With a growing customer base, a drive to expand the knowledge of producers and an industry with mostly untapped potential, Impact Tile Drainage is looking to continue to move upward in the farm water management business.
Brothers Hudson and Taylor Mealy are the owners of Impact Tile Drainage in Minto. They started the business in 2022 with the purchase of some equipment like GPS and an excavator, but it took a bit of time to get everything completely moving. However, according to Hudson Mealy, everything is going in the right direction.
“It’s good, we just finished our second full season completely on our own,” Mealy explained. “We did more work the second year than the first. We’re still growing and I think we will continue to grow. We’re covering a big area, bringing in more customers and employees all the time.”
Impact got its start when the brothers were in university. They both wanted to work in agriculture, but knew the family farm would not have enough acres for them. Both were looking at a business of their own and started researching tile drainage. They started getting equipment together, and subcontracted to a couple of companies in the Winkler area. From that they gained experience and began branching out on their own.
“I think we both like the mix of farming and construction. We looked at it as a definite, growing thing. When you look at the land prices today, a lot of farmers are looking at improving their land rather than just buying more.”
With the resounding success of the new middle years playground, the Boissevain School Parent Advisory Council is eager to be moving onto Phase Two of the Playground Project, set to be completed this summer.
Phase two will include re-purposing the old, unused outdoor tennis courts at Boissevain School to create an inclusive and accessible community court space. The space will include a custom size basketball court complete with two full size three-point lines. With a generous donation from the Boissevain and Morton Foundation, two sets of five tier, 15 foot aluminum bleachers have been purchased to create a space for people to sit and socialize. One set of bleachers incorporates a central opening, ensuring individuals using wheelchairs can sit among their family and friends, rather than being segregated to sitting on the end.
Seventy years ago in January, Wayne Pringle and Laverne Harper made a trip into Winnipeg that started some fresh sports history for Boissevain.
The two members of the Boissevain intermediate hockey team headed into the city to pick out some new jerseys to go with a new name. Although the squad had been around a while, there was not a clear identity.
“When I started playing, probably I was about 16 at the time, 1955, we had white and green uniforms with a big ‘B’ on them,” Pringle remembered. “I think it was white with a green ‘B’ if I recall. That’s what we used to use, when I started. We didn’t have a name, just Boissevain.”
Pringle said they came up with “Border Kings” for the obvious reason Boissevain was sitting right on the US border. He added there was another Border Kings team in Saskatchewan at the time.
Pringle remembered the trip to Winnipeg, before Pringles’ were “in the uniform business”. After Pringles’ Men’s Wear was established, they would make sure all BK teams would be well outfitted.
He said he did not really remember how they came up with the original colours of yellow and blue. It might have just been samples they were shown. However, it does make for royal colours. It made a good impression.
“Obviously, it caught our eye.”
Hockey Day in Ninga allowed the community to celebrate 30 years of the Silverwolves program and the family that gave it its name.
On Saturday, January 24, the many teams that make up rec hockey in the village came together to hit the ice and despite the elements being somewhat unfriendly, it was a fine day in the Ninga Arena.
“The event went really well,” said Dustin Pugh, one of the organizers.
“It was definitely cold and may have held a few people back, but overall it was very well attended. We wanted to have a day where all of the Silverwolves teams played and all of the families were together at the rink. Each age group had two slots on the ice for games. Three teams came down from the Alexander Rec Program, we had two intrasquad games, one riveting game against the Moms, and concluded the day with the High School Team playing the “Had-Beens”. This was a mix of N.H.L. (Ninga Hockey League) and Silverwolves alumni along with some parents.”
There were on ice skill competitions and contests for prizes. Alma Reimer’s famous cinnamon buns and Ninga community ladies’ pies brightened up the canteen.
Members of the Deloraine community were able to get a first hand look at what the new spillway project will achieve at the Turtlehead Creek Dam.
On Wednesday, January 21, members of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure were on hand in the community with information regarding their structural rehabilitation work at the Deloraine Dam, south and east of the town. According to a provincial spokesperson, meetings like this are an essential part of the process.
“MTI engaged with stakeholders throughout the design phase and recently held a public open house in Deloraine on January 21,” the spokesperson stated. “The open house presented the proposed upgrades to the dam, the proposed construction schedule and the benefits of the project. The phased construction plan will minimize short term impacts to the nearby golf course and other nearby properties, while the project provides long-term benefits to the area.”
The work on Turtlehead Creek is estimated to cost $16.8 million. It will include repairs to the low-level conduit of the dam and reconstruction of the spillway.
“These upgrades will have a minimum service life of 50 years and will improve water security for the area, reduce flooding impacts and improve drainage.”
Although there is some work needed at the Avalon Theatre in Souris, the hope is they can reopen during the inter
On January 15, the theatre board announced they were closing for an undermined time period. According to Avalon Board Chair Debbie Butler, they were unsure how long they would have to close their doors.
