Rural Roundup for Oct. 22, 2026

NEEPAWA

Following the Oct. 28 Manitoba municipal election, Darryl Gerrard will be acclaimed as Neepawa’s mayor, officially taking over as head of council from Brian Hedley. Gerrard said he understands that the role comes with accountability to the community.

“I feel, I guess, very honoured, but I also feel a heavy weight of responsibility now to make sure that I deliver for the people of Neepawa,” Gerrard said. “I’ve got to roll up my sleeves and make sure I earn that trust.”

Gerrard served on Neepawa council for 11 years. In that time, he worked under several mayors and served in a variety of committee roles, including as chair of the general government and finance.

Gerrard worked in the agricultural equipment industry with Yellowhead Farm Equipment, later known as Enns Bros, as the district sale manager. Having recently retired, Gerrard now spends his time in a new role with Grit Force Fitness, as a certified personal trainer and coach.

» Neepawa Banner & Press

BOISSEVAIN

Two famous names in local hockey were given the highest honour in the sport in Manitoba this month.

On Oct. 3 at the Canad Inns Polo Park in Winnipeg, Bob Caldwell of Deloraine and Ivan Strain of Boissevain were among the Class of 2026 for the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, both impacting the sport in different but equally important ways.

A retired high school teacher from Deloraine, Caldwell has been involved in hockey for more than four decades. His coaching career spanned a wide variety of ages and levels, from U7 to NCAA to international hockey, impacting players and the game along the way.

Caldwell helped create Canada’s National Coach Mentorship Program and was a coach mentor with Hockey Manitoba, holding coaching seminars around the country. Caldwell was inducted into the Builders category.

Ivan Strain’s hockey fame came over the airwaves. A part of CJRB Radio in Boissevain since its beginning in 1973, he added broadcasting to his portfolio, spending decades as the voice of local hockey.

Over more than 30 years, Strain visited more rinks than nearly anyone else, becoming known by generations of hockey fans for his play by play of hundreds of games, including the now defunct South West Hockey League and the Tiger Hills Hockey League.

Strain was also well known for his work with many Boissevain groups like the Lions Club and initiatives like the Canadian Turtle Derby to make his community better. He was inducted in the Grassroots category.

» The Boissevain Recorder

DAUPHIN

Development of Maamawi Park in Dauphin is being advanced by a $100,000 gift from the province through the From the Ground Up-Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program. The money is earmarked for the third phase of the project aimed at developing a new learning and activity centre to promote healthy recreation, inclusion and reconciliation in the region.

Planned features include a bear tunnel play structure, cedar groves and shelters, musical play elements, Indigenous artwork and storyboards, and native plants and landscaping.

This phase of the community-led project will expand recreation opportunities. The goal is to establish the first of four planned learning and story stations.

The activity station will be themed “the north” and will feature interactive play and exploration areas, Indigenous storytelling elements, public art, educational signage, landscaping and gathering spaces developed in collaboration with Indigenous partners.

The free and accessible learning centre is expected to serve the City of Dauphin, the Rural Municipality of Dauphin, the broader region and neighbouring First Nations.

» The Dauphin Herald

ROBLIN

A new doctor has joined the staff of physicians at the Roblin Health Centre. Dr. Adeyemisi Chinagorom Arogbonlo is now accepting new patients. She comes to Canada from Nigeria, where she was born and raised and began her medical studies, via London, England where her husband, who is also a physician, is still practising.

Arogbonlo said her husband is thinking about joining her here. She said Roblin is her “first small town,” having grown up and spent her whole life in big cities. However, she said she has found calmness in remote areas while hiking and on holiday and discovered she’s really an “outdoorsy person.”

Arogbonlo, who goes by “Mimi” and specializes in family medicine, said her main objective is to provide high-quality health care to the people of the community for as long as possible.

» The Roblin Review

RIVERS

Home Hardware has expanded on Second Avenue in Rivers by erecting a new building.

This development marks an expansion for Home Hardware, aimed at enhancing its service capabilities and operational efficiency. Home Hardware previously outgrew its existing building.

The new structure will offer much-needed shelter for various business vehicles and equipment. The added shelter will help extend the life of these assets and ensure that they are always ready for service when needed. The newly constructed storage building also provides ample storage space, thereby minimizing the time and effort spent moving products back and forth.

» The Rivers Banner