Robyn Wiebe

 A crowd anxiously gathered in the Morden Community Thrift Store (MCTS) Monday morning for the annual Spring cheque distribution. A variety of community representatives were on hand to not only collect their donations but to share how the money would be used. 

 MCTS Board Chair Kent Noel said over the winter months sales were slower than usual but remarked they have bounced back over the last few weeks. 

The Morden Area Foundation (MAF) has announced the winner of Morden's 2022 Citizen of Distinction, Kathy Ritchie.  

Co-nominator and former coworker Jim Hunt shared his reaction to the news. 

"I'm very excited to hear that Kathy did receive the Citizen of Distinction Award. She's very well deserving. I've known Kathy now for probably well over 40 years, and I had the privilege of working with her at the Assessment Branch in Morden with the Provincial Government." 

As construction on the New Discovery Trails School is underway at the west end of Parkhill Drive, Western School Division Trustees and Winkler Coop staff gathered for a cheque presentation. giving an early boost in funds towards the $1 million project to put in a full-size track and soccer field on the school grounds. 

General Manager for Winkler Coop Evan Toews explained why this project was chosen. 

With Pay It Forward May nearing the halfway mark, the Winkler Community Foundation (WCF) took time on Wednesday to get their hands dirty and lend a hand at the Winkler Centennial Library. Pay It Forward May is an initiative by the Winkler and Morden Area Foundations to change the community one good deed at a time.

WCF Board Member Barb Neufeld explained.

Last week Thursday, all 711 students at École Morden Middle School took part in a Mental Health Expo organized by Guidance Counsellors Dan Muggridge, Christine Andrews and Jessica Verhoog. 

Verhoog explained why this is an important event for all students to take part in. 

Started in 2016, Morden's Cultural and Educational Centre 'Leader' (CECL) holds programming for a variety of ages in Russian, teaching students about a variety of topics including nature, letters and numbers, according to CECL representative Galina Churikova. 

Saturday, parents, grandparents and community members gathered at 500 Stephen Street Community Centre for an Ecology Day Program. 

Winkler Harvest Festival has announced their headliners for August 11th through 13th.

Friday, Winnipeg's own Crash Test Dummies will take the stage. the band best known for their "Superman's Song" back in 1991 with unique baritone vocals from lead singer, Brad Roberts. They recently released a new single, "Sacred Alphabet."

As soon as word got out about Morden city council's decision to create a Market Square by closing a portion of 8th Street downtown, between Appelt's Diamonds and the iconic clock tower building, conversations started around the unanimous decision made by council on Friday April 28th in a morning Special Meeting.  

Morden Mayor Brandon Burley noted, this isn't a new idea to council. 

Monday night, Winkler Arts and Culture was the setting for the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week. The evening was a joint effort between Pembina Valley Local Immigration Partnership and Eden Foundation. 

Eden Foundation's Director of Development Jayme Giesbrecht shared why this week is so important. 

Friday Morning, Morden City Council held a special meeting to approve the closure of 8th street, from Stephen St to the northerly portion of the back lane, the area known to many as the "Suncatch Stage', where the weekly Farmer's Markets and Morden Corn & Apple stage entertainment take place to create a Market Square for public use throughout the summer. The idea was brought to council by the two newest members.

Here is the motion made by Councilor Lassnig and seconded by Councilor Sheldon Friesen.