Judy Peters/Michelle Sawatzky

It was another sold-out lunch on Wednesday at the Taste of Summer Charity Barbecue in Steinbach, even though extra smokies were tossed onto the grill. The weekly summer fundraiser consistently sells out within minutes. 

This time, all money collected through sales and donations was handed over to Safe Families Steinbach. 

Singer/songwriter Danny Plett of Steinbach recently returned from a visit to Ukraine to visit his cousin and his wife in Western Ukraine. 

And he talks about what it was like in that part of the country. 

Nearly $2,000 was raised today with the Taste of Summer Charity BBQ in support of Soup’s On in Steinbach. 

Joy Neufeld says the $1,947.25 that came in today will all be dedicated to continuing the school lunch program. 

"With the supper program, so much of that food has been donated,” she explains. “With the school lunch program, because we need to be nut-free, it's a different story and things need to be purchased.” 

Rainy conditions are creating some challenges for city crews who are trying to maintain Steinbach’s numerous greenspaces. 

Parks and Recreation Department Manager Russ Dyck says the weather is impacting their work. 

As soon as the gates opened Friday morning at Mennonite Heritage Village, people started showing up for Canada Day celebrations. 

Volunteers greeted visitors at the gates, offering information and free admission wristbands. In all corners of the museum grounds, you could find volunteers bustling around to make sure there would be ample food and activities. 

More high school students have an opportunity to be part of a unique choir experience this fall. 

Registrations are now being accepted for Eastman Youth Choir for students who will be in grades 9 through 12 in the fall. 

Shannon Sawatzky says, this time, they are opening this opportunity to more students. 

If it looks like there is a lot more cotton seed and yellow pollen floating around these days, there is a reason for that.

Carla Hyrcyna, host of the Lawn and Garden Journal, explains why the trees are sending out an abundant amount of seeds this spring.

“I suspect that we are seeing a higher density of this because of the stress of the last two years that trees have been under, you know, from the drought and then the influence of such a wet season,” she says.

Hyrcyna explains that the trees are in survival mode, releasing seeds and pollen to re-populate.

A woman from Grunthal received special recognition earlier this month at the Manitoba Legislature. 

At the age of 48, Coralee Warkentin decided to make a career change and she returned to school to focus on hairstyling. That was a passion she had put on hold for many years while she pursued other interests. 

Warkentin recently graduated from college, and then found a surprise in the mail. 

The 13th Annual Tractor Trek saw 36 antique tractors parade through the region to raise money for two Manitoba organizations. 

Vintage tractor owners and enthusiasts collected pledges of support and then paraded for more than 50 kilometres. 

Robert Goertzen says the event brought in over $25,000 for Eden Foundation and Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach. 

If you have a couple of hours to spare this weekend and want to play a key role in Steinbach’s summer festival, be sure to connect with the volunteer team to find a spot that works for you. 

Volunteer coordinator Holly Shimaro says they typically need around 150 to 200 volunteers throughout the weekend and there are still some vacant shifts.