Jayme Giesbrecht

At Winkler MCC Thrift, it’s more than just shelves of gently used treasures—it’s a place where community, generosity, and unexpected stories intersect every day. Longtime volunteer Al Ens has seen it all, from a group of young hockey fans seeking white wedding dresses for a Winnipeg Jets Whiteout celebration, to rare finds that do very well in the silent auction. Through it all, one thing remains constant: the heart of the operation is people—those who give, shop, and volunteer.

The Food for All fundraiser wrapped up this week with its final stop at Gardenland Co-op in Winkler, where the community once again showed up in a big way. The event, presented by Rede-Made Noodles and supported by local business sponsors, brought in a total of $5,853.13 in support of the Winkler & District Food Cupboard.

Round 2 of the NHL Playoffs has begun, and with it, the PV Cup competition intensifies! Sixteen local businesses were paired with the NHL playoff teams, and now, only eight remain in the hunt for the PV Cup. The winning business will not only hoist our Stanley Cup replica for a year but also receive 150 FREE radio commercials, while the runner-up earns 100 free commercials.

This Thursday, May 8th, McDonald's restaurants in Winkler and Morden will once again participate in McHappy Day, a nationwide initiative supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Canada. No matter what you order at McDonald's on Thursday, a portion of proceeds from every menu item sold—whether in-restaurant, at the drive-thru, or through McDelivery—will benefit RMHC Manitoba, which provides accommodations, meals, and support to families with children with complex medical needs.

It started when Steve Peters and his son noticed something unusual while driving near the Morden dam — a beaver stuck in the Morden Dam at Lake Minnewasta, cut off from the main waterway and showing no signs of finding its way out. Peters posted on social media, hoping someone might know what to do.

For the first time in 50 years, the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) in Morden has unveiled a fully reconstructed skull of the Tylosaurus pembinensis, a species unique to Manitoba.

The fossil is the “specimen type” used to describe this marine reptile—meaning it served as the scientific standard when the species was first identified. Although only 30–35% of the original skull was preserved, CFDC’s team has now completed an extensive restoration project to recreate the full skull with scientific precision.

If you're looking for something fun, free, and air-conditioned to do with your kids this summer, VB’s Entertainment Centre in Winkler has the perfect strike of an idea: Kids Bowl Free.

As the calendar flips to May, residents of the Pembina Valley are once again encouraged to participate in a beloved local tradition: Pay It Forward May. Spearheaded by the Winkler Community Foundation, in collaboration with the Morden Area Foundation, the campaign is entering its 12th year of spreading kindness, generosity, and community spirit.

As nonprofit organizations across Manitoba face rising costs and dwindling donations, the Bunker Youth Ministry is stepping up with a familiar favourite: a pickerel fish fry fundraiser to help keep its doors open and programming running through the summer.

Kevin Hildebrand, Executive Director of the Bunker, says while the heart of their ministry is as strong as ever, the financial reality is hitting hard.

For Kate Friesen of Winkler, gardening is more than just a hobby—it’s a way of life that began in childhood. On a recent outing to Morden Nurseries with Eagle 93.5 FM morning show host Jayme Giesbrecht, Friesen shared that her green thumb is a gift passed down from her mother.

“I have developed a love of gardening from my mom, and I grew up pulling weeds and making a really big country garden,” says Friesen.

Now an experienced gardener in her own right, Friesen is preparing for another season of planting, nurturing, and experimenting with both flowers and vegetables.