As COVID-19 has pushed people to explore the outdoors in numbers never seen before, a new outdoor recreation space is now planned for the Little Saskatchewan River valley that runs through the community of Minnedosa and the R.M of Minto-Odanah. Located on Highway #10 and #16 in the valley adjacent to the Town of Minnedosa, Valley Life Recreation is planning a dramatic expansion of the cross-country ski and hiking area known as the Squirrel Hills Recreation Area. The plans for Squirrel Hills Trail Park involve a new machine-built trail system designed by award-winning trail designer Alex Man. The multi-use trail system will accommodate mountain biking, trail running, hiking, snowshoeing, family adventures, fat biking and more. The new trails will double the total trail distance of the area to approximately 16 kms. Also designed by Alex Man, a brand new park-styled trailhead will welcome trail users with a nature play area, pavilion with views of the valley, eating areas, and a beginner mountain biking skills area. Plans are in place for a 2022 park build, provided all funding goals are met. The trail park is budgeted at approximately $650,000 and financial commitments have already been put forward from municipal levels and the local Co-op. Both the Town of Minnedosa and the R.M. of Minto-Odanah have committed $15,000 each to the project. The Heritage Co-op Community Fund contributed $6,000 to help expedite final planning which included the above conceptual drawings. Valley Life Recreation has also fundraised over $10,000 since the beginning of 2021 through its calendar fundraiser and a recently launched 50/50 cash lottery. With this project announcement today, a major capital fundraising campaign for the Squirrel Hills Trail Park formally begins. Valley Life Recreation has prepared a comprehensive Sponsorship Package available for download and donations can be made online at their newly launched website, www.ValleyLifeRec.ca. A very limited selection of naming rights have also been made available for contribution amounts between $22,500 and $100,000. With this new trails infrastructure project, Minnedosa will be joining the likes of trails at the Brandon Hills and Riding Mountain National Park, along with the success of Dauphin’s Northgate Trail System, Assessippi’s downhill trails and the recently opened Hylife Back Forty bike park in Neepawa. The Squirrel Hills Trail park will help to further cement Westman as a marketable provincial and national trails destination. Valley Life Recreation looks forward to engaging our entire community in helping this new piece of community infrastructure come to life. The Squirrel Hills Trail Park will create yet another reason for Minnedosa and R.M. residents to be so proud of the place they call home and demonstrate why they believe, valley life is the best life. For any questions or comments, please reach out to any VLR Board member or send an email to valleyliferec@gmail.com. (Valley Life Recreation Press Release)

One of my favorite things to do during the summer is hop in the vehicle and go on a road trip to different hidden gems in rural Manitoba. If you are like me and also enjoy doing that, I have the place for you. Located just less than 2 hours away from Brandon on Highway 23, 10 km west of Miami you will find what could the pinnacle of rural Manitoba hidden gems at Two Old Crows BBQ & Smokehouse. As soon as you pull into the lane and get out of your vehicle you will be met with the smell of delicious BBQ wafting through the yard. There you will find a trailer with two smokers and a menu full of some of the best BBQ meats you will find in Manitoba. You will also find amazing customer service by two people ready to take you on unreal food journey. Whether it’s the pulled pork, brisket, the Texas cheese steak, the smoked wings or the pork belly that melts in your mouth you will not be disappointed by what you order off the menu. In addition to the meat you will also get a hefty portion of sides whether it’s fries or onion rings. If my words don’t sway you just check out the pictures. You can check their Facebook page here for any daily specials, their menu and hours of operation. Now what are you waiting for? Jump in the car and experience it for yourself. Monday CLOSED Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday CLOSED Thursday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

From July 5 - 30, the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (AGSM) is offering on-line Children and Teen classes in a live video format from their downtown Brandon location. Sign up now to reserve your spot and secure an art supply kit so you can take part in creative activities from home this summer. Classes are 1.5 hours in length and one week in duration. Media to be covered includes painting, drawing, and three dimensional projects. Highlights from Summer 2021 programming include: Fearless Creating with Carly Morrisseau and Alyssa Boulton. Instructors will help students to create photo collage projects and portraits inspired by the new Shelley Niro exhibition in the Main Gallery. Student works produced from this class will be displayed in the Community Gallery! Free your imagination in Extra-terrestrials, Aurora Borealis, and Campfire Stories with George Phillips. Practice activities that help you focus, relax, and unlock your potential in Colour Splash: Under the Sea Edition with Alyssa Boulton. Students will create magical, watery environments filled with unique sea creatures and underwater adventures as they develop drawing and painting skills with pencil, watercolour, and dazzling sparkly glue. These workshops are also listed on the Art Gallery’s website: https://agsm.ca/files/summer-brochure-2021pdf To register, please email reception@agsm.ca or phone 204-727-1036.

Residents in Westman & area will be happy to know the Splish Splash Waterpark in Minnedosa will open to the public for the 2021 season on June 25 at noon. Located on the beautiful Minnedosa Beach, the inflatable structure is equipped with a jumping pillow, big slide, trampoline, balance beam, jungle bar & more. Splish Splash Water Park first opened in Minnedosa in June of 2019. For pricing details and more information, click here to visit their website.

If you want to get out of the house and experience a hike full of scenic views that will take you alongside a lake, through wetlands, deep wooded areas and even a pasture then the Turtle’s Back Trail is for you. Located about 20 minutes southeast of Boissevain in William Lake Provincial Park, the trail is roughly 7 km and culminates at the Turtle’s Back Summit where you will find an observation tower overlooking William Lake. Even though the trail does get pretty steep near the summit, it shouldn’t be a problem for anyone with any kind of hiking experience and the views at the top are definitely worth it. Before the summit there is even a picnic area so pack yourself a picnic and have a snack along the way. The trail also has two different paths if you want to shave off a km there or back. After the hike you can take a dip in the lake at the beach in the park to cool off. Also before you get back to Brandon make sure you stop at The Busy B in Boissevain to grab some delicious ice cream or other snacks.