Automotive Glass Chip Repairs PRIMER SALE ON NOW Tinting Farm Equipment SuperSpec latex drywall primer Auto Accessories NOW ONLY $ 204-325-8387 150C Foxfi re Trail Winkler, MB (204)325-4012 79.99 per 5 gal. pail 600 Centennial St., Winkler, MB Winkler Morden VOLUME 9 EDITION 6 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2017 VVLocally ownedoiceoice & operated - Dedicated to serving our communities Off to the Brier PHOTO BY RICK HIEBERT/VOICE Reid Carruthers, Braeden Moskowy, Derek Samagalski, and Colin Hodgson had a perfect week at the 2018 Viterra Championships in Winkler, going 6-0 heading into the fi nal game against Team McEwen and then winning the championship fi nal 7-6 to earn the right to represent Manitoba at the national men’s curling championships in Regina next month. See inside for more Viterra coverage. news > sports > opinion > community > people > entertainment > events > classifi eds > careers > everything you need to know 2 The Winkler Morden Voice Thursday, February 8, 2018 Carruthers defeats McEwen in Viterra championship fi nal By Ashleigh Viveiros time we had mentioned in the meet- ing that we might see him,” said Car- The 2018 Viterra Provincial Men’s ruthers, whose team had been fl aw- Curling Championship ended with a less with six wins heading into the clash of the titans. fi nal. Team McEwen, meanwhile, The top-seeded Mike McEwen and skipped by third B.J. Neufeld for Reid Carruthers faced off at the fi nals much of the week, had conceded to in Winkler Sunday afternoon. Carruthers 7-3 in the 1-2 qualifi er be- After falling to McEwen in the cham- fore beating out Team J.T. Ryan 6-2 to pionship game the past two years earn the right to defend the title. running, Team Carruthers pulled off “I had texted [McEwen] this morn- a 7-6 win to earn a seat at the Brier ing and got one line back,” Carruthers next month. said. “We normally text a lot, so it “I was trying not to get too excited made me wonder: does that mean about playing in the fi nal and the this guy is getting suited up? PHOTO BY RICK HIEBERT/VOICE thoughts of getting to go to Regina “Sure enough. It shows a lot about Team Carruthers were fl awless all week and headed into the fi nal and getting back to the Brier,” said his character, his courage to put him- against Team McEwen with six wins under their belts. They extended Carruthers after the game. “But I self out there after not playing and that streak to seven by downing McEwen 7-6 to take the title. guess after two years of McEwen win- leaving it all on the line,” he said. “It ning and beating us and deserving to put the pressure almost a little bit seven to make it 6-6 heading into the “You all helped to make these 2018 go, it was one of those things where more back on us because now we’ve fi nal end. provincial championships so special,” we had to work a little bit harder and got to play against the No. 1 team in There, Carruthers used his last rock she said. it tastes a little bit sweeter after not Canada with their skipper back.” to get the winning point. “To all the amazing volunteers and going for a few years.” Still, it was clear Team McEwen Carruthers alongside Braeden Mos- the Winkler Curling Club, thank you Sweet as well, perhaps, was getting weren’t quite at their best. kowy, Derek Samagalski, and Colin for your hospitality and amazing en- the chance to beat McEwen himself, “You could kind of tell that if Mike Hodgson will represent Manitoba at ergy and passion this week.” as he unexpectedly returned to the was feeling normal they would have the Brier March 3-11 in Regina. Host committee chair Louis Tan- ice to throw third stones for the fi - put a lot more pressure on us,” Car- McEwen, Neufeld, and teammates guay said he’s proud of how the com- nal game after being hospitalized for ruthers said. “He played really, really Denni Neufeld and Matt Wozniak munity stepped up once again for a most of the tournament with a nasty well considering the circumstances still have a chance to make it to the major sporting event. case of chickenpox. he was put in.” Brier if they win the event’s wildcard “We thought the attendance would “Seeing Mike out here today I was The match saw McEwen battle back play-in game March 2. be a little bit stronger, but overall it almost speechless and at the same from Carruthers’ lead of 6-3 after That would suit Carruthers just fi ne. was good,” he said on Monday, ac- “There’s a very, very solid chance,” knowledging that attendance was he said. “If that’s the case, there’s go- down somewhat from the Scotties. ing to be two Manitoba teams just “The curlers, certainly, indicated like there was at the Scotties, and their appreciation for everything we that’s pretty cool.” did. They were saying it was a world- class event. There’s been a lot of great COMMUNITY STEPS UP comments.” Organizing a small army of volun- As with the Scotties three years ago, teers to pull off such a competition Winkler was fi ring on all cylinders as smoothly is always a challenge, but host of this