Chris Sumner

Surprising, unexpected and overwhelming. Those are some of the words Winkler area husband and wife Henry and Marge Wall, who make up Prairieland Gospel, used to describe the response to their first low German album Harlich Es Sien Nom'n which came out in late 2022. That response led the duo to go back in studio with Mark Fehr at Howler Studio and record a second titled Soo Aus Ekj Sie, or translated to English, Just As I Am.

Progressive Conservative MLA's representing areas along the Manitoba-U.S. border, have sent a letter urging Premier Wab Kinew to take immediate action against federal cuts that will reduce operating hours at a dozen ports of entry in southern Manitoba in the new year. Borderland's Josh Guenter, Turtle Mountain's Doyle Piwniuk and La Verendrye's Konrad Narth signed the letter.

Canada Border Services announced in November it would be adjusting hours at 12 crossings in Manitoba from Cartwright to Piney beginning January 6th.

Budget making season has arrived for the R.M. of Morris. Reeve Scott Siemens indicated, coming into the process this year, Council is placing a specific focus on supporting services throughout the municipality.

"Over the last few years, as most of our ratepayers are aware, the R.M. has been fairly ambitious with a few residential developments and expanding our industrial park in Rosenort, as well, all with the focus of growth for the municipality," he explained. "We feel we need to refocus our energies on our services."

Manitoba's Premier is aware and understands there are concerns from the province's hunting community right now. Wab Kinew made the comment in light of the recent series of Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) town hall meetings focused on ensuring fair and sustainable access to wildlife resources. 

The meetings came on the heels of the province's decision earlier this year to reduce the number of moose draw licenses by 75 per cent in four of Manitoba's game hunting areas, something the MWF felt was done without the full engagement of licensed hunters.

Mennonite Collegiate Institute's (MCI) new Principal is well into her first school year in the role.

Londa Backlund joined the faculty in July of this year, and brings an extensive education background including teaching at an independent Christian school in Winnipeg, and her hometown public school in MacGregor.

She has a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, alongside her Education degree from U of M with four teachable subjects including English, Math, Psychology and Religion.

The next step in the "Grow Morris" Development Plan is coming up November 7th, with council holding a public hearing to receive feedback on the proposed plan. Earlier in Summer residents were given the opportunity to comment on it.

"We're required to redo this approximately every ten years, and we know as a community we didn't quite have alignment between land use, some of the strategic ideas in the community, and where we wanted to go long term," explained Crick. "We've attempted to pull that all together in this development plan, which again has been titled 'Grow Morris'."

The 150th anniversary of Mennonite settlement in Manitoba is the focus of the third season of Still Speaking researched, written and presented by Conrad Stoesz from the Mennonite Heritage Archives in Winnipeg. The 11 episode season premiers today on AM1250 Radio and SteinbachOnline.

It was a record setting Saturday at the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth weigh-off at the Roland Pumpkin Fair, with Lancaster, Minnesota grower Charlie Bernstrom establishing yet another high-mark at the event. The 2014, 2017 and 2018 weigh-off winner was crowned the 2024 champion with a monster that crushed the previous record he set in 2018, which was 1,753.5 pounds. Saturday morning his giant weighed in at 2,004 pounds, making it the largest winning entry ever at Roland Pumpkin Fair.

It was a record-setting Saturday at the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth weigh-off at the Roland Pumpkin Fair, with one grower bringing in a record-setting pumpkin which surpassed the 2,000 lbs mark.

Lancaster, Minnesota grower Charlie Bernstrom established yet another high mark at the event. The 2014, 2017 and 2018 weigh-off winner was crowned the 2024 champion with a monster that crushed the previous record he set in 2018, which was 1,753.5 lbs. Saturday morning his giant weighed in at 2,004 lbs, making it the largest winning entry ever at Roland Pumpkin Fair.

The Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society is organizing two unique events that will give you an on the ground perspective of the 150th anniversary of Mennonite settlement in the province. October 10th and 22nd, tours of the East and West Reserve respectively will be taking place, with Ernie Braun leading the East event and Conrad Stoesz the west.