Killarney-Turtle Mountain Arts Council's Art Administrator, Giselle Beaupre, has dedicated her entire adult life to teaching students, or facilitating educational programs where students of many ages can learn more about their world. And she was honored this week for her years of dedicated service to her community by being awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Beaupre began her teaching career in 1989 in Killarney School and would encourage and inspire students over the next 30 years in both the classrooms and in administration at the K-12 school in Killarney.  In 2019 Beaupre retired and joined the Board of Directors of the Killarney-Turtle Mountain Arts Council.  In 2023 she stepped into the role of Art Administrator at the Heritage Home for the Arts in Killarney.

"I was fortunate to work at Killarney School for my entire career, as a teacher and then as an administrator," she explains.  "I started out teaching French/Second Language but one of my 'side shows' was student leadership. So, we were able to host and attend many provincial and national conferences with kids here from Killarney, many who have gone on who deserve this medal as well!"

"So, I stayed there for about 30 years and then when I retired, I segued into some term positions and stayed at the school doing this, that and the other. But at the same time, I came on board here at the Arts Council which then segued into this position."

Over the course of Monday and Tuesday evenings, thirty recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medal from across Westman were given this most prestigious award by Brandon-Souris MP, Larry Maguire.  Beaupre received her award at the A.N.A.F Legion in Brandon on Monday evening, surrounded by her family and colleague at Killarney School, Gwen McTavish.

"I feel humbled, and this is all so surreal because there are so many people in this community who are so deserving of this kind of a thing," shares Beaupre. "I was nominated by a colleague of mine, Gwen McTavish. Some of the nominators were anonymous but Gwen is a good friend and has been a colleague for a long time.  I just feel so very grateful."

Beaupre says she hadn't expected to be nominated and then to receive this kind of recognition for her years of service to her community.  To her fellow community members who give of themselves she says thank you and shares how appreciative she is of their service.

"When you least expect it, you get to feel the goosebumps that I'm feeling right now, and you don't do it for these goosebumps. You do it for all the other reasons and you don't expect this. And again, it just humbles you," she says.

"But communities like ours wouldn't be the gems that they are if it weren't for all the people who are doing all the things behind the scenes. And this for me right now is overwhelming, but there are so many other people who could be in my shoes right now," she adds. "Those who could have been sitting in my chair last night and who could have received that medal.  The people who were sitting at the tables with us, plus our families."

Please listen to more with Giselle Beaupre below!

"I know that nomination letter ... on those down days, just like notes I received from parents that are still sitting in my nightstand since 1989 those are the things you draw from when you need a little pick me up or when the world gets tough ... [Gwen] lifted me and I told her Thank you very much, I will pay it forward. For sure, for sure," adds Beaupre.

Related Article:  Royal Recognition: Outstanding Westman leaders receive King Charles III Medals

(Photos submitted by Giselle Beaupre)

The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is coming up in a few short weeks, starting Monday March 31st and running right through until Saturday, April 5th!

Program Manager for the Provincial Ex, Kristen Laing, says they've got a fantastic line-up of entertainment for this year's Royal Winter Fair, from equine events to the Royal Courtyard to the Royal Farmyard to watching our furry canine friends do incredible things!

Complimentary kids' tickets are returning for the 2025 show, thanks to Manitoba Hydro. Kids 5 and under are free, but families can get in on free tickets for 6–12-year-olds by downloading their tickets prior to March 30th from the Provincial Exhibition website HERE, and that's one ticket per child, per day. So, if you're wanting to attend the Fair multiple days then you'd need to download multiple tickets for each child again, before March 30th.

Monday, March 31st is Heroes Day and kicks off with a Sunrise Credit Union Breakfast at the Dome Building.  The Provincial Ex is partnering with Samaritan House Ministries to collect non-perishable food items for their food bank that day.  For Heroes Day all service members, police officers and fire department / EMS members will receive free admission with family members in their vehicles getting in for half price.

Tuesday, April 1st will be 4-H Day sponsored by the Co-ops of Westman.  Also, on this day the Future Farmers Photo Contest finalists will be on display and open for a community vote as to which photo wins the $500 Grand Prize. 

Related Article: Young farmers, big dreams: final days to enter Co-op Future Farmers Photo Contest

Wednesday, April 2nd is the RBC Family Day with special performances and reduced gate admission.

