Pam Fedack

Regional Connection's Learn to Skate program was offered for the first time in Winkler this year. The program has been running successfully in Altona and Morden for a few years, according to Winkler SWIS worker, Aubrey Krahn.
    
In addition, Krahn said a Jumpstart grant also covered the cost of a brand new pair of skates and a new helmet for each new skater in the program. Newcomer children from the Congo, Ukraine, and Syria enjoyed the first Learn to Skate class in Winkler -  and at first - Krahn says there were some nerves to shake off.

A number of events have taken place in support of the Winkler and District Christmas Cheerboard since their fundraising campaign kicked off earlier this month.
    
On Thursday, the Cheerboard was presented with a cheque of over $13,000 from the 2nd annual Flyers vs Fire Charity Hockey Classic, an event spearheaded by the Winkler Fire Department.
    
Dan Peters is part of the Cheerboard committee.

The 2023 PW Enns Business Awards were given out Thursday evening at a formal gala event hosted by the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce.
    
Ed Penner Construction Limited received this year's Community Builder Award.

Bloom Floral Creative in Winkler is the 2023 winner of the P.W. Enns Business Excellence Award.
    
The Business Excellence Award. is one of five awards being given out by the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce atThursday's P.W. Enns Business Awards Gala being held at the Meridian Exhibition Centre.
    

The community came out in full support of the Winkler and District Christmas Cheerboard this past weekend.
    
Saturday morning's Holly Jolly Breakfast at Central Station kicked off the fundraising season. Combined with a $3000 contribution from Scotia Bank, a total of $9,566 was raised.

Winkler Co-op has officially taken over operations of the Co-op in Rosenort.
    
Discussions between the two operations began earlier this year about the potential of amalgamating. At that point, Winkler Co-op General Manager Evan Toews said it became very clear Rosenort was interested in selling all of their assets, and Winkler was interested in purchasing them.
    
Rosenort members held a vote on whether they wished to merge with Winkler, and Toews said they voted overwhelmingly to do so.
    

Interest in the Discovery Nature Sanctuary (DNS) in Winkler continues to grow.

Paul Goossen is chair of the DNS committee, which is responsible for developing the site. Goossen said it's such a pleasure to see the area serving a purpose.

One of the things they've tried to emphasize over the years is the importance of using the sanctuary as an outdoor living classroom for schools. Goossen says he's been very happy to see that schools are using this site as part of their education. 

The Council for the City of Morden is hoping a letter addressed to the Minister of Transportation will yield positive results and slow down traffic coming into the community.
    
The current speed limits coming into Morden from both the east and west have been in place for well over a decade, according to Santokh Randhawa - Morden's Director of Operations. he said the city has outgrown those limits. 
    

The Winkler and District Christmas Cheerboard will kick off its annual fundraising season tomorrow morning, with the annual Holly Jolly breakfast.
    
Cheerboard committee member, Crystal Remple said they're excited to welcome you to Winkler's Central Station to enjoy some pancakes with sausage while enjoying live local musicians.
    
Admission for tomorrow's Holly Jolly Breakfast is by donation.
    
The Cheerboard's, Lori Derksen says donations at the breakfast will go extra far.

Huge strides were made in the work of expanding the pollinator gardens at the Discovery Nature Sanctuary in Winkler this year.
    
Paul Goossen, chair of the DNS committee, says they tackled many hours of work, along with the help of volunteers, summer staff from the City of Winkler, and the Pembina Valley Watershed District.