A new trend making the way across the country involves people putting together gift baskets of goodies to leave on strangers doorsteps, with a tagline of "You've been ninja'd". The concept is essentially to deliver a gift basket to someone's doorstep, ring the doorbell, and then disappear quickly without being seen (like a ninja), in an effort to keep the gift anonymous. The gesture came about as a way to spread good cheer and kindness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Items in the gift basket may include a little bit of everything including wine, snacks, makeup, gift-ware, clothing, books & more. According to participant Erika Brittany Shelvey, it's basically a giant game of ding, dong, ditch. Except you leave a gift. Most towns and cities have Facebook groups called “wine ninja”. These groups serve as a central information centre where everyone who would like to participate posts their address and people can just choose a random address or someone they know. Erika is just one of many ninja's leaving gifts for people. She has left 16 gifts on doorsteps (11 this evening alone) in the Shilo and Spruce Woods area and she doesn't plan on stopping just yet. "I love giving gifts so this wine ninja’ing is right up my alley! A lot of people post pictures of their gifts saying they have had a bad day and we’re so grateful, and that’s where the joy comes from" said Erika. Brandon's Samantha Krystal Shupe and her family are also participating. So far they have made 6 wine ninja bags, 2 maternity bags, and 6 kids activity bags. They selected 3 wine and 3 kids ninja bags to go to people that they knew and the other 3 were random. Her kids picked a number between 1-11 (address lists on each page) then an address that didn't have a symbol and then they delivered. Her kids played the ninja's.  For the maternity gift bags, she created a post asking for addresses or someone to nominate someone expecting so they can be included as well. These they put names in a hat and dropped them off! "It's a great activity to lift everyone spirits, it's been fun for our family" Samantha told bdnmb.ca. "The admins for the pages are amazing and do a great job on updating the lists" she added. The Brandon Manitoba Wine Ninjas Facebook group page can be found here. A recent thread was also started on the People of Brandon Facebook page with pictures and postings of various gift baskets being left on doorsteps and links to different groups within the city.

Finding new ways to entertain yourself at home is never a bad idea. As we’ve now come to appreciate in a more real way than ever before, the variety and capacity of online communities is truly astonishing. Regardless of what it is you’re looking to try your hand at, chances are you’ll be able to find a dynamic online community just waiting to embrace you. From education to entertainment, socializing to support groups, the internet has so much to offer and you don’t even need to change out of your pajamas in order to take advantage of it. If you’ve been thinking about trying a new online hobby but are not quite sure where to get started, here are some ideas to get you going. Try your luck at a game If it has been years since you learned a new game, be that a card game, board game, or video game, now is a great time to change that. The online gaming apparatus is hugely sophisticated and offers so many great opportunities to discover something you truly take pleasure in playing. If you miss the social aspect of playing at a big casino but can’t get to one right now, check out the many legal online casinos for Canadians that offer all sorts of great bonuses, beginner incentives, and playing opportunities. Or maybe you miss getting together on Saturday nights with your friends or family to play different board games. Did you know many of these are now available to play online? It’s a great way to stay connected as well as give yourself a chance to laugh, relax, and have some fun without ever leaving the house. Do something special with all your digital photos Although physical scrapbooking is still a great idea if you’re looking to make a special keepsake for your family, have you ever thought about taking your photo cropping and collage making skills online? If you find yourself with a little extra time to play around on the computer, why not brush up on those editing and photoshop skills and create a truly stunning digital album of your friends or family. Not only is it better for the environment than making a physical album, it is also easier to share with loved ones all across the world. Check out some of the easy-to-use tools available and get started today. Get your dance on People may joke about only feeling comfortable dancing in their own living room, but it might surprise you to learn how many of them are actually doing it. There are so many great online dance classes available, whether you’re looking to participate solo or as a couple. Regardless of the style of dance you’re looking to explore, you’ll be able to find many tutorial videos and ever live classes where you can personally connect with teachers and other dancers. Some of the live classes require a paid subscription to participate, but overall it seems that the quality of the instruction is quite high. Teachers are happy to provide one-on-one guidance and commentary to help you improve your skills in no time. Become a movie buff Go beyond Netflix and discover a genre of film that you’ve always been curious about but have never fully explored. There is so much high-quality content available online, and with many services providing free introductory offers, you can usually get a few weeks or even a month of streaming completely free. That should give you enough time to decide whether or not you’ve found a service that you’d like to continue paying for, and either way – you’ll have gotten some free entertainment and can now impress your friends with your niche film knowledge.

