Earl has lived in Brandon for the past 16-years. He is a Level 4 umpire, softball Canada. Current job title: Supervisor, Inspections, Liquor Gaming and Cannabis Authority Which is the most underrated fruit: Bananas, not only are they good but they can assist with hydration and muscle recovery, which can be critical for umpires wearing the gear on hot days.  First Job: I was a fuel administrator for the Texaco/Esso gas station operated by Canadian Motors. What movie/TV character, fictional or other, does your personality most resemble: Hmmm, tough one.   I would say I'm part Dwight Schrute from The Office,  part Chandler Bing from Friends.  I think I'm pretty serous and dedicated to work but also pretty sarcastic, and sometimes only entertain myself.  Lol  You can only eat 3 items for the rest of your life, name them: Ribs, Cheeseburgers and Chicken Alfredo.  What web site do you visit most often: Well it used to be the Score for all my sports news and stats before this pandemic interfered with my hobby! Favorite all-time Wheat King: probably have to say Jordin Tootoo here but we have been lucky to have so many great players develop in Brandon. You get locked inside a Wal-Mart alone for 24-hours, how would you pass the time: I'm not sure I've been in there more than 20 minutes so I'm not sure.   I'm sure I would be opening the largest smart tv and some other electronics to pass some time!  I hope they have some sports books or magazines in that section.   Could you lock me in Canadian Tire, Princess Auto or Home Depot next time?  What NHL player from the 80's would thrive in today's NHL: I am sure there are a few like Brian Lawton that would today with less physicality.  I can't remember a lot of that type of player because I was so busy watching the Oilers dominate.  I'd love to  see the points they would put up in today's NHL.  I will add though a player from the early 90s and say I really think Marty Murray would have a different career if he was born 20 years later.  Your favorite YouTube Channel: I use YouTube for do-it- yourself stuff, customer product reviews, and Android tv information mostly. Three movies everyone should have in their movie library: only 3 , that's difficult but Slapshot, Moneyball and Rudy.  Honorable mentions: Shawshank Redemption, Gladiator and John Q Who, or where, would you haunt if you were a ghost: oh I think there is a pretty good group of friends I have hung out with,  been in sports drafts with,  umpired with,  that I would be around to prank,  I wouldn't say haunt.   You know I also wouldn't forget about my family especially the sisters and brother in laws! I could however haunt boyfriends/girlfriends of my nieces/nephew.   Just for fun, I also wouldn't neglect a few coaches I've had discussions with over the years. What celebrity Chef would you most like to make you a meal: Does Guy Fieri count? What was the last thing you took a photo of on your cell phone: I have actually been taking more pictures than normal with my phone and finally an easy question!  I rescued a 8 week old puppy a couple weeks ago who has kept me busy with more than the camera.   She's been a great distraction, a lab cross and her name is Lola.  Cue the music.  If you could pick one animal to be your permanent sidekick, what animal would you choose: Easy,  as above, I love dogs, I just wish they had the life span of a turtle. What would be the most amazing adventure to go on:  Well I still haven't gone white water rafting and there is a lot of baseball stadiums and NHL arenas I would love to see.   I would like to check out MSG for sure and the rest of New York,  but not any time soon! Water slide, ferris wheel, synthetic mini-hockey rink, or micro-brewery....what would you most like to install in your backyard: water slide or the rink.   I know a few weak goalies who could come over I could shoot on and feel good about myself!  Dream dinner party guests (4): Mark Messier, Joe West, Nolan Ryan and Jerry Seinfeld As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up: like every kid that changed a few times, I knew early on I needed a back up plan to playing in the NHL.  I remember a time thinking a chef, a veterinarian, a teacher and an accountant. What songs take you back to your teen years: lots of 80s stuff.  Growing up on the farm, we had one tractor with a radio and i listened to 580 AM.  I listened to a variety of stuff, from Van Halen and Def Leopard to Phil Collins and Glass Tiger. What sport would be funniest to add a mandatory amount of alcohol to: Broomball, but i'm hearing good things about that legends football league,