provincial championship. Tanguay said it went off without any Carruthers lauded the community major hitches. for its support, noting the crowds “We want to thank each and every were solid throughout the week. one of the volunteers and we also “I knew coming to this event there’s want to thank the business commu- a good chance, and even hearing from nity for embracing the event,” he said. the Scotties the last time it was here, “And, of course, we want to thank the that we’d have great crowds,” he said. spectators and fans who came out to “I was really impressed with how support us. These events don’t go on many people were coming out, even without city support, without busi- braving the cold. And the hospital- ness support, and without the fans.” ity has been awesome. All the locals The host committee was still crunch- have been super supportive not only ing the numbers at press time, but it’s of just our team but the other curlers expected the Viterra Championships in general. Hopefully we get to come generated upwards of $100,000 for back and play here again soon.” the community. Curl Manitoba president Debbie “Certainly a large portion of it will Schween expressed her gratitude to be going to the curling club for future PHOTO BY RICK HIEBERT/VOICE the more than 300 volunteers, thou- upgrades,” Tanguay said, adding they Mike McEwen spent most of the tournament in hospital suffering sands of fans, and corporate sponsors also plan to contribute to other proj- from chickenpox, but took to the ice for the championship fi nal for making the event an unqualifi ed ects in the community, funds allow- Sunday afternoon. success. ing. The Winkler Morden Voice Thursday, February 8, 2018 3 New incubator mall in the works for Morden By Lorne Stelmach The 2,000 square foot space pur- chased by the Morden Community A new City of Morden project aims Development Corporation will be to help give birth to more small busi- able to house up to a dozen retail ness in the community. spaces and three food vendors. Offi cials last week touted the bene- The retail incubator mall is be- fi ts that will come from the new retail ing funded with $53,000 through the incubator mall in the MCDC and $50,000 from Pembina Connection the City of Morden. development on the Another $25,000 is east end of Morden. coming through the pro- “It’s the small busi- “IT’S THE SMALL vincial Partner 4 Growth ness that is the driv- program. Morden-Win- PHOTO BY LORNE STELMACH/VOICE er of our economy BUSINESS THAT kler MLA Cameron Fri- Morden Deputy Mayor Irvin Wiebe along with business development really,” said Chad IS THE DRIVER OF esen noted that program specialist Chad Sheldon and Morden-Winkler MLA Cameron Friesen in Sheldon, business is very much aimed at the new Morden retail incubator mall under construction in the city’s development spe- OUR ECONOMY.” this kind of project “to east end. cialist with the City grow a local economy, to of Morden. provide opportunity for Sheldon said their goal with the in- business. “This is creating, potentially, 15 new businesses to get ahead. cubator mall is to create an environ- “We want to provide them space at businesses. I would project, probably “We’re looking to make opportuni- ment where they minimize the risk a very reasonable cost and take away to start, it would be in the neighbour- ties for some businesses locally to for new businesses. some of the roadblocks that there are hood of 20 to 25 new jobs,” he noted. succeed here, perhaps faster and per- He sees this being an ideal solution to starting a business,” he said. “That “Ideally, they’ll grow their business, haps even stronger than they other- for maybe some existing small busi- will include some business mentor- they’ll grow their clientele and hope- wise would have without this oppor- nesses or someone who’s been kick- Continued on page 6 fully grow their staff and create some tunity.” ing around the idea of opening a new jobs as well.” BE MY VALENTINE 25% off LET HER OR HIM KNOW HOW SPECIAL THEY ARE WITH THAT FAVOURITE PAIR OF BOOTS! % BLUNDSTONE 25 (HIS & HERS) off SWEET PRICING +)$3s,!$)%3s-%.3 ON NOW! WRANGLER SHIRTS, CASUAL AND WORK JEANS 25% off CLEARANCEC ON ALL WINTER WORK WEAR, BOOTS, HIGH VISIBILITY JACKETS % s*%7%,29s"%,43 & BIB PANTS 50 off s"5#+,%3s-/.%9#,)03 WHILE STOCK LASTS!! s7%34%2.(!43 YOUR WORK & WESTERN WEARHOUSE (/523 Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 5:30 pm 7).+,%2 -"s0H Saturday 9:30am to 2 pm +IMBERLY2D %ASTOF#ANADIAN4IRE Shoe Repair Service & Selection Guaranteed Company charges welcome (must be arranged ahead of time) GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE 4 The Winkler Morden Voice Thursday, February 8, 2018 A small taste of life in poverty By Lorne Stelmach living either in poverty every day or just above the poverty line but with Unless you’ve experienced poverty, incomes that are still low enough to it’s diffi cult to truly understand what qualify for programs like income as- many families face, but just over 100 sistance.