The past year has been a difficult one for many businesses and offices. As conditions and regulations changed from month to month, libraries — like other businesses — have had to adjust and develop different strategies in order to continue serving the public. It hasn’t been easy but most rural libraries have continued operating to
Libraries press on in COVID era
From curbside pickup to more e-books, local libraries make the best of it
Mark November 11 with a visit to Camp Hughes
This site near Carberry is Manitoba’s lone National Historic Site dedicated to the Great War
November 11 is fast approaching, but this year’s events may need to be somewhat different. If Remembrance Day programs are cancelled in your area, or if you’re unsure about attending a socially distanced service, consider an outdoors way of remembering and honouring our fallen soldiers. If the weather and roads remain good, one good way
Visit Manitoba’s suspension bridges
These scenic destinations are perfect for a day trip
If you’re looking for new outdoor spots to explore in southern Manitoba during this time of ‘keeping apart,’ consider a drive or two to search out some of Manitoba’s suspension bridges. Probably our best-known suspension bridge is the one in Souris, famous as the longest swinging pedestrian bridge in Canada. The original bridge was built
Celebrate Manitoba’s 150th by visiting the Mennonite Heritage Museum
Get a glimpse into the pioneer years of this group of early settlers
This summer or autumn, how about a trip to the Mennonite Heritage Museum in Steinbach? With cooler weather now approaching, this would be a good time to walk through the museum and explore the many heritage buildings. It’s a fine way to celebrate Manitoba’s 150 years as a province. Descendants of Mennonite pioneers will find
Take a country drive to explore some historic Manitoba churches
See some historic buildings of faith while staying home this summer
At times like this, when some some tourist attractions are closed, or we are uncertain about crowds, a country drive can be a pleasant diversion for those who are feeling house-bound. There are many spots we can drive past and/or stop for a brief visit, even if we cannot physically go inside buildings. Old churches
Provincial sesquicentennial, staycations make historic sites of interest
Explore some of Manitoba’s rich and abundant history this summer
With COVID making the ‘staycation’ fashionable and Manitoba celebrating its 150th anniversary this summer, this is a good time to make plans to search out some of our historical sites. During this uncertain time of social distancing and self-isolation, planning future outings is an activity which can involve the whole family. A great many towns and villages have museums
Nocturnal Owl Survey celebrates 30 years of counting owls
The survey began in 1991 and is now part of a nationwide owl-counting effort
This spring, the annual Manitoba Nocturnal Owl Survey will celebrate 30 years of counting owls — a remarkable achievement for an operation carried out mostly by volunteers. The Nocturnal Owl Survey began in Manitoba in 1991. It’s now part of a nationwide survey, although other provinces do not always follow the exact same format as
An invasion of owls
Why the snowy birds have descended from the Arctic to southern Manitoba isn’t thoroughly understood
Southern Manitoba has been invaded by snowy owls travelling far from their breeding ground north of the Arctic Circle. The owls began arriving as early as October. This phenomenon, called an “irruption,” happens at irregular intervals, usually every four or five years. Occasionally they happen two years in a row. Occasionally a “mega-irruption” may occur,
Feed your feathered friends this winter
Put out a bird feeding station this winter to attract those hardy enough to weather our winters
Cold weather has arrived, and most of our birds have migrated south, but the hardy ones are still around. A dozen or so species remain, and a feeding station kept regularly supplied will attract them to your backyard or deck for your viewing enjoyment, if you place the feeders where you can watch them easily.
Visit Manitoba’s buffalo jumps
Other sights on the western Prairies are more famous, but don’t miss this slice of Indigenous history closer to home
Perhaps you have heard about the famous attraction in southwestern Alberta called Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump — but were you aware that Manitoba has similar sites? In the southern part of our province, just north of the village of Cartwright, is the Clay Banks Buffalo Jump. Many years ago, when bison still roamed these vast stretches
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
