Robyn Wiebe

There has been a dramatic increase in families coming to the food bank at 500 Stephen Street Community Centre, according to Darcy Wolfe, a board member for Morden's Many Hands.

For the month of September, Regional Connections is holding a Job Fair Giving employers and job seekers a chance to fill 20 days with in-person meetings, aiming to fill 200 available jobs within the 20 participating employers. 

We reached out to two of those employers, Elmer's Manufacturing Human Resources Manager Trevor Siemens and Meridian Manufacturing Human Resources Manager Terra Friesen, to share the employer perspective on hiring. we also spoke to a newcomer, Eric Lai from Hong Kong, who can share with job seekers his experience in finding the right fit for him.  

It was a somber tone to the recognition of Ukraine's 31st Year of Independence in both Winkler and Morden.

A small quiet ceremony was held Wednesday in Winkler at Bethel Heritage Park beneath the oak tree transplanted from Chortitza, Ukraine, to commemorate the day, acknowledging the difficulty and wide range of emotions all Ukrainians feel around the world.

Words of encouragement and comfort were spoken to the intimate crowd of Ukrainians who now call Winkler home.  Mayor Martin Harder spoke of freedom and support for those coming to the city.

After 25 years of service, Morden's Special Constable Pam Goertzen said she knew from a young age, that she wanted to work in law enforcement. 

The Manitoba Government has announced the 2022-23 Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Student Advisory Council. In addition to the 8 online meetings there were conversations with education partners and education ministers: Former Minister Cliff Cullen and current Education Minister Wayne Ewasko. 

The Student Advisory Council reports directly to the minister of education and early childhood learning, and provides insights and advice on current and emerging issues and topics affecting kindergarten to Grade 12 students.

Back bigger than ever, Winkler's Culturefest, hosted by Regional Connections, had 2 long tents filled with multicultural entertainment and tables from countries around the world.

Music and dancing complete with audience participation enriched the crowd with Metis, African, Indian, Ukrainian And Polynesian sights and sounds with colourful clothing and multiple languages.

Testing the water at Lake Minnewasta is done daily, according to Morden's Lake Minnewasta Campground Manager, Brian Thiessen. The recent discovery of algae bloom as now put the lake on an Algae Advisory notice. 

Thiessen explained this is not something out of the ordinary. 

"An Algae Advisory has been posted for Lake Minnewasta. We monitor algae blooms on a daily basis and we know we are going to get them; it happens every August.  So, we watch out very closely for that. and we report these to the province as soon as they're spotted." 

Sunday was a beautiful day at Confederation Park in Morden.  Where people gathered together, sitting on lawn chairs and park benches to celebrate Morden Area Foundation's (MAF) Citizen of Distinction, Marilyn Skubovius. 

Born and raised in Morden, she shared her gratitude to her many nominators, and to Doug Reichert and Anna Marinelli who made the main submission on their behalf.  The list of the work Marilyn has done above and beyond her contributions as a local business owner of Stephen Street Wear, was lengthy with many accomplishments. 

In June, the Province of Manitoba launched a series of public meetings to inform its recommendations on improvements to Manitoba’s current immigration policies and programs. 

Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Jon Reyes was in Winkler and Altona last Thursday (Aug 4th). Winkler drew a crowd requiring a larger room. 

Reyes explained the purpose of gathering people in immigration services and volunteers, community leaders and businesses in one place.  

On Wednesday, Carman's Backdoor Youth for Christ Centre (YFC) was presented with $25, 000 from Justice Minister and Attorney General of Manitoba Kelvin Goertzen through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, to go towards furnishing their expansion project getting underway this month. 

Carman YFC Centre Director Tyler Friesen shared how the money will be spent. 

"This particular $25,000 is going to mean some furniture and some equipment, and stuff like that for our new expansion, which we're going to begin construction on this month."