Jayme Giesbrecht

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.

Locally owned and operated by Ray Derksen—better known as "Big Ray"—Model 72 Projects is bringing handcrafted cornhole boards to the Pembina Valley Online Auction, presented by Penner Auctions. These high-quality boards are built right here in the Pembina Valley and can be fully customized to match your style.

A delicious meal and a friendly atmosphere—that’s what you’ll always find at Smitty’s Restaurant & Lounge in Winkler. We caught up with owner Angelina Fehr to talk about an exciting opportunity for local diners: Smitty’s gift certificates are up for grabs on the Pembina Valley Online Auction, presented by Penner Auctions!

The Morden Area Foundation’s annual Power of the Purse event is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 5th. The unique fundraising initiative has grown over the years, continuing to empower local donors to make an immediate impact on community organizations.

Winkler musician Jason Friesen is no stranger to the stage. Having grown up in a family of performers, his musical journey has taken him across Canada, Belize, and beyond. Now, Friesen is looking to bring his talents closer to home—both to fulfill his passion for music and to help support his family.

Winkler Bible Camp is set to bring an exciting dinner theatre experience to the community with Robyn’s Hood and Her Merry Maidens in Leggins, a comedic twist on the classic Robin Hood story. The production, running from March 14th to 16th, features a unique storyline where Robin is reimagined as a female character leading her merry maidens.

“We had a shortage of male actors this year,” says Dale Wiebe, Director at Winkler Bible Camp. “So, Robyn is a maiden, and her crew is made up of maidens as well.”

A total lunar eclipse is set to grace the night sky late on March 13 into the early hours of March 14, providing a stunning celestial display for skywatchers in the Pembina Valley and beyond.

Kenton Dyck of the Astro Club explains the phenomenon: “We will have the sun, then the Earth, and behind that, the Moon will sling into the shadow of the Earth. That’s what makes it a lunar eclipse.”

The Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) invites the public to an important budget meeting March 11th at 6 PM, where trustees will unveil the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 school year.

“We would love to see the public out,” says GVSD Chair Leah Klassen. “We’re unveiling our budget, and we’d be excited to have people take a look at it and, of course, ask questions afterward.”

Banman Meats in Schanzenfeld is all about family, faith, and fantastic cuts of beef. Part Owner/Manager Glen Wiebe and his crew take pride in offering top-notch steaks, ground beef, and their famous farmer sausage—plus, if you’re a fan of Mennonite classics like krackles and rindsvarscht, they’ve got you covered.

Beneath the vast prairies and rolling hills of southern Manitoba, a prehistoric world is waiting to be uncovered—and the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) is about to break new ground like never before. This year, the museum is setting its sights on an untouched 18-acre dig site donated by Dave Lumgair, northwest of Thornhill. A place that could hold fossils as massive as "Bruce," the world’s largest mosasaur. With excavation set to begin, paleontologists and everyday explorers alike have a chance to be part of history in the making.