In the house

Charleswood Curling Club has become the new official home of the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame and Museum, which has set up shop in the building’s second floor.

The organization was established in 1987 to “procure, preserve and promote the rich history of curling in Manitoba and to honour the outstanding accomplishments of curlers, builders, curler/builders and teams”. Today it boasts a collection of over 40,000 artifacts — everything from lapel pins to on-ice measuring sticks to club and team jackets — dating all the way back to the 1880s, when curling became an organized sport in Manitoba.

The museum was originally located in the former Hudson’s Bay Company building on Portage Avenue. When the department store closed in 2020, the artifacts there were wrapped up and kept with the entire museum archive inside a storage unit at the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre.

“From a very practical perspective, a museum space is very expensive,” said Resby Coutts, treasurer of the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame and Museum’s board of directors. “(But) we always had a dream that we would have a museum space again.”

Full length of Nestaweya River Trail open

The Nestaweya River Trail opened its entire length, from Churchill Drive on the Red River to the Hugo Docks on the Assiniboine, on Jan. 29. The skating, walking, cycling, skiing trails are lined by recycled Christmas trees and feature a wide array of warming huts from local and international designers along the entire length.

BGC Winnipeg celebrates bursary recipients

BGC Winnipeg held its annual bursary celebration event on Jan. 27, to commemorate the achievements of the young recipients of awards for the 2025-26 school year — club members who will now go on to pursue post-secondary studies with the support of additional funds.

The event was open to friends, family, staff and donors.

Youth development professionals at BGC Winnipeg (formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club of Winnipeg) “work closely with teen members throughout the post-secondary (preparation) journey,” according to a release, which can mean helping with applications, setting goals, or looking for bursaries and scholarships. For those facing financial barriers, bursaries can be the deciding factor on whether post-secondary education will be feasible.

“Helping young people access post-secondary education is one of the most impactful ways BGC Winnipeg supports youth in realizing their full potential,” said Ron Brown, president and CEO of BGC Winnipeg. “These bursaries not only ease financial stress but also send a powerful message to youth that their community believes in them.”

Making a splash

The Manitoba Water Polo Association is encouraging youngsters across the province to dip their toes in the water and try the sport for what might be the first time.

The association is preparing to hold an introductory water polo program at Elmwood Kildonans Pool (909 Concordia Ave.), which will consist of a series of Monday sessions on Feb. 23, March 2, 9 and 16 from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.

The program is aimed at young people in grades 5 to 12 who’d like to play water polo. All skill levels are welcome, and no previous water polo experience is required.

The only requirement is that participants, who will be divided by skill level, must be able to swim safely in the pool’s deep end.

Feeding the community in insecure times

As food insecurity continues to grow, Teen Stop Jeunesse is doing more and more to support the community.

Teen Stop, located at 533 St. Anne’s Rd., is an established drop-in centre which caters to youngsters aged eight to 18 and offers kids a safe space to spend time when they’re not in school.

What some people may not know is that, for the last several years, the St. Vital-based non-profit organization has been providing outreach services to help feed people in need, and now serves the community’s adult population, too.

Pat’s Pantry began in the fall of 2022 as part of a broader nutrition-security program at the centre, which includes the provision of freshly prepared meals. It was created in response to the visible food insecurity staff were seeing relating to individuals and families accessing services, explained Kelly-Anne Reyes, executive director of Teen Stop Jeunesse.

Trojans ‘rise to the occasion’

The Vincent Massey Collegiate varsity girls basketball team has been a slam dunk so far this season.

The Trojans boasted a 6-0 record at press time, and stood second in the Winnipeg Tier 1 regular-season standings with 12 points — just two below the Sisler Spartans, who had played one more game. (The teams were scheduled to meet on Feb. 9, after our publication deadline.) With just four games left in divisional play, the Trojans and head coach Stacy Hawash are looking forward to playoff action in their drive to repeat as provincial AAAA varsity girls’ champions.

“This group of girls is coming together quite well,” Hawash said.“We have a mixture of both Grade 11s and 12s that can definitely be a part of our starting lineup. So, we are relying on both groups. Our main leadership does come from our 12s, but our 11s are definitely stepping in and doing their job and taking a great role in where our team is going this year.”

High school teams look different year to year, as players graduate at the end of every season, but Hawash, a phys-ed teacher at the school, feels the Trojans have a healthy balance. Each player shines in her own way, and the girls love basketball, she added.

