WPG Pennant Weekly

Happy Wednesday, WPG! Hope you all had a wonderful (if windy) long weekend. Hard to believe, but with Thanksgiving behind us, there are only 77 (!) days left in the year. Let’s make the most of each and every one of em.

In today’s edition:

Let’s get to it!

— Ryan Bowman

🌡️ High 13 Low 3 ☁️ Mostly cloudy with possible rain overnight

🌡️ High 12 Low 9 🌧️ 70% chance of showers

At first glance, this story could easily slot in under our Sports section, but Jonathan Toews’ triumphant return to the ice is about so much more than just hockey.

After missing the entire 2020-21 season with Chronic Immune Response Syndrome, the three-time Stanley Cup winner stepped away from the game in February 2023 to deal with the effects of long COVID-19, unsure if he would ever play again.

That doubt was erased this past summer, when his hometown Jets took a chance and brought him home on a one-year contract. Finally, a full 910 days since his final game with the Chicago Blackhawks, he made his debut in blue last Thursday night.

While he was kept off the score sheet, Toews eventually got his first point as a Jet in Monday’s 5-2 win over the New York Islanders.

Here’s to hoping it’s the first of many.

Winnipeg’s Diwali celebration lit up the RBC Convention Centre on Saturday night, complete with traditional food, cultural performances and dancing. Organizers say the festival is not only an opportunity to celebrate Indian culture, but to bring people of all backgrounds together.

“Diwali means a celebration of the light,” Anita Roy, president of the Hindu Society of Manitoba told CBC. “It’s like a victory over the darkness, so we celebrate together and it brings family together.”

Carnegie Library revival 📚

After being closed for the past 11 years, Winnipeg’s historic Carnegie Library is being brought back to life. The 120-year-old building at 380 William Ave. is set to undergo renovations to the tune of $22.8 million and scheduled to reopen in 2027.

New court honours local basketball star 🏀

A local basketball player’s legacy will live on, thanks to a new court in North Kildonan. The Chad Posthumus Memorial Court was unveiled at Gateway Recreation Centre last Friday morning, honouring the River East Collegiate graduate and former captain of the Winnipeg Sea Bears. Posthumus died last year at the age of 33.

Soup-er news from Basta! at The Forks 🥣

Last week, we mentioned local chef Norman Pastorin of Basta! Filipino Kitchen, who took home third place at the Winnipeg edition of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party. Locals can now experience his bronze-medal winning dish, Sinigang Soup, firsthand at The Forks.

St. Vital’s highly-anticipated Forge Bagel Co., has announced its grand opening will take place Nov. 15.

A local home chef is one step closer to $100,000 and the title of Master Chef Canada. Daniel Ebanks, who has a day job in sales, is among the Top 12 contenders on this season’s edition of the reality-based cooking show.

Coming soon ….

Want to see your small business (or your favourite small business) featured here? Reach out to [email protected]

Connor commits to Winnipeg long-term 🏒

Mere moments after we published last week’s issue, news broke that the Winnipeg Jets and star forward Kyle Connor agreed to terms on a shiny new contract — the richest in franchise history.

The eight-year deal, worth a total of $96 million, will kick in at the start of the 2026-27 season, keeping Connor in town for the next nine years (at least). The American winger’s commitment to the team is a huge step in flipping the script that players don’t want to play (or stay) in Winnipeg.

Bombers fall flat in Edmonton 🏈

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have to play at least one more game to clinch a berth in the 2025 playoffs. After losing to the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, the team is 8-8 with two games remaining.

To broom it may concern 🧹

With Halloween right around the corner, a few more local attractions have opened up for spooky season. Some of the family-friendly options include Witchy Wonderland (Oct. 11-27 at Exhibition Park) and Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 3-31 at Assiniboine Park Zoo), while you can get jump scares aplenty at Heebie Jeebies, Six Pines and others. Check out Tourism Winnipeg’s complete Halloween guide here.

Get lost🌽

If you want to skip the scary but stay outside, hit up a local corn maze or pumpkin patch. Some popular choices in and around Winnipeg include Schwabe Pumpkins, Deer Meadow Farms, A Maze in Corn, Boonstra Farms and Secord Corn Maze in Dauphin.

Start your holiday shopping at Scattered Seeds 🛍️

Shop small and support local at one of Winnipeg’s biggest craft markets. Scattered Seeds is back at Red River Ex Place, with more than 320 vendors spread out over two jam-packed weekends (Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26). More info here.

Local flora seen in artists’ own backyard 🌸

Explore the colonial history of botanical art with Backyard Florilegium at WAG-Qaumajuq. But do it fast; the exhibit ends Oct. 18.

Sunset goose flights at Fort Whyte 🌅

Much like fall itself, Fort Whyte Alive’s sunset goose flight season doesn’t last long. In fact, your last chances to see the autumnal spectacle are this Wednesday through Sunday, with the final viewing on Oct. 19. More info here.

Support your local theatre company 🐯

Take in Royal MTC’s production of Life of Pi. Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, this epic story of courage, faith and survival roars to life with riveting storytelling and stunning puppetry. Runs Oct. 15 to Nov. 8.

Wednesday, Oct. 15

Thursday, Oct. 16

Friday, Oct. 17

Saturday, Oct. 18

Sunday, Oct. 19

Monday, Oct. 20

Tuesday, Oct. 21

To submit future event listings, shoot us an email at [email protected]

Manitoba restaurant available for $1 💰 A dollar may not go very far these days, but it can get you a restaurant in the community of Benito. The Municipality of Swan Valley West recently announced it’s selling the former M&M Cafe for $1, in the hopes that the vacant building won’t need to be demolished. The municipality is accepting proposals until the end of October.

Rah rah for Robin’s 🍩 A local podcaster recently made the news thanks to his unique obsession with (checks notes) Robin’s Donuts memorabilia. In addition to starting every morning with a cup of Robin’s, Ronald Moore has amassed a one-of-a-kind collection of merch, ranging from mugs and coffee pots to backpacks and blankets to socks and signage. Read the full story here.

Thanks for reading, WPG! Stay warm, stay friendly and, as always, feel free to forward this email to a friend and submit your story ideas.