Jayme Giesbrecht

There’s something special happening at Winkler Arts & Culture this summer—The Faces of Winkler 2025 exhibit is back, and this year it’s focused on celebrating relationships, belonging, and newcomer stories through local art.

This year’s exhibit is a collaboration with the Pembina Valley Local Immigration Partnership (PV LIP), and the theme is “Stories of Our Neighbours.” It’s all about highlighting the connections between people—especially when one is newer to the community, and the other has been here for a while.

 The City of Morden is taking proactive measures to address climate-related challenges through the development of a Community Climate Adaptation Plan. Shawn Dias, Director of Parks and Urban Forestry, is leading the initiative, which was recently approved by the city council.

"We are starting the process of developing a Community Climate Adaptation Plan," says Dias. "We've also applied for funding through the Green Municipal Fund's Local Leaders in Climate Adaptation program to support this plan."

Tucked away in the heart of Darlingford is a museum that’s quietly preserving some of the most fascinating stories from southern Manitoba’s past. Patrick Thiessen, curator of the Darlingford Pembina Heritage Museum, has spent the last few years uncovering remarkable pieces of local history.

The Darlingford Pembina Heritage Museum is set to host its second annual local history dinner and conversation this Saturday at the Darlingford Community Hall. Thiessen is excited to share the region’s rich history while also raising funds to preserve it.

The Kenmor Theatre in Morden was alive with Irish tradition on Friday March 28th, as dancers and musicians took the stage for the Irish céilí (a word that means “gathering” or “feast” that often also suggests group dancing) event. The evening featured a mix of live music, traditional Irish dancing, and a heartwarming celebration of culture and community.

"It was fantastic," says Cathy Savage, Irish dance teacher at DanceWorks, reflecting on the night. "The kids worked so hard, and it was incredible to see it all come together."
 

The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Group is gearing up for its annual online auction, running from April 1 to April 10 on Facebook. The auction, which has been a staple fundraiser since 2012, features an impressive 600 to 800 items, ranging from homemade goods and children’s toys to high-value experiences such as hotel stays, Winnipeg Jets memorabilia, and even a WestJet flight for two.

As Manitobans embrace the arrival of spring, many are eager to refresh their homes. Layal Jadhav and Shawna Lumgair from Sawatzky’s Furniture and Appliances in Morden and Winkler recently joined a morning discussion to share their expertise on spring cleaning, decluttering, and the latest home décor trends.

Jadhav and Lumgair agree—spring is the perfect time to reset both your living space and your mindset. "It is time," Jadhav said. "But we’ve got to get through this messy business first!"

The Carman Cubs, & Scouts embarked on a recent adventure -- geocaching. Led by Eric Melvin, the group learned how to use GPS devices to find hidden treasures. "We taught the kids how the GPS works, and then we went on a hike to find the cache," says Melvin. They ventured along the river trail, where the children worked together to solve clues and find the geocache. “It was awesome to see how excited the kids were when they finally found the hidden treasure,” Melvin adds. It wasn’t just about the destination; it was about the teamwork, problem-solving, and excitement along the way.

A new band is making waves in the Pembina Valley music scene. "Lowstake Affection", featuring Tim deBekker, Devin Addison, and newly joined bassist Nadia, is set to perform at Smitty's Lounge in Winkler on April 5th.

deBekker, a seasoned musician, has been sharing his talent online and playing in various bands over the years. "I remember when I was really young, my brother Jacob taught me some of my first songs," deBekker recalls. His journey has taken him through multiple genres, from jazz to rock to country.

Morden resident Tracy Knutt always felt different from her family, often joking that she had been "switched at birth." With her dark hair and brown eyes standing in stark contrast to her blonde-haired, blue-eyed relatives, the thought lingered in her mind. It wasn’t until a casual decision to take a 23andMe DNA test that she uncovered a life-changing truth—her biological father was not the man who raised her.

Pickleball is taking Altona by storm, and no one knows this better than Gord Sawatzky, a retired school principal from École West Park School. With a lifelong passion for sports, Sawatzky has fully embraced pickleball.

What is pickleball?

For those unfamiliar with the sport, Sawatzky describes it as a mix between badminton and tennis. "We play on a badminton-sized court with a solid-core paddle and a ball similar to a Wiffle ball. The net is just a little lower than a tennis net," he explains.