PembinaValley

On Friday, a golf tournament that raises funds for local organizations in memory of a beloved community member returned to the Minnewasta Golf & Country Club for the third year in a row.  

The tournament, known as The Jimmy Classic, is held in honour of the late pilot Jim Peters, whose life was claimed in a tragic accident in 2022. 

Whether a biologist, bird-lover, or someone who just wants to get outside, a national contest is inviting Canadians to connect with nature—right from their own backyards.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC) Big Backyard BioBlitz has returned for its fifth year and is asking southern Manitobans to photograph different plants and animals and share their findings online.

Participants can do so via the iNaturalist app, which not only works for uploading pictures and audio recordings of birds and plants, but for "downloading" new information to curious minds.

Ottawa's new trade minister says he's looking to sign deals in South America, Southeast Asia, Africa and beyond — and to convince businesses to actually use the trade agreements Canada has already signed.

"My primary role as Canada's top salesman is to be out there hustling, opening doors for businesses and accessing new markets," Maninder Sidhu told The Canadian Press.

"My phone has been ringing with opportunities because people want to deal with reliable, stable trading partners."

Some residents of Southern Manitoba have been noticing different trends this summer when it comes to insects. And the question has been asked whether our smoky conditions have played a role.

John Gavloski is an Entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture. He says studies have been done with biting flies and smoke. However, he cautions that the tricky part is the impact of the smoke is very dependent on the intensity and the duration. 

"So, trying to make implications to what is happening in Southern Manitoba with the Northern Manitoba wildfires is very tricky," he says. 

When Hilda Gerbrandt walks into the studio with a plate of fresh Rollkuchen, we pay attention. A regular Eagle 93.5 morning show guest, Gerbrandt brought not one, but two kinds of the beloved Mennonite treat for her latest appearance, including the peach-filled Folla Rollkuchen that had everyone buzzing.

“It's something I enjoy. It's something about that my mom taught me. And I think when you have these good childhood memories of mom’s baking or cooking and so on like it's a comfort.” - Hilda Gerbandt, sharing memories of making Rollkuchen with her Mom. 

Get your running shoes and your sweet tooth ready. The 2025 John Wichers Manitoba Runners Association (MRA) Family Ice Cream Run Series is making its Morden debut on Wednesday, August 6 at 7:00 pm. in Morden Park. This fun-focused event brings families and community members together for a casual walk or run with ice cream waiting at the finish line.

Funeral For: Deanna Sawatzky 
Funeral Date: August 7, 2025 
Deanna Sawatzky, 83, of Niverville passed away thursday, July 31st at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg. 
She was survived by her husband George, 1 daughter, 2 sons, 1 sister, 2 brothers and their families. She was predeceased by 1 sister and 1 brother. 
The funeral service for Deanna Sawatzky will be held August 7th, 2pm at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Steinbach with burial at St. Pauls Lutheran Church Cemetery, HWY 12. 
Viewing will be at the church prior to the service. 

Unionized workers at Canada Post have voted to reject the Crown corporation's latest contract offer.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Friday that 68.5 per cent of urban mail carriers who voted were against the deal, while their rural and suburban colleagues were 69.4 per cent against.

The offer included wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years but also added part-time workers that Canada Post has said are necessary to keep the postal service afloat.

The union had urged the roughly 55,000 postal service workers it represents to reject the proposal.

A local gardening expert says the smoky conditions over the last couple of months are having an impact on vegetation in Southern Manitoba.

Even though the wildfires might be hundreds of kilometres away, Carla Hrycyna of the Lawn & Garden Journal says the smoke that is wafting into our region is being felt by our plants, both positively and negatively. 

Hrycyna explains that the wildfires are releasing carbon dioxide into the air, which is a positive thing for our plants. 

The Manitoba Historical Society has a new APP to help folks find hidden treasures they might not otherwise be aware of, that being historical sites that include heritage homes, old train stations, grain elevators and municipal buildings.