Lexi Olifirowich

MLA for La Verendrye Dennis Smook had the opportunity to nominate 10 individuals for the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. 

MLA Smook says quite of few of the individuals came to mind quickly. 

“Most of them weren't hard to pick because, in the 11 years that I've been on as an MLA, you know who calls you and who's always advocating for their community.” 

He also sought advice from other people in the area. 

Winter can often feel like the cold will never end, and it can be hard to find energy in this season. As we move forward from the holiday season, the sadness often starts settling in, and we start feeling the impact of the short days and cold weather. 

CEO of Eden Health Care, Brad Unger, has suggestions for people struggling with mental health. 

There are a number of strategies he recommends for people trying to improve their energy. One of the things he suggests is trying a new activity or spending more time with loved ones. 

The RM of Piney has quite a few things they will be working on throughout 2023. 

One thing they are working on this year is the Southeast Regional Transportation initiative.  

Martin Van Osch, C.A.O. for the RM, says the RM has secured funding from the federal government for the purchase of a vehicle. 

"We have yet to purchase that vehicle or vehicles, it might be plural, but we have been able to secure the funding. And they've allowed the funding to extend right through to 2024, I believe it is.” 

The biggest highlight of 2022 for the new Reeve for the RM of Stuartburn is first off, the October municipal elections.  

Michelle Gawronsky says, “given that honor was a huge highlight for my life. After that, I'm glad that the folks of Stuartburn are able to celebrate events live again. We had the best Canada Day celebrations in Vita and to be able to see people, actually coming into town and enjoying and watching our community come back to life has just been huge for us.” 

With New Year’s celebrations taking place this weekend, please do not bring your pets anywhere where there will be fireworks. 

Dr. Leeanne Bargen, who practices out of PetVet in Steinbach, says loud noises like fireworks and gunshots can be very scary to your pets. 

She advises you to keep them away from the festivities. 

Just over a year ago, Eden East Mental Wellness Centre moved to its new location and it was a huge success. 

Eden East moved to Stonebridge Wellness Centre in Steinbach, and during this past year, they have developed and expanded their mental health services. 

They are able to do more counseling work than they were able to at their old location, as well as work on expanding their programs. 

One in two people in Canada are eligible to donate blood, but only one in 81 actually do. 

Canadian Blood Services Community Development Manager, Brett Lawrence, says the pandemic really took a number on their donor base. Throughout the pandemic, the number of donors across Canada who regularly donated decreased by 31,000. Lawrence says that the need for blood is constant, and he’s thankful that Steinbach has a strong and consistent donor base. 

A Steinbach legend will be recognized for his contributions by The Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Thomas Goldwin “T.G.” Smith was instrumental in the organization of Little League Baseball in Steinbach back in the mid-1950s. He will be inducted posthumously into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame on June 3rd, 2023. T.G. Smith passed away in 1982.

His son, Bob Smith, says they grew up being a ‘sports family,’ they were at games and tournaments seven days a week through summer and winter. 

“There were only two sports back in the good old days,” Smith says. 

The Manitoba government is investing over $60 million to upgrade Provincial Road (PR) 201 from PR 200 to PR 302. 

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Doyle Piwniuk, says they are working hard to improve the functionality and reliability of our provincial highways. 

Elizabeth Karpinchick, a professional agrologist located in St. Pierre, recently grew a pumpkin that weighed 1,011 pounds.  

She tried to measure the circumference and volume of the pumpkin, but her it was too wide for her measuring tape.  

Karpinchick has been growing giant pumpkins for four years now, and the biggest pumpkin she’s grown before this was 695 pounds. She was thrilled when she found out her pumpkin weighed over 1,000 pounds.