“We’re really not sure how long it will be,” Butler stated. “We noticed it in August that the roof along the stage was leaking. At that time of the year it was rain, and now it is snow. We had some thawing and are now having some plaster coming down on the stage. We had to close.”
Right now, they are waiting for someone to come and take a closer look at the roof, but Butler said it would need major repairs, perhaps a whole new roof.
The Avalon was built in 1928, and according to the Manitoba Historical Society, opened the next year. It was operated by many owners over the decades, and continued in private hands until 1994. At that point, the Town of Souris took it over and was run as a community initiative, with a board created.
Butler said there are many uses for the theatre. There is the weekly movie schedule, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Like many theatres in smaller communities, the children’s movies are the popular moneymakers. The cinema aspect of the building is predominantly run for the people of Souris-Glenwood, but Butler said they do get a few people who come out from Brandon. Although they do get movies a little later than the Wheat City, they are not too far off, and the prices are quite a bit lower.
“Because we are a volunteer theatre, we can keep our prices low. The people who come from Brandon can’t believe how much cheaper it is. They can come have dinner at our restaurants, pay for gas, and it’s still cheaper.”
For seniors on both sides of the border, the International Peace Garden will be brightening up your winter Wednesdays very soon.
Free Senior Wednesdays at the border attraction have begun, where those 55+ can come in and enjoy the Conservatory without charge. Starting February 11, there will be specific programming for visitors every second week until the beginning of April. According to Peace Garden CEO Tim Chapman, they are looking forward to getting the ball rolling.
“We’re pretty excited,” Chapman stated, “Last year was the first year we did this. To be able to continue this program is a way for us to give back to our communities.”
He explained that the idea arose from the unique situation at the garden. With their conservatory of cacti and succulents, they have an oasis of green during a period of white and grey. This gives it a special role in keeping people’s spirits up, particularly during long winters. He added they are fortunate to have Deb McCallum as their program coordinator. Her education background is perfect for creating short programs to keep people engaged.
“It’s a blast to see people come out here in the winter time, and we hope to share this with more people. Each year it picks up steam, and with the rapport we build with seniors homes that have buses to come down, the better it will be.”
A Boissevain family received a boost from an important Westman agency.
The Wilsons received a trailer to help with one of the children with additional support needs from Westman Dreams for Kids. The trailer was received on November 1 of last year, and has already made a big impact on family mobility.
“We were nominated by Victoria Neufeld,” explained mom Laura Wilson. “She nominated Clay to Dreams for Kids and we are really grateful.”
Clay Wilson has cerebral palsy, developmental delays, seizure disorder, vision impairments and is non-verbal. There is a lot of equipment needed to allow him to be able to move around and participate in the community. Wilson said they were looking into a wheelchair accessible vehicle. When meeting with Dreams for Kids, they discussed different options, as they do not handle vehicles. Instead, they settled on a travel trailer.
“They chose that to fulfill.”
The coming of the Arts West Travelling Gallery to Boissevain Morton Library is giving a local artist a chance to show a special piece to her home community.
Faith Kroeker has a painting, “Madame Koi and her son”, in the show, which will spend much of January in the library. Kroeker said she heard of the travelling gallery from fellow Boissevain artist Christina Guenther, and decided to enter the juried show in April of 2025. She did it mainly for fun, she said, and to get her art out there. She entered two pieces and “Madame Koi and her son” was picked and started traveling last spring.
“I started painting when I was a little kid,” Kroeker explained. “I pretty much loved doing art. I think mostly I find it relaxing to be painting and I like the creativity and making something I can see. There is such freedom and creativity with it.”
Deloraine-Winchester has made a move to make sure medical professionals in the community are not left out in the cold.
At a meeting in December, council passed a resolution to purchase a home at 512 Morton Avenue West to use as housing for those working in the health care facilities in the town. According to Deloraine-Winchester Reeve Kelly McMechan, this is not a foreign concept in the community.
“This isn’t new, we have had medical housing in the past, and sold one to the last physician,” McMechan explained. “That physician has now left, and has left a medical housing void.”
He said they have been working on this for a while, as they recognize the need. As McMechan explained, they do not want any health care people leaving because there is a lack of housing.
“Just want to make medical professionals feel as welcome as possible.”
A small increase in Boissevain-Morton water rates will help the utility’s solvency and the municipality prepare for the future.
Residents recently received a letter from Boissevain-Morton outlining the uptick in water costs. The new rates began on November 1, 2025 and will make their first appearance on the February billing. According to Head of Council Judy Swanson the move was a necessary one.
“The problem is, and with the water especially, if you ever get behind, you’re in trouble,” Swanson stated. “We had that happen about 10 years ago. We would rather do small increases once in a while, rather than a big one.”
As she explained, a municipality cannot run a deficit in utilities. This means what is charged for water and sewer must cover costs. Swanson said they had been looking at this situation earlier in 2025 and came to the conclusion an increase was necessary.
