Jayme Giesbrecht

More than 500 children received toys last Christmas through Morden Christmas Cheer and that number is expected to rise again. As the cost-of-living climbs, the local non-profit is already gearing up to meet growing demand, with a little help from a beloved summer tradition.

“We had 384 hampers last season..and within those hampers, we got toys for 526 kids.”

- Chelsey Delaquis, board member with Morden Christmas Cheer.

If you spot a group of kids darting around Winkler's Bethel Heritage Park with papers in hand and eyes peeled to the grass, don’t be alarmed, they're not lost, they’re just on a Color Hunt. This playful workshop is part of the South Central Regional Library’s "Bookland Explorer's" program in Winkler, and it’s got kids searching for every colour of the rainbow... with chocolate coins and grand prizes waiting at the end.

It was a day filled with joy, laughter, and reflection at Homestead South in Morden, as Vi Schroeder celebrated her 102nd birthday on July 18th. Surrounded by staff, friends, and her son Larry, the milestone was honoured with stories, music, and shared memories.

When asked what it feels like to be 102, Schroeder responded with her characteristic warmth: “It’s wonderful actually.”

John and Irene Plantz, along with their banjo-playing friend Jon Penner, recently blessed the community with their gospel harmonies at our Farmer Appreciation Lunch.

Performing under the name Rooted in Him, the group brings heartfelt music, ministry, and encouragement to every stage and gathering they attend.

John and Irene Plantz, along with their banjo-playing friend Jon Penner, recently blessed the community with their gospel harmonies at our Farmer Appreciation Lunch. Performing under the name “Rooted in Him,” the group brings heartfelt music, ministry, and encouragement to every stage and gathering they attend.

Tim Hortons Camp Day is back on Wednesday, July 16th, with all proceeds from hot coffee, iced coffee, specialty Camp Day donuts, and bracelets going toward sending local youth to life-changing camp experiences.

Summer is in full swing at the South Central Regional Library's Winkler branch, and summer programmer John Burnabe is helping bring a whole new level of excitement to reading and learning.

Burnabe began in June and has already built lasting memories. "My most memorable thing working there right now is actually working at the workshops with the kids… building relationships and having fun with them."

He added, "With the program we're doing, I feel like it's really up there. It really helps motivate them to read."

Lee Siemens, a Registered Massage Therapist who works out of Winkler has officially smashed his personal running record at Old Tom’s Backyard Ultra Marathon, completing a remarkable 15 loops—an impressive 100.1 kilometers—at the event held near Blumenort on July 5th.

The Backyard Ultra is no ordinary race. “You run 4.1667 miles or 6.7 kilometers every hour,” Siemens explains. “Then, with the time remaining, you sit down, rest, eat up, and then you do it all again at the top of the next hour.”

Members of the Slavic Baptist Church youth group recently attended the Manitoba Passion Play for what proved to be a moving and memorable experience — with several first-time attendees deeply impacted by seeing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus portrayed on stage.

“It was like I was in the time of Jesus”

For youth leader Ivan, it was his first time attending a Passion Play.

As recent thunderstorms rolled through southern Manitoba, local storm chaser and photographer Joey Siemens shares his passion for photographing extreme weather and the landscapes of the Pembina Valley.