Happy New Year everyone from Jody Sass, Jeremy Champagne and myself Darryl Wolski. OK been on the road so I have dropped the ball with Bits and Bites WHATS NEW in Brandon over the last week. For Sale: T - Birds located in the south end of Brandon is now for sale.   Bowling - Lounge - Arcade Games - Private Parties - and VLTS...you can own the property and business for just under 8 million dollars. The Chopped Leaf on 18th Street is a franchise salad - wrap and sandwich business and can be purchased for $215,000.00 Closing Daring Diva Purses in Shoppers Mall Brandon was closed this week. New Food Options Tender Lovin Chicken - Available now  on Skip the Dishes and other App's Bourbon Street Grill - Available now on Skip the Dishes and Door Dash. New Golf Tournament Coming Soon BDNMB.CA will be the proud title sponsors of a new golf tournament coming to the Wheat City in late July, more details to follow.  Jody Sass from BDNMB.CA "This is something we have wanted to do in the local community to support a large event and be able to help provide additional press and information to  promote this huge tournament" Brandon Resident Wraps Taylor Swift Tour Barrie Roney from Brandon has concluded a 2 year tour working with Taylor Swift. That is it that is all let me know if you have any tips for Bits and Bites Part 3.     darryl@bdnmb.ca

Western Manitoba's largest 50 - 50 prize will be selected on January 1st.   The current total prize is $115.000.00 and will grow to a larger number today. Tickets are online and available now at bwkmega5050.com or in person at the Wheat Kings game today vs Swift Current. 50 - 50 prize was $156,440 and the winner Darlene Kretai was able to take home a cheque for $78,000.00 Refresh the link and see the numbers increasing during the day today Fund from 50/50 sales support the Brandon Wheat Kings Foundation which funds essential programs for player's development and education as well as providing scholarships for all Wheat Kings players when they finish their WHL career.

The oval is developed each year by Parks & Recreation Services staff and provides for warming shacks, portable washroom facilities, flood lighting, ambient music, and fire pits to cook on or warm up around. In addition, the Manitoba Hydro Waterfall of Lights is also lit until 11 p.m. each evening so the public can skate around the oval and take in the brilliant, festive displays. This amazing display of lights is located immediately west of the City of Brandon’s Community Services Complex on McGregor Avenue. The public is encouraged to park in designated areas on McGregor Avenue or Hilton Avenue and watch for all heavy machinery in the area. NO public vehicles are allowed in the direct area of the Power Smart Waterfall of Lights display or the skating oval. The City of Brandon thanks all users of its outdoor recreational facilities for enjoying the spaces with respect and keeping them in good condition for all to enjoy. Bring your skates, bring your family and enjoy the amazing ice paths all throughout the Waterfall of Lights display. The skating oval is FREE Oval is unsupervised-use at your own risk NO sticks or pucks allowed NO pets allowed PROTECT YOURSELF! CSA approved helmets strongly recommended Lights go off at 11:00 p.m. Note: The City of Brandon is not responsible for loss, damage or injury resulting from use of facility.

Before I even start this story many of you may ask WHAT IS PICKLEBALL? ( from Wikipedia ) Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. Pickleball is played indoors and outdoors. It was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. In 2022, pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington.[1] Local investors plus people from Saskatchewan have come up with an idea of having a large building downtown that will feature 14 Pickleball Courts.   One of the owners is Brandon based Concept Homes. The City of Brandon gifted the landed to help drive and revitalise downtown with this idea. (photo credit Travis Young) Location will be on Pacific Avenue from 13th - 15th street, Expected opening will be September 2025.    

Pictured L to R: Frank McGwire (Media Relations Director, WTCD), Vicki Davis (Westoba Credit Union), Jamie Antonation (Compass Credit Union), Heather Merckx (Sunrise Credit Union), Kyle Enns (Fusion Credit Union.) As preparations for the 39th annual Westman and Area Traditional Christmas Dinner continue, the organizing committee has some wonderful news to share. One of the main ingredients of the meal to be served is turkey. Over the years, the number of meals served at the dinner has increased to 3000! That requires well over 100 turkeys to be cooked and carved. This year’s turkey budget will now be covered thanks to sponsorship by the Credit Unions in Brandon. "Sunrise Credit Union is thrilled to partner up with our fellow Brandon-based credit unions to once again make the Westman & Area Traditional Christmas Dinner a resounding success in 2024," said Heather Merckx, Marketing Manager for Sunrise Credit Union. To make their sponsorship official, representatives from each Brandon Credit Union met at the venue where the dinner will be served. “This Dinner is a cornerstone of the community, creating a festive ambiance, a familial bond, and a delightful Christmas meal setting. We want everyone to feel the love and importance of this Christmas," said Merckx. Since 1985 The Traditional Christmas Dinner has been offering fellowship and a meal on Christmas Day to those who may otherwise go without. “It’s that one day of the year that means so much to so many. The effort our group puts forth exemplifies the true meaning of the Christmas spirit. For some that may mean opening presents. To us it means opening our hearts as we prepare for yet another Christmas Dinner,” said WTCD Board Chair Gladden Smith. A major part of preparations for the dinner includes finding sponsors and garnering support. “Without this kind of support from the Brandon Credit Unions we may not be able to continue this tradition, we are grateful for their support,” Smith said. Serving times for the 2024 edition of the WTCD will be from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. in the MNP Hall at the Keystone Centre. Meal deliveries will also run from noon until 4 p.m. however, all meal deliveries must be ordered by December 23rd at 6 p.m. To order your meal call the WTCD office at 204-728-7987. Only one meal per person please. For more information visit our website www.traditionalchristmasdinner.ca or visit our Facebook page here.