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Monday, June 23, 2025
HomeArts & LifeLifestyles

Helping Hands Needs Your Help!

Dreams for Kids Massive Donation

Why Not Killarney

Local Chef Claims Gold

PBR Blows The Roof Off

Multi Restaurant Building – Bulldozed

2025 Provincial Park Campground Reservations Start Soon

Brandon Bits and Bites – #9

Helping Hands Needs Your Help!

The Helping Hands Soup Kitchen faces a huge issue they need $225,000 to replace their roofs. So they are now in the process of a 50 - 50 draw to keep their doors open. Click below flyer for more details 5050 Flyer (4)

Dreams for Kids Massive Donation

We are so grateful to the team behind the CPKC Hockey Tournament for choosing Westman Dreams for Kids as the recipient of this year’s tournament proceeds! 🏒 This donation is one of the largest donations in Westman Dreams for Kids History! 💙 This marks the first time the event has been hosted in Brandon. We are truly thankful for the support, generosity, and community spirit shown by everyone involved with CPKC and enormous applause to the host committee! This generous donation will help us continue making dreams come true for children in Westman living with serious health challenges. Thank you, CPKC, for your support, heart, and commitment to WDFK! (Pictured is WDFK President, Scott Major, CPKC host committee members: Brad McDonald, Jordan Campbell, WDFK’s Danna Rudniski, CPKC Assistant Superintendent of Brandon/Minnedosa, Clayton Goodwin, Joey Timmer, Drew Bertone & Teighan Fleming)

Why Not Killarney

Planning Your Retirement, Why Not Killarney Manitoba? For senior citizens looking for a vibrant, supportive, and health-conscious place to live, Killarney, Manitoba offers an exceptional quality of life. One of the most critical factors in choosing a new community is the availability and accessibility of healthcare services, and Killarney stands out in this regard. The Killarney Health Centre is a fully equipped facility that includes a hospital, 24-hour emergency services, and access to both general and specialized medical care. The presence of dedicated healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and allied health staff, ensures that seniors receive timely and personalized attention. In addition to the hospital, the town is home to a fully staffed medical clinic that offers routine checkups, chronic disease management, and preventative care. For those requiring ongoing support, services such as home care and lab work are also available locally, reducing the need for travel and helping seniors maintain independence and well-being. Complementing the hospital and clinic are several additional health services that contribute to the town's well-rounded care network. Killarney has a fully stocked community pharmacy where residents can easily fill prescriptions, consult with pharmacists, and access over-the-counter medications and wellness products. This is especially valuable for seniors managing multiple prescriptions or looking for trusted advice on medication use. The town also features optometry services, with a local eye doctor offering routine exams, prescription glasses, and eye health monitoring — a vital service for aging residents. A local chiropractic clinic provides support for mobility, pain management, and spinal health, which can be particularly beneficial for seniors dealing with joint issues or back discomfort. Together, these services offer a seamless and comprehensive healthcare experience, allowing residents to access nearly all their medical needs right in town. Beyond its healthcare offerings, Killarney is a community that promotes joyful, active living with an abundance of entertainment and leisure options perfectly suited for seniors. The Shamrock Centre is more than just a recreation hub — it’s the heart of the community and a gathering place for all ages. Seniors can take advantage of indoor walking tracks during cold winter months, join gentle fitness classes tailored to their pace, or participate in hobby groups that range from quilting to pickleball. The Centre regularly hosts community dinners, concerts, and seasonal festivals, providing not only entertainment but meaningful opportunities to connect with others. The friendly atmosphere and variety of activities ensure that seniors have every opportunity to stay socially active and emotionally fulfilled. Volunteering is also common at the Shamrock Centre, and many seniors enjoy sharing their time and talents with others, helping build a strong sense of purpose and community pride. Outdoor recreation in Killarney offers even more ways to enjoy a rich and active lifestyle. The Killarney Lakeside Golf Club provides a scenic 18-hole course ideal for golfers of all skill levels, with a relaxed atmosphere that encourages regular play and social interaction. The lake itself is a focal point for the community — during the summer, residents can enjoy boating, lakeside strolls, and some of the best freshwater fishing in the region. In winter, the lake becomes a hub for ice fishing and skating. The curling rink and hockey arena offer opportunities to participate or spectate — curling is a favorite among seniors for its accessibility and camaraderie. Whether you're watching the local team or joining a senior league, these rinks are social spaces where community spirit comes alive. Combined with walking trails, community parks, and quiet scenic areas for birdwatching or reading, Killarney provides a well-rounded lifestyle where seniors can stay active, entertained, and engaged throughout the year. Killarney Lakeside Golf Course: https://www.killarneylakeside.com/ Killarney Samrock Centre: https://www.killarneyrecreation.ca/ Killarney Medical Clinic: https://www.killarneymedical.ca/ Killarney Health Services: https://www.killarney.ca/p/health-services Rhythm Cycle Club: https://www.mindbodyonline.com/explore/locations/rhythm-cycle-club Killarney Arts Council: https://www.killarneyarts.com/ Mountainview Apartments: https://www.vhproperties.ca/apartment/301-mountain-avenue/