Royal Knights charging towards playoffs

With only a month left in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League regular season, the River East Royal Knights are a lock for a playoff berth.

“I’m very happy with the team,” said Barry Bonni, longtime president of the team. “We have a chance to win every game. We certainly don’t, but we always have a chance. For the most part, even if we don’t win, it’s a very close game. It’s a fun season, and a fun team to watch.”

Once the playoffs begin, Bonni knows anything can happen, with the Royal Knights hoping to bring home a league championshipfor the first time in 25 years.

“I would never say we wouldn’t have a chance. But I know it won’t be easy. If we can get through the first round, I’d be very happy,” said Bonni, now in his 44th year with the club. “We’ve shown we can win against anybody, but we can also lose to anybody. Sometimes you just don’t match up great against certain teams.”

Highland Pointe to get 45 more residential units

The most recent Lord Selkirk-West Kildonan community committee meeting was held Jan. 27.

The committee approved plans for further residential construction in Highland Pointe — a new community located between McPhillips Street and Main Street — on Fernbank Avenue in the Old Kildonan ward.

The project is a Ladco Company development to be constructed by Manak Homes. The blueprint includes a 45-unit, multi-family townhouse development and accessory parking area, a landscaping plan featuring greenspace, and snow-storage space.

The plans show 51 parking spaces, including 38 located within attached garages. Also, driveways will be provided for 40 units, with four additional spaces on site, as well as eight designated visitor spaces, which is above the required parking ratio.

Jumping St. Emile Catholic School students, staff raise $14,000 for HSF

On Jan. 29, St. Emile Catholic School hosted its Jump Event Day, which brought the school together for a spirited assembly celebrating its fundraising efforts for the Heart & Stroke Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart campaign.

Throughout January, students in grades 1 to 3 developed their rope-jumping skills during phys-ed class, while the school community raised funds, said phys-ed teacher Emily Turgeon, who spearheaded the campaign.

In the end, the school raised $14,000 for the cause.

During the recent assembly, Grade 3 students showcased the skills they’d learned, finishing with a jump-off.

Keep your pets’ teeth in tip-top shape

February is pet dental month. We all see the promotions in the pet stores and reminders from the vet’s office. Dental health is not a one-month concern, it’s a year-round issue – but in February we are reminded just what our pets’ teeth mean to the state of their health.

Good dental health is a cornerstone of overall health. A clean mouth can mean that the pets microbiome is in good balance, which is a great thing. It also can mean that we are feeding our pet right.

Brushing is our main way of maintaining our dental health, but many pets don’t enjoy or allow us to brush their teeth, and they don’t have the thumbs to grip their own toothbrushes to do it themselves. But that doesn’t mean they can’t brush their own teeth.

There are many dental toys available, and they are much better than most dental treats. Any consumable dental item can contain chemicals, preservative and starches – some of which aren’t great for the digestion.

Tuna seeks a second chance

Meet Bodie. He is a seven-month-old, large-breed cross who is one of the smartest pups you’ll meet! Housebroken, excellent on the leash, and already a master at sit, lay down, stay, wait, and come, he will surely thrive in a home with a patient family or person who will continue to challenge him both mentally and physically. Full of energy, he’s always down to play, especially if some couch cuddles come after. As Bodie is still a pup, he does still need reminders with boundaries. A consistent routine in a calm environment where manners are maintained will be essential for this curious and excitable guy. Bodie can be anxious in new situations, including with new people and animals. Slow, positive introductions will help him feel confident, and he would like to find a family without children or too much unpredictability. If you can be Bodie’s dream match, please give us a call at 204-832-7387 to arrange a meet and greet, as he is currently in foster care. He looks forward to seeing you!

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Tuna is a two-and-a-half-year-old domestic short-hair who needs a second chance. This sweet boy is looking for love. He’s a sweet, charming guy, who wants to make new friends despite being a little unsure of the world around him. He loves to lean in for full-body pats, and would surely love a warm lap to snuggle up in. If Tuna could be right for you, stop by the shelter for a visit.

A young baller with big dreams

Kai Abelardo Wagner is a 10-year-old Grade 5 student at Arthur E. Wright School in The Maples, and he is also a multi-talented athlete.

