MaryLou Driedger

Jan 14, 2025 | thecarillon.com | MaryLou Driedger

The latest Probe Research Poll shows overwhelming support for the federal Conservative Party here in Manitoba even though we have a very popular NDP provincial government. If an election were held today Pierre Poilievre and his team would garner votes from the majority of Manitoba voters. Interestingly when you look at how that support is divided between men and women the Conservatives are much more popular with men. Why might that be?

Dec 7, 2024 | thecarillon.com | MaryLou Driedger

Last month I went to see the play The Recipe at Winnipeg’s Warehouse Theatre. The script was the work of well-known Manitoba Mennonite writer Armin Wiebe. It featured characters Wiebe developed for his highly successful 1984 novel The Salvation of Yasch Siemens and its sequels all set in the fictional community of Gutenthal. The recipe referenced in the title of Wiebe’s drama was, to the surprise of some theatre goers, actually a home remedy for bringing on a woman’s period.

Nov 23, 2024 | thecarillon.com | MaryLou Driedger

Since the Honourable Murray Sinclair passed away we have heard many people from all walks of life share stories about the way the Indigenous leader inspired and supported them. I thought one of the most interesting came from Erin O Toole the former leader of the Conservative Party. I find Mr. O’Toole an articulate and thought-provoking writer so I subscribe to his blog Blue Skies.

Oct 28, 2024 | thecarillon.com | MaryLou Driedger

I was happy to read in The Carillon last week that the vacant medical clinic on Loewen Boulevard will become the new home of Steinbach Bible College. The college needed to move due to the growth of the Steinbach Christian School with whom they share their current campus. Rather than building a new facility they decided to update and add to the former health care centre which has been sitting empty for many years.

Sep 30, 2024 | thecarillon.com | MaryLou Driedger

In January of 1996 The Carillon published a full-page feature I wrote about Anna McConnell Shilstra. She practiced medicine in Steinbach from 1909-1911 and from 1920-1942. She worked with her physician husband Alexander. To write Anna’s story I interviewed women who had been her patients. They said her medical care was quite different from her husband’s. She was much gentler and kinder, particularly in her treatment of pregnant women and sick children.