 event and raised more than $25,000 at the Steinbach Soccer Park.

The Joy Smith Foundation has existed since 2011 with a mandate to end human trafficking, and Joy in Action, which features a four or eight km run and walk raises money for that purpose at locations across Canada.

Joy Smith, the founder of the organization said Steinbach’s event, held for the first time this year, will definitely have to happen again.

“It was fantastic,” she said. “People were just blown away. The sun was shining and everybody had big smiles on their faces.”

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Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

Local

GRAHAM WALKER, The Carillon Fred Hasey’s 1960 Dodge Dart Pioneer is displayed with a complete ensemble crew from the classic A&W drive-in era that convinces the admirer they have really stepped back in time to wonder where the waitress on roller skates is with their milkshake.

Country Classic Car Show at MHV returns to thrill car enthusiasts

Graham Walker 6 minute read Preview

Country Classic Car Show at MHV returns to thrill car enthusiasts

Graham Walker 6 minute read Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

The Country Classic Car Show returned to the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) this past weekend to the delight of hundreds of automotive enthusiasts and car buffs. Entries ranged from restored 1920s rat-rods to the latest edition “Vettes” with speeds only limited by chip-enforced governors. Several two-wheeled showpieces were also featured to complete the spectacle.

Show judge Rene Bouchard, owner of Reborn Automative Detailing (RAD) was delighted by each of the 266 entries, the dozens of volunteers who made it possible, and the spectacular sunshine that showcased the mesmerizing paintjobs that typified the displays.

“There were several amazing cars, incredible builds and craftsmanship, rare vehicles and simply, quirky cars,” he said. “I can’t pick a favourite as they all have different stories and history. Just like the people that own them, every car has been through different stages of life and I’m happy they are able to make it out to the show to tell theirs,” said Bouchard.

Organizer and Country Classics Club president Mario Silva was also thrilled with the eclectic entries and with the attendance numbers at this year’s show, as it not only brought together club members and other enthusiasts, but also helped his club and its adopted charity.

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Thursday, Jul. 30, 2026

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