Grads set to bring Niverville to the world

There were more new Niverville High School graduates than ever to bring the town’s sensibilities to the world as 92 teenagers in the class of 2025 chart their course into adulthood.

Niverville class of 1983 alumnus and Canadian diplomat Mark Eichhorst spoke of the importance of roots and exploration on this journey, saying no matter where he was in the world, he was still a small-town kid at heart.

“Don’t forget about this incredible little town. The values and connections… and friendships that you’ve developed in your time here are extremely valuable. They will come in hand down the road.

“For some of you, maybe the idea of staying in this community is what appeals to you the most, and that’s also fine. But my challenge to that group is do not forget about the world beyond Niverville, beyond Manitoba, beyond Canada. The lessons and perspectives that you will gain by expanding your horizons will benefit not only you, but your community,” said Eichhorst, continuing with his advice on expanding horizons.

Collège Lorette Collegiate sends off 99 grads

Ninety-nine students from Collège Lorette Collegiate graduated in the hot and packed hall of Transcona Country Club on June 26.

Many people stood along the walls during the ceremony. People used the graduation program pamphlets as makeshift fans in the sauna-like temperature environment.

Principal Kathryn Murison reminded students how graduation is just the beginning.

“Graduation is definitely not the finish line. It’s the launch pad,” said Murison.

Journalist remembered for her heart

Southern Manitoba has lost a dedicated and talented journalist as Lori Penner, 59, died on June 25.

Formerly a reporter and editor of The Red River Valley Echo and the South Central Post, Penner contributed as a freelancer to multiple publications including The Carillon.

She is perhaps best known for her weekly column, Don’t Mind the Mess, where she shared her life and thoughts with thousands of readers weekly. It’s estimated she wrote over 1,500 of those columns.

Penner’s death came after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke on June 20.

Red River College celebrates Steinbach convocation

Steinbach’s Red River College campus celebrated graduation at the Southeast Event Centre on June 26, becoming the first group to hold a grad ceremony at the new facility.

A total of 119 graduates from business, community services, education, health sciences and adult learning streams walked the stage in front of friends and family.

They had plenty to be proud of. A full 46 percent of those accepting their diplomas or certificates graduated with honours.

President and CEO of RRC Polytech, Fred Meier, told grads to be proud of what they’ve achieved.

Football Manitoba rounds out high performance rosters

There will certainly be a Steinbach Regional Sabres flavour to the Manitoba U18 High Performance Football team’s offensive line this year.

The team, which is set to head to Nationals later this month, features four Eastman players and will be coached by Stephen Fedus, the leader of Steinbach Regional’s varsity squad.

Steinbach Sabres Eric Barnard and Ryder Wallace will be joined by Springfield’s Ethan Weibe and the Eastman Raiders’ Kadez Penner. Players from Grant Park (Sebastien Weisgerber), Vincent Massey (Nic Arsenault) and Dakota (Christ Slipec and Brenden Baer) round out the position group.

Fedus is considered one of the best offensive line coaches in the province.

Plenty of local connections at NHL development camps

The Winnipeg Jets are making a habit out of inviting Niverville Nighthawks to their development camp.

Last year forward Nathan Brown got the call, and this year Lorette’s Avery Laliberte will be in attendance.

The defenseman had 39 points in 53 games for the Nighthawks, taking on a massive defensive burden. He also won a bronze medal at the World Junior A Challenge while playing for Team Canada West. He’s set to join the University of Northern Michigan.

He joined Niverville strength and conditioning coach Rob Pambrun at the Jets camp, which kicked off July 1.

Manitobans make their mark at 2025 NHL draft

After a down year for the province in the NHL draft, which saw only a single player from the Keystone province selected, Manitoba made a strong return to the professional ranks.

Seven players were selected at the draft, which was held over two days June 27/28, just one short of the all-time record of eight, which has been set in three years (2017, 2018, 2022).

The province even had a first-rounder this year, with West St Paul’s Carter Bear taken 13th by the Detroit Red Wings. Bear has spent the last three seasons playing for Everett in the Western Hockey League, posting an 82-point season last year.

Defenseman Peyton Kettles, who played his minor hockey out of Transcona, was taken in the second round, as Pittsburgh called his name with the 39th overall pick.

From the Selects to the Jets: Oakbank’s Martin selected by hometown team at NHL draft

Owen Martin joined an exclusive list of players when the Winnipeg Jets took him in the third round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft June 28.

Since returning to the province in 2011, just two other Manitobans have been selected by their hometown team (Jason Kasdorf in 2011 and Jordy Stallard in 2016).

“It’s just super-cool to be drafted by the hometown team,” Martin said in a virtual media availability hosted from his home in Oakbank.

“I grew up always going to the games, it’s just an unbelievable experience.”

Steinbach Community Foundation lists 2024 as most grants given

Since 1998 when the foundation was started, Steinbach Community Foundation (SCF) has handed out more than $1 million and in the last two years has granted $500,000. This year alone SCF will have given out from all funds a total of $212,538, the largest annual payout ever handed out by the foundation.

“It’s very exciting and part of that is because we earned more of course so we can only give out a portion of the money that we earn and it’s very exciting that we are able to grant out more this year,” said chair Mary Jane Hiebert.

“The other thing is because of the new spend down fund that we received, we can go to that anonymous doner and they could decide if they wanted to donate more in a one year or not. That was also done. We could meet with them and go over the applications that we thought they would be interested in and we were able to give out more money.”

The Anonymous Spend Down Fund is a new option for donors. The fund is a limited time spend down fund, meaning it is created with a single large gift that is spent annually within a set time frame. This new strategy at SCF is for donors to provide a greater benefit in a shorter amount of time.

Brunch service with a side of drag queens

A sold-out event with over 90 people and five drag queens packed in a tight hall to celebrate the Drag Brunch’s third year at Steinbach’s United Church on June 21.

Leading up to the event, the location was kept private due to safety concerns for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The first Drag Brunch event had protestors outside of the building.

Drag is a performance art combining lip syncing, dancing, personas, and over-the-top clothing and makeup. Drag queens are performers who partake in drag, often with a specific persona and name.

Most of the queens are using their drag names to protect their identity and safety.

PHOTO GALLERY: Notre-Dame-de-Lorette anniversary celebrations

Tours of the Notre-dame-de-Lorette drew in people from as far as BC to the 125-year-old church. The parish saw its first residential priest 150 years ago and its first appointed missionary 160 years ago, marking the beginning of the community of Lorette as it is known today.

Carillon Sports: June 26th Second Shots

Featuring photos from a Hanover Strikers match in Steinbach June 17, a U17 AAA Eastman Wildcats game against Smitty's Terminators June 18, the St Malo Triathlon June 21 and games from the Prairie Basketball League spring league finals at Steinbach Christian School June 21.