Thursday, April 3rd is deemed Forever Royal Kids Day honoring the RMWF’s rich history and royal designation. It’s a day packed with family-friendly activities, with the return of the #ForeverRoyal Community Ticket Program.

Friday, April 4th is named Multicultural Day with special entertainment and performances to recognize the richness of various cultures that make up Manitoba’s vibrant heritage. It’s a day to explore different traditions and enjoy cultural activities.

Saturday, April 5th is Indigenous Celebration Day, a day to honor and recognize Indigenous cultures. Enjoy performances and activities throughout the day as we celebrate the rich history, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in Manitoba.

For the full schedule of events and to download kids' tickets ages 6-12 (5 and under are free), please visit the Provincial Ex website HERE!

Five years after COVID-19 was first detected in Manitoba, experts say the province still has a ways to go to fully address the effects of the pandemic and set itself up to respond better in future emergencies.

Former Conservative MP Shelly Glover, who came within 373 votes of becoming Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Party leader and premier in 2021, says she's trying to form a new right-of-centre alternative to the Manitoba Tories.

Via Rail has filed a lawsuit against The Forks over land the rail company says it's had rights to use since a sale agreement reached nearly 40 years ago.

Southern Manitoba can expect temperatures above freezing into the afternoon hours on Wednesday. Northern Manitoba remains cold, with light snow for places like The Pas and Norway House.

Jan Rogers is a visual artist who has synesthesia. For her, sounds are accompanied by images of shapes of colours. She created more than 50 paintings to show what certain popular songs look like to her. The exhibit at Winnipeg’s Cre8ery Gallery is called Crossed-wires: Painting through a synesthetic lens.

A community organization in Ukraine, in part supported by southeastern Manitobans, is giving its all as war continues to rage in the region.

Chris Goertzen is the vice chair of the Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine, which provides funds for basic needs at it's namesake: the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine.

There, the centre has been serving impoverished Ukrainians for more than 20 years, he says.

"(They're) making sure the elderly are fed, and that communities are finding ways to thrive in some sort of way beyond survival," Goertzen says. "It is supported by donors here in Canada, in Manitoba, as well as in the United States."

Like many in Ukraine, the centre is impacted by the dire situation.

"Right now, where the Mennonite Centre physically was, has been overtaken by war and that area is occupied," Goertzen says, noting it has now moved to an island in the country.

"We know that war is so destructive and destroys buildings, destroys peoples livelihoods, and it displaces families. So the Mennonite Centre ahs been — continuously — over the last few years as the war has raged...helping people who are displaced, making sure they have some semblance of a life," he says.

That could look like helping with food, shelter, clothing or other needs.

"(They're) trying to find something close to normal for them, even though a war is raging not too far away," Goertzen says.

The vice chair notes that the people working there crave peace, and want it to come soon. But, in the meantime, press on with the mission ahead of them.

"They know their role is to make sure that people are taken care of on the ground. Sometimes, during war, people feel very helpless," he says. " What's great is that Mennonite Centre provides an opportunity for people to not be helpless, but to help."

Goertzen says, "Even when drones with bombs are flying overhead, they're still physically helping people, and it's really encouraging to see. They are brave people."

He thanks those who have been supporting the centre over the years with their donations, and explains where that money can be used.

"We provide funds every year that buy some very basic things, whether its medication, whether its blankets, whether it's pother aspects of community life or life in some of those smaller villages where displaced people are living, we make sure those funds are they so they can continue to do their good work in the midst of war," he says.

"It's really gratifying to know the actions we are taking here are helping those who are still living in the shadows of our history."

Written with files from Kenton Dyck

The design plans have been decided on, and construction is moving forward for the new St. Pierre Jolys Regional Library.

It's an exciting page-turn for the southeastern Manitoba community, after the plan to move the library out of a local school was announced in October last year.

Since Sept. 5 last year, community members could only access the library outside of school hours for the protection of students. 

Now, the village's mayor, Raymond Maynard, has hope the library can be moved to its new location at 479 Jolys Avenue on April first.

"The electricians... went in last night and shut the power off for all the walls that are going to be torn down, so the contractor that's doing the demolition and the repairing...he apparently was going to be starting this weekend," Maynard says.

"If everything goes well, in three to four weeks it might be finished."

He says all the books and shelving that belong to the current building will be moved to the new site.

"So, we've got everything. We're good," Maynard says.

While it's taken a little more time to get going than he had hoped, it's happening.

Written with files from Adi Loewen