Living in our quiet little community, it’s hard to imagine a world where peace is not the norm. The ravages of war; the destruction of entire cities, homes, and livelihoods; and death by shootings and bombings are as unfathomable to most of us as an alien encounter in our backyard.

I recently attended a gala evening at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. For anyone who has not yet visited the CMHR, I encour-age you to visit what is quickly becoming a showcase for Winnipeg and the pride of all Manitobans and Canadians. While the dollars spent on this landmark may be a subject for debate, it truly is a beautiful space that contains great disp-lays and activities around the struggles, successes, and failures of mankind.

These days, it is a novelty to watch a hockey game played in the great outdoors. The National Hockey League holds an annual Winter Classic, around New Year’s Day, in which a regular season game takes place outside, a throwback to days past. This year, the good people of Ste. Agathe held their very own Winter Classic. Speaking for myself, I spent New Year’s Day at a friend’s home in the country; their yard is large enough for their very own outdoor rink, and yes, a friendly game broke out.

Mark your calendars for February 13: Manitoba’s larg-est outdoor bike race will be traveling through Niverville. Actif Epica is an outdoor bike and running/walking race that uses the Crow Wing Trail segment of the Trans-Canada Trail from St. Malo to Winnipeg, a distance of 125 kilometres. For those wanting more of a challenge, this year is offering a longer trek of 160 kilometres, starting in St. Malo and heading south to the Senkiw suspension bridge.

You may have heard of the Crow Wing Trail here in Niverville, but did you know the Crow Wing Trail is the longest section of the Trans-Canada Trail in Manitoba? The Crow Wing Trail is 191 kilometres and starts in the RM (Rural Municipality) of Emerson-Franklin, then runs through the Roseau River First Nation, the RM of De Salaberry, St-Pierre-Jolys, Niverville, and the RM of Ritchot to Winnipeg.

With a provincial election looming on October 3, many voters in Springfield-Ritchot will by now have noticed a new candidate on the scene. Tammy Ivanco is hoping to sway their votes in favour of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Thanks to a cold snap right before Christmas, a small army of volunteers led by Niverville Curling Club legend Kevin Stott managed to get the ice ready just in time for opening day, which took place on Tuesday, January 5. Thanks to this year’s super El Niño, the NCC was handed the task of making the playing surface ready in just two and a half weeks. In a normal year, we would generally take four weeks to prepare the ice.

The Red River Rage U12 ringette team is made up of girls in Grades 5–6 (ages 10–11). The U12 team plays in both the Winnipeg Ringette League and the Eastman Ringette League. There are 14 players split between three towns: Niverville (12 players), Ste. Agathe (one player), and St. Adolphe (one player). Some girls have played seven years, and other players may only be in their second year of the sport. The team is coached by Melanie Hall and Jackie Dumaine, and managed by Stuart Ginter.

If you read the December issue of The Citizen, you’d know that Brynne Abgrall of Niverville went to Poland to compete in the World Dance Competition.

On Saturday, January 2, the community of Ste. Agathe held its first annual Outdoor 
Winter Classic for the newly formed recreational Ste. Agathe Hockey League.