Zach signed with the Vegas Golden Knights after finishing his collegiate career in March of 2018. He made his NHL debut later that year (April 5, 2018) against the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. This season the 6-1, 209 lb defensemen suited in 16 games for the Knights, picking up one assist. The former Brandon AAA Midget Wheat King and Virden Oil Capital recently took time out of his schedule to answer our 20 questions. Your fast food guilty pleasure: Cold stone if that counts, if not, don’t really eat fast food Any game day rituals/superstitions: have to put fresh laces in at morning skate for the game What animal would be most terrifying if it could speak: either a bear or a snake Your dream golfing foursome includes yourself and these three individuals: Joe Rogan, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson What as your first car: 2001 Dodge Dakota crew cab Soft- or hard-shell tacos: soft You win the Stanley Cup, what three locations in Brandon would you like to visit with the cup: hospital, the schools I went to, generic spot for friends + family to see it What was your best subject in school: business How did you get your sweater # with the Knights: Assigned number Finish this sentence: “I can’t live a day without my….”: hypervolt, take my massage gun everywhere with me Who or where would you haunt if you were a ghost: the boys A former teammate with the Virden Oil Capitals who one day will make a great coach: Ben Williams, former Southwest Cougar Favorite all-time sports movie: Bad News Bears or Dodgeball You have friends visiting Vegas for the first time, where are you taking them: Jjanga or Oyshi (all you can eat sushi) Would you rather go hang gliding or whitewater rafting: Whitewater rafting How do you relax after a hard day at the rink: hot tub for a bit and some TV Who’s your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to: Morgan Wallen First job you ever had: Tamarack flag boy, and a Co-Op produce worker Do you hit the snooze button or wake up immediately: always wake up immediately, can’t start the day being lazy

Brandon's Brayden Payette recently captured curling's world junior gold (U21) as Team Canada toppled Switzerland 7-2 in the championship final. Payette (second) spent this season with Team Gauthier from the Assinaboine Curling Club in Winnipeg. What motivates you to work hard: the result in the end, example of curling all my life and winning gold this year makes it all worth it. Would you rather have unlimited sushi for life or unlimited tacos for life: unlimited tacos! You have to assemble a celebrity (non-curlers) co-ed curling team to enter a bonspiel, who do you choose (1 male, 2 females): Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Anniston, Mila Kunis! What was the last movie you went to? What did you think: Fast and Furious, loved it because it’s my favourite series. In the evening would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie,or read: play games with family or friends! Which county has the most passionate curling fans: Canada! What is your biggest pet peeve with modern technology: people not talking when you ask them something and they are busy on their phones The NHL is planning an exhibition game in Brandon, what two teams would you like to see face off against one another: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Vegas Golden Knights! You have to spend 3-months training in Russia, what three "Canadian" food items do you take with you: burgers! Pizza! Bacon! Where is one likely to find you when you're not curling: with friends, or at home relaxing! Who would you most like to sit next to on a 10-hour flight and why: Colin Hodgson! The guys always has interesting stuff to talk about and is always wanting to talk and easy to talk to! Where is the most interesting place you have visited: Krasnoyarsk! Who or where would you haunt if you were a ghost: my cousins because it’s always fun to scare them! What goal are you working on now: working forward, and someday hoping to make the brier! If a crystal ball could tell you anything about your future, what would you want to know: what my curling future has in store for me! Which song or artist are you too embarrassed to say you listen to right now: none! I’ll tell anyone what I’m listening to! What animal would be the most terrifying if it could speak: a lion or tiger! If you could jump into a pool full of something, what would it be: jello! Three must visit restaurants in Brandon: Wendy’s! Tavern for wings! Fast fired! Curling and softball are known as very social sports, What sport would be the funniest to add a mandatory amount of alcohol too: hockey or tennis!

