Pembina Valley Online

They’re coming from all over. From Minnedosa to Dauphin to Steinbach and everywhere in between, customers in search of quality pre-owned vehicles and Old Hickory buildings and sheds are beating a trail to BG Sales.

Children are a soft spot for many.  

This is especially true for Children of Hope, a Christian organization based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, that strives to help and support children in orphanages in Mexico.  

Although the organization has roots in British Columbia and its mission in Mexico, it also has plenty of support in the Pembina Valley. 

Wes Harder serves on the board of Children of Hope, and Chris Kalansky has volunteered for the organization since 2013.

It’s no secret that one of the most divisive occurrences in the world in 2025 is the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has caused immense pain and suffering the world over, whether it’s physically or in spirit.  

Prairie Crossroads School, with its faith-based foundation and rapidly expanding student body, has garnered notice since the institution was established in 2019. 

The number of students enrolled has jumped from 33 to 136 since then.  

“We've grown over the last five years to the point where we now offer K-10,” says Travis Penner, board chair of the school. “Next year, we’ll be adding grade 11, and the following year, grade 12.” 

“Every business — industrial, commercial, hotels, restaurants, even homeowners — has certain needs that happen on occasion. When it comes to a homeowner, if a nice lady has a mouse in the house, well, people don't know how to deal with that, so we'll deal with that for them.” 

As the first month of 2025 reaches its close, changes and reductions to immigration services across Canada are setting the tone for what the next few years will look like in this regard.

When it comes to English classes offered through Regional Connections, eligibility for one group in particular will see its end before the midpoint of the year.  

The Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) is rolling out an exciting new initiative designed to celebrate and showcase the achievements of its schools. Superintendent Dan Ward shares that the "School of the Month" program will give each school an opportunity to highlight its unique programs and initiatives.

When it comes to end-of-life planning, most of us have a knack for avoidance. But Dorothy Stephens, volunteer extraordinaire with Dying with Dignity Canada, is here to change that. With a twinkle in her eye and decades of experience as a nurse, she’s the kind of person who can make even the most daunting topics approachable.

When last we left you, the team here at Pembina Valley Online was sharing the best and worst gifts that they've received.

Operations Manager Shelley Graham reminisced about her one-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch Kid that was made special by her mother’s thoughtfulness, Content Creator Zack Driedger shared how some unassuming mouse ears turned into trip of a lifetime, and Eagle 93.5 Morning Show Host Jayme Giesbrecht described a gift that haunted her dreams. 

Most would agree that gifts aren’t the most important part of the holidays. Even so, people from every walk of life share the emotional roller coaster that is opening gifts — some cause gasps, other groans. Some are exactly right, and others exactly wrong.  

This year, the team at Pembina Valley Online (PVOL) reminisced about surprise trips, deodorant, horse-drawn sleigh rides, terrifying dolls, and generic Christmas mugs to determine what makes the best and worst gifts.