Is the snow bringing down your mood this week? Here are some events outside Winnipeg to cheer you up.

Monday, April 24

  • The 35th Manitoba Fifty-Five Plus Games are being held in Killarney from June 13 to 15. Pembina Valley Games Rep. Lois Dudgeon is recruiting anyone and everyone who is interested in joining Team PV 2017 to represent the Pembina Valley region at the provincial games. A regional playoff for cribbage is still required, so she is looking for cribbage players to come out Monday, April 24 from 1:00 to 4:30 at Morden Activity Centre. Call Madelene at 204-822-9937 to register. Anyone interested in Bridge and Whist, registration will be on April 25 and 28. If you have any questions regarding these summer games, call Lois at 204-822-6207. The deadline to register for all events is May 12.
  • Addictions Foundation of Manitoba will be hosting a Fentanyl and other drugs community forum from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Morris School. This is open to anyone wanting to learn more about the risks facing our communities. A panel discussion will be held as well as a question and answer session.

Monday to Wednesday

  • Junior piano presentations for Red River Valley Festival of the Arts will be held at Altona Mennonite Church, with the finals being held April 26 at 7:00 pm.

Tuesday, April 25

  • A soup and pie supper in support of Altona Palliative Care is being held from 4:30 to 6:30 at Altona Bergthaler Church. Proceeds will fund new equipment and other projects at Eastview Place and Altona Hospital.
  • The vocal performances of Morden Festival of the Arts will be held at Morden Mennonite Church. Sessions will be held at 9:00, 1:00, and 7:00.
  • An introduction to bird watching workshop is planned for 7:30 pm at Winkler Library. This free workshop will offer tips on how to get the most out of your birding experience, as well as connecting with other birdwatchers. The workshop is a partnership between Winkler Horticultural Society and A Rocha Pembina Valley Interpretive Centre. Winkler Horticultural Society is also working on a project to establish a bird habitat in the northeast corner of Winkler, where you can walk and observe the wildlife.

Wednesday, April 26

  • A presentation on Wills is planned for 3:00 pm at Gardens on Tenth, Multi-Purpose Room. Hosted by Altona Community Foundation, learn about the importance of wills, charitable giving and more. This is a free event.

Thursday, April 27

  • The Gardens on Tenth is hosting a soup and pie supper from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Please use the main doors of the new building. Entertainment will be by the W.C Miller Jazz Band.
  • A potluck supper is planned at Gretna Prairie Centre at 6:30 pm. Entertainment will be by a gospel singing group.
  • Lowe Farm School Grade 7 & 8 Students Present “ No Place Like Nowhere” Dessert Theatre at 7:00 pm at the Lowe Farm School Gymnasium. Cost is $5.00 per person, Preschoolers are free. For tickets please call Mrs. Ewbank at 204-746-8068.
  • Plum Coulee Community Foundation is putting on a soup and pie supper from 5:00 to 7:00 at Plum Coulee Senior Centre. Admission is by donation with proceeds going to the Plum Coulee Community Endowment Fund. The annual meeting follows, which includes the presentation of Community Builder of the Past and Citizen of the Year.
  • Pembina Counselling Centre is having a dessert night fundraiser at 7:00 pm at Winkler Mennonite Church. Guest speaker is Wilma Derksen - author, artist, intentional enthusiast and life coach. She will be speaking about her journey and “The Way of Letting Go – One Woman’s Walk Toward Forgiveness”.
  • A blood donor clinic will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church, 120 Pineview Drive. Call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit blood dot c-a. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Thursday and Friday

  • The Sonatrice Singers present their spring concert “Reminisce! Sing!” at 7:30 nightly at Carman Collegiate Community Theatre. Tickets are available from any choir member or Benefits RX Pharmacy. Hand-Van service will be available so call 204-745-3477 in advance to book your ride.

Friday, April 28

  • A health expo is being held at Morden Friendship Centre from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Get your blood pressure checked, learn about foot care, mobility, massage, pharmacy and more.
  • A blood donor clinic is being held from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Morris Multi-Plex. Call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit blood dot c-a. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Saturday, April 29

  • Level 1 and Level 2 Umpire Clinics are taking place at Altona Millennium Exhibition Centre. Register at Altona Rec Office.
  • The College and Careers group of Altona Sommerfeld Church invites you to a breakfast fundraiser from 7:30 to 11:00 am. On the menu: crackles, hashbrowns, pancakes, ham, muffins, toast, eggs, coffee and juice. Proceeds go to Altona and Area Foodbank and Teen Challenge.
  • The W.C. Miller Grad Class of 2017 is holding a Buick Drive for Your Students fundraising event. People can test drive a vehicle to help raise funds for the grads. There will be a BBQ lunch available as well. The Buick Drive for Your Student event will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at WC Miller Collegiate. You can pre-register by calling West Park Motors at 204-324-6494 or show up that day for a test drive.
  • A community breakfast is being held at the village of Reinland Community Centre. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 10:30 and admission is by donation. You’ll enjoy fresh biscuits, pancakes, omelettes, eggs, ham and coffee.
  • A Spring Shopping Spree fundraiser in support of the St. Claude Library, is being held at St. Claude Rec Centre. There will be approximately 30 local vendors and crafters displaying their items. Door prizes and silent auction as well. Lunch will be available. This event is running from 10:30 to 3:30.

Saturday and Sunday

  • Learn all about the game of cricket at Winkler Arena from 9:00 to 4:00 daily. Cricket is the world’s second most popular game and here is an opportunity to learn more about it. Contact Zahid Zehri at 204-312-0786 for more details or to register.
  • The Faith and Life Choirs present spring concerts titled “Heaven and Earth Testify”. The concert on April 29th will be held at 7:00 pm at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, 926 Garfield Street in Winnipeg, and on April 30th they perform at 3:00 pm at Morden Mennonite Church. Admission is by free will offering.

Sunday, April 30

  • Morden Festival of the Arts Hi-Lites Concert is taking place at 2:00 at Morden Alliance Church. This concert will feature adjudicator recommended performances in strings, piano, sacred, vocal, and French and English speech arts.