“I play football, volleyball, and basketball,” he told me. “I am focused mostly on football because it is fun and competitive. I really enjoy making new friends on the teams I play for. Right now, I am playing flag football. I play receiver. In tackle football I play running back.

“I like these positions because I get the ball,” Kai explained. “Playing offense is fun and I like scoring touchdowns. My coaches are really good (and) I have great teammates in both tackle and flag football; we have good guys on both teams. They are fun to play with. My head coach, Jesse, introduced me to football and helped me join the Nomads Football Club. My best friend is J.J., and he is the quarterback on my flag and tackle teams.”

Kai lives in north Winnipeg with his dad Trent, mom Maricel, brothers Cade and Ashton, and sister Ava.

Celebrating excellence and creativity

Our constituency of Tuxedo is home to so many remarkable Manitobans, and witnessing their dedication, spirit, and determination is one of the greatest privileges of serving as MLA. From young people achieving excellence through sport to artists transforming shared spaces into places of wonder, these moments remind us of what makes our community so special.

I want to recognize an outstanding young woman whose accomplishments have inspired young athletes across Manitoba and Canada. Lilianna Aiello recently won the varsity girls cross-country championship at the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s cross-country Championships in Winnipeg. This victory marked her third consecutive provincial title, following wins in 2023 and 2024, an extraordinary achievement in a field of 269 competitors from across the province.

Lilianna runs for the St. Mary’s Academy Flames, whose team also captured the provincial title this year, as it did in 2023. Beyond cross-country, she has represented Manitoba on the national stage in track and field, placing fifth in Canada in the 3,000 metres at Legion Nationals in Calgary, Alta., and earning gold medals in both the 1,500 metres and 3,000 metres at the Western Canadian Team Challenge in Edmonton, Alta. Her commitment, leadership, and love for the sport have made her a role model for younger athletes across Manitoba. Now in Grade 12, she continues to represent her school, club, and province with pride.

This same spirit of excellence and creativity was on full display at The Leaf earlier this winter with the global premiere of Fleurs de Villes: Wonder, which ran from January 15 to January 25. Brought to life by Winnipeg’s incredibly talented floral artists, the exhibition transformed The Leaf into a breathtaking celebration of the natural world.

Connecting with our community

Winter is here and with it comes my favourite time of year for connecting with constituents and listening to your concerns and priorities. When the legislature isn’t in session, MLAs have more opportunities to meet with people in their communities – here in Roblin, there has been no shortage of meaningful conversations.

The holiday season wrapped up with plenty of cheer as I delivered poinsettias to local churches and community organizations, shared meals at holiday luncheons and Santa breakfasts, and served meals at Siloam Mission and the Salvation Army. It’s always a privilege to take part in these events, and each one was a reminder that even during the busiest time of year, this community continues to show up for one another.

January brought plenty of winter fun. Families and volunteers came together for the Roblin Park Winter Carnival, a week-long celebration filled with indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. It remains one of my favourite events each year. This time, my kids joined me to volunteer at the candy table and enjoy the fireworks. I also had a great time celebrating Robbie Burns Day hosted by the Charleswood Legion, where tradition, community spirit, and good cheer were in full swing. In Headingley, the Phoenix Winter Carnival is underway as I write this column, and I lookmforward to serving pancakes.

Staying connected doesn’t stop at community events. I’ve also enjoyed hosting Coffee and Conversation gatherings with local seniors, including residents of Beauchemin Park Place and Vasa Lund Estates, with more planned before the month is over. These informal meetups create space for meaningful dialogue – whether sharing concerns, exchanging ideas, or simply catching up. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far.

Helping our students thrive

Happy new year, St. Vital!

I hope 2026 is off to a positive and healthy start for you and your families. As we settle into a new year, I am filled with gratitude for this incredible community and its optimism as we look ahead.

In the coming February weeks, I look forward to visiting classrooms across St. Vital during I Love to Read Month to share stories and connect with students. Reading opens doors to imagination, learning, and confidence, and it’s always a joy to see that excitement firsthand. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the teachers and administrators who work tirelessly every day to support our students. Your dedication does not go unnoticed; our community is stronger because of you.

One way we continue to support our schools is through annual increases in education funding. In the two years since being elected, we’ve increased education funding by almost 10 per cent, an increase that outpaces inflation over that same period, because we know that investing in our children is an investment in our future.