Normally, it can take a fair bit of time to do this. A water rate study must be done and a long process with the Public Utilities Board ensues, which usually includes a public hearing in which PUB members attend and explain the increases. The study is often done by outside sources, mainly to save staff time. It can be pretty involved, and sets rates for several years at a time.
This year, Boissevain-Morton instead simply made a water rate application. Swanson said council received word of this option in 2025. Because their rate increase was small, they were able to simply open their books to PUB and make an application.
As 2025 fades into memory, we remember a year of political and economic turmoil. A new but old president was shown into the White House, one who had already put Canada in his tariff sights. A Canadian prime minister stepped down and an election brought his successor, as the year went on, tantalizingly close to a majority. A trade war, one that did not help with the affordability crisis, rocked the country while people put “elbows up”. Two wars went on unabated, and the year ends with disheartening terror attacks.
Locally, some of these events impacted the area directly, but there was also the reality of daily life. Here we look at a few pieces of news from 2025 in our region, at a glance backward.
January
Deloraine welcomed Cst. Katherine Muir to their RCMP detachment.
The Melita Library celebrated its 65th anniversary.
Age Friendly Manitoba provided a $10,000 grant for a ramp at the Melita Legion Hall.
Deloraine Winchester Historical Society received a new permanent home, formerly where Susan Howe’s art studio was located.
Deloraine Winchester had a pleasant surprise when they found their new aquatic centre came under budget by $426,000.
In an effort to deal with White House concerns regarding border security, RCMP Black Hawk helicopters began patrolling Manitoba border.
Deloraine-Winchester was working on the rates for a new special services plan.
Boundary Co-op’s expansion of its Parade of Lights to Deloraine was a successful addition to the Yuletide season.
On Thursday, December 4, the cooperative held their inaugural parade in Deloraine, following their second one in Boissevain on December 1. According to Boundary Marketing Manager Cheryl Rushing, all was positive.
The Christmas Community Supper was another successful example of Senior Services celebrating with all of Boissevain-Morton.
The annual event brought the community together at Boissevain Legion Hall on December 7. With around 190 people served, Bill Dougall of Senior Services of the Turtle Mountain Area was very pleased with how it worked out.
After 14 years of service in Deloraine, Olson’s Liquor and Water, owned by Jamie and Tammy Olson, has been sold to Boundary Consumer’s Co-op. Starting November 19, liquor and water are being sold out of the Deloraine Co-op Home Centre.
Since 1988, Jamie has been well known in the community through Olson’s Realty. It was started by his parents John and Derlene Olson, then he and Tammy purchased it in 2001. The business expanded to include general insurance sales and Autopac, and the couple purchased the liquor and water business from Don and Myrna Teetaert, all of which were operated under one roof.
With the important fall convention over, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities and its corporations can look back on success, and begin work for the future.
Held from November 25 to 27 in Winnipeg, the annual event brings together municipal representatives from across the province to one site to learn, lobby and network with each other. The AMM is the “union” of municipal corporations that help the most grassroots level of government work with the higher levels to achieve important common goals. According to AMM Executive Director Denys Volkov, the fall convention went well.
On November 17, 2025, demolition crews started the process of taking down the Old Hartney Town Hall, a yellow brick building that has been a fixture of the community for 119 years. After years of declining use and structural concerns, the building was deemed unsafe.
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A piece of kitchen equipment on order by Cherry Creek Place will serve them well now and into their growing future.
The active living home in Boissevain has ordered a Suzy Q Food Service Cart. They recently received a grant of $11,000 from the Boissevain and Morton Foundation from their undesignated funds. Cherry Creek Manager Heather Garden said this would pay for the entire unit.
For David Smith, the maker behind Wooden Incantations, his relationship with wood has been one of fascination, and almost reverence.
His grandfather taught him woodcarving when he was around eight or 10 years old, and eventually introduced him to woodturning as he got a bit older, leading to him getting his first lathe at the age of 12. Life took over for a while, he said, but around 20 or 25 years ago he got back into woodturning and eventually his hobby turned into a business.
If Boissevain-Morton is going to be able to house workers in the future, they will need some help from people in the local housing industry.
That was the message of a meeting held on November 13. Lorri Matthewson of Matthewson & Co. alongside Head of Council Judy Swanson met with a few members of the Boissevain construction community to discuss housing needs and opportunities. The idea was to present what grants and land were available and get ideas to solve the issue.
With another large disbursement to community groups, a new funding source and some fresh blood on the board, the Boissevain-Morton Foundation continues to help Boissevain now while growing for the future.
The Foundation held its annual granting evening on November 13 at the Boissevain Curling Club. Including both designated and undesignated grants, as well as others, a grand total of $224,454 was given out to many community groups in 2025. It was another big year, and the Foundation continues to work for the future.