With high school graduations coming up, and college and university students already done for the summer. It is time to look at the benefits of hiring students. VHP has hired students off and on since it’s inception in 1997, however in 2012 the company started a seasonal lawn crew consisting of students & athletes home for the summer. These students bring a bit of life and a different perspective to the business each year. We have had some students back as many as five years in a row and have offered them different opportunities for advancement within the organization. It is really rewarding to see these kids grow up into responsible adults developing a work ethic and progressing into their careers. Brock Sutherland was the first member of the lawn crew back in 2012, he was joined by Cory Rae and Cole McCaig. It is amazing how time flies, both Cory and Brock have their own families now and all three members have moved on to very successful careers. With the energy comes fun. Since the first year of the lawn crew VHP has hosted staff Bar-be-ques to bring the team together to build appreciation for the hard work of all team members. This has evolved into entering a staff hockey team into the Wendy’s Summer Hockey League where the students and other employees can have some fun outside of work. Finally, in 2016 a tradition started called the “Jake Cup”, named after VHP’s founder Vionell Bertineous (Jake) Jacobson who was an entrepreneur and a competitive guy. The Jake Cup which started as a fun hockey game at the end of the summer where staff members could invite their friends out and have a challenge game for the Jake Cup. Last year this evolved into an event where VHP and RE/MAX Valleyview Realty would team up to play against Royal Lepage Martin Liberty Realty. This provided an opportunity to bring the competition level up a bit, add a bit of pride to the event, but to also help two local charities, as the losing team donated $500 to the winning team’s charity of choice. 50/50 proceeds were also donated to the charity of losing team. Last year Career Connections and the YWCA shared over $800. This year’s event is planned for August 15th at a location to be named in the near future. VHP and RE/MAX Valleyview Realty will be looking to win the Jake Cup back from Royal Lepage Martin Liberty Realty. Looking forward to seeing people come out to support a couple of local charities again this year. All of these great things: Friday barbeques, the Jake Cup and the summer hockey team were started because VHP decided to hire a group of students back in 2012, not to mention having the best kept grounds in the city for our apartment complexes. When considering adding a student to your team this summer, don’t think of the costs; think of the benefits of providing employment for young people and what they bring to your organization. Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has nearly 4,000 units under management in Manitoba. For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca. VHP has committed to constructing 128 multifamily residential units in Portage la Prairie the first 64 units will be ready for occupancy in fall of 2019.

The man-made lake in Reston, MB officially opened on June 15. The lake was Phase 2 of the Recreation Development Area for the  RM of Pipestone. Funding from the RM of Pipestone Council ($250,000) and from the Province of Manitoba Community Places Program ($50,000) was used to finance the project. It is located adjacent to the Reston campground, golf course and spray park. Many features have been built into the lake including a sand bottom, decorative fountain, and a large sand beach.

Riley spent 4 seasons in the WHL, including his 20-year old season with his home town Wheat Kings. Along with his brother Spencer they are the owners of Progressive Sanitation. The company is Brandon's leading supplier of sanitation supplies and equipment. Nickname: Dawg Day First job: Professional Stock Boy- Safeway Childhood celebrity crush: Britney Spears Most memorable WHL fight: Getting whipped by Tootoo What is your must have beauty product: Obviously Hair Gel Biggest regret: Everything happens for a reason and we all end up where we are supposed to be.. no REGRATS... not even one letter. One person in Brandon that you not have yet had lunch with but would like to: Rick Chrest What accomplishment in your career are you most proud of to date: Progressive Westman Your fast-food guilty pleasure: Sub Shop Who would make you totally star struck: Mario Lemieux You dream golfing foursome includes yourself and these three people: Elvis Presley, Mario Lemieux, John Daly – TIGER CAN CARRY MY CLUBS…. Best sports movie of all-time: Slapshot... not even a close second. What movie title best describes your life: The good, the bad and the ugly (1966) The last adventure you went on: Road Trip to BC with the Kids You've got friends visiting Brandon for the first time, where are you taking them: To the lake. If an actor could play you in a movie about the story of your life, who would it be: James Dean Favorite Disney character: Peter Pan Bonus Question: Who is the weirdest person you know: We will leave that one for a mystery..

Over the past several years we have been very fortunate to introduce our readers to some hidden gems (Crows' General Store, D-Vos Sports Lounge, Eternal Springs, Nature's Hideaway) in Brandon and the surrounding communities. Thanks to a tip from a follower, we can now add the Kelwood Store to the list. The store, located at 10 Mountain Ave in Kelwood, is only open Saturdays from 10AM TO 4PM. Kelwood is halfway between Neepawa and Ste Rose du Lac. The recently opened store is full of antiques and collectibles. There is a great little cafe next door too, called “Cafe 37”, which is open Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays.

The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is offering a jam-packed month of drawing, painting, animation, cartooning, video game making, puppets, clay classes and much more this July! Children and Teens can delve into the fantastic world of art making this summer and work with talented artists and instructors. Sign up now for activities and art projects in an inspiring, creative, and supportive setting for learners of all ages and abilities. Please remember - classes fill up quickly, so sign up now to avoid missing out! The Children’s and Teens Summer Art Program begins July 2nd and runs until July 26th. Full days or half days are available. The programs accommodate ages 6-9, 9-12, or 13-17yrs. Are your children fascinated by Minecraft or into creating cartoons and anime? Join Ronalyn Ewert and Carly Morrisseau during the afternoons in Week 3 to develop game ideas and create drawings, pixelated selfies, and interactive art. Are your teen artists interested in animation or learning the first steps to game design and making video games? Check out the teens classes with Marcel Laurin during Week 3. Do your little ones love to get creative with paint, clay, rainbow unicorns, and sparkles? Leave the mess to us, and bring your kids to the gallery so they can have fun and set their imagination free in Week 1 with Mud to Mug and Colour Your World or Imagination Station in Week 2 with Hannah Seitter. Children can become Art Stars as they create mini-murals and Star Blanket paintings in Week 3 in a unique opportunity to work with amazing downtown mural artists from Brandon and Winnipeg! There is something for everyone in a wide range of workshops this summer featuring T-shirt design, Harry Potter themes, superhero puppets, watercolour painting and more. These workshops, plus many more, are all listed on the Art Gallery’s website: agsm.ca or contact the Art Gallery for a printed brochure. To register: please contact us in-person, over the phone, online, through the mail or fax.