Last February we introduced you to “7 Intriguing Restaurants That You Must Try in Rural Manitoba” (article link) and the response was overwhelming, over 17,000 views to date. In the days that followed we received hundreds of emails/messages from our readers with additional restaurants they believed could have made the list. After combing through all the suggestions, and completing a little more research, we are now pleased to present “7 Intriguing Restaurants That You Must Try in Rural Manitoba, Part 2”. In no particular order. New Lee's Restaurant (Rivers): Extensive Chinese food menu. Large combo plates. Lunch buffet available Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays. Supper buffet available on Friday, Saturday, & Sundays. The buffet is topped-up frequently so the food is always hot and fresh. Facebook link. Timberland Inn (Swan River): If you have ever visited this restaurant then you already know why it made the list. Quite simply put, comfort food at it's best. The burgers are awesome and you can't beat the food for taste or value. Facebook link. Farmhouse 50 (Minnedosa): Select from a variety of fresh, healthy, homemade lunch and dinner options including fresh baked treats and specialty coffee. Many readers recommended the Sunday Brunch served between 10am-2pm. Facebook link. Brierwood Creek Cafe & Grill (Kenton): If you're a fan of really good pizza then you will have to add this restaurant to your hit list. The toppings are plentiful and the crust us perfectly crisp. The pizza here is flavorful, fresh, and HUGE. Additional menu items include breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and chicken. Facebook link. Corrina's on Main (Dauphin): Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in Dauphin for more than 10 years. Fresh ingredients and scratch cooking. Tons of menu options including homemade soups and homemade baking. The food is always delicious and the portions are always large and reasonably priced. Facebook link. Brews Brothers Bistro (Neepawa): Homemade soups, sandwiches, fresh baked goods, specialty coffees and more. Prices are very affordable. Tripadvisor's top ranked restaurant in Neepawa. Visit their Facebook page to checkout some of their amazing desserts, from delicious cheesecakes to brownies. Jmmy's Submarine & Dairy (Portage): Juicy and flavorful burgers (made to order) on a massive sesame seed bun. Perfectly seasoned home made fries. Come hungry and leave stuffed. Home of the Fatboy burger.

Renting an apartment and moving in with someone is like an exciting, new adventure. It’s fun to set the space up, decorate, get to know one another and settle into a new routine. However, after the honeymoon phase, reality often sets in and you start to realize that you are not at all compatible. You decide that you are no longer happy living together and that you need to look for a new place to live. The challenge of making a decision to part ways is that you and your roommate are committed to a lease. It’s possible that you still have six months, or more left in the contract. If neither of you is interested in keeping the apartment and searching for a new roommate, you need to discuss with your landlord what your options are. Some companies in Manitoba do not allow subletting, however, they are required to allow leases to be assigned. You are probably wondering what the difference is between assigning a lease and subletting? With an assignment of a lease, the tenants that have the lease agreement are the ones to advertise and show the rental unit. If new tenants are found, they still need to go through the approval process of the landlord or management company. Once approved, the new tenant takes the unit as is and the remainder of the lease is assigned to them. There is generally a small administrative fee for this process (approximately $75). Here are some tips to help with the assignment process: Be flexible - Offer the person interested in your unit the option to move in early. A day or two before the end of the month, rather than on the first of the month can make a big difference. Advertise - Take good pictures of the rental unit and use classified ads and social media platforms to promote your unit. You might discover that your rental rate is at a lower amount than what current rent levels are in that building, as rent increases are not permitted during the term of the lease. Offer incentives - If you are really desperate to move on, offer an incentive such as a free month of rent or a discount off the first month to entice new tenants to take over the remainder of your lease. Understand the process – Get a copy of the policy regarding assigning a unit from your landlord. Share it with the prospective renters so that everyone involved in the process is educated on what the steps are to take over the lease. Don’t stop seeking renters – If someone is interested in your place and the lease terms, do not stop showing the unit to other interested parties. If the first prospect is not approved by the landlord, you may need to attract more prospects in order to complete the assignment. If you stop showing the unit when one party is interested, you may lose the momentum you had when your ads and incentives were fresh. Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including condominium management. VHP currently has over 4,000 units under management in Manitoba. For more information, please visit www.vhproperties.ca.