Local Chef Claims Gold

Brandon, MB – May 20, 2025 — Brandon chef Casey Naherniak has secured first place at the Grill Masters finals in Toronto, a North American culinary competition hosted by The Keg Steakhouse + Bar. The competition unfolded over three rounds, beginning with in-store events at individual Keg locations, advancing to regional competitions, and culminating in the finals, which took place in Toronto on May 13. Twelve chefs from across Canada and the United States went head-to-head in the final showdown. Naherniak, who works at The Keg in Brandon, emerged as the top chef, finishing ahead of Leonie from Toronto, who placed third, and Erwin from St. John’s, Newfoundland, who took second. Her winning dish, Forest & Field, was a deeply personal creation that combined local Manitoba flavors with her own culinary passions. It featured a coffee-crusted elk filet, cooked sous-vide and seared to perfection, paired with birch syrup chocolate whipped butter, tart lingonberry compote, and drunken red wine cherries. On the side were crisp potato pavé, crunchy golden beet chips, and sautéed wild morel mushrooms and spring peas. A touch of crème fraîche, smoked sea salt, pea shoots, and homegrown flowers completed the dish — all served on hand-made wooden plates to tie back to her roots. “I am very excited to share the dish I created. It is quite personal to me — it’s called Forest and the Field, inspired by where I came from,” Naherniak shared during the presentation. “Growing up on a farm in the prairies, surrounded by open fields and dense forest. As a kid I foraged morel mushrooms, ate peas straight out of the garden, and developed a love for the land that still guides me today. This dish reflects that connection, right down to the hand-made wooden plates.” After the competition, she also took to social media to express how much the experience meant to her. “This dish wasn’t just a representation of Manitoba — it was a reflection of me,” she posted. “It featured the local flavors I grew up with, my love for wild meats, foraging, and gardening. It was inspired by my childhood, my passion, and everything that’s shaped me as a chef.” Casey’s journey began in Russell, Manitoba, where she grew up surrounded by open fields and forests, sparking her early interest in local ingredients. A 2020 graduate of Brandon Culinary School, she’s been working in professional kitchens ever since, bringing that same sense of place and curiosity to every dish she creates. This year’s Grill Masters finals were judged by a panel of four, with The Keg’s senior leadership — including the Vice President of Product, directors of food and beverage, and product managers — in attendance to witness the chefs’ creativity and precision firsthand. From growing up in the Prairies to winning top honours on a North American culinary stage, Casey’s achievement is a testament to hard work, passion, and staying connected to your roots. Brandon and Manitoba couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishment — and we can’t wait to see where her culinary adventures take her next.

PBR Blows The Roof Off

The highly successful PBR ( Professional Bull Riders ) came to the Keystone Centre and Westoba Place on Friday and Saturday night. Thanks to Scramble Studio and their photos. The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is a company that organizes professional bull riding events. It was originally headquartered in Irvine, California, before moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and then to Pueblo, Colorado, and finally to Fort Worth, Texas in 2024. The PBR is now owned by TKO Group Holdings, a merger of Endeavor-owned UFC and professional wrestling company WWE.