If you were to pull into any farmyard in Westman and take a peek in the front closet, you'd likely see some plaid, a few pairs of coveralls, and a dusty old ballcap, all part of the uniform for the stereotypical farmer. At first glance, the Lepp sisters Cassandra and Stefanie may not fit the style found in most farmers' closets, but they can pull a wrench, stack a bale and drive a tractor better than most. The sisters who help run Rivers Air Spray, a family businesses just north of Brandon, have developed a social media / online following showcasing their love for fashion and farming. "We have always enjoyed expressing ourselves through our style, and at the same time, we are equally as comfortable in our workwear. We think that is an important message to send out to young girls and all women," Cassandra told BDNMB. "Stefanie went to modeling school and has always loved photography. We were and are constantly told we do not look like farmers. We started our page to empower anyone to chase their passion." The sisters have over 19,8000 followers on Instagram (@thetulepps), and although the online presence plays a significant role in their life, they know where the real priorities are. Cassandra and Stefanie are the ground crew for their father as he flies his Dromader and 802F Air Tractor all over Westman while helping their two brothers market a commercial sweep that is sold worldwide. Their unique collection of photos showcases the two sisters changing the oil in the tractor, helping at harvest time, unloading grain, and playing with the family dogs, all while displaying an impressive eye for fashion, makeup, style, and art. It may be an unconventional look behind the curtain into the world of farming, but the Lepp’s know they are making an impact. "We think it is important, especially for young girls, to see women comfortably glammed up or with no makeup fixing a tractor.  What we put out is very much who we are, and we are humbled by the support we have received. We have been told we have inspired other women to get in the tractors or do something they are uncomfortable with, and that is really rewarding for us." While they may not define themselves as trailblazers, the Lepp sisters know that the dynamic of the family farm has changed drastically in the last 40 years. Long gone are the days where papa went to work in the field, while mama stayed home and cooked up the meal. Women are more involved in the day to day operations of the farm than ever before, something the Lepp’s are proud to help showcase. "We share positivity, individuality, empowerment, mental health awareness, and facts about agriculture, “added Cassandra. "We want our page to be a positive one. We want to share our lifestyle with the general public to show the world what the ag community provides to society and not what the media often shows.  Farmers are some of the smartest, multitalented, hard-working, and kind people we have ever met."

A large number of both vehicles and spectators turned out to participate and witness the Brandon and Area Car Enthusiasts cruise held earlier this afternoon. Vehicles traveled along three different routes in the city, in support of all essential workers.

Reservations for Manitoba campgrounds open next week and staggered dates will be offered to make it easier for outdoor enthusiasts to book a site at their favourite campground, Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard announced today. “We thank Manitobans for their commitment in acting on the advice our health-care experts to stay home for the benefits of themselves, their loved ones and their community,” said Guillemard. “It is through their dedication and actions that we are able to allow Manitobans to continue to visit our provincial parks, and we are pleased to open up our campgrounds for the season, with additional safety measures in place. I believe this is welcome news for many Manitobans and their families. “I encourage everyone to keep practicing the fundamentals of good hygiene and social distancing while at home, and especially while enjoying some quality time outside with their loved ones, whether camping, at the cottage and throughout our beautiful parks.” Manitobans are reminded to take advantage of the new opportunity to buy a park vehicle pass online as part of the province’s new e-licensing program that launched earlier this year. To accommodate the expected high demand on the opening day of the parks reservation system, online and call centre services will begin at 7 a.m. at http://prs.gov.mb.ca, 204-948-3333 (in Winnipeg) or 1 888-482-2267 (toll free). Check the website for call centre hours on other days. Customers making online reservations are advised to check their user IDs and passwords prior to May 4. For more information, visit www.manitobaparks.com. The Manitoba Parks Reservation Service will accept bookings in two phases: •    May 4 at 7 a.m. campsite reservations open for Winnipeg Beach, Betula Lake, Big Whiteshell, Brereton Lake, Caddy Lake, Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore, Nutimik Lake, Opapiskaw, Otter Falls, West Hawk Lake and White Lake campgrounds; and •    May 6 at 7 a.m. campsite reservations open for all remaining provincial park campgrounds. As part of Restoring Safe Services:  Manitoba’s Pandemic and Economic Roadmap for Recovery, additional measures will be in place and enforceable under the public health order, the minister noted. Campers are reminded that current public health orders limit gatherings to 10 people or less and people must continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing protocols. Provincial parks will implement enhanced cleaning procedures and sanitization of public washrooms and shower facilities in the campgrounds. Staff will be monitoring to ensure social distancing is adhered to, especially in public areas like beaches and recreation areas. For more information visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/restoring/phase-one.html#parks. In addition, campers are reminded there is currently a travel ban north of the 53rd parallel, with certain exceptions for essential travel. While the ban is in effect, anyone from southern Manitoba should not be travelling to a campground in the north. If making a booking for a northern campground (anywhere north of Lake Winnipeg), confirm the travel ban has been lifted prior to the planned camping trip. Out of province campers and visitors must follow the public health orders related to travel including a requirement to self-isolate for 14 days when entering the province. Walk-in reservations and in-person payment arrangements can be made at 200 Saulteaux Cres. in Winnipeg and will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning May 4 for the parks and facilities described above. Be aware that public access to the building is limited due to COVID-19 protocols and may require queuing outside. Online or call centre reservations are preferred. For more information on the e-licensing program or to purchase a park vehicle pass when the program, visit www.manitobaelicensing.ca. Manitobans can also stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following Manitoba Parks on Facebook or Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks. (Province of Manitoba News Release)