Engaged couples looking for a venue for their weddings have a new option starting in 2021. Located just 15 minutes South of Brandon, Oakland Estate features an elegant clear top tent surrounded by beautiful oak trees. Couples and their guests will enjoy the ceremony location, pathway with bistro lights, fire pit areas around the patio and a fully furnished bridal cottage! The venue rental includes tables and chairs, wheel chair accessible washrooms, a bar, caterer tent, clear tent, ceiling drapery with beautiful chandeliers and much more! "Building a wedding venue was always a dream of mine over the past four years, ever since I became a wedding photographer. My husband and I actually started planning and looking for the perfect property in summer of 2019".---owner, Janice Charriere The venue will have a maximum capacity of 200 people. Couples will have the option to hire a caterer of their choice. The transparent tent, with a cement floor for dancing, measures 50’x80’. Take a look at their website for more information, or to inquire about a booking. www.oaklandestate.ca. Facebook link.

After a national search, the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is excited to announce the appointment of Lucie Lederhendler as the gallery’s new Curator. Lucie Lederhendler is a Montreal-based writer, curator, and artist. Her research pursues the question of what role an art practice can have in building mythologies that foster connections with the material and immaterial of the non-human world. “We are delighted to welcome Lucie to the AGSM and to the community here in Brandon (MB) said Deirdre Chisholm, Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba. “Lucie brings great insight and passion to the gallery, that I am confident -will build on our momentum to support the spirit of radical experimentation as set out in our Strategic Plan. She has a subtle and insightful understanding of community-based artistic practices and an accessible and open demeanour. I am very excited to collaborate with her and to see the direction it will take the gallery in the future” .Lucie Lederhendler is committed to a collaborative framework that expands the ways in which communities engage with contemporary art, most recently as the curator of Studio Beluga.Integral to Lederhendler's deeply local, community-based approach prioritizes voices from diverse and historically underrepresented audiences. Lederhendler has held education positions at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, Concordia University's FOFA Gallery, and McGill University. She has also been involved in advisory boards for social enterprises and artist run centres, including for the Montreal International Fringe Festival, Mainline Theatre, Mainline Gallery, and the Suspicious Fish After School Literacy Programme. Lucie Lederhendler holds a BA, Art History, from McGill University (2005) and an MA, Art Education from Concordia University (2019). She has presented her transdisciplinary projects internationally, has been published in Canadian Art Teacherand Quebec Heritagemagazines, and her graduate research is included in the most recent issue of the journal Leonardo. "As much as I am looking forward to becoming a friend and collaborator with the AGSM, I am even more excited to get to know the communities that it serves. I am gratified to be joining a gallery with a radical vision of inclusion, and a willingness to experiment and evolve. Its deep connection to the land and its histories appeals to my love for the environment. My process is going to start with a dialogue with you, and so I am very eager to be a guest and a host in my new home." -Lucie Lederhendler Lederhendler will be welcomed to the community mid-January (2021) at the forthcoming opening reception for A Prairie Vernacular. (submitted)

BDNMB.CA loves to find people who we consider contribute to this city on a day to day basis. This can be said for Precision Toyota owner Scott Ball. After a recent rebuild of Precision Toyota (over the past 12 months) we wanted to check in with Scott to how he would do with some questions that the public are wanting to know. I have read that Toyota vehicles sell themselves and the salesperson is just really directing traffic in the showroom, would you agree with that statement: I do agree Toyota’s do sell themselves but my belief is our staff need to sell our guests on the experience they will have while purchasing a vehicle and I believe that’s why were successful. When you father Ron handed over the keys to the business that must have been one of the most exciting and yet scary days of your life: Well there really wasn’t any key handing ceremony at all. I’ve ran the dealership for many years prior to the transition so it was honestly just another day at the office for us. You started at Precision in 1998, what was your job: I started out in the wash bay for the first while, then moved to a service advisor role shortly after. COVID 19 has had for some businesses both short and long term financial strains, how has COVID effected Precision Toyota: Well I think in some capacity it has affected our business in the spring but other than that we have had a great year in our new facility. Did you and your family ever consider buying the Wheat Kings: No we didn’t, but I’m happy for Jared and his family, Kelly picked the right guy to keep the Wheaties in Brandon long-term On a scale of 1 – 100, what percentage of clients are good to deal with: 99% I would say. We rarely have any bad experiences Should the Winnipeg Jets trade Laine, and why: No that would be crazy! He’s what 22 years old and an elite scorer! He would be hard to replace You have been married for almost a decade, what is something you miss about being single: I honestly don’t miss anything about being single! Naydia and I have been together 18 years and married 15 with 3 great kids. She’s the reason I am where I am today Your wife Naydia and your sister Angie and others are the new driving force (bad cliché I know) behind Westman Dreams For Kids.  What kind of pride do you and your family feel from that project: Obviously we take a lot of pride on what WMDK has become over the years. It’s helped a lot of families in need. Would you say Scott Glennie is the best Wheat King of all time and Jordan Hale the worst: Scott would be top 10 for sure in my books but Provy to me was the best Wheatie of our era. One business Brandon needs: I’d really like to see a Drive Inn theatre make its way back. We did one in the summer as a fundraiser and it was very successful. Would you consider yourself a techy nerd: No, I wouldn’t at all Favorite family vacation spot: Hawaii, Naydia and I try to take the kids there every couple of years Why do you have a cabin in Sandy Lake and not Clear Lake: Well my parents have a cabin there and that’s where I spent my summers as a kid. We’ve had no desire to move to a different lake we really enjoy it up there. How big of a role model has your father been in your life: I could write a book on what he’s taught me over the years and I’m grateful for that. He’s the smartest man I know that’s for sure. Would you ever run for City Council: I do appreciate what they do for our city but I don’t think I could ever run. Favorite bag of chips: BBQ Pepsi or Coke: Either I’m not picky Worst business memory to date: Honestly don’t have one Rumor has it you golf with Scott Major (local real estate agent) a bit in the summer, is he really that bad at golf: Well I do poke fun at him often on Facebook and yeah he awful. Golfed with the guy 15 years and he just isn’t getting any better hopefully he reads this and get lessons this winter

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, very few malls and photo studios across the country will offer in-person visits with Santa Claus this holiday season. A local photographer (Mitchell Stevens Photography) is hoping to fill the void, and keep the holiday tradition alive, by offering virtual visits with Santa. In conversation with bdnmb.ca earlier today, Mitchell said he shifted his photography business to offer a live virtual video call with Santa, after having to postpone his upcoming indoor photo sessions. The concept is an ideal way for families looking for holiday-related activities at home. While the kiddos may not be sitting on Santa's lap, this option is certain to place a smile on every youngsters face while ensuring everyone stays safe amid the pandemic. Booking a video call with the big man himself started today and goes until December 23nd! Customers can select from a number of available times by clicking on this link. Payment ($20, per session) is also handled online.

BDNMB.CA always strives to support local business and entrepreneurs. Today we look at new real estate agent Cheryl Campbell who has just started working at the local Remax office. Do you feel the local real estate market is growing among females: Brandon already has a very strong female presence in the real estate market, I am very lucky to work alongside many very successful female realtors, but yes I do believe it has grown and will continue to grow in our town! Who was your favourite hockey coach for your son: My son is 17 years old and started hockey when he was just 4/5 years old. That is a lot of years of hockey, with a lot of different coaches. There is no way I can pick just one, I think each one of them taught my son something different and valuable that has helped him become the person he is today, not only on the ice, but off the ice as well. Last movie you watched at the theatre: My husband and I took my daughters to Toy Story 4 (pre-covid). One of the best parts of having kids is the excuse to go to all the cutest kid movies! You can’t use google for this, but who is Jack Bauer: I honestly have no idea, but because we have already talked about hockey, I’m going to guess the CEO of Bauer hockey company? I’m going to Google him now...... Do you find Sean Hannity attractive: I would say he is definitely a bit of a silver fox. Brandon’s best Pizza: Marino’s is always my go to. Who was your worst date with, and why: I have actually never had a really bad date! However, my most awkward date was my first date with my husband. I have no idea why, but when the waitress came to take our orders, I ended up ordering his meal for him, right in front of him, without even asking what he wanted. Chicken fingers and fries. He didn’t want them, but ate them anyways. It was weird. We still laugh about it. Best gift you have ever received: A necklace with the fingerprint molding of a friend we lost. I wear it everyday. It means to world to me. What would your spirit animal be: I think I always assumed it would be a bear? Grumpy in the mornings, love to eat, hibernates all winter? However, I decided to take a “spirit animal” quiz for this: question, it turns out I’m a Platypus? It says we are cute, always on the go, happiest in the water and dangerous if angered. Who knew? If you could steal something without going to jail, what would it be: Probably the Cullinan diamond, which is one of the largest diamonds ever found. I would steal it, sell it for the $2 billion it is apparently worth, buy a place in Bermuda and retire. What skills do you wish you were better at: My time management skills. I think most of my family/friends would agree I have been known to run a bit late at times, it’s something I am working on. Who has given you good business advice, and what was it: One of the real estate courses was taught by a lady who has been in the business for many years. She told us all to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable” and I honestly repeat this to myself often. In this business you have to put yourself out there, meet new people, ask uncomfortable questions, work your way through new experiences, new situations, and get used to being rejected over and over again. It’s not always fun, but it comes with the job. Do you think life exists on other planets: Yes! There are billions of galaxies out there. Billions! There is no way we can be the only living things around. What is your hidden skill or talent: Well it is going to stay hidden for most of you, but a few people have been “lucky” enough to experience my top notch Karaoke/Lip syncing performances. That’s all I am going to say about that. Jeans or a Skirt: I love them both! But I wear jeans more often. When you book a hotel room, what’s the most important thing to you: Does it have a waterslide to entertain my 4&6 year old daughters for at LEAST a few hours during our stay. Is Yoga cool: Ummmm Yes!!! Yoga is so cool. Did you ever do online dating: I have not. My husband and I were together far before online dating was a popular thing to do. What are you most passionate about: Helping others is my passion. Anything as little as brightening someone’s day with a good laugh, or as big as helping someone find their future home. It makes me happy